WORLDTECHLouis Rossmann Says Apple Store Staff Enrolled Customers in Trials Unasked
Electronics technician and consumer rights advocate Louis Rossmann has alleged in a series of YouTube videos shared over the past two weeks that some Apple Store staff signed shoppers up for trials of Apple One and other services that renew automatically, without the shoppers having given informed consent.
How the sign-up step is said to run
According to the account reported by MacRumors, at Apple Stores in the United States a staff member asks a visiting shopper whether they would like to scan a QR code labelled "Connect and Personalize", which is described as a route to a more tailored shopping experience.
If the shopper agrees, the employee can see on a company-issued device which Apple products the shopper owns, which Apple services they subscribe to, and which subscription offers they qualify for based on recent purchases. The offers are then shown on that device with "Agree" and "Decline" buttons.
Who is involved and what remains unconfirmed
Apple is a consumer electronics company based in Cupertino. The allegations originate with Rossmann's videos and reach readers through the report by MacRumors on them. The available facts do not say how many customers were affected or whether Apple has responded.
Open questions
- How many customers were enrolled without their informed consent?
- Has Apple commented on the allegations or changed the sign-up process?