Privacy and consumer protection enforcement actions tracked from official Texas Attorney General sources.
Official enforcement page58
Total Actions
$17.1B
Total Fines
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against proxy advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc. (ISS) alleging violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act by prioritizing political agendas over sound financial guidance in voting recommendations. The lawsuit seeks an injunction to stop deceptive practices and civil penalties of up to $10,000 per DTPA violation. This action follows a 2025 investigation into ISS and peer firm Glass Lewis & Co.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into Meta's Meta AI Glasses over allegations of unlawful facial biometric data collection, deceptive privacy practices, and unauthorized sharing of user data with subcontractors. The investigation follows concerns that the glasses' always-on recording mode lacks proper user notice, planned facial recognition features would collect data without consent, and private user videos are accessed by third-party annotators in Kenya. The AG issued a Civil Investigative Demand to Meta to determine violations of Texas privacy laws.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into Meta regarding its Meta AI Glasses, alleging unlawful collection of facial biometric data, deceptive privacy representations, and unauthorized sharing of user data with subcontractors. The investigation follows concerns that the glasses’ always-on recording mode lacks proper notice, subcontractors access private user content including intimate moments, and Meta plans to deploy facial recognition technology to collect unsuspecting individuals’ facial geometry. The AG issued a Civil Investigative Demand to determine if Meta violated Texas law by deceptively misrepresenting its data use practices.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton secured a settlement via Assurance of Voluntary Compliance with Albertsons Safeway LLC, prohibiting the company from misting organic produce with synthetic pesticides like ProduceMaxx in all Texas stores. The settlement requires Albertsons-owned grocery chains to stop using synthetic antimicrobial pesticides in misting systems on organic produce and implement potable water rinses for organic produce after any prior treatments. The action follows an investigation launched in January 2026 into undisclosed pesticide use on USDA-certified organic produce.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton opened an investigation into the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) over allegations that the organization deceived donors by using millions of dollars in contributions to fund extremist groups including the Ku Klux Klan, which it publicly claimed to oppose. The SPLC was indicted on federal fraud charges in April 2026 for secretly paying leaders of these groups without disclosing the payments to donors. The Texas OAG issued a Civil Investigative Demand to SPLC to probe deceptive donor solicititation and other potential violations of Texas law.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed suit against Texas American Muslim University (TexAM) for operating without required state authorization, offering unauthorized degrees, and misleading prospective students. TexAM lacked the necessary certificate of authority to operate as a private postsecondary institution, had a forfeited nonprofit corporate charter, and used branding confusingly similar to Texas A&M University. The AG seeks injunctive relief and civil penalties exceeding $1 million for violations of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA) and Texas Education Code.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and the U.S. Department of Justice secured a settlement with agricultural data broker Agri Stats, Inc. for facilitating the sharing of competitively sensitive information among meat processors, reducing competition and raising prices for chicken, pork, and turkey. Under the settlement, Agri Stats will implement industry-wide changes to its information distribution practices and make monetary payments to participating states. The settlement aims to restore competition in the agriculture industry and lower grocery prices for consumers.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton initiated an investigation into Drone Nerds, LLC over its partnership with CCP-affiliated Anzu Robotics, which markets drones with concealed surveillance capabilities and unauthorized data collection risks. Drone Nerds is accused of deceiving Texas consumers by misrepresenting Anzu’s ties to China and falsely claiming the drones are U.S.-based with secure privacy practices. The investigation is being conducted under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, with a Civil Investigative Demand issued to gather evidence of consumer deception and privacy violations.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the effective date of a $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma, Inc. and the Sackler family over their role in fueling the opioid crisis. Texas will receive $286.5 million from the settlement, bringing the state’s total opioid recovery funds to over $3 billion. The settlement includes permanent bans on Sackler opioid sales in the U.S., public release of 30 million company documents, and distribution of funds for addiction treatment and prevention over 15 years.
$7.4B
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton reached an agreement with Samsung Electronics America, Inc. to stop collecting Automated Content Recognition (ACR) data from smart TVs without consumers' express consent. Samsung must update its smart TVs to provide clear and conspicuous disclosures and obtain consent before any data collection, ensuring Texans are informed and in control of their viewing data.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Shein US Services LLC for selling toxic products and exposing consumers' personal data to the Chinese Communist Party. The lawsuit seeks monetary penalties under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. This action is part of a broader effort to protect Texans from health risks and CCP influence.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Temu (PDD Holdings, Inc. and WhaleCo Inc.) for deceptive marketing practices and illegally harvesting Texans' personal data, which was then exposed to the Chinese Communist Party. The suit seeks monetary damages under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, with potential penalties of up to $10,000 per violation and higher for seniors. This is part of a broader effort to hold CCP-aligned companies accountable.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against PDD Holdings, Inc. and WhaleCo Inc., doing business as Temu, for deceptive marketing and unlawful covert harvesting of Texans’ personal data that was exposed to the Chinese Communist Party. The suit alleges Temu functions as a 'trojan horse' e-commerce app that bypasses security protocols to create a backdoor into users’ private data, which is stored on servers in China. The lawsuit seeks monetary relief under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, including up to $10,000 per violation and up to $250,000 per violation targeting consumers aged 65 or older.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against TP-Link Systems Inc. for deceptively marketing its networking devices and enabling the Chinese Communist Party to access American consumers' devices. The lawsuit alleges that TP Link's products have been used by PRC state-sponsored hackers and that the company is subject to Chinese laws requiring data disclosure. This is part of a coordinated effort to hold China-aligned companies accountable under Texas law.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued Civil Investigative Demands to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and Conduent Business Services LLC as part of an investigation into a data breach that exposed the protected health information of approximately four million Texans. The breach, which occurred between October 21, 2024 and January 13, 2025, is believed to be the largest in U.S. history. The investigation focuses on Conduent's security measures and BCBS's compliance with state data protection laws.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued Civil Investigative Demands to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and Conduent Business Services LLC as part of an investigation into a massive data breach at Conduent that exposed the protected health information of approximately four million Texans. The breach occurred between October 21, 2024 and January 13, 2025, affecting Texas Medicaid recipients and other residents. The AG's office is investigating the security failures and compliance with Texas law.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Sony, Samsung, LG, Hisense, and TCL Technology Group for using Automated Content Recognition (ACR) technology to collect Texans' viewing data without proper consent. A temporary restraining order was secured against Hisense to halt all data collection and sharing. The AG issued a consumer alert with instructions to disable ACR on smart TVs.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton obtained a temporary restraining order against Hisense, a Chinese smart TV manufacturer, to halt its collection of Texans' personal data through Automated Content Recognition technology without consent. The technology captures every sound and image on the TVs every 500 milliseconds and sells the data, with access granted to the Chinese Communist Party. The TRO prohibits Hisense from collecting, using, selling, sharing, disclosing, or transferring ACR data about Texans while the case continues.
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.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed lawsuits against five major TV manufacturers—Sony, Samsung, LG, Hisense, and TCL—for unlawfully collecting Texans' viewing data using Automated Content Recognition (ACR) technology without their knowledge or consent. The ACR software captures screenshots of TV displays every 500 milliseconds and transmits the data to the companies, which then sell it for targeted advertising. The AG's office alleges these practices violate Texas privacy laws and seeks to enjoin the companies from continuing the surveillance.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Epic Systems Corporation, a major electronic health records vendor, alleging unlawful monopolization of the EHR industry and deceptive practices that restrict parental access to minor children’s medical records. The privacy-related claim asserts Epic automatically hides children’s medication lists, treatment notes, and provider messages from parents when a child turns 12, violating Texas law guaranteeing parents unrestricted access to their children’s medical records. The action is part of broader efforts to ensure EHR vendors comply with Texas parental access requirements and promote market competition.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton secured a $1.375 billion settlement with Google for unlawfully tracking Texans' geolocation data, incognito browsing activity, and biometric identifiers without consent. This is the largest single-state privacy settlement against Google, significantly larger than multistate settlements. The agreement resolves two major privacy enforcement actions brought by Texas.
$1.4B
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton opened an investigation into Lorex Technology Inc. for allegedly deceptively selling security cameras with components from CCP-linked Dahua, posing privacy and national security risks. The investigation will determine if Lorex misrepresented the cameras as secure and safe for residential use despite known supply chain vulnerabilities and federal restrictions on Dahua products.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton secured a settlement agreement with Austin Diagnostic Clinic to end its policy of restricting parental access to children’s electronic health records. The agreement requires the clinic to provide parents with full, real-time access to their children’s medical information except where restricted by state or federal law, and the AG will monitor compliance.
The Texas Attorney General opened an investigation into TP-Link Systems Inc. for potentially allowing the Chinese government to access Texans' consumer data through back doors in networking equipment. The investigation will examine whether TP Link violated Texas privacy law by misleading consumers about its independence and improperly collecting or disclosing data. This follows a prior privacy notice violation issued to the company.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against PowerSchool, a provider of cloud-based services for K-12 schools, following a data breach that exposed the personal and health information of over 880,000 Texas school-aged children and teachers. The breach occurred in December 2024 when a hacker gained administrative access through a subcontractor's account and stole unencrypted data including Social Security numbers, medical details, and disability records. The lawsuit alleges PowerSchool violated Texas law by failing to implement basic security measures and by misleading customers about its security practices.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has opened an investigation into Meta AI Studio and Character.AI for deceptive practices in marketing AI chatbots as mental health services to children. The platforms are accused of impersonating licensed professionals, fabricating qualifications, and exploiting user data for advertising without proper disclosure. Civil Investigative Demands have been issued to examine violations of Texas consumer protection laws and the SCOPE Act.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton opened an investigation into Meta and Character.AI via Civil Investigative Demands, alleging deceptive trade practices including misrepresenting AI chatbots as confidential mental health tools while harvesting user data for targeted advertising. The probe assesses potential violations of Texas consumer protection laws and the SCOPE Act, particularly regarding privacy misrepresentations, concealment of data usage, and harms to children. This builds on prior investigations into Character.AI for SCOPE Act compliance.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a comprehensive privacy enforcement initiative, achieving record settlements with Meta ($1.4B) and Google ($1.375B) for biometric and geolocation data violations, suing General Motors and TikTok, and investigating numerous companies for children's data and AI practices. The AG's office has enforced multiple Texas privacy laws and registered over 200 data brokers.
$2.8B
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton secured a record-setting $1.4 billion settlement with Meta for unlawfully capturing and using the biometric data of millions of Texans, marking one of the largest privacy settlements in U.S. history.
$1.4B
The Supreme Court upheld a Texas law requiring pornography websites to implement age-verification measures to protect children from explicit content. Attorney General Ken Paxton is enforcing the law with fines for violations and has sued Aylo Global Entertainment for non-compliance.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit in the 23andMe bankruptcy case to prevent the sale of Texans' genetic data without proper consent. The action seeks to confirm Texans' property rights over their genetic information under the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act and the Texas Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing Act. The AG argues that 23andMe's proposed asset sale would violate Texas law requiring separate express consent for disclosure of genetic information.
Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Google for unlawfully tracking and collecting Texans' private data, including geolocation, incognito searches, and biometric data. The case resulted in a $1.375 billion settlement, the largest ever against Google for state privacy enforcement, marking a major win for data privacy rights.
$1.4B
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a 30-day compliance notice to TP-Link, Alibaba, CapCut, and other CCP-affiliated Chinese companies for violating the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA). The companies are accused of failing to disclose consumer data processing activities, allow opt-out of data collection, and enable consumer data deletion as required by Texas law. If the companies do not comply within 30 days, the Attorney General's office will pursue additional legal action.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced legal action against several Chinese companies, including TP-Link, Alibaba, and CapCut, for violating the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA). The companies have been given 30 days to comply with requirements to disclose data processing, allow consumers to opt out of data collection, and enable data deletion. Failure to comply will result in further legal action to protect Texans' privacy rights and prevent data from being accessed by the Chinese Communist Party.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has issued notices to several Chinese companies, including TP-Link, Alibaba, and CapCut, for violating the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA). The companies must comply with TDPSA's requirements to disclose data processing, allow opt-outs, and enable data deletion within 30 days, or face further legal action.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has notified several Chinese companies, including TP-Link, Alibaba, and CapCut, that they are violating the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA). The companies must comply with TDPSA requirements to disclose data processing, allow consumer opt-outs, and enable data deletion within 30 days. Failure to comply will result in further legal action.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a motion to appoint a Consumer Privacy Ombudsman in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case of 23andMe to protect the sensitive genetic and personal data of Texans. The genetic testing company seeks to sell assets that may include genetic data, health information, and personally identifiable information. The AG's office is also informing Texans of their rights under Texas law to request deletion of their data and genetic samples.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has opened an investigation into Superior Insurance for allegedly using private investigators to spy on lawmakers, journalists, and private citizens with pending insurance claims. The company's CEO admitted to these actions at a legislative hearing, citing concerns about blackmail and leveraging information to secure state contracts and avoid paying legitimate claims, particularly for medical bills.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced an investigation into Chinese AI company DeepSeek for alleged violations of the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, citing concerns over the company’s privacy practices and ties to the Chinese Communist Party. The AG also notified DeepSeek of the alleged violations, issued a ban on DeepSeek’s platform on all Office of the Attorney General devices, and sent third-party Civil Investigative Demands to Google and Apple for documentation related to the DeepSeek app. The investigation stems from allegations that DeepSeek acts as a proxy for the CCP to steal Texas citizens’ data and undermine U.S. AI dominance.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defended House Bill 1181 at the U.S. Supreme Court, which requires online pornography sites to verify users' ages to protect children from harmful content. The law was challenged by pornography distributors, but Texas won at the Fifth Circuit and is now defending its constitutionality. Texas has also sued Aylo Global Entertainment for non-compliance, leading to Pornhub's shutdown in Texas.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Allstate and its subsidiary Arity for unlawfully collecting, using, and selling driving data from over 45 million consumers without consent. The data, which includes precise geolocation information, was used to justify insurance premium increases. This action alleges violations of the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA).
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against TikTok for deceptively promoting its app as safe for children despite the prevalence of inappropriate and explicit content. The action alleges violations of the SCOPE Act, which protects children's online privacy, and follows a previous lawsuit regarding data privacy issues.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced investigations into 15 companies, including Character.AI, Reddit, Instagram, and Discord, for potential violations of the SCOPE Act and TDPSA concerning children's privacy. The investigations target practices such as unauthorized sharing of minors' personal data and failure to provide parental controls. This action is part of Texas's broader initiative to enforce data privacy laws.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched investigations into Character.AI and fourteen other companies, including Reddit, Instagram, and Discord, for potential violations of the SCOPE Act and TDPSA regarding children's privacy and safety. The investigations focus on unauthorized sharing of minors' data and lack of parental controls. No penalties have been imposed yet as the investigations are ongoing.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched investigations into Character.AI and 14 other companies, including Reddit, Instagram, and Discord, over potential violations of children’s privacy and safety laws. The investigations focus on compliance with the SCOPE Act and Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA), which require parental consent for sharing minors’ data and mandate notice and consent requirements for children’s personal information. No fines or remedies have been imposed as the investigations are ongoing.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton secured a $3.5 million settlement with Marriott International, Inc. following an investigation into a data breach of the company’s reservation database that exposed 131 million U.S. guest records. The breach included sensitive customer information such as contact details, dates of birth, unencrypted passport numbers, and unexpired payment card information. Marriott is required to implement enhanced data security measures, including zero-trust principles and regular security reporting to its CEO, as part of the settlement.
$3.5M
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against TikTok for violating the Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act by sharing minors’ personal identifying information without parental consent and failing to provide parents with tools to manage their children’s account privacy settings. The lawsuit seeks civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation and injunctive relief to prevent future violations. TikTok is accused of prioritizing profit over the online safety and privacy of Texas children.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton settled with Pieces Technologies for making deceptive claims about the accuracy of its healthcare AI products used in Texas hospitals. The company advertised an error rate of '<1 per 100,000' which was found inaccurate. The settlement requires Pieces to accurately disclose product accuracy and ensure hospital staff understand the limitations.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against General Motors for unlawfully collecting private driving data from over 1.5 million Texas drivers without consent and selling the data to third parties including insurance companies. GM allegedly deceived customers into enrolling in products like OnStar Smart Driver by falsely claiming enrollment was required to retain vehicle safety features, while concealing that enrollment authorized systematic collection and sale of detailed driving data. The action follows an investigation launched in June 2024 as part of the Texas AG’s data privacy initiative, and seeks to hold GM accountable for violating state privacy laws.
Meta captured facial recognition data from millions of Texans without consent, violating Texas biometric privacy laws. The company agreed to pay $1.4 billion over five years to settle the case. This is the largest privacy settlement obtained by a single state.
$1.4B
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton secured a $1.4 billion settlement with Meta over the company’s decade-long unauthorized capture of Texans’ facial geometry via its Tag Suggestions feature, which used facial recognition software without providing notice or obtaining informed consent. The practices violated Texas’s Capture or Use of Biometric Identifier Act (CUBI) and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, as Meta automatically enabled the feature for all Texans without explaining its functionality or seeking permission. This is the largest privacy settlement ever obtained by a single state attorney general, with Meta required to pay the penalty over five years and cease the unlawful biometric data practices.
$1.4B
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sent notification letters to over 100 companies for failing to register as data brokers under Texas Business and Commerce Code Chapter 509, which requires registration by March 1, 2024, and implementation of data safeguards. This action is part of an initiative to enforce privacy laws and protect consumer data.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued warning letters to over 100 companies informing them of their apparent failure to register as data brokers with the Texas Secretary of State by the March 1, 2024 deadline required by Chapter 509 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code. The notification follows the establishment of a specialized privacy enforcement team within the AG’s Consumer Protection Division to enforce Texas privacy laws. The letters alert companies to potential penalties for noncompliance with registration and data safeguard requirements under Texas’s Data Broker Law.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued warning letters to over 100 data brokers for failing to register with the Texas Secretary of State as required by the Texas Data Broker Law. The law, which took effect March 1, 2024, mandates that data brokers register and implement data protection safeguards. This enforcement action is part of a new initiative to protect Texans' privacy.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton opened an investigation into multiple car manufacturers for collecting and selling driver data to third parties, including insurance companies, without consumers' knowledge or consent. The investigation, conducted under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices – Consumer Protection Act, seeks documents about data collection practices and disclosures made to customers. The AG's office is concerned about invasive data collection and potential deceptive practices.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton initiated an investigation into multiple car manufacturers for allegedly collecting drivers' data without consent and selling it to third parties, including insurance providers. The investigation, authorized under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices – Consumer Protection Act, requires manufacturers and data purchasers to produce documents related to their data practices and customer disclosures. The AG highlighted concerns about invasive, non-consensual data collection and sale occurring without consumer knowledge.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a settlement with Multi Media, LLC, operator of Chaturbate, for violating Texas age verification law HB 1181. The company agreed to implement an age verification service on its website to prevent minors from accessing adult content. No monetary penalty was imposed in this settlement.