Alliance Laundry Solutions and Speed Queen: Difference between revisions
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==Consumer-impact summary== | ==Consumer-impact summary== | ||
Alliance Laundry Systems, a US-based company with systems rolling out across both north and south America has created an exploitative system with negative implications for tenant rights, health, and privacy. This small app/laundry system is forcing thousands of users to permit data sharing while forcing use of detergents and softeners that give some users hospitalizable migraines. People who are renting, or in apartments with no fixtures or space for their own machine, have absolutely no other alternative except hand-washing or paying a fortune for a laundromat. | Alliance Laundry Systems, a US-based company with systems rolling out across both north and south America has created an exploitative system with negative implications for tenant rights, health, and privacy. This small app/laundry system is forcing thousands of users to permit data sharing while forcing use of detergents and softeners that give some users hospitalizable migraines.{{CitationNeeded}} People who are renting, or in apartments with no fixtures or space for their own machine, have absolutely no other alternative except hand-washing or paying a fortune for a laundromat. | ||
==Systemic Problem== | ==Systemic Problem== | ||
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Their exploitative system operates as follows: | Their exploitative system operates as follows: | ||
The machines automatically dispense heavily scented detergent and fabric softeners and will not operate when these chemicals are depleted. Residents cannot bring their own detergent or avoid the provided chemicals. There are no alternative laundry facilities in buildings where these systems are installed, creating a true captive market | The machines automatically dispense heavily scented detergent and fabric softeners and will not operate when these chemicals are depleted.{{CitationNeeded}} Residents cannot bring their own detergent or avoid the provided chemicals. There are no alternative laundry facilities in buildings where these systems are installed, creating a true captive market | ||
To use the machines, residents must download Alliance Laundry Systems' proprietary app, "Speed Queen" which requires personal information (name, phone, credit card, email, contact data) and includes mandatory data sharing with third parties with no opt-out provision. There is no alternative payment method - no coins, no cards, only the app, and they threaten to disable it and bar you if you enter any "fraudulent info". so any anonymising strategy won't work. This effectively bars access to basic amenities for those without smartphones, people with certain disabilities, or hypersensitivities , or those who value their privacy. | To use the machines, residents must download Alliance Laundry Systems' proprietary app, "Speed Queen" which requires personal information (name, phone, credit card, email, contact data) and includes mandatory data sharing with third parties with no opt-out provision. There is no alternative payment method - no coins, no cards, only the app, and they threaten to disable it and bar you if you enter any "fraudulent info". so any anonymising strategy won't work. This effectively bars access to basic amenities for those without smartphones, people with certain disabilities, or hypersensitivities , or those who value their privacy.{{Citation needed}} | ||
The machines do work as ordinary washing and drying machines when not connected to the internet, with the ability for users to add their own products, but the machines are actively blocked from operating normally by the app when the internet connection is normal. Residents do not have access to the router in most setups. | The machines do work as ordinary washing and drying machines when not connected to the internet, with the ability for users to add their own products, but the machines are actively blocked from operating normally by the app when the internet connection is normal. Residents do not have access to the router in most setups. | ||
There is a health angle too: Fabric softeners, detergents and synthetic fragrances genuinely stink. They emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including known carcinogens, and are linked to asthma symptoms, contact dermatitis, acne, debilitating migraines, and many chemical sensitivities. Also, people with respiratory conditions, children, pregnant women, pets and people with chemical sensitivities, such as those caused by lupus or chemotherapy, are forced to expose themselves to these chemicals or give up on doing laundry in their own building. | There is a health angle too: Fabric softeners, detergents and synthetic fragrances genuinely stink. They emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including known carcinogens, and are linked to asthma symptoms, contact dermatitis, acne, debilitating migraines, and many chemical sensitivities.{{Citation needed}} Also, people with respiratory conditions, children, pregnant women, pets and people with chemical sensitivities, such as those caused by lupus or chemotherapy, are forced to expose themselves to these chemicals or give up on doing laundry in their own building. | ||
Ironically, these mandatory fabric softeners also actively damage residents' property. Towels lose around 50% of their absorbency, athletic wear loses moisture-wicking properties, and flame-resistant children's sleepwear becomes less safe as the coating reduces its protective properties. | Ironically, these mandatory fabric softeners also actively damage residents' property. Towels lose around 50% of their absorbency, athletic wear loses moisture-wicking properties, and flame-resistant children's sleepwear becomes less safe as the coating reduces its protective properties.{{Citation needed}} | ||
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]]. | This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]]. | ||