Samsung Agrees to Data Privacy Deal with Texas AG

Detected February 26th, 2026

Summary

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has secured an agreement with Samsung Electronics America, Inc. requiring express consumer consent before collecting Automated Content Recognition (ACR) data from smart TVs. Samsung must update its smart TVs with clear disclosures and consent screens for Texans.

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What changed

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a significant agreement with Samsung Electronics America, Inc. to enhance data privacy for smart TV users in Texas. The deal mandates that Samsung must obtain express consumer consent before collecting Automated Content Recognition (ACR) data. Samsung is also required to update its smart TV software to include clear and conspicuous disclosures and consent screens, ensuring Texans are fully informed about data collection practices.

This agreement, stemming from a lawsuit filed by AG Paxton, compels Samsung to halt ACR data collection without prior consent. While Samsung has agreed to these changes, the AG noted that similar legal actions against other smart TV manufacturers (Sony, LG, Hisense, and TCL Technology) are ongoing. The practical implication for Samsung is the immediate need to implement these updated privacy protocols for its smart TV products sold in Texas. Consumers in Texas will now have greater control and transparency regarding the viewing data collected by their smart TVs.

Source document (simplified)

Attorney General Ken Paxton has secured a major agreement with Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (“Samsung”) that will ensure Samsung no longer collects Automated Content Recognition (“ACR”) data without consumers being fully informed and consenting prior to any information being collected.

The agreement comes following Attorney General Paxton’s lawsuit against Samsung for its data collection practices. As part of the agreement, Samsung must halt any collection or processing of ACR viewing data without obtaining Texas consumers’ express consent.

Additionally, it compels Samsung to promptly update its smart TVs and implement disclosures and consent screens that are clear and conspicuous to ensure that Texans can make an informed decision regarding whether their data is collected and how it’s used.

“I commend Samsung for being one of the first smart TV companies in the world to make these important changes,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Texans must be fully informed about whether their data is collected and be in full control of how it’s used. The changes outlined in this agreement help accomplish both of those aims and are an important step forward in reforming smart TV manufacturers’ data collection practices. While Samsung has stepped up to promptly implement important safeguards for consumers, other smart TV companies have instead chosen to illegally spy on Texans and act as digital invaders in their homes. Those companies will be held accountable, and our legal actions against them will move forward.”

Attorney General Paxton has also sued Sony, LG, and Hisense and TCL Technology, which are both based in China, for illegally spying on Texans. Those cases remain ongoing.

This agreement comes after Attorney General Paxton filed five anti-CCP lawsuits in four days last week in order to protect Texans from China’s influence and put America First.