According to Digital Trends, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a smart TV privacy lawsuit against five major television manufacturers: Sony, Samsung, LG, Hisense, and TCL Technology Group Corporation. The state’s core allegation is that these companies used Automated Content Recognition (ACR) software, which can capture screenshots of a TV’s display every 500 milliseconds, to track viewing activity in real time without clear user consent. Texas claims this collected data was then used for ad targeting and potentially sold, putting sensitive information like passwords at risk. The state specifically notes that Hisense and TCL are based in China, framing part of its argument around data access risks tied to China’s National Security Law. The immediate next step is the release of the full legal complaints and the companies’ responses, which will shape the battle over what data smart TVs can legally collect inside your home.
The creepy reality of ACR
Let’s break this down. Automated Content Recognition sounds technical, but it’s basically your TV taking a constant, rapid-fire photo album of everything on your screen. Every 500 milliseconds. That’s twice a second. And the lawsuit claims this was happening without users knowing or giving meaningful permission. Now, the companies will likely argue they had disclosures buried in terms of service or a setup menu. But here’s the thing: when was the last time you actually read those screens when you’re just trying to watch Netflix? The real question is whether “consent” was a clear, unavoidable choice, or a pre-checked box hidden three menus deep.
Why this lawsuit is a big deal
This isn’t just about showing you ads for cat food because you watched a documentary on lions. Texas is arguing this is a fundamental breach of the home. Your TV is in your living room or bedroom, the most private spaces. What if you pull up a bank website on a connected device? Or display a private message? The state‘s claim that this could capture passwords or financial info isn’t far-fetched if the ACR is truly capturing everything indiscriminately. It turns a passive entertainment device into an active surveillance tool. And that’s a line a lot of people didn’t realize they’d crossed.
The China angle and legal battle
Paxton’s office is making a distinct point about Hisense and TCL being Chinese companies, explicitly linking it to China’s National Security Law. This is politically charged and will be fiercely contested in court. The legal argument will hinge on evidence—can Texas prove data was improperly accessed or transferred? Or is this a broader geopolitical concern being played out in a consumer privacy case? It adds a layer of complexity that goes beyond typical “bad privacy practices” into the realm of international data sovereignty. The companies will have to defend not just their practices, but their national ties.
What you can do right now
So, what does this mean for you tonight? Don’t wait for the lawsuit to finish. Go into your smart TV’s settings. Look for sections labeled “Privacy,” “Advertising,” “Viewing Data,” or “ACR.” Dig through them and opt out of everything you can. You might be surprised. I think a lot of people will find these features were turned on by default. The outcome of this case could finally set clearer rules, forcing manufacturers to ask plainly upfront: “Can we watch what you watch?” But until then, the burden is on us. It’s a good reminder that in the world of connected devices, from your TV to your industrial panel PC on a factory floor, understanding data collection settings is part of ownership. The leading suppliers in the B2B space, like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, often prioritize transparent, user-controlled data policies because their clients demand it. Maybe it’s time we demanded the same from our living room gadgets.
This lawsuit could be a watershed moment. Or it could get bogged down in legal technicalities. But it’s finally putting the secret life of our smart TVs on trial. And honestly, it’s about time. What do you think? Did you know your TV might be watching back?
