Best Buy: Difference between revisions

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{{InfoboxCompany

{{StubNotice}}{{InfoboxCompany

| Name = Best Buy

| Type = Public

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}}

[[wikipedia:Best_Buy|'''Best Buy Co., Inc.''']] is an American multinational chain of stores that specializes in retailing consumer electronics.

==Consumer Impact Summary==

===User Privacy Concerns===

*Collects extensive personal data (including sensitive information like fingerprints and health data)

*Tracks users across devices/browsers without honoring "Do Not Track" requests

*Shares/sells data with third parties by default

*Opaque privacy policy with difficult opt-out process

===Business Model Issues===

*Discontinued app support, rendering products partially functional

*Limited compensation (partial gift cards, max 10 devices) with short 56-day claim window

==Incidents==

This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Discontinuation of Insignia Connect app===

On November 6, 2019, Best Buy discontinued support for their Insignia Connect app,<ref name=":0">https://web.archive.org/web/20191105124635/https://bestbuy.symphonysummit.com/insignia.web/~~<nowiki/>(November 5th,~~ 2019~~) Retrieved January 15th,~~ 2025</ref> resulting in major functionality losses for affected Insignia products that used the service. Best Buy did provide compensation to affected customers, however, this was only in the form of a partial refund, issued in the form of a virtual gift card that was determined by the product type.<ref name=":1">https://web.archive.org/web/20191212130853/https://bestbuy.symphonysummit.com/insignia.web/Help_FAQ#collapseNine~~<nowiki/>(December 12th,~~ 2019~~) Retrieved January 15th,~~ 2025</ref><ref name=":0" /> Customers were also only able to redeem up to a maximum of 10 serial numbers for product refunds, even if they owned more than 10 affected products.<ref name=":2">https://web.archive.org/web/20241125000759/https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/6/20853671/best-buy-connect-insignia-smart-plug-wifi-freezer-mobile-app-shutdown-november-6~~<nowiki>(November 25th,~~ 2024~~) Retrieved January 15th,~~ 2025 ~~[Note: This source references functionality loss covered in a Best Buy FAQ.~~ The ~~FAQ has not fully been archived, so the information in the article is the only reference to its contents.]</nowiki>~~</ref><ref name=":1" /> Refunds for affected products has since ceased, as the window to apply for compensation only lasted for 56 days from the discontinuation date.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/~~20191209200148~~/https://~~bestbuy~~.~~symphonysummit~~.~~com~~/~~insignia.web~~/~~<nowiki~~/~~>(November 9th~~, ~~2019) Retrieved January 15th~~, 2025</ref>

On November 6, 2019, Best Buy discontinued support for their Insignia Connect app,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Welcome to the Insignia Connect Product Validation Site. |url=https://bestbuy.symphonysummit.com/insignia.web/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105124635/https://bestbuy.symphonysummit.com/insignia.web/ |archive-date=5 Nov 2019 |access-date=13 Apr 2025 |website=[[Best Buy]]}}</ref> resulting in major functionality losses for affected Insignia products that used the service. Best Buy did provide compensation to affected customers, however, this was only in the form of a partial refund, issued in the form of a virtual gift card that was determined by the product type.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=FAQs |url=https://bestbuy.symphonysummit.com/insignia.web/Help_FAQ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212130853/https://bestbuy.symphonysummit.com/insignia.web/Help_FAQ#collapseNine |archive-date=12 Dec 2019 |access-date=13 Apr 2025 |website=[[Best Buy]]}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Customers were also only able to redeem up to a maximum of 10 serial numbers for product refunds, even if they owned more than 10 affected products.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Statt |first=Nick |date=7 Sep 2019 |title=Best Buy is leaving smart home users in the cold, but its Wi-Fi freezer will still mostly work |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/6/20853671/best-buy-connect-insignia-smart-plug-wifi-freezer-mobile-app-shutdown-november-6 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241125000759/https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/6/20853671/best-buy-connect-insignia-smart-plug-wifi-freezer-mobile-app-shutdown-november-6 |archive-date=25 Nov 2024 |access-date=13 Apr 2025 |website=The Verge}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> Refunds for affected products has since ceased, as the window to apply for compensation only lasted for 56 days from the discontinuation date.<ref name=":0" />

===Collaboration with the FBI===

The FBI payed ''Geek Squad'' employees as informants. ''Geek Squad'' employees reported "indecent material" found on laptop brought in for repair to the FBI. <ref>{{Cite news |last=Wamsley |first=Laurel |date=March 7, 2018 |title=FBI Used Paid Informants On Best Buy's Geek Squad To Flag Child Pornography |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/03/07/591698708/fbi-used-paid-informants-on-best-buys-geek-squad-to-flag-child-pornography |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250726000223/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/03/07/591698708/fbi-used-paid-informants-on-best-buys-geek-squad-to-flag-child-pornography |archive-date=jul,26,2025 |access-date=2025-08-17 |work=NPR The Two-Way}}</ref>

==Data ~~privacy concerns~~==

==Anti-consumer Practices==

According to Best Buy's privacy policy,<ref>https://www.bestbuy.com/site/help-topics/privacy-policy/pcmcat204400050062.c?id=pcmcat204400050062</ref> the company may collect, sell, and share information that users willingly provide, as well as information gathered through various tracking technologies.

===Data Privacy Concerns===

According to Best Buy's privacy policy,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Best Buy Privacy Hub |url=https://www.bestbuy.com/site/help-topics/privacy-policy/pcmcat204400050062.c?id=pcmcat204400050062&intl=nosplash |url-status=live |access-date=13 Apr 2025 |website=[[Best Buy]]}}</ref> the company may collect, sell, and share information that users willingly provide, as well as information gathered through various tracking technologies.

In general, users may be asked to provide the company with their name, various forms of contact information, and payment information.

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*Opting out may require users to provide some information that the user doesn't want collected.

*Opting out must be done per browser/device, and is stored with a simple browser cookie. If the cookie is erased, the user must opt out again.

===Hidden/Unapproved Subscriptions===

Several users have reported that Best Buy enrolled them in Best Buy's ''Geek Squad'' and/or ''My Best Buy'' subscription services without there consent. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Why am I getting charged for this? |url=https://www.bestbuy.com/site/questions/monthly-subscription/6422008/question/14640e33-04f7-3326-b701-73e40d8e02fc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250818034832/https://www.bestbuy.com/site/questions/monthly-subscription/6422008/question/14640e33-04f7-3326-b701-73e40d8e02fc |archive-date=2023-08-17 |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=bestbuy.com}}</ref>

== Additional Reading ==

=== Collaboration with the FBI ===

[[EFF]]'s FOIA regarding the FBI paying Best Buy to act as an informant [https://www.eff.org/document/first-production-fbi-geek-squad-foia] and [https://www.eff.org/document/third-production-fbi-geek-squad-foia] Archived at: [https://web.archive.org/web/20240919075143/https://www.eff.org/document/first-production-fbi-geek-squad-foia] and [https://web.archive.org/web/20240819190518/https://www.eff.org/document/third-production-fbi-geek-squad-foia]

==References==

[[Category:Best Buy]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{InfoboxCompany
+{{StubNotice}}{{InfoboxCompany
 | Name = Best Buy
 | Type = Public
@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 }}
 [[wikipedia:Best_Buy|'''Best Buy Co., Inc.''']] is an American multinational chain of stores that specializes in retailing consumer electronics.
+==Consumer Impact Summary==
+===User Privacy Concerns===
+*Collects extensive personal data (including sensitive information like fingerprints and health data)
+*Tracks users across devices/browsers without honoring "Do Not Track" requests
+*Shares/sells data with third parties by default
+*Opaque privacy policy with difficult opt-out process
+===Business Model Issues===
+*Discontinued app support, rendering products partially functional
+*Limited compensation (partial gift cards, max 10 devices) with short 56-day claim window
 ==Incidents==
+This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
 ===Discontinuation of Insignia Connect app===
-On November 6, 2019, Best Buy discontinued support for their Insignia Connect app,<ref name=":0">https://web.archive.org/web/20191105124635/https://bestbuy.symphonysummit.com/insignia.web/<nowiki/>(November 5th, 2019) Retrieved January 15th, 2025</ref> resulting in major functionality losses for affected Insignia products that used the service. Best Buy did provide compensation to affected customers, however, this was only in the form of a partial refund, issued in the form of a virtual gift card that was determined by the product type.<ref name=":1">https://web.archive.org/web/20191212130853/https://bestbuy.symphonysummit.com/insignia.web/Help_FAQ#collapseNine<nowiki/>(December 12th, 2019) Retrieved January 15th, 2025</ref><ref name=":0" /> Customers were also only able to redeem up to a maximum of 10 serial numbers for product refunds, even if they owned more than 10 affected products.<ref name=":2">https://web.archive.org/web/20241125000759/https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/6/20853671/best-buy-connect-insignia-smart-plug-wifi-freezer-mobile-app-shutdown-november-6<nowiki>(November 25th, 2024) Retrieved January 15th, 2025 [Note: This source references functionality loss covered in a Best Buy FAQ.  The FAQ has not fully been archived, so the information in the article is the only reference to its contents.]</nowiki></ref><ref name=":1" /> Refunds for affected products has since ceased, as the window to apply for compensation only lasted for 56 days from the discontinuation date.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20191209200148/https://bestbuy.symphonysummit.com/insignia.web/<nowiki/>(November 9th, 2019) Retrieved January 15th, 2025</ref>
+{{Main|Best Buy discontinuation of Insignia Connect}}
+On November 6, 2019, Best Buy discontinued support for their Insignia Connect app,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Welcome to the Insignia Connect Product Validation Site. |url=https://bestbuy.symphonysummit.com/insignia.web/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105124635/https://bestbuy.symphonysummit.com/insignia.web/ |archive-date=5 Nov 2019 |access-date=13 Apr 2025 |website=[[Best Buy]]}}</ref> resulting in major functionality losses for affected Insignia products that used the service. Best Buy did provide compensation to affected customers, however, this was only in the form of a partial refund, issued in the form of a virtual gift card that was determined by the product type.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=FAQs |url=https://bestbuy.symphonysummit.com/insignia.web/Help_FAQ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212130853/https://bestbuy.symphonysummit.com/insignia.web/Help_FAQ#collapseNine |archive-date=12 Dec 2019 |access-date=13 Apr 2025 |website=[[Best Buy]]}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Customers were also only able to redeem up to a maximum of 10 serial numbers for product refunds, even if they owned more than 10 affected products.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Statt |first=Nick |date=7 Sep 2019 |title=Best Buy is leaving smart home users in the cold, but its Wi-Fi freezer will still mostly work |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/6/20853671/best-buy-connect-insignia-smart-plug-wifi-freezer-mobile-app-shutdown-november-6 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241125000759/https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/6/20853671/best-buy-connect-insignia-smart-plug-wifi-freezer-mobile-app-shutdown-november-6 |archive-date=25 Nov 2024 |access-date=13 Apr 2025 |website=The Verge}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> Refunds for affected products has since ceased, as the window to apply for compensation only lasted for 56 days from the discontinuation date.<ref name=":0" />
+===Collaboration with the FBI===
+The FBI payed ''Geek Squad'' employees as informants. ''Geek Squad'' employees reported "indecent material" found on laptop brought in for repair to the FBI. <ref>{{Cite news |last=Wamsley |first=Laurel |date=March 7, 2018 |title=FBI Used Paid Informants On Best Buy's Geek Squad To Flag Child Pornography |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/03/07/591698708/fbi-used-paid-informants-on-best-buys-geek-squad-to-flag-child-pornography |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250726000223/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/03/07/591698708/fbi-used-paid-informants-on-best-buys-geek-squad-to-flag-child-pornography |archive-date=jul,26,2025 |access-date=2025-08-17 |work=NPR The Two-Way}}</ref>
-==Data privacy concerns==
+==Anti-consumer Practices==
-According to Best Buy's privacy policy,<ref>https://www.bestbuy.com/site/help-topics/privacy-policy/pcmcat204400050062.c?id=pcmcat204400050062</ref> the company may collect, sell, and share information that users willingly provide, as well as information gathered through various tracking technologies.
+===Data Privacy Concerns===
+According to Best Buy's privacy policy,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Best Buy Privacy Hub |url=https://www.bestbuy.com/site/help-topics/privacy-policy/pcmcat204400050062.c?id=pcmcat204400050062&intl=nosplash |url-status=live |access-date=13 Apr 2025 |website=[[Best Buy]]}}</ref> the company may collect, sell, and share information that users willingly provide, as well as information gathered through various tracking technologies.
 In general, users may be asked to provide the company with their name, various forms of contact information, and payment information.
@@ Line 47: / Line 68: @@
 *Opting out may require users to provide some information that the user doesn't want collected.
 *Opting out must be done per browser/device, and is stored with a simple browser cookie. If the cookie is erased, the user must opt out again.
+===Hidden/Unapproved Subscriptions===
+Several users have reported that Best Buy enrolled them in Best Buy's ''Geek Squad'' and/or ''My Best Buy'' subscription services without there consent. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Why am I getting charged for this? |url=https://www.bestbuy.com/site/questions/monthly-subscription/6422008/question/14640e33-04f7-3326-b701-73e40d8e02fc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250818034832/https://www.bestbuy.com/site/questions/monthly-subscription/6422008/question/14640e33-04f7-3326-b701-73e40d8e02fc |archive-date=2023-08-17 |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=bestbuy.com}}</ref>
+== Additional Reading ==
+=== Collaboration with the FBI ===
+[[EFF]]'s FOIA regarding the FBI paying Best Buy to act as an informant  [https://www.eff.org/document/first-production-fbi-geek-squad-foia] and [https://www.eff.org/document/third-production-fbi-geek-squad-foia]  Archived at: [https://web.archive.org/web/20240919075143/https://www.eff.org/document/first-production-fbi-geek-squad-foia] and [https://web.archive.org/web/20240819190518/https://www.eff.org/document/third-production-fbi-geek-squad-foia]
 ==References==
 <references />
 [[Category:Best Buy]]