Samsung TVs will stop hiding the click-through consent screen that let them spy on you

Source: Android Authority

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

TL;DR

• Samsung and the state of Texas have reached a settlement over alleged unlawful data collection from the company’s TVs.
• As part of the agreement, Samsung will halt any collection or processing of automated content recognition (ACR) viewing data without the consent of Texas consumers.
• Sony, LG, Hisense, and TCL have not yet made any changes to their data‑collection practices.

Background

Samsung, Sony, LG, Hisense, and TCL recently faced scrutiny for their data‑collection practices. The companies were accused of harvesting screenshots of users’ TV content for targeted advertising. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed suit against the five manufacturers in December, alleging they were “spying on Texans.” While most of the companies have not responded to the lawsuits, Samsung has agreed to make changes.

Attorney General Paxton alleged that Samsung’s automated content recognition (ACR) technology can capture hundreds of images of what’s on a TV screen each minute without first obtaining Texans’ expressed, informed consent. The concern is that Samsung could use this information for targeted advertising. Although Samsung provides disclosures and an opt‑out option for ACR, Paxton argued that the disclosures are inadequate, vague, and violate state law.

Settlement Details

According to BleepingComputer, Samsung and Texas have reached a settlement that includes:

• Revising privacy disclosures to more clearly explain data‑collection practices.
• Halting any collection or processing of ACR data without express consent from Texas consumers.

Samsung’s Statement

In a statement to the outlet, Samsung said it does not agree that its Viewing Information Services (VIS) system violated regulations, but it will “make enhancements to further strengthen our privacy disclosures.”

“While we maintain our original television privacy policy and notices followed existing Texas state regulations, as a trusted brand, Samsung is proud to be at the forefront of protecting consumer privacy and security,” said a Samsung Electronics America spokesperson.
“The settlement affirms what Samsung has said since this lawsuit was filed — Samsung TVs do not spy on consumers. In fact, Samsung allows you to control your privacy — and change your privacy settings at any time.”

Implications

• The changes apply only to consumers residing in Texas; Samsung is not required to implement them in other states.
• Other manufacturers (Sony, LG, Hisense, TCL) have not announced similar modifications, leaving their data‑collection practices unchanged for now.

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Samsung TVs will stop hiding the click‑through consent screen that let them spy on you

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