Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed lawsuits Monday against five major television manufacturers—Sony, Samsung, LG, Hisense, and TCL—for secretly spying on Texans inside their homes through invasive Automated Content Recognition (ACR) technology.
Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched lawsuits against five major television manufacturers, focusing particularly on Hisense and TCL. These companies, based in China, have significant connections to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Paxton cautioned that due to China’s National Security Law, the Chinese government could access U.S. consumer data collected by these manufacturers. In a social media announcement, Paxton stated, “Companies, particularly those with ties to the CCP, should not be illegally recording Americans’ activities in their homes.”
The lawsuits reflect Texas’s firm stance against foreign surveillance, especially as smart TV sales from these brands soar—comprising nearly 70% of the market. Paxton is dedicated to defending residents from deceptive practices by both Big Tech and communist adversaries.
Paxton’s office accuses the companies of violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act by concealing data collection, misrepresenting its use, and burying opt-out options to maximize extraction. The suits demand civil penalties, injunctions to halt practices, and court orders for clear disclosures. Hisense faces particular scrutiny, with warnings that new TVs activated over Christmas could immediately begin monitoring Texans unaware.
This action builds on Paxton’s aggressive campaign against CCP-linked entities threatening Texas privacy and security. In May, he targeted Chinese apps like CapCut and firms including Alibaba under the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, demanding opt-outs and data deletion. November saw him probe a CCP-tied company’s role in state power facilities. Paxton’s office vows to continue battling any corporation, especially CCP proxies, endangering Texans.
The lawsuits signal Texas’s unyielding defense against foreign surveillance amid rising smart TV sales—nearly 70% from these brands. Paxton remains committed to shielding residents from deceptive practices by Big Tech and communist adversaries.
