What is Samsung's Automated Content Recognition (ACR) technology?

ACR is a technology designed to collect data on the content you are watching to serve targeted advertisements, working by "fingerprinting" viewing habits.

What was Samsung accused of regarding ACR?

Samsung was accused of "secretly recording" viewing habits through ACR and failing to properly disclose this ad-tracking technique to TV owners during setup, using deceptive language for consent.

What does the settlement require Samsung to do?

The settlement requires Samsung to promptly update its smart TVs with clear and conspicuous disclosures and consent screens regarding data collection and usage.

Home / Technology / Samsung TVs Under Fire for Secret Ad Tracking

Samsung TVs Under Fire for Secret Ad Tracking

27 Feb

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Summary

Samsung faces lawsuit over alleged secret ad-tracking technique called ACR.
ACR technology collects viewing data to serve targeted advertisements.
Settlement requires Samsung to update TVs with clearer privacy disclosures.

Samsung TVs Under Fire for Secret Ad Tracking

Samsung is updating its approach to disclosing a little-known ad-tracking technique embedded in its televisions. This move comes after a lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in December, which accused Samsung of "secretly recording" viewing habits via a technology known as Automated Content Recognition (ACR).

ACR is designed to gather data on watched content to facilitate targeted advertising. Researchers explain that ACR operates by "fingerprinting" viewing habits, which involves capturing frames and audio to match against a content library. While typically an opt-in feature, Paxton alleged that Samsung's implementation amounted to mass surveillance and spyware.