TL;DR
A Texas judge issued a temporary restraining order that barred Samsung from collecting smart-TV viewing data, citing allegedly deceptive enrollment and privacy concerns, then vacated that order the next day. The underlying lawsuit by the Texas Attorney General remains active and a hearing is scheduled.
What happened
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Samsung over the company’s use of Automated Content Recognition (ACR) on smart TVs, alleging the technology captures frequent screenshots and that Samsung’s enrollment and disclosure practices are misleading. On January 5 the District Court of Collin County granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) that prohibited Samsung Electronics America Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd from using, selling, collecting, or transferring ACR data tied to Texas consumers, with the order citing confusing enrollment flows, so-called dark patterns and claims that disclosures about data collection appear only after users opt in. The TRO, signed at 10:10 AM, temporarily paused Samsung’s ACR activity in Texas through January 19. One day later the same judge vacated the TRO sua sponte. Samsung confirmed the order was vacated on January 6 and said a TRO hearing was still scheduled for January 9; the Attorney General’s office had not immediately commented.
Why it matters
- The case highlights scrutiny of smart-TV data collection and whether ACR practices meet legal standards for informed consent.
- If courts find enrollment practices deceptive, TV makers could face restrictions on targeted-ad practices tied to viewing data.
- Vacating the TRO shows how fast preliminary judicial relief can be reversed, leaving uncertainty for consumers and companies.
- The broader litigation — which includes suits against other TV manufacturers — could influence industry privacy disclosures and user controls.
Key facts
- The Texas suit targets Samsung’s use of Automated Content Recognition (ACR) that analyzes screenshots to infer viewing habits.
- Texas alleges ACR captures screenshots as frequently as every 500 milliseconds; that characterization appears in the state’s filings.
- The Collin County court issued a TRO on January 5 at 10:10 AM, temporarily barring Samsung from collecting or transferring ACR data related to Texas consumers until January 19.
- The TRO criticized Samsung’s enrollment process as confusing, relying on alleged dark patterns and post-enrollment disclosures that require over 200 clicks to access, per the order.
- The court also referenced allegations that the Chinese Communist Party has access to collected information; that claim is part of the state’s assertions.
- One day after granting the TRO, the same judge set it aside and vacated the order.
- Samsung told BleepingComputer the TRO was vacated on January 6 and that a TRO hearing was still scheduled for January 9.
- Texas has filed related suits against other TV makers, including Sony, LG, Hisense and TCL, over similar ACR concerns.
What to watch next
- Outcome of the TRO hearing scheduled for January 9 and whether the court will reinstate, modify, or reject temporary relief.
- Any formal statement or additional filings from the Texas Attorney General’s office explaining why the TRO was vacated and next steps.
- Responses or changes from Samsung to its ACR enrollment and disclosure practices following the litigation — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Automated Content Recognition (ACR): Technology that analyzes audio or visual content from a device to identify what is being watched or played, often used for analytics and targeted advertising.
- Temporary Restraining Order (TRO): A short-term court order intended to preserve the status quo and prevent specific actions until a fuller hearing can be held.
- Dark patterns: Design techniques in user interfaces that manipulate or coerce users into taking actions they might not otherwise choose.
- Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA): A state consumer protection law that prohibits false, misleading, or deceptive business practices in Texas.
Reader FAQ
Is Samsung permanently barred from collecting TV viewing data in Texas?
No. The temporary restraining order that would have barred collection was vacated the day after it was issued; the underlying lawsuit remains active.
Did the court find Samsung’s practices deceptive?
The TRO document stated the court found good cause to believe the enrollment process was false, deceptive, or misleading, but the TRO was later vacated; final legal findings are not confirmed in the source.
Are other TV makers being sued over ACR?
Yes. Texas has filed related lawsuits against Sony, LG, Hisense and TCL, according to the source.
Has the Texas Attorney General commented on the vacated TRO?
Not yet. BleepingComputer reached out for comment and a response was not immediately available, per the source.
Texas court blocks Samsung from tracking TV viewing, then vacates order By Bill Toulas January 8, 2026 11:47 AM 3 Update Jan. 6, 2026, 1:49 PM ET: After publishing this…
Sources
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