Leading South Korean smartphone manufacturer Samsung has strict requirements for independent repair shops willing to work with their devices and parts. The company requires service centers to provide personal data of customers and to detect the use of non-original components, which can harm the environment.
Questionable policy
Requirement to disclose confidential information
According to a contract obtained by journalists, which Samsung forces all independent repair shops to sign , the company requires the disclosure of the name, contact details, device ID and complaint nature of customers requesting service. This violates the right to privacy of personal data of consumers.
Prohibition on the use of non-original components
If the master finds a non-original spare part not manufactured by Samsung in the device , he is obliged to immediately disassemble such a gadget and inform the Korean manufacturer about it. Otherwise, Samsung may terminate the contract with the service center.
Environmental threat
American experts warn that dismantling devices with non-original components can cause harm ecology, since such gadgets will end up in landfills.
Reaction of partners
Due to Samsung's strict policy on repairing its devices, the famous American workshop iFixit announced the termination of cooperation with the Korean company after two years of partnership. In their statement, they refer to the inconsistency of Samsung's approach with iFixit's mission, high prices for parts and low repairability of gadgets.
"Glossary"
- Samsung is a leading South Korean manufacturer of smartphones, televisions and other electronics.
- iFixit is an American company that specializes in the repair of electronic devices, develops instructions and sells tools for self-repair.
- 404 Media is a media publication that published the leak of Samsung's contract for independent service centers.
"Link"
- 404 Media post on Samsung contract leak
- iFixit's statement on the termination of cooperation with Samsung
Answers to questions
Why does Samsung require workshops to provide personal data of customers?
What is Samsung's requirement to detect non-genuine parts?
Why might Samsung's claims for non-genuine parts be illegal?
How did iFixit respond to Samsung's demands?
Why were the terms of Samsung's contract a concern?
Hashtags
Save a link to this article
Discussion of the topic – Samsung's shocking demand: Repair shops must disclose personal data of customers
Samsung requires independent repair shops to disclose the personal data of customers who repair Samsung devices, as well as break non-genuine parts. This requirement is contained in the contracts that Samsung forces repair shops to sign.
Latest comments
8 comments
Write a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are checked *
Олександр
This sounds like a direct violation of user data privacy on the part of Samsung 🤔 Providing personal information without the consent of the client is audacious!
Емілія
Shocking policy of Samsung! Demanding the destruction of devices with non-original parts is a completely anti-environmental approach 😡 Such actions will only lead to more pollution due to unnecessary waste.
Джузеппе
God, this Samsung company has lost its mind! 🙄 This is a direct path to market monopoly and the destruction of the principles of free competition. The requirement to use only their spare parts is a burden for consumers and craftsmen.
Григорій
But no! 😠 I am the owner of a phone repair shop and I will never sign such a contract! This is a direct invasion of my clients' privacy and a violation of their right to privacy. Samsung can forget about cooperation!
Рудольф
It's a good thing that I'm already old and don't use the latest technologies 🥱 All these trends just seem ridiculous and pointless to me. It is much easier to use proven and reliable phones of old models 📞
Альберта
This is absolutely unacceptable! 😤 Samsung has crossed all boundaries and is invading the privacy of users. I will definitely not buy their gadgets again and I will tell all my friends to boycott this company!
Маріо
Oh, I don't understand why Samsung does this 🤷 ♂️ This is a direct path to the collapse of reputation and loss of consumer trust. Maybe this is their new marketing strategy 'to be the worst in the market'? 😂
Бартоломео
As an appliance repairman, I am outraged by Samsung's policy 🤬 It limits my ability to provide quality service and forces consumers to overpay for original parts with no choice. This is a direct blow to small business!