United States of America: Texas Attorney General reached agreement with Samsung Electronics America requiring express consent and clear disclosures for automated content recognition data collection

On 26 February 2026, the Office of the Attorney General of Texas reached an agreement with Samsung Electronics America, Inc. concerning the collection of Automated Content Recognition (ACR) viewing data from Texas consumers through Samsung smart televisions. Under the agreement, Samsung must cease collecting or processing ACR viewing data without obtaining Texas consumers’ express consent and must update its smart televisions to implement clear and conspicuous disclosures and consent screens. The agreement followed a lawsuit filed on 15 December 2025 in the District Court of Collin County, Texas alleging deceptive consent mechanisms, insufficient disclosures, and violations of Section 17.46 of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act in connection with the use of ACR technology to collect and monetise viewing data. On 5 January 2026, the District Court granted a temporary restraining order prohibiting the collection, use, sale, transfer, disclosure, or sharing of ACR data relating to Texas consumers until 19 January 2026. The agreement resolves the Attorney General’s claims regarding Samsung’s ACR data collection practices.