21–30 of 44 posts
I really wish they'd develop a mapping Roomba that did all processing onboard, and could be totally configured using built-in controls. I'd buy it in a second.
In other words, "whenever we feel like it." I'm not sure why they bothered with the other clauses.
The title is needlessly alarmist. The linked privacy policy covers the various robots as well as irobot.com and their mobile apps. Most of the comments here are about their robots so let me copy and paste the relevant passage from the policy below: Information We Collect from Registered Devices Equipped with Smart Technology. Some of our Robots are equipped with smart technology which allows the Robots to transmit da…
As far as I know all their current Roomba lineup is equipped with that technology. I actually just bought the last non-wifi Roomba I could find, specifically to avoid it.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's another reason why I quite using fitbit. There is no reason at all you need internet connectivity to send the data 3 feet from the device to the phone via bluetooth. They don't need to collect the data at all, and since there is no opt-out, I just quit using it.
Actually with fitbit there is a reason. You can install the fitbit app on multiple devices, and your tracker can sync with any of them. The internet connectivity is basically so they can keep a single source of truth so that your different devices don't get out of sync. This becomes even more true if you have multiple fitbit devices on one fitbit account (or indeed if you have it set to use your phones inbuilt pedome…
Thanks, I don't need a vacuum that sends data to you, or anyone else. It's not necessary to the function of the product. The convenience does not outweigh the cost of my privacy, and I'm certainly not going to pay you to extract it from me. You should be paying me to use your product if you want the data.
I don't disagree but the attitude in corporate America is simply anything for profit is good and justified. iRobot will happily argue their service will cost more unless they share your data when what they really mean is you'll have to offset this new revenue stream for them if you want them to stop.
Push your legislator(s) for regulation of your data privacy rights. It is the only way these encroachments on citizen privacy get fixed. Europe does this right (a lot of room for improvement.
Is there an alternative to Roomba that doesn't have mandatory telemetry?
I like Roombas, but I refuse to buy any that uses Wifi. It's totally unnecessary, opens up the possibility of privacy invasions, and a smartphone app is a UX regression over physical buttons. I really wish they'd develop a mapping Roomba that did all processing onboard, and could be totally configured using built-in controls. I'd buy it in a second.
"It is possible to use our smart technology Robots without WiFi or Bluetooth data transmission, simply by disconnecting your WiFi or Bluetooth from the device or by never connecting it at all. You can also choose through your settings in the App to not to have location mapping data transmitted to us."
Why are these machines on the internet? I have one ordered that will arrive in a few days, I really hope that I can turn that off. I don't want any "internet of things to be hacked" devices in my house.
WTF. Why are these machines on the internet? I have one ordered that will arrive in a few days, I really hope that I can turn that off. I don't want any "internet of things to be hacked" devices in my house.