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How to turn off ACR on a Samsung TV

Samsung calls it "Viewing Information Services". It is in the privacy settings. Here is exactly where.

Short answer

Yes, a Samsung TV uses ACR, called "Viewing Information Services". To turn it off: Press the Home button on the remote, open Settings, then choose All Settings, then open General & Privacy, then open Terms & Privacy, then uncheck "Viewing Information Services", then uncheck "Interest-Based Advertising".

Last checked 23 September 2026. Plain text version

The steps

The setting: “Viewing Information Services”

Applies to 2022 and newer

Everythingthe setkeeps aboutyou is inthe lastgroup.All SettingsPictureSoundConnectionBroadcastingGeneral & PrivacyAll Settings opens here
Samsung's settings are a centred panel in three parts: the categories, the list, and a description of whatever is highlighted.

Our drawing of step 1, not a photograph.

Accessibility,privacy,voice, andthe systemmanager.All SettingsPictureSoundConnectionBroadcastingGeneral & PrivacyOpen General & Privacy

Our drawing of step 2, not a photograph.

PictureSoundConnectionBroadcast…General…View andset theprivacypolicy forSmart Huband otherservices.General & PrivacyAccessibilityTerms & PrivacyIntelligent Mode Settin…OnVoiceSystem ManagerOpen Terms & Privacy

Our drawing of step 3, not a photograph.

PictureSoundConnectionBroadcast…General…You canview theterms andconditions,privacypolicy.Terms & PrivacyPrivacy ChoicesTerms and ConditionsSmart Hub Privacy NoticeViewing Information ServicesInterest-Based Advertisemen…Open this row
Nothing on this list is a switch. Opening the row prints the notice, and near the bottom of it is a tick box reading “I agree”. Clear that tick and choose Confirm.

Our drawing of step 4, not a photograph.

PictureSoundConnectionBroadcast…General…Theadvertisingnoticeworks thesame way.Terms & PrivacyPrivacy ChoicesTerms and ConditionsSmart Hub Privacy NoticeViewing Information ServicesInterest-Based Advertisemen…Do this one too
On screen this row is named at length and cut off with an ellipsis. Samsung's shorter name for the same thing, over in Privacy Choices, is Interest-Based Advertising.

Our drawing of step 5, not a photograph.

Older firmware

Applies to 2016 to 2021

SettingsPictureSoundBroadcastingGeneralSupportSettings opens here
On these years the panel is clearly blue rather than near-black, and each row carries a small round indicator.

Our drawing of step 1, not a photograph.

SettingsPictureSoundBroadcastingGeneralSupportOpen Support

Our drawing of step 2, not a photograph.

PictureSoundBroadcasti…GeneralSupportSupportSoftware UpdateSelf DiagnosisTerms & PoliciesRemote ManagementAbout This TVOpen Terms & Policies
Some model years print this as Terms & Policy, singular. It is the same list.

Our drawing of step 3, not a photograph.

Software U…Self Diagn…Terms & …Terms & PoliciesSmart Hub Privacy NoticeViewing Information ServicesInterest-Based AdvertisementsReset PSIDTurn this off
The exact list varies by model year. Look for the words, not the position.

Our drawing of step 4, not a photograph.

Software U…Self Diagn…Terms & …Terms & PoliciesSmart Hub Privacy NoticeViewing Information ServicesInterest-Based AdvertisementsReset PSIDAnd this one

Our drawing of step 5, not a photograph.

Other switches worth turning off

Applies to All models

  1. Settings > General & Privacy > Privacy Choices, turn off everything optional
  2. Settings > General & Privacy > Voice, turn off voice recognition services if unused
  3. Sign out of the Samsung account if you do not use it. It ties the ad profile to you.

Questions

Does a Samsung TV have ACR?
Yes. Samsung TVs use automatic content recognition (ACR) to track what is on screen for ads, under the name "Viewing Information Services".
How do I turn off ACR on a Samsung TV?
Yes, a Samsung TV uses ACR, called "Viewing Information Services". To turn it off: Press the Home button on the remote, open Settings, then choose All Settings, then open General & Privacy, then open Terms & Privacy, then uncheck "Viewing Information Services", then uncheck "Interest-Based Advertising".
Is my Samsung TV spying on me?
It tracks what is on screen for ads unless "Viewing Information Services" is off. The steps are above.
Will turning it off break anything?
No. Apps, inputs and updates keep working. You may lose personalised recommendations.
Does it stay off?
Menus can change with firmware updates, so check again after a big one.

Keep it off with The Box

Updates can move the switch. The Box blocks the tracking on your network instead. It is not built yet.

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