Best Buy: Difference between revisions

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{{StubNotice}}{{~~InfoboxCompany~~

| ~~Name~~ = ~~Best Buy~~

{{CompanyCargo

~~| Type = Public~~

|Description=American electronics retailer offering the "Geek Squad" support and repair service

| Founded = 1966

|Founded=1966

| Industry = Electronics

|Industry=Electronics Retail

| ~~Official~~ Website = https://bestbuy.com/

|Logo=Best_Buy.png

~~| Logo = Best_Buy.png~~

|ParentCompany=

|Type=Public

|Website=https://bestbuy.com/

}}

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

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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 ===

===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>

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=2025-07-26 |access-date=2025-08-17 |work=NPR The Two-Way}}</ref>

==Anti-consumer Practices==

===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.

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]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251113205932/https://www.bestbuy.com/site/help-topics/privacy-policy/pcmcat204400050062.c?id=pcmcat204400050062&intl=nosplash |archive-date=13 Nov 2025}}</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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*Location information

This data collection can occur directly through users browser/device, or through third party web tracking technologies such as cookies, pixels and tags.

This data collection can occur directly through users browser/device, or through third party web tracking technologies such as [[Web_cookie|cookies]], pixels and tags.

All of the above information can be sold or shared with third parties, including Best Buy's "subsidiaries" and "affiliates."

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*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 ===

===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>

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 |url-status=live |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=2025-08-18 |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: @@
-{{StubNotice}}{{InfoboxCompany
+{{StubNotice}}
-| Name = Best Buy
+{{CompanyCargo
-| Type = Public
+|Description=American electronics retailer offering the "Geek Squad" support and repair service
-| Founded = 1966
+|Founded=1966
-| Industry = Electronics
+|Industry=Electronics Retail
-| Official Website = https://bestbuy.com/
+|Logo=Best_Buy.png
-| Logo = Best_Buy.png
+|ParentCompany=
+|Type=Public
+|Website=https://bestbuy.com/
 }}
 [[wikipedia:Best_Buy|'''Best Buy Co., Inc.''']] is an American multinational chain of stores that specializes in retailing consumer electronics.
@@ Line 29: / Line 31: @@
 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 ===
+===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>
+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=2025-07-26 |access-date=2025-08-17 |work=NPR The Two-Way}}</ref>
 ==Anti-consumer Practices==
 ===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.
+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]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251113205932/https://www.bestbuy.com/site/help-topics/privacy-policy/pcmcat204400050062.c?id=pcmcat204400050062&intl=nosplash |archive-date=13 Nov 2025}}</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 57: / Line 59: @@
 *Location information
-This data collection can occur directly through users browser/device, or through third party web tracking technologies such as cookies, pixels and tags.
+This data collection can occur directly through users browser/device, or through third party web tracking technologies such as [[Web_cookie|cookies]], pixels and tags.
 All of the above information can be sold or shared with third parties, including Best Buy's "subsidiaries" and "affiliates."
@@ Line 69: / Line 71: @@
 *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 ===
+===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>
+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 |url-status=live |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=2025-08-18 |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]]