Bose SoundSport Wireless
Summary
Technically, these earbuds are not wireless. However, they are sporty and easy to wear. However, sometimes you may lose them. Because of this, Bose teamed up with Tile to integrate the tracking feature. The Tile's "community find" feature will let other people know where your headphones are as well.
Breach History
Has there ever been a breach or data leak?
Date of last breach
April 2017
On April 2017, Bose was sued over an alleged privacy breach over the Bose Connect app allegedly tracking the music, audio, and podcasts their users listened to. Furthermore, they were accused of selling this information without the user's consent.
Privacy Checklist
Is any kind of biometric data collected (health, heart, voice, etc.)?
Are you able to delete your data / the data collected about you?
Does it use cookies, telemetry, or third-party tracking scripts?
Is the privacy policy user-friendly (easy to understand)?
Does it have parental controls?
Does it use encryption to protect your data both in-transit and at-rest?
Does it get regular software and / or firmware updates?
Does it require you to create a strong password?
Is there a system in place for managing security vulnerabilities?
Does it have a privacy policy?
How Can It Snoop?
Does it have a camera or request / require access to a camera?
Does it have a microphone or request / require access to a microphone?
Does it track your location or request / require access to location data?
Account Requirements
Does it require an email address to use?
Does it require a phone number to use?
Does it require an address (home or office) to use?
Payment Options
Are you able to use a credit card as a payment option?
Are you able to use a cryptocurrency as a payment option?
Are you able to use PayPal as a payment option?
Are you able to use cash or gift cards as a payment option?
What Could Go Wrong?
It is possible Bose could use your information when you are using the headphones, and share it with others without your consent. Currently, Bose is fight a class action lawsuit because of this. Also, the Tile community-find feature shows where your lost object is to a lot of people. Some may take your item until your item is out of range. You'll have to trust the kindness of strangers.
How Does It Share Your Data?
Bose may share de-identified data with anyone and personal data with analytics service providers.
Good Things
- Tile's tracking feature to help find lost earphones.
Bad Things
- Bose is facing class action lawsuit for sharing people's information without their consent.
- Tile's tracking for lost items can be dependent on strangers' kindness.
Final Thoughts
Bose products are expensive, but produce high quality and technically efficient earphones. They are some of the best in the game, however, in 2017, Bose was sued over an alleged privacy breach over the Bose Connect app allegedly tracking the music, audio, and podcasts their users listened to. Furthermore, they were accused of selling this information without the user's consent. Thus, Bose has a privacy lower score.