Consumer and digital advocacy groups in the US are asking the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to address a growing problem: Companies using software updates to render devices unusable, forcing customers to buy new products or pay hidden fees to keep their existing devices functional. The call to action comes amid growing frustration over device obsolescence — not because of hardware failure, but because manufacturers have stopped supporting them with essential software updates.
Consumer Advocates Urge FTC to Stop Software-Driven Device Obsolescence
The Problem of Device Obsolescence
In today’s technology-driven world, many products stop working long before they should. Not because they physically break, but because manufacturers either stop updating software or charge for services that were once free. This practice leaves consumers with expensive devices that quickly become unusable or outdated.
Advocates argue that this trend needs to change. They believe consumers deserve devices that continue to work after they’ve purchased them, even if manufacturers stop offering updates. If companies meet their demands, it could lead to longer-lasting products, fewer hidden fees, and fairer treatment for consumers.
One Step For Change
The movement gained momentum after activists sent an eight-page letter to the FTC outlining cases where software updates (or lack thereof) rendered once-functional devices obsolete. One example in the letter was a high-tech denim jacket created by Google and Levi’s that allowed users to control their Android devices via a dedicated app. However, the jacket will lose all functionality when the app is discontinued in 2023.
Another example is Spotify’s “Car Thing,” a device designed to improve in-car music streaming. Despite its initial popularity, the product was rendered useless just two years after its launch when Spotify stopped supporting it. Frustratingly, customers were not offered any refunds or alternatives, leaving them with a dysfunctional device. These cases show how quickly companies can abandon products and leave consumers to shoulder the financial burden.
Who is behind the movement?
Several major organizations are pushing for change, including Consumer Reports, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), iFixit (a popular tech repair company), and the Software Freedom Conservancy. These groups advocate for stronger consumer protections and push manufacturers to take responsibility for their practices.
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Environmental groups have also joined the fight, arguing that these practices not only harm consumers, but also contribute to e-waste. When companies stop supporting devices early, consumers are often forced to throw them away, contributing to the growing problem of tech waste filling up landfills. These groups see a clear connection between sustainability and consumer protection, stressing that longer-lasting devices would benefit both consumers and the environment.
What Do Activists Want from the FTC?
The letter to the FTC calls for specific regulations to prevent companies from using software updates to limit the lifespan of their products. This practice, sometimes called “software dependency,” forces consumers to rely on ongoing software support to keep their devices working. When that support is withdrawn, the product becomes obsolete, even if the hardware is still in good working order.
Activists want the FTC to create clear guidelines that would prevent manufacturers from restricting a product’s functionality after purchase. They argue that once a consumer buys a device, they should be able to use it for the life of the hardware, without being forced into unwanted software updates or surprise fees. They also believe that companies should not impose additional costs after the initial purchase, as this would force consumers to pay more to keep their devices working.
Risks for Consumers
If the FTC were to act in favor of these demands, it could reshape how tech companies treat their products. Devices that were once outdated due to software support being discontinued could continue to work for years after they were released. The result would be longer-lasting devices, fewer hidden costs, and a reduced need to constantly upgrade to the latest model.
For consumers, this could mean avoiding unexpected charges and extending the lifespan of their devices. Imagine a world where your smartphone or smart home device still works after the company stops sending out software updates. The idea is simple: If the hardware still works, the product should work, too.
Looking forward
As this movement gains momentum, attention is turning to how the FTC responds. A positive ruling could lead to significant changes in the tech industry, ensuring consumers get more value from their purchases and aren’t stuck with useless devices due to software issues. It could also set a significant precedent affecting everything from smartphones to smart home devices and even products like fitness trackers and wearables.
At a time when technology plays such a large role in everyday life, consumers deserve devices that last and provide value over time. Hopefully, the FTC will step in to protect consumers from unfair practices, making forced obsolescence and surprise fees a thing of the past.
If successful, the movement could usher in a new era of fairer, longer-lasting products that will benefit consumers, the environment and the marketplace as a whole.