American bought a Vizio Smart TV from Walmart. He took it home only to find you cannot use the TV without a Walmart account logged in
You cent even turn it on and get past the first screen
This is because Walmart bought Vizio and by having you sign in with your account they can like the data collected to you
This TV collects everything and links it to your account
- Contact details - Payment information - Subscription information - Account authentication and security information
The optional data that most people just click next through is the really invasive data capturing, it includes
- Viewing Data - Activity Data - Mobile App Data - Mobile Streaming Data
It also uses built-in technology to analyze what’s playing on the TV in real time, including:
- Audio and video programming, ads and gaming content - Content from connected devices like HDMI - Third-party apps like streaming services for movies, shows, episodes, channels, launch events - Device state details: volume, channel, picture controls, inputs, power on/off
But it doesn’t stop there, it also collects
- Basic identifiers: Name, email, phone, address, account credentials - Device/online identifiers: Device IDs, advertising IDs, IP/MAC addresses, model/serial numbers, firmware, Wi-Fi access points, cookies - Activity Data: Settings, inputs, clicks, impressions, operational/performance data, some content interaction details - Commercial/financial info: Purchases, subscriptions, warranties, payment cards - Internet/network activity: How you use the apps, sites, ads, and services - Mobile app and streaming data if you use the Vizio app
You agree to have all this data collected from you just because you bought a TV…..
July 28, 2026, 04:29 PM
DanH
Yeah, it's bullshit, but I'm not sure why it's in the SIG Pistol section
July 28, 2026, 04:43 PM
1KPerDay
Wait until he learns about what his phone and his car are tracking
--------------------------- My hovercraft is full of eels.
July 28, 2026, 06:34 PM
cslinger
quote:
Originally posted by DanH: Yeah, it's bullshit, but I'm not sure why it's in the SIG Pistol section
Depending on how one “fixes” the issue this might be the perfect section. 8D
Take Care, Shoot Safe, Chris
July 28, 2026, 08:03 PM
2000Z-71
Timely thread, currently looking for a new big screen. Purchase options limited here in AK. Saw these and thought why so cheap? Now I know.
My daughter can deflate your daughter's soccer ball.
July 28, 2026, 08:35 PM
vthoky
quote:
: American bought a Vizio Smart TV from Walmart. He took it home only to find you cannot use the TV without a Walmart account logged in
I’d be hauling that right back to Walmart, with the quickness!
Politicians seem to have forgotten that they work for us, not the other way around. — — — — — — — — — — — — God bless America.
July 28, 2026, 09:05 PM
egregore
I'm still "running" my Vizio from 2009. Obviously this predates being "smart" and hooking up to the internet, but if I bought this or any TV new and found this out:
Back to the store it goes.This message has been edited. Last edited by: egregore,
July 28, 2026, 09:42 PM
FenderBender
LG is literally bugging your house.
_____________________________________________ Proverbs 3:31 "Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways."
July 28, 2026, 11:32 PM
Prefontaine
I have a LG OLED. It’s not collecting any information. I never put it on the etherwebz in the first place. You can make any “smart” panel, stupid. Never connect it to the internet!
What am I doing? I'm talking to an empty telephone
July 29, 2026, 06:50 AM
egregore
Can we expect the same from the ONN brand that Walmart also sells?
July 29, 2026, 06:58 AM
architect
Amazing all that they can do with modern technology! But...they can't include a feature that automatically mutes commercials? Fuckers!
July 29, 2026, 07:58 AM
vthoky
quote:
Originally posted by architect: Amazing all that they can do with modern technology! But...they can't include a feature that automatically mutes commercials?
Where IS that doggoned "like button?"
Politicians seem to have forgotten that they work for us, not the other way around. — — — — — — — — — — — — God bless America.
July 29, 2026, 08:17 AM
nhracecraft
quote:
Originally posted by architect: Amazing all that they can do with modern technology! But...they can't include a feature that automatically mutes commercials? Fuckers!
You are the product! With that feature 'you and your data' would have a diminished value so, it'll NEVER happen!
If Some is Good, and More is Better.....then Too Much, is Just Enough !! Trump 47....Making America Great Again! "May Almighty God bless the United States of America" - parabellum 7/26/20 Live Free or Die!
July 29, 2026, 08:24 AM
HRK
quote:
Originally posted by DanH: Yeah, it's bullshit, but I'm not sure why it's in the SIG Pistol section
Was it in the pistol section, it's in the lounge now where it should be,
Unless you want to shoot your walmart Vizio TV and tell us what pistol, ammo, red dot and distance to cover the shot.....
July 29, 2026, 08:34 AM
trapper189
I think it was mentioned in Practical Fundamentals the three most common things people shoot are the TV, the light switch, and the dog.
Everything needs an account which drives me nuts.
July 29, 2026, 06:21 PM
Paten
quote:
Originally posted by Prefontaine: I have a LG OLED. It’s not collecting any information. I never put it on the etherwebz in the first place. You can make any “smart” panel, stupid. Never connect it to the internet!
So, the original post is about a Vizio TV, not an LG. It requires you to put the TV on the network to complete the registration so you can start using the TV. The video above your post is about a LG video monitor for a computer. It downloads a driver to your computer that will start harvesting your information from your computer whether you opt in or not. How do you not connect your computer to the network and then to the internet?
July 30, 2026, 02:39 AM
Prefontaine
quote:
Originally posted by Paten:
quote:
Originally posted by Prefontaine: I have a LG OLED. It’s not collecting any information. I never put it on the etherwebz in the first place. You can make any “smart” panel, stupid. Never connect it to the internet!
So, the original post is about a Vizio TV, not an LG. It requires you to put the TV on the network to complete the registration so you can start using the TV. The video above your post is about a LG video monitor for a computer. It downloads a driver to your computer that will start harvesting your information from your computer whether you opt in or not. How do you not connect your computer to the network and then to the internet?
Please read the post above mine that you quoted. Have a nice day.
What am I doing? I'm talking to an empty telephone
July 30, 2026, 02:53 AM
Paten
Yeah. I did. I guess you didn't read my whole response. An LG computer monitor is not a TV.
July 30, 2026, 06:59 AM
mark60
From Vizio's support page.
FAQs
Do I need a Walmart account to use my VIZIO/onn TV?
A Walmart account is required to access Smart TV features and apps on new VIZIO and onn TVs. If you don’t have a Walmart account, creating one is quick and easy and can be done via the VIZIO mobile app (web is also available). You can still use the HDMI and antenna inputs without signing in, but a Walmart account is required for access to Smart TV features, built-in streaming apps, software updates, and more.
Can I skip the Walmart sign-in and set up my TV later?
Yes, you can skip Walmart sign-in during setup. Your TV will still work for basic functions, but you’ll need a Walmart account later to access Smart TV features and apps.
July 30, 2026, 07:58 AM
Fly-Sig
We use AppleTV units on both of our Sony tvs. They feed via HDMI to the tv. Neither tv is connected to wifi, and no account has ever been created with Sony to prevent any sneaky back channel communication through the AppleTV to Sony.
The primary reason for me is to keep the tv microphone and camera isolated.
It appears the Vizio can be configured this way, too, using any of the similar devices as the AppleTV. Of course the AppleTV box is collecting data attached to my AppleID, and each streaming service we subscribe to is also collecting data.
One could create a unique email to log into each service to try to thwart data being collated. You'd probably need a unique credit card for each...