Cisco backtracks on cloud-based router strategy
Networking giant responds to customer privacy complaints about home router setup.


A consumer backlash has forced networking giant Cisco to drop plans to force users to manage their home routers from the cloud.
The vendor had previously forced through an update on two of its home routers, the EA4500 and the EA2700, to upgrade to the company's "Cisco Cloud Connect" service.
But the cloud-based wireless router management tool prompted a plethora of privacy complaints from disgruntled users.
The firm received complaints about its requests for personal data and its updated terms of service that barred customers from using the web for "obscene, pornographic, or offensive purposes". It was also claimed the change would allow Cisco to snoop on people's online activity.
Despite attempts to quash these fears, the company has now conceded, announcing that Cisco Cloud Connect will no longer be the default management tool for the router's advanced settings.
Cisco's home vice president, Brett Wingo, confirmed the move in a blog post: "In response to our customers' concerns, we have simplified the process for opting-out of the Cisco Connect Cloud service and have changed the default setting back to traditional router set-up and management."
While customers are no longer forced to sign up to the cloud service, the on-premise router management doesn't have the advanced settings that the cloud service offers.
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
Cisco said customers could now downgrade their routers to the previous version, but hasn't made it clear whether these downgrades will get any firmware updates in the future.
"Cisco Connect Cloud and Cisco Linksys routers do not monitor or store information about how our customers are using the internet and we do not arbitrarily disconnect customers from the nternet," Wingo added.
"The Cisco Connect Cloud service has never monitored customers' internet usage, nor was it designed to do so, and we will clarify this in an update to the terms of service."
Rene Millman is a freelance writer and broadcaster who covers cybersecurity, AI, IoT, and the cloud. He also works as a contributing analyst at GigaOm and has previously worked as an analyst for Gartner covering the infrastructure market. He has made numerous television appearances to give his views and expertise on technology trends and companies that affect and shape our lives. You can follow Rene Millman on Twitter.
-
What is polymorphic malware?
Explainer Polymorphic malware constantly changes its code to avoid detection, making it a top cybersecurity threat that demands advanced, behavior-based defenses
-
Outgoing Kaseya CEO teases "this is just the beginning" for the company
Opinion We spoke to Fred Voccola who remains a key figurehead at the firm as it enters its next chapter...
-
Global chip shortage hits Cisco supply chain
News CFO Scott Herren said that issues will last until at least the end of 2021
-
Cisco expects chip shortage to last at least another six months
News Chuck Robbins says the situation is bound to improve over the “next 12 to 18 months”
-
Cisco's new SD-WAN routers bring 5G and virtualization to enterprises
News Aggregated service routers have been designed with large enterprises and cloud service providers in mind
-
Cisco introduces new Catalyst 8000 Series Edge platforms
News New platforms offer secure connectivity and greater visibility into applications across cloud, data center and edge networks
-
Why Apple wants iOS in Cisco's "fast lane"
News Cisco and Apple are teaming up to help get more iOS devices into the enterprise
-
EMC World 2015: VCE unveils VxRack for mobile and cloud apps
News "Hyper-converged" system can scale out to thousands of racks
-
Q&A: Rob Ray, IT Director at The FA
In-depth We speak to Rob Ray, IT Director at The FA, about the £100 million sports facility that is due to open this summer.
-
Cisco dumps umi videoconferencing service
News The networking giant ditches umi less than two years after its launch.