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"
$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.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced an agreement with Plum Organics requiring stronger testing and limits for heavy metals in covered baby food products, along with publicly accessible testing results. The release does not state a monetary penalty; the agreement follows an ongoing investigation into baby food manufacturers.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton opened an investigation into Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, its parent Health Care Service Corporation, and related entities over alleged denials or delays of urgent and medically necessary care and potentially burdensome prior authorization requirements. The investigation is ongoing; the Attorney General issued a Civil Investigative Demand to obtain information and assess potential violations of Texas law.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a consumer alert warning Texas businesses and nonprofits about a surge of demand letters alleging California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA) violations based on common website technologies such as cookies, pixels, and analytics tools. The AG cautions that some letters may exaggerate or misrepresent violations and may be fraudulent, noting serial CIPA plaintiff Vivek Shah has been declared a vexatious litigant. Recipients are advised not to pay or respond directly, to consult privacy counsel, and to report suspected fraud to the Consumer Protection Division.
A Texas state district court (Judge Cory Liu) has found TikTok liable for lying to parents about the safety of its platform and for exposing children to inappropriate and explicit content, making Texas the first state in the nation to hold TikTok liable on these claims. The court found that although TikTok claimed it would remove graphic videos depicting drugs, nudity, alcohol, injuries, and profanity, such videos remained accessible to minors, even under 'Restricted Mode.' No penalty has been imposed yet; Attorney General Paxton will proceed to trial, expected next month, where relief and penalties will be determined.
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.