DHL collects a surveillance Oscar: that’s behind the app requirement
Receiving and sending parcels via DHL has long been part of our everyday life – not just since online shopping and the pandemic. But the past few years have brought real innovations, one of which is now getting its fat off. DHL secures the Big Brother Award with the App requirement for Packstations.
DHL awarded: Compulsory app brings a disgraceful price
More and more of the yellow DHL Packstations can be found in Germany. DHL customers can pick up or send their parcels at train stations, in supermarket parking lots, at gas stations, even simply integrated into large residential complexes. But the whole concept has had a catch for a year now, which is now getting DHL into trouble. You don’t stand a chance without an app on your smartphone.
Since April 1, 2022, parcels can officially only be picked up from the DHL Packstations via the app. The delivery company now has that Big Brother Award brought in. It is awarded by the Bielefeld association Digitalcourage. The name of the award already makes it clear: Nobody is honored here, but ostracized for overly free handling of data and user security.
DHL was chosen in the consumer protection category because with the changeover to the Post&DHL app “digital coercion”. Customers would be forced to use their smartphone and the app. “The Post & DHL app sends unsolicited data to tracking companies. This digital compulsion deserves particular criticism, because here a former state-owned company excludes citizens from an important basic service,” so the club.
There are several alternatives to DHL for parcel shipping:
Previously, registered customers could access their packages with their customer number and passcode. In some cases this is still possible at older stations. However, new ones tend to be today only equipped with a scanner. A QR code is generated via the app, which is only valid for a short time and with which the package can be picked up.
The plan to close further post offices in the future and to replace them with post offices is not well received by the association. Such stations should take over the tasks of branches, but require a certain basic digital understanding.
Microsoft and Zoom get their fat off
In addition to the Deutsche Post DHL Group, among other things Microsoft for life’s work zoom for allegedly illegal practices as well as that Federal Ministry of Finance awarded the negative prize for a hidden compulsion to retain data.
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