Posted on 03/31/2026 1:32:45 PM PDT by dennisw
Louis Rossmann opens by greeting viewers and introducing a discussion about televisions that now require a Walmart account for full functionality, highlighting how this has become a real trend. He references a Consumer Rights Wiki article explaining that certain newer Vizio TVs—and other brands using the Vizio operating system—require users to create or log into a Walmart account just to complete setup and access smart features. Walmart frames this as a way to streamline setup and connect streaming activity with retail behavior, but he argues the real motivation is clear: companies now make more money from advertising and user data than from selling hardware. He points to Vizio’s financials, noting that the company earned significantly more from advertising and data collection than from TV sales themselves, and says this model is only expanding. He adds that even high-end TVs, like his expensive LG OLED, default to allowing personal data collection, which he finds unacceptable.
He criticizes corporate messaging that claims targeted ads help consumers discover products, questioning how survey questions are framed to make intrusive tracking sound beneficial. He expresses frustration at being forced to create accounts and accept ads for products he already purchased, comparing it to being misled outright. He then explains a practical issue: even basic use cases like watching content often require proprietary apps. Using his own setup—a Linux PC connected to a 4K TV—he describes paying for Netflix’s 4K plan but receiving poor-quality streams due to restrictions tied to approved devices and software. As a result, users are pushed toward built-in TV apps, which in turn enforce account requirements like Walmart’s, creating more opportunities for data collection and advertising.
He warns this trend could escalate further, speculating about future requirements like age verification tied to devices, potentially even requiring ID submission just to use a television. He rejects the idea that this is a “slippery slope fallacy,” arguing that current developments already demonstrate the trajectory. He emphasizes how complicated it has become to access services like Netflix in full quality, often requiring knowledge of undisclosed technical requirements, which drives users toward locked-down ecosystems.
Referencing reporting from Ars Technica, he notes that Vizio TVs are increasingly being used as advertising platforms, including integrations that link ads directly to retail product pages. He thanks journalist Sharon Harding for covering these ownership and consumer rights issues and promotes the Consumer Rights Wiki browser extension, which helps users identify companies’ data practices when shopping. He encourages viewers to contribute to the wiki, noting that many articles need improvement, and asks for help with improving the site’s visibility on Google, as newer pages struggle to rank despite containing valuable information. He closes by inviting technically knowledgeable viewers to assist and thanks the audience, ending with his usual sign-off.
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Vizio makes more money from your data than from selling TVs. Rossman is saying.
To activate all the Vizio smart TV features (aka data collectors) you must log on to your WallyMart account.
Wait until they do this with toasters.
Then don’t buy a Visio TV.
Language alert at video.
If this fool can’t speak without profanity, then he should be ignored.
what does a ‘Smart’ TV do that people want?
(My TV is about 20 years old and not ‘smart’ as far as I know; but it does everything I want.)
If you want to become rich (facebook/google). Attract eyeballs and sell advertising.
My ‘made in West Germany’ toaster isn’t connected to the internet.
Collect big data and sell it.
Smart TV screen is like a touch screen on laptop.
You can interact with the channel using gadgets like Roku.
In America, Television watches you.
I let my LG tv go to screen saver mode and went to bed. Around 1am it turned itself on and played a couple of commercials which were loud enough to wake me up. It went back to screen saver mode after that.
I have Roku already. We bought the little gizmo that connects to the TV and a remote that talks to it...
“He criticizes corporate messaging that claims targeted ads help consumers discover products, questioning how survey questions are framed to make intrusive tracking sound beneficial.”
I love the pop ups on various websites that asser: “Your enjoyment of our website will be improved if you remove your ad blocker”.
Does anyone here know anyone who enjoyes advertisements?
Well even to use Roku you have to create an account with payment information. All your data are belong to them.
They’re receiving very confusing data, then...we’re pretty eccentric TV watchers...
Worked for an insurance company back in the 1990s and we did business with a company called Axciom that did data cleansing, customer value based on salary, demographics etc. and they pulled up one of our executives and they got her salary, her husbands, types of cars etc. and someone asked how they did it. They shared thru census data and asked if you ever wondered why a $30 toaster warranty asked you how much you made? They said you’d be amazed at how many people are honest when filling those out. Imagine what they can do today.
****
Yeah, I wonder about that sometimes….
I think Samsung has had a requirement to have an online account for several years now and probably some of the others like Sony.
Oh, wait a minute - we don’t even pay anyone for Roku. We bought the setup at Costco, but there’s no subscription for Roku itself.
(I think we did subscribe to a weather channel...)
Vizio is owned by Walmart.
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