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entyrion's avatar
entyrion
Aspirant
Apr 15, 2019
Solved

How can I disable Netgear analytics on Orbi RBR50?

For my Orbi RBR50 system, FW v2.3.1.44, I am trying to disable the Netgear Analytics functionality, but cannot find the opt-out controls. The instructions at https://kb.netgear.com/000038661/ow-do-I-...
Blanca_O's avatar
Blanca_O
NETGEAR Employee Retired
Apr 16, 2019

Hi Everyone, 

 

Thank you for bring this to our attention. Please allow us to check this said feature and we'll get back to you. 

 

Regards, 
Blanca 
Community Team

  • Blanca_O's avatar
    Blanca_O
    NETGEAR Employee Retired
    Apr 24, 2019

    Hi All, 

     

    I have checked this with the team, the router analytics data collection on Orbi is enabled and no option to turn it off. This router capability will allow us to get certain technical data that will surely help us improve our products. The collected data are secured and confidential. Please check this KB link: https://kb.netgear.com/000038665/What-is-router-analytics-data-collection-for-my-NETGEAR-router

     

    Regards, 
    Blanca 
    Community Team

    • CrimpOn's avatar
      CrimpOn
      Guru - Experienced User
      Apr 24, 2019

      Thanks for checking.  I hope you were able to impress upon "the team" (1) somebody should update Netgear's web site to indicate that Nighthawk and Orbi routers collect anlytics, and (2) it does  not seem reasonable that Nighthawk users have the option to disable data collection but Orbi users do not.  It is one checkbox on a menu.  How hard can that be?

    • entyrion's avatar
      entyrion
      Aspirant
      Apr 24, 2019

      Thanks, this technically answers my question, but the obvious next step is a feature request to disable the analytics collection in the same way as has already been implemented on the Nighthawk. Is there a formal process to do so?

      • CrimpOn's avatar
        CrimpOn
        Guru - Experienced User
        Apr 24, 2019
        entyrion wrote:

        Thanks, this technically answers my question, but the obvious next step is a feature request to disable the analytics collection in the same way as has already been implemented on the Nighthawk. Is there a formal process to do so?

        Yes, Netgear has a forum to request software changes: https://community.netgear.com/t5/Idea-Exchange-For-Home/idb-p/idea-exchange-for-home/label-name/orbi%20wifi%20system

         

        In my (limited) experience, even the most trivial requests are usually ignored.  It is not clear (to me) that Netgear engineers pay any attention to it (at least the Orbi section).  My personal opinion is that Orbi is based on OpenWRT which is different from the software base for the Nighthawk line, and this makes implementing changes more challenging.