https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/texas-court-blocks-samsung-from-tracking-tv-viewing-then-vacates-order/ BleepingComputer.com logo * * * * [ ] [Login] [Sign up] * * * * [ ] [Login] [Sign up] * News + Featured + Latest + Logitech Options+, G HUB macOS apps break after certificate expires Logitech Options+, G HUB macOS apps break after certificate expires + Max severity Ni8mare flaw lets hackers hijack n8n servers Max severity Ni8mare flaw lets hackers hijack n8n servers + Kimwolf Android botnet abuses residential proxies to infect internal devices Kimwolf Android botnet abuses residential proxies to infect internal devices + Cloud file-sharing sites targeted for corporate data theft attacks Cloud file-sharing sites targeted for corporate data theft attacks + FBI warns about Kimsuky hackers using QR codes to phish U.S. orgs FBI warns about Kimsuky hackers using QR codes to phish U.S. orgs + xAI teases major Grok upgrade, hints at Grok Code CLI xAI teases major Grok upgrade, hints at Grok Code CLI + VMware ESXi zero-days likely exploited a year before disclosure VMware ESXi zero-days likely exploited a year before disclosure + Cisco switches hit by reboot loops due to DNS client bug Cisco switches hit by reboot loops due to DNS client bug * Tutorials + Latest + Popular + How to access the Dark Web using the Tor Browser How to access the Dark Web using the Tor Browser + How to enable Kernel-mode Hardware-enforced Stack Protection in Windows 11 How to enable Kernel-mode Hardware-enforced Stack Protection in Windows 11 + How to use the Windows Registry Editor How to use the Windows Registry Editor + How to backup and restore the Windows Registry How to backup and restore the Windows Registry + How to start Windows in Safe Mode How to start Windows in Safe Mode + How to remove a Trojan, Virus, Worm, or other Malware How to remove a Trojan, Virus, Worm, or other Malware + How to show hidden files in Windows 7 How to show hidden files in Windows 7 + How to see hidden files in Windows How to see hidden files in Windows * Webinars * Downloads + Latest + Most Downloaded + Qualys BrowserCheck Qualys BrowserCheck + STOPDecrypter STOPDecrypter + AuroraDecrypter AuroraDecrypter + FilesLockerDecrypter FilesLockerDecrypter + AdwCleaner AdwCleaner + ComboFix ComboFix + RKill RKill + Junkware Removal Tool Junkware Removal Tool * Deals + Categories + eLearning eLearning + IT Certification Courses IT Certification Courses + Gear & Gadgets Gear + Gadgets + Security Security * VPNs + Popular + Best VPNs Best VPNs + How to change IP address How to change IP address + Access the dark web safely Access the dark web safely + Best VPN for YouTube Best VPN for YouTube * Forums * More + Virus Removal Guides + Startup Database + Uninstall Database + Glossary + Send us a Tip! + Welcome Guide TheatLocker * Home * News * Security * Texas court blocks Samsung from tracking TV viewing, then vacates order Texas court blocks Samsung from tracking TV viewing, then vacates order By Bill Toulas * January 8, 2026 * 11:47 AM * 4 Texas court blocks Samsung from tracking TV viewing, then vacates order Update Jan. 6, 2026, 1:49 PM ET: After publishing this story, Samsung told BleepingComputer that the Texas court vacated the temporary restraining order that blocked Samsung from collecting smart TV viewing data the next day. More information added at the end of the story and title updated. --------------------------------------------------------------------- The State of Texas obtained a short-lived, temporary restraining order (TRO) against Samsung that prohibited the South Korean company from collecting audio and visual data about what Texas consumers are watching on their TVs. Wiz Like other major TV manufacturers, Samsung employs Automated Content Recognition (ACR) technology to capture periodic screenshots, analyze viewing activity, and identify users' content preferences. The data is used for more targeted advertising. Texas also filed lawsuits against Sony, LG, and China-based companies Hisense and TCL Technology Group Corporation last month, over unlawful use of ACR technology and concerns os US user data being accessed by China. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton claims that ACR is used to capture screenshots every 500 milliseconds without consumers' knowledge or consent. The District Court of Collin County in Texas ruled that this activity violates the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA) and ordered Samsung Electronics America Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd to stop using, selling, collecting, and transferring data from Texas-based TVs until January 19. Signed on January 5th at 10:10 AM, the TRO document lists several justifications for the decision to issue a temporary restraining order, including Samsung's deceptive ACR enrollment practices and the allegation "that the Chinese Communist Party ("CCP") has access to the information." "The Court finds that there is good cause to believe that SAMSUNG's process for enrolling consumers in the ACR data collection program is false, deceptive, or misleading because it does not disclose to consumers how much data is being collected about them, how the data is actually being used, and that the Chinese Communist Party ("CCP") has access to the information," Temporary Restraining Order against Samsung Furthermore, the court highlights that the enrollment process is confusing and opaque, pressuring users to consent to ACR through "dark patterns," and making it practically impossible to fully opt out of the data collection mechanism, letting them only "limit the use" of the collected data. The court noted that users can consent to ACR data collection with a single click, but details about the program are available after enrollment, and reviewing the privacy statements and disclosures requires more than 200 clicks. "Consent from consumers is not informed, privacy choices are not meaningful, users cannot reasonably understand the surveillance model, and the system defaults towards maximal data extraction," reads the TRO document. A TRO extends to all company "officers, agents, employees, and all other persons in active concert or participation with them" from continuing to use, sell, transfer, collect, or share ACR data relating to Texas consumers. Texas court vacates temporary restraining order One day after granting the TRO, the same judge ruled that it should not remain in effect and vacated the order. "The Court finds, sua sponte, that the [TRO obtained by the State of Texas against Samsung] should be set aside," the judge wrote in the order. After publication of the original article, Samsung Electronics America told BleepingComputer that the TRO was vacated on Tuesday, January 6. A company representative also said that Samsung's TRO hearing remains scheduled for Friday, January 9. While this does not end the lawsuit, the Texas Attorney General's action did not ultimately prevent Samsung's alleged collection of TV users' viewing data. BleepingComputer has reached out to the Texas Attorney General's Office for a statement about the court nulifying the order and future action but a commment was not immediately available. Wiz Secrets Security Cheat Sheet: From Sprawl to Control Whether you're cleaning up old keys or setting guardrails for AI-generated code, this guide helps your team build securely from the start. Get the cheat sheet and take the guesswork out of secrets management. Download Now Related Articles: Texas sues TV makers for taking screenshots of what people watch OpenAI says ChatGPT won't use your health information to train its models Disney will pay $10 million to settle children's data privacy lawsuit FBI seizes domain storing bank credentials stolen from U.S. victims Interpol-led action decrypts 6 ransomware strains, arrests hundreds * Legal * Privacy * Samsung * Smart TV * Texas * Tracking * TV * * * * * Bill Toulas Bill Toulas is a tech writer and infosec news reporter with over a decade of experience working on various online publications, covering open-source, Linux, malware, data breach incidents, and hacks. * Previous Article * Next Article Comments * DyingCrow Photo DyingCrow - 5 hours ago + + Scenario: individual uses a tv instead of a monitor for the computer. Individual checks emails, browses the internet, goes to bank websites, VERY sensitive personal information. And that s**t takes 2 screenshots a second and sends it somewhere, if connected to the internet. That's just plain criminal. * KelsonV Photo KelsonV - 4 hours ago + + First thought on seeing the headline: Whoa, *Texas* got a restraining order over privacy? 3 paragraphs into the article: Oh, it's not actually about privacy, it's xenophobic posturing and protectionism. Of *course* Texas actually got the restraining order. And to top it off, they throw in accusations of communist ties, because apparently Ken Paxton and/or the judges can't tell the difference between South Korea and China. * powerspork Photo powerspork - 26 minutes ago + + I wouldn't say it's about xenophobia exclusively. The privacy laws were passed after they started seeing the millions that EU countries were raking in for privacy violations. It's a money grab. Unfortunately, Paxton and the like probably do not actually understand what is going on, nor the underlying reasons why privacy is important. What surprises me is the old fuddy duddies managed to open their ears long enough to listen to someone who does. Of course, money was involved, so they were "motivated". Overall, at least some progress is being made on the privacy front. It is better than nothing. * XSp Photo XSp - 1 hour ago + + The everyday tragi-comic drama of the broken US justice system. Post a Comment Community Rules You need to login in order to post a comment [Login] Not a member yet? Register Now You may also like: [INS::INS] ThreatLocker Popular Stories * Windows 10 BSOD crash ClickFix attack uses fake Windows BSOD screens to push malware * NordVPN NordVPN denies breach claims, says attackers have "dummy data" * Cloud Cloud file-sharing sites targeted for corporate data theft attacks Sponsor Posts * Securing Agentic AI: Redefine permissions for the next era of access. Securing Agentic AI: Redefine permissions for the next era of access. * Track AI-powered cyber threats in real time. 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