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Ask HN: Should it be legal to switch privacy policies after purchase?

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Ask HN: Should it be legal to switch privacy policies after purchase?

#1

Post by notrealpersonq »

Recently found that my LG Dryer & Washer are uploading/downloading 1GB of data per day. I looked into it after the LGThinQApp's privacy policy changed to gather information like personal information like DOB, gender, voice recordings, profile photos, network activity: "such as URL, ad block info, redirect URL, bookmark history etc.. Their privacy policy looks like it was meant for instagram..

This wasn't the case at all before when I purchased the product. The nice feature was that I could preload my clothes and trigger them to wash/dry before I'm about to get home. That's all I expected from this. I even called support and asked them to deactivate my account but they said this can only be done through the app. And I can't use the app unless I accept the new terms and services.

edit: added the privacy policy link here https://us.m.lgaccount.com/spx/customer/terms_detail?country=US&language=en-US&terms_type=A_ITG_PRV

Re: Ask HN: Should it be legal to switch privacy policies after purchase?

#3

Post by dvdhnt »

Wow.

I do not believe changes to terms after purchase should be allowed unless required by law. We need a lemon-like law for consumer electronics.

Also, I believe it is important to not buy connected devices and appliances that are not entertainment purposes only.

I’d rather pay $200 extra for a dumb tv that will last be 10 years and guaranteed to not start showing me ads in the menu screen someday.

Re: Ask HN: Should it be legal to switch privacy policies after purchase?

#4

Post by belval »

I think we are at a point where legislation will be needed and there should be a clear list of what kind of data will be collected by the device throughout this lifespan akin to nutrition facts for food. That list should not be possible to alter at all (because otherwise they would lock the app lest you approve the new requirements).

Something like:

This device will share:

- Age

- Gender

- Voice commands

- Wifi name

- Location

If a manufacturer wants more data they have to change the tag at the store and only the newer device will have the additional data collection. If the manufacturer pushes an update to get more data on users that have the older tag they get a $X fine per affected user, where X is ideally a real cost-prohibiting amount like 25-50% of the price of the device.

Is there any reason why we can't have something like that?

Re: Ask HN: Should it be legal to switch privacy policies after purchase?

#5

Post by notrealpersonq »

dvdhnt wrote: post #3

Wow. I do not believe changes to terms after purchase should be allowed unless required by law. We need a lemon-like law for consumer electronics. Also, I believe it is important to not buy connected devices and appliances that are not entertainment purposes only. I’d rather pay $200 extra for a dumb tv that will last be 10 years and guaranteed to not start showing me ads in the menu screen someday.

I really doubt that they're NOT already gathering data as if I accepted the policy. The guy I called said I'm the only person to complain about this. So I don't expect much to change.

Yeah I'm not sure what the solution is. Maybe, I'm naive but I never expected this. I know better now. Regarding the smart t thing, I 100% agree, my vizio smart tv started getting ads on startup that I need to manually exit out of.

Re: Ask HN: Should it be legal to switch privacy policies after purchase?

#6

Post by NullPrefix »

notrealpersonq wrote: post #5
dvdhnt wrote: post #3

Wow. I do not believe changes to terms after purchase should be allowed unless required by law. We need a lemon-like law for consumer electronics. Also, I believe it is important to not buy connected devices and appliances that are not entertainment purposes only. I’d rather pay $200 extra for a dumb tv that will last be 10 years and guaranteed to not start showing me ads in the menu screen someday.

I really doubt that they're NOT already gathering data as if I accepted the policy. The guy I called said I'm the only person to complain about this. So I don't expect much to change. Yeah I'm not sure what the solution is. Maybe, I'm naive but I never expected this. I know better now. Regarding the smart t thing, I 100% agree, my vizio smart tv started getting ads on startup that I need to manually exit out of.

>The guy I called said I'm the only person to complain about this.

You do understand that this is a standard corporate gaslight?

Re: Ask HN: Should it be legal to switch privacy policies after purchase?

#10

Post by notrealpersonq »

NullPrefix wrote: post #6
notrealpersonq wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I really doubt that they're NOT already gathering data as if I accepted the policy. The guy I called said I'm the only person to complain about this. So I don't expect much to change. Yeah I'm not sure what the solution is. Maybe, I'm naive but I never expected this. I know better now. Regarding the smart t thing, I 100% agree, my vizio smart tv started getting ads on startup that I need to manually exit out of.

>The guy I called said I'm the only person to complain about this. You do understand that this is a standard corporate gaslight?

Probably is, but most of my friends who aren't in tech told me I'm too "extra/petty" for calling.
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