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Netgear Data Collection
https://hothardware.com/news/netgear-adds-data-collection-to-r7000-router-firmware Any opt out? Mdoerator please find out. Thanks.
Hello everybody, here is our latest update regarding Router Analytics Data Collection.
TheEther I'm going to disagree with you and say it is that bad.
MAC addresses of connected devices tie those specific devices directly to me and my family. Not just their brand. Now they can be tracked moving from access point to access point -- where are people in my family going, what are they doing? (If they are seen at coffee shops, stores, etc.). Who do people in my family associate with? (who owns the other APs they connect to). What is the owner's name, home address, e-mail address? (If I've ever connected an Arlo to my network Netgear knows it came from the same IP and they have all the account data). Do I have an open or closed AP? (Could be relevant in a copyright case e.g. Napster etc.).
There are untold ways this data could be used in very bad ways with very little difficulty -- I work with a lot of data every day, I know how trivial it is.
Do not assume that what NG states their intent to be today is how the data will eventually be used.
MAC addresses of connected devices tie those specific devices directly to me and my family. Not just their brand. Now they can be tracked moving from access point to access point -- where are people in my family going, what are they doing? (If they are seen at coffee shops, stores, etc.). Who do people in my family associate with? (who owns the other APs they connect to). What is the owner's name, home address, e-mail address? (If I've ever connected an Arlo to my network Netgear knows it came from the same IP and they have all the account data). Do I have an open or closed AP? (Could be relevant in a copyright case e.g. Napster etc.).
There are untold ways this data could be used in very bad ways with very little difficulty -- I work with a lot of data every day, I know how trivial it is.
Do not assume that what NG states their intent to be today is how the data will eventually be used.
Diggie3, please re-read the text I quoted. They do not collect MAC addresses of your devices, only the MAC address of the router.
Would be great if NG got Edward Snowden to test all new hardware before release. ha ha.
I think that NetGear is on the wrong path. I can understand that they would like to catch the information, but I am bothered by things like:
NETGEAR is the entity responsible for processing QoS analytics information. NETGEAR shares QoS analytics data with its service providers to improve the Dynamic QoS feature and service. NETGEAR requires its service providers by contract to appropriately safeguard the privacy and security of the data and to use the information when associated with a MAC address only as necessary to perform certain services on its behalf or to comply with legal requirements. The QoS analytics information may be transferred to countries other than the country in which the data was originally collected. Those countries may not have the same data protection laws as the country in which you initially provided the information.
This statement is about QoS data gathered by NetGear. And it is to assure me about the 'good intentions' with which the info is gathered. But it does not reassure me...... It makes me VERY VERY uncomfortable about using Netgear products. And how is it possible that they SUDDENLY change their terms of usage AFTER I bought the router! It seems like blackmail to me. Yes you can opt out. But who will trust a company like this? Will there be no information shared when I opt out? How can I trust this company?
thelemonkid wrote:... I can understand that they would like to catch the information, but I am bothered by things like:
NETGEAR is the entity responsible for processing QoS analytics information. NETGEAR shares QoS analytics data with its service providers to improve the Dynamic QoS feature and service. ... <snip>
This statement is about QoS data gathered by NetGear. And it is to assure me about the 'good intentions' with which the info is gathered. But it does not reassure me...... It makes me VERY VERY uncomfortable about using Netgear products. And how is it possible that they SUDDENLY change their terms of usage AFTER I bought the router! ....<snip>
Now you are mixing two different things. The quote does come form the QoS analytics on routers with the Dynamic QoS - allowing the QoS analytics was (on the routers I'm aware of) always an opt-in.
Yes, Netgear has aparently added Dynamic QoS to the newer R7000 firmware (I still don't know if the same opt-in is in place as all the R7000 in my management domain are not running Netgear firmware) and later also the subject data collection (opt-out, why ever).
The idea of capturing usage and reliability information is certainly not a bad idea. The terms must be clear, and the exac data items submitted must be made transparent to the users.Update: Some insight was published here -> https://community.netgear.com/t5/Nighthawk-WiFi-Routers/R7000-New-FW-v1-0-8-34-Data-Collection-and-Analytics/m-p/1289325#M57863
