Samsung Electronics’ U.S. subsidiary has reached a settlement with the Texas Attorney General regarding the collection of smart television (TV) viewing data. As part of the agreement, Samsung will enhance its notifications about the collection and use of Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) data.
Industry sources reported on February 27 that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on February 26 an agreement with Samsung concerning its smart TV data collection practices.
In December of last year, Paxton filed a lawsuit against five companies, including Samsung, LG Electronics, Sony, TCL, and Hisense, accusing the TV industry of illegally collecting consumers’ personal data through automatic content recognition (ACR) technology.
Under the terms of the settlement, Samsung Electronics will provide Texas consumers with clearer and more detailed explanations about ACR data collection and usage through a software update.
The other four companies—LG Electronics, Sony, TCL, and Hisense—remain embroiled in ongoing litigation.
Paxton hailed the agreement as a significant step forward in reforming the data collection practices of smart TV manufacturers, noting that Samsung Electronics has taken the lead in implementing these crucial changes.
He further criticized other smart TV companies, accusing them of illegal surveillance of Texas residents and behaving like digital intruders. Paxton stated that legal actions against these companies would continue.