SACD and Others
The rules on the admissibility of an action for infringement of the copyright in a collective work must ensure that the right to effective judicial protection is observed, by not making the procedure provided for unnecessarily complicated or costly
DISCLAIMER: Information and opinions reproduced in the articles are the ones of those stating them and it is their own responsibility. Publication in The European Times does not automatically means endorsement of the view, but the right to express it.
DISCLAIMER TRANSLATIONS: All articles in this site are published in English. The translated versions are done through an automated process known as neural translations. If in doubt, always refer to the original article. Thank you for understanding.
The legal action targets Automated Content Recognition technology that collects viewing data without proper user permission.
The attorney general’s office describes ACR as an “uninvited, invisible digital invader” that monitors everything displayed on screen—from streaming content to gaming consoles and Blu-ray players. This harvested information builds consumer profiles that manufacturers sell to advertisers for profit.
“Companies, especially those connected to the Chinese Communist Party, have no business illegally recording Americans’ devices inside their own homes,” Paxton stated. “This conduct is invasive, deceptive, and unlawful.”
The lawsuits accuse manufacturers of violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act through inadequate disclosure and deceptive consent practices. According to court filings, these televisions function as “a mass surveillance system sitting in millions of American living rooms” rather than simple entertainment devices.
During initial television setup, Samsung presents consumers with a single prominent button labeled “I Agree to all” after displaying four separate policy notices. Actually disabling the tracking requires locating and adjusting settings buried across different menu sections—a process involving at least 15 clicks through non-intuitive paths.
The complaint against Samsung details this maze: users must navigate Settings, Additional Settings, General Privacy, Terms & Privacy, Viewing Information Services, then finally select “Disable.” Additional toggles exist for Interest-Based Ads, Ad Personalization, and Privacy Choices scattered throughout the interface.
Texas argues this creates meaningless consent because privacy options “are scattered across four or more separate menus.” Meanwhile, manufacturers offer one-click enrollment during startup.
“Most consumers do not know, nor have any reason to suspect, that Samsung Smart TVs are capturing in real-time the audio and visuals displayed on the screen and using the information to profile them for advertisers,” the Samsung lawsuit states.
The attorney general contends that personalized content and targeted advertising don’t justify this data collection. Manufacturers demonstrate an “insatiable appetite for consumer data far exceeds what is reasonably necessary,” with the “invasive data harvesting” serving only to boost advertisement revenue rather than meeting genuine consumer needs.
Special attention targets Hisense and TCL due to their Chinese ownership. The Hisense complaint specifically alleges the company fails to disclose that Chinese law requires transferring collected consumer data to the People’s Republic of China upon government request.
Both Chinese manufacturer lawsuits claim the Communist Party could exploit ACR data “to influence or compromise public figures in Texas, including judges, elected officials, and law enforcement, and for corporate espionage by surveilling those employed in critical infrastructure.”
Paxton’s press release emphasized concerns about “China’s National Security Law, which gives its government the capability to get its hands on US consumer data.” The lawsuits describe Hisense and TCL televisions as “effectively Chinese-sponsored surveillance devices, recording the viewing habits of Texans at every turn.”
The Center for Digital Democracy raised similar concerns in a report last year, noting that “viewer surveillance is now built directly into the television set, making manufacturers central players in data collection, monitoring, and digital marketing.”
That organization found ACR systems bundled into new televisions during initial setup without fully explaining “its extensive role in monitoring and sharing viewer actions.” Consequently, most consumers remain unaware of the risks involved when activating these features.
Texas seeks restraining orders to halt collection, sharing, and selling of ACR data during litigation. The state also pursues monetary damages, with penalties potentially reaching $10,000 per violation—escalating to $250,000 when violations affect residents aged 65 or older.
Sony, LG, and Hisense responded to media inquiries by declining comment on pending litigation. Samsung and TCL have not yet issued statements.
The complaints expose sensitive information at risk, including passwords, bank details, and other personal data visible on television screens. ACR technology captures whatever appears on display, regardless of whether content comes from streaming services, cable television, or connected devices.
Privacy advocates have warned about smart TV tracking for years. Recent guides explaining how to escape smart TV advertisements and monitoring demonstrate growing consumer awareness of these practices.
These lawsuits arrive as television manufacturers increasingly rely on advertising revenue and data sales to supplement hardware profits. Industry observers note that modern televisions often sell at thin margins, with companies recouping costs through post-purchase data monetization.
The legal action spans multiple Texas district courts, with each complaint seeking both injunctive relief and substantial financial penalties. Court proceedings will determine whether manufacturers adequately informed consumers about surveillance capabilities and obtained legitimate consent for data collection.
Written by Alius Noreika
Giving an update at the daily midday press briefing, UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq told correspondents that the “peacekeepers” were killed and nine others injured on Saturday when UNISFAThe Washington logistics base was the target of what the mission described as a “horrific drone attack.”
We do not yet know at this stage who led this strike, he added.
The ceremony in Abyei marked the official farewell of the fallen peacekeepers, whose remains will now be returned to Bangladesh.
UNISFA said their “sacrifice for peace will never be forgotten”, adding that the entire mission mourned alongside the families of the deceased and the government and people of Bangladesh.
The nine injured were evacuated from Kadugli to Abyei on the day of the attack and are being treated at the UNISFA hospital.
The mission said its top priority was to provide all necessary and appropriate medical care to the injured.
UNISFA strongly condemned this attack, extending its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and the Bangladeshi authorities, while wishing a speedy and full recovery to the injured.
UNISFA added that it had taken all necessary measures to protect its personnel and facilities, including the strengthening of protective measures at the Kadugli logistics base, and would continue to carefully assess the situation.
The Acting Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major General Robert Yaw-Afframvisited Kadugli on Monday.
UNISFA also reiterated the Secretary-General’s message book this weekend, emphasizing that attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law and that those responsible must be held accountable.
The mission was created in 2011 and his mandaterecently extended for one year, includes strengthening the capacity of the Abyei Police Service in the disputed and oil-rich region, monitoring and verifying the redeployment of forces from the region, facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid and protecting civilians.
Nearly 4,000 soldiers and police are on duty, alongside civilian personnel.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
The European Commission has presented a new set of measures to support the automotive sector in moving towards clean mobility. The European automotive sector has been key to Europe’s economy for decades, employing millions of people and driving technological innovation. Today, it is at a critical turning point, challenged by rapid technological changes and […]
The European Commission has presented a new set of measures to support the automotive sector in moving towards clean mobility. The European automotive sector has been key to Europe’s economy for decades, employing millions of people and driving technological innovation. Today, it is at a critical turning point, challenged by rapid technological changes and […]
The European Commission has presented a new set of measures to support the automotive sector in moving towards clean mobility.
The European automotive sector has been key to Europe’s economy for decades, employing millions of people and driving technological innovation. Today, it is at a critical turning point, challenged by rapid technological changes and increasing competition. To address these challenges, the new measures set out ambitious and pragmatic rules for the industry and EU countries to adapt to clean mobility and a low-carbon economy, while ensuring the competitiveness of the industry.
Key proposals include
The proposals build on the automotive action plan and strategic dialogue on the future of the automotive industry. The dialogue, launched in January 2025, brings together industry representatives, social partners, EU countries, regions, and civil society. So far, three dialogue meetings have taken place, providing a platform to discuss the challenges and opportunities the sector faces.
For more information
Factsheet – clean and competitive European automotive sector
Heads of state, civil society and private sector leaders will discuss the most pressing issues related to corruption and how to combat it at a meeting UN conference against corruption (COSP11) this week in Doha, Qatar.
“When corruption infects the justice system, cases are mishandled, justice is delayed or denied, and victims are silenced.“, President of the General Assembly Annalena Baerbock said to the opening of the conference.
Taking place from December 15-19 this year, COSP is the world’s largest international gathering dedicated to the fight against corruption and economic crime.
It is the main decision-making body of the United Nations Convention against Corruption – the only legally binding universal anti-corruption treaty.
This session, entitled Shaping the integrity of tomorrowwill address the role of AI and new technologies in meeting the realities of today’s complex crime patterns.
The links between corruption and financial and organized crime will also be discussed, as well as steps countries can take to improve the transparency of their public financial systems and efforts to combat corruption in the private sector.
“Rapid advances in technology provide corrupt actors with new tools to hide assets, falsify documents, and move between jurisdictions.“, warned John Brandolino, acting executive director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
However, he acknowledged that technology can also be a “transformative” force against corruption, notably by facilitating investigations.
“Governments must strive to reap the benefits of revolutionary solutions“, said Mr. Brandolino, adding that these technological solutions must respect human rights and close the loopholes that allow criminals to misuse digital tools.
Corruption deprives people of their basic needs such as education, healthcare, clean water and infrastructure.
The conference aims to translate international commitments into action by assessing how countries implement the anti-corruption treaty and strengthening cross-border cooperation.
The decisions of the COSP have led to real changes, notably the creation of a peer review system which helped 146 countries improve their anti-corruption laws and policies.
“Shaping the integrity of tomorrow is about protecting people from exploitation through crime and corruption,” said Mr. Brandolino. “And it’s also about safeguarding our common aspirations for the future. »
Location of the eleventh session of the Conference of States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption taking place in Doha, Qatar.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
Volker Türk said the “heinous” shootings targeting a Hannukah celebration on Bondi Beach revealed once again that “anti-Semitism is real and heinous”.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the killings were motivated by “extremist ideology.” The suspected shooters, Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed, 24, are believed to have pledged allegiance to the ISIL terror group.
Video of Ahmed al Ahmed, filmed fighting one of the attackers with one of the weapons used in the assault, went viral and the fruit shop owner was hailed as a hero whose intervention saved many lives.
THE UN human rights chief said the mass shooting was another reminder of the “hate crimes and hate speech that are all too common in our world today.”
He added that it is time to “reaffirm our commitment to our common humanity and collectively fight this scourge.”
Mr. Türk said this deadly anti-Semitic attack must not sow more hatred and division.
“I stand in solidarity with the victims and those who courageously helped and protected them,” he concluded.
Asylum is becoming increasingly politicized as humanitarian funding declines – and it is in this context that it is essential to reaffirm global support for refugees, the head of the UN refugee agency has said (UNHCR) said Monday.
Speaking at a key meeting on refugees in Geneva, UN High Commissioner Filippo Grandi said host countries taking in asylum seekers must be told: “You are not alone.”
“Solidarity saves lives,” Mr. Grandi insisted, highlighting the “endless atrocities” that have affected the world’s most vulnerable people, from Myanmar to Sudan to Ukraine.
He said it had been a year in which refugees were frequently vilified and scapegoated “with their suffering cynically used by traffickers for profit”, as well as by politicians to win votes.
Mr. Grandi reflected on a year of repeated attacks on the 1951 Refugee Convention “and on the very institution of asylum.”
It has been almost a decade since the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Global Compact on Refugees, to promote international solutions and support for host countries.
The agreement resulted in commitments that have made a real difference in the lives of refugees and the communities that host them, insisted Mr. Grandi.
He said that since 2023, thousands of commitments have been made to support solutions for refugees, with more than $2.6 billion already provided to support more inclusive policies in host communities.
Going forward, the High Commissioner insisted that host countries would need more help to strengthen their support systems for those uprooted from their homes.
In Ukraine, UN-backed humanitarian partners continued to offer a lifeline to at-risk communities on Monday, after large Russian strikes targeted homes and other critical infrastructure over the weekend.
An update from the United Nations aid coordination office, OCHAdocumented attacks in the port cities of Odessa, Mykolaiv and Kherson, involving 300 missiles and drones.
These strikes cut off electricity, water and heating to around a million people.
Humanitarian teams also provided emergency shelter and protection to residents of Zaporizhzhia after an attack on Sunday morning injured several residents, damaging homes and a shopping center.
“With freezing temperatures, aid is urgent” while essential services are restored, OCHA said in a statement.
Authorities report that between December 12 and Monday, hostilities and frontline attacks across the country killed at least nine civilians and injured more than 70 others, including three children.
The Odessa region suffered repeated attacks that injured six civilians and damaged energy infrastructure over the weekend. As a result, the city of Odessa – home to more than a million residents – was left without electricity, heat and water.
“While electricity has been restored to around 100,000 consumers and water supply has resumed, 20,000 residents remain without heat this morning,” said UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq.
In the neighboring Mykolaiv region, attacks damaged the power supply and injured five civilians, including a child.
The Kherson region was also hit hard, with around 20 civilians injured. In the city of Kherson, more than 40,000 residents remain without heating following damage to the combined heat and power plant earlier this month.
With temperatures falling around freezing or below and snowfall reported in parts of the country, attacks on critical energy infrastructure are leading to widespread water and heating outages across the country, Haq added.
“Our humanitarian partners, with support from the UN, are providing hot meals, bottled water, shelter materials, water trucking and psychosocial support. »
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
The call came during a public debate on “Leadership for Peace,” during which former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and academic Anjali Dayal urged members to address both the external crises facing the UN and the internal constraints that have weakened its capacity to act.
Mr. Ban, now a senior member of The Elders, warned that the global situation has deteriorated since he left office end of 2016, marked by an intensification of clashes between great powers, an erosion of multilateralism and conflicts in which civilians continue to pay the highest price.
“This deeply disappointing situation is characterized by confrontation rather than cooperation among the great powers,” he told the Council, citing the war in Ukraine, massive civilian casualties in Gaza and weakening international cooperation – even as the global climate crisis accelerates.
Former UN chief says global crisis cannot be separated from Security Councilhis own failures.
“The continued failure of the Security Council to function properly constitutes the most glaring cause,” he said, highlighting the repeated use of the veto by permanent members “to shield themselves, their allies and proxies from accountability.”
Without meaningful reform, Mr. Ban warned, civilians will remain unprotected and impunity will persist. “Without this, the UN risks either collapsing or becoming irrelevant,” he said.
Former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses the Security Council.
Regarding the selection of the next secretary-general, Ban called for a single, non-renewable seven-year term to strengthen the independence of the office.
The current practice of two five-year terms, he said, leaves secretaries general “too dependent on the permanent members of this Council for an extension”, even though this arrangement is a convention rather than a requirement of the United Nations Charter.
“The General Assembly has the power to set the terms of appointment itself,” Mr. Ban noted, urging Member States to use this authority to empower the next UN leader.
Former Secretaries-General Kofi Annan (left) and Ban Ki-moon (right) with Secretary-General António Guterres at UN headquarters in New York.
Secretary-General António GuterresThe second term expires at the end of next year and the formal selection process is already underway.
In November, the presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council started the process together, in accordance with the General Assembly resolution 79/327which emphasizes transparency and inclusiveness.
According to the established procedure, candidates are nominated by member states or groups and must submit a vision statement, curriculum vitae and campaign financing information. THE President of the General Assembly organizes publicly broadcast interactive dialogues with all candidates, while working closely with Member States throughout the process.
As of mid-December, only Rafael Mariano Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN nuclear watchdog (IAEA) – was nominated by Argentina.
You can find the list of candidates on the UN website here.
Anjali Dayal, associate professor of international politics at Fordham University, addresses the Security Council.
Anjali Dayal, associate professor of international politics at Fordham University, told the Council that the next Secretary-General will take office at a time of unprecedented tension, including a deepening funding crisis that is already reducing the UN’s ability to provide essential services.
“This will result not only in a shrinking of this Organization, but also in a reduction in the work that only the United Nations can do on a large scale,” she said, pointing to fewer vaccinations, reduced humanitarian aid and mine clearance efforts, even as global needs increase.
Ms. Dayal said history shows that even in periods of intense division, the Council has been able to choose leaders who have advanced peace and cooperation.
She recalled the prolonged stalemate that preceded the selection of Javier Pérez de Cuéllar in 1981 and the criticism of U Thant, but they ably managed to end the Iran-Iraq War, resolve conflicts in Cambodia and Nicaragua, and help end the Cuban Missile Crisis.
These examples, she said, underscore that the Secretary-General’s influence lies less in material power than in the ability to shape ideas, narratives and long-term cooperation – “to make the boardroom ever more attractive than the battlefield.”
For Mr. Ban, this responsibility ultimately lies with the Council itself. Reforming the use of the veto and renewing support for UN leadership, he said, are essential if the Organization is to remain relevant in the 21st century.
“The path of every man for himself is no different from the path of mutual destruction,” he warned.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
