Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against five major TV manufacturers—Sony, Samsung, LG, Hisense, and TCL—for illegally collecting consumers' viewing data through Automated Content Recognition (ACR) technology without knowledge or consent. The companies capture screenshots and monitor TV usage in real-time, then sell the data for targeted advertising, risking sensitive information. The suit seeks to halt these invasive practices and protect Texans' privacy.
In-house legal teams should review all vendor agreements with smart device manufacturers, ACR technology providers, and targeted advertising vendors to ensure compliance with privacy requirements highlighted in this enforcement action. Key clauses to audit include data collection disclosures, user consent mechanisms, data sharing and sale restrictions, and notice requirements. Contracts should explicitly prohibit vendors from collecting viewing or usage data without affirmative user consent, mandate clear and conspicuous notice of all data collection practices (including ACR), and ban the unauthorized sale or sharing of consumer viewing data. Additionally, update data processing agreements to require vendors to implement reasonable security measures, delete user data upon request, and comply with all applicable state and federal privacy laws.
Entity
Sony, Samsung, LG, Hisense, TCL Technology Group Corporation
Also known as: Sony, Samsung, LG, Hisense, TCL
Industry
TechnologyOfficial Press Release
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-paxton-sues-five-major-tv-companies-including-some-ties-ccp-spying-texans
Sony TV Petition Filed
https://www.oag.texas.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Sony%20TV%20Petition%20Filed.pdf
Samsung TV Petition Filed
https://www.oag.texas.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Samsung%20TV%20Petition%20Filed.pdf
LG TV Petition Filed
https://www.oag.texas.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/LG%20TV%20Petition%20Filed.pdf
Hisense TV Petition Filed
https://www.oag.texas.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Hisense%20TV%20Petition%20Filed.pdf
TCL TV Petition Filed
https://www.oag.texas.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/TCL%20TV%20Petition%20Filed.pdf
Texas Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/privacy
"The five major corporations being sued are as follows: Sony, Samsung, LG, as well as Hisense and TCL Technology Group Corporation (“TCL”), which are both based in China."
"December 15, 2025 | Press Release"
"Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed suit against five major television companies for spying on Texans"
"Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed suit against five major television companies"
"secretly recording what consumers watch in their own homes"
"transmit that information back to the company without the user’s knowledge or consent"
$3.0M
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a settlement requiring Temu to protect Texans’ sensitive personal data from exposure to the Chinese Communist Party and to strengthen product-safety practices. Temu must pay Texas $3 million, comply with data-security requirements backed by a potential $8 million annual penalty, conduct annual independent product testing, and take specified action on products found to contain harmful substances.
$773.0M
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that a multistate coalition had secured an opioid settlement with Albertsons, which would require the grocery chain to pay more than $773 million nationally once final. Texas and its political subdivisions may receive up to $57.8 million for opioid abatement; the release does not identify privacy violations.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Gerber Products Company and Nestlé USA, Inc., alleging that Gerber made deceptive safety and testing claims while its baby food contained dangerous levels of toxic heavy metals. The lawsuit asserts claims under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act; the release does not report a settlement, monetary penalty, or court order.
$1.5M
The Texas Attorney General obtained a judgment holding Rubinsky Roofing LLC liable for 27 violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, including deceptive practices involving older consumers and payment for unnecessary or unfinished repairs. The judgment requires more than $1.5 million in civil penalties, allocates at least $500,000 to consumer restitution, and permanently bars the company and its owner from the practices at issue.
The Texas Attorney General opened an investigation into UnitedHealth Group over allegations that its insurance-benefit administration and patient-care decisions denied Texans medically necessary healthcare. The AG issued Civil Investigative Demands to collect evidence; the release announces no penalty or remedy.
$7.5M
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a $7.5 million settlement with Tris Pharmaceuticals over alleged misrepresentations about the efficacy of Dyanavel XR, an ADHD drug marketed for children. The release says the company overstated the drug’s efficacy and directed sales representatives to make misleading claims to doctors, including Medicaid providers.