Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed lawsuits against Samsung, LG, Sony, Hisense, and TCL, accusing them of using Automated Content Recognition technology to spy on viewers without consent. The suits claim this software captures screenshots every 500 milliseconds and transmits viewing data for targeted advertising. Paxton seeks damages and restraining orders to halt the practices.
On December 16, 2025, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued five leading television manufacturers—Samsung, LG, Sony, Hisense, and TCL—in district courts across several Texas counties. The lawsuits allege that these companies' smart TVs employ Automated Content Recognition (ACR) technology to unlawfully collect personal data from users. ACR functions by capturing screenshots of the television display every 500 milliseconds, monitoring viewing activity in real time across streaming apps, cable, gaming consoles, and Blu-ray players, and transmitting this information back to the companies without users' knowledge or consent.
The complaints describe ACR as an 'uninvited, invisible digital invader' that risks exposing sensitive information, such as passwords and bank details. The companies then sell this data to build consumer profiles and target ads for profit, according to the filings. Texas argues that while ACR might enable personalized content, its extensive data harvesting exceeds what is necessary and primarily serves advertisement revenue, violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
Paxton highlighted particular concerns with Hisense and TCL, both based in China, noting that China's National Security Law could allow the government access to U.S. consumer data. 'Companies, especially those connected to the Chinese Communist Party, have no business illegally recording Americans’ devices inside their own homes,' Paxton stated in a press release. The suits against these firms additionally allege risks of data transfer to the People's Republic of China and potential use for influencing public figures or corporate espionage.
The lawsuits claim that consent is not meaningfully obtained. During initial TV setup, ACR is bundled into the process with vague disclosures hidden in dense legal jargon. Opting out requires navigating complex, multi-step menus—up to 15 clicks or more across separate settings like 'Viewing Information Services' and 'Interest-Based Ads' for Samsung TVs. In contrast, opting in is a simple one-click process. The suits seek up to $10,000 in damages per violation, or $250,000 for those affecting individuals 65 or older, plus restraining orders to prevent further data collection, sharing, and sales during litigation.
Sony, LG, and Hisense declined to comment on the pending legal matters when contacted.
