Does a Vizio TV have ACR?

Yes. Vizio TVs use automatic content recognition (ACR) to track what is on screen for ads, under the name "Viewing Data".

Is my Vizio TV spying on me?

It tracks what is on screen for ads unless "Viewing Data" is off. The steps are 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 Vizio TV

Vizio calls it "Viewing Data". It is in the privacy settings. Here is exactly where.

Short answer

Yes, a Vizio TV uses ACR, called "Viewing Data". To turn it off: Press the Menu button on the remote, then open Privacy & Legal, then turn the "Viewing Data" toggle to Off.

Last checked 23 September 2026. Plain text version

The steps

The setting: “Viewing Data”

Quantum Pro / P-Series 2020–2024
M-Series Quantum 2020–2024
V-Series 2020–2024
D-Series 2020–2024
Vizio SmartCast TV 2016–2025

Applies to VIZIO OS, the newest sets (Privacy & Legal menu)

Press the Menu button on the remote
Open Privacy & Legal
Turn the "Viewing Data" toggle to Off

Older firmware

Applies to SmartCast, 2020 to 2023 (Admin & Privacy menu)

Our drawing of step 1, not a photograph.

On these sets Admin & Privacy is in the first list, not inside System.

Our drawing of step 2, not a photograph.

This one is not a tick box. Highlight the row and press the right arrow until the value reads Off.

Our drawing of step 3, not a photograph.

Press the Menu button on the remote
Open Admin & Privacy. It sits at the top level, not inside System.
Highlight "Viewing Data" and press the right arrow until it reads Off

Applies to SmartCast, 2016 to 2019

Our drawing of step 1, not a photograph.

Our drawing of step 2, not a photograph.

Our drawing of step 3, not a photograph.

This one is not a tick box. Highlight the row and press the right arrow until the value reads Off.

Our drawing of step 4, not a photograph.

Press the Menu button on the remote
Open System
Open Reset & Admin
Highlight "Viewing Data" and press the right arrow until it reads Off

Other switches worth turning off

Applies to All models

Open Advertising and turn "Limit Ad Tracking" on. It is under Privacy & Legal on the newest sets, Admin & Privacy on 2020 to 2023 sets, and System > Reset & Admin before that.
In the same list, turn "Smart Interactivity" off if it is there. That is the older name for the same thing.

Questions

Does a Vizio TV have ACR?: Yes. Vizio TVs use automatic content recognition (ACR) to track what is on screen for ads, under the name "Viewing Data".
How do I turn off ACR on a Vizio TV?: Yes, a Vizio TV uses ACR, called "Viewing Data". To turn it off: Press the Menu button on the remote, then open Privacy & Legal, then turn the "Viewing Data" toggle to Off.
Is my Vizio TV spying on me?: It tracks what is on screen for ads unless "Viewing Data" 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.