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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===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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===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 ==

==Additional Reading==

=== Collaboration with the FBI ===

===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]

@@ 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 30: / Line 32: @@
 ===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 70: / Line 72: @@
 ===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 ==
+==Additional Reading==
-=== Collaboration with the FBI ===
+===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]