Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Discontinuation bricking

2025-12-26T18:39:13Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits to improve tone.

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'''Discontinuation bricking''' occurs when a product is rendered non-functional ("bricked") because the manufacturer has decided to discontinue it. Discontinuation bricking usually occurs in products that require a connection to a remote server hosted by the producer. The product may become bricked if the company decides to shut down services or goes out of business entirely, without allowing the consumer to substitute those services with alternative and/or [[self-hosted]] solutions. End-of-life for a product does not require the product to be bricked.

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: auto;"
|+End-of-Life compared to bricking
!
!EOL
!Soft brick
!Discontinuation bricking
|-
|Device boots
|Yes
|Yes
|Sometimes
|-
|Basic functionality
|Yes
|Sometimes
|No
|-
|Software updates
|Sometimes
|No
|No
|}
==Impact on consumer rights==
Discontinuation bricking, similar to [[planned obsolescence]], harms the consumer by making a product they paid for eventually stop functioning, resulting in loss of ownership of the product as its functionality is stripped away.

===Dependence on third-party bypasses===
After a product has been bricked, a consumer may wish to repair their product and return it to a functioning state. De-bricking a product is not impossible, but it can be difficult depending on the severity of the problem. Consumers will inevitably look to third parties for methods to bypass the bricking, which may expose them to [[security]] and safety risks. Bypasses may end up being expensive, with more complicated, server-dependent products requiring potentially complex server infrastructure.

===Resale falsification===
Products are often resold on the internet and may be put on sale before discontinuation, leading to the occurrence of valid information that becomes invalidated afterwards, causing [[false advertising]]. This has many implications:

#Sellers may be utterly unaware of the discontinuation, resulting in their product becoming bricked, and they will continue to sell it, potentially harming their reputation once the product becomes bricked and non-functional.
#Buyers may be unaware of the discontinuation and purchase the product, only to find it does not function, potentially causing harm to them.
#Customers may learn about the discontinuation and decide to sell the product without providing adequate details, even without any malicious intent.

==Environmental impact==
Discontinuation bricking will generate e-waste, as the product will no longer be functional, and consumers will be forced to discard it.

==Warning signs of discontinuation bricking==
Discontinuation bricking typically occurs when a remote service that the product relies on for complete functionality is shut down. The risk of discontinuation bricking occurring can be assessed beforehand by observing warning signs, such as:

*'''Product requires an internet connection to a remote server:''' If a product requires a connection to a remote server for functionality, there is a risk that the company may shut down the server, rendering some, if not all, functions of the product inoperable. These connections may be necessary because:

*'''Product requires remote authorization:''' The Product only works if you can receive approval from an authorization server. If the authorization server shuts down, logins will become impossible. An unusual example is the [[Spotify Car Thing]] , which stopped functioning after [[Spotify]] unauthorized the Car Thing from interacting with the Spotify App API.

*'''The product has features that depend on remote sources:''' If the product is unable to access remote information due to server outages, it may become bricked.

*'''The product relies on a phone application to work:''' Updates to the app may remove support for the discontinued product. An example being the Spotify Car Thing, which stopped functioning after Spotify unauthorized the Car Thing from interacting with the Spotify App API.<ref>{{cite web
|first=Alexander |last=Stoklosa |title=Spotify's Oddball In-Car Music Device Is Getting Bricked. Turns Out There's an App For That. |url=https://www.motortrend.com/news/spotify-car-thing-music-streaming-device-discontinued/ |website=Motor Trend |date=24 May 2024 |access-date=8 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240525231014/https://www.motortrend.com/news/spotify-car-thing-music-streaming-device-discontinued/ |archive-date=25 May 2024}}</ref>

*'''The product requires regular physical input:''' For example, [[HP Inc.]] printer ink has a [[Digital rights management|DRM]] mechanism that forces consumers to use HP ink exclusively and does not allow third-party cartridges. If HP goes out of business or decides to stop producing its ink cartridges, any printer dependent on it will become bricked, effectively discontinuing the printer, even if not explicitly stated.

==Further reading==
*[[Spotify Car Thing]]
*[[Sonos]]
*[[Telstra|Telstra TV (Roku-Powered Streaming Devices)]]

*[[Planned obsolescence]]
*[[End of life product|EOL - end-of-life product]]
*[[Stop Killing Games]]
*[[List of products bricked by discontinuation]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Anti-consumer practices]]
[[Category:Common terms]]
[[Category:Articles in need of additional work]]

Square Reader for contactless and chip

2025-12-22T12:47:53Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits to improve tone.

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{{ProductCargo
|Company=square
|ReleaseYear=2023
|InProduction=Yes
|ArticleType=Product
|Logo=Reader Contactless.png
|Website=https://www.squareup.com
|Description=This reader has a non-serviceable battery and can brick itself if opened to prevent modification to the hardware
}}The Square Reader for Contactless and Chip is an essential piece of hardware for millions of vendors. It's a lifeline for mobile businesses, pop-up shops, and independent contractors. Yet, like so much of today's consumer electronics, its lifespan is artificially capped by its power source. Once the non-user-replaceable lithium-ion battery inevitably degrades—a common complaint cited in community forums, often occurring within a few years—the merchant is left with a useless, approximately $50 plastic brick.

The device itself is likely still fully functional. The chip reader is intact, the NFC coil functions properly, and the plastic casing is in good condition. Only the battery, the single most disposable component in modern tech, has failed.

Square's official solution? Submit a warranty claim for a replacement. While helpful within the one-year limited warranty period, this policy completely abandons the user—and the planet—when the warranty expires. The company's hardware team, in an apparent acknowledgment of the device's design, reportedly advises that attempting to break open the reader to change the battery would trigger its security features and deactivate the device. The message is clear: buy a new one.

==Consumer-impact summary==
==Incidents==

==See also==

==References==
https://community.squareup.com/t5/Payments-Troubleshooting/Square-terminal-battery/m-p/728507
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Forced indemnification

2025-12-14T19:19:09Z

ClippyFellow47: Grammar edits to improve tone.

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Needs inline citations}}
{{ToneWarning}}

'''Forced indemnification''' is a practice in which a business, such as a bank, refuses to take an action, such as transferring funds, unless and until its customer signs a document that includes an indemnification statement. Typically, an indemnification statement will broadly indemnify the business against, for example, any loss, claim, damage, liability, and expense (including legal costs and expenses) resulting from any claim against the business that arises from the business acting pursuant to the customer's direction.

==How it works==
The process is simply that the business sends the customer a form that they must sign prior to receiving the service that they are obligated to undertake. For example, the CIBC Bank (one of the central Canadian banks) has a form called "Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) Letter of Direction and Indemnity Upon Death of Holder". When their client passes away, they request that the client's beneficiaries sign this form. If a beneficiary refuses to sign the form, the bank will not distribute the client's funds to the beneficiary.

The indemnification clause is generally broad in scope. In the case of the aforementioned CIBC form, is says that the beneficiary, "...agrees to save harmless CIBC from and against any claims, demands, actions, suits, losses, charges, expenses, damages or liabilities whatsoever which CIBC may pay, sustain, suffer or incur by reason of or in connection with the payment of proceeds of the TFSA to the Indemnifier or as the Indemnifier may direct (“Liabilities”), other than Liabilities that arise directly or indirectly from gross negligence or fraud, or in Quebec, intentional or gross fault, of CIBC. It is also understood and agreed that this Indemnity shall ensure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Indemnifier and CIBC and their respective heirs, executors and successors."

==Why is it a problem==
This practice is a form of ''waiver of rights under duress'', where the bank, holding both the deceased client’s funds and a position of power, pressures the beneficiary into relinquishing legal protections they are otherwise entitled to. The bank often presents this waiver as a routine formality, exploiting the beneficiary’s lack of legal knowledge and emotional vulnerability. However, the form is not merely a routine administrative document—it is, in effect, a ''legally coercive instrument''. While it may appear harmless or procedural, its proper function is to pressure beneficiaries into surrendering rights they would otherwise retain under the law, often without a complete understanding of the consequences. This places an unfair burden on individuals at a vulnerable moment, effectively using the form as a tool of leverage rather than a means of transparency.

This benefits the bank by limiting its liability, avoiding regulatory scrutiny, and speeding up the transfer of funds without fulfilling certain legal obligations—such as proper verification, notice requirements, or fiduciary duties. Meanwhile, the consumer is harmed by unknowingly surrendering essential rights, such as the ability to contest the handling of the estate, claim interest on delayed disbursements, or hold the bank accountable for mishandling or negligence.

The problem is asymmetrical in nature because it takes minimal effort for the bank to add the extra legalese into their form and minimal effort to refuse to transfer the funds. The beneficiary, on the other hand, would need to hire a lawyer and possibly take legal action to compel the bank to release the funds—an option that is often impractical due to the associated costs and stress. To prevent this, customers should ask prospective banks whether they require beneficiaries to sign indemnity or waiver forms in the event of death. If a beneficiary is pressured into signing such a document, they can file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, both of which provide free and accessible avenues for recourse.

==Examples==
Another example of an indemnification clause from Scotia Wealth Management states,
<blockquote>"NOW THEREFORE, THIS LETTER OF INDEMNITY WITNESSETH that the Undersigned hereby covenants and agrees that the Undersigned will, from time to time and at all times hereafter, indemnify and keep indemnified Scotia McLeod of, and from and against all actions, suits, claims, costs (including legal cost) and demands which are now or may at any time or times hereafter made, brought or claimed against Scotia McLeod in respect of payment by Scotia McLeod to the Undersigned of the proceeds of the above mentioned RRSP/RRIF/TFSA and of and from any loss, charges and expenses which Scotia McLeod may sustain or be put to in respect thereof. THIS LETTER OF INDEMNITY shall be binding on the Undersigned and on the heirs and assigns of the Undersigned."</blockquote>

==References==

[[Category:Common terms]]

Bootloader unlocking

2025-12-13T22:24:44Z

ClippyFellow47: Grammar edits to improve tone.

{{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.

==Why are 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 has measures in place to prevent users from installing third-party operating systems on iPhones and iPads.

==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]]

Monetization overload

2025-12-13T22:19:03Z

ClippyFellow47: Major grammar edits to improve tone.

{{Incomplete}}{{ToneWarning}}'''Monetization overload''', or '''over-monetization''', occurs when a company prioritizes heavily monetizing a product or service, often at the expense of consumer engagement or even the product's functionality. Over-monetization may manifest in various forms, including [[advertising overload]], [[Predatory microtransactions|microtransactions]], unjustified [[Subscription service|subscriptions]], and locking core features behind a paywall, among others. While it's understood that products and services require compensation in some form, even when they're "free", the degradation of quality, limits of functionality, and loss of consumer engagement are often symptoms of excessive monetization of the product or service.

==Why is it a problem?==

===Genericide===
When a product, more specifically a [[Games as a service|live service game]], focuses excessively on monetization, it retroactively dulls the experience of the product, even going so far as to devalue the product itself. This can especially damage the core purpose of the product, since an event entirely unrelated to it could effectively block consumers from the full functionality of their product.

Often, when a game faces genericization through monetization, publishers are biased against development on core features and even bug fixes, instead opting to implement more generic or unrelated products to sell on the in-game storefront. For example, the Call of Duty Squid Game promotion overshadowed the spotlight on the game's development,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Armughanuddin |first=Md |date=Published Jan 3, 2025 |title=Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Confirms Bad News About Squid Game Crossover Event |url=https://gamerant.com/call-of-duty-black-ops-6-squid-game-crossover-premium-battle-pass/ |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |work=GameRant}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kain |first=Erik |date=6 Jan 2025 |title=‘Warzone’ Is Completely Broken After ‘Squid Game’ Update |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2025/01/06/warzone-is-completely-broken-after-squid-game-update/ |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |work=Forbes}}</ref> rather than the development of the game's anti-cheat, despite promises from [[Activision]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zhou |first=Andrew |date=Jan 3, 2025 |title=Fans Are Not Thrilled About The New Black Ops 6 Squid Game Event Due To The Premium Reward Track Price Tag |url=https://screenrant.com/black-ops-6-squid-game-price-premium/ |access-date=Apr 3, 2025 |work=ScreenRant}}</ref>

===Monetization Bias===
Often, when a product is over-monetized, the development of that product tends to be biased towards features that increase transactions from consumers or advertising promotions from other companies. This kind of bias also does not favor developing features and fixes that do not directly incur revenue for the publisher, including but not limited to patching bugs, tweaking balance, repairing product defects, and moderating communities.

===Monetizing mundane features===
Some product features that were once normal and free to access for consumers could also be monetized in absurd ways. Free-to-play (F2P) titles could see experience progression slowed down to encourage purchasing "experience boosts".

This can be further applied to mundane monetization, where products may have barely different variants being sold simultaneously. This is especially evident with cosmetics for games, where even a simple reskin or shader could be sold.

===Advertising Overload===
{{Main|Advertising overload}}
To generate revenue from consumers, companies may integrate advertisements into their products. This can become adverse if the company is hasty to incorporate advertisements.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Common terms]]

Deep Cycle Systems

2025-12-13T22:11:50Z

ClippyFellow47: Grammar edits to improve tone.

{{Incomplete| Issue 1= There are several comments pointing out spots that need some improvement.|Issue 2=Other than those this article may need some rework to fit the [[Project:Sample/Company|company page template]]}}{{ToneWarning}}{{Hatnote|This article is about the battery manufacturer. For other uses, see [[DCS (disambiguation)]].}}{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Deep Cycle Systems
| Type = Private
| Founded = 2015
| Industry = Lithium Batteries
| Official Website = https://deepcyclesystems.com.au/
| Logo = DeepCycleSystems.png
}}'''Deep Cycle Systems''' (DCS), founded in 2015, is an Australian company that specializes in the design and manufacture of lithium batteries and energy storage solutions.

==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}}

==Claims==
DCS claims to manufacture long-life lithium batteries for extreme climates. They advertise them for use in solar systems and hybrid vehicles, including marine ones such as boats.[[Project:Verifiability|Better citation needed]]<ref>https://www.deepcyclesystems.com.au/</ref>


==Incidents==

===Lawsuit against reviews===
{{Hatnote|Main article: [[DCS sues Small YouTuber for accurate product review showing battery issues & misleading warranty]]}}

On August 16, 2023, Australian YouTuber [https://www.youtube.com/@AlloffroadAu AlloffroadAu] uploaded a review of DCS's 12v 50ah LiFePo4 lithium battery, mentioning the short longevity and substantial decline in performance after performing a capacity test. They also created a follow-up video regarding DCS's questionable history<ref>{{Cite web |last=AllOffRoad 4x4 |date=16 Aug 2023 |title=DCS Lithium LiFePo4 Under Bonnet Update: I went back to Lead Acid (under bonnet) 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRcSPuBob-I |website=YouTube}}</ref>. Both videos were set to private following legal threats from DCS<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=31 Jul 2024 |title=Man sued for YouTube product review reinstates video in blow to Deep Cycle Systems. |url=https://youtu.be/d37BG0O0mFk |website=YouTube}}</ref>.

AlloffroadAu reports that 30–50% of the storage capacity is lost in the first several years<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=23 Jul 2024 |title=DCS sues Small YouTuber for accurate product review showing battery issues & misleading warranty |url=https://youtu.be/_QNMVMlx48E?t=131 |website=YouTube}}</ref>{{Citation needed|reason=needs primary source}}. They also point out that DCS states that battery capacity will be significantly reduced after traveling a certain distance, but this is not mentioned in their warranty policy {{Citation needed}}.

===Hidden warranty policy update===
DCS's warranty policy claims that:<ref>https://www.deepcyclesystems.com.au/shipping-return-policy/</ref>

*For 'normal installations', batteries that fail to deliver 80% of their rated capacity are covered.
*For installations in engine bays/compartments, batteries that fail to deliver 70% of their rated capacity are covered.
*This policy was last updated June 14, 2021.

This has been the case since November 7, 2023, according to [https://trove.nla.gov.au/ Trove], a web archiving service partnered with the National Library of Australia and other organizations.<ref name=":0">https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20231107111343/https://www.deepcyclesystems.com.au/shipping-return-policy/</ref> However, Trove shows that on March 9, 2023, the exception for installations in engine bays/compartments didn't exist, contradicting DCS's statement that their policy was last updated in 2021<ref name=":1">https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20230309064156/https://www.deepcyclesystems.com.au/shipping-return-policy/</ref>.

The lack of the second criterion means that owners of a DCS battery purchased before March 9, 2023, are affected by:
*It was installed in an engine bay/compartment.
*Fell below 80% of its rated capacity.
*Remained above 70% of it.

Would be eligible for warranty coverage, but would have no way of knowing due to the changes to DCS's public warranty policy.

The Trove archives can be found here:

*DCS Warranty Policy on November 7, 2023<ref name=":0" />
*DCS Warranty Policy on March 9, 2023<ref name=":1" />

====Alleged removal of Wayback Machine archives====
Internet Archive's Wayback Machine has archives of this policy page, but they are all dated in 2024. This is suspicious when considering:

*DCS falsely claims that its policy was last updated in 2021, whereas Trove's archives indicate it was actually updated in 2023; the Wayback Machine does not cover either of these dates.
*Louis Rossmann claims that consumers of DCS batteries have reached out to him, stating that they were no longer able to access many older archives of the policy page when they contacted DCS, inquiring about when their policy was updated.


This suggests that DCS was responsible for removing archives before 2024.

===Cyberbullying accusations against Louis Rossmann===
On the 1st of August 2024, DCS filed a complaint to the Australian government against Louis Rossmann claiming that they are the target of an "orchestrated cyberbullying attack" by Rossmann and his follower base, with the goal being "to discredit the quality of our products," leading to "millions of dollars" of damage to the company, and demanded that Rossmann be "held accountable" for his actions. DCS claimed that Rossmann's accusations against them are "based on one person's opinion," and involved misinformation and disinformation, which is incorrect, because the accusations are backed up by evidence from various sources. For example, the claim about the rapid deterioration of battery capacity is based on research conducted by ITP Renewables; the report of this research is available on the Australian Renewable Energy Agency's website.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 June 2022 |title=Public Report 12 (Final Report) Lithium-ion Battery Testing |url=https://arena.gov.au/assets/2018/05/lithium-ion-battery-testing-public-report-12.pdf |website=Australian Renewable Energy Agency}}</ref> Rossmann's claim about warranty fraud is supported by an archived page from their own website, which proves that they falsified their warranty information.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossman |first=Louis |date=15 March 2025 |title=DCS reports me to Australian government for cyberbullying |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxfNbxmT3B4 |website=YouTube}}</ref>

===Suspected fake positive reviews===
DCS has been suspected by productreview.com.au of fabricating positive reviews.<ref>https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/deep-cycle-systems-dcs</ref>

==Safety issues==
A reviewer claimed that on August 4, 2023, his car, which was carrying DCS batteries, exploded and caught fire; the occupants were unharmed, but the vehicle was destroyed as a result of the incident. The reviewer alleged that he was faced with legal threats from DCS for publishing the initial review.<ref>https://www.productreview.com.au/reviews/374ddb79-d4b4-5c58-9cae-fd350d231fc2</ref>

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Deep Cycle Systems]]

Requirement for Canon EOS Webcam Utility subscription to enable webcam features on cameras

2025-12-13T18:04:49Z

ClippyFellow47: Grammar edits to improve tone.

{{ToneWarning}}

[[Canon]], a camera company, sells webcams that feature advanced capabilities only through the use of a subscription-based app, Canon EOS Webcam Utility.

==Incident==
[[File:Canon-utility-pro-vs-free-pricing.png|thumb|alt=differences between free vs. paid subscription version of canon camera app|Differences between the free version vs. the subscription version of the Canon camera app.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Zipp |first=Roman |date=17 Jan 2025 |title=No, you can't use your $6,299.00 Camera as a Webcam. That will be $5 |url=https://romanzipp.com/blog/no-you-cant-use-your-6299-canon-camera-as-a-webcam |access-date=19 Aug 2025 |website=romanzipp.com}}</ref>]]

The '''Canon EOS Webcam Utility''', a software designed to connect Canon cameras to computers for use as high-quality webcams, restricts advanced features such as higher resolution, color adjustments, and white balance settings – unless customers subscribe to a paid plan.

Specific modern Canon cameras can be used as a webcam without additional cost by utilizing the UVC/UAC functionality. For example, the Canon EOS R1 instruction manual provides a guide on how to use UVC/UAC, ensuring that the webcam functionality operates without limitations at full 1080p resolution and 30 frames per second.<ref name=":1" /> This UVC/UAC functionality does not include several advanced features, and cameras that do not feature UVC/UAC functionality cannot be used as a high-resolution webcam without the Canon EOS Webcam Utility.

This has been criticized as an example of the anti-ownership subscription economy, which describes practices where companies deliberately limit functionality to generate recurring revenue from features that are already included in the product's hardware. Customers are required to pay $4.99 per month, or $49.99 per year, to unlock the full suite of features if they use an older camera that does not support the UVC/UAC standard. A free version of the Canon EOS Webcam Utility is available, offering 720p webcam functionality without advanced features. Critics argue that this undermines ownership rights; if Canon decides to discontinue support for the software or shut down the servers, access to these features can be lost, even if the hardware remains capable of supporting them.

==Technical details==

===Hardware capability===
Modern Canon cameras are capable of functioning as high-quality webcams without any software or hardware modifications, using the '''UVC/UAC standard'''.<ref name=":1">[https://cam.start.canon/en/C018/manual/html/UG-06_Network_0300.html Canon USB Streaming Manual]</ref>

===Differences between UVC/UAC mode and EOS Webcam Utility Pro===
Canon provides two methods for using its cameras as webcams. The first is the UVC/UAC mode, and the second is EOS Webcam Utility Pro.

*'''UVC/UAC mode''':
**Supported on modern Canon camera models, such as the EOS R8 and R5 II
**Allows users to connect the camera directly to a computer via USB without requiring additional software or fees
**Outputs video at a resolution of 1920x1080 (1080p) at 30 frames per second, with built-in audio support<ref name=":1" />

*'''EOS Webcam Utility Pro''':
**Requires a paid subscription ($4.99 per month or $49.99 per year) to access its full features<ref name=":2">[https://www.usa.canon.com/product-page/eos-webcam-utility Canon EOS Webcam Utility Pricing Details]</ref>
**Unlocks advanced functionality like adjustable brightness, color settings, and white balance controls

===Compatible camera models===

====Cameras supporting UVC/UAC====
{| class="wikitable"
!Camera Model!!Resolution!!Frame Rate!!Citation
|-
|Canon EOS R1||1920x1080||30 fps||[https://diiorio.me/posts/uvc-cameras/ Source]
|-
|Canon EOS R5 Mark II||1920x1080||30 fps||[https://diiorio.me/posts/uvc-cameras/ Source]
|-
|Canon EOS R6 Mark II||1920x1080||30 fps||[https://diiorio.me/posts/uvc-cameras/ Source]
|-
|Canon EOS R8||1920x1080||30 fps||[https://diiorio.me/posts/uvc-cameras/ Source]
|-
|Canon EOS R50||1920x1080||30 fps||[https://diiorio.me/posts/uvc-cameras/ Source]
|-
|Canon PowerShot V10||1920x1080||30 fps||[https://diiorio.me/posts/uvc-cameras/ Source]
|}

====Cameras requiring EOS Webcam Utility subscription====
{| class="wikitable"
!Camera Model!!Citation
|-
|Canon EOS-1D X Mark II||[https://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/2/0300023012/04/eos1dx-mk2-im4-en.pdf Instruction Manual]
|-
|Canon EOS 5D Mark IV||[https://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/0/0300024970/07/eos5d-mk4-im8-en.pdf Instruction Manual]
|-
|Canon EOS 6D||[https://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/8/0300009238/06/eos6d-im7-en.pdf Instruction Manual]
|-
|Canon EOS M50||[https://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/3/0300029803/01/eosm50-um-en.pdf Instruction Manual]
|-
|Canon EOS R||[https://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/3/0300032123/08/eosr-ug9-en.pdf Instruction Manual]
|-
|Canon EOS R7
|[https://cam.start.canon/en/C005/manual/c005.pdf Instruction Manual]
|-
|Canon EOS Rebel T7||[https://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/0/0300029810/03/eos-rebelt7-1500d-im2-en.pdf Instruction Manual]
|-
|Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II||[https://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/9/0300035509/02/psg5x-mk2-ug2-en.pdf Instruction Manual]
|-
|Canon EOS 70D
|[http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/5/0300011965/01/eos70d-im-en.pdf Instruction Manual]
|}

==Software details==

===EOS Webcam Utility===
[[File:Canon uvc manual.png|thumb|Canon's [https://cam.start.canon/en/C018/manual/html/UG-06_Network_0300.html instruction manual for the EOS R1] provides instructions on how to use the webcam via a standard USB connection with UVC/UAC at 1920x1080 resolution at 30 frames per second, with audio support.<ref name=":1" />]]

The Canon EOS Webcam Utility is a software application that enables webcam functionality on Canon cameras. While the free version of this utility supports basic features like 720p resolution, advanced settings, such as brightness adjustments, white balance, & 1080p resolution, are locked behind a subscription plan.

===Subscription requirement===
To access the advanced features of the EOS Webcam Utility, Canon requires users to subscribe to a paid plan, which costs $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year.<ref name=":2" />

==Impact and reception==

===Ownership concerns===
Critics argue that Canon's decision to monetize features already supported by the hardware undermines the concept of ownership. Additionally, the reliance on subscription-based software introduces risks of obsolescence should Canon discontinue the service or cease software support in the future.

===User frustrations===
Many users have reported frustrations with the EOS Webcam Utility, including mandatory account registration and server-related issues that hinder access to the free version. Such barriers have amplified dissatisfaction among consumers, especially given the availability of the free UVC/UAC mode for newer models.<ref>{{Cite web |last=@koenkooi |date=17 Jan 2025 |title=Canon to start charging for using cameras as webcams - Or you can set the USB mode to UVC/UAC for free and have it work as a webcam: https:// cam.start.canon/en/C018/manual/html/UG-06_Network_0300.html |url=https://www.canonrumors.com/forum/threads/canon-to-start-charging-for-using-cameras-as-webcams.44299/#post-1018704 |url-status=live |access-date=19 Aug 2025 |website=canonrumors.com}}</ref>

===Canon's response===
Canon's moderator, who represents himself as part of Canon by use of the verbiage ''"our dev team",'' stated the following concerning this software's business model:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Canon Moderator |first=Stephen |date=17 Sep 2024 |title=Why is the the "EOS Webcam Utility" a Subscription App? |url=https://community.usa.canon.com/t5/EOS-Webcam-Utility-Pro/Why-is-the-the-quot-EOS-Webcam-Utility-quot-a-Subscription-App/m-p/491093 |access-date=19 Aug 2025 |website=community.usa.canon.com}}</ref><blockquote>"The EOS Webcam Utility was originally developed during lockdown when webcams weren't available because everyone was working from home. Our dev team put it together for free to allow our users to be able to take advantage of the cameras they already had. When it became apparent that our users wanted the software to do more and be better than something thrown together in ''a week'', our dev team spent time revising the app, fixing bugs, and ensuring greater compatibility. At that point, we realized we couldn't keep devoting precious developer time and resources to an app that is pretty popular but free. At the same time, the team also needed a whole portfolio of other products to develop updates, drivers, and new software. The solution was an optional subscription model. We didn't remove anything from the original free version, but we added benefits users could opt into for a small monthly (or annual) fee. This allows us to allocate sufficient talent to the EOS Webcam Utility to keep enhancing and updating the software as new versions of Windows or macOS become available or new camera models hit the market."</blockquote>In response, users pointed to Canon's net profit of over $2 billion per year, combined with the high cost of the camera, as reasons they believe this was an unnecessary, anti-consumer move by Canon.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Financial Highlights |url=https://global.canon/en/ir/finance/highlight.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618000518/https://global.canon/en/ir/finance/highlight.html |archive-date=18 Jun 2024 |access-date=19 Aug 2025 |website=Canon}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Purdy |first=Kevin |date=17 Jan 2025 |title=Camera owner asks Canon, skies: Why is it $5/month for webcam software? |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/canon-charges-50-per-year-to-use-a-900-camera-as-a-functional-webcam/ |url-status=live |access-date=19 Aug 2025 |website=ArsTechnica}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Canon]]

Leadwerks

2025-12-13T18:00:09Z

ClippyFellow47: Super minor grammar edits to improve tone.

{{ToneWarning}}
{{Incomplete}}
{{InfoboxProductLine
| Title = Leadwerks
| Release Year =2025
| Product Type =Software PC gaming engine
| In Production =Yes, in development
| Official Website =https://www.leadwerks.com/
| Logo = Leadwerks.svg
}}

'''Leadwerks''' is a gaming engine, formerly known as Ultra Engine, created by Leadwerks Software. The engine is currently in early access and offers royalty-free licenses through either a $99.99 perpetual license or a $5.99/month subscription license.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Software |url=https://www.leadwerks.com/community/store/category/1-software/ |url-status=live |access-date=3 Sep 2025 |website=Leadwerks Community}}</ref>

==Consumer impact summary==
*User Freedom: The perpetual license does not give users the right to use the program as it is at the time of purchase. The purchased version cannot be used either online or offline.{{Citation needed}} Only specific releases selected by Leadwerks are available.

==Incidents==
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]].

===Perpetual license blocking===
When Ultra Engine rebranded as Leadwerks, they required all users to update to a newer version of the client.{{Citation needed}} The new client prompted users to log in with their email address instead of their username, which blocked users with a perpetual license from accessing their installation until they re-verified that their perpetual license was active.{{Citation needed}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Mazda DMCA takedown of open source Home Assistant app

2025-12-13T17:56:19Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits to improve tone.

{{ToneWarning}}

Mazda brand cars enable remote access to certain vehicle functions via servers owned by the company. To access these functions, Mazda provides an official app for smartphones. After an open-source project emerged that integrated support for Mazda vehicles into the Home Assistant suite, Mazda issued a false [[Digital Millennium Copyright Act|DMCA]] takedown notice, causing the project to be abandoned. A year after the incident, Mazda introduced a subscription model into its app, which costs $10/month, locking the previously free features behind a paywall.

==Background==
Many Mazda vehicles offer remote access to various car functions. These features include starting the engine remotely, rolling the windows up or down, and checking the fuel level. To control the car remotely, Mazda offers an official app<ref>{{Cite web |title=MyMazda App on the Google PlayStore |url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.interrait.mymazda&hl=en |url-status=live |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=MyMazda - Google Play}}</ref> for your phone that connects to a server, which then transmits the data to the vehicle.

Programmer Brandon Rothweiler released an open-source tool that integrates Mazda connectivity features into the open-source home management software "Home Assistant". This open platform enables users to access their products, which incorporate Mazda connectivity features into the open-source home management software "Home Assistant". Home Assistant is an open platform that allows users to access their products through<ref>{{Cite web |title=Open Source Integration on Github |url=https://github.com/bdr99/pymazda |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717224306/https://github.com/bdr99/pymazda |archive-date=2022-07-17 |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=Github - Open source my MyMazda integration}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mazda Connected Services on the Home Assistant website |url=https://community.home-assistant.io/t/mazda-connected-service/354221 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=Home Assistant - Mazda Connected Service}}</ref> integrations that integrate Mazda connectivity features into the open-source home management software "Home Assistant". This platform enables users to access their products via these individually created integrations. The program functions in essentially the same way as Mazda's official app, connecting to Mazda's servers that control your car remotely.

==DMCA takedown notice and subsequent subscription fee==
On October 10, 2023, Mazda issued a DMCA takedown notice to GitHub, claiming that the integration adding connectivity to Mazda vehicles infringes on their intellectual property rights by stealing code from their official app and requesting that it, along with forks of the project, be <ref>{{Cite web |title=Takedown Notice by Mazda |url=https://github.com/github/dmca/blob/master/2023/10/2023-10-10-mazda.md |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012182527/https://github.com/github/dmca/blob/master/2023/10/2023-10-10-mazda.md |archive-date=2023-10-12 |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=Github}}</ref> to GitHub claiming the integration that adds connectivity with Mazda vehicles infringes on their intellectual property rights by stealing code from their official app and wanted it, along with forks of the project, removed from the website. The developer did not want to challenge the claims and took down the repository within a few days to avoid potential legal repercussions. With the repository and all its forks gone, the integration was also removed from the Home Assistant app.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Removal of Mazda Connected Services on Home Assistant |url=https://www.home-assistant.io/blog/2023/10/13/removal-of-mazda-connected-services-integration/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=Home Assistant}}</ref>

Code from Mazda's official app is not required to develop a tool that functions similarly. The server's API is freely accessible and figuring out how to interact with it can be done entirely without infringing on anyone's copyright. 

===Mazda's response===

There was no public response from Mazda on the DMCA takedown notice.

===Official MyMazda app===
The official app can be used for free during a limited trial, which lasts either 1 or 3 years, depending on when the car was purchased<ref>{{Cite web |title=MyMazda Free Trials |url=https://mazda.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/192/~/is-there-a-subscription-fee-for-mazda-connected-services%3F |url-status=live |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=Mazda FAQ}}</ref>. However, after the trial period ends, a subscription fee of $10/month<ref>{{Cite web |title=10 dollars a month |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/mazda/comments/1egs0ik/connected_services_no_longer_free/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=Reddit}}</ref> must be paid to retain the MyMazda connectivity features. The price was not disclosed to buyers in advance, only that the service would incur a future cost<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mazda USA hasn't announced how much it will cost |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/mazda/comments/12s3sy9/comment/jgww4c2/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button |url-status=live |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=Reddit}}</ref>, only that the service would eventually cost money in the future. The durations of the free trials were staged to expire around the same time, starting around late 2024. The shutdown of the free, open-source alternative just a year prior paints this in a broader context of anti-consumer practices: First, the only free alternative is shut down via a dubious cease-and-desist letter, and then the official product starts requiring a subscription fee to be paid.

==Consumer response==

People were unhappy about the takedown of the open-source repository, as many felt the unofficial app worked better and was easier to use than Mazda's own MyMazda service. Additionally, some have stated that they would not have purchased a Mazda vehicle had they known the open-source project would be struck by a DMCA claim<ref>{{Cite web |title=Would not have purchased a Mazda had I know this was coming. |url=https://community.home-assistant.io/t/mazda-connected-service/354221/102 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=Home Assistant}}</ref>, forcing the use of the official app, which many feel is not worth the price.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reddit Discussion on Subscription fee for MyMazda app |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/mazda/comments/1hvntgn/is_anyone_paying_for_the_mazda_connected_service/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=Reddit}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:MyMazda]]
[[Category:Mazda]]
[[Category:Subscription-based services]]

Whaling (gaming industry term)

2025-12-13T17:48:24Z

ClippyFellow47: Grammar edits to improve tone.

{{SloppyAI}}
{{ToneWarning}}

{{See also|Value based pricing}}
In the 2016 presentation ‘[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNjI03CGkb4 Let’s Go Whaling],’ a mobile game executive openly discusses designing free-to-play systems aimed at ‘whales,’ the small percentage of players who spend exorbitant amounts, employing psychological manipulation while deferring any moral inquiry until after the presentation. The use of gambling language, targeting of vulnerable groups including children and addicts, and deliberate opacity about spending raise serious ethical concerns that consumer advocates must confront.

==How it works==
Whaling is an industry term, borrowed from the world of casino gambling, used to describe the practice of extracting large sums of money from a small subset of players, often referred to as ''whales''. In the ''Let’s Go Whaling'' video (2016), a mobile game executive lays out a clear blueprint for identifying and monetizing these players using a set of psychological tools designed for maximum profit.

Core Tactics:

*Behavioral Profiling – Tracking in-game activity, spending patterns, and engagement time to pinpoint potential high-spenders.
*Scarcity & FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) – Leveraging limited-time offers, daily login rewards, and countdown timers to create urgency.
*Gacha & Random Rewards – Using loot boxes, randomized draws, and “spin-to-win” mechanics to keep players chasing rare rewards, mimicking slot machine behavior.
*Social Pressure – Encouraging spending through leaderboards, cooperative rewards, and gifting systems so players feel compelled to “keep up” or avoid letting teammates down.
*Gradual On-Ramping – Introducing players to the game for free, then easing them into small purchases that normalize spending before escalating to high-priced offers.

The presentation notably postpones any discussion of ethics until the very end, framing these practices not as moral questions but as business optimizations.

Terminology with Consequences:

By borrowing the word “whale” from gambling culture, the industry reinforces a mindset where players are reduced to revenue sources. This language not only normalizes aggressive monetization but also obscures the human and ethical costs associated with the term.

Who Is Affected:

While whales can include affluent players willing to spend, these tactics also disproportionately affect vulnerable groups:

*Minors, who lack a mature understanding of money and probability.
*Compulsive spenders and gambling addicts are especially susceptible to randomized reward systems.
*Financially insecure individuals, who may spend beyond their means in search of in-game status or rewards.

These strategies create a finely tuned monetization engine, one that maximizes revenue while sidestepping the broader conversation about fairness, transparency, and consumer protection.

==Why is it a problem==
Although the gaming industry often frames ''whaling'' as a harmless and even innovative business model, the underlying mechanics raise serious consumer rights and ethical concerns. The ''Let’s Go Whaling'' presentation makes clear that these systems are deliberately engineered to maximize profit, often at the expense of vulnerable players.

Psychological Manipulation

These mechanics draw directly from behavioral conditioning and casino playbooks:

*Randomized rewards mirror slot machines.
*Scarcity tactics and limited-time offers generate artificial urgency.
*Social features create peer pressure to spend to maintain status or support a team.

Lack of Informed Consent

Players are rarely provided with:

*Transparent spending summaries
*Upfront disclosures about odds and probabilities
*Warnings about the potential for high cumulative costs

Without these safeguards, informed decision-making is undermined.

Regulatory Blind Spots

Many countries do not classify loot boxes, gacha pulls, or similar mechanics as gambling because they involve the trade of virtual items rather than direct cash payouts. This loophole leaves a wide regulatory gap, allowing minimal oversight of overly aggressive mechanics. Without age verification requirements in most markets, minors can access and spend on these systems unchecked. The absence of strong consumer protections means vulnerable users, such as problem gamblers and financially insecure individuals, remain exposed to psychologically persuasive designs.

==Examples==
Many of the world’s most profitable free-to-play games rely heavily on whaling mechanics, integrating psychological triggers and monetization systems designed to target a small subset of high-spending players. ''Fate/Grand Order'', for example, is a gacha game notorious for players spending thousands of dollars in pursuit of rare characters. ''Genshin Impact'' uses a similar gacha model, combining limited-time character banners with extremely low drop rates to create spending frenzies whenever new content is released.

In the strategy genre, ''Clash of Clans'' and ''Clash Royale'' utilize time gates and competitive pressure to encourage players to purchase premium currency, thereby accelerating their progress. Casual games like ''Candy Crush Saga'' use endless microtransactions, lives systems, and time-limited boosters to keep players paying for “just one more turn.” Meanwhile, ''Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes'' aggressively promotes pay-to-win character unlocks through randomized packs, and ''Raid: Shadow Legends'' floods players with constant pop-up offers and bundle deals, targeting those who have already shown a willingness to spend.

==References==

====Primary Sources====

*Luton, W. (2016). ''Let’s Go Whaling: Tricks for Monetising Mobile Game Players with Free-to-Play''. PocketGamer Connects Helsinki 2016. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNjI03CGkb4 Video link]

===='''Academic / Industry Reports'''====

*Zendle, D., & Cairns, P. (2018). ''Video Game Loot Boxes Are Linked to Problem Gambling: Results of a Large-Scale Survey''. PLOS ONE, 13(11), e0206767. [https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0206767 Link]
*Drummond, A., & Sauer, J. D. (2018). ''Video Game Loot Boxes Are Psychologically Akin to Gambling''. Nature Human Behaviour, 2, 530–532. [https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-018-0360-1 Link]
*King, D. L., & Delfabbro, P. H. (2019). ''Predatory Monetization Schemes in Video Games (e.g., ‘Loot Boxes’) and Internet Gaming Disorder''. Addiction, 114(10), 1967–1975. [https://doi.org/10.1111/add.14902 Link]
*Australian Senate Environment and Communications References Committee. (2020). ''Gaming Microtransactions for Chance-Based Items''. [https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/aust-gov-response-senate-evironment-comms-references-committee-gaming-micro-transactions-chance-based-items.pdf Report PDF]

====News & Analysis====

*Australian Institute of Family Studies. (2022). ''Gambling-like features in online games: Literature review''. [https://www.classification.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/agrc_literature_review_final_20220906_accessible.pdf Classification Board PDF.]
*Ashcraft, B. (2022, May 3). ''Some Genshin Impact players are spending thousands on characters''. [https://kotaku.com/genshin-impact-whales-hoyoverse-gacha-gambling-spending-1849734889 Kotaku].
*Norton Rose Fulbright. (2023). ''Regulation of loot boxes: [https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/en/knowledge/publications/e51412c4/regulation-of-loot-boxes-a-global-perspective A global perspective]''.
*Derrington, S., Star, S., & Kelly, S. J. (2022). ''Loot boxes and microtransactions: Towards a unified classification framework''. Canadian Development Studies Press. [https://cdspress.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Stephanie-Derrington-Shaun-Star-Sarah-J-Kelly.pdf PDF].

[[Category:Common terms]]

Star Citizen

2025-12-13T17:44:49Z

ClippyFellow47: Major grammar edits to improve tone.

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Insufficient references and in-text citations.|Issue 2=Impromper formatting of references.}}{{Tone}}{{InfoboxProductLine
| Title = Star Citizen
| Release Year = 2012-present
| Product Type = Digital Game Content
| In Production = Yes
| Developer = Cloud Imperium Games
| Official Website = https://robertsspaceindustries.com/
|Logo=Star citizen logo.png}}
'''[[Wikipedia:Star Citizen|Star Citizen]]''' is a crowdfunded space station simulator game. Star Citizen combines features from space simulators, first-person shooters, and massively multiplayer online genres across its four playable modes. These modes, known as modules, offer distinct player experiences.

==Background==
Star Citizen began as a Kickstarter campaign in 2012 by Chris Roberts, creator of Wing Commander. The project promised a combination of space combat, trading, and exploration alongside a single-player campaign called Squadron 42. The campaign initially raised $2.1 million, with total crowdfunding exceeding $600 million by 2024 through the continuous sale of digital ships and game packages.

==Undelivered product sales==
Cloud Imperium Games (CIG) has maintained a practice of selling digital products years before implementation under the guise of calling it a 'concept', with several items or 'pledges' remaining undelivered after a decade:

===Ships and Vehicles===
*Idris-M: Military variant sold in 2012 for $1,000, incomplete version delivered May 2025.<ref>https://starcitizen.tools/Idris-M</ref>
*Idris-P: Civilian variant sold since 2012 for $1,250, price increased to $1,500, incomplete version delivered May 2025.<ref>https://starcitizen.tools/Idris-P</ref>
*Banu Merchantman | Merchantman: First sold in 2013 for $250 (original concept sale); currently priced at $600.<ref>https://starcitizen.tools/Merchantman</ref>
*Orion: First sold in 2014 for $325 (original concept sale), the industrial mining vessel remains undelivered; current price is $575.<ref>https://starcitizen.tools/Orion</ref>
*Genesis Starliner: Sold in 2015 for $400 (original concept sale), passenger transport remains undelivered.<ref>https://starcitizen.tools/Genesis_Starliner</ref>
*Endeavor: Made available in 2015 for $350 (original concept sale), with limited availability due to price increases.<ref>https://starcitizen.tools/Endeavor</ref>
*Hull D: Sold since 2015 for $350 (original concept sale), price increased in subsequent sales.<ref>https://starcitizen.tools/Hull_D</ref>
*Hull E: Offered in 2015 for $550 (original concept sale), increased to $950 in later sales.<ref>https://starcitizen.tools/Hull_E</ref>
*Crucible: Sold in 2015 for $350 (original concept sale), repair ship remains undelivered.<ref>https://starcitizen.tools/Crucible</ref>
*Pioneer: Marketed in 2017 for $850 (original concept sale), base-building vessel remains in concept phase<ref>https://starcitizen.tools/Pioneer</ref>
*Drake Kraken: First sold in 2018 for $1,400 (original concept sale), capital ship with privateer variant sold for $2,000, remains undelivered.<ref>https://starcitizen.tools/Kraken</ref>
*Railen: First sold in 2021 for $200 (original concept sale), remains undelivered.<ref>https://starcitizen.tools/Railen</ref>

Note: All listed vessels have been sold multiple times since their original concept sales, often at increased prices. Many remain in concept phase or early development despite years passing since initial sales.

==Consumer protection concerns==
The practice of selling digital products years before they are implemented has raised significant concerns regarding consumer protection. Despite marketing these items as 'pledges' or 'concepts', CIG continues to charge real money for digital goods with no firm delivery timeline or guarantee of implementation. The company's terms of service have been modified multiple times since 2012, changing the conditions under which refunds are offered and altering customer rights regarding purchased content. Many backers who attempted to obtain refunds for undelivered products have reported difficulties, with CIG often citing their evolving terms of service as justification for denial. The lack of concrete development schedules for sold items, combined with regular price increases for unreleased content, has led to criticism from consumer advocacy groups and gaming industry observers. Additionally, the practice of artificial scarcity through "limited-time sales" of digital products that don't yet exist has been questioned as potentially misleading marketing.
[[File:ASA Response .png|thumb|A response letter from the Advertising Standards Authority affirming that Cloud Imperium Games likely had breached the Advertising Rules. ]]
In 2021, following a consumer complaint to the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) by a member of the /r/starcitizen_refunds community, Cloud Imperium Games was required to modify its concept ship marketing emails after the ASA determined that they violated UK advertising rules<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/starcitizen_refunds/comments/pfgchs/uk_advertising_standards_agency_rule_concept_ship/</ref>, Cloud Imperium Games was needed to alter its concept ship marketing emails after the ASA determined they violated Advertising Rules in the UK. The issue centered on emails promoting concept ships without clear disclosure that the advertised vessels did not yet exist in the game. In response, CIG added a standardized disclaimer to their marketing emails stating that concept ships are "being offered here as a limited vehicle concept pledge". The disclaimer also notes that purchasers receive a temporary "loaner vehicle" until their bought ship becomes available.

==Development status contradictions==
A notable point of controversy surrounds CIG's inconsistent messaging regarding the development status of Star Citizen. When players report persistent bugs, server issues, or gameplay problems, CIG and community moderators frequently emphasize the game's "alpha" status as justification for these issues, suggesting the project is still in early development. However, when faced with questions about the delayed delivery of promised features or criticism of continuous sales practices, the company often presents Star Citizen as a delivered, playable product that is simply receiving ongoing development. This contradiction has been particularly evident in legal contexts, where CIG has defended against refund requests by asserting that the base game has been "delivered" to backers, while simultaneously using the alpha designation to deflect criticism about long-standing technical issues and missing core gameplay features promised in the original crowdfunding campaign. The dual narrative has led to growing skepticism within the gaming community about the project's actual development status and CIG's transparency regarding project completion criteria.

==Development communication issues==
Squadron 42's "Answer the Call 2017" marketing campaign ultimately failed when CIG failed to deliver the promised single-player campaign, despite extensive marketing featuring a star-studded cast, including Mark Hamill, Gary Oldman, and Gillian Anderson. <ref>https://starcitizen.tools/Squadron_42</ref> Following community backlash over the missed release, CIG announced plans for a new project roadmap in late 2017. However, this evolved into what became known as the "Roadmap to the Roadmap," with a release view being finally available in March of 2018. When finally delivered, the new roadmap consistently showed missed deadlines and delayed features. Rather than address these delays, CIG ultimately discontinued much of the roadmap's progress tracker in February 2022, dismissively labeling concerned backers as "roadmap watchers" <ref>https://robertsspaceindustries.com/spectrum/community/SC/forum/3/thread/roadmap-roundup-february-2nd-2022</ref> and claiming that showing development progress "puts too much attention on features that had a high probability of shifting around" and was "a distraction both internally at CIG and within the community". This marked a significant departure from their previous promises of transparency and was met with substantial community backlash, particularly from backers who had used the roadmap to track progress on features they had purchased years earlier.

==Consumer response==
[[File:-r-Starcitizen Corruption.png|thumb|CIG Employee Zac Preece is requesting that a post be removed from the /r/starcitizen Reddit in a private Discord server. This post, by the Reddit moderator Ian (MrRiceGuy), didn't violate the rules, yet it was still removed anyway. ]]
The prolonged development timeline and sales practices have led to organized consumer response movements, notably the /r/starcitizen_refunds subreddit community, which has over 18,000 members.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/starcitizen_refunds/</ref>. This subreddit serves as a platform for dissatisfied backers seeking refunds, documenting development delays, and tracking changes to terms of service that affect consumer rights. Discussion of these issues on official channels is heavily restricted, with CIG's Spectrum forum rules explicitly prohibiting posts deemed to spread "fear, uncertainty, and doubt" (FUD)<ref>https://support.robertsspaceindustries.com/hc/en-us/articles/115013196427-Spectrum-and-Website-Rules-and-Moderation-Responsibilities</ref> and the discussion of support tickets/moderation decisions.

While unofficial communities, such as the /r/starcitizen subreddit and Discord server, exist, these spaces are heavily moderated to prevent discussion of negative sentiment due to the strong ties between their moderators and Cloud Imperium Games employees.

As a result, /r/starcitizen_refunds has become the primary platform for maintaining records of unfulfilled promises and providing guidance for others seeking refunds.

==In-game moderation inconsistencies==
[[File:Example of Exessive Griefing .png|thumb|An example of a user being banned for the term 'Excessive Griefing' and being directed to review the terms of service and rules of conduct for a term that doesn't exist. ]]
The moderation practices of Cloud Imperium have drawn criticism for inconsistent and opaque enforcement. Users can receive bans for "excessive griefing" despite this term having no defined parameters in either the Terms of Service<ref>https://robertsspaceindustries.com/en/tos</ref> or Rules of Conduct<ref>https://support.robertsspaceindustries.com/hc/en-us/articles/4409491235351-Rules-of-Conduct</ref> documentation. Users receive these bans without stated reasons, requiring them to file support tickets to learn of their alleged infractions. This lack of transparency and disconnect between written policies and enforcement has created significant uncertainty about what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Star Citizen's Persistent Universe, or PU for short, is an open sandbox that allows players to engage in PVP activities such as Piracy and Bounty Hunting, yet participating in these activities could lead a player to being banned for 'excessively' engaging in this activity under the guise of it being 'harassment' to do so.

===The HuskyPie Incident===
On April 21, 2025, Cloud Imperium Games banned player HuskyPie for 17 days after German content creator Karolinger falsely accused him of stream sniping. The incident occurred in Pyro, a lawless system explicitly for PvP combat. HuskyPie was completing a mercenary mission when he encountered and killed Karolinger twice at Bueno Ravine. Despite having no evidence beyond the streamer's accusations, CIG suspended HuskyPie's account. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0eipkl66-8 As documented in an episode of the "Griefers Pub" podcast], HuskyPie was forced to appeal by providing his own game logs, which proved he was already at the location on mission objectives and had never watched Karolinger's stream. CIG eventually overturned the ban but offered no apology or explanation for its actions. This case directly demonstrates preferential treatment for content creators. It shows how regular players can be banned for engaging in permitted gameplay while content creators receive special protection from legitimate game mechanics.

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Star Citizen]]

Subscription service

2025-12-13T17:19:55Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits to improve tone, article still requires significant work.

{{StubNotice}}{{ToneWarning}}

A '''subscription service''' is an ongoing transaction agreement between the customer and the company, where a user usually pays on a weekly, monthly, or yearly basis to use the services provided by the company. In many cases, this model is used where a company has a sustained cost of doing business, some of which include cloud storage, VPN's and many other SaaS products.

==How it works==
When an individual wishes to use a service like a VPN (Virtual Private Network) like Mulvad VPN, an ongoing payment agreement (subscription) is established so that the business can continue to be sustainable and profitable. Prices may increase or decrease depending on various factors and promotions that a company may offer to attract more customers to experience their service.

==Why is it a problem?==

===Subscription-based economy trend===
Subscription service revenue was estimated at "$3 trillion in 2024, up from estimates of around $2 trillion in 2023"<ref>[https://whop.com/blog/subscription-statistics/#:~:text=metrics%2C%20and%20more.-,Subscription%20Economy%20Statistics,%242%20trillion%20in%2020231. "100+ Subscription Statistics for 2025"] - whop.com - accessed 2025-01-23</ref>. Subscription services are becoming more prevalent. The replacement of permanent ownership with subscription services has some negative impacts that can harm consumer rights.

===Redefinition of ownership===
Instances of companies using the terms "ownership" and "own" when referring to subscription products and services have become prevalent. These instances are, at the bare minimum, misnomers: consumers do not own something if they have to pay a subscription to use it. The redefinition of language could be seen as a malicious attempt by companies to lessen the severity of the loss of ownership that consumers are now facing.

===OTA subscription paywall updates===
Companies like BMW paywall specific features on their cars that were once available without a subscription and advertised as a part of the original product that was purchased to get more money out of customers who may have bought the product for its feature lineup

===Making subscriptions hard to cancel===
Memberships and sign-ups, such as those for gyms, which offer a service, make it very easy to sign up online, and then, in turn, make it very hard to cancel. Specific gyms may even require you to certify that you are mailing them, just so that you can cancel the service you signed up for online. Additionally, some services like Adobe will even penalize you for canceling early instead of waiting for the subscription to expire and choosing not to renew. This practice is mainly designed to make consumers feel that it's not worth their time and effort to cancel the subscription.

===Licenses as subscriptions===
A [[license]] grants rights to use a product or service.<ref>[https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/licence "license"] - oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com - accessed 2025-01-23</ref> Licenses differ from subscriptions in that they are permanent, whereas subscriptions are not. In addition, many companies choose to make temporary "licenses" last longer than subscriptions, as [[Adobe]] does.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20250123232818/https://www.adobe.com/howtobuy/buying-programs.html "Adobe Buying Programs"] - archive.org - archived 2025-01-23 </ref> Licenses may also apply to large groups of people, e.g., a student license granted to students for free. The concern here is that [[License euthanasia|permanent licenses are being phased out]] using the [[retroactively amended purchase]] strategy, as [[Adobe Lightroom: Perpetual to Subscription Transition|Adobe has done]], possibly because subscriptions are more profitable. The term "license" is likely vulnerable to redefinition, as ownership is.

===Subscription inflation===
Subscription inflation occurs when companies increase subscription prices, often arbitrarily. This practice has been seen with Netflix subscriptions, where in 2025 "the standard monthly subscription without advertisements will climb from $15.49 to $17.99, and a standard monthly subscription with ads will increase one dollar to $7.99, Netflix said.<ref name=":0">[https://abcnews.go.com/Business/netflix-raises-prices-us-plans/story?id=117971949 "Netflix raises prices for all US plans. Here's what to know."] - abcnews.go.com - accessed 2025-01-23</ref> Subscription inflation need not be done to recoup lost revenue, as this Netflix subscription price increase actually occurred after a year of "a stellar earnings report" <ref name=":0" />, meaning that Netflix has the resources to improve its service without raising prices. Subscription inflation has been and will continue to be used solely to raise company profits by forcing consumers to pay more for what may be an inferior service.

==Examples of subscription services==

===TV/Film===

====Netflix====
<blockquote>Further reading: [[Netflix, Inc.]]</blockquote>Netflix is a subclass of subscription service, known as a streaming service, where consumers have access to a library of TV shows and movies that persist on the platform for a limited time.

===Gaming===
{{Main|Games as a service}}

====Game Pass====
<blockquote>Further reading: [[Game Pass]]</blockquote>Game Pass, also known as Xbox Game Pass or [[Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac|Microsoft]] Game Pass, is a subscription service provided by [[Microsoft]] where, for a fee, consumers have open (but temporary) access to games on both Xbox and PC.

====Nintendo Switch Online (NSO)====
<blockquote>Further reading: [[Nintendo Switch Online]] </blockquote>Nintendo Switch Online is a subscription service that offers features on previously available [[Nintendo]] platforms, such as online play and subscription-gated content that used to be one-time purchases, including their emulation library. Additionally, all DLC obtained freely via the service remains accessible only as long as the consumer continues to pay for the service.<ref>https://www.nintendo.com/us/switch/online/nintendo-switch-online/expansion-pack/#dlc</ref>

===Software as a service===
{{Main|Software as a service}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Common terms]]

Reverse engineering vs illegal hacking

2025-12-12T18:32:57Z

ClippyFellow47: Grammar edits to improve tone.

{{ToneWarning}}

This article addresses the widespread, harmful misconception that breaking a digital lock or modifying software behavior is '''always''' ''considered "illegal hacking."'' In truth, U.S. law, while flawed, draws a clear line between lawful reverse engineering and criminal activity.

Companies often exploit this confusion to suppress ownership rights, discourage common repairs, and hinder interoperability under the guise of protecting security or intellectual property. The following information will clarify legal distinctions, correct the narrative, and explain why reverse engineering your own device to restore or preserve its functionality is not, and should never be, deemed a crime.

In this article, "hack" or "illegal hacking" is used interchangeably for illegally hacking, or "to get into someone else's computer system without permission in order to do something illegal" ([https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/hack#cald4-1-3 Hack | Cambridge Dictionary]). This should not be confused with the slang "hack" that describe the act of tinkering or modifying a device (like "a hackable laptop").

References to U.S.A. and E.U. (European Union) law can be found, alongside practical examples and hypothetical scenarios, to further understand where the line between legal and illegal activity resides.

==What section 1201 is for==
'''Section 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act''' (DMCA), passed in 1998, prohibits the circumvention of ''"technological protection measures"'' (TPMs) used to control access to copyrighted works. It also prohibits the distribution of tools designed primarily for circumvention of copyright protection measures.

What makes Section 1201 controversial is that it penalizes circumvention '''regardless of whether any copyright infringement occurred'''. In other words, even if you just want to modify or fix a product you legally own, you may still be in "violation" if the manufacturer practices overreach with DRM.

To soften this universal approach of limiting consumer rights, Congress allowed for temporary exemptions to be reviewed every three years by the Library of Congress. These exemptions currently include limited instances of repair, diagnosis, security research, accessibility, and jailbreaking of phones. However, the process is cumbersome, narrow in scope, and inconsistently applied.

==Legal reverse engineering vs. illegal hacking==
Contrary to what some CEOs and public relations departments have said, '''reverse engineering is legal in many contexts''' — especially when done for purposes of interoperability, repair, research, or personal use.

===What counts as legal reverse engineering===
The U.S. legal system has repeatedly upheld the right to reverse engineer in certain contexts, particularly when the intent is to facilitate interoperability or understand how a product works. Notable court decisions include:

*'''Sega Enterprises Ltd. v. Accolade, Inc.''' (1992): The Ninth Circuit ruled that disassembling code to understand how to make compatible software was fair use.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sega Enters. Ltd. v. Accolade, Inc., 977 F.2d 1510 (9th Cir. 1992) |url=https://www.copyright.gov/fair-use/summaries/segaenters-accolade-9thcir1992.pdf |format=PDF}}</ref>

*'''Sony Computer Entertainment v. Connectix Corp.''' (2000): The court affirmed that reverse engineering to create a competing product (a PlayStation emulator) was legal and transformative, and that making intermediate copies of a copyrighted bios for use in software development constitutes fair use .<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony Computer Entm’t, Inc. v. Connectix Corp., 203 F.3d 596 (9th Cir. 2000) |url=https://www.copyright.gov/fair-use/summaries/sony-connectix-9thcir2000.pdf |format=PDF}}</ref>

*'''Lexmark Int'l v. Static Control Components''' (2004): The Sixth Circuit ruled that Static Control could reverse engineer printer firmware to enable third-party toner cartridges. The court noted that interoperability took precedence over DMCA anti-circumvention claims.<ref name="lexmark">{{Wplink|Lexmark International, Inc. v. Static Control Components, Inc.}}</ref>

*'''Chamberlain Group v. Skylink Technologies''' (2004): The Federal Circuit ruled that creating universal garage door remotes through reverse engineering was a legitimate practice, establishing that DMCA violations must be directly connected to actual copyright infringement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The CHAMBERLAIN GROUP, INC., Plaintiff–Appellant, v. SKYLINK TECHNOLOGIES, INC., Defendant–Appellee. No. 04–1118. United States Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit |url=https://www.law.berkeley.edu/files/Chamberlain_Group_v_Skylink_Technologies.pdf |format=PDF}}</ref>

*'''DSC Communications v. DGI Technologies''' (1995): Courts held that disassembling firmware to create compatible microprocessor cards constituted fair use, establishing that functional elements accessed only through disassembly can be lawfully copied.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DSC Communications Corp. v. DGI Technologies, Inc., 898 F. Supp. 1183 (N.D. Tex. 1995) |url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/898/1183/1464449/}}</ref>

*'''Assessment Technologies v. WIREdata''' (2003): The Seventh Circuit ruled that reverse engineering to access public domain data trapped within copyrighted software is permissible, preventing copyright from creating "locks" on non-copyrightable information.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Assessment Technologies of Wi, Llc, Plaintiff-appellee, v. Wiredata, Inc., Defendant-appellant, 350 F.3d 640 (7th Cir. 2003) |url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/350/640/625754/}}</ref>

Legal reverse engineering generally includes:
*Analyzing software you own for repair or maintenance
*Studying protocols to make devices work with third-party tools
*Extracting firmware from your own hardware
*Building alternate apps that communicate with your devices
*Publishing technical findings that don't contain copyrighted code
*Good faith security research under DMCA exemptions

===What constitutes illegal hacking===
Illegal hacking, by contrast, involves:
*Accessing remote systems without authorization
*Bypassing login or authentication mechanisms on someone else's network
*Stealing or distributing copyrighted code without a license
*Tampering with systems in ways that compromise others' data or services
*Continuing access after explicit revocation (see '''Facebook v. Power Ventures''', 2016)<ref>{{Cite web |title=FACEBOOK, INC., a Delaware corporation, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. POWER VENTURES, INC., DBA Power.com, a California corporation; POWER VENTURES, INC., a Cayman Island corporation, Defendants, and STEVEN SURAJ VACHANI, an individual, Defendant-Appellant. |url=https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2016/07/12/13-17102.pdf |format=PDF}}</ref>

The key difference is ownership and scope: Reverse engineering stays within the boundary of what you own. Hacking crosses into systems that you don't.

Hacking, in most cases, ''involves'' doing reverse engineering. Companies usually use this to mislead ill-informed people into believing both are illegal hacking. Reverse engineering alone is ''not'' hacking.

==Current DMCA exemptions (2024-2027)==
The Library of Congress granted sweeping new exemptions in October 2024 that greatly expanded repair rights:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/10/28/2024-24563/exemption-to-prohibition-on-circumvention-of-copyright-protection-systems-for-access-control |title=Exemption to Prohibition on Circumvention of Copyright Protection Systems for Access Control Technologies |website=Federal Register |date=28 Oct 2024}}</ref>

*'''Vehicle telematics data''': Owners can now circumvent software locks to access, store, and share their vehicle's operations and diagnostic data.
*'''Commercial Food Preparation Equipment:''' New Exemption for Retail-Level Restaurant Equipment Repair (Addressing the McDonald's Ice Cream Machine Problem'').''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bowman |first=Emma |date=3 Nov 2024 |title=A new copyright rule lets McDonald's fix its own broken ice cream machines |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/11/02/g-s1-31893/mcdonalds-broken-ice-cream-machine-copyright-law |work=NPR}}</ref>
*'''Consumer devices''': Renewed exemptions for smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and IoT devices.
*'''Medical devices''': Continued exemption with FDA support, concluding that, contrary to claims otherwise, it wouldn't "necessarily and materially jeopardize" device safety.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://iamers.org/2024/07/fda-issues-letter-supporting-continuation-of-dmca-exemption-for-repair-of-medical-devices/ |title=FDA issues letter supporting continuation of DMCA exemption for repair of medical devices |publisher=IAMERS |date=July 2024}}</ref>
*'''Jailbreaking''': Expanded to cover smartphones, smart TVs, voice assistants, and routers for installing alternative software.

These exemptions require that circumvention be a ''"necessary step"'' for the permitted purpose and cannot be used to facilitate access to other copyrighted works.

==Reverse engineering in the European Union==

===Introduction and overview===
European law tends to subjectively favor the ''Reverse Engineer'' (RE), including in situations such as "'''observe, study or test the functioning of the program''', provided that those acts '''do not infringe the copyright in the program'''"<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=23 Apr 2009 |title=Directive 2009/24/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the legal protection of computer programs (Codified version) (Text with EEA relevance) |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2009/24/oj/eng |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250721222533/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2009/24/oj/eng |archive-date=21 Jul 2025}}</ref>, while going as far as "'''Decompilation for Interoperability'''"<ref name=":0" /> and "'''Decompilation for Error Correction and Repair'''".<ref name=":0" /> A strong emphasis is placed on the intention and the desired outcome of the reverse engineering process.

While this is the general E.U. law, each country has it's own interpretation on it, the Directive being more of a guideline. For a safer approach, it is advised to carefully check the local legislation. Often times challenges come from the "legal speech" being difficult to understand by untrained personnel. {{Wplink|Large language model|Large Language Models}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Large Language Model |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_language_model |url-status=live |website=Wikipedia}}</ref> (LLMs) could aid the legal research process, the bigger cloud-based LLMs often performing the best, double-checking the information is mandatory.

===Guidelines for safer reverse engineering===
To better understand the position a RE would find themselves into, it is recommended to try and understand where the manufacturer is acting upon their product. We can briefly categorize the potential infringement on three levels:

*Hardware
*Software
*Hardware + Software

Each one of these has its own technical challenges and will most likely be treated differently in the court of law.

====Full solutions====
The solutions are usually not complete, as the manufacturer has the most control over your product, regardless of its nature. Almost complete solutions are a more likely term, as most actions are rather reactive than proactive, because the consumer will first be hit by the overreach and then react to it.

====Partial solutions====

===Legal precedents===

==Narrowing computer hacking laws==
The Supreme Court's 2021 decision in '''Van Buren v. United States''' fundamentally changed how courts interpret the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA).<ref>{{Cite web |title=VAN BUREN v. UNITED STATES CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT No. 19–783. Argued November 30, 2020—Decided June 3, 2021 |url=https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/20pdf/19-783_k53l.pdf |format=PDF}}</ref> The 6-3 majority adopted a "gates-up-or-down" test: you either have permission to access a computer system or you don't. Violating terms of service or using legitimately accessed data for improper purposes doesn't constitute ''"exceeding authorized access"'' under CFAA.

This decision protects security researchers and reverse engineers who:
*Access publicly available systems
*Use credentials they were legitimately given
*Don't bypass technical access controls
*Violate only terms of service, not technical barriers

The Ninth Circuit applied this framework in '''hiQ Labs v. LinkedIn''' (2022), finding that scraping publicly accessible data doesn't violate CFAA since there are ''"no gates to lift or lower"'' on public websites.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HIQ LABS, INC. V. LINKEDIN CORPORATION, No. 17-16783 (9th Cir. 2022) |url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca9/17-16783/17-16783-2022-04-18.html}}</ref>

==Futurehome example==
In May 2025, Norwegian smart home company Futurehome emerged from bankruptcy. The new owners, FHSD Connect AS, introduced a mandatory subscription model: Customers had to pay an annual fee of 1,188 NOK (approx. $117 USD) or lose access to basic functionality like the mobile app, automation, and local APIs - even though those features were previously included in the one-time purchase price.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tek.no/nyheter/nyhet/i/alMe04/rasende-kunder-opplever-smarthjem-utpressing |title=Rasende og fortvilte Futurehome-kunder: – Oppleves som utpressing |website=Tek.no |access-date=14 Jul 2025 |language=nb}}</ref>

When customers began exploring ways to restore lost functionality through reverse engineering, Futurehome CEO Øyvind Fries accused them of ''"illegal hacking"'' and threatened legal action.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tek.no/nyheter/nyhet/i/mPm4xl/lover-50000-kroner-for-aa-gjore-futurehome-gratis |title=Lover 50.000 kroner for å knekke programvaren til Futurehome |website=Tek.no |access-date=14 Jul 2025 |language=nb}}</ref>

However, no evidence was provided that users were:
*Accessing Futurehome's servers without authorization
*Distributing proprietary code
*Compromising the privacy of others

Consumer rights advocate Louis Rossmann offered a $5,000 bounty for someone to devise a method for using Futurehome devices locally without a subscription. His viewers began:
*Capturing network traffic from their own devices
*Analyzing firmware dumps from hubs they physically owned
*Attempting to restore functionality that had been removed post-sale
The purpose was to restore functionality customers had already paid for. Futurehome's management tried to frame this as a bounty for criminal activity.

==Other examples with legal clarity==
*'''John Deere Tractors''': Deere has long fought independent repair efforts, but under pressure from state laws and exemptions granted by the Library of Congress, some tractor repair activities (such as accessing diagnostic software) are now explicitly legal.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.repair.org/stand-up-for-repair |title=Stand Up for Repair |publisher=Repair.org}}</ref> The FTC and state attorneys general sued John Deere in January 2025 for allegedly monopolizing the agricultural equipment repair market.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/01/15/nx-s1-5260895/john-deere-ftc-lawsuit-right-to-repair-tractors |title=FTC sues John Deere over farmers' right to repair tractors |publisher=NPR |date=15 Jan 2025}}</ref>

*'''Sony PlayStation 3''' jailbreaking: Sony sued George Hotz (Geohot) after he jailbroke a PS3. While Sony sued him civilly, the case settled without establishing that his actions were criminal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony and Hotz settle hacking case |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-13047725}}</ref>

*'''Lexmark Printers''': As mentioned above, the Sixth Circuit ruled that making third-party toner cartridges compatible with Lexmark printers, despite digital locks, was not illegal.<ref name="lexmark" />

*'''United States v. Elcom/Sklyarov''' (2001-2002): Although Russian programmer Dmitry Sklyarov was arrested for creating Adobe eBook circumvention software, charges were dropped against him personally, and his company, ElcomSoft, was acquitted, demonstrating the risks of prosecutorial overreach.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.eff.org/cases/us-v-elcomsoft-sklyarov |title=US v. ElcomSoft & Sklyarov |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation}}</ref>

=="Illegal Hacking" as a legal conclusion==
Using words like "hacking" to describe legitimate reverse engineering is not a legal conclusion. Section 1201 of the DMCA is written in a way that can make even normal ownership behavior sound suspicious. Courts have repeatedly ruled that '''reverse engineering, when done for lawful purposes, is protected'''.

==Key legal principles==
Courts now apply clear principles distinguishing lawful reverse engineering from illegal hacking:

'''Protected activities include:'''
*Lawfully acquiring software or hardware
*Analyzing it without circumventing authentication
*Conducting interoperability research under DMCA Section 1201(f)
*Accessing publicly available information
*Good faith security research with responsible disclosure

'''Risk Factors for CFAA/DMCA Liability:'''
*Bypassing passwords or authentication systems
*Continuing access after explicit revocation
*Accessing non-public systems
*Causing system damage
*Commercial exploitation of circumvention tools

The distinction often turns on technical circumvention - courts protect analytical activities that don't breach access controls while penalizing those who bypass passwords, authentication, or security measures.

==Conclusion==
Reverse engineering should not be a crime. Owning a product should mean having control over it. Efforts to restore, understand, or interoperate with devices you have legally purchased are not "hacking" - they are a cornerstone of innovation, user freedom, and the right to repair.

The legal landscape has evolved dramatically through decisions like '''Google v. Oracle''' (2021), which affirmed API re-implementation as fair use.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GOOGLE LLC v. ORACLE AMERICA, INC. CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT No. 18–956. Argued October 7, 2020—Decided April 5, 2021 |url=https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/20pdf/18-956_d18f.pdf}}</ref>

The October 2024 DMCA exemptions represent the largest expansion of repair rights to date. Combined with Van Buren's limitation of CFAA liability, these create lots of legal space for legitimate reverse engineering to be considered legal.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Common terms]]

Discord

2025-12-12T18:11:39Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits to improve tone.

{{ToneWarning}}

'''Discord''' is a proprietary VoIP and instant-messaging platform developed by Discord Inc. (formerly Hammer & Chisel, Inc.), co-founded by Jason Citron and Stanislav Vishnevskiy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Guadalupe |date=3 May 2018 |title=There Are 2.6 Billion Online Gamers in the World. This Startup Just May Connect Them All |url=https://www.inc.com/guadalupe-gonzalez/30-under-30-2018-discord.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503131556/https://www.inc.com/guadalupe-gonzalez/30-under-30-2018-discord.html |archive-date=3 May 2018 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |website=Inc.}}</ref> Launched in 2015, the service has grown to over 150 million monthly active users as of 2025. While initially marketed towards PC gamers, Discord has expanded to multiple platforms, serving various communities and use cases, including education.<ref name="about-company">{{Cite web |date=15 Apr 2024 |title=About Discord <nowiki>|</nowiki> Our Mission and Values |url=https://discord.com/company/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250608013037/https://discord.com/company |archive-date=8 Jun 2025 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |website=Discord}}</ref>

In April 2025, Humam Sakhnini (formerly King, Activision Blizzard) replaced Jason Citron as CEO.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Discord Appoints Humam Sakhnini as Chief Executive Officer |url=https://discord.com/press-releases/discord-appoints-new-ceo-humam-sakhnini}}</ref> {{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Discord Inc.
| Type = Private
| Founded = 2015
| Industry = Software
| Official Website = https://discord.com
| Logo = Discord.svg
}}

==Consumer Impact Summary==

===Privacy<ref name="terms-of-service3">[https://discord.com/terms/ "Discord's Terms of Service"]. April 15, 2024. ''Discord''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref>===
Mentioned within the '''Discord ToS<ref name="terms-of-service3" />''' and '''Privacy Policy''':<ref name="privacy-policy3">[https://discord.com/privacy/ "Discord Privacy Policy"]. April 15, 2024. ''Discord''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref><ref name="community-guidelines2">[https://discord.com/guidelines/ "Discord Community Guidelines"]. April 15, 2024. ''Discord''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref>
*Collects extensive user data, including messages, voice communications, and server participation.
*Claims broad rights to user-generated content.
*Deleted messages are stored for undefined periods.
*Retains personal information until deemed "no longer needed".
*Processes user content for "safety features and platform improvement".
*Shares data with related companies, vendors, and third-party service providers.
*Opt-out behavioral tracking across platform features for personalization.
*Maintains logs of IP addresses and device information for an undetermined amount of time, flags any user who has ever signed in with an EU IP address for inclusion within DSA transparency reports
*Sends a web request when any UI element is clicked & when typing
In 2019, Discord started randomly requiring phone verifications. The account will be locked until a phone number is added, regardless of account age or recent activity. The account will be automatically locked if the phone number is removed.<ref>[https://archive.today/2022.10.28-141642/https://wowana.me/blog/guess-im-done-with-discord.xht guess I'm done with Discord – wowana.me]</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/2025.08.31-190346/https://cadence.moe/blog/2020-06-06-why-you-shouldnt-trust-discord Why you shouldn't trust Discord - cadence's weblog (personal blog)]</ref>

===Freedom===
Mentioned within the '''Discord ToS<ref name="terms-of-service3" />''' and '''Privacy Policy''':<ref name="privacy-policy3" />
*Mandatory [[Forced arbitration|binding arbitration]] with [[class action|class-action]] waiver for U.S. users (Started 19 October 2018).
*Users grant a perpetual, transferable license to their content.
*Users must accept the broad terms of service, which allow for unilateral changes.
*Accounts can be terminated without prior notice at Discord's discretion.

*No option to opt out of core data collection while using the service.
*Content may be retained by Discord even after deletion.
*Server owners have limited recourse if their servers are banned.
*Forced to use Discord's payment processing for all monetary transactions.

===Transparency===
Discord's terms of service are lengthy and complex. In October 2025, the base terms are 29 pages, with a reading level of 14th grade (Junior in college) and an estimated reading time of 42 minutes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Calculated using readabilitychecker.com based on current discord TOS. discord.com/terms |url=https://readabilitychecker.com/url |access-date=9 Oct 2025}}</ref> The 2021 version of Discord's ToS would take an estimated 275+ hours to read.<ref>{{Cite web |title=EULA of despair |url=https://www.pilotlab.org/eulas-of-despair |access-date=9 Oct 2025 |website=Penn State University Pilot Lab}}</ref>

Mentioned within the '''Discord Privacy Policy'''<ref name="privacy-policy3" /> and '''Community Guidelines''':<ref name="community-guidelines2" />
*Unclear processes for handling law enforcement requests.
*Vague about specific data retention time frames.
*Limited transparency regarding content moderation decisions.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=BBB - Discord, Inc. |url=https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/san-francisco/profile/computer-software/discord-inc-1116-918699 |access-date=Aug 2, 2025 |website=Better Business Bureau}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Trustpilot - Discord |url=https://www.trustpilot.com/review/discord.com |access-date=Aug 2, 2025 |website=Trustpilot}}</ref>
**In some instances, the offending content is not displayed to the user, nor is any metadata, filenames, timestamps, or even the originating channel shown.
**No limits or restrictions on the age of content (e.g., users can be suspended due to something sent 1500 days ago)
*Server ban appeals process lacks transparency.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
*Limited disclosure of recommendation algorithm factors.
*There is no clear disclosure of how the content is used for platform improvement.
==Incidents==
===Introduction of forced arbitration (Oct. 2018)===
In October 2018, [[forced arbitration]] was added to the [[Terms of Service|terms of service]]. Users could opt out by sending an 'opt-out notice' to arbitration-opt-out@discord.com within 90 days of the ToS going in effect or registering their first account.'''<ref name="terms-of-service3" />'''

===Child safety concerns (June 2023)===
An [[wikipedia:NBC News|NBC News]] investigation in June 2023 uncovered widespread child safety issues on Discord, revealing systemic problems with the platform's user protection measures.

Investigators identified 35 separate cases where adults were criminally charged with "kidnapping, grooming, or sexual assault" involving contacts initiated through Discord. Additionally, 165 criminal prosecutions involving the sharing of child sexual exploitation material (CSAM) on the platform were documented.<ref><templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles><cite id="CITEREFGoggin2023" class="citation web cs1">Goggin, Ben (21 Jun 2023). [https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/discord-child-safety-social-platform-challenges-rcna89769 "Child predators are using Discord, a popular app among teens, for sextortion and abductions"]. ''NBC News''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20230621152318/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/discord-child-safety-social-platform-challenges-rcna89769 Archived] from the original on 21 Jun 2023. Retrieved 13 Jul 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=NBC+News&rft.atitle=Child+predators+are+using+Discord%2C+a+popular+app+among+teens%2C+for+sextortion+and+abductions&rft.date=2023-06-21&rft.aulast=Goggin&rft.aufirst=Ben&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcnews.com%2Ftech%2Fsocial-media%2Fdiscord-child-safety-social-platform-challenges-rcna89769&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fconsumerrights.wiki%3ADiscord" class="Z3988"></ref>

===FTC data collection investigation (Sept. 2024)===
In September 2024, the [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC) released a comprehensive report examining Discord's data collection practices as part of a broader investigation into the data collection practices of social media platforms.<ref><templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles><cite class="citation web cs1">[https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/Social-Media-6b-Report-9-11-2024.pdf "A Look Behind the Screens: Examining the Data Practices of Social Media and Video Streaming Services"] (PDF). ''Federal Trade Commission''. 11 Sep 2024. [https://web.archive.org/web/20240919133855/https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/Social-Media-6b-Report-9-11-2024.pdf Archived] (PDF) from the original on 19 Sep 2024. Retrieved 13 Jul 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Federal+Trade+Commission&rft.atitle=A+Look+Behind+the+Screens%3A+Examining+the+Data+Practices+of+Social+Media+and+Video+Streaming+Services&rft.date=2024-09-11&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ftc.gov%2Fsystem%2Ffiles%2Fftc_gov%2Fpdf%2FSocial-Media-6b-Report-9-11-2024.pdf&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fconsumerrights.wiki%3ADiscord" class="Z3988"></ref>

The investigation revealed Discord collects extensive user data, including:
*Message content and metadata
*Voice-chat participation
*Server membership and activity
*Device and location information
Particular concern was raised about:
*[https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-16/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-312 Collection of data from users under 13]
*Handling of minors' user information
*Inadequate age-verification systems
The FTC identified multiple areas where Discord's practices put users at risk:
*Identity theft exposure
*Potential stalking risks
*Discrimination concerns
*Mental health and emotional impact

The FTC concluded that Discord's data practices posed unacceptable risks to users, particularly minors, and recommended significant reforms to the platform's privacy protection measures.<ref><templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles><cite id="CITEREFTolentino2024" class="citation web cs1">Tolentino, Daysia (19 Sep 2024). [https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/social-media-companies-engaged-vast-surveillance-ftc-finds-calling-sta-rcna171814 "Social media companies engaged in 'vast surveillance,' FTC finds, calling status quo 'unacceptable'"]. ''NBC News''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20240919171049/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/social-media-companies-engaged-vast-surveillance-ftc-finds-calling-sta-rcna171814 Archived] from the original on 19 Sep 2024. Retrieved 13 Jul 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=NBC+News&rft.atitle=Social+media+companies+engaged+in+%27vast+surveillance%2C%27+FTC+finds%2C+calling+status+quo+%27unacceptable%27&rft.date=2024-09-19&rft.aulast=Tolentino&rft.aufirst=Daysia&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcnews.com%2Ftech%2Fsecurity%2Fsocial-media-companies-engaged-vast-surveillance-ftc-finds-calling-sta-rcna171814&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fconsumerrights.wiki%3ADiscord" class="Z3988"></ref>

===Reinforcement of forced arbitration (Sept. 2025)===
Announced August 29th, 2025, and put into effect September 29th, 2025, Discord updated and re-iterated their [[forced arbitration]] clause but gave users another option to opt-out of forced arbitration until October 29th, 2025, for existing accounts, or 30 days after initial agreement for new accounts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-29 |title=Discord's Terms of Service |url=https://discord.com/terms#16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251007023150/https://discord.com/terms#16 |archive-date=2025-10-07 |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=Discord.com}}</ref> Users are automatically opted into the forced arbitration clause unless they take specific action to opt out of it within 30 days. Instead, if users chose to delete their accounts, the platform required them to accept the terms in order to access their account, from which they could then delete it, making acceptance of the new terms mandatory.
[[File:Discord Forced Arbitration 1.png|alt=An example of Discord forcing users to agree to arbitration if they want to continue using the application.|thumb|(2025-09-29) An example of Discord forcing users to agree to arbitration if they want to continue using the application. The terms of service at the time of this screenshot includes forced arbitration and disallows users from filing a class-action lawsuit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Discord |date=2025-09-29 |title=Terms of Service {{!}} Discord |url=https://discord.com/terms |url-status=live |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=Discord}}</ref>]]

===Third-Party Customer Service Data Breach (Oct. 2025)===
In October 2025, Discord issued a press release announcing a "Security Incident Involving Third-Party Customer Service [5CA]", in which "the unauthorized party [...] gained access to a small number of government‑ID images (e.g., driver’s license, passport) from users who had appealed an age determination", as well as other personal data provided to support.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2025-10-03 |title=Update on a Security Incident Involving Third-Party Customer Service |url=https://discord.com/press-releases/update-on-security-incident-involving-third-party-customer-service |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251006163040/https://discord.com/press-releases/update-on-security-incident-involving-third-party-customer-service |archive-date=2025-10-06 |access-date=2025-10-07 |website=Discord}}</ref> The number of ID images accessed was approximately 70,000, and the third-party in question was later named as 5CA.<ref name=":2" /> The hackers involved in the breach have revealed that the data was accessed via Zendesk.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hunt |first=Troy |date=2025-10-04 |title=X |url=https://x.com/troyhunt/status/1974558088847102289}}</ref>
===Inactive account deletions===
Discord has a [[Inactive account deletion|deletion policy on inactive accounts]], in which accounts that are not used for 2 years or more may be scheduled for deletion. Before the deletion of an inactive account, users may receive an email or text message warning that their account is scheduled for deletion. Such policies could adversely affect those who had good reasons to become inactive for a long time, such as hospitalization, prison incarceration, and being in totalitarian countries that have prolonged internet shutdowns. <ref>https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/5106714856215-Inactive-Account-Deletion</ref>

===Vague moderation===
{{Main|Discord's irresponsible moderation}}
Reported often by users on the BBB<ref name=":0" />, Trustpilot <ref name=":1" />, and a dedicated subreddit<ref>{{Cite web |title=/r/BannedFromDiscord |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/BannedFromDiscord/}}</ref>, users have complained that Discord's moderation is vague. One such user reported that their account was banned after being compromised on the BBB, with an automated system handling the entire process, replying only with templates, and with no human involvement<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mir |first=Zain |date=Jul 23, 2025 |title=BBB Complaint |url=https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/san-francisco/profile/computer-software/discord-inc-1116-918699/complaints?page=2#1116_918699_23643523 |access-date=Aug 1, 2025 |website=Better Business Bureau}}</ref> with an automated system handling the entire process, replying only with templates, with no human involved in the appeal process.

==Solution to delete an account without agreeing to the updated ToS==

*Visit [https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/212500837-How-to-Delete-your-Discord-Account How to delete Discord account] and scroll to "Having Trouble Deleting Your Discord Account?" Find the link titled "Reach out to our support team". Direct link subject to user instance - http://dis.gd/support

*Fill out the "Submit a request" form. (A web search for "Submit a request Discord" may help users find the form. Be sure to answer the question "What can we help you with?" with "Help and Support" from the drop-down.) '''Please fill out the form using the same email address associated with your Discord account, as this process may need to be restarted if it is not.''' In the form, under "Type of question," there is an option for "Account deletion request". Proceed to fill out and submit the form with any other relevant information. An email will then be sent with further instructions, including how to proceed with account deletion, which involves responding to the email with "I confirm that I would like to delete the account associated with [user email]." '''The response must be received from the same email as the one associated with the Discord account.'''

[[File:Discord Vague Infringement example.png|thumb|An example of how Discord handles its moderation from a user's perspective.]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Discord]]
[[Category:Forced arbitration]]

Toyota

2025-12-12T18:02:24Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits to improve tone, article still requires significan work.

{{StubNotice}}
{{Tone}}
{{CompanyCargo
| Founded = 1937
| Industry = Automotive
| Logo = Toyota.png
| ParentCompany =
| Type = Public
| Website = https://toyota.com/
| Description =
}}
'''[[Wikipedia:Toyota|Toyota Motor Corporation]]''', commonly known simply as '''Toyota''', is a Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer. This page contains topics related to business practices as well as products and/or services provided by the Toyota Motor Corporation and its subsidiary [[wikipedia:Lexus|Lexus]].
==Incidents==
===GR Corolla engine fire denied warranty claims===
[[File:Toyota GR Corolla Fire .jpg|thumb|409x409px|Image of first burned Toyota GR Corolla ]]
[[File:Toyota GR Corolla Fire.webp|thumb|410x410px|Image of second burned Toyota GR Corolla]]

The Toyota GR Corolla is a high-performance hatchback released in 2022 and still for sale in the United States and other countries as of the time of writing. There have been at least 2 owners whose warranty claims have been denied by Toyota under suspicious circumstances.

The first owner suffered an engine fire, which resulted in the vehicle being totaled. Toyota denied the claim, asserting that the tires were the cause of the accident. The reply from Toyota's Engagement Center was: "''The owner's manual warns not drive [sic] in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do not drive over 85 mph unless your vehicle has high-speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph may result in tire failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds. Based on our inspection findings and the facts relating to this incident, we cannot provide any assistance in this matter."''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Christopher |date=7 Aug 2024 |title=Two GR Corollas Burned Down. Toyota Won’t Honor the Warranties |url=https://www.motor1.com/news/729265/toyota-gr-corolla-warranty-claims-weird-reasons/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=Motor1}}</ref> The Tires Fitted on the GR Corolla from the factory are Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires that have a speed rating of 186mph.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 Tire |url=https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/tires/michelin-pilot-sport-all-season-4/m405250/#section:specs |access-date=15 May 2025 |website=Consumer Reports}}</ref>

The second owner suffered a more severe fire that completely destroyed the vehicle. Toyota denied his warranty claim, saying "''In response to your concerns, a vehicle inspection was conducted on June 6, 2024....The odometer reading at the last service visit was 8,146 miles. The vehicle was severely burned. A possible hole in the engine block was observed on the front side, near the rear of the engine. No data could be recovered from the vehicle due to the amount of extensive burn damage. Based on the inspection findings, the cause of the fire could not be determined. Therefore, we are unable to offer any assistance.”<ref name=":0" />''

Neither of these denials of warranty coverage has yet been supported by evidence from Toyota.

====Causes====
[[File:Toyota GR Corolla Marketing Material.png|thumb|GR Corolla tire specifications from Toyota's website]]
Owners and Mechanics have speculated on the cause of these engine failures. A video from PIRAS Motorsport disassembles the G16E GTS Engine found in the GR Corolla and proposes engine failure results from excessive engine tolerances.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Piras Motorsport |date=29 Sep 2024 |title=What's Killing Your Toyota G16E GTS Engine? GR Yaris & GR Corolla |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1TONzhOxvs |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> Prevention measures recommended include disassembling the engine and replacing the connecting rods, pistons, and piston rings.

===Start the vehicle using my Toyota key fob===
Remote starting Toyotas with a key fob is now behind a pay wall<ref>{{Cite web |title=How do I start the vehicle using my Toyota key fob? |url=https://support.toyota.com/s/article/How-do-I-start-the-ve-7424?language=en_US}}</ref>. A Remote Connect subscription is required for some vehicles to process the remote start radio signal sequence from the key fob.

===Crash protection is offered only on the driver's side===
Toyota has intentionally left out all the structural metal that can protect passengers in a small-overlap crash, and has only added it on the driver's side <ref> {{Cite web|url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=72caLypmKCA|title=Passenger side protection lacking in smaller crashes}}</ref>

===Ending support of app suite ''(2023)''===
In 2023, [[Toyota]] decided to stop supporting the Toyota app suite, which included models as late as 2024, such as the 4Runner. Depending on the vehicle, Alexa, NPR One, iHeartRadio, LiveXLive, Scout GPS Link, Destination Search, Saved Destinations, H2 Station Finder (where applicable), Fuel, Sports, Stocks, Traffic, Weather. If your vehicle did not have Android Auto, you were out of luck for GPS and all other apps.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Toyota App Suite Sunset |url=https://support.toyota.com/s/article/Toyota-App-Suite-Retirement?language=en_US |website=Toyota Support}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Toyota App Suite being discontinued |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Toyota/comments/172subi/toyota_app_suite_being_discontinued/ |website=Reddit}}</ref>

==References==
[[Category:Toyota]]
<references />

ManyCam

2025-12-12T17:59:16Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits to improve tone, article formatting might need to be fixed.

{{ToneWarning}}

{{InfoboxProductLine
| Title = ManyCam
| Release Year = 2024
| Product Type = Software
| In Production = Yes
| Official Website = https://manycam.com/
| Logo = Manycam.png
}}

'''ManyCam''' is a live video-streaming software application owned by [[Paltalk]], formerly known as [[AVM Software]]. ManyCam.com describes the application as:
<blockquote>
" .. an easy-to-use virtual camera and live streaming software that helps you deliver professional live videos on streaming platforms, video conferencing apps, and remote learning tools."
</blockquote>

==Revocation of lifetime licenses==
In the summer of 2022, Paltalk [[Retroactively amended purchase|retroactively amended]] the purchase of its ManyCam software, blocking "Lifetime" subscribers from updating to the newest version, leaving them without access to the software they had already purchased.

Prior to ManyCam's acquisition by Paltalk in 2022, ManyCam offered lifetime licenses, which were advertised as including all future versions and upgrades for a one-time payment, a fact made evident by the statements on the ManyCam website, up until March 2022, that <q>Any paid ManyCam Lifetime subscription allows you to upgrade the ManyCam software for free whenever a newer version of ManyCam is released</q> and that <q>ManyCam Lifetime subscription plans are a one-time payment, no renewal or other fees included.</q><ref name="ManyCam Knowledge Base: Will I get all future versions and updates of ManyCam for free?"> [https://web.archive.org/web/20220317113659/https://help.manycam.com/knowledge-base/manycam-devices-video-sources/ "ManyCam Knowledge Base: Will I get all future versions and updates of ManyCam for free?"] manycam.com via The Internet Archive </ref>

After acquiring ManyCam in June 2022, Paltalk released an update for customers to upgrade to ManyCam 8.0.0, a version of the software for which the lifetime licenses did not work.<ref name="ManyCam Forum: Activation many cam 8 and many cam lite - 2022-07-05"> [https://web.archive.org/web/20220705084722/https://forum.manycam.com/t/activation-many-cam-8-and-many-cam-lite/6448 "ManyCam Forum: Activation many cam 8 and many cam lite"] manycam.com via The Internet Archive on July 5th, 2022</ref>

[[File:ManyCam 7 Lifetime Studio notifies of updates by default.png|alt=A screenshot of ManyCam 7 with Lifetime Studio with default settings. The "Notify me about new ManyCam versions" setting is enabled by default.|thumb|A screenshot of ManyCam 7 Lifetime Studio with default settings. The "Notify me about new ManyCam versions" setting is enabled by default.]]
As ManyCam 7 was configured by default to notify users of any new versions available for upgrade under the "lifetime" license, many users followed the usual upgrade path to ManyCam 8 and were unable to activate their "lifetime" license as they had done previously.<ref name="ManyCam Forum: Activation many cam 8 and many cam lite - 2022-07-05" /> Presumably, this was not properly communicated to many customers, as many expressed surprise when their lifetime licenses stopped working as they had before.<ref name="ManyCam Forums: Don't Upgrade to ManyCam 8! - 2022-07-05">[https://web.archive.org/web/20220705095408/https://forum.manycam.com/t/dont-upgrade-to-manycam-8/6440 "ManyCam Forums: Don't Upgrade to ManyCam 8!"] forum.manycam.com via The Internet Archive on July 5th, 2022</ref>

On July 1, 2022, a "Guest Writer" who was posting under the guise of Visicom Media, the previous owner, made a blog post on the official ManyCam.com website:<ref name="ManyCam Blog: Update for ManyCam Lifetime Subscriptions">[https://web.archive.org/web/20230531011812/https://manycam.com/blog/update-for-manycam-lifetime-subscriptions/ "ManyCam Blog: Update for ManyCam Lifetime Subscriptions"] manycam.com via The Interner Archive</ref>

<blockquote>
"ManyCam is now under new ownership. The new owner does not offer Lifetime subscriptions. Some Lifetime customers have been concerned about their ability to use their subscription in the future. The intent was never to interfere with that ability of current Lifetime customers.
</blockquote>

Visicom Media stands by its Lifetime customers and will continue to support them by arranging a total of two years of free subscription with the new owner. This offer can be claimed in the ManyCam account on the webpage. At the user’s request, and upon the expiration of the two-year free subscription, Visicom Media will offer an upgrade to any current Lifetime customers who continue to need such access."
<nowiki>|width=80%|</nowiki>align=right|margin=0.5em}}

====Retroactive change to ManyCam FAQ Page====

After the release of the ManyCam 8.0.0 update, around June 18, 2022, Paltalk modified the ManyCam Knowledge Base webpage to change the stated terms regarding the ManyCam Lifetime subscription plans:<ref name="ManyCam Knowledge Base (Modified by Paltalk): Will I get all future versions and updates of ManyCam for free?">[https://web.archive.org/web/20220618021632/https://help.manycam.com/knowledge-base/manycam-devices-video-sources/ " Will I get all future versions and updates of ManyCam for free?"] manycam.com via The Internet Archive ''After being aquired by Patatalk'' </ref>

<blockquote>
'''ManyCam Lifetime subscription plans'''

Any paid 'ManyCam 7' Lifetime subscription allows you to upgrade the 'ManyCam 7' software for free whenever a newer version of 'ManyCam 7' is released, i.e. with 'ManyCam 7 Lifetime', you will get lifetime access to all future versions and updates of the 'ManyCam 7' application for free, which includes access to the paid 'ManyCam 7' features available in your subscription plan (Standard, Studio, Premium, Enterprise, Education). 'ManyCam 7 Lifetime' subscription plans are a one-time payment, no renewal or other fees included.
</blockquote>

This change replaced "ManyCam" with "ManyCam 7". Thus, their statement effectively made no promises of any upgrades, because ManyCam 8 had already been released, and Paltalk was no longer developing new versions of ManyCam 7.

==Customer reaction==
Following Paltalk's acquisition of ManyCam, many customers shared their experiences and complaints on both personal websites and the official ManyCam forums.

One user created a post on their personal web blog, describing the situation:<ref name="Amazing CTO (Blog): ManyCam dishonored my lifetime license">[https://web.archive.org/web/20230413205720/https://www.amazingcto.com/beware-manycam-licensing-pricing/ "ManyCam dishonored my lifetime license"] amazingcto.com via The Internet Archive</ref>

<blockquote>
How one day I've learned that lifetime license doesn't mean lifetime

I wanted to talk about customer relations and how to have a successful startup. And what not to do.

Let’s start with a story. I’ve bought a Premium Lifetime license from ManyCam. ManyCam is a software that does several things, I needed it to be able to use a webcam in two applications at the same time. One year after I’ve bought the Lifetime license, they released a new version and my Lifetime license effectively stopped working.

“ManyCam is now under new ownership. […] Visicom Media stands by the Lifetime customers and will continue to support them by arranging with the new owner for a total of two years of free subscription." Standing by the lifetime customer by offering two years and dishonoring the lifetime license? I call that a “Weasel License” not a “Lifetime Premium License” as the lifetime of a weasel is two years (Can you believe that? I didn’t know either).

There is the saying that a happy customer doesn’t talk, but an unhappy customer spreads their bad experience to ten people. The person you’ve sold the lifetime license to will probably never update, because they hate you, there is no money in it for you anymore from that customer except you can hold them hostage. In this case even more sinister, offering a free subscription to get you on the subscription bandwagon - screw you twice. But I chose a one time lifetime license exactly because I don’t want a subscription. So trying to get me on a subscription doesn’t make any sense at all. In the end money for you but the downside of an unhappy customer running around, telling their story.

I do understand the constraints of a business, and sometimes you need money right now, so you want to get all your future income from a customer and offer a lifetime license. I also understand selling a business and the new owner has new priorities (the reason I tell all my CTO coaches they need everything in writing from their boss in their contract, a new boss will probably only honor what is written down, not spoken promises). I understand the reason for the lifetime license might be to increase sales numbers before you sell the business. But then you should honor that deal and let the customer use your software for a lifetime, and not make it stop working after a year. You can argue it’s a new release, and lifetime was only for the old software. If you keep lifetime bug fixes coming and all the features working for the old software, this might be fine but still feels dishonest (they didn’t answer my question of how long my version would be supported with bug fixes - especially as it crashes rather often). And I’d argue from a software developer point of view it’s easier to let the customer use the newest software than updating and fixing older version for “Lifetime”, especially if you have a complete rewrite.

[…]

Coming back to customers. Do you invest in extracting short term money from customers? Or do you invest in long term relations. In the case of ManyCam they could have sold me add-ons that feel like they are worth it. By honoring the lifetime license the likelihood of me buying from them increases. It is the same as from the detour. In the beginning it’s about getting traction, then about getting money. And then the key to growth is retention. If you want to grow your customer base, the first thing is to prevent customers leaving. If you fill water in a bucket with a hole - something I’ve seen in to many startups on how they use marketing without product market fit - then after some time the bucket is empty when you stop pouring. So don’t make your customers run away.
</blockquote>

As evident from these posts, many customers were unhappy about being placed in the situation that Paltalk put them in and felt that Paltalk was being dishonest because their actions constituted a classic [[bait and switch|bait-and-switch]] tactic. Other users agreed with this assessment, saying that they were "disgusted":<ref name="ManyCam Forums: Lifetime Sub no longer valid">[https://web.archive.org/web/20231024221248/https://forum.manycam.com/t/lifetime-sub-no-longer-valid-manycam-8/6456 "ManyCam Forums: Lifetime Sub no longer valid"] forum.manycam.com via The Internet Archive</ref>

<blockquote>
[USERNAME REDACTED] June 15, 2022, 4:56pm

So, after using the beta for a while now, suddenly it tells me that my lifetime sub isnt valid for ManyCam 8 or higher.

There is no longer any lifetime pricing listed on their site.

They’ve basically sold lifetime subscriptions and spontaneously stopped supporting them in releases going forward.

Bait & Switch trash move. I’m disgusted.

</blockquote>

Other customers were thankful that people in the ManyCam online forums had posted their experiences to warn against upgrading.<ref name="ManyCam Forums: Don't Upgrade to ManyCam 8! - 2022-07-05"></ref>

<blockquote>|quote=[USERNAME REDACTED] June 21, 2022, 5:44pm

<nowiki>I just want to say, I came to the forums after seeing the option to pay was Annual or 2 years and I appreciate all the posts warning me against the newest upgrade. Looks like ManyCam ha[s] [sic] fallen victim to subscription greed. Disappointing, but good luck to them I guess. I’m going to a competitor where I can just buy the software, forced subscriptions are the refuge of the lazy. I’m not saying developers shouldn’t be paid, on the contrary, I WANT to pay them, but I’m not willing to be a steady stream of income for, lets be honest, slow innovation and perpetually out of date UI design. It was a good run though. 🫡
}}</nowiki>

At least one customer was evaluating ManyCam as a candidate for purchasing software licenses for their employees. However, they removed ManyCam from their software candidate list citing Paltalk's deceptive act of changing the "lifetime" license terms to only apply to ManyCam version 7.x.<ref name="ManyCam Forums: Don't Upgrade to ManyCam 8! - 2022-07-05"></ref>

<blockquote>|quote=[USERNAME REDACTED] June 21, 2022, 8:26pm #41

I think they take us for idiots, and hope we’ll all accept that ‘lifetime’ only referred to the lifetime of version 7,x, or not notice, or something.

<nowiki>I’ve already had ManyCam removed from a proof of concept candidate list at work on the basis that the company is no longer trustworthy
}}</nowiki>

Another customer who purchased the "lifetime" license noticed that the new version of "''ManyCam Lite''" had also been updated to put a feature gate on the high resolutions, which now required the new paid subscription.<ref name="ManyCam Forums: Don't Upgrade to ManyCam 8! - 2022-07-05"></ref>

<blockquote>|quote=[USERNAME REDACTED] June 22, 2022, 4:05pm #42

FYI - those who bought “Lifetime” - strongly suggest you do NOT get the newer ManyCam Lite.

They’ve gated high resolutions behind the new subscription.

So while yes, it will at least “run”, it’s been nerfed.

[[File:Manycam Screenshot- Feature Gated High Resolutions.png|alt=A screenshot of ManyCam Lite after the update, showing the newly locked (feature gated) high resolutions. |thumb|A screenshot of ManyCam Lite after the update, shows the newly locked (feature gated) high resolutions. Lifetime license holders were shown this screen in the app settings after the update.|none]]
<nowiki>}}</nowiki>

Yet another customer was upset about changes to the app which Paltalk made to advertise their other self-titled app, "Paltalk".<ref name="ManyCam Forums: Don't Upgrade to ManyCam 8! - 2022-07-05"></ref>

<blockquote>|quote=[USERNAME REDACTED] August 7, 2022, 10:59pm #54

<nowiki>To add insult to injury, when I restarted my mac today and opened Manycam, I had an ad pop-up for PalTalk (another app of theirs I gather). So, if the comments here are accurate, not only are they not honouring the terms of our lifetime subscriptions, they’re also advertising to us in-app?
}}</nowiki>

As evident from these forum posts, many paying customers were not pleased and driven away from ManyCam because of Paltalk's actions. Understandably, those paying customers were very unhappy when their "lifetime" license no longer worked, as it had for all other versions prior to ManyCam version 8. Customers noticed that the company had changed the terms of their lifetime licenses after they had purchased such licenses under the promises of free future upgrades. One customer related their experiences with previous upgrades to compare and contrast with the new situation and highlight their perception of the company's dishonest behavior:<ref name="ManyCam Forums: Lifetime Sub no longer valid"></ref>

<blockquote>
[USERNAME REDACTED] June 15, 2022, 7:55pm

MANYCAM 8 is a Rip Off-!!!

For all of us who have supported this company with a Premium Lifetime Subscription, of which I had purchased two, I feel very let down that my subscription of a ‘Premium Lifetime’ does not apply to version 8? Yet, for all the other versions up until v7 and its updates it applied. I cant work this one out. How can they charge for a Lifetime Subscription, which at the time included ALL FUTURE UPDATES, now not count with version 8.

Am I the only one who has fallen fowl of this Company? It seems they are Judge, Jury and Executioner when it comes to changing their policies, forgetting their loyal customers who paid good money for them to exist. If this is how they treat their loyal customers, just think what they must be like to work for! I pity their employees. If nothing else, ManyCam has FAILED to honour all customers who purchased a Premium Lifetime Subscription! Shame on you!!!
</blockquote>

Another customer agreed with the "AmazingCTO"'s assessment and proposal that Paltalk should honor their previous customers' Lifetime licenses by grandfathering them in:<ref name="ManyCam Forums: Lifetime Sub no longer valid"></ref>

<blockquote>
[USERNAME REDACTED] August 12, 2022, 9:35am

This is NOT the way you treat your customers.
The correct way would be to grandfather in Lifetime subscribers and let the new subscription model be for new users. Or AT LEAST give us a minimum of 10 year free use.

I have bought Studio Lifetime and upgraded to Premium Lifetime. And do not even get a full year of use before I need to convert to a subscription to continue to get updates?

I do believe my lifetime is more than ONE YEAR!!
</blockquote>

Indeed, as "AmazingCTO" and this user observed, most human beings would concur that a "lifetime" is a span of time much greater than one year. As such, these customers perceived Paltalk to be disingenuous by not honoring the "lifetime" license agreement.

==References==
<references />
[[Category:ManyCam]]

Epic Games forces third party account creation in Rocket League

2025-12-11T19:54:09Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits to improve tone

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Needs more references and in-text citations.}}{{Tone}}
With the v2.48 patch on January 29th, 2025, Steam users wanting to play Rocket League were suddenly met with an error upon startup of the game, with the user being required to create an account with [[Epic Games, Inc.|Epic Games]] before being able to access the game they bought and paid for. This change was not mentioned in the patch notes and was done well after the game was moved from Steam to EGS in 2020.

==Background==
In 2015, Rocket League was released by the company Psyonix for all major platforms at the time. Being a sequel to the also popular SARPBC from 2008, the game became a major hit. In May of 2019, Psyonix would be acquired to undisclosed terms by Epic Games. This led to Rocket League being removed from Steam on September 23rd, 2020 (where it was [https://steamdb.info/app/252950/ 20$ at the time]) and going free to play on the Epic Games Store only. In 2020, support for the Linux and MacOS versions of the game was dropped, however, full refunds were offered. Players who bought the game on Steam were compensated with 3 in-game items, and since then, a system was in place allowing Steam users to keep playing without needing an Epic Games account.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ATTENTION STEAM USERS, you are forced to create an epic games account to play on steam |url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/252950/discussions/0/612032045420447780/ |access-date=18 September 2025 |website=Reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Can't play the game - epic games login forced |url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/252950/discussions/0/612032045420447780/ |access-date=18 September 2025 |website=Steam}}</ref>

==Starting to require an account==
This changed on January 29th. As a part of the [https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/252950/view/527584837006001305?l=english v2.48 patch] made on January 29th, 2025, Steam users were now met with a network error upon launching the game, which forced users to make an account with Epic Games and accept their EULA and Privacy Policy. making this a case of [[post-purchase EULA modification]]. There was no option to continue playing online without making an Epic Games account. This incident has flown under the radar among most people, with only the [https://store.steampowered.com/app/252950/Rocket_League/#app_reviews_hash Steam reviews page] of the game experiencing an uptick in negative reviews.
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Epic Games]]
[[Category:Rocket League]]

Europe-based news sites enact consent-or-pay for data tracking

2025-12-11T15:16:43Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits to improve tone

{{Stub}}
{{ToneWarning}}
The Mirror and The Independent are UK-based news sites that have recently implemented the [[consent-or-pay]] model, creating a binary choice where readers must either consent to cookies or pay to opt out of data tracking.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=15 August 2025 |title=The Mirror |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=15 August 2025 |title=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/}}</ref> This consent-or-pay model began rolling out on various websites when the UK and EU passed the [[General Data Protection Regulation|General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)]], which aims to protect internet users from data exploitation.

==Background==
After the [[GDPR]] passed in 2018, some companies responded to the regulation by implementing a consent-or-pay model, where users can either consent to data tracking via cookies or pay a small fee to opt out of all cookies. The purpose of the payment is to offset the loss of ad revenue per viewer.[[File:The Mirror Cookie Disclosure Notice.png|alt=The Mirror Cookie Disclosure Notice containing text "We have introduced these choices in accordance with data protection regulations."|thumb|The Mirror's cookie disclosure notice with the options of "I Agree" or "Reject and Pay."]]
==Consumer impact==
The consent-or-pay model violates the [[General Data Protection Regulation|GDPR]], and it also raises an ethical issue regarding privacy.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=November 28, 2023 |title=Meta's 'Pay or Okay' Model: Legal and Ethical Implications for Publishers |url=https://www.uniconsent.com/blog/risks-of-pay-or-consent-models |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250427063707/https://www.uniconsent.com/blog/risks-of-pay-or-consent-models |archive-date=27 Apr 2025 |access-date=26 Aug 2025 |work=UniConsent}}</ref> The European Union at EDPB adopted this opinion following the requests of the Dutch, Norway, and Hamburg DPA's (Data Protection Authorities) regarding the consent or pay models deployed by large, popular platforms such as [[Facebook]] and other platforms.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 April 2024 |title=EDPB: ‘Consent or Pay’ models should offer real choice |url=https://www.edpb.europa.eu/news/news/2024/edpb-consent-or-pay-models-should-offer-real-choice_en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726233856/https://www.edpb.europa.eu/news/news/2024/edpb-consent-or-pay-models-should-offer-real-choice_en |archive-date=26 Jul 2024 |access-date=26 Aug 2025 |website=European Data Protection Board (EU)}}</ref>

According to the UK's Information Commissioner's Office, consent is defined as “any freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous indication of the data subject’s wishes by which he or she, by a statement or by a clear affirmative action, signifies agreement to the processing of personal data relating to him or her.” 'Freely given' is later defined as giving people genuine choice over how their data is used, meaning they must be able to refuse consent without detriment, and must be able to withdraw consent easily at any time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is valid consent? |url=https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/lawful-basis/consent/what-is-valid-consent/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250716030925/https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/lawful-basis/consent/what-is-valid-consent/ |archive-date=2025-07-16 |access-date=2025-08-27 |website=ICO {{!}} Information Commissioner's Office}}</ref>[[File:News The Independent Today's headlines and latest breaking news.jpeg.png|thumb|The Independent’s cookie notice with the title "Privacy - it's your choice." The notice then gives viewers the option to either "pay to remove ads" or "accept" data collection for targeted ads.]]

==Uses==
News organizations across Europe, particularly in the UK and Germany, have enacted the consent-or-pay model for website visits. Meanwhile, users will see ads regardless of their monthly payment, but will be free of personalized ads generated from their personal data.
{| class="wikitable"
|+UK News Organizations and Cookie Rejection Fee
!News organization
!Website
!Monthly fee
|-
|The Mirror
|
|£1.99
|-
|The Independent
|
|£4
|-
|Mail Online
|
|£2.70
|-
|Express
|
|£1.99
|-
|Daily Mirror
|
|
|-
|The Sun
|
|£4.99
|-
|Reach
|
|£1.99
|}
In The Sun's frequently asked questions, they answer what Pay to Reject is with this explanation on their website:<blockquote>''"In response to recent enforcement action by the UK Information Commissioner against publishers, we have been forced to introduce new technology to ask our subscribers to consent to the advertising cookies that support our journalism, or pay a monthly fee that means we don’t need to use them."''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Advertising cookie consent settings |url=https://ptr.thesun.co.uk/ |website=The Sun}}</ref></blockquote>

The tech website "How-To-Geek" also demands payment to reject cookies https://www.howtogeek.com/

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Incidents]]

Games as a service

2025-12-11T01:59:02Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits to improve tone

{{StubNotice}}{{ToneWarning}}
{{Main|Software as a service}}
'''[[wikipedia:Games_as_a_service|Games as a service]]''' (also known as live-service games) is a business model designed to monetize games after their initial sale or free download. It is typically through new updates, [[downloadable content]], and [[microtransaction]]s. This model exists in opposition to the traditional method of purchasing a game that can be used and played indefinitely, with no additional transactions required beyond the initial purchase.

A common practice in this model is allowing players to pre-purchase content with the promise that it will be released at a specified time and will include all features advertised in the product's listing. Games as a service also typically have a premium currency, which players purchase with real-world currency to acquire in-game items.

==Issues==
While GaaS incentivizes developers to keep producing content for their game, the game often risks becoming completely unplayable once support is discontinued.<ref>{{cite web|author=Accursed Farms|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w70Xc9CStoE|title=The largest campaign ever to stop publishers destroying games|website=YouTube|access-date=2025-01-24}}</ref> There is very little legal recourse for the user to recoup the cost of purchasing the game or its in-game content. The [[End-user license agreement|End-User License Agreement (EULA)]] typically disclaims the publisher's obligation to refund or compensate users, as it clarifies that they are purchasing a license rather than owning the software outright.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kelleherbros.com/blog/2024/3/27/digital-ownership-2-the-eula-era|title=Precarious Digital Ownership: The EULA Era|website=kelleherbros.com|access-date=2025-01-28}}</ref>

Additionally, in some scenarios, content offered and even sold on GaaS may also be discontinued or revoked from consumers while the service continues.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Savage |first=Phil |date=Aug 23, 2020 |title=Here's everything being removed from Destiny 2 at the end of this season—it's a lot |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/heres-everything-being-removed-from-destiny-2-at-the-end-of-this-seasonits-a-lot/ |access-date=Mar 31, 2025 |work=PC Gamer}}</ref>

==Examples==

===Ubisoft===
{{Main|Ubisoft}}
XDefiant, developed by Ubisoft, is an example of a game-as-a-service. On December 3, 2024, the game announced the shutdown of its servers for June 3, 2025.<ref name=":0">[https://archive.is/ueESQ "'XDEFIANT IS SUNSETTING' Tweet"] - archive.is - archived 2025-01-28</ref> 49 days before the shutdown announcement, executive producer of XDefiant, Mark Rubin, posted online that the game had no plans to shut down after Season 4, despite being still in Season<ref>[https://archive.is/nEche "Mark Rubin Profile"] - archive.is - archived 2025-01-28</ref>, posted online that the game had no plans of shutting down after season 4, while the game was still in season 2, and they had recently discussed their plans internally for the second year of content.<ref>[https://archive.is/XmekP "Mark Rubin claims NO plans to shut down after season 4"] - archive.is - archived 2025-01-28</ref> The shutdown post announced that the last 30 days of purchases would be fully refunded.<ref name=":0" />

The shutdown of ''The Crew'' is one of the central issues of the [[Stop Killing Games]] campaign. Despite the game containing some code for an offline mode<ref>[https://steamcommunity.com/app/241560/discussions/0/3803901559414708777/ Offline Mode is in the game] steamcommunity.com - accessed 2025-02-06</ref> from the start, it was not made accessible to the user due to the game's [[Digital rights management|digital rights management]] (DRM) <ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qKNY64-QSc The Crew Offline Mode - Setting The Record Straight] youtube.com - accessed 2025-01-28 </ref>, leaving the game in a completely unplayable state.

===EA===
{{Main|Electronic Arts}}
In recent years, Electronic Arts (often abbreviated as EA) has garnered a notorious reputation for being a company involved in these practices and has received criticism for its over-reliance on micro-transactions and DLC for generating revenue.

On July 3, 2025, EA announced that [[Anthem]], a game developed by BioWare and published by EA, will have its servers shut down on January 12, 2026.<ref name=":022">{{Cite web |date=2025-07-03 |title=Anthem Game Update |url=https://www.ea.com/games/anthem/news/anthem-game-update |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250704091220/https://www.ea.com/games/anthem/news/anthem-game-update |archive-date=2025-07-04 |access-date=2025-07-04 |website=EA}}</ref> As the title was developed exclusively under the live-service model, the closure of the servers will render the game unplayable.<ref name=":022" />

===Bungie===
{{Main|Bungie}}
The [[wikipedia:Destiny_(video_game_series)|Destiny]] franchise is Bungie's primary source of revenue, and its most recent title, Destiny 2, has featured a significant amount of content offered in the game that has been forcibly vaulted by the company.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Glagowski |first=Peter |date=Jun 9, 2020 |title=Bungie To Remove Four Planets And All But Three Raids From Destiny 2 |url=https://www.thegamer.com/destiny-2-content-removal/ |access-date=Mar 31, 2025 |work=The Gamer}}</ref> Most notably, player-purchased content, including single-player content that shouldn't necessitate access to a server, has been removed from the game.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=The_Observer |date=Jun 18, 2021 |title=How could Bungie get away so easily with removing paid content from Destiny 2? |url=https://www.neogaf.com/threads/how-could-bungie-get-away-so-easily-with-removing-paid-content-from-destiny-2.1610927/ |access-date=Mar 31, 2025 |website=NeoGAF}}</ref> In mid-2022, Bungie did promise to stop removing content from the game,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gach |first=Ethan |date=Aug 23, 2022 |title=Destiny 2 Promises No More Axing Old Parts Of Game, Something That Players Hated |url=https://kotaku.com/destiny-2-lightfall-vaulting-sunset-forsaken-expansion-1849446608 |access-date=Mar 31, 2025 |work=Kotaku}}</ref> but not all legacy content has been reintroduced to the game.<ref>{{Cite news |last=GB Times Gaming Team |date=Mar 21, 2025 |title=Why is Bungie Removing Content from Destiny 2? The Content Vault Controversy Explained |url=https://gbtimes.com/gaming/why-is-bungie-removing-content/ |access-date=Mar 31, 2025 |work=GB Times}}</ref>

Bungie's previous GaaS title, Destiny, requires an always-online connection, and while the company has stated that they will maintain legacy support for both modern platforms,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bungie |title=Legacy Support for Destiny 1 Activities |url=https://help.bungie.net/hc/en-us/articles/360049201951-Legacy-Support-for-Destiny-1-Activities |access-date=Mar 31, 2025 |website=Bungie Help}}</ref> and legacy console editions,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bungie |title=Destiny 1 on Legacy Consoles |url=https://help.bungie.net/hc/en-us/articles/360049497531-Destiny-1-on-Legacy-Consoles |access-date=Mar 31, 2025 |website=Bungie Help}}</ref> it is plausible due to software degradation for the servers<ref>{{Cite news |last=MorphNeo |date=Jul 29, 2024 |title=Destiny 1 - Have they really SHUT IT DOWN? - Error: This version of Destiny is no longer available. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfYzX58wMBs |access-date=Mar 31, 2025 |work=YouTube}}</ref> though, that the title could eventually become unplayable for consumers, especially as error frequency grows more common over time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=javagat10 |date=Jan 29, 2023 |title=Destiny Server issue on Xbox 360. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/DestinyTheGame/comments/10o1t6l/destiny_server_issue_on_xbox_360/ |access-date=Mar 31, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=ICE BREAKER (Timelost) |date=Jul 19, 2025 |title=Is destiny1 servers shut down permanently? |url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/264186352?page=0 |access-date=Mar 31, 2025 |website=Bungie Forums}}</ref>

Bungie has also announced ''{{Wplink|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marathon_(upcoming_video_game)|Marathon}}'',<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bungie |date=May 24, 2023 |title=Bungie Announces Marathon; Nathan Fillion To Return to Destiny 2 for The Final Shape Expansion |url=https://press.bungie.com/Bungie-Announces-Marathon-Nathan-Fillion-To-Return-to-Destiny-2-for-Th |access-date=Mar 31, 2025 |work=Bungie Press Room}}</ref> a reboot for their older franchise. This game has the plausibility to release as a live service title as well, considering Bungie's recent history with their games.

==References==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Services]]
[[Category:Common terms]]

2025-12-10T19:11:34Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits to improve tone

{{ToneWarning}}{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = WhatsApp
| Type =Subsidiary
| Founded =2009
| Industry =Social Media
| Official Website =https://www.whatsapp.com/
| Logo =WhatsApp Logo green.svg
}}'''[[wikipedia:WhatsApp|WhatsApp]]''' (officially '''WhatsApp Messenger''') is an American instant messaging (IM) and voice-over-IP (VoIP) service owned by technology conglomerate [[Meta]].

==Consumer impact summary==

===User Privacy===
Collects and shares metadata, while competing apps intentionally collect less to avoid incursions on their users' privacy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Elkind |first=Peter |last2=Gillum |first2=Jack |last3=Silverman |first3=Craig |date=7 Sep 2021 |title=How Facebook Undermines Privacy Protections for Its 2 Billion WhatsApp Users |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/how-facebook-undermines-privacy-protections-for-its-2-billion-whatsapp-users |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907090516/https://www.propublica.org/article/how-facebook-undermines-privacy-protections-for-its-2-billion-whatsapp-users |archive-date=7 Sep 2021 |access-date=6 Mar 2025 |website=ProPublica}}</ref>

===Market Control===
The combination of [[Facebook]], WhatsApp, and [[Instagram]], all owned by Meta, serves billions of active users.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dixon |first=Stacy Jo |date=10 Jul 2024 |title=Most popular social networks worldwide as of April 2024, by number of monthly active users |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/272014/global-social-networks-ranked-by-number-of-users/ |access-date=6 Mar 2025 |website=Statista |quote=''[...] Meta Platforms owns four of the biggest social media platforms, all with more than one billion monthly active users each: Facebook (core platform), WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram.''}}</ref>

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

===Introduction of advertising (2025)===
In June 2025, Meta announced that personalized ads would be introduced globally on WhatsApp.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scharon |first=Harding |date=2025-06-16 |title=Ads are “rolling out gradually” to WhatsApp |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/06/ads-are-rolling-out-gradually-to-whatsapp/ |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=Ars Technica}}</ref> Previously, Meta (then known as Facebook) stated in 2014, after it acquired the application: <blockquote>''("[…] And you can still count on absolutely no ads interrupting your communication.")''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Facebook |url=https://blog.whatsapp.com/facebook?lang=en |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=WhatsApp Blog}}</ref> </blockquote>The personalized ads also utilize data from linked accounts on other Meta platforms.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-16 |title=Helping You Find More Channels and Businesses on WhatsApp |url=https://about.fb.com/news/2025/06/helping-you-find-more-channels-businesses-on-whatsapp/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=Meta Newsroom}}</ref>

===Privacy policy update (2021)===
{{Main|WhatsApp updates privacy policy and millions of users flee the platform}}
There was widespread backlash over an upcoming privacy policy update related to the data-sharing procedures with Facebook. It outlined how businesses that use WhatsApp for customer service may store logs of their chats on Facebook servers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Statt |first=Nick |date=12 Jan 2021 |title=WhatsApp clarifies it’s not giving all your data to Facebook after surge in Signal and Telegram users |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/12/22226792/whatsapp-privacy-policy-response-signal-telegram-controversy-clarification |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112161057/https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/12/22226792/whatsapp-privacy-policy-response-signal-telegram-controversy-clarification |archive-date=12 Jan 2021 |access-date=6 Mar 2025 |website=The Verge}}</ref> The update sparked a broader concern, prompting millions of users to abandon the platform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hern |first=Alex |date=24 Jan 2021 |title=WhatsApp loses millions of users after terms update |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/jan/24/whatsapp-loses-millions-of-users-after-terms-update |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124165416/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/jan/24/whatsapp-loses-millions-of-users-after-terms-update |archive-date=24 Jan 2021 |access-date=6 Mar 2025 |website=The Guardian}}</ref>

==="Advanced chat privacy"===
The "Advanced Chat Privacy" feature reduces data portability by disabling chat exporting. Chat exporting allows you to export the entire chat history, along with optional media attachments, into a ZIP file. This can now be remotely disabled by the other participant, meaning the user is at the mercy of the other participant to allow exporting.

There are legitimate reasons for exporting chats, such as creating backups in a human-readable and non-proprietary format, preempting erroneous account terminations (yes, [https://karl-voit.at/cloud they do happen]), searching using external tools, and preserving good memories with people, including those of deceased individuals (see [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rj5dxoMY-dE Ed Sheeran - Old Phone]). And if you don't trust someone to keep something secret, you shouldn't send it in the first place, just as you would not tell them in real life.

The developers of WhatsApp have threatened to block [[screenshot blocking|screenshots]] inside chats with "advanced chat privacy" enabled:<ref>[http://archive.today/2025.07.07-200053/https://cybersecuritynews.com/whatsapp-advanced-chat-privacy-feature/ WhatsApp’s New Advanced Chat Privacy Feature to Protect Sensitive Conversations]</ref>

<blockquote>
The company has stated that this is the first iteration of the feature, with plans to introduce even more robust protections in future updates, potentially including measures to block screenshots.
</blockquote>
==Mandatory updates==
WhatsApp forces users to stay on updated versions of the app by first giving them an in-app warning if they have not updated for a while. If the user still chooses not to update, usage of the app will be disabled entirely {{Citation needed|reason=how long before this happens? any screenshots?}}. This is problematic in certain cases, such as being in an area with poor or limited internet connectivity or using an older device that is no longer supported.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cole |first=Dylan |title=WhatsApp drops support for Android KitKat |url=https://www.androidpolice.com/whatsapp-support-android-kitkat/ |website=Android Police}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ro |date=2024-12-22 |title=WhatsApp to drop support for older Android devices on January 1, 2025 |url=https://www.gsmarena.com/whatsapp_to_drop_support_for_older_android_devices_on_january_1_2025-news-65834.php |website=GSMArena}}</ref> 

==Alternatives==
*[https://www.signal.org Signal] offers most of the same features, and while [[Signal data collection|not without some issues]], the app is open source, relies on Privacy by Design, and is operated by a non-profit.

*[https://matrix.org/ Matrix] is more private and uses a federated design, but setup is slightly more involved than that of a commercial messenger.

*[https://telegram.org/ Telegram] is the most popular alternative and is end-user-friendly, with minimal content moderation. Prior to a September 2024 policy change, it refused to hand over user data to law enforcement upon request.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Lily |last=Jamali |title=Telegram will now provide some user data to authorities |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvglp0xny3eo |website=BBC |date=23 Sep 2024 |access-date=22 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923225048/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvglp0xny3eo |archive-date=23 Sep 2024}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:WhatsApp messenger]]

Flock Safety

2025-12-10T19:04:47Z

ClippyFellow47: Major grammar edits to improve tone.

{{ToneWarning}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=2017
|Industry=Surveillance Technology
|Type=Private
|Website=https://www.flocksafety.com
|Description=Flock Safety is an American surveillance technology company that develops and operates a mass surveillance system combining automated license plate readers (LPRs), video surveillance cameras, gunshot detection, drones, and data analytics platforms used by thousands of law enforcement agencies and private entities across the United States.
|Logo=Flock Safety Logo (2025).svg}}
[[wikipedia:Flock_Safety|Flock Safety]] is a technology company that creates and operates an extensive surveillance network using automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and related technologies.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=2025-10-23 |title=Highlights from Denver's Flock camera town hall – Mayor didn't show up |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dkIiLWuXBE |access-date=2025-10-30 |website=YouTube |type=Video}}</ref> Flock was founded in 2017 by Georgia Tech alumni Garrett Langley (CEO), Matt Feury (CTO), and Paige Todd (CPO), beginning as a side project where they built their first surveillance cameras by hand.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edmonson |first=Crystal |date=2023-08-22 |title=Flock Safety cameras help police amid worker shortage, CEO Garrett Langley says |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2023/08/22/flock-safety-cameras-police-shortage-langley.html |website=Atlanta Business Chronicle}}</ref> The company operates on a "surveillance as a service" business model, owning and maintaining camera infrastructure while charging recurring fees to law enforcement agencies, private communities, and businesses for access to its surveillance data and network.<ref name="FlockFunding">{{Cite web |date=13 Mar 2025 |title=Accelerating Innovation: Flock Secures $275 Million to Advance Crime-Solving Technology |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-safety-secures-major-funding |access-date=26 Sep 2025 |website=[[Flock Safety]]}}</ref>

As of mid-2025, independent reporting and public records indicate the Flock network comprised more than 80,000 AI-enabled cameras nationwide.<ref name="Koebler2025">{{cite web |last=Koebler |first=Jason |date=2025-08-25 |title=CBP Had Access to More than 80,000 Flock AI Cameras Nationwide |url=https://www.404media.co/cbp-had-access-to-more-than-80-000-flock-ai-cameras-nationwide/ |access-date=2025-10-29}}</ref> Flock’s materials state deployments in roughly 5,000 communities, and the company reports the system processes "over 20 billion" vehicle scans per month; these latter two figures are company-provided and should be read as Flock’s claims rather than independently verified totals.<ref>{{cite web |date=2025-05-28 |title=City Leaders Choose Flock Safety: A Proven, Community-Focused Public Safety Solution |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/city-leaders-choose-flock-safety-a-proven-community-focused-public-safety-solution |website=Flock Safety |accessdate=2025-10-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Real-Time Vehicle Leads, Nationwide |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/products/national-lpr-network |website=Flock Safety |accessdate=2025-10-29}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{cite web |title=FlockOS |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/products/flock-os |url-status=live |accessdate=2025-12-01 |website=Flock Safety}}</ref>

The company reported surpassing roughly $300 million in annual recurring revenue. In March 2025, it closed a $275 million funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz, which independent reporting estimated valued the company at about $7.5 billion.<ref name="FlockFunding" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Hu |first=Crystal |date=2025-03-13 |title=US startup Flock Safety raises $275 million to fund manufacturing plant, R&D |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/us-startup-flock-safety-raises-275-million-fund-manufacturing-plant-rd-2025-03-13/ |website=Reuters |accessdate=2025-10-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Accelerating Innovation: Flock Secures $275 Million to Advance Crime-Solving Technology |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-safety-secures-major-funding |website=Flock Safety |date=2025-03-13 |accessdate=2025-10-29}}</ref> As of 2025, the company has raised a total of $957.5 million in funding.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flock Safety: 2025 CNBC Disruptor 50 |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/10/flock-safety-cnbc-disruptor-50.html |website=CNBC}}</ref>

==Consumer-impact summary==

===Privacy Violations===
Critics, including civil liberties organizations, argue that Flock's mass surveillance network violates privacy rights and represents a form of constant public monitoring that differs fundamentally from traditional, fleeting police observation.<ref name="ACLUStanley">{{Cite web |last=Stanley |first=Jay |title=Flock's Aggressive Expansions Go Far Beyond Simple Driver Surveillance |url=https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/flock-roundup |website=American Civil Liberties Union}}</ref> A lawsuit filed in 2024 challenges the constitutionality of warrantless searches of ALPR databases; courts have split on the issue in different jurisdictions, and rulings continue to be appealed. For example, a federal complaint in Schmidt v. City of Norfolk (E.D. Va.) alleges repeated location logging by ALPRs, while appellate activity in related Virginia cases continued into 2025. Readers should consult the cited court documents and reporting for further developments.<ref>{{cite web |last=Collier |first=Kevin |date=2025-09-18 |title=Police cameras tracked one driver 526 times in four months, lawsuit says |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/virginia-police-used-flock-cameras-track-driver-safety-lawsuit-surveil-rcna230399 |accessdate=2025-10-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Flock Applauds Virginia Court of Appeals Ruling Affirming Constitutionality of LPR Cameras |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-applauds-virginia-court-of-appeals-ruling-affirming-constitutionality-of-lpr-cameras |date=2025-10-14 |accessdate=2025-10-29}}</ref> The system does not offer a public opt-out mechanism.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |date=2025-10-21 |title=Leaving the Door Wide Open: Flock Surveillance Systems Expose Washington Data to Immigration Enforcement |url=https://jsis.washington.edu/humanrights/2025/10/21/leaving-the-door-wide-open/ |accessdate=2025-10-30 |website=University of Washington Center for Human Rights}}</ref> This raised concerns about the potential for misuse, profiling, and long-term monitoring of individuals and their associations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hamid |first=Sarah |last2=Alajaji |first2=Rindala |date=27 Jun 2025 |title=Flock Safety's Feature Updates Cannot Make Automated License Plate Readers Safe |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/06/flock-safetys-feature-updates-cannot-make-automated-license-plate-readers-safe |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation}}</ref>

Specific privacy violations include:
*Warrantless tracking and data sharing: Flock's business model enables a nationwide data-sharing network that allows thousands of law enforcement agencies to access location data without warrants or reasonable suspicion of wrongdoing.<ref name="ACLUStanley" />
*Expanded audio surveillance: In 2025, Flock announced that its Raven gunshot detection systems would begin listening for "human distress" sounds, such as screaming, expanding beyond gunshot detection to voice monitoring.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guariglia |first=Matthew |date=2025-10-02 |title=Flock's Gunshot Detection Microphones Will Start Listening for Human Voices |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/10/flocks-gunshot-detection-microphones-will-start-listening-human-voices |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation}}</ref>
*Undermining state shield laws: Despite state laws protecting healthcare access, out-of-state officers from jurisdictions that criminalize abortion or gender-affirming care can access Flock data on residents of protective states.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maass |first=Dave |date=7 Oct 2025 |title=Flock Safety and Texas Sheriff Claimed License Plate Search Was for a Missing Person. It Was an Abortion Investigation. |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/10/flock-safety-and-texas-sheriff-claimed-license-plate-search-was-missing-person-it |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation}}</ref>
*Immigration enforcement: Research from the University of Washington Center for Human Rights documented systematic access to Flock data by federal immigration authorities, often in violation of state laws.<ref name=":0" /> This occurred through three methods: "front door" access, where agencies directly shared data with Border Patrol; "back door" access via a default "National Lookup" setting that granted federal access without explicit local authorization; and "side door" searches where local officers ran searches on behalf of ICE.<ref name=":0" />
*Contractual privacy overreach: The ACLU of Massachusetts found that Flock's default service agreement grants the company a "worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free" license to disclose agency data for "investigative purposes," even if a local police department has chosen to restrict data sharing with other agencies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flock Can Share Driver-Surveillance Data Even When Police Departments Opt Out, And Other Flock Developments |url=https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/flock-massachusetts-and-updates |website=American Civil Liberties Union}}</ref>
===Business '''Model'''===
Flock Safety operates on a subscription-based "safety-as-a-service" model.<ref name="Sacra">{{cite web |title=Flock Safety revenue, growth rate & funding |url=https://sacra.com/c/flock-safety/ |website=Sacra |access-date=2025-10-30}}</ref> The company charges approximately $2,500 per camera annually, plus a one-time installation fee.<ref name="Sacra" /> This subscription includes maintenance, software updates, and data hosting. Forbes reported in 2025 that a single license plate reader camera costs between $3,000 and $3,500, with additional fees for the FlockOS platform.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Brewster |first=Thomas |date=2025-09-03 |title=AI Startup Flock Thinks It Can Eliminate All Crime In America |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2025/09/03/ai-startup-flock-thinks-it-can-eliminate-all-crime-in-america/ |access-date=2025-10-30 |website=Forbes}}</ref> This model has proven highly successful, with the company reporting over $300 million in annual recurring revenue as of 2024, reflecting a 70% year-over-year increase.<ref name="FlockFunding" />

Each subscription includes comprehensive services such as maintenance, software updates, data hosting, customer support, and unlimited user access.<ref name="Sacra" /> Flock's AI-enabled cameras capture detailed vehicle “[[Device fingerprint|fingerprints]]”—including make, model, color, bumper stickers, damages, and other distinguishing characteristics—in addition to license plates,<ref name=":4" /> with footage retained for 30 days before deletion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-03-11 |title=How Flock Safety Eliminates Neighborhood Crime While Protecting Resident Privacy |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/how-flock-safety-protects-resident-privacy |url-status=live |access-date=2025-12-01 |website=Flock Safety Blog}}</ref> The company’s network benefits from strong network effects. Investor Andreessen Horowitz has stated the system's power grows with adoption, as "digital evidence can be pooled across different law enforcement agencies," creating network effects that increase surveillance capabilities as more agencies join.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Investing in Flock Safety |url=https://a16z.com/investing-in-flock-safety/ |website=Andreessen Horowitz}}</ref> As cameras are deployed across more jurisdictions, participating agencies gain access to a broader shared data pool.

Flock initially focused on homeowner's associations—which still account for roughly 40% of its business—before expanding rapidly into law enforcement and enterprise sectors, illustrating a “land-and-expand” growth strategy.<ref name="Sacra" /> Major venture capital firms have invested heavily, signaling strong market confidence. In March 2025, a funding round of $275 million was led by Andreessen Horowitz, with participation from Green Oaks Capital, Bedrock Capital, and Tiger Global, among others, valuing the company at $7.5 billion.<ref name="FlockFunding" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Wilson Sonsini Advises Flock Safety on $275 Million Financing |url=https://www.wsgr.com/en/insights/wilson-sonsini-advises-flock-safety-on-dollar275-million-financing.html |publisher=Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati |date=2025-03-14 |accessdate=2025-10-30}}</ref> Major corporate clients include retailers like Lowe's and FedEx, mall operator Simon Property Group, and healthcare provider Kaiser Permanente.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brewster |first=Thomas |date=2024-05-06 |title=America's Biggest Mall Owner Is Sharing AI Surveillance Feeds Directly With Cops |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2024/05/06/simon-property-and-flock-safety-feed-ai-surveillance-feeds-to-the-cops/ |website=Forbes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brewster |first=Thomas |date=2024-06-26 |title=FedEx's Secretive Police Force Is Helping Cops Build An AI Car Surveillance Network |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2024/06/26/fedex-police-ai-car-surveillance-network-flock-safety/ |website=Forbes}}</ref>

Strategic acquisitions and infrastructure investment fuel the company's expansion. Following its acquisition of Aerodome, Flock Safety is building a 100,000-square-foot U.S. manufacturing facility for drone production.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=Flock Safety: 2025 CNBC Disruptor 50 |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/10/flock-safety-cnbc-disruptor-50.html |publisher=CNBC |date=2025-06-10 |accessdate=2025-10-30}}</ref>

==Surveillance technology==
''See: [[Flock license plate readers]]''

Flock Safety offers an integrated ecosystem of surveillance hardware and software marketed as a public safety platform.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Flock Safety Product Hub |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/products |website=Flock Safety |access-date=2025-10-30}}</ref> The hardware component includes solar-powered ALPRs that capture license plates and create a "vehicle fingerprint" based on make, model, color, and distinguishing features like bumper stickers or roof racks;<ref name=":2" /> video cameras with AI-powered analytics for people and vehicle detection;<ref name=":2" /> acoustic sensors that identify gunshots and breaking glass for real-time alerts;<ref name=":2" /> and drones acquired through Aerodome for "drone as first responder" systems automatically dispatched to emergency calls.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Flock Expands Into Drones |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-safety-expands-into-drones-for-law-enforcement-with-acquisition-of-aerodome |website=Flock Safety |access-date=2025-10-30}}</ref>

Specific product models include the Falcon and Sparrow license plate readers, as well as the Raven gunshot detection system.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Katz-Lecabe |first=Mike |date=2022-04-01 |title=Dissection of Flock Safety Camera |url=https://www.chrp.org/blog/dissection-of-flock-safety-camera |website=The Center for Human Rights and Privacy}}</ref> Flock's software integrates with police vehicle systems, including widely used Axon dashcams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Axon Partners with Flock Safety to Enhance Security for Cities and Neighborhoods |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/axon-partners-with-flock-safety-to-enhance-security-for-cities-and-neighborhoods-302036099.html |website=PR Newswire}}</ref>

The software platform includes FlockOS, a real-time crime center platform that enables users to view maps and geographic data, body camera and drone feeds, 911 call data, as well as traffic camera and acoustic sensor data.<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-05 |title=The Evolution of FlockOS: How Customer Feedback Continues to Shape the Future |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/the-evolution-of-flockos-how-customer-feedback-continues-to-shape-the-future |url-status=live |access-date=2025-12-01 |website=Flock Safety Blog}}</ref> FlockOS enables the National LPR Network, a nationwide database for sharing and searching LPR data across jurisdictions;[27] and Flock Nova, a data analytics platform that integrates LPR data with law enforcement systems, such as RMS and CAD,<ref name=":2" /> and Flock Nova, a data analytics platform integrating LPR data with law enforcement systems like RMS and CAD to identify patterns.<ref name=":2" />

==Incidents==
===Wrongful Package Theft Accusation in Bow Mar, Colorado (September 2025)===
In September 2025, Columbine Valley Police Sgt. Jamie Milliman wrongfully accused Denver resident Chrisanna Elser of package theft, relying exclusively on Flock Safety license plate reader data that placed her vehicle in Bow Mar during the robbery.<ref name=":5">{{cite web | title=Police used Flock cameras to accuse a Denver woman of package theft. She had her own evidence | website=Denverite | date=2025-10-28 | url=https://denverite.com/2025/10/27/bow-mar-flock-cameras-accusation/ | accessdate=2025-10-30}}</ref> The officer asserted "zero doubt" about her guilt, telling her verbatim, "It is locked in. There is zero doubt. I wouldn't have come here unless I was 100% sure," and bragged about the extensive surveillance network, stating "you can't get a breath of fresh air, in or out of that place, without us knowing."<ref name=":6">{{cite web | title=After police used Flock cameras to accuse a Denver woman of theft, she had to prove her own innocence | website=The Colorado Sun | date=2025-10-28 | url=https://coloradosun.com/2025/10/28/flock-camera-police-colorado-columbine-valley/ | accessdate=2025-10-30}}</ref> When Elser denied the accusation, Milliman refused to show her the supposed evidence, stating, "You have not been honest with me, so I'm not going to extend you any courtesy of showing you a video when I don't need to."<ref>{{cite web | title=Police use Flock cameras to wrongfully accuse Denver woman of theft | website=KDVR | date=2025-10-28 | url=https://kdvr.com/news/local/police-use-flock-cameras-to-wrongfully-accuse-denver-woman-of-theft/ | accessdate=2025-10-30}}</ref> Elser was compelled to compile extensive exculpatory evidence, including dashcam footage, Google Timeline data, witness statements, and surveillance images from her tailor. She ultimately submitted a 7-page affidavit and a voluminous Google Drive folder to prove her innocence.<ref name=":5" /> The summons was only voided after Police Chief Bret Cottrell reviewed her evidence, writing, "After reviewing the evidence you have provided (nicely done btw), we have voided the summons that was issued." However, the department provided neither an apology nor an explanation.<ref name=":6" /> This incident raises serious concerns about Flock's role in creating a surveillance state, where citizens are presumed guilty until they prove their innocence.

===Denver Contract and Surveillance Controversy (Ongoing)===
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston unilaterally renewed the city's contract with Flock Safety through an emergency executive order just hours before a town hall protest, after the Denver City Council had unanimously rejected the contract 12-0.<ref name="cbsdenver">{{cite web | title=Some on the Denver City Council upset after Mayor Mike Johnston moves forward with controversial Flock cameras | website=CBS News Colorado | date=2025-10-23 | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/flock-camera-denver-city-council-mayor/ | accessdate=2025-10-30}}</ref><ref name="coloradopolitics">{{cite web | title=Anger grows as Denver mayor extends Flock camera contract | website=Colorado Politics | date=2025-10-23 | url=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/10/23/anger-grows-as-denver-mayor-extends-flock-camera-contract/ | accessdate=2025-10-30}}</ref> The council's rejection was due to a lack of guardrails around data access and privacy concerns.<ref name="cbsdenver" /> The mayor's move, described by Councilwoman Shontel Lewis as "'king' behavior," bypassed the democratic process and sparked immediate public backlash.<ref name="cbsdenver" /> A town hall protest organized by consumer advocate Louis Rossmann drew close to 700 attendees, filling a main conference room and overflow spaces.<ref name="coloradopolitics" /><ref name=":7" /> Rossmann has also published a guide for residents to oppose the cameras.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=2025-10-20 |title=A guide to de‑flocking Denver: here's EXACTLY what you need to do, step‑by‑step. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxJIp_4RaWk |archive-date= |access-date=2025-10-30 |website=YouTube |type=Video}}</ref> The new, no-cost five-month extension included new safeguards, such as a $100,000 fine on Flock for any unauthorized data sharing and cutting off access for all jurisdictions outside of the Denver Police Department.<ref name="cbsdenver" /><ref name="coloradopolitics" /> The mayor's office cited the technology's role in recovering stolen vehicles and solving homicides, while critics remained concerned about executive overreach and the system's potential for misuse.<ref name="cbsdenver" /><ref name="coloradopolitics" />

===Data Sharing with Federal Immigration Authorities (Ongoing)===
Federal immigration enforcement agencies systematically accessed Flock's license plate data through multiple methods despite state laws prohibiting such sharing.<ref>{{cite web | last1=Koebler | first1=Jason | last2=Cox | first2=Joseph | title=ICE Taps into Nationwide AI-Enabled Camera Network, Data Shows | website=404 Media | date=2025-05-27 | url=https://www.404media.co/ice-taps-into-nationwide-ai-enabled-camera-network-data-shows/ | accessdate=2025-10-30}}</ref> This included direct "front door" access where at least eight Washington law enforcement agencies enabled 1:1 data sharing with U.S. Border Patrol,<ref name=":0" /> "back door" access where Border Patrol searched data from at least ten Washington police departments without explicit authorization,<ref name=":0" /> and "side door" searches where local officers conducted searches on behalf of ICE, visible only when officers typed reasons like "ICE" into search fields.<ref>{{cite web | last1=Koebler | first1=Jason | title=CBP Had Access to More than 80,000 Flock AI Cameras Nationwide | website=404 Media | date=2025-08-25 | url=https://www.404media.co/cbp-had-access-to-more-than-80-000-flock-ai-cameras-nationwide/ | accessdate=2025-10-30}}</ref> Internal Flock data revealed that CBP had access to more than 80,000 cameras nationwide, with searches conducted in multiple states, potentially violating state sanctuary laws.<ref>{{cite web | title=License plate camera company halts cooperation with federal agencies among investigation concerns | website=ABC7 Chicago | date=2025-08-26 | url=https://abc7.com/post/flock-safety-license-plate-camera-company-halts-cooperation-federal-agencies-among-investigation-concerns-including-il/17653876/ | accessdate=2025-10-30}}</ref>

===Investigation of Abortion Seeker (May 2025)===
A Johnson County, Texas sheriff's officer conducted a nationwide surveillance operation using Flock Safety's network to track a woman who had a self-managed abortion.<ref>{{cite web | last1=Koebler | first1=Jason | last2=Cox | first2=Joseph | title=A Texas Cop Searched License Plate Cameras Nationwide for a Woman Who Got an Abortion | website=404 Media | date=2025-05-29 | url=https://www.404media.co/a-texas-cop-searched-license-plate-cameras-nationwide-for-a-woman-who-got-an-abortion/ | accessdate=2025-10-30}}</ref> The search spanned 6,809 different Flock networks and queried data from over 83,000 cameras across multiple states.<ref name=":0" /> The officer specifically searched Flock camera data from Yakima and Prosser, Washington, accessing surveillance data from jurisdictions where abortion is legally protected to investigate someone from a restrictive state.<ref>{{cite web | last1=Koebler | first1=Jason | last2=Cox | first2=Joseph | title=Police Said They Surveilled Woman Who Had an Abortion for Her 'Safety.' Court Records Show They Considered Charging Her With a Crime | website=404 Media | date=2025-10-07 | url=https://www.404media.co/police-said-they-surveilled-woman-who-had-an-abortion-for-her-safety-court-records-show-they-considered-charging-her-with-a-crime/ | accessdate=2025-10-30}}</ref> While police initially claimed the surveillance was for the woman's "safety," internal documents revealed the case was officially logged as a "death investigation" and detectives had consulted the district attorney about charging the woman.<ref>{{cite web | title=Flock Gives Law Enforcement All Over the Country Access to Your Location | website=ACLU of Massachusetts | date=2025-10-07 | url=https://data.aclum.org/2025/10/07/flock-gives-law-enforcement-all-over-the-country-access-to-your-location/ | accessdate=2025-10-30}}</ref> The incident sparked a congressional investigation and led to multiple jurisdictions reevaluating their Flock contracts over concerns about reproductive rights surveillance.<ref>{{cite web | title=I'm Hearing About More Pushback Against Flock, Fueled by Concern Over Anti-Immigrant Uses | website=ACLU | date=2025-10-28 | url=https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/flock-pushback | accessdate=2025-10-30}}</ref>

===Paused Federal Pilots and Systemic Data Sharing with Federal Agencies (August 2025)===
Flock Safety announced it was pausing all ongoing pilot programs with Department of Homeland Security agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Ensuring Local Compliance |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/ensuring-local-compliance |website=Flock Safety}}</ref> The company stated this pause was to "ensure local compliance" and admitted its previous public statements had "inadvertently provided inaccurate information" about the level of federal access to its network.<ref name=":3" />

This decision followed investigations revealing systematic data sharing with federal immigration authorities that potentially violated state laws in Washington, Illinois, and other states with sanctuary protections.<ref name=":0" /> A University of Washington Center for Human Rights report documented three methods of federal access:

*Front door access: At least eight Washington law enforcement agencies, including police departments in Yakima and Wenatchee, enabled direct data sharing with U.S. Border Patrol.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="wenatchee">{{cite web | title=Flock Safety setting allowed U.S. Border Patrol access to Wenatchee Valley license plate data without police knowledge | website=The Wenatchee World | date=2025-10-29 | url=https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/flock-safety-setting-allowed-u-s-border-patrol-access-to-wenatchee-valley-license-plate-data/article_8335941e-161c-594d-bc51-a56e0bd7251b.html | accessdate=2025-10-29}}</ref>

*Back door access: A default "National Lookup" setting allowed Border Patrol to access data from at least ten Washington agencies without explicit authorization. Police chiefs in Wenatchee and East Wenatchee stated they were unaware of this setting and disabled it upon discovery.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="wenatchee" />

*Side door searches: Law enforcement officers conducted searches on behalf of ICE, visible only when officers typed reasons like "ICE" or "illegal immigration" into search fields.<ref name=":0" /> A public interest law firm noted Flock's pause of direct federal access does little to prevent this workaround, as "federal law enforcement cannot directly access this trove of information; they can just ask other Flock customers to run searches or share log-in information."<ref name="ij">{{cite web | title=Public Interest Law Firm Responds to Flock Safety Pausing Federal Access to License Plate Reader Cameras | website=Institute for Justice | date=2025-08-26 | url=https://ij.org/press-release/public-interest-law-firm-responds-to-flock-safety-pausing-federal-access-to-license-plate-reader-cameras/ | accessdate=2025-10-29}}</ref>

===Consumer Complaints about Business Practices===
Multiple independent user reviews on Trustpilot, as well as reports from legal advocacy groups, detail a range of consumer complaints against Flock Safety. These issues span predatory billing practices, unreliable hardware, inadequate customer support, and concerns over the value and ethics of the service.

*Predatory billing and contract issues: Customers report aggressive auto-renewal practices. One review alleges the company sent termination notices to the incorrect party and then enforced an auto-renewed two-year contract for nearly $10,000, demanding payment because the customer did not provide a 30-day termination notice.<ref name="trustpilot">{{cite web | title=Flock Safety Reviews | website=Trustpilot | url=https://www.trustpilot.com/review/flocksafety.com | accessdate=2025-10-29}}</ref> Another customer claimed the company would not offer a refund for cameras they found to be useless, describing the system as a "rip off."<ref name="trustpilot" /> The Institute for Justice has raised concerns that Flock tries to "lock customers into its products."<ref name="ij">{{cite web | title=Public Interest Law Firm Responds to Flock Safety Pausing Federal Access to License Plate Reader Cameras | website=Institute for Justice | date=2025-08-26 | url=https://ij.org/press-release/public-interest-law-firm-responds-to-flock-safety-pausing-federal-access-to-license-plate-reader-cameras/ | accessdate=2025-10-29}}</ref>

*Poor camera reliability and performance: Reviews frequently cite hardware failures and poor video quality. One neighborhood reported that a camera, costing $4,000 per year, was operational for only nine days before failing and had been offline for 25% of its total service time.<ref name="trustpilot" /> Another customer complained that the cameras are "not live" and lack night vision, concluding that a "$300 video camera system from Harbor Freight is 100% better."<ref name="trustpilot" /> A different reviewer stated that the quality declined significantly after March 2025, alleging the company "got rid of all their competent employees."<ref name="trustpilot" />

*Inadequate customer support: Numerous complaints have been made about poor customer service, particularly among smaller communities and organizations. One reviewer felt that the company is "focused on big city/county government contracts" and that "little guys are at the back of the line for support."<ref name="trustpilot" /> The company's profile on Trustpilot indicates that it has not replied to negative reviews.<ref name="trustpilot" />

*High cost and poor value: Customers question the value of the service, given its high annual fee. Reviews mention yearly payments of $4,000 to $4,700 for a single camera, with one customer paying $8,700 over two years for a system they found ineffective.<ref name="trustpilot" /> Forbes reports that a single Flock license plate reader camera costs between $3,000 and $3,500, with additional fees for the FlockOS subscription.<ref name=":4" />

*Ethical and legal concerns: Some criticisms extend beyond business practices to the product's societal impact. One review labeled Flock a "profoundly immoral company" that provides governments with the means to violate Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures.<ref name="trustpilot" /> Major civil liberties organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have published analyses raising significant privacy and Fourth Amendment concerns about the technology.<ref>{{cite web | last=Stanley | first=Jay | title=Flock's Aggressive Expansions Go Far Beyond Simple Driver Surveillance | website=ACLU | date=2025-10-28 | url=https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/flock-roundup | accessdate=2025-10-29}}</ref> The ACLU has also published analyses raising considerable privacy concerns about the technology.<ref>{{cite web | title=Flock Can Share Driver-Surveillance Data Even When Police Departments Opt Out, And Other Flock Developments | website=ACLU | date=2025-10-07 | url=https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/flock-massachusetts-and-updates | accessdate=2025-10-29}}</ref>
==Lawsuits==

===''Schmidt v. City of Norfolk'' (18 Sep 2025)===

A lawsuit in Norfolk, VA, revealed that the city's ALPR system has logged the location of a plaintiff's vehicle 526 times in 4 months.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Collier |first=Kevin |date=2025-09-18 |title=Police cameras tracked one driver 526 times in four months, lawsuit says |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/virginia-police-used-flock-cameras-track-driver-safety-lawsuit-surveil-rcna230399 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251008230235/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/virginia-police-used-flock-cameras-track-driver-safety-lawsuit-surveil-rcna230399 |archive-date=2025-10-08 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=NBC News}}</ref> The second plaintiff had their vehicle's position logged 849 times in a similar time period. The ALPR system is provided by Flock to the Norfolk Police Department in a deal costing $2.2 million, in return for Flock providing services through to the end of 2027. The camera installation began in 2023, and at present, there are 176 cameras around the city. The lawsuit is requesting that the plaintiff's data be deleted and the cameras be turned off, arguing that these actions constitute an infringement of the Fourth Amendment and a warrantless search. Flock counters this assertion by claiming that "LPRs do not constitute a warrantless search because they take point-in-time photos of cars in public and cannot continuously track the movements of any individual." This legal position was supported by a ruling from the Virginia Court of Appeals in October 2025, which reversed a lower court and found that warrantless use of Flock's system does not violate the Fourth Amendment.<ref>{{cite web | title=Flock Applauds Virginia Court of Appeals Ruling Affirming Constitutionality of LPR Cameras | website=Flock Safety | date=2025-10-14 | url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-applauds-virginia-court-of-appeals-ruling-affirming-constitutionality-of-lpr-cameras | accessdate=2025-10-29}}</ref>

===''United States v. Martin'' (11 Oct 2024)===

In ''United States v. Martin'' (E.D. Va.), the district court denied a motion to suppress evidence obtained via an ALPR network, issuing a memorandum opinion on October 11, 2024. The court concluded that the images at issue were point-in-time photographs of vehicles on public roads and therefore did not establish a reasonable expectation of privacy for purposes of the Fourth Amendment.<ref>{{cite web |title=MEMORANDUM OPINION, United States v. Martin, No. 3:23-cr-150 (E.D. Va. Oct. 11, 2024) |url=https://case-law.vlex.com/vid/united-states-v-martin-1056100094 |accessdate=2025-10-29}}</ref>

Legal commentators have treated the ruling as a persuasive decision supporting warrantless searches of ALPR/Flock databases in that jurisdiction; however, it remains a district-court decision and not binding precedent outside the Eastern District of Virginia. Courts in other jurisdictions have reached different conclusions on the warrant requirements for ALPR searches.<ref>{{cite web |last=Grosdidier |first=Pierre |title=Authorities can search Flock databases without a warrant |url=https://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?ContentID=67513 |website=Texas Bar Journal |date=2025-04 |accessdate=2025-10-29}}</ref>

===Public Records Lawsuits in Washington State (26 Aug 2024)===

Multiple public-records disputes over Flock camera data have led to litigation in Washington. In one high-profile example, the Cities of Sedro-Woolley and Stanwood filed a declaratory-judgment action in Skagit County (Case No. 25-2-00717-29), asking a court to declare that images and data stored in Flock’s AWS cloud are not “public records” under the Washington Public Records Act unless and until a public agency accesses and downloads them.<ref>{{cite web |title=City of Sedro-Woolley and City of Stanwood v. Jose Rodriguez — Complaint for Declaratory Judgment |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/901263718/City-of-Sedro-Woolley-v-Jose-Rodriguez-Complaint-for-Declaratory-Judgement |website=Scribd (court filing) |date=2025 |accessdate=2025-10-29}}</ref> The dispute became contested in multiple forums after the requester filed his own suit and responsive filings, alleging that the cities had violated the PRA. While the litigation proceeds, some municipalities have paused or disabled Flock camera deployments pending a judicial ruling on whether the raw images/data must be released as public records.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stanwood pauses Flock cameras amid public records lawsuits |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/stanwood-pauses-flock-cameras-amid-public-records-lawsuits/ |website=HeraldNet |date=2025-09-10 |accessdate=2025-10-29}}</ref>

===Norfolk Circuit Court Warrant Requirement (June 2024)===

In June 2024, a Norfolk Circuit Court judge granted a defendant's motion to suppress evidence obtained from the city's Flock ALPR system, ruling that, in that case, warrantless access to the system implicated the Fourth Amendment.<ref>{{cite web |title=Norfolk judge rejects police Flock camera evidence without warrant |url=https://www.pilotonline.com/2024/06/15/norfolk-judge-rejects-police-flock-camera-evidence-without-warrant/ |website=The Virginian-Pilot |date=2024-06-15 |accessdate=2025-10-29}}</ref>

That trial-court ruling was later reversed by the Virginia Court of Appeals in ''Commonwealth v. Church'' (Oct 2025), which concluded the circuit court erred and held that the ALPR images at issue were point-in-time photographs of vehicles in public and therefore did not require a search warrant; the appellate court reversed the suppression and remanded for further proceedings.<ref>{{cite web |title=Commonwealth v. Ronnie D. Church, No. 0737-25-1 (Va. Ct. App. Oct. 2025) (unpublished opinion) |url=https://www.vacourts.gov/static/opinions/opncavwp/0737251.pdf |accessdate=2025-10-29}}</ref>

For coverage and context. See reporting on the trial-court suppression and the later appellate reversal.<ref>{{cite web |last=King |first=Katie |title=Norfolk judge rejects police Flock camera evidence without warrant |url=https://www.govtech.com/public-safety/virginia-judge-rejects-alpr-evidence-without-warrant |website=GovTech |date=2024-06-17 |accessdate=2025-10-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Flock Applauds Virginia Court of Appeals Ruling Affirming Constitutionality of LPR Cameras |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-applauds-virginia-court-of-appeals-ruling-affirming-constitutionality-of-lpr-cameras |website=Flock Safety |date=2025-10-14 |accessdate=2025-10-29}}</ref>

==Further reading==

*[https://deflock.me/ DeFlock: ALPR Location Map]
*[https://www.noalprs.org/ No ALPRs: Advocacy Group]
*[https://www.eff.org/issues/license-plate-readers EFF: License Plate Readers]
*[https://www.aclu.org/issues/privacy-technology/surveillance-technologies/aclu-works-stop-license-plate-reader-surveillance ACLU: License Plate Reader Surveillance]
*[https://www.wired.com/tag/automated-license-plate-readers/ Wired: Automated License Plate Readers]
*[https://www.vice.com/en/topic/automated-license-plate-readers Vice: Automated License Plate Readers]
*[https://www.technologyreview.com/tag/surveillance/ MIT Technology Review: Surveillance]
*[https://www.flock-restrictions.org/ Flock Restrictions: Policy Tracking]
*[https://www.urban.org/features/how-police-use-technology Urban Institute: Police Technology Use]

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

Proton Mail

2025-12-10T18:27:09Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits to improve tone

{{Stub}}
{{ToneWarning}}

ProtonMail is a privacy-focused email client based in Switzerland, which has partnered with non-Swiss content delivery networks, such as Radware. ProtonMail offers cloud email, calendar, VPN, and cloud storage services, with a marketing focus on privacy that sets it apart from competitors like Google and Microsoft.

==False advertising and working with authorities==
Up to 2021, Protonmail has advertised itself as a private and secure service with the following under "Anonymous email": <blockquote>"No personal information is required to create your secure email account. By default, we do not keep any IP logs which can be linked to your anonymous email account. Your privacy comes first."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Secure email: Proton is free encrypted email. |url=https://proton.me/mail |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831234120/https://protonmail.com/ |archive-date=2021-08-31 |website=ProtonMail}}</ref> </blockquote>As it turned out, that statement was false. In September 2021, a member of a French activist group had been using ProtonMail to communicate with other groups. As an investigation was launched involving them, the email provider handed over the user's IP address and other data, including the device they were using.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lomas |first=Natasha |date=2021-09-06 |title=ProtonMail logged IP address of French activist after order by Swiss authorities |url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/09/06/protonmail-logged-ip-address-of-french-activist-after-order-by-swiss-authorities/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-11-19 |website=TechCrunch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Salter |first=Jim |date=2021-09-07 |title=ProtonMail removed “we do not keep any IP logs” from its privacy policy |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2021/09/privacy-focused-protonmail-provided-a-users-ip-address-to-authorities/ |access-date=2025-11-19 |website=Ars Technica}}</ref> The section was changed shortly after getting attention from new outlets and the general public.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Secure email: ProtonMail is free encrypted email. |url=https://proton.me |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907033644/https://protonmail.com/ |archive-date=2021-09-07 |access-date=2025-11-19 |website=ProtonMail}}</ref> 

===ProtonMail's Response===
The company attempted to justify its behavior by claiming that it is not required to comply with authorities such as EUROPOL. Although this may be true, in cases of investigations, larger organizations from outside simply use the Swiss government as a middleman to facilitate any request they wish. ProtonMail is not anonymous, and any information will be handed over when requested by the Swiss government, which also cooperates with other investigative authorities, leading to essentially no protection in the event of such an occurrence.{{Citation needed|reason=link below is not for this topic}}

[https://www.reddit.com/r/ProtonMail/comments/1i2nz9v/on_politics_and_proton_a_message_from_andy/ Proton official response on the Proton subreddit]

Proton has created video conferencing integrations with Zoom, a non-private platform.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Proton opts for Zoom videoconferencing |url=https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/proton-opts-for-zoom-videoconferencing/24569 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/jCW4k |archive-date=2025-11-20 |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=Privacy Guides Community}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=How to add Zoom meetings to event invitations |url=https://proton.me/support/calendar-zoom |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=Proton}}</ref> 

==Harsh inactive account policy==
In 2022, ProtonMail announced a policy that entails the [[Inactive account deletion|deletion of inactive accounts]], resulting in major controversy. Many users have criticized the decisions and advocated for nuanced versions of inactive account policies, such as deleting only the email contents of any inactive Protonmail accounts instead of the accounts themselves, as the latter would reportedly result in major inconvenience for users who used the accounts as multiple-factor authentications for important services, such as banking. It has also been said that the harsh policy will adversely affect those who had good reasons to become inactive for a long time, such as hospitalization, prison incarceration, and being in totalitarian countries that have prolonged internet shutdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ProtonMail |date=2022-04-14 |title=Protonmail's dormant policy is now in effect. |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/ProtonMail/comments/u3ejjp/protonmails_dormant_policy_is_now_in_effect/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/sn16C |archive-date=2025-11-20 |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=Reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-14 |title=Protonmail's dormant policy is now in effect. |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/DataHoarder/comments/u3g406/protonmails_dormant_policy_is_now_in_effect/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/3QW7N |archive-date=2025-11-20 |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=Reddit}}</ref>

In response, ProtonMail added an exemption, where the inactive account policy would not apply to any accounts that had premium subscriptions at one point; however,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Update to our inactive account policy |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/ProtonMail/comments/uca15y/update_to_our_inactive_account_policy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/3y16r |archive-date=2025-11-20 |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=Reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ashwin |first= |date=2022-04-27 |title=ProtonMail will not delete user accounts for inactivity if the user had paid for a subscription at any point |url=https://www.ghacks.net/2022/04/27/protonmail-will-not-delete-inactive-user-accounts-for-former-premium-subscribers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/UmKca |archive-date=2025-11-20 |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=ghacks.net}}</ref> at one point, although the exemption was revoked as of 2024.{{CitationNeeded|reason=any official announcements?}}  ProtonMail accounts created before April 9, 2024, have a two-year grace period before being subject to the policy, as opposed to one year for newer accounts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inactive Accounts |url=https://proton.me/support/inactive-accounts |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/A1R9B |archive-date=2025-11-20 |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=Proton}}</ref> In some cases, users have reported success in recovering their inactive accounts after being locked under the policy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Account is no longer available due to inactivity |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/ProtonMail/comments/1i7gbd7/account_is_no_longer_available_due_to_inactivity/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/PwpYM |archive-date=2025-11-20 |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=Reddit}}</ref>

As of 2025, many users continue to voice their concerns regarding the inactive account policy, advocating for sensible measures such as deleting only the contents of inactive accounts while sparing the accounts themselves.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inactive account policy - keep account when deleting data {{!}} How can we improve Proton? |url=https://protonmail.uservoice.com/forums/945460-general-ideas/suggestions/48235556-inactive-account-policy-keep-account-when-deleti |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/15xvr |archive-date=2025-11-20 |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=protonmail.uservoice.com}}</ref>

The Proton team has stated on Reddit that the inactive account policy aims to "manage their resources in a sustainable way". In the comments, it was noted that retaining the accounts themselves indefinitely and only purging their contents would not noticeably increase operating costs compared to deleting entire accounts, given that login information is all that would have to be retained. ProtonMail also does not allow registering email accounts with the same address as deleted email accounts to prevent impersonation, which would be possible only because it retains the deleted email addresses in its records.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-09 |title=Proton's New Policy for Free Inactive Accounts |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/ProtonMail/comments/1bzt1ka/protons_new_policy_for_free_inactive_accounts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/b6w8s |archive-date=2025-07-06 |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=Reddit}}</ref> 

==Data portability==
Until around 2023, there was no way for users without a paid subscription to create local backups of all of their emails at once (an example of [[data lock-in]]). Paying users could utilize the Proton Mail Bridge to download their emails via the IMAP protocol using an external client, such as Thunderbird or Outlook. In contrast, free users were limited to downloading each email individually, making it impractical for backup purposes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How to export and import emails |url=https://protonmail.com/support/knowledge-base/export-import-emails/ |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://archive.ph/2020.06.12-083856/https://protonmail.com/support/knowledge-base/export-import-emails/ |archive-date=2020-06-12 |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=ProtonMail}}</ref>

Since approximately 2023, Proton Technologies has offered an export tool that anyone can utilize.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How to export and restore emails using the Proton Mail Export Tool |url=https://proton.me/support/proton-mail-export-tool |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/xTKrm |archive-date=2025-11-05 |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=Proton}}</ref>

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Proton]]

BMW feature lockout scandal

2025-12-10T17:27:15Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits to improve tone

{{Tone}}

This article documents '''[[BMW]]'''<nowiki/>'s practice of including the hardware for its M adaptive suspension in many vehicles, while requiring customers to pay extra to activate the software that enables the feature. This model exemplifies modern consumer exploitation by eroding traditional notions of ownership and leveraging [[Subscription service|subscription services]] to control access to features that are physically present in a purchased product.

==Background==
Modern automotive manufacturers are increasingly using software and subscription models to control features within their vehicles.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> This approach differs significantly from older consumer protection issues, which focused on unsafe products or misleading advertising. BMW's adaptive suspension model is one example of how companies are shifting towards business practices that limit a consumer's [[Right to own|right to ownership]].<ref name=":1" />

==Adaptive Suspension as a Service==
BMW includes the hardware for its M adaptive suspension in many of its vehicles, but the customer must pay extra to activate the software that enables the feature.<ref name=":0" /> The way this is offered is as follows:<ref name=":0" />

*It is available as a factory option.
*It can be added to certain cars that weren't optioned that way originally via the 'connected drive store' in the car.
*It is available as a monthly or yearly subscription.
*It can be bought outright for a one-time charge of $500.

This means that even though a consumer has physically purchased the car with the suspension components, they do not have complete control or use of those components without paying an additional fee.<ref name=":0" /> The cost of the equipment was already included in the vehicle's price, meaning the customer is effectively paying twice for the same components.<ref name=":0">
{{cite web
|first=James
|last=Attwood
|date=7 Sep 2023
|title=BMW will not charge extra to activate existing functions in cars
|url=https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/bmw-will-not-charge-extra-activate-existing-functions-cars
|website=AUTOCAR
|url-status=live
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250202040409/https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/bmw-will-not-charge-extra-activate-existing-functions-cars
|archive-date=2 Feb 2025
|access-date=19 Feb 2025
}}</ref>This represents a shift from traditional ownership models, where consumers have full access to the functionality of purchased goods.

This business model alters the definition of "purchase" and "own.” The consumer does not have complete control over the purchased item, as the manufacturer can effectively disable or restrict functionality through software. This raises questions about what it means to own a product if the manufacturer retains control over key features.

This practice is not an isolated incident. BMW has previously implemented similar business practices, such as charging a subscription fee for access to heated seats, despite the hardware being installed in the vehicle.<ref name=":1">
{{cite web
|first=Andrew J.
|last= Hawkins
|date=7 Sep 2023
|title=BMW drops plan to charge a monthly fee for heated seats
|url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/7/23863258/bmw-cancel-heated-seat-subscription-microtransaction
|website=The Verge
|url-status=live
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129020851/https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/7/23863258/bmw-cancel-heated-seat-subscription-microtransaction
|archive-date=29 Jan 2025
|access-date=19 Feb 2025
}}</ref> This demonstrates a pattern of behaviour that utilizes software to restrict a consumer's access to features they have already paid for.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

===Impact on consumers===
This incident highlights the following aspects of "new" consumer protection issues:<ref name=":1" />

*'''Control Through Software''': BMW controls access to the adaptive suspension through software, requiring an additional payment to unlock a feature that is already physically present in the vehicle.<ref name=":0" />
*'''Subscription Model''': The option of paying a monthly or yearly subscription to use the suspension exemplifies how companies are turning ownership into a service, rather than selling products outright.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> This model means that the customer is effectively renting a feature, rather than owning it.
*'''Erosion of Ownership''': The way that BMW offers this feature alters the definition of ownership, as the consumer does not have full control over the functionality of their vehicle, despite having already purchased the components that enable the adaptive suspension.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
*'''Exploitation of Legal Loopholes''': This practice is not explicitly illegal but exploits legal loopholes and relies on complexity to prevent resistance, which is a common feature of many new forms of consumer exploitation.
*'''Removal of the right to say no''': By including the hardware for the adaptive suspension in the vehicles, BMW effectively removes the consumer's right to refuse the sale or own a product outright without interacting with the manufacturer.<ref name=":0" />
*'''Difficult to Understand and Resist''': The way in which BMW offers its adaptive suspension, with the option of a subscription or one-time payment, is designed to be complex, creating a level of 'fatigue' that makes it harder for consumers to resist.<ref name=":0" />

==See Also==

*[[Software as a service]]
*[[Right to repair|Right to repair movement]]
*[[Subscription service|Subscription business model]]
*[[Mercedes Benz|Mercedes Benz disabling digital features]]
*[[Mercedes-Benz locks horsepower behind paid subscription]]

==References==

[[Category:Articles based on videos]]
[[Category:Incidents]]
[[Category:BMW]]
<references />

Chromium

2025-12-10T17:22:19Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits to improve tone

{{ToneWarning}}

'''Chromium''' is a [[wikipedia:Free_and_open-source_software|free and open-source]] [[:Category:Web browsers|web browser]] developed by and primarily maintained by [[Google]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date= |title=Chromium |url=https://www.chromium.org/Home/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=The Chromium Projects}}</ref> Several major web browsers use Chromium as the base of their software, including [[Google Chrome]],<ref name=":0" /> [[Microsoft Edge]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-05-06 |title=10 cool things to check out at Microsoft Build 2019 |url=https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2019/05/06/10-cool-things-to-check-out-at-microsoft-build-2019/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=blogs.microsoft.com}}</ref> [[Opera]]/[[Opera GX]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-08-27 |title=Today, Opera 15 has been updated to Opera 16 |url=https://blogs.opera.com/news/2013/08/today-opera-15-has-been-updated-to-opera-16/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=blogs.opera.com}}</ref> [[Brave browser|Brave]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-14 |title=Brave - Homepage |url=https://brave.com/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-14 |website=brave.com}}</ref> and others.

==Controversies==

===Manifest V3===
Manifest V3 is an update to the manifest structure used by browser extensions across the majority of the browser market, presented as an upgrade in security, privacy, and performance of these extensions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Li |first=David |title=Resuming the transition to Manifest V3 |url=https://developer.chrome.com/blog/resuming-the-transition-to-mv3 |url-status=live |access-date=24 Mar 2025 |website=Chrome for developers}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 Sep 2024 |title=Overview and timelines for migrating to Manifest V3 |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/extensions-chromium/developer-guide/manifest-v3 |url-status=live |access-date=24 Mar 2025 |website=[[Microsoft]]}}</ref> The changes restrict the access browser extensions can have, thereby enhancing security by preventing them from loading remote resources immediately or significantly altering rendered content. These limitations effectively render the browser market's most effective ad-blockers ineffective.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Siddiqui |first=Aamir |date=17 Nov 2023 |title=Google's Manifest V3 changes will soon disable uBlock Origin on Chrome |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/google-chrome-manifest-v3-changes-3386506/ |url-status=live |access-date=24 Mar 2025 |website=Android Authority}}</ref> Despite the developers' efforts to bypass the issue using workarounds and updated versions of Manifest V3, the software's previous efficiency has not been fully restored. For example, blocked domains cannot be updated as conveniently.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Buria |first=Taras |date=3 Aug 2024 |title=uBlock Origin developer recommends switching to uBlock Lite as Chrome flags the extension |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/ublock-origin-developer-recommends-switching-to-ublock-lite-as-chrome-flags-the-extension/ |url-status=live |access-date=24 Mar 2025 |website=Neowin}}</ref> This manifest change is supported by leading Chromium-based browsers, making it challenging for other browsers to match previous ad-blocking capabilities without committing to retaining Manifest V2 (such as Firefox, which also utilizes Chromium-sourced manifests) or implementing their own ad-blocking solutions of varying<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sullivan |first=Edward |date=13 Mar 2024 |title=Manifest V3 & Manifest V2 (March 2024 update) |url=https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2024/03/13/manifest-v3-manifest-v2-march-2024-update/ |url-status=live |access-date=24 Mar 2025 |website=[[Mozilla]]}}</ref>) or utilizing their own ad-blocking solutions<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 Jun 2024 |title=What Manifest V3 means for Brave Shields and the use of extensions in the Brave browser |url=https://brave.com/blog/brave-shields-manifest-v3/ |url-status=live |access-date=24 Mar 2025 |website=[[Brave]]}}</ref> of varied effectiveness.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 Jun 2024 |title=Manifest v3 update: Vivaldi is future-proofed with its built-in functionality |url=https://vivaldi.com/blog/manifest-v3-update-vivaldi-is-future-proofed-with-its-built-in-functionality/ |url-status=live |access-date=24 Mar 2025 |website=[[Vivaldi]]}}</ref>

==Licensing==
Chromium's code is published under the 3-clause BSD license.<ref>{{Cite web |title=LICENSE |url=https://chromium.googlesource.com/chromium/src/+/master/LICENSE |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=Google Git}}</ref>

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

Autodesk

2025-12-10T17:20:05Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits to improve tone

{{Incomplete}}{{ToneWarning}}{{CompanyCargo
| Founded = 1982
| Industry = Software
| Logo = Autodesk.png
| ParentCompany =
| Type = Public
| Website = https://autodesk.com
| Description =
}}
[[wikipedia:Autodesk|'''Autodesk, Inc.''']] is an American software company headquartered in San Francisco, California, that provides software products and services for the architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, media, education, and entertainment industries. The company was founded in 1982 by John Walker, who was a co-author of the first versions of AutoCAD.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Alex |date=6 Mar 2024 |title=John Walker, Tech Executive Who Popularized AutoCAD, Dies at 74 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/06/technology/john-walker-dead.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708174807/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/06/technology/john-walker-dead.html |archive-date=8 Jul 2025 |access-date=2 Aug 2025 |website=The New York Times}}</ref>

Autodesk primarily develops and maintains computer-aided design (CAD) software used globally across many engineering and design industries. Autodesk's extensive portfolio of proprietary software enables its programs to interoperate, facilitating cloud-based building information management (BIM) collaboration among owners, architects, engineers, and contractors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro: Create, collaborate, and stay up to date |url=https://www.autodesk.com/products/bim-collaborate/overview?plc=COLLRP&term=1-YEAR&tab=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130014051/https://www.autodesk.com/products/bim-collaborate/overview?plc=COLLRP&term=1-YEAR&tab=subscription |archive-date=30 Jan 2025 |access-date=2 Aug 2025 |website=[[Autodesk]]}}</ref>

Modern versions of Autodesk Products, such as Inventor or AutoCAD, have been known to operate via [[Digital rights management#Always-online DRM|always-online DRM]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Install network licensing software |url=https://www.autodesk.com/support/download-install/admins/network-deploy/install-licensing-software |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130014417/https://www.autodesk.com/support/download-install/admins/network-deploy/install-licensing-software |archive-date=30 Jan 2025 |access-date=2 Aug 2025 |website=[[Autodesk]]}}</ref> and have served to provide significant inconvenience for consumers if their internet goes out or their license verification servers are offline for maintenance

==Consumer impact summary==

==='''User Freedom'''===
Autodesk ceased to sell perpetual licenses for HSMWorks (2016) and will eliminate access altogether (2025–2028), rendering locally stored information unusable{{Citation needed}}.

Future Fusion versions will lack support for Windows 10, with unclear implications for existing installations{{Citation needed}}.

==='''Business Model'''===
Transition from perpetual licenses to subscriptions (2016) and removal of legacy entitlements (e.g., HSMWorks from Fusion 360), in addition to the refusal to honor permanent licenses (e.g., Product Design Suite 2013){{Citation needed}}.

In the End User License Agreement (EULA) for Autodesk products, section 9.7 allows Autodesk to audit a users premises to verify compliance{{Citation needed}}. If the user or company is found to have overextended licenses, Autodesk requires the user to purchase additional licenses to cover the overextended licenses in question. However, the software does not limit the number of machines that can sign in and activate it simultaneously. Autodesk compliance agents threatened to increase fines if legal counsel is hired against Autodesk. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Vondran |first=Steve |date=2023-04-12 |title=Autodesk Internal Getting Very Aggressive in 2023 Beware of Over-Assigning Licenses |url=https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/autodesk-internal-getting-very-7707218/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250730215441/https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/autodesk-internal-getting-very-7707218/ |archive-date=2025-07-30 |access-date=2025-10-23}}</ref>

==='''Market Control'''===
Autodesk holds a majority of the market share on CAD software, especially in the BIM category{{Citation needed}}. This allows Autodesk to significantly raise its prices each year.

==Controversies==

{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Controversy
!Year
!Background Info
!Aftermath
!Related Article
!Related Video(s)
|-
|HSMWorks End of Life
|2028
|In 2012, Autodesk acquired HSMWorks, a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) product for programming Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines, with the intention of integrating the technology into its own software and cloud services.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 Oct 2012 |title=Autodesk Acquires HSMWorks Technology |url=https://investors.autodesk.com/news-releases/news-release-details/autodesk-acquires-hsmworks-technology |access-date=2 Aug 2025 |website=[[Autodesk]]}}</ref> HSMWorks could continue to be purchased with a perpetual license until 2016, when Autodesk announced that all Autodesk products, including HSMWorks, would transition to a subscription model, ending support and maintenance plans for perpetual licenses.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson Swan |first=Keli |date=14 Jun 2021 |title=Recent Developments in Autodesk Licensing and Audits, Part I |url=https://scottandscottllp.com/recent-developments-in-autodesk-licensing-and-audits-part-i/#:~:text=Autodesk%20introduced%20subscription%20plans%20in,previous%20versions%20of%20perpetual%20software. |access-date=2 Aug 2025 |website=scottandscottllp.com}}</ref> In 2019, Autodesk transitioned HSMWorks subscribers to Fusion 360 subscribers, granting them entitlement to download and use HSMWorks.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 Apr 2019 |title=HSMWorks 2020 now included with Fusion 360 subscriptions |url=https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/tsarticles/ts/4ZktnaH9yvV8DxOnwA0LCv.html |access-date=2 Aug 2025 |website=[[Autodesk]]}}</ref> In February 2025, Autodesk sent an email to Fusion 360 subscribers that HSMWorks entitlement would no longer be included on new subscriptions after March 25, 2025. and entitlement would end March 25, 2028, for all subscribers. "''At that point, you will no longer be able to download, access, '''or use''' HSMWorks.''"<ref>{{Cite web |last=@lenny_1962 |date=3 Feb 2025 |title=HSMWorks End Of Life March 25th, 2028 |url=https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/hsm-support-forum/hsmworks-end-of-life-march-25th-2028/td-p/13297431 |access-date=2 Aug 2025 |website=[[Autodesk]]}}</ref>
|'''Projected aftermath:'''
Because HSMWorks was subscription-only, or entitlement was only available through a Fusion 360 subscription, from 2016 onward, any person or organization that used up-to-date versions of HSMWorks since then will cease to have access to all data associated with HSMWorks, despite the data being locally stored and HSMWorks being installed (although unusable). HSMWorks data is not compatible with Fusion 360 nor Inventor CAM (products that share some technology with HSMWorks), thus, no solution exists to bridge users' data to actively supported software.
|
|
|-
|Discontinuing Win 10 support
|2026
|In 2024, Autodesk announced that Autodesk Fusion would no longer be supported for Windows 10 users after the start of January 2026. Stated in their support article, "Autodesk will no longer consider Windows 10 for Validation, bug fixing, and product support of future releases." The phrasing has rightfully baffled consumers, and with a lack of elaboration from support teams, it is unclear whether existing installations will continue to function, especially since the line "existing installations cannot be repaired or reinstalled" is confusing and leaves questions unanswered.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 Dec 2024 |title=Fusion Announcing End of Support for Windows 10 |url=https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Fusion-Announcing-End-of-Support-for-Windows-10.html?_ga=2.208606034.1190329573.1738186074-1680147263.1738186073 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130015007/https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Fusion-Announcing-End-of-Support-for-Windows-10.html?_ga=2.208606034.1190329573.1738186074-1680147263.1738186073 |archive-date=30 Jan 2025 |access-date=2 Aug 2025 |website=[[Autodesk]]}}</ref>
|Discontinuation yet to occur
|[[Autodesk Fusion ends support for Windows 10]]
|
|-
|Ending existing lifetime subscriptions
|2023
|YouTuber Ian Davis owned a permanent, standalone license for Autodesk Product Design Suite Ultimate 2013, which failed to renew. Autodesk refused to issue a new license without an additional subscription purchase.<ref>{{Cite web |last=@amymuckin |date=21 May 2023 |title=Need Activation Code for AutoCAD 2013 (full version) |url=https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/previous-version-support/need-activation-code-for-autocad-2013-full-version/td-p/11978768 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130014846/https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/previous-version-support/need-activation-code-for-autocad-2013-full-version/td-p/11978768 |archive-date=30 Jan 2025 |access-date=2 Aug 2025 |website=[[Autodesk]]}}</ref>
|None
|
|<nowiki>https://youtube.com/watch?v=OHY9K8X45XA</nowiki>
|-
|Telemetry bugs and harmful fines
|2017
|Consumers reported that Autodesk's telemetry on paid versions of software detected pirated versions of their software on PCs, and they explicitly received<ref>{{Cite web |title=AUTODESK ANALYTICS PROGRAMS |url=https://www.autodesk.com/company/autodesk-analytics |access-date=2 Aug 2025 |website=[[Autodesk]]}}</ref> on paid versions of software detecting pirated versions of their software on PCs, and they explicitly sent large fines as a punishment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Autodesk detected pirated programs after purchasing licenses |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Architects/comments/1ct8nqd/autodesk_detected_pirated_programs_after/ |access-date=2 Aug 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> This software has also been reported to malfunction, and Autodesk is allegedly pressuring consumers into purchasing expensive versions of their licenses.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Autodesk detected pirated programs after purchasing licenses (Reply) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Architects/comments/1ct8nqd/comment/lod8lo2/ |access-date=2 Aug 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>
|
|
|
|}

==Products==
*AutoCAD - Autodesk's flagship CAD software, used for freeform 2D and 3D design.
*Revit - 3D design software that is primarily used by architects, engineers, and structural designers to design, draft, and model buildings and other structures.
*Autodesk Inventor - 3D digital modeling
*Autodesk Fusion - 3D digital modeling
*Civil 3D - 3D design focused on civil infrastructure
*3ds Max - 3D Animation
*Maya - 3D Animation

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Autodesk]]

ASUS downgrades a well-reviewed monitor panel

2025-12-10T17:13:55Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits, will return to see if I can complete this.

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=External linking is not proper citation|Issue 2=convert to incident article using [[Template:IncidentPreload]]}}{{ToneWarning}}{{ProductCargo
|Company=Asus
|ProductLine=VG259QM 280hz IPS LCD
|ReleaseYear=2020
|InProduction=No
|ArticleType=Product
|Category=Monitor, Display
|Website=https://www.asus.com
|Description=280hz IPS LCD Monitor
}}The VG259QM 280Hz IPS 24.5-inch monitor was released in late 2020 with a [https://www.panelook.com/Q250HTA00-A000_AUO_24.5_LCM_overview_47755.html Qisda Panel] to excellent reviews.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Qisda Q250HTA00-A000 Overview |url=https://www.panelook.com/Q250HTA00-A000_AUO_24.5_LCM_overview_47755.html |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=Panelook.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Breton |first=Samuel |last2=Lim |first2=Ryan |last3=Khong |first3=Yannick |date=2020-08-25 |title=ASUS TUF Gaming VG259QM Monitor Review |url=https://www.rtings.com/monitor/reviews/asus/tuf-gaming-vg259qm |website=RTINGS.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Eberle |first=Christian |date=2020-09-14 |title=Asus TUF VG259QM Monitor Review: Ultimate 280Hz Gaming |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/asus-tuf-vg259qm |website=Tom's Hardware}}</ref> Users eventually noticed that their VG259QM monitors appeared as an inferior [https://www.panelook.com/M250HAN01.A_AUO_24.5_LCM_overview_52042.html AUO panel].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=cmdrgod |date=2022-11-23 |title=The Official *Asus VG259QM* Owners Thread (+ Secret Overdrive) |url=https://forums.blurbusters.com/viewtopic.php?t=7414&start=590 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=Blur Busters}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=djexpert |date=2022-08-04 |title=The Official *Asus VG259QM* Owners Thread (+ Secret Overdrive) |url=https://forums.blurbusters.com/viewtopic.php?t=7414&start=580 |website=Blur Busters}}</ref> This change occurred around the same time ASUS released the VG259QM as a new product (with the same product number) in Japan in 2022.

==Consumer-impact summary==
There was no indication on any website or on the packaging that this change had happened. The product retained the exact same model number after the panel change; the only indication of the panel change is in the service menu.

The user-reported inferior performance of the new panel, the lack of any indication of a change (except service menu), combined with the glowing reviews of the original monitor, has led some people to make the unsubstantiated claim that it's possible that ASUS may have kept the exact same model number to intentionally deceive consumers who read reviews and discourage reviews of the new panel. However, there is no direct evidence that ASUS deliberately intended to deceive the consumer or review sites.

The same model number also meant that while no one seems to have actually measured the performance of the AUO panel version, TechSpot made the monitor "Best of 2022", directly referencing the 2020 Tom's Hardware review of the VG259QM with the old Qisda panel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Asus TUF Gaming VG259QM 24.5" |url=https://www.techspot.com/products/monitors/asus-vg259qm.217665/ |website=TechSpot}}</ref>

==Details==
On 23 Nov 2022, cmdrgod sounds the alarm about the panel change on blurbusters.com. He provides a comparison of service menus between his old VG259QM and the new one. He claims the new panel is much worse, and that ASUS support told him there was a shortage, and that this kind of switch is normal. <ref name=":0" />

On the previous page of the thread, user djexpert mentions that in Japan, the VG259QM was released as a "new" product in July 2022. His service menu shows an AUO panel.<ref name=":1" />

Guru3d also mention VG259QM as a 2022 "new" product.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hagedoorn |first=Hilbert |date=2022-07-22 |others= |title=ASUS VG259QM 280Hz / 1ms 24.5-inch Fast IPS gaming LCD |url=https://www.guru3d.com/story/asus-vg259qm-280hz-1ms-24-5-inch-fast-ips-gaming-lcd |website=The guru of 3D}}</ref> 

Due to the unfortunate incident of ASUS releasing two different products with identical model numbers, no one properly tested the AUO version, so there's no technical proof that the motion clarity is actually as bad as it appears to the human eye.

==See also==

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

Apple App Store

2025-12-10T00:45:13Z

ClippyFellow47: Major grammar edits to improve tone.

{{ToneWarning}}
[[File:App Store (iOS).svg|thumb|150px]]

'''[[Apple]]''' uses a range of technical measures to protect its App Store ecosystem and reduce consumer choice. These measures obscure the company's business intentions, creating roadblocks for app developers and users, while typically citing security reasons for their existence. This actively hinders lawmakers' ability to advocate for the rights of consumers and businesses within Apple's ecosystem and prevents apps from being as useful as their customers expect.

A never-ending demand for a cut of every sale of a digital product, ranging from game currency to supporting content creators<ref name="patreon">{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Emma |date=12 Aug 2024 |title=Patreon: adding Apple’s 30 percent tax is the price of staying in the App Store |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/12/24218629/patreon-membership-ios-30-percent-apple-tax |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> to booking a Zoom call with a local business<ref name="facebook">{{Cite web |last=Paul |first=Katie |last2=Nellis |first2=Stephen |date=28 Aug 2020 |title=Exclusive: Facebook says Apple rejected its attempt to tell users about App Store fees |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-facebook-apple-exclusive/exclusive-facebook-says-apple-rejected-its-attempt-to-tell-users-about-app-store-fees-idUSKBN25O042/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>, hinders app developers from innovating. These developers, working hard and pulling countless hours to build a quality app, always need to take Apple's (and [[Google]]'s) demands into account - specifically, a fee of between 15% and 30% of all revenue collected via the app. This is revenue that can be reinvested in the app; however, it must be earmarked for the platforms they are '''required''' to use to reach their customers.

Because this is a clear problem, several governments, including South Korea,<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 Mar 2022 |title=South Korea approves rules on app store law targeting Apple, Google |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/skorea-approves-rules-app-store-law-targeting-apple-google-2022-03-08/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> Japan,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharwood |first=Simon |date=13 Jun 2024 |title=Japan forces Apple and Google to allow third-party app stores and payments |url=https://www.theregister.com/2024/06/13/japan_smartphone_software_law/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Register]]}}</ref> the European Union,<ref>[[wikipedia:Digital Markets Act|Digital Markets Act]]</ref> the United Kingdom,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Competition and Markets Authority |date=4 Mar 2021 |title=Investigation into Apple AppStore |url=https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/investigation-into-apple-appstore |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[gov.uk]]}}</ref> Australia,<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 Apr 2021 |title=Dominance of Apple and Google's app stores impacting competition and consumers |url=https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/dominance-of-apple-and-googles-app-stores-impacting-competition-and-consumers |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[ACCC]]}}</ref> as well as the US and a handful of states,<ref>[[wikipedia:Open App Markets Act|Open App Markets Act]]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 Nov 2024 |title=S.5364 - App Store Accountability Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/5364/text/is |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[congress.gov]]}}</ref><ref name="doj">{{Cite web |last=Balsamo |first=Mike |last2=Liedtke |first2=Mike |last3=Whitehurst |first3=Lindsay |last4=Bajak |first4=Frank |date=21 Mar 2024 |title=Justice Department sues Apple, alleging it illegally monopolized the smartphone market |url=https://apnews.com/article/apple-antitrust-monopoly-app-store-justice-department-822d7e8f5cf53a2636795fcc33ee1fc3 |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[APNews]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 Feb 2021 |title=It’s time to free ourselves from ‘Big Tech’ monopoly |url=https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2021/02/19/its-time-to-free-ourselves-from-big-tech-monopoly/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Arizona Capitol Times]]}}</ref> have opened investigations into anti-competitive practices, or considered or already passed legislation to force "gatekeeper platforms" such as Apple to be more reasonable with third-party developers.

This being a significant threat to Apple's revenue stream (interestingly, one they claim to be unsure is profitable<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lovejoy |first=Ben |date=17 Apr 2024 |title=Schiller doesn’t know whether the App Store is profitable; there are no minutes of meetings |url=https://9to5mac.com/2024/04/17/app-store-is-profitable-apple-notes/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[9to5Mac]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lovejoy |first=Ben |date=17 Jan 2025 |title=Apple denies App Store profit margin is 75% – claims to have no clue |url=https://9to5mac.com/2025/01/17/apple-denies-app-store-profit-margin-is-75-claims-to-have-no-clue/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[9t05Mac]]}}</ref>), they have responded with practices such as geo-blocking certain operating system functionality based on physical location,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eligibility |url=https://theapplewiki.com/wiki/Eligibility |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Apple Wiki]]}}</ref> misrepresenting/overstating risks, and using careful wording with commonly-understood terms to describe unreasonably difficult-to-use systems.

Unlike traditional software license purchases, Apple's App Store terms tie the license to a specific account, making it impossible for users to resell their licenses secondhand, buy apps secondhand, or inherit a license from a relative.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-02-10 |title=I can sell my apps? |url=https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5888894 |access-date=2025-11-25 |website=Apple Community}}</ref> This system has since been copied by numerous other players in the media and digital goods sector.

==Background info==
Important terms you'll run into in this article:

*'''[[wikipedia:Sandbox (computer security)|Sandbox]]''': Reduces the user's device/data exposure to security risks by reducing what an app is allowed to do.
*'''[https://theapplewiki.com/wiki/Entitlements Entitlements]''': Apple's method of "poking holes" in the sandbox to give the app more permissions. Some are available to developers, while many are only available to Apple.
*'''[[wikipedia:Digital Markets Act|Digital Markets Act]]''': The European Union's fairly sweeping recent regulations against forcing companies they classify as "gatekeepers" to play nice, giving smaller businesses access to software/hardware features they've historically reserved for their own use.

==In-app purchases==
Apple has been collecting users' credit card numbers since launching the iTunes Store in 2004. The launch of the App Store in 2008, followed by the introduction of in-app purchases (IAPs) in 2009, allowed iPhone app developers to sell app features to users. The IAP system is provided as a developer framework named [https://developer.apple.com/storekit/ StoreKit]. Apps and their in-app purchases are managed through a dashboard named [https://developer.apple.com/app-store-connect/ App Store Connect]. App sales have eclipsed iTunes Store sales, and are now a primary focus of Apple's Media Services division.

Apple requires that any purchase of a digital good or service within an app use its in-app purchase system. This may seem reasonable because the customer may inevitably call Apple support, demanding a refund for an app they have issues with. Apple would rather provide a refund and leave the customer with a positive support experience than initiate a messy process involving contact with a third party, whose customer service is likely to be of a lower quality.

App Store purchase fees range from 15% to 30%. In September 2016, Apple expanded subscriptions to be available for any type of app, also introducing a 15% discount incentive for users who had already subscribed for a year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goode |first=Lauren |date=2 Sep 2016 |title=Apple’s new subscription offerings are now available to App Store developers |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/9/2/12774758/apple-developers-app-store-new-subscription-rules |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> In November 2020, Apple introduced a reduced 15% fee for app developers with annual revenue below $1 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Centers |first=Josh |date=18 Nov 2020 |title=Apple Drops App Store Commission to 15% for Small Developers |url=https://tidbits.com/2020/11/18/apple-drops-app-store-commission-to-15-for-small-developers/ |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[TidBITS]]}}</ref> For developers above this threshold, and for cases excluded from this program, such as for games, the fee is 30%. In the 2008 announcement of the App Store, Apple considered this a reasonable, industry-standard fee. However, the way we use apps has significantly evolved since 2009 - the world has shifted to heavily depend upon mobile apps, which have also evolved into more complex and sustainable business models than a simple one-time purchase.

[[wikipedia:Stripe, Inc.|Stripe]], a popular platform used for payments on the web, uses a base fee of 2.9% plus a fixed $0.30 in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pricing |url=https://stripe.com/it/pricing |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Stripe]]}}</ref> With add-on services, before considering volume discounts, a Stripe transaction may have a cost of 6.4% + $1.10.<ref>Calculated from base fee (2.9% + $0.30) + international card (1.5%) + adaptive pricing (2%) + international payment methods ($0.80), as of January 2025</ref> Stripe has been used by businesses ranging from small online stores to [[OpenAI]] for ChatGPT Plus. Competing payment services have similar or identical fees to Stripe. '''The in-app purchase system does not provide sufficient value to justify the considerably higher costs compared to alternative payment platforms.'''

The App Store system poorly handles secondary marketplaces of digital services that exist within the primary App Store marketplace, such as Patreon. Apple, however, still requires companies in the business of selling digital services to use this inadequate system. This requires the app to account for Apple's fee, which is significant enough to warrant price increases frequently, and to follow rules even if they do not align with the nature of the service being provided. Apple has often been found in disputes with such apps. This injects extra complication at no benefit to the marketplace, the creator, or the customer - only to Apple, which has little to no involvement after delivering the initial app download to the user's phone. The significant fee also often drives app developers to consider building their app around an advertising model instead, creating privacy concerns.

Additionally, the 15% small business fee discount is determined based on the app's overall turnover and is not applied to individual creators within the app's marketplace. An app that generates over $1 million per year by providing services to creators who individually earn less than $1 million per year does not qualify for the discount.

Apple, often in conjunction with Google, engages in lobbying efforts in the United States and other countries to address these issues. "ACT | The App Association", pitched as an association of independent small business app developers, is at least 50% funded by Apple, and does not list its claimed 2,000 members.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 Oct 2021 |title=Not a class ACT: the so-called App Association is simply an Apple Association and does NOT represent app developers' interests in fair distribution terms |url=http://www.fosspatents.com/2021/10/not-class-act-so-called-app-association.html |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[FOSS Patents]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 Sep 2022 |title=Vast majority of ACT {{!}} The App Association's funding comes from Apple, former employees tell Bloomberg: astroturfing against app developers' interests |url=http://www.fosspatents.com/2022/09/vast-majority-of-act-app-associations.html |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[FOSS Patents]]}}</ref> In March 2024, the United States Department of Justice, along with 16 state attorneys general, filed a lawsuit against Apple, alleging that the company "extracts more money from consumers, developers, content creators, artists, publishers, small businesses, and merchants, among others."<ref name="doj" /> The future of this lawsuit is unclear as of April 2025.

Despite criticism of Apple forcing its fee into transactions with small businesses and creators on platforms such as [[#Patreon|Patreon]] and [[#Facebook online events|Facebook]], on January 23, 2025, Apple announced the Advanced Commerce API. It "support[s] developers' evolving business models - such as extensive content catalogs, creator experiences, and subscriptions with optional add-ons".<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 Jan 2025 |title=Introducing the Advanced Commerce API |url=https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=yxy958ya |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Apple Developer]]}}</ref> While positioned as a way for such businesses to save development time and avoid ongoing costs by building on top of Apple's mature payments platform, its use is, in fact, necessary for these businesses to comply with the App Store guidelines, as seen in the cases outlined below. The feature requires submitting a description of the app's business model to Apple for approval. This continues a trend of requiring Apple's consent to conduct business in a place where users have been trained to expect it.

Given Apple's strong incentives and a ticking clock as legal pressure builds, it is not hard to find stories from app developers regarding poor experiences with Apple's app review process.

:''This list is extremely incomplete. Please add examples if you know of any.''

===Epic Games===
{{hatnote|See also: [[wikipedia:Epic Games v. Apple|Epic Games v. Apple]] and [[wikipedia:Epic Games v. Google|Epic Games v. Google]]}}

[[Epic Games, Inc.]] is a video game developer and publisher, known for games such as [[Fortnite]] and [[Unreal Tournament]], the [[Unreal Engine]], and the [[Epic Games Store]].

In 2018, Epic Games launched Fortnite on the iOS and Android platforms. The company made the unusual decision not to release the app on the [[Google Play Store]] - instead, it was made available as a standalone [[wikipedia:apk (file format)|Android app package]] file (.apk), which must be installed by following a series of manual steps.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Statt |first=Nick |date=3 Aug 2018 |title=Fortnite for Android will ditch Google Play Store for Epic’s website |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/8/3/17645982/epic-games-fortnite-android-version-bypass-google-play-store |url-status=live |access-date=1 May 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> The app was also released on the [[Samsung]] [[Samsung Galaxy Store|Galaxy Store]]. Google offered Epic Games a $147 million deal to release Fortnite on the Play Store, which the company declined.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Robertson |first=Adi |date=9 Nov 2023 |title=Google offered Epic $147 million to launch Fortnite on the Play Store |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/8/23953262/google-epic-fortnite-play-store-investment-antitrust-trial |url-status=live |access-date=1 May 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref>

On 22 April 2020, Fortnite was finally released on the Play Store.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=22 April 2020 |title=Fortnite available on the Google Play Store for the first time |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/4/21/21229930/fortnite-available-on-google-play-android-mobile-devices |url-status=live |access-date=1 May 2025 |website=[[Polygon]]}}</ref> In a statement, the company explained:

<blockquote>
After 18 months of operating Fortnite on Android outside of the Google Play Store, we've come to a basic realization: Google puts software downloadable outside of Google Play at a disadvantage, through technical and business measures such as scary, repetitive security pop-ups for downloaded and updated software, restrictive manufacturer and carrier agreements and dealings, Google public relations characterizing third party software sources as malware, and new efforts such as Google Play Protect to outright block software obtained outside the Google Play store.
</blockquote>

On 13 August 2020, Epic Games launched a campaign against both Apple and Google's app store business practices. The company released app updates on both platforms, introducing a method for purchasing V-Bucks, in-game currency, at a 20% discount by directly transacting with Epic Games, against the developer rules of both platforms. The platforms responded by removing the game from their storefronts. Epic Games then filed civil antitrust lawsuits against both companies in the Northern District of California.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Statt |first=Nick |date=14 Aug 2020 |title=Epic Games is suing Apple |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/13/21367963/epic-fortnite-legal-complaint-apple-ios-app-store-removal-injunctive-relief |url-status=live |access-date=1 May 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> The campaign, branded "Free Fortnite", was later extended with lawsuits and complaints in Australia,<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 Nov 2020 |title=Epic Games extends its fight against Apple to Australia |url=https://www.epicgames.com/site/en-US/freefortnite-australia-press-release |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Epic Games]]}}</ref> the European Union,<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 Feb 2021 |title=Epic Game Files EU Antitrust Complaint Against Apple |url=https://www.epicgames.com/site/en-US/news/epic-games-files-eu-antitrust-complaint-against-apple |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Epic Games]]}}</ref> and the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 Mar 2021 |title=Epic Games files complaint to support CMA Apple investigation |url=https://www.epicgames.com/site/en-US/news/epic-games-files-complaint-to-support-cma-apple-investigation |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Epic Games]]}}</ref>

On September 11, 2021, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers decided the case. While the lawsuit against Apple failed on nine of the ten counts, Rogers ruled against Apple's use of "anti-steering" - its strategy of preventing users from being "steered" to a third-party storefront for payment processing - and placed a permanent injunction on this behavior.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brandon |first=Russell |date=11 Sep 2021 |title=Apple must allow other forms of in-app purchase, rules judge in Epic v. Apple |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/10/22662320/epic-apple-ruling-injunction-judge-court-app-store |url-status=live |access-date=1 May 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> Despite the case mostly failing, the discovery process provided significant insight into Apple's decision-making process regarding App Store policies, including decisions made in major app review disputes. In one case, executive Phil Schiller argued for reducing the fee by 30%.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gurman |first=Mark |date=4 May 2021 |title=Apple’s Schiller Floated Cutting App Store Fees a Decade Ago |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-03/apple-s-schiller-floated-cutting-app-store-fees-a-decade-ago |url-status=live |access-date=1 May 2025 |website=[[Bloomberg]]}}</ref>

Epic Games and Apple both appealed the decision. 35 state attorneys-general, the [[Electronic Frontier Foundation]] (EFF), [[Microsoft]], among others, filed amicus briefs in support of Epic Games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=29 Jan 2022 |title=Epic largely lost to Apple, but 35 states are now backing its fight in a higher court |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/1/28/22907106/epic-games-v-apple-amicus-briefs-states-eff-microsoft-appeal |url-status=live |access-date=1 May 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref>

On 11 December 2023, the jury in the case against Google decided on all 11 counts in favor of Epic Games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bensinger |first=Greg |last2=Scarcella |first2=Mike |date=13 Dec 2023 |title=Epic Games wins antitrust case against Google over Play app store |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/google-epic-games-face-off-app-antitrust-trial-nears-end-2023-12-11/ |url-status=live |access-date=1 May 2025 |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>

On 1 May 2025, Rogers found that Apple willfully chose not to comply with the 2021 injunction, commenting "that it thought this court would tolerate such insubordination was a gross miscalculation".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=1 May 2025 |title=A judge just blew up Apple’s control of the App Store |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/659246/apple-epic-app-store-judge-ruling-control |url-status=live |access-date=1 May 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref>

===Facebook online events===
In August 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Facebook introduced the ability for small businesses to accept an entrance fee for events. Previously, Facebook would only serve as a way to RSVP for the event; the organizer had to use a third-party event ticketing system to collect fees. The company pledged not to collect any fee on event sales "until 2023".<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 Aug 2020 |title=Paid Online Events for Small Business Recovery |url=https://about.fb.com/news/2020/08/paid-online-events/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Meta]]}}</ref>

Apple disagreed, requiring the feature to use the in-app purchases system. This introduced Apple's 30% fee. As this increases the price the user pays, with no benefit to the small business the user intended to support, the cost was displayed as a line item in checkout. Apple did not accept this disclosure of the price, referring to it as "irrelevant".<ref name="facebook" /> Facebook was allowed to compromise on displaying the fee, but ''without'' indicating that it is specifically an App Store fee.

===HEY===
HEY.com is a paid webmail provider launched in June 2020 by long-time software company [[wikipedia:37signals|37signals]], specializing in inbox organization tools.

After successfully launching the initial version of the app on the App Store, the company announced that an update was rejected due to a complaint about the business model. The app does not support in-app purchases; instead, users are expected to have an account with the service already. Apple did not like this arrangement and demanded that the company build an in-app subscription option. The company argued that it is being held to a different set of rules than apps such as [[Netflix, Inc.|Netflix]], whose app does not provide any way to purchase a subscription.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kastrenakes |first=Jacob |date=17 Jun 2020 |title=Hey.com exec says Apple is acting like ‘gangsters,’ rejecting App Store updates and demanding cut of sales |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/16/21293419/hey-apple-rejection-ios-app-store-dhh-gangsters-antitrust |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> After a suggestion from Apple executive Phil Schiller in the media, HEY introduced a 14-day free trial mode, which was approved.<ref>https://www.hey.com/apple/path/</ref><ref>https://techcrunch.com/2020/06/18/interview-apples-schiller-says-position-on-hey-app-is-unchanged-and-no-rules-changes-are-imminent/</ref>

===Patreon===
In August 2024, [[Patreon]] announced a change in arrangement with Apple for its App Store app. From November 2024, subscriptions started from the iOS app would be required to use the in-app purchase system, bypassing Patreon's own long-standing payment practices.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 Aug 2024 |title=Apple’s requirements are about to hit creators and fans on Patreon. Here’s what you need to know. |url=https://news.patreon.com/articles/understanding-apple-requirements-for-patreon |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Patreon]]}}</ref><ref name="patreon" /> This change does not affect the Android app.

By forcing Patreon out of the payments pipeline, specific payment models are no longer available to users of Patreon's iOS app. Creators who rely on the "per-creation" payment model, as opposed to the standard "per-month", can no longer be subscribed to from the app. The app is also unable to support the "first-of-the-month" model, where payments from all subscribers are collected on the first day of the month, rather than every 30 days, since each member's subscription day varies. The price must also be rounded to a price tier supported by Apple.

Patreon allows creators to choose between increasing their prices by 30% in the iOS app or maintaining the same prices, forfeiting 30% to Apple. Creators frequently remind potential supporters not to use the Patreon iOS app, adding extra inconvenience to those wanting to support the work of small creators.

<gallery mode="packed" heights="400px">
File:Patreon iOS app pricing options - fee on top.png|"Maintain earnings and cover Apple's fee by increasing prices in the iOS app" (Recommended)
File:Patreon iOS app pricing options - absorb fee.png|"Keep prices in the iOS app the same and cover Apple's fee yourself."
</gallery>

A similar case occurred with the app Fanhouse in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=@jasminericegirl |date=9 Jun 2021 |title=#fuckapple, a thread I cofounded @fanhouseapp 8 months ago to empower creators to monetize their content. We pay creators 90% of earnings. Now, Apple is threatening to remove Fanhouse from the app store unless we give them 30% of creator earnings. This is theft and exploitation. |url=https://x.com/jasminericegirl/status/1402691047940100100 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[X]]}}</ref>

===Twitter===
In August 2021, [[Twitter]] introduced a feature named Super Follows (now Subscriptions), in which users can pay a subscription fee to access more of a creator's content. For each user who enables Subscriptions, Twitter must submit a new in-app purchase SKU to the App Store, which will become available with the next update to the app.<ref>{{Cite web |last=@wongmjane |date=2 Sep 2021 |title=Each Super Follow is an In-App Purchase on the App Store, but because there are too many IAPs for the Twitter app, the App Store only shows 10 instead of the full list |url=https://x.com/wongmjane/status/1433372120080261120 |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[X]]}}</ref> This, of course, is subject to the 30% fee. At the time of writing in January 2025, viewing the App Store listing reveals Elon Musk's $4.00 subscription as the fourth most popular IAP item.

==Notarization==
Since 2015, Apple has required all Mac apps to be "notarized." This is a preliminary, automated malware check, which, upon passing, provides a notary certificate that gets "stapled" to the app. Apple's explanation:

<blockquote>
Notarization of macOS software is not App Review. The Apple notary service is an automated system that scans your software for malicious content, checks for code-signing issues, and returns the results to you quickly. If there are no issues, the notary service generates a ticket for you to staple to your software; the notary service also publishes that ticket online where Gatekeeper can find it.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Notarizing macOS software before distribution |url=https://developer.apple.com/documentation/security/notarizing-macos-software-before-distribution |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Apple Developer]]}}</ref>
</blockquote>

Whether this approach is actually better than that used by Windows antivirus, which only detects new malware samples when they are already on a user's computer, is a separate topic.

To comply with the DMA's regulations on app marketplaces, Apple created a new channel for releasing apps outside of the iOS App Store. Apps go through a notarization process. But the process is definitely ''not'' notarization. The name is intentionally being abused, by contrast to notarization on macOS, to make you believe it is something other than the existing App Review system. Despite the pain some developers and users have with it, notarization on macOS has always been considered a net positive. It made sense to take advantage of its reputation for the entirely different "notarization" on iOS.

See for yourself - view the [https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/ App Review Guidelines] and tick "Show Notarization Review Guidelines Only". While this eliminates most rules, a significant number of them remain in place. These apps are still reviewed and tested by the App Review team, must have a complete product listing in App Store Connect, and can be outright rejected - all in the same way as an App Store app.

By contrast, all that is required for notarization on macOS is for your app not to be malware. You submit it to an automated system that approves it within minutes. '''You don't need to convince Apple that your app is worthy of existing on their platform.'''

The purpose of macOS notarization is that Apple maintains a record of all binaries intended for wide distribution on macOS, allowing it to review them both in advance and regularly for known malware/common malware patterns. If a malware app manages to get through, when Apple initially finds out, they can go back into the notary records and find every sample of that malware to analyze and block. This is a purely technical process, managed by skilled security researchers. At the same time, iOS app review and "notarization" are business processes managed by workers who have been given a checklist of violations to look for.

Apple is retaining complete control over what's allowed to run on iOS. On macOS, you can choose to run apps that have not been notarized (even though the process to bypass the warning is intentionally difficult). On iOS, you never get even that option. What Apple created is the App Store, but with more steps. It is still available on the App Store, but it is hidden so that it can only be installed through the third-party store it's tied to.

*Mysk: "iOS should enable alternative marketplaces to add their own links when users share their apps. Links still point to the App Store, and if the app is not available there, this happens."<ref>{{Cite web |last=@mysk_co |date=28 Jun 2024 |title=iOS should enable alternative marketplaces to add their own links when users share their apps. Links still point to the App Store and if the app is not available there, this happens: |url=https://x.com/mysk_co/status/1806638308455256242 |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[X]]}}</ref>

==JIT==
The following paragraph is highly technical: JIT allows for speedy programs/apps, and due to its fast nature, it's used almost everywhere and represents a massive improvement over older code interpreters.

[[wikipedia:Just-in-time compilation|JIT]], which stands for Just-In-Time, is a method of code execution where code, instead of being compiled before being distributed (like an EXE), gets compiled into machine code in real time right before being executed. This method of code execution allows for much faster website loading times, speedier emulation, faster program execution (with programs written in JavaScript, Python, Lua...) compared to interpreters, which instead translate code into machine code line by line, which is much, much slower; JIT also employs many more optimization techniques meant to improve performance.

Safari is allowed to use JIT to compile code from any site, just like Apple's [https://apps.apple.com/app/swift-playgrounds/id908519492 Playgrounds] app on iPad. Playgrounds bundle Apple's [[wikipedia:Swift (programming language)|Swift]] compiler and share backend code with the version of Playgrounds found in [[wikipedia:Xcode|Xcode]].

Third-party apps, such as Pythonista (a Python IDE), emulators like Delta and UTM, and terminal environments like iSH, are not allowed to use JIT; instead, they must interpret code, which results in severe performance degradation and increased computational expense, potentially draining more battery.

An example of apps being heavily affected by this restriction is UTM. UTM is a port of [[wikipedia:QEMU|QEMU]] for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, allowing users to create [[wikipedia:Virtual_machine|VMs]] that can run various operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows. The iPhone's hardware is capable enough to emulate various modern OSes at full speed. Still, due to Apple's JIT limitation, the team behind UTM had to create UTM SE (slow edition), which doesn't require JIT but is nowhere near as fast as UTM with JIT, only being capable of running MS-DOS and derivatives at acceptable speeds. While methods that enable JIT for apps other than Safari and Playgrounds exist (some are currently working on iOS 18.5, like [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stikdebug/id6744045754 StikDebug]), Apple does not allow the use of JIT in notarized apps, meaning that apps that support JIT will have to be sideloaded, which comes with its own set of restrictions.

In the EU, Apple permitted web browsers to use rendering and JavaScript engines other than the built-in with Apple WebKit/JavaScriptCore, with the option for JS engines to use JIT. The browser still needs to be approved by Apple for an entitlement and must then work within the APIs provided by Apple. However, as of January 2025, no browsers using engines different from the built-in ones have been released, primarily due to arbitrarily imposed restrictions intended to discourage the use and development of third-party engines.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mozilla says Apple’s new browser rules are ‘as painful as possible’ for Firefox |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/26/24052067/mozilla-apple-ios-browser-rules-firefox |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref>

However, Apple still does not allow different engines outside of the EU, with or without JIT support.<ref>{{Cite web |title=App Review Guidelines |url=https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/#2.5.6 |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Apple Developer]]}}</ref>

==Sandbox==
Sandboxing is a powerful security feature used on all modern platforms, from Windows to iOS, and it's used because most programs need only a few basic permissions. While sandboxing is a great security measure, users may sometimes want to develop or create programs that run outside the sandbox with fewer restrictions. When a program requires additional permissions beyond what the sandbox typically allows, the user is prompted with a permission request, which is particularly useful for basic programs (such as a flashlight app) that need access to sensitive information, like contacts.

As established in previous sections, a program can be granted more access to system features through entitlements. These come in different types:

*'''Completely safe''': Entitlements any developer can opt into, with little to no risk.
*'''Approval required''': Entitlements that might be more of a security risk to allow, e.g., giving considerably wider access to the system, or that Apple simply doesn't want to hand out to just ''anyone'' for competitive reasons. The developer must submit a request to Apple, accompanied by evidence of why they require the entitlement.
*'''Private''': Entitlements that are never allowed for any app developer to use. Many of these are reasonably fenced off because they handle user data that is highly sensitive, or bypass permission prompts, and so on, but can also be guarding features that Apple wants to keep private.

There have been [https://gizmodo.com/researchers-uber-s-ios-app-had-secret-permissions-that-1819177235 exceptions] where Apple quietly granted a company access to private entitlements, which has raised eyebrows.

On iOS, you also can't be ''more'' secure than the default, strictest sandbox. On macOS, there are several entitlements you must declare to decide whether you're allowed to access certain types of user data at all. Android has used this design from the very start - you can't even perform fundamental tasks, such as accessing the internet, without declaring it in your manifest. It makes it very explicit what the app's intentions are.

iOS has one sandbox used by all App Store apps. System apps and App Store apps developed by Apple are permitted to adjust their sandbox permissions as needed. Third-party apps do not get the right to expand or reduce their sandbox permissions at all. This is clearly less secure. To retake the example of Playgrounds, while it's allowed to run your code from a separate process executing in an ultra-locked-down sandbox with very few permissions, competing apps such as Pythonista must run your code in the same sandbox and address space as the primary app process. The Python interpreter crashing would therefore crash the entire app, possibly losing work. In the worst case, a vulnerability in third-party code could give access to all data stored by/accessible to the app. For example, it would be a nightmare if you accidentally tapped the wrong link in Safari and had a hacker easily steal your cookies from other websites. If that third-party code could run in its own limited sandbox, the risk is significantly reduced.

The only known workaround is to execute the code via JavaScript, as Apple's JavaScriptCore engine runs in a heavily sandboxed process. This requires you to port the code to JavaScript, which may be a lot of work or not viable. You wouldn't want to run the Python interpreter inside JavaScript - the performance would be terrible!

==In-app browsers==
Safari's in-app browser, which is the minimal version you get when tapping a link from social media, uses an entirely separate data store for each app. The in-app browser isn't aware of cookies in the "full" Safari app, or any other app, and doesn't support Safari extensions. Apple claimed this was to protect users from malicious apps stealing or setting cookies in Safari without their knowledge, which is a fair argument. However, it's hard not to notice that it makes web browsing inconvenient, encouraging users to install native apps where they can make transactions through Apple.<ref>{{Cite web |last=@whitehatguy |date=12 Jun 2017 |title=Impact of iOS 11 no longer providing shared cookies between Safari, Safari View Controller instances |url=https://github.com/openid/AppAuth-iOS/issues/120 |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[GitHub]]}}</ref>

This also means that your browsing history in the in-app browser is lost; there's no history menu, and it is not logged to the history in the full Safari app either. Good luck recalling that article you read a few weeks ago.

==See also==
*[https://theapplewiki.com/wiki/Eligibility Eligibility]
*Posts written by the author of this article:
**[https://adamdemasi.com/2024/04/19/app-marketplace-experience.html The iOS 17.4 app marketplace flow is a disaster]
**[https://adamdemasi.com/2024/04/20/ios-eligibility.html How I tricked iOS into giving me EU DMA features]
**[https://adamdemasi.com/2024/04/23/ios-eligibility-features.html Features controlled by iOS 17.4's eligibility system]

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Apple App Store]]

Audible

2025-12-09T18:33:09Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits to improve tone.

{{StubNotice}}{{ToneWarning}}{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1995
|Industry=Entertainment
|Logo=Audible.svg
|ParentCompany=Amazon
|Type=Subsidiary
|Website=https://www.audible.com/
|Description=An audiobook and podcast service
}}

'''Audible''' is an audiobook and podcast service company owned by [[Amazon]]. The service platform has a dual content model that allows for individual purchases and downloads as well as streaming content available through a monthly subscription.

==Consumer-impact summary==
===Audiobook monopoly===
Amazon, the parent company of Audible, in collaboration with Apple Books (which would otherwise be its biggest competitor), controls approximately 80% of the audiobook market.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Mehta |first=Vaidehi |date=24 Sep 2024 |title=Authors Battle Amazon Over Audiobook Monopoly |url=https://www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/courtside/authors-battle-amazon-over-audiobook-monopoly/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 Sep 2025 |website=FindLaw}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Martin A. |date=25 Jun 2025 |title=ANTITRUST—S.D.N.Y.: Romance author’s claims of monopolization against Amazon Audible proceed |url=https://www.vitallaw.com/news/antitrust-s-d-n-y-romance-author-s-claims-of-monopolization-against-amazon-audible-proceed/ald01b74df89519124657a56b4e6c1589c2c8 |url-status=live |access-date=16 Sep 2025 |website=VitalLaw}}</ref> Audible itself is the world's leading retailer of audiobook purchases, with over 60% of domestic and global sales.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=13 Jun 2024 |title=Amazon Audible Audiobook Antitrust |url=https://www.hbsslaw.com/cases/amazon-audible-audiobook-antitrust |url-status=live |access-date=16 Sep 2025 |website=Hagens Berman}}</ref>

===Exclusive file format===
Audible uses the AAX file format, which was developed by Audible and is [[DRM]]-encrypted,<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=All about AAX Files |url=https://filext.com/file-extension/AAX |url-status=live |access-date=16 Sep 2025 |website=FILExt}}</ref> making it so that only Audible-authorized players can play it.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |first= |date=10 Jan 2024 |title=Recommended AAX Player for Windows/Mac/Android/iOS |url=https://www.dumpmedia.com/audible-converter/aax-player.html |url-status=live |access-date=16 Sep 2025 |website=DumpMedia}}</ref> This creates an ecosystem lock-in<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />, forcing users to rely on third-party software to break the DRM to listen to the audiobooks they have purchased outside of the Audible platform <ref name=":4" />, as evidenced by the multitude of converters that show up with a cursory "Audible AAX" search on any web browser.

===Geo-blocking===
Audible admits to restricting certain content based upon the geographic location of the user,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Update your country/marketplace |url=https://help.audible.com/s/article/update-your-country-marketplace?language=en_US |url-status=live |access-date=16 Sep 2025 |website=audible}}</ref> a practice known as {{Wplink|geo-blocking}}.

===Treatment of non-exclusives===
Audible has been accused of strong-arming authors into exclusivity deals<ref name=":0" /> by not only imposing higher distribution fees on non-exclusive distribution (75% in comparison to the 60% for exclusive distribution)<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> but also penalizing those who opt for non-exclusivity with practices such as reduced visibility of their titles, lower search rankings, diminished promotional opportunities,<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> and lower royalties (40% for exclusive deals, 25% for non-exclusive ones).<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Scarcella |first=Mike |date=21 Jun 2025 |title=Amazon must face authors' lawsuit over audiobook distribution, US judge rules |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/amazon-must-face-authors-lawsuit-over-audiobook-distribution-us-judge-rules-2025-06-11/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 Sep 2025 |website=Reuters}}</ref> For comparison, the actual cost of distributing the audiobooks is estimated to be around 5% to 10% of the sales price.<ref name=":0" />

==Incidents==
===Using credits to subsidize streaming service===
{{Main|Audible subsidizes its streaming plan via premium credits}}

In August 2025, Audible's new royalty structure took effect. It works by spreading the reader's plan value and premium credits across all books the reader listened to during the month, regardless of whether or not the audiobook was purchased or streamed using Audible's streaming service.

===Alleged non-consensual enrollment===
{{Main|Amazon sued for enrolling and charging customers into Audible without consent}}

Amazon, and Audible by extension, is currently facing a pending class-action lawsuit due to allegedly enrolling Amazon customers into Audible subscriptions without their permission. This is possible due to Amazon's [[forced retention of payment methods]] in which the company holds customers' card information for "faster checkout."

===Controversial encouragement of AI use===
As of 2025, Audible is planning to integrate AI Narration and Translation solutions later in the year, starting with a roll-out of select publishers,<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 May 2025 |title=Audible Expands Catalog with AI Narration and Translation for Publishers |url=https://www.audible.com/about/newsroom/audible-expands-catalog-with-ai-narration-and-translation-for-publishers |url-status=live |access-date=16 Sep 2025 |website=Audible}}</ref> which has been met with criticism by numerous writers, translators, and voice actors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Knight |first=Lucy |date=13 May 2025 |title=Audible unveils plans to use AI voices to narrate audiobooks |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/may/13/audible-unveils-plans-to-use-ai-voices-to-narrate-audiobooks |url-status=live |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |website=The Guardian}}</ref>


==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Amazon]]

Artificial intelligence

2025-12-09T18:25:51Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits to improve tone, also, have made sure to do manual edits to maintain hyperlink.

{{Irrelevant}}{{ToneWarning}}

'''Artificial intelligence''' (AI) is a field of computer science that produces systems designed to solve problems that humans typically solve using intelligence. In the consumer and industry space, it is commonly referred to as chatbots or [[wikipedia:Large language model|large language models]] (LLMs), which have been a main focus of industry
since the November 2022 launch of [[ChatGPT]], with tens of billions of dollars in funding allocated to producing more popular LLMs. Also, a significant focus is on [[wikipedia:Text-to-image model|text-to-image models]], which "draw" an image using a written prompt, and less commonly, [[wikipedia:Text-to-video model|text-to-video models]], which extend the text-to-image concept across several smooth video frames.

So far, no AI solutions are intelligent. AI is not a new concept; it has been of interest since the 1950s. AI is a catch-all term; it encompasses many areas and techniques, so merely stating that something uses AI tells us little about it.

[[wikipedia:Generative artificial intelligence|Generative artificial intelligence]] models are trained through vast amounts of existing human-generated content. Using the example of an LLM, by gathering statistics on patterns of words that people use, the model can generate sequences of words that seem similar to what a person might have written. LLM does not understand anything; they cannot reason. Everything they generate is just a randomly modulated pattern of tokens. People reading sequences of tokens sometimes perceive things they think are true. Sequences that do not make sense to the reader, or that are false, are called [[wikipedia:Hallucination (artificial intelligence)|hallucinations]]. LLMs are typically trained to produce output that is pleasing to people, exhibiting [[dark patterns]]. For example, they often produce output which seems confidently written, use patterns which praise the user (sycophancy), and employ emotionally manipulative language.

LLMs are a glorified autocomplete. People are accustomed to interacting with others, and many overestimate the abilities of things that exhibit complex, person-like patterns. Promoters of “AI” systems take advantage of this tendency, using suggestive names (like “reasoning” and “learning”) and grand claims (“PHD level”), which make it harder for people to understand these systems.

From November 2022 to 2025, venture capitalists and companies invested hundreds of billions of dollars into AI but received minimal returns. When companies seek returns, consumers can expect that products may be orphaned, services may be reduced, customer data may be sold or repurposed, costs may rise, and companies may reduce staff or fail. Historically, AI has had brief periods of intense hype, followed by disillusionment, and “AI winters.”

The current well-funded industry of artificial intelligence tools has led to the rampant and unethical use of content. Startups aiming to develop AI services have been rapidly scraping the internet for content to train future models, and members of the field are concerned that they are approaching the limit of publicly available content to train from.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tremayne-Pengelly |first=Alexandra |date=16 Dec 2024 |title=Ilya Sutskever Warns A.I. Is Running Out of Data—Here’s What Will Happen Next |url=https://observer.com/2024/12/openai-cofounder-ilya-sutskever-ai-data-peak/ |website=Observer}}</ref>

==Why is it a problem==
===Unethical training of data===
:Further reading: [[Artificial intelligence/training]]

Users' work is sometimes silently trained without their explicit consent, as was the case for [[Adobe's AI policy]].

===Privacy concerns of online AI models===
There are several concerns with using online AI models like [[ChatGPT]] ([[OpenAI]]), not only because they are proprietary, but also because there is no guarantee of where your data will be stored or used. Recent developments in local AI models offer an alternative to online AI models, as they can be used offline once downloaded from platforms like [https://huggingface.co/ HuggingFace]. Common models to run include Llama ([[Meta]]), DeepSeek ([[DeepSeek]]), Phi ([[Microsoft]]), Mistral ([[Mistral AI]]), Gemma ([[Google]]).

In some cases, these AI models can also be hijacked for malicious purposes. Demonstrated from the usage of Comet ([[Perplexity]]), users can run arbitrary prompts to the browser's built-in AI assistant via hiding text in the HTML comments, non-visible webpage text, or simple comments on a webpage.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Aug 20, 2025 |title=Tweet from Brave |url=https://xcancel.com/brave/status/1958152314914508893#m |access-date=Aug 24, 2025 |website=X (formerly [[Twitter]])}}</ref> These arbitrary prompts can then be exploited to hijack sensitive information, or worse, gain unauthorized access to high-value accounts, such as those for banking or gaming libraries.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Aug 23, 2025 |title=Tweet from zack (in SF) |url=https://xcancel.com/zack_overflow/status/1959308058200551721 |access-date=Aug 24, 2025 |website=X (formerly [[Twitter]])}}</ref>

==Further reading==
*[[Dark pattern]]
*[[Automatic content recognition]]
*[[Palantir]]
*[[Meta]]
*[[Yandex]]
*[[TikTok and AI-powered ad tracking]]
*[[Flock license plate readers]]
*[[Ring]]
*[[Waymo]]
*[[Google]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Artificial intelligence]]

Amazon sued for enrolling and charging customers into Audible without consent

2025-12-09T18:18:11Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits to improve tone

{{ToneWarning}}{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Amazon, Audible
|StartDate=2024
|EndDate=2025
|Status=Active
|ProductLine=Audible membership
|Product=Amazon Prime
|ArticleType=Service
|Type=Service Termination
|Description=Audible enrolled Amazon customers in Audible memberships without their knowledge or consent
}}'''[[Audible]]''', a subsidiary of Amazon, has two pending class action lawsuits against it for enrolling Amazon customers into the Audible membership without their consent and charging them the $14.95 monthly subscription fee<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Stutland |first=Donielle |date=10 Jan 2025 |title=ADVERTISING—W.D. Wash.: Amazon and Audible can’t escape class action over auto-enrollment, (Jan 10, 2025) |url=https://www.vitallaw.com/news/advertising-w-d-wash-amazon-and-audible-can-t-escape-class-action-over-auto-enrollment/ald01d087b56ebb9f46a4a141a2e6b95e6cdd |url-status=live |access-date=18 Sep 2025 |website=Vital Law}}</ref>

==Background==
In Sherk v. Audible, the plaintiff alleges Audible enrolled existing Amazon account holders into Audible’s monthly subscription (“membership”) without their knowledge or consent.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Sherk |first=Grace |date=11 Mar 2025 |title=Sherk v. Audible, Inc |url=https://www.classaction.org/media/sherk-v-audible-inc-complaint_1.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=18 Sep 2025 |website=Class Action}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-04-23 |title=Amazon Audible faces class action over unauthorized subscriptions |url=https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/amazon-audible-faces-class-action-over-unauthorized-subscriptions/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250826232032/https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/amazon-audible-faces-class-action-over-unauthorized-subscriptions/ |archive-date=2025-08-26 |access-date=2025-08-26 |work=Top Class Actions}}</ref> The complaint alleges that Audible utilized payment information already on file with Amazon, charged monthly membership fees, and made it difficult for users to discover, cancel, or obtain refunds for these subscriptions.

In Heck v. Amazon, the plaintiff used Amazon’s “FREE No-Rush Shipping” option, which came with a “digital reward.”<ref name=":2" /> She later discovered that redeeming this reward resulted in her personal and payment information being passed to Audible. The lawsuit alleges that Audible then enrolled her in a 30-day trial that automatically converted into a paid subscription unless it was affirmatively canceled. The plaintiff alleged she never received notice, confirmation, or cancellation information and was billed for several months without knowledge.

==Incident==
The plaintiff states that the victims of Amazon's enrollment in Audible had a difficult time cancelling the subscription service, which may be due to the company's failure to enact [[click-to-cancel]]<ref name=":0" /> that can result in customers continuing to be charged for the service during the time it takes them to cancel.

A similar lawsuit was filed on January 10, 2025, claiming that Amazon would pass consumer information to Audible, which would then sign up consumers for a free trial.<ref name=":2" /> After the free trial expired, the consumer would be transitioned to a paid subscription without notification.

===Corporate response===
Amazon and Audible responded to Heck’s claims by arguing that they had no duty to disclose any link between "No-Rush Shipping" rewards and Audible enrollment, since the rewards were marketed as digital credits and any Audible trial was separate, voluntary, and disclosed.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Chun |first=John |date=8 Jan 2025 |title=ORDER DENYING MOTION TO DISMISS |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/heck-v-amazon-ucsd-western-washington-opinion.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=18 Sep 2025 |website=courthousenews.com}}</ref> They contended that Heck failed to show reliance or causation, as her choice of "No-Rush Shipping" was motivated by free shipping rather than Audible. They further claimed compliance with the California Auto-Renewal Law by providing clear terms, obtaining consent, and sending acknowledgment emails, suggesting that Heck either ignored or forgot these notices. Drawing on ''Viveros v. Audible'', they insisted that the signups were transparent and optional, meaning Heck must have given consent. Finally, they questioned whether she had suffered any real injury, noting that she had received both rewards and the Audible trial and could have canceled before charges accrued, making her losses the result of her own inaction rather than deception.

The court rejected most of these arguments at the dismissal stage.<ref name=":3" /> It found that Heck plausibly alleged non-disclosure, lack of consent, and ARL violations, which are sufficient to proceed. Notably, the court noted that the situation was unlike Viveros, as Heck alleged; she was enrolled in Audible without realizing it, whereas Viveros involved consumers knowingly signing up.

==Lawsuit==
In ''Sherk v. Audible'', the plaintiffs claim that customers were enrolled in Audible memberships without their consent, often without realizing they had been signed up at all.<ref name=":1" /> Audible allegedly used personal and billing information already stored in Amazon accounts to facilitate these enrollments and failed to provide explicit written confirmation or conspicuous notice of recurring charges. Many customers only discovered their membership after receiving unexpected billing, and, according to the complaint, Audible made cancellation difficult, with some users continuing to be charged even after attempting to cancel their membership. The lawsuit further alleges that many of these “nonconsensual enrollees” never used Audible’s services and that Audible either knew or should have been aware of the widespread problem, given numerous complaints on public forums and consumer watchdog sites. Despite this knowledge, Audible is accused of failing to correct the practice because it generated revenue. Additionally, Audible allegedly restricted refunds, making it difficult for customers to recover payments, and was therefore unjustly enriched by retaining subscription fees from customers who had never agreed to join. The plaintiffs seek restitution and disgorgement of these funds as relief.

In ''Heck v. Amazon.com Inc.'', the plaintiff alleges that Amazon and its subsidiary Audible automatically enrolled her in an Audible membership without her knowledge or consent after she selected the “No-Rush Shipping” option for Amazon Prime orders, which provided digital rewards.<ref name=":2" /> Heck claims that she was never informed that redeeming these rewards would result in an Audible trial that would automatically convert into a paid subscription, nor did she receive clear communications about the terms, cancellation policy, or how to opt out. She further alleges that Amazon had exclusive knowledge of this enrollment process and failed to disclose it, creating a situation in which she was charged $14.95 per month for services she did not knowingly subscribe to. The lawsuit asserts violations of California’s Consumers Legal Remedies Act (CLRA), the Unfair Competition Law (UCL), and the Auto-Renewal Law (ARL), focusing on non-disclosure, lack of affirmative consent, and the economic harm caused by these automatic charges. Relief sought includes damages and restitution for unauthorized subscription fees, highlighting the alleged deceptive practices and failure to obtain informed consent prior to billing.

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

,The below link includes the original Heck v Audible lawsuit:

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63576669/1/2/heck-v-amazoncom-inc/

The original lawsuit has some consumer responses that should be pulled and quoted here.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Audible]]
[[Category:Amazon]]
[[Category:Articles requiring change in tone]]

Adobe

2025-12-09T18:14:48Z

ClippyFellow47: Grammar edits to modify tone.

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Many claims made without proper citations.}}{{ToneWarning}}{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Adobe
| Type = Public
| Founded = 1982
| Industry = Software
| Official Website = https://adobe.com/
| Logo = Adobe.svg
}}

[[wikipedia:Adobe_Inc.|'''Adobe''']] is a software company based in San Jose, California, that specializes in creative software, including photo editing, video editing, animation, illustration, web development, and more. Founded in 1982, the company developed the Portable Document Format (PDF) in 1992, along with a comprehensive suite of creative software. Widespread adoption of their products by novices, industry professionals, and nation-states has enabled Adobe to carve out a significant market share in the creative software industry. In FY24, Adobe's Digital Media Segment reported $15.86 billion in revenue to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). <ref>[https://www.adobe.com/cc-shared/assets/investor-relations/pdfs/adbe-2024-annual-report.pdf ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934] </ref>

==Consumer impact summary==

===Lack of ownership===
Adobe has switched from a perpetual license model to a subscription model (Creative Cloud).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Cunningham |first=Andrew |date=2013-05-06 |title=Adobe’s Creative Suite is dead, long live the Creative Cloud |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/05/adobes-creative-suite-is-dead-long-live-the-creative-cloud/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-09-30 |website=Ars Technica}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Campbell-Dollaghan |first=Kelsey |date=2013-05-06 |title=Say Goodbye to Creative Suite: Adobe CS Is Now Creative Cloud |url=https://gizmodo.com/say-goodbye-to-creative-suite-adobe-rebrands-cs-as-cre-493155052 |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=Gizmodo}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2013-05-06 |title=Adobe heralds subscription-only future for Photoshop and Creative Suite |url=http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/05/06/Adobe-kills-perpetual-licenses-as-creative-suite-moves-to-creative-cloud-cc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622072403/http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/05/06/Adobe-kills-perpetual-licenses-as-creative-suite-moves-to-creative-cloud-cc |archive-date=2013-06-22 |access-date=2025-09-30 |website=Digital Photography Review}}</ref>

===Proprietary file formats===
Works created in Adobe software come in Adobe-exclusive file formats such as .psd for Photoshop<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Colin |date= |title=Most commonly used file types in Photoshop |url=https://photoshopcafe.com/commonly-used-file-types-photoshop/ |access-date=2025-09-30 |website=Photoshop CAFE}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Brendan |date=2023-10-12 |title=File Formats In Photoshop Explained (Complete List) |url=https://www.bwillcreative.com/file-formats-in-photoshop-explained/ |access-date=2025-09-30 |website=Brendan Williams Creative}}</ref> and .indd for InDesign.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Which File Format?: A Guide to INDD, IDML, INX and Everything In-Between |url=https://indesignskills.com/tutorials/open-indesign-files-in-earlier-versions/ |access-date=2025-09-30 |website=InDesign Skills}}</ref>

===Data breaches===
In 2013, Adobe disclosed a data breach affecting approximately 3 million customers. This number was later revised to approximately 38 million. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Finkle |first=Jim |date=29 Oct 2013 |title=Adobe data breach more extensive than previously disclosed |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/technology/adobe-data-breach-more-extensive-than-previously-disclosed-idUSBRE99S1DJ |website=reuters.com/}}</ref> This incident resulted in a $1,000,000 settlement and a commitment to implementing new security policies. <ref>{{Cite web |date=15 Nov 2016 |title=Adobe to Pay $1 Million, Update Security Policies to Resolve Multistate Investigation Into Data Breach |url=https://www.mass.gov/news/adobe-to-pay-1-million-update-security-policies-to-resolve-multistate-investigation-into-data-breach |website=mass.gov}}</ref> In 2019, researchers discovered that Adobe's Elasticsearch database was insecure, potentially exposing the information of approximately 7.5 million users. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Khandelwal |first=Swati |date=26 Oct 2019 |title=Unsecured Adobe Server Exposes Data for 7.5 Million Creative Cloud Users |url=https://thehackernews.com/2019/10/adobe-database-leaked.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com}}</ref> Breaches impacting U.S. federal agencies and Adobe Commerce/Magento stores also occurred in 2023 and 2024, respectively. <ref>{{Cite web |date=5 Dec 2023 |title=Threat Actors Exploit Adobe ColdFusion CVE-2023-26360 for Initial Access to Government Servers |url=https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories/aa23-339a |website=cisa.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sansec Forensics Team |date=1 Oct 2024 |title=Thousands of Adobe Commerce stores hacked in competing CosmicSting campaigns |url=https://sansec.io/research/cosmicsting-fallout |website=sansec.io}}</ref>

==Incidents==

===Transition to subscription-based software===
{{Hatnote|Read More: [[Adobe Lightroom]], [[Adobe Subscriptions]], [[Adobe CS Activation]] and
[[Adobe sued by FTC over hidden fees in subscription plans]]
}}

Adobe initially distributed its software with perpetual licenses, allowing its users to make a one-time payment to own and access a specific application or, through Adobe's Creative Suite, a collection of applications. In 2011, Adobe introduced Creative Cloud, a subscription service that provides users with access to individual applications or multiple applications for a monthly or yearly fee. In 2013, Adobe discontinued Creative Suite.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

As of 2025, the only means to access up-to-date versions of many Adobe applications legally is through Creative Cloud. Additionally, the activation servers for perpetual licenses of previous versions of these applications have been shut down, which prevents consumers from activating the software using a legitimate copy and a serial number.

Creative Cloud offers various subscription options, including monthly plans (with monthly or annual billing) or prepaid yearly plans. There are also plans for individual applications and bundles containing multiple applications. Prices of individual applications range from $22.99 per month or $263.88 prepaid annually. The Creative Cloud Pro subscription, which includes 22 applications and additional extras such as 100 GB of cloud storage, is priced at $69.99 per month or $779.88 per year prepaid.

Plans billed annually but paid monthly have a cancellation fee 14 days after purchase. This fee is set at 50% of the remaining contract balance. For example, if the user cancels the plan in the seventh month of an annual plan that costs $69.99 per month, they will incur a fee of $174.98. Prepaid annual plans do not offer refunds or cancellation options after the 14-day period.

===Alleged use of user data for AI training===
{{main|Adobe's AI policy}}
Adobe has been accused of using user information for the purpose of training artificial intelligence. In 2024, Adobe updated its Terms of Service, granting itself a "non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license" to users' content. This grants Adobe permission to reproduce, distribute, create derivative works from, publicly display, publicly perform, and sublicense their users' content. This change raises concerns over conflicts with existing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and intellectual property rights. Users were required to accept the new Terms of Service to access their previously stored content.

Adobe has stated that it does not use user content to train generative AI, but Adobe may use it for improving its machine learning systems, with an opt-out available. However, no opt-out option was presented during acceptance of the Terms of Service. 

===User documents forced into the cloud with no opt-out===
Some of Adobe's iPad applications, including, but not limited to, the digital painting application Adobe Fresco<ref>{{Cite web |author=PaulaArtist2 |date=2021-12-13 |title=[How To] Save work locally / work offline |url=https://community.adobe.com/t5/fresco-discussions/how-to-save-work-locally-work-offline/m-p/12390252 |access-date=2025-09-22 |website=Adobe Community}}</ref> and the document scanning application Adobe Scan<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tagra |first=Ria |date=2021-06-14 |title=Does Adobe Scan offer a way to not utilize the Adobe Cloud |url=https://community.adobe.com/t5/adobe-scan-discussions/does-adobe-scan-offer-a-way-to-not-utilize-the-adobe-cloud/m-p/12104402 |access-date=2025-09-22 |website=Adobe Community}}</ref>, require an account to access and do not offer any option to opt out of syncing all documents created in these applications with Adobe's cloud servers. Similarly, the new non-Classic versions of Lightroom are fundamentally built around uploading all images to Adobe's cloud.

There is no end-to-end encryption, i.e., Adobe has full access to all of these files. Disabling internet access allows you to work offline, but any files created in the affected apps will immediately sync to the cloud in the background as soon as the device is connected to a network again.

As an American company, Adobe is subject to the United States Cloud Act, which requires all US companies to grant the US government access to any user data, even if stored on servers outside their jurisdiction, and comply with requests to help with spy operations upon request.

===Tracking users' eBook reading activities===
In 2014, it was revealed that Adobe Digital Editions, Adobe’s e-book reading application, reported extensive information about users' reading habits back to Adobe. This included several unique identifiers, such as which e-books were added to the application, when each one was opened, and for how long, as well as the percentage read and page navigation information.

All of this information was transmitted completely unencrypted in plain text. This meant that someone else using the same public Wi-Fi as another user would have been able to track their reading activities in real-time, entirely undetected.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gallagher |first=Sean |date=8 Oct 2014 |title=Adobe’s e-book reader sends your reading logs back to Adobe—in plain text |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/10/adobes-e-book-reader-sends-your-reading-logs-back-to-adobe-in-plain-text/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[ArsTechnica]]}}</ref>

===User information leaks and data breaches===
In 2013, credit card information and personal data of 38 million users were exposed in a data breach.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patel |first=Maaz |date=26 Mar 2023 |title=The Adobe Attack of 2013: A Cautionary Tale of Cybersecurity Failure |url=https://medium.com/@maazptl240602/the-adobe-attack-of-2013-a-cautionary-tale-of-cybersecurity-failure-1ef4ec74eb64 |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Medium]]}}</ref>

In 2019, Adobe left approximately 7.5 million Creative Cloud customer records publicly accessible online due to gross negligence. The database was not protected with a password.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cimpanu |first=Catalin |date=26 Oct 2019 |title=Adobe left 7.5 million Creative Cloud user records exposed online |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/adobe-left-7-5-million-creative-cloud-user-records-exposed-online/ |url-status=live |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[ZDNet]}}</ref>

===Paywalls Pantone colors and changes user files===
Adobe and Pantone change colors in users' existing files in Photoshop and Illustrator to black unless they pay an additional $15/month. <ref>{{Cite web |title=You now have to pay to use Pantone colors in Adobe products |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/1/23434305/adobe-pantone-subscription-announcement-photoshop-illustrator |website=The Verge}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Adobe Just Held a Bunch of Colors Hostage |url=https://www.wired.com/story/adobe-pantone-color-subscription-fee/ |website=Wired}}</ref>

==Products==

===Adobe Creative Cloud===
Adobe's previous line of creative software has been joined into a broader ecosystem called the ''Adobe Creative Cloud.'' The Creative Cloud includes updated versions of the previously purchasable software:

*Photoshop
*Lightroom
*InDesign
*After Effects
*Dreamweaver
*Illustrator
*XD
*and many more

Included with the Creative Cloud, depending on plan options, Adobe also offers cloud-based storage, typefaces, stock photos, and other stock files.

==References==
<references />
*{{cite web |author=((Wikipedia contributors)) |date=2025-02-03 |title=Adobe Inc. |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Adobe_Inc.&oldid=1273676016 |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=Wikipedia}}
*{{cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |title=Adobe roofies all of their customers |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXxMCm941WA |date=2024-06-07 |website=YouTube |access-date=2025-01-15}}

[[Category:Adobe]]

Allstate

2025-12-09T18:08:54Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits.

{{StubNotice}}{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Allstate
| Type = Public
| Founded = 1931
| Industry = Insurance
| Official Website = https://allstate.com/
| Logo = Allstate.png
}}

[[wikipedia:Allstate|'''Allstate''']], founded in 1931,<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 Nov 2025 |title=Building on our legacy as an industry leader |url=https://www.allstatecorporation.com/about/our-history.aspx |url-status=live |access-date=24 Nov 2025 |website=Allstate}}</ref> is an American insurance provider that also operates in Canada. The company owns several subsidiaries, many of which carry the Allstate name, as well as Esurance.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 May 2011 |title=Allstate Targets Online Insurance Sales; Buys Esurance, Answer Financial |url=https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2011/05/18/199061.htm |url-status=live |access-date=24 Nov 2025 |website=Insurance Journal}}</ref> It is one of the largest insurers in the United States.

==Consumer impact summary==
Allstate’s policies reflect a larger trend in insurance markets where companies leverage anti-consumer strategies to maintain revenue control:

*Accused of systematically offering settlements below market value and intentionally delaying claims to pressure claimants into accepting lower payouts. This strategy was allegedly developed with ''McKinsey & Company'' in the 1990s to maximize profits by reducing payouts.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Behind McKinsey & Company’s Efforts To Help Allstate Squeeze Personal Injury Victims |url=https://www.injurytriallawyer.com/blog/behind-mckinsey-companys-efforts-to-help-allstate-squeeze-personal-injury-victims/ |website=injurytriallawyer.com}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Samples |first=Steve |title=Allstate Worst Insurance Company For Consumers |url=https://tex.law/allstate-worst-insurance-company-for-consumers/ |website=tex.lawe}}</ref>

*Internal documents revealed a tactic of "sitting and waiting" to frustrate claimants into settling for inadequate amounts, particularly in personal injury cases.<ref name=":0" />
*High denial rates: Florida subsidiaries ''Castle Key Indemnity'' and ''Castle Key Insurance'' denied 47.1% and 46% of claims, respectively, in 2023, which are among the highest rates in the state.<ref name=":1" />
*Having policy language that allows claim denials if a loss involves both covered and excluded events. This was widely criticized after Hurricane Katrina, where homeowners were denied claims for storm damage if flooding also contributed.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Allstate Rebuts Stinging Criticism |url=https://consumerwatchdog.org/uncategorized/allstate-rebuts-stinging-criticism/ |website=consumerwatchdog.org}}</ref>
*Adjusters were allegedly trained to minimize payouts and received bonuses for reducing claim values. Former employees described a culture of "lying to customers" to meet profit targets.{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}

===Market control===
Internal reports named "McKinsey Documents" revealed that Allstate prioritized profit over policyholders, aiming to pay 30% below market value on claims. Profits doubled to $4.6 billion by 2007, thanks to these tactics.{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}

CEO Tom Wilson sold $32 million in stock amid scrutiny, while the company engaged in stock repurchases, which were criticized as price manipulation.{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}

===Public backlash and reputation===
The consumer group American Association for Justice ranks ''Allstate'' as the worst insurer for consumers due to its claims practices.{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}

Negative reviews cite poor customer service, claim delays, and premium hikes without corresponding improvements in coverage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Revell |first=Nicholson |title=Allstate Worst Insurance Company For Consumers |url=https://nicholsonrevell.com/blog/allstate-worst-insurance-company-for-consumers/ |website=nicholsonrevell.com}}</ref> Allstate has disputed some claims, citing third-party reports supporting its practices.{{Citation needed|date=November 2025}}

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

===Texas lawsuit (January 2025)===
{{Main|Allstate and Arity's alleged unauthorized driver data collection through mobile apps}}
Allstate, Arity, and their subsidiaries are currently defendants in a lawsuit filed by the state of Texas, which alleges multiple violations of data privacy regulations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stempel |first=Jonathan |date=13 Jan 2025 |editor-last=Gregorio |editor-first=David |editor2-last=Ellis |editor2-first=Aurora |title=Texas sues Allstate for collecting driver data without consent |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/texas-sues-allstate-over-data-collection-cellphones-2025-01-13/ |url-status=live |access-date=24 Nov 2025 |website=Reuters}}</ref>{{Update needed|date={{subst:November}} {{subst:2025}}|reason=Progress?}}

===Andrea Stevenson v. Allstate Insurance Co et al (May 2024)===
A $25 million class-action settlement for inflating premiums and unfairly denying claims.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scarcella |first=Mike |date=29 May 2024 |title=US court approves $25 mln Allstate settlement in insurance rate class action |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/us-court-approves-25-mln-allstate-settlement-insurance-rate-class-action-2024-05-29/ |url-status=live |access-date=24 Nov 2025 |website=Reuters}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

===TCPA Violations (March 2024)===
A 2024 court ruling found Allstate vicariously liable for illegal robocalls made by its subcontractors, in violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 Apr 2024 |title=Court Applies Finds an Insurance Company Vicariously Liable for the Actions and Failures of the Company’s Independent Insurance Agents’ Third-Party Telemarketing Subcontractors |url=https://commlawgroup.com/2024/court-applies-finds-an-insurance-company-vicariously-liable-for-the-actions-and-failures-of-the-companys-independent-insurance-agents-third-party-telemarketing-subcontractor/ |access-date=24 Nov 2025 |website=Marashlian & Donahue, PLLC The Commlaw Group}}</ref>{{Citation needed}}

===Excessive home insurance rates (May 2008)===
The Texas Department of Insurance and the Office of Public Insurance Counsel, who filed the suit, stated that Allstate charged customers excessive home insurance rates from 2004 to 2007. Allstate paid a $70 million fine in Texas for overcharging homeowners.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 May 2008 |title=Insurance Refunds |url=https://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/settlements/11801/allstate-homeowners-insurance-overcharging.html |url-status=live |access-date=24 Nov 2025 |website=LawyersandSettlements.com}}</ref>

===Katrina Case (April 2007)===
Allstate Insurance Co. had to pay $2.8 million bad faith ruling in Weiss v. Allstate.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 Apr 2007 |title=Allstate Fined $2.8M In Katrina Case |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/allstate-fined-28m-in-katrina-case/ |url-status=live |access-date=24 Nov 2025 |website=CBS News}}</ref>

==See also==

*[[:Category:Lawsuits]]

==References==
[[Category:Allstate]]
<references />
[[Category:Articles in need of citations]]
[[Category:Articles requiring change in tone]]
[[Category:Companies]]
[[Category:Articles requiring expansion]]

National Security Agency

2025-12-09T17:41:25Z

ClippyFellow47: Grammar edits also had to undo an edit, but it should still be functional with respects to the link to Wikipedia on the NSA.

{{StubNotice}}{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = National Security Agency
| Type = Government agency
| Founded = 1952
| Industry = Intelligence and counterintelligence
| Official Website = https://www.nsa.gov/
| Logo = NSA Seal of National Security Agency.png
}}

The [[wikipedia:National_Security_Agency|National Security Agency (NSA)]] is a member of the [[wikipedia:United_States_Intelligence_Community|United States Intelligence Community (IC)]] established in 1952. The NSA collaborates with universities, businesses, and other entities to enhance the United States' national security against both foreign and domestic threats.{{Citation needed}} Their methods have come under national scrutiny many times, most notably in 2013 when Edward Snowden blew the whistle on the NSA's mass warrantless surveillance of the American populace post-9/11.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 June 2013 |title=Allies concerned about privacy, want answers about US surveillance programs |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/allies-concerned-about-privacy-want-answers-about-us-surveillance-programs-flna6c10272406 |website=NBC News}}</ref>

==Incidents==

===Purchasing illegally-obtained data===
In January 2024, "NSA officials told [US Senator Ron Wyden] that not only is the intelligence agency purchasing data on Americans located in the US but that it also bought Americans' Internet metadata." Wyden also "suggested that the intelligence community might be helping data brokers violate an FTC order requiring that Americans [...] give informed consent before their data can be sold to third parties."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Belanger |first=Ashley |date=26 Jan 2024 |title=NSA finally admits to spying on Americans by purchasing sensitive data |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/01/nsa-finally-admits-to-spying-on-americans-by-purchasing-sensitive-data/ |website=Ars Technica}}</ref>

The FTC order in question is part of a settlement with X-Mode Social, Inc. and its successor, Outlogic, LLC. The order established a precedent prohibiting data brokers from collecting and selling sensitive consumer data without the consumer's explicit consent.<ref>{{Cite web |title=In the Matter of X-Mode Social, Inc., a corporation, and Outlogic, LLC., a Limited Liability Company {{!}} Decision and Order |url=https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/X-Mode-D%26O.pdf |website=Federal Trade Commission}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 April 2024 |title=FTC Finalizes Order with X-Mode and Successor Outlogic Prohibiting it from Sharing or Selling Sensitive Location Data |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/04/ftc-finalizes-order-x-mode-successor-outlogic-prohibiting-it-sharing-or-selling-sensitive-location |website=Federal Trade Commission}}</ref> Notably, this order "seems to carve out exceptions for any [location] data collected outside the US and used for either 'security purposes' or 'national security purposes conducted by federal agencies or other federal entities.'"<ref name=":0" />

This incident may indicate pressure from the NSA on data brokers and collectors to continue violating privacy, adopting opt-in by default practices, and engaging in user tracking.

==See also==

*[[FTC settlement with X-Mode and Outlogic]]

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Articles in need of additional work]]
[[Category:Data collection]]
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Mark Zuckerberg

2025-12-09T17:15:02Z

ClippyFellow47: General edits

''[[wikipedia:Mark_Zuckerberg|Mark Elliot Zuckerberg]]'' was born on May 14, 1984, and raised in Dobbs Ferry, New York.
==Professional background==
Zuckerberg is the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Meta Platforms Inc., which is the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other digital services. He launched "TheFacebook" on February 4, 2004, while he was studying psychology and computer science at Harvard University. Facebook, originally a campus directory to connect Harvard students, expanded rapidly, reaching one million users within a year and becoming the world’s largest social network by 2009.

==Stance on consumer rights==
Zuckerberg’s stance on consumer rights is marked by a pattern of reactive concessions under legal pressure rather than proactive protection. In 2002, he hacked Harvard's security system. He accessed students' ID photos to populate a website that would allow users to rate students by looks, FaceMash, which was shut down three days later by the University.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bellis |first=Mary |title=The History of Facebook and How It Was Invented |url=https://www.thoughtco.com/who-invented-facebook-1991791 |website=ThoughtCo.}}</ref> Publicly advocating for limited regulatory reforms, his actions regarding data privacy, antitrust, and civil rights prioritize Meta’s business model over consumer welfare. While he has consistently emphasized user control over privacy settings, his actions and business model reveal a pattern of undermining genuine data autonomy.

===Public statements supporting consumer control===
*2004: "People have very good control over who can see their information."<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Balakrishnan |first=Anita |last2=Salinas |first2=Sara |last3=Hunter |first3=Matt |date=April 9, 2018 |title=Mark Zuckerberg has been talking about privacy for 15 years - here’s almost everything he’s said |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/21/facebook-ceo-mark-zuckerbergs-statements-on-privacy-2003-2018.html |work=CNBC}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Salinas |first=Sara |last2=Balakrishnan |first2=Anita |date=December 19, 2018 |title=Mark Zuckerberg has been talking and apologizing about privacy since 2003 - here’s a reminder of what he’s said |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/19/facebook-ceo-mark-zuckerberg-privacy-apologies.html |work=CNBC}}</ref>
*2010, "What people want isn’t complete privacy. It’s control over what they share".<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Clifford |first=Catherine |date=October 24, 2019 |title=19-year-old Mark Zuckerberg: ‘Issues about violating people’s privacy don’t seem to be surmountable’ |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/24/19-year-old-mark-zuckerberg-on-privacy-issues-versus-today.html |work=CNBC}}</ref>
*In 2019, he acknowledged Facebook’s poor privacy reputation but pledged to build a "privacy-focused platform".<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Hern |first=Alex |date=March 7, 2019 |title=Mark Zuckerberg's privacy blogpost: what he did and didn't say |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/mar/07/mark-zuckerbergs-privacy-blogpost-what-he-said-and-what-he-didnt |work=The Guardian}}</ref>

However, these statements often frame control narrowly, focusing on visibility settings rather than limiting Facebook’s own data collection or third-party sharing.

===Actions undermining control===
*Lax Data Policies: [[The Cambridge Analytica Scandal]] revealed that Facebook allowed third-party apps to harvest data from millions without explicit consent. Zuckerberg admitted, "[w]e simply did a bad job".<ref name=":0" /> Emails later suggested he was aware of privacy risks, but prioritized growth.<ref name=":2" />
*Deceptive Practices: The FTC found Facebook violated a 2012 consent decree by misleading users about data sharing.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rushe |first=Dominic |date=June 12, 2019 |title=Facebook emails seem to show Zuckerberg knew of privacy issues, report claims |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jun/12/facebook-mark-zuckerberg-privacy-emails-report |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Attorney General Racine’s lawsuit accused Zuckerberg of personally enabling policies that exposed user data.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=AG Racine Sues Mark Zuckerberg for Failing to Protect Millions of Users' Data, Misleading Privacy Practices |url=https://oag.dc.gov/release/ag-racine-sues-mark-zuckerberg-failing-protect}}</ref>

*Opaque Controls: Privacy settings are buried and confusing. As critics note, "[o]ffering tools doesn’t help if they’re hard to find." One such example is ad-targeting controls being hidden under unrelated menus.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Barrett |first=Brian |date=April 10, 2010 |title=Mark Zuckerberg's Privacy Shell Game |url=https://www.wired.com/story/mark-zuckerbergs-privacy-shell-game/ |work=Wired}}</ref>
*Revenue relies on monetizing user data.
**"Zuckerberg’s Law": He predicted users would share twice as much data yearly, pushing openness over privacy.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" />
**Data Hoarding: Despite [[General Data Protection Regulation]] (GDPR) style pledges, Facebook resists limits on data collection, such as opposing regulations that would curb microtargeting.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wheeler |first=Tom |date=2019-04-03 |title=Mark Zuckerberg’s call for internet rules only goes part way |url=https://www.brookings.edu/articles/mark-zuckerbergs-call-for-internet-rules-only-goes-part-way/ |website=The Brookings Institution}}</ref>

==Major consumer protection incidents==

===Cambridge Analytica Data Scandal===
The Cambridge Analytica scandal came to light when a former employee, Christopher Wylie, leaked internal documents to journalists. These documents demonstrated the uninformed consent for the collection of personal data from up to 87 million Facebook profiles, which served political advertising purposes through Facebook's Open Graph Platform and the Facebook application "This is Your Digital Life," developed by data scientist Aleksandr Kogan at Global Science Research.<ref>[https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/10/facebook-cambridge-analytica-a-timeline-of-the-data-hijacking-scandal.html "Facebook-Cambridge Analytica: A timeline of the data hijacking scandal"] - cnbc.com - accessed 2025-02-03</ref> The appropriated personal data was used in the 2016 US Presidential election for Ted Cruz's and Donald Trump's campaigns.<ref>[https://www.businessinsider.com/cambridge-analytica-facebook-scandal-trump-cruz-operatives-2018-3 "There's an open secret about Cambridge Analytica in the political world: It doesn't have the 'secret sauce' it claims"] - businessinsider.com - accessed 2025-02-03 </ref>

'''Deceptive Marketing'''

In 2011, the FTC found Facebook guilty of deceptive practices, including sharing data with third-party apps without user consent and misrepresenting its privacy controls. Despite a 20-year consent order, Facebook continued to face allegations of similar violations, including post-2018 complaints about lax data policies.

A photo of Zuckerberg revealed in 2016 that he keeps his own laptop camera covered with tape.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-06-22 |title=Mark Zuckerberg Puts Tape Over His Webcam |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/mark-zuckerberg-puts-tape-webcam/story?id=40040340 |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=abc News}}</ref>
==Regulatory response==
*Fines: Facebook paid five billion dollars to the FTC for privacy violations and faced lawsuits for deceptive practices.<ref name=":2" />
*Whistleblower Allegations: Internal documents show Zuckerberg prioritized engagement over safety, undermining claims of user control.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" />

==Current status==
As of June 2025, Mark Zuckerberg remains the CEO and Chairman of Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly Facebook). He continues to lead the company's focus on the ''metaverse'', artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies.

===Recent developments===

*Meta's AI and Metaverse Push''':''' Meta is heavily investing in AI, including large language models (like LLaMA) and AI-driven products across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
*Threads and social media: ''Threads'', Meta's answer to X (formerly ''Twitter), continues'' to grow, integrating more deeply with Instagram and the Fediverse (a decentralized social networking platform).
*Regulatory and Legal Issues''':''' Zuckerberg and Meta still face scrutiny over data privacy, antitrust concerns, and content moderation policies worldwide.

==Impact on consumer protection==
Mark Zuckerberg has significantly influenced consumer rights, both positively and negatively. His decisions have shaped digital privacy, data control, competition, and transparency, often sparking regulatory and public backlash.
*Data privacy and surveillance:
**Negative: Facebook (now Meta) has faced numerous scandals involving unauthorized data collection, including Cambridge Analytica (2018), where 87 million users’ data was harvested without consent.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cadwalladr |first=Carole |last2=Graham-Harrison |first2=Emma |date=March 17, 2018 |title=Revealed: 50 million Facebook profiles harvested for Cambridge Analytica in major data breach |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/mar/17/cambridge-analytica-facebook-influence-us-election |work=The Guardian}}</ref>
**Positive: Meta introduced privacy tools and supported GDPR compliance in the EU, after the scandals.
*Algorithmic manipulation and mental health concerns:
**Negative: Studies revealed that Meta’s algorithms promoted harmful content, affecting mental health and spreading misinformation.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=Wells |first=Georgia |last2=Horwitz |first2=Jeff |last3=Seetharaman |first3=Deepa |date=September 14, 2021 |title=Facebook Knows Instagram Is Toxic for Teen Girls, Company Documents Show |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebook-knows-instagram-is-toxic-for-teen-girls-company-documents-show-11631620739 |work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref>
**Positive: Meta has since introduced wellbeing features, such as screen time limits and content warnings.
*Monopoly power and reduced consumer choice:
**Negative: Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp led to antitrust lawsuits, limiting competition and consumer alternatives.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 9, 2020 |title=FTC Sues Facebook for Illegal Monopolization |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2020/12/ftc-sues-facebook-illegal-monopolization |website=Federal Trade Commission}}</ref>
**Positive: Some argue Meta’s ecosystem (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) provides convenience through integrated services.{{Citation needed|reason=Who is arguing this?}}
*Transparency and accountability:
**Negative: Facebook historically resisted transparency, including hiding internal research on harms.<ref name=":6" />
**Positive: Meta now publishes quarterly transparency reports on content moderation and government requests.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Transparency Center |url=https://transparency.fb.com/ |website=transparency.fb.com}}</ref>
*Ad targeting and consumer exploitation:
**Negative: Facebook’s micro-targeting has been criticized for enabling discriminatory ads <ref>{{Cite news |last=Angwin |first=Julia |last2=Parris Jr. |first2=Terry |date=October 28, 2016 |title=Facebook Lets Advertisers Exclude Users by Race |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/facebook-lets-advertisers-exclude-users-by-race |work=ProPublica}}</ref> and exploiting user behavior.
**Positive: Meta has restricted some ad-targeting categories (e.g., race, religion) in response to criticism.
The impact Mark and Meta have had on consumer rights is mixed. Meta has introduced some privacy and transparency improvements, but Zuckerberg's history of data exploitation, monopolistic behavior, and algorithmic harms has significantly weakened consumer trust. Regulatory pressure continues to shape Meta’s policies, but critics argue that more systemic changes are needed.

==References==

[[Category:Individuals]]
<references />

Echelon fitness firmware lockout

2025-09-11T17:39:32Z

ClippyFellow47: Grammar edits.

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Echelon Fitness
|StartDate=2025-07
|Status=Active
|ProductLine=echelon exercie equipment
|Product=exercise equipment
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Firmware lockout
|Description=Echelon pushed firmware updates blocking third-party apps, requiring server authentication & breaking QZ compatibility for users
}}A July 2025 firmware update pushed by Echelon Fitness retroactively blocked third-party fitness applications from connecting to their devices. The update affected users of QZ (qdomyos-zwift), an open-source bridging application that enables cross-platform compatibility with fitness platforms like [[wikipedia:Zwift|Zwift]], [[wikipedia:Peloton_Interactive|Peloton Digital]], & others.

==Background==

===QZ & cross-platform compatibility===
QZ (qdomyos-zwift) was created in September 2020 by Italian software engineer [[wikipedia:Roberto_Viola|Roberto Viola]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://robertoviola.cloud/2025/07/22/how-i-built-qz-and-how-echelon-is-now-breaking-it/ |title=How I Built QZ—and How Echelon Is Now Breaking It |author=Roberto Viola |date=22 July 2025 |access-date=23 July 2025}}</ref> The application functions as a Bluetooth bridge that intercepts proprietary communications from closed fitness devices & translates them into standard protocols compatible with other mainstream fitness platforms.

For almost five years, QZ maintained compatibility with Echelon devices. Viola notes that the app ''"helped Echelon sell tens of thousands of bikes"'' by making them compatible with multiple training platforms. Viola also recommended the Echelon as the ''"best indoor bike on the market."''<ref name="viola-blog">{{cite web |url=https://robertoviola.cloud/2025/07/22/how-i-built-qz-and-how-echelon-is-now-breaking-it/ |title=How I Built QZ—and How Echelon Is Now Breaking It |author=Roberto Viola |date=22 July 2025 |access-date=23 July 2025}}</ref> Before the incident, Echelon's official marketing materials explicitly promoted third-party compatibility. Their FAQ stated devices were designed to give users '''''"the flexibility to use your favorite devices"''''' & specifically mentions "third-party apps you can use as well."<ref name="echelon-faq" />

===Echelon's business model===
Echelon Fitness markets connected fitness equipment ranging from $500 entry-level models to $2,495 premium bikes. The company operates a subscription service priced between $29.99-$39.99 monthly or $399.99-$699.99 annually for access to live & on-demand fitness content.<ref name="echelon-faq">{{cite web |url=https://echelonfit.com/pages/app-faqs |title=APP FAQs |publisher=Echelon Fit |access-date=23 July 2025}}</ref>
[[File:Echelon.png|alt=Subscriptions from echelon's website [1]|thumb|Subscriptions from echelon's website <ref>{{Cite web |title=Choose your Premier Subscription – Echelon Fit US |url=https://echelonfit.com/collections/choose-your-united-sub?_ab=0&_fd=0&_sc=1}}</ref>]]

==July 2025 firmware update==
In July 2025, Echelon pushed a firmware update that implemented a server-based authentication system. The new system requires devices to:

*Connect to Echelon's servers during startup.
*Receive a temporary, rotating unlock key for device operation.
*Maintain internet connectivity for basic functionality.
*Block all third-party Bluetooth communications without server validation<ref name="viola-blog" />

According to Viola's technical analysis, the update is "non-reversible" - users cannot downgrade to previous firmware versions once installed.<ref name="viola-blog" />

===Technical implementation===
The firmware creates a '''boot-time server handshake''' requirement before any functionality is enabled. Devices send authentication requests to Echelon servers, which respond with rotating unlock keys. Without successful validation, devices become completely non-functional, including for basic manual workouts.<ref name="viola-blog" />

The system targets third-party apps explicitly through '''Bluetooth access control''' that only activates after server authentication. This hardware-level lockout cannot be bypassed through software, effectively transforming ownership into a subscription-based permission model.<ref name="viola-blog" />

===Impact on third-party applications===
The firmware update completely blocks QZ & similar third-party applications from communicating with Echelon devices. This affects advanced features like automatic resistance control and prevents basic manual workouts without internet connectivity & server approval.<ref name="viola-blog" />

==Consumer impact==

===Financial losses===
Users who purchased Echelon devices specifically for third-party compatibility are affected:

*Hardware investments ranging from $500 to $2,495 for devices
*Subscription costs of $29.99-$39.99 monthly to regain functionality
*Loss of free or alternative platform access previously enabled by QZ<ref name="viola-blog" />

One affected UK user commented: <blockquote>''"This is infuriating. I paid £1,199 for a bike in 2020, & a further £399 for 2 years of classes, so what I choose to do with the hardware I purchased outright is none of their business!"''<ref name="viola-blog" /></blockquote>

===Elimination of offline functionality===
The update removes all offline workout capabilities, requiring constant internet connectivity for any device operation. Users report being unable to perform basic manual workouts without server validation.<ref name="viola-blog" />

==Echelon's response==
===Press release===
On July 29, 2025, Echelon issued a press release announcing the implementation of "comprehensive security enhancements," including jailbreak detection mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to their equipment.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/echelon-implements-advanced-security-measures-to-prevent-any-unwarranted-access-to-fitness-equipment-data-302208547.html |title=Echelon Implements Advanced Security Measures to Prevent Any Unwarranted Access To Fitness Equipment Data |publisher=PR Newswire |date=29 July 2025 |access-date=27 August 2025}}</ref> The company specifically targeted QZ developer Roberto Viola, describing him as a "bad actor" who "attempts to bypass Echelon's fitness ecosystem" by charging users $6.99 for access to unauthorized connections.

Echelon announced that they are "actively reviewing legal action under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and other applicable laws" against third-party applications. The company stated that customers using applications like QZ would have their warranties voided for violating terms of service and "compromising the secure operation" of products.

CEO Lou Lentine framed the issue as protecting American intellectual property from "foreign individuals and entities," stating: <blockquote>"There are a few bad actors in the global marketplace who are constantly trying to shortcut the investments made by Echelon and other American companies—through fraud, copying, and stealing."</blockquote>

Concurrent with blocking third-party access, Echelon announced a new "Authorized Partnership Program" for companies seeking approved connections to their equipment. The program offers access to official APIs and developer support, though no timeline or application process was provided.

Echelon repositioned its offerings around two tiers:
*'''Freestyle Mode''' - Described as "no charge" but requires internet connectivity for "secure sign-in authentication"
*'''Premium Streaming Plans''' - Subscription plans starting at $19.99 monthly for access to classes and features

The press release did not address the removal of offline functionality or the impact on existing customers who had purchased devices with advertised third-party compatibility.

==FULU Foundation bounty==
After the story's initial publication, Louis Rossmann released a $20,000 bounty<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zayHD4kfcA |title=Fulu Foundation offers $20,000 bounty to repair Echelon firmware lockout |author=Louis Rossmann |publisher=YouTube |date=July 2025 |access-date=27 August 2025}}</ref> for anyone who could create a method to bypass the restrictions placed on Echelon bikes. In August, the bounty winner was announced,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.404media.co/developer-unlocks-newly-enshittified-echelon-exercise-bikes-but-cant-legally-release-his-software/ |title=Developer Unlocks Newly Enshittified Echelon Exercise Bikes But Can't Legally Release His Software |author=Jason Koebler |publisher=404 Media |date=August 2025 |access-date=27 August 2025}}</ref> however, the solution used to claim the bounty was not released. Louis Rossmann stated that the reason for not releasing was the impact of a US law (17 U.S. Code § 1201), which prevents sharing methods to bypass a technological measure designed to manage access to a product.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chPzslZKBhI |title=I started an organization to dismantle the DMCA - here's why |author=Louis Rossmann |publisher=YouTube |date=27 August 2025 |access-date=27 August 2025}}</ref>

==Consumer recourse==

===Immediate actions===
Roberto Viola made the following recommendations for affected users:
*'''Avoid all firmware updates''' & disable automatic updates.
*'''Delete the Echelon app''' to prevent forced updates.
*Make sure tablets can't access the internet independently.
*document current functionality for potential claims<ref name="viola-blog" />
If it prompts you to install a firmware update on reboot, you may avoid this by rebooting the bike again, then, in Wi-Fi settings at the first opportunity, entering a custom SSID and leaving it blank. For some reason, this appears to be the only way to get it to switch from an existing connection. You must again enter your actual Wi-Fi details on the member login screen.

===Optional actions===
You can lock the bike to a fixed resistance and use it as a basic exercise bike without innovative features. This is useful if you want to start a workout quickly without powering on the bike or adjusting the resistance again after pausing in the middle of a workout.

#Make sure the bike is plugged in.
#Begin pedaling so the bike powers on.
#Turn the resistance knob to your desired level. (It may take a moment for the knob to respond after powering on.)
#Unplug the bike — it will now stay locked at that resistance.
#If you want to change the resistance later, repeat the process.

==References==
<references />

==External Links==
*[https://robertoviola.cloud/2025/07/22/how-i-built-qz-and-how-echelon-is-now-breaking-it/ Roberto Viola's detailed technical analysis]
*[https://github.com/cagnulein/qdomyos-zwift QZ (qdomyos-zwift) GitHub repository]
*[https://github.com/cagnulein/qdomyos-zwift/issues/1752 GitHub Issue #1752 - Echelon connection problems]
*[https://www.classaction.org/news/ifit-class-action-says-software-update-left-fitness-equipment-totally-inoperable iFIT Class Action Settlement Information]

[[Category:CRW]]
[[Category:Incidents]]
[[Category:Fitness Industry]]
[[Category:IoT]]
[[Category:Firmware]]
[[Category:2025]]
[[Category:Right to Repair]]

ATSC 3.0

2025-09-10T21:14:01Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits.

{{InfoboxProductLine
| Title = {{PAGENAME}}
| Release Year =2017
| Product Type =Television Transmission Protocol
| In Production =Yes
| Official Website =https://watchnextgentv.com/
| Logo =NextGenTVBug.png
}}

'''[[wikipedia:ATSC_3.0|ATSC 3.0]]''', also known as '''NextGenTV (in the US) or TV 3.0 DTV+ (in Brazil)'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Decreto vai confirmar padrão ATSC e faixa de 300 MHz para a TV 3.0 |trans-title=Decree will confirm ATSC standard and 300 MHz band for TV 3.0 |url=https://telesintese.com.br/decreto-vai-confirmar-padrao-atsc-e-faixa-de-300-mhz-para-a-tv-3-0/ |website=Telesintese |language=pt-br}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Globo inaugura primeira estação de TV 3.0 do Brasil e inicia testes com DTV+ |trans-title=Globo inaugurates Brazil's first TV 3.0 station and begins DTV+ tests |url=https://www.minhaoperadora.com.br/2025/06/globo-inaugura-primeira-estacao-de-tv-3-0-do-brasil-e-inicia-testes-com-dtv.html |website=Minha Operadora |language=pt-br}}</ref>''',''' is a television protocol for terrestrial (over-the-air) broadcasting. It promises to deliver over 4K resolution and 120 FPS broadcast television using modern standards like HEVC, HDR, Dolby AC-4, and MPEG-H 3D audio, alongside better "interaction among the broadcasters and the users".

==Consumer impact summary==
NextGenTV has had privacy concerns over internet-based viewer metrics/analytics and targeted advertising, voiced by FCC commissioner Geoffrey Starks in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Balderston |first=Michael |date=29 Jan 2020 |title=Starks Warns of Potential Privacy, Data Issues With ATSC 3.0 |url=https://www.tvtechnology.com/atsc3/starks-warns-of-potential-privacy-data-issues-with-atsc-3-0 |url-status=live |access-date=28 Mar 2025 |website=tvtech}}</ref> More importantly, NextGenTV introduced [[Digital rights management]] and encryption to freely available television airwaves.

The authority for encryption in ATSC 3.0 is called A3SA.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Paving the Way for Enhanced Security |url=https://a3sa.com/ |url-status=live |access-date=28 Mar 2025 |website=A3SA}}</ref> According to a article on Techhive,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Newman |first=Jared |date=28 Jul 2023 |title=NextGen TV’s DRM puts future of the over-the-air DVR in doubt |url=https://www.techhive.com/article/2009693/nextgen-tv-drm-puts-future-of-the-over-the-air-dvr-in-doubt.html |url-status=live |access-date=28 Mar 2025 |website=TechHive}}</ref> restrictions that could be imposed by A3SA's DRM might include:

*Blocking or setting expiry dates on recordings
*Blocking the remote access of tuners
*Always-on internet is required for viewing/streaming/playback.
*Pairing recordings to the tuner from which it was recorded
*"Blessing" devices that pass the A3SA's DRM certification and licensing program
The Techhive article also describes that implementing DRM could increase the cost of tuners due to the required licensing and certification programs for vendors.

Lon Seidman also discovered that tuner decryption certificates can expire after 10 to 30 years on certified devices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seidman |first=Lon |date=30 Jan 2024 |title=ATSC 3 TV Tuners Have an Expiration Date, Slow Progress on Gateway Devices and More.. |url=https://blog.lon.tv/2024/01/30/atsc-3-tv-tuners-have-an-expiration-date-slow-progress-on-gateway-devices-and-more/ |url-status=live |access-date=28 Mar 2025 |website=Lon.tv}}</ref>

==Incidents==
Many major US ATSC 3.0 pilot stations started encrypting their broadcasts in 2023,<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Seidman |first=Lon |date=15 May 2023 |title=Broadcasters Roll Out Restrictive DRM Encryption on ATSC 3.0 Broadcasts |url=https://blog.lon.tv/2023/05/15/broadcasters-roll-out-restrictive-drm-encryption-on-atsc-3-0-broadcasts/ |url-status=live |access-date=28 Mar 2025 |website=Lon.tv}}</ref> locking out users of all pre-certification ATSC 3.0 tuners without decryption support. This has led to some resource websites like [https://www.rabbitears.info/ rabbitears.info] to become concerned about their future providing information on channels due to encryption becoming more widespread. They warn that the site may be unable to operate as the tools for analysis of channels become inoperable on encrypted channels.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ATSC 3.0 Encryption |url=https://www.rabbitears.info/static.php?name=atsc3_encryption |url-status=live |access-date=28 Mar 2025 |website=RabbitEars}}</ref>

In cases where encrypted channels could be decrypted using certified tuners, it has been reported that an active internet connection is required to tune or switch between encrypted channels.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seidman |first=Lon |date=3 Sep 2023 |title=The ADTH Nextgen TV Box Shows Us Just How Bad ATSC 3.0 Encryption Will Be.. |url=https://blog.lon.tv/2023/09/03/the-adth-nextgen-tv-box-shows-us-just-how-bad-atsc-3-0-encrpytion-will-be/ |url-status=live |access-date=28 Mar 2025 |website=Lon.tv}}</ref>

LG has also encountered patent issues trying to incorporate tuners into its TVs, which resulted in a dispute with Constellation Design Inc. that ended ATSC 3.0 tuner support in new LG televisions as of September 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seidman |first=Lon |date=26 Sep 2023 |title=New LG Televisions Will Not Have ATSC 3 Tuners Due to Patent Dispute |url=https://blog.lon.tv/2023/09/26/new-lg-televisions-will-not-have-atsc-3-tuners-due-to-patent-dispute/ |url-status=live |access-date=28 Mar 2025 |website=Lon.tv}}</ref>

SiliconDust of HDHomeRun has engaged in official correspondence with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in response to Pearl TV (ATSC 3.0) with regards to "Authorizing the Permissive Use of the “Next Generation” Broadcast Television Standard (GN Docket No. 16-142)"<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2025-07-18 |title=Pearl Ex Parte Letter re HD HomeRun (7-18-25) |url=https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/107180407509394/1 |url-status=live |website=FCC.gov}}</ref> pointing out Pearl TV is acting as a '''gatekeeper''' by deciding which tuners to allow and not allow even after being "certified" for NextGenTV ATSC 3.0 as well as making mention that strict '''exclusive use of (google) widevine''' prevents popular devices such as Roku, Xbox, Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, Windows, or Mac from ever accessing the encrypted channels.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-22 |title=Silicondust Response to Pearl Ex Parte Letter (7-22-25) |url=https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/10722712322683/1 |url-status=live |website=FCC.gov}}</ref> The two responded back and forth, and Pearl TV attempted to claim that SiliconDust was using a black-listed chip. Pearl also claimed that SiliconDust must have a Widevine CDM license.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-25 |title=Pearl Ex Parte Letter re HD HomeRun (Reply 7-25-25) |url=https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/1072583827524/1 |url-status=live |website=FCC.gov}}</ref> SiliconDust responded by claiming Pearl continues to push false narratives. They point out they are "not required or expected to have the Level 1 CDM license described by Pearl," as well as stating that the "SoC part used in a video gateway device [the blacklisted chip], is not relevant in any way to viewers accessing ATSC 3.0 content."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-29 |title=SiliconDust Reply to 2nd Pearl |url=https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/107301849911610/1 |url-status=live |website=FCC.gov}}</ref> In follow-up to this incident, Nicholas J Kelsey – President of Silicondust met with the FCC where he goes over in detail how the broadcast industry is attempting to use ATSC 3.0 DRM to limit access to public airwaves illegally, "The TV receiver market is being regulated by the private broadcast industry (a different industry)" by acting as gatekeeper, Stifling innovation, having "secret A3SA rules" as well as many other key points in relation to these issues.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-01 |title=SiliconDust Ex Parte Letter re FCC meeting (7-31-25) |url=https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/1080140138248/1 |url-status=live |website=FCC.gov}}</ref> ''(*'''It should be noted that discussions regarding the A3SA specifications and rules are forbidden from being referenced in filings due to NDAs'''.)''

Pearl TV accuses SiliconDust HDHomeRun devices of using a chip manufactured by Chinese HiSilicon, which is black-listed by the US government. It uses their reasoning to not approve SiliconDust HDHomeRun for DRM certification. This suggests that any component from a black-listed company violates the industry’s secret, non-disclosable rules concerning decryption<ref name=":1" />. However, the SiliconDust devices have FCC certification & approval for sale in the USA, indicating broadcast networks are trying to regulate tuner devices despite private industry having no authority. It is also worth noting that A3SA & Pearl's use of "Selectively enforcing this rule" is based on the fact that their own DRM-certified device (Converter X1 by GTMedia (''A Chinese company'')) contains a similar chip that the US government also blacklists. Moreover, GTMedia devices ran an outdated Android OS with known security vulnerabilities. They required side-loading of all apps due to the absence of the Google Play Store, further compromising user safety.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seidman |first=Lon |date=2025-07-22 |title=Did TV Broadcasters Just Admit to Selectively Enforcing Their Own Encryption Rules? |url=https://blog.lon.tv/2025/07/22/did-tv-broadcasters-just-admit-to-selectively-enforcing-their-own-encryption-rules/ |url-status=live |website=Lon.TV Blog}}</ref>

==See also==

*[https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=atsc3 rabbitears.info page on ATSC 3.0, listing encrypted channels.]
*[https://blog.lon.tv/2023/07/10/the-fcc-responds-to-my-atsc-3-encryption-complaint-they-want-to-hear-from-you/ Lon Seidman Blogpost on the FCC response to ATSC DRM]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Articles in need of additional work]]

Digital Millennium Copyright Act

2025-09-01T17:28:25Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits.

{{StubNotice}}

The '''[[wikipedia:Digital_Millennium_Copyright_Act|Digital Millenium Copyright Act]]''' (DMCA) is a copyright law passed in 1998 to amend Title 17 of the United States Code.<ref>[https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-105publ304/pdf/PLAW-105publ304.pdf Digital Millennium Copyright Act]. [https://www.govinfo.gov/ ''GovInfo'']. Retrieved 12 Aug, 2025</ref><ref name=":0">[https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2281 Summary for the Digital Millennium Copyright Act]. [https://www.congress.gov/ ''Congress.gov'']. Retrieved 12 Aug, 2025</ref> Among its provisions are criminalizing the production and dissemination of information intended to circumvent copy protections that protect intellectual property, such as those considered digital rights management. It was later amended in 1998 to shield from liability ISPs that consumers may use to gain access to such information.

The law also provides that the Library of Congress issue exemptions from the prohibition when it is shown that access-control technology has had a substantial adverse effect on the ability of people to make non-infringing uses of copyrighted works. These exemptions are not granted in perpetuity. They are revised every 3 years, and existing exemptions must be resubmitted for the next rulemaking cycle alongside any new ones.

This law is one of the earliest to address the digital multimedia era, where previous law was deemed insufficient with the technology of the time period (even though its effect covers all digital information). Although the law is meant to supplement intellectual property rights, there are concerns that it conflicts with consumers' interests. This is due to the specific text of the law, as well as its interpretation being used to attack activity by consumers that would otherwise be permitted. Concerns over Right to Repair, Fair Use, and an overall lack of valid paths to refute or redress accusations of violating the law remain.

==Section 1201==

===Anti-Circumvention rule===
The DMCA prohibits breaking any digital lock that "effectively controls access" to a copyrighted material.<ref name=":0" /> Initially created under the premise of preventing internet piracy, critics have been apt to point out the ways that corporations have abused this legal restriction. Cory Doctorow argues that the rule prevents competition and "the creation of legitimate, otherwise legal technologies."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Doctorow |first=Cory |date=2015-12-01 |title=I Can’t Let You Do That, Dave |url=https://cacm.acm.org/opinion/i-cant-let-you-do-that-dave/ |url-status=live |website=Communications of the ACM}}</ref>

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Common terms]]
[[Category:Legislation]]
[[Category:US legislation]]

Google Pixel Buds

2025-09-01T17:25:07Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits.

{{InfoboxProductLine
| Title = {{PAGENAME}}
| Release Year =2017
| Product Type =Wireless earbuds/earphones
| In Production =Yes
| Official Website =https://store.google.com/product/google_pixel_buds
| Logo =Google PixelBuds logo.png
}}The '''[[wikipedia:Pixel_Buds|Pixel Buds]]''' are a line of wireless earbuds developed and marketed by [[Google]]. The first-generation Pixel Buds were launched on October 4, 2017, at the Made by Google launch event, and became available for preorder on the Google Store the same day. They have the Google Assistant built in and support Google Translate.

==Consumer impact summary==

===Convenience===
Removing "Touch and Hold" as a feature is a loss in convenience for consumers.

===Sound quality===
Lack of high-quality codecs like LDAC.

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

*[[Google Pixel Buds "Touch and Hold" discontinuation]] (2024): The user could hold down on the device to hear their notifications. The digital assistant on the device will no longer do that by this gesture due to a software update and instead requires users to ask it out loud with commands such as "Read my notifications.".
*[[Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 has limited codec support]] (2024): The Pixel Buds Pro 2 top out at AAC as the high-quality codec.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bagnell |first=Juan Carlos |date=6 Feb 2025 |title=Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 Long Term Review: Smaller, But Not REALLY Smaller? |url=https://somegadgetguy.com/2025/02/06/google-pixel-buds-pro-2-long-term-review-smaller-but-not-really-smaller/ |access-date=2 Mar 2025 |website=SomeGadgetGuy}}</ref> These earbuds feature a new proprietary Tensor A1 chip, which does not support higher-quality formats like APTX HD, LDAC, or LHDC. Many premium earbuds in this price range typically support these higher-quality codecs, which Qualcomm chips would support. 

==Products==

*'''[[Google Pixel Buds Pro 2]]''' (2024)
*'''[[Google Pixel Buds Pro 1]]''' (2022)
*'''[[Google Pixel Buds A-Series]]''' (2021)
*'''[[Google Pixel Buds Gen 2]]''' (2020)
*'''[[Google Pixel Buds Gen 1]]''' (2017) 

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Google Pixel Buds]]

Sample individual

2025-08-29T21:26:20Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits. Fixed also period placement in "Major consumer protection incidents" namely around Deceptive marketing, Remote control capabilities, and Data Collection.

'''Sauron''' was a prominent figure in the Second Age who gained significant attention for his role in a widespread ring distribution scheme that raised major consumer protection concerns. As the CEO and founder of Mordor Technologies, he was directly responsible for developing, marketing, and distributing the Rings of Power product line, which became notorious for its deceptive terms of service and privacy violations.
==Professional background==
Sauron served as chief lieutenant at Angband Industries before founding Mordor Technologies in SA 1000<ref>Elrond, P. (SA 3442). "The Corporate History of Mordor Technologies." ''Rivendell Business Review'', 12(3), 45-67.</ref>. Under his leadership, Mordor Technologies developed sophisticated ring-based technology marketed to enhance user capabilities and extend life. The company became known for its aggressive expansion strategy and controversial data collection practices.
==Stance on consumer rights==
Sauron publicly positioned himself as an advocate for technological advancement and user empowerment. In a Second Age press conference, he stated, "Our rings are gifts to all peoples, freely given to enhance their lives."<ref>"Transcript: Mordor Technologies Ring Distribution Announcement." (SA 1600). ''Gondor Times''.</ref> However, internal documents later revealed that this messaging deliberately obscured the extensive data collection and control mechanisms built into the products.
==Major consumer protection incidents==
===Ring distribution scheme (SA 1600-1700)===
Sauron orchestrated what would become known as the "Rings of Power" incident, one of the most significant cases of systematic consumer exploitation in Middle-earth history. The scheme involved several key components:

'''Deceptive marketing''': Products were marketed as "gifts" while containing hidden terms of service that granted Mordor Technologies extensive control over users.<ref>White Council Investigation Committee. (SA 3442). "Final Report on the Rings of Power Incident."</ref> '''Remote control capabilities''': The One Ring system, later discovered, allowed Mordor Technologies to monitor and control all distributed rings without user consent remotely. <ref>Gandalf, G. (SA 3018). "Analysis of One Ring Control Systems." ''Journal of Magical Consumer Protection'', 89(2).</ref> '''Data Collection''': Extensive personal information was gathered through the rings, including user location, thoughts, and activities, without adequate disclosure.<ref>Galadriel et al. (SA 3441). "Privacy Implications of Ring-Based Technology."</ref> 

===Terms of service controversy (SA 1697)===
Investigation by the White Council revealed that ring recipients were bound by undisclosed terms that effectively granted Mordor Technologies complete control over users. The Council's report noted that the terms were "deliberately obscured and impossible for average consumers to understand or resist."<ref>White Council Consumer Protection Division. (SA 1697). "Terms of Service Analysis: Rings of Power."</ref>
===Privacy violations===
The extent of privacy violations became apparent when it was discovered that all ring users were subject to continuous surveillance through what Mordor Technologies termed "The Great Eye" monitoring system<ref>"The Great Eye: Technical Documentation." (SA 1700). Internal Mordor Technologies document, leaked SA 3018.</ref>. This system collected user data, including:

*Real-time location tracking
*Personal thoughts and intentions
*Social connections and activities
*Behavioral patterns

==Regulatory response==
The White Council launched multiple investigations into Mordor Technologies' practices, culminating in the Last Alliance regulatory action of SA 3441<ref>Last Alliance Regulatory Framework. (SA 3441).</ref>. This led to:

*Mandatory disclosure requirements for ring-based technology
*New restrictions on remote control capabilities
*Demolition of the centralized control servers at Barad-Dûr
*Enhanced privacy protections for consumers

==Current status==
Following the Last Alliance action, Sauron was removed from his position at Mordor Technologies. While he is no longer directly involved in consumer technology, his ring distribution scheme has had lasting implications for consumer protection law and continues to be cited in cases involving hidden terms of service and unauthorized data collection.
==Impact on consumer protection==
Sauron's activities led to significant changes in Middle-earth consumer protection law, including:

*The Third Age Consumer Rights Act
*The White Council Privacy Protection Framework
*Enhanced disclosure requirements for enchanted items<ref>Council of Elrond. (TA 1). "Consumer Protection Reform Act."</ref>

==References==

[[Category:Individuals]]
[[Category:Example Pages]]
<references />

User:JamesTDG/sandbox

2025-08-29T21:23:43Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits. Though definitely someone should fix the linking for Nintendo in the "Refusal of warranty" section at line "Instead, after Nintendo received the device,"

[[Reddit]] user ''u/Basic_Strike'' turned their [[Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch 2]] in to [[Nintendo]] for a repair due to a problematic device battery; however, on ''July 7th, 2025'', ''u/Basic_Strike'' reported on ''[https://www.reddit.com/r/consolerepair/ r/ConsoleRepair]'' that [[Nintendo]] refused to repair the device under warranty due to water damage within the unit.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=u/Basic_Strike |date=Jul 7, 2025 |title=Bricked Switch 2, Nintendo claiming water damage |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/consolerepair/comments/1lugq83/bricked_switch_2_nintendo_claiming_water_damage/ |access-date=Jul 15, 2025 |work=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=u/Basic_Strike |date=Jul 8, 2025 |title=Switch 2 bricked after only a week - Nintendo Japan claiming water exposure and refusing warranty repair |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitchHelp/comments/1lvhhrv/comment/n2zob03/?context=3 |access-date=Jul 15, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>

==Background==
Historically, Nintendo had [[Nintendo#Nintendo authorized repair|restricted console repairs under authorized repair shops]], and said shops have been known to be untrustworthy with their repairs{{Citation needed}}. Additionally, consoles have been reported to have corrosion within the device,<ref>{{Cite web |last=BGA TECH ASSISTÊNCIA E TECNOLOGIA |date=Jun 30, 2025 |title=Swich 2 vs Oled, Technical Review, weight, motherboard, which has the biggest battery? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj_ne2cL_-U&t=1035s |access-date=Jul 15, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> likely associated with factors such as Nintendo stockpiling [[Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch 2]] consoles for release,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kan |first=Michael |date=Apr 10, 2025 |title=Nintendo Reportedly Has a Stockpile of Over a Million Switch 2 Consoles in the US |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/nintendo-reportedly-has-a-stockpile-of-over-a-million-switch-2-consoles |access-date=Jul 15, 2025 |work=PC Mag}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=audiophile |date=Apr 10, 2025 |title=Nintendo’s Stockpile of Switch 2 Consoles: What Gamers Are Saying |url=https://bestofsoundbar.com/nintendos-stockpile-of-switch-2-consoles-what-gamers-are-saying/ |access-date=Jul 15, 2025 |work=Soundbar}}</ref> and Japan,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Average humidity in Tokyo |url=https://weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Humidity-perc,Tokyo,Japan |access-date=Jul 15, 2025 |work=Weather & Climate}}</ref> among other regions, where the console is sold, exhibiting extremely high humidity.

==Refusal of warranty==
On ''July 7th, 2025'', ''u/Basic_Strike'' reported on ''[https://www.reddit.com/r/consolerepair/ r/ConsoleRepair]'' that [[Nintendo]] refused to repair the device under warranty due to water damage within the unit.<ref name=":0" />

The user disclosed inside their post that they were playing on their [[Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch 2]] exclusively inside their living room, and roughly after a week of owning the device, the console was entirely bricked, unable to power on. They reported testing the device with an [[Anker]] battery, noticing it was still drawing between 0.7W and 1.5W power. After following basic troubleshooting steps,{{Citation needed|reason=check comment}} , the device was sent to [[Nintendo]] under the expectation that they would be capable of taking advantage of the 1-year manufacturer warranty.
[[File:Switch2Corrosion.png|thumb|An example of what corrosion may look like on a [[Nintendo Switch|Switch 2]]]]
Instead, after Nintendo received the device, they were informed that there was corrosion around the CPU and LCD caused by water damage, quoting a ¥35,000 (~$240 USD) repair bill.<nowiki> </nowiki>''u/Basic_Strike'' had to escalate this incident to 4 ''Nintendo Support'' agents, telling them that they had to pay for the expensive repair, and being vague about the corrosion, providing only the rough location of said corrosion and refusing to provide photos of the damage.
[[File:TranslatedNintendoRepairQuote.png|thumb|The machine-translated repair quote was sent to ''u/Basic_Strike'']]
Instead of paying for the repairs, the user had to demand that the device be returned unrepaired, and soon after received their initially damaged device and took a video of the unboxing,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Buttonmasher |date=Jul 13, 2025 |title=Unboxing my DEAD Switch 2 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7Z4sWJK2J8 |access-date=Jul 15, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> providing a demonstration that the device does not function, and that it also drains power.

==Consumer response==

Reaction from individuals within ''u/Basic_Strike''<nowiki/>'s [[Reddit]] posts<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> has been generally adverse towards Nintendo, while online coverage of the incident has been limited, with only currently seeing a video from FritangaPlays.<ref>{{Cite web |last=FritangaPlays |date=Jul 15, 2025 |title=Nintendo REFUSES To Fix Switch 2 And BLAMES User |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Acl1ColeF_k |access-date=Jul 15, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Nintendo Switch]]
[[Category:Nintendo]]

Steam

2025-08-28T00:41:29Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits.

{{ProductCargo
|Company=Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, Epic Games
|ReleaseYear=2003
|InProduction=Yes
|ArticleType=Service
|Category=Digital storefront, Video games
|Logo=Steam.png
|Website=https://store.steampowered.com
|Description=Online storefront for PC games. Users who "purchase" games own a revocable license, which in return mislead buyers. Data breaches and lawsuits follow.
}}

'''Steam''' is a digital storefront and service for video-game distribution, operated by [[Valve|Valve Corporation]]. Launched in 2003, it has grown to become the largest digital-distribution platform for PC gaming, with over 130 million monthly active users as of 2024. The platform offers services for [[digital rights management]] (DRM), server hosting, video streaming, and social networking.<ref>[https://www.valvesoftware.com/en/about "At Valve we make games, Steam, and hardware."] ''Valve Corporation''. 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2025.</ref>

==Consumer impact summary==
====Privacy====
*Collects extensive personal data, including email, location, payment details, and device information<ref name="privacy-policy">[https://store.steampowered.com/privacy_agreement/ "Privacy Policy Agreement."] ''Steam''. February 14, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2025.</ref>
*Records and stores all user communications through platform features<ref name="privacy-policy" />
*Keeps specific user data indefinitely for "gameplay consistency" even after account deletion<ref name="privacy-policy" />
*Tracks gaming behavior, including preferences, progress, playtime, and device usage<ref name="privacy-policy" />
*Shares user data with game developers and third-party service providers<ref name="privacy-policy" />
*Makes user profile data publicly available through Steamworks API<ref name="privacy-policy" />
*Uses cookies and similar technologies for tracking across websites<ref name="privacy-policy" />
*Retains transaction data for up to 10 years after account closure<ref name="privacy-policy" />

====Freedom====
*Users do not own purchased games; they only receive limited licenses<ref name="subscriber-agreement">[https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement "Steam Subscriber Agreement."] ''Steam''. September 26, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2025.</ref>
*Can terminate access to paid content at Valve's discretion<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
*No right to transfer or resell purchased games<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
*Imposes regional restrictions on game activation and playing via IP address geolocation<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
*Can unilaterally modify terms with 30-day notice<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
*Mandatory client updates (sometimes over 100MB) required to launch Steam & access library<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
*Users must accept all changes to maintain access to purchased content<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
*No option to opt out of core data collection while using the service<ref name="privacy-policy" />
====Transparency====
*Provides a clear refund policy for games (any game played for less than 2 hours within 14 days)<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
*It will mainly reference instances where the product prevents inspection or is intentionally confusing.
*Maintains detailed system requirements information for all games (developer-submitted)<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
*Offers a comprehensive privacy policy in an accessible language<ref name="privacy-policy" />
*Unclear processes for account termination and data removal<ref name="privacy-policy" />
*Limited transparency about content moderation decisions<ref name="subscriber-agreement" />
*Vague about specific data retention timeframes<ref name="privacy-policy" />
*No clear disclosure of recommendation algorithm factors<ref name="privacy-policy" />
====Business model====
Steam makes money from every purchase of games on the platform, with 30% of the sale going to them.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/that-lawsuit-against-steams-30-cut-of-game-sales-is-now-a-class-action-meaning-many-other-developers-could-benefit|title=That lawsuit against Steam’s 30% cut of game sales is now a class action, meaning many other developers could benefit|first=Edwin|last=Evans-Thirlwell|date=2024-11-28|work=Rock Paper Shotgun|access-date=2025-08-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725042630/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/that-lawsuit-against-steams-30-cut-of-game-sales-is-now-a-class-action-meaning-many-other-developers-could-benefit|archive-date=2025-07-25|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Market control====
As of 2021, Steam has over 132 million players utilizing the service.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/group/4145017/view/3133946090937137590|title=Steam - 2021 Year in Review|work=Steam|date=2022-03-08|access-date=2025-08-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816161655/https://store.steampowered.com/news/group/4145017/view/3133946090937137590|archive-date=2022-08-16|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Incidents: ==
===Customer database hack (''Oct. 2011'')===
In October 2011, Valve temporarily closed the Steam Community forums following security-breach concerns. The company later confirmed that hackers had compromised one of its customer databases. The compromised database contained user information, including encrypted credit-card numbers, billing addresses, purchase histories, email addresses, and encrypted passwords for Steam accounts.<ref>Johnson, Casey (November 10, 2011). [https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2011/11/valve-confirms-steam-hack-credit-cards-personal-info-may-be-stolen/ "Valve confirms Steam hack: credit cards, personal info may be stolen"]. ''Ars Technica''. Retrieved January 17, 2025.</ref>

At the time of disclosure, Valve stated they had no evidence that the encrypted credit-card numbers or personally identifying information had been taken, nor was there evidence that the encryption on the credit-card numbers or passwords had been cracked. Nevertheless, they advised users to monitor their credit-card activity and statements as a precautionary measure.

===Antitrust ruling: Geo-blocking (''Jan. 2021'')===
On January 20, 2021, the European Commission fined Valve, owner of Steam, €1.6 million for breaching EU antitrust rules by engaging in geo-blocking practices through Steam within the European Economic Area (EEA). Five PC video game publishers have also been fined for engaging with Valve through Steam in geo-blocking practices by "requesting Valve to set up geographical restrictions and to provide geo-blocked Steam activation keys"(EU Commission, 2021). The fines for the publishers were reduced due to the cooperation of the five publishers with the Commission. Valve did not cooperate with the Commission.<ref>Antitrust: Commission fines Valve and five publishers of PC video games € 7.8 million for “geo-blocking” practices. (2021, Jan, 20). ec.europa.eu. Retrieved May 26, 2025, from https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_170</ref>

===Modification to terms-of-service (''Sep. 2024'')===

{{Main|Valve removes arbitration requirement from Steam Subscriber Agreement}}
In September 2024, Steam implemented significant changes to its subscriber agreement that altered user rights and game-ownership terms. Additionally, it removed [[Forced Arbitration|forced arbitration]] from the Steam Subscriber Agreement.<ref>Carpenter, Nicole (September 27, 2024). [https://www.polygon.com/explained/457557/valve-arbitration-steam-subscriber-agreements "Valve removes arbitration from its Steam agreements — here's what that means for you"]. ''Polygon''. Retrieved January 17, 2025.</ref><ref>Rossmann, Louis (September 27, 2024). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1f81qXxggo8 "Steam altered the terms of the sale; you'll be happy they altered it further!"] ''YouTube''. Retrieved January 17, 2025.</ref> Key changes included:
*Enhanced ability to terminate accounts for violations
*Additional data collection and sharing provisions
*Modified dispute resolution procedures

===Valve allows ISPs and payment processors to censor content on Steam (''Jul. 2025'')===
{{Main|Valve allows ISPs and payment processors to censor content on Steam}}
In an update for Steam's Rules and Guidelines for developers,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steamworks Documentation - Onboarding |url=https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/gettingstarted/onboarding |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250719092925/https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/gettingstarted/onboarding |archive-date=Jul 19, 2025 |access-date=Jul 19, 2025 |website=Steamworks Documentation}}</ref> a new rule was added within the section detailing what content can not be included on Steam:<blockquote>15. Content that may violate the rules and standards set forth by Steam’s payment processors, related card networks, banks, or internet network providers. In particular, certain kinds of adult-only content are used.</blockquote>This addition was made with pressure from payment processors such as [[Visa]], [[Mastercard]], and [[PayPal]]. Most, if not all, content taken down from the platform was adult in nature <ref>{{Cite news |last=Bonk |first=Lawrence |date=Jul 16, 2025 |title=Steam now bans games that violate the 'rules and standards' of payment processors and banks |url=https://www.engadget.com/gaming/steam-now-bans-games-that-violate-the-rules-and-standards-of-payment-processors-and-banks-164222173.html |access-date=Jul 19, 2025 |work=Engadget}}</ref>however, allowing both payment processors and ISPs to judge whether or not content on the platform can be taken down puts consumer choice at risk. Reportedly, Japanese developers creating "adult-oriented" games were also refused payment via their banks just after this rule change.<ref>{{Cite news |date=Jan 30, 2025 |title=Adult game devs in Japan can’t receive revenue from Steam as Japanese banks reportedly make the “comprehensive decision” to block transfers |url=https://peoplic.com/adult-game-devs-in-japan-cant-receive-revenue-from-steam-as-japanese-banks-reportedly-make-the-comprehensive-decision-to-block-transfers/ |access-date=Jul 19, 2025 |work=peoplic}}</ref>

In addition, game developers and consumers have noticed that some content was removed or delisted despite not being 18+ while having LGBT tags or themes. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Gossling |first=Cedric |date=2025-08-01 |title=Steam and Itch.io Delist LGBTQ+ and NSFW Content Following Payment Pressure |url=https://www.gameshub.com/news/news/steam-itchio-delist-lgbtq-nsfw-games-2790936/ |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=Gameshub}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[itch.io]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Services]]
[[Category:Valve Corporation]]

Mark Zuckerberg

2025-08-28T00:36:59Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits.

''[[wikipedia:Mark_Zuckerberg|Mark Elliot Zuckerberg]]'' was born on May 14, 1984, and raised in Dobbs Ferry, New York. Prior to high school, he created tools like ZuckNet and Synapse. Demonstrating a great aptitude for programming, he attended Phillips Exeter Academy before enrolling at Harvard in 2002 and subsequently dropping out in 2004.

==Professional background==
Zuckerberg is the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Meta Platforms Inc., which is the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other digital services. He launched "TheFacebook" on February 4, 2004, while he was studying psychology and computer science at Harvard University. Facebook, originating as a campus directory to connect Harvard students, expanded rapidly, reaching one million users within a year, becoming the world’s largest social network by 2009.

==Stance on consumer rights==
Zuckerberg’s stance on consumer rights is marked by a pattern of reactive concessions under legal pressure rather than proactive protection. In 2002, he hacked Harvard's security system and accessed students' I.D. photos to populate a website that would allow users to rate students by looks, FaceMash, which was shut down three days later by the University.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bellis |first=Mary |title=The History of Facebook and How It Was Invented |url=https://www.thoughtco.com/who-invented-facebook-1991791 |website=ThoughtCo.}}</ref> Publicly advocating for limited regulatory reforms, his actions regarding data privacy, antitrust, and civil rights prioritize Meta’s business model over consumer welfare. While he has consistently emphasized user control over privacy settings, his actions and business model reveal a pattern of undermining true data autonomy.

===Public statements supporting consumer control===
*2004, "People have very good control over who can see their information".<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Balakrishnan |first=Anita |last2=Salinas |first2=Sara |last3=Hunter |first3=Matt |date=April 9, 2018 |title=Mark Zuckerberg has been talking about privacy for 15 years - here’s almost everything he’s said |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/21/facebook-ceo-mark-zuckerbergs-statements-on-privacy-2003-2018.html |work=CNBC}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Salinas |first=Sara |last2=Balakrishnan |first2=Anita |date=December 19, 2018 |title=Mark Zuckerberg has been talking and apologizing about privacy since 2003 - here’s a reminder of what he’s said |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/19/facebook-ceo-mark-zuckerberg-privacy-apologies.html |work=CNBC}}</ref>
*2010, "What people want isn’t complete privacy. It’s control over what they share".<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Clifford |first=Catherine |date=October 24, 2019 |title=19-year-old Mark Zuckerberg: ‘Issues about violating people’s privacy don’t seem to be surmountable’ |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/24/19-year-old-mark-zuckerberg-on-privacy-issues-versus-today.html |work=CNBC}}</ref>
*In 2019, he acknowledged Facebook’s poor privacy reputation but pledged to build a "privacy-focused platform".<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Hern |first=Alex |date=March 7, 2019 |title=Mark Zuckerberg's privacy blogpost: what he did and didn't say |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/mar/07/mark-zuckerbergs-privacy-blogpost-what-he-said-and-what-he-didnt |work=The Guardian}}</ref>

However, these statements often frame control narrowly, focusing on visibility settings rather than limiting Facebook’s own data collection or third-party sharing.

===Actions undermining control===
*Lax Data Policies: [[The Cambridge Analytica Scandal]] revealed that Facebook allowed third-party apps to harvest data from millions without explicit consent. Zuckerberg admitted, "[w]e simply did a bad job".<ref name=":0" /> Emails later suggested he was aware of privacy risks, but prioritized growth.<ref name=":2" />
*Deceptive Practices: The FTC found Facebook violated a 2012 consent decree by misleading users about data sharing.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rushe |first=Dominic |date=June 12, 2019 |title=Facebook emails seem to show Zuckerberg knew of privacy issues, report claims |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/jun/12/facebook-mark-zuckerberg-privacy-emails-report |work=The Guardian}}</ref> Attorney General Racine’s lawsuit accused Zuckerberg of personally enabling policies that exposed user data.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=AG Racine Sues Mark Zuckerberg for Failing to Protect Millions of Users' Data, Misleading Privacy Practices |url=https://oag.dc.gov/release/ag-racine-sues-mark-zuckerberg-failing-protect}}</ref>

*Opaque Controls: Privacy settings are buried and confusing. As critics note, "[o]ffering tools doesn’t help if they’re hard to find." One such example is ad-targeting controls being hidden under unrelated menus.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Barrett |first=Brian |date=April 10, 2010 |title=Mark Zuckerberg's Privacy Shell Game |url=https://www.wired.com/story/mark-zuckerbergs-privacy-shell-game/ |work=Wired}}</ref>
*Revenue relies on monetizing user data.
**"Zuckerberg’s Law": He predicted users would share twice as much data yearly, pushing openness over privacy.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" />
**Data Hoarding: Despite [[General Data Protection Regulation]] (GDPR) style pledges, Facebook resists limits on data collection, such as opposing regulations that would curb microtargeting.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wheeler |first=Tom |date=2019-04-03 |title=Mark Zuckerberg’s call for internet rules only goes part way |url=https://www.brookings.edu/articles/mark-zuckerbergs-call-for-internet-rules-only-goes-part-way/ |website=The Brookings Institution}}</ref>

==Major consumer protection incidents==

===Cambridge Analytica Data Scandal===
The Cambridge Analytica scandal came to light when a former employee, Christopher Wylie, leaked internal documents to journalists. These documents demonstrated uninformed consent of personal data collection of up to 87 million Facebook profiles, which served political advertising purposes through Facebook's Open Graph Platform and the Facebook application, "This is Your Digital Life," developed by data scientist Aleksandr Kogan at Global Science Research.<ref>[https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/10/facebook-cambridge-analytica-a-timeline-of-the-data-hijacking-scandal.html "Facebook-Cambridge Analytica: A timeline of the data hijacking scandal"] - cnbc.com - accessed 2025-02-03</ref> The appropriated personal data was used in the 2016 US Presidential election for Ted Cruz's and Donald Trump's campaigns.<ref>[https://www.businessinsider.com/cambridge-analytica-facebook-scandal-trump-cruz-operatives-2018-3 "There's an open secret about Cambridge Analytica in the political world: It doesn't have the 'secret sauce' it claims"] - businessinsider.com - accessed 2025-02-03 </ref>

'''Deceptive Marketing'''

In 2011, the FTC found Facebook guilty of deceptive practices, such as sharing data with third-party apps without user consent and misrepresenting privacy controls. Despite a 20-year consent order, Facebook continued to face allegations of similar violations, including post-2018 complaints about lax data policies.

A photo of Zuckerberg revealed in 2016 that he keeps his own laptop camera covered with tape.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-06-22 |title=Mark Zuckerberg Puts Tape Over His Webcam |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/mark-zuckerberg-puts-tape-webcam/story?id=40040340 |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=abc News}}</ref>
==Regulatory response==
*Fines: Facebook paid five billion dollars to the FTC for privacy violations and faced lawsuits for deceptive practices.<ref name=":2" />
*Whistleblower Allegations: Internal documents show Zuckerberg prioritized engagement over safety, undermining claims of user control.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" />

==Current status==
As of June 2025, Mark Zuckerberg remains the CEO and Chairman of Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly Facebook). He continues to lead the company's focus on the ''metaverse'', artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies.

===Recent developments===

*Meta's AI and Metaverse Push''':''' Meta is heavily investing in AI, including large language models (like LLaMA) and AI-driven products across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
*Threads and social media: ''Threads'', Meta's answer to X (formerly ''Twitter), continues'' to grow, integrating deeper with Instagram and Fediverse (decentralized social networking).
*Regulatory and Legal Issues''':''' Zuckerberg and Meta still face scrutiny over data privacy, antitrust concerns, and content moderation policies worldwide.

==Impact on consumer protection==
Mark Zuckerberg has significantly influenced consumer rights, both positively and negatively. His decisions have shaped digital privacy, data control, competition, and transparency, often sparking regulatory and public backlash.
*Data privacy and surveillance
**Negative: Facebook (now Meta) has faced numerous scandals involving unauthorized data collection, including Cambridge Analytica (2018), where 87 million users’ data was harvested without consent.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cadwalladr |first=Carole |last2=Graham-Harrison |first2=Emma |date=March 17, 2018 |title=Revealed: 50 million Facebook profiles harvested for Cambridge Analytica in major data breach |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/mar/17/cambridge-analytica-facebook-influence-us-election |work=The Guardian}}</ref>
**Positive: Meta introduced privacy tools and supported GDPR compliance in the EU, after the scandals.
*Algorithmic manipulation and mental health concerns
**Negative: Studies revealed that Meta’s algorithms promoted harmful content, affecting mental health and spreading misinformation.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=Wells |first=Georgia |last2=Horwitz |first2=Jeff |last3=Seetharaman |first3=Deepa |date=September 14, 2021 |title=Facebook Knows Instagram Is Toxic for Teen Girls, Company Documents Show |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebook-knows-instagram-is-toxic-for-teen-girls-company-documents-show-11631620739 |work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref>
**Positive: Meta has since introduced wellbeing features, such as screen time limits and content warnings.
*Monopoly power and reduced consumer choice
**Negative: Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp led to antitrust lawsuits, limiting competition and consumer alternatives.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 9, 2020 |title=FTC Sues Facebook for Illegal Monopolization |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2020/12/ftc-sues-facebook-illegal-monopolization |website=Federal Trade Commission}}</ref>
**Positive: Some argue Meta’s ecosystem (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) provides convenience through integrated services.{{Citation needed|reason=Who is arguing this?}}
*Transparency and accountability
**Negative: Facebook historically resisted transparency, including hiding internal research on harms.<ref name=":6" />
**Positive: Meta now publishes quarterly transparency reports on content moderation and government requests.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Transparency Center |url=https://transparency.fb.com/ |website=transparency.fb.com}}</ref>
*Ad targeting and consumer exploitation
**Negative: Facebook’s micro-targeting has been criticized for enabling discriminatory ads <ref>{{Cite news |last=Angwin |first=Julia |last2=Parris Jr. |first2=Terry |date=October 28, 2016 |title=Facebook Lets Advertisers Exclude Users by Race |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/facebook-lets-advertisers-exclude-users-by-race |work=ProPublica}}</ref> and exploiting user behavior.
**Positive: Meta has restricted some ad-targeting categories (e.g., race, religion) in response to criticism.
The impact Mark and Meta have had on consumer rights is mixed. Meta has introduced some privacy and transparency improvements, but Zuckerberg's history of data exploitation, monopolistic behavior, and algorithmic harms has significantly weakened consumer trust. Regulatory pressure continues to shape Meta’s policies, but critics argue that more systemic changes are needed.

==References==

[[Category:Individuals]]
<references />

Collective Shout

2025-08-26T15:43:33Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits.

{{ToneWarning}}
{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Collective Shout
| Type = Private
| Founded = 2009
| Industry = Lobbying, Activism
| Official Website = https://www.collectiveshout.org/
| Logo = Collective-shout-logo.png
}}

Collective Shout is an Australian activist group founded in 2009 by its current director, {{Wplink|Melinda Tankard Reist}}. It identifies itself as "''A grassroots movement challenging the objectification of women and sexualization of girls in media, advertising and popular culture''".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Collective Shout |url=https://www.collectiveshout.org/faq |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250720102043/https://www.collectiveshout.org/faq |archive-date=20 Jul 2025 |access-date=7 Aug 2025 |work=Collective Shout}}</ref> Collective Shout's activism focuses on protesting for the censorship and restriction of media that they categorize as sexualizing women or children in Australia.

The activist group became prominent in 2025 after their campaign against payment processors to cause online gaming platforms [[Steam]] and [[Itch.io]] to de-list hundreds of games, claiming that the games eroticize women.<ref>{{cite web|first=Josh|last=Taylor|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/29/mastercard-visa-backlash-adult-games-removed-online-stores-steam-itchio-ntwnfb|title=Mastercard and Visa face backlash after hundreds of adult games removed from online stores Steam and Itch.io|website=The Guardian|date=2025-07-28}}</ref> This action also affected countries outside of Australia.{{Citation needed}}

News and media outlets have expressed concern that the organization's censorship of NSFW media in the video game industry negatively impacts creative freedom.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Farokhmanesh |first=Megan |date=30 Jul 2025 |title=Gamers Are Furious About the Censorship of NSFW Games—and They’re Fighting Back |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250823055403/https://www.wired.com/story/gamers-are-furious-about-the-censorship-of-nsfw-games-and-theyre-fighting-back |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250823055403/https://www.wired.com/story/gamers-are-furious-about-the-censorship-of-nsfw-games-and-theyre-fighting-back/ |archive-date=23 Aug 2025 |access-date=23 Aug 2025 |work=WIRED}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dodds |first=Io |date=18 Aug 2025 |title=‘Financial companies shouldn’t be in this position’: How more than 20,000 NSFW video games fell under censorship |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/video-game-censorship-visa-mastercard-b2809867.html |website=The Independent}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hughes |first=Marley |date=2 Aug 2025 |title=This Advocacy Group is Threatening Video Games as We Know It |url=https://www.cbr.com/collective-shout-video-game-censorship/ |website=CBR}}</ref> Collective Shout has also been criticized across social media for what many[ [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Words_to_watch#Unsupported_attributions who?] ] see it as a push towards censorship and their usage of questionable methods.{{Citation needed}}

==Incidents==

===Protest against ''Grand Theft Auto V''===
In 2014, the group protested the game ''{{Wplink|Grand Theft Auto V}}'', stating that the game encouraged players to "murder women for entertainment."<ref name=":0" /> The game was banned from two Australian department stores later that year.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-30328314|title='Sexually violent' GTA 5 banned from Australian stores|website=BBC|date=4 Dec 2014}}</ref>

===Pressure campaign against payment processors===
{{Main|Valve allows ISPs and payment processors to censor content on Steam|Valve complying with ISPs and payment processors}}

In July 2025, Collective Shout launched a public campaign "demanding credit card companies and PayPal block payments" for games on Steam and Itch.io.<ref name=":02">{{Cite news |last=Bita |first=Natasha |date=15 Jul 2025 |title=Child safety group finds 500 online 'games' role-playing rape and incest |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/education/child-safety-group-finds-500-online-games-roleplaying-rape-and-incest/news-story/b30c59f85ff22934844269cb3beff538 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/koDk8 |archive-date=18 Jul 2025 |access-date=18 Jul 2025 |work=The Australian}}</ref><ref name="RPSCS">{{Cite news |last=Evans-Thirlwell |first=Edwin |date=22 Jul 2025 |title=Anti-porn group who tried to ban GTA 5 claim credit for Steam's sex game crackdown |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/anti-porn-group-who-tried-to-ban-gta-5-claim-credit-for-steams-sex-game-crackdown |access-date=23 Jul 2025 |work=Rock Paper Shotgun}}</ref>

Itch.io responded by de-indexing {{Wplink|Not safe for work|NSFW}} content on July 24.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itch.io/updates/update-on-nsfw-content|title=Update on NSFW content|website=Itch.io|date=24 Jul 2025}}</ref> Itch.io re-indexed free NSFW content on July 31.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itch.io/t/5149036/reindexing-adult-nsfw-content|title=Reindexing adult NSFW content|website=Itch.io|date=31 Jul 2025}}</ref>

De-indexing of NSFW content, as well as SFW LGBTQ+ content,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lazine |first=Mira |title='I feel violated' - Queer Creators Lose Livelihoods in Itch.io Bans |url=https://transnews.network/p/i-feel-violated-queer-creators-lose-livelihoods-in-itch-io-bans |website=Trans News Network |date=9 Aug 2025 |access-date=24 Aug 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819013331/https://transnews.network/p/i-feel-violated-queer-creators-lose-livelihoods-in-itch-io-bans |archive-date=19 Aug 2025}}</ref> continued on Itch.io on August 10th.

The group claims to have lobbied payment processors after sending 3,000 emails to Steam and receiving no response.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steam at Collective Shout |url=https://www.collectiveshout.org/tags/steam |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250720103220/https://www.collectiveshout.org/tags/steam |archive-date=20 Jul 2025 |access-date=7 Aug 2025 |website=Collective Shout}}</ref><ref name="CBCCards">{{Cite news |last=Ore |first=Jonathan |date=31 Jul 2025 |title=How an anti-porn lobby on payment processors censored thousands of video games |url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/day6/steam-itch-takedowns-credit-cards-1.7597563 |access-date=1 Aug 2025 |work=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]]}}</ref>

Alongside NSFW content, the group also expressed a desire to remove ''{{Wplink|Detroit: Become Human}}'' from gaming platforms, for depictions of physical abuse against women and children.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barbe |first=Rebecca |date=6 Dec 2017 |title=Stop video game Detroit: Become Human, depicting child abuse being sold in Australia |url=https://www.change.org/p/the-hon-christian-porter-mp-stop-video-game-depicting-child-abuse-being-sold-in-australia |url-status=live |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |website=change.org}}</ref>

The owner of the journalism website ''{{Wplink|Vice (magazine)|Vice}}'' allegedly instructed certain articles related to Collective Shout to be removed from their website, due to "controversial subject matter." The author of the articles and several of her co-workers resigned soon afterwards in protest.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/After-payment-processors-prompt-removal-of-Steam-games-journalists-investigating-the-censorship-resign.1063259.0.html|title=After payment processors prompt removal of Steam games, journalists investigating the censorship resign|website=notebookcheck.net|date=16 Aug 2025}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Steam]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Disney wrongful-death lawsuit

2025-08-26T15:38:37Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits.

{{IncidentCargo
| Company = Disney
| StartDate = 2024-02
| EndDate = End date
| Status = Pending Resolution
| ProductLine =
| Product = Disney+
| ArticleType = Service
| Type = Terms of Service
| Description = TBD
}}

===The EPCOT death lawsuit and Disney's arbitration clause===
In a wrongful-death lawsuit,<ref>{{Cite web |first=Jeffery J. |last=Piccolo |title=AUGUST 2ND RESPONSE |url=https://consumerrights.wiki/images/9/9d/AUGUST_2ND_RESPONSE.pdf |date=2 Aug 2024}}</ref> Jeffrey Piccolo sued Walt Disney Parks & Resorts (WDPR) and Great Irish Pubs Florida, Inc. after his wife, Dr. Kanokporn Tangsuan, died from a severe allergic reaction at Raglan Road Irish Pub in Disney Springs on 5 October 2023. The lawsuit accused the restaurant and Disney of negligence in accommodating her food allergy, which contributed to her death.<ref name="nprdwd">{{Cite web |first=Rachel |last=Treisman |title=Disney backtracks on request to toss wrongful death suit over Disney+ agreement |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/08/14/nx-s1-5074830/disney-wrongful-death-lawsuit-disney |website=NPR |date=14 Aug 2024 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821192924/https://www.npr.org/2024/08/14/nx-s1-5074830/disney-wrongful-death-lawsuit-disney |archive-date=21 Aug 2024}}</ref>

==Background==
Dr. Tangsuan, a family-medicine specialist at NYU Langone Hospital, had severe allergies to dairy and nuts. She and her family chose to dine at Raglan Road, specifically because Disney had advertised that they accommodate guests with food allergies throughout their properties. Despite Dr. Tangsuan repeatedly informing her server about her allergies and receiving multiple assurances that their ordered dishes would be allergen-free, Dr. Tangsuan suffered a severe allergic reaction approximately 45 minutes after eating. Although she self-administered an EpiPen, she later died at the hospital. The medical examiner confirmed her death was due to anaphylaxis from elevated levels of dairy and nuts in her system.<ref name="nytdwd">{{Cite web |first=Claire
|last=Fahy |title=Can a Disney+ Subscription Keep a Widower From Suing Disney in Court? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/14/nyregion/disney-wrongful-death-lawsuit-arbitration.html |url-access=subscription |website=New York Times |date=14 Aug 2024 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814225148/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/14/nyregion/disney-wrongful-death-lawsuit-arbitration.html |archive-date=14 Aug 2024}}</ref>

==The EULA roofie attempt==
In May 2024, Disney attempted to have the case dismissed from court and sent to [[Forced Arbitration|arbitration]], citing two separate [[End-user license agreement|user agreements]]:

#The [[Disney+]] user agreement Piccolo accepted in 2019 when signing up for a free trial to Disney's streaming service on his [[wikipedia:PlayStation|PlayStation]]
#Terms accepted when purchasing (ultimately unused) Epcot tickets through the My Disney Experience app in September 2023

This represented a classic example of a [[EULA roofie]], where Disney attempted to use terms buried within a streaming-service agreement to deny a consumer's right to sue over an unrelated wrongful-death case at a restaurant. Disney argued that because Piccolo had clicked "Agree & Continue" when signing up for the Disney+ streaming service, he was bound by an arbitration clause for any legal claims against the company or its affiliates. This, they argued, included the food served by a restaurant on their premises that killed his wife, even if the issue was unrelated to the streaming service.

Disney said that the reason for trying to send the case to arbitration was that the restaurant "is neither owned nor operated by Disney" and that they were defending themselves against inclusion in the lawsuit.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Jordan |last=Valinsky |title=Disney wants wrongful death suit thrown out because widower bought an Epcot ticket and had Disney+ |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/14/business/disney-plus-wrongful-death-lawsuit/index.html |website=CNN |date=14 Aug 2024 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815002807/https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/14/business/disney-plus-wrongful-death-lawsuit/index.html |archive-date=15 Aug 2024}}</ref>

===Legal arguments===
Piccolo's attorneys filed a 123-page response calling Disney's argument "preposterous" and "fatally flawed" for several reasons:

*Mr. Piccolo brought the lawsuit as Personal Representative of his wife's estate, not as an individual.
*The estate itself never agreed to any arbitration terms.
*The estate did not exist when Mr. Piccolo accepted the Disney+ terms, as Dr. Tangsuan was still alive.
*The Disney+ Subscriber Agreement was explicitly limited to disputes concerning the streaming service.
*Before raising the issue, Disney had already waived any right to arbitration by participating in the litigation.

The attorneys argued that "the notion that terms agreed to by a consumer when creating a Disney+ free trial account would forever bar that consumer's right to a jury trial in any dispute with any Disney affiliate or subsidiary, is so outrageously unreasonable and unfair as to shock the judicial conscience."<ref name="nytdwd" />

==Procedural timeline==
Disney had initially participated in discovery and filed an answer to the complaint without raising arbitration as a defense. Only later did the company attempt to use the [[End-user license agreement]] (EULA) to avoid litigation. As noted in its second response, in August, "WDPR has waived its alleged right to seek arbitration by filing its Answer without raising arbitration as an affirmative defense and by serving two separate Requests for Copies under Rule 1.351(e)."<ref>Plaintiff's Response in Opposition to Disney's Motion to Compel Arbitration, p. 3</ref>

==Key legal issues around consumer rights==
===Meeting of minds===
The response highlighted fundamental contract-law principles that challenge the validity of using broad EULAs to bind consumers. As stated in the filing, Disney's attempt violated fundamental principles of contract formation, including "meeting of the minds" (mutual understanding between parties) and "good faith dealing".<ref>Plaintiff's Response in Opposition to Disney's Motion to Compel Arbitration, p. 11</ref>

===Unconscionability===
The response detailed both procedural and substantive unconscionability in Disney's EULA:

*'''Procedural unconscionability:'''
**"There was no showing that Mr. Piccolo was given any explanation of the arbitration clauses in The Disney+ Subscriber Agreement."
**"The so-called binding arbitration provision was merely contained in a link. Regarding the Disney Terms of Use, the link was not even referenced or hyperlinked on the Disney+ registration page. It was buried within another document that was hyperlinked."<ref>Plaintiff's Response in Opposition to Disney's Motion to Compel Arbitration, p. 27-28</ref>

*'''Substantive unconscionability:'''
**The arbitration provisions "could present a problem for more than just their own client."
**"In effect, WDPR is explicitly seeking to bar its 150 million Disney+ subscribers from ever prosecuting a wrongful death case against it in front of a jury, even if the case facts have nothing to do with Disney+"<ref>Plaintiff's Response in Opposition to Disney's Motion to Compel Arbitration, p. 30</ref>

"The Florida Supreme Court has acknowledged some overlap in the analysis of whether a valid written agreement to arbitrate exists and whether an arbitrable issue exists, noting: 'It is something of a chicken and egg situation as to which comes first.' This highlights the fundamental problem with modern EULAs - consumers cannot meaningfully assess what rights they're giving up when agreeing to terms that may be interpreted to cover any future dispute with any related corporate entity."<ref>Plaintiff's Response in Opposition to Disney's Motion to Compel Arbitration, p. 19</ref>

==Resolution==
Following significant public backlash and media attention highlighting how this could affect Disney+'s 150 million subscribers, Disney withdrew its motion to compel arbitration in August 2024. Josh D'Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, stated: "At Disney, we strive to put humanity above all other considerations… With such unique circumstances as the ones in this case, we believe this situation warrants a sensitive approach to expedite a resolution for the family who have experienced such a painful loss."<ref name="nprdwd" />

==Significance==
The response specifically addressed how Disney's EULA-roofie attempt represents the type of modern consumer exploitation that traditional consumer protection laws fail to address: the potential dangers of overly broad arbitration clauses in consumer agreements and their use to deny access to courts even in severe cases like wrongful death. It demonstrates how companies may attempt to use unrelated consumer agreements to strip away fundamental legal rights, making it a notable example of the EULA-roofie phenomenon. The case also showed how public attention and backlash can sometimes force companies to reconsider such tactics. This case demonstrated how companies use complex legal documents and digital agreements to manufacture consent for terms that a reasonable consumer would never knowingly accept, as a customer might be less likely to sign up for a free trial of a streaming service if he knew it would absolve the company from accountability for killing his wife.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Incidents]]
[[Category:Lawsuits]]
[[Category:Legal Lockout]]
[[Category:EULA roofieing]]
[[Category:Disney]]
[[Category:Articles based on videos]]

Activision Blizzard account lock and forced arbitration

2025-08-26T15:24:01Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edit. Added a comma where it is mentioning how people had to agree to terms in order to ask questions about said terms.

On March 21, 2024, [[wikipedia:Activision_Blizzard|Activision Blizzard]] blocked access to Blizzard services, requiring customers to accept [[Forced Arbitration|forced arbitration]] terms in the updated Blizzard [[end-user license agreement]] (EULA)<ref>Blizzard End User License Agreement written by Activision Blizzard last updated March 21, 2024 [https://web.archive.org/web/20241225130154/https://www.blizzard.com/en-us/legal/fba4d00f-c7e4-4883-b8b9-1b4500a402ea/blizzard-end-user-license-agreement Archived] December 25, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2025.</ref>. In effect, customers were prevented from accessing their account (including games licensed to them) until they accepted these terms.

This change to the EULA constitutes an example of a [[EULA roofie|EULA Roofie]].

==Incident==
[[File:Screenshot of the popup presented to users on Battle.net.png|alt=A popup from Battle.net showing the following text: "Review Terms. By clicking Agree you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to the Blizzard End User License Agreement and Blizzard Entertainment Online Privacy Policy."|thumb|The popup users were presented with. Clicking "Cancel" would log the user out.]]
When logging in to Blizzard services (using the ''Battle.net'' game client or ''Blizzard.com''), a pop-up appeared asking users to review the Blizzard EULA and [[Privacy policy|Privacy Policy]]. Dismissing the prompt would force the user to log out of their account, which would prevent access to all Blizzard services. Some users even could not access Blizzard Support.<ref>New EULA dated March 21, 2024 a discussion on the public Blizzard forums under Starcraft 2 started by user Ecip-1680 https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/sc2/t/new-eula-dated-march-21-2024/28315 also [https://web.archive.org/web/20250115044227/https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/sc2/t/new-eula-dated-march-21-2024/28315 Archived] January 14, 2025. Retrieved January 14, 2025.</ref>

===Impact on access to customer support===
A particularly problematic aspect of this situation was that customers could not access Blizzard Support to ask questions about the EULA without first accepting it.<ref name="forum-discussion">New EULA dated March 21, 2024 forum discussion https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/sc2/t/new-eula-dated-march-21-2024/28315</ref> This created a situation where users needed to agree to terms they had questions about, in order to ask questions about those terms.

===Terms of the new EULA===
The new Blizzard EULA starts with the following clause in bold, binding users to [[forced arbitration]]:<blockquote>'''THIS AGREEMENT CONTAINS A BINDING ARBITRATION AGREEMENT AND CLASS ACTION WAIVER IN THE SECTION TITLED "DISPUTE RESOLUTION." THIS AGREEMENT AFFECTS YOUR RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO ANY "DISPUTE" BETWEEN YOU AND BLIZZARD AND MAY REQUIRE YOU TO RESOLVE DISPUTES IN BINDING, INDIVIDUAL ARBITRATION, AND NOT IN COURT.'''</blockquote>

Users who reject the EULA have limited recourse in refunds:<blockquote>IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO INSTALL, COPY, OR USE THE BLIZZARD PLATFORM OR GAMES. IF YOU REJECT THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT WITHIN FOURTEEN (14) DAYS AFTER YOUR PURCHASE OF A GAME FROM BLIZZARD, YOU MAY CONTACT BLIZZARD THROUGH <nowiki>https://us.battle.net/support/en/</nowiki> TO INQUIRE ABOUT A FULL REFUND OF THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THAT GAME.</blockquote>

{{Important|This clause would apply to any online services for games, such as Warcraft 3, which could be purchased as early as 2002.<ref>Wikipedia article on Warcraft III https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warcraft_III:_Reign_of_Chaos</ref> Such purchases are far outside the 14-day refund window.}}

===Historical context of clause===
These clauses, as well as the legal actions they represent, are not new to the Blizzard EULA. Similar verbiage can be seen in previous versions of the EULA as far back as 2018.<ref>Blizzard End User License Agreement written by Activision Blizzard last updated June 1, 2018 [https://web.archive.org/web/20180919091644/https://www.blizzard.com/en-us/legal/fba4d00f-c7e4-4883-b8b9-1b4500a402ea/blizzard-end-user-license-agreement Archived] September 19, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2025.</ref>

===Impact on subscription services===
Active ''World of Warcraft'' subscribers were particularly affected by this change, as their subscriptions would continue to bill, despite subscribers being unable to access the service if they did not accept the new terms.<ref name="forum-discussion" /> This created a situation where users were being charged for a service they could not access unless they agreed to new legal terms.

==See also==
*[[Forced arbitration]]
*[[EULA roofie]]
*[[Game Platform Terms of Service]]

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Activision Blizzard]]
[[Category:Forced Arbitration]]
[[Category:Incidents]]
[[Category:Digital rights management]]
[[Category:End-user license agreements]]
[[Category:Articles based on videos]]
[[Category:Feature Ransom]]
[[Category:Legal Lockout]]

NProtect GameGuard

2025-08-26T15:16:53Z

ClippyFellow47: Minor grammar edits.

{{StubNotice}}{{InfoboxProductLine
| Title = {{PAGENAME}}
| Release Year =
| Product Type = Anti-cheat Software
| In Production = Yes
| Official Website = https://gameguard.nprotect.com/en/index.html
| Logo =NProtect GameGuard logo.png
}}

[[wikipedia:NProtect_GameGuard|'''NProtect_GameGuard''']] is an anti-cheat system developed by INCA Internet Co., Ltd.
==Consumer impact summary==
*Privacy: nProtect GameGuard is a kernel-level (ring 0) anti-cheat. It can access any process or file on an installed machine.
*Control: Users must have nProtect GameGuard running to play any game that uses it—for example, Helldivers II.
*Access: As a kernel-level anti-cheat, nProtect GameGuard has the highest level of access to a user's computer.
==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer protection incidents related to this product line. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{PAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
===Example incident one (''date'')===
{{Main|link to the main article}}
Summary of the incident (could be the same as the summary preceding the article).
===Example incident two (''date'')===
...

Incidents affecting the company's products can be found in the company article: [[Company article|Company article.]]
==Products==
==See also==
==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Discord

2025-08-26T15:11:34Z

ClippyFellow47: Did some grammatical edits throughout the article.

'''Discord''' is a proprietary VoIP and instant-messaging platform developed by Discord Inc. (formerly Hammer & Chisel, Inc.), co-founded by Jason Citron and Stanislav Vishnevskiy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Guadalupe |date=3 May 2018 |title=There Are 2.6 Billion Online Gamers in the World. This Startup Just May Connect Them All |url=https://www.inc.com/guadalupe-gonzalez/30-under-30-2018-discord.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503131556/https://www.inc.com/guadalupe-gonzalez/30-under-30-2018-discord.html |archive-date=3 May 2018 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |website=Inc.}}</ref> Launched in 2015, the service has grown to over 150 million monthly active users as of 2025. While initially marketed toward PC gamers, Discord has expanded to multiple platforms, serving various communities and use cases, such as education.<ref name="about-company">{{Cite web |date=15 Apr 2024 |title=About Discord <nowiki>|</nowiki> Our Mission and Values |url=https://discord.com/company/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250608013037/https://discord.com/company |archive-date=8 Jun 2025 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |website=Discord}}</ref>

In April 2025, Humam Sakhnini (formerly King, Activision Blizzard) replaced Jason Citron as CEO.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Discord Appoints Humam Sakhnini as Chief Executive Officer |url=https://discord.com/press-releases/discord-appoints-new-ceo-humam-sakhnini}}</ref> {{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Discord Inc.
| Type = Private
| Founded = 2015
| Industry = Software
| Official Website = https://discord.com
| Logo = Discord.svg
}}

==Consumer Impact Summary==

===Privacy<ref name="terms-of-service3">[https://discord.com/terms/ "Discord's Terms of Service"]. April 15, 2024. ''Discord''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref>===
Mentioned within the '''Discord TOS<ref name="terms-of-service3" />''' and '''Privacy Policy''':<ref name="privacy-policy3">[https://discord.com/privacy/ "Discord Privacy Policy"]. April 15, 2024. ''Discord''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref><ref name="community-guidelines2">[https://discord.com/guidelines/ "Discord Community Guidelines"]. April 15, 2024. ''Discord''. Retrieved January 16, 2025.</ref>
*Collects extensive user data, including messages, voice communications, and server participation.
*Claims broad rights to user-generated content.
*Deleted messages are stored for undefined periods.
*Retains personal information until deemed "no longer needed" with undefined retention periods.
*Processes user content for "safety features and platform improvement".
*Shares data with related companies, vendors, and third-party service providers.
*Opt-out behavioral tracking across platform features for personalization.
*Maintains logs of IP addresses and device information for an undetermined amount of time, flags any user who has ever signed in with an EU IP address for inclusion within DSA transparency reports
*Sends a web request when any UI element is clicked & when typing
*A phone number is randomly required, and the account will be locked until a phone number is added, regardless of account age or recent activity. The account will be automatically locked if the phone number is removed.

===Freedom===
Mentioned within the '''Discord TOS<ref name="terms-of-service3" />''' and '''Privacy Policy''':<ref name="privacy-policy3" />
*Mandatory [[Forced Arbitration|binding arbitration]] with [[class action|class-action]] waiver for U.S. users (Started 15 May 2024).
*Users grant a perpetual, transferable license to their content.
*Users must accept the broad terms of service that allow unilateral changes.
*Accounts can be terminated without prior notice at Discord's discretion.

*No option to opt out of core data collection while using the service.
*Content may be retained by Discord even after deletion.
*Server owners have limited recourse if their servers are banned.
*Forced to use Discord's payment processing for all monetary transactions.

===Transparency===
Mentioned within the '''Discord Privacy Policy'''<ref name="privacy-policy3" /> and '''Community Guidelines''':<ref name="community-guidelines2" />
*Unclear processes for handling law enforcement requests.
*Vague about specific data retention time frames.
*Limited transparency regarding content moderation decisions.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=BBB - Discord, Inc. |url=https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/san-francisco/profile/computer-software/discord-inc-1116-918699 |access-date=Aug 2, 2025 |website=[[Better Business Bureau]]}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Trustpilot - Discord |url=https://www.trustpilot.com/review/discord.com |access-date=Aug 2, 2025 |website=Trustpilot}}</ref>
**In some instances, the offending content is not shown to the user, nor any metadata, filenames, timestamps, or even the originating channel.
**No limits or restrictions on the age of content (e.g., users can be suspended due to something sent 1500 days ago)
*Server ban appeals process lacks transparency.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
*Limited disclosure of recommendation algorithm factors.
*No clear disclosure of how the content is used for platform improvement.
==Consumer-protection incidents==
===C data collection investigation (Sep. 2024)===
In September 2024, the [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC) released a comprehensive report examining Discord's data-collection practices as part of a broader investigation into social-media platforms.<ref><templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles><cite class="citation web cs1">[https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/Social-Media-6b-Report-9-11-2024.pdf "A Look Behind the Screens: Examining the Data Practices of Social Media and Video Streaming Services"] (PDF). ''Federal Trade Commission''. 11 Sep 2024. [https://web.archive.org/web/20240919133855/https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/Social-Media-6b-Report-9-11-2024.pdf Archived] (PDF) from the original on 19 Sep 2024. Retrieved 13 Jul 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Federal+Trade+Commission&rft.atitle=A+Look+Behind+the+Screens%3A+Examining+the+Data+Practices+of+Social+Media+and+Video+Streaming+Services&rft.date=2024-09-11&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ftc.gov%2Fsystem%2Ffiles%2Fftc_gov%2Fpdf%2FSocial-Media-6b-Report-9-11-2024.pdf&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fconsumerrights.wiki%3ADiscord" class="Z3988"></ref>

The investigation revealed Discord collects extensive user data, including:
*Message content and metadata
*Voice-chat participation
*Server membership and activity
*Device and location information
Particular concern was raised about:
*Collection of data from users under 13
*Handling of minor user information
*Inadequate age-verification systems
The FTC identified multiple areas where Discord's practices put users at risk:
*Identity-theft exposure
*Potential stalking risks
*Discrimination concerns
*Mental health and emotional impact

The FTC concluded that Discord's data practices created unacceptable risks for users, particularly minors, and called for significant reforms to the platform's privacy protection measures.<ref><templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles><cite id="CITEREFTolentino2024" class="citation web cs1">Tolentino, Daysia (19 Sep 2024). [https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/social-media-companies-engaged-vast-surveillance-ftc-finds-calling-sta-rcna171814 "Social media companies engaged in 'vast surveillance,' FTC finds, calling status quo 'unacceptable'"]. ''NBC News''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20240919171049/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/social-media-companies-engaged-vast-surveillance-ftc-finds-calling-sta-rcna171814 Archived] from the original on 19 Sep 2024. Retrieved 13 Jul 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=NBC+News&rft.atitle=Social+media+companies+engaged+in+%27vast+surveillance%2C%27+FTC+finds%2C+calling+status+quo+%27unacceptable%27&rft.date=2024-09-19&rft.aulast=Tolentino&rft.aufirst=Daysia&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcnews.com%2Ftech%2Fsecurity%2Fsocial-media-companies-engaged-vast-surveillance-ftc-finds-calling-sta-rcna171814&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fconsumerrights.wiki%3ADiscord" class="Z3988"></ref>

===Introduction of forced arbitration (Mar. 2024)===
In March 2024, Discord users were notified via email that [[Forced Arbitration|forced arbitration]] would be added to the [[Terms of Service|terms of service]] , effective 15 April 2024. Users could opt out by sending an 'opt-out notice' to arbitration-opt-out@discord.com within the thirty days preceding 15 April 2024 or by registering their first account.'''<ref name="terms-of-service3" />'''

===Child safety concerns (Jun. 2023)===
An [[wikipedia:NBC News|NBC News]] investigation in June 2023<ref><templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles><cite id="CITEREFGoggin2023" class="citation web cs1">Goggin, Ben (21 Jun 2023). [https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/discord-child-safety-social-platform-challenges-rcna89769 "Child predators are using Discord, a popular app among teens, for sextortion and abductions"]. ''NBC News''. [https://web.archive.org/web/20230621152318/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/discord-child-safety-social-platform-challenges-rcna89769 Archived] from the original on 21 Jun 2023. Retrieved 13 Jul 2025.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=NBC+News&rft.atitle=Child+predators+are+using+Discord%2C+a+popular+app+among+teens%2C+for+sextortion+and+abductions&rft.date=2023-06-21&rft.aulast=Goggin&rft.aufirst=Ben&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcnews.com%2Ftech%2Fsocial-media%2Fdiscord-child-safety-social-platform-challenges-rcna89769&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fconsumerrights.wiki%3ADiscord" class="Z3988"></ref> uncovered widespread child-safety issues on Discord, revealing systemic problems with the platform's user protection measures.

Investigators identified 35 separate cases where adults were criminally charged with "kidnapping, grooming, or sexual assault" involving contacts initiated through Discord. Additionally, 165 criminal prosecutions involving the sharing of child sexual exploitation material on the platform were documented.

===Irresponsible moderation practices===
{{Main|Discord's irresponsible moderation}}
[[File:Discord Vague Infringement example.png|thumb|An example of how Discord handles its moderation from a user's perspective.]]
Reported countlessly by users on the BBB<ref name=":0" />, Trustpilot <ref name=":1" /> and a dedicated subreddit<ref>{{Cite web |title=/r/BannedFromDiscord |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/BannedFromDiscord/}}</ref> users have complained about how Discord's moderation is extremely vague. One such user reported their account being banned from the BBB,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mir |first=Zain |date=Jul 23, 2025 |title=BBB Complaint |url=https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/san-francisco/profile/computer-software/discord-inc-1116-918699/complaints?page=2#1116_918699_23643523 |access-date=Aug 1, 2025 |website=Better Business Bureau}}</ref> with an automated system handling the entire process, replying only with templates, without having a human involved in the appeal process.

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Discord]]

Valve allows ISPs and payment processors to censor content on Steam

2025-08-26T15:07:09Z

ClippyFellow47: /* Background */

{{OngoingEvent}}{{Incomplete}}

At an unknown date in 2025, [[Valve]] updated its Rules and Guidelines for developers on [[Steam]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Steamworks Documentation - Onboarding |url=https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/gettingstarted/onboarding |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250719092925/https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/gettingstarted/onboarding |archive-date=Jul 19, 2025 |access-date=Jul 19, 2025 |website=Steamworks Documentation}}</ref> These rules granted [[wikt:Internet_service_provider|internet service providers]] (ISPs) and banks/transaction providers the power to delist games from their platform.<ref>{{Cite news |last=techopse |date=Jul 18, 2025 |title=Valve Submits to VISA and MasterCard's Moral Crusade, Escalating Censorship of "Problematic" Games on Steam |url=https://www.techopse.com/valve-submits-to-visa-and-mastercards-moral-crusade-escalating-censorship-of-problematic-games-on-steam/ |access-date=Jul 19, 2025 |work=Techopse}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Bonk |first=Lawrence |date=Jul 16, 2025 |title=Steam now bans games that violate the 'rules and standards' of payment processors and banks |url=https://www.engadget.com/gaming/steam-now-bans-games-that-violate-the-rules-and-standards-of-payment-processors-and-banks-164222173.html |access-date=Jul 19, 2025 |work=Engadget}}</ref> Consumers have shown considerable criticism despite the nature of the content removed from the platform due to the vagueness of these rules leaving a window open for expanded censorship.

==Background==
===Steam's content policies===
Prior to 2025, Steam maintained a permissive stance towards adult content, following their 2018 policy change that allowed "everything" except illegal content or "obvious trolling."<ref>{{Cite news |title=Steam rules updated to prohibit content that violates rules set forth by payment processors and banks |url=https://automaton-media.com/en/news/steam-rules-updated-to-prohibit-content-that-violates-rules-set-forth-by-payment-processors-and-banks/ |access-date=Jul 19, 2025 |work=AUTOMATON WEST}}</ref> This policy allowed a diverse range of adult-oriented games on the platform, including visual novels, dating simulators, & games with mature themes.

===Payment processor precedents===
The gaming industry observed similar payment processor interventions in other digital platforms. In December 2020, Mastercard & VISA suspended services to Pornhub following allegations of illegal content, resulting in the removal of over 10 million videos from the platform.<ref>{{Cite news |date=Dec 14, 2020 |title=Mastercard, Visa and Discover cut ties with Pornhub following allegations of child abuse |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/14/business/mastercard-visa-discover-pornhub/index.html |access-date=Jul 20, 2025 |work=CNN Business}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=Dec 10, 2020 |title=Mastercard severs ties with Pornhub, citing illegal content |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/12/10/pornhub-mastercard-ban-mindgeek/ |access-date=Jul 20, 2025 |work=The Washington Post}}</ref>

==Unfair content policy creation==

At an unknown time within 2025, the Rules and Guidelines for developers on [[Steam]]<ref name=":0" /> was updated by [[Valve]] due to pressures from payment vendors to delist content published with excessively mature content.<ref name=":1" /> However, vagueness of the following new rule within the policy has brought concern from consumers and the press:

<blockquote>15. Content that may violate the rules and standards set forth by Steam's payment processors and related card networks and banks, or internet network providers. In particular, certain kinds of adult only content.</blockquote>

This is because enables payment processors, banks, and even ISPs to delist content based on what they solely deem to be unsuitable, which may extend beyond sexually explicit content.

===Timeline of events===
====July 11, 2025: Collective Shout campaign====
The Australian advocacy group [[Collective Shout]], which also defended the film "Cuties" that used underage girls<ref>{{Cite web |title=Collective Shout, Censorship, and Consequences: A Closer Look {{!}} by Just a guy honestly... Kan {{!}} Jul, 2025 {{!}} Medium |url=https://medium.com/@kanquests/collective-shout-censorship-and-consequences-a-closer-look-9a5fdf1dcec4}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Collective Shout defended the "child exploitation" film Cuties (harmless fiction) . But they lied and attacked DETROIT BECOME HUMAN (harmless fiction). {{!}} by VolkColopatrion {{!}} Jul, 2025 {{!}} Medium |url=https://medium.com/@volkcolopatrion4/collective-shout-defended-the-child-exploitation-film-cuties-72195004572a}}</ref> published an open letter to payment processors titled '''"Open letter to payment processors profiting from rape, incest + child abuse games on Steam."'''<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=Jul 11, 2025 |title=Open letter to payment processors profiting from rape, incest + child abuse games on Steam |url=https://www.collectiveshout.org/open-letter-to-payment-processors |access-date=Jul 19, 2025 |website=Collective Shout}}</ref> The letter was addressed to the CEOs of PayPal, Mastercard, & Visa, demanding they ''"immediately cease processing payments on Steam and itch.io."''<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |date=Jul 17, 2025 |title=Australian anti-porn group claims responsibility for Steam's new censorship rules in victory against 'porn sick brain rotted pedo gamer fetishists', and things only get weirder from there |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/australian-anti-porn-group-claims-responsibility-for-steams-new-censorship-rules-in-victory-against-porn-sick-brain-rotted-pedo-gamer-fetishists-and-things-only-get-weirder-from-there/ |access-date=Jul 19, 2025 |work=PC Gamer}}</ref>

====July 12, 2025: PayPal blocks Steam in most countries====
Starting on July 12, many Steam users from other countries took to Reddit to ask why PayPal had stopped functioning. The error message on the Steam checkout webpage when failing to use PayPal reads "We are temporarily unable to process transactions with this payment method at this time. We apologize for the inconvenience."<ref>{{Cite web |title=paypal temporarily disabled since?|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/1lxtux9/paypal_temporarily_disabled_since/|access-date=Aug 16, 2025}}</ref>

====July 15-16, 2025: Rule implementation====
Steam updated its developer guidelines to include Rule 15.<ref name=":1" /> SteamDB tracking indicated that over 100 games were removed from the platform within 16 hours of the policy change.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Hamilton |first=Phillip |date=Jul 18, 2025 |title=Steam Payment Processor Update / Collective Shout Controversy |url=https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/events/steam-payment-processor-update-collective-shout-controversy |access-date=Jul 19, 2025 |work=Know Your Meme}}</ref> The removed games primarily featured adult themes, with particular focus on titles containing incest narratives, sexual violence simulations, or slavery themes.<ref>{{Cite news |date=Jul 16, 2025 |title=Steam takes down tons of porn games after new rule — here's what changed |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/steam-takes-down-tons-of-porn-games-cracks-down-on-certain-kinds-of-adult-only-content |access-date=Jul 19, 2025 |work=Windows Central}}</ref>

====July 17, 2025: Collective Shout claims victory====
Collective Shout published a follow-up article claiming credit for the policy change, titled "Win – New policy on Steam and rape + incest games removed."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Win – New policy on Steam and rape + incest games removed |url=https://www.collectiveshout.org/win-new-steam-policy-games-removed |access-date=Jul 19, 2025 |website=Collective Shout}}</ref> Co-founder Melinda Tankard Reist made statements that were characterized by gaming media as inflammatory.<ref name=":4" />

====August 1, 2025: Mastercard responds, Valve clarifies====
In an article by games journalist website Kotaku, Mastercard had responded by claiming "Mastercard has not evaluated any game or required restrictions of any activity on game creator sites and platforms, contrary to media reports and allegations", However, Valve responded within the same day clarifying "Mastercard did not communicate with Valve directly, despite our request to do so, Mastercard communicated with payment processors and their acquiring banks. Payment processors communicated this with Valve, and we replied by outlining Steam’s policy since 2018 of attempting to distribute games that are legal for distribution. Payment processors rejected this, and specifically cited Mastercard’s Rule 5.12.7 and risk to the Mastercard brand.", where MasterCard rule 5.12.7 states "A Merchant must not submit to its Acquirer, and a Customer must not submit to the Interchange System, any Transaction that is illegal, or in the sole discretion of the Corporation, may damage the goodwill of the Corporation or reflect negatively on the Marks."<ref>{{Cite news |title=Mastercard Denies Pressuring Steam To Censor ‘NSFW’ Games, Update: Valve Responds|url=https://kotaku.com/mastercard-denies-pressuring-steam-to-censor-nsfw-games-2000614393|access-date=Aug 16, 2025}}</ref>

====August 9, 2025: MasterCard warns gaming tournaments about negative sentiment====
The games journalist who had their articles removed from Vice's website later mentioned that a source had told them that MasterCard, as a major sponsor for "League of Legends" eSports tournaments, had warned Riot Games (game developer of popular eSports game "League of Legends") about negative comments related to the recent games censorship issue, with the implication of deleting related comments from the chatroom on the official livestreams, as well as on the livestreams of content creator partners who work directly with Riot Games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ana Valens, BlueSky|url=https://bsky.app/profile/acvalens.net/post/3lvw2ukqlb22h|access-date=Aug 16, 2025}}</ref>

====August 12, 2025: Valve Support update on PayPal payment issues====
Valve updated their checkout website with a support link when failing to checkout using PayPal that reads "In early July 2025, PayPal notified Valve that their acquiring bank for payment transactions in certain currencies was immediately terminating the processing of any transactions related to Steam. This affects Steam purchases using PayPal in currencies other than EUR, CAD, GBP, JPY, AUD and USD.". This affects most countries, especially Eastern Europe, South America, and Asia, who cannot use PayPal for payments on Steam.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steam PayPal unavailable update|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/1mnzovo/steam_paypal_unavailable_update|access-date=Aug 18, 2025}}</ref>

====August 14, 2025: Valve confirms PayPal issues are related to the Mastercard issue====
In an article by games journalist website RockPaperShotgun, Valve clarifies the withdrawal of support for Steam transactions by one of PayPal's acquiring banks "is regarding content on Steam, related to what we’ve previously commented on surrounding Mastercard. In this case, one of PayPal’s acquiring banks decided to stop processing any Steam transactions, which cut off PayPal on Steam for a number of currencies".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Valve explain why using PayPal for Steam purchases isn't currently an option in a whole bunch of countries|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-explain-why-using-paypal-for-steam-purchases-isnt-currently-an-option-in-a-whole-bunch-of-countries|access-date=Aug 16, 2025}}</ref>

Currently, the content being removed from the platform has included excessively sexual and mature topics,<ref name=":2" /> however, no significant game without this questionable content has been labeled as ''retired'' according to SteamDB currently.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SteamDB History |url=https://steamdb.info/history/events/ |access-date=Jul 19, 2025 |website=SteamDB}}</ref>

===Valve's response===
The gaming news website Gaming on Linux contacted Valve regarding the matter, with its press team responding with the following:<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dawe |first=Liam |date=16 Jul 2025 |title=Valve gets pressured by payment processors with a new rule for game devs and various adult games removed |url=https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2025/07/valve-gets-pressured-by-payment-processors-with-a-new-rule-for-game-devs-and-various-adult-games-removed/ |access-date=Jul 19, 2025 |work=Gaming on Linux}}</ref>

<blockquote>We were recently notified that certain games on Steam may violate the rules and standards set forth by our payment processors and their related card networks and banks. As a result, we are retiring those games from being sold on the Steam Store, because loss of payment methods would prevent customers from being able to purchase other titles and game content on Steam.

We are directly notifying developers of these games, and issuing app credits should they have another game they'd like to distribute on Steam in the future.</blockquote>

GamesRadar+ reported that Valve confirmed the removals were due to pressure from banks and card companies, with the company stating that losing payment methods would prevent customers from purchasing any content on the platform.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Valve confirms pressure from banks and card companies is to blame for the storefront axing adult Steam games |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/valve-confirms-pressure-from-banks-and-card-companies-is-to-blame-for-the-storefront-axing-adult-steam-games-loss-of-payment-methods-would-prevent-customers-from-being-able-to-purchase-other-titles/ |access-date=Jul 19, 2025 |work=GamesRadar+}}</ref>

==Impact on other platforms==
===Itch.io===
On July 19, 2025, the indie gaming platform [[itch.io]] announced it would be "deindexing" adult content due to payment processor scrutiny.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Itch.io is removing NSFW games to comply with payment processors' rules |url=https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/itchio-is-removing-nsfw-games-to-comply-with-payment-processors-rules-133045491.html |access-date=Jul 20, 2025 |work=Engadget}}</ref> The platform's founder, Leaf Corcoran, stated they were "actively reaching out to other payment processors" and acknowledged having "limited ability to push back" compared to larger platforms like Valve.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Itch.io is 'actively reaching out to other payment processors' after pressure from credit card companies to curtail NSFW content |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/game-development/itch-io-is-actively-reaching-out-to-other-payment-processors-after-pressure-from-credit-card-companies-to-curtail-nsfw-content-and-that-compared-to-valve-it-has-limited-ability-to-push-back/ |access-date=Jul 20, 2025 |work=PC Gamer}}</ref>

Rascal News reported that itch.io had deindexed over 21,000 adult games, making them invisible in searches while technically remaining hosted.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Itch.io delists, bans games under pressure from payment processors and an Australian anti-porn group [Updated] |url=https://www.rascal.news/itch-io-delists-bans-games-under-pressure-from-payment-processors-and-an-australian-anti-porn-group/ |access-date=Jul 20, 2025 |work=Rascal News}}</ref> The platform later announced that free adult content would be re-indexed with improved content warnings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Update on NSFW content |url=https://itch.io/updates/update-on-nsfw-content |access-date=Jul 20, 2025 |website=itch.io}}</ref>

The deindexing of itch.io games has significantly affected the Queer and Furry communities who hosted a lot of popular Visual Novel (Interactive Story) games on that website, some of which did not contain any erotica but were labelled as NSFW just because of containing story themes about queer people. Because of this, a large amount of users from BlueSky have organised a few campaigns against payment companies, including the creation of certain posters and websites as a call to action. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Stop Payment Processors from censorship! #SaveSpeech|url=https://stop-paypros.neocities.org/|access-date=Aug 16, 2025}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |title=Protect Queer Creators and Sex Workers - Tell Payment Processors to STOP|url=https://yellat.money/|access-date=Aug 16, 2025}}</ref>

==Consumer response==

Consumer response is currently split, while many recognize that the content that has been taken down so far contains questionable topics,<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/HelloitsWojan |date=Jul 16, 2025 |title=Steam has added a new rule disallowing games that violate the rules and standards set forth by payment processors and card networks, or internet network providers. At the same time, many incest themed games were removed from the store. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/1m17v49/steam_has_added_a_new_rule_disallowing_games_that/ |access-date=Jul 19, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> a majority both notice and dread the flaws of allowing third-parties to control what content would be allowed to be sold on [[Steam]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=OhNoItsAlexx |date=Jul 18, 2025 |title=The Steam Censorship Situation Is INSANE |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqqw53LTf7A |access-date=Jul 19, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=SomeOrdinaryGamers |date=Jul 18, 2025 |title=Steam's Payment Processor Censorship Controversy... |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEflTJjtn5w |access-date=Jul 19, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> A [[Reddit]] post written by u/TeaLycan shared their concerns about how the new rule can be abused to unfairly delist content via nondescript rules on the platform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/TeaLycan |date=Jul 16, 2025 |title=Concerned about Payment Processors policing Steam |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/1m167jz/concerned_about_payment_processors_policing_steam/ |access-date=Jul 19, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>

===Petitions and organized campaigns===
A Change.org petition titled "Tell MasterCard, Visa & Activist Groups: Stop Controlling What We Can Watch, Read, or Play" gained over 200,000 signatures.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tell MasterCard, Visa & Activist Groups: Stop Controlling What We Can Watch, Read, or Play |url=https://www.change.org/p/tell-mastercard-visa-activist-groups-stop-controlling-what-we-can-watch-read-or-play |access-date=Jul 20, 2025 |website=Change.org}}</ref> Game Rant reported that the petition was "blowing up" as Steam users rallied against the censorship.<ref>{{Cite news |title=New Steam Petition is Blowing Up |url=https://gamerant.com/steam-anti-censorship-petition-adult-games-popular/ |access-date=Jul 20, 2025 |work=Game Rant}}</ref>

TheGamer reported that Steam users were coordinating campaigns to contact Visa directly about the game removals.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Steam Users Are Banding Together To Contact Visa Over Removal Of Adult Games |url=https://www.thegamer.com/steam-gaming-industry-visa-payment-processors-adult-games-banned/ |access-date=Jul 20, 2025 |work=TheGamer}}</ref> TweakTown later reported that Visa had responded to the backlash, though the company's statement did not directly address the Steam situation.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Visa responds to backlash over its moral policing of video games on Steam |url=https://www.tweaktown.com/news/106699/visa-responds-to-backlash-over-its-moral-policing-of-video-games-on-steam/index.html |access-date=Jul 20, 2025 |work=TweakTown}}</ref>

Due to itch.io games removal significantly affecting queer people, users cereza.zome and meltingcomet.com from BlueSky created websites full of activism information and sources.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stop Payment Processors from censorship! #SaveSpeech|url=https://stop-paypros.neocities.org/|access-date=Aug 16, 2025}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |title=Protect Queer Creators and Sex Workers - Tell Payment Processors to STOP|url=https://yellat.money/|access-date=Aug 16, 2025}}</ref>
===Community discussions===
Steam Community forums saw extensive discussion about the payment processor influence, with users expressing concern about the precedent being set.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Visa and Mastercard delisting games :: Steam Discussions |url=https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/601910081412467067/ |access-date=Jul 20, 2025 |website=Steam Community}}</ref> PC Gamer characterized the new rule as putting "the kibosh on 'certain kinds of adult only content' that make Visa and Mastercard sad."<ref>{{Cite news |title=Steam's got a new rule that puts the kibosh on 'certain kinds of adult only content' that make Visa and Mastercard sad |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/software/platforms/steam-introduces-new-rule-prohibiting-certain-kinds-of-adult-content-that-might-make-visa-or-mastercard-unhappy-financial-deplatforming-in-action/ |access-date=Jul 20, 2025 |work=PC Gamer}}</ref>

Consumers have linked this incident<ref name=":2" /> to an open letter written by the lobbyist group ''Collective Shout'',<ref name=":3" /> especially since the delisted content matched closely to the content decried by the aforementioned letter.

It has also raised questions about the dominance of traditional payment providers and users have been suggesting various open and privacy friendly alternatives to established systems that would not allow for such influence to be exercised on the kinds of goods being sold and could even allow for anonymity when purchasing digital goods.<ref>{{Cite web |title= You could use GNU Taler which simply digitalizes cash transactions even providing the buyer anonymity. That is just using existing currencies like the Euro. So that would work on whole EU scale. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/linux_gaming/comments/1m18fj4/comment/n3ffcmh/|author=u/TheJackiMonster|work=Reddit|date=2025-07-16|access-date=2025-08-04}}</ref>

==Industry and media response==
===Game developers===
The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) issued a statement expressing concern about the removals, stating that they were "materially harmful to game developers" and that games featuring "consensual adult content, including queer, kink-positive, or romantic narratives, are easily targeted under vague or overly cautious enforcement."<ref>{{Cite news |title=Game industry fires back as certain adult games continue to be delisted from Steam and Itch.io |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/game-industry-fires-back-as-certain-adult-games-continue-to-be-delisted-from-steam-and-itch-io-financial-institutions-are-now-influencing-which-stories-can-be-told-and-sold-in-games/ |access-date=Jul 20, 2025 |work=GamesRadar+}}</ref>

NoobFeed reported that multiple developers were caught off-guard by the sudden removals, with many learning about their games' delisting through community reports rather than direct notification from Valve.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Steam Under Fire After Game Removals Spark Payment Processor Controversy |url=https://www.noobfeed.com/news/steam-game-removal-payment-processor-controversy |access-date=Jul 20, 2025 |work=NoobFeed}}</ref>

===Gaming media coverage===
Kotaku published an article titled "The War Over Credit Cards Censoring Games Is Just Getting Started".<ref>{{Cite news |title=The War Over Credit Cards Censoring Games Is Just Getting Started |url=https://kotaku.com/steam-itch-io-sex-game-nsfw-censor-visa-mastercard-1851787281 |access-date=Jul 20, 2025 |work=Kotaku}}</ref>

VICE reported on user anger toward Valve "for Banning Adult-Only Games off Its Platform".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Steam Users Are Mad at Valve for Banning Adult-Only Games off Its Platform |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/steam-users-are-mad-at-valve-for-banning-adult-only-games-off-its-platform/ |access-date=Jul 20, 2025 |work=VICE}}</ref>

NotebookCheck reported that journalists investigating the censorship had resigned from their positions, though specific details were not provided.<ref>{{Cite news |title=After payment processors prompt removal of Steam games, journalists investigating the censorship resign |url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/After-payment-processors-prompt-removal-of-Steam-games-journalists-investigating-the-censorship-resign.1063259.0.html |access-date=Jul 20, 2025 |work=NotebookCheck}}</ref>

==Alternative payment methods==
===Cryptocurrency options===
Following the controversy, services offering Steam gift cards for cryptocurrency got more attention. PayRam reported a 300% increase in gaming-related cryptocurrency transactions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=STEAM'S SHOCK RULE 15: How Payment Giants Seized Control & Your 2025 Survival Guide |url=https://payram.com/blog/steams-shock-rule-15-how-payment-giants-seized-control-your-2025-survival-guide |access-date=Jul 20, 2025 |website=PayRam}}</ref> Multiple services including Bitrefill, Coinsbee, and CryptoRefills offer Steam gift cards you can buy with different cryptocurrencies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Buy Steam Gift Card with Bitcoin, USDT, ETH or Crypto |url=https://www.bitrefill.com/us/en/gift-cards/steam-usa/ |access-date=Jul 20, 2025 |website=Bitrefill}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Buy Steam gift card with Crypto |url=https://www.cryptorefills.com/en/steam-bitcoin |access-date=Jul 20, 2025 |website=CryptoRefills}}</ref>

Steam previously accepted Bitcoin directly from 2016 to 2017 but discontinued the service citing high fees and volatility.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steam is no longer supporting Bitcoin |url=https://steamcommunity.com/games/593110/announcements/detail/1464096684955433613 |access-date=Jul 20, 2025 |website=Steam Community}}</ref>

==Precedents set==
===Financial censorship concerns===
The Electronic Frontier Foundation has characterized payment processor restrictions as creating ''"choke points to accomplish widespread censorship."''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Financial Censorship |url=https://www.eff.org/issues/financial-censorship |access-date=Jul 20, 2025 |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation}}</ref> The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) issued a statement on free speech and online payment processors, noting concerns about the expanding influence of financial intermediaries on digital content.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FIRE Statement on Free Speech and Online Payment Processors |url=https://www.thefire.org/research-learn/fire-statement-free-speech-and-online-payment-processors |access-date=Jul 20, 2025 |website=The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression}}</ref>

Aftermath published an article titled ''"Controversial Opinion, But Faceless Payment Processors Probably Shouldn't Be Able To Run The Whole World From The Shadows,"'' bringing up concerns about unaccountable [[financial censorship]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Controversial Opinion, But Faceless Payment Processors Probably Shouldn't Be Able To Run The Whole World From The Shadows |url=https://aftermath.site/aftermath-hours-podcast-steam-itch-porn-payment-processors |access-date=Jul 20, 2025 |work=Aftermath}}</ref>

===International responses===
CBC Radio reported on the situation as "How an anti-porn lobby on payment processors censored thousands of video games."<ref>{{Cite news |title=How an anti-porn lobby on payment processors censored thousands of video games |url=https://www.cbc.ca/radio/day6/steam-itch-takedowns-credit-cards-1.7597563 |access-date=Jul 20, 2025 |work=CBC Radio}}</ref>

Japanese gaming news outlet GIGAZINE reported that "'Gamer Outrage' became a trending topic on Japan's X (formerly Twitter)" following the removals and Collective Shout's statements.<ref>{{Cite news |title=After Steam removed a large number of adult games, an anti-pornography group declared a 'victory against pedophile gamers' |url=https://gigazine.net/gsc_news/en/20250722-steam-introduced-confusing-new-rules-adult-content/ |access-date=Jul 20, 2025 |work=GIGAZINE}}</ref>

==See also==

*[[Collective Shout]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Valve Corporation]]
[[Category:Incidents]]

Mullvad

2025-08-16T22:50:48Z

ClippyFellow47: /* Reception */

'''Mullvad VPN AB''', or '''Mullvad''', is a Swedish based company created in 2009 by Fredrik Strömberg and Daniel Berntsson. The company is a subsidiary of Amagicom AB, 100% owned by Strömberg and Berntsson. Mullvad initially launched their VPN service in 2009, but since 2021, expanded into developing their own encrypted Domain Name System (DNS) service, browser, and search engine. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-15 |title=About |url=https://mullvad.net/en/about |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=mullvad.net}}</ref>

{{CompanyCargo
|Industry=Virtual Private Networks
|Website=https://mullvad.net/
|Logo=Mullvad vpn.png|Founded=2009|ParentCompany=Amagicom AB|Type=Private}}

==Consumer-impact summary==

===Freedom===
Mullvad states: "We value open source" and develops various open-source projects. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-15 |title=We Value Open Source |url=https://mullvad.net/en/open-source |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=mullvad.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-15 |title=GitHub - Mullvad VPN |url=https://github.com/mullvad/ |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=Github.com}}</ref> The Mullvad VPN App for mobile and desktop is released under a GNU General Public License (GPL) 3.0 which grants irrevocable permission to use, modify, and redistribute under the same license.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-01-16 |title=GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE |url=https://github.com/mullvad/mullvadvpn-app?tab=GPL-3.0-1-ov-file |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=Github.com}}</ref>

Mullvad requires you to sign up to the service to use, however does not require a name, E-Mail address, or other identifiable information. As of 2025, it costs €5 per month.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-02-19 |title=Terms of Service |url=https://mullvad.net/en/help/terms-service |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=mullvad.net}}</ref>

Mullvad states it will never log, modify, redirect, or inject data into a user's traffic. They also state they will never filter or block domains unless specifically requested by the owner of an Internet Protocol (IP) address, or if botnet addresses cause servers to be null routed by hosting providers.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2025-08-15 |title=Why Mullvad VPN? |url=https://mullvad.net/en/why-mullvad-vpn |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=mullvad.net}}</ref>

===Privacy===
Mullvad has a strict no-log policy on their services and undergo independent audits regularly to solidify these claims.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-15 |title=The Mullvad Blog: Audits |url=https://mullvad.net/en/blog/tag/audits |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=mullvad.net}}</ref>

Mullvad does not ask for personal information when signing up for their services, instead they provide the user an account number as an alternative for usernames and passwords. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-23 |title=No-logging of user activity policy |url=https://mullvad.net/en/help/no-logging-data-policy |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=mullvad.net}}</ref>

Mullvad provides various methods of payment depending on the level of anonymity desired from the user, including cash, bank wire, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Monero, [[PayPal]], credit cards through [[Stripe]], Swish, Eps transfer, Bancontact, iDEAL, and Przelewy24.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-15 |title=A fair pricing model |url=https://mullvad.net/en/pricing |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=mullvad.net}}</ref>

===Business Model===
Since its inception in 2009, Mullvad has had a fixed price of €5 per month. As of June of 2022, Mullvad removed subscriptions, defined as automatic recurring payments, as a way to increase user privacy by storing less data. As a result of their decision to remove subscriptions: only one-time payments are allowed. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-20 |title=We are removing the option to create new subscriptions |url=https://mullvad.net/en/blog/2022/6/20/were-removing-the-option-to-create-new-subscriptions |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=mullvad.net}}</ref>

Mullvad has a very serious policy rejecting paid reviews, influencer sponsorships, and shout-outs as a testament to their integrity. Alternatively, they resort to purchasing ads outdoors, on [[Google]], [[DuckDuckGo Browser|DuckDuckGo]], and the [[Apple App Store]]. Similarly, they reject exchanging money for advertisements and shout-outs on their service applications, website, and blog, and state that any reviews they post are solely of their opinion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-15 |title=Policy on reviews, advertising, influencers, and affiliates |url=https://mullvad.net/en/help/policy-reviews-advertising-and-affiliates |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=mullvad.net}}</ref>

===Market Control===
According to a survey conducted by [https://www.security.org/ security.org], only 2% of the 323 VPN users questioned chose Mullvad VPN. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Cruz |first=Brett |date=2025-07-31 |title=VPN Use in 2025: Trends, Statistics, and Consumer Sentiment |url=https://www.security.org/resources/vpn-consumer-report-annual/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=security.org}}</ref> The company 6sense sates that Mullvad VPN retains an estimated 0.03% market share in the industry,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-15 |title=Mullvad VPN Market Share |url=https://6sense.com/tech/virtual-private-network-vpn/mullvad-vpn-market-share |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=6sense.com}}</ref> however their methodology for that conclusion is not clearly listed.

Mullvad also provides the service backend for [[Mozilla]] FireFox's VPN.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-04 |title=Mozilla Subscription Services {{!}} Terms of Service |url=https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/about/legal/terms/subscription-services/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=mozilla.org}}</ref>

==Products==
Mullvad currently has five products packaged for readily available consumer use, including:

*Mullvad VPN - A no-log VPN service used to obfuscate your IP address and increase privacy.
*Mullvad Browser - A browser created in association with the [[Tor]] organization. Out-of-the-box, it includes technology to block third-party cookies, tracking scripts, and browser fingerprints.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-15 |title=Free the internet. With the Mullvad Browser. |url=https://mullvad.net/en/browser |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=mullvad.net}}</ref>
*Mullvad Leta - A proxy for the Google Search API which are cached and shared amongst users to obfuscate users' identity, cleared of third-party tracking links.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-20 |title=Introducing Mullvad Leta: a search engine used in the Mullvad Browser |url=https://mullvad.net/en/blog/introducing-mullvad-leta-a-search-engine-used-in-the-mullvad-browser |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=mullvad.net}}</ref>
*Mullvad Browser Extension - A more integrated way to use Mullvad VPN inside of your preferred browser. Automatically included in the Mullvad Browser.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-13 |title=Mullvad Browser Extension |url=https://mullvad.net/en/help/mullvad-browser-extension |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=mullvad.net}}</ref>
*Encrypted DNS - A DNS service to be used when not connected to a VPN and encrypt your DNS queries to prevent your network or Internet Service Provider (ISP) from snooping in on your searches.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-14 |title=DNS over HTTPS and DNS over TLS |url=https://mullvad.net/en/help/mullvad-browser-extension |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=mullvad.net}}</ref>

==Reception==
[https://www.pcmag.com PCMag.com] awarded Mullvad with "Best of the Year - 2020" for "Editor's Choice for inexpensive VPNs." <ref>{{Cite web |last=Stobing |first=Chris |date=2024-09-20 |title=Mullvad VPN Review |url=https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/mullvad-vpn# |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=pcmag.com}}</ref>

A YouTuber and privacy advocate, Mental Outlaw, stated in a video "I just love Mullvad, so that is what I am going to use." <ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-15 |title=How To Torrent Anonymously With Mullvad VPN |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9y29Wxo060 |access-date=2025-08-15 |website=youtube.com}}</ref>

The Freedom of the Press Foundation has recommended the use of Mullvad among a short list of other VPN services.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Huerta |first=David |date=2018-06-29 |title=An in-depth guide to choosing a VPN |url=https://freedom.press/digisec/blog/choosing-a-vpn/ |journal=Freedom of the Press Foundation}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Pro-consumer articles]]

Collective Shout

2025-08-16T01:40:44Z

ClippyFellow47: /* Pressure campaign against payment processors */