LG vs Samsung Electronics

LG Electronics Issues Statement on Smart TV Privacy; Expands AI Home and Partnerships

New press releases include a statement addressing privacy misconceptions on LG smart TVs, expansion of ThinQ UP for air conditioners in Europe, multiple IFA 2026 product showcases and awards, a partnership with Marriott International for smart hotel technology, and LG Energy Solution securing a multi-year lithium carbonate supply deal.

LG Privacy Row Spurs Marketers to Rethink Smart TV ACR Data

Aden Hepburn argues that the LG smart TV privacy controversy should prompt marketers to reconsider the value and risks of Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) data. While LG denies claims of eavesdropping, the debate highlights the need for clear consent and consumer trust. ACR, which identifies content on screen, can provide insights into household viewing behavior, enabling better campaign measurement, reach/frequency accuracy, and integrated customer journeys. However, Hepburn stresses that consent must be meaningful and the value exchange obvious to avoid perceptions of creepiness. The piece urges marketers to focus on privacy-compliant data use and transparent communication to harness ACR's potential.

• LG smart TVs were investigated by Gamers Nexus for data collection practices, with LG denying eavesdropping claims.
• LG states its ACR data collection is opt-in.
• ACR technology identifies content on screen and converts viewing signals into audience data.

LG Smart TVs Reportedly Spy on Users, Collecting Audio and Data

An investigation by Gamers Nexus and Level1Techs reveals that LG Smart TVs engage in extensive surveillance, capturing audio transcripts and video via webcams, even when the TV is in standby mode. The TVs use Automatic Content Recognition (ARC) to collect viewing habits and search queries for personalized ads, but researchers found they also transmit private conversations containing sensitive information like social security and credit card numbers to LG's servers. Additionally, the devices scan nearby Wi-Fi networks and connected devices, and collect Wi-Fi signal data. LG's ad solutions unit claims data from over 216 million devices globally is available for advertising. Users are advised to disconnect the TV from the internet entirely (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) to prevent data transmission.

• Investigation by Gamers Nexus and Level1Techs analyzed LG Smart TVs' network activity.
• LG TVs create plaintext transcripts of conversations via microphones and webcams, even in standby mode.
• Collected data includes audio clips, video recordings, Wi-Fi signal strengths, and device scans.

Mistral Secures €3B Series D for Sovereign AI

Mistral AI, a Paris-based company, raised €3 billion (~$3.5 billion) in a Series D round, reaching a post-money valuation exceeding €21 billion (~$24 billion), marking the largest equity financing ever by a European tech firm. Led by Samsung Electronics, with co-leads EQT's Scaleup Europe Fund and PSG Equity, the round attracted new investors Advent, BlackRock-managed funds, and Luxembourg, plus existing backers ASML, NVIDIA, Andreessen Horowitz, and others. The funds will advance R&D, computing capacity, and global expansion, shifting focus toward AI infrastructure, data centers, and sovereign compute via Mistral Compute. This intensifies competition with European neocloud rivals Nebius and Nscale. Notably, for the first time, a non-European entity leads the round, possibly indicating a broader coalition of middle powers in European AI sovereignty. Mistral serves over 125 enterprises across 20 countries, including Airbus and HSBC, targets 1 GW data centers by 2030, and expects ARR to exceed $1 billion this year.

• Mistral AI raised €3 billion (~$3.5 billion) in a Series D, reaching a post-money valuation over €21 billion, the largest European tech equity round.
• Samsung led the round, with co-leads EQT's Scaleup Europe Fund and PSG Equity; new investors included Advent, BlackRock-managed funds, and Luxembourg, with existing backers ASML, NVIDIA, Andreessen Horowitz, and others.
• Funds will support R&D, computing infrastructure, and global expansion, including a strategic pivot toward AI infrastructure, data centers, and sovereign compute via Mistral Compute.