Reolink T&Cs update 29 Jan 2024

breezer

The terms and conditions on the Android app changed and forced me accept before getting into the app proper today, and they didn't offer a "here's what changed" section or explanation. It's quite a long document and in kinda legal style, so most people I'm sure just click accept. But I wanted to dig a little - and getting at the text from the app was harder - why no copy paste on that reolink/link to the terms so it can open in your own browser if you for instance prefer to read it with different style or with a tool that helps you for accessibility?

So I copy-pasted them into documents and used a free comparison tool website to look at the differences. Its mostly formatting and re-wording without changing the meaning (but I am not a lawyer), and being more explicit (e.g. "Reolink" instead of "this" or "our"), and that anyone who hacks your account or other person with non-consensual access isn't seen as legit user of services, or a "password holder" who would be allowed to use it (multiple places where one possible interpretation allowed that before). Sometimes the wording is just made more explicit and less standard-legalese, e.g. from "Your rights" ... "may not be used for commercial activities" and are "non-transferrable", reworded to "You may not resell"... or otherwise "make available for third parties".

The general pattern of changes how I see it, is of internationalisation (rewording or removing USA-specific terms to be more general), tightening up/being more explicit about what the reverse-engineering parts refer to and that they can terminate services for it.

Summary of differences I spotted that were slightly less than trivial:
New "harmful or objectionable" term in ways you aren't allowed to use the service
Instead of "please contact us" if you find any unauthorized use, its "You agree to notify us immediately", noting the standard "Reolink will not be liable for any loss or damage"
More explicit about "decompiling or reverse engineering"
Added "We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to refuse service, terminate accounts, cancel orders, or terminate your rights to use Reolink Services."

There's a big set of changes under where "Prohibited Contents and Behaviours" section is now removing USA-specific terms relating to the constitution and following laws (those obviously apply anyway, but only in USA).

Reolink actually removed items in here about their right to review content and delete anything illegal (that doesn't mean they don't have the right anymore, depending on laws obviously), they also took out one absolving Reolink of liability for loss from contents you submit.
Removed statement about what they use IP addresses for (analyse trends, tracking etc).
Added that their liability for damage is limited to last 6 months before a claim is made or $100, whichever greater.
Added clause so you aren't allowed to use it from a sanctioned country (under "Export Controls")
It used to say changes to T&Cs were published on the website, but now explicitly says they become active once posted; that they will make efforts to notify you (yay! the "informed" part of informed consent! Noone likes people changing the rules from under them, cos people typically don't go checking the terms and doing a difference comparison every time they use it - that would be utterly unreasonable). But users are specifically encouraged to check them "periodically for modifications". I'm doing a check for modifications. But please, Reolink, listing differences (or linking to a 3rd party service we can trust that shows them) would be great each time. And don't block selection+copying within the app for that page - its public info, I don't want to have to google for a document thats in front of me to look at it on a bigger screen than my phone/be able to compare! Accessibility!
Added "Reolink makes no commitment to timely update such information" (on the website)
Reolink may remove/block your access at its sole discretion
"You agree to indemnify Reolink" for losses/damages (kind of said earlier too) due to your use of the services
Added a severability clause

I can't link to my comparison but I used draftable (free online service that can compare documents, after I saved each one copy-pasted into a Word doc). Remember, I'm not a lawyer, and I might have missed something or misrepresented but I did my best to check it (for my own satisfaction) given the things I care about more/less. If you're a company, or likely to otherwise have notably different use or engagement with the services than me (who is a resident in the UK), I recommend you do your own checks.