Samsung requires man to sign NDA before replacing faulty phone

Despite the phone only being six days old and under warranty, the NDA seemed to try to paint Samsung as a company doing an undeserved favor. (Source: Brian Lim)

A Singaporean man whose S7 Edge overheated was surprised to be served an NDA before Samsung would agree to replace his phone.

Douglas Black, Published 03/30/2017

In what can only be described as poor timing right before Samsung's launch of the S8, a scandalous bit of news has just come out of Singapore regarding the Korean electronics giant. A month ago, Singaporean Brian Lim allegedly purchased a Galaxy S7 Edge. Just a few days later, he reported that his phone had overheated and died. When he returned to the service center to pick up his replacement, he got quite a surprise: a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that the company required him to sign before giving him his due replacement.

The document (seen right), requires the signee to not "directly or indirectly (including anonymously or by pseudonym) make, issue, release, disseminate, publish, or re-publish to the media (including without limitation, Facebook, Twitter, or in any other way on the internet) or to any person or entity any statement, comment or remark that would tend to disparage, derogate, criticize, embarrass or humiliate Samsung." Lim did not sign the document and instead contacted Samsung regarding the NDA. Samsung replied that the document was "standard"—a statement corroborated by at least one other user, who claimed that he was forced to sign a similar NDA for his Samsung Note 2, according to Droid Report.

The wording of the NDA makes it clear that Samsung is trying to prevent customers who are victims of faulty devices from spreading their grievances while at the same time releasing Samsung from its own liability and responsibility. Samsung has yet to make an official statement in regards to the allegations.