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{{InfoboxCompany
{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Roku Inc.
| Type = Public
| Founded = 2002
| Industry = Technology
| Official Website = https://roku.com/
| Official Website = https://roku.com/
| Logo = Roku.png
| Logo = Roku.png
}}
|Name=Roku, Inc.|Type=Public|Founded=2002|Industry=Media Streaming}}'''[[wikipedia:Roku|Roku, Inc.]]''' is an American technology company, founded in October of 2002, known for their "Roku" line of products which consist of Smart TVs & streaming players. It is also the creator and maintainer of "Roku OS." Roku OS is a smart TV operating system allowing users to access apps such as streaming services, which was released in 2004.
 
==Consumer-protection summary==
 
====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.
*This data is used for purposes such as providing and improving services, personalizing content, and targeted advertisements.
*Roku retains personal data for as long as deemed necessary.
*On many of their devices and services such as Roku OS, "Do not sell my personal information" is opt-out rather than opt-in.
 
====Transparency====
 
*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, 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


'''[[Wikipedia:Roku, Inc.|Roku, Inc.]]''' is an American technology company, founded in October of 2002, known for their "[[Roku]]" line of products which consist of Smart TVs & streaming players.
===Content and Advertising===
=== Post-purchase EULA modification ===
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.
In early March 2024, Roku Inc. [[post-purchase EULA modification|modified]] their [[End-User License Agreement]] (EULA), after the company disclosed a data breach that affected over 15,000 accounts.


This new EULA was enforced onto pre-existing users in the form of a message on their Smart TV/streaming player, which only allowed the user to accept the new terms, and not offer an option to decline. The only option Roku Inc. offered to opt-out of the new EULA was for the user to mail the company their contact information and email used to register the Roku account (if applicable), along with the product model, software, or service "at issue."
==Consumer-protection incidents==


===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>


In this new EULA, Roku included a [[forced arbitration]] agreement to not allow users to sue, or to take part in lawsuits against Roku Inc.
A Roku spokesperson confirmed that the autoplaying ads were part of a temporary test but did not specify whether they would become a permanent feature. The company stated that its business model relies on continuous testing and innovation in advertising but did not address customer concerns or backlash.<ref name=":3" /> Many users expressed dissatisfaction, with some stating they would stop using Roku devices if this feature were permanently implemented. Community discussions and forum posts described the ads as "unacceptable" and "intrusive".<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" />


Roku has previously been known for pushing the boundaries on advertising, including filing a patent for technology that could overlay ads on third-party devices connected to a Roku TV. While this patent has not yet been implemented, the new auto-playing ads suggest Roku is continuing to explore aggressive advertising strategies.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" />


Roku claimed a week later that the new EULA was not in relation to the aforementioned data breach.
===Post-Purchase EULA Modification (Mar. 2024)===
== References ==
[[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>]]
[https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/over-15-000-hacked-roku-accounts-sold-for-50-each-to-buy-hardware/ Over 15,000 hacked Roku accounts sold for 50¢ each to buy hardware] [https://web.archive.org/web/20240402093803/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/over-15-000-hacked-roku-accounts-sold-for-50-each-to-buy-hardware/ <nowiki>[Archived]</nowiki>]
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" />


[https://www.claimdepot.com/data-breach/roku Roku Data Breach: Over 15,000 Accounts Affected]
This new EULA was enforced onto pre-existing users in the form of a message on their Smart TV/streaming player, which only allowed the user to accept the new terms, and did not offer an option to decline. The only option Roku Inc. offered to opt-out of the new EULA was for the user to mail the company their contact information and email used to register the Roku account (if applicable), along with the product model, software, or service "at issue." In this new EULA, Roku included a [[forced arbitration]] agreement to not allow users to sue, or to take part in lawsuits against Roku Inc.<ref name=":0" /> Roku claimed a week later that the new EULA was not in relation to the aforementioned data breach.


[https://gizmodo.com/roku-smart-tv-streaming-arbitration-agreement-class-act-1851314150 Roku Will Bork Your TV Unless You Promise Not to Sue]  [https://web.archive.org/web/20240307005654/https://gizmodo.com/roku-smart-tv-streaming-arbitration-agreement-class-act-1851314150 <nowiki>[Archived]</nowiki>]
==="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>{{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>


[https://techcrunch.com/2024/03/05/roku-disables-tvs-and-streaming-devices-until-users-consent-to-forced-arbitration/ Roku disables TVs and streaming devices until users consent to new terms]
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>


[[Category:Companies]]
==References==
[[Category:Online Services Companies]]
<references />
[[Category:Consumer Products Companies]]
[[Category:Roku]]
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