Ecoflow

EcoFlow Technology Inc.

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.

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.

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 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.