Roku, Inc.: Difference between revisions - Consumer_Action

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==Consumer-protection summary==

====Privacy<ref name=":0">https://docs.roku.com/published/userprivacypolicy/en/us</ref>====

====Privacy<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Roku Privacy Policy |url=https://docs.roku.com/published/userprivacypolicy/en/us |url-status=live |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=[[Roku]]}}</ref>====

*Roku collects personal information such as the user's device information, usage data, viewing activity, and location data.

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*The "Do not sell my personal information" setting on Roku OS is hidden behind many menus.

*Roku states the added forced arbitration clause was a decision made separate of the data breach ~~(More on~~ this ~~below). This~~ has ~~obviously led to skepticism on~~ the ~~companies' overall truthfulness~~.<ref name=":1">https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/over-15-000-hacked-roku-accounts-sold-for-50-each-to-buy-hardware/</ref>

*Roku states the added forced arbitration clause was a decision made separate of the data breach, however this has been met with scepticism by the community.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Toulas |first=Bill |date=11 Mar 2024 |title=Over 15,000 hacked Roku accounts sold for 50¢ each to buy hardware |url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/over-15-000-hacked-roku-accounts-sold-for-50-each-to-buy-hardware/ |url-status=live |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=Bleeping Computer}}</ref>

==Products and Services==

===Streaming Devices===

Roku's core products are streaming media players that connect to televisions via HDMI, allowing users to stream content from various online services. The lineup includes:

*Roku Express - Entry-level HD streaming devices

*Roku Streaming Stick - Mid-range portable streaming devices

*Roku Ultra - Premium streaming devices with enhanced features

===Roku TV===

In 2014, Roku began licensing its operating system to TV manufacturers, creating the Roku TV platform. These smart TVs come with Roku OS built-in. Partners include TCL, Hisense, Sharp, and Philips, among others.

===Roku OS===

Roku OS is the operating system that powers all Roku devices. Key features include:

*The Roku Channel Store, which serves streaming channels/apps

*Universal search across multiple streaming services

*Voice control capabilities

*The free, ad-supported Roku Channel

*Customizable home screen interface

===Audio Products===

*Roku Streambar - Combines a soundbar with a streaming player

*Roku Wireless Speakers - Designed specifically for Roku TV systems

*Roku Wireless Subwoofer - For enhanced bass response

===Content and Advertising===

The Roku Channel is the company's own ad-supported streaming service, offering free movies, TV shows, and some original content. Roku also operates an advertising business that serves as a significant revenue source, placing ads across its platform.

==Consumer-protection incidents==

=== ~~Autoplaying~~ Ads Before Home Screen (Mar. 2025) ===

===Auto-playing Ads Before Home Screen (Mar. 2025)===

In March 2025, reports surfaced that Roku was testing a new advertising feature that plays video ads before users could access the Roku OS home screen.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Harding |first=Scharon |date=17 March 2025 |title=“Awful”: Roku tests autoplaying ads loading before the home screen |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/roku-says-unpopular-autoplay-ads-are-just-a-test/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318004112/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/roku-says-unpopular-autoplay-ads-are-just-a-test/ |archive-date=18 March 2025 |access-date=18 March 2025 |work=arstechnica}}</ref> Users reported that when turning on their Roku TV or streaming device, they were met with a video advertisement — often for the movie ''Moana 2'' — before reaching the home screen.<ref name=":3" /> While some users found an option to skip the ad, others claimed that there was no clear way to bypass it.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Herbig |first=Daniel |date=18 March 2025 |title=Roku zeigt Werbung, bevor man überhaupt zum Homescreen kommt |url=https://www.heise.de/news/Roku-zeigt-Werbung-bevor-man-ueberhaupt-zum-Homescreen-kommt-10318983.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318081622/https://www.heise.de/news/Roku-zeigt-Werbung-bevor-man-ueberhaupt-zum-Homescreen-kommt-10318983.html |archive-date=18 March 2025 |access-date=18 March 2025 |work=heise online}}</ref>

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===Post-Purchase EULA Modification (Mar. 2024)===

[[File:Roku Forced Arbitration.jpg|thumb|510x510px|The screen in which consumers agreed to force arbitration. There is no "disagree."<ref name=":2">https://www.techhive.com/article/2258136/rokus-forced-arbitration-update-leaves-users-fuming.html</ref>]]

[[File:Roku Forced Arbitration.jpg|thumb|510x510px|The screen in which consumers agreed to force arbitration. There is no "disagree."<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Newman |first=Jared |date=7 Mar 2024 |title=Roku’s forced arbitration update leaves users fuming |url=https://www.techhive.com/article/2258136/rokus-forced-arbitration-update-leaves-users-fuming.html |url-status=live |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=TechHive}}</ref>]]

In early March 2024, Roku Inc. [[Post-purchase EULA modification|modified]] its [[End-user license agreement]] (EULA), after the company disclosed a data breach that affected 15,000 accounts.<ref name=":2" /> In April 2024, Roku disclosed another incident that affected 576,000 additional accounts.<ref name=":1" />

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==="HDMI-customized ad insertion" patent (Oct. 2023)===

In early October 2023, Roku filed a patent ([https://patents.google.com/patent/US20230388589A1/en US20230388589A1]) for a program to insert ads on top of the display output of any non-Roku device displayed on a Roku TV. This program would be able to detect when the consumer has paused a video feed and display an advertisement, personalized by data collected through Roku services.<ref>https://patents.google.com/patent/US20230388589A1/en</ref>

In early October 2023, Roku filed a patent ([https://patents.google.com/patent/US20230388589A1/en US20230388589A1]) for a program to insert ads on top of the display output of any non-Roku device displayed on a Roku TV. This program would be able to detect when the consumer has paused a video feed and display an advertisement, personalized by data collected through Roku services.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 Dec 2024 |title=Hdmi customized ad insertion |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US20230388589A1/en |url-status=live |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=Google Patents}}</ref>

As of January 2025, this patent has not been implemented into any Roku devices. However, a similar feature which also detects content from connected devices, called "More Ways to Watch," has previously been implemented.<ref>https://support.roku.com/article/115005739288</ref><ref>https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/roku-tvs-now-track-what-you-watch-to-suggest-streams-target-ads/</ref>

As of January 2025, this patent has not been implemented into any Roku devices. However, a similar feature which also detects content from connected devices, called "More Ways to Watch," has previously been implemented.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How to use More Ways to Watch on your Roku TV |url=https://support.roku.com/article/115005739288 |url-status=live |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=Roku Support}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Katzmaier |first=David |date=11 Apr 2017 |title=Roku TVs now track what you watch to suggest streams, target ads |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/roku-tvs-now-track-what-you-watch-to-suggest-streams-target-ads/ |url-status=live |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=CNET}}</ref>

==References==

[[Category:Roku]]

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 ==Consumer-protection summary==
-====Privacy<ref name=":0">https://docs.roku.com/published/userprivacypolicy/en/us</ref>====
+====Privacy<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Roku Privacy Policy |url=https://docs.roku.com/published/userprivacypolicy/en/us |url-status=live |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=[[Roku]]}}</ref>====
 *Roku collects personal information such as the user's device information, usage data, viewing activity, and location data.
@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 *The "Do not sell my personal information" setting on Roku OS is hidden behind many menus.
-*Roku states the added forced arbitration clause was a decision made separate of the data breach (More on this below). This has obviously led to skepticism on the companies' overall truthfulness.<ref name=":1">https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/over-15-000-hacked-roku-accounts-sold-for-50-each-to-buy-hardware/</ref>
+*Roku states the added forced arbitration clause was a decision made separate of the data breach, however this has been met with scepticism by the community.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Toulas |first=Bill |date=11 Mar 2024 |title=Over 15,000 hacked Roku accounts sold for 50¢ each to buy hardware |url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/over-15-000-hacked-roku-accounts-sold-for-50-each-to-buy-hardware/ |url-status=live |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=Bleeping Computer}}</ref>
+==Products and Services==
+===Streaming Devices===
+Roku's core products are streaming media players that connect to televisions via HDMI, allowing users to stream content from various online services. The lineup includes:
+*Roku Express - Entry-level HD streaming devices
+*Roku Streaming Stick - Mid-range portable streaming devices
+*Roku Ultra - Premium streaming devices with enhanced features
+===Roku TV===
+In 2014, Roku began licensing its operating system to TV manufacturers, creating the Roku TV platform. These smart TVs come with Roku OS built-in. Partners include TCL, Hisense, Sharp, and Philips, among others.
+===Roku OS===
+Roku OS is the operating system that powers all Roku devices. Key features include:
+*The Roku Channel Store, which serves streaming channels/apps
+*Universal search across multiple streaming services
+*Voice control capabilities
+*The free, ad-supported Roku Channel
+*Customizable home screen interface
+===Audio Products===
+*Roku Streambar - Combines a soundbar with a streaming player
+*Roku Wireless Speakers - Designed specifically for Roku TV systems
+*Roku Wireless Subwoofer - For enhanced bass response
+===Content and Advertising===
+The Roku Channel is the company's own ad-supported streaming service, offering free movies, TV shows, and some original content. Roku also operates an advertising business that serves as a significant revenue source, placing ads across its platform.
 ==Consumer-protection incidents==
-=== Autoplaying Ads Before Home Screen (Mar. 2025) ===
+===Auto-playing Ads Before Home Screen (Mar. 2025)===
 In March 2025, reports surfaced that Roku was testing a new advertising feature that plays video ads before users could access the Roku OS home screen.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Harding |first=Scharon |date=17 March 2025 |title=“Awful”: Roku tests autoplaying ads loading before the home screen |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/roku-says-unpopular-autoplay-ads-are-just-a-test/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318004112/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/roku-says-unpopular-autoplay-ads-are-just-a-test/ |archive-date=18 March 2025 |access-date=18 March 2025 |work=arstechnica}}</ref> Users reported that when turning on their Roku TV or streaming device, they were met with a video advertisement — often for the movie ''Moana 2'' — before reaching the home screen.<ref name=":3" /> While some users found an option to skip the ad, others claimed that there was no clear way to bypass it.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Herbig |first=Daniel |date=18 March 2025 |title=Roku zeigt Werbung, bevor man überhaupt zum Homescreen kommt |url=https://www.heise.de/news/Roku-zeigt-Werbung-bevor-man-ueberhaupt-zum-Homescreen-kommt-10318983.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318081622/https://www.heise.de/news/Roku-zeigt-Werbung-bevor-man-ueberhaupt-zum-Homescreen-kommt-10318983.html |archive-date=18 March 2025 |access-date=18 March 2025 |work=heise online}}</ref>
@@ Line 28: / Line 56: @@
 ===Post-Purchase EULA Modification (Mar. 2024)===
-[[File:Roku Forced Arbitration.jpg|thumb|510x510px|The screen in which consumers agreed to force arbitration. There is no "disagree."<ref name=":2">https://www.techhive.com/article/2258136/rokus-forced-arbitration-update-leaves-users-fuming.html</ref>]]
+[[File:Roku Forced Arbitration.jpg|thumb|510x510px|The screen in which consumers agreed to force arbitration. There is no "disagree."<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Newman |first=Jared |date=7 Mar 2024 |title=Roku’s forced arbitration update leaves users fuming |url=https://www.techhive.com/article/2258136/rokus-forced-arbitration-update-leaves-users-fuming.html |url-status=live |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=TechHive}}</ref>]]
 In early March 2024, Roku Inc. [[Post-purchase EULA modification|modified]] its [[End-user license agreement]] (EULA), after the company disclosed a data breach that affected 15,000 accounts.<ref name=":2" /> In April 2024, Roku disclosed another incident that affected 576,000 additional accounts.<ref name=":1" />
@@ Line 34: / Line 62: @@
 ==="HDMI-customized ad insertion" patent (Oct. 2023)===
-In early October 2023, Roku filed a patent ([https://patents.google.com/patent/US20230388589A1/en US20230388589A1]) for a program to insert ads on top of the display output of any non-Roku device displayed on a Roku TV. This program would be able to detect when the consumer has paused a video feed and display an advertisement, personalized by data collected through Roku services.<ref>https://patents.google.com/patent/US20230388589A1/en</ref>
+In early October 2023, Roku filed a patent ([https://patents.google.com/patent/US20230388589A1/en US20230388589A1]) for a program to insert ads on top of the display output of any non-Roku device displayed on a Roku TV. This program would be able to detect when the consumer has paused a video feed and display an advertisement, personalized by data collected through Roku services.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 Dec 2024 |title=Hdmi customized ad insertion |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US20230388589A1/en |url-status=live |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=Google Patents}}</ref>
-As of January 2025, this patent has not been implemented into any Roku devices. However, a similar feature which also detects content from connected devices, called "More Ways to Watch," has previously been implemented.<ref>https://support.roku.com/article/115005739288</ref><ref>https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/roku-tvs-now-track-what-you-watch-to-suggest-streams-target-ads/</ref>
+As of January 2025, this patent has not been implemented into any Roku devices. However, a similar feature which also detects content from connected devices, called "More Ways to Watch," has previously been implemented.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How to use More Ways to Watch on your Roku TV |url=https://support.roku.com/article/115005739288 |url-status=live |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=Roku Support}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Katzmaier |first=David |date=11 Apr 2017 |title=Roku TVs now track what you watch to suggest streams, target ads |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/roku-tvs-now-track-what-you-watch-to-suggest-streams-target-ads/ |url-status=live |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=CNET}}</ref>
 ==References==
 <references />
 [[Category:Roku]]