Judge blocks Sony’s move to force arbitration in smart TV privacy lawsuit

A U.S. District Judge in San Diego has rejected Sony Electronics’ request to move a class action alleging privacy violations by its smart TVs to private arbitration. The case, filed in federal court, can now proceed before a judge.

The plaintiffs say Sony’s smart televisions use automatic content recognition (ACR) technology to capture snippets of audio and video, create digital fingerprints, and share viewing data with advertisers such as Samba TV and Google. They argue the company never gave clear notice of this tracking or the related arbitration clause hidden in a limited‑warranty document.

Why the arbitration provision was tossed

Judge Marilyn Huff found that the arbitration clause was buried in a one‑page warranty and not prominently disclosed. She wrote that a reasonable consumer would not have seen the binding terms, noting the bold heading was surrounded by other bold headings and small print. Citing a similar Samsung case, she concluded the warranty did not give fair notice of the arbitration requirement.

Claims that survive

The court declined to dismiss the plaintiffs’ invasion‑of‑privacy claims under the California Constitution, finding the allegations sufficient to proceed. It also allowed claims that Sony disclosed private facts by passing data to third parties.

However, the judge dismissed twelve other claims, including those under the Video Privacy Protection Act, because the complaint did not show how an ordinary person could identify the plaintiffs from the data. Injunctive‑relief claims were also thrown out for lack of a credible threat of future harm.

What this means for TV owners

Consumers who own Sony smart TVs should know the lawsuit remains active in court, not arbitration. This means any settlement or judgment will be public and may affect future product disclosures. There is no immediate deadline for owners, but staying informed about the case’s progress could be important if a settlement is offered.

People who suspect their viewing habits are being tracked should review the privacy settings on their devices and consider opting out of data‑sharing features where possible.

When to consider legal help

If you believe your Sony TV has collected personal viewing data without proper notice, or if you receive a settlement offer, consulting a lawyer experienced in privacy and consumer‑class actions can help you understand your rights and options.

This article is general information based on Courthouse News Service and court or agency records available at publication time. It is not legal advice; laws and deadlines differ by state and by case. Published November 4, 2026.