RepairShopr
RepairShopr is a US software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform for repair shops created by Troy Anderson in 2012.
| Basic information | |
|---|---|
| Short description | {{{short_description}}} |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Type | Private |
| Industry | Software services |
| Official website | https://www.repairshopr.com/ |
Consumer impact summary edit
Over the years RepairShopr has declined significantly in features and consumer friendly practices. This can be seen by the following:
- Storing data usage on user interactions for future AI tools
- Malicious Opt-out policies specifically for training data
- Higher costs with decreased functionality
- Lack of transparency for new enforced terms
Controversies edit
AI tools and data usage edit
- Main article: RepairShopr Data Privacy#AI tools and data usage
As of the latest terms of RepairShopr has granted itself the right to "user content" and "usage information" to train future AI models. While the parent company Syncro claims no AI features are in the works, many consumers argue that this term allows a backdoor into adding and training these types of tools whenever they please. Businesses and consumers alike are concerned with the lack of privacy and storing such sensitive information to indirectly profit off of.
Opt-out policies edit
- Main article: RepairShopr Data Privacy#Opt-out policies
RepairShopr's terms require cooperation to opt out of data collection. Meaning that unless the company takes the proactive steps to ensure their data won't be used by Syncro they automatically accept. Not only is it one sided but is also operated on a "go-forward" basis retaining all previous information before the business opted out of the data collection.
Increased costs with decline in functionality edit
Since the acquisition by Syncro, RepairShopr's subscriptions fees have increased by 40%. Users have pointed out the worsened functionality of the platform since then, including basic functionalities like e-mail communications with customers and frequent downtime outages undermining its reliability as an effective tool for business.
Transparency and communication edit
- Main article: RepairShopr Data Privacy#Transparency and communication
By late December 2024 a notification went out to users, although the policy had been enacted weeks prior to the notice being sent out to users of the platform. The update had also been buried under a bunch of non-critical updates, obscuring many people from being able to view what was actually changed.