By Kingsville Independent News Staff
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed lawsuits against five major television manufacturers, alleging the companies illegally collected data about what Texans watch in their homes without proper disclosure or consent, according to a press release issued by the Texas Office of the Attorney General.
The companies named in the lawsuits are Sony, Samsung, LG, Hisense, and TCL. Hisense and TCL are based in China, a factor the attorney general’s office said raises additional concerns about consumer data security.
The lawsuits accuse the companies of using Automated Content Recognition (ACR) technology to monitor viewing activity on smart televisions and transmit that information back to the manufacturers for advertising and data-sharing purposes. No court rulings have been issued, and the allegations have not been proven.
What is Automated Content Recognition?
Automated Content Recognition, or ACR, is a technology commonly used in smart televisions and streaming devices.
According to the attorney general’s office, ACR technology can:
- Identify what appears on a television screen
- Monitor viewing activity in real time
- Transmit that information back to the manufacturer
The release alleges the companies used this technology without adequately informing consumers or obtaining meaningful consent, and that the data was later sold or shared to support targeted advertising.
The attorney general’s office also claims the technology could pose risks to consumer privacy by capturing sensitive on-screen information. The release does not cite specific instances of stolen financial, password, or personal data.
Why Chinese-owned companies are highlighted
In the cases involving Hisense and TCL, the attorney general’s office raised national security concerns, citing China’s National Security Law, which allows the Chinese government to compel companies to share data upon request.
According to the release, this creates the potential for U.S. consumer data to be accessed by a foreign government. The lawsuits do not allege that such data sharing has already occurred.
What Texans should know
These are allegations, not findings.
The lawsuits represent claims made by the attorney general’s office and have not yet been tested in court.
ACR technology itself is not uncommon.
Many smart televisions use ACR or similar tools for analytics and advertising. The legal issue centers on whether consumers were clearly informed and whether consent was properly obtained.
Consumers may already have control options.
Most smart TVs include settings that allow users to:
- Disable content recognition
- Limit ad personalization
- Review data-sharing and privacy options
These settings are often found under Privacy, Advertising, or Smart Features in a television’s settings menu.
The outcome could affect consumer protections.
If successful, the lawsuits could result in changes to how smart TV manufacturers disclose data practices or collect user consent in Texas.
What happens next
The lawsuits will proceed through Texas courts unless settled. The companies named in the suits are expected to respond in legal filings.
The attorney general’s office said it is seeking to hold companies accountable for what it described as deceptive or unlawful data practices. No penalties or remedies have been imposed at this stage.
Editor’s note: This story is based on a press release issued by the Texas Office of the Attorney General. The allegations described have not been tested in court. Kingsville Independent News will update this report as additional information becomes available.