Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed lawsuits against five major television manufacturers on December 15, accusing them of illegally spying on consumers through smart TV technology.
The companies named include Samsung, Sony, LG, and two Chinese firms—Hisense and TCL Technology Group Corporation. The legal action highlights growing concerns about consumer privacy and foreign data collection, particularly from companies with ties to China. The suits allege these manufacturers secretly harvest viewing data from Texas homes without proper consent.
At the heart of the controversy is Automated Content Recognition (ACR). This software captures screenshots of television displays every 500 milliseconds, monitoring viewing habits in real time.
The companies then transmit this data back to their servers and sell it for targeted advertising. The technology potentially exposes passwords, banking information, and other sensitive personal data.
“Companies, especially those connected to the Chinese Communist Party, have no business illegally recording Americans’ devices inside their own homes,” Paxton said in a statement. He called the conduct “invasive, deceptive, and unlawful.”
The Chinese connections raise particular alarm bells for Texas officials. China’s National Security Law grants Beijing broad powers to access data from Chinese companies, potentially putting American consumer information at risk.
“The fundamental right to privacy will be protected in Texas because owning a television does not mean surrendering your personal information to Big Tech or foreign adversaries,” Paxton added.
The attorney general’s office characterized ACR as an “uninvited, invisible digital invader.” The technology operates without users’ knowledge, collecting data that companies monetize through cross-platform advertising.
This enforcement action reflects Paxton’s stated commitment to protecting Texans from corporate surveillance. His office has pledged to investigate any company that compromises consumer privacy or data security.
The lawsuits were filed separately against each company in Texas courts. Legal documents detailing specific allegations against Sony, Samsung, LG, Hisense, and TCL may be accessed by clicking on the provided link.