Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against five of the television industry’s largest manufacturers, accusing them of secretly tracking what people watch inside their own homes.
The suit names Sony Samsung and LG along with two China-based companies Hisense and TCL Technology Group Corporation. According to Paxton’s office, the involvement of Chinese firms raises added concern because of China’s National Security Law, which could allow government access to consumer data collected abroad.
The case centers on a technology known as Automated Content Recognition, or ACR. This software runs in the background of smart televisions, capturing screenshots of on-screen content as often as every half second. It tracks viewing behavior in real time and transmits that data back to manufacturers, often without users clearly understanding what is happening or giving meaningful consent.
“Companies, especially those connected to the Chinese Communist Party, have no business illegally recording Americans’ devices inside their own homes,” Paxton said. “This conduct is invasive, deceptive, and unlawful. The fundamental right to privacy will be protected in Texas because owning a television does not mean surrendering your personal information to Big Tech or foreign adversaries.”
According to the lawsuit, manufacturers monetize this data by selling it to advertisers, who then use it to target users across multiple platforms. The filing also warns that such surveillance creates broader risks, including potential exposure of passwords, banking details and other sensitive personal information.
The lawsuit arrives amid growing consumer frustration over intrusive smart TV features. Recently, LG faced backlash after Microsoft’s Copilot assistant appeared on television home screens following a software update, without prior notice to users. Many discovered the feature could not be removed.
LG initially described the Copilot icon as a convenience feature but reversed course after widespread criticism. The company said it would “take steps to allow users to delete the shortcut icon if they wish.” LG has stated that Copilot functions as a web-based shortcut rather than a full application and that microphone features activate only with explicit user permission.
Samsung introduced similar Copilot integration on its 2025 smart TV lineup in August. The feature allows users to issue voice commands through their remote controls to ask questions about programs or receive recommendations. Disabling it, however, requires disconnecting the television from the internet, which also disables other features and prevents software updates.
Paxton’s office said the lawsuit reflects a broader effort to protect Texans from data privacy violations, particularly those involving foreign-linked companies. The action is part of an ongoing push to hold corporations accountable when consumer data practices are alleged to be deceptive or exploitative.