The state of Texas is attacking the largest television manufacturers, accused of photographing the content of your screens twice per second.
At a time when our televisions are just as connected as our smartphones, it is legitimate to worry about the confidentiality of our personal data, even in front of the screen in the living room. In this case, the Attorney General of Texas, Ken Paxton, ignites the powder and launches a large-scale legal investigation against the largest manufacturers in the sector. All are accused of using ACR (Automated Content Recognition) technology on their models, and of harming the privacy of their customers.
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An “invisible and unsolicited digital invader”
What if it was your television, the famous Big Brother watching you? According to the documents produced by the Texas court, in any case, television manufacturers like Sony, LG, Samsung or HiSense go to great lengths to collect as much personal data as possible on their customers’ preferences.
In the official statement from the Texas Attorney General, connected televisions are bluntly described as “ invisible and unsolicited digital invaders “. Thanks to ACR technology, TV manufacturers keep track of what you’re watching, every 500 milliseconds! If you were already uncomfortable with Microsoft’s promises with its Recall feature, here we would face something of an even more crushing magnitude.
Clearly, the software embedded in most TVs in the world today therefore takes screenshots of what is displayed on the screen, and transmits them to manufacturers without the consent of users. We’re talking about the channels you could watch, but also your favorite series on Netflix or Disney+, and even content from an external source, such as a USB key or a game console.
Where are we in Europe?
This data, collected for advertising targeting purposes, is however much less well protected in the United States than it is in Europe, and particularly in France. Also, it should be kept in mind that the charges brought here by the Texas prosecutor only concern televisions marketed in the USA. If such actions were proven in Europe, manufacturers would be exposed to significant fines under the GDPR.
However, we must not put blinders on. Yes, even in Europe, our televisions collect data on what we watch. All you have to do is carefully read the confidentiality policies that we are presented with at the slightest update, or at the first start of a new screen. Furthermore, many options facilitating data collection are hidden in the menus and submenus of connected televisions. According to the complaint filed against HiSense, it would take around 200 clicks on its remote control to deactivate all the modules authorizing the collection of data on the Chinese group’s TVs.
European “facilities” which did not prevent the giant LG from causing an outcry last week with the update of its televisions, which discreetly installs Microsoft’s Copilot artificial intelligence on all compatible models. An application that cannot be uninstalled.
