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"
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton opened an investigation into TriWest Healthcare Alliance Corp., the U.S. government contractor that administers the VA Community Care Network and the Defense Health Agency's TRICARE West Region, over reports that it wrongfully denied health care claims by falsely treating insureds as having other health insurance (OHI). The OAG has issued Civil Investigative Demands (CIDs) and plans to interview consumers and employees to determine whether TriWest violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. No findings or penalties have been imposed yet.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Amazon.com, Inc. on August 31, 2026, alleging Amazon deceived advertisers by claiming to run second-price auctions while secretly applying hidden surcharges and undisclosed 'soft reserve' prices that pushed winners' costs up by roughly 17% on ordinary days and more than 25% during peak events like Prime Day. The hidden surcharges generated roughly $4.5 billion in additional nationwide revenue in 2024, and more than 18,000 Texas sellers and vendors advertise on the platform. The State brings claims under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, seeking civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, an injunction against inaccurate auction descriptions, and per-auction pricing records for every Texas advertiser; the FTC and a coalition of other states filed a parallel federal action the same day.
$1.0B
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton secured a historic settlement with Meta Platforms, Inc. requiring Meta to pay over $1 billion and implement significant new safeguards to protect children online. The settlement includes stricter age-assurance measures, a daily two-hour limit for teen users, default disabling of notifications during school hours, hidden likes/reactions, and a nighttime access mode restricting features for children.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an industry-wide investigation into companies marketing avocado oil products that may contain undisclosed seed oils. Civil Investigative Demands were issued to Primal Kitchen, Siete Foods, and Chosen Foods, with more companies expected to be investigated for potential violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
Attorney General Ken Paxton secured settlements with WK Kellogg Co. and General Mills Inc. requiring the removal of synthetic dyes from cereals served in schools. The companies have already removed these dyes from K-12 cereals, with full removal from all products by the end of 2027.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) over concerns that the organization may be promoting and recommending childhood vaccines for financial gain. The AAP has been issued a Civil Investigative Demand to determine the basis of its vaccine recommendations and whether they are influenced by financial incentives from pharmaceutical donors.