Retail Account Lock for Smart TVs

When retailers buy device makers they can require customers to use the retailer's account to activate and access smart features, forcing account creation/merging and centralizing user data under the retailer's identity system. That requirement can be applied selectively by model and buried in onboarding, making opt-out difficult for ordinary buyers. — This practice shifts control of consumer devices from hardware makers and platform-neutral vendors to retail owners, raising stakes for privacy, competition, and the enforceability of consumer choice.