Beware of the eBook reader as a potential snitch. From the second you buy an electronic book or borrow one from the library, data is potentially being logged about your title, your reading speed, whether you skip to the end, and even your location - and that’s just the start of the spying.
The next time you dive into an eBook, you may want to consider what your reading habits reveal and review our top tips to protect your privacy. We looked at five options to get you started.
Kindle eReader (or download the Kindle app)
Kindle eReaders are wildly popular (TechRadar ranks the Kindle Paperwhite, 2021 as one of the top-tier eReaders, while The New York Timespicked the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids) but does the convenience come at the price of privacy? The good news is that Kindle doesn't have Alexa built in, so voice requests are not tracked. It is also possible to read a Kindle eBook without Bluetooth and WiFi. What Kindle does potentially register, however, are your shopping habits, the books you read, identifying information including payment information, your age, location, IP address, financial information, and Wi-Fi credentials if you choose to automatically synchronize them with other WiFi devices.
• Review your privacy settings and opt out of data collection and processing when it makes you uncomfortable. • Set your privacy preferences on your Kindle individually.
Kobo eReaders
Toronto-based Kobo eReaders supports open-source book files and their range stretches from no-bells-and-whistles eReaders to water-resistant models with lots of storage capacity. (TechRadar picked Kobo Libra 2 as the top eReader for 2023). Kobo is not linked to Amazon, which you may consider a bonus. Also, Kobo appears to be a good choice for readers who borrow free books from the library. With Kindle, you can borrow from public libraries in the US. With Kobo, you can borrow in the US, UK, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and select countries in Europe and Asia.
So far, so good. But privacy advocates will want to consider that Kobo's eReaders do collect data, generally when you register for a Kobo Account or log into an existing account; interact with the Kobo Services or marketing team; order products or content; use Kobo Services to access electronic content; or contact Kobo for customer care. They may also sell your online identifiers and information about your online activity or share your personal information with third parties for marketing.
Check Kobo’s Privacy Policy to see exactly what info they’re gathering on you. Kobo says you can request that data they have on you be corrected but it doesn’t appear to be possible to delete it unless you live in California or certain European Union economic areas where special rules apply.
Top Tips:
• Read Kobo’s Privacy Policy before you hand over your information. • Kobo recommends you change your password regularly to prevent outsider from snooping.
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Beware of the eBook reader as a potential snitch. From the second you buy an electronic book or borrow one from the library, data is potentially being logged about your title, your reading speed, whether you skip to the end, and even your location - and that’s just the start of the spying.
The next time you dive into an eBook, you may want to consider what your reading habits reveal and review our top tips to protect your privacy. We looked at five options to get you started.
Kindle eReader (or download the Kindle app)
Kindle eReaders are wildly popular (TechRadar ranks the Kindle Paperwhite, 2021 as one of the top-tier eReaders, while The New York Timespicked the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids) but does the convenience come at the price of privacy? The good news is that Kindle doesn't have Alexa built in, so voice requests are not tracked. It is also possible to read a Kindle eBook without Bluetooth and WiFi. What Kindle does potentially register, however, are your shopping habits, the books you read, identifying information including payment information, your age, location, IP address, financial information, and Wi-Fi credentials if you choose to automatically synchronize them with other WiFi devices.
• Review your privacy settings and opt out of data collection and processing when it makes you uncomfortable. • Set your privacy preferences on your Kindle individually.
Kobo eReaders
Toronto-based Kobo eReaders supports open-source book files and their range stretches from no-bells-and-whistles eReaders to water-resistant models with lots of storage capacity. (TechRadar picked Kobo Libra 2 as the top eReader for 2023). Kobo is not linked to Amazon, which you may consider a bonus. Also, Kobo appears to be a good choice for readers who borrow free books from the library. With Kindle, you can borrow from public libraries in the US. With Kobo, you can borrow in the US, UK, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and select countries in Europe and Asia.
So far, so good. But privacy advocates will want to consider that Kobo's eReaders do collect data, generally when you register for a Kobo Account or log into an existing account; interact with the Kobo Services or marketing team; order products or content; use Kobo Services to access electronic content; or contact Kobo for customer care. They may also sell your online identifiers and information about your online activity or share your personal information with third parties for marketing.
Check Kobo’s Privacy Policy to see exactly what info they’re gathering on you. Kobo says you can request that data they have on you be corrected but it doesn’t appear to be possible to delete it unless you live in California or certain European Union economic areas where special rules apply.
Top Tips:
• Read Kobo’s Privacy Policy before you hand over your information. • Kobo recommends you change your password regularly to prevent outsider from snooping.
The PocketBook Era has a sleek look and it is an all-rounder when it comes to reading. TechRadar rates the Copper Sunset model in particular as one of the best-looking eReaders they’ve tested but how does it stack up when it comes to privacy? Download the Privacy Notice and find out. The Swiss-based company (formerly of Ukraine) says it doesn’t collect any kind of personal identity, contract, financial, or transaction data about you through its eReader.
They do collect technical Data such as your login data, time zone setting and location, browser plug-in types and versions, operating system and platform and other technology on the devices you use to access their website as well as usage data about how you use their eReader - for example, how you use your book library, information concerning which bottoms on the eReader you click, which you do not, how often do you use bottoms, turning on/off the device, setting font options, changing the interface language, sending archive, changing the library settings, and setting the read mode. We note that at the top right side of the page, it says the information has not been updated since May 25, 2018, so beware there may have been privacy changes that haven’t been updated on the website.
Top Tips:
• Parents/guardians can contact privacy@pocketbook-int.com to ask if they hold personal information on your child (i16 and under) and request its removal.
Onyx Boox Note Air2 and other eReaders
Onyx Boox bills itself as an elegant E Ink tablet ideal for taking notes and reading large-format documents. What’s not to like? On the positive side, Onyx Boox runs an Android operating system and is versatile when it comes to large screens and note taking. Onyx Boox is based in China, so the product isn’t sold on multiple platforms in the West, although it is not hard to track it down via Onyx Boox's website (beware of resellers). On the downside, the tech experts at Mozilla found the product details a bit ‘sketchy’. There doesn’t appear to be an actual eReader privacy policy for individual devices like the Note Air2 (just a general policy) so it isn’t clear what personal information the eReaders collect or how it is used. That’s a red flag.
Top Tips:
• Buyer beware. Do your research if privacy is a concern. • Before your purchase, ensure you are buying from a legitimate site and not a reseller so you get the security updates.
Apple Books app vs Google Play Books
The good news is that Apple received the highest overall score and the only "pass" rating in the eReader test conducted by Common Sense Education (2020) and you can buy Apple Books on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Mac. Ultimately, however, your choice of eReader or app may come down to your personal privacy concerns so read the Apple Books' privacy policy before you leap. There might be a better alternative for your needs. For example, Google Play Books on the Lenovo Smart Tab M10 came in a close second to Apple Books in their overall score, but lost points in the concern category of selling data and the use of advertising and tracking practices. You'll need to consider what privacy features you rank as the most important and choose your device or app accordingly.
Top Tips:
• Who will use the eReader or app the most? The privacy settings that suit an adult may not be suitable for a child under 16. • If you want total privacy, buy a paperback or hardback in cash.
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