Effective [February 9, 2023]
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., along with our affiliates and subsidiaries (collectively, “Samsung”), respects your concerns about privacy. This Samsung account U.S. Privacy Notice applies to the personal information we obtain through your Samsung account and its services and features (collectively, “Services”). It does not apply to information collected by other apps, websites or services provided by Samsung.
This Privacy Notice supplements the Samsung Privacy Policy for the U.S. (available at https://account.samsung.com/membership/terms/privacypolicy) (“Samsung US Privacy Policy”) and provides additional information about how we may collect, use, and share your personal information in connection with our Services. In the event that any portion of this Privacy Notice conflicts with the Samsung US Privacy Policy, the relevant provisions of this Privacy Notice will govern.
Information We ObtainSamsung account is your one-stop account to enjoy some of our Samsung services and features. When you first create a Samsung account, we may collect information such as your name, nickname, date of birth, gender, phone number, password and email address.
Once you set up your Samsung account and log in, you can use convenient features on your Samsung devices. When you use your Samsung account, we may collect and maintain information about you in various ways. The types of personal information we may obtain include those listed in the Samsung US Privacy Policy as well as the following:
Information You Provide DirectlyYou may have the option to save information to your Samsung account, such as :
• When you register your credit card to your Samsung account for easier payment options or when you save information such as your address for faster checkout when you make purchases on your Samsung mobile device, Smart TV or Samsung websites. We encrypt sensitive information (like your credit card details) for enhanced security; and
• When you save your personal information (e.g., name, phone number, email, mailing or shipping address) to fill in and use for participating Samsung or third party apps, websites, or services. You can back up user IDs & passwords to log in quickly using biometric authentication. Such biometric information is stored only on your device, and Samsung does not collect or have access to this information.
You also may provide us information when you register a product through our product registration process.
In addition, when you contact customer service about the Services, your communications, including any information you provide regarding your identity and product or service you’re contacting us about, may be collected.
Information We Collect While Using Specific ServicesWith your Samsung account, certain services and features become available. For example, you can back up your data and restore it anytime, or synchronize your data between your Samsung devices, share your profile and files with others, and find your device when it’s lost. For these services and features to work, we need to collect certain information, including the following :
• Sync and back-up : Some features allow you to sync, back-up and restore your data on Samsung mobile devices and Smart TVs. For example, you can back-up or sync certain data to our cloud service. The data you choose to back-up or sync will automatically be sent to and stored by Samsung.
• Call & Text : If you enable Call & text on other devices, we may collect information such as contacts, messages, and message and call logs so you can experience multi-device communication. To properly sync calls to your secondary device, we may momentarily access your calls to relay them to your secondary device in real time. We do not maintain a copy of these calls.
• Membership benefits : Your Samsung account makes coupons, discounts and gift cards available to you, and you can earn rewards points when purchasing Samsung products and services. We collect information regarding these coupons, discounts, gift card and your reward points, and how and where you spend or redeem them.
• Social Media : You can connect and interact with other Samsung account users on our social media platforms, such as Samsung Members Community. We may collect content you provide through or on the Community, such as your profile information, posts and comments (including media you upload) and information on the products you register (including warranty information), as well as communication (including information you submit) with our customer team and other Community members (including the content of personal messages).
• Group Sharing :
o Group Sharing allows you to easily share files and other information, such as notes, reminders, calendar entries, gallery photos, and your and your contacts’ phone numbers and profile information with other Samsung account users, and allows you to display profile images of your contacts within your contacts list and when you receive calls.
o When you create or join a group and share notes, reminders, calendar entries, or gallery photos, all content and files you share will be visible to all other members of the group. The group leader will always have permission to delete or edit entries submitted by anyone in the group. If you are not the group leader, you can delete or edit shared reminder, calendar, and gallery entries at any time while you are a member of the group. Other members will also be able to delete or edit your shared entries. For shared note entries, while you are a member of the group, you may only delete or edit entries (including entries you submit) if the group leader grants you permission. Other members will also be able to edit or delete your shared note entries after receiving permission from the group leader.
o We may collect the contents and information you share with the group, as well as your and your contacts’ phone numbers and profile information.
o If you leave or are removed from a group, all of your shared entries that you have not deleted will remain in the group for other members to see and edit. If you later wish to access or delete those entries, you would need to re-join the group and obtain any needed permissions from the group leader. Once you are no longer a member of a group, we will not be able to associate you with any of your shared entries or grant you access to those entries.
• Quick Share : The Quick Share feature, available on certain Galaxy devices, enables you to quickly share photos, videos, and files. Quick Share can be used to share contents between Galaxy devices in close proximity to each other via the device-to-device method. Quick Share can also be used to share contents by sending a link that can be used to access the shared contents using any internet-connected device. When using this method, we may collect the contents you share, which will remain available for 3 days before it is automatically deleted.
• Security : Your Samsung account offers several security features, including SmartThings Find and Secure Wi-Fi. If you choose to use these features, we may collect information such as your device’s physical location, recent calls and text messages, touch interactions, your device’s PIN, password or pattern, subscription details and Digital Key details.
The use of certain features may require you to register for other Samsung services. For example, to use SmartThings Find through SmartThings, you may be required to register for SmartThings. For more information about how SmartThings processes your information, please review the SmartThings Privacy Notice.
• Account and service linking : Certain third party apps or services may allow you to link your Samsung account to that third party’s account for easy log in and to access enhanced features. Note that such third-party websites, apps, services, and features may operate independently from Samsung and may have their own privacy notices or policies, which you should review to understand how they process your information.
• Device and Service Information :
i.
: such as model, device name, device configuration and settings, connected devices, sales code, MCC (mobile country code); MNC (mobile network code) and when your device was first used or purchased;
ii.
: such as version and configuration, and operating system version; and
iii.
: such as IMEI, IP address, serial number, MAC address and other unique device or service identifiers (such as Android ID, Smart TV identifiers, variable unique device ID, and service ID).
• Log and Usage Information : Diagnostic, technical, error, and usage information such as time and duration of your use of the Services, traffic usage, and touch interaction.
• Other information about your use of your Samsung account, such as the features and services you use, purchase history and subscriptions, and how you interact with content offered through your Samsung account.
We may collect personal information about your online activities on websites and connected devices over time and across third-party websites, devices, apps and other online features and services. We may use third-party analytics services, such as Google Analytics and Firebase Analytics. The information we obtain may be disclosed to or collected directly by these providers and other relevant third parties who use the information, for example, to evaluate use of the Services and to help improve the Services. To learn more about Google Analytics, please visit https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/partners/. To learn more about Firebase Analytics, please visit https://firebase.google.com/policies/analytics.
How We Use the Information We ObtainWe may use the information we collect for the purposes described in the Samsung US Privacy Policy and the following:
• To identify and authenticate you so you can use the Services;
• To improve and customize your experience with the Services, such as delivering content and responses tailored to you and the way you interact with the Services;
• To link your Samsung account to connected third-party devices, apps, features or services;
• To respond to your requests, inquiries, and instructions made through or about the Services;
• For marketing and advertising purposes, such as to deliver advertising, including customized advertisements, sponsored content, and promotional communications;
• With your separate consent, we may use your precise geolocation to notify you when you are near participating Samsung or third-party stores offering benefits or coupons or for other purposes explained at the time you provide your consent; and/or
• To allow you to interact with and use participating Samsung and third-party apps and services.
We may use and combine the information we collect about you from our Services with data from other services or features you use, your devices, and other sources as well as information about your online activities on websites and connected devices over time and across third-party websites, devices, apps, and other online features and services.
Information SharingAs stated above, this Privacy Notice supplements the Samsung US Privacy Policy (available at https://account.samsung.com/membership/terms/privacypolicy), which describes our information sharing practices.
Children’s Section
This Children’s Section describes our personal information practices with respect to your child’s creation and use of a Samsung account, and the services and features available to your child (“Child Services”).
Information We Obtain From Your ChildWhen you first create a Samsung account for your child, we may ask you for certain information such as your child’s name, nickname, date of birth, gender, phone number, password and email address. When your child uses their Samsung account and the features and services available, we may collect information about your child’s device and connected devices and the Samsung apps, services and features they use. This information includes unique device identifiers, hardware, software, network (including connection and Bluetooth) and settings information, usage and log information (such as how long or when your child uses a certain device, app [including the list of apps installed on the device], service or feature, including third-party devices, apps, services, or features).
With a Samsung account, the following basic features will automatically be available to your child:
• Samsung Cloud: Securely back up devices logged into with a Samsung account and sync data across Galaxy devices.
• SmartThings Find: Locate lost devices even when the device is not connected to a network, and protect data of lost devices.
• Group Sharing: Share a variety of content with family and friends on certain basic Samsung apps.
• Call & Text On Other Devices: Use your phone’s number to make and receive calls and texts on your other Samsung devices.
• Samsung Members:
o Quickly ask questions to customer service
o Connect with other Samsung account members on our Community Board
In addition, your child will be able to access the following Samsung apps through their Samsung account. Please click each app’s privacy notice (hyperlinked below) for information on how we may use and disclose the personal information we collect from your child through their use of the app.
• Galaxy Store : Discover and download the best apps, as well as exclusive content and themes for your child’s Galaxy phone or tablet.
• Bixby Voice : Control services and features within Samsung devices using your voice.
• Galaxy Wearable : Use and control various Galaxy wearables, such as watches, bands and earbuds.
• SmartThings : Monitor and control connected devices within SmartThings, both inside and outside the home.
Through the above features and apps, Samsung may collect the following information about or from your child:
• Synced data, such as information we save for back-up purposes or that your child may choose to save to our cloud
• Contact lists when your child uses a certain feature that requires this information, such as the use of Group Sharing or certain capsules on Bixby Voice
• Downloaded, recommended, or played apps or games through or from the Galaxy Store, including when such apps are downloaded, installed, or deleted, as well as when your child starts, resumes, suspends, or finishes games or completes certain events within these games (e.g. tutorials)
• Information that gets passed through our servers to provide your child a service, such as calls and messages when providing the “Call & text on other devices” service
• Videos and images if your child connects a camera or other device through SmartThings that permits the taking of videos and images
• Information that gets provided to us and communications between your child and us or third parties, such as when your child contacts customer service or uses our Community Board
• Voice information, such as when your child makes voice commands using Bixby Voice
• Geolocation information
For child users with a Samsung account, Samsung enables children to make their personal information available publicly, for example, through postings to message boards.
We may use third-party analytics services on the above services, such as Google Analytics and Firebase Analytics. The information we obtain may be disclosed to, or collected directly by, these providers and other relevant third parties who use the information, for example, to evaluate the use of the above services or to help administer them. To learn more about Google Analytics, please visit https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/partners/. To learn more about Firebase Analytics, please visit https://firebase.google.com/policies/analytics/.
How We Use Your Child’s InformationWe may use the information collected from your child for the following purposes:
• To identify and authenticate your child so your child can use the Child Services
• To provide any of the Child Services, including any of their features. Such features may include syncing data, providing a location-based service such as finding a lost device, sharing information to other Samsung account users and other features available within the Child Services
• To improve and customize your child’s experience with the Child Services, such as delivering content and responses tailored to your child and the way your child interacts with the services and features
• To allow your child to interact with and use participating Samsung and third-party apps and services (such as when using a third-party service through one of the Child Services)
• To respond to requests, inquiries and instructions made through or about the Child Services
• To operate, evaluate and improve our business, including developing new products and services, managing our communications, analyzing our services and customer base, aggregating and anonymizing data, performing data analytics and undertaking accounting, auditing and other internal functions
• To protect against, identify and prevent fraud and other criminal activity, claims and other liabilities
• To comply with and enforce applicable legal requirements, relevant industry standards and our policies
We may share your child’s personal information with our subsidiaries and affiliates, as well as with service providers who perform services for us. We do not authorize our service providers to use or disclose the information except as necessary to perform services on our behalf or to comply with legal requirements. In addition, we may share your personal information with our business partners, such as wireless carriers, as well as third parties who operate apps and services that connect with certain Child Services.
We may share personal information we collect through the Child Services if you ask us to do so, or otherwise with your consent. We also may disclose information about your child in other circumstances, including:
• To law enforcement authorities, government or public agencies or officials, regulators, and/or any other person or entity with appropriate legal authority or justification for receipt of such information, if required or permitted to do so by law or legal process
• When we believe disclosure is necessary or appropriate to prevent physical harm or financial loss, or in connection with an investigation of suspected or actual fraudulent or illegal activity
• In the event we may or do sell or transfer all or a portion of our business or assets (including in the event of a merger, acquisition, joint venture, reorganization, divestiture, dissolution, or liquidation)
In addition, certain operators may collect or maintain your child’s personal information through your child’s use of their Samsung account and the Child Services. For a complete list of operators, including contact information for inquiries, click here.
Parents’ RightsYou have the option at any time to review or delete the personal information collected from your child. You may do so by submitting a request here.
You can also refuse to permit the further collection or use of your child’s personal information by deleting your child’s Samsung account. To do so, have your child log in to their Samsung account (https://account.samsung.com/membership/intro) then click “Leave Samsung account”. For certain services like Bixby Voice, Galaxy Wearable, SmartThings, or Samsung Members, you can go into your own Samsung account settings > Family > Select your child’s account > Allowed apps.
Notice to Colorado, Connecticut, Utah and Virginia ResidentsIf you are a Colorado, Connecticut, Utah or Virginia resident, for more information about privacy rights that may be available to you subject to applicable law, please see the section of the Samsung U.S. Privacy Policy called “Your Rights and Choices,” available at https://account.samsung.com/membership/terms/privacypolicy.
Notice to California ResidentsCalifornian consumers can find out more about their privacy rights in the “California Consumer Privacy Statement” available at https://www.samsung.com/us/account/privacy-policy/california.
Updates to This Privacy NoticeWe may update this Privacy Notice from time to time and without prior notice to you to reflect changes in our personal information practices with respect to the Services. We will indicate at the top of this Privacy Notice when it was most recently updated.
Contact Us
Privacy Office
Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
85 Challenger Road
Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660
1-800-SAMSUNG (1-800-726-7864)
[email protected]