Samsung updates ACR privacy practices after Texas sues TV manufacturers

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Thursday said Samsung agreed to stop collecting and processing Automated Content Recognition (ACR) viewing data without first getting consent from Texas consumers, ending a lawsuit filed by the state in December.

ACR data captures TV users’ viewing habits in real time, and manufacturers have found profits from selling the information to advertisers and other organizations.

Paxton sued five major smart TV manufacturers — Samsung, Sony, LG, Hisense and TCL Technology — for allegedly collecting ACR data without consumers in the state being fully informed and consenting.

Samsung is the first company to make changes in response to the lawsuit, and said it will “promptly update” its smart TVs by creating disclosure and consent screens that are “clear and conspicuous to ensure that Texans can make an informed decision regarding whether their data is collected and how it’s used,” the AG’s press release said.  

A Samsung spokesperson said in a statement that it “shares the Texas Attorney General’s goal of promoting transparent and consumer-friendly privacy practices.”

“While we maintain our original television privacy policy and notices followed existing Texas state regulations, as a trusted brand, Samsung is proud to be at the forefront of protecting consumer privacy and security.”

The statement added that Samsung TVs “do not spy on customers.”

“Samsung allows you to control your privacy – and change your privacy settings at any time,” it said.

Lawsuits with the other TV manufacturers are ongoing.