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Re:22,000 smart thermostats in Colorado locked over ‘energy ... by InTheArena on Sunday September 04, 2022 @10:20AM (#32713333)
Except I have been trying to opt out for more then a year and half. I also tried again when this message popped up.It happened because I clicked enable on the ecobee app, and there is no effective way to cancel it.

- source actually affected by this.

Re:22,000 smart thermostats in Colorado locked over ‘energy ... by Implicated on Sunday September 04, 2022 @10:30AM (#32713462)
And you've been unsuccessful/unable to opt out?
Re:22,000 smart thermostats in Colorado locked over ‘energy ... by InTheArena on Sunday September 04, 2022 @11:43AM (#32714218)
Yep.

Typical dark pattern, very easy to accidently opt in, impossible to opt out. You have to call, and as you might imagine, could not get through.

It also doesn't help that the opt-in was not done by me, but by the builder, who set the ecobees up in that manner (new build). It's part of the "energy efficiency" that they offered.

Re:22,000 smart thermostats in Colorado locked over ‘energy ... by _fat_santa on Sunday September 04, 2022 @10:24AM (#32713370)
Well it is Xcel energy after all....
Re:22,000 smart thermostats in Colorado locked over ‘energy ... by ToniCipriani on Sunday September 04, 2022 @10:32AM (#32713475)
Actually it's not just them. I have it for my local area hydro company in Canada, it's the same thing. I can't find where to cancel at all.

EDIT: So I did some digging, and it's confusing to say the least. In the app, it points you to the Google store page when you tap more info about the program. A search points to a page that tells you to contact your hydro company. On my hydro company's page, there is ZERO information about this, then a second search that landed me on Google Support page, which finally mentions the program is administered by some company in the US that is "partnered" with my hydro company, hidden deep inside the terms and conditions. And on that page, it says I actually have to call Google to unsubscribe.

Re:22,000 smart thermostats in Colorado locked over ‘energy ... by hansvm on Sunday September 04, 2022 @11:08AM (#32713867)
> I actually have to call Google to unsubscribe.

I've had zero luck with this ever. They're quite friendly at the Googleplex though and capable of redirecting your request wherever it needs to go.

Re:22,000 smart thermostats in Colorado locked over ‘energy ... by metadat on Sunday September 04, 2022 @11:08AM (#32713872)
How do you call Google about this? I've never found a working number.