Friday, 15 November 2024
26 C
Singapore

Sonos is under fire for a controversial privacy policy change

Sonos is being criticised over changes to its US privacy policy, sparking concerns about data handling amidst ongoing app performance issues.

It’s been a tough stretch for Sonos recently. CEO Patrick Spence now has a prepared reply for customers venting their frustrations about the revamped app. As the company works to regain trust and successfully launch the new Sonos Ace , a product that relies heavily on customer data, it finds itself in the middle of another controversy.

A significant change in privacy policy

Louis Rossmann, a renowned repair technician and consumer privacy advocate, has spotlighted a major change in Sonos’ privacy policy, at least in the . The updated policy no longer includes a key sentence that previously reassured customers, “Sonos does not and will not sell personal information about our customers.” While this pledge remains in other countries’ policies, it is absent from the updated US policy, which came into effect earlier this month.

This change has not escaped the notice of customers, who are already dissatisfied with the performance issues of the new Sonos app. They perceive this as another stumble by the company’s leadership, contributing to a mounting list of grievances with a brand they once endorsed without reservation.

Differences between old and new policies

The previous privacy policy from 2023 included:

“Sonos does not and will not sell personal information about our customers. However, certain data practices described throughout this Privacy Statement may constitute a ‘sale’ or ‘sharing’ of data under California and other US state laws. See the below CA Addendum for more information applicable to CA residents. We want you to understand that customer information is important to our business. We only disclose your data as described in this Statement.”

The new policy has omitted the no-sale assurance, now reading:

“Certain data practices described throughout this Privacy Statement may constitute a ‘sale’ or ‘sharing’ of data under California and other US state laws. See the below CA Addendum for more information applicable to CA residents. We want you to understand that customer information is important to our business. We only disclose your data as described in this Statement.”

Sonos’ clarification and app concerns

Sonos has integrated web-based access for all customer systems into its updated app platform, giving the cloud a more significant role. However, the web app currently does not offer two-factor authentication, which has annoyed users; controlling Sonos devices remotely only requires an email address and password.

While the app’s issues are being gradually resolved—with the restoration of alarms and sleep timers — getting through to Sonos customer support remains time-consuming in the wake of the extensive software update, which involved a complete overhaul of the app’s interface and backend systems.

The latest privacy policy change has compounded the challenges Sonos is grappling with, leaving customers unsettled about how their data is being handled. Swiftly addressing these concerns is of utmost importance for Sonos as it endeavours to regain customer trust in these trying times.

Hot this week

Best smartphone for 2024: Apple and Samsung, OPPO, Google phones reviewed

Explore the best 2024 smartphones: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, OnePlus 12R, and OPPO Find N3 Flip. Compare AI capabilities, camera tech, and designs to find your ideal match.

Steam’s latest update introduces free gameplay recording for all users

Steam now offers free gameplay recording with easy sharing options for all users.

ChatGPT’s new voice mode brings real-time conversations to desktops

ChatGPT’s Advanced Voice Mode lets PC and Mac users enjoy real-time voice chats, adding natural interaction to AI for an improved user experience.

Meta’s collaboration with the US government fuels questions about AI use

Meta partners with US agencies to explore AI in the public sector, collaborating on projects with the State Department and Department of Education.

ChatGPT launches live search with real-time information

OpenAI launches live search for ChatGPT, enhancing AI accuracy with real-time information, no ads, and media partnerships just in time for the US elections.

Xiaomi Motion-Activated Night Light 2 review: Smart lighting made simple

Smart, compact, and energy-efficient, the Xiaomi Motion-Activated Night Light 2 offers responsive motion detection and long battery life for everyday convenience.

Beware: Cyber attackers target the aerospace sector with fake job offers

Cybersecurity experts have uncovered a malware campaign targeting aerospace, with fake job offers linked to Iranian hackers imitating North Korean tactics.

AMD claims Ryzen AI processor delivers 75% faster gaming than Intel

AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor boasts powerful AI and game-boosting tech and claims a 75% gaming performance boost over Intel’s Core Ultra 7.

Chinese start-ups target the US market with robotic pool cleaners

Chinese start-ups like Beatbot and Hippobot are entering the US pool cleaner market, using smart technology to compete with Western brands.

Related Articles

Popular Categories