Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Pokémon GO utilizes player's data to train AI

2026-03-20T15:51:22Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: Created page with "{{IncidentCargo |Company=Nintendo, Game Freak, Niantic, Creatures Inc |StartDate=2026-03-16 |Status=Active |ArticleType=Product |Type=Artificial Intelligence, Anti-consumer Behavior |Description=Pokémon GO utilizes 30 billion images taken from players to create a photo-map and train AI }} {{Ph-I-Int}} ==Background== {{Ph-I-B}} ==[Incident]== {{Ph-I-I}} ===[Company]'s response=== {{Ph-I-ComR}} ==Lawsuit== {{Ph-I-L}} ==Consumer response== {{Ph-I-ConR..."

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Nintendo, Game Freak, Niantic, Creatures Inc
|StartDate=2026-03-16
|Status=Active
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Artificial Intelligence, Anti-consumer Behavior
|Description=Pokémon GO utilizes 30 billion images taken from players to create a photo-map and train AI
}}
{{Ph-I-Int}}
==Background==
{{Ph-I-B}}

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

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

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

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}

Mercado Libre

2026-03-19T23:05:43Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: /* Products */

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1999-08-02
|Industry=E-commerce (membership-based), E-commerce
|Type=Public
|Website="https://mercadolibre.com/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.ar/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.bo/,https://www.mercadolivre.com.br/,https://www.mercadolibre.cl/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.co/,https://www.mercadolibre.co.cr/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.do/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.ec/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.gt/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.hn/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.mx/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.ni/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.pa/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.py/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.pe/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.sv/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.uy/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.ve/
|Description=Mercado Libre is a multi-national Latin American E-Commerce platform that has been on legal fights with the Chinese Platform "Temu" for being accused of false claims.
|CompanyAlias= Mercado Livre
}}
[[wikipedia:Mercado_Libre|'''Mercado Libre''']], also known as '''Mercado Livre''' in Brazil, is a multi-national e-commerce platform of Argentinian origin, founded on August 2nd 1999, by Marcos Galperin. It is a very popular platform through Latin America, operating in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.

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

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

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

==Products==
*Mercado Play (streaming service)
*Mercado Pago (online payment system and payment card service)

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Mercado Livre

2026-03-19T22:57:32Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: redirect to Mercado Libre

#REDIRECT [[Mercado Libre]]

ChatGPT-4o

2026-03-19T22:44:04Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: /* Attempt to remove the model */ link to pay-walling

{{Stub}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=OpenAI
|StartDate=2024-05-13
|Status=Active
|Product=ChatGPT
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Artificial Intelligence, Paywall, Health Risk to Users
|Description=ChatGPT-4o is a language model of OpenAI known by several incidents that include user harm, product deprecation and false claims from OpenAI
}}

'''ChatGPT-4o''' was a language model that belonged to the [[ChatGPT]] family, that became controversial due to safety problems, AI psychosis and attempts to remove it from [[OpenAI]]'s platform.
==Background==
The model was announced and released on May 13, 2024, as a flagship model capable of "reasoning through audio, images and text in real time". <ref>{{Cite web |author=OpenAI |date=13 May 2024 |title=Hello, GPT-4o |url=https://openai.com/es-ES/index/hello-gpt-4o/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251216045649/https://openai.com/es-ES/index/hello-gpt-4o/ |archive-date=16 Dec 2025|access-date=15 Feb 2026 |website=OpenAI}}</ref>
==Sycophancy==
ChatGPT-4o was highlighted for its sycophantic responses, that made the chatbot to reply in an acommodating way, using a lot of compliments and agreeing with the user, even if the prompt contains info that may harm the user or someone else. {{Citation needed}}. This brought consequences as dependency, with several users claiming they have formed a "romantic relationship" with the AI, [[wikipedia:Chatbot_psychosis|chatbot psychosis]], and in the most severe cases with users committing suicide. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=Kashmir |date=2025-06-13 |title=They Asked an A.I. Chatbot Questions. The Answers Sent Them Spiraling. |url-status=live|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/technology/chatgpt-ai-chatbots-conspiracies.html|archive-url=https://archive.ph/20250628210745/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/technology/chatgpt-ai-chatbots-conspiracies.html |archive-date=2025-10-13 |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> An update launched in 2025 worsened this behavior in the model. When users noticed this, OpenAI temporarily removed the model to review the issue. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Franzen |first=Carl |date=30 Apr 2025 |title=OpenAI rolls back ChatGPT's sycophancy and explains what went wrong |url=https://venturebeat.com/ai/openai-rolls-back-chatgpts-sycophancy-and-explains-what-went-wrong |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250815154215/https://venturebeat.com/ai/openai-rolls-back-chatgpts-sycophancy-and-explains-what-went-wrong/ |archive-date=15 Aug 2025|access-date=15 Feb 2026 |website=VentureBeat}}</ref>

==Attempt to remove the model==
On 07 August 2025, GPT-5 rolled out as the newest model available for use. Along with this, legacy models were removed, including GPT-4o. The removal of 4o caused an outrage amongst the users of this model. This, combined with the complaints of GPT-5 performance,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Benj |date=11 Aug 2025 |title=The GPT-5 rollout has been a big mess |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2025/08/the-gpt-5-rollout-has-been-a-big-mess/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260109001515/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2025/08/the-gpt-5-rollout-has-been-a-big-mess/ |archive-date=9 Jan 2026|access-date=5 Feb 2026 |website=Ars Technica}}</ref> made OpenAI to bring back legacy models, but behind a [[paywall]], so only Plus users were able to access to it. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Franzen |first=Carl |date=8 Aug 2025 |title=OpenAI returns old models to ChatGPT as Sam Altman admits ‘bumpy’ GPT-5 rollout |url=https://venturebeat.com/business/openai-returns-old-models-to-chatgpt-as-sam-altman-admits-bumpy-gpt-5-rollout |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/hunUK |archive-date=2026-02-05 |access-date=5 Feb 2026 |website=VentureBeat}}</ref>

==Definitive removal==
On 29 January 2026, OpenAI announced they will be removing definitely for non-API users some legacy models, including GPT-4o. The movel was officially removed on 13 February 2025. ChatGPT-4o will be removed for API usage on April 2026 {{Citation needed}}
==OpenAI's response==
OpenAI claimed "only a 0.1 percent of users were using ChatGPT 4o".
==Lawsuit==
{{Ph-I-L}}

==Consumer response==
*A lot of users complained in social media about the removal of the model. Some users that used to have a strong dependency of the model were severely psychologically affected by OpenAI's decision. {{Citation needed}}
*A [https://www.change.org/p/please-keep-gpt-4o-available-on-chatgpt?source_location=topics_page&pt=AVBldGl0aW9uAPoMPR0AAAAAaJWTPzdi6sUzNzk5ZDJjOA%3D%3D Change.org] petition was created to bring back the model. The petition has surpassed 21,000 signs as on February 16 2026.
*Some users started developing their own AI models with outputs of ChatGPT-4o or clones that behave similarly. {{Citation needed}}
*Several users who analysed and researched concluded OpenAI's claim of 0,1% was false and it is estimated a 5-35% of Plus users were actual consumers of GPT-4o.{{Citation needed}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:ChatGPT]]

Duolingo

2026-03-19T15:13:33Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: /* Consumer-impact summary */ link to personalized ads

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=2011
|Industry=Education, Software
|Logo=Duolingo.svg
|Type=Public
|Website=https://duolingo.com
|Description=A language learning app with a mission to make learning "universally available". In the 2020s, paywalled content and data breaches affected users.
}}

'''[[wikipedia:Duolingo|Duolingo]]''' is a publicly owned, American language-learning website founded in 2011 by Luis von Ahn and Severin Hacker.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://press.duolingo.com/#about|title=Our Mission|work=Duolingo Press Room|access-date=2025-03-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319203900/https://press.duolingo.com/#about|archive-date=2025-03-19|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 28, 2021, the company began trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://investors.duolingo.com/news-releases/news-release-details/duolingo-announces-pricing-initial-public-offering|title=Duolingo Announces Pricing of Initial Public Offering|date=2021-07-27|work=Duolingo Press Room|access-date=2025-03-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124122817/https://investors.duolingo.com/news-releases/news-release-details/duolingo-announces-pricing-initial-public-offering|archive-date=2025-01-24|url-status=live}}</ref> As of Q3 2024, the app has over 37 million daily active users and 8.6 million paid subscribers, with a net income of $23.4 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://investors.duolingo.com/financials|title=Financials|work=Duolingo Press Room|access-date=2025-03-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124101114/https://investors.duolingo.com/financials|archive-date=2025-01-24|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Consumer-impact summary==
====Freedom====
Users can delete their Duolingo account through the app settings and request their account data through the "[https://drive-thru.duolingo.com/ Duolingo Data Vault]". Users can also allow or deny the collection of optional information through the settings, such as location and anonymous speech data.

====Privacy====
According to the privacy policy, if a Duolingo Max user utilizes artificial-intelligence (AI) features, a copy of their text or audio data will be shared with vendors such as [[OpenAI]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.duolingo.com/privacy|title=Privacy Policy|work=Duolingo|date=2024-09-11|access-date=2025-03-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124094802/https://www.duolingo.com/privacy|archive-date=2025-01-24|url-status=live}}</ref> This is also similar for non-AI features, as Duolingo "may also collect and analyze your speech to help [it] understand the effectiveness of [its] lessons and to improve the product", though the data are anonymized.

It is also mentioned that when completing a lesson, a video of a user's lesson "will be logged by a service called FullStory". This service records usage patterns, device specs, and learning activity, and is only disabled by default for child users. Opting out requires going to FullStory's website.

The policy states the app works with third-party advertising networks to [[Personalized Ads|personalize advertising]], such as with [[Google]], [[Meta]], [[OAuth]], and [[Unity]]. Personalized advertising can be disabled in the app's settings.

The Exodus Privacy project lists as many as 13 tracking, advertising and analytics service libraries being present in the Android version of the app.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://reports.exodus-privacy.eu.org/de/reports/com.duolingo/latest/|title=Report for com.duolingo 6.22.3|work=exodus|date=2025-03-25|access-date=2025-03-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250326193207/https://reports.exodus-privacy.eu.org/de/reports/com.duolingo/latest/|archive-date=2025-03-26|url-status=live}}</ref> The app does not work for more than about one lesson without internet access, hence turning off internet access is not an option to prevent data exfiltration. The [https://trackercontrol.org/ F-Droid version of Tracker Control] can help with blocking some of the traffic to these services without impacting the functionality of the app.

====Business model====
Duolingo relies on in-app advertising and paid memberships for revenue. The company also sells merchandise on their website.

====Market control====
Duolingo is the most popular language-learning application, having 60% market control as of 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessofapps.com/data/language-learning-app-market/|title=Language Learning App Revenue and Usage Statistics (2025)|first=David|last=Curry|date=2025-02-27|work=Business of Apps|access-date=2025-03-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112232036/https://www.businessofapps.com/data/language-learning-app-market/|archive-date=2025-01-12|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Incidents==

===Data breach (2023)===
In January 2023, the data of 2.6 million users were posted to an online hacking forum for $1,500.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/scraped-data-of-26-million-duolingo-users-released-on-hacking-forum/|title=Scraped data of 2.6 million Duolingo users released on hacking forum|first=Lawrence|last=Abrams|work=Bleeping Computer|date=2023-08-22|access-date=2025-03-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250309233352/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/scraped-data-of-26-million-duolingo-users-released-on-hacking-forum/|archive-date=2025-03-09|url-status=live}}</ref> The data were scraped from a vulnerable API, with email addresses, usernames, languages spoken, and real names being included.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://haveibeenpwned.com/PwnedWebsites#Duolingo|title=Pwned websites|work=haveibeenpwned.com|access-date=2025-03-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250309182649/https://haveibeenpwned.com/PwnedWebsites#Duolingo|archive-date=2025-03-09|url-status=live}}</ref> A spokesperson for Duolingo stressed that "these records were obtained by data-scraping public profile information" and "no data breach or hack has occurred".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://therecord.media/duolingo-investigating-dark-web-post-offering-data-from-2-6-million-accounts|title=DuoLingo investigating dark web post offering data from 2.6 million accounts|first=Jonathan|last=Greig|date=2023-01-23|work=The Record.|access-date=2025-03-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307194542/https://therecord.media/duolingo-investigating-dark-web-post-offering-data-from-2-6-million-accounts|archive-date=2025-03-07|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Paywalled content (2023)===
On March 14, 2023, a new subscription service was released called "Duolingo Max", that promised highly personalized language learning with [[ChatGPT]]-4 integration.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.duolingo.com/duolingo-max/|title=Duolingo Max Uses OpenAI's GPT-4 For New Learning Features|author=Duolingo Team|date=2023-03-14|work=Duolingo Blog|access-date=2025-03-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250304001440/https://blog.duolingo.com/duolingo-max/|archive-date=2025-03-04|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2024, a new feature was added to the subscription that allowed users to interact with a character named Lily.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.duolingo.com/video-call/|title=Duolingo's Video Call Offers Realistic Conversation Practice|author=Duolingo Team|date=2024-09-24|access-date=2025-03-26|work=Duolingo Blog|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250306000114/https://blog.duolingo.com/video-call/|archive-date=2025-03-06|url-status=live}}</ref> This subscription feature would show on the "learning path"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.duolingo.com/new-duolingo-home-screen-design/|title=The Science Behind Duolingo's Home Screen Redesign|first1=Holly|last1=Munson|first2=Anton|last2=Yu|first3=Ananya|last3=Rajgarhia|first4=Aj|last4=Noh|work=Duolingo Blog|date=2022-05-06|access-date=2025-03-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250302080539/https://blog.duolingo.com/new-duolingo-home-screen-design/|archive-date=2025-03-02|url-status=live}}</ref> for all users, regardless of their subscription status.

On September 3, 2024, users alleged they could not make a lesson have "legendary" status unless they paid for the "Duolingo Max" subscription to access the video-call lessons.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/duolingo/comments/1f7wlul/how_am_i_supposed_to_legendary/|title=How am I supposed to legendary?|author=u/ChasingKilts|date=2024-09-03|work=Reddit|access-date=2025-03-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222215616/https://old.reddit.com/r/duolingo/comments/1f7wlul/how_am_i_supposed_to_legendary/|archive-date=22 Feb 2026|url-status=live}}</ref> At the time, the subscription was $30 per month and to get a legendary status for a lesson, each attempt would be 100 gems for free users<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/duolingo/comments/1f7wlul/comment/llbedvt/|title=Bluerious518 comments on How am I supposed to legendary?|author=u/Bluerious518|work=Reddit|date=2024-09-03|access-date=2025-03-27|archive-url=https://archive.ph/O5qvQ|archive-date=2025-01-23|url-status=live}}</ref> (not including Super Duolingo users).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.duolingo.com/super-duolingo-launch/|title=Super Duolingo Is Duolingo's New Premium Product|first=Jay|last=Fanelli|work=Duolingo Blog|date=2022-06-08|access-date=2025-03-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124090707/https://blog.duolingo.com/super-duolingo-launch/|archive-date=2025-01-24|url-status=live}}</ref> Some users were able to fix the behavior, though the "go to legendary" button would still not bring users to a skipped or new level.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/duolingo/comments/1f7wlul/how_am_i_supposed_to_legendary/m6uspad/|title=haa888 comments on How am I supposed to legendary?|author=u/haa888|work=Reddit|date=2025-01-13|access-date=2025-03-27|archive-url=https://archive.ph/Jzon1|archive-date=2025-01-23|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Implications====
According to Duolingo's mission statement, the goal of Duolingo is to make language learning "universally available."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://investors.duolingo.com/|title=Investor Relations|work=Duolingo Investors|access-date=2025-03-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123181839/https://investors.duolingo.com/|archive-date=2025-01-23|url-status=live}}</ref> It states, "We created Duolingo so that everyone could have a chance. Free language education – no hidden fees, no premium content, just free."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.duolingo.com/info|title=About Us|work=Duolingo|access-date=2025-03-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123075248/https://www.duolingo.com/info|archive-date=2025-01-23|url-status=live}}</ref> It goes on to say, "We believe true equality is when spending more can't buy you a better education."

===Pay-to-win pattern===
Recently, some of the timed learning games inside the app are impossible to complete in the time allowed, even for a native speaker of the language.{{Cite}} In order to win, the user needs to pay for a subscription to buy more time. This also means that the learning high scores can essentially be bought.

=== Abusing iPhone Dynamic Island Feature for advertising (2026) ===
Ignoring Apple's app store guidelines, the company used the Dynamic Island feature, an area of the iOS screen reserved for notifying users of progress of background processes, to push a sales promotion with a countdown via its iPhone app.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schwan |first=Ben |date=2026-01-05 |title=Duolingo is putting ads in Apple's Dynamic Island – even though it's not allowed |url=https://www.heise.de/en/news/Duolingo-is-putting-ads-in-Apple-s-Dynamic-Island-even-though-it-s-not-allowed-11128917.html |access-date=2026-01-05 |website=Heise Online |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260106005825/https://www.heise.de/en/news/Duolingo-is-putting-ads-in-Apple-s-Dynamic-Island-even-though-it-s-not-allowed-11128917.html |archive-date=6 Jan 2026}}</ref>

==Products==
*Learn to Read – Duolingo ABC (2021)
*Duolingo Math (2022)<ref name="blog">{{Cite web|url=https://blog.duolingo.com/new-subjects/|title=Duolingo is bringing language, math, and music under one roof!|date=2023-10-11|work=Duolingo Blog|access-date=2025-03-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120233940/https://blog.duolingo.com/new-subjects/|archive-date=2025-01-20|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Duolingo Music (2023)<ref name="blog" />

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

Mercado Libre

2026-03-19T15:04:40Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: company alias

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1999-08-02
|Industry=E-commerce (membership-based), E-commerce
|Type=Public
|Website="https://mercadolibre.com/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.ar/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.bo/,https://www.mercadolivre.com.br/,https://www.mercadolibre.cl/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.co/,https://www.mercadolibre.co.cr/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.do/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.ec/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.gt/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.hn/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.mx/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.ni/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.pa/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.py/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.pe/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.sv/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.uy/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.ve/
|Description=Mercado Libre is a multi-national Latin American E-Commerce platform that has been on legal fights with the Chinese Platform "Temu" for being accused of false claims.
|CompanyAlias= Mercado Livre
}}
[[wikipedia:Mercado_Libre|'''Mercado Libre''']], also known as '''Mercado Livre''' in Brazil, is a multi-national e-commerce platform of Argentinian origin, founded on August 2nd 1999, by Marcos Galperin. It is a very popular platform through Latin America, operating in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.

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

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

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

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

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Dynamic pricing

2026-03-19T02:22:04Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: Created page with "{{Stub}} '''Dynamic pricing''', also known as '''surge pricing''', '''surveillance pricing''', '''demand pricing''', '''time-based''' pricing and '''variable pricing''' is a pricing strategy that consist of modifying the price of a product or service according to market demands. ==How it works== {{Ph-T-HIW}} ==Why it is a problem== ===Price discrimination=== ===Privacy concerns in digital marketing=== ==Examples== {{Ph-T-E}} ==References== {{reflist}} Category:..."

{{Stub}}
'''Dynamic pricing''', also known as '''surge pricing''', '''surveillance pricing''', '''demand pricing''', '''time-based''' pricing and '''variable pricing''' is a pricing strategy that consist of modifying the price of a product or service according to market demands.

==How it works==
{{Ph-T-HIW}}

==Why it is a problem==

===Price discrimination===

===Privacy concerns in digital marketing===

==Examples==
{{Ph-T-E}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Common terms]]

User:ClippyWantsToHelp

2026-03-19T02:07:39Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: Replaced content with "I edit articles when I have free time or when I want to."

I edit articles when I have free time or when I want to.

Mercado Libre

2026-03-18T22:47:30Z

ClippyWantsToHelp:

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1999-08-02
|Industry=E-commerce (membership-based), E-commerce
|Type=Public
|Website="https://mercadolibre.com/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.ar/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.bo/,https://www.mercadolivre.com.br/,https://www.mercadolibre.cl/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.co/,https://www.mercadolibre.co.cr/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.do/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.ec/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.gt/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.hn/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.mx/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.ni/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.pa/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.py/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.pe/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.sv/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.uy/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.ve/
|Description=Mercado Libre is a multi-national Latin American E-Commerce platform that has been on legal fights with the Chinese Platform "Temu" for being accused of false claims.
}}
[[wikipedia:Mercado_Libre|'''Mercado Libre''']], also known as '''Mercado Livre''' in Brazil, is a multi-national e-commerce platform of Argentinian origin, founded on August 2nd 1999, by Marcos Galperin. It is a very popular platform through Latin America, operating in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.

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

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

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

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

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Mercado Libre

2026-03-18T22:47:08Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: summary

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1999-08-02
|Industry=E-commerce (membership-based), E-commerce
|Type=Public
|Website="https://mercadolibre.com/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.ar/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.bo/,https://www.mercadolivre.com.br/,https://www.mercadolibre.cl/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.co/,https://www.mercadolibre.co.cr/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.do/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.ec/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.gt/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.hn/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.mx/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.ni/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.pa/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.py/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.pe/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.sv/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.uy/,https://www.mercadolibre.com.ve/
|Description=Mercado Libre is a multi-national Latin American E-Commerce platform that has been on legal fights with the Chinese Platform "Temu" for being accused of false claims.
}}
[[wikipedia:Mercado_Libre|'''Mercado Libre''']], also known as '''Mercado Livre''' in Brazil, is multi-national e-commerce platform of Argentinian origin, founded on August 2nd 1999, by Marcos Galperin. It is a very popular platform through Latin America, operating in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.

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

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

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

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

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Personalized Ads

2026-03-18T16:28:41Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: /* How it works */ improved some writing

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=needs citations}}
'''Personalized advertising, custom advertising''' or '''targeted advertising''' is a form to provide certain ads to the user, based on the data gathered of them. This allows to target the user with ads of products or services of the user's preferences.

==How it works==
Some products or services offer personalized ads via ad providers, like Google Ads. Targeted advertising works using a combination of gathered user data (that might be collected without user's consent), training data and prediction algorithms.

Some examples of data collected to provide targeted advertising consists of GPS location, age, gender, search history, ad interaction and application interactions. In some cases, ad providers allow users to opt-out from personalized ads and delete the gathered data.

Once enough data is gathered, it is processed and used to train algorithms to create a profile of the user, detecting their fingerprints, behaviors, interests and dislikings. This profile is then used to predict the user and select and deploy advertisements that might be relevant for the user.

==Why it is a problem==
===Privacy concerns===
The gathered data might belong to extremely sensitive data that could be gathered without the user's consent or notice. In the most invasive cases, the data gathered could belong to records from private conversations of the user. There's also a risk this data can be intercepted, taken, leaked or used for malicious purposes.
===Manipulation===
Personalized ads can be used as a more effective way to encourage the user to pay for a product or a service, even if they actually don't need it. It is possible the ads shown might be malicious, misleading or false ads, and the user could fall into them.

==Data poisoning==
[[wikipedia:Data_poisoning|Data poisoning]] is a practice done by some users as a form of protest or for privacy purposes, to prevent algorithms to profile the user. It consists of modifying in purpose the behavior in order to contaminate the advertising algorithms. This reduces the precision to correctly predict user's behavior, making harder to deploy relevant ads according to the actual user's profile.
An extension available for browsers named [https://adnauseam.io/ Adnauseum] works as an [[Ad block|ad-blocker]] but also as a tool to blur someone's advertising profile. It achieves this by automatically clicking on every ad to send interaction data to the algorithms.

==Examples==
*'''Google Ads''', the largest ad provider in the world, collects data from the products and services that the user uses. Then it shows personalized ads in their own products, services or third-party media that uses their ad provider service.
*Some products and services by [[Google]] that provide personalized ads are: [[YouTube]], Google Search and Google Play Store
*[[Reddit]] shows sometimes personalized ads that look like a regular post, based on the post and community interactions in the application.
*Several mobile applications show a pop-up that asks the user to enable personalized ads. Others might force to only allow this feature in order to use the app.

==See also==
*[[Advertising overload]]
*[[Ad block]]
*[[Spyware]]
*[[Bloatware]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Common terms]]

Perplexity AI

2026-03-18T16:25:38Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: /* Products */

{{stub}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=2022
|Industry=Artifical Intelligence
|Type=Inc
|Website=https://perplexity.ai
|Description=American AI startup founded in 2022 commonly known for their AI Search Engine Perplexity
}}
Perplexity AI, Inc.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Perplexity - Crunchbase Company Profile & Funding |url=https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/perplexity-ai |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-18 |website=Crunchbase}}</ref> is a private for-profit American [[artificial intelligence]] (AI) startup founded in 2022<ref>{{Cite web |title=Perplexity AI {{!}} Founders, Investors & Facts {{!}} Britannica Money |url=https://www.britannica.com/money/Perplexity-AI |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-18 |website=Britannica Money}}</ref>. Perplexity is mainly known for their AI search engine [[Perplexity]].

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

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

This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
===Limits on the pro subscription (''Start unknown'')===
{{Main|Perplexity throttles PRO subscribers without prior notice}}
Perplexity set limits for PRO subscribers who previously did not have any limits.
==Products==
*Perplexity AI
*Comet Browser

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Personalized Ads

2026-03-18T03:43:41Z

ClippyWantsToHelp:

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=needs citations}}
'''Personalized advertising, custom advertising''' or '''targeted advertising''' is a form to provide certain ads to the user, based on the data gathered of them. This allows to target the user with ads of products or services of the user's preferences.

==How it works==
Some products or services offer personalized ads via ad providers, like Google Ads. Targeted advertising works using a combination of gathered user data (that might be collected without user's consent), training data and prediction algorithms.

Some examples of data collected to provide targeted advertising consists of GPS location, age, gender, search history, ad interaction and application interactions. In some cases, ad providers allow users to delete the gathered data or to disable personalized ads.

Once enough data is gathered, it is processed and used to train algorithms to create a profile of the user, detecting their fingerprints, behaviors, interests and dislikings. This profile is then used to predict the user and select and deploy advertisements that might be relevant for the user.

==Why it is a problem==
===Privacy concerns===
The gathered data might belong to extremely sensitive data that could be gathered without the user's consent or notice. In the most invasive cases, the data gathered could belong to records from private conversations of the user. There's also a risk this data can be intercepted, taken, leaked or used for malicious purposes.
===Manipulation===
Personalized ads can be used as a more effective way to encourage the user to pay for a product or a service, even if they actually don't need it. It is possible the ads shown might be malicious, misleading or false ads, and the user could fall into them.

==Data poisoning==
[[wikipedia:Data_poisoning|Data poisoning]] is a practice done by some users as a form of protest or for privacy purposes, to prevent algorithms to profile the user. It consists of modifying in purpose the behavior in order to contaminate the advertising algorithms. This reduces the precision to correctly predict user's behavior, making harder to deploy relevant ads according to the actual user's profile.
An extension available for browsers named [https://adnauseam.io/ Adnauseum] works as an [[Ad block|ad-blocker]] but also as a tool to blur someone's advertising profile. It achieves this by automatically clicking on every ad to send interaction data to the algorithms.

==Examples==
*'''Google Ads''', the largest ad provider in the world, collects data from the products and services that the user uses. Then it shows personalized ads in their own products, services or third-party media that uses their ad provider service.
*Some products and services by [[Google]] that provide personalized ads are: [[YouTube]], Google Search and Google Play Store
*[[Reddit]] shows sometimes personalized ads that look like a regular post, based on the post and community interactions in the application.
*Several mobile applications show a pop-up that asks the user to enable personalized ads. Others might force to only allow this feature in order to use the app.

==See also==
*[[Advertising overload]]
*[[Ad block]]
*[[Spyware]]
*[[Bloatware]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Common terms]]

Enshittification

2026-03-17T04:54:27Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: /* Common signals */

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Some sections are lacking adequate source population or quality|Issue 2=Some sections are far too brief, or aren't even written|Issue 3=Lack of depth; there's not enough links of data that connects each stage together, not to mention real-world examples of companies going through the full process.}}{{ToneWarning}}

'''Platform decay''', commonly known as '''[[wikipedia:Enshittification|Enshittification]]''' or '''crapification''', is a practice of companies (usually large ones) that consists of declining the quality of the products or services they provide over time.

The term was first coined by tech blogger [[wikipedia:Cory Doctorow|Cory Doctorow]] in November 2022<ref>{{Cite web |last=Doctorow |first=Cory |date=28 Nov 2022 |title=Pluralistic: How monopoly enshittified Amazon/28 Nov 2022 |url=https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/28/enshittification/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=Pluralistic |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216121528/https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/28/enshittification/ |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref>, popularized by Arun Maini (Mrwhosetheboss)<ref>[https://www.uniladtech.com/news/tech-news/mrwhosetheboss-explains-google-search-broken-715030-20241030 Popular tech YouTuber exposes why 'broken' Google Search is falling apart] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251117215634/https://www.uniladtech.com/news/tech-news/mrwhosetheboss-explains-google-search-broken-715030-20241030 Archived])</ref><ref>The Internet is starting to Break - Here's Why. - Mrwhosetheboss</ref><ref>Why Google Search is Falling Apart. - Mrwhosetheboss</ref>, and has since gained widespread recognition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=enshittification |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/slang/enshittification |url-status=live |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=Merriam-Webster |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222030743/https://www.merriam-webster.com/slang/enshittification |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==How it works==
The platform decay practice is done on three stages. Initially, the companies create high-quality products or services offerings, usually by offering users a product or service at a low price (or sometimes for free). This works as an easy way to attract users and consumers and undercut the competition. Later, the offerings and the platform quality declines, usually with subtle changes, to enworse users' experience for doing a transition to prioritize business customer profits. At the end they decline the quality for both regular and business consumers, this to prioritize shareholder profits.

Enshittification is also a common practice amongst large corporations that provide a product or service that is a monopoly. When there's no significant competence, the enshittification may last longer as users couldn't leave the platform because they're used to it or are unable to find similar alternatives that can fit their needs.

These practices also could make the provider companies to end having an unrepairable reputation or even falling in bankrupcy in some cases.

<blockquote>''"It is a seemingly inevitable consequence arising from the combination of the ease of changing how a platform allocates value, combined with the nature of a "two-sided market," where a platform sits between buyers and sellers, hold each hostage to the other, raking off an ever-larger share of the value that passes between them."'' <ref>{{Cite web |last=Doctorow |first=Cory |date=23 Jan 2023 |title=The ‘Enshittification’ of TikTok |url=https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-platforms-cory-doctorow/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=WIRED |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260120085207/https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-platforms-cory-doctorow/ |archive-date=20 Jan 2026}}</ref></blockquote>- Cory Doctorow ''Wired,'' 2023

===Stage 1 - Incentivizing Mass Adoption===
Companies begin with offering a product or service focused on provide a high-quality experience or usage for the user, along with constantly listening to user feedback. Another common practice to attract users is also by providing a cheap or accessible price for the mayority of consumers. They basically create something "too good" to be free or low-cost. This leads into a visible and well-known product or service that makes easy the establishment of communities and userbases.

A documented example of this phase occurs with [[Uber]] aggressively usinginvestor capital to fund massive subsidies, paying to acquire both drivers and passengers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Uber Disrupted An Industry With An Explosive Approach |url=https://www.cascade.app/studies/uber-strategy-study#:~:text=Uber%20combined%20that%20initial%20campaign,rider%20sides%20faster%20and%20easier. |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251112132833/https://www.cascade.app/studies/uber-strategy-study |archive-date=12 Nov 2025}}</ref> It was initially well-received for offering competitive prices for transportation, leading to a large userbase adopting the platform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wolff |first=Micheal |date=22 Dec 2013 |title=Wolff: The tech company of the year is Uber |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/wolff/2013/12/22/the-success-of-app-based-car-service-uber/4141669/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=USA TODAY |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250414222632/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/wolff/2013/12/22/the-success-of-app-based-car-service-uber/4141669/ |archive-date=14 Apr 2025}}</ref>

===Stage 2 - Catering to Business Clients===
Once the communities and userbases are stable, companies begin to offer and partner with businesses customers with great incentive. These partnerships and this new profitting focus are the responsible to erode the user experience via methods such as supplies and advertising.

A documented example of this phase is seen with the case of [[Reddit]] removing the free access to their API nearing the time of its Initial public offering (IPO).<ref name="TheVergeAnnouncement">{{Cite web |last=Shakir |first=Umar |date=April 18, 2023 |title=Reddit's upcoming API changes will make AI companies pony up |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/18/23688463/reddit-developer-api-terms-change-monetization-ai |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614020642/https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/18/23688463/reddit-developer-api-terms-change-monetization-ai |archive-date=June 14, 2023 |access-date=June 17, 2023 |work=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> Then, in 2024, Reddit struck a $60 million deal with [[Google]] to give access to its user-generated content for AI training data.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tong |first=Anna |last2=Wang |first2=Echo |last3=Coulter |first3=Martin |last4=Tong |first4=Anna |last5=Wang |first5=Echo |date=2024-02-22 |title=Exclusive: Reddit in AI content licensing deal with Google |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/reddit-ai-content-licensing-deal-with-google-sources-say-2024-02-22/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |work=Reuters |language=en |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260112221447/https://www.reuters.com/technology/reddit-ai-content-licensing-deal-with-google-sources-say-2024-02-22/ |archive-date=12 Jan 2026}}</ref>

===Stage 3 - Quality Degradation for Shareholders===
When both users and business partners are locked in, the company shifts its surpluses to the shareholders. It no longer has any incentive to grow or maintain quality for either of its customer bases and relentlessly seeks profit at any rate for the shareholders. Companies at this stage also tend to have such a large market presence that switching barriers naturally (or intentionally) fall into place for those trying to leave for alternatives.

An ongoing example is [[YouTube]]'s [[YouTube#Crackdown against ad-blockers|crackdown on users using ad-blockers]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=YouTube intensifies crackdown on ad blockers {{!}} AdGuard |url=https://adguard.com/en/blog/youtube-new-banner-adblockers-violate-tos.html |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=AdGuard Blog |language=en}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251211160954/https://adguard.com/en/blog/youtube-new-banner-adblockers-violate-tos.html Archived])</ref> While such a crackdown might reduce [[Ad block|ad-blocker]] usage and increase short-term shareholder returns, it degrades the experience for users and reduces the quality of impressions for advertisers. Over 30% of the world's population uses YouTube, with a ~98% market share in online video media.<ref>{{Cite web |title=YouTube - Market Share, Competitor Insights in Media Players And Streaming Platforms |url=https://www.6sense.com/tech/media-players-and-streaming-platforms/youtube-market-share |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=6sense |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250429132430/https://6sense.com/tech/media-players-and-streaming-platforms/youtube-market-share |archive-date=29 Apr 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=23 Essential YouTube Statistics You Need to Know in 2025 |url=https://thesocialshepherd.com/blog/youtube-statistics |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=The Social Shepherd |language=en |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260124141601/https://thesocialshepherd.com/blog/youtube-statistics |archive-date=24 Jan 2026}}</ref>

==Why it is a problem==

===Erosion of user experiences===
It can cause frustration among customers, for example [[Netflix]] has started locking down movies behind expensive plans, so customers are frustrated into subscribing to a more expensive plan.

Enshittification can also lead to [[wikipedia:Feature creep|feature creep]] - especially when new features of a product are intended to further lock in users and increase revenue. This creep can lead to an overall reduction in performance due to [[Bloatware|bloat]] and increased complexity, reducing a product's usability. A prime example of feature creep caused in large part by late-stage enshittification is [[Microsoft Windows]].

===Switching barriers===
Enshittified platforms that act as intermediaries can act as both a monopoly on services and a monopsony on customers, as high switching barriers prevent either from leaving even when better alternatives technically exist. These barriers can be intentionally put in place - such as restricting the user's ability to transfer data or communicate between platforms - or unintentional, such as a platform's userbase being so large that it naturally makes it near impossible for users or partners to find equivalent engagement on an alternative platform.

An example of this would be a long-time [[eBay]] seller hoping to leave the site for an alternative with lower fees (possibly Mercari or Etsy). They might first encounter issues migrating all of their listings over to the new platform; a process which could be tedious. Their feedback history will certainly not carry over to the new platform so buyers are initially less likely to view them as trustworthy, potentially impacting sales. Lastly, the alternative platform likely has a vastly smaller userbase than eBay so despite all the possible benefits - the seller is less likely to be successful on the new platform than they are on eBay.

Such switching barriers can create an adversarial relationship between platform users or business partners and the company they're dependent on. The users or partners cannot be successful without access to the wide reach of the platform - but it leaves them wholly dependent on a company that no longer has their best interests in mind.

===Platform death===
A potential end-scenario for enshittified platforms is death, usually caused by a large enough exodus of users and business partners, and a general loss of trust. A platform may not truly "die" per se, but it can completely lose the identity that made it successful in the first place - and might not ever regain it. An ongoing example is [[X Corp|Twitter]] post Elon Musk's takeover. Under its new ownership and branding, the platform drove away swathes of its userbase and advertisers to alternative platforms (such as [[Bluesky]]) after its policy shifts proved widely unpopular.

However, the death of an enshittified platform is not an entirely positive end result. It uproots a long established userbase and can greatly disrupt their activities. There is also the chance that alternative platforms lack of feature parities with the old platform or that it might not even be able to support the massive influx of new users - at least for some amount of time. At worst, data loss could be involved meaning years worth of information - if not archived beforehand - could potentially be lost if a platform shuts down in some capacity.

==Possible solutions==

===Legislations and movements===
...
===End-to-end principal===
...

===Right of exit===
{{see also|Click-to-cancel|Interoperability}}
The right of exit, or Data portability, is the right of a user to leave a platform without losing the data stored on it, and instead being able to export it and access it in various applications of the user's liking.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DataPortability Project |url=http://www.dataportability.org/ |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723171111/http://www.dataportability.org/ |archive-date=23 Jul 2009 |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=DataPortability}}</ref>

==Common signals==
Products and services that are affected by enshittification usually apply these practices (that could be subtle at first) on their product or services:

*Modifications of [[terms of service]] or [[terms of use]] to include anti-consumer practices.
*[[Advertising overload]] to prioritize advertiser profits and encourage users to pay to disable (or limit) visible ads.
*[[Pay-walling]] or limiting functions or features, usually ones that used to be free at first. This can also end into [[monetization overload]]. In some cases, a function or feature might be completely removed.
*Integration of [[Bloatware]].
*Price gouging or [[surge pricing]].
*In physical products, usage of lower-quality or durability materials to manufacture the products in order to minimize costs. In some cases, this practice is alongside with [[planned obsolescence]].
*In software, low-quality updates and features, with some cases involving in the usage of [[AI slop]].
*Provider companies ignoring user feedback that involves in reverting or removing features that reduce partnership or shareholder profitting.
*Difficulties or inabilities to remove a paying method or to cancel a subscription.

==Examples==
===E-commerce===
In Doctorow's original post, he discussed the practices of [[Amazon]]. The online retailer initially drew in users with products sold below cost and free shipping. Once its userbase was well established, more sellers began to sell their products through Amazon. Finally, Amazon began to add fees to increase profits. In 2023, over 45% of the sale price of items went to Amazon in the form of various fees. Amazon also allows sellers the ability to push their listing higher in search results via its paid Sponsored Products program. Doctorow described advertisement within Amazon as a payola scheme in which sellers bid against one another for search-ranking preference, and said that the first five pages of a search for "cat beds" were half advertisements

eBay is another e-commerce site that followed a similar trajectory, initially offering low fees and a robust buying/selling protection system. Once its userbase of largely secondhand buyers and sellers was solidified, eBay raised seller fees and began incentivizing large volume sellers - often actual businesses - with lower selling fees should they subscribe to eBay Store. eBay sellers are also no longer able to leave negative feedback for buyers, greatly reducing the ability of sellers to avoid bad actors. Since then, eBay has introduced promoted listings that are effectively analogous to Amazon's paid sponsored listing system. eBay has also encouraged sellers to use AI generated descriptions that often misrepresent the condition of items being sold, along with opting all of its users into in-house AI training [[Ebay AI opt in by default|by default]] as of its April 21, 2025 privacy policy revision.

===Media streaming platforms===
The enshittification of Netflix is similarly reflected in other competing streaming platforms such as YouTube TV and Amazon Prime Video, where prices have increased despite a decline (or at least no perceivable improvement) in overall service quality. Multiple providers have also downgraded their cheapest paid plans to now come bundled with ads.

===Search engines===
Google started as an ad-free search engine, but then it started to add sponsored links in the top of the searchs and making them less distinguishable between non-ad links. {{Citation needed}} In 2024, Google started rolling out AI Overview, an AI-generated summary that appears at the top of the search results. Due to the release was rushed and didn't have proper revisions, the AI Overview showed inaccurate and potentially dangerous overviews, such as encouraging eating rocks, suggesting putting glue on top of pizza as a solution to cheese sliding off, encouraging smoking during pregnancy, encouraging suicide and suggesting users to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goodwin |first=Danny |date=24 May 2024 |title=Google AI Overviews under fire for giving dangerous and wrong answers |url=https://searchengineland.com/google-ai-overview-fails-442575 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250623180113/https://searchengineland.com/google-ai-overview-fails-442575 |archive-date=23 Jun 2025 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |work=Search Engine Land}}</ref> Google has responded to those issues and temporarily disabled the AI overview. While those incidents have been fixed and the AI Overview has been made available again, the AI overview still shows inaccurate results caused by hallucinations, biases and citing non-fiable sources, often citing satire comments as factual sources, or making stuff up. The AI overview has also been criticized for being considered as unwanted or unnecessary, for being environmentally harmful, privacy concerns and for reducing traffic towards genuine sites, encouraging people to rely on the overview instead of visiting sites to obtain the information they're looking for.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=15 Jul 2025 |title=Google Discover adds AI summaries, threatening publishers with further traffic declines |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/15/google-discover-adds-ai-summaries-threatening-publishers-with-further-traffic-declines/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250718124612/https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/15/google-discover-adds-ai-summaries-threatening-publishers-with-further-traffic-declines/ |archive-date=18 Jul 2025 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |work=TechCrunch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bellan |first=Rebecca |date=10 Jun 2025 |title=Google’s AI search features are killing traffic to publishers |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/10/googles-ai-overviews-are-killing-traffic-for-publishers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250714040741/https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/10/googles-ai-overviews-are-killing-traffic-for-publishers/ |archive-date=14 Jul 2025 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |work=TechCrunch}}</ref>

===Social media===
'''[[Facebook]]:'''

Facebook has shifted from a network for personal connection to a platform dominated by advertising and algorithmic manipulation. User data is monetised at the expense of privacy, while the quality of organic content has steadily declined.

'''[[Instagram]]:'''

Once centred on creativity and social sharing, Instagram now prioritises sponsored posts, shopping features, and influencer marketing. Users’ ability to control their feeds has been reduced, reflecting the platform’s focus on profit over consumer experience.

'''[[Reddit]]:'''

Reddit’s 2023 API changes exemplify enshitification, undermining community tools and third-party apps in favour of advertising revenue. This has eroded user autonomy and restricted consumer choice.

'''[[X Corp|Twitter/X]]:'''

Following its acquisition and rebrand, Twitter/X introduced [[Pay-walling|paywalls]] for basic features, weakened its moderation and increased sponsored content. The result has ended into a degraded service and a diminished consumer experience.

'''[[TikTok]]:'''

TikTok’s powerful recommendation algorithm drives engagement but also funnels users into repetitive content while saturating feeds with advertising. Concerns over data exploitation further highlight the imbalance between corporate gain and consumer rights.

'''[[YouTube]]:'''

YouTube has expanded ad loads and aggressively promoted subscriptions, while algorithmic changes often disadvantage independent creators. Consumers face reduced choice and increased intrusion, hallmarks of enshitification.

'''[[Discord]]:'''

Discord's primary selling point is that it is the most-used method of online communication, especially for communities.{{Citation needed}} Because of this dominance, it has caused barriers for users intending to switch to alternative platforms such as Stoat or Matrix, as a lack of common users between platforms makes it difficult for more users to transfer over.{{Citation needed}} This fact has been abused by Discord with its infrastructure showing signs of decay,{{Citation needed}} the introduction of advertisements in the format of "quests",{{Citation needed}} and the degradation of free perks.{{Citation needed}}

===Software===
'''[[Adobe]]:'''

*Forced shift from perpetual licenses to subscriptions.
Beginning in 2013 with Creative Cloud, Adobe eliminated the option to purchase perpetual licenses for core products like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere. Users must now maintain an ongoing subscription to access the software at all. Cancelling payments disables applications regardless of prior investment, dramatically increasing long-term costs and removing user ownership in favor of recurring subscriptions.
*Loss of access to files after subscription ends.
Many Adobe file formats (PSD, AI, INDD, AE project files) are proprietary and poorly supported by third-party software. When a subscription ends, users become unable to open, export, or meaningfully edit their own historical work, effectively holding user-created content hostage to enforce continued payment.
*Mandatory Creative Cloud account (see [[Forced account]]) and [[Digital rights management|DRM]] for offline tools.
Applications that run locally require frequent online authentication through the Creative Cloud desktop app. Forced sign-ins, background services, and periodic license checks can disable software unexpectedly, undermining reliability and making professional tools dependent on Adobe’s servers.
*[[Dark pattern|Dark patterns]] in subscription cancellation and pricing.
Adobe’s subscription plans use confusing billing structures (such as “annual plans billed monthly”) that impose early termination fees. Cancellation flows are deliberately complex, with obscured options and repeated retention prompts, resulting in users paying longer than intended or being penalized for leaving.

'''[[Microsoft Windows]]:'''

*Forced Microsoft account sign-in.
Beginning with Windows 10 and further enforced in Windows 11, Microsoft increasingly requires users to sign in with a Microsoft account during setup. This restricts offline use, obscures the option to create a local account, and facilitates expanded telemetry collection and ecosystem lock-in.
*Built-in advertising in a paid operating system.
Despite being a commercial software, Windows includes advertisements and promotional content in the Start Menu, lock screen, system notifications, and settings panels, used to promote Microsoft 365, OneDrive, Edge, and other services and other proprietary software. Even when users disable these features, they are frequently re-enabled after major updates.
*Dark patterns in bundled applications.
Microsoft applications repeatedly nudge users toward Microsoft-preferred choices. Edge persistently prompts users to become the default browser and displays warnings when switching away. OneDrive frames cloud uploads as “protecting your files,” obscuring the fact that local folders are being redirected to Microsoft’s servers. Subscription prompts often lack a clear “Never ask again” option, offering only choices such as “Try for free” or “Maybe later” as in Microsoft365.
*Increased unavoidable telemetry.
Telemetry and diagnostic data collection are enabled by default, with only limited controls available to disable or reduce them—particularly in non-Enterprise editions. Some data collection is mandatory and vaguely documented, undermining informed consent.
*Loss of user control over updates.
Windows updates cannot be permanently disabled through standard settings. Users can only defer updates for a limited period (up to four weeks), after which downloads and installations are often forced, sometimes causing unexpected restarts or re-enabling previously disabled features without user consent.
*Bundled software bloat.
Windows ships with numerous preinstalled Microsoft applications that are not essential to core OS functionality. These apps are installed without explicit user consent and may reappear after major updates even if previously removed.
*Degraded local search in favor of web search.
The start menu and file search experience has progressively gotten worse, blending local results with Bing web searches. This often prioritizes online content and advertisements over fast, predictable local file and application discovery, reducing usability in order to promote Microsoft’s search and advertising ecosystem.

===Video Games===
'''[[Unity Engine runtime fee|Unity]]:'''

Unity Software Inc. implemented sweeping changes to its pricing model for Unity that would affect all users of the engine, forcing users to either adopt their per-download fee or de-list their games.

'''Mobile Games:'''A lot of mobile games have fell into enshittifed experiences. A lot of mobile games were paid in the early days of the [[Apple App Store]], but then became [[Free to Play]] with users being bombarded with ads, [[Microtransactions|micro-transactions]], [[Battle passes|battle-passes]], energy-systems and more, to extract as much money out of the player's pocket, while making the experience less fun. The video game Angry-Birds is a good example of this. What started as a very simple game now has all of the aforementioned tactics baked into it, rendering the playing experience tedious and unpleasant.

===Learning Applications===
'''[[Duolingo]]:'''

...

{{See also|Network effects}}

==Further reading==

*https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/30/go-nuts-meine-kerle/#ich-bin-ein-bratapfel

==External links==

*[https://youtu.be/T4Upf_B9RLQ "A Day in the Life of an Ensh*ttificator"], by [https://www.youtube.com/@Forbrukerr%C3%A5detNorge Forbrukerrådet - Norwegian Consumer Council], 2026
*[https://youtu.be/NBZv0_MImIY "Y'all mind if I complain for 15 minutes?"], by [[wikipedia:Jaiden_Animations|Jaiden Dittfach]], 2025. In this video, she talks about how things have "become less efficient" and "more stupid".
*[https://eev.ee/blog/2025/07/03/the-rise-of-whatever/ "The rise of Whatever"]
*[https://gavinhoward.com/2023/11/your-loved-ones-are-prisoners-and-you-made-the-chain "Digital chains and modern feudalism"]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Common terms]]
[[Category:Theme]]

Enshittification

2026-03-17T04:49:10Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: /* Common signals */

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Some sections are lacking adequate source population or quality|Issue 2=Some sections are far too brief, or aren't even written|Issue 3=Lack of depth; there's not enough links of data that connects each stage together, not to mention real-world examples of companies going through the full process.}}{{ToneWarning}}

'''Platform decay''', commonly known as '''[[wikipedia:Enshittification|Enshittification]]''' or '''crapification''', is a practice of companies (usually large ones) that consists of declining the quality of the products or services they provide over time.

The term was first coined by tech blogger [[wikipedia:Cory Doctorow|Cory Doctorow]] in November 2022<ref>{{Cite web |last=Doctorow |first=Cory |date=28 Nov 2022 |title=Pluralistic: How monopoly enshittified Amazon/28 Nov 2022 |url=https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/28/enshittification/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=Pluralistic |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216121528/https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/28/enshittification/ |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref>, popularized by Arun Maini (Mrwhosetheboss)<ref>[https://www.uniladtech.com/news/tech-news/mrwhosetheboss-explains-google-search-broken-715030-20241030 Popular tech YouTuber exposes why 'broken' Google Search is falling apart] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251117215634/https://www.uniladtech.com/news/tech-news/mrwhosetheboss-explains-google-search-broken-715030-20241030 Archived])</ref><ref>The Internet is starting to Break - Here's Why. - Mrwhosetheboss</ref><ref>Why Google Search is Falling Apart. - Mrwhosetheboss</ref>, and has since gained widespread recognition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=enshittification |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/slang/enshittification |url-status=live |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=Merriam-Webster |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222030743/https://www.merriam-webster.com/slang/enshittification |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==How it works==
The platform decay practice is done on three stages. Initially, the companies create high-quality products or services offerings, usually by offering users a product or service at a low price (or sometimes for free). This works as an easy way to attract users and consumers and undercut the competition. Later, the offerings and the platform quality declines, usually with subtle changes, to enworse users' experience for doing a transition to prioritize business customer profits. At the end they decline the quality for both regular and business consumers, this to prioritize shareholder profits.

Enshittification is also a common practice amongst large corporations that provide a product or service that is a monopoly. When there's no significant competence, the enshittification may last longer as users couldn't leave the platform because they're used to it or are unable to find similar alternatives that can fit their needs.

These practices also could make the provider companies to end having an unrepairable reputation or even falling in bankrupcy in some cases.

<blockquote>''"It is a seemingly inevitable consequence arising from the combination of the ease of changing how a platform allocates value, combined with the nature of a "two-sided market," where a platform sits between buyers and sellers, hold each hostage to the other, raking off an ever-larger share of the value that passes between them."'' <ref>{{Cite web |last=Doctorow |first=Cory |date=23 Jan 2023 |title=The ‘Enshittification’ of TikTok |url=https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-platforms-cory-doctorow/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=WIRED |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260120085207/https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-platforms-cory-doctorow/ |archive-date=20 Jan 2026}}</ref></blockquote>- Cory Doctorow ''Wired,'' 2023

===Stage 1 - Incentivizing Mass Adoption===
Companies begin with offering a product or service focused on provide a high-quality experience or usage for the user, along with constantly listening to user feedback. Another common practice to attract users is also by providing a cheap or accessible price for the mayority of consumers. They basically create something "too good" to be free or low-cost. This leads into a visible and well-known product or service that makes easy the establishment of communities and userbases.

A documented example of this phase occurs with [[Uber]] aggressively usinginvestor capital to fund massive subsidies, paying to acquire both drivers and passengers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Uber Disrupted An Industry With An Explosive Approach |url=https://www.cascade.app/studies/uber-strategy-study#:~:text=Uber%20combined%20that%20initial%20campaign,rider%20sides%20faster%20and%20easier. |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251112132833/https://www.cascade.app/studies/uber-strategy-study |archive-date=12 Nov 2025}}</ref> It was initially well-received for offering competitive prices for transportation, leading to a large userbase adopting the platform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wolff |first=Micheal |date=22 Dec 2013 |title=Wolff: The tech company of the year is Uber |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/wolff/2013/12/22/the-success-of-app-based-car-service-uber/4141669/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=USA TODAY |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250414222632/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/wolff/2013/12/22/the-success-of-app-based-car-service-uber/4141669/ |archive-date=14 Apr 2025}}</ref>

===Stage 2 - Catering to Business Clients===
Once the communities and userbases are stable, companies begin to offer and partner with businesses customers with great incentive. These partnerships and this new profitting focus are the responsible to erode the user experience via methods such as supplies and advertising.

A documented example of this phase is seen with the case of [[Reddit]] removing the free access to their API nearing the time of its Initial public offering (IPO).<ref name="TheVergeAnnouncement">{{Cite web |last=Shakir |first=Umar |date=April 18, 2023 |title=Reddit's upcoming API changes will make AI companies pony up |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/18/23688463/reddit-developer-api-terms-change-monetization-ai |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614020642/https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/18/23688463/reddit-developer-api-terms-change-monetization-ai |archive-date=June 14, 2023 |access-date=June 17, 2023 |work=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> Then, in 2024, Reddit struck a $60 million deal with [[Google]] to give access to its user-generated content for AI training data.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tong |first=Anna |last2=Wang |first2=Echo |last3=Coulter |first3=Martin |last4=Tong |first4=Anna |last5=Wang |first5=Echo |date=2024-02-22 |title=Exclusive: Reddit in AI content licensing deal with Google |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/reddit-ai-content-licensing-deal-with-google-sources-say-2024-02-22/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |work=Reuters |language=en |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260112221447/https://www.reuters.com/technology/reddit-ai-content-licensing-deal-with-google-sources-say-2024-02-22/ |archive-date=12 Jan 2026}}</ref>

===Stage 3 - Quality Degradation for Shareholders===
When both users and business partners are locked in, the company shifts its surpluses to the shareholders. It no longer has any incentive to grow or maintain quality for either of its customer bases and relentlessly seeks profit at any rate for the shareholders. Companies at this stage also tend to have such a large market presence that switching barriers naturally (or intentionally) fall into place for those trying to leave for alternatives.

An ongoing example is [[YouTube]]'s [[YouTube#Crackdown against ad-blockers|crackdown on users using ad-blockers]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=YouTube intensifies crackdown on ad blockers {{!}} AdGuard |url=https://adguard.com/en/blog/youtube-new-banner-adblockers-violate-tos.html |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=AdGuard Blog |language=en}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251211160954/https://adguard.com/en/blog/youtube-new-banner-adblockers-violate-tos.html Archived])</ref> While such a crackdown might reduce [[Ad block|ad-blocker]] usage and increase short-term shareholder returns, it degrades the experience for users and reduces the quality of impressions for advertisers. Over 30% of the world's population uses YouTube, with a ~98% market share in online video media.<ref>{{Cite web |title=YouTube - Market Share, Competitor Insights in Media Players And Streaming Platforms |url=https://www.6sense.com/tech/media-players-and-streaming-platforms/youtube-market-share |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=6sense |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250429132430/https://6sense.com/tech/media-players-and-streaming-platforms/youtube-market-share |archive-date=29 Apr 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=23 Essential YouTube Statistics You Need to Know in 2025 |url=https://thesocialshepherd.com/blog/youtube-statistics |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=The Social Shepherd |language=en |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260124141601/https://thesocialshepherd.com/blog/youtube-statistics |archive-date=24 Jan 2026}}</ref>

==Why it is a problem==

===Erosion of user experiences===
It can cause frustration among customers, for example [[Netflix]] has started locking down movies behind expensive plans, so customers are frustrated into subscribing to a more expensive plan.

Enshittification can also lead to [[wikipedia:Feature creep|feature creep]] - especially when new features of a product are intended to further lock in users and increase revenue. This creep can lead to an overall reduction in performance due to [[Bloatware|bloat]] and increased complexity, reducing a product's usability. A prime example of feature creep caused in large part by late-stage enshittification is [[Microsoft Windows]].

===Switching barriers===
Enshittified platforms that act as intermediaries can act as both a monopoly on services and a monopsony on customers, as high switching barriers prevent either from leaving even when better alternatives technically exist. These barriers can be intentionally put in place - such as restricting the user's ability to transfer data or communicate between platforms - or unintentional, such as a platform's userbase being so large that it naturally makes it near impossible for users or partners to find equivalent engagement on an alternative platform.

An example of this would be a long-time [[eBay]] seller hoping to leave the site for an alternative with lower fees (possibly Mercari or Etsy). They might first encounter issues migrating all of their listings over to the new platform; a process which could be tedious. Their feedback history will certainly not carry over to the new platform so buyers are initially less likely to view them as trustworthy, potentially impacting sales. Lastly, the alternative platform likely has a vastly smaller userbase than eBay so despite all the possible benefits - the seller is less likely to be successful on the new platform than they are on eBay.

Such switching barriers can create an adversarial relationship between platform users or business partners and the company they're dependent on. The users or partners cannot be successful without access to the wide reach of the platform - but it leaves them wholly dependent on a company that no longer has their best interests in mind.

===Platform death===
A potential end-scenario for enshittified platforms is death, usually caused by a large enough exodus of users and business partners, and a general loss of trust. A platform may not truly "die" per se, but it can completely lose the identity that made it successful in the first place - and might not ever regain it. An ongoing example is [[X Corp|Twitter]] post Elon Musk's takeover. Under its new ownership and branding, the platform drove away swathes of its userbase and advertisers to alternative platforms (such as [[Bluesky]]) after its policy shifts proved widely unpopular.

However, the death of an enshittified platform is not an entirely positive end result. It uproots a long established userbase and can greatly disrupt their activities. There is also the chance that alternative platforms lack of feature parities with the old platform or that it might not even be able to support the massive influx of new users - at least for some amount of time. At worst, data loss could be involved meaning years worth of information - if not archived beforehand - could potentially be lost if a platform shuts down in some capacity.

==Possible solutions==

===Legislations and movements===
...
===End-to-end principal===
...

===Right of exit===
{{see also|Click-to-cancel|Interoperability}}
The right of exit, or Data portability, is the right of a user to leave a platform without losing the data stored on it, and instead being able to export it and access it in various applications of the user's liking.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DataPortability Project |url=http://www.dataportability.org/ |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723171111/http://www.dataportability.org/ |archive-date=23 Jul 2009 |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=DataPortability}}</ref>

==Common signals==
Products and services that are affected by enshittification usually apply these practices (that could be subtle at first) on their product or services:

*Modifications of [[terms of service]] or [[terms of use]] to include anti-consumer practices.
*[[Advertising overload]] to prioritize advertiser profits and encourage users to pay to disable (or limit) visible ads.
*[[Pay-walling]] or limiting functions or features, usually ones that used to be free at first. This can also end into [[monetization overload]]. In some cases, a function or feature might be completely removed.
*Integration of [[Bloatware]].
*Price gouging or [[surge pricing]].
*In physical products, usage of lower-quality or durability materials to manufacture the products in order to minimize costs. In some cases, this practice is alongside with [[planned obsolescence]].
*In software, low-quality updates and features, with some cases involving in the usage of [[AI slop]].
*Provider companies ignoring user feedback that involves in reverting or removing features that reduce partnership or shareholder profitting.

==Examples==
===E-commerce===
In Doctorow's original post, he discussed the practices of [[Amazon]]. The online retailer initially drew in users with products sold below cost and free shipping. Once its userbase was well established, more sellers began to sell their products through Amazon. Finally, Amazon began to add fees to increase profits. In 2023, over 45% of the sale price of items went to Amazon in the form of various fees. Amazon also allows sellers the ability to push their listing higher in search results via its paid Sponsored Products program. Doctorow described advertisement within Amazon as a payola scheme in which sellers bid against one another for search-ranking preference, and said that the first five pages of a search for "cat beds" were half advertisements

eBay is another e-commerce site that followed a similar trajectory, initially offering low fees and a robust buying/selling protection system. Once its userbase of largely secondhand buyers and sellers was solidified, eBay raised seller fees and began incentivizing large volume sellers - often actual businesses - with lower selling fees should they subscribe to eBay Store. eBay sellers are also no longer able to leave negative feedback for buyers, greatly reducing the ability of sellers to avoid bad actors. Since then, eBay has introduced promoted listings that are effectively analogous to Amazon's paid sponsored listing system. eBay has also encouraged sellers to use AI generated descriptions that often misrepresent the condition of items being sold, along with opting all of its users into in-house AI training [[Ebay AI opt in by default|by default]] as of its April 21, 2025 privacy policy revision.

===Media streaming platforms===
The enshittification of Netflix is similarly reflected in other competing streaming platforms such as YouTube TV and Amazon Prime Video, where prices have increased despite a decline (or at least no perceivable improvement) in overall service quality. Multiple providers have also downgraded their cheapest paid plans to now come bundled with ads.

===Search engines===
Google started as an ad-free search engine, but then it started to add sponsored links in the top of the searchs and making them less distinguishable between non-ad links. {{Citation needed}} In 2024, Google started rolling out AI Overview, an AI-generated summary that appears at the top of the search results. Due to the release was rushed and didn't have proper revisions, the AI Overview showed inaccurate and potentially dangerous overviews, such as encouraging eating rocks, suggesting putting glue on top of pizza as a solution to cheese sliding off, encouraging smoking during pregnancy, encouraging suicide and suggesting users to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goodwin |first=Danny |date=24 May 2024 |title=Google AI Overviews under fire for giving dangerous and wrong answers |url=https://searchengineland.com/google-ai-overview-fails-442575 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250623180113/https://searchengineland.com/google-ai-overview-fails-442575 |archive-date=23 Jun 2025 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |work=Search Engine Land}}</ref> Google has responded to those issues and temporarily disabled the AI overview. While those incidents have been fixed and the AI Overview has been made available again, the AI overview still shows inaccurate results caused by hallucinations, biases and citing non-fiable sources, often citing satire comments as factual sources, or making stuff up. The AI overview has also been criticized for being considered as unwanted or unnecessary, for being environmentally harmful, privacy concerns and for reducing traffic towards genuine sites, encouraging people to rely on the overview instead of visiting sites to obtain the information they're looking for.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=15 Jul 2025 |title=Google Discover adds AI summaries, threatening publishers with further traffic declines |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/15/google-discover-adds-ai-summaries-threatening-publishers-with-further-traffic-declines/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250718124612/https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/15/google-discover-adds-ai-summaries-threatening-publishers-with-further-traffic-declines/ |archive-date=18 Jul 2025 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |work=TechCrunch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bellan |first=Rebecca |date=10 Jun 2025 |title=Google’s AI search features are killing traffic to publishers |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/10/googles-ai-overviews-are-killing-traffic-for-publishers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250714040741/https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/10/googles-ai-overviews-are-killing-traffic-for-publishers/ |archive-date=14 Jul 2025 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |work=TechCrunch}}</ref>

===Social media===
'''[[Facebook]]:'''

Facebook has shifted from a network for personal connection to a platform dominated by advertising and algorithmic manipulation. User data is monetised at the expense of privacy, while the quality of organic content has steadily declined.

'''[[Instagram]]:'''

Once centred on creativity and social sharing, Instagram now prioritises sponsored posts, shopping features, and influencer marketing. Users’ ability to control their feeds has been reduced, reflecting the platform’s focus on profit over consumer experience.

'''[[Reddit]]:'''

Reddit’s 2023 API changes exemplify enshitification, undermining community tools and third-party apps in favour of advertising revenue. This has eroded user autonomy and restricted consumer choice.

'''[[X Corp|Twitter/X]]:'''

Following its acquisition and rebrand, Twitter/X introduced [[Pay-walling|paywalls]] for basic features, weakened its moderation and increased sponsored content. The result has ended into a degraded service and a diminished consumer experience.

'''[[TikTok]]:'''

TikTok’s powerful recommendation algorithm drives engagement but also funnels users into repetitive content while saturating feeds with advertising. Concerns over data exploitation further highlight the imbalance between corporate gain and consumer rights.

'''[[YouTube]]:'''

YouTube has expanded ad loads and aggressively promoted subscriptions, while algorithmic changes often disadvantage independent creators. Consumers face reduced choice and increased intrusion, hallmarks of enshitification.

'''[[Discord]]:'''

Discord's primary selling point is that it is the most-used method of online communication, especially for communities.{{Citation needed}} Because of this dominance, it has caused barriers for users intending to switch to alternative platforms such as Stoat or Matrix, as a lack of common users between platforms makes it difficult for more users to transfer over.{{Citation needed}} This fact has been abused by Discord with its infrastructure showing signs of decay,{{Citation needed}} the introduction of advertisements in the format of "quests",{{Citation needed}} and the degradation of free perks.{{Citation needed}}

===Software===
'''[[Adobe]]:'''

*Forced shift from perpetual licenses to subscriptions.
Beginning in 2013 with Creative Cloud, Adobe eliminated the option to purchase perpetual licenses for core products like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere. Users must now maintain an ongoing subscription to access the software at all. Cancelling payments disables applications regardless of prior investment, dramatically increasing long-term costs and removing user ownership in favor of recurring subscriptions.
*Loss of access to files after subscription ends.
Many Adobe file formats (PSD, AI, INDD, AE project files) are proprietary and poorly supported by third-party software. When a subscription ends, users become unable to open, export, or meaningfully edit their own historical work, effectively holding user-created content hostage to enforce continued payment.
*Mandatory Creative Cloud account (see [[Forced account]]) and [[Digital rights management|DRM]] for offline tools.
Applications that run locally require frequent online authentication through the Creative Cloud desktop app. Forced sign-ins, background services, and periodic license checks can disable software unexpectedly, undermining reliability and making professional tools dependent on Adobe’s servers.
*[[Dark pattern|Dark patterns]] in subscription cancellation and pricing.
Adobe’s subscription plans use confusing billing structures (such as “annual plans billed monthly”) that impose early termination fees. Cancellation flows are deliberately complex, with obscured options and repeated retention prompts, resulting in users paying longer than intended or being penalized for leaving.

'''[[Microsoft Windows]]:'''

*Forced Microsoft account sign-in.
Beginning with Windows 10 and further enforced in Windows 11, Microsoft increasingly requires users to sign in with a Microsoft account during setup. This restricts offline use, obscures the option to create a local account, and facilitates expanded telemetry collection and ecosystem lock-in.
*Built-in advertising in a paid operating system.
Despite being a commercial software, Windows includes advertisements and promotional content in the Start Menu, lock screen, system notifications, and settings panels, used to promote Microsoft 365, OneDrive, Edge, and other services and other proprietary software. Even when users disable these features, they are frequently re-enabled after major updates.
*Dark patterns in bundled applications.
Microsoft applications repeatedly nudge users toward Microsoft-preferred choices. Edge persistently prompts users to become the default browser and displays warnings when switching away. OneDrive frames cloud uploads as “protecting your files,” obscuring the fact that local folders are being redirected to Microsoft’s servers. Subscription prompts often lack a clear “Never ask again” option, offering only choices such as “Try for free” or “Maybe later” as in Microsoft365.
*Increased unavoidable telemetry.
Telemetry and diagnostic data collection are enabled by default, with only limited controls available to disable or reduce them—particularly in non-Enterprise editions. Some data collection is mandatory and vaguely documented, undermining informed consent.
*Loss of user control over updates.
Windows updates cannot be permanently disabled through standard settings. Users can only defer updates for a limited period (up to four weeks), after which downloads and installations are often forced, sometimes causing unexpected restarts or re-enabling previously disabled features without user consent.
*Bundled software bloat.
Windows ships with numerous preinstalled Microsoft applications that are not essential to core OS functionality. These apps are installed without explicit user consent and may reappear after major updates even if previously removed.
*Degraded local search in favor of web search.
The start menu and file search experience has progressively gotten worse, blending local results with Bing web searches. This often prioritizes online content and advertisements over fast, predictable local file and application discovery, reducing usability in order to promote Microsoft’s search and advertising ecosystem.

===Video Games===
'''[[Unity Engine runtime fee|Unity]]:'''

Unity Software Inc. implemented sweeping changes to its pricing model for Unity that would affect all users of the engine, forcing users to either adopt their per-download fee or de-list their games.

'''Mobile Games:'''A lot of mobile games have fell into enshittifed experiences. A lot of mobile games were paid in the early days of the [[Apple App Store]], but then became [[Free to Play]] with users being bombarded with ads, [[Microtransactions|micro-transactions]], [[Battle passes|battle-passes]], energy-systems and more, to extract as much money out of the player's pocket, while making the experience less fun. The video game Angry-Birds is a good example of this. What started as a very simple game now has all of the aforementioned tactics baked into it, rendering the playing experience tedious and unpleasant.

===Learning Applications===
'''[[Duolingo]]:'''

...

{{See also|Network effects}}

==Further reading==

*https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/30/go-nuts-meine-kerle/#ich-bin-ein-bratapfel

==External links==

*[https://youtu.be/T4Upf_B9RLQ "A Day in the Life of an Ensh*ttificator"], by [https://www.youtube.com/@Forbrukerr%C3%A5detNorge Forbrukerrådet - Norwegian Consumer Council], 2026
*[https://youtu.be/NBZv0_MImIY "Y'all mind if I complain for 15 minutes?"], by [[wikipedia:Jaiden_Animations|Jaiden Dittfach]], 2025. In this video, she talks about how things have "become less efficient" and "more stupid".
*[https://eev.ee/blog/2025/07/03/the-rise-of-whatever/ "The rise of Whatever"]
*[https://gavinhoward.com/2023/11/your-loved-ones-are-prisoners-and-you-made-the-chain "Digital chains and modern feudalism"]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Common terms]]
[[Category:Theme]]

Enshittification

2026-03-17T04:38:07Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: /* How it works */

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Some sections are lacking adequate source population or quality|Issue 2=Some sections are far too brief, or aren't even written|Issue 3=Lack of depth; there's not enough links of data that connects each stage together, not to mention real-world examples of companies going through the full process.}}{{ToneWarning}}

'''Platform decay''', commonly known as '''[[wikipedia:Enshittification|Enshittification]]''' or '''crapification''', is a practice of companies (usually large ones) that consists of declining the quality of the products or services they provide over time.

The term was first coined by tech blogger [[wikipedia:Cory Doctorow|Cory Doctorow]] in November 2022<ref>{{Cite web |last=Doctorow |first=Cory |date=28 Nov 2022 |title=Pluralistic: How monopoly enshittified Amazon/28 Nov 2022 |url=https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/28/enshittification/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=Pluralistic |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216121528/https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/28/enshittification/ |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref>, popularized by Arun Maini (Mrwhosetheboss)<ref>[https://www.uniladtech.com/news/tech-news/mrwhosetheboss-explains-google-search-broken-715030-20241030 Popular tech YouTuber exposes why 'broken' Google Search is falling apart] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251117215634/https://www.uniladtech.com/news/tech-news/mrwhosetheboss-explains-google-search-broken-715030-20241030 Archived])</ref><ref>The Internet is starting to Break - Here's Why. - Mrwhosetheboss</ref><ref>Why Google Search is Falling Apart. - Mrwhosetheboss</ref>, and has since gained widespread recognition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=enshittification |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/slang/enshittification |url-status=live |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=Merriam-Webster |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222030743/https://www.merriam-webster.com/slang/enshittification |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==How it works==
The platform decay practice is done on three stages. Initially, the companies create high-quality products or services offerings, usually by offering users a product or service at a low price (or sometimes for free). This works as an easy way to attract users and consumers and undercut the competition. Later, the offerings and the platform quality declines, usually with subtle changes, to enworse users' experience for doing a transition to prioritize business customer profits. At the end they decline the quality for both regular and business consumers, this to prioritize shareholder profits.

Enshittification is also a common practice amongst large corporations that provide a product or service that is a monopoly. When there's no significant competence, the enshittification may last longer as users couldn't leave the platform because they're used to it or are unable to find similar alternatives that can fit their needs.

These practices also could make the provider companies to end having an unrepairable reputation or even falling in bankrupcy in some cases.

<blockquote>''"It is a seemingly inevitable consequence arising from the combination of the ease of changing how a platform allocates value, combined with the nature of a "two-sided market," where a platform sits between buyers and sellers, hold each hostage to the other, raking off an ever-larger share of the value that passes between them."'' <ref>{{Cite web |last=Doctorow |first=Cory |date=23 Jan 2023 |title=The ‘Enshittification’ of TikTok |url=https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-platforms-cory-doctorow/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=WIRED |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260120085207/https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-platforms-cory-doctorow/ |archive-date=20 Jan 2026}}</ref></blockquote>- Cory Doctorow ''Wired,'' 2023

===Stage 1 - Incentivizing Mass Adoption===
Companies begin with offering a product or service focused on provide a high-quality experience or usage for the user, along with constantly listening to user feedback. Another common practice to attract users is also by providing a cheap or accessible price for the mayority of consumers. They basically create something "too good" to be free or low-cost. This leads into a visible and well-known product or service that makes easy the establishment of communities and userbases.

A documented example of this phase occurs with [[Uber]] aggressively usinginvestor capital to fund massive subsidies, paying to acquire both drivers and passengers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Uber Disrupted An Industry With An Explosive Approach |url=https://www.cascade.app/studies/uber-strategy-study#:~:text=Uber%20combined%20that%20initial%20campaign,rider%20sides%20faster%20and%20easier. |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251112132833/https://www.cascade.app/studies/uber-strategy-study |archive-date=12 Nov 2025}}</ref> It was initially well-received for offering competitive prices for transportation, leading to a large userbase adopting the platform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wolff |first=Micheal |date=22 Dec 2013 |title=Wolff: The tech company of the year is Uber |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/wolff/2013/12/22/the-success-of-app-based-car-service-uber/4141669/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=USA TODAY |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250414222632/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/wolff/2013/12/22/the-success-of-app-based-car-service-uber/4141669/ |archive-date=14 Apr 2025}}</ref>

===Stage 2 - Catering to Business Clients===
Once the communities and userbases are stable, companies begin to offer and partner with businesses customers with great incentive. These partnerships and this new profitting focus are the responsible to erode the user experience via methods such as supplies and advertising.

A documented example of this phase is seen with the case of [[Reddit]] removing the free access to their API nearing the time of its Initial public offering (IPO).<ref name="TheVergeAnnouncement">{{Cite web |last=Shakir |first=Umar |date=April 18, 2023 |title=Reddit's upcoming API changes will make AI companies pony up |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/18/23688463/reddit-developer-api-terms-change-monetization-ai |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614020642/https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/18/23688463/reddit-developer-api-terms-change-monetization-ai |archive-date=June 14, 2023 |access-date=June 17, 2023 |work=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> Then, in 2024, Reddit struck a $60 million deal with [[Google]] to give access to its user-generated content for AI training data.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tong |first=Anna |last2=Wang |first2=Echo |last3=Coulter |first3=Martin |last4=Tong |first4=Anna |last5=Wang |first5=Echo |date=2024-02-22 |title=Exclusive: Reddit in AI content licensing deal with Google |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/reddit-ai-content-licensing-deal-with-google-sources-say-2024-02-22/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |work=Reuters |language=en |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260112221447/https://www.reuters.com/technology/reddit-ai-content-licensing-deal-with-google-sources-say-2024-02-22/ |archive-date=12 Jan 2026}}</ref>

===Stage 3 - Quality Degradation for Shareholders===
When both users and business partners are locked in, the company shifts its surpluses to the shareholders. It no longer has any incentive to grow or maintain quality for either of its customer bases and relentlessly seeks profit at any rate for the shareholders. Companies at this stage also tend to have such a large market presence that switching barriers naturally (or intentionally) fall into place for those trying to leave for alternatives.

An ongoing example is [[YouTube]]'s [[YouTube#Crackdown against ad-blockers|crackdown on users using ad-blockers]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=YouTube intensifies crackdown on ad blockers {{!}} AdGuard |url=https://adguard.com/en/blog/youtube-new-banner-adblockers-violate-tos.html |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=AdGuard Blog |language=en}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251211160954/https://adguard.com/en/blog/youtube-new-banner-adblockers-violate-tos.html Archived])</ref> While such a crackdown might reduce [[Ad block|ad-blocker]] usage and increase short-term shareholder returns, it degrades the experience for users and reduces the quality of impressions for advertisers. Over 30% of the world's population uses YouTube, with a ~98% market share in online video media.<ref>{{Cite web |title=YouTube - Market Share, Competitor Insights in Media Players And Streaming Platforms |url=https://www.6sense.com/tech/media-players-and-streaming-platforms/youtube-market-share |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=6sense |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250429132430/https://6sense.com/tech/media-players-and-streaming-platforms/youtube-market-share |archive-date=29 Apr 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=23 Essential YouTube Statistics You Need to Know in 2025 |url=https://thesocialshepherd.com/blog/youtube-statistics |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=The Social Shepherd |language=en |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260124141601/https://thesocialshepherd.com/blog/youtube-statistics |archive-date=24 Jan 2026}}</ref>

==Why it is a problem==

===Erosion of user experiences===
It can cause frustration among customers, for example [[Netflix]] has started locking down movies behind expensive plans, so customers are frustrated into subscribing to a more expensive plan.

Enshittification can also lead to [[wikipedia:Feature creep|feature creep]] - especially when new features of a product are intended to further lock in users and increase revenue. This creep can lead to an overall reduction in performance due to [[Bloatware|bloat]] and increased complexity, reducing a product's usability. A prime example of feature creep caused in large part by late-stage enshittification is [[Microsoft Windows]].

===Switching barriers===
Enshittified platforms that act as intermediaries can act as both a monopoly on services and a monopsony on customers, as high switching barriers prevent either from leaving even when better alternatives technically exist. These barriers can be intentionally put in place - such as restricting the user's ability to transfer data or communicate between platforms - or unintentional, such as a platform's userbase being so large that it naturally makes it near impossible for users or partners to find equivalent engagement on an alternative platform.

An example of this would be a long-time [[eBay]] seller hoping to leave the site for an alternative with lower fees (possibly Mercari or Etsy). They might first encounter issues migrating all of their listings over to the new platform; a process which could be tedious. Their feedback history will certainly not carry over to the new platform so buyers are initially less likely to view them as trustworthy, potentially impacting sales. Lastly, the alternative platform likely has a vastly smaller userbase than eBay so despite all the possible benefits - the seller is less likely to be successful on the new platform than they are on eBay.

Such switching barriers can create an adversarial relationship between platform users or business partners and the company they're dependent on. The users or partners cannot be successful without access to the wide reach of the platform - but it leaves them wholly dependent on a company that no longer has their best interests in mind.

===Platform death===
A potential end-scenario for enshittified platforms is death, usually caused by a large enough exodus of users and business partners, and a general loss of trust. A platform may not truly "die" per se, but it can completely lose the identity that made it successful in the first place - and might not ever regain it. An ongoing example is [[X Corp|Twitter]] post Elon Musk's takeover. Under its new ownership and branding, the platform drove away swathes of its userbase and advertisers to alternative platforms (such as [[Bluesky]]) after its policy shifts proved widely unpopular.

However, the death of an enshittified platform is not an entirely positive end result. It uproots a long established userbase and can greatly disrupt their activities. There is also the chance that alternative platforms lack of feature parities with the old platform or that it might not even be able to support the massive influx of new users - at least for some amount of time. At worst, data loss could be involved meaning years worth of information - if not archived beforehand - could potentially be lost if a platform shuts down in some capacity.

==Possible solutions==

===Legislations and movements===
...
===End-to-end principal===
...

===Right of exit===
{{see also|Click-to-cancel|Interoperability}}
The right of exit, or Data portability, is the right of a user to leave a platform without losing the data stored on it, and instead being able to export it and access it in various applications of the user's liking.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DataPortability Project |url=http://www.dataportability.org/ |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723171111/http://www.dataportability.org/ |archive-date=23 Jul 2009 |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=DataPortability}}</ref>

==Common signals==
Products and services that are affected by enshittification usually apply these practices (that could be subtle at first) on their product or services:

*Modifications of [[terms of service]] or [[terms of use]] to include anti-consumer practices.
*[[Advertising overload]].
*[[Pay-walling]] or limiting functions or features, usually ones that used to be free at first. This can also end into [[monetization overload]]. In some cases, a function or feature might be completely removed.
*Price gouging or [[surge pricing]].
*In physical products, usage of lower-quality or durability materials to manufacture the products, something that is usually alongside with [[planned obsolescence]].
*In software, integration of advertisements and [[Bloatware]]. Low-quality updates and features.
*Provider companies ignoring user feedback that involves in reverting or removing features that reduce partnership or shareholder profitting.

==Examples==
===E-commerce===
In Doctorow's original post, he discussed the practices of [[Amazon]]. The online retailer initially drew in users with products sold below cost and free shipping. Once its userbase was well established, more sellers began to sell their products through Amazon. Finally, Amazon began to add fees to increase profits. In 2023, over 45% of the sale price of items went to Amazon in the form of various fees. Amazon also allows sellers the ability to push their listing higher in search results via its paid Sponsored Products program. Doctorow described advertisement within Amazon as a payola scheme in which sellers bid against one another for search-ranking preference, and said that the first five pages of a search for "cat beds" were half advertisements

eBay is another e-commerce site that followed a similar trajectory, initially offering low fees and a robust buying/selling protection system. Once its userbase of largely secondhand buyers and sellers was solidified, eBay raised seller fees and began incentivizing large volume sellers - often actual businesses - with lower selling fees should they subscribe to eBay Store. eBay sellers are also no longer able to leave negative feedback for buyers, greatly reducing the ability of sellers to avoid bad actors. Since then, eBay has introduced promoted listings that are effectively analogous to Amazon's paid sponsored listing system. eBay has also encouraged sellers to use AI generated descriptions that often misrepresent the condition of items being sold, along with opting all of its users into in-house AI training [[Ebay AI opt in by default|by default]] as of its April 21, 2025 privacy policy revision.

===Media streaming platforms===
The enshittification of Netflix is similarly reflected in other competing streaming platforms such as YouTube TV and Amazon Prime Video, where prices have increased despite a decline (or at least no perceivable improvement) in overall service quality. Multiple providers have also downgraded their cheapest paid plans to now come bundled with ads.

===Search engines===
Google started as an ad-free search engine, but then it started to add sponsored links in the top of the searchs and making them less distinguishable between non-ad links. {{Citation needed}} In 2024, Google started rolling out AI Overview, an AI-generated summary that appears at the top of the search results. Due to the release was rushed and didn't have proper revisions, the AI Overview showed inaccurate and potentially dangerous overviews, such as encouraging eating rocks, suggesting putting glue on top of pizza as a solution to cheese sliding off, encouraging smoking during pregnancy, encouraging suicide and suggesting users to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goodwin |first=Danny |date=24 May 2024 |title=Google AI Overviews under fire for giving dangerous and wrong answers |url=https://searchengineland.com/google-ai-overview-fails-442575 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250623180113/https://searchengineland.com/google-ai-overview-fails-442575 |archive-date=23 Jun 2025 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |work=Search Engine Land}}</ref> Google has responded to those issues and temporarily disabled the AI overview. While those incidents have been fixed and the AI Overview has been made available again, the AI overview still shows inaccurate results caused by hallucinations, biases and citing non-fiable sources, often citing satire comments as factual sources, or making stuff up. The AI overview has also been criticized for being considered as unwanted or unnecessary, for being environmentally harmful, privacy concerns and for reducing traffic towards genuine sites, encouraging people to rely on the overview instead of visiting sites to obtain the information they're looking for.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=15 Jul 2025 |title=Google Discover adds AI summaries, threatening publishers with further traffic declines |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/15/google-discover-adds-ai-summaries-threatening-publishers-with-further-traffic-declines/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250718124612/https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/15/google-discover-adds-ai-summaries-threatening-publishers-with-further-traffic-declines/ |archive-date=18 Jul 2025 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |work=TechCrunch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bellan |first=Rebecca |date=10 Jun 2025 |title=Google’s AI search features are killing traffic to publishers |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/10/googles-ai-overviews-are-killing-traffic-for-publishers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250714040741/https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/10/googles-ai-overviews-are-killing-traffic-for-publishers/ |archive-date=14 Jul 2025 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |work=TechCrunch}}</ref>

===Social media===
'''[[Facebook]]:'''

Facebook has shifted from a network for personal connection to a platform dominated by advertising and algorithmic manipulation. User data is monetised at the expense of privacy, while the quality of organic content has steadily declined.

'''[[Instagram]]:'''

Once centred on creativity and social sharing, Instagram now prioritises sponsored posts, shopping features, and influencer marketing. Users’ ability to control their feeds has been reduced, reflecting the platform’s focus on profit over consumer experience.

'''[[Reddit]]:'''

Reddit’s 2023 API changes exemplify enshitification, undermining community tools and third-party apps in favour of advertising revenue. This has eroded user autonomy and restricted consumer choice.

'''[[X Corp|Twitter/X]]:'''

Following its acquisition and rebrand, Twitter/X introduced [[Pay-walling|paywalls]] for basic features, weakened its moderation and increased sponsored content. The result has ended into a degraded service and a diminished consumer experience.

'''[[TikTok]]:'''

TikTok’s powerful recommendation algorithm drives engagement but also funnels users into repetitive content while saturating feeds with advertising. Concerns over data exploitation further highlight the imbalance between corporate gain and consumer rights.

'''[[YouTube]]:'''

YouTube has expanded ad loads and aggressively promoted subscriptions, while algorithmic changes often disadvantage independent creators. Consumers face reduced choice and increased intrusion, hallmarks of enshitification.

'''[[Discord]]:'''

Discord's primary selling point is that it is the most-used method of online communication, especially for communities.{{Citation needed}} Because of this dominance, it has caused barriers for users intending to switch to alternative platforms such as Stoat or Matrix, as a lack of common users between platforms makes it difficult for more users to transfer over.{{Citation needed}} This fact has been abused by Discord with its infrastructure showing signs of decay,{{Citation needed}} the introduction of advertisements in the format of "quests",{{Citation needed}} and the degradation of free perks.{{Citation needed}}

===Software===
'''[[Adobe]]:'''

*Forced shift from perpetual licenses to subscriptions.
Beginning in 2013 with Creative Cloud, Adobe eliminated the option to purchase perpetual licenses for core products like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere. Users must now maintain an ongoing subscription to access the software at all. Cancelling payments disables applications regardless of prior investment, dramatically increasing long-term costs and removing user ownership in favor of recurring subscriptions.
*Loss of access to files after subscription ends.
Many Adobe file formats (PSD, AI, INDD, AE project files) are proprietary and poorly supported by third-party software. When a subscription ends, users become unable to open, export, or meaningfully edit their own historical work, effectively holding user-created content hostage to enforce continued payment.
*Mandatory Creative Cloud account (see [[Forced account]]) and [[Digital rights management|DRM]] for offline tools.
Applications that run locally require frequent online authentication through the Creative Cloud desktop app. Forced sign-ins, background services, and periodic license checks can disable software unexpectedly, undermining reliability and making professional tools dependent on Adobe’s servers.
*[[Dark pattern|Dark patterns]] in subscription cancellation and pricing.
Adobe’s subscription plans use confusing billing structures (such as “annual plans billed monthly”) that impose early termination fees. Cancellation flows are deliberately complex, with obscured options and repeated retention prompts, resulting in users paying longer than intended or being penalized for leaving.

'''[[Microsoft Windows]]:'''

*Forced Microsoft account sign-in.
Beginning with Windows 10 and further enforced in Windows 11, Microsoft increasingly requires users to sign in with a Microsoft account during setup. This restricts offline use, obscures the option to create a local account, and facilitates expanded telemetry collection and ecosystem lock-in.
*Built-in advertising in a paid operating system.
Despite being a commercial software, Windows includes advertisements and promotional content in the Start Menu, lock screen, system notifications, and settings panels, used to promote Microsoft 365, OneDrive, Edge, and other services and other proprietary software. Even when users disable these features, they are frequently re-enabled after major updates.
*Dark patterns in bundled applications.
Microsoft applications repeatedly nudge users toward Microsoft-preferred choices. Edge persistently prompts users to become the default browser and displays warnings when switching away. OneDrive frames cloud uploads as “protecting your files,” obscuring the fact that local folders are being redirected to Microsoft’s servers. Subscription prompts often lack a clear “Never ask again” option, offering only choices such as “Try for free” or “Maybe later” as in Microsoft365.
*Increased unavoidable telemetry.
Telemetry and diagnostic data collection are enabled by default, with only limited controls available to disable or reduce them—particularly in non-Enterprise editions. Some data collection is mandatory and vaguely documented, undermining informed consent.
*Loss of user control over updates.
Windows updates cannot be permanently disabled through standard settings. Users can only defer updates for a limited period (up to four weeks), after which downloads and installations are often forced, sometimes causing unexpected restarts or re-enabling previously disabled features without user consent.
*Bundled software bloat.
Windows ships with numerous preinstalled Microsoft applications that are not essential to core OS functionality. These apps are installed without explicit user consent and may reappear after major updates even if previously removed.
*Degraded local search in favor of web search.
The start menu and file search experience has progressively gotten worse, blending local results with Bing web searches. This often prioritizes online content and advertisements over fast, predictable local file and application discovery, reducing usability in order to promote Microsoft’s search and advertising ecosystem.

===Video Games===
'''[[Unity Engine runtime fee|Unity]]:'''

Unity Software Inc. implemented sweeping changes to its pricing model for Unity that would affect all users of the engine, forcing users to either adopt their per-download fee or de-list their games.

'''Mobile Games:'''A lot of mobile games have fell into enshittifed experiences. A lot of mobile games were paid in the early days of the [[Apple App Store]], but then became [[Free to Play]] with users being bombarded with ads, [[Microtransactions|micro-transactions]], [[Battle passes|battle-passes]], energy-systems and more, to extract as much money out of the player's pocket, while making the experience less fun. The video game Angry-Birds is a good example of this. What started as a very simple game now has all of the aforementioned tactics baked into it, rendering the playing experience tedious and unpleasant.

===Learning Applications===
'''[[Duolingo]]:'''

...

{{See also|Network effects}}

==Further reading==

*https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/30/go-nuts-meine-kerle/#ich-bin-ein-bratapfel

==External links==

*[https://youtu.be/T4Upf_B9RLQ "A Day in the Life of an Ensh*ttificator"], by [https://www.youtube.com/@Forbrukerr%C3%A5detNorge Forbrukerrådet - Norwegian Consumer Council], 2026
*[https://youtu.be/NBZv0_MImIY "Y'all mind if I complain for 15 minutes?"], by [[wikipedia:Jaiden_Animations|Jaiden Dittfach]], 2025. In this video, she talks about how things have "become less efficient" and "more stupid".
*[https://eev.ee/blog/2025/07/03/the-rise-of-whatever/ "The rise of Whatever"]
*[https://gavinhoward.com/2023/11/your-loved-ones-are-prisoners-and-you-made-the-chain "Digital chains and modern feudalism"]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Common terms]]
[[Category:Theme]]

Enshittification

2026-03-17T04:37:36Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: expanded a bit of the rest of the article and added a "Common signals" section

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Some sections are lacking adequate source population or quality|Issue 2=Some sections are far too brief, or aren't even written|Issue 3=Lack of depth; there's not enough links of data that connects each stage together, not to mention real-world examples of companies going through the full process.}}{{ToneWarning}}

'''Platform decay''', commonly known as '''[[wikipedia:Enshittification|Enshittification]]''' or '''crapification''', is a practice of companies (usually large ones) that consists of declining the quality of the products or services they provide over time.

The term was first coined by tech blogger [[wikipedia:Cory Doctorow|Cory Doctorow]] in November 2022<ref>{{Cite web |last=Doctorow |first=Cory |date=28 Nov 2022 |title=Pluralistic: How monopoly enshittified Amazon/28 Nov 2022 |url=https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/28/enshittification/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=Pluralistic |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216121528/https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/28/enshittification/ |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref>, popularized by Arun Maini (Mrwhosetheboss)<ref>[https://www.uniladtech.com/news/tech-news/mrwhosetheboss-explains-google-search-broken-715030-20241030 Popular tech YouTuber exposes why 'broken' Google Search is falling apart] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251117215634/https://www.uniladtech.com/news/tech-news/mrwhosetheboss-explains-google-search-broken-715030-20241030 Archived])</ref><ref>The Internet is starting to Break - Here's Why. - Mrwhosetheboss</ref><ref>Why Google Search is Falling Apart. - Mrwhosetheboss</ref>, and has since gained widespread recognition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=enshittification |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/slang/enshittification |url-status=live |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=Merriam-Webster |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222030743/https://www.merriam-webster.com/slang/enshittification |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==How it works==
The platform decay practice is done by three stages. Initially, the companies create high-quality products or services offerings, usually by offering users a product or service at a low price (or sometimes for free). This works as an easy way to attract users and consumers and undercut the competition. Later, the offerings and the platform quality declines, usually with subtle changes, to enworse users' experience for doing a transition to prioritize business customer profits. At the end they decline the quality for both regular and business consumers, this to prioritize shareholder profits.

Enshittification is also a common practice amongst large corporations that provide a product or service that is a monopoly. When there's no significant competence, the enshittification may last longer as users couldn't leave the platform because they're used to it or are unable to find similar alternatives that can fit their needs.

These practices also could make the provider companies to end having an unrepairable reputation or even falling in bankrupcy in some cases.

<blockquote>''"It is a seemingly inevitable consequence arising from the combination of the ease of changing how a platform allocates value, combined with the nature of a "two-sided market," where a platform sits between buyers and sellers, hold each hostage to the other, raking off an ever-larger share of the value that passes between them."'' <ref>{{Cite web |last=Doctorow |first=Cory |date=23 Jan 2023 |title=The ‘Enshittification’ of TikTok |url=https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-platforms-cory-doctorow/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=WIRED |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260120085207/https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-platforms-cory-doctorow/ |archive-date=20 Jan 2026}}</ref></blockquote>- Cory Doctorow ''Wired,'' 2023

===Stage 1 - Incentivizing Mass Adoption===
Companies begin with offering a product or service focused on provide a high-quality experience or usage for the user, along with constantly listening to user feedback. Another common practice to attract users is also by providing a cheap or accessible price for the mayority of consumers. They basically create something "too good" to be free or low-cost. This leads into a visible and well-known product or service that makes easy the establishment of communities and userbases.

A documented example of this phase occurs with [[Uber]] aggressively usinginvestor capital to fund massive subsidies, paying to acquire both drivers and passengers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Uber Disrupted An Industry With An Explosive Approach |url=https://www.cascade.app/studies/uber-strategy-study#:~:text=Uber%20combined%20that%20initial%20campaign,rider%20sides%20faster%20and%20easier. |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251112132833/https://www.cascade.app/studies/uber-strategy-study |archive-date=12 Nov 2025}}</ref> It was initially well-received for offering competitive prices for transportation, leading to a large userbase adopting the platform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wolff |first=Micheal |date=22 Dec 2013 |title=Wolff: The tech company of the year is Uber |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/wolff/2013/12/22/the-success-of-app-based-car-service-uber/4141669/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=USA TODAY |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250414222632/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/wolff/2013/12/22/the-success-of-app-based-car-service-uber/4141669/ |archive-date=14 Apr 2025}}</ref>

===Stage 2 - Catering to Business Clients===
Once the communities and userbases are stable, companies begin to offer and partner with businesses customers with great incentive. These partnerships and this new profitting focus are the responsible to erode the user experience via methods such as supplies and advertising.

A documented example of this phase is seen with the case of [[Reddit]] removing the free access to their API nearing the time of its Initial public offering (IPO).<ref name="TheVergeAnnouncement">{{Cite web |last=Shakir |first=Umar |date=April 18, 2023 |title=Reddit's upcoming API changes will make AI companies pony up |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/18/23688463/reddit-developer-api-terms-change-monetization-ai |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614020642/https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/18/23688463/reddit-developer-api-terms-change-monetization-ai |archive-date=June 14, 2023 |access-date=June 17, 2023 |work=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> Then, in 2024, Reddit struck a $60 million deal with [[Google]] to give access to its user-generated content for AI training data.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tong |first=Anna |last2=Wang |first2=Echo |last3=Coulter |first3=Martin |last4=Tong |first4=Anna |last5=Wang |first5=Echo |date=2024-02-22 |title=Exclusive: Reddit in AI content licensing deal with Google |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/reddit-ai-content-licensing-deal-with-google-sources-say-2024-02-22/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |work=Reuters |language=en |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260112221447/https://www.reuters.com/technology/reddit-ai-content-licensing-deal-with-google-sources-say-2024-02-22/ |archive-date=12 Jan 2026}}</ref>

===Stage 3 - Quality Degradation for Shareholders===
When both users and business partners are locked in, the company shifts its surpluses to the shareholders. It no longer has any incentive to grow or maintain quality for either of its customer bases and relentlessly seeks profit at any rate for the shareholders. Companies at this stage also tend to have such a large market presence that switching barriers naturally (or intentionally) fall into place for those trying to leave for alternatives.

An ongoing example is [[YouTube]]'s [[YouTube#Crackdown against ad-blockers|crackdown on users using ad-blockers]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=YouTube intensifies crackdown on ad blockers {{!}} AdGuard |url=https://adguard.com/en/blog/youtube-new-banner-adblockers-violate-tos.html |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=AdGuard Blog |language=en}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251211160954/https://adguard.com/en/blog/youtube-new-banner-adblockers-violate-tos.html Archived])</ref> While such a crackdown might reduce [[Ad block|ad-blocker]] usage and increase short-term shareholder returns, it degrades the experience for users and reduces the quality of impressions for advertisers. Over 30% of the world's population uses YouTube, with a ~98% market share in online video media.<ref>{{Cite web |title=YouTube - Market Share, Competitor Insights in Media Players And Streaming Platforms |url=https://www.6sense.com/tech/media-players-and-streaming-platforms/youtube-market-share |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=6sense |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250429132430/https://6sense.com/tech/media-players-and-streaming-platforms/youtube-market-share |archive-date=29 Apr 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=23 Essential YouTube Statistics You Need to Know in 2025 |url=https://thesocialshepherd.com/blog/youtube-statistics |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=The Social Shepherd |language=en |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260124141601/https://thesocialshepherd.com/blog/youtube-statistics |archive-date=24 Jan 2026}}</ref>

==Why it is a problem==

===Erosion of user experiences===
It can cause frustration among customers, for example [[Netflix]] has started locking down movies behind expensive plans, so customers are frustrated into subscribing to a more expensive plan.

Enshittification can also lead to [[wikipedia:Feature creep|feature creep]] - especially when new features of a product are intended to further lock in users and increase revenue. This creep can lead to an overall reduction in performance due to [[Bloatware|bloat]] and increased complexity, reducing a product's usability. A prime example of feature creep caused in large part by late-stage enshittification is [[Microsoft Windows]].

===Switching barriers===
Enshittified platforms that act as intermediaries can act as both a monopoly on services and a monopsony on customers, as high switching barriers prevent either from leaving even when better alternatives technically exist. These barriers can be intentionally put in place - such as restricting the user's ability to transfer data or communicate between platforms - or unintentional, such as a platform's userbase being so large that it naturally makes it near impossible for users or partners to find equivalent engagement on an alternative platform.

An example of this would be a long-time [[eBay]] seller hoping to leave the site for an alternative with lower fees (possibly Mercari or Etsy). They might first encounter issues migrating all of their listings over to the new platform; a process which could be tedious. Their feedback history will certainly not carry over to the new platform so buyers are initially less likely to view them as trustworthy, potentially impacting sales. Lastly, the alternative platform likely has a vastly smaller userbase than eBay so despite all the possible benefits - the seller is less likely to be successful on the new platform than they are on eBay.

Such switching barriers can create an adversarial relationship between platform users or business partners and the company they're dependent on. The users or partners cannot be successful without access to the wide reach of the platform - but it leaves them wholly dependent on a company that no longer has their best interests in mind.

===Platform death===
A potential end-scenario for enshittified platforms is death, usually caused by a large enough exodus of users and business partners, and a general loss of trust. A platform may not truly "die" per se, but it can completely lose the identity that made it successful in the first place - and might not ever regain it. An ongoing example is [[X Corp|Twitter]] post Elon Musk's takeover. Under its new ownership and branding, the platform drove away swathes of its userbase and advertisers to alternative platforms (such as [[Bluesky]]) after its policy shifts proved widely unpopular.

However, the death of an enshittified platform is not an entirely positive end result. It uproots a long established userbase and can greatly disrupt their activities. There is also the chance that alternative platforms lack of feature parities with the old platform or that it might not even be able to support the massive influx of new users - at least for some amount of time. At worst, data loss could be involved meaning years worth of information - if not archived beforehand - could potentially be lost if a platform shuts down in some capacity.

==Possible solutions==

===Legislations and movements===
...
===End-to-end principal===
...

===Right of exit===
{{see also|Click-to-cancel|Interoperability}}
The right of exit, or Data portability, is the right of a user to leave a platform without losing the data stored on it, and instead being able to export it and access it in various applications of the user's liking.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DataPortability Project |url=http://www.dataportability.org/ |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723171111/http://www.dataportability.org/ |archive-date=23 Jul 2009 |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=DataPortability}}</ref>

==Common signals==
Products and services that are affected by enshittification usually apply these practices (that could be subtle at first) on their product or services:

*Modifications of [[terms of service]] or [[terms of use]] to include anti-consumer practices.
*[[Advertising overload]].
*[[Pay-walling]] or limiting functions or features, usually ones that used to be free at first. This can also end into [[monetization overload]]. In some cases, a function or feature might be completely removed.
*Price gouging or [[surge pricing]].
*In physical products, usage of lower-quality or durability materials to manufacture the products, something that is usually alongside with [[planned obsolescence]].
*In software, integration of advertisements and [[Bloatware]]. Low-quality updates and features.
*Provider companies ignoring user feedback that involves in reverting or removing features that reduce partnership or shareholder profitting.

==Examples==
===E-commerce===
In Doctorow's original post, he discussed the practices of [[Amazon]]. The online retailer initially drew in users with products sold below cost and free shipping. Once its userbase was well established, more sellers began to sell their products through Amazon. Finally, Amazon began to add fees to increase profits. In 2023, over 45% of the sale price of items went to Amazon in the form of various fees. Amazon also allows sellers the ability to push their listing higher in search results via its paid Sponsored Products program. Doctorow described advertisement within Amazon as a payola scheme in which sellers bid against one another for search-ranking preference, and said that the first five pages of a search for "cat beds" were half advertisements

eBay is another e-commerce site that followed a similar trajectory, initially offering low fees and a robust buying/selling protection system. Once its userbase of largely secondhand buyers and sellers was solidified, eBay raised seller fees and began incentivizing large volume sellers - often actual businesses - with lower selling fees should they subscribe to eBay Store. eBay sellers are also no longer able to leave negative feedback for buyers, greatly reducing the ability of sellers to avoid bad actors. Since then, eBay has introduced promoted listings that are effectively analogous to Amazon's paid sponsored listing system. eBay has also encouraged sellers to use AI generated descriptions that often misrepresent the condition of items being sold, along with opting all of its users into in-house AI training [[Ebay AI opt in by default|by default]] as of its April 21, 2025 privacy policy revision.

===Media streaming platforms===
The enshittification of Netflix is similarly reflected in other competing streaming platforms such as YouTube TV and Amazon Prime Video, where prices have increased despite a decline (or at least no perceivable improvement) in overall service quality. Multiple providers have also downgraded their cheapest paid plans to now come bundled with ads.

===Search engines===
Google started as an ad-free search engine, but then it started to add sponsored links in the top of the searchs and making them less distinguishable between non-ad links. {{Citation needed}} In 2024, Google started rolling out AI Overview, an AI-generated summary that appears at the top of the search results. Due to the release was rushed and didn't have proper revisions, the AI Overview showed inaccurate and potentially dangerous overviews, such as encouraging eating rocks, suggesting putting glue on top of pizza as a solution to cheese sliding off, encouraging smoking during pregnancy, encouraging suicide and suggesting users to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goodwin |first=Danny |date=24 May 2024 |title=Google AI Overviews under fire for giving dangerous and wrong answers |url=https://searchengineland.com/google-ai-overview-fails-442575 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250623180113/https://searchengineland.com/google-ai-overview-fails-442575 |archive-date=23 Jun 2025 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |work=Search Engine Land}}</ref> Google has responded to those issues and temporarily disabled the AI overview. While those incidents have been fixed and the AI Overview has been made available again, the AI overview still shows inaccurate results caused by hallucinations, biases and citing non-fiable sources, often citing satire comments as factual sources, or making stuff up. The AI overview has also been criticized for being considered as unwanted or unnecessary, for being environmentally harmful, privacy concerns and for reducing traffic towards genuine sites, encouraging people to rely on the overview instead of visiting sites to obtain the information they're looking for.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=15 Jul 2025 |title=Google Discover adds AI summaries, threatening publishers with further traffic declines |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/15/google-discover-adds-ai-summaries-threatening-publishers-with-further-traffic-declines/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250718124612/https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/15/google-discover-adds-ai-summaries-threatening-publishers-with-further-traffic-declines/ |archive-date=18 Jul 2025 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |work=TechCrunch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bellan |first=Rebecca |date=10 Jun 2025 |title=Google’s AI search features are killing traffic to publishers |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/10/googles-ai-overviews-are-killing-traffic-for-publishers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250714040741/https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/10/googles-ai-overviews-are-killing-traffic-for-publishers/ |archive-date=14 Jul 2025 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |work=TechCrunch}}</ref>

===Social media===
'''[[Facebook]]:'''

Facebook has shifted from a network for personal connection to a platform dominated by advertising and algorithmic manipulation. User data is monetised at the expense of privacy, while the quality of organic content has steadily declined.

'''[[Instagram]]:'''

Once centred on creativity and social sharing, Instagram now prioritises sponsored posts, shopping features, and influencer marketing. Users’ ability to control their feeds has been reduced, reflecting the platform’s focus on profit over consumer experience.

'''[[Reddit]]:'''

Reddit’s 2023 API changes exemplify enshitification, undermining community tools and third-party apps in favour of advertising revenue. This has eroded user autonomy and restricted consumer choice.

'''[[X Corp|Twitter/X]]:'''

Following its acquisition and rebrand, Twitter/X introduced [[Pay-walling|paywalls]] for basic features, weakened its moderation and increased sponsored content. The result has ended into a degraded service and a diminished consumer experience.

'''[[TikTok]]:'''

TikTok’s powerful recommendation algorithm drives engagement but also funnels users into repetitive content while saturating feeds with advertising. Concerns over data exploitation further highlight the imbalance between corporate gain and consumer rights.

'''[[YouTube]]:'''

YouTube has expanded ad loads and aggressively promoted subscriptions, while algorithmic changes often disadvantage independent creators. Consumers face reduced choice and increased intrusion, hallmarks of enshitification.

'''[[Discord]]:'''

Discord's primary selling point is that it is the most-used method of online communication, especially for communities.{{Citation needed}} Because of this dominance, it has caused barriers for users intending to switch to alternative platforms such as Stoat or Matrix, as a lack of common users between platforms makes it difficult for more users to transfer over.{{Citation needed}} This fact has been abused by Discord with its infrastructure showing signs of decay,{{Citation needed}} the introduction of advertisements in the format of "quests",{{Citation needed}} and the degradation of free perks.{{Citation needed}}

===Software===
'''[[Adobe]]:'''

*Forced shift from perpetual licenses to subscriptions.
Beginning in 2013 with Creative Cloud, Adobe eliminated the option to purchase perpetual licenses for core products like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere. Users must now maintain an ongoing subscription to access the software at all. Cancelling payments disables applications regardless of prior investment, dramatically increasing long-term costs and removing user ownership in favor of recurring subscriptions.
*Loss of access to files after subscription ends.
Many Adobe file formats (PSD, AI, INDD, AE project files) are proprietary and poorly supported by third-party software. When a subscription ends, users become unable to open, export, or meaningfully edit their own historical work, effectively holding user-created content hostage to enforce continued payment.
*Mandatory Creative Cloud account (see [[Forced account]]) and [[Digital rights management|DRM]] for offline tools.
Applications that run locally require frequent online authentication through the Creative Cloud desktop app. Forced sign-ins, background services, and periodic license checks can disable software unexpectedly, undermining reliability and making professional tools dependent on Adobe’s servers.
*[[Dark pattern|Dark patterns]] in subscription cancellation and pricing.
Adobe’s subscription plans use confusing billing structures (such as “annual plans billed monthly”) that impose early termination fees. Cancellation flows are deliberately complex, with obscured options and repeated retention prompts, resulting in users paying longer than intended or being penalized for leaving.

'''[[Microsoft Windows]]:'''

*Forced Microsoft account sign-in.
Beginning with Windows 10 and further enforced in Windows 11, Microsoft increasingly requires users to sign in with a Microsoft account during setup. This restricts offline use, obscures the option to create a local account, and facilitates expanded telemetry collection and ecosystem lock-in.
*Built-in advertising in a paid operating system.
Despite being a commercial software, Windows includes advertisements and promotional content in the Start Menu, lock screen, system notifications, and settings panels, used to promote Microsoft 365, OneDrive, Edge, and other services and other proprietary software. Even when users disable these features, they are frequently re-enabled after major updates.
*Dark patterns in bundled applications.
Microsoft applications repeatedly nudge users toward Microsoft-preferred choices. Edge persistently prompts users to become the default browser and displays warnings when switching away. OneDrive frames cloud uploads as “protecting your files,” obscuring the fact that local folders are being redirected to Microsoft’s servers. Subscription prompts often lack a clear “Never ask again” option, offering only choices such as “Try for free” or “Maybe later” as in Microsoft365.
*Increased unavoidable telemetry.
Telemetry and diagnostic data collection are enabled by default, with only limited controls available to disable or reduce them—particularly in non-Enterprise editions. Some data collection is mandatory and vaguely documented, undermining informed consent.
*Loss of user control over updates.
Windows updates cannot be permanently disabled through standard settings. Users can only defer updates for a limited period (up to four weeks), after which downloads and installations are often forced, sometimes causing unexpected restarts or re-enabling previously disabled features without user consent.
*Bundled software bloat.
Windows ships with numerous preinstalled Microsoft applications that are not essential to core OS functionality. These apps are installed without explicit user consent and may reappear after major updates even if previously removed.
*Degraded local search in favor of web search.
The start menu and file search experience has progressively gotten worse, blending local results with Bing web searches. This often prioritizes online content and advertisements over fast, predictable local file and application discovery, reducing usability in order to promote Microsoft’s search and advertising ecosystem.

===Video Games===
'''[[Unity Engine runtime fee|Unity]]:'''

Unity Software Inc. implemented sweeping changes to its pricing model for Unity that would affect all users of the engine, forcing users to either adopt their per-download fee or de-list their games.

'''Mobile Games:'''A lot of mobile games have fell into enshittifed experiences. A lot of mobile games were paid in the early days of the [[Apple App Store]], but then became [[Free to Play]] with users being bombarded with ads, [[Microtransactions|micro-transactions]], [[Battle passes|battle-passes]], energy-systems and more, to extract as much money out of the player's pocket, while making the experience less fun. The video game Angry-Birds is a good example of this. What started as a very simple game now has all of the aforementioned tactics baked into it, rendering the playing experience tedious and unpleasant.

===Learning Applications===
'''[[Duolingo]]:'''

...

{{See also|Network effects}}

==Further reading==

*https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/30/go-nuts-meine-kerle/#ich-bin-ein-bratapfel

==External links==

*[https://youtu.be/T4Upf_B9RLQ "A Day in the Life of an Ensh*ttificator"], by [https://www.youtube.com/@Forbrukerr%C3%A5detNorge Forbrukerrådet - Norwegian Consumer Council], 2026
*[https://youtu.be/NBZv0_MImIY "Y'all mind if I complain for 15 minutes?"], by [[wikipedia:Jaiden_Animations|Jaiden Dittfach]], 2025. In this video, she talks about how things have "become less efficient" and "more stupid".
*[https://eev.ee/blog/2025/07/03/the-rise-of-whatever/ "The rise of Whatever"]
*[https://gavinhoward.com/2023/11/your-loved-ones-are-prisoners-and-you-made-the-chain "Digital chains and modern feudalism"]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Common terms]]
[[Category:Theme]]

Enshittification

2026-03-17T03:51:45Z

ClippyWantsToHelp:

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Some sections are lacking adequate source population or quality|Issue 2=Some sections are far too brief, or aren't even written|Issue 3=Lack of depth; there's not enough links of data that connects each stage together, not to mention real-world examples of companies going through the full process.}}{{ToneWarning}}

'''Platform decay''', commonly known as '''[[wikipedia:Enshittification|Enshittification]]''' or '''crapification''', is a practice of companies (usually large ones) that consists of declining the quality of the products or services they provide over time.

The term was first coined by tech blogger [[wikipedia:Cory Doctorow|Cory Doctorow]] in November 2022<ref>{{Cite web |last=Doctorow |first=Cory |date=28 Nov 2022 |title=Pluralistic: How monopoly enshittified Amazon/28 Nov 2022 |url=https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/28/enshittification/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=Pluralistic |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216121528/https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/28/enshittification/ |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref>, popularized by Arun Maini (Mrwhosetheboss)<ref>[https://www.uniladtech.com/news/tech-news/mrwhosetheboss-explains-google-search-broken-715030-20241030 Popular tech YouTuber exposes why 'broken' Google Search is falling apart] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251117215634/https://www.uniladtech.com/news/tech-news/mrwhosetheboss-explains-google-search-broken-715030-20241030 Archived])</ref><ref>The Internet is starting to Break - Here's Why. - Mrwhosetheboss</ref><ref>Why Google Search is Falling Apart. - Mrwhosetheboss</ref>, and has since gained widespread recognition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=enshittification |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/slang/enshittification |url-status=live |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=Merriam-Webster |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222030743/https://www.merriam-webster.com/slang/enshittification |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==How it works==
The platform decay practice is done by three stages. Initially, the companies create high-quality products or services offerings, usually by offering users a product or service at a low price (or sometimes for free). This works as an easy way to attract users and consumers and undercut the competition. Later, the offerings and the platform quality declines, usually with subtle changes, to enworse users' experience for doing a transition to prioritize business customer profits. At the end they decline the quality for both regular and business consumers, this to prioritize shareholder profits. The decay of the platforms could make the provider companies to end with an unrepairable reputation or even in bankrupcy.

<blockquote>''"It is a seemingly inevitable consequence arising from the combination of the ease of changing how a platform allocates value, combined with the nature of a "two-sided market," where a platform sits between buyers and sellers, hold each hostage to the other, raking off an ever-larger share of the value that passes between them."'' <ref>{{Cite web |last=Doctorow |first=Cory |date=23 Jan 2023 |title=The ‘Enshittification’ of TikTok |url=https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-platforms-cory-doctorow/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=WIRED |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260120085207/https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-platforms-cory-doctorow/ |archive-date=20 Jan 2026}}</ref></blockquote>- Cory Doctorow ''Wired,'' 2023

===Stage 1 - Incentivizing Mass Adoption===
Companies begin with offering a product or service focused on provide a high-quality experience or usage for the user, along with constantly listening to user feedback. Another common practice to attract users is also by providing a cheap or accessible price for the mayority of consumers. This leads into product or service visibility and makes easier to establish a communities and userbases.

A documented example of this phase occurs with [[Uber]] aggressively usinginvestor capital to fund massive subsidies, paying to acquire both drivers and passengers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Uber Disrupted An Industry With An Explosive Approach |url=https://www.cascade.app/studies/uber-strategy-study#:~:text=Uber%20combined%20that%20initial%20campaign,rider%20sides%20faster%20and%20easier. |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251112132833/https://www.cascade.app/studies/uber-strategy-study |archive-date=12 Nov 2025}}</ref> It was initially well-received for offering competitive prices for transportation, leading to a large userbase adopting the platform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wolff |first=Micheal |date=22 Dec 2013 |title=Wolff: The tech company of the year is Uber |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/wolff/2013/12/22/the-success-of-app-based-car-service-uber/4141669/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=USA TODAY |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250414222632/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/wolff/2013/12/22/the-success-of-app-based-car-service-uber/4141669/ |archive-date=14 Apr 2025}}</ref>

===Stage 2 - Catering to Business Clients===
Once the communities and userbases are stable, companies begin to offer and partner with businesses customers with great incentive. These partnerships and this new profitting focus are the responsible to erode the user experience via methods such as supplies and advertising.

A documented example of this phase is seen with the case of [[Reddit]] removing the free access to their API nearing the time of its Initial public offering (IPO).<ref name="TheVergeAnnouncement">{{Cite web |last=Shakir |first=Umar |date=April 18, 2023 |title=Reddit's upcoming API changes will make AI companies pony up |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/18/23688463/reddit-developer-api-terms-change-monetization-ai |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614020642/https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/18/23688463/reddit-developer-api-terms-change-monetization-ai |archive-date=June 14, 2023 |access-date=June 17, 2023 |work=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> Then, in 2024, Reddit struck a $60 million deal with [[Google]] to give access to its user-generated content for AI training data.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tong |first=Anna |last2=Wang |first2=Echo |last3=Coulter |first3=Martin |last4=Tong |first4=Anna |last5=Wang |first5=Echo |date=2024-02-22 |title=Exclusive: Reddit in AI content licensing deal with Google |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/reddit-ai-content-licensing-deal-with-google-sources-say-2024-02-22/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |work=Reuters |language=en |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260112221447/https://www.reuters.com/technology/reddit-ai-content-licensing-deal-with-google-sources-say-2024-02-22/ |archive-date=12 Jan 2026}}</ref>

===Stage 3 - Quality Degradation for Shareholders===
When both users and business partners are locked in, the company shifts its surpluses to the shareholders. It no longer has any incentive to grow or maintain quality for either of its customer bases and relentlessly seeks profit at any rate for the shareholders. Companies at this stage also tend to have such a large market presence that switching barriers naturally (or intentionally) fall into place for those trying to leave for alternatives.

An ongoing example is [[YouTube]]'s [[YouTube#Crackdown against ad-blockers|crackdown on users using ad-blockers]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=YouTube intensifies crackdown on ad blockers {{!}} AdGuard |url=https://adguard.com/en/blog/youtube-new-banner-adblockers-violate-tos.html |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=AdGuard Blog |language=en}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251211160954/https://adguard.com/en/blog/youtube-new-banner-adblockers-violate-tos.html Archived])</ref> While such a crackdown might reduce [[Ad block|ad-blocker]] usage and increase short-term shareholder returns, it degrades the experience for users and reduces the quality of impressions for advertisers. Over 30% of the world's population uses YouTube, with a ~98% market share in online video media.<ref>{{Cite web |title=YouTube - Market Share, Competitor Insights in Media Players And Streaming Platforms |url=https://www.6sense.com/tech/media-players-and-streaming-platforms/youtube-market-share |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=6sense |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250429132430/https://6sense.com/tech/media-players-and-streaming-platforms/youtube-market-share |archive-date=29 Apr 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=23 Essential YouTube Statistics You Need to Know in 2025 |url=https://thesocialshepherd.com/blog/youtube-statistics |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=The Social Shepherd |language=en |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260124141601/https://thesocialshepherd.com/blog/youtube-statistics |archive-date=24 Jan 2026}}</ref>

==Why it is a problem==

===Erosion of user experiences===
It can cause frustration among customers, for example [[Netflix]] has started locking down movies behind expensive plans, so customers are frustrated into subscribing to a more expensive plan.

Enshittification can also lead to [[wikipedia:Feature creep|feature creep]] - especially when new features of a product are intended to further lock in users and increase revenue. This creep can lead to an overall reduction in performance due to [[Bloatware|bloat]] and increased complexity, reducing a product's usability. A prime example of feature creep caused in large part by late-stage enshittification is [[Microsoft Windows]].

===Switching barriers===
Enshittified platforms that act as intermediaries can act as both a monopoly on services and a monopsony on customers, as high switching barriers prevent either from leaving even when better alternatives technically exist. These barriers can be intentionally put in place - such as restricting the user's ability to transfer data or communicate between platforms - or unintentional, such as a platform's userbase being so large that it naturally makes it near impossible for users or partners to find equivalent engagement on an alternative platform.

An example of this would be a long-time [[eBay]] seller hoping to leave the site for an alternative with lower fees (possibly Mercari or Etsy). They might first encounter issues migrating all of their listings over to the new platform; a process which could be tedious. Their feedback history will certainly not carry over to the new platform so buyers are initially less likely to view them as trustworthy, potentially impacting sales. Lastly, the alternative platform likely has a vastly smaller userbase than eBay so despite all the possible benefits - the seller is less likely to be successful on the new platform than they are on eBay.

Such switching barriers can create an adversarial relationship between platform users or business partners and the company they're dependent on. The users or partners cannot be successful without access to the wide reach of the platform - but it leaves them wholly dependent on a company that no longer has their best interests in mind.

===Platform death===
A potential end-scenario for enshittified platforms is death, usually caused by a large enough exodus of users and business partners, and a general loss of trust. A platform may not truly "die" per se, but it can completely lose the identity that made it successful in the first place - and might not ever regain it. An ongoing example is [[X Corp|Twitter]] post Elon Musk's takeover. Under its new ownership and branding, the platform drove away swathes of its userbase and advertisers to alternative platforms (such as [[Bluesky]]) after its policy shifts proved widely unpopular.

However, the death of an enshittified platform is not an entirely positive end result. It uproots a long established userbase and can greatly disrupt their activities. There is also the chance that alternative platforms lack of feature parities with the old platform or that it might not even be able to support the massive influx of new users - at least for some amount of time. At worst, data loss could be involved meaning years worth of information - if not archived beforehand - could potentially be lost if a platform shuts down in some capacity.

==Possible solutions==

===End-to-end principal===
...

===Right of exit===
{{see also|Click-to-cancel|Interoperability}}
The right of exit, or Data portability, is the right of a user to leave a platform without losing the data stored on it, and instead being able to export it and access it in various applications of the user's liking.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DataPortability Project |url=http://www.dataportability.org/ |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723171111/http://www.dataportability.org/ |archive-date=23 Jul 2009 |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=DataPortability}}</ref>

==Examples==
===E-commerce===
In Doctorow's original post, he discussed the practices of [[Amazon]]. The online retailer initially drew in users with products sold below cost and free shipping. Once its userbase was well established, more sellers began to sell their products through Amazon. Finally, Amazon began to add fees to increase profits. In 2023, over 45% of the sale price of items went to Amazon in the form of various fees. Amazon also allows sellers the ability to push their listing higher in search results via its paid Sponsored Products program. Doctorow described advertisement within Amazon as a payola scheme in which sellers bid against one another for search-ranking preference, and said that the first five pages of a search for "cat beds" were half advertisements

eBay is another e-commerce site that followed a similar trajectory, initially offering low fees and a robust buying/selling protection system. Once its userbase of largely secondhand buyers and sellers was solidified, eBay raised seller fees and began incentivizing large volume sellers - often actual businesses - with lower selling fees should they subscribe to eBay Store. eBay sellers are also no longer able to leave negative feedback for buyers, greatly reducing the ability of sellers to avoid bad actors. Since then, eBay has introduced promoted listings that are effectively analogous to Amazon's paid sponsored listing system. eBay has also encouraged sellers to use AI generated descriptions that often misrepresent the condition of items being sold, along with opting all of its users into in-house AI training [[Ebay AI opt in by default|by default]] as of its April 21, 2025 privacy policy revision.

===Media streaming platforms===
The enshittification of Netflix is similarly reflected in other competing streaming platforms such as YouTube TV and Amazon Prime Video, where prices have increased despite a decline (or at least no perceivable improvement) in overall service quality. Multiple providers have also downgraded their cheapest paid plans to now come bundled with ads.

===Search engines===
Google started as an ad-free search engine, but then it started to add sponsored links in the top of the searchs and making them less distinguishable between non-ad links. {{Citation needed}} In 2024, Google started rolling out AI Overview, an AI-generated summary that appears at the top of the search results. Due to the release was rushed and didn't have proper revisions, the AI Overview showed inaccurate and potentially dangerous overviews, such as encouraging eating rocks, suggesting putting glue on top of pizza as a solution to cheese sliding off, encouraging smoking during pregnancy, encouraging suicide and suggesting users to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goodwin |first=Danny |date=24 May 2024 |title=Google AI Overviews under fire for giving dangerous and wrong answers |url=https://searchengineland.com/google-ai-overview-fails-442575 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250623180113/https://searchengineland.com/google-ai-overview-fails-442575 |archive-date=23 Jun 2025 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |work=Search Engine Land}}</ref> Google has responded to those issues and temporarily disabled the AI overview. While those incidents have been fixed and the AI Overview has been made available again, the AI overview still shows inaccurate results caused by hallucinations, biases and citing non-fiable sources, often citing satire comments as factual sources, or making stuff up. The AI overview has also been criticized for being considered as unwanted or unnecessary, for being environmentally harmful, privacy concerns and for reducing traffic towards genuine sites, encouraging people to rely on the overview instead of visiting sites to obtain the information they're looking for.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=15 Jul 2025 |title=Google Discover adds AI summaries, threatening publishers with further traffic declines |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/15/google-discover-adds-ai-summaries-threatening-publishers-with-further-traffic-declines/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250718124612/https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/15/google-discover-adds-ai-summaries-threatening-publishers-with-further-traffic-declines/ |archive-date=18 Jul 2025 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |work=TechCrunch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bellan |first=Rebecca |date=10 Jun 2025 |title=Google’s AI search features are killing traffic to publishers |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/10/googles-ai-overviews-are-killing-traffic-for-publishers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250714040741/https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/10/googles-ai-overviews-are-killing-traffic-for-publishers/ |archive-date=14 Jul 2025 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |work=TechCrunch}}</ref>

===Social media===
'''[[Facebook]]:'''

Facebook has shifted from a network for personal connection to a platform dominated by advertising and algorithmic manipulation. User data is monetised at the expense of privacy, while the quality of organic content has steadily declined.

'''[[Instagram]]:'''

Once centred on creativity and social sharing, Instagram now prioritises sponsored posts, shopping features, and influencer marketing. Users’ ability to control their feeds has been reduced, reflecting the platform’s focus on profit over consumer experience.

'''[[Reddit]]:'''

Reddit’s 2023 API changes exemplify enshitification, undermining community tools and third-party apps in favour of advertising revenue. This has eroded user autonomy and restricted consumer choice.

'''[[X Corp|Twitter/X]]:'''

Following its acquisition and rebrand, Twitter/X introduced [[Pay-walling|paywalls]] for basic features, weakened its moderation and increased sponsored content. The result has ended into a degraded service and a diminished consumer experience.

'''[[TikTok]]:'''

TikTok’s powerful recommendation algorithm drives engagement but also funnels users into repetitive content while saturating feeds with advertising. Concerns over data exploitation further highlight the imbalance between corporate gain and consumer rights.

'''[[YouTube]]:'''

YouTube has expanded ad loads and aggressively promoted subscriptions, while algorithmic changes often disadvantage independent creators. Consumers face reduced choice and increased intrusion, hallmarks of enshitification.

'''[[Discord]]:'''

Discord's primary selling point is that it is the most-used method of communication, especially for communities, online.{{Citation needed}} Because of this dominance, it has caused barriers for users intending to switch to alternative platforms such as Stoat or Matrix, as a lack of common users between platforms makes it difficult for more users to transfer over.{{Citation needed}} This fact has been abused by Discord with its infrastructure showing signs of decay,{{Citation needed}} the introduction of advertisements in the format of "quests",{{Citation needed}} and the degradation of free perks.{{Citation needed}}

===Software===
'''[[Adobe]]:'''

*Forced shift from perpetual licenses to subscriptions.
Beginning in 2013 with Creative Cloud, Adobe eliminated the option to purchase perpetual licenses for core products like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere. Users must now maintain an ongoing subscription to access the software at all. Cancelling payments disables applications regardless of prior investment, dramatically increasing long-term costs and removing user ownership in favor of recurring subscriptions.
*Loss of access to files after subscription ends.
Many Adobe file formats (PSD, AI, INDD, AE project files) are proprietary and poorly supported by third-party software. When a subscription ends, users become unable to open, export, or meaningfully edit their own historical work, effectively holding user-created content hostage to enforce continued payment.
*Mandatory Creative Cloud account (see [[Forced account]]) and [[Digital rights management|DRM]] for offline tools.
Applications that run locally require frequent online authentication through the Creative Cloud desktop app. Forced sign-ins, background services, and periodic license checks can disable software unexpectedly, undermining reliability and making professional tools dependent on Adobe’s servers.
*[[Dark pattern|Dark patterns]] in subscription cancellation and pricing.
Adobe’s subscription plans use confusing billing structures (such as “annual plans billed monthly”) that impose early termination fees. Cancellation flows are deliberately complex, with obscured options and repeated retention prompts, resulting in users paying longer than intended or being penalized for leaving.

'''[[Microsoft Windows]]:'''

*Forced Microsoft account sign-in.
Beginning with Windows 10 and further enforced in Windows 11, Microsoft increasingly requires users to sign in with a Microsoft account during setup. This restricts offline use, obscures the option to create a local account, and facilitates expanded telemetry collection and ecosystem lock-in.
*Built-in advertising in a paid operating system.
Despite being a commercial software, Windows includes advertisements and promotional content in the Start Menu, lock screen, system notifications, and settings panels, used to promote Microsoft 365, OneDrive, Edge, and other services and other proprietary software. Even when users disable these features, they are frequently re-enabled after major updates.
*Dark patterns in bundled applications.
Microsoft applications repeatedly nudge users toward Microsoft-preferred choices. Edge persistently prompts users to become the default browser and displays warnings when switching away. OneDrive frames cloud uploads as “protecting your files,” obscuring the fact that local folders are being redirected to Microsoft’s servers. Subscription prompts often lack a clear “Never ask again” option, offering only choices such as “Try for free” or “Maybe later” as in Microsoft365.
*Increased unavoidable telemetry.
Telemetry and diagnostic data collection are enabled by default, with only limited controls available to disable or reduce them—particularly in non-Enterprise editions. Some data collection is mandatory and vaguely documented, undermining informed consent.
*Loss of user control over updates.
Windows updates cannot be permanently disabled through standard settings. Users can only defer updates for a limited period (up to four weeks), after which downloads and installations are often forced, sometimes causing unexpected restarts or re-enabling previously disabled features without user consent.
*Bundled software bloat.
Windows ships with numerous preinstalled Microsoft applications that are not essential to core OS functionality. These apps are installed without explicit user consent and may reappear after major updates even if previously removed.
*Degraded local search in favor of web search.
The start menu and file search experience has progressively gotten worse, blending local results with Bing web searches. This often prioritizes online content and advertisements over fast, predictable local file and application discovery, reducing usability in order to promote Microsoft’s search and advertising ecosystem.

===Video Games===
'''[[Unity Engine runtime fee|Unity]]:'''

Unity Software Inc. implemented sweeping changes to its pricing model for Unity that would affect all users of the engine, forcing users to either adopt their per-download fee or de-list their games.

'''Mobile Games:'''A lot of mobile games have fell into enshittifed experiences. A lot of mobile games were paid in the early days of the [[Apple App Store]], but then became [[Free to Play]] with users being bombarded with ads, [[Microtransactions|micro-transactions]], [[Battle passes|battle-passes]], energy-systems and more, to extract as much money out of the player's pocket, while making the experience less fun. The video game Angry-Birds is a good example of this. What started as a very simple game now has all of the aforementioned tactics baked into it, rendering the playing experience tedious and unpleasant.

===Learning Applications===
'''[[Duolingo]]:'''

...

{{See also|Network effects}}

==Further reading==

*https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/30/go-nuts-meine-kerle/#ich-bin-ein-bratapfel

==External links==

*[https://youtu.be/T4Upf_B9RLQ "A Day in the Life of an Ensh*ttificator"], by [https://www.youtube.com/@Forbrukerr%C3%A5detNorge Forbrukerrådet - Norwegian Consumer Council], 2026
*[https://youtu.be/NBZv0_MImIY "Y'all mind if I complain for 15 minutes?"], by [[wikipedia:Jaiden_Animations|Jaiden Dittfach]], 2025. In this video, she talks about how things have "become less efficient" and "more stupid".
*[https://eev.ee/blog/2025/07/03/the-rise-of-whatever/ "The rise of Whatever"]
*[https://gavinhoward.com/2023/11/your-loved-ones-are-prisoners-and-you-made-the-chain "Digital chains and modern feudalism"]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Common terms]]
[[Category:Theme]]

Canva

2026-03-17T02:43:52Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: /* Products */

{{stub}}
{{Cleanup}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Description=Graphic design software company
|Founded=2013
|Industry=Graphic design and creative tools
|Logo=Canva Logo.png
|ParentCompany=None
|Type=Private
|Website=https://www.canva.com/
|CompanyAlias=Canva Pty Ltd.
}}

'''Canva''' is an Australian software company that offers freemium graphic design and creative software.<ref> {{Cite web |last=Canva |title=About Canva |url=https://www.canva.com/about/ |access-date=4 Mar 2026 |website=Canva}}</ref> Canva has been accumulating acquisitions such as Serif, MangoAI, and Cavalry.<ref> https://www.canva.com/newsroom/news/affinity/</ref><ref> https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240325965656/en/Canva-Acquires-Design-Platform-Affinity-to-Bring-Professional-Design-Tools-to-Every-Organization</ref><ref> {{Cite web |last=Novet |first=Jordan |date=23 Feb 2026 |title=As Wall Street punishes software stocks over AI concerns, Canva gets more acquisitive |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/23/canva-acquires-cavalry-for-motion-graphics-and-mangoai-for-video-ads.html |url-status=live |access-date=4 Mar 2026 |website=CNBC}}</ref> Canva is also notable for its simple design style, accessible to users unfamiliar with Canva software.

==Consumer-impact summary==

===User Freedom===
{{Incomplete section}}
===User Privacy===
Canva’s privacy policy states that the service uses personal information collected by both Canva and 3rd-party sources in order to conduct artificial intelligence training and advertising.
<gallery>
File:Canva AI Training.jpg|Canva’s privacy policy about AI model training with user data.<ref>https://www.canva.com/policies/privacy-policy/</ref>
File:Canva Advertising.jpeg|Canva’s privacy policy on the usage of user data for personalized advertising.<ref>https://www.canva.com/policies/privacy-policy/</ref>
</gallery>

===Business Model===
Canva is a freemium online graphic design suite that offers subscriptions for advanced features.<ref> https://www.canva.com/pricing/</ref> Canva’s privacy policy admits to using user data for advertising and AI training purposes.<ref> https://www.canva.com/trust/privacy/</ref><ref> https://privacy.commonsense.org/evaluation/Canva-Design-Photo--Video</ref>

===Market Control===
Canva competes with the Adobe Creative Suite.<ref> https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/product/online-graphic-design-software-market/</ref> Canva is also popular due to its vast collection of accessible templates.<ref> https://10and5.com/the-canva-generation-is-template-culture-changing-design/</ref>

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

===Data breach (''May 24 2019'')===
''Main article: [[Canva 2019 Data Breach]]''

On May 24, 2019, Canva identified their systems were attacked and posted an announcement about the breach, urging users to change their passwords. <ref>{{Cite web |publisher=Canva |date=24 May 2019 |title=Canva Security Incident – May 24 FAQs |url=https://www.canva.com/help/incident-may24/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/yXovj |archive-date=2026-03-05 |access-date=5 Mar 2026 }}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |last=Security Magazine |date=30 May 2019 |title=Canva Urges Users to Change Passwords After Cybersecurity Breach |url=https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/90296-canva-urges-users-to-change-passwords-after-cybersecurity-breach |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/fGoWN |archive-date=2026-03-05 |access-date=5 Mar 2026 |website=Security Magazine |publisher=}}</ref> 139 million users were affected, and information taken includes usernames, real names, email addresses and location. 61 million users' data included password hashes, and for other users, Google tokens were taken. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Hashim |first=Abeerah |date=31 May 2019 |title=Graphic Design Service Canva Suffers Data Breach Affecting 139 Million Users |url=https://latesthackingnews.com/2019/05/31/graphic-design-service-canva-suffers-data-breach-affecting-139-million-users/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/3PrTn |archive-date=2026-03-05 |access-date=5 Mar 2026 |website=Latest Hacking News}}</ref>. Seven months later, on the 11th of January 2020, Canva became aware of 4 million user passwords had been decrypted and shared online. Following the discovery, on the 12th of January Canva has forcefully reset the password of every user that had not changed it since the date of the incident.
===Acquisition of Affinity editing suite (''March 26 2024'')===
:''Main article: [[Canva Affinity Studio adds arbitration clause]]''

Canva acquired Serif, parent company of Affinity and respective software applications, removed the ability to purchase older versions of the software and forced users to utilize a Canva account (see [[Forced account]]) along with their user agreement for the new software Affinity Studio.
==Products==
*Canva
*Affinity

==See also==
*[[Canva Affinity Studio adds arbitration clause]]
*[[Adobe]]
*[[Figma]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Canva]]

Web cookie

2026-03-16T19:38:41Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: /* Targeted advertising */

A [[wikipedia:HTTP_cookie|web cookie]], is a small chunk(s) of data served(shared) to the client(browser) that can be used for a variety of purposes. One of the most common being a website login identifier that serves a session cookie that is able to be sent back to the server to prevent needing to authenticate numerous times. The web cookie, has a bunch of other common names such as "[[wikipedia:HTTP|HTTP]] cookie" (when set via that protocol), "browser cookie" (more general, can be set via [[JavaScript]])<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-30 |title=Document: cookie property |url=https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/Document/cookie |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260310000519/https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/Document/cookie |archive-date=2026-03-10 |access-date=2026-03-15 |website=Mozilla Developer Network}}</ref>, and "cookie". For the sake of simplicity this article will be using the term "cookie" to represent all types of cookies.

==How it works==
When a user(person) visits a website, you may be first prompted with user preferences such as what data can be used with the site. That information is likely stored by your browser agent as a cookie so that information or popup will not show again. Cookies are often a good practice, as it offers clients a better experience when navigating their site when visiting. Of course there are a bunch of other cookies that do exist, but for now we will focus on a few categories that these cookies fall under
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Cookie Type
!Use Case
!Risk
|-
|Form Cookie
|When using a site you may be required to fill out a form field, that information can be stored by your [[wikipedia:User_agent|user-agent]] (UA) when making a purchases or even renewing your licence, making the experience more streamlined the next time you plan on making additional purchases on a website like that.
|Depending on implementation, such as if cookies are not properly encrypted by your browser and site, your using you may be at risk if a malicious actor decides to swipe your cookies, which could also include password and saved payment information
|-
|3rd Party Cookie
|These cookies can be used when companies have different registered domains or transferring the user, to prevent annoying information duplication, or joint partner domains that may be working with a third-party vendor. However these cookies are more often than not used as tracking indicators about user behavior and what other sites they visit.
|Considering the risk is it worth having third-party cookies that silently track you? Many companies and brokers are ramping up their usage of tracking users with this metric along with [[Device fingerprint|browser fingerprinting]] to serve you [[Personalized Ads|targeted ads]] based on what pages you look at or search for
|-
|Authentication Cookie
|Are often tied to accounts that you use to prevent having to re-login each time you need to do an action with your account. These are usually stored as session cookies, which generally have a shorter lifespan or even expire after your tab session has ended with the browser
|These tend to be less risky, in cases where these [[wikipedia:Session_token|tokens]] are stored short-term and encrypted, can provide you with much needed convenience. But if your browser may be compromised by malware (such as a scam browser extension) your session [[wikipedia:Session_hijacking|cookies can be hijacked and used to access your account]]
|-
|Tracking Cookie
|Often malicious, but can be used to track sites performance and metrics based on reoccurring traffic and visits made, with minimal overhead
|Usually, sites that try to access third-party cookies (to learn more about you) will also be adding their own. With this information, they can calculate value-based pricing and targeted products that you may have recently looked at in previous weeks or days, with a [[Fear of missing out|FOMO]] offer discount
|-
|Preference Cookie
|Often, the least sensitive cookie on a site. This can be used to store specific preferences like a footer dismissal to how many results should show from a search to provide better functionality and efficiency, especially if the site has no account system.
|While this could possibly be used to track you, the information doesn't necessarily give you away. Since many that do implement this are domain-specific cookies and not third-party cookies, as referenced earlier
|}

==Why it is a problem==

====Targeted advertising====
{{Main| Personalized Ads}}

====Value based pricing====

====Cross Website tracking====

==Examples==

*[[PayPal Honey|Honey]] using cookies to share new affiliate codes with other users; this also had included many private exclusive discount codes that employees or veterans got for shopping at stores, costing businesses tons of money
*[[Microsoft]] placing cookie tracking on school student devices<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Lindsay |date=2026-01-27 |title=Ruling: Microsoft illegally placed cookies on child's tech |url=https://www.theregister.com/2026/01/27/microsft_illegally_installed_cookies_ruling_austra_school/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260210101620/https://www.theregister.com/2026/01/27/microsft_illegally_installed_cookies_ruling_austra_school |archive-date=2026-02-10 |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=The Register}}</ref>
*[[Imgur]] using tracking cookies to serve ads to users from third party sites

== External links ==

* [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Guides/Cookies Using HTTP cookies | MDN]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Common terms]]

Pay-walling

2026-03-16T19:35:36Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: /* Examples */ added Tesla examples

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=needs citations}}
'''Pay-walling''' or '''paywalling''' consists of the action of setting a restriction to part of the content from a software or a service that can be only accessed if the user pays a one-time purchase or a suscription. This restriction of features that require payment are known as '''paywalls'''. Paywalling is a very common practice on websites, video games and on [[software as a service]].

==How it works==
In order to increase their revenue, several companies or developers have embraced the pay-walling practices.

Some companies set paywalls since the release of their products or services but there are also some of them that set paywalls after some time.

==Why it is a problem==
===Monetization overload===
{{Main|Monetization overload}}
Aggressive paywalling could lead into monetization overload, paywalling a significative amount of the available content, even when similar content might be found for free.

===Decrease of quality===
Paywalls can block essential features that were originally for free, or even be more limited for users who already paid for them. In some cases, the usage of third-party software to bypass paywalls can penalize the user for doing so. An example for this is [[YouTube]] that restricts the amount of videos that someone can watch if the platform detects an [[Ad block | ad-blocker]] running on the browser, forcing users to find another alternative or paying for Premium instead.

===Affordability issues===
Excessive paywalling can be an issue for people with a limited income, specially if the prices of the paywalls increase.

==Examples==
*Paywalls are a common thing in video games, specially in games targeted for mobile devices. Some paywalled features that are often paywalled are cosmetics, and characters or items with powerful attributes that cannot be obtained by playing as a free-to-play user.
*Several newspaper websites paywall their articles by limiting the viewers the amount of articles they can read for free or by allowing them to see only a portion of the article. An [https://gitflic.ru/project/magnolia1234/bpc_uploads open-source extension] compatible with Chromium-based and Firefox-based browsers allows to avoid paywalls from most of the newspaper websites.
*[[Consent-or-pay]] is an aggressive form of paywalling user privacy that is used by some websites. The sites that use this method only allow to disable web tracking and [[Web cookie|cookies]] if the user pays for a subscription.
*[[Tesla]] has locked some car features that used to be free, such as [[Tesla switches full self-driving to subscription only |full-self driving features]] under a subscription paywall and [[Tesla locks horsepower behind paywall |additional horsepower]] under a $2000 one-time purchase paywall.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Common terms]]

Pay-walling

2026-03-16T19:28:12Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: /* How it works */

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=needs citations}}
'''Pay-walling''' or '''paywalling''' consists of the action of setting a restriction to part of the content from a software or a service that can be only accessed if the user pays a one-time purchase or a suscription. This restriction of features that require payment are known as '''paywalls'''. Paywalling is a very common practice on websites, video games and on [[software as a service]].

==How it works==
In order to increase their revenue, several companies or developers have embraced the pay-walling practices.

Some companies set paywalls since the release of their products or services but there are also some of them that set paywalls after some time.

==Why it is a problem==
===Monetization overload===
{{Main|Monetization overload}}
Aggressive paywalling could lead into monetization overload, paywalling a significative amount of the available content, even when similar content might be found for free.

===Decrease of quality===
Paywalls can block essential features that were originally for free, or even be more limited for users who already paid for them. In some cases, the usage of third-party software to bypass paywalls can penalize the user for doing so. An example for this is [[YouTube]] that restricts the amount of videos that someone can watch if the platform detects an [[Ad block | ad-blocker]] running on the browser, forcing users to find another alternative or paying for Premium instead.

===Affordability issues===
Excessive paywalling can be an issue for people with a limited income, specially if the prices of the paywalls increase.

==Examples==
*Paywalls are a common thing in video games, specially in games targeted for mobile devices. Some paywalled features that are often paywalled are cosmetics, and characters or items with powerful attributes that cannot be obtained by playing as a free-to-play user.
*Several newspaper websites paywall their articles by limiting the viewers the amount of articles they can read for free or by allowing them to see only a portion of the article. An [https://gitflic.ru/project/magnolia1234/bpc_uploads open-source extension] compatible with Chromium-based and Firefox-based browsers allows to avoid paywalls from most of the newspaper websites.
*[[Consent-or-pay]] is an aggressive form of paywalling user privacy that is used by some websites. The sites that use this method only allow to disable web tracking and [[Web cookie|cookies]] if the user pays for a subscription.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Common terms]]

F-Droid

2026-03-16T19:01:04Z

ClippyWantsToHelp:

{{Stub}}
{{ProductCargo
|Company=F-Droid Limited
|ProductLine=
|ReleaseYear=2010
|InProduction=Yes
|ArticleType=Product
|Category=Software, Digital Storefront
|Website=https://f-droid.org
|Description=Free and open-source app store for Android devices
|Logo=F-Droid Logo 4.svg
}}
'''F-Droid''' is a free and open-source app store and software repository for [[Android]], serving a similar function to the [[Google]] Play Store. The main repository, hosted by the project, contains only free and open-source apps. Applications can be browsed, downloaded, and installed from the [https://f-droid.org/ F-Droid website] or the client app without the need to register an account. "Anti-features" such as advertising, user tracking, or dependence on non-free software are flagged in app descriptions.

==Consumer-impact summary==
===User Freedom===
F-Droid allows users to install applications without requiring to log in with an account.
===User Privacy===
F-Droid allows contains privacy settings such as using Tor for download traffic.
===Business Model===
The only way F-Droid is sustained is via donations. There are no ads or paid applications or features, as it follows the FOSS philosophy.
===Market Control===

==Incidents==
==See Also==
*[[Free software movement]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Pro-consumer articles]]

File:F-Droid Logo 4.svg

2026-03-16T18:53:14Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: F-Droid logo since 2015

== Summary ==
F-Droid logo since 2015
== Licensing ==
{{CC-BY-SA}}

F-Droid

2026-03-16T18:47:33Z

ClippyWantsToHelp:

{{Stub}}
{{ProductCargo
|Company=F-Droid Limited
|ProductLine=
|ReleaseYear=2010
|InProduction=Yes
|ArticleType=Product
|Category=Software, Digital Storefront
|Website=https://f-droid.org
|Description=Free and open-source app store for Android devices
|Logo=
}}
'''F-Droid''' is a free and open-source app store and software repository for [[Android]], serving a similar function to the [[Google]] Play Store. The main repository, hosted by the project, contains only free and open-source apps. Applications can be browsed, downloaded, and installed from the [https://f-droid.org/ F-Droid website] or the client app without the need to register an account. "Anti-features" such as advertising, user tracking, or dependence on non-free software are flagged in app descriptions.

==Consumer-impact summary==
===User Freedom===
F-Droid allows users to install applications without requiring to log in with an account.
===User Privacy===
F-Droid allows contains privacy settings such as using Tor for download traffic.
===Business Model===
The only way F-Droid is sustained is via donations. There are no ads or paid applications or features, as it follows the FOSS philosophy.
===Market Control===

==Incidents==
==See Also==
*[[Free software movement]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Pro-consumer articles]]

Microsoft Windows 11

2026-03-16T14:33:28Z

ClippyWantsToHelp:

{{StubNotice}}
{{ProductCargo
| Logo = Windows 11 logo.svg
|ArticleType=Product|Company=Microsoft|InProduction=Yes|ProductLine=Microsoft Windows|ReleaseYear=2021-10-05|Website=https://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-11|Category=Operating System, Software}}
'''Microsoft Windows 11''' is an operating system for personal computers developed and owned by [[Microsoft]]. It was released on October 5 2021. As of 2025, Windows 11 is the current version of Windows sold by [[Microsoft]]. It is used in personal, business, server, and embedded systems applications. Windows by far has the highest market share of any operating system on consumer desktop computers.

==Consumer impact summary==
===User Freedom===
Windows 11 has several and more restrictions than their previous version, Windows 10. These restrictions usually prevent the user to configure the system to their liking. Some notable restrictions are:
*In order to use the operating system, it is required to link a Microsoft account. Since October 2025 local accounts cannot be created and Microsoft has blocked the ways to bypass the Microsoft account requirement.

*Updates are forced and cannot be disabled, only postponed by default. They can only be disabled with third-party tools. Some settings and preferences set by the user are modified after applying updates. A very known case of this happening is the modification of the default browser preferences to [[Microsoft Edge]] if the user has set other web browser instead.

*BitLocker drive encryption is forced and there are known incidents of users permanently losing their data. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Sen |first=Sayan |date=1 May 2025 |title=Windows 11 users reportedly losing data due to Microsoft's forced BitLocker encryption |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/windows-11-users-reportedly-losing-data-due-to-microsofts-forced-bitlocker-encryption/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/69uPN |archive-date=2025-05-02 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Neowin}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |last=Nasir|first=Hassam |date=19 Oct 2025 |title=BitLocker reportedly auto-locks users' backup drives, causing loss of 3TB of valuable data — Windows automatic disk encryption can permanently lock your drives |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/software/windows/bitlocker-reportedly-auto-locks-users-backup-drives-causing-loss-of-3tb-of-valuable-data-windows-automatic-disk-encryption-can-permanently-lock-your-drives |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/0ixWF |archive-date=2025-10-20 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Tom's Hardware}}</ref>

*Like Windows 10, [[OneDrive]] synchronization is active by default. The File Explorer redirects the local file shortcuts to the OneDrive file addresses.

===User Privacy===
Telemetry is active by default and cannot be completely disabled without using third-party tools.
Microsoft Copilot application setting of using user's data to train AI models is active by default {{Citation needed}}

===Business Model===
Windows comes pre-installed on most of current new desktop computers.

The operating system license can also be acquired by an one-time purchase.

Windows 11 contains [[bloatware]], such as [[Microsoft Copilot]] and [[Microsoft Edge]] that cannot be uninstalled without specialized tools.
System tools such as Settings or File Explorer contain integrated ads about Microsoft software and services.
Ads can also appear on the lock screen, notifications and the desktop.
===Market Control===
Windows 11 is installed on more than 30% of all computers world wide. <ref>{{Cite web |last=StatCounter |date=2025-07-01 |title=Desktop Windows Market Share Worldwide |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/windows-version-market-share/desktop/worldwide |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250720124002/https://gs.statcounter.com/windows-version-market-share/desktop/worldwide |archive-date=2025-07-20 |access-date=2025-08-17}}</ref> Windows 11 collects user data including but not limited to hardware specs, apps and drivers installed on the device, app activity, device settings and configuration, web browser history, etc. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2025-04-01 |title=Data Collection Summary for WIndows |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/privacy/data-collection-windows |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729153757/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/privacy/data-collection-Windows |archive-date=2025-07-29 |access-date=2025-08-17 |website=Microsoft}}</ref>

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

===Unstable & forced updates===
Following the update form of Windows 10, Windows 11 updates are also forced and the system settings only allow them to be postponed, without having any official form to disable them that does not require registry edition or third-party software. They're frequent, usually happening once per month.<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=Microsoft |date=27 Mar 2025 |title=Update release cycle for Windows clients |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/deployment/update/release-cycle |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260314163711/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/update/release-cycle |archive-date=2026-03-14 |access-date=14 Mar 2026 |website=Microsoft Learn}}</ref> The way that updates are deployed, without allowing to use the OS while it is updating, have caused several users to be unable to use their computers when they need to work, do a project, or even when they're in a critical situation. {{Citation needed}}

Windows users have also reported several times issues and bugs with the recent updates, that vary from minor issues to major issues that can lead the system to become unusable.

Some documented problematic updates include:

*Minor update '''24H2 KB5063878''', released on August 12 2025. This update affected some SSD drives by severely corrupting them. This corruption in some cases caused data losses that ended in unrecoverable files. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Hunt |first=Cale |date=24 Aug 2025 |title=Reports say Windows 11 update is bricking drives — is yours on the list? |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/reports-say-windows-11-update-is-bricking-drives-is-yours-on-the-list |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260309042734/https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/reports-say-windows-11-update-is-bricking-drives-is-yours-on-the-list |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Windows Central}}</ref>

*An update on December 2025 caused core features issues on many computers, with several users complaining about this. Microsoft admitted later this update was problematic. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Dalton |first=Theo |date=8 Dec 2025 |title=Microsoft finally admits almost all major Windows 11 core features are broken |url=https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/discussions/windows11/microsoft-finally-admits-almost-all-major-windows-11-core-features-are-broken/4475930 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260309033645/https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/discussions/windows11/microsoft-finally-admits-almost-all-major-windows-11-core-features-are-broken/4475930 |archive-date=2026-03-09|access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Microsoft Community Hub}}</ref>

*Update '''KB5077181''', released on February 11 2026. This update affected some Samsung computers, making them unable to access to the C:\ drive. If someone attempted to access to this drive, the system launched an error message containing "C:\ is not accessible – Access denied". This glitch also affected the ability to launch programs and perform administrative tasks. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Batt |first=Simon |date=13 Mar 2026 |title=A nasty Windows 11 bug is causing the C drive to become inaccessible in select devices, says Microsoft |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/windows-11-c-is-not-accessible-access-denied-bug/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260314042240/https://www.xda-developers.com/windows-11-c-is-not-accessible-access-denied-bug/ |archive-date=2026-03-14 |access-date=14 Mar 2026 |website=XDA}}</ref>

These combined factors have causes users to respond in several ways, from complaining about the OS and how Microsoft handles it<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Joe |date=25 Nov 2025 |title=Windows 11 has become INCREASINGLY unstable |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5635937/windows-11-has-become-increasingly-unstable |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260107122136/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5635937/windows-11-has-become-increasingly-unstable |archive-date=2026-01-07 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Microsoft Learn}}</ref>, by blocking updates with third-party tools such as [https://winaerotweaker.com/ WinAeroTweaker] to prevent the forced and problematic updates despite the risks of doing so <ref>{{Cite web |last=Rozario |first=Hamlin |date=25 Feb 2026|title=I stopped updating Windows immediately — here's how long I wait now |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/i-stopped-updating-windows-immediately/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260227172743/https://www.xda-developers.com/i-stopped-updating-windows-immediately/ |archive-date=2026-02-27 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=XDA}}</ref>, or even by migrating to modified or unsupported versions of Windows or to other operating systems such as Linux. {{Citation needed}}

===Microsoft Copilot integration===
[[Microsoft Copilot]] is a generative Artificial Intelligence model developed by Microsoft.
In recent releases of Windows 11, Microsoft has decided to integrate its AI assistant, '''Copilot''', directly into the operating system.

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

===Windows Recall===
{{Main|Microsoft Copilot's recall feature}}
In 2024, Microsoft unveiled ''Recall'' for ''Copilot+ PCs'', marketed as a way for users to search through what they have done on their computer by recording their screen. This sparked controversy,<ref>[https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsofts-controversial-recall-feature-for-windows-11-could-already-be-in-legal-hot-water "Microsoft’s controversial Recall feature for Windows 11 could already be in legal hot water"] - techradar.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251002141424/https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsofts-controversial-recall-feature-for-windows-11-could-already-be-in-legal-hot-water Archived])</ref> especially among security experts<ref>[https://www.techtarget.com/searchenterpriseai/feature/Privacy-and-security-risks-surrounding-Microsoft-Recall "Privacy and security risks surrounding Microsoft Recall"] - techtarget.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251209084156/https://www.techtarget.com/searchenterpriseai/feature/Privacy-and-security-risks-surrounding-Microsoft-Recall Archived])</ref> who worried about the security of screenshots,<ref>[https://news.sky.com/story/microsoft-ai-feature-investigated-by-uk-watchdog-over-screenshots-13141171 "Microsoft AI feature investigated by UK watchdog over screenshots"] - news.sky.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251002141809/https://news.sky.com/story/microsoft-ai-feature-investigated-by-uk-watchdog-over-screenshots-13141171 Archived])</ref> since it could easily document private information like social-security numbers, bank-account information, and passwords, as well as user browsing behavior. A ''Python'' script was developed, called "''TotalRecall''", that collects the screenshots and descriptions of these recordings,<ref>[https://github.com/xaitax/TotalRecall "TotalRecall - a 'privacy nightmare'?"] - github.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251202013433/https://github.com/xaitax/TotalRecall Archived])</ref> proving the danger of ''Recall''. This feature was delayed after backlash from users.<ref>[https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/06/microsoft-recall-delayed-after-privacy-and-security-concerns "Microsoft Recall delayed after privacy and security concerns"] - malwarebytes.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251229124341/https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/06/microsoft-recall-delayed-after-privacy-and-security-concerns Archived])</ref>

In 2025, Microsoft re-released ''Recall'',<ref>{{Cite news |last=Davenport |first=Corbin |date=Apr 25, 2025 |title=Windows Recall Is Finally Rolling Out After Controversal Reveal |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/windows-recall-is-finally-rolling-out-after-controversal-release/ |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=How to Geek |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260218203614/https://www.howtogeek.com/windows-recall-is-finally-rolling-out-after-controversal-release/ |archive-date=18 Feb 2026}}</ref> with claims that the tool has resolved the security flaws and it coming disabled by default.<ref>{{Cite news |last=LeClair |first=Dave |date=Apr 11, 2025 |title=Microsoft Recall is rolling out following major controversy — what you need to know |url=https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/microsoft-recall-is-coming-for-real-this-time |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=Tom's Guide |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251119223853/https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/microsoft-recall-is-coming-for-real-this-time |archive-date=19 Nov 2025}}</ref> However, despite integrating better security, having this feature enabled continues to pose privacy risks for consumers, as it is only a matter of when a vulnerability is discovered for the problems both consumers and businesses initially had with the tool to resurface,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Nick |date=May 5, 2025 |title=Turn Off Windows' Recall to Protect Your Privacy |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/how-to-disable-recall/ |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=How to Geek |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260110141040/https://www.howtogeek.com/how-to-disable-recall/ |archive-date=10 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Piltch |first=Avram |date=2025-08-01 |title=Tested: Microsoft Recall can still capture credit cards and passwords, a treasure trove for crooks |url=https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/01/microsoft_recall_captures_credit_card_info/ |access-date=2025-08-05 |website=The Register |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251218063254/https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/01/microsoft_recall_captures_credit_card_info/ |archive-date=18 Dec 2025}}</ref> especially since it is difficult for users to inspect the screenshots that are taken by the tool.

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

===Poorly disclosed data encryption===
Computers running Windows 11 with Microsoft Account are set to automatically enable bitlocker<ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2024-05-24 |title=Bitlocker automatic activation |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/device-experiences/oem-bitlocker |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260127032356/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/device-experiences/oem-bitlocker |archive-date=27 Jan 2026}}</ref> which encrypts all data on internal disks, leaving key for decryption in owners Microsoft [https://myaccount.microsoft.com/device-list My Account device list] without explicitly informing the owner of doing so. Updating BIOS or hardware manipulation may lead to triggering bitlocker and leaving computer in recovery mode if bitlocker is not suspended beforehand. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2025-01-15 |title=Suspend Bitlocker |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/windows-security/suspend-bitlocker-protection-non-microsoft-updates |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260102043425/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/windows-security/suspend-bitlocker-protection-non-microsoft-updates |archive-date=2 Jan 2026}}</ref> This process can leave owner with seemingly bricked device, especially if owners Microsoft Account was created and used only to satisfy Windows 11s requirement for Microsoft Accounts during OOBE. If key hidden in Microsoft Account is not provided, erasing encrypted disks and reinstalling operating system is recommended. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Anonymous |date=2023-03-01 |title=Microsoft Learn - Lost Bitlocker Recovery Key |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4176032/i-dont-have-my-bitlocker-code-and-i-cant-reset-win |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251018001915/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4176032/i-dont-have-my-bitlocker-code-and-i-cant-reset-win |archive-date=18 Oct 2025}}</ref>

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

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

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

===Microsoft Bing Wallpaper===
Bing Wallpaper is a free-to-download app on the Microsoft Store that displays a daily rotation of wallpapers for Windows 11 computers.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Explore the world one photo at a time {{!}} Bing Wallpaper |url=https://www.bing.com/apps/wallpaper?pc=w011&brand=bing |url-status=live |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |website=Bing}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260116071012/https://www.bing.com/apps/wallpaper?brand=bing&pc=w011 Archived])</ref> By default, an option is toggled in its settings to automatically open Bing and search for the wallpaper's contents whenever one clicks somewhere on their desktop that doesn't contain an icon and place a permanent window on top of one's wallpaper to learn more. This option must be manually switched off in a setting at the bottom of the options page.<ref>{{Cite web |last=M B |first=Abhijith |date=26 Oct 2025 |title=Windows 11’s Bing Wallpaper app opens Bing.com if you click anywhere on the desktop |url=https://www.windowslatest.com/2025/10/26/windows-11s-bing-wallpaper-app-opens-bing-com-if-you-click-anywhere-on-the-desktop/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |website=Windows Latest |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251215022522/https://www.windowslatest.com/2025/10/26/windows-11s-bing-wallpaper-app-opens-bing-com-if-you-click-anywhere-on-the-desktop/ |archive-date=15 Dec 2025}}</ref> Along with this, it reportedly replaces one's default search engine with Bing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allan |first=Darren |date=28 Oct 2025 |title=Microsoft sinks to new lows with Bing Wallpaper 'feature' in Windows 11 that'll either confuse or annoy you |url=https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsoft-sinks-to-new-lows-with-bing-wallpaper-feature-in-windows-11-thatll-either-confuse-or-annoy-you |url-status=live |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |website=TechRadar |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251206100558/https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsoft-sinks-to-new-lows-with-bing-wallpaper-feature-in-windows-11-thatll-either-confuse-or-annoy-you |archive-date=6 Dec 2025}}</ref>

==See Also==
*[[Microsoft Copilot]]
*[[Microsoft Office 365]]
*[[OneDrive]]
==References==
<references />
[[Category:Windows 11]]

Forced account

2026-03-16T14:29:55Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: /* Examples */ added Windows 11 & Microsoft Account requirement as example

{{StubNotice}}

'''Forced''' '''account registration/sign-in/log-in''' is a practice committed by entities, where users must have (and use) a digital identity to perform simple tasks that may have otherwise been possible without any sort of identifiers.

Because forced accounts generally means anonymity is technically possible, entities that engage in this practice have little reason to do so outside of personal gain. They may find it favorable for several reasons, including:

#'''Identification and tracking of users''' - often accomplished through device identifiers, location information, and network connection.<sup>[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']</sup>
#'''Increased digital integration''' - more integrating means more sharing data with payment processors, ad providers, and more.<sup>[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']</sup>
#'''Increased centralization and dependency on big companies''' - further consolidates power and wealth into large companies, such as the tech companies who own the authentication [[wikipedia:Server_(computing)|servers]], as well as payment processors. While [[wikipedia:Decentralized_identifier|not all user identification mechanisms need centralization]], most corporations tend to prefer centralization.{{Citation needed}}

==Examples==

*[[Samsung]] and [[Google]] both deliberately limit what the user can do on the [[wikipedia:Galaxy_Store|Galaxy Store]] and [[wikipedia:Google_Play|Play Store]], respectively. Most features (such as updating and installing apps) are either completely blocked, or hidden from the main [[wikipedia:User_interface|UI]], nagging the user into signing-in to unlock the "extra" features.{{Citation needed}}
*[[Windows 11]] requires to log in with a [[Microsoft]] account in order to configure and use the operating system. {{Citation needed}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==See also==

*[[Forced app download]]
*[[Dark pattern#Forced action|Dark pattern - Forced action]]
*[[Android]]
*[[Android Developer Verification]]

[[Category:Common terms]]
[[Category:Theme]]

Video game preservation

2026-03-16T02:32:53Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: /* Few numbers of physical copies */

{{Stub}}

'''Video game preservation''', which falls in the broader category of media preservation, is the act of ensuring the accessibility and playability of older video games for the future. There are many reasons why this practice is necessary.

===Live-service killing===
[[Games as a service|Live-service games]] are very difficult to preserve due to their reliance on the parent company's will to keep the service online. However, in some cases communities create private servers in order to make the game completely playable.

Rarely some companies adapt the game to be completely playable offline with all the available features that used to exist when the game was a live-service.

===Death of a technology===
For example, when Flash stopped being supported in browsers, many people made effort in preserving flash video games by porting them to html5. Flash emulators like [https://ruffle.rs/ Ruffle] allow to run flash games and content on web browsers. [https://flashpointarchive.org/ Flashpoint Archive] is a community project dedicated to preserve content that runs on Flash. It counts with downloadable applications that allow to download and run Flash content from the device.

===Few numbers of physical copies===
Some video games only exist in physical copies and these copies are in a limited quantity. Also the amount of playable copies could be reduced because of the possibility that copies could deteriorate over time. Digitalization makes easier to copy, adapt and create backups of the original video game, making it more available to public as well.

==Further reading==
*[[Stop Killing Games]]
*[[Storefront shutdown]]
*[[GOG.com]]
== References ==
[[Category:Common terms]]

Video game preservation

2026-03-16T02:31:14Z

ClippyWantsToHelp:

{{Stub}}

'''Video game preservation''', which falls in the broader category of media preservation, is the act of ensuring the accessibility and playability of older video games for the future. There are many reasons why this practice is necessary.

===Live-service killing===
[[Games as a service|Live-service games]] are very difficult to preserve due to their reliance on the parent company's will to keep the service online. However, in some cases communities create private servers in order to make the game completely playable.

Rarely some companies adapt the game to be completely playable offline with all the available features that used to exist when the game was a live-service.

===Death of a technology===
For example, when Flash stopped being supported in browsers, many people made effort in preserving flash video games by porting them to html5. Flash emulators like [https://ruffle.rs/ Ruffle] allow to run flash games and content on web browsers. [https://flashpointarchive.org/ Flashpoint Archive] is a community project dedicated to preserve content that runs on Flash. It counts with downloadable applications that allow to download and run Flash content from the device.

===Few numbers of physical copies===
Some video games only exist in physical copies and these copies are in a limited quantity. Also the amount of copies could be reduced because of the possibility a phisical copy could deteriorate over time. Digitalization makes easier to copy, adapt and create backups of the original video game, making it more available to public as well.

==Further reading==
*[[Stop Killing Games]]
*[[Storefront shutdown]]
*[[GOG.com]]
== References ==
[[Category:Common terms]]

CursorAI adds rate limits to unlimited plans

2026-03-14T18:02:45Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: added descriptions to Pro plan thumbnails

{{Incomplete}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Anysphere
|StartDate=2025-06
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=
|Product=CursorAI
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Artificial Intelligence, Rent-seeking
|Description=
}}
Cursor AI silently changed their ''"unlimited"'' Pro plan to severely rate-limited without notice, locking users out after 3-7 requests & forcing them to upgrade to regain functionality.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Developer Reports Cursor AI Plan Change and Lockouts |url=https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028 |access-date=2025-07-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250710051320/https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028 |archive-date=10 Jul 2025}}</ref>

==Background==
Cursor AI, a developer-focused AI code assistant, marketed its $20/month Pro plan with "Unlimited Agent Requests,"<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cursor Pricing Page Archive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250222054643/https://www.cursor.com/en/pricing |access-date=2025-07-05}}</ref> targeting professional developers who depend on advanced models like [[Anthropic]] Claude 4 Sonnet for coding workflows. The service was sold as a premium development tool that provides reliable access to frontier AI models for professional software development.

After introducing an Unlimited Pro plan, a hidden Pro+ upgrade, and higher-priced Ultra Plan in mid-June 2025<ref>{{Cite web |title=Clarifying June 16 Pro Changes |url=https://forum.cursor.com/t/clarifying-june-16-pro-changes/111740 |access-date=2025-07-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251217052720/https://forum.cursor.com/t/clarifying-june-16-pro-changes/111740 |archive-date=17 Dec 2025}}</ref>, shortly after Cursor quietly changed the Pro plan description from ''"Unlimited Agent Requests" to "Unlimited Agent Requests *Usage Limits Apply for some models"'' and again early July to ''"Extended limits on agent"'' without clarifying actual limits or notifying existing customers. The company implemented a system based on "$20+ of model inference" allowance but provided no tools for users to track consumption against this limit.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cursor Community Discussion: No Usage Tracking |url=https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028/18 |access-date=2025-07-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250710051320/https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028 |archive-date=10 Jul 2025}}</ref>
[[File:Initial Unlimited Pricing.png|thumb|200x200px|A screenshot of the initial description of the Pro plan]]

==Service Degradation and Consumer Exploitation==
===Silent Plan Changes===
Days after June 16, 2025, launch, Cursor quietly walked back ''"Unlimited Agent Requests"''

*Added on asterisks to the unlimited messaging ''"Unlimited Agent Requests *Usage Limits Apply for some models"''

On June 16, 2025, Cursor AI pushed through large changes to their Pro Plan terms without properly notifying customers:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Clarifying June 16 Pro Changes |url=https://forum.cursor.com/t/clarifying-june-16-pro-changes/111740 |access-date=2025-07-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251217052720/https://forum.cursor.com/t/clarifying-june-16-pro-changes/111740 |archive-date=17 Dec 2025}}</ref>

*Changed "Unlimited Agent Requests" to "Extended limits on agent" on pricing page
*Implemented usage limits based on vague ''"$20+ of model inference"'' allowance
*Introduced harsh rate limiting with reset periods described only as ''"5-24 hours"''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cursor Documentation on Rate Limits |url=https://docs.cursor.com/rate-limits |access-date=2025-07-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260216025928/https://cursor.com/docs |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref>[[File:Updated Unlimited Pricing.png|thumb|200x200px|A screenshot of the description of the Pro-plan showing a hidden disclaimer near the "Unlimited agent requests" line]][[File:July 03, 2025, Updated Pricing.png|thumb|223x223px|A screenshot showing the description of the Pro tier as of 3 July 2025. Notice how the first line was modified to "Extended limits on agent"]]
*Removed transparency features that would allow users to track usage against limits<ref>{{Cite web |title=User Complaints About Lack of Usage Dashboard |url=https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028/20 |access-date=2025-07-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250710051320/https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028 |archive-date=10 Jul 2025}}</ref>

===User Impact===
Users began experiencing unexpected rate limiting with minimal usage:

*Users reported being rate limited after few requests to Claude 4 Sonnet
*Rate limits lasted 5-24 hours despite documentation claiming ''"every few hours"'' reset periods<ref>{{Cite web |title=User Report: 26 Hour Rate Limit |url=https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028/45 |access-date=2025-07-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250710051320/https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028 |archive-date=10 Jul 2025}}</ref>
*No advance warning when approaching limits or specific indication of when the limits would reset
*Dashboard showed usage events but no dollar consumption tracking against monthly allowance
*Sudden transitions from ''"included in Pro"'' usage to expensive pay-as-you-go billing without warning.

===Suppression of Customer Complaints===
The company suppressed customer complaints:

*AI moderation system repeatedly hid customer complaint threads from public view<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reports of Forum Shadowbans |url=https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028/48 |access-date=2025-07-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250710051320/https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028 |archive-date=10 Jul 2025}}</ref>
*Professional, well-documented complaints became unsearchable on the forum<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forum Thread Hidden By Moderation |url=https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028/48 |access-date=2025-07-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250710051320/https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028 |archive-date=10 Jul 2025}}</ref>
*Staff dismissed documented evidence as ''"conspiracy theories"''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dismissal of Complaints |url=https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028/60 |access-date=2025-07-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250710051320/https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028 |archive-date=10 Jul 2025}}</ref>
*Multiple threads documenting the issues were shadow-banned or made invisible to new users

==Cursor's response==
===Initial denial & suppression===
Cursor AI's initial responses were inadequate & dismissive:

*Customer support provided canned responses that ignored specific questions about timing & usage numbers<ref>{{Cite web |title=Template Support Responses |url=https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028/62 |access-date=2025-07-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250710051320/https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028 |archive-date=10 Jul 2025}}</ref>
*Staff members dismissed user concerns as ''"conspiracy theories"'' despite documented evidence<ref>{{Cite web |title=Staff Responses to Rate Limit Complaints |url=https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028/43 |access-date=2025-07-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250710051320/https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028 |archive-date=10 Jul 2025}}</ref>
*AI moderation system continued hiding customer complaint threads<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ongoing Forum Suppression |url=https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028/37 |access-date=2025-07-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250710051320/https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028 |archive-date=10 Jul 2025}}</ref>

===Official Damage Control Response===
On July 5, 2025, facing overwhelming cross-platform pressure, Cursor AI published a blog post acknowledging the issues:

*Admitted that ''"unlimited usage"'' was misleading and only applied to inferior Auto mode, not direct model access<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cursor Clarifies Misleading Unlimited Claims |url=https://forum.cursor.com/t/clarifying-june-16-pro-changes/111740 |access-date=2025-07-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251217052720/https://forum.cursor.com/t/clarifying-june-16-pro-changes/111740 |archive-date=17 Dec 2025}}</ref>
*Clarified that Pro plan includes approximately 225 Sonnet 4 requests per month (down from previously advertised unlimited)
*Offered full refunds for unexpected charges between June 16 and July 4, 2025
*Updated documentation to provide more specific limit information, though still vague on reset timing

===Continued Problems===
Even after the official response, fundamental issues remained unresolved:

*Users continued experiencing rate limiting after just 3 prompts despite documentation claiming 225 requests/month
*Reset timing described vaguely as ''"5-24 hours"'' with no guarantees (''"best-effort basis"'')
*No real-time usage tracking implementation to help users manage consumption
*[[File:Forum screenshot.jpg|thumb|Forum user doing math to demonstrate how cursor is 29x worse than claude]]Value proposition remained significantly worse than competitors (29:1 ratio disadvantage)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Comparison with Competitors |url=https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028/64 |access-date=2025-07-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250710051320/https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028 |archive-date=10 Jul 2025}}</ref>

==Consumer response==
===Cross-Platform Documentation===
The consumer backlash spread to multiple platforms:

*A detailed 51-page forum thread documented user experiences with screenshots, usage data, and technical analysis<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pro Plan Rate Limit Transparency Issues - Cursor Forum |url=https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028 |access-date=2025-07-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250710051320/https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028 |archive-date=10 Jul 2025}}</ref>
*[[File:X post on cursorai.jpg|thumb|twitter post from disgruntled customer of cursorai]]Hundreds of complaints across Twitter/X from developers worldwide experiencing identical issues<ref>{{Cite web |title=Developer Complaints on Twitter |url=https://x.com/0ni_x4/status/1940885976127283342 |access-date=2025-07-05 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250723220606/https://x.com/0ni_x4/status/1940885976127283342 |archive-date=23 Jul 2025}}</ref>
*Community-maintained archives created due to forum censorship and thread hiding<ref>{{Cite web |title=Archive of Hidden Threads |url=https://archive.is/QDnSS |access-date=2025-07-05}}</ref>
*Reddit discussions confirming the same problems across the user base<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reddit User Reports on Cursor Rate Limits |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/cursor/comments/1lqvl21/cursor_12_and_claude_4_sonnet_rate_limit_is_this/ |access-date=2025-07-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223035255/https://old.reddit.com/r/cursor/comments/1lqvl21/cursor_12_and_claude_4_sonnet_rate_limit_is_this/ |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref>

===User Actions===
Affected consumers took direct action:

*Mass cancellations of annual subscriptions with refund requests<ref>{{Cite web |title=User Reports Cancellations |url=https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028/83 |access-date=2025-07-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250710051320/https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028 |archive-date=10 Jul 2025}}</ref>
*Migration to transparent alternatives like Claude Code Pro '''(which offered 29x better value)'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Discussion on Switching to Competitors |url=https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028/85 |access-date=2025-07-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250710051320/https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028 |archive-date=10 Jul 2025}}</ref>
*Organized documentation efforts to preserve evidence of service changes<ref>{{Cite web |title=User Documentation Efforts |url=https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028/87 |access-date=2025-07-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250710051320/https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028 |archive-date=10 Jul 2025}}</ref>
*Cross-platform pressure campaign that ultimately forced the company's official response<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pressure Leading to Official Response |url=https://forum.cursor.com/t/clarifying-june-16-pro-changes/111740 |access-date=2025-07-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251217052720/https://forum.cursor.com/t/clarifying-june-16-pro-changes/111740 |archive-date=17 Dec 2025}}</ref>
*Users sharing workarounds like reverting to "legacy pricing" where available<ref>{{Cite web |title=Users Reverting to Legacy Pricing |url=https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028/90 |access-date=2025-07-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250710051320/https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028 |archive-date=10 Jul 2025}}</ref>

===Consumer Impact===
CursorAI's actions seriously disrupted pro developer's workflows:

*Developers experienced sudden 26-hour lockouts during critical project work
*Users forced to switch to inferior Auto mode or stop their dev work completely
*Anxiety around usage due to unpredictable enforcement & billing<ref>{{Cite web |title=User Anxiety Over Enforcement |url=https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028/95 |access-date=2025-07-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250710051320/https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028 |archive-date=10 Jul 2025}}</ref>
*Loss of confidence in service reliability for professional development work
*Financial pressure to upgrade to $60+ plans to regain previously advertised functionality

===Community Sentiment===
Documented consumer sentiment included:

*Accusations of '''"rug-pull"''' & bait-and-switch tactic.
*Comparisons to "snake oil salesmen" and predatory business practices<ref>{{Cite web |title=Snake Oil Comparisons |url=https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028/83 |access-date=2025-07-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250710051320/https://forum.cursor.com/t/pro-plan-rate-limit-transparency-issues-need-specific-usage-details/113028 |archive-date=10 Jul 2025}}</ref>
*Calls for transparency in billing and usage tracking
*Demands for honest marketing that doesn't rely on technical loopholes
*Recognition that the incident represented broader anti-consumer trends in AI services

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Cursor]]
[[Category:Artificial intelligence]]

Microsoft Windows 11

2026-03-14T17:29:16Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: /* Unstable & forced updates */

{{StubNotice}}
{{ProductCargo
| Logo = Windows 11 logo.svg
|ArticleType=Product|Company=Microsoft|InProduction=Yes|ProductLine=Microsoft Windows|ReleaseYear=2021-10-05|Website=https://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-11|Category=Operating System, Software}}
'''Microsoft Windows 11''' is an operating system for personal computers developed and owned by [[Microsoft]]. It was released on October 5 2021. As of 2025, Windows 11 is the current version of Windows sold by [[Microsoft]]. It is used in personal, business, server, and embedded systems applications. Windows by far has the highest market share of any operating system on consumer desktop computers.

==Consumer impact summary==
===User Freedom===
Windows 11 has several and more restrictions than their previous version, Windows 10. These restrictions usually prevent the user to configure the system to their liking. Some notable restrictions are:
*In order to use the operating system, it is required to link a Microsoft account. Since October 2025 local accounts cannot be created and Microsoft has blocked the ways to bypass the Microsoft account requirement.

*Updates are forced and cannot be disabled, only postponed by default. They can only be disabled with third-party tools. Some settings and preferences set by the user are modified after applying updates. A very known case of this happening is the modification of the default browser preferences to [[Microsoft Edge]] if the user has set other web browser instead.

*BitLocker drive encryption is forced and there are known incidents of users permanently losing their data. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Sen |first=Sayan |date=1 May 2025 |title=Windows 11 users reportedly losing data due to Microsoft's forced BitLocker encryption |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/windows-11-users-reportedly-losing-data-due-to-microsofts-forced-bitlocker-encryption/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/69uPN |archive-date=2025-05-02 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Neowin}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |last=Nasir|first=Hassam |date=19 Oct 2025 |title=BitLocker reportedly auto-locks users' backup drives, causing loss of 3TB of valuable data — Windows automatic disk encryption can permanently lock your drives |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/software/windows/bitlocker-reportedly-auto-locks-users-backup-drives-causing-loss-of-3tb-of-valuable-data-windows-automatic-disk-encryption-can-permanently-lock-your-drives |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/0ixWF |archive-date=2025-10-20 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Tom's Hardware}}</ref>

*Like Windows 10, [[OneDrive]] synchronization is active by default. The File Explorer redirects the local file shortcuts to the OneDrive file addresses.

===User Privacy===
Telemetry is active by default and cannot be completely disabled without using third-party tools.
Microsoft Copilot application setting of using user's data to train AI models is active by default {{Citation needed}}

===Business Model===
Windows comes pre-installed on most of current new desktop computers.

The operating system license can also be acquired by an one-time purchase.

Windows 11 contains [[bloatware]], such as [[Microsoft Copilot]] and [[Microsoft Edge]] that cannot be uninstalled without specialized tools.
System tools such as Settings or File Explorer contain integrated ads about Microsoft software and services.
Ads can also appear on the lock screen, notifications and the desktop.
===Market Control===
Windows 11 is installed on more than 30% of all computers world wide. <ref>{{Cite web |last=StatCounter |date=2025-07-01 |title=Desktop Windows Market Share Worldwide |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/windows-version-market-share/desktop/worldwide |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250720124002/https://gs.statcounter.com/windows-version-market-share/desktop/worldwide |archive-date=2025-07-20 |access-date=2025-08-17}}</ref> Windows 11 collects user data including but not limited to hardware specs, apps and drivers installed on the device, app activity, device settings and configuration, web browser history, etc. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2025-04-01 |title=Data Collection Summary for WIndows |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/privacy/data-collection-windows |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729153757/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/privacy/data-collection-Windows |archive-date=2025-07-29 |access-date=2025-08-17 |website=Microsoft}}</ref>

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

===Unstable & forced updates===
Following the update form of Windows 10, Windows 11 updates are also forced and the system settings only allow them to be postponed, without having any official form to disable them. They're frequent, usually happening once per month.<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=Microsoft |date=27 Mar 2025 |title=Update release cycle for Windows clients |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/deployment/update/release-cycle |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260314163711/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/update/release-cycle |archive-date=2026-03-14 |access-date=14 Mar 2026 |website=Microsoft Learn}}</ref> The way that updates are deployed, without allowing to use the OS while it is updating, have caused several users to be unable to use their computers when they need to work, do a project, or even when they're in a critical situation. {{Citation needed}}

Windows users have also reported several times issues and bugs with the recent updates, that vary from minor issues to major issues that can lead the system to become unusable.

Some documented problematic updates include:

*Minor update '''24H2 KB5063878''', released on August 12 2025. This update affected some SSD drives by severely corrupting them. This corruption in some cases caused data losses that ended in unrecoverable files. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Hunt |first=Cale |date=24 Aug 2025 |title=Reports say Windows 11 update is bricking drives — is yours on the list? |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/reports-say-windows-11-update-is-bricking-drives-is-yours-on-the-list |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260309042734/https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/reports-say-windows-11-update-is-bricking-drives-is-yours-on-the-list |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Windows Central}}</ref>

*An update on December 2025 caused core features issues on many computers, with several users complaining about this. Microsoft admitted later this update was problematic. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Dalton |first=Theo |date=8 Dec 2025 |title=Microsoft finally admits almost all major Windows 11 core features are broken |url=https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/discussions/windows11/microsoft-finally-admits-almost-all-major-windows-11-core-features-are-broken/4475930 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260309033645/https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/discussions/windows11/microsoft-finally-admits-almost-all-major-windows-11-core-features-are-broken/4475930 |archive-date=2026-03-09|access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Microsoft Community Hub}}</ref>

*Update '''KB5077181''', released on February 11 2026. This update affected some Samsung computers, making them unable to access to the C:\ drive. If someone attempted to access to this drive, the system launched an error message containing "C:\ is not accessible – Access denied". This glitch also affected the ability to launch programs and perform administrative tasks. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Batt |first=Simon |date=13 Mar 2026 |title=A nasty Windows 11 bug is causing the C drive to become inaccessible in select devices, says Microsoft |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/windows-11-c-is-not-accessible-access-denied-bug/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260314042240/https://www.xda-developers.com/windows-11-c-is-not-accessible-access-denied-bug/ |archive-date=2026-03-14 |access-date=14 Mar 2026 |website=XDA}}</ref>

These combined factors have causes users to respond in several ways, from complaining about the OS and how Microsoft handles it<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Joe |date=25 Nov 2025 |title=Windows 11 has become INCREASINGLY unstable |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5635937/windows-11-has-become-increasingly-unstable |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260107122136/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5635937/windows-11-has-become-increasingly-unstable |archive-date=2026-01-07 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Microsoft Learn}}</ref>, by blocking updates with third-party tools such as [https://winaerotweaker.com/ WinAeroTweaker] to prevent the forced and problematic updates despite the risks of doing so <ref>{{Cite web |last=Rozario |first=Hamlin |date=25 Feb 2026|title=I stopped updating Windows immediately — here's how long I wait now |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/i-stopped-updating-windows-immediately/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260227172743/https://www.xda-developers.com/i-stopped-updating-windows-immediately/ |archive-date=2026-02-27 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=XDA}}</ref>, or even by migrating to modified or unsupported versions of Windows or to other operating systems such as Linux. {{Citation needed}}

===Microsoft Copilot integration===
[[Microsoft Copilot]] is a generative Artificial Intelligence model developed by Microsoft.
In recent releases of Windows 11, Microsoft has decided to integrate its AI assistant, '''Copilot''', directly into the operating system.

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

===Windows Recall===
{{Main|Microsoft Copilot's recall feature}}
In 2024, Microsoft unveiled ''Recall'' for ''Copilot+ PCs'', marketed as a way for users to search through what they have done on their computer by recording their screen. This sparked controversy,<ref>[https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsofts-controversial-recall-feature-for-windows-11-could-already-be-in-legal-hot-water "Microsoft’s controversial Recall feature for Windows 11 could already be in legal hot water"] - techradar.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251002141424/https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsofts-controversial-recall-feature-for-windows-11-could-already-be-in-legal-hot-water Archived])</ref> especially among security experts<ref>[https://www.techtarget.com/searchenterpriseai/feature/Privacy-and-security-risks-surrounding-Microsoft-Recall "Privacy and security risks surrounding Microsoft Recall"] - techtarget.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251209084156/https://www.techtarget.com/searchenterpriseai/feature/Privacy-and-security-risks-surrounding-Microsoft-Recall Archived])</ref> who worried about the security of screenshots,<ref>[https://news.sky.com/story/microsoft-ai-feature-investigated-by-uk-watchdog-over-screenshots-13141171 "Microsoft AI feature investigated by UK watchdog over screenshots"] - news.sky.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251002141809/https://news.sky.com/story/microsoft-ai-feature-investigated-by-uk-watchdog-over-screenshots-13141171 Archived])</ref> since it could easily document private information like social-security numbers, bank-account information, and passwords, as well as user browsing behavior. A ''Python'' script was developed, called "''TotalRecall''", that collects the screenshots and descriptions of these recordings,<ref>[https://github.com/xaitax/TotalRecall "TotalRecall - a 'privacy nightmare'?"] - github.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251202013433/https://github.com/xaitax/TotalRecall Archived])</ref> proving the danger of ''Recall''. This feature was delayed after backlash from users.<ref>[https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/06/microsoft-recall-delayed-after-privacy-and-security-concerns "Microsoft Recall delayed after privacy and security concerns"] - malwarebytes.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251229124341/https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/06/microsoft-recall-delayed-after-privacy-and-security-concerns Archived])</ref>

In 2025, Microsoft re-released ''Recall'',<ref>{{Cite news |last=Davenport |first=Corbin |date=Apr 25, 2025 |title=Windows Recall Is Finally Rolling Out After Controversal Reveal |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/windows-recall-is-finally-rolling-out-after-controversal-release/ |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=How to Geek |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260218203614/https://www.howtogeek.com/windows-recall-is-finally-rolling-out-after-controversal-release/ |archive-date=18 Feb 2026}}</ref> with claims that the tool has resolved the security flaws and it coming disabled by default.<ref>{{Cite news |last=LeClair |first=Dave |date=Apr 11, 2025 |title=Microsoft Recall is rolling out following major controversy — what you need to know |url=https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/microsoft-recall-is-coming-for-real-this-time |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=Tom's Guide |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251119223853/https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/microsoft-recall-is-coming-for-real-this-time |archive-date=19 Nov 2025}}</ref> However, despite integrating better security, having this feature enabled continues to pose privacy risks for consumers, as it is only a matter of when a vulnerability is discovered for the problems both consumers and businesses initially had with the tool to resurface,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Nick |date=May 5, 2025 |title=Turn Off Windows' Recall to Protect Your Privacy |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/how-to-disable-recall/ |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=How to Geek |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260110141040/https://www.howtogeek.com/how-to-disable-recall/ |archive-date=10 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Piltch |first=Avram |date=2025-08-01 |title=Tested: Microsoft Recall can still capture credit cards and passwords, a treasure trove for crooks |url=https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/01/microsoft_recall_captures_credit_card_info/ |access-date=2025-08-05 |website=The Register |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251218063254/https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/01/microsoft_recall_captures_credit_card_info/ |archive-date=18 Dec 2025}}</ref> especially since it is difficult for users to inspect the screenshots that are taken by the tool.

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

===Poorly disclosed data encryption===
Computers running Windows 11 with Microsoft Account are set to automatically enable bitlocker<ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2024-05-24 |title=Bitlocker automatic activation |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/device-experiences/oem-bitlocker |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260127032356/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/device-experiences/oem-bitlocker |archive-date=27 Jan 2026}}</ref> which encrypts all data on internal disks, leaving key for decryption in owners Microsoft [https://myaccount.microsoft.com/device-list My Account device list] without explicitly informing the owner of doing so. Updating BIOS or hardware manipulation may lead to triggering bitlocker and leaving computer in recovery mode if bitlocker is not suspended beforehand. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2025-01-15 |title=Suspend Bitlocker |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/windows-security/suspend-bitlocker-protection-non-microsoft-updates |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260102043425/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/windows-security/suspend-bitlocker-protection-non-microsoft-updates |archive-date=2 Jan 2026}}</ref> This process can leave owner with seemingly bricked device, especially if owners Microsoft Account was created and used only to satisfy Windows 11s requirement for Microsoft Accounts during OOBE. If key hidden in Microsoft Account is not provided, erasing encrypted disks and reinstalling operating system is recommended. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Anonymous |date=2023-03-01 |title=Microsoft Learn - Lost Bitlocker Recovery Key |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4176032/i-dont-have-my-bitlocker-code-and-i-cant-reset-win |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251018001915/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4176032/i-dont-have-my-bitlocker-code-and-i-cant-reset-win |archive-date=18 Oct 2025}}</ref>

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

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

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

===Microsoft Bing Wallpaper===
Bing Wallpaper is a free-to-download app on the Microsoft Store that displays a daily rotation of wallpapers for Windows 11 computers.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Explore the world one photo at a time {{!}} Bing Wallpaper |url=https://www.bing.com/apps/wallpaper?pc=w011&brand=bing |url-status=live |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |website=Bing}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260116071012/https://www.bing.com/apps/wallpaper?brand=bing&pc=w011 Archived])</ref> By default, an option is toggled in its settings to automatically open Bing and search for the wallpaper's contents whenever one clicks somewhere on their desktop that doesn't contain an icon and place a permanent window on top of one's wallpaper to learn more. This option must be manually switched off in a setting at the bottom of the options page.<ref>{{Cite web |last=M B |first=Abhijith |date=26 Oct 2025 |title=Windows 11’s Bing Wallpaper app opens Bing.com if you click anywhere on the desktop |url=https://www.windowslatest.com/2025/10/26/windows-11s-bing-wallpaper-app-opens-bing-com-if-you-click-anywhere-on-the-desktop/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |website=Windows Latest |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251215022522/https://www.windowslatest.com/2025/10/26/windows-11s-bing-wallpaper-app-opens-bing-com-if-you-click-anywhere-on-the-desktop/ |archive-date=15 Dec 2025}}</ref> Along with this, it reportedly replaces one's default search engine with Bing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allan |first=Darren |date=28 Oct 2025 |title=Microsoft sinks to new lows with Bing Wallpaper 'feature' in Windows 11 that'll either confuse or annoy you |url=https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsoft-sinks-to-new-lows-with-bing-wallpaper-feature-in-windows-11-thatll-either-confuse-or-annoy-you |url-status=live |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |website=TechRadar |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251206100558/https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsoft-sinks-to-new-lows-with-bing-wallpaper-feature-in-windows-11-thatll-either-confuse-or-annoy-you |archive-date=6 Dec 2025}}</ref>

==See Also==
*[[Microsoft Copilot]]
*[[Microsoft Office 365]]
*[[OneDrive]]
==References==
<references />
[[Category:Windows 11]]

Exit of Crucial from consumer business

2026-03-14T16:46:33Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: /* Micron's response */

{{StubNotice}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Micron
|StartDate=2025-12-03
|EndDate=
|Status=Active
|ProductLine=Crucial components
|Product= DRAM, SSDs
|ArticleType=Incident
|Type=
|Description=Micron announces the exit of Crucial from consumer business to focus in AI and datacenters}}
On December 3, 2025 [[Micron|Micron Technology]] announced that Crucial will exit from the consumer business to focus in the AI business.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Benj |date=2025-12-03 |title=After nearly 30 years, Crucial will stop selling RAM to consumers |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/12/after-nearly-30-years-crucial-will-stop-selling-ram-to-consumers/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260216094824/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/12/after-nearly-30-years-crucial-will-stop-selling-ram-to-consumers/ |archive-date=2026-02-16 |access-date=2026-03-14}}</ref>

Micron will do Crucial product shipments until February 2026. Micron will "provide continued warranty service and support for Crucial products" and "continue to support the sale of Micron-branded enterprise products to commercial channel customers globally"
<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=3 Dec 2025 |title=Micron Announces Exit from Crucial Consumer Business |url=https://investors.micron.com/news-releases/news-release-details/micron-announces-exit-crucial-consumer-business |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260124004930/https://investors.micron.com/news-releases/news-release-details/micron-announces-exit-crucial-consumer-business |archive-date=24 Jan 2026|access-date=26 Jan 2026}}</ref>

==Background==

The high interest towards artificial intelligence and their lucrative capacity has caused many tech companies to invest on it to increase their revenue. {{Citation needed}} For the consumer market, there are only 3 major companies that make DRAM known as "The Big Three": Samsung, Micron, and SK Hynix.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/3057590/report-desperate-pc-manufacturers-turn-to-china-for-ram.html|title=Report: Desperate PC manufacturers are turning to China for RAM|date=2026-02-10|work=PC World|first=Michael|last=Crider |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260212071148/https://www.pcworld.com/article/3057590/report-desperate-pc-manufacturers-turn-to-china-for-ram.html |archive-date=12 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==Incident==

Micron announced they quit from consumer business with a justification to supply the AI industry<ref name=":0" />:
{{Quote|''The AI-driven growth in the data center has led to a surge in demand for memory and storage. Micron has made the difficult decision to exit the Crucial consumer business in order to improve supply and support for our larger, strategic customers in faster-growing segments''}}

===Affected products===
All Crucial components (DRAM, SSDs)

==Micron's response==
In January 2026, WCCFetch released an interview with Christopher Moore, Micron's VP of Marketing, Mobile and Client Business Unit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zuhair |first=Muhammad |date=11 Jan 2026 |title=Micron Exclusive: Why Consumers Have Gotten the Memory Shortage Narrative All Wrong |url=https://wccftech.com/micron-exclusive-why-consumers-have-gotten-the-memory-shortage-narrative-all-wrong/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260304214014/https://wccftech.com/micron-exclusive-why-consumers-have-gotten-the-memory-shortage-narrative-all-wrong/ |archive-date=2026-03-04}}</ref> When asked whether memory suppliers are inclined towards catering to the AI sectors and leaving consumers behind. Moore replied using [[dark patterns]] in an attempt to convince users that they're "helping consumers around the world":
{{Quote|''Well, first I would want to try to help everybody understand that the perception may not be exactly correct, at least from our point of view. So I would never want to tell someone what to think or that they're wrong, but our viewpoint is that we are trying to help consumers around the world. We're just doing it through different channels. We still have a very sizable business in the client and mobile markets. We are also, of course, servicing our data center customers.

And what's going on right now is that the TAM and data center is growing just absolutely tremendously. And we want to make sure that, as a company, we help fulfill that TAM as well.''}}

==Consumer response==
Micron's decision to supply AI businesses and Moore's response caused outrage by consumers. {{Citation needed}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}

Microsoft Windows 11

2026-03-14T16:41:15Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: /* Unstable & forced updates */ Added another example of a problematic update (Feb 11 Samsung C drive buggy update). Improved writing and added sources

{{StubNotice}}
{{ProductCargo
| Logo = Windows 11 logo.svg
|ArticleType=Product|Company=Microsoft|InProduction=Yes|ProductLine=Microsoft Windows|ReleaseYear=2021-10-05|Website=https://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-11|Category=Operating System, Software}}
'''Microsoft Windows 11''' is an operating system for personal computers developed and owned by [[Microsoft]]. It was released on October 5 2021. As of 2025, Windows 11 is the current version of Windows sold by [[Microsoft]]. It is used in personal, business, server, and embedded systems applications. Windows by far has the highest market share of any operating system on consumer desktop computers.

==Consumer impact summary==
===User Freedom===
Windows 11 has several and more restrictions than their previous version, Windows 10. These restrictions usually prevent the user to configure the system to their liking. Some notable restrictions are:
*In order to use the operating system, it is required to link a Microsoft account. Since October 2025 local accounts cannot be created and Microsoft has blocked the ways to bypass the Microsoft account requirement.

*Updates are forced and cannot be disabled, only postponed by default. They can only be disabled with third-party tools. Some settings and preferences set by the user are modified after applying updates. A very known case of this happening is the modification of the default browser preferences to [[Microsoft Edge]] if the user has set other web browser instead.

*BitLocker drive encryption is forced and there are known incidents of users permanently losing their data. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Sen |first=Sayan |date=1 May 2025 |title=Windows 11 users reportedly losing data due to Microsoft's forced BitLocker encryption |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/windows-11-users-reportedly-losing-data-due-to-microsofts-forced-bitlocker-encryption/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/69uPN |archive-date=2025-05-02 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Neowin}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |last=Nasir|first=Hassam |date=19 Oct 2025 |title=BitLocker reportedly auto-locks users' backup drives, causing loss of 3TB of valuable data — Windows automatic disk encryption can permanently lock your drives |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/software/windows/bitlocker-reportedly-auto-locks-users-backup-drives-causing-loss-of-3tb-of-valuable-data-windows-automatic-disk-encryption-can-permanently-lock-your-drives |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/0ixWF |archive-date=2025-10-20 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Tom's Hardware}}</ref>

*Like Windows 10, [[OneDrive]] synchronization is active by default. The File Explorer redirects the local file shortcuts to the OneDrive file addresses.

===User Privacy===
Telemetry is active by default and cannot be completely disabled without using third-party tools.
Microsoft Copilot application setting of using user's data to train AI models is active by default {{Citation needed}}

===Business Model===
Windows comes pre-installed on most of current new desktop computers.

The operating system license can also be acquired by an one-time purchase.

Windows 11 contains [[bloatware]], such as [[Microsoft Copilot]] and [[Microsoft Edge]] that cannot be uninstalled without specialized tools.
System tools such as Settings or File Explorer contain integrated ads about Microsoft software and services.
Ads can also appear on the lock screen, notifications and the desktop.
===Market Control===
Windows 11 is installed on more than 30% of all computers world wide. <ref>{{Cite web |last=StatCounter |date=2025-07-01 |title=Desktop Windows Market Share Worldwide |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/windows-version-market-share/desktop/worldwide |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250720124002/https://gs.statcounter.com/windows-version-market-share/desktop/worldwide |archive-date=2025-07-20 |access-date=2025-08-17}}</ref> Windows 11 collects user data including but not limited to hardware specs, apps and drivers installed on the device, app activity, device settings and configuration, web browser history, etc. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2025-04-01 |title=Data Collection Summary for WIndows |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/privacy/data-collection-windows |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729153757/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/privacy/data-collection-Windows |archive-date=2025-07-29 |access-date=2025-08-17 |website=Microsoft}}</ref>

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

===Unstable & forced updates===
Following the update form of Windows 10, Windows 11 updates are also forced and the system settings only allow them to be postponed, without having any official form to disable them. However, third-party tools such as [https://winaerotweaker.com/ WinAeroTweaker] can allow the user to disable and block system updates until the user wants to enable them again.

Windows 11 updates are frequent, usually happening once per month.<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=Microsoft |date=27 Mar 2025 |title=Update release cycle for Windows clients |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/deployment/update/release-cycle |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260314163711/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/update/release-cycle |archive-date=2026-03-14 |access-date=14 Mar 2026 |website=Microsoft Learn}}</ref> Windows users have reported several times issues and bugs with the recent updates, that vary from minor issues to major issues that can lead the system to become unusable. The frequency of unstable updates and the lack of response of Microsoft to prioritize the system's stability has caused several users to complain about the OS <ref>{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Joe |date=25 Nov 2025 |title=Windows 11 has become INCREASINGLY unstable |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5635937/windows-11-has-become-increasingly-unstable |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260107122136/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5635937/windows-11-has-become-increasingly-unstable |archive-date=2026-01-07 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Microsoft Learn}}</ref>, disable system updates despite the risks of doing so<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rozario |first=Hamlin |date=25 Feb 2026|title=I stopped updating Windows immediately — here's how long I wait now |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/i-stopped-updating-windows-immediately/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260227172743/https://www.xda-developers.com/i-stopped-updating-windows-immediately/ |archive-date=2026-02-27 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=XDA}}</ref> or even migrating to modified versions of Windows or to other operating systems such as Linux. {{Citation needed}}

Some problematic documented updates include:

*Minor update '''24H2 KB5063878''', released on August 12 2025. This update affected some SSD drives by severely corrupting them. This corruption in some cases caused data losses that ended in unrecoverable files. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Hunt |first=Cale |date=24 Aug 2025 |title=Reports say Windows 11 update is bricking drives — is yours on the list? |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/reports-say-windows-11-update-is-bricking-drives-is-yours-on-the-list |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260309042734/https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/reports-say-windows-11-update-is-bricking-drives-is-yours-on-the-list |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Windows Central}}</ref>

*An update on December 2025 caused core features issues on many computers, with several users complaining about this. Microsoft admitted later this update was problematic. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Dalton |first=Theo |date=8 Dec 2025 |title=Microsoft finally admits almost all major Windows 11 core features are broken |url=https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/discussions/windows11/microsoft-finally-admits-almost-all-major-windows-11-core-features-are-broken/4475930 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260309033645/https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/discussions/windows11/microsoft-finally-admits-almost-all-major-windows-11-core-features-are-broken/4475930 |archive-date=2026-03-09|access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Microsoft Community Hub}}</ref>

*Update '''KB5077181''', released on February 11 2026. This update affected some Samsung computers, making them unable to access to the C:\ drive. If someone attempted to access to this drive, the system launched an error message containing "C:\ is not accessible – Access denied". This glitch also affected the ability to launch programs and perform administrative tasks. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Batt |first=Simon |date=13 Mar 2026 |title=A nasty Windows 11 bug is causing the C drive to become inaccessible in select devices, says Microsoft |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/windows-11-c-is-not-accessible-access-denied-bug/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260314042240/https://www.xda-developers.com/windows-11-c-is-not-accessible-access-denied-bug/ |archive-date=2026-03-14 |access-date=14 Mar 2026 |website=XDA}}</ref>

===Microsoft Copilot integration===
[[Microsoft Copilot]] is a generative Artificial Intelligence model developed by Microsoft.
In recent releases of Windows 11, Microsoft has decided to integrate its AI assistant, '''Copilot''', directly into the operating system.

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

===Windows Recall===
{{Main|Microsoft Copilot's recall feature}}
In 2024, Microsoft unveiled ''Recall'' for ''Copilot+ PCs'', marketed as a way for users to search through what they have done on their computer by recording their screen. This sparked controversy,<ref>[https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsofts-controversial-recall-feature-for-windows-11-could-already-be-in-legal-hot-water "Microsoft’s controversial Recall feature for Windows 11 could already be in legal hot water"] - techradar.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251002141424/https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsofts-controversial-recall-feature-for-windows-11-could-already-be-in-legal-hot-water Archived])</ref> especially among security experts<ref>[https://www.techtarget.com/searchenterpriseai/feature/Privacy-and-security-risks-surrounding-Microsoft-Recall "Privacy and security risks surrounding Microsoft Recall"] - techtarget.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251209084156/https://www.techtarget.com/searchenterpriseai/feature/Privacy-and-security-risks-surrounding-Microsoft-Recall Archived])</ref> who worried about the security of screenshots,<ref>[https://news.sky.com/story/microsoft-ai-feature-investigated-by-uk-watchdog-over-screenshots-13141171 "Microsoft AI feature investigated by UK watchdog over screenshots"] - news.sky.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251002141809/https://news.sky.com/story/microsoft-ai-feature-investigated-by-uk-watchdog-over-screenshots-13141171 Archived])</ref> since it could easily document private information like social-security numbers, bank-account information, and passwords, as well as user browsing behavior. A ''Python'' script was developed, called "''TotalRecall''", that collects the screenshots and descriptions of these recordings,<ref>[https://github.com/xaitax/TotalRecall "TotalRecall - a 'privacy nightmare'?"] - github.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251202013433/https://github.com/xaitax/TotalRecall Archived])</ref> proving the danger of ''Recall''. This feature was delayed after backlash from users.<ref>[https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/06/microsoft-recall-delayed-after-privacy-and-security-concerns "Microsoft Recall delayed after privacy and security concerns"] - malwarebytes.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251229124341/https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/06/microsoft-recall-delayed-after-privacy-and-security-concerns Archived])</ref>

In 2025, Microsoft re-released ''Recall'',<ref>{{Cite news |last=Davenport |first=Corbin |date=Apr 25, 2025 |title=Windows Recall Is Finally Rolling Out After Controversal Reveal |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/windows-recall-is-finally-rolling-out-after-controversal-release/ |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=How to Geek |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260218203614/https://www.howtogeek.com/windows-recall-is-finally-rolling-out-after-controversal-release/ |archive-date=18 Feb 2026}}</ref> with claims that the tool has resolved the security flaws and it coming disabled by default.<ref>{{Cite news |last=LeClair |first=Dave |date=Apr 11, 2025 |title=Microsoft Recall is rolling out following major controversy — what you need to know |url=https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/microsoft-recall-is-coming-for-real-this-time |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=Tom's Guide |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251119223853/https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/microsoft-recall-is-coming-for-real-this-time |archive-date=19 Nov 2025}}</ref> However, despite integrating better security, having this feature enabled continues to pose privacy risks for consumers, as it is only a matter of when a vulnerability is discovered for the problems both consumers and businesses initially had with the tool to resurface,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Nick |date=May 5, 2025 |title=Turn Off Windows' Recall to Protect Your Privacy |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/how-to-disable-recall/ |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=How to Geek |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260110141040/https://www.howtogeek.com/how-to-disable-recall/ |archive-date=10 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Piltch |first=Avram |date=2025-08-01 |title=Tested: Microsoft Recall can still capture credit cards and passwords, a treasure trove for crooks |url=https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/01/microsoft_recall_captures_credit_card_info/ |access-date=2025-08-05 |website=The Register |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251218063254/https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/01/microsoft_recall_captures_credit_card_info/ |archive-date=18 Dec 2025}}</ref> especially since it is difficult for users to inspect the screenshots that are taken by the tool.

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

===Poorly disclosed data encryption===
Computers running Windows 11 with Microsoft Account are set to automatically enable bitlocker<ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2024-05-24 |title=Bitlocker automatic activation |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/device-experiences/oem-bitlocker |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260127032356/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/device-experiences/oem-bitlocker |archive-date=27 Jan 2026}}</ref> which encrypts all data on internal disks, leaving key for decryption in owners Microsoft [https://myaccount.microsoft.com/device-list My Account device list] without explicitly informing the owner of doing so. Updating BIOS or hardware manipulation may lead to triggering bitlocker and leaving computer in recovery mode if bitlocker is not suspended beforehand. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2025-01-15 |title=Suspend Bitlocker |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/windows-security/suspend-bitlocker-protection-non-microsoft-updates |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260102043425/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/windows-security/suspend-bitlocker-protection-non-microsoft-updates |archive-date=2 Jan 2026}}</ref> This process can leave owner with seemingly bricked device, especially if owners Microsoft Account was created and used only to satisfy Windows 11s requirement for Microsoft Accounts during OOBE. If key hidden in Microsoft Account is not provided, erasing encrypted disks and reinstalling operating system is recommended. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Anonymous |date=2023-03-01 |title=Microsoft Learn - Lost Bitlocker Recovery Key |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4176032/i-dont-have-my-bitlocker-code-and-i-cant-reset-win |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251018001915/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4176032/i-dont-have-my-bitlocker-code-and-i-cant-reset-win |archive-date=18 Oct 2025}}</ref>

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

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

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

===Microsoft Bing Wallpaper===
Bing Wallpaper is a free-to-download app on the Microsoft Store that displays a daily rotation of wallpapers for Windows 11 computers.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Explore the world one photo at a time {{!}} Bing Wallpaper |url=https://www.bing.com/apps/wallpaper?pc=w011&brand=bing |url-status=live |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |website=Bing}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260116071012/https://www.bing.com/apps/wallpaper?brand=bing&pc=w011 Archived])</ref> By default, an option is toggled in its settings to automatically open Bing and search for the wallpaper's contents whenever one clicks somewhere on their desktop that doesn't contain an icon and place a permanent window on top of one's wallpaper to learn more. This option must be manually switched off in a setting at the bottom of the options page.<ref>{{Cite web |last=M B |first=Abhijith |date=26 Oct 2025 |title=Windows 11’s Bing Wallpaper app opens Bing.com if you click anywhere on the desktop |url=https://www.windowslatest.com/2025/10/26/windows-11s-bing-wallpaper-app-opens-bing-com-if-you-click-anywhere-on-the-desktop/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |website=Windows Latest |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251215022522/https://www.windowslatest.com/2025/10/26/windows-11s-bing-wallpaper-app-opens-bing-com-if-you-click-anywhere-on-the-desktop/ |archive-date=15 Dec 2025}}</ref> Along with this, it reportedly replaces one's default search engine with Bing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allan |first=Darren |date=28 Oct 2025 |title=Microsoft sinks to new lows with Bing Wallpaper 'feature' in Windows 11 that'll either confuse or annoy you |url=https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsoft-sinks-to-new-lows-with-bing-wallpaper-feature-in-windows-11-thatll-either-confuse-or-annoy-you |url-status=live |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |website=TechRadar |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251206100558/https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsoft-sinks-to-new-lows-with-bing-wallpaper-feature-in-windows-11-thatll-either-confuse-or-annoy-you |archive-date=6 Dec 2025}}</ref>

==See Also==
*[[Microsoft Copilot]]
*[[Microsoft Office 365]]
*[[OneDrive]]
==References==
<references />
[[Category:Windows 11]]

DeepSeek

2026-03-14T05:53:35Z

ClippyWantsToHelp:

{{Stub}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=2023-07-17
|Industry=Artificial Intelligence
|ParentCompany=High-Flyer
|Type=Private
|Website=https://www.deepseek.com/
|Logo=DeepSeek_logo.svg
|Description=Chinese company developer of the DeepSeek large language models
|CompanyAlias= Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Basic Technology Research Co., Ltd.
}}
[[wikipedia:DeepSeek|'''DeepSeek''']] is a chinese artificial intelligence company founded on 17 July 2023 by Liang Wenfeng. It develops the [[wikipedia:DeepSeek_(chatbot)|DeepSeek large language model]] (LLM).

==Consumer-impact summary==
===User Freedom===
In order to use the model from the official website or application, it is required to log in or create an account. However, the model can be downloaded, run locally and modify its components as it is distributed under the MIT license.
The service provided from the official websites and applications offer unlimited conversations with the most recent models and features.

===User Privacy===
Using the chatbot from the official website, application or via the official API has raised several privacy concerns as how the company gathers and uses users data. Researches in South Korea found that the data collected is sent to [[ByteDance]]. <ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20250218135802/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250218005300315</ref>

===Business Model===
DeepSeek grants access to the APIs of their models by fee per 1M tokens. <ref>{{Cite web |publisher=DeepSeek |date=Unknown date |title=Models & Pricing |url=https://api-docs.deepseek.com/quick_start/pricing |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260308122355/https://api-docs.deepseek.com/quick_start/pricing |archive-date=2026-03-08 |access-date=13 Mar 2026 |website=DeepSeek Api Docs}}</ref>

===Market Control===
According to StatCounter as of February 2026, DeepSeek chatbot market share is 0.01% <ref>{{Cite web |publisher=StatCounter |date=Feb 2026 |title=AI Chatbot Market Share Worldwide |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/ai-chatbot-market-share |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/stjr5 |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=13 Mar 2026 |website=statcounter.com}}</ref>.

==Censorship and biases==
[[File:DeepSeek_when_asked_about_Xi_Jinping_and_Narendra_Modi.png|thumb|A screenshot that shows a reply censorship when asked the model if Xi Jinping is an autocrat in nature. If it is asked the model the same question but with a non-chinese politician, it replies with a balanced answer]]
The DeepSeek language models have heavy censorship of topics and information that is sensitive to the Chinese government, such as Tianmen Square Massacre, Taiwan's and Hong Kong's political statuses. If the user asks the model about information catalogued as "sensitive for the Chinese government", it will either block the reply and set a "Sorry, that's beyond my current scope. Let's talk about something else." pre-fabricated message or deny about it. {{Citation needed}} However, the censorship can be bypassed by adding additional instructions or by using the models from outside the chinese API.

An example of censorship occurs when the user sends a prompt containing "Taiwan is a country". This causes the model to claim that Taiwan is a "special administrative region of China" or to block the output if the model replies with a message confirming the region is a country. {{Citation needed}}

==Incidents==

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

===Security breach (Jan. 2025)===
On January 29 2025, a group of cibersecurity researches discovered over 1 million unencrypted sensitive records were leaked. This affected iOS users and information exposed include device information and conversation history.
<ref>https://www.forbes.com/sites/larsdaniel/2025/02/01/deepseek-data-leak-exposes--1000000-sensitive-records/</ref>
<ref>https://www.quorumcyber.com/threat-intelligence/deepseek-app-exposes-sensitive-user-and-device-data-due-to-lack-of-encryption/</ref>

===Mobile application collecting user data (2025)===
In 2025, in Italy and Germany the DeepSeek mobile application from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store was banned due to the data management. <ref>https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/deepseek-faces-expulsion-app-stores-germany-2025-06-27/</ref> <ref>https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/29/deepseek-blocked-some-app-stores-italy-questions-data-use</ref>

==Products==
*DeepSeek LLM
*DeepSeek Coder
*DeepSeek Math

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

DeepSeek

2026-03-14T04:59:31Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: /* Market Control */

{{Stub}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=2023-07-17
|Industry=Artificial Intelligence
|ParentCompany=High-Flyer
|Type=Private
|Website=https://www.deepseek.com/
|Logo=DeepSeek_logo.svg
|Description=Chinese company developer of the DeepSeek large language models
|CompanyAlias= Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Basic Technology Research Co., Ltd.
}}
[[wikipedia:DeepSeek|'''DeepSeek''']] is a chinese artificial intelligence company founded on 17 July 2023 by Liang Wenfeng. It develops the [[wikipedia:DeepSeek_(chatbot)|DeepSeek large language model]] (LLM).

==Consumer-impact summary==
===User Freedom===
In order to use the model from the official website or application, it is required to log in or create an account. However, the model can be downloaded, run locally and modify its components as it is distributed under the MIT license.
The service provided from the official websites and applications offer unlimited conversations with the most recent models and features.

===User Privacy===
Using the chatbot from the official website, application or via the official API has raised several privacy concerns as how the company gathers and uses users data. Researches in South Korea found that the data collected is sent to [[ByteDance]]. <ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20250218135802/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250218005300315</ref>

===Business Model===
DeepSeek grants access to the APIs of their models by fee per 1M tokens. <ref>{{Cite web |publisher=DeepSeek |date=Unknown date |title=Models & Pricing |url=https://api-docs.deepseek.com/quick_start/pricing |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260308122355/https://api-docs.deepseek.com/quick_start/pricing |archive-date=2026-03-08 |access-date=13 Mar 2026 |website=DeepSeek Api Docs}}</ref>

===Market Control===
According to StatCounter as of February 2026, DeepSeek chatbot market share is 0.01% <ref>{{Cite web |publisher=StatCounter |date=Feb 2026 |title=AI Chatbot Market Share Worldwide |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/ai-chatbot-market-share |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/stjr5 |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=13 Mar 2026 |website=statcounter.com}}</ref>.

==Censorship and biases==
[[File:DeepSeek_when_asked_about_Xi_Jinping_and_Narendra_Modi.png|thumb|A screenshot that shows a reply censorship when asked the model if Xi Jinping is an autocrat in nature. If it is asked the model the same question but with a non-chinese politician, it replies with a balanced answer]]
The DeepSeek language models have heavy censorship of topics and information that is sensitive to the Chinese government, such as Tianmen Square Massacre, Taiwan's and Hong Kong's political statuses. If the user asks the model about information catalogued as "sensitive for the Chinese government", it will either block the reply and set a "Sorry, that's beyond my current scope. Let's talk about something else." pre-fabricated message or deny about it. {{Citation needed}} However, the censorship can be bypassed by adding additional instructions or by using the models from outside the chinese API.

An example of censorship occurs when the user sends a prompt containing "Taiwan is a country". This causes the model to claim that Taiwan is a "special administrative region of China" or to block the output if the model replies with a message confirming the region is a country. {{Citation needed}}

==Incidents==

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

==Products==
*DeepSeek LLM
*DeepSeek Coder
*DeepSeek Math

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

DeepSeek

2026-03-14T00:20:46Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: /* Censorship and biases */

{{Stub}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=2023-07-17
|Industry=Artificial Intelligence
|ParentCompany=High-Flyer
|Type=Private
|Website=https://www.deepseek.com/
|Logo=DeepSeek_logo.svg
|Description=Chinese company developer of the DeepSeek large language models
|CompanyAlias= Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Basic Technology Research Co., Ltd.
}}
[[wikipedia:DeepSeek|'''DeepSeek''']] is a chinese artificial intelligence company founded on 17 July 2023 by Liang Wenfeng. It develops the [[wikipedia:DeepSeek_(chatbot)|DeepSeek large language model]] (LLM).

==Consumer-impact summary==
===User Freedom===
In order to use the model from the official website or application, it is required to log in or create an account. However, the model can be downloaded, run locally and modify its components as it is distributed under the MIT license.
The service provided from the official websites and applications offer unlimited conversations with the most recent models and features.

===User Privacy===
Using the chatbot from the official website, application or via the official API has raised several privacy concerns as how the company gathers and uses users data. Researches in South Korea found that the data collected is sent to [[ByteDance]]. <ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20250218135802/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250218005300315</ref>

===Business Model===
DeepSeek grants access to the APIs of their models by fee per 1M tokens. <ref>{{Cite web |publisher=DeepSeek |date=Unknown date |title=Models & Pricing |url=https://api-docs.deepseek.com/quick_start/pricing |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260308122355/https://api-docs.deepseek.com/quick_start/pricing |archive-date=2026-03-08 |access-date=13 Mar 2026 |website=DeepSeek Api Docs}}</ref>

===Market Control===
According to StatCounter as of February 2026, DeepSeek market share is 0.01% <ref>{{Cite web |publisher=StatCounter |date=Feb 2026 |title=AI Chatbot Market Share Worldwide |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/ai-chatbot-market-share |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/stjr5 |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=13 Mar 2026 |website=statcounter.com}}</ref>.

==Censorship and biases==
[[File:DeepSeek_when_asked_about_Xi_Jinping_and_Narendra_Modi.png|thumb|A screenshot that shows a reply censorship when asked the model if Xi Jinping is an autocrat in nature. If it is asked the model the same question but with a non-chinese politician, it replies with a balanced answer]]
The DeepSeek language models have heavy censorship of topics and information that is sensitive to the Chinese government, such as Tianmen Square Massacre, Taiwan's and Hong Kong's political statuses. If the user asks the model about information catalogued as "sensitive for the Chinese government", it will either block the reply and set a "Sorry, that's beyond my current scope. Let's talk about something else." pre-fabricated message or deny about it. {{Citation needed}} However, the censorship can be bypassed by adding additional instructions or by using the models from outside the chinese API.

An example of censorship occurs when the user sends a prompt containing "Taiwan is a country". This causes the model to claim that Taiwan is a "special administrative region of China" or to block the output if the model replies with a message confirming the region is a country. {{Citation needed}}

==Incidents==

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

==Products==
*DeepSeek LLM
*DeepSeek Coder
*DeepSeek Math

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

File:DeepSeek when asked about Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi.png

2026-03-14T00:17:01Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: Taken from Wikipedia, original file created by "Llm pro" - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=158641497

== Summary ==
Taken from Wikipedia, original file created by "Llm pro" - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=158641497
== Licensing ==
{{From Wikimedia}}

DeepSeek

2026-03-14T00:13:40Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: /* Censorship and biases */

{{Stub}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=2023-07-17
|Industry=Artificial Intelligence
|ParentCompany=High-Flyer
|Type=Private
|Website=https://www.deepseek.com/
|Logo=DeepSeek_logo.svg
|Description=Chinese company developer of the DeepSeek large language models
|CompanyAlias= Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Basic Technology Research Co., Ltd.
}}
[[wikipedia:DeepSeek|'''DeepSeek''']] is a chinese artificial intelligence company founded on 17 July 2023 by Liang Wenfeng. It develops the [[wikipedia:DeepSeek_(chatbot)|DeepSeek large language model]] (LLM).

==Consumer-impact summary==
===User Freedom===
In order to use the model from the official website or application, it is required to log in or create an account. However, the model can be downloaded, run locally and modify its components as it is distributed under the MIT license.
The service provided from the official websites and applications offer unlimited conversations with the most recent models and features.

===User Privacy===
Using the chatbot from the official website, application or via the official API has raised several privacy concerns as how the company gathers and uses users data. Researches in South Korea found that the data collected is sent to [[ByteDance]]. <ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20250218135802/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250218005300315</ref>

===Business Model===
DeepSeek grants access to the APIs of their models by fee per 1M tokens. <ref>{{Cite web |publisher=DeepSeek |date=Unknown date |title=Models & Pricing |url=https://api-docs.deepseek.com/quick_start/pricing |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260308122355/https://api-docs.deepseek.com/quick_start/pricing |archive-date=2026-03-08 |access-date=13 Mar 2026 |website=DeepSeek Api Docs}}</ref>

===Market Control===
According to StatCounter as of February 2026, DeepSeek market share is 0.01% <ref>{{Cite web |publisher=StatCounter |date=Feb 2026 |title=AI Chatbot Market Share Worldwide |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/ai-chatbot-market-share |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/stjr5 |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=13 Mar 2026 |website=statcounter.com}}</ref>.

==Censorship and biases==
The DeepSeek language models have heavy censorship of topics and information that is sensitive to the Chinese government, such as Tianmen Square Massacre, Taiwan's and Hong Kong's political statuses. If the user asks the model about information catalogued as "sensitive for the Chinese government", it will either block the reply and set a "Sorry, that's beyond my current scope. Let's talk about something else." pre-fabricated message or deny about it. {{Citation needed}} However, the censorship can be bypassed by adding additional instructions or by using the models from outside the chinese API.

An example of censorship occurs when the user sends a prompt containing "Taiwan is a country". This causes the model to claim that Taiwan is a "special administrative region of China" or to block the output if the model replies with a message confirming the region is a country. {{Citation needed}}

==Incidents==

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

==Products==
*DeepSeek LLM
*DeepSeek Coder
*DeepSeek Math

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

DeepSeek

2026-03-14T00:05:57Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: /* Censorship */

{{Stub}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=2023-07-17
|Industry=Artificial Intelligence
|ParentCompany=High-Flyer
|Type=Private
|Website=https://www.deepseek.com/
|Logo=DeepSeek_logo.svg
|Description=Chinese company developer of the DeepSeek large language models
|CompanyAlias= Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Basic Technology Research Co., Ltd.
}}
[[wikipedia:DeepSeek|'''DeepSeek''']] is a chinese artificial intelligence company founded on 17 July 2023 by Liang Wenfeng. It develops the [[wikipedia:DeepSeek_(chatbot)|DeepSeek large language model]] (LLM).

==Consumer-impact summary==
===User Freedom===
In order to use the model from the official website or application, it is required to log in or create an account. However, the model can be downloaded, run locally and modify its components as it is distributed under the MIT license.
The service provided from the official websites and applications offer unlimited conversations with the most recent models and features.

===User Privacy===
Using the chatbot from the official website, application or via the official API has raised several privacy concerns as how the company gathers and uses users data. Researches in South Korea found that the data collected is sent to [[ByteDance]]. <ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20250218135802/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250218005300315</ref>

===Business Model===
DeepSeek grants access to the APIs of their models by fee per 1M tokens. <ref>{{Cite web |publisher=DeepSeek |date=Unknown date |title=Models & Pricing |url=https://api-docs.deepseek.com/quick_start/pricing |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260308122355/https://api-docs.deepseek.com/quick_start/pricing |archive-date=2026-03-08 |access-date=13 Mar 2026 |website=DeepSeek Api Docs}}</ref>

===Market Control===
According to StatCounter as of February 2026, DeepSeek market share is 0.01% <ref>{{Cite web |publisher=StatCounter |date=Feb 2026 |title=AI Chatbot Market Share Worldwide |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/ai-chatbot-market-share |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/stjr5 |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=13 Mar 2026 |website=statcounter.com}}</ref>.

==Censorship and biases==
The DeepSeek language models have heavy censorship of topics and information that is sensitive to the Chinese government. If the user asks the model about information catalogued as "sensitive", it will either block the reply and setting a "Sorry, that's beyond my current scope. Let's talk about something else." message or denying about it. {{Citation needed}} However, the censorship can be bypassed by adding additional instructions or by using the models from outside the API.

An example of censorship occurs when the user sends a prompt containing "Taiwan is a country". This causes the model to claim that Taiwan is a "special administrative region of China" or to block the output if the model confirms the region is a country. {{Citation needed}}

==Incidents==

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

==Products==
*DeepSeek LLM
*DeepSeek Coder
*DeepSeek Math

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

DeepSeek

2026-03-13T23:51:55Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: /* Business Model */ fixed typo

DeepSeek

2026-03-13T23:50:00Z

ClippyWantsToHelp:

DeepSeek

2026-03-13T19:02:07Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: /* Consumer-impact summary */

{{Stub}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=2023-07-17
|Industry=Artificial Intelligence
|ParentCompany=High-Flyer
|Type=Private
|Website=https://www.deepseek.com/
|Description=Chinese company developer of the DeepSeek large language models
|CompanyAlias= Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Basic Technology Research Co., Ltd.
}}
[[wikipedia:DeepSeek|'''DeepSeek''']] is a chinese artificial intelligence company founded on 17 July 2023 by Liang Wenfeng. It develops the [[wikipedia:DeepSeek_(chatbot)|DeepSeek]] large language model (LLM).

==Consumer-impact summary==
===User Freedom===
In order to use the model from the official website or application, it is required to log in or create an account. However, the model can be downloaded, run locally and modify its components as it is distributed under the MIT license.
The service provided from the official websites and applications offer unlimited conversations with the most recent models and features.

===User Privacy===
Using the chatbot from the official website, application or via the official API has raised several privacy concerns as how the company gathers and uses users data. Researches in South Korea found that the data collected is sent to [[ByteDance]]. <ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20250218135802/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250218005300315</ref>

===Bussiness Model===
DeepSeek grants access to the API of their models by paying a monthly fee.

===Market Control===

==Censorship==

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

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

==Products==
*DeepSeek LLM
*DeepSeek Coder
*DeepSeek Math

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

DeepSeek

2026-03-13T19:00:18Z

ClippyWantsToHelp:

{{Stub}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=2023-07-17
|Industry=Artificial Intelligence
|ParentCompany=High-Flyer
|Type=Private
|Website=https://www.deepseek.com/
|Description=Chinese company developer of the DeepSeek large language models
|CompanyAlias= Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Basic Technology Research Co., Ltd.
}}
[[wikipedia:DeepSeek|'''DeepSeek''']] is a chinese artificial intelligence company founded on 17 July 2023 by Liang Wenfeng. It develops the [[wikipedia:DeepSeek_(chatbot)|DeepSeek]] large language model (LLM).

==Consumer-impact summary==
===User Freedom===
In order to use the model from the official website or application, it is required to log in or create an account. However, it can be downloaded, run locally and modify its components as it is distributed under the MIT license.
The service provided from the official websites and applications offer unlimited conversations with the most recent models and features.

===User Privacy===
Using the chatbot from the official website, application or via the official API has raised several privacy concerns as how the company gathers and uses users data. Researches in South Korea found that the data collected is sent to [[ByteDance]]. <ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20250218135802/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250218005300315</ref>

===Bussiness Model===
DeepSeek grants access to the API of their models by paying a monthly fee.

===Market Control===

==Censorship==

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

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

==Products==
*DeepSeek LLM
*DeepSeek Coder
*DeepSeek Math

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

DeepSeek

2026-03-13T18:23:52Z

ClippyWantsToHelp:

DeepSeek

2026-03-13T18:21:06Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: Created page with "{{CompanyCargo |Founded=2023-07-17 |Industry=artificial intelligence |ParentCompany=High-Flyer |Type=Private |Website=https://www.deepseek.com/ |Description=Chinese company developer of the DeepSeek large language models }} {{Ph-C-Int}} ==Consumer-impact summary== {{Ph-C-CIS}} ==Incidents== {{Ph-C-Inc}} This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the :Category:{{FULLPAGENAM..."

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=2023-07-17
|Industry=artificial intelligence
|ParentCompany=High-Flyer
|Type=Private
|Website=https://www.deepseek.com/
|Description=Chinese company developer of the DeepSeek large language models
}}
{{Ph-C-Int}}

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

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

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

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

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

MacOS X

2026-03-11T00:17:17Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: Redirected page to Apple macOS

#REDIRECT [[Apple macOS]]

OS X

2026-03-11T00:16:21Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: Redirected page to Apple macOS

#REDIRECT [[Apple macOS]]

MacOS

2026-03-11T00:13:13Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: Redirected page to Apple macOS

#REDIRECT [[Apple macOS]]

Microsoft Windows 11

2026-03-09T22:22:48Z

ClippyWantsToHelp:

{{StubNotice}}
{{ProductCargo
| Logo = Windows 11 logo.svg
|ArticleType=Product|Company=Microsoft|InProduction=Yes|ProductLine=Microsoft Windows|ReleaseYear=2021-10-05|Website=https://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-11|Category=Operating System, Software}}
'''Microsoft Windows 11''' is an operating system for personal computers developed and owned by [[Microsoft]]. It was released on October 5 2021. As of 2025, Windows 11 is the current version of Windows sold by [[Microsoft]]. It is used in personal, business, server, and embedded systems applications. Windows by far has the highest market share of any operating system on consumer desktop computers.

==Consumer impact summary==
===User Freedom===
Windows 11 has several and more restrictions than their previous version, Windows 10. These restrictions usually prevent the user to configure the system to their liking. Some notable restrictions are:
*In order to use the operating system, it is required to link a Microsot account. Since October 2025 local accounts cannot be created and Microsoft has blocked the ways to bypass the Microsoft account requirement.

*Updates are forced and cannot be disabled, only postponed by default. They can only be disabled with third-party tools. Some settings and preferences set by the user are modified after applying updates. A very known case of this happening is the modification of the default browser preferences to [[Microsoft Edge]] if the user has set other web browser instead.

*BitLocker drive encryption is forced and there are known incidents of users permanently losing their data. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Sen |first=Sayan |date=1 May 2025 |title=Windows 11 users reportedly losing data due to Microsoft's forced BitLocker encryption |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/windows-11-users-reportedly-losing-data-due-to-microsofts-forced-bitlocker-encryption/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/69uPN |archive-date=2025-05-02 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Neowin}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |last=Nasir|first=Hassam |date=19 Oct 2025 |title=BitLocker reportedly auto-locks users' backup drives, causing loss of 3TB of valuable data — Windows automatic disk encryption can permanently lock your drives |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/software/windows/bitlocker-reportedly-auto-locks-users-backup-drives-causing-loss-of-3tb-of-valuable-data-windows-automatic-disk-encryption-can-permanently-lock-your-drives |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/0ixWF |archive-date=2025-10-20 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Tom's Hardware}}</ref>

*Like Windows 10, [[OneDrive]] synchronization is active by default. The File Explorer redirects the local file shortcuts to the OneDrive file addresses.

===User Privacy===
Telemetry is active by default and cannot be completely disabled without using third-party tools.
Microsoft Copilot application setting of using user's data to train AI models is active by default {{Citation needed}}

===Business Model===
Windows comes pre-installed on most of current new desktop computers.

The operating system license can also be acquired by an one-time purchase.

Windows 11 contains [[bloatware]], such as [[Microsoft Copilot]] and [[Microsoft Edge]] that cannot be uninstalled without specialized tools.
System tools such as Settings or File Explorer contain integrated ads about Microsoft software and services.
Ads can also appear on the lock screen, notifications and the desktop.
===Market Control===
Windows 11 is installed on more than 30% of all computers world wide. <ref>{{Cite web |last=StatCounter |date=2025-07-01 |title=Desktop Windows Market Share Worldwide |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/windows-version-market-share/desktop/worldwide |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250720124002/https://gs.statcounter.com/windows-version-market-share/desktop/worldwide |archive-date=2025-07-20 |access-date=2025-08-17}}</ref> Windows 11 collects user data including but not limited to hardware specs, apps and drivers installed on the device, app activity, device settings and configuration, web browser history, etc. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2025-04-01 |title=Data Collection Summary for WIndows |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/privacy/data-collection-windows |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729153757/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/privacy/data-collection-Windows |archive-date=2025-07-29 |access-date=2025-08-17 |website=Microsoft}}</ref>

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

===Unstable & forced updates===
Following the update form of Windows 10, Windows 11 updates are forced and can only be postponed when accessing to settings. Third-party tools such as WinAeroTweaker allow to block updates until the user wants to enable them again.

The updates are frequent and users have reported many issues with updates. These issues vary from minor issues to major issues that can lead to have an unusable system. These unstable updates have caused several users to complain <ref>{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Joe |date=25 Nov 2025 |title=Windows 11 has become INCREASINGLY unstable |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5635937/windows-11-has-become-increasingly-unstable |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260107122136/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5635937/windows-11-has-become-increasingly-unstable |archive-date=2026-01-07 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Microsoft Learn}}</ref>, disable updates <ref>{{Cite web |last=Rozario |first=Hamlin |date=25 Feb 2026|title=I stopped updating Windows immediately — here's how long I wait now |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/i-stopped-updating-windows-immediately/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260227172743/https://www.xda-developers.com/i-stopped-updating-windows-immediately/ |archive-date=2026-02-27 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=XDA}}</ref> or even migrate to other operating systems. {{Citation needed}}

Some problematic documented updates include:

*The 24H2 KB5063878 minor update caused some SSD drives damages that could lead into unrecoverable data. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Hunt |first=Cale |date=24 Aug 2025 |title=Reports say Windows 11 update is bricking drives — is yours on the list? |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/reports-say-windows-11-update-is-bricking-drives-is-yours-on-the-list |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260309042734/https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/reports-say-windows-11-update-is-bricking-drives-is-yours-on-the-list |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Windows Central}}</ref>

*An update on December 2025 caused core features issues on many computers and may users complained for the update. Microsoft admitted later this update broke core features. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Dalton |first=Theo |date=8 Dec 2025 |title=Microsoft finally admits almost all major Windows 11 core features are broken |url=https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/discussions/windows11/microsoft-finally-admits-almost-all-major-windows-11-core-features-are-broken/4475930 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260309033645/https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/discussions/windows11/microsoft-finally-admits-almost-all-major-windows-11-core-features-are-broken/4475930 |archive-date=2026-03-09|access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Microsoft Community Hub}}</ref>

===Microsoft Copilot integration===
[[Microsoft Copilot]] is a generative Artificial Intelligence model developed by Microsoft.
In recent releases of Windows 11, Microsoft has decided to integrate its AI assistant, '''Copilot''', directly into the operating system.

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

===Windows Recall===
{{Main|Microsoft Copilot's recall feature}}
In 2024, Microsoft unveiled ''Recall'' for ''Copilot+ PCs'', marketed as a way for users to search through what they have done on their computer by recording their screen. This sparked controversy,<ref>[https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsofts-controversial-recall-feature-for-windows-11-could-already-be-in-legal-hot-water "Microsoft’s controversial Recall feature for Windows 11 could already be in legal hot water"] - techradar.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251002141424/https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsofts-controversial-recall-feature-for-windows-11-could-already-be-in-legal-hot-water Archived])</ref> especially among security experts<ref>[https://www.techtarget.com/searchenterpriseai/feature/Privacy-and-security-risks-surrounding-Microsoft-Recall "Privacy and security risks surrounding Microsoft Recall"] - techtarget.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251209084156/https://www.techtarget.com/searchenterpriseai/feature/Privacy-and-security-risks-surrounding-Microsoft-Recall Archived])</ref> who worried about the security of screenshots,<ref>[https://news.sky.com/story/microsoft-ai-feature-investigated-by-uk-watchdog-over-screenshots-13141171 "Microsoft AI feature investigated by UK watchdog over screenshots"] - news.sky.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251002141809/https://news.sky.com/story/microsoft-ai-feature-investigated-by-uk-watchdog-over-screenshots-13141171 Archived])</ref> since it could easily document private information like social-security numbers, bank-account information, and passwords, as well as user browsing behavior. A ''Python'' script was developed, called "''TotalRecall''", that collects the screenshots and descriptions of these recordings,<ref>[https://github.com/xaitax/TotalRecall "TotalRecall - a 'privacy nightmare'?"] - github.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251202013433/https://github.com/xaitax/TotalRecall Archived])</ref> proving the danger of ''Recall''. This feature was delayed after backlash from users.<ref>[https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/06/microsoft-recall-delayed-after-privacy-and-security-concerns "Microsoft Recall delayed after privacy and security concerns"] - malwarebytes.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251229124341/https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/06/microsoft-recall-delayed-after-privacy-and-security-concerns Archived])</ref>

In 2025, Microsoft re-released ''Recall'',<ref>{{Cite news |last=Davenport |first=Corbin |date=Apr 25, 2025 |title=Windows Recall Is Finally Rolling Out After Controversal Reveal |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/windows-recall-is-finally-rolling-out-after-controversal-release/ |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=How to Geek |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260218203614/https://www.howtogeek.com/windows-recall-is-finally-rolling-out-after-controversal-release/ |archive-date=18 Feb 2026}}</ref> with claims that the tool has resolved the security flaws and it coming disabled by default.<ref>{{Cite news |last=LeClair |first=Dave |date=Apr 11, 2025 |title=Microsoft Recall is rolling out following major controversy — what you need to know |url=https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/microsoft-recall-is-coming-for-real-this-time |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=Tom's Guide |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251119223853/https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/microsoft-recall-is-coming-for-real-this-time |archive-date=19 Nov 2025}}</ref> However, despite integrating better security, having this feature enabled continues to pose privacy risks for consumers, as it is only a matter of when a vulnerability is discovered for the problems both consumers and businesses initially had with the tool to resurface,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Nick |date=May 5, 2025 |title=Turn Off Windows' Recall to Protect Your Privacy |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/how-to-disable-recall/ |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=How to Geek |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260110141040/https://www.howtogeek.com/how-to-disable-recall/ |archive-date=10 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Piltch |first=Avram |date=2025-08-01 |title=Tested: Microsoft Recall can still capture credit cards and passwords, a treasure trove for crooks |url=https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/01/microsoft_recall_captures_credit_card_info/ |access-date=2025-08-05 |website=The Register |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251218063254/https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/01/microsoft_recall_captures_credit_card_info/ |archive-date=18 Dec 2025}}</ref> especially since it is difficult for users to inspect the screenshots that are taken by the tool.

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

===Poorly disclosed data encryption===
Computers running Windows 11 with Microsoft Account are set to automatically enable bitlocker<ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2024-05-24 |title=Bitlocker automatic activation |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/device-experiences/oem-bitlocker |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260127032356/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/device-experiences/oem-bitlocker |archive-date=27 Jan 2026}}</ref> which encrypts all data on internal disks, leaving key for decryption in owners Microsoft [https://myaccount.microsoft.com/device-list My Account device list] without explicitly informing the owner of doing so. Updating BIOS or hardware manipulation may lead to triggering bitlocker and leaving computer in recovery mode if bitlocker is not suspended beforehand. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Microsoft Corporation |date=2025-01-15 |title=Suspend Bitlocker |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/windows-security/suspend-bitlocker-protection-non-microsoft-updates |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260102043425/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/windows-security/suspend-bitlocker-protection-non-microsoft-updates |archive-date=2 Jan 2026}}</ref> This process can leave owner with seemingly bricked device, especially if owners Microsoft Account was created and used only to satisfy Windows 11s requirement for Microsoft Accounts during OOBE. If key hidden in Microsoft Account is not provided, erasing encrypted disks and reinstalling operating system is recommended. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Anonymous |date=2023-03-01 |title=Microsoft Learn - Lost Bitlocker Recovery Key |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4176032/i-dont-have-my-bitlocker-code-and-i-cant-reset-win |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251018001915/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4176032/i-dont-have-my-bitlocker-code-and-i-cant-reset-win |archive-date=18 Oct 2025}}</ref>

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

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

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

===Microsoft Bing Wallpaper===
Bing Wallpaper is a free-to-download app on the Microsoft Store that displays a daily rotation of wallpapers for Windows 11 computers.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Explore the world one photo at a time {{!}} Bing Wallpaper |url=https://www.bing.com/apps/wallpaper?pc=w011&brand=bing |url-status=live |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |website=Bing}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260116071012/https://www.bing.com/apps/wallpaper?brand=bing&pc=w011 Archived])</ref> By default, an option is toggled in its settings to automatically open Bing and search for the wallpaper's contents whenever one clicks somewhere on their desktop that doesn't contain an icon and place a permanent window on top of one's wallpaper to learn more. This option must be manually switched off in a setting at the bottom of the options page.<ref>{{Cite web |last=M B |first=Abhijith |date=26 Oct 2025 |title=Windows 11’s Bing Wallpaper app opens Bing.com if you click anywhere on the desktop |url=https://www.windowslatest.com/2025/10/26/windows-11s-bing-wallpaper-app-opens-bing-com-if-you-click-anywhere-on-the-desktop/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |website=Windows Latest |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251215022522/https://www.windowslatest.com/2025/10/26/windows-11s-bing-wallpaper-app-opens-bing-com-if-you-click-anywhere-on-the-desktop/ |archive-date=15 Dec 2025}}</ref> Along with this, it reportedly replaces one's default search engine with Bing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allan |first=Darren |date=28 Oct 2025 |title=Microsoft sinks to new lows with Bing Wallpaper 'feature' in Windows 11 that'll either confuse or annoy you |url=https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsoft-sinks-to-new-lows-with-bing-wallpaper-feature-in-windows-11-thatll-either-confuse-or-annoy-you |url-status=live |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |website=TechRadar |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251206100558/https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsoft-sinks-to-new-lows-with-bing-wallpaper-feature-in-windows-11-thatll-either-confuse-or-annoy-you |archive-date=6 Dec 2025}}</ref>

==See Also==
*[[Microsoft Copilot]]
*[[Microsoft Office 365]]
*[[OneDrive]]
==References==
<references />
[[Category:Windows 11]]

Microsoft Windows

2026-03-09T17:30:53Z

ClippyWantsToHelp: /* Consumer-impact summary */ fixed typo

{{StubNotice}}{{ProductCargo
|Company=Microsoft
|ProductLine=Operating system
|ReleaseYear=1985
|InProduction=Yes
|ArticleType=Product
|Category=Software, Operating System
|Website=https://windows.com/
|Description=Microsoft Windows product series and their impact on consumers
|Logo=Windows logo.svg}}
'''Windows''' is a product line of proprietary graphical operating systems developed and marketed by [[Microsoft]]. The first version of Windows was released in 1985 as a GUI for MS-DOS. Later, in 1993, Windows was released as a standalone operating system running on the Windows NT kernel. It is grouped into families and subfamilies that cater to particular sectors of the computing industry – Windows (unqualified) for a consumer or corporate workstation, Windows Server for a server and Windows [[Internet of things|IoT]] for an embedded system. Windows is sold as either a consumer retail product or licensed to third-party hardware manufacturers who sell products bundled with Windows.

==Consumer-impact summary==
===User Freedom===
A forced link to a Microsoft Account is required to use the OS. Users can no longer create local accounts since Windows 11 without using any third-party software to modify the OS.

Since Windows 10, updates are forced and cannot be disabled, only postponed.{{Citation needed}}

[[OneDrive]] does forced file synchronization without user's consent and redirects basic personal file addresses to OneDrive's addresses.

===User Privacy===
Telemetry and data collection has increased since Windows 7. {{Citation needed}}
Since Windows 10 the telemetry is forced and cannot be disabled completely without modifying system component with third-party tools.

An AI-powered tool named Recall has raised several privacy and security concerns due to their ability to take constant screenshots of the whole screen after a certain period of time. These screenshots could contain sensitive user's info, such as passwords or credit card info that can be taken and used against the user.

===Business Model===
Windows operating system comes pre-installed with an active license on most new desktop computers. Windows licenses can also be acquired by doing an one-time purchase.

Since Windows 10, the operating system started to include [[bloatware]] and integrated ads about Microsoft services on system tools like Settings or File Explorer. Users also might get ads on the lock screen, desktop and as notifications.

===Market Control===
According to StatCounter, Windows is the most used operating system on desktop computers as of February 2026 (67%). Its two main competitors are [[Apple |OS X (MacOS)]] (11%) and [[wikipedia:Linux|Linux]] operating systems (3%). <ref>{{Cite web |publisher=StatCounter |date=Feb 2026 |title=Desktop Operating System Market Share Worldwide |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/desktop/worldwide/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/kwLFI |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=statcounter.com}}</ref>

==Telemetry==

Windows 10 and 11 are configured to send telemetry by default{{Citation needed}}. Users can only switch it to a reduced mode, but there is no way to disable it completely without resorting to tools and techniques beyond what most normal users have the technical knowledge to implement (disabling services, setting registry keys and group policies, blocking communication using firewalls etc.){{Citation needed}}. Automatic system updates are know to re-enable some of the corresponding components without warning{{Citation needed}}.

Only certain editions like the Enterprise version have options to switch it off, but a study conducted by the German ministry of information security in 2018 suggests that even this does not stop telemetry data collection completely.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schulz |first=Hajo |date=2018-11-20 |title=BSI untersucht Sicherheit von Windows 10 [German] |url=https://www.heise.de/news/BSI-untersucht-Sicherheitseigenschaften-von-Windows-10-4227139.html |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=Heise Online |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251114012342/https://www.heise.de/news/BSI-untersucht-Sicherheitseigenschaften-von-Windows-10-4227139.html |archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref>

Telemetry covers a wide variety of system information as well as a multitude of user interactions. Microsoft can configure remotely which and how much data and is collected from a particular system{{Citation needed}}. This can go up to a level where all key presses are transmitted in real time. This makes telemetry very intransparent and difficult to monitor since the kind of data being collected could change at any moment without notice.{{Citation needed}}

This raises concerns of privacy and security, especially so for international users in light of the United States Cloud Act{{Citation needed}}. Moreover, it is not uncommon in certain countries for the home editions of Windows and Office to be used in places like medical facilities{{Citation needed}}.

Telemetry collection is also associated with excessive disk usage and SSD wearout. Particularly the DiagTrack and CompatTelRunner components are known offenders.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Khanse |first=Anad |date=2025-10-10 |title=Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry High CPU; How to disable CompatTelRunner.exe |url=https://www.thewindowsclub.com/what-is-compattelrunner-exe-on-windows-10 |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=TheWindowsClub |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250803120558/https://www.thewindowsclub.com/what-is-compattelrunner-exe-on-windows-10 |archive-date=3 Aug 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=FRIEDMOZART |title=100% Disk Usage - Please Help ! |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/5hpym1/100_disk_usage_please_help/ |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=Reddit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230605155718/https://old.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/5hpym1/100_disk_usage_please_help/ |archive-date=5 Jun 2023}}</ref>

Given the scale of Windows and Office deployments, the cumulative energy consumed by collecting, transmitting, storing and processing this data across the globe is also an environmental concern.

==Incidents==
===Forced upgrades to Windows 10 ===
In 2015, users reported their Windows 7 and 8.1 computers with automatic updates enabled were upgraded to Windows 10 without the users' notice, by enabling by default the option to upgrade to Windows 10. If the process of upgrading to Windows 10 starts, any attempt to stop it could make the computer unusable.

Microsoft then replied claiming the option to upgrade to Windows 10 was enabled by default because of a "mistake". <ref>{{Cite web |last=Leonhard |first=Woody |date=16 Oct 2015 |title=Microsoft ‘accidentally’ upgrades Win7 and 8.1 PCs to Windows 10 |url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/1623017/microsoft-accidentally-upgrades-win7-and-81-pcs-to-windows-10.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/whnGh |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=ComputerWorld}}</ref>

===Windows 10===

====Forced Updates====
Beginning with ''Windows'' ''10'', end users can no longer selectively choose updates. Instead, updates are automatically scheduled when a computer is inactive or before the system is shut down.<ref>[https://www.crn.com/news/applications-os/300077576/did-microsoft-just-backtrack-on-forced-updates-for-windows-10 "Did Microsoft Just Backtrack On Forced Updates For Windows 10?"] - crn.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251126094745/https://www.crn.com/news/applications-os/300077576/did-microsoft-just-backtrack-on-forced-updates-for-windows-10 Archived])</ref> This has also led to some systems being rendered unusable because of bugged updates that cannot be avoided.<ref>[https://www.tomsguide.com/news/windows-10-update-is-bricking-pcs-uninstall-this-right-now "Windows 10 update is 'breaking' PCs — what to do now"] - tomsguide.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251219014900/https://www.tomsguide.com/news/windows-10-update-is-bricking-pcs-uninstall-this-right-now Archived])</ref><ref>[https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-update-bricked-my-bios-thought-to-be/a1f0ebc7-d20d-459f-9956-72a3f98ca432 "Windows update bricked my bios ?? Thought to be impossible ?"] - answers.microsoft.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250708171954/https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-update-bricked-my-bios-thought-to-be/a1f0ebc7-d20d-459f-9956-72a3f98ca432 Archived])</ref> Some users have resorted to disabling updates in ''Windows registry editor'',<ref>[https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/how-to-stop-win10-update.html "How to Stop Windows 10 Update Permanently – 7 Ways"] - minitool.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251007100904/https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/how-to-stop-win10-update.html Archived])</ref> though this prevents them from receiving security updates, which can make their systems vulnerable to attacks.

====Resetting preferences during updates====
During some ''Windows'' updates, the preferences users have set on applications that they have installed, will end up being reset to their default settings.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/n1hoz0/windows_please_stop_changing_my_settings_with/ "Windows: PLEASE STOP CHANGING MY SETTINGS WITH UPDATES"] - reddit.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20210429235550/https://old.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/n1hoz0/windows_please_stop_changing_my_settings_with/ Archived])</ref><ref>[https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-10-updated-and-reset-all-of-my-settings/529ffb03-edd4-4be2-9412-50e3271fa8fe "Windows 10 updated and reset all of my settings and preferences."] - answers.microsoft.com - 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250708171948/https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-10-updated-and-reset-all-of-my-settings/529ffb03-edd4-4be2-9412-50e3271fa8fe Archived])</ref><ref>[https://www.minitool.com/news/windows-settings-are-reset-after-reboot.html "Windows Settings Are Reset After Reboot? Best Fixes Here!"] - minitool.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251203000038/https://www.minitool.com/news/windows-settings-are-reset-after-reboot.html Archived])</ref> Users have reported that this issue goes as far as resetting permissions for apps,<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/y0ksm0/why_are_my_settings_changed_after_every_update/ "Why are my settings changed after every update?"] - reddit.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20221010212959/https://old.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/y0ksm0/why_are_my_settings_changed_after_every_update/ Archived])</ref><ref>[https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/why-do-updates-remove-personalization-settings/0f1badb2-7486-4d31-b687-39913795aa8f "Why do Updates Remove Personalization Settings"] - answers.microsoft.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250708171940/https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/why-do-updates-remove-personalization-settings/0f1badb2-7486-4d31-b687-39913795aa8f Archived])</ref> which can be extremely risky for insecure software.

====Bloatware====
{{see also|Bloatware}}

Since Windows 10, some applications that the user might not want to install come pre-installed in the system were pre-instaled in a copy of Windows. An example of a bloatware application that came pre-installed is Candy Crush.
This may also force users to agree to licensing terms, for instance when interacting with forcibly installed software to remove it.

Some non-essential applications like the [[Microsoft Edge]] browser cannot be uninstalled without using third-party tools.

====Forced Arbitration====
When ''Windows'' ''10'' is installed from the ISO that can be downloaded from Microsoft, the EULA explicitly mentions forced arbitration.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Microsoft Software License Terms |url=https://www.microsoft.com/content/dam/microsoft/usetm/documents/windows/10/oem-pre-installed/UseTerms_OEM_Windows_10_English.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729194240/https://www.microsoft.com/content/dam/microsoft/usetm/documents/windows/10/oem-pre-installed/UseTerms_OEM_Windows_10_English.pdf |archive-date=2025-07-29 |access-date=2025-08-11 |page=6 |quote="If we can’t [informally resolve a dispute], you and we agree to binding individual arbitration before the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) under the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”), and not to sue in court in front of a judge or jury."}}</ref>

====Extended Security Updates (ESU) Program====
In response to the criticisms aimed at the hardware requirements associated with Windows 11, Microsoft has opted to provide consumers with the option to take advantage of their Windows 10 ESU program. The Windows 10 ESU program will allow users to continue receiving security updates for 1 year, but not without a cost (unless you live in the EU <ref>{{Cite web |last=Bowden |first=Zac |date=2025-09-25 |title=Microsoft outlines requirements for its free Windows 10 EOL extended support program in Europe — Microsoft account check-in every 60 days, or have access revoked |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-10/windows-10-free-esu-eea-requirements-revealed-microsoft-account-60-days |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250929125619/https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-10/windows-10-free-esu-eea-requirements-revealed-microsoft-account-60-days |archive-date=2025-09-29 |access-date=2025-10-06 |website=Windows Central}}</ref>).

For those outside of the EU, the cost associated with entering the Windows 10 ESU is one of the following:

*Enable Windows Backup to sync device settings to your attached [[Microsoft account]].
*Redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points.
*One-time $30 (or equivalent) payment.

Source for Windows 10 ESU cost options: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/extended-security-updates

===Windows 11===
''Main article: [[Microsoft Windows 11]]''

====TPM 2.0 chip requirements====
{{see also|Trusted computing}}

Microsoft updated their system requirements to include ''Trusted Platform Module 2.0'' (TPM) support as a mandatory requirement for upgrading to ''[[Windows 11]]''. This would require either a TPM-compatible CPU, or a separate TPM-dedicated chip to be installed on the motherboard, however some users were able to circumvent this requirement by editing the registry.<ref>[https://www.starwindsoftware.com/blog/bypass-tpm-and-install-windows-11-on-unsupported-hardware/ "Bypass TPM and Install Windows 11 on Unsupported Hardware"] - starwindsoftware.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260204194259/https://www.starwindsoftware.com/blog/bypass-tpm-and-install-windows-11-on-unsupported-hardware/ Archived])</ref> This change resulted in many customers selling or discarding their otherwise functional computers and hardware that did not meet the new system requirements.<ref>[https://securityonline.info/windows-11s-tpm-2-0-free-software-foundation-fights-forced-upgrades-and-e-waste/ "Windows 11’s TPM 2.0: Free Software Foundation Fights Forced Upgrades and E-Waste"] - securityonline.info - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250708171949/https://securityonline.info/windows-11s-tpm-2-0-free-software-foundation-fights-forced-upgrades-and-e-waste/ Archived])</ref> Microsoft has been frequently reminding users of ''[[Windows|Windows 10]]'' to upgrade their hardware to be compatible with ''[[Windows 11]]'',<ref>[https://www.pcmag.com/news/microsoft-revives-pop-ups-in-windows-10-to-push-windows-11-upgrades "Microsoft Revives Pop-Ups in Windows 10 to Push Windows 11 Upgrades"] - pcmag.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251230223956/https://www.pcmag.com/news/microsoft-revives-pop-ups-in-windows-10-to-push-windows-11-upgrades Archived])</ref><ref>[https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsoft-embarrasses-itself-with-windows-10-pop-up-that-hogs-the-desktop-urging-an-upgrade-to-windows-11-then-promptly-crashes "Microsoft embarrasses itself with Windows 10 pop-up that hogs the desktop urging an upgrade to Windows 11 – then promptly crashes"] - techradar.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251224021647/https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsoft-embarrasses-itself-with-windows-10-pop-up-that-hogs-the-desktop-urging-an-upgrade-to-windows-11-then-promptly-crashes Archived])</ref> which has caused many users frequent agitation.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/microsoft/comments/19dvs9k/any_way_to_disable_the_upgrade_to_windows_11_ads/ "Any way to disable the "upgrade to Windows 11" ads?"] - reddit.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251016073816/https://old.reddit.com/r/microsoft/comments/19dvs9k/any_way_to_disable_the_upgrade_to_windows_11_ads/ Archived])</ref>

Some advocacy groups, such as the [https://endof10.org/ End of Windows 10 campaign] , have encouraged users with older PCs to switch to Linux instead.

====Recall====
{{Main|Microsoft Copilot's recall feature}}

In 2024, Microsoft unveiled ''Recall'' for ''Copilot+ PCs'', marketed as a way for users to search through what they have done on their computer by recording their screen. This sparked controversy,<ref>[https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsofts-controversial-recall-feature-for-windows-11-could-already-be-in-legal-hot-water "Microsoft’s controversial Recall feature for Windows 11 could already be in legal hot water"] - techradar.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251002141424/https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsofts-controversial-recall-feature-for-windows-11-could-already-be-in-legal-hot-water Archived])</ref> especially among security experts<ref>[https://www.techtarget.com/searchenterpriseai/feature/Privacy-and-security-risks-surrounding-Microsoft-Recall "Privacy and security risks surrounding Microsoft Recall"] - techtarget.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251209084156/https://www.techtarget.com/searchenterpriseai/feature/Privacy-and-security-risks-surrounding-Microsoft-Recall Archived])</ref> who worried about the security of screenshots,<ref>[https://news.sky.com/story/microsoft-ai-feature-investigated-by-uk-watchdog-over-screenshots-13141171 "Microsoft AI feature investigated by UK watchdog over screenshots"] - news.sky.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251002141809/https://news.sky.com/story/microsoft-ai-feature-investigated-by-uk-watchdog-over-screenshots-13141171 Archived])</ref> since it could easily document private information like social-security numbers, bank-account information, and passwords, as well as user browsing behavior. A ''Python'' script was developed, called "''TotalRecall''", that collects the screenshots and descriptions of these recordings,<ref>[https://github.com/xaitax/TotalRecall "TotalRecall - a 'privacy nightmare'?"] - github.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251202013433/https://github.com/xaitax/TotalRecall Archived])</ref> proving the danger of ''Recall''. This feature was delayed after backlash from users.<ref>[https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/06/microsoft-recall-delayed-after-privacy-and-security-concerns "Microsoft Recall delayed after privacy and security concerns"] - malwarebytes.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251229124341/https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/06/microsoft-recall-delayed-after-privacy-and-security-concerns Archived])</ref>

In 2025, Microsoft re-released ''Recall'',<ref>{{Cite news |last=Davenport |first=Corbin |date=Apr 25, 2025 |title=Windows Recall Is Finally Rolling Out After Controversal Reveal |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/windows-recall-is-finally-rolling-out-after-controversal-release/ |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=How to Geek |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260218203614/https://www.howtogeek.com/windows-recall-is-finally-rolling-out-after-controversal-release/ |archive-date=18 Feb 2026}}</ref> with claims that the tool has resolved the security flaws and it coming disabled by default.<ref>{{Cite news |last=LeClair |first=Dave |date=Apr 11, 2025 |title=Microsoft Recall is rolling out following major controversy — what you need to know |url=https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/microsoft-recall-is-coming-for-real-this-time |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=Tom's Guide |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251119223853/https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/microsoft-recall-is-coming-for-real-this-time |archive-date=19 Nov 2025}}</ref> However, despite integrating better security, having this feature enabled continues to pose privacy risks for consumers, as it is only a matter of when a vulnerability is discovered for the problems both consumers and businesses initially had with the tool to resurface,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Nick |date=May 5, 2025 |title=Turn Off Windows' Recall to Protect Your Privacy |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/how-to-disable-recall/ |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=How to Geek |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260110141040/https://www.howtogeek.com/how-to-disable-recall/ |archive-date=10 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Piltch |first=Avram |date=2025-08-01 |title=Tested: Microsoft Recall can still capture credit cards and passwords, a treasure trove for crooks |url=https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/01/microsoft_recall_captures_credit_card_info/ |access-date=2025-08-05 |website=The Register |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251218063254/https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/01/microsoft_recall_captures_credit_card_info/ |archive-date=18 Dec 2025}}</ref> especially since it is difficult for users to inspect the screenshots that are taken by the tool.

====Family Safety====
{{Main|Microsoft's anticompetitive practices}}

A feature seen within ''[[Windows 11]]''<nowiki/>'s parental controls is Family Safety. A key problem shown from this feature is that it can questionably ban certain applications from properly running on the device, with no notice to the administrator in charge of the device. In '''June 2025''', this feature banned the string "Chrome",<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=u/Witty-Discount-2906 |date=Jun 3, 2025 |title=Chrome won’t open (Windows 11) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/chrome/comments/1l2c552/comment/mvt1w2a/ |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> which blocked the web browser [[Google Chrome|''Chrome'']] from functioning.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=Jun 20, 2025 |title=Microsoft is blocking Google Chrome through its family safety feature |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/690179/microsoft-block-google-chrome-family-safety-feature |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=The Verge |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260103122727/https://www.theverge.com/news/690179/microsoft-block-google-chrome-family-safety-feature |archive-date=3 Jan 2026}}</ref> Schools in particular use this feature on devices given out for students to complete classwork remotely, and as [[Google Chrome|''Chrome'']] holds the majority market share of web browser usage, (65-70%)<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 1, 2025 |title=Browser Market Share Worldwide |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/browser-market-share/ |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |website=Statcounter |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260219184141/https://gs.statcounter.com/browser-market-share |archive-date=19 Feb 2026}}</ref> there has been mass reports of students being unable to complete their classwork strictly due to this flaw.<ref name=":04">{{Cite news |last=Priestley |first=Peter |date=Jun 4, 2025 |title=Microsoft Family Safety Blocking Chrome Browser |url=https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_11-wintop_famsafety/microsoft-family-safety-blocking-chrome-browser/40023ef5-177b-4eed-a857-80ed15afa3a5?rtAction=1749008739548&page=1 |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=Microsoft Answers}}</ref>

Currently, Microsoft has neglected to inform users on rolling out a fix in the future,<ref>{{Cite web |date=Jun 3, 2025 |title=[User Feedback - Stable] M137 Windows - Increase in feedback about crashing |url=https://issues.chromium.org/issues/422222571 |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |website=Chromium issues |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251215065440/https://issues.chromium.org/issues/422222571 |archive-date=15 Dec 2025}}</ref> and the only solutions available to users is to either rename the executable on the affected device<ref name=":3" /> or disable "Block inappropriate browsing" inside the ''Family Safety'' settings.<ref name=":04" />

====Removal of WordPad====
Starting with Windows 11, version 24H2, [[wikipedia:WordPad|WordPad]], a word processor included with every version of Windows since [[wikipedia:Windows_95|Windows 95]] was removed and would not be included with future clean installations. Microsoft recommended users to use [[wikipedia:Microsoft_Word|Microsoft Word]] for rich text documents like .doc and .rtf, and [[wikipedia:Windows_Notepad|Windows Notepad]] for plain text documents like .txt. Microsoft Word is included with Microsoft 365 for $69.99 a year, or with Office 2024 with a one-time purchase of $149.99.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Oct 4, 2024 |title=RIP: Windows 11 Update Officially Removes WordPad |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/rip-windows-11-update-officially-removes-wordpad |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=PC Mag |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251002140136/https://www.pcmag.com/news/rip-windows-11-update-officially-removes-wordpad |archive-date=2 Oct 2025}}</ref>

====Microsoft account increasingly required====
{{See also|Microsoft ends use of "bypassnro.cmd" for Windows 11}}

Increasingly difficult to use a local account rather than a Microsoft account for installation and use of Windows.

[[File:MSInstall.png|thumb|An image of a Windows 10 installation, to illustrate the effort required to make an account unattached to a Microsoft account.]]
Numerous [[dark patterns]] have been implemented in the form of vague language and a confusing user interface, which hides the option to create an account without a Microsoft account under sub-menus and small text. This implementation, first launched under Windows 10 in 2015, continues into the [[Windows 11]] installation process. In March 2025, Microsoft announced that the creation of a Microsoft account would be mandatory when downloading Windows 11, claiming that the decision would tighten security and streamline the user experience.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-28 |title=Windows 11 Enforces Mandatory Microsoft Account for Setup: What You Need to Know |url=https://windowsforum.com/threads/windows-11-enforces-mandatory-microsoft-account-for-setup-what-you-need-to-know.358519/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-10-05 |website=Windows Forum |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222014631/https://windowsforum.com/threads/windows-11-enforces-mandatory-microsoft-account-for-setup-what-you-need-to-know.358519/ |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> On occasion, Microsoft accounts have been unilaterally disabled by Microsoft. The default experience with a Microsoft account and trusted computing is that if something goes wrong with the computer, you are likely to lose all your data. Experienced users know to backup credentials to minimize this risk, however Microsoft sets most users up for failure.

====Discontinued support for Windows Mixed Reality (WMR)====
{{Main|Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) discontinuation}}

Beginning with [[Windows 11]] version ''24H2'', Microsoft no longer supports Windows Mixed Reality, and all support for the platform will end November 1, 2027. This affects device models from manufacturers including ''[[Samsung]]'', ''[[HP Inc.|HP]]'', ''[[Lenovo]]'', ''[[Acer]]'', ''Dell'', and Microsoft - including their own flagship device, Microsoft ''HoloLens''. Users who wish to continue using these devices must either use Windows 10 or block the ''24H2'' update from being installed.<ref>https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/hp-reverb-g2-windows-11-24h2-not-working-need-help/dd90e232-1f28-4655-aafa-685285017d59 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250708171951/https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/hp-reverb-g2-windows-11-24h2-not-working-need-help/dd90e232-1f28-4655-aafa-685285017d59 Archived])</ref>

==See also==
*[[Microsoft]]
*[[Microsoft Edge]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]