Which one is passing by to sell which one?! Starbucks accused of "hunting and killing marketing"

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Yesterday, Dahe Daily reported that a blogger published a blog post on the Internet accusing Starbucks of marketing model, which attracted the attention of many netizens.

According to the blogger, he recently received a promotional push from the Starbucks App and found that the push content was based on the real-time accurate positioning of the App users, recommending the "one bean and two drinks" campaign of stores that were passing by. What surprised the party concerned was that the content was not just pushed once, but "chased me all the way and promoted the store wherever I went."

According to Starbucks App privacy policy, there are only three business scenarios in which apps use users 'precise location information (i.e. precise geographical location) to find nearby stores, order food, shop or book services, and participate in specific activities. Therefore, in the eyes of the parties, Starbucks is based on users. The practice of locating information and pursuing promotional content has caused certain trouble for users.

In addition, the blogger said that the privacy policy of Starbucks 'Weixin Mini Programs does mention that location information can be used to "display promotional information," but that was a scenario of actively opening Mini programs, not a passive acceptance of push harassment. The parties concerned believe that Starbucks should immediately stop promotional push based on precise positioning and publicly explain the legal basis and user authorization process for this function. If no relevant explanation is given, the user should be given a formal apology and rectification plan.

Netizens have their own opinions on Starbucks '"hunting and killing marketing" feedback from users. Some consumers who support the blogger's views believe that brands may over-collect users 'personal information. For consumers who value personal privacy, this marketing model will only be annoying.

However, some onlookers pointed out that many apps nowadays quietly collect user information during use and push suitable promotional content after big data calculations. They believe that Starbucks 'marketing methods are not too big a problem.

In response, media reporters asked Starbucks customer service to learn about the situation. The other party responded that "we don't know yet and have reported back to the public relations department on the content of the relevant complaint."

It is worth mentioning that public information shows that Starbucks has repeatedly involved issues related to the security of users 'privacy information in the China market, and has been notified and interviewed by regulatory authorities many times due to personal information collection issues. According to media reports, in June 2023, due to consumer reporting clues and investigations by law enforcement officers from the Shanghai City Cyberspace Administration and the Shanghai City Market Supervision Bureau, Starbucks frequently induced users to request user information and induce consumers to pay attention to public accounts.

In April 2025, Starbucks officially issued a notice stating that the company attaches great importance to and actively responded to the guidance put forward by law enforcement agencies in the "Special Enforcement Action for Personal Information Protection in the Consumer Field." It conducted self-inspection as soon as possible and provided feedback to regulatory authorities and consumers. Relevant issues raised by consumers are being actively adjusted and improved.

However, in June this year, the National Cyber Security Notification Center released a message saying that after testing by the National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center, 64 mobile applications that illegally collected and used personal information were found, and Starbucks Apps and Weixin Mini Programs appeared in its notification list.

Picture from: Internet

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