Does a TCL TV have ACR?

Yes. TCL TVs use automatic content recognition (ACR) to track what is on screen for ads.

Is my TCL TV spying on me?

It tracks what is on screen for ads unless the setting is off. Find your model above.

Will turning it off break anything?

No. Apps, inputs and updates keep working. You may lose personalised recommendations.

Menus can change with firmware updates, so check again after a big one.

How to turn off ACR on a TCL TV

It depends on the software your model runs. Find it below, or check by model number.

Short answer

Yes, a TCL TV on Roku OS models uses ACR, called "Use info from TV inputs". To turn it off: Press the Home button on the remote, then open Settings, then open Privacy, then open Smart TV experience, then highlight "Use info from TV inputs" and press OK to clear the check box.

Yes, a TCL TV on Google TV models uses ACR, called "Interactive Service". To turn it off: Open Settings, then System, then open "Interactive Service" and turn it off.

Last checked 23 September 2026. Plain text version

Roku OS
Google TV

Roku OS

The setting: “Use info from TV inputs”

TCL Roku TV (3/4/5/6 series) 2018–2024

Applies to Roku TVs, all firmware

Roku's menu runs down the left of the home screen. Settings is the last item.

Our drawing of step 1, not a photograph.

Roku opens one column at a time, moving right. The list you came from stays on the left.

Our drawing of step 2, not a photograph.

Only Roku televisions have this row. A streaming stick cannot see your other inputs, so it has nothing to fingerprint and nothing here to switch off.

Our drawing of step 3, not a photograph.

Both are tick boxes. An empty box is the finished state, and Roku does not confirm it any other way.

Our drawing of step 4, not a photograph.

Press the Home button on the remote, then open Settings
Open Privacy
Open Smart TV experience
Highlight "Use info from TV inputs" and press OK to clear the check box

Other switches worth turning off

Applies to All Roku devices

Settings > Privacy > Advertising: turn off "Personalized Ads". If your Roku shows "Limit Ad Tracking" there instead, check that box.
Settings > Privacy > Microphone: set to "Never allow" or per channel
Settings > Privacy > Smart TV Experience: uncheck "Enable auto notifications"

Google TV

The setting: “Interactive Service”

TCL QM / Q / S Class (Google TV) 2022–2025

Applies to TCL Google TV sets

Open Settings, then System
Open "Interactive Service" and turn it off

Other switches worth turning off

Applies to All Google TV devices

Settings > Privacy > Ads: choose "Delete advertising ID"

Questions

Does a TCL TV have ACR?: Yes. TCL TVs use automatic content recognition (ACR) to track what is on screen for ads.
How do I turn off ACR on a TCL TV?: Yes, a TCL TV on Roku OS models uses ACR, called "Use info from TV inputs". To turn it off: Press the Home button on the remote, then open Settings, then open Privacy, then open Smart TV experience, then highlight "Use info from TV inputs" and press OK to clear the check box. Yes, a TCL TV on Google TV models uses ACR, called "Interactive Service". To turn it off: Open Settings, then System, then open "Interactive Service" and turn it off.
Is my TCL TV spying on me?: It tracks what is on screen for ads unless the setting is off. Find your model 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.