Samsung and the State of Texas reached a settlement requiring Samsung to halt collecting or processing Automated Content Recognition (ACR) viewing data from Texas consumers without obtaining their express consent and to update its privacy disclosures. The settlement resolves claims that Samsung used ACR to capture TV screenshots for targeted advertising and that it employed “dark patterns” making privacy disclosures difficult to access. #Samsung #Texas
Keypoints
- Samsung agreed to stop collecting ACR viewing data from Texas consumers without express consent.
- Samsung must update smart TV software and implement clearer, conspicuous privacy disclosures and consent screens.
- The lawsuit alleged Samsung used ACR to capture screenshots for targeted advertising and employed “dark patterns” to enroll users.
- A Texas court briefly issued a TRO citing a likely violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act before vacating it.
- Samsung denies wrongdoing but agreed to enhancements, while other smart TV manufacturers have not yet changed practices.