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The state of Texas has filed lawsuits against five major Smart TV manufacturers, accusing them of unlawfully collecting and selling consumers’ viewing data.

Getting into it: The lawsuits, filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, allege that television giants Sony, Samsung, LG, Hisense, and TCL used a technology called Automated Content Recognition (ACR) to spy on users without clearpermission. According to Paxton, these companies activated ACR by default or tricked consumers into enabling it during setup using vague language buried in lengthy terms and conditions. ACR basically works by capturing still images or audio from whatever is playing on the screen (whether it’s cable, streaming, video games, or even screen-shared personal content) and sending that data back to the manufacturer.

Paxton claims this data collection was far more aggressive than consumers realized and went well beyond what was necessary to operate the device. The lawsuits argue that the companies compiled detailed viewing histories and used the information to build advertising profiles on individual consumers. This data was then allegedly sold to third parties, including advertisers, allowing them to target users with personalized ads across other devices and platforms. The state claims that consumers were never given a genuine choice to opt out and that these practices violate the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

The lawsuits also raise serious concerns about the involvement of Chinese-based companies Hisense and TCL. Paxton points to China’s National Security Law, which requires companies to share data with the Chinese government if requested. This, he argues, makes the situation even more concerning, suggesting that Texans’ private viewing data could potentially be accessed by a foreign government.

As of now, none of the companies named in the lawsuits have admitted to any wrongdoing.