Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed lawsuits against five leading television manufacturers, claiming they use technology to capture screenshots of what people watch without clear consent.
The cases target Sony, Samsung, LG, Hisense, and TCL. Filed in mid-December 2025, the complaints focus on Automated Content Recognition (ACR), a built-in system in smart TVs.
ACR works by taking snapshots of the screen at regular intervals—often every 500 milliseconds in some models—to identify content. The system analyzes these images to determine shows, movies, or apps in use. It then sends the data to company servers. Manufacturers use this information to build viewer profiles and sell it to advertisers for targeted ads.
The allegations state that companies collect this data across sources: streaming services, cable, over-the-air broadcasts, and even HDMI-connected devices like gaming consoles or laptops. Paxton describes the practice as turning TVs into surveillance tools in living rooms. He points out that disclosures about ACR are often buried in settings or vague, making real consent hard to obtain.
Special attention falls on Hisense and TCL, both China-based. The suits raise concerns that Chinese law could force these firms to share collected data with the government.
Key Allegations from the Lawsuits
- TVs capture screenshots frequently to track viewing in real time.
- Data gets transmitted without users knowing.
- Companies profit by selling profiles for ad targeting.
- Practices violate Texas consumer protection laws through deceptive methods.
These claims echo past cases. In 2017, Vizio settled with regulators for similar ACR data collection without proper notice.
Recent Developments
A Texas court issued a temporary restraining order against Hisense soon after the filings, halting ACR data collection in the state. A similar order briefly applied to Samsung but was later paused pending further hearings.
The suits remain ongoing. Companies have not issued detailed public responses in available reports, often citing pending litigation.
What This Means for Viewers
Smart TV owners may want to check privacy settings. ACR features can usually be turned off, though the process varies by brand and model. Guides from consumer groups outline steps to disable it.
This case highlights ongoing debates about privacy in connected devices. It questions how much tracking people accept when buying everyday electronics.
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