Sonos 11.1 Brings Sonos Radio

If I’m listening to Radio Hour I can pause and restart the program, but I can’t see the timeline? Is this something that will be added later?

And if not free, you’re the object of mandatory data collection and forced registration anyway?

The only difference with Sonos, is there’s an oddly worded privacy policy listing the extensive data collection that happens with every tap of the controller. The word “legitimate” is used often, along with  soothing words about choice, protection, security.

I find it interesting that the “functional data” which can’t be opted-out of, is similar to the “additional usage data” which can be opted-out of. Details about played content, even labels of speakers, and other things all getting sent back for what purpose? The answer: “to guide product improvement and customer support decisions”. Which does NOT sound like critical functional data. Which does NOT sound like critical functional data.

And yes, I deliberately wrote that last line twice, just like they did in the privacy policy on that point.

Comparing to FB, Google etc is false equivalency. But even so, if you buy the premium Google plan, “G Suite” or whatever it’s called,  your emails will stop getting scanned. That’s part of the deal. You pay, you stop getting the ads and tracking. Anyway.. back on topic, Tune-in or Not Tune-in, that’s the question?

The Sonos Privacy is here.

It clearly states that We do not and will not sell your personal data to third parties.  

So you buy server space, develop collection software, and manage the data for nothing? Sound business? I bet you aggregate the data and sell that (hence it not being personal).

I don’t want that. I don’t want you to know what I’m listening to or how I use MY purchase. Why do you think you have a right to my data? Sonos speakers are not free.

I know 99% of people don’t care, but I DO. And as they say, a negative review hits 100 more people than a positive one. You’re really shooting yourselves in the foot. I hope you’re getting lots for my data, as you won't be getting any speaker sales until you stop ALL this data collection.

I agree a “national” category for stations would make sense. Overall sound quality seems very good, one question - Can’t find U.K Jazz FM, are they included in Sonos radio?
 

Regarding 128 Kbps AAC, I imagine higher rates will be available post S2 for a subscription. Just the way of the world these days but I’d be interested to know if I could actually hear a difference. If I can I’d be interested to add it to my new Sonos Atmos soundbar with eARC that I’m sure is coming soon(ish)!

From the Verge:

'Sonos is partnering with TargetSpot to sell ad inventory and says “only general location data (ZIP code) and music genre information” is shared with advertising partners."

They are sharing data, collecting it and obviously want to monetize it as much as they can. They have been collectingv your usage and other data for years. Personally I'm happy they are upfront about it and have a good privacy policy.

You can choose not to install the Sonos Radio service. You can also block Sonos telemetry if you really want to (Google is your friend). 

If I install 11.1 I have to remove the service. If I want to stop MY speakers from collecting information that should be by default private, then I have to include every Sonos related URL on my firewall. In short, if I want to use the product I paid for as a speaker system, I have to be massively convenienced so Sonos can sell MY data.

This might be acceptable if this had been the case when I purchased the half-dozen Sonos products, but when I purchased the Connect, soundbar, etc. this was not the philosophy behind the product.

Sonos are stealing, or trying to steal, data that I don’t want them to collect, and my only choice is to inconvenience myself or bin the product. Should I be happy? All I’m asking for is an opt out of ALL data collection switch.

I suggest you sell your Sonos.  You are obviously not going to be happy with them, and life is too short to go through unhappy. 

The speakers can't stop collecting data by default because literally every function besides playing your own locally stored music requires them to collect some amount of information to connect you to your desired service (such as your IP address.)

If you only listen to your own music, shutting down Sonos' access to the internet will solve your data collection problem. 

I suggest you get out Wireshark or such and have a look; to use Spotify (who also collect data I appreciate), or Apple Music the speakers don’t need to touch Sonos (as is my current setup).

Or you can just look back a few years (pre Apple Music I admit) and see no Sonos data collection was required. It’s only since ~7.x (fuzzy memory here), that I started seeing every operation (local or requiring a remote music service) instigate a call(s) to a Sonos domain (purely for data collection). BTW, that’s one reason why the controllers are slower than they used to be!

Unfortunately, every time I upgrade the firmware I have to stick the network monitor on to record for 24 hours+ to see all the new Sonos domains being used so I can add them to my block list.

Trust me, you don’t need this comms overhead unless you’re using voice control/assist on some of the newer products (which obviously I would never buy - equipped as I am with hand!).

This is a pure data-grab (voice asset excepted) - no functionality depends on the speakers communicating with Sonos (as I’ve proved/have currently setup).

Sonos Radio is another data-grab - it adds nothing Tune-In or the myriad or existing music services don’t already provide. They’d earn more by adding an opt-out option (being decent), and improving there hardware/software (the iOS controller app gets slower with every release).