Newly purchased Vizio TVs now require Walmart accounts to use smart features
6 hours ago
- #Walmart
- #Smart TVs
- #Vizio
- Vizio TVs now require a Walmart account for setup and smart TV features due to Walmart's acquisition of Vizio in December 2024.
- Previously, Vizio TVs required a Vizio account for features like exclusive offers and subscription management, central to Vizio's ad-driven business model.
- Existing Vizio account holders can merge their account with Walmart or opt out by deleting their Vizio account.
- Walmart did not specify which TV models are affected but hinted the requirement may expand to all new Vizio OS TVs or existing devices via updates.
- Walmart claims the account integration respects consumer choice and privacy, using data in aggregated, permissioned, and compliant ways, but details are unspecified.