Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Texas Sues Sony, Samsung, LG, Hisense and TCL Over Alleged Smart TV Spying

Paxton alleges ACR software captured rapid‑fire screen images to harvest viewing data for advertisers without consent.

Overview

  • The Texas attorney general filed five lawsuits Monday accusing major TV makers of secretly tracking what residents watch through built‑in Automated Content Recognition.
  • The complaints name Sony, Samsung, LG, Hisense and TCL, with Paxton highlighting the two China‑based companies as particular data‑security concerns.
  • According to the filings, the televisions captured screen images every 500 milliseconds, monitored viewing in real time and transmitted the data without user knowledge.
  • Paxton alleges the companies monetized the information by selling it to advertising firms for cross‑platform targeted marketing.
  • No formal responses from the defendants have been reported; Newsweek said LG declined to comment as the cases begin moving through court.