verification across home-robot brands Primary intent: Buyer guidance
(privacy due diligence before purchase)
When buyers check privacy terms before buying a robot vacuum, many stop at one
policy link on the brand website.
That is often not enough.
Across major brands, policy scope can be structured differently: one brand may
cover website + app + device in one policy, while another separates app and
device policies.
This guide compares official policy texts and shows a practical verification
workflow you can use before checkout.
Source table (primary sources)
| Source | Type | Accessed |
|---|---|---|
| https://www.irobot.com/en_US/legal/privacy-policy.html | Manufacturer privacy policy | 2026-03-10 |
| https://files.roborock.com/iot/doc/397ea9a965384ecc80b8e2bed3d1448d.html | Official Roborock App Privacy Policy | 2026-03-10 |
| https://www.ecovacs.com/us/privacy-policy | Manufacturer website privacy policy | 2026-03-10 |
| https://gl-us-wap.ecovacs.com/content/agreementNewest/PRIVACY/DEFAULT/DEFAULT | Official ECOVACS HOME Privacy Policy | 2026-03-10 |
What the primary sources confirm
1) iRobot uses one broad policy scope for website, app, and devices
In iRobot's privacy policy, scope language states that the notice applies to
"websites, mobile applications, services, and devices" (with an explicit
exception for educational robots).
The same policy also describes device-environment data categories such as Wi-Fi
details, floorplan/room information, and object/floor-type context for supported
products.
Practical takeaway: iRobot's main privacy policy is designed as a central
document for multiple surfaces, not only the website.
2) Roborock explicitly separates app policy scope from device policy scope
In the Roborock App Privacy Policy, scope language says it applies only to the
Roborock App and does not automatically cover all other Roborock
products/services/websites.
The same text also states that personal-information processing when using a
Device is subject to the corresponding device privacy policy.
Practical takeaway: if you only read the app policy, you may miss
device-specific processing details documented elsewhere.
3) ECOVACS also uses layered policy coverage
In the ECOVACS US website privacy policy, the text says users should refer to a
separate ECOVACS HOME App privacy policy for details about personal-information
processing related to app/device usage.
In the ECOVACS HOME Privacy Policy, scope text states that it explains
processing when using the app to control/administer the device, and when using
the device itself.
Practical takeaway: ECOVACS policy coverage is also layered; website policy and
app/device policy are not the same document.
Why this matters before you buy
If you compare brands using only one privacy page per brand, you can make a
false apples-to-apples comparison.
A better approach is policy-scope parity:
- Read each brand's website policy.
- Confirm whether app and device processing are included there.
- If scope is split, read the additional app and/or device policy.
- Only then compare categories like map data, Wi-Fi data, logs, images, and
retention/deletion controls.
7-step privacy scope check (buyer workflow)
- Find the policy page linked from the storefront checkout/footer.
- Locate explicit scope language (website only vs website+app+device).
- Search that page for terms like "App", "Device", "separate privacy policy",
and "does not apply".
- Open each referenced linked policy and confirm which product surface it
governs.
- Document version markers ("Last Updated" / "Effective Date") for every
document.
- Compare like-for-like surfaces across brands (app-to-app, device-to-device),
not mixed scope.
- Save screenshots/PDFs of the exact policy versions used for your purchase
decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is one privacy policy link enough for robot-vacuum due diligence?
Not always. The sources in this guide show that some brands use layered policy
structures where app and device processing are documented in separate policies.
Does layered policy structure automatically mean worse privacy?
No. Structure alone does not prove better or worse privacy outcomes. It means
your review process must include all relevant documents before you compare
brands.
What is the fastest way to avoid missing critical terms?
Use a scope-first check: confirm coverage boundaries first, then compare data
categories and controls across matching policy types.
Internal links for deeper comparison
- Robot pages: iRobot Roomba j9+,
- Manufacturers: iRobot,
Sources & References
- iRobot — Privacy Policy: https://www.irobot.com/en_US/legal/privacy-policy.html (accessed 2026-03-10)
- Roborock — Roborock App Privacy Policy: https://files.roborock.com/iot/doc/397ea9a965384ecc80b8e2bed3d1448d.html (accessed 2026-03-10)
- ECOVACS — Privacy Policy (US website): https://www.ecovacs.com/us/privacy-policy (accessed 2026-03-10)
- ECOVACS — ECOVACS HOME Privacy Policy: https://gl-us-wap.ecovacs.com/content/agreementNewest/PRIVACY/DEFAULT/DEFAULT (accessed 2026-03-10)