Consumer Information Update: What Westfield Ranch Residents Should Know About Smart TVs, Data Tracking, and Privacy Controls
Residents across Texas, including those in Westfield Ranch, may be taking advantage of holiday sales or upgrading their home electronics, but a recent consumer alert from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is prompting renewed attention around smart TV privacy and data collection.
Recently, the Texas Attorney General’s Office announced legal action against five major television manufacturers—Sony, Samsung, LG, Hisense, and TCL Technology Group—alleging that certain smart TV technologies unlawfully collected and shared consumer data without proper consent. According to the lawsuit, some of the companies allegedly used Automated Content Recognition (ACR) technology to monitor what Texans watched on their screens and how they interacted with their TVs.
As part of the action, the Attorney General has already secured a temporary restraining order against Hisense that halts the company from collecting, using, selling, sharing, disclosing, or transferring consumer data while the case proceeds.
“I’d urge Texans TV shopping for Christmas to avoid purchasing a television that allows Big Tech to illegally collect your data,” Paxton said. “All across Texas, there are smart TVs acting as an uninvited, invisible digital invaders. It's vital that all Texans know that your TV may be monitoring and recording everything that happens on your screen.”
What the State Is Alleging
According to the Texas Attorney General’s Office, the lawsuit centers on claims that some smart TV manufacturers:
- Used Automated Content Recognition (ACR) technology to identify what content users were watching
- Collected viewing data without clear or meaningful consumer consent
- Shared or monetized that data for advertising or analytics purposes
- Failed to adequately disclose how deeply the technology could monitor on-screen activity
The Attorney General’s Office has stated that these practices, if proven, could violate Texas consumer protection laws.
Why Smart TV Data Collection Matters
Smart TVs function much like other connected devices, relying on internet connectivity and software to deliver streaming services, recommendations, and voice controls. ACR technology, which has been widely discussed by consumer advocacy organizations such as Consumer Reports and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), works by scanning pixels on a TV screen to identify content being viewed, regardless of whether it comes from cable, streaming apps, or gaming consoles.
Mobile Sidebar Ad
According to the FTC, data collected through connected devices can include viewing habits, app usage, IP addresses, and sometimes location-based information. While companies often state that this data is used to improve user experience or advertising relevance, regulators and privacy advocates emphasize that consumers should be clearly informed and given meaningful choices.
Steps Residents Can Take to Limit Smart TV Tracking
While privacy settings vary by brand and model, the Attorney General’s Office provided general guidance that may help some households reduce data collection:
- Press the Home button on your remote control to access the main menu
- Navigate to and select Settings
- Look for General, System, or Intelligence Settings
- Select Privacy, Terms & Conditions, or Privacy Choices
- Locate options such as Smart TV Experience or Viewing Information Services
- Toggle those settings OFF to disable ACR where available
- Review additional options for Personalized Ads, Interest-Based Advertising, or Do Not Sell My Personal Data
Consumer Reports notes that many of these features are enabled by default, making it important to review privacy settings when setting up a new TV or after software updates.
A Reminder for Westfield Ranch Households
For residents in Westfield Ranch, this serves as a reminder rather than a call for alarm. Smart TVs remain a common and convenient household device, but like smartphones and smart speakers, they require informed use. Understanding privacy settings, reviewing terms of service, and staying aware of consumer protections can help households make choices that align with their comfort level.
As legal proceedings continue at the state level, residents are encouraged to stay informed, especially when purchasing new electronics or connecting devices to home networks.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
