Privacy Update
Userlevel 4
+8
I’ve received an email from Sonos regarding an update to their privacy policy ahead of new software and system updates next week. Alexa integration? I think so...
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it seems this is a real issue: https://www.extremetech.com/electronics/254561-sonos-accept-new-privacy-policy-well-brick-device
Sonos, if we do not accept your privacy policy and due to this the device we own will no longer function then what is your buy back policy for these devices?
Sonos, if we do not accept your privacy policy and due to this the device we own will no longer function then what is your buy back policy for these devices?
My previous post may come off as egregiously flippant, so I will explain some of the reasons I said it.
Your fear is likely driven by a misunderstanding in what's actually possible. Sonos doesn't have anywhere near the resources to just be "open recording" all of the rooms in your house. Audio data isn't trivial in size, and the cost to ingest/retain all of it would be outside Sonos' reach.
It's worth mentioning that speakers aren't microphones too.
It's nice to think that our "personal data" is of significant value. The truth is that it isn't. You're thinking that there's some inherent value to what the name of your Sonos group is in a room, but I'm telling you the historical evidence suggests that isn't accurate. Even much, much more useful information such as your aggregated search history is worth relatively little.
Side note for all, if you want to see what the masters of data collection do check out your results on: https://myactivity.google.com/myactivity
I think you misread the policy. They are not recording what songs you're listening to.
As with a fair number of the functional items this isn't about support but about customer use. By collecting how you listen to your data Sonos can tell how they should be spending their resources. If no one is using their NAS to stream then they shouldn't be spending development dollars on it. It's incredibly valuable for them, and I can't imagine how it actually causes the end user harm for them to know. Car companies are doing a lot of this type of collection, but again, many people don't know about it.
I'm not going to try and convince you that you shouldn't feel the way you do. I'm posting in these threads to make sure other people have an accurate understanding. It is accurate to say that this is standard procedure. It's also accurate to say that you're misunderstanding some of the technicalities, but I do appreciate that you have feelings about data collection.
I'd rather Sonos offered an opt out too, but I'm appreciative that they've been upfront and clear about their intentions. If they change their practice in the future to collect inappropriate details then I'll join the protest against it. At this time though, I don't find harm.
Being concerned about a large corporation collecting data from a speaker, that is on all day every day in my living room, kids rooms and bedroom is hysterics? GTFO it is called being a responsible adult.Sonos probably isn't a "large" company by most standards. I can't say for sure because they are private, but that's what I can tell from what's been made available.
Your fear is likely driven by a misunderstanding in what's actually possible. Sonos doesn't have anywhere near the resources to just be "open recording" all of the rooms in your house. Audio data isn't trivial in size, and the cost to ingest/retain all of it would be outside Sonos' reach.
It's worth mentioning that speakers aren't microphones too.
The data they collect is/will be hugely valuable,
It's nice to think that our "personal data" is of significant value. The truth is that it isn't. You're thinking that there's some inherent value to what the name of your Sonos group is in a room, but I'm telling you the historical evidence suggests that isn't accurate. Even much, much more useful information such as your aggregated search history is worth relatively little.
Side note for all, if you want to see what the masters of data collection do check out your results on: https://myactivity.google.com/myactivity
Why should I let them know what my very young kids listen to for years and years?
I think you misread the policy. They are not recording what songs you're listening to.
Why should they know when I listen to my music form my NAS? How is this necessary if I am not asking for support?
As with a fair number of the functional items this isn't about support but about customer use. By collecting how you listen to your data Sonos can tell how they should be spending their resources. If no one is using their NAS to stream then they shouldn't be spending development dollars on it. It's incredibly valuable for them, and I can't imagine how it actually causes the end user harm for them to know. Car companies are doing a lot of this type of collection, but again, many people don't know about it.
Responses here haven't be all that helpful, what I've reard (paraphrasing) is that other companies do this all the time, who cares if they know I listen to X artist in the bathroom or you don't understand the technicalities of the product
I'm not going to try and convince you that you shouldn't feel the way you do. I'm posting in these threads to make sure other people have an accurate understanding. It is accurate to say that this is standard procedure. It's also accurate to say that you're misunderstanding some of the technicalities, but I do appreciate that you have feelings about data collection.
I'd rather Sonos offered an opt out too, but I'm appreciative that they've been upfront and clear about their intentions. If they change their practice in the future to collect inappropriate details then I'll join the protest against it. At this time though, I don't find harm.
Userlevel 7
+17
"Sonos doesn't have anywhere near the resources to just be "open recording" all of the rooms in your house. Audio data isn't trivial in size, and the cost to ingest/retain all of it would be outside Sonos' reach.
It's worth mentioning that speakers aren't microphones too."
They are going to record everything for 20 seconds locally, then over write if no "wake up" word recognised.
The PLAY5 has microphones too.
It's worth mentioning that speakers aren't microphones too."
They are going to record everything for 20 seconds locally, then over write if no "wake up" word recognised.
The PLAY5 has microphones too.
Userlevel 2
+5
Hello! SInce this "update", I have a big problem with the sound. It seems that the Dolby Digitat 2.0 does not pass any more and the rear speakers do a strange noise like a "click". I seems that the Dolby Digital 5.0 is OK, but in Switzerland there is several channels who broadcast Dolby Digital 2.0. I have a Playbar, a SUB and 2 Play:1. I changed the settings of my television Samsung as on the joined photos but i dont want to have only stereo sound!! 😠 Somebody else has this problem ? Thanks in advance and excuse me for my bad english.
After the latest update my surround stopped working. Looking at a movie with Dolby digital 5.1 but the playbar say that the input is stereo? Is a bug in 7.4?
This is getting a lot of attention:
https://www.secnews24.com/2017/08/22/sonos-says-users-must-accept-new-privacy-policy-or-devices-may-cease-to-function-2/
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/08/22/sonos_forces_revised_privacy_terms/
https://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/3016134/sonos-threat-to-decrease-functionality-of-customers-products-if-they-dont-agree-to-privacy-policy-changes
https://pacific.epeak.in/2017/08/23/sonos-privacy-policy-sparks-outrage-speakers-may-cease-to-function/
https://rbfirehose.com/2017/08/22/zdnet-sonos-says-users-must-accept-new-privacy-policy-or-devices-may-cease-to-function/
https://www.secnews24.com/2017/08/22/sonos-says-users-must-accept-new-privacy-policy-or-devices-may-cease-to-function-2/
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/08/22/sonos_forces_revised_privacy_terms/
https://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/3016134/sonos-threat-to-decrease-functionality-of-customers-products-if-they-dont-agree-to-privacy-policy-changes
https://pacific.epeak.in/2017/08/23/sonos-privacy-policy-sparks-outrage-speakers-may-cease-to-function/
https://rbfirehose.com/2017/08/22/zdnet-sonos-says-users-must-accept-new-privacy-policy-or-devices-may-cease-to-function/
Sonos' lack of concern about their users privacy has convinced me that I need to look elsewhere for my hardware. Plex just tried this last week. Not allowing an opt out is a path that will upset quite a few users.
This skelton guy is pretty up on things. 😃
They are going to record everything for 20 seconds locally, then over write if no "wake up" word recognised.
The PLAY5 has microphones too.
Thanks for the information. I meant to refer to the idea that Sonos could constantly be recording everything from your home and transferring that up to their servers.
On a personal level, I don't really count cached data as recorded, any more than I consider things in RAM to be saved.
It has been stated repeatedly that the current Play:5 microphones are not a far-field array and thus will not be used for any voice control process. Future Sonod devices may have far-field array mics, but the current units do not have the capability.
And I think the reverse holds true. As a consumer, it's helpful to let Sonos know just how you use your NAS, and that they would lose favor if they started de-supporting it (I don't mean remove the function, but no new features and dedicated resources to support). If they didn't collect this data, then they have 4 options.
1 - Take an educated guess.
2 - Do some sort of customer survey, which is going to cost money.
3 - Pay some market research firm to provide them the data.
4 - Assume that this forum represents the general consumer and follow the advice of whoever complains the most.
None of these 3 options are going to be as reliable as just collecting the data from you. And of course, it's cheaper. Of course, as consumers, we aren't that concerned about Sonos costs. However, they cannot pass on costs to the consumer if they do not have those costs to begin with.
Note: To be clear, I get that Sonos needs data on what non-Sonos customers want as well, since they want to grow, not just maintain the existing customers. And therefore, using only existing customer data doesn't always give you the best picture. But it does help.
It seems that way, but it entirely possible said update isn't the full update for Alexa integrartion. As well, Amazon has to an update as well, which they haven't talked about yet, as far as I know.
I have just updated my Sonos speakers and no integration in the uk yet with Alexa!!!!! ????
You can sign up to be notified by email when Alexa integration is complete: https://sonos.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4158
I have not received an email, but the 7.4 update just released modifies the accepted privacy policy by default, and does little else. The actual Alexa update isn't that; I suspect that one will qualify for 8.0 designation!
Wonder what trackers it planted on my speakers. Wouldn't install unless I confirmed acceptance.
Yes, it's all part of their master plan to distribute speakers through a software update.
It's the future of Sonos. Software microphones. It's going to be big!
LOL.
HAHA!!!
Sonos, if we do not accept your privacy policy and due to this the device we own will no longer function then what is your buy back policy for these devices?
I'd also remind you that the device will not be "bricked" regardless of what clickbait headlines say.
Also getting a lot of attention on old and new social media.
https://mobile.twitter.com/search?q=Sonos+privacy+policy&src=typed_query
https://m.slashdot.org/story/330297
https://www.reddit.com/r/privacy/comments/6vaa17/sonos_says_users_must_accept_new_privacy_policy/
https://mobile.twitter.com/search?q=Sonos+privacy+policy&src=typed_query
https://m.slashdot.org/story/330297
https://www.reddit.com/r/privacy/comments/6vaa17/sonos_says_users_must_accept_new_privacy_policy/
Edit: Sorry, double post. Board said it hadn't gone through the first time.
Sonos is learning that people on the Internet are so eager to be outraged that they rarely concern themselves with the facts.
Nice try being upfront and communicating your intentions, but I've got hysterics to throw!
Nice try being upfront and communicating your intentions, but I've got hysterics to throw!
Nice try being upfront and communicating your intentions, but I've got hysterics to throw!
I'm not hysterical; but I am a little concerned about the company's attitude toward this policy. If the quote on ZDNet is correct, then Sonos has changed the agreement with a purchaser like myself after I have purchased 24 Sonos products. (They already did this with Audible support.)
I love the audio quality and convenience of my Sonos gear. I was planning to buy a few more Sonos products; but that purchase has been put on hold until the Alexa and Audible support are implemented. This controversy over the privacy policy is not pushing my desire to buy in the right direction.
IMO, this isn't just so much with people being unconcerned with fact, but media that is less concerned about facts as they are with clicks and whatever their personal agenda is. The two feed off each other in a downward cycle.
Edited by moderator
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