Consumer rights and digital advocacy groups in the U.S. are calling on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to address a growing issue: companies using software updates to make devices unusable. This practice forces customers to buy new products or pay hidden fees to keep their existing devices functional. The call for action comes as frustration grows over devices becoming obsolete—not due to hardware failure. But because manufacturers stop supporting them with essential software updates.
Consumer Advocates Urge FTC to Stop Software-Induced Device Obsolescence
The Problem of Device Obsolescence
In today’s tech-driven world, many products stop working long before they should. Not because they’re physically broken, but because manufacturers either stop updating the software or introduce fees for services that were previously free. This practice leaves consumers stuck with expensive gadgets that become unusable or outdated far too soon.
Advocates argue that this trend needs to change. They believe that consumers deserve devices that continue to work after their purchase, even if the manufacturers stop offering updates. If companies meet their demands, it could lead to longer-lasting products, fewer hidden fees, and fairer treatment for consumers.
A Push for Change
This movement gained traction after activists sent an eight-page letter to the FTC, outlining cases where software updates—or the lack thereof—made once-functional devices obsolete. One example in the letter was a high-tech denim jacket, created by Google and Levi’s, which lets users control their Android devices through a special app. However, the jacket will lose all its functionality once 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 became useless just two years after launch when Spotify stopped supporting it. Frustratingly, customers weren’t offered any refunds or alternatives, leaving them with a non-functional device. These cases highlight how quickly companies can abandon products, leaving consumers to bear the financial burden.
Who’s 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 are advocating for stronger consumer protections and pushing manufacturers to take accountability for their practices.
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Environmental organizations have also joined the fight, arguing that these practices not only harm consumers but also contribute to electronic waste. When companies prematurely stop supporting devices, consumers are often forced to throw them away, which adds to the growing problem of tech waste filling up landfills. These groups see a clear connection between sustainability and consumer protection. Emphasizing that longer-lasting devices would benefit both consumers and the environment.
What Activists Want from the FTC
The letter to the FTC calls for specific regulations to stop companies from using software updates to limit the lifespan of their products. This practice, sometimes referred to as “software addiction,” forces consumers to rely on continued software support to keep their devices functioning. When that support is pulled, the product becomes obsolete, even if the hardware is still in good working order.
Activists want the FTC to create clear guidelines that would stop 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 as long as the hardware lasts, without being forced into unwanted software updates or surprise fees. They also believe that companies should not introduce additional costs after the initial purchase. As this essentially traps consumers into paying more to keep their devices working.
The Stakes for Consumers
If the FTC takes action in favor of these demands, it could reshape how tech companies treat their products. Devices that once became obsolete due to discontinued software support might continue to work for years after their release. The result would be longer-lasting gadgets, fewer hidden costs, and a reduction in the need to constantly upgrade to the latest model.
For consumers, this could mean avoiding unexpected fees and extending the lifespan of their devices. Imagine a world where your smartphone or smart home device keeps working even after the company stops sending software updates. The idea is simple: if the hardware still works, so should the product.
Looking Forward
As this movement gains momentum, attention is on how the FTC will respond. A favorable ruling could lead to significant changes across the tech industry. Ensuring that consumers get more value from their purchases and aren’t left with useless devices due to software issues. This could also set an important precedent, affecting everything from smartphones to smart home devices, and even products like fitness trackers and wearables.
In a time where technology plays such a big role in daily life, consumers deserve devices that last and provide value over time. The hope is that the FTC will step in to protect consumers from unfair practices. Making forced obsolescence and surprise fees a thing of the past.
If successful, this movement could bring about a new era of fairer, longer-lasting products, benefiting consumers, the environment, and the marketplace as a whole.