why force your customers to expose their exact gps location when connecting to a wifi?

Hi ​@Steve1098482 et al

Thanks for your post. We understand that you might have concerns over Location Services being needed for setup of smart speakers that appear to need no such information. We have the following information to share:

1. Regarding iOS Precise Location: We understand that when you set permissions to "precise location" on an iPhone, the system has access to your exact location. However, it's important to clarify that this permission prompt is a function of the iOS operating system itself, as mandated by Apple for certain network-related functions, rather than a direct Sonos requirement. You, as the user, retain the ability to manage these settings within your iOS device and are able to disable this feature after the system is setup.
2. Our System's Use of Location Permission: Our system does not force you to enable "precise location" to set up or connect to a Sonos system in the way you perceive. The location permission is utilized by the Sonos app to determine your local network SSID for troubleshooting displays and to expedite the auto-join process if you have previously connected to multiple Sonos systems. It helps the app identify the correct local network for setup. Importantly, you can revoke this permission anytime after the initial setup is complete without impacting the ongoing functionality of your Sonos system.
3. No GPS in Sonos Speakers: Our speakers do not have built-in GPS or location telemetry systems. The connection between your speakers and the base station is established when they are within range of your local network, primarily using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth during setup. The precise location permission is not used for the speakers themselves to connect, but rather for your mobile device to identify and interact with your local network during the setup phase.
4. Data Storage: We do not store any information related to geographical locations. Our primary objective in enabling this setting during setup is solely to facilitate the initial connection of a new product and ensure its identification within a local network environment. We do not use this for building a database of precise customer locations for our internal benefit.

I hope this helps.