ASUS Firmware update privacy policy?

[daylight]

I agreed but after some time I changed my mind and want to disagree. Possible to change that?

 

[wouterv]

I don't see much odd in the privacy statement, it sounds quite obvious.
To update the router with the correct firmware or security updates, they need to know certain details of the router.
Like if you want new tires for your car, they need to know quite some details of your car. Or if you want to buy a new shirt in a proper old fashioned way they have to measure your neck, the length of your arms and the span of your belly.
If you don't like all of that you can manual update the router (with the risk to miss an update or load the wrong file) or buy a ready to wear standard size X or XL shirt.

 

[bennor]

I agreed but after some time I changed my mind and want to disagree. Possible to change that?

Yes, start by going to the Administration > Firmware page and setting both Auto Firmware Upgrade and Security Upgrade to Off. Then go to the Administration > Privacy (or Policy) page and select the Withdraw button(s) for firmware/security upgrades.

It appears, per the language in those notices that Asus, if they feel it's warranted, may still push security or firmware updates to the router (when using stock Asus firmware) even if you completely disable those options.

 

[daylight]

There was no setting called "Auto Firmware Upgrade," but I successfully changed the other settings you mentioned. BTW I use Asuswrt-Merlin firmware.

Also I did a big upgrade jump from 386.7_2 to 386.14_2, does anybody know if that's OK to do that?

 

[bennor]

There was no setting called "Auto Firmware Upgrade," but I successfully changed the other settings you mentioned. BTW I use Asuswrt-Merlin firmware.

Also I did a big upgrade jump from 386.7_2 to 386.14_2, does anybody know if that's OK to do that?

The Asus-Merlin firmware does not have the "Auto Firmware Upgrade" option. The stock Asus firmware does. Pro tip: it helps others to properly answer your question(s) if you include the router model and firmware version you are running on your router; since features and options may be different between Asus stock firmware and Asus-Merlin firmware and between router models.

Just update the firmware as you normally would. When doing a large jump between firmware versions some will recommend doing a hard factory reset and manual configuration. Do not import a saved router.CFG file due to the differences in settings/features between the very old firmware and the latest or newer firmware. And as always read the Asus-Merlin release notes. The developer typically puts special instructions for firmware updates in the release notes if those special instructions are needed.

 

[iFrogMac]

I agreed but after some time I changed my mind and want to disagree. Possible to change that?

You may be able to by doing a factory reset, but I'm not 100% on that. I know the trend micro agreement allows you to opt out without a factory reset. Usually what I do, is agree to everything up front then disable the features later that I don't want turned on automatically. However, reading through this thread and others, it seems like in the end, the options really don't matter, and Asus has the final say in whether, or not an update is installed or not.
With that said, I've never had an update forced on either one of my Asus routers after disabling automatic updates. I leave security updates set to automatic as the text under that setting suggests that updates Asus deems mandatory will still get installed regardless of the toggle