Ecoflow: Difference between revisions - Consumer_Action

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== EcoFlow Technology Inc. ==

{{StubNotice}}{{InfoboxCompany

| Name = EcoFlow Technology Inc.

| Type = Private

| Founded = 2017

| Industry = Portable solar generators, portable power stations

| Official Website = https://ecoflow.com

| Logo = Ecoflow-logo-vector.svg

}}

[[wikipedia:EcoFlow|'''EcoFlow Technology''']] is a manufacturer of solar-energy storage devices designed for mobile and off-grid use. The company systematically [[Forced app download|requires installation]] of a proprietary, closed-source application on a mobile device to unlock the full functionality of its battery backup products.

~~Ecoflow Technology Inc. is a manufacturer~~ of ~~solar energy storage devices designed for mobile and off grid use. The~~ company ~~systematically requires installation of a proprietary closed source application, installed on a mobile device, to unlock the full functionality of their battery backup products.~~

== Consumer impact summary ==

{{Placeholder box|Overview of concerns that arise from the company's conduct regarding (if applicable):

* User Freedom

* User Privacy

* Business Model

* Market Control}}

~~The~~ application connects to the EcoFlow devices via Bluetooth or over WiFi, however, the app cannot be used with the devices without creating an account with EcoFlow and periodically connecting to their servers for an authentication token.

==Anti-consumer practices==

===Reliance on application===

~~This creates inherent privacy risks and raises concerns about data collection~~ and ~~unwanted telemetry by the manufacturer. It also poses a problem for~~ their ~~customers who may go off grid~~ for ~~extension periods of time with no data connection available~~.

The application connects to the EcoFlow devices through Bluetooth or over WiFi, but the app cannot be used with the devices without [[Forced account creation|creating an account]] with EcoFlow and periodically connecting to their servers for an authentication token.

The benefits of ~~their~~ integrated app are displayed prominently in marketing media. The customer only discovers the requirement to create an account after purchasing the product and installing the app.

This creates inherent privacy risks and raises concerns about data collection and unwanted telemetry by the manufacturer. It also poses a problem for their customers who may go off-grid for extended periods of time with no data connection available. Moreover, it is unlikely that the system will remain fully usable after support is discontinued by the manufacturer or if the company ceases operations.

App installation and account creation are required to unlock the full functionality of the solar generators. Key features such as current limiting while charging from an AC power source are unavailable without the app.

The benefits of its integrated app are displayed prominently in marketing media. The customer only discovers the requirement to create an account after purchasing the product and installing the app.

== References ==

[[Category:Ecoflow]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-== EcoFlow Technology Inc. ==
+{{StubNotice}}{{InfoboxCompany
+| Name = EcoFlow Technology Inc.
+| Type = Private
+| Founded = 2017
+| Industry = Portable solar generators, portable power stations
+| Official Website = https://ecoflow.com
+| Logo = Ecoflow-logo-vector.svg
+}}
+[[wikipedia:EcoFlow|'''EcoFlow Technology''']] is a manufacturer of solar-energy storage devices designed for mobile and off-grid use. The company systematically [[Forced app download|requires installation]] of a proprietary, closed-source application on a mobile device to unlock the full functionality of its battery backup products.
-Ecoflow Technology Inc. is a manufacturer of solar energy storage devices designed for mobile and off grid use. The company systematically requires installation of a proprietary closed source application, installed on a mobile device, to unlock the full functionality of their battery backup products.
+== Consumer impact summary ==
+{{Placeholder box|Overview of concerns that arise from the company's conduct regarding (if applicable):
+* User Freedom
+* User Privacy
+* Business Model
+* Market Control}}
-The application connects to the EcoFlow devices via Bluetooth or over WiFi, however, the app cannot be used with the devices without creating an account with EcoFlow and periodically connecting to their servers for an authentication token.
+==Anti-consumer practices==
+===Reliance on application<!-- Needs refs! -->===
-This creates inherent privacy risks and raises concerns about data collection and unwanted telemetry by the manufacturer. It also poses a problem for their customers who may go off grid for extension periods of time with no data connection available.
+The application connects to the EcoFlow devices through Bluetooth or over WiFi, but the app cannot be used with the devices without [[Forced account creation|creating an account]] with EcoFlow and periodically connecting to their servers for an authentication token.
-The benefits of their integrated app are displayed prominently in marketing media. The customer only discovers the requirement to create an account after purchasing the product and installing the app.
+This creates inherent privacy risks and raises concerns about data collection and unwanted telemetry by the manufacturer. It also poses a problem for their customers who may go off-grid for extended periods of time with no data connection available. Moreover, it is unlikely that the system will remain fully usable after support is discontinued by the manufacturer or if the company ceases operations.
+App installation and account creation are required to unlock the full functionality of the solar generators. Key features such as current limiting while charging from an AC power source are unavailable without the app.
+The benefits of its integrated app are displayed prominently in marketing media. The customer only discovers the requirement to create an account after purchasing the product and installing the app.
+== References ==
+<references />
+[[Category:Ecoflow]]