Bose headphones secretly collect users’ details through app, claims lawsuit

'People should be uncomfortable with it'

Bose allegedly sold the data to analytics firm Segment.io

Bose is being sued for allegedly spying on customers and selling their personal data to advertisers.

A lawsuit filed in federal court by Chicago resident Kyle Zak this week claims the company demonstrated a “wholesale disregard” for the privacy of consumers.

Mr Zak says he downloaded the Bose Connect app after purchasing the company’s QuietComfort 35 headphones, signing up by entering his name, email address and headphone serial number.

The app allows users to control a range of features, such as noise cancellation and software updates, on their smartphone.

However, according to Mr Zak, it also secretly keeps a record of every song and podcast a user listens to, and sells it to third parties, such as analytics firm Segment.io.

Connect also works with Bose’s SoundSport wireless, SoundSport Pulse wireless, QuietControl 30 and SoundLink wireless II headphones, as well as its SoundLink Color II, SoundLink Revolve and SoundLink Revolve+ speakers.

“People should be uncomfortable with it,” Christopher Dore, a lawyer representing Mr Zak, told Reuters.

“People put headphones on their head because they think it's private, but they can be giving out information they don't want to share.”

Mr Zak claims the data allegedly gathered and sold by Bose can provide “an incredible amount of insight” into customers' behaviour and political and religious views.

He is seeking $5 million in damages and an injunction preventing the company from collecting user data.