Key Points:
- Samsung requires repair shops to report detailed user data daily, including names, contact information, and phone identifiers.
- This data collection raises significant privacy concerns, with experts calling it an unexpected invasion of consumer privacy.
- Repair shops must disassemble devices with third-party parts, potentially conflicting with consumer rights under the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act.
A leaked contract has exposed Samsung’s controversial practice of demanding extensive user data from repair shops. The contract, obtained by 404Media and verified for authenticity, mandates that repair shops submit detailed information about consumers who come in for repairs daily. This includes the consumer’s name, contact details, phone identifier (IMEI number), and specifics of the visit, which are all uploaded to Samsung’s “G-SPN” database.
Aaron Perzanowski, a law expert from the University of Michigan, expressed alarm over the contract’s implications, stating that most consumers would be “very surprised” to learn that their personal information and device details are being shared with the manufacturer. He emphasized that such practices represent a “substantial and unexpected invasion of consumer privacy.”
Furthermore, the contract stipulates that repair shops must “immediately disassemble” any devices that have been previously repaired with aftermarket parts and report the “details and circumstances” of these parts to Samsung.
This requirement could conflict with consumer rights under the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act, which allows the use of third-party parts for repairs. John Bergmayer, a legal director consulted by 404Media, confirmed that consumers are legally permitted to use non-original parts for device repairs.
As the privacy implications of this contract came to light, Android Central reached out to Samsung for a response but had not received a reply at the time of publication. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
