Kastoo
Many smart TVs have a feature called ACR (automatic content recognition) that identifies what is on screen to find out what you watch and show you ads. On many models it is switched on if you accepted everything when you set up the TV, but you can turn it off in a few minutes.
What ACR is
The TV takes small samples of the picture or the sound and compares them with a database to recognise the programme, the ad or the film. With that, the manufacturer and its advertising partners know what is being watched on that TV and when.
What is striking is that it can work with almost everything that appears on the screen, not just the TV’s own apps: it also works with whatever comes in over HDMI from another device.
Why it is in the news
In December 2025, the Texas Attorney General sued Samsung, LG, Sony, Hisense and TCL for collecting viewing data through ACR without clear consent. Among other things, the lawsuit claims that these features can capture what comes in over HDMI or Chromecast and that the explanations were buried in unclear legal text. In 2026, Samsung reached an agreement with Texas to ask its users in that state for explicit consent.
How to turn it off
Menus vary by model and system version, but they are usually in these places:
| Brand | Where to look | What to turn off |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Settings → All Settings → General & Privacy → Terms & Privacy | “Viewing Information Services” |
| LG (webOS) | Settings → All Settings → General → System → Additional Settings | “Live Plus” |
| Sony (Google TV) | Settings → Privacy | “Samba Interactive TV”, if it appears |
| Google TV in general | Settings → Privacy | “Usage & diagnostics” and ad personalisation |
On other brands, look under Privacy or User agreements for options with names like “viewing information”, “content recognition” or “ACR”.
Do I lose anything if I turn it off?
Usually not: the TV, the apps and IPTV players work just the same. You will simply stop getting some “personalised” recommendations and ads. Kastoo does not use ACR and does not know which channels you watch.
Frequently asked questions
Does ACR record my voice?
That is a different thing. ACR recognises what appears on screen. The microphone in the remote or the TV is a separate feature, which you can also check in the privacy settings.
Does this happen on TV boxes too?
It depends on the manufacturer. On Google TV, check the device’s own privacy and ads settings.
Is ACR illegal in the EU?
In the European Union, the GDPR requires clear consent for this kind of data processing. That is why it usually appears as an option you accept when you set up the TV.
Sources
- Texas sues 5 smart TV makers over ACR tech · The Record (December 2025)
- Samsung TVs stop spying on viewers in Texas. Here’s how to disable ACR anywhere · Malwarebytes (March 2026)
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