Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued Sony, Samsung, LG, Hisense and TCL, alleging their smart TVs use Automated Content Recognition (ACR) to capture screenshots roughly every 500 milliseconds and transmit viewing data without consent. A temporary restraining order blocks Hisense from collecting or using Texans' ACR data while the case proceeds. Paxton's office says the data is sold for targeted ads and issued consumer guidance for disabling ACR and personalized-ad settings.
Texas AG Sues Five TV Makers, Accuses Smart TVs of 'Spying' on Viewers
Texas AG sues several TV companies, says smart TVs are ‘spying on Texans’
Austin — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is campaigning for a U.S. Senate seat, has filed a lawsuit against five major television manufacturers, alleging that their smart TVs secretly collect viewers' data using Automated Content Recognition (ACR) technology.
What the Complaint Says
Paxton's office names Sony, Samsung, LG and the China-based firms Hisense and TCL Technology Group Corporation as defendants. The complaint alleges the companies have been unlawfully collecting personal data through ACR — a technology the press release described as an 'uninvited, invisible digital invader' — saying it can capture screenshots of a TV display about every 500 milliseconds, monitor viewing in real time, and transmit that information to manufacturers without users' knowledge or consent.
The attorney general's office alleges that manufacturers then sell the collected data for cross-platform targeted advertising. The press release also asserts, as an allegation by the office, that the Chinese Communist Party could access ACR data collected by China-based firms.
Temporary Restraining Order Against Hisense
Paxton secured a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Hisense that, for the duration of preliminary court proceedings, bars the company from: (1) collecting and (2) using, selling, sharing, disclosing, or transferring ACR data about Texans. The TRO is intended to preserve the status quo while the court considers the merits of the complaint.
"The days of Chinese tech companies spying on Americans' televisions are over," Paxton said in the release, calling the TRO a victory for privacy rights and a warning to other companies.
Consumer Guidance: How To Limit Smart TV Data Collection
The attorney general's office issued a consumer alert with general steps that may help disable ACR and related tracking on many smart TVs. Menu names and paths vary by brand and firmware; the following is a broadly applicable guide:
- Press the Home button on your remote to open the main menu.
- Go to Settings, then look for categories such as General, System or Intelligence.
- Select Privacy, Terms & Conditions, Privacy Choices, or a similar option.
- Disable entries labeled Smart TV Experience, Viewing Information Services, or similar to turn off ACR.
- Also look for and disable Personalized Ads, Interest-Based Advertising, or Content Recommendation.
Additional privacy steps include updating your TV's firmware, reviewing the manufacturer's privacy policy and documentation, disconnecting or disabling smart features you do not use, using an external streaming device when possible, and isolating your TV on a separate guest Wi-Fi network.
What Comes Next
The case is ongoing. If Paxton's claims proceed, court rulings could affect how smart TV manufacturers handle ACR and customer data. Consumers concerned about tracking should consult their TV's support resources and consider privacy choices now.
Source: Texas Attorney General's Office; reporting from KXAN/Nexstar.
