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Any data gathered by Google-owned Nest devices will be “transparent and opt-in,” says Tony Fadell

Photo: websummit.net
Photo: websummit.net

Nest CEO and ‘father of the iPod’ Tony Fadell has responded to data privacy concerns expressed after the company was acquired by Google, stating that there have not yet been any changes to the data collected by the smart thermostat and smoke detector, and that any future changes would be both transparent and opt-in.

At this point, there are no changes. The data that we collect is all about our products and improving them.

If there were ever any changes whatsoever, we would be sure to be transparent about it, number one, and number two for you to opt-in to it … 

Fadell gave the assurances during an interview at the Digital-Life-Design conference (via TNW). He also said that he was excited by the conversations he’d had with Larry Page and other Google execs when discussing future plans.

We were finishing each other’s sentences, and the visions that we had were just so large and so great, and they weren’t scared by them. We were both getting exhilarated by what could change and how things could change, and that we could have the ability to change those things together.

Apple senior VP Phil Schiller unfollowed both Fadell and Nest on Twitter following the acquisition.

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Comments

  1. Ryan T - 10 years ago

    yea….RIGHT!

  2. 311sie - 10 years ago

    Yes, they were acquired because Larry is concerned about people getting their home temps right. The current terms will remain unchanged until the new owners decide.

  3. standardpull - 10 years ago

    I’m really not sure why a thermostat or any other device (or handset, for that matter) needs a loss of functionality if uncoupled from so-called “cloud services”, or why any personal information needs to be given up to any cloud service.

    Other than, of course, that companies like Google make a ton of money selling products and services based around personal information.

    • Ben Lovejoy - 10 years ago

      I can only comment on my Tado, but requests do involve a Tado server both because you can control it from a web interface, and because it takes into account weather when working out how far in advance it has to heat the home. These devices should still work fine without a net connection, but you’d lose functionality.

  4. Nicholas Vettese - 10 years ago

    What’s funny is Google has been there every step of the way for Nest with initial funding as well as supporting their project along the way. It’s funny how all the Fanboys are crying about Google, yet Google has been working with Nest from the beginning, and all you Fanboys haven’t cried about that… EVER!!!!

    Now Schiller is the next cry baby in line… He needs to go have his mommy tell him everything is going to be alright.

    • Kroo Smith - 10 years ago

      So I guess we can’t have an adult conversation about this? Why come here just to defend google? Their track record on stealing private data and using it to sell ads, doesn’t give them any credibility. Perhaps you need to find a forum that suits your, “agenda”?

      • Nicholas Vettese - 10 years ago

        And what is Apple doing with your data??? That’s right, you don’t know. Again, Google has built Nest for their entire life, and no one complained. Apple could care less, and you all supported both Apple and Nest. Now you’re mad??? Hurting much?

Author

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


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