Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

The Pirate Bay

2026-03-05T19:44:43Z

Cabaron: /* User Freedom */ Made a few sentences less comfusing

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=This needs Citation! (generally)}}{{StubNotice|This needs citation! (It has 0!)=yeah theres no citation at all, If there is, Please remove this, Or change this message!}}

The Pirate Bay is a service which provides easy to access links which allow users to install anything they want, No matter the applicible laws. The Pirate Bay is likely seen as a dangerous, And illegal platform.{{ProductCargo
|ReleaseYear=2003
|InProduction=No
|ArticleType=Service
|Category=Websites
|Logo=The Pirate Bay logo.svg
|Website=https://thepiratebay.org/index.html
|Description=The Pirate Bay is a website which provides links towards a service / program "Torrent", Mainly used as a gateway towards installing products for free.
}}
==Consumer-impact summary==

===User Freedom===
The Pirate Bay is a browsing website, A user of it is allowed to search for anything they feel need in installing. No matter if the user is searching for an illegal installation or not.

===User Privacy===
The Pirate Bay does not destribute it's data to third-parties. The Pirate Bay does not save private information, As they do not have any features that hold personal information to begin with.

===Market Control===
Companies who work in techonology see The Pirate Bay as a direct threat to gaining revenue through products, Although many users of the pirate bay proclaim that getting things for free is almost never used for michief, And a user of The Pirate Bay has a chance to support their business as long as they feel the need to through the quality of their product.

==Incidents==
{{Ph-C-Inc}}
======

==See also==
{{Ph-C-SA}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

The Pirate Bay

2026-02-21T20:29:36Z

Cabaron:

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=This needs Citation! (generally)}}{{StubNotice|This needs citation! (It has 0!)=yeah theres no citation at all, If there is, Please remove this, Or change this message!}}

The Pirate Bay is a service which provides easy to access links which allow users to install anything they want, No matter the applicible laws. The Pirate Bay is likely seen as a dangerous, And illegal platform.{{ProductCargo
|ReleaseYear=2003
|InProduction=No
|ArticleType=Service
|Category=Websites
|Logo=The Pirate Bay logo.svg
|Website=https://thepiratebay.org/index.html
|Description=The Pirate Bay is a website which provides links towards a service / program "Torrent", Mainly used as a gateway towards installing products for free.
}}
==Consumer-impact summary==

===User Freedom===
The Pirate Bay is a browsing website, A user of it is allowed to search for anything they feel need in installing. No matter if the user is searching for an illegal product or not.

===User Privacy===
The Pirate Bay does not save any data other than what it serves, A user is allowed to create an account in order to upload downloading information to the pirate bay. What the account has does is the main information that is saved on The Pirate Bay

===Market Control===
Companies who work in techonology see The Pirate Bay as a direct threat to gaining revenue through products, Although many users of the pirate bay proclaim that getting things for free is almost never used for michief, And the user who uses The Pirate Bay is likely a person who is likely someone who will support their business as long as they feel the need to through the quality of their product.

==Incidents==
{{Ph-C-Inc}}
======

==See also==
{{Ph-C-SA}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

The Pirate Bay

2026-02-21T20:27:48Z

Cabaron: I wrote stuff! woohoo!

{{StubNotice|This needs citation! (It has 0!)=yeah theres no citation at all, If there is, Please remove this, Or change this message!}}

The Pirate Bay is a service which provides easy to access links which allow users to install anything they want, No matter the applicible laws. The Pirate Bay is likely seen as a dangerous, And illegal platform.{{ProductCargo
|ReleaseYear=2003
|InProduction=No
|ArticleType=Service
|Category=Websites
|Logo=The Pirate Bay logo.svg
|Website=https://thepiratebay.org/index.html
|Description=The Pirate Bay is a website which provides links towards a service / program "Torrent", Mainly used as a gateway towards installing products for free.
}}
==Consumer-impact summary==

=== User Freedom ===
The Pirate Bay is a browsing website, A user of it is allowed to search for anything they feel need in installing. No matter if the user is searching for an illegal product or not.

=== User Privacy ===
The Pirate Bay does not save any data other than what it serves, A user is allowed to create an account in order to upload downloading information to the pirate bay. What the account has does is the main information that is saved on The Pirate Bay

=== Market Control ===
Companies who work in techonology see The Pirate Bay as a direct threat to gaining revenue through products, Although many users of the pirate bay proclaim that getting things for free is almost never used for michief, And the user who uses The Pirate Bay is likely a person who is likely someone who will support their business as long as they feel the need to through the quality of their product.

==Incidents==
{{Ph-C-Inc}}
======

==See also==
{{Ph-C-SA}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

The Pirate Bay

2026-02-21T20:00:54Z

Cabaron: I made the pirate bay page :D

{{ProductCargo
|ReleaseYear=2003
|InProduction=No
|ArticleType=Service
|Category=Websites
|Logo=The Pirate Bay logo.svg
|Website=https://thepiratebay.org/index.html
|Description=The Pirate Bay is a website which provides links towards a service / program "Torrent", Mainly used as a gateway towards installing products for free.
}}
{{Ph-C-Int}}

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}

==Incidents==
{{Ph-C-Inc}}
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents related to this product. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{PAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Example incident one (''date'')===
{{Main|link to the main CR Wiki article}}
Short summary of the incident (could be the same as the summary preceding the article).
===Example incident two (''date'')===
...

==See also==
{{Ph-C-SA}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

File:The Pirate Bay logo.svg

2026-02-21T19:58:02Z

Cabaron:

PeerTube

2026-02-05T17:13:35Z

Cabaron: Added peertube info idk

{{StubNotice}}{{ProductCargo
|Company=Framasoft
|ReleaseYear=2018
|InProduction=No
|ArticleType=Service
|Category=Social media, Media player
|Logo=Peertube logo.svg
|Website=https://peertube.tv/
|Description=PeerTube is a platform that lets users post videos (just like youtube), But also allows users to host their own channels with their own servers.
}}PeerTube is an open-source platform that uses peer-to-peer techonology to host it's own platform, Users are expected to host their own channel via their own hardware, Instead of posting it to a PeerTube server.<ref>https://joinpeertube.org/</ref><ref>https://streamdiag.com/streaming-services/peertube-common-questions-answered-10439/</ref>

==Consumer-impact summary==

=== User Freedom ===
PeerTube lets people make their own website that is connected to PeerTube where they can customize how their website looks, Or acts.<ref>https://docs.joinpeertube.org/use/library</ref>

PeerTube does not moderate content making the platform unsafe<ref>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42389394</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/PeerTube/comments/xe7fmp/questions_about_peertube/</ref>, Except PeerTube expects the channel owner to moderate their own channel<ref>https://docs.joinpeertube.org/admin/moderation</ref>. Yet still working towards User Freedom as there are no restrictions to what you are able to post.

=== User Privacy ===
PeerTube currently respects privacy as it doesn't track anything<ref>https://joinpeertube.org/</ref>. Due to this, Even if people gain access to PeerTube servers, They will not be able to gain any sensitive information for there is none.

=== Business Model ===
PeerTube' Business Model is that they concider their users as people, Not as a product, And that letting people own their own channel being their main goal for their product.

=== Market Control ===
PeerTube has control over the main PeerTube website, Where you view your main PeerTube feed. Although channels cannot be deleted or removed by PeerTube owners.

==Incidents==
[please add an incident]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

PeerTube

2026-02-05T16:21:15Z

Cabaron: Created page with "{{ProductCargo |Company=Framasoft |ReleaseYear=2018 |InProduction=No |ArticleType=Service |Category=Social media, Media player |Logo=Peertube logo.svg |Website=https://peertube.tv/ |Description=PeerTube is a platform that lets users post videos (just like youtube), But also allows users to host their own channels with their own servers. }} {{Ph-C-Int}} ==Consumer-impact summary== {{Ph-C-CIS}} ==Incidents== {{Ph-C-Inc}} This is a list of all consumer-protection i..."

{{ProductCargo
|Company=Framasoft
|ReleaseYear=2018
|InProduction=No
|ArticleType=Service
|Category=Social media, Media player
|Logo=Peertube logo.svg
|Website=https://peertube.tv/
|Description=PeerTube is a platform that lets users post videos (just like youtube), But also allows users to host their own channels with their own servers.
}}
{{Ph-C-Int}}

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}

==Incidents==
{{Ph-C-Inc}}
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents related to this product. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{PAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Example incident one (''date'')===
{{Main|link to the main CR Wiki article}}
Short summary of the incident (could be the same as the summary preceding the article).
===Example incident two (''date'')===
...

==See also==
{{Ph-C-SA}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

File:Peertube logo.svg

2026-02-05T16:07:17Z

Cabaron:

Google search engine supports opaqueness for companies

2026-02-01T18:21:09Z

Cabaron: Made this page a little bit more "factful"

The Google Search Engine is suspected for supporting opaqueness and sterileness, forcing business models to be changed to show up higher when searching with the Google Search Engine.<ref>https://youtube.com/channel/UCl2mFZoRqjw_ELax4Yisf6w</ref>

=== Google decides for you. ===
When searching for things while using Google, Google uses multiple data points to give you the results it thinks is best. This includes google deciding if a website is of high quality or not<ref>https://www.designer-websites.co.uk/blog/post/how-google-ranks-search-results Go to "Content Quality"</ref>. If a websites wording is not of Google's liking, Then google will hide the website lower down on it's reccomendations. Even if thats the website you are looking for.
[[category:Google]]

Google search engine supports opaqueness for companies

2026-01-31T16:54:20Z

Cabaron:

The Google Search Engine has and is supporting opaqueness and sterality when in turn of the order websites appear in. The Google Search Engine controls the world wide market<ref>https://gs.statcounter.com/browser-market-share</ref>, The order of which website is shown is important to every business, The average person being most likely to click on the first 1-3 links shown when searching the web<ref>https://firstpagesage.com/reports/google-click-through-rates-ctrs-by-ranking-position/</ref>. By having a selective bias against transparency, Google supports companies who keep their websites as opaque and corporate as their algorithem wants.

==Background==
Louis Rossmann has posted a video at 1/31/26 titled "[https://youtu.be/II2QF9JwtLc Google is killing authentic websites & I made it worse😔]" where he shows that when searching "hard drive data recovery service" his website only appears from 5-20 in links order only if his text is sterile / corporate<ref>https://youtu.be/II2QF9JwtLc?t=579</ref>.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[category:Google]]

Google search engine supports opaqueness for companies

2026-01-31T16:53:25Z

Cabaron: Added text (in general)

Google search engine supports opaqueness for companies

2026-01-31T16:26:26Z

Cabaron: The Google Search Engine supports opaqueness (and opposes negativeness)

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Google
|ProductLine=Google
|Product=Google Chrome, Google Search Engine
|ArticleType=Service
|Type=Advertising, Speech
|Description=The Google Search Engine supports opaqueness (and opposes negativeness) when searching for websites.
}}
{{Ph-I-Int}}
==Background==
{{Ph-I-B}}

==[Incident]==
{{Ph-I-I}}

===[Company]'s response===
{{Ph-I-ComR}}

==Lawsuit==
{{Ph-I-L}}

==Consumer response==
{{Ph-I-ConR}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}

Roblox

2026-01-30T21:41:13Z

Cabaron: /* Condo Games */ Removed things to be more "onto the ground", /* Problematic moderation */ I did things there too 🤷

{{Incomplete}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Description=American gaming platform featuring user-generated games with microtransactions, primarily targeted towards children.
|Founded=2004
|Industry=Gaming
|Logo=Roblox.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Public
|Website=https://roblox.com/
}}
[[wikipedia:Roblox|'''Roblox''']] is an online platform which lets users create their own games, as well as all sorts of virtual items for their personal avatars. The platform is owned by the Roblox Corporation.

Users create games through Roblox Studio, an application separate from the Roblox Player. Roblox Studio can be used by a user to create digital backups of the games they create. These backups are stored on their hard drive and can not be altered by the Roblox Corporation.

==Consumer impact summary==
*'''User freedom:''' Documented in section 11 of the Roblox Terms of Use,<ref name="disputeResolution">https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/115004647846-Roblox-Terms-of-Use#dispute-resolution-user-roblox</ref> the user agrees to resolve disputes through Mandatory Informal Dispute Resolution (MIDR).<ref name="disputeResolution"></ref> If MIDR does not resolve a dispute, users within the United States are forced to proceed under [[Forced arbitration|binding arbitration]]. In order to initiate MIDR, users are required to send a physically-written notice by certified mail or through Federal Express.
*'''User privacy:''' All operations related to Roblox must, to some extent, occur on servers that Roblox owns. For example, it is nearly impossible to play a Roblox game without interacting with the Roblox servers. Roblox servers are not end to end encrypted, allowing possible vulnerabilities. Roblox explicitly states that they monitor all user activity to see if it complies with their rules.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Restricted Content Policy |url=https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/115004630823-Roblox-Privacy-and-Cookie-Policy#posting-content |url-status=live |access-date=12 Aug 2025 |website=Roblox |at=Posting content}}</ref>
*'''Business model:''' Roblox profits off of an exclusive currency purchased with real-world currency called ''Robux'', and it is often used an an intermediary for microtransactions on the platform for user-generated content (UGC) such as cosmetics. Roblox is known to also make money off of collaborations that function as advertisements, such as with IKEA.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Jun 3, 2024 |title=IKEA is opening a new store on Roblox… and you could be paid to work there! |url=https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/newsroom/corporate-news/ikea-is-opening-a-new-store-on-roblox-pub8a9272d0/ |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=Ikea}}</ref>
*'''Market competition:''' Various platforms such as [[Epic Games]]' [https://www.fortnite.com/ Fortnite] and the lesser known Brick Hill<ref>https://brickhill.fandom.com/wiki/History_of_Brick_Hill</ref> by Mooshimity<ref>https://www.trademarkelite.com/uk/trademark/trademark-detail/UK00003523863/Brick-Hill</ref><ref>https://brickhill.fandom.com/wiki/Mooshimity</ref> have been known to emulate how Roblox works. Very few however, are successful in competing against them.
*'''Other information:''' The Roblox Corporation can terminate (delete) a user's account as long as they believe they are violating the Terms of Use.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date= |title=Roblox Terms of Use |url=https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/115004647846-Roblox-Terms-of-Use |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://archive.fo/vproA |archive-date=23 Aug 2025 |access-date=12 Aug 2025 |website=Roblox |page=Section 2}}</ref> Termination can not be revoked.<ref name=":1" /> A terminated user will lose all content they own on Roblox along with their account, including what they purchased with Robux.<ref name=":1" />

==Monetization==
Roblox is a free service which features microtransactions made with Robux, e.g. new accessories, clothing,exclusive content in certain games, and the ability to access certain games. All items purchased on Roblox are stored on Roblox servers alone, so Roblox has the ability to modify or delete the items you own.

On September 9, 2021, Roblox launched an automated process for users to receive Robux back for items they had bought which had been deleted or otherwise moderated<ref>https://www.roblox.com/modcreditagreement/974158ba-99f0-4915-8fde-5b07b3cbbe09</ref>. The Roblox company implemented this change after they got sued for first allowing items to be sold and then deleting them without compensating users that purchased said items<ref>https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/59935306/doe-v-roblox-corporation/</ref>. Until then, there was no refund method in place, meaning that if an item was deleted, Roblox would keep all of the profit they made of said item and sometimes all of the money made from selling said item if the creators account got terminated and the creator hadn't spent their Robux yet.

==Incidents==

===Inappropriate Content===
Throughout the 2020s, Roblox has faced several controversies regarding child safety, including a lawsuit in 2020 over how the platform had allowed two adults to harass a 10-year-old girl, causing her mental health to deteriorate so badly that she resorted to suicide, according to her parents' testimony.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dorsey |first=Edwin |date=2025-08-15 |title=This list is the tip of the iceberg. So many cases go unreported, undetected, or contribute to the deaths of children. Below is one lawsuit in which a 10-year-old girl claimed abuse through Roblox. |url=https://x.com/StockJabber/status/1956415609345851567 |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=Twitter}}</ref>

On 14th August 2025, Louisana Attorney General Liz Murrill filed a lawsuit against Roblox<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murrill |first=Elizabeth |date=2025-08-14 |title=Attorney General Liz Murrill on X |url=https://x.com/AGLizMurrill/status/1956081394083409932 |url-status=live |website=X}}</ref>, alleging child exploitation and the platforming of sexual predators on the platform. Roblox themselves released an official response to the lawsuit on 15th August 2025.

On 6 November 2025, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Roblox, over child safety concerns, accusing the company of "deceiving parents about the dangers of its platform".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Iyer |first=Ram |date=2025-11-07 |title=Texas AG sues Roblox, accusing it of prioritizing ‘pixel pedophiles’ over child safety |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/11/07/texas-ag-sues-roblox-accusing-it-of-prioritizing-pixel-pedophiles-over-child-safety/ |access-date=2025-11-07 |work=TechCrunch}}</ref>

===Accusations of child labor===

In January 2022, ''The Guardian'' published a story accusing Roblox of profiting off child labor with detailed stories of teenagers being scammed and becoming victims of sexual grooming in communities conveniently off the platform.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/games/2022/jan/09/the-trouble-with-roblox-the-video-game-empire-built-on-child-labour</ref> In October 2022, the first of many lawsuits alleging Roblox enabled a girl's sexual exploitation was filed.<ref>https://www.reuters.com/legal/game-company-roblox-enabled-girls-sexual-exploitation-lawsuit-claims-2022-10-05/</ref>

On the 24th of August 2025 the youtube channel People Make Games published a video about Roblox's treatment of children. One of the points in the video is about how Roblox developers own a currency called "Robux" that resembles a new form of [[wikipedia:Company_scrip|Company Scrip]], a currency that is exclusively earned and exchanged in the company. Exchanging it back into a real currency will result in less payment overall, encouraging the use of it inside the company. The currency was made illegal in 1938.

===Blocking Linux users===
In April 2023, Roblox intentionally blocked Linux users playing the game via Wine, a tool used for running Windows apps on POSIX-compliant operating systems, they cite "security and compatibility concerns."<ref>{{Cite web |title= Devforum Post by MrEaker of Roblox |url=https://devforum.roblox.com/t/the-new-roblox-64-bit-byfron-client-forbids-wine-users-from-using-it-most-likely-unintentional/2305528/2}}</ref> This announcement followed Roblox's acquisition of Byfron, as well as their developments towards a 64-bit Roblox client.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Devforum Post by Roblox Announcing Byfron Acquisition|url=https://devforum.roblox.com/t/welcoming-byfron-to-roblox/2018233}}</ref> Despite this change to the client, users were still able to access Roblox Studio, the development application, utilizing Wine.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Devforum Post by Bitdancer regarding Studio|url=https://devforum.roblox.com/t/the-new-roblox-64-bit-byfron-client-forbids-wine-users-from-using-it-most-likely-unintentional/2305528/34}}</ref> In August 2023, an update to Roblox once again allowed users to run Roblox via Wine, and many users opted to use a fork of Wine titled Vinegar made specifically for Roblox.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Devforum Post Discussing Roblox on Linux |url=https://devforum.roblox.com/t/vinegar-the-better-way-to-run-roblox-on-linux/2224394/24}}</ref> In February of 2024, Roblox would go back on their decision and ban the use of Wine for the Roblox Client, citing extended use of Wine-based exploits, Roblox Studio remains available under wine.<ref>{{Cite web |title= VinegarHQ 2024 Roblox on Linux Block FAQ |url=https://vinegarhq.org/Home/rol_faq.html}}</ref> In August 2024, the Vinegar team would release Sober, a closed-source application utilizing a translation layer to access the Roblox client via a mobile Android package kit (APK).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sober - Roblox on Linux |url=https://sober.vinegarhq.org/ |access-date=12 Aug 2025}}</ref> In April 2025, Roblox engineer Bitdancer would state on the Roblox Devforums that they see no reason to block Sober, but that they may disable it as a side effect of changes in security. <ref>{{Cite web|title=Devforum Post by Bitdancer regarding Sober|url=https://devforum.roblox.com/t/roblox-security-changes-break-nvidia-ansel-vulkan-layer-support/3601172/40}}</ref>

===Problematic moderation===
{{Main|Roblox's problematic moderation}}
Roblox as a platform has been known by consumers to moderate content in ways that are inconsistent. The platform's chat moderation feature censors inoffensive speech,<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/Gregheffley95 |date=Feb 26, 2021 |title=Roblox censors almost everything |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/roblox/comments/lsxpex/roblox_censors_almost_everything/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619214011/https://old.reddit.com/r/roblox/comments/lsxpex/roblox_censors_almost_everything/ |archive-date=Jun 19, 2023 |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> including numbers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Mar 7, 2017 |title=Why the hell are numbers censored! |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/roblox/comments/5y0w3z/why_the_hell_are_numbers_censored/ |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]] - r/Roblox}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=JParty |date=Feb 24, 2017 |title=Updates to Chat Privacy API + New Account Indicators + Changes to Text Filtering APIs |url=https://devforum.roblox.com/t/updates-to-chat-privacy-api-new-account-indicators-changes-to-text-filtering-apis/33867 |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=Roblox Dev Forum}}</ref>

In recent years, moderation has been documented to neglect handling child predators, only handling the most egregious of actors after massive consumer backlash<ref>{{Cite news |last=Olivia |first=Carville |last2=D’Anastasio |first2=Cecilia |date=Jul 22, 2024 |title=Roblox’s Pedophile Problem |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2024-roblox-pedophile-problem/ |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |work=Bloomberg}}</ref> or lawsuits,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tanenbaum |first=Michael |date=Feb 25, 2025 |title=Family from N.J. sues Roblox and Discord, claiming platforms are 'hunting ground' for child predators |url=https://www.phillyvoice.com/new-jersey-familys-suit-alleges-roblox-discord-are-hunting-ground-child-predators/ |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |work=Philly Voice}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=Aug 8, 2025 |title=‘Breeding ground for predators’: Roblox sued by DeKalb 10-year-old’s family |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/breeding-ground-predators-roblox-sued-150622871.html |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |work=WSBTV 2 Atlanta}}</ref> and in many cases, these individuals tend to have their bans reversed.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Schlep |date=Aug 9, 2025 |title=Roblox Is Threatening to Sue Me For Protecting Kids |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMqAw_NjHK8&t |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> Additionally, the platform has been documented to host various mature experiences,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schlep |date=Jan 9, 2024 |title=this simulator should NOT be on roblox... |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMdacOJxmjU |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schlep |date=Apr 14, 2024 |title=Roblox Needs to BAN These Games... |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE3FeYfJOhw |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> which have been recorded to be used as breeding grounds for predatory behavior.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schlep |date=Feb 7, 2024 |title=I Caught a Roblox PREDATOR in this game... |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQMSc-9jGMQ |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> This neglect has gone so far as to the platform threatening litigation against individuals attempting to get child predators reported to authorities.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Huang |first=Marcus |date=Aug 9, 2025 |title=Roblox YouTuber Battles Child Predators {{!}} Accounts Terminated Amid Backlash |url=https://leveluptalk.com/news/roblox-youtuber-fights-child-predators-banned/ |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |work=Level Up Talk}}</ref>

According to Ruben Sim, the Roblox report system (which allows users to 'report' rule-violating behavior to Roblox moderators) often had a success rate of 20%<ref>https://youtu.be/Q-s0sLZ4oJA?t=52</ref> ([https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zqJJSNm2utDjFDwtIkQGo6jh3OtyYZhzpyRI-UnxQbA/edit?tab=t.0 Ruben Sims Documentation]), With the Roblox community theorizing a very low chance "Near ZERO" said in one forum<ref>https://devforum.roblox.com/t/the-chance-of-a-successful-appeal-near-zero/2985866</ref>. even when obviously rule-violating accounts possessing usernames which were distorted versions of minor-sexualizing phrases such as "14 year old slut".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sim |first=Ruben |date=22 Dec 2023 |title=Do Roblox Reports Really Work? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-s0sLZ4oJA&ab_channel=RubenSim |url-status=live |access-date=12 Aug 2025 |website=Youtube |type=Video}}</ref><ref>https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zqJJSNm2utDjFDwtIkQGo6jh3OtyYZhzpyRI-UnxQbA/edit?tab=t.0</ref>
===Condo Games===
"Condo" games on Roblox are a type of game which simulates sex between Roblox avatars. According to the policies on Romantic and Sexual Content, "Any content which explicitly [depicts] sexual content or nudity is against the rules of Roblox<ref>{{Cite web |title=Restricted Content Policy |url=https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/15869919570708-Restricted-Content-Policy |url-status=live |access-date=12 Aug 2025 |website=Roblox |at=Romantic and Sexual Content}}</ref>". Due to the rule-violating nature of these games and how they can harm the fanbase of Roblox (Which is overwhelmingly composed of young children<ref>https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/wiki/what-percent-of-roblox-users-are-kids/</ref><ref>https://www.statista.com/statistics/1190869/roblox-games-users-global-distribution-age/</ref>'')'', they are often removed by Roblox moderation.

However, due to the potentially backup-creating nature of Roblox Studio, creators of these Condo games can endlessly republish these offending games under alternate accounts as long as they keep the backup file. Roblox has added an 18+ experiences, Although Roblox still announces sexual themes are still highly prohibited<ref>https://devforum.roblox.com/t/updating-age-requirements-for-experiences-with-%E2%80%98restricted%E2%80%99-content-maturity-label/3905863</ref>. Still, condo games almost never mark themselves as 18+<ref>https://www.roblox.com/discover/?Keyword=r35</ref>, allowing underage users to potentially be harmed.

===Predator-hunting groups===
In 9th August, 2025, Roblox issued a Cease and Desist to Roblox predator hunting channel RealSchlep<ref>{{Cite web |author=RealSchlep |date=9 Aug 2025 |title=Schlep on X posting about his Cease and Desist |url=https://x.com/RealSchlep/status/1954255952997478537 |url-status=live |access-date=14 Aug 2025 |website=X}}</ref>. "Schlep used the method of acting like an underage person (decoy) to catch bad actors on Roblox. Using this method he got 6 arrests according to his team using Roblox until they issued a Cease and Desist. Roblox added a rule to their Terms of Use<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Matt |date=13 Aug 2025 |title=Roblox on vigilante groups |url=https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/08/more-on-removal-of-vigilantes-from-roblox |url-status=live |access-date=14 Aug 2025 |website=Roblox}}</ref>. Roblox is reassuring their playerbase that the groups do not use the proper channels that Roblox provides to report potential criminals. This sparked even more backlash for the already problematic moderation system, leaving players and parents in doubt if Roblox is even a safe environment for children.

===Age checks to chat===
In 3rd September, 2025, Matt Kaufman (Roblox's Chief Safety Officer) issues an post on their blog announcing their plans to implement facial estimation in order to "provide an accurate measure of a user's age rather than relying on what they type in when creating an account"<ref>''Matt Kaufman (2025-09-03).'' [https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/09/roblox-to-expand-age-estimation-to-all-users "Roblox Announces Ambitious Plan to Expand Age Estimation to All Users"]. ''Roblox's Newsroom. Retrieved 2026-01-22.''</ref>. Later on October, Roblox announces on their developer forum a post titled "Encouraging users to complete an age check to chat", citing a partnership with Persona, which as of early 2026, is currently being sued over biometric data handling<ref>https://law.justia.com/cases/illinois/court-of-appeals-third-appellate-district/2024/3-24-0210.html</ref>. In that same post, they cite that "early next year, users will be required to be age checked to chat on Roblox"<ref>https://devforum.roblox.com/t/test-encouraging-users-to-complete-an-age-check-to-chat/4035155</ref>.

On November, 2025, Roblox released an update that required users on Australia, the Netherlands, and New Zealand to be age verified in order to use chat by either facial estimation or ID verification, which caused outrage amongst users. On January 7th, 2026, they seemingly ignored the outrage and released the update globally<ref>https://devforum.roblox.com/t/age-check-requirement-to-chat-now-live-globally/4226101</ref><ref>''Matt Kaufman and Rajiv Bhatia (2026-01-07).'' [https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2026/01/roblox-age-checks-required-to-chat "A New Era of Safety: Facial Age Checks Now Required to Chat on Roblox"] ''Roblox's Newsroom. Retrieved 2026-01-22.''</ref>.

==References==
<references />
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

File:KnowledgeZenithLogo.png

2026-01-30T07:32:52Z

Cabaron:

Visual Studio Code

2026-01-29T15:42:11Z

Cabaron: tweaked 'Market Control' to a suggestion

{{Stub}}
{{ProductCargo
|Company=Microsoft
|ReleaseYear=2015
|InProduction=Yes
|ArticleType=Product
|Category=Software
|Website=https://code.visualstudio.com
|Logo=Visual Studio Code logo.svg}}

'''[[wikipedia:Visual Studio Code|Visual Studio Code]]''' is an integrated development environment developed by [[Microsoft]] for [[Windows]], Linux, macOS and web browsers.

==Consumer impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}

===Freedom===
The Source Code is available on GitHub under the MIT License.

However, the binaries published by Microsoft are proprietary under the "Microsoft Software License" and ships with closed-source modifications.

Alternate fully open source forks exists like [https://vscodium.com/ VS Codium].

===Market Control===
Visual Studio Code (Also known as VS Code) is widely used upon. with over 50 million develoupers using it as of May 15th, 2025<ref>https://developer.microsoft.com/blog/celebrating-50-million-developers-the-journey-of-visual-studio-and-visual-studio-code</ref>, But the control varies, Due to the software being open-source, Users may switch to other forks, such as previously mentioned '[https://vscodium.com/ VS Codium]', If they are not happy with Visual Studio Code's features.

==Incidents==

===Telemetry enabled by default===
Microsoft's proprietary build sends telemetry data by default<ref>{{Cite web |title=Telemetry |url=https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/configure/telemetry |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251219092557/https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/configure/telemetry |archive-date=19 Dec 2025 |website=VS Code Documentation}}</ref> which goes under [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/privacy/privacystatement Microsoft's Privacy Statement]. It has to be disabled manually by setting <code>telemetry.telemetryLevel</code> to <code>off</code> in the user settings.

===Blocking extensions for third-party forks===
In April 2025, Microsoft pushed an update to the "C/C++" extension for Visual Studio Code that introduced functionality to entirely disable the extension under the condition that it was running inside of a third-party fork of the editor<ref>{{Cite news |last=Claburn |first=Thomas |date=2025-04-24 |title=Devs sound alarm after Microsoft subtracts C/C++ extension from VS Code forks |url=https://www.theregister.com/2025/04/24/microsoft_vs_code_subtracts_cc_extension/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/8SLdN |archive-date=25 Apr 2025 |work=The Register}}</ref>, displaying an error that says:

<span lang="en" dir="ltr">"The C/C++ extension may be used only with Microsoft Visual Studio, Visual Studio for Mac, Visual Studio Code, Azure DevOps, Team Foundation Server, and successor Microsoft products and services to develop and test your applications."</span><ref>{{Cite web |title=VSCodium issues |url=https://github.com/VSCodium/vscodium/issues/2300 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405162831/https://github.com/VSCodium/vscodium/issues/2300 |archive-date=5 Apr 2025 |website="Microsoft C/C++ Extension appears to no longer support unofficial forks of VS Code"}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Cursor issues |url=https://github.com/cursor/cursor/issues/2976 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250625115317/https://github.com/cursor/cursor/issues/2976 |archive-date=25 Jun 2025 |website="Has the VSCode C/C++ Extension been blocked?"}}</ref>

==See also==

*

==References==
<references />
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Visual Studio Code

2026-01-29T15:39:53Z

Cabaron: /* Freedom */ I forgot to save and I don't exactly know what I did.

{{Stub}}
{{ProductCargo
|Company=Microsoft
|ReleaseYear=2015
|InProduction=Yes
|ArticleType=Product
|Category=Software
|Website=https://code.visualstudio.com
|Logo=Visual Studio Code logo.svg}}

'''[[wikipedia:Visual Studio Code|Visual Studio Code]]''' is an integrated development environment developed by [[Microsoft]] for [[Windows]], Linux, macOS and web browsers.

==Consumer impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}

=== Freedom ===
The Source Code is available on GitHub under the MIT License.

However, the binaries published by Microsoft are proprietary under the "Microsoft Software License" and ships with closed-source modifications.

Alternate fully open source forks exists like [https://vscodium.com/ VS Codium].

=== Market Control ===
Visual Studio Code (Also known as VS Code) is widely used upon. with over 50 million develoupers using it as of May 15th, 2025<ref>https://developer.microsoft.com/blog/celebrating-50-million-developers-the-journey-of-visual-studio-and-visual-studio-code</ref>, But the control varies, Due to the software being open-source, Users may switch to other forks such as previously mentioned '[https://vscodium.com/ VS Codium]': If they are not happy with Visual Studio Code's features.

==Incidents==

===Telemetry enabled by default===
Microsoft's proprietary build sends telemetry data by default<ref>{{Cite web |title=Telemetry |url=https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/configure/telemetry |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251219092557/https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/configure/telemetry |archive-date=19 Dec 2025 |website=VS Code Documentation}}</ref> which goes under [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/privacy/privacystatement Microsoft's Privacy Statement]. It has to be disabled manually by setting <code>telemetry.telemetryLevel</code> to <code>off</code> in the user settings.

===Blocking extensions for third-party forks===
In April 2025, Microsoft pushed an update to the "C/C++" extension for Visual Studio Code that introduced functionality to entirely disable the extension under the condition that it was running inside of a third-party fork of the editor<ref>{{Cite news |last=Claburn |first=Thomas |date=2025-04-24 |title=Devs sound alarm after Microsoft subtracts C/C++ extension from VS Code forks |url=https://www.theregister.com/2025/04/24/microsoft_vs_code_subtracts_cc_extension/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/8SLdN |archive-date=25 Apr 2025 |work=The Register}}</ref>, displaying an error that says:

<span lang="en" dir="ltr">"The C/C++ extension may be used only with Microsoft Visual Studio, Visual Studio for Mac, Visual Studio Code, Azure DevOps, Team Foundation Server, and successor Microsoft products and services to develop and test your applications."</span><ref>{{Cite web |title=VSCodium issues |url=https://github.com/VSCodium/vscodium/issues/2300 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405162831/https://github.com/VSCodium/vscodium/issues/2300 |archive-date=5 Apr 2025 |website="Microsoft C/C++ Extension appears to no longer support unofficial forks of VS Code"}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Cursor issues |url=https://github.com/cursor/cursor/issues/2976 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250625115317/https://github.com/cursor/cursor/issues/2976 |archive-date=25 Jun 2025 |website="Has the VSCode C/C++ Extension been blocked?"}}</ref>

==See also==

*

==References==
<references />
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

File:Visual Studio Code logo.svg

2026-01-29T13:38:54Z

Cabaron: Cabaron uploaded a new version of File:Visual Studio Code logo.svg

==Summary==
Visual Studio Code's logo as a SVG sourced from Wikimedia
==Licensing==
{{From Wikimedia}}
[[Category:Logo]]

File:Visual Studio Code logo.svg

2026-01-29T13:35:49Z

Cabaron: Cabaron uploaded a new version of File:Visual Studio Code logo.svg

==Summary==
Visual Studio Code's logo as a SVG sourced from Wikimedia
==Licensing==
{{From Wikimedia}}
[[Category:Logo]]

Deye

2026-01-29T07:07:17Z

Cabaron: Added 'Deye's Website' link in 'See also'

{{CompanyCargo
|Description=
|Founded=1990
|Industry=Electronics, Solar
|Logo=Deye Logo.png
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Private
|Website=https://deye.com
}}
Deye initially started out making dehumidifiers, but the Ningbo, China based company has since become one of the biggest players in the solar inverter market.

==Consumer impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
===Inverters intentionally bricked by manufacturer over the internet (''November 2024'')===
Deye intentionally disabled inverters remotely if they were connected to the internet. Deye has an exclusive agreement with a dealer/distributor in the United States and the bricked devices were the ones thought by them to be imported by unofficial means, citing compliance concerns. However, not only legally purchased devices were affected, also users in other regions found their micro inverters displaying an error message and refusing to operate.<ref>{{Cite web |last=the solarboi |first=derek |date=2024-11-30 |title=Deye Addresses Bricked Inverter Controversy |url=https://solarboi.com/2024/11/30/deye-addresses-bricked-inverter-controversy/ |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=the SOLARBOI}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Knop |first=Dirk |date=2024-11-30 |title=Photovoltaics: Deactivated Deye and Sol-Ark inverters in the USA |url=https://www.heise.de/en/news/Photovoltaics-Deactivated-Deye-and-Sol-Ark-inverters-in-the-USA-10183716.html |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=Heise Online}}</ref>

This raises customer protection concerns if a manufacturer has the ability to destroy or render unusable equipment legally purchased by an individual, but also cyber security concerns if a Chinese company (all of which are controlled by the state as per law of the PRC) or an individual or group who gains control of the system has the power to remotely disable or destroy infrastructure in other countries.
===RelayGate (''July 2023'')===
A group of YouTubers revealed that Deye submitted compliant solar micro inverter devices for certification by German authorities, but later omitted a critical safety component (safety relay) in production runs of several models that were shipped to customers in that area. It was estimated that up to 25% of German balcony micro solar installations were affected. After the scandal went public, Deye offered customers a free additional relay box to retrofit the missing safety component to the relevant devices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Möcker |first=Andrijan |date=2023-07-18 |title=RelayGate: Deye Solar Microinverters Lack Essential Part |url=https://www.heise.de/news/RelayGate-Deye-Solar-Microinverters-Lack-Essential-Part-9220307.html |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=Heise Online}}</ref>

==Ways to operate inverters without internet or a cloud==
For security reasons and in light of precedents of inverters being disabled remotely, it is recommended not to connect an inverter to the internet and to avoid using the manufacturer's cloud services.

Some Deye solar inverters can be used with [https://solar-assistant.io/ SolarAssistant], a solution that runs on the local network on a RaspberryPi and makes all data and settings available to smart home systems via MQTT. It is neither free nor open source, but supports a wide range of inverters and makes the data available using open standards. Many but not all Deye inverters are supported. Unsupported models include the micro inverters affected by the incidents described above.

Alternatively, other brands of inverter which directly offer local APIs without a cloud can be considered. This allows the inverters to be connected to a local smart home system like Home Assistant without going through the manufacturer or even connecting them to the internet. For micro solar installations such as balcony mounted panels with a micro inverter, the [https://emea.apsystems.com/diy/ez1/ APSystems EZ-1] offers a local API out of the box. For bigger installations, companies such as [https://www.fronius.com Fronius] also offer local cloud-free integration.

The [https://github.com/StephanJoubert/home_assistant_solarman SolarMan] integration can be added to Home Assistant and allows collecting the logs but not controlling the device. It is however free and the configuration can still be done through the hardware interface on the inverter.

In both cases, a private VPN can be set up to connect to the home network on the go, a feature found in many prosumer routers. This way monitoring and control is still possible from a mobile device on the go, while the inverter is not exposed to the internet or a cloud.

==See also==
[https://deye.com/ Deye's Website]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

File:Deye Logo.png

2026-01-29T06:38:51Z

Cabaron: Cabaron uploaded a new version of File:Deye Logo.png

[[Category:Logo]]

Nothing

2026-01-25T19:14:44Z

Cabaron: Added stuff idk anymore

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=2020
|Industry=Electronics
|Logo=Nothing_logo.svg
|Type=Private
|Website=https://nothing.tech
|Description=They specialize is Consumer Tech products such as smartphones, Headphones, TWS and smartwatches, known for their design and software experience.
}}

Founded in 2020, '''Nothing Technology Limited''' (stylised as '''NOTHING''') is a British consumer electronics company headquartered in London. They manufacture consumer tech products such as smartphones, smartwatches, headphones, TWS. They are well known for their unique product designs, often featuring transparent hardware and ''Glyph Interface'', a set of LEDs that light up in various patterns to display information on the rear of their smartphones.

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}

=== User Freedom: ===
All nothing phone comes with pre-installed software that isn't allowed to uninstall. As it is being funded by google via Google Ventures<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nothing_(company)</ref> to keep google apps on [[wikipedia:Nothing_OS|NothingOS]] 

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
===Introducing Ads and Bloatware to its lower end phones===
Nothing OS 4.0 (based on android 16) added Lock Glimpses/Ads and Pre-installed Apps (Bloatware) on their lower end phones, like the Phone 3a series which includes Phone (3a) Lite, (3a), the (3a) Pro and CMF Phones.<ref>[https://nothing.community/d/45348-lock-glimpse-future-plans "Lock Glimpse & Future Plans"]</ref> This move is being heavily criticized by consumers as they previously claimed to provide a bloat-free experience on their devices.

The introduction of Essential Search does not permit the users to perform local searches on the device without forcing them to [[:File:Essential Search Terms of Service.png|Terms and Conditions]] and a [[:File:Essential Search Privacy Policy.png|Privacy policy]].

Following this update the company also refuses to provide with a simple alternative for the user to downgrade the device to a previous working state, without the user paying for the repair even under warranty.

===Bluetooth doesn't work===
{{Main|Nothing Phone (1)}}
Several users have reported a recurring issue with the Nothing Phone (1) where the Bluetooth functionality becomes inoperable. Affected devices are unable to activate Bluetooth, with the toggle permanently greyed out or failing to switch on. This malfunction has been described as rendering the feature "completely broken," making it impossible to pair headphones, speakers, or other accessories.<ref name="reddit1">[https://www.reddit.com/r/NothingTech/comments/vytvol/bluetooth_connectivity_issues_on_the_nothing/ "Bluetooth connectivity issues on the Nothing Phone (1)" – Reddit thread]</ref><ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/NothingTech/comments/1c9rsqa/bluetooth_not_turning_on_on_my_phone_1/ "Bluetooth not turning on on my phone (1)" – Reddit thread]</ref>

==Products==

*Phone (3) (July 1st, 2025<ref>https://www.techadvisor.com/article/2156428</ref>): Nothing advertized it's product as a '[https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flagship Flagship]' to hype the product up. The product comes in with a built-in app called 'Nothing Chats', Which was advertized as end-to-end encrypted, Although it is not.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Blake |first=Alex |date=November 20, 2023 |title=Nothing tried to outdo Apple’s RCS; instead it created a privacy disaster |url=https://www.techradar.com/phones/nothing-phones/nothing-tried-to-outdo-apples-rcs-instead-it-created-a-privacy-disaster |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250917220328/https://www.techradar.com/phones/nothing-phones/nothing-tried-to-outdo-apples-rcs-instead-it-created-a-privacy-disaster |archive-date=September 17, 2025 |work=tech radar}}</ref>

==See also==
[https://us.nothing.tech/ Nothing's Website]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Nothing

2026-01-25T17:51:14Z

Cabaron: Fixed up the link not having a date

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=2020
|Industry=Electronics
|Logo=Nothing_logo.svg
|Type=Private
|Website=https://nothing.tech
|Description=They specialize is Consumer Tech products such as smartphones, Headphones, TWS and smartwatches, known for their design and software experience.
}}

Founded in 2020, '''Nothing Technology Limited''' (stylised as '''NOTHING''') is a British consumer electronics company headquartered in London. They manufacture consumer tech products such as smartphones, smartwatches, headphones, TWS. They are well known for their unique product designs, often featuring transparent hardware and ''Glyph Interface'', a set of LEDs that light up in various patterns to display information on the rear of their smartphones.

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
===Introducing Ads and Bloatware to its lower end phones===
Nothing OS 4.0 (based on android 16) added Lock Glimpses/Ads and Pre-installed Apps (Bloatware) on their lower end phones, like the Phone 3a series which includes Phone (3a) Lite, (3a), the (3a) Pro and CMF Phones.<ref>[https://nothing.community/d/45348-lock-glimpse-future-plans "Lock Glimpse & Future Plans"]</ref> This move is being heavily criticized by consumers as they previously claimed to provide a bloat-free experience on their devices.

The introduction of Essential Search does not permit the users to perform local searches on the device without forcing them to [[:File:Essential Search Terms of Service.png|Terms and Conditions]] and a [[:File:Essential Search Privacy Policy.png|Privacy policy]].

Following this update the company also refuses to provide with a simple alternative for the user to downgrade the device to a previous working state, without the user paying for the repair even under warranty.

===Bluetooth doesn't work===
{{Main|Nothing Phone (1)}}
Several users have reported a recurring issue with the Nothing Phone (1) where the Bluetooth functionality becomes inoperable. Affected devices are unable to activate Bluetooth, with the toggle permanently greyed out or failing to switch on. This malfunction has been described as rendering the feature "completely broken," making it impossible to pair headphones, speakers, or other accessories.<ref name="reddit1">[https://www.reddit.com/r/NothingTech/comments/vytvol/bluetooth_connectivity_issues_on_the_nothing/ "Bluetooth connectivity issues on the Nothing Phone (1)" – Reddit thread]</ref><ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/NothingTech/comments/1c9rsqa/bluetooth_not_turning_on_on_my_phone_1/ "Bluetooth not turning on on my phone (1)" – Reddit thread]</ref>

==Products==

*Phone (3) (July 1st, 2025<ref>https://www.techadvisor.com/article/2156428</ref>): Nothing advertized it's product as a '[https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flagship Flagship]' to hype the product up. The product comes in with a built-in app called 'Nothing Chats', Which was advertized as end-to-end encrypted, Although it is not.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Blake |first=Alex |date=November 20, 2023 |title=Nothing tried to outdo Apple’s RCS; instead it created a privacy disaster |url=https://www.techradar.com/phones/nothing-phones/nothing-tried-to-outdo-apples-rcs-instead-it-created-a-privacy-disaster |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250917220328/https://www.techradar.com/phones/nothing-phones/nothing-tried-to-outdo-apples-rcs-instead-it-created-a-privacy-disaster |archive-date=September 17, 2025 |work=tech radar}}</ref>

==See also==
[https://us.nothing.tech/ Nothing's Website]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Canonical

2026-01-24T12:06:34Z

Cabaron: added stub notice

{{Stub}}{{CompanyCargo
|Description=British software company known for developing Ubuntu.
|Founded=2004
|Industry=Computing
|Logo=Canonical logo 2023.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Private
|Website=https://www.canonical.com/
}}
[[wikipedia:Canonical_(company)|'''Canonical''']] is a software company best known for creating Ubuntu, an Operating system based on Linux. It is largely funded by South African billionaire Mark Shuttleworth.

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Placeholder box|Overview of concerns that arise from the company's conduct regarding (if applicable):
* User freedom
* User privacy
* Business model
* Market control}}

==Positives==

===Upstreaming in the Linux ecosystem===
Alongside Red Hat and [[Google]], Canonical makes up a substantial portion of upstream security patches in the Linux ecosystem. They maintain AppArmor,<ref>{{Cite web |title=AppArmor |url=https://apparmor.net/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[AppArmor]]}}</ref> a Linux security system that proactively manages threats, Snap,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The app store for Linux |url=https://snapcraft.io/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Snapcraft]]}}</ref> a Linux appstore with sandbox support, and Livepatch,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Livepatch |url=https://docs.kernel.org/livepatch/livepatch.html |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Livepatch]]}}</ref> a system to patch the Linux kernel without needing to reboot.

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Tracking===
Canonical collects user telemetry from Snap,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Snap Store metrics |url=https://snapcraft.io/docs/snap-store-metrics |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Snapcraft]]}}</ref> which is shipped by default in Ubuntu.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Installing snap on Ubuntu |url=https://snapcraft.io/docs/installing-snap-on-ubuntu |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Snapcraft]]}}</ref>

Previously, Canonical sent local file search queries to their own servers, which were used to recommend ads on Amazon.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stallman |first=Richard |date=12 Jul 2012 |title=Ubuntu Spyware: What to do? |url=https://www.fsf.org/blogs/rms/ubuntu-spyware-what-to-do |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Free Software Foundation]]}}</ref> In 2014, this feature was removed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hoffman |first=Chris |date=29 Oct 2014 |title=Ubuntu’s Unity 8 desktop will remove the Amazon search ‘spyware’ |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/436097/ubuntus-unity-8-desktop-removes-the-amazon-search-spyware.html |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[PCWorld]]}}</ref>

In 2018, telemetry tracking for hardware components, software configuration, and crashes were added in an opt-out model.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-04-06 |title=How to opt-out usage data collection in Ubuntu 18.04 (bionic)? |url=https://superuser.com/questions/1311588/how-to-opt-out-usage-data-collection-in-ubuntu-18-04-bionic |website=Super User}}</ref>[[File:Grafik.png|alt=Running apt update in the terminal shows an ad for Ubuntu Pro|thumb|Running apt update in the terminal shows an ad for Ubuntu Pro]]

===Ad for Ubuntu Pro when using APT (2022.09 - Present)===
In September 2022, Canonical started adding opt-out<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-09 |title=updates - How to get rid of Ubuntu Pro advertisement when updating apt? |url=https://askubuntu.com/questions/1434512/how-to-get-rid-of-ubuntu-pro-advertisement-when-updating-apt |website=askubuntu.com}}</ref> ads for their Ubuntu Pro service when using APT.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sneddon |first=Joey |date=2023-01-26 |title=Ubuntu's New Terminal 'Ad' is Angering Users |url=https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2022/10/ubuntu-pro-terminal-ad |website=OMG! Ubuntu}}</ref>

==Products==

*Ubuntu

==See also==

{{Placeholder box|Link to relevant theme articles or companies with similar incidents.}}

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Software companies]]
[[Category:Linux]]

Dell

2026-01-24T11:45:50Z

Cabaron:

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1984-05-03
|Industry=Personal Computers, Computer Software
|Logo=Dell logo.svg
|ParentCompany=Dell Technologies
|Type=Subsidiary
|Website=https://www.dell.com/
|Description=Dell is a company that makes computing related products such as monitors, desktops, servers and laptops.
}}
==Consumer-impact summary==

=== Business Model ===
Dell's business model is to make high quality laptops for low price.<ref>https://www.strategyzer.com/library/dell-business-model</ref>

=== Market Control ===
Dell is 16.1% of the market at the USA as of 2024<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Market_share_of_personal_computer_vendors</ref>, Showing control being not huge, but great.

==Incidents==
===Dell XPS 13 Plus (Assuming the laptop was released on the same date as the [https://www.windowscentral.com/dell-xps-13-plus-finally-now-available-starting-1249 article] (very unlikely): April 28th, 2022) ===
Dell chooses to release the product 'Dell XPS 13 Plus', Which was not only broken by it's functions, It also was manufactured poorly, As some laptops had their screens easily fall off<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Shilov |first=Anton |date=September 2, 2022 |title=Dell's XPS 13 Plus Has an Adhesive Problem: Screen May Fall Off |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/news/dells-xps-13-plus-has-an-adhesive-problem-screen-may-fall-off |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250803050612/https://www.tomshardware.com/news/dells-xps-13-plus-has-an-adhesive-problem-screen-may-fall-off |archive-date=August 3rd, 2025 |work=Dell's XPS 13 Plus Has an Adhesive Problem: Screen May Fall Off |pages=1}}</ref>, And reviews on amazon saying the product' parts do not work properly.

[https://www.reddit.com/r/Dell/comments/wr8jxk/atrocious_experience_with_the_xps_13_plus_after_8/ Review 1 (Reddit)]

[https://www.reddit.com/r/DellXPS/comments/1l39z82/my_review_of_the_dell_xps_13_plus_9320/ Review 2 (Reddit)]

[https://www.amazon.com/Dell-9320-Touchscreen-Notebook-Board/dp/B0BBGTT1R3 Review 3 (Amazon Product)]

The dell XPS 13 Plus ended up being so bad in all of it's different ways, Not just being uneasy to use, As in the literal screen falling off easily<ref name=":0" />, And complaints about the product just not working as it should be. Looking at reviews, They say things are just glitching, Breaking, and all definitions that fit the idea of "Not working well"

===  ===

==Products==
(please add some)

==See also==
[https://youtu.be/YvGS-efW2ZU Youtube video used to get information about the Dell XPS 13 Plus incident]

[https://pastebin.com/GZs7A9VH The youtubes pastebin]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Dell

2026-01-24T09:21:17Z

Cabaron: Dell is a company that makes Computer related products such as screens, Desktops, Servers, Data Storages and laptops.

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=2016-09-07
|Industry=Personal Computers, Computer Software
|Logo=Dell logo 2016.png
|ParentCompany=Dell Technologies
|Type=Subsidiary
|Website=https://www.dell.com/
|Description=Dell is a company that makes Computer related products such as screens, Desktops, Servers, Data Storages and laptops. Respected by tons of people.
}}
{{Ph-C-Int}}

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}

==Incidents==
{{Ph-C-Inc}}

This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
===Example incident one (''date'')===
{{Main|link to the main CR Wiki article}}
Short summary of the incident (could be the same as the summary preceding the article).
===Example incident two (''date'')===
...

==Products==
{{Ph-C-P}}

==See also==
{{Ph-C-SA}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Category:Framework

2026-01-24T08:25:56Z

Cabaron: Framework is a company working to make products that are easily customizable. And is currently making easily repairable laptops.

[[Category:Computer companies]]
[[Category:Technology companies]]

Bootloader unlocking

2026-01-23T22:49:12Z

Cabaron: /* Why are most devices are locked */ Changed it so it says that iPhones' OS can be changed through jailbreaking.

{{Incomplete}}{{ToneWarning}}

The bootloader is the core layer of a computerized device that connects the software to the physical hardware. In smartphones, the bootloader allows the mobile device to start up with an operating system such as iOS for iPhones and Android for most other smartphones. Bootloaders are typically established by the manufacturer and shipped to retailers and consumers in a "locked" state, thereby tying the hardware to a specific operating system chosen by the manufacturer. To [[wikipedia:Bootloader_unlocking|unlock a bootloader]] is to disconnect the physical device from a particular operating system, allowing users more control over their purchased smartphones. This is especially relevant for users who wish to de-Google their Android devices, which involves removing Google products and services for privacy, flexibility, and other concerns.

==Background==
Unlocking the bootloader of a smartphone enables the user to install an alternative operating system on the device, also more commonly known as a custom ROM.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 Aug 2025 |title=Android ROM |url=https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/android-rom |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241223222958/https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/android-rom |archive-date=23 Dec 2024 |website=PCMag}}</ref>

'''Difference from Rooting'''

Rooting grants runtime privileges, that is, while the OS is running.
BL unlock allows rewriting the storage drive where the OS is installed, but only while the OS is not running.
BL unlock enables the user to get root access, either:
*Manually, if the user knows what to do
*Automatically, by using a program

See [[Jailbreak]] for more info.

==Benefits of unlocked bootloaders==

==='''1. Better Privacy'''===
Most custom ROMs do not contain any components that send data to manufacturers, Google, or their partner companies.<ref name=":0" /> In some cases, they even contain components that prevent individual apps from doing so, such as:

*[https://doc.e.foundation/support-topics/advanced_privacy_main.html /e/'s Advanced Privacy]
*[https://calyxos.org/docs/tech/datura-details/ CalyxOS's Datura Firewall]
*[https://github.com/iodeOS/ota iodéOS's blocker]

====Workaround Google Play Services====
On a default Android system, there is a deep integration with [[wikipedia:Google_Play_Services|Google Play Services]] (and [[Google Mobile Services]] (GMS)). This is a system process that requires access to files, contacts, storage, call logs, SMS messages, location, camera, and microphone. And without this process running, basic system apps will not function.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aragon |first=Jonah |date=21 Jul 2024 |title=Android |url=https://www.privacyguides.org/en/android/#install-a-custom-distribution |url-status=live |access-date=17 Aug 2025 |website=Privacy Guides}}</ref> Alternative systems avoid this process entirely, or use a privacy-preserving workaround such as:

*[https://grapheneos.org/features#sandboxed-google-play GrapheneOS's Sandboxed Google Play]
*[https://github.com/microg/GmsCore/wiki MicroG]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gordon |first=Arielle |date=7 Jun 2019 |title=The Open Source Project That Keeps Google's Hands Off Your Android Data |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-open-source-project-that-keeps-googles-hands-off-your-android-data/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250630130025/https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-open-source-project-that-keeps-googles-hands-off-your-android-data/ |archive-date=30 Jun 2025 |access-date=19 Aug 2025 |website=Vice}}</ref>
*[https://unifiedpush.org/ Unified Push]

==='''2. Expanding Device Lifespan'''===
Most custom ROMs are free of bloatware and can thus be used to extend the longevity of phones that have become unusable due to the default system growing larger with each manufacturer update. Especially on low-end phones, these updates often exhaust the built-in storage after as little as two years. This renders the devices slow and unstable, leaving no room for user data. Custom ROMs are typically much smaller than the manufacturer's software. Consequently, many old phones can run even faster with a custom ROM than they did when new, thus often more than doubling their useful lifespan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=By how much do custom roms really extend Phone lifespans? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidQuestions/comments/gdq2rc/comment/fpj11ay/ |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=Reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-10 |title=Xiaomi Redmi 8a - olivelite with Dual Sim |url=https://community.e.foundation/t/xiaomi-redmi-8a-olivelite-with-dual-sim/29192/12 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=/e/OS Community}}</ref>
==='''3. Updates after the manufacturer abandons the device'''===
Low-end devices usually receive only a few years or even months of security updates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Android Update Matrix |url=https://www.androidupdatetracker.com/update-matrix |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=Android Update Tracker}}</ref> Since most custom ROMs are built by the open-source community, installing one of these custom ROMs allows users to receive security updates for the Android system and default components, such as web browser engines and PDF readers, for a significantly longer period than with the manufacturer's OS.

==='''4. Customization'''===
Some applications cannot be removed easily with the default OS. A custom ROM can be used only to include the applications the user wants, potentially with customization options that aren't initially available by default. <ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/privacy/comments/k2320l/cant_delete_certain_apps_on_android_only_disable/</ref>
==Why most devices are locked==

===Security===
A locked bootloader protects the device from what is often called an [[wikipedia:Evil_maid_attack|Evil Maid Attack]]. This attack occurs when a person with physical access to a device can manipulate the operating system, typically when the device is left unattended or when handed over for inspection by authorities, such as customs, upon entering a country.

A locked bootloader ensures that the operating system remains intact and cannot be altered to deviate from the state in which the manufacturer released it.

===DRM and ecosystem control===
Some devices hold DRM keys, which are deleted when the bootloader is unlocked. Other devices go so far as to wipe proprietary drivers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony wipes TA/ partition |url=https://github.com/melontini/bootloader-unlock-wall-of-shame/blob/4ca762b08e77034db2a5ceb78703ac4789349ed0/brands/sony/README.md?plain=1#L23 |url-status=live |website=GitHub}}</ref>

===Locks from mobile carriers===
Some mobile carriers have completely restricted the unlocking of bootloaders on specific models of cellphones that they sell.

==Availability==
Unlocking the bootloader is only [[Phones that do not allow bootloader unlock|possible on some, but not all Android devices]].

Apple products such as iPhones do support unlocking the bootloader, Instead, People jailbreak their phones with 3rd party software.<ref>https://www.quora.com/Can-you-install-a-different-operating-system-on-your-iPhone-if-it-was-not-sold-with-one-built-in-from-Apple</ref><ref>https://youtu.be/O0_Aou3eZl8</ref>
==Alternative Android-based Operating Systems==
These include, but are not limited to:

*[https://grapheneos.org/ GrapheneOS]
*[https://iode.tech/iodeos/ IodéOS]
*[https://e.foundation/e-os/ /e/OS]
*[https://lineageos.org/ LineageOS]
*[https://calyxos.org/ CalyxOS]

*[https://source.android.com/ AOSP (Android Open Source Project)] , also known as "stock" Android.<ref>https://eylenburg.github.io/android_comparison.htm</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Patel |first=Pratham |date=20 Feb 2024 |title=5 De-Googled Android-based Operating Systems to Free Your Smartphone from Google and other Big Tech |url=https://itsfoss.com/android-distributions-roms/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250707220149/https://itsfoss.com/android-distributions-roms/ |archive-date=7 Jul 2025 |access-date=19 Aug 2025 |website=It's FOSS}}</ref>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Common terms]]

Framework

2026-01-23T22:02:28Z

Cabaron: Added text (in general)

Framework is a company that specializes in customization and repairability, Whilst also helping the environment through making less laptops be thrown out.

==Consumer-impact summary==

===Freedom===
Framework allows it's consumers to easily customize laptops, By having built-in options to change things you normally wouldn't be able to do with the DIY version of their laptops, You are given the tools and instructions to teach you how to build your laptop on your own

=== User Privacy ===
Privacy is completely fine, As framework is only selling hardware, Nothing else.

=== Business Model ===
Framework business model is to make repairable and customizable computers, At hardware level, And more.

=== Market Control ===
Framework controls the laptop customization market, But it's the only company that specializes in that category, While thinkpads are still their rival, Thinkpads are not being made with customization in mind anymore.

==Incidents==
No incidents have happened yet

==Products==

=== Framework Desktop (February 2025): ===
a mini-computer designed to have it's case be more customizable through tiles that are able to be taken out and put back somewhere else.

=== Framework Laptop 12 (February 2025): ===
is told as being a customizable laptop with 360° support and it comes with a stylus, Being able to practically be used a tablet.<ref>https://frame.work/laptop12</ref>

=== Framework Laptop 13 (July 2021): ===
is closer to your usual laptop, But is more repairable, It is seen as the most popular option by far from the other products.

=== Framework Laptop 16 (March 2023): ===
2nd most popular choice, Adds more customization from the laptop 13, Can be stronger than the 13 and it's keyboard is customizable, Being able to be taken out, And put back in different places, With it's keypad being able to be removed and replaced with lights allowing for more customization.

==See also==

* Framework Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Framework_Computer

* Framework About Us: https://frame.work/about

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Framework

2026-01-23T21:06:23Z

Cabaron: Framework is a company that makes Laptops that are made to be easily customizable.

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=2020-01
|Industry=Computer hardware
|Logo=Framework Computer logo.png
|ParentCompany=None
|Type=Private
|Website=https://frame.work/
|Description=Framework is a company that makes laptops that are made to be easy to modify, Modernizing and improving on what Thinkpad did well.
}}
{{Ph-C-Int}}

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}

==Incidents==
{{Ph-C-Inc}}

This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
===Example incident one (''date'')===
{{Main|link to the main CR Wiki article}}
Short summary of the incident (could be the same as the summary preceding the article).
===Example incident two (''date'')===
...

==Products==
{{Ph-C-P}}

==See also==
{{Ph-C-SA}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Microsoft Windows 11

2026-01-23T18:18:18Z

Cabaron: Added Windows 11 Icon

{{StubNotice}}
[[File:Windows11Icon.jpg|alt=The windows 11 icon|thumb|Windows 11 icon]]
'''Microsoft Windows 11''' is an operating system for personal computers developed and owned by [[Microsoft]]. The first version of Windows was released in 1985 as a GUI for MS-DOS. Later, in 1993, Windows was released as a standalone operating system running on the Windows NT kernel. As of 2025, Windows 11 is the current version of Windows sold by [[Microsoft]]. It is used in personal, business, server, and embedded systems applications. Windows by far has the highest market share of any operating system on consumer desktop computers.

==Consumer impact summary==
Windows 11 is installed on more than 30% of all computers world wide. <ref>{{Cite web |last=StatCounter |date=2025-07-01 |title=Desktop Windows Market Share Worldwide |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/windows-version-market-share/desktop/worldwide |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250720124002/https://gs.statcounter.com/windows-version-market-share/desktop/worldwide |archive-date=2025-07-20 |access-date=2025-08-17}}</ref> Windows 11 collects user data including but not limited to hardware specs, apps and drivers installed on the device, app activity, device settings and configuration, web browser history, etc. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2025-04-01 |title=Data Collection Summary for WIndows |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/privacy/data-collection-windows |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729153757/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/privacy/data-collection-Windows |archive-date=2025-07-29 |access-date=2025-08-17 |website=Microsoft}}</ref>

Microsoft has a rich and plentiful history of data breaches. Many services that Microsoft offers have been forcibly accessed into by malicious and white hat hackers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heiligenstein |first=Michael |date=2024-02-20 |title=Microsoft Data Breaches: Full Timeline Through 2024 |url=https://firewalltimes.com/microsoft-data-breach-timeline/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250502010658/https://firewalltimes.com/microsoft-data-breach-timeline/ |archive-date=2025-05-02 |access-date=2025-08-17 |website=Firewall Times}}</ref>

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Windows Recall===
{{Main|Microsoft Copilot's recall feature}}
In 2024, Microsoft unveiled ''Recall'' for ''Copilot+ PCs'', marketed as a way for users to search through what they have done on their computer by recording their screen. This sparked controversy,<ref>[https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsofts-controversial-recall-feature-for-windows-11-could-already-be-in-legal-hot-water "Microsoft’s controversial Recall feature for Windows 11 could already be in legal hot water"] - techradar.com - accessed 2025-01-29</ref> especially among security experts<ref>[https://www.techtarget.com/searchenterpriseai/feature/Privacy-and-security-risks-surrounding-Microsoft-Recall "Privacy and security risks surrounding Microsoft Recall"] - techtarget.com - accessed 2025-01-29</ref> who worried about the security of screenshots,<ref>[https://news.sky.com/story/microsoft-ai-feature-investigated-by-uk-watchdog-over-screenshots-13141171 "Microsoft AI feature investigated by UK watchdog over screenshots"] - news.sky.com - accessed 2025-01-29</ref> since it could easily document private information like social-security numbers, bank-account information, and passwords, as well as user browsing behavior. A ''Python'' script was developed, called "''TotalRecall''", that collects the screenshots and descriptions of these recordings,<ref>[https://github.com/xaitax/TotalRecall "TotalRecall - a 'privacy nightmare'?"] - github.com - accessed 2025-01-29</ref> proving the danger of ''Recall''. This feature was delayed after backlash from users.<ref>[https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/06/microsoft-recall-delayed-after-privacy-and-security-concerns "Microsoft Recall delayed after privacy and security concerns"] - malwarebytes.com - accessed 2025-01-29</ref>

In 2025, Microsoft re-released ''Recall'',<ref>{{Cite news |last=Davenport |first=Corbin |date=Apr 25, 2025 |title=Windows Recall Is Finally Rolling Out After Controversal Reveal |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/windows-recall-is-finally-rolling-out-after-controversal-release/ |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=How to Geek}}</ref> with claims that the tool has resolved the security flaws and it coming disabled by default.<ref>{{Cite news |last=LeClair |first=Dave |date=Apr 11, 2025 |title=Microsoft Recall is rolling out following major controversy — what you need to know |url=https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/microsoft-recall-is-coming-for-real-this-time |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=Tom's Guide}}</ref> However, despite integrating better security, having this feature enabled continues to pose privacy risks for consumers, as it is only a matter of when a vulnerability is discovered for the problems both consumers and businesses initially had with the tool to resurface,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Nick |date=May 5, 2025 |title=Turn Off Windows' Recall to Protect Your Privacy |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/how-to-disable-recall/ |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=How to Geek}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Piltch |first=Avram |date=2025-08-01 |title=Tested: Microsoft Recall can still capture credit cards and passwords, a treasure trove for crooks |url=https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/01/microsoft_recall_captures_credit_card_info/ |access-date=2025-08-05 |website=The Register}}</ref> especially since it is difficult for users to inspect the screenshots that are taken by the tool.

===Windows 11 requires a Microsoft Account to use===
Versions of Windows 11 Pro for personal use and Windows 11 Home require internet connectivity and a Microsoft account during setup.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2025-08-17 |title=Windows 11 Specs and System Requirements |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications?r=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250817084049/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications?r=1#expand |archive-date=2025-08-17 |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Microsoft Corporation}}</ref> This prevents users from setting up the software without the internet, and prevents users from setting up a completely offline installation of Windows, even though the operating system can function without an internet connection. When Microsoft stops offering compatible accounts, Windows 11 will no longer be installable. Workarounds existed to set up Windows without a Microsoft account.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anonymous |date=2022-05-15 |title=Set up Windows 11 without internet |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2350856/set-up-windows-11-without-internet-oobebypassnro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725113800/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/2350856/set-up-windows-11-without-internet-oobebypassnro?forum=insider-all&referrer=answers |archive-date=2025-07-25 |access-date=2025-07-25 |website=Microsoft Learn}}</ref> In October 2025, Microsoft announced they would be removing mechanisms to bypass the Microsoft account setup during the "out of box experience" (OOBE) process. Microsoft claims that these bypass methods were skipping "critical setup screens" despite most users having no issues with these workarounds. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Langowski |first=Amanda |date=2025-10-06 |title=Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.6772 (Dev Channel) |url=https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/10/06/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26220-6772-dev-channel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251009102813/https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2025/10/06/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26220-6772-dev-channel/ |archive-date=2025-10-09 |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Windows Blogs}}</ref>

===Poorly disclosed data encryption===
Computers running Windows 11 with Microsoft Account are set to automatically enable bitlocker<ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2024-05-24 |title=Bitlocker automatic activation |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/device-experiences/oem-bitlocker |url-status=live}}</ref> which encrypts all data on internal disks, leaving key for decryption in owners Microsoft [https://myaccount.microsoft.com/device-list My Account device list] without explicitly informing the owner of doing so. Updating BIOS or hardware manipulation may lead to triggering bitlocker and leaving computer in recovery mode if bitlocker is not suspended beforehand. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2025-01-15 |title=Suspend Bitlocker |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/windows-security/suspend-bitlocker-protection-non-microsoft-updates |url-status=live}}</ref> This process can leave owner with seemingly bricked device, especially if owners Microsoft Account was created and used only to satisfy Windows 11s requirement for Microsoft Accounts during OOBE. If key hidden in Microsoft Account is not provided, erasing encrypted disks and reinstalling operating system is recommended. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Anonymous |date=2023-03-01 |title=Microsoft Learn - Lost Bitlocker Recovery Key |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4176032/i-dont-have-my-bitlocker-code-and-i-cant-reset-win |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Misleading presentation of Microsoft OneDrive===
{{Main|OneDrive}}
Windows explorer has a button which is misleadingly labeled to "back up" files. Instead of backing them up, it sends the files to OneDrive. If the file is deleted, OneDrive deletes the online copy (a backup would preserve a file if it was deleted). If OneDrive runs out of space, it is likely to lose files. If you try to disable or remove OneDrive, Windows will push you to re-enable it. It takes several steps to tell it not to advertise OneDrive.

===Data Collection===
{{Main|Microsoft}}

Microsoft is known to sell users data to brokers and government agencies.

'''Microsoft also forces Co-Pilot onto consumers'''

In recent releases of Windows 11, Microsoft has decided to integrate its AI assistant, '''Copilot''', directly into the operating system. This integration has raised concerns among consumer rights advocates, who argue that users are given limited control over the feature and its data collection practices. Critics claim that Copilot’s presence, often enabled by default and not easily removable, undermines user choice and privacy. Supporters, however, contend that the tool enhances productivity and reflects the growing role of artificial intelligence in everyday computing. The debate highlights broader issues regarding software autonomy, informed consent, and the extent to which technology companies can embed proprietary services into essential consumer platforms.

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Windows 11]]

Category:DuckDuckGo

2026-01-23T17:51:50Z

Cabaron: Started the page pretty much

[[Category:Web browsers]]
{{StubNotice}}

The [https://duckduckgo.com/app/ DuckDuckGo Browser] is a browser that holds the [[DuckDuckGo|'DuckDuckGo' search engine]], Which is made to respect privacy by only collecting bare-bones data such as how many searches about ducks were done at January 2026.<ref>https://duckduckgo.com/privacy</ref> By collecting untraceable data, There is no data being able to be sold for Personalized Advertising (or more). Which is why a lot of people who respect privacy on Technology use it.

== What it offers beyond privacy ==
DuckDuckGo Browser offers a feature that lets you click a fire icon to delete all your Cookies, Website Cache, And Web History. DuckDuckGo Browser also shows you the amount of trackers that have been blocked through a time-frame, (Months, Years, Weeks or Days)