Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Talk:Main Page

2025-08-17T08:16:07Z

Elominius: /* Suggestion: install view counters */ four tildes

==Looking good==

Looks like we are doing alright so far with this page; lol... people go ahead of me - [[User:Atsumari|Atsumari]] ([[User talk:Atsumari|talk]]) 02:51, 1 February 2025 (UTC)

==Can we categorize this?==

Just to clean up [[Special:UncategorizedPages]]. I suggest putting this page under [[:Category:CAT]]. [[User:Waldo|Waldo]] ([[User talk:Waldo|talk]]) 08:07, 20 January 2025 (UTC)

Moved this into the CAT category so it isn't eaten by special pages as requested; looks like it may have already been in the root namespace but just for clarity sake until we build a full on mainpage. Thanks for the catch <3 - [[User:Atsumari|Atsumari]] ([[User talk:Atsumari|talk]]) 11:36, 25 January 2025 (UTC)

==Anonymization of non-logged in user IPs==

I would like to request that users who make edits without user accounts do not have their full IP published in the edit log.

:I made a suggestion on the Discord server on your behalf. [[User:Waldo|Waldo]] ([[User talk:Waldo|talk]]) 10:44, 7 February 2025 (UTC)

:For that there is an extension called AnonPrivacy https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:AnonPrivacy [[User:Fen|Fen]] ([[User talk:Fen|talk]]) 22:02, 15 July 2025 (UTC)
::Greetings, I made the suggestion to the team on your behalf. At the momment, there is no plan or intention to anonymize IPs for non-logged in users. It helps with accountability as knowing the IP will be visible deterring bad behavior. It also makes moderation easier. Realistically the only alternative is hashing the ip which complex and destroys the core principles that the wiki is about. [[User:Fen|Fen]] ([[User talk:Fen|talk]]) 23:16, 15 July 2025 (UTC)

: Anyone who does not want their IP publicly logged should create an account. It is quick and easy. Besides, public IPs have in the past exposed edits from companies such as Daimler (Mercedes-Benz) ([https://www.thelocal.de/20120312/41281/ source]). [[User:Elominius|Elominius]] ([[User talk:Elominius|talk]]) 01:40, 17 August 2025 (UTC)

==Add a patent as a source==

My interest in this woke up when editing [[Figma threatens companies using "Dev Mode"|this article]], and following the [[wikipedia:Template:Cite_patent|Wikipedia page to cite from a patent]], when previewing the article the reference wasn't rendered properly. I don't know if I screwed up something or really the site doesn't support yet the use of this format. Hope someone could illustrate me on how to move on with this [[User:Fjordpining|Fjordpining]] ([[User talk:Fjordpining|talk]]) 06:33, 18 July 2025 (UTC)

==stating "Recently updated" not particularly helpful==

On [https://consumerrights.wiki/index.php?title=Special:CreateAccount&returnto=Special%3ARecentChanges| the "create account" page], near the bottom, it says, "We have recently updated our privacy policy." How recently? It doesn't say. The logical assumption which must be made is that it has changed seconds ago, and must be reread. How about instead displaying something along the lines of, "Our privacy policy was last updated on <date>", even if there does not exist a way to automate the display of the date, and the "create account" page (or the page of any other such notice) must be edited by hand?

:this is valid, and we'll try and get it fixed shortly [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 08:29, 15 August 2025 (UTC)
==Dependence on phone app for basic functions, make an article?==

I'm on Frontier internet, only gig around and I think they know it. We got fiber a few years ago and if you want wi-fi you either go with the Amazon Eeros(?) or learn how to do your own router. The Eeros seems that you can only access settings with a phone app, no desktop. Would this qualify it for an article on here? I've also heard about sleezy back door things happening either from Amazon or the IP itself, that they can access settings the customer cannot. Anyhow I don't want to just go ahead and write some poorly put together article and it shouldn't even be on here. [[User:Sawbones|Sawbones]] ([[User talk:Sawbones|talk]]) 17:57, 14 August 2025 (UTC)

:This probably depends on the level of coverage. have there been any news articles (local or otherwise) which are complaining about this? Forcing the customer to use unneccesarily invasive software to access a service is something which definitely fits within the wiki's scope, and anything which is happening across a whole ISP would be large-scale enough, but the final thing an article needs is good sources [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 08:27, 15 August 2025 (UTC)

==Cruzaders kings 2 incident.==

Hi everyone, as a fan of Paradox games and somebody that really wants to write in this wiki i wanted to ask something... what right exactly the paradox incident covers? i want to do it, but i dont understand quite exactly what i should do at writting it, why its an anti ownership or anti consumer practice, i need to understand that first to start it, because if i dont recognize well the systematic issue i think that i cannot treat it. [[User:Predatitor41|Predatitor41]] ([[User talk:Predatitor41|talk]]) 01:26, 15 August 2025 (UTC)

:I think I see the one you mean on the article suggestions. I'm honeslt not sure why it should be there either, it doesn't seem to fit. They sell a lot of DLC and it's quite expensive, but there's nothing particularly deceptive going on there from what I can tell. [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 08:29, 15 August 2025 (UTC)
::It looks like it was eliminated of suggestion articles, i dont know why but it looks like it was discarded. [[User:Predatitor41|Predatitor41]] ([[User talk:Predatitor41|talk]]) 14:44, 15 August 2025 (UTC)
:::I removed it for reasons stated previously - it (at least the way it was phrased in the entry) did not seem like something which would fit on the wiki [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 14:48, 15 August 2025 (UTC)

== Replace PrivacyTools.io with PrivacyGuides ==

As per PrivacyGuides FAQ page https://www.privacyguides.org/en/about/privacytools/

"In September 2021, every active contributor unanimously agreed to move from PrivacyTools to work on this site: Privacy Guides. This decision was made because PrivacyTools’ founder and controller of the domain name had disappeared for an extended period of time and could not be contacted.

Having built a reputable site and set of services on PrivacyTools.io, this caused grave concerns for the future of PrivacyTools, as any future disruption could wipe out the entire organization with no recovery method. This transition was communicated to the PrivacyTools community many months in advance via a variety of channels including its blog, Twitter, Reddit, and Mastodon to ensure the entire process went as smoothly as possible. We did this to ensure nobody was kept in the dark, which has been our modus operandi since our team was created, and to make sure Privacy Guides was recognized as the same reliable organization that PrivacyTools was before the transition.

After the organizational move was completed, the founder of PrivacyTools returned and began to spread misinformation about the Privacy Guides project. They continue to spread misinformation in addition to operating a paid link farm on the PrivacyTools domain. We are creating this page to clear up any misconceptions."

The current PrivacyTools.io site has obvious but undisclosed sponsored promotions of Nord Security products (NordVPN, Surfshark, Incogni) and maybe others as well. The events that transpired that led to the forming of PrivacyGuides are verifiable through searching community posts at the time and other sources. For those that remember the "leading" members of PrivacyTools at the time (Jonah Aragon, Daniel Gray, Niek-de-Wilde, freddy...), all of them were the ones who made PrivacyGuides and moved along with the whole community. Their forum and other channels are filled with community discussion and all recommendation additions and removals are debated in public as was the case with PrivacyTools in the past. Meanwhile today PrivacyTools.io doesn't even have an "About" page or anything,and while there is a Github page linked on the site, there doesn't seem to be a way to actually contribute (https://github.com/privacytoolsIO/privacy-tools/discussions/18).

== Addition of NOYB.eu to the Consumer Tools section ==

Suggestion to add https://noyb.eu/en to one of the subsections of the Consumer Tools sections. Possibly in the "Legal & complaint filing" subsection. It's a non-profit, specifically about data privacy and protection within the EU. [[User:Socks|Socks]] ([[User talk:Socks|talk]]) 17:05, 16 August 2025 (UTC)

== Need to confer with Champion Power Equipment employees ==

I'm a small engine mechanic and I'm going to start a post about the dual fuel generators they produce. They are flawed regardless of intentions, and would like exact specs if anyone has that information, Mainly need the cylinder, and piston specs as well as the dry fuel ratio.

The case is a denied warranty for one of our customers that I'm sure has to be a common issue with this design.

I plan to research online but It would be faster to have people who have direct access to the information, We were and still are a warranty center for them but one of champion's employees insulted us and our competence on the case I'm referring to, and we haven't gotten any contact from champion since so not really in the situation to reach out for information that they'd most likely deny or ignore us on.

If anyone on here is an employee in their parts department, or a similar department with access to publicly known part numbers and specs please reach out, the small engine industry is a problem lately that's only getting worse. It would be nice to document issues that arise It would also be nice to have someone with engineering experience and credentials to verify data and calculate it themselves, especially in the gas powered equipment sector/industry [[User:The Wang|The Wang]] ([[User talk:The Wang|talk]]) 20:20, 16 August 2025 (UTC)

== Will this wiki publish regular backups? ==

The Wikimedia Foundation regularly publishes [https://dumps.wikimedia.org/ compressed archives] of its wikis. This sets an example I wish every website with text-based user-generated contributions would follow. It is important to preserve the contribution history should this site go offline. Besides, text is well compressable.

Many websites in the past have shut down with little to no warning, resulting in the loss of years of volunteer contributions. We need to pre-empt this.

<blockquote>
Issue: No Backup, No Distribution
For reasons and examples stated in this article, any centralized web-based service will go offline some day. Some sooner, some later. Popularity is not even a guarantee that a service gets continued
</blockquote>

Source: [https://karl-voit.at/2020/10/23/avoid-web-forums/ Karl Voit].

[[User:Elominius|Elominius]] ([[User talk:Elominius|talk]]) 03:59, 17 August 2025 (UTC)

== Suggestion: install view counters ==

Please install [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:HitCounters HitCounters] for MediaWiki. This extension shows the view counts an article is getting. It would be nice to see it. [[User:Elominius|Elominius]] ([[User talk:Elominius|talk]]) 08:15, 17 August 2025 (UTC)

Talk:Main Page

2025-08-17T08:15:22Z

Elominius: /* Suggestion: install view counters */ new section

Activation

2025-08-17T08:10:29Z

Elominius: source name

'''Online activation''', also known as '''cloud-based activation''', is the requirement to connect to the Internet before activating a product or software that the end user paid for. Examples include:

* Some operating systems such as iOS and Windows 11 require registering an account with the device vendor to be set up before first use.<ref>[https://www.howtogeek.com/739837/fyi-windows-11-home-will-require-a-microsoft-account-for-initial-setup/ FYI: Windows 11 Home Will Require a Microsoft Account For Initial Setup] - Benj Edwards</ref>
* Xiaomi requires registering an account to be able to unlock the bootloader.<ref name=xiaomi>[https://new.c.mi.com/global/post/101245 Complete Guide to Unlocking the Bootloader: Announcement, Troubleshoot and Tips | Xiaomi Community]</ref>
* Some DJI drones and Insta360 cameras require to be linked to a smartphone before first use.<ref>[https://support.dji.com/help/content?customId=en-us03400006736&spaceId=34&re=US&lang=en&documentType=artical&paperDocType=paper Activating Your Drone] - DJI support</ref><ref name=Insta360>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lgh8e0dW0eQ Insta360 camera locks you out "to protect your consumer rights" - corporate gaslighting] - Louis Rossmann</ref>

== Disadvantages ==
Given that online services shut down all the time, activation services can be lost, leaving the user with an unuseable product.<ref>[https://karl-voit.at/cloud/ You Can't Control Your Data in the Cloud] - Karl Voit</ref>

Some places in the world have limited Internet access. This can cause difficulties when activating.

Providers can limit activations or arbitrarily revoke access. For example, Xiaomi only allows one bootloader unlock per person per 30 days and four phones per year, in addition to a week-long delay after purchase.<ref name=xiaomi /><ref name=Insta360 />

== References ==
<references />

Talk:Activation

2025-08-17T08:05:28Z

Elominius: Created page with "I hereby release this article into the public domain, [https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ CC0 1.0]. This also applies to my subsequent edits. ~~~~"

I hereby release this article into the public domain, [https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ CC0 1.0]. This also applies to my subsequent edits. [[User:Elominius|Elominius]] ([[User talk:Elominius|talk]]) 08:05, 17 August 2025 (UTC)

Activation

2025-08-17T08:04:16Z

Elominius: author names

'''Online activation''', also known as '''cloud-based activation''', is the requirement to connect to the Internet before activating a product or software that the end user paid for. Examples include:

* Some operating systems such as iOS and Windows 11 require registering an account with the device vendor to be set up before first use.<ref>[https://www.howtogeek.com/739837/fyi-windows-11-home-will-require-a-microsoft-account-for-initial-setup/ FYI: Windows 11 Home Will Require a Microsoft Account For Initial Setup] - Benj Edwards</ref>
* Xiaomi requires registering an account to be able to unlock the bootloader.<ref name=xiaomi>[https://new.c.mi.com/global/post/101245 Complete Guide to Unlocking the Bootloader: Announcement, Troubleshoot and Tips | Xiaomi Community]</ref>
* Some DJI drones and Insta360 cameras require to be linked to a smartphone before first use.<ref>[https://support.dji.com/help/content?customId=en-us03400006736&spaceId=34&re=US&lang=en&documentType=artical&paperDocType=paper Activating Your Drone]</ref><ref name=Insta360>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lgh8e0dW0eQ Insta360 camera locks you out "to protect your consumer rights" - corporate gaslighting] - Louis Rossmann</ref>

== Disadvantages ==
Given that online services shut down all the time, activation services can be lost, leaving the user with an unuseable product.<ref>[https://karl-voit.at/cloud/ You Can't Control Your Data in the Cloud] - Karl Voit</ref>

Some places in the world have limited Internet access. This can cause difficulties when activating.

Providers can limit activations or arbitrarily revoke access. For example, Xiaomi only allows one bootloader unlock per person per 30 days and four phones per year, in addition to a week-long delay after purchase.<ref name=xiaomi /><ref name=Insta360 />

== References ==
<references />

Activation

2025-08-17T08:00:34Z

Elominius: "cloud-based"

'''Online activation''', also known as '''cloud-based activation''', is the requirement to connect to the Internet before activating a product or software that the end user paid for. Examples include:

* Some operating systems such as iOS and Windows 11 require registering an account with the device vendor to be set up before first use.<ref>[https://www.howtogeek.com/739837/fyi-windows-11-home-will-require-a-microsoft-account-for-initial-setup/ FYI: Windows 11 Home Will Require a Microsoft Account For Initial Setup]</ref>
* Xiaomi requires registering an account to be able to unlock the bootloader.<ref name=xiaomi>[https://new.c.mi.com/global/post/101245 Complete Guide to Unlocking the Bootloader: Announcement, Troubleshoot and Tips | Xiaomi Community]</ref>
* Some DJI drones and Insta360 cameras require to be linked to a smartphone before first use.<ref>[https://support.dji.com/help/content?customId=en-us03400006736&spaceId=34&re=US&lang=en&documentType=artical&paperDocType=paper Activating Your Drone]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lgh8e0dW0eQ Insta360 camera locks you out "to protect your consumer rights" - corporate gaslighting] - Louis Rossmann</ref>

== Disadvantages ==
Given that online services shut down all the time, activation services can be lost, leaving the user with an unuseable product.<ref>[https://karl-voit.at/cloud/ You Can't Control Your Data in the Cloud]</ref>

Some places in the world have limited Internet access. This can cause difficulties when activating.

Providers can limit activations. For example, Xiaomi only allows one bootloader unlock per person per 30 days and four phones per year, in addition to a week-long delay after purchase.<ref name=xiaomi />

== References ==
<references />

Activation

2025-08-17T07:55:57Z

Elominius: added title

'''Online activation''' is the requirement to connect to the Internet before activating a product or software that the end user paid for. Examples include:

* Some operating systems such as iOS and Windows 11 require registering an account with the device vendor to be set up before first use.<ref>[https://www.howtogeek.com/739837/fyi-windows-11-home-will-require-a-microsoft-account-for-initial-setup/ FYI: Windows 11 Home Will Require a Microsoft Account For Initial Setup]</ref>
* Xiaomi requires registering an account to be able to unlock the bootloader.<ref name=xiaomi>[https://new.c.mi.com/global/post/101245 Complete Guide to Unlocking the Bootloader: Announcement, Troubleshoot and Tips | Xiaomi Community]</ref>
* Some DJI drones and Insta360 cameras require to be linked to a smartphone before first use.<ref>[https://support.dji.com/help/content?customId=en-us03400006736&spaceId=34&re=US&lang=en&documentType=artical&paperDocType=paper Activating Your Drone]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lgh8e0dW0eQ Insta360 camera locks you out "to protect your consumer rights" - corporate gaslighting] - Louis Rossmann</ref>

== Disadvantages ==
Given that online services shut down all the time, activation services can be lost, leaving the user with an unuseable product.<ref>[https://karl-voit.at/cloud/ You Can't Control Your Data in the Cloud]</ref>

Some places in the world have limited Internet access. This can cause difficulties when activating.

Providers can limit activations. For example, Xiaomi only allows one bootloader unlock per person per 30 days and four phones per year, in addition to a week-long delay after purchase.<ref name=xiaomi />

== References ==
<references />

Activation

2025-08-17T07:54:46Z

Elominius: I hereby release the initial revision of this page into the public domain under CC0 1.0.

'''Online activation''' is the requirement to connect to the Internet before activating a product or software that the end user paid for. Examples include:

* Some operating systems such as iOS and Windows 11 require registering an account with the device vendor to be set up before first use.<ref>[https://www.howtogeek.com/739837/fyi-windows-11-home-will-require-a-microsoft-account-for-initial-setup/ ]</ref>
* Xiaomi requires registering an account to be able to unlock the bootloader.<ref name=xiaomi>[https://new.c.mi.com/global/post/101245 Complete Guide to Unlocking the Bootloader: Announcement, Troubleshoot and Tips | Xiaomi Community]</ref>
* Some DJI drones and Insta360 cameras require to be linked to a smartphone before first use.<ref>[https://support.dji.com/help/content?customId=en-us03400006736&spaceId=34&re=US&lang=en&documentType=artical&paperDocType=paper Activating Your Drone]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lgh8e0dW0eQ Insta360 camera locks you out "to protect your consumer rights" - corporate gaslighting] - Louis Rossmann</ref>

== Disadvantages ==
Given that online services shut down all the time, activation services can be lost, leaving the user with an unuseable product.<ref>[https://karl-voit.at/cloud/ You Can't Control Your Data in the Cloud]</ref>

Some places in the world have limited Internet access. This can cause difficulties when activating.

Providers can limit activations. For example, Xiaomi only allows one bootloader unlock per person per 30 days and four phones per year, in addition to a week-long delay after purchase.<ref name=xiaomi />

== References ==
<references />

Talk:Main Page

2025-08-17T04:00:30Z

Elominius: /* Will this wiki publish regular backups? */ signed (the opposite of what bootloaders must be)

Talk:Main Page

2025-08-17T03:58:50Z

Elominius: /* Will this wiki publish regular backups? */ new section

Talk:Main Page

2025-08-17T01:41:06Z

Elominius: /* Anonymization of non-logged in user IPs */ counter-argument

Planned obsolescence

2025-08-17T01:32:48Z

Elominius: /* Hardware limitations */ Non-replaceable batteries and serialized batteries.

'''Planned obsolescence''' is a business strategy where products are intentionally designed to become obsolete, undesirable, or to stop functioning within a predetermined time-frame, forcing consumers to replace them. This practice maximizes profits for corporations, but leads to unnecessary waste and consumer frustration.

The phrase "planned obsolescence" was coined in 1932 by Bernard London, who proposed mandatory product expiration to stimulate Depression-era economies. Brooks Stevens later popularized it in the 1950s, defining it as instilling a desire for newer products "sooner than necessary".

Vance Packard's 1960, ''{{Wplink|The Waste Makers}}'', critiqued corporations for manipulating desires through style changes and a perception of being out of date. Modern {{Wplink|fast fashion}} and tech industries continue this trend, fostering "throwaway" cultures.

<u>Types of Planned Obsolescence:</u>

* Contrived or Artificial Durability: Designing products with inferior materials that wear out quickly or using non-removable/repairable components.
* Systemic Obsolescence: Technological incompatibility, such as software updates rendering older devices unusable.
* Perceived or Aesthetic Obsolescence: Marketing-driven trends that make functional items seem outdated.
* Legal Obsolescence: Regulatory bans.

Modern devices are often sealed with adhesives, welded components, and/or proprietary screws, making disassembly difficult or destructive. Smartphones exemplify systemic and contrived obsolescence, with glued-in batteries and soldered components needing specialized tools in some cases and software updates that render the device useless.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Mauro |last=Cordella |first2=Felice |last2=Alfieri |first3=Christian |last3=Clemm |first4=Anton |last4=Berwald |display-authors=2 |title=Durability of smartphones: A technical analysis of reliability and repairability aspects |url=https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7871336/ |website=nih.gov |date=1 Dec 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241102180741/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7871336/ |archive-date=2 Nov 2024 |doi=10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125388 |pmc=7871336 |pmid=33658746}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Smartphone Repairability Scores |url=https://www.ifixit.com/repairability/smartphone-repairability-scores |website=iFixit |access-date=18 Jul 2025}}</ref> These design practices force consumers to rely on manufacturer-authorized repairs or buy replacements, aligning with planned obsolescence strategies.

A foundational 1984 Stanford study theorized that monopolists intentionally reduce product durability to maximize profits by forcing repeat purchases. Oligopolists may collude to shorten product lifespans, though outcomes depend on market dynamics.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Bulow |first=Jeremy |title=An Economic Theory of Planned Obsolescence |url=https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/working-papers/economic-theory-planned-obsolescence |journal=Stanford Graduate School of Business |date=1984 |access-date=18 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224142747/https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/working-papers/economic-theory-planned-obsolescence |archive-date=24 Dec 2016}}</ref>

==Examples of planned obsolescence==
===Software updates===
*Apple's "Batterygate": Apple admitted to slowing down older iPhones via iOS updates to compensate for aging batteries, pushing users to upgrade.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Tom |last=Warren |title=Apple confirms iPhones with older batteries will take hits in performance |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/20/16800058/apple-iphone-slow-fix-battery-life-capacity |website=The Verge
|date=20 Dec 2017 |access-date=18 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171221211909/https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/20/16800058/apple-iphone-slow-fix-battery-life-capacity |archive-date=21 Dec 2017}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |first=Alix |last=Martichoux |title=Apple to start paying out claims in $500M iPhone slowdown lawsuit
|url=https://thehill.com/changing-america/enrichment/science/4153770-apple-to-start-paying-out-claims-in-500m-iphone-slowdown-lawsuit-reports/ |website=The Hill |date=15 Aug 2023
|access-date=18 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815193913/https://thehill.com/changing-america/enrichment/science/4153770-apple-to-start-paying-out-claims-in-500m-iphone-slowdown-lawsuit-reports/ |archive-date=15 Aug 2023}}</ref>

*Samsung Smart TV "Slowdowns": Older TVs received updates that degraded performance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Samsung TV Update Bugs |url=https://www.wired.com/story/samsung-tv-update-bugs/ |website=Wired |url-status=dead |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>

*Fitbit's Planned Software Expiration: Older devices lose app compatibility after updates.<ref>{{Cite web |first= |last= |title=FitBit Legacy Device Support Ends |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/fitbit-legacy-device-support-ends/ |website=CNet |date= |access-date= |url-status=dead |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>

*Sonos Speaker "Recycle Mode": Software updates brick older devices during setup.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Chris |last=Welch |title=Sonos explains why it bricks old devices with 'Recycle Mode'
|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/30/21042871/sonos-recycle-mode-trade-up-program-controversy |website=The Verge |date=30 Dec 2019 |access-date=18 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230220322/https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/30/21042871/sonos-recycle-mode-trade-up-program-controversy |archive-date=30 Dec 2019}}</ref>

===Hardware limitations===
*Non-user-replaceable batteries in portable devices such as smartphones and laptops. Replacements might be difficult to perform without causing damage to the device. Some smartphones have serialized batteries, meaning a replacement not approved by the vendor may result in the device disabling some functionality or refusing to work at all.
*Tesla Battery Degradation: Older Tesla models experience rapid battery capacity loss, requiring costly replacements.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Yong-Gun |last=Lee |first2=Satoshi |last2=Fujiki
|first3=Changhoon |last3=Jung |first4=Naoki |last4=Suzuki |first5=Nobuyoshi |last5=Yashiro |first6=Ryo |last6=Omoda |first7=Dong-Su |last7=Ko |first8=Tomoyuki |last8=Shiratsuchi |first9=Toshinori |last9=Sugimoto |first10=Saebom |last10=Ryu |first11=Jun Hwan |last11=Ku |first12=Taku |last12=Watanabe |first13=Youngsin |last13=Park |first14=Yuichi |last14=Aihara |first15=Dongmin |last15=Im |first16=In Taek |last16=Han |display-authors=2 |title=High-energy long-cycling all-solid-state lithium metal batteries enabled by silver–carbon composite anodes |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-020-0575-z |url-access=limited |website=Nature Energy |date=9 Mar 2020 |access-date=18 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614115611/https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-020-0575-z |archive-date=14 Jun 2020 |doi=10.1038/s41560-020-0575-z}}</ref>

*GE Microwaves with Sealed Electronics: Circuit boards prone to failure but inaccessible for repair.<ref>{{Cite web |first= |last= |title=GE Appliances Repair Monopoly |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/ge-appliances-repair-monopoly |website=ProPublica |date= |access-date= |url-status=dead |archive-url= |archive-date=}}</ref>

*HP printers reject third-party ink cartridges via firmware updates.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |first=Scharon |last=Harding |title=HP sued (again) for blocking third-party ink from printers, accused of monopoly |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/01/hp-sued-again-for-blocking-third-party-ink-from-printers-accused-of-monopoly/ |website=Ars Technica |date=9 Jan 2024 |access-date=18 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109211931/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/01/hp-sued-again-for-blocking-third-party-ink-from-printers-accused-of-monopoly/ |archive-date=9 Jan 2024}}</ref>

==Notable planned obsolescence cases==
{| class="wikitable"
|+Cases
!Year
!Company
!Product
!Details
|-
|2017
|Apple
|iPhones
|Apple admitted it had released software updates that could slow down older iPhone models when their batteries degraded. This was allegedly done to prevent unexpected shutdowns caused by aging batteries. This resulted in 3 settlements totaling over USD $600M<ref name=":0" />
|-
|2018
|Samsung
|Galaxy Note 4
|Italy's antitrust body fined Samsung €5 million regarding software updates that allegedly slowed down certain Galaxy phones.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Samuel |last=Gibbs |title=Apple and Samsung fined for deliberately slowing down phones |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/oct/24/apple-samsung-fined-for-slowing-down-phones |website=The Guardian |date=24 Oct 2018 |access-date=18 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024133157/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/oct/24/apple-samsung-fined-for-slowing-down-phones |archive-date=24 Oct 2018}}</ref>
|-
|2016
|HP
|Printer
|HP released firmware updates for "Dynamic Security", causing printers to show error messages or stop working if a non-HP-branded cartridge was installed. Multiple settlements were reached totaling over USD $5M between 2016 and 2020.<ref name=":1" />
|-
|1925
|Associated Electrical Industries(UK),
General Electric(US),
Osram(GER),
Phillips(US),
Tungsram(HUN)
|Incandescent Light Bulbs
|One of the earliest examples of planned obsolescence. On 15 January 1925, corporations based in Europe and the U.S. incorporated a cartel called Phœbus S.A. Compagnie Industrielle pour le Développement de l'Éclairage (Industrial Company for the Development of Lighting). Until 1939, Phoebus S.A. kept the life-span of light bulbs to 1,000 hours. After the cartel was dissolved the industry continued this practice for years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=United States v. General Electric Co., 82 F. Supp. 753 (D.N.J. 1949) |url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/82/753/1755675/ |website=Justia |date=4 Apr 1949 |access-date=18 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151231220624/https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/82/753/1755675/ |archive-date=31 Dec 2015}}</ref>
|}

==Related practices==
===Non-repairability===
Non-repairability is a critical enabler of planned obsolescence, as manufacturers intentionally design products to limit repair options, thereby shortening their functional lifespans and forcing consumers to replace them prematurely. This practice amplifies environmental harm, economic costs, and consumer dependence on new purchases.

====Creating designs that impede repair====
Manufacturers employ physical and technical design choices to obstruct repairs, such as:

*Proprietary components: Printers often include chips that block third-party ink cartridges, rendering devices unusable unless replaced with expensive OEM parts.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |first=Sonja |last=Leyvraz |title=Right to Repair and the Fight against Planned Obsolescence |url=https://botpopuli.net/right-to-repair-and-the-fight-against-planned-obsolescence/
|website=botpopuli |date=27 Dec 2023 |access-date=18 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301171257/https://botpopuli.net/right-to-repair-and-the-fight-against-planned-obsolescence/ |archive-date=1 Mar 2024}}</ref>

*Glued or sealed units: Smartphones and laptops increasingly use non-removable batteries or adhesives, making replacements hazardous or impossible without specialized tools. For example, Apple's iPhones require prying open glued batteries, risking damage to internal components.

*Incompatible fasteners: Companies such as Apple use tamper-resistant screws (e.g. {{Wplink|pentalobe screw}}s), preventing users from accessing internal parts.

These design choices ensure that even minor malfunctions necessitate professional (and costly) repairs or replacements, accelerating product turnover.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Built to fail: is planned obsolescence really happening? |url=https://www.consumersinternational.org/news-resources/blog/posts/built-to-fail-is-planned-obsolescence-really-happening/ |website=Consumer International |date=24 Jan 2018 |access-date=18 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409193616/https://www.consumersinternational.org/news-resources/blog/posts/built-to-fail-is-planned-obsolescence-really-happening/ |archive-date=9 Apr 2018}}</ref>

===Software and legal restrictions===
Impediments are frequently utilized in software and legal matters. For example:

*Software locks: Manufacturers embed software that disables devices if third-party parts are detected. For instance, Apple's iOS has historically blocked phones with non-OEM screens or batteries from functioning fully.

*Warranty voiding: Many companies void warranties if users attempt repairs, deterring independent fixes. This practice forces consumers to rely on manufacturer-approved services, which may be prohibitively expensive or unavailable.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Planned Obsolescence |url=https://getenviropass.com/planned-obsolescence/ |website=Enviropass |date=2023
|access-date=18 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415112420/https://getenviropass.com/planned-obsolescence/ |archive-date=15 Apr 2024}}</ref>

*Copyrighted repair manuals: [[Toshiba]] and others have restricted access to repair guides, stifling third-party repair markets.

Such tactics disproportionately affect low-income and geographically isolated consumers, who lack access to authorized repair centers.<ref name=":3" />

====Legal and policy responses====
Governments are addressing non-repairability through legislation:

EU Right to Repair Directive: Mandates spare parts availability and prohibits anti-repair practices like software locks.<ref name=":4" />

Québec's Bill 29: Criminalizes planned obsolescence and requires manufacturers to provide repair services, spare parts, and warranties for up to ten years.<ref name=":3" />

EU Battery Regulation (2026): Requires user-replaceable batteries in electronics, countering sealed designs.

Despite these efforts, enforcement remains challenging. France's 2015 law against planned obsolescence saw no convictions until 2022 due to the difficulty of proving manufacturer intent.<ref name=":2" />

Non-repairability is a cornerstone of planned obsolescence, enabling manufacturers to control product lifespans and maximize profits. While legislation like the EU's Right to Repair represents progress, systemic change requires dismantling design barriers, improving consumer access to repairs, and shifting cultural norms toward durability over disposability.

==See also==
*[[Self-destructive design]]
*[[IPhone planned obsolescence incidencies|IPhone planned obsolescence incidences]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Common terms]]