Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Vizio fined by the FTC for collecting and selling user data without consumer consent

2026-02-17T20:49:34Z

Matt78: Added see also section, removed consumer response section.

{{StubNotice}}

On February 6th, 2017, The [[Federal Trade Commission|Federal Trade Commission (FTC)]] filed a lawsuit<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2017-02-06 |title=VIZIO, INC. and VIZIO Inscape Services, LLC |url=https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/162-3024-vizio-inc-vizio-inscape-services-llc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514204212/https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/162-3024-vizio-inc-vizio-inscape-services-llc |archive-date=2022-05-14 |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=The Federal Trade Commission}}</ref> against American electronics company [[Vizio|Vizio]] alleging privacy violations. FTC counted unfair tracking, deceptive omission regarding smart interactivity, and deceptive representation regarding smart interactivity. The Commission alleged Vizio had software installed on their smart televisions which collected user data, which they then sold to advertisers. {{IncidentCargo
|Company=Federal Trade Commission, Vizio
|StartDate=2017-02-17
|EndDate=2017-02-17
|Status=Resolved
|ProductLine=VIZIO Smart Televisions
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Privacy
|Description=VIZIO tracks Smart Television owners without consent.
}}
==Background==
Vizio was founded in 2002 as V Inc.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-23 |title=VIZIO |url=https://www.forbes.com/companies/vizio/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260119223325/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fcompanies%2Fvizio%2F |archive-date=2026-01-19 |access-date=2026-01-19 |website=Forbes |quote=Founded in Oct. 2002 as V, Inc}}</ref> and by 2007 they were already known for their affordable TVs. In 2011, they released their first smart TV line. This new line had built in software that would allow users to do things like connect the TV to internet, use Bluetooth and install apps. A few years after that, in 2015, Vizio launched their own operating system for these TVs called [[wikipedia:Vizio#Vizio_OS|SmartCast]] (now called Vizio OS) that utilized [[wikipedia:AirPlay|Apple AirPlay]] and [[wikipedia:Chromecast|Chromecast]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mashirenko |first=Anatoliy |date=2024-11-25 |title=Evolution of the Vizio TVs 2007-2024 |url=https://en.tab-tv.com/evolution-of-the-vizio-tvs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207045953/https://en.tab-tv.com/evolution-of-the-vizio-tvs/ |archive-date=2024-12-07 |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=Tab-Tv}}</ref>
==Vizio collecting data for marketing purposes without user consent==
A complaint filed by the FTC and New Jersey Attorney General says that, starting in February 2014, Vizio had been capturing everything that was displayed on the TV with ACR (Automatic Content Recognition) software, and allegedly collecting sex, age, income, marital status, household size, education level, home ownership, and household value to sell it to 3rd parties for targeted advertising, and other various purposes. Vizio matched what was displayed on the screen to a database of content<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2017-02-06 |title=VIZIO to Pay $2.2 Million to FTC, State of New Jersey to Settle Charges It Collected Viewing Histories on 11 Million Smart Televisions without Users’ Consent |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2017/02/vizio-pay-22-million-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it-collected-viewing-histories-11-million |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505152911/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2017/02/vizio-pay-22-million-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it-collected-viewing-histories-11-million |archive-date=2022-05-05 |access-date=2026-01-10 |website=Federal Trade Commission |no-pp=y}}</ref>. The FTC explained in a press release how this was being implemented : <blockquote>On a second-by-second basis, Vizio collected a selection of pixels on the screen that it matched to a database of TV, movie, and commercial content. What’s more, Vizio identified viewing data from cable or broadband service providers, set-top boxes, streaming devices, DVD players, and over-the-air broadcasts. Add it all up and Vizio captured as many as 100 billion data points each day from millions of TVs.<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>Vizio also advertised a feature called “Smart Interactivity” which “enables program offers and suggestions” according to Vizio. However Vizio did not disclose that this feature, enables collection of user data<ref name=":0" />. The feature also did not provide the advertised functionality<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fair |first=Lesley |date=2017-02-06 |title=What Vizio was doing behind the TV screen |url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2017/02/what-vizio-was-doing-behind-tv-screen |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313091120/https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2017/02/what-vizio-was-doing-behind-tv-screen |archive-date=2022-03-13 |access-date=2026-01-10 |website=Federal Trade Commission |quote=(Oh, and the 'Smart Interactivity' feature didn’t even provide the promised 'program offers and suggestions.')}}</ref>. The FTC said in a [https://archive.org/details/170206-vizio-stipulated-proposed-order/mode/2up court order] that Vizio must:<blockquote>A. Prominently disclose to the consumer, separate and apart from any “privacy

policy,” “terms of use” page, or other similar document: (1) the types of Viewing Data that will

be collected and used, (2) the types of Viewing Data that will be shared with third parties; (3) the

identity or specific categories of such third parties; and (4) all purposes for Defendants’ sharing

of such information;

B. Obtain the consumer’s affirmative express consent (1) at the time the disclosure in

Part II.A is made and (2) upon any material changes to the terms disclosed in Part II.A<ref name=":2">[[File:170206 vizio stipulated proposed order.pdf|thumb]]
Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction and Monetary Judgement (PDF), Federal Trade Commission, 2017-02-06, [https://archive.org/details/170206-vizio-stipulated-proposed-order/mode/2up archived] from the original on 2026-01-15</ref></blockquote>

==Lawsuit==

The FTC filed a case against Vizio on February 6, 2017 called "VIZIO, INC. and VIZIO Inscape Services, LLC".<ref name=":1" />

On February 6th, 2017, Vizio agreed to pay $2,200,000 to the FTC.

The complaint filed by the FTC acknowledges that Vizio sent onscreen notifications about changes to the Vizio privacy policy and Smart Interactivity being enabled for TVs that were updated in Febuary 2014, but this notification said nothing about the data being collected or Automatic Content Recognition. <blockquote>The VIZIO Privacy Policy has changed. Smart Interactivity has

been enabled on your TV, but you may disable it in the settings

menu. See www.vizio.com/privacy for more details. This

message will time out in 1 minute.</blockquote>In a court order from the case, the FTC said Vizio must, within 120 days of the order, delete all data that was collected before March 1st, 2016:<blockquote>IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that within 120 days after entry of this Order, Defendants

and Defendants’ officers, agents, employees, and attorneys, and all other persons in active

concert or participation with any of them, who receive actual notice of this Order, must destroy

Viewing Data that has been collected prior to March 1, 2016. Provided, however, that such

Viewing Data need not be destroyed, and may be disclosed, (A) to the extent requested by a

government agency or required by law, regulation, or court order, including without limitation as

required by rules applicable to the safeguarding of evidence in pending litigation, or (B) to the

extent a user of a television associated with the Viewing Data has affirmatively consented to the

collection, use, or disclosure thereof, consistent with Part II of this order.<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>

== See also ==
[[LG Television sale of personal data]]

[[Samsung Frame TV asks for subscription to view photos]]

[[Samsung TVs]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Vizio]]

Creality

2026-02-11T06:27:09Z

Matt78: Edited consumer-impact summary and "Creality forces update that removes features from their 3d scanners" section.

{{CompanyCargo
|Logo=Creality-logo-black.svg
|Website=https://www.creality.com/
|Founded=2014|Industry=Technology|Type=Private|Description=Creality is a Chinese company that manufactures 3D printers and scanners.}}

Creality is a Chinese technology company headquartered in Shenzhen which manufactures 3D printers<ref>{{Cite web |title=Creality |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creality |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260111032613/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creality |archive-date=2026-01-11 |access-date=2026-02-05 |website=Wkipedia}}</ref> and 3D scanners<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scanners |url=https://store.creality.com/collections/scanners |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260129133218/https://store.creality.com/collections/scanners |archive-date=2026-01-29 |access-date=2026-02-05 |website=Creality}}</ref>

==Consumer-impact summary==

*'''User Freedom:''' Creality silently disabled the root access toggle for K1 series printers, making root access unavailable without using a computer. Creality forced an update to their Creality Scan smartphone app for their 3D scanners that removes the ability to plug the scanner into a phone to use features such as scanning with a phone link without a $369–$419 USD Creality Scan Bridge.
*'''Business Model:''' Creality sells 3D printers and scanners. Creality has also paywalled features on their 3D scanners, requiring a $250–$300 USD Creality Scan Bridge.
*'''Market Control:''' Creality has extensive competition, with other 3D printer brands such as [[Bambu Lab]], Prusa Research, and Ultimaker.

==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]].

===Creality disables root access toggle on K1 series 3D printers===
Creality silently disabled the ability to root 3D printers which were advertised as having a toggle to gain root access to them.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Root Disclaimer and Risk Warning |url=https://wiki.creality.com/en/k1-flagship-series/k1-series-general-documents/root-disclaimer-and-risk-warning |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260131114944/https://wiki.creality.com/en/k1-flagship-series/k1-series-general-documents/root-disclaimer-and-risk-warning |archive-date=2026-01-31 |access-date=2026-02-05 |website=Creality Wiki}}</ref> Creality does not disclose this on their product page, despite nearly every review citing this as a feature. Creality also will not provide support for root-related faliures.

====Models affected:====
K1

K1C

K1 Max

===Creality forces update that removes features from their 3D scanners===
{{Main|Creality forces update that removes features from their 3D scanners}}

Creality's 3D scanners (Otter, Ferret, Raptor, RaptorX) were advertised that they would feature the ability to scan with a wired connection to a phone. Creality added this feature, but later forced an update to the Creality Scan smartphone app that locked access to the previously available features such as scanning with a phone link from their 3D scanners behind a paywall by requiring users to buy the Creality Scan Bridge, a proprietary device which costs $369–$419 USD. The update is forced by updating the software as soon as the user has a stable internet connection and opens the Creality Scan 4 software. There is no option to opt-out, only the chance to install the update. Creality's reasoning for this update was that scanning with a USB cable could overload the phone's motherboard and reduce the battery life overtime.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CR-Scan Otter FAQ and Troubleshooting |url=https://wiki.creality.com/en/3d-scanner/cr-scan-otter/troubleshooting |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260211061438/https://wiki.creality.com/en/3d-scanner/cr-scan-otter/troubleshooting |archive-date=2026-02-11 |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=Creality Wiki |quote=This could overload your phone’s motherboard and seriously reduce battery life over time.}}</ref> 

==See also==
[[Bambu Lab Authorization Control System]]

[[Bambu Farm Manager]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Cami Research

2026-02-11T04:46:55Z

Matt78: Fixed spelling mistake

{{OngoingEvent}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Description=
|Founded=1991
|Industry=Electronics, Testing
|Logo=Cami logo.jpg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Private
|Website=https://www.camiresearch.com/
}}
'''CAMI Research Inc.''' is an American company that develops testing devices for cables and harnesses.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Contact Info {{!}} About Us {{!}} CableEye {{!}} Cable & Harness Testers |url=https://www.camiresearch.com/about_us.html |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=CAMI Research}}</ref>

==Consumer impact summary==

===Business model===
Their primary market demographics are repair technicians, since their products are used in diagnostics. CAMI Research has a large product line of different testing devices.'''<ref name=":0" />'''

==Incidents==

===Lack of repair support, and subsequent legal threats (''2025'')===
In January 2025, Oregon passed a state [[Right to Repair]] law, banning [[part pairing]], and requiring manufacturers to allow consumers to choose to self-repair devices, or use a third-party service by requiring that repair documentation, tools, and parts be made available.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bergmann |first=Emily |date=2025-01-27 |title=A Tough Consumer Electronics Right to Repair Law Goes Live in the US |url=https://h2compliance.com/a-tough-consumer-electronics-right-to-repair-law-goes-live-in-the-us/ |access-date=2025-06-22 |website=H2 Compliance |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Oregon Governor signs landmark right to repair bill into law |url=https://advocacy.consumerreports.org/press_release/oregon-governor-signs-landmark-right-to-repair-bill-into-law/ |access-date=2025-06-23 |website=CR Advocacy |language=en}}</ref>

YouTuber and repair technician Steven Rhine bought a secondhand '''CableEye M3U''' from eBay, but due to poor packaging, the switch was damaged in transit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rhine |first=Steven |date=2024-10-28 |title=Poorly Packed Test Equipment, What Was Broken? Cami Research CableEye M3U Self Test |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhnSSSvfBLQ |url-status=live |website=YouTube}}</ref> He sent an email to CAMI, requesting that they sell a part to him, so he could repair the device. The company representatives refused Rhine's request, citing concerns about profit.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=22 Jun 2025 |title=Cami Research Blatantly Violates Oregon Right to Repair Law, Oregon DOJ Does Nothing |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K1zi66IE0k |url-status=live |website=YouTube}}</ref>

In response, Rhine filed a complaint with the '''Oregon Department of Justice'''. The Department acknowledged the complaint, but closed the case without any further action, citing that the issue was outside their authority.<ref name=":1" />

CAMI Research responded by threatening legal action against Rhine, accusing him of harassment, despite the communications being professional and polite. Their message asserted that Ryan should go through state legal channels only, and threatened to escalate the situation if he made further contact with them.<ref name=":1" />

CAMI Research has also sent a cease and desist letter to Louis Rossmann attempting to stop him from making further YouTube videos talking about them and requesting an apology.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossman |first=Louis |date=2025-09-09 |title=Cease & Desist: Cami Research wants me to pay $100,000 for publishing their own words |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX6nUwDeHps |url-status=live |website=YouTube}}</ref> Baker Sterchi Cowden & Rice, the law firm that originally sent the notice, has since withdrawn legal counsel for CAMI Research.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=2025-09-11 |title=THEY CAVED IN ONE DAY! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th-OAfQ5FJk |url-status=live |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=YouTube}}</ref>

==Products==

*Low-voltage testers
*High-voltage testers
*Expansion modules
*CB Boards

==See also==

*[[Better Way Electronics|Better Way Electronics (BWE)]]

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Cami Research Inc.]]

Creality

2026-02-06T05:54:27Z

Matt78:

{{CompanyCargo
|Logo=Creality-logo-black.svg
|Website=https://www.creality.com/
|Founded=2014|Industry=Technology|Type=Private|Description=Creality is a Chinese company that manufactures 3D printers and scanners.}}

Creality is a Chinese technology company headquartered in Shenzhen which manufactures 3D printers<ref>{{Cite web |title=Creality |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creality |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260111032613/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creality |archive-date=2026-01-11 |access-date=2026-02-05 |website=Wkipedia}}</ref> and 3D scanners<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scanners |url=https://store.creality.com/collections/scanners |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260129133218/https://store.creality.com/collections/scanners |archive-date=2026-01-29 |access-date=2026-02-05 |website=Creality}}</ref>

==Consumer-impact summary==

*'''User Freedom:''' Creality silently disabled the root access toggle for K1 series printers, making root access unavailable without using a computer. Creality forced an update to their Creality Scan smartphone app for their 3D scanners that removes the ability to plug the scanner into a phone to use features such as scanning with a phone link without a $250–$300 USD Creality Scan Bridge.
*'''Business Model:''' Creality sells 3D printers and scanners. Creality has also paywalled features on their 3D scanners, requiring a $250–$300 USD Creality Scan Bridge.
*'''Market Control:''' Creality has extensive competition, with other 3D printer brands such as [[Bambu Lab]], Prusa Research, and Ultimaker.

==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]].

===Creality disables root access toggle on K1 series 3D printers===
Creality silently disabled the ability to root 3D printers which were advertised as having a toggle to gain root access to them.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Root Disclaimer and Risk Warning |url=https://wiki.creality.com/en/k1-flagship-series/k1-series-general-documents/root-disclaimer-and-risk-warning |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260131114944/https://wiki.creality.com/en/k1-flagship-series/k1-series-general-documents/root-disclaimer-and-risk-warning |archive-date=2026-01-31 |access-date=2026-02-05 |website=Creality Wiki}}</ref> Creality does not disclose this on their product page, despite nearly every review citing this as a feature. Creality also will not provide support for root-related faliures.

====Models affected:====
K1

K1C

K1 Max

===Creality forces update that removes features from their 3D scanners===
{{Main|Creality forces update that removes features from their 3D scanners}}

Creality's 3D scanners were advertised that they would feature the ability to scan with a wired connection to a phone. Creality forced an update to the Creality Scan smartphone app that locked access to previously available features such as scanning with a phone link from their 3D scanners behind a paywall. After this update, for the previously available features to work again, you need to buy the $250–$300 USD Creality Scan Bridge. 

==See also==
[[Bambu Lab Authorization Control System]]

[[Bambu Farm Manager]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Creality

2026-02-06T05:53:11Z

Matt78: Fixed some text formatting

{{CompanyCargo
|Logo=Creality-logo-black.svg
|Website=https://www.creality.com/
|Founded=2014|Industry=Technology|Type=Private|Description=Creality is a Chinese company that manufactures 3D printers and scanners.}}

Creality is a Chinese technology company headquartered in Shenzhen which manufactures 3D printers<ref>{{Cite web |title=Creality |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creality |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260111032613/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creality |archive-date=2026-01-11 |access-date=2026-02-05 |website=Wkipedia}}</ref> and 3D scanners<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scanners |url=https://store.creality.com/collections/scanners |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260129133218/https://store.creality.com/collections/scanners |archive-date=2026-01-29 |access-date=2026-02-05 |website=Creality}}</ref>

==Consumer-impact summary==

*'''User Freedom:''' Creality silently disabled the root access toggle for K1 series printers, making root access unavailable without using a computer. Creality forced an update to their Creality Scan smartphone app for their 3D scanners that removes the ability to plug the scanner into a phone to use features such as scanning with a phone link without a $250–$300 USD Creality Scan Bridge.
*'''Business Model:''' Creality sells 3D printers and scanners. Creality has also paywalled features on their 3D scanners, requiring a $250–$300 USD Creality Scan Bridge.
*'''Market Control:''' Creality has extensive competition, with other 3D printer brands such as [[Bambu Lab]], Prusa Research, and Ultimaker.

==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]].

===Creality disables root access toggle on K1 series 3D printers===
Creality silently disabled the ability to root 3D printers which were advertised as having a toggle to gain root access to them.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Root Disclaimer and Risk Warning |url=https://wiki.creality.com/en/k1-flagship-series/k1-series-general-documents/root-disclaimer-and-risk-warning |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260131114944/https://wiki.creality.com/en/k1-flagship-series/k1-series-general-documents/root-disclaimer-and-risk-warning |archive-date=2026-01-31 |access-date=2026-02-05 |website=Creality Wiki}}</ref> Creality does not disclose this on their product page, despite nearly every review citing this as a feature. Creality also will not provide support for root-related faliures.

====Models affected:====
K1

K1C

K1 Max

===Creality forces update that removes features from their 3D scanners===
{{Main|Creality forces update that removes features from their 3D scanners}}Creality's 3D scanners were advertised that they would feature the ability to scan with a wired connection to a phone. Creality forced an update to the Creality Scan smartphone app that locked access to previously available features such as scanning with a phone link from their 3D scanners behind a paywall. After this update, for the previously available features to work again, you need to buy the $250–$300 USD Creality Scan Bridge. 

==See also==
[[Bambu Lab Authorization Control System]]

[[Bambu Farm Manager]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Creality

2026-02-06T05:51:14Z

Matt78: Added consumer-impact summary, deleted consumer-impact summary template, created section "Creality forces update that removes features from their 3D scanners".

{{CompanyCargo
|Logo=Creality-logo-black.svg
|Website=https://www.creality.com/
|Founded=2014|Industry=Technology|Type=Private|Description=Creality is a Chinese company that manufactures 3D printers and scanners.}}

Creality is a Chinese technology company headquartered in Shenzhen which manufactures 3D printers<ref>{{Cite web |title=Creality |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creality |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260111032613/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creality |archive-date=2026-01-11 |access-date=2026-02-05 |website=Wkipedia}}</ref> and 3D scanners<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scanners |url=https://store.creality.com/collections/scanners |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260129133218/https://store.creality.com/collections/scanners |archive-date=2026-01-29 |access-date=2026-02-05 |website=Creality}}</ref>

==Consumer-impact summary==

* '''User Freedom:''' Creality silently disabled the root access toggle for K1 series printers, making root access unavailable without using a computer. Creality forced an update to their Creality Scan smartphone app for their 3D scanners that removes the ability to plug the scanner into a phone to use features such as scanning with a phone link without a $250–$300 USD Creality Scan Bridge.
* '''Business Model:''' Creality sells 3D printers and scanners. Creality has also paywalled features on their 3D scanners, requiring a $250–$300 USD Creality Scan Bridge.
* '''Market Control:''' Creality has extensive competition, with other 3D printer brands such as [[Bambu Lab]], Prusa Research, and Ultimaker.

==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]].

===Creality disables root access toggle on K1 series 3D printers===
Creality silently disabled the ability to root 3D printers which were advertised as having a toggle to gain root access to them.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Root Disclaimer and Risk Warning |url=https://wiki.creality.com/en/k1-flagship-series/k1-series-general-documents/root-disclaimer-and-risk-warning |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260131114944/https://wiki.creality.com/en/k1-flagship-series/k1-series-general-documents/root-disclaimer-and-risk-warning |archive-date=2026-01-31 |access-date=2026-02-05 |website=Creality Wiki}}</ref> Creality does not disclose this on their product page, despite nearly every review citing this as a feature. Creality also will not provide support for root-related faliures.

====Models affected:====
K1

K1C

K1 Max

=== Creality forces update that removes features from their 3D scanners ===
{{Main|Creality forces update that removes features from their 3D scanners}}Creality's 3D scanners were advertised that they would feature the ability to scan with a wired connection to a phone. Creality forced an update to the Creality Scan smartphone app that locked access to previously available features such as scanning with a phone link from their 3D scanners behind a paywall. After this update, for the previously available features to work again, you need to buy the $250–$300 USD Creality Scan Bridge. 

==See also==
[[Bambu Lab Authorization Control System]]

[[Bambu Farm Manager]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Formlabs

2026-02-06T03:38:23Z

Matt78: Added logo, added reference.

{{StubNotice}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Description=American 3D printing company
|Founded=2011
|Industry=3D printing
|Logo=FormLabs.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Private
|Website=https://formlabs.com
}}

[[wikipedia:Formlabs|Formlabs]], a Massachusetts based 3D printing company started in 2011 founded by Maxim Lobovsky, David Cranor, and Natan Linder, all three MIT Media Lab students. The company got its start by raising nearly $3 million on a Kickstarter campaign to release the Form 1 as their first 3D printer.

The company provides software and consumables as well as entire machines, and has branched into the industrial sector providing full machine service as well as a "Pro Service Plan" that includes training videos and prioritized customer support options.

Initially championed as an underdog fighting to bring 3D printing to the hobbyist, the company has since changed their business model and have taken a live service approach to their machines as well as choosing to make their systems more proprietary, as well as including a paid "Open Material Mode".
==Consumer-impact summary==
3D printing has always been a consumer first field, with many of the first printers available for home use were RepRap machines, a printer created with the express purpose of being able to replicate itself with minimal external hardware that is commonly available. Much like coding bases such as Github, being open source and creating communities that work together to further 3D printing for the home user as a method to fight back against anti consumer practices has been a key tenet of 3D printing for home users.

Formlabs has been accused of many negative business practices that harm their initial goal of creating a low cost way to create high precision parts , however these will require more research to confirm before addition. Listed below are verified anti-consumer practices.

==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]].
===Open Material Mode (''November, 2024'')===
{{Main|link to the main article}}
Open Material Mode was initially launched in 2024 with the Form 3, and featured the ability to pay for a license to use your own materials. Virtually unheard of in 3D printing, this license does not change the function of the machine in any way and only gives you permission to use your own materials. If you do not pay for this license you will only be able to use Formlabs proprietary pre-filled resin cartridges. As a point of reference, the cheapest material offered by Formlabs (as of 7/14/25) is $79 for 1L of material, and ABSlike 3.0 by ELEGOO on Amazon is $16 for 1L (which you cannot use on the Form 4 without paying a $2,499 license fee for each printer owned).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Open Material Mode |url=https://formlabs.com/store/materials/open-material-mode/?srsltid=AfmBOoooEm4ZLVUdLqd0mcpV7l5SNh81dgHLQpUnv5b5nOSz0p1dtjMj |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260116171208/https://formlabs.com/store/materials/open-material-mode/ |archive-date=2026-01-16 |website=Formlabs}}</ref> 
===Purchase of Micronics ''(July, 2024)''===
In July of 2024, Formlabs announced that they had purchased Micronics, another small Kickstarter powered 3D printing startup. In a video released by Formlabs the co-founder of Micronics Henry Chan, he admits that they will be canceling their Kickstarter and moving to Massechusets in order to work for Formlabs directly, offering a $1000 credit to anyone who supported the original campaign as well as refunding all donations. The Micron was immediately canceled, and subsequently the
https://formlabs.com/blog/formlabs-acquires-micronics/?srsltid=AfmBOoolvJMRly8Ibc0KdBvAGKRVHmfxbB4C9d7GMyV_Ifdq5mlTZ92z

https://forum.formlabs.com/t/formlabs-spring-2025-product-announcement-coming-march-24th/43884/14

===Deprecating support for the Form 2 ( )===
Soon after the release of the Form 3 product line, Formlabs announced that they would be ending updates for the Form 2. Deprecating machines is expected over time, but because the Form 2 uses proprietary resin cartridges you can only use Formlabs provided materials, that notably are only optimized for their newest machines.
https://forum.formlabs.com/t/what-formlabs-offers-when-form-2-is-dead/30572/15

https://formlabs.com/blog/formlabs-acquires-micronics/?srsltid=AfmBOor3O8NKchgjxAUCyx7YHbDv-fxHGBbckZ6oRjKaz2oByCq8O-xi

===Build Quality concerns (2015-2025)===

https://forum.formlabs.com/t/debilitating-issues-with-formlabs-despite-investing-20-000/35322

==See also==
==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:3D printer companies]]

File:FormLabs.svg

2026-02-06T03:18:08Z

Matt78: SVG of the FormLabs logo. FormLabs makes 3D printers.

== Summary ==
SVG of the FormLabs logo. FormLabs makes 3D printers.

MakerBot

2026-02-06T00:17:33Z

Matt78: Added consumer-impact summary and see also section, removed products section.

{{StubNotice}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Description=American 3D printing company
|Founded=2009
|Industry=3D printing
|Logo=MakerBot_Logo.png
|ParentCompany=Ultimaker
|Type=Subsidiary
|Website=https://makerbot.com/
}}
'''{{wplink|MakerBot|MakerBot Industries, LLC}}''' was an American technology company specializing in the design and manufacture of 3D printing peripherals and accessories. Originally an offshoot of the {{wplink||RepRap}} project, MakerBot initially produced open-source kit printers and operated the public project repository Thingiverse, which MakerBot's founders created in 2008. In 2012, with the launch of it's Replicator 2 3D printer, MakerBot fully pivoted to closed-source consumer and enterprise machines. It was acquired by Stratasys in June 2013.<ref>https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyclay/2013/06/19/3d-printing-company-makerbot-acquired-in-604-million-deal/#4f6d94091ef8</ref>

MakerBot was at one point, the market leader in desktop FDM 3D printers, but its market dominance was steadily eroded by an explosion in popularity of less-expensive, open-source competitors.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20171027020235/https://fortune.com/2015/11/27/why-makerbot-and-3d-systems-are-losing-the-desktop-3d-market/</ref> Its closed-source machines and business practices proved to be unpopular with the largely DIY-focused maker community. Starting in 2015, MakerBot began to focus more on the enterprise and education markets, ultimately abandoning the consumer market by 2017. It also laid off hundreds of employees during this time.<ref>https://www.vice.com/en/article/makerbot-just-laid-off-20-percent-of-its-staff/</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20170702132043/https://fortune.com/2017/02/15/makerbot-3d-printing-layoffs/</ref>

On August 31, 2022, Stratasys finalized a merger between MakerBot and its long-time market competitor Ultimaker.<ref>https://investors.stratasys.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/793/stratasys-completes-merger-of-makerbot-with-ultimaker</ref> The merged company is known as Ultimaker, with the MakerBot branding only retained for its Sketch line of education-focused 3D printers.

==Consumer-impact summary==

* '''User Freedom:''' MakerBot updated the Thingiverse terms of use to say that MakerBot owns everything submitted by users on Thingiverse. However, MakerBot later changed this so that users own what they submit to Thingiverse. MakerBot also stopped making open-source printers, and started making closed-source printers instead with proprietary hardware and software.
* '''Market Control:''' MakerBot has extensive competition, with other brands such as [[Bambu Lab]], [[Creality]], and Prusa Research having more market share than MakerBot. Makerbot also merged with Ultimaker, and only the Sketch line of printers is under the MakerBot brand name.

==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]].

===Ditching open-source (2012):===
MakerBot abandoned its original open-source business practices in favor of developing closed-source machines with proprietary components and software.<ref>https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/pulling-back-from-open-source-hardware-makerbot-angers-some-adherents/</ref> The move was unpopular with consumers, and MakerBot began to lose its market share to less-expensive, open-source 3D printers over the course of the next decade.

===Change to Thingiverse terms of use (2012):===
MakerBot updated the Thingiverse [[Terms of service|terms of use]], appearing to assert ownership over anything uploaded to the site, despite users being allowed to dictate their own usage terms under Creative Commons.<ref>https://hackaday.com/2012/09/20/makerbot-occupy-thingiverse-and-the-reality-of-selling-open-hardware/</ref> The terms of use in section 3.1 currently state that ''"You retain all your intellectual property rights in your User Content. Company does not claim ownership in any User Content."'' These terms were introduced on January 3rd, 2023. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-03 |title=Terms of Use - MakerBot |url=https://www.makerbot.com/legal/terms-of-use/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026122907/https://www.makerbot.com/legal/terms-of-use/ |archive-date=2023-10-26 |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=[[MakerBot]] |at=3.1 |language=English |quote=You retain all your intellectual property rights in your User Content. Company does not claim ownership in any User Content.}}</ref>

===Accusations of IP theft (2014):===
MakerBot was accused of stealing and patenting user-uploaded designs from its public design repository, Thingiverse.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20160501050442/http://3dprintingindustry.com/2014/05/28/makerbot-become-takerbot/</ref> MakerBot denied wrongdoing and showed its patents were filed before the contested designs were shared, but the accusation highlighted ongoing concerns with Thingiverse's terms of use.<ref>https://techcrunch.com/2014/05/28/makerbot-responds-to-critics-who-claim-it-is-stealing-community-ip/</ref>

===Sued for Smart Extruder unreliability (2015):===
Makerbot was hit with a [[class-action lawsuit]], claiming the Smart Extruder for its fifth-generation printers was deliberately engineered to fail in order to boost sales for replacement components.<ref>https://makezine.com/article/digital-fabrication/3d-printing-workshop/makerbot-faces-class-action-lawsuit-over-faulty-extruders/</ref> The suit was dismissed by the court, which decided that MakerBot did not mislead customers.<ref>https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/class-action-makerbot-dismissed-85388/</ref> MakerBot would later release a more reliable, albeit more expensive Smart Extruder+.<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2016/1/4/10677740/new-makerbot-smart-extruder-plus-3d-printer-ces-2016</ref>

==See also==
[[Bambu Lab]]

[[Creality]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:MakerBot Industries]]
[[Category:3D printer companies]]

Category:Creality

2026-02-05T23:02:36Z

Matt78: Added to category "Technology companies"

{{#default_form:Company}}

[[Category:3D printer companies]]
[[Category:Technology companies]]

YouTube

2026-02-05T21:28:09Z

Matt78: Added link to PeerTube

{{ProductLineCargo
|ArticleType=Service
|Category=Streaming, Video
|Company=Google
|Description=
|InProduction=Yes
|Logo=YouTube.png
|ReleaseYear=2005
|Website=https://youtube.com
}}
'''{{Wplink|YouTube}}''', founded in 2005 by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim, is a global video-sharing platform and one of the most visited websites in the world. Acquired by [[Google]] in 2006, YouTube has since become the dominant platform for sharing videos on the internet.

YouTube's business model is built around advertising revenue, with creators earning money through ad views, subscriptions, and other monetization options. The platform hosts a wide range of content, including music videos, tutorials, news, vlogs, and live streams. YouTube has also begun offering subscription services, such as YouTube Premium and YouTube TV, for ad-free experiences, exclusive content, and live television.<ref>{{Cite web |title=YouTube - Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YouTube |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250201032636/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YouTube |archive-date=1 Feb 2025 |access-date=30 Jan 2025 |website=Wikipedia}}</ref>

YouTube has faced criticism and regulatory scrutiny on multiple fronts. Concerns have been raised about content moderation policies, the platform's role in the spread of misinformation, and its impact on user privacy, particularly in relation to data collection practices. Additionally, YouTube has been under fire for its algorithms, which some argue promote harmful or divisive content to maximize engagement.

==Consumer Impact Summary==

*'''User Freedom''': Questionable; rampant bots and [[Elsagate]] suggest negligent moderation.
*'''User Privacy''': Poor; Since August 2025, accessing mature content without identification is a gamble. User data is also sold to advertisers and the site is owned by [[Google]].
*'''Business Model''': [[Advertising overload|Excessive advertising]], YouTube Premium, YouTube Premium Lite
*'''Market Competition''': Despite several platforms that follow its niche, such as Odysee, [[PeerTube]], and DailyMotion, they provide no significant competition.

==Incidents==

===Restricting users that don't share their personal information===
{{Main|Youtube age verification}}

On July 30, 2025, in response to the [[UK Online Safety Act]], YouTube announced a verification update that asks for either a government-issued ID, a photo, or credit card, otherwise they could not access content.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ingram |first=Michael |date=30 Jul 2025 |title=YouTube is Rolling Out A New Controversial Feature |url=https://gamerant.com/youtube-new-age-verification-feature-id-recognition/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250730234131/https://gamerant.com/youtube-new-age-verification-feature-id-recognition/ |archive-date=30 Jul 2025 |access-date=14 Aug 2025 |website=GameRant}}</ref>

YouTube will estimate the age of a user from various sources, including the videos watched, and will ask for previously mentioned personal information when it believes that the user falls below 18.

===Advertising overload on YouTube===
{{Main|Advertising overload}}

Advertisements are YouTube's primary source of revenue.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=How YouTube Works |url=https://www.youtube.com/howyoutubeworks/our-commitments/sharing-revenue/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260101140008/https://www.youtube.com/howyoutubeworks/creator-economy/ |archive-date=1 Jan 2026 |access-date= |website=YouTube}}</ref> This has led to advertisements becoming more pervasive on the platform<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Jordan |date=20 Jan 2024 |title=Why YouTube Has So Many Ads (and Why There Will Probably Be More) |url=https://www.33rdsquare.com/software-app/why-youtube-has-so-many-ads-and-why-there-will-probably-be-more/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.md/0x7Q3 |archive-date=26 Jan 2026 |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |website=33rd Square}}</ref> such as an increasing number of spaces for static ads, longer ad breaks (which some users have documented being longer than the videos they watch,<ref>{{Cite web |first=Aamir |last=Siddiqui |title=Frustrated YouTube viewers seek explanation for hour-long unskippable ads (Updated: Clarification) |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-long-unskippable-ads-problem-3519957/ |website=Android Authority |date=27 Jan 2025 |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250128162022/https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-long-unskippable-ads-problem-3519957/ |archive-date=28 Jan 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Hans-Christian |last=Dirscherl |first2=Joel |last2=Lee |title=Hours-long unskippable ads spotted on YouTube. What’s going on? |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/2590352/hours-long-unskippable-ads-spotted-on-youtube-whats-going-on.html |website=PCWorld |date=28 Jan 2025 |access-date=5 Apr 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129183554/https://www.pcworld.com/article/2590352/hours-long-unskippable-ads-spotted-on-youtube-whats-going-on.html |archive-date=29 Jan 2025}}</ref> and most prevalent on YouTube TV, <ref>{{Cite web |last=Adegbola |first=Anu |date=16 Aug 2024 |title=YouTube tests longer CTV ad breaks |url=https://searchengineland.com/youtube-tests-longer-ad-breaks-ctv-445248#:~:text=YouTube%20is%20increasing%20the%20duration,ads%20over%20shorter%2C%20dispersed%20slots. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816143812/https://searchengineland.com/youtube-tests-longer-ad-breaks-ctv-445248 |archive-date=16 Aug 2024 |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |website=Search Engine Land}}</ref>) increased ad frequency in videos,<ref>{{Cite web |first=Arol |last=Wright |title=YouTube is Adding Even More Ads |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/youtube-is-adding-even-more-ads/ |website=How-To-Geek |date=26 Apr 2024 |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426192258/https://www.howtogeek.com/youtube-is-adding-even-more-ads/ |archive-date=26 Apr 2024}}</ref> and poorer quality ads.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |author=@T3rr0r |date=17 Oct 2021 |title=BAD Mobile Game Ads |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRjGn54O4Zg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=dRjGn54O4Zg |archive-date=26 Jan 2026 |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |first=Max |last=Knoblauch |title=Why are mobile game ads so weird and bad? |url=https://sherwood.news/business/mobile-game-ads-industry-fake-misleading/ |website=Sherwood News |date=14 Jun 2024 |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614151756/https://sherwood.news/business/mobile-game-ads-industry-fake-misleading/ |archive-date=14 Jun 2024}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |author=@Saberspark |date=18 Sep 2021 |title=The DISGUSTING State of Mobile Game Ads (and why YouTube LOVES IT) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsKlfN9phAs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=KsKlfN9phAs |archive-date=26 Jan 2026 |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> Practices are also put into place in order to force non-paying users into seeing these ads as well, such as subscription-gating playing videos in the background.<ref>{{Cite web |title=YouTube Premium |url=https://www.youtube.com/premium?ybp=Sg0IBhIJdW5saW1pdGVk4AEC |website=[[YouTube]] |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Furthermore, even if a user pays for YouTube premium, they do not necessarily receive an ad-free experience<ref>{{Cite web |author=CaptainMystery_123 |title=I have YouTube premium, why am I getting adds. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/youtube/comments/18ll7y6/i_have_youtube_premium_why_am_i_getting_adds/ |website=[[Reddit]] |date=18 Dec 2023 |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219183511/https://www.reddit.com/r/youtube/comments/18ll7y6/i_have_youtube_premium_why_am_i_getting_adds/ |archive-date=19 Dec 2023
}}</ref> — they may still see ads within the video they watch, such as sponsored segments.{{Citation needed}} YouTube has added a "skip" feature, but it has been reported that this does not work consistently.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Anurag |last=Singh |title=YouTube now lets you skip sponsored segments — but you’ll have to pay for it |url=https://www.dexerto.com/youtube/youtube-now-lets-you-skip-sponsored-segments-but-youll-have-to-pay-for-it-2872784/ |website=Dexerto |date=22 Aug 2024 |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822211151/https://www.dexerto.com/youtube/youtube-now-lets-you-skip-sponsored-segments-but-youll-have-to-pay-for-it-2872784/ |archive-date=22 Aug 2024}}</ref>

====Refusal to handle malicious ads====
A common phenomenon on YouTube's advertisements is content that is mature and/or malicious in nature.<ref>{{Cite web |author=@Beyond The Internet |date=22 Feb 2025 |title=YouTube Ads are a Disgrace… |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B2KdIoRVo8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=_B2KdIoRVo8 |archive-date=23 Feb 2025 |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |first=Adamya |last=Sharma |title=Explicit ads are plaguing YouTube, and it’s only getting worse |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-explicit-ads-problem-3520285/ |website=Android Authority |date=27 Jan 2025 |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127062033/https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-explicit-ads-problem-3520285/ |archive-date=27 Jan 2025}}</ref> The content of these advertisements include pornography,<ref>{{Cite web |author=@Saberspark |date=31 Mar 2025 |title=YouTube's Ads Have Hit A New Low...(it's literally p*rn) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW4On_gWAvI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=cW4On_gWAvI |archive-date=2 Apr 2025 |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref name=":8" /> false advertising,<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" /> scams,<ref>{{Cite web |author=Jakob_G |title=YouTube doesn't want to take down scam ads |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/youtube/comments/18gjiqy/youtube_doesnt_want_to_take_down_scam_ads/ |website=[[Reddit]] |date=12 Dec 2023 |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217144248/https://www.reddit.com/r/youtube/comments/18gjiqy/youtube_doesnt_want_to_take_down_scam_ads/ |archive-date=17 Dec 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=@JerryRigEverything |date=9 Mar 2023 |title=I CAUGHT THE YOUTUBE SCAMMER - $1000 dollars EVERY DAY?! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iROF9Dd7FXA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=iROF9Dd7FXA |archive-date=26 Jan 2026 |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web
|author=LoganAH |title=Why does YouTube run blatant scams as advertisements? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/youtube/comments/18osjs6/why_does_youtube_run_blatant_scams_as/ |website=[[Reddit]] |date=22 Dec 2023 |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250713054442/https://old.reddit.com/r/youtube/comments/18osjs6/why_does_youtube_run_blatant_scams_as/  |archive-date=13 Jul 2025}}</ref> and far more. Rather than working towards clearing these ads, or acknowledging this advertising content that has been harming consumers on the platform, YouTube moderation has only cut the revenue for these videos that attempt to call out these ads,<ref>{{Cite web |author=@Deep Humor |date=24 Feb 2025 |title=Watch This Before YouTube Deletes It. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRpECEQ0-hg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=QRpECEQ0-hg |archive-date=26 Feb 2025 |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> which has been known to make said videos be less-showcased.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |author=@Sealow |date=29 Nov 2017 |title=Extensive evidence of algorithm censorship of demonetised videos |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3H8D2LrLHc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=n3H8D2LrLHc |archive-date=26 Jan 2026 |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |author=Karlaplan |title=Monetisation analysis / research |url=https://docs.google.com/document/d/155yNpfR7dGKuN-4rbrvbJLcJkhGa_HqvVuyPK7UEfPo/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.jou9rc5d49jl
|website=[[Google]] |date=20 Nov 2017 |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319182149/https://docs.google.com/document/d/155yNpfR7dGKuN-4rbrvbJLcJkhGa_HqvVuyPK7UEfPo/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.jou9rc5d49jl  |archive-date=19 Mar 2025}}</ref>

===Demonetization and censorship===
Since at least 2016, YouTube has had an extensive record of censoring content that is demonetized.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":1" /> Within understandable circumstances, legitimately malicious or offensive videos would be demonetized and should not be shown on the platform; however, how videos are considered to be demonetized has had a harmful impact upon both viewers and content creators. Transgender creators on YouTube, for example, have experienced unfair censorship via demonetization since 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Malia |last=Disney |title=Trans YouTubers Say They Are Being Censored. Is It The Algorithm? |url=https://archive.yr.media/journalism/outloud/trans-youtubers-say-they-are-being-censored-and-an-algorithm-may-be-to-blame/ |website=archive.yr.media |date=4 May 2018 |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130035845/https://archive.yr.media/journalism/outloud/trans-youtubers-say-they-are-being-censored-and-an-algorithm-may-be-to-blame/ |archive-date=30 Jan 2023}}</ref> Content creators affected by this unfairly balanced moderation via algorithms<ref>{{Cite web |first=Randy |last=Cantz |title=Adpocalypse: How YouTube Demonetization Imperils the Future of Free Speech |url=https://bpr.studentorg.berkeley.edu/2018/05/01/adpocalypse-how-youtube-demonetization-imperils-the-future-of-free-speech/ |website=Berkeley Political Review |date=1 May 2018 |access-date=5 Apr 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424095310/https://bpr.studentorg.berkeley.edu/2018/05/01/adpocalypse-how-youtube-demonetization-imperils-the-future-of-free-speech/ |archive-date=24 Apr 2024}}</ref> have dubbed these events as "adpocalypses".<ref>{{Cite web |first=Julia |last=Alexander |title=YouTubers fear looming ‘adpocalypse’ after child exploitation controversy |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/20/18231561/youtube-child-exploitation-predators-controversy-creators-adpocalypse |website=The Verge |date=20 Feb 2019 |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220205927/https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/20/18231561/youtube-child-exploitation-predators-controversy-creators-adpocalypse |archive-date=20 Feb 2019}}</ref>

====Irresponsibly automated moderation====
When YouTube integrated the ability to take down videos via the [[Digital Millennium Copyright Act]] (DMCA), they decided to often handle take-down requests in an automated manner.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |first=Chuck |last=Jines |title=ABUSE – How DMCA automated takedown notices violate free speech |url=https://www.chuckjines.com/abuse-dmac-automated-takedown-notices-and-free-speech/ |website=Chuck Jines |date=4 Mar 2025 |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250303201747/https://www.chuckjines.com/abuse-dmac-automated-takedown-notices-and-free-speech/ |archive-date=3 Mar 2025}}</ref> This automation has led to an excess in fraudulent DMCA take-downs of content,<ref>{{Cite web |author=itanshi |title=I'd like to talk about the problem with anonymous DMCA take down notices. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/youtube/comments/5zzr9c/id_like_to_talk_about_the_problem_with_anonymous/ |website=[[Reddit]] |date=27 Mar 2017 |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606184354/https://old.reddit.com/r/youtube/comments/5zzr9c/id_like_to_talk_about_the_problem_with_anonymous/ |archive-date=6 Jun 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=@The Last Civil Rights Lawyer |date=21 Jul 2021 |title=“Lackluster” Gets a Fraudulent Copyright Strike for Dashcam Footage and Now We Sue |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPqtT88PT9Y |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=rPqtT88PT9Y |archive-date=2026-02-02 |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> even going so far as to have [[Bungie]] call out YouTube in a legal case for their negligence.<ref>{{Cite web |first=John |last= Brodkin |title=Bungie slams YouTube’s DMCA system in lawsuit against ''Destiny'' takedown fraudsters |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2022/03/bungie-slams-youtubes-dmca-system-in-lawsuit-against-destiny-takedown-fraudsters/ |website=Ars Technica |date=28 Mar 2022 |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329203809/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2022/03/bungie-slams-youtubes-dmca-system-in-lawsuit-against-destiny-takedown-fraudsters/ |archive-date=29 Mar 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Andy |last=Maxwell
|title=Digital Trails: How Bungie Identified a Mass Sender of Fake DMCA Notices |url=https://torrentfreak.com/digital-trails-how-bungie-identified-a-mass-sender-of-fake-dmca-notices-220624/ |website=TorrentFreak |date=24 Jun 2022 |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624070824/https://torrentfreak.com/digital-trails-how-bungie-identified-a-mass-sender-of-fake-dmca-notices-220624/ |archive-date=24 Jun 2022}}</ref> These take-down requests have ranged from users impersonating corporations, to users impersonating other users.<ref name=":3" />

===Crackdown against ad-blockers===
The prevalence of advertising on the platform, coupled with the repeated appearance of harmful and deceptive ads within YouTube's advertising system, has led a significant number of users to employ ad-blocking tools to facilitate their viewing experience.

In response, Google has initiated technical countermeasures to limit the functionality of these tools. This has resulted in an ongoing cycle where ad-blocker developers adapt to new restrictions, and the platform subsequently implements further detection methods. A key strategy in this effort involves the implementation of advanced code integrity checks designed to ensure ad content is delivered to viewers.

However, these measures typically exhibit limited efficacy before ad-blocking tools develop new methods of circumvention,<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Flaherty |first=Kate |date=20 Jun 2024 |title=YouTube’s Ad Blocker Ban Just Got Even Bigger |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kateoflahertyuk/2024/06/20/youtubes-ad-blocker-ban-just-got-even-bigger/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240620123932/https://www.forbes.com/sites/kateoflahertyuk/2024/06/20/youtubes-ad-blocker-ban-just-got-even-bigger/ |archive-date=20 Jun 2024 |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |website=Forbes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Scharon |last=Harding |title=YouTube’s ad blocker crackdown escalates, aggravating users |url=https://arstechnica.com/google/2023/11/youtube-tries-to-kill-ad-blockers-in-push-for-ad-dollars-premium-subs/ |website=Ars Technica |date=1 Nov 2023 |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101170643/https://arstechnica.com/google/2023/11/youtube-tries-to-kill-ad-blockers-in-push-for-ad-dollars-premium-subs/ |archive-date=1 Nov 2023}}</ref><ref group="Rossmann Video">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMaFH4KzOVg YouTube blocks adblockers; will this be their downfall?]</ref> a dynamic that some analysts suggest exemplifies the<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brave no longer blocking youtube ads as of March 27, 2024 |url=https://community.brave.com/t/brave-no-longer-blocking-youtube-ads-as-of-march-27-2024/540032 |website=Brave |date=27 May 2024 |access-date=12 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240801101510/https://community.brave.com/t/brave-no-longer-blocking-youtube-ads-as-of-march-27-2024/540032 |archive-date=1 Aug 2024}}</ref><nowiki> </nowiki>{{Wplink|Streisand effect}}.<ref group="Rossmann Video">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GARcKCaUfI YouTube's adblock war is backfiring in the worst way possible 🤣]</ref>

Additional strategies have involved the integration of advertisements directly into video streams. This approach has impaired the functionality of certain browser extensions, including SponsorBlock, a community-driven tool designed to skip sponsored segments within videos. The extension relies on user-submitted timestamps to identify these segments; its effectiveness is significantly reduced when personalized advertisements, which vary in duration and placement for each viewer, are embedded into the stream itself.<ref group="Rossmann Video">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weP62wPEjRw Youtube is dedicated to making this website worse; destroys sponsorblock with ad injection changes]</ref>

Google has publicly acknowledged implementing code that degrades the user experience for individuals using ad blockers. This includes introducing artificial latency, which has been documented to slow page load times, a measure that also affected users of the Firefox browser.<ref group="Rossmann Video">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMLMQRS3Krk Youtube confirms intentional slowdown of adblock users 🤦‍♂️]</ref><ref group="Rossmann Video">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x7NSw0Irc0 Is Youtube making firefox load slow on purpose?]</ref>
Further viewing:
<ref group="Rossmann Video">[https://youtube.com/watch?v=fcXTlobPCQw Youtube goes to war with ad blockers - how companies die]</ref><ref group="Rossmann Video">[https://youtube.com/watch?v=ALvky_4mJpM Youtube adblocker gives Google the finger on their own platform]</ref><ref group="Rossmann Video">[https://youtube.com/watch?v=PTmZv7-eMrE Youtube's war on adblockers continues, sends cease & desist to invidious.io - you know what to do 😉]</ref>

====Offline video DRM====
The YouTube Mobile application permits users with a YouTube Premium subscription to download videos for offline viewing. However, the downloaded content is protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM) that requires the application to establish an online connection with YouTube's servers at least once every 48 hours to maintain playback functionality. This requirement is not prominently featured on the primary YouTube Premium marketing page and is detailed instead within the platform's support documentation.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=YouTube Premium |url=https://www.youtube.com/premium |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/u9yLW |archive-date=2025-11-11 |access-date=2026-02-02 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch videos offline on mobile in selected countries and regions |url=https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/6141269 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250719175650/https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/6141269 |archive-date=19 Jul 2025 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |website=[[Google]]}}</ref>

Saved videos are forcibly deleted after 29 days. [[Data_lock-in#Videos_downloaded_inside_the_YouTube_app|Data lock-in and proprietary encoding]] prevents the user from making permanent copies of videos, even those licensed under Creative Commons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Santos |first=Noel |date=2024-12-07 |title=Warning: Youtube Premium "Downloads" aren't MP4 Files |url=https://www.virtualcuriosities.com/articles/3383/warning-youtube-premium-downloads-arent-mp4-files |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/eeX0J |archive-date=2026-02-02 |access-date=2026-02-02 |website=Virtual Curiousities}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mental Outlaw |title=Google is Locking Down Android |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1S0SiBuJN8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=L1S0SiBuJN8 |archive-date=2025-08-29 |access-date=2026-02-02 |website=YouTube}}</ref>

====Universal DRM testing and violation of Creative Commons licences====
YouTube on TV is an HTML5 web interface from Google to allow supported devices — such as game consoles which do not have a native YouTube app — to view content via YouTube. An A/B experiment has begun which protects all video and audio content regardless of bitrate or format via the YouTube on TV platform with DRM.<ref>{{Cite web |author=coletdjnz |title=[YouTube] DRM on ALL videos with tv (TVHTML5) client #12563 |url=https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/issues/12563 |website=GitHub |date=8 Mar 2025 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250330031529/https://github.com/yt-dlp/yt-dlp/issues/12563 |archive-date=30 Mar 2025}}</ref> One {{Wplink|Xbox 360}} user reported that the YouTube on TV functionality stopped working as a result of the DRM implementation{{Citation needed|date=18 Aug 2025}}. A number of content creators license their work uploaded to YouTube via the {{Wplink|Creative Commons}} licenses. The universal implementation of DRM to restrict a users ability to exercise their rights granted by the license is a violation of the aforementioned licenses.<ref>{{Cite web |title=License Versions
|url=https://wiki.creativecommons.org/wiki/License_Versions#Application_of_effective_technological_measures_by_users_of_CC-licensed_works_prohibited |website=Creative Commons |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250101062938/https://wiki.creativecommons.org/wiki/License_Versions#Application_of_effective_technological_measures_by_users_of_CC-licensed_works_prohibited |archive-date=1 Jan 2025}}</ref>

===Paywalling standard browser features===
Another premium feature of the YouTube mobile app is the ability to play videos in the background.<ref name=":0" /> Without a premium subscription, neither the app nor a web browser will play YouTube videos in the background. However, the default HTML5 video player supports this with no extra effort needed from the developer.{{Citation needed}}

===Removal of the dislike count on videos===
On 10 November 2021, YouTube removed the public dislike count from all of its videos. Creators are still be able to view dislike counts on their videos through the YouTube Studio website and app.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=An update to dislikes on YouTube |url=https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/update-to-youtube/ |website=YouTube Official Blog |date=10 Nov 2021 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110173333/https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/update-to-youtube/ |archive-date=10 Nov 2021}}</ref>

According to YouTube, this was implemented after user testing revealed that users were less likely to feel incentivized to actively try and manipulate the dislike count on videos if the dislike count was not visible to them.<ref name=":2" /> This spurred the creation of "Return YouTube Dislike" by Dmitry Selivanov, a third-party web browser extension to expose the dislike count again. YouTube discontinued the related API, upon which the extension relied, on 13 December 2021. From thereon "Return YouTube Dislike" switched "to using a combination of archived dislike stats, estimates extrapolated from extension user data and estimates based on view/like ratios for videos whose dislikes weren't archived and for outdated dislike archives."<ref>{{Cite web |first=Michael |last=Can |title=Browser Extension Brings Back Dislike Count to YouTube Videos |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/browser-extension-brings-back-dislike-count-to-youtube-videos
|website=PC Mag |date=29 Nov 2021 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130001311/https://www.pcmag.com/news/browser-extension-brings-back-dislike-count-to-youtube-videos |archive-date=30 Nov 2021}}</ref>
===Anti-features and dark patterns to trick the user into staying longer===
YouTube's algorithm was engineered to make the user watch more videos than they intended, to earn more ad revenue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nicas |first=Jack |date=7 Feb 2018 |title=How YouTube Drives People to the Internet’s Darkest Corners |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-youtube-drives-viewers-to-the-internets-darkest-corners-1518020478 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181208091112/https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-youtube-drives-viewers-to-the-internets-darkest-corners-1518020478 |archive-date=8 Dec 2018 |access-date=29 Jan 2026 |website=The Wall Street Journal |quote=YouTube engineered its algorithm several years ago to make the site “sticky”—to recommend videos that keep users staying to watch still more, said current and former YouTube engineers who helped build it. The site earns money selling ads that run before and during videos.}}</ref> On top of a feature called Autoplay, which queues another video (chosen by Youtube's algorithm) and plays that automatically after a short delay so you keep watching more. Especially children will through this mechanism have their attention extracted for several hours.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |date=2 Nov 2018 |others=NPR/TED Staff |title=James Bridle: What Do Kids' Videos on YouTube Reveal About the Internet's Dark Side? |url=https://www.npr.org/transcripts/662612151 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250620234159/https://www.npr.org/transcripts/662612151 |archive-date=20 Jun 2025 |access-date=29 Jan 2026 |website=NPR |quote="And also, on the other side of the screen, there still are these little kids watching this stuff - right? - their full attention grabbed by these weird mechanisms. And so there's autoplay, where it just keeps playing these videos over and over and over on a loop, endlessly, for hours and hours at a time. And there's so much weirdness in the system now that autoplay takes you to some pretty strange places. This is how within, like, a dozen steps, you can go from a cute video of a counting train to masturbating Mickey Mouse."}}</ref>

<blockquote>This is how within, like, a dozen steps, you can go from a cute video of a counting train to masturbating Mickey Mouse — James Bridle<ref name=":9" /></blockquote>By default, this feature is enabled.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 Apr 2025 |title=Autoplay videos - YouTube Help |url=https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/6327615?hl=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250401080124/https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/6327615?hl=en |archive-date=1 Apr 2025 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |website=[[Google]]}}</ref> Another feature like this is the inclusion of irrelevant videos in search results, which are marked as "related".{{Citation needed}} If the user searches for something and scrolls down the list too far, the likelihood of them finding what they were looking for decreases since results are generally sorted by what the platform deems relevant to the search query. Hence, if the user scrolls down too far, it is likely that they give up and leave the site. Therefore YouTube started to add random videos out of its recommendation list for the user into the search results, increasing the probability that they see something they will click and watch.{{Citation needed}} This makes it much harder and more inconvenient to find relevant search results since the user has to scroll past all the noise that is designed to distract them. Since unrelated videos are promoted in search in its place, it means that a low engagement video that is actually relevant is less likely to be discovered.{{Citation needed}}

===High number of bots===
Upon the initial publication of a video, the comment section is frequently targeted by coordinated automated accounts.{{Citation needed}} These accounts often engage in disruptive activities, including attempts to direct users to external scams or artificially inflate engagement.{{Citation needed}}

These accounts commonly employ identifiable tactics, such as:

*Utilizing profile pictures of popular public figures or suggestive imagery.
*Reposting highly-liked comments from the same video, sometimes with minor edits if the comment gains significant traction.
*Posting generic comments that are irrelevant to the video's content or the channel's focus.

Despite consistent feedback from content creators and the broader community, effective platform-level measures to automatically detect and mitigate this activity appear limited.{{Citation needed}} Consequently, content creators and their moderation teams are often required to manually review and remove these comments on a per-video basis to maintain the quality and safety of their community interactions.{{Citation needed}}

===Crackdown against third-party front-ends===
Since the beginning of 2025, users have been reporting issues with 3rd-party frontends accessing the platform.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 Feb 2025 |title=Youtube changed something, again! |url=https://nadeko.net/announcements/invidious-02-20/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250816014757/https://nadeko.net/announcements/invidious-02-20/ |archive-date=16 Aug 2025 |access-date=16 Aug 2025}}</ref> For FreeTube, there has been a heightened amount of people receiving [[wikipedia:HTTP_403|403 errors]] associated with IP blocks when attempting to view videos via this frontend.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gevaarlijk |date=Jan 31, 2025 |title=[Bug]: [BAD_HTTP_STATUS: 403] Potential causes: IP block or streaming URL deciphering failed #6701 |url=https://github.com/FreeTubeApp/FreeTube/issues/6701 |archive-url=https://archive.ph/cPHsx |archive-date=21 Feb 2025 |access-date=Aug 30, 2025 |website=[[GitHub]]}}</ref>

===AI filtering without consent===
YouTube is testing an experiment on Shorts content that enhances a video's detail without the creator's consent.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reisner |first=Alex |date=August 22, 2025 |title=YouTube’s Sneaky AI ‘Experiment’ |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2025/08/youtube-shorts-ai-upscaling/683946/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250822194955/https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2025/08/youtube-shorts-ai-upscaling/683946/ |archive-date=22 Aug 2025 |access-date=August 26, 2025 |website=The Register}}</ref> The resulting output tends to look plastic. This change has been observed as early as June 27, 2025<ref>{{Cite web |author=Ulincsys |date=June 27, 2025 |title=YouTube Shorts are almost certainly being AI upscaled |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/youtube/comments/1lllnse/youtube_shorts_are_almost_certainly_being_ai/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/01yrZ |archive-date=2025-08-07 |access-date=August 26, 2025 |website=Reddit}}</ref> and affects creators who especially intend the video to be viewed in a certain way, such as the "VHS look".<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 21, 2025 |title=YouTube Shorts are becoming AI upscaled without consent from creators |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/youtube/comments/1m5y7zu/youtube_shorts_are_becoming_ai_upscaled_without/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/i2Ej3 |archive-date=18 Aug 2025 |access-date=August 26, 2025 |website=Reddit}}</ref> Rhett Shull, in his video, opines such a change "will inevitably erode viewers trust in my content [...] or any of the other creators on this platform that we all watch and we all follow" due to implications that the creator may be using AI, and "also erodes my trust in the platform."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shull |first=Rhett |date=2025-08-14 |title=YouTube Is Using AI to Alter Content (and not telling us) |url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=86nhP8tvbLY |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=86nhP8tvbLY |archive-date=16 Aug 2025 |access-date=August 26, 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref>

Artist Sam Yang uploaded a video on the August 30th, 2025<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yang |first=Sam |date=30 Aug 2025 |title=Youtube is Using AI on Your Shorts Without Consent.. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjnQ-s7LW-g |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=tjnQ-s7LW-g |archive-date=26 Jan 2026 |website=Youtube}}</ref> following up on the issue using his own work for comparison, testing the claims that this is merely compression scaling, adding an artist's eye and commentary to the issue.

Users complained about a dangerous flickering that happens under some videos. Some forwarded this issue to YouTube scientist Anton Petrov, to which he replicated the issue and showed it under a video uploaded October 25, 2025, noting it happens on one of his devices, more specifically a mobile phone.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petrov |first=Anton |date=2025-10-25 |title=YouTube AI Filter Is Making My Videos Dangerous To Watch |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HY-nREvVu4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=2HY-nREvVu4 |archive-date=26 Oct 2025 |access-date=October 30, 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref>

===2025 channel terminations wave===
On November 2025, multiple YouTube channels, including Enderman, Scratchit Gaming, and 4096 are reportedly terminated in a massive banwave under false reasons, such as association with a Japanese-language channel "椛のスターレイル遊び" which translates roughly as "Momiji plays Honkai: Star Rail Adventures," a reference to a Japanese role-playing game. Some have blamed the banwave on the malfunctions of YouTube's AI-powered moderation system.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Binder |first=Matt |date=2025-11-04 |title=Big YouTube channels are being banned. YouTubers are blaming AI. |url=https://mashable.com/article/big-youtube-channels-terminated-creators-blame-ai |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/IHzZU |archive-date=2026-02-02 |access-date=2026-02-02 |website=Mashable}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Relevant Rossmann Videos===
<references group="Rossmann Video" />

[[Category:YouTube]]

Creality forces update that removes features from their 3D scanners

2026-02-05T21:23:01Z

Matt78: Fixed some text

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Creality
|StartDate=2025/08/07
|Status=Active
|ProductLine=3D Scanners
|Product=Otter, Raptor, Ferret*
|ArticleType=Service
|Type=Firmware lockout
|Description=Creality's forced update mandate and removing a big feature of their scanners that allows the use of Mobile APP is now locked behind proprietary hardware.
}}'''Creality''' has removed access to previously available features such as scanning directly with a phone link (connecting the phone directly to the 3d scanner), without the use of proprietary hardware. This worked, and while it was flawed, it was a feature that was advertised and they seem to be going into direction of finally supporting it. At some point after announcing the '''Creality Scan Bridge''', the application, Creality Scan on IOS/Android devices, had received an update, effectively removing the ability to directly scan via Phone->Scanner link. Only way was through their proprietary hardware, which can cost up to $300 USD.

==Background==
Creality's 3D Scanner lineup, up to that point (Otter, Ferret, Raptor and RaptorX*) had been advertised that they will soon feature ability to scan via simple connection to the phone. The first version to actually allow this of this is not 100% known, however, it is known that the last version to feature this, was 2.2.6v of the Creality Scan, which allowed said lineup, to easily and freely connect your 3D Scanner from the Creality's line up. <ref>{{Cite news |title=Image of showcasting promised support with the Creality Scan |url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/creality3dscanner2/permalink/2123415474748214/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260104040342/https://www.facebook.com/groups/creality3dscanner2/permalink/2123415474748214/ |archive-date=2026-01-04}}</ref>

This while not perfect, worked, and allowed you to somewhat, easily transfer your scans to the PC/Laptop and do the heavily computing on there, while having the freedom to scan with your phone. This allowed easy and fast scanning especially as it did not require for the Point Cloud (points that the scanner grabs), that you drag your PC/Laptop with you and hold it while scanning. It did had numerous issues, but the application was working.

==Forced update==
Since the application update from '''2.2.6V,''' onwards, the rhetoric of Creality was that in order to use the application as "intended" you had to buy the aforementioned, '''Creality Scan Bridge.''' A '''250-300$''' (USD) proprietary hardware, that features a battery, and a wireless antenna, all within a specific handle to make scanning easier. While the item in it self is not an issue, the issue was that it suddenly become '''mandatory to buy it''', in order to use it the application for IOS/Android with your scanner, even though that it was already properly working beforehand. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Showcase of a facebook post as many people reporting that the app worked, right until 2.2.6 |url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/creality3dscanner2/posts/2237763439980083/}}</ref>

They had effectively disabled the application to recognize the scanner if you plugged it directly to your phone, with a USB-C to USB-C cable that connects to your phone and Scanner.

Users could downgrade to said version ('''2.2.6v'''), however, after '''2025-08-07''', they have pushed a '''forced Mandatory update''' to all of the scanners before you can open and use it in Creality Scan 4. (Creality Scan 3, as of this point and date, still does not force users to update). Even if you are using Creality Scan on IOS/Android it would not register it from that point. This update changelog can be seen on: "https://www.crealitycloud.com/downloads/other/cr-scan".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Their official page listing downloads for all of the frimware, where you can see "Added network security authentication.". Suddenly. |url=https://www.crealitycloud.com/downloads/other/cr-scan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250909180150/https://www.crealitycloud.com/downloads/other/cr-scan |archive-date=2025-09-09}}</ref>

This '''forced''' update happens as soon as you have a stable internet connection and you open up the Creality Scan 4 software, their newest software as of writing this article. You are not allowed to not opt-out of this update, but have only the chance to install it. Keeping in mind that some of these scanners have not received any update from 2024 ('''Otter''' in particular), that gives no real fixes besides locking your scanner to not work with aforementioned application on your phone. Only with their proprietary hardware.

If you happen to install this update, and try to go back to the application on your phone, this essentially "soft-locks" the scanner so you cannot find you scanner even on previous version of the application on your phone (2.2.6v) that worked. However, if you do not update, you cannot use '''Creality Scan 4'''. Only way to use it without updating, is that you have a fresh installation of Creality Scan 4, and disable internet access to the software, before the first start of the application.

To top it off, Creality's software Creality Scan 4, suffers from observable quality degradation issues, that might or might not be intentional. (Even though it is faster and more intuitive, it has been noticed that in Colour Mapping abilities of scans, have been reduced in quality. This may not be intentional, but rather an oversight during the development phase)(This however cannot be overlooked, as Creality Scan 4 software, is no longer in beta since '''2025-06-06'''). ''*in direct compariosn between Creality Scan 3 software, and 4''. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Radic |first=Gabriel |title=Direct comparison of the same rock, only difference is the software (easily noticable quality difference in Color Mapping) |url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/creality3dscanner2/permalink/2259683924454701/}}</ref>

===Creality's response===

As of this moment have not been an official wide response on "why", aside from administrators from official Facebook groups, where they claim it would "drain the battery", and that this seems to be the reason they want you to buy a 250-300$ USD hardware from them, even though this was not an issue or statement before, when the software worked. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Henry |title=Quote from an employe that says it would suddenly drain your battery |url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/creality3dscanner2/posts/2237763439980083/?comment_id=2238238926599201}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Another post in which an employee of Creality says you need to use the Scanner Bridge (even though the application worked without it prior and with 2.2.6) |url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/creality3dscanner2/permalink/2130629434026818/}}</ref>

==Consumer response==

Backlash has been vocal, seeing many posts from Reddit and Facebook official and unoffical groups, shows that what the company has done, has not been received well. Such as a user willing to even pay for the APK version of '''2.2.6v,''' just so the user can use the actual software as it was advertised and intended to. [2]Some people have stated that it is most likely again, for people to switch and buy the aforementioned hardware. <ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-09 |title=Offical release where multiple users reported that they no longer can connect directly to their scanner with their phone on the app. |url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/creality3dscanner2/permalink/2130629434026818/}}</ref>

This has caused quite a stir on what the company actually prioritizes, as the software, up until that point had no issue with working.

==References==
{{reflist}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Creality 3d Scanner - Forces updates that remove previously advertised and shown features}}
[[Category:Creality]]

Category:Creality

2026-02-05T21:09:58Z

Matt78: Created category under 3D printer companies category

{{#default_form:Company}}

[[Category:3D printer companies]]

Creality

2026-02-05T20:48:02Z

Matt78: Removed category

Creality

2026-02-05T20:43:05Z

Matt78: Added category

Creality

2026-02-05T20:23:30Z

Matt78: Added introductory paragraph, cleaned up incidents section, added links in see also section and added references.

Vizio

2026-02-05T19:26:37Z

Matt78: Fixed some text

{{Stub}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Description=American manufacturer of TVs and home theater accessories.
|Founded=2002
|Industry=Electronics
|Logo=Vizio.png
|ParentCompany=Walmart
|Type=Subsidiary
|Website=https://www.vizio.com/
}}
'''{{wplink|Vizio}}''' is an American designer of televisions, soundbars, and related software and accessories that has been owned by [[Walmart]] since 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 Dec 2024 |title=Walmart Completes Acquisition of VIZIO |url=https://corporate.walmart.com/news/2024/12/03/walmart-completes-acquisition-of-vizio/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204110705/https://corporate.walmart.com/news/2024/12/03/walmart-completes-acquisition-of-vizio/ |archive-date=4 Dec 2024 |publisher=Walmart Corporate |language=en |format=press release}}</ref>

==Consumer impact summary==

====Privacy Violations====

*Consumers unaware their viewing habits were being tracked<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Christin S. McMeley |author2=Paul Glist |author3=John D. Seiver |author4=Alexander B. Reynolds |date=Oct 2017 |title=The Real Takeaway From VIZIO's Privacy FTC Settlement |url=https://www.dwt.com/blogs/media-law-monitor/2017/10/the-real-takeaway-from-vizios-privacy-ftc-settleme |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202003735/https://www.dwt.com/blogs/media-law-monitor/2017/10/the-real-takeaway-from-vizios-privacy-ftc-settleme |archive-date=2 Dec 2020 |publisher=Davis Wright Tremaine LLP |language=en |format=article}}</ref>
*Personal information linked to viewing data without consent<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |author=Lesley Fair |date=6 Feb 2017 |title=What Vizio was doing behind the TV screen |url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2017/02/what-vizio-was-doing-behind-tv-screen |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313091120/https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2017/02/what-vizio-was-doing-behind-tv-screen |archive-date=13 Mar 2022 |publisher=Federal Trade Commission (FTC) |language=en |format=press release}}</ref>
*Data shared with multiple third parties<ref name=":0" />

====Financial Impact====

*Consumers unknowingly subsidized lower TV prices through data sales<ref name=":0" />
*No direct compensation to affected consumers despite $2.2 million settlement<ref name=":0" />
*Data collection potentially continued for years before discovery<ref name=":0" />

==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]].

===FTC fines Vizio for selling user data without consent (''2017''):===
{{Main|Vizio fined by the FTC for collecting and selling user data without consumer consent}}
Vizio sold consumers’ viewing histories to advertisers and others without consent. The company provided consumers’ IP addresses to data aggregators, who then matched the address with an individual consumer or household. Vizio’s contracts with third parties prohibited the re-identification of consumers and households by name, but allowed a host of other personal details – for example, sex, age, income, marital status, household size, education, and home ownership. And Vizio permitted these companies to track and target its consumers across devices.<ref name=":0" />

===SFC sues Vizio for violating GPL (''2021 - Present''):===
{{Main|Vizio sued over unfairly appropriated software for their SmartCast system}}
On 19 October 2021, the [https://sfconservancy.org Software Freedom Conservancy] (SFC) sued Vizio over the alleged unfairly appropriated software in their SmartCast system.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |title=Vizio Lawsuit Q & A |url=https://sfconservancy.org/press/qanda.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020053409/https://sfconservancy.org/press/qanda.html |archive-date=20 Oct 2021 |publisher=Software Freedom Conservancy |language=en |format=article}}</ref> The SFC argues that Vizio’s alleged failure to adhere to copyleft-licensing requirements denies rights that are guaranteed to downstream users.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |author=Steven Vaughan-Nichols |date=19 Oct 2021 |title=Software Freedom Conservancy sues Vizio for GPL violations |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/software-freedom-conservancy-sues-vizio-for-gpl-violations/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019203625/https://www.zdnet.com/article/software-freedom-conservancy-sues-vizio-for-gpl-violations/ |archive-date=19 Oct 2021 |publisher=ZDNET |language=en |format=article}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=FOSSA Editorial Team |date=13 May 2022 |title=The Massive Implications of Software Freedom Conservancy vs. Vizio |url=https://fossa.com/blog/massive-implications-software-freedom-conservancy-vs-vizio/ |archive-url=https://archive.ph/IiQcd |archive-date=6 Jan 2026 |publisher=FOSSA |language=en |format=article}}</ref>

===Vizio strongly disagrees with Consumer Reports not recommending them anymore (''2019''):===
Vizio does not address the concerns raised by the reports, and instead states "It inherently assumes that TVs from 2010 should behave the same as TVs today in terms of performance.", "The applications (apps) on connected TVs are dependent on a multitude of third-party service providers. The number of variables involved in the performance of connected TVs is greater than for non-connected TVs."<ref>{{Cite web|url-status=dead|url=https://www.vizio.com/en/press/2019/mar/VIZIO-responds-to-consumer-reports-grossly-inaccurate-reliability-survey-vizio-hdtvs-maintain-high-consumer-ratings-and-overall-satisfaction;|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723182552/https://www.vizio.com/en/press/2019/mar/VIZIO-responds-to-consumer-reports-grossly-inaccurate-reliability-survey-vizio-hdtvs-maintain-high-consumer-ratings-and-overall-satisfaction|title=VIZIO Responds to Consumer Reports’ Grossly Inaccurate “Reliability” Survey; VIZIO HDTVs Maintain High Consumer Ratings and Overall Satisfaction|archive-date=23 Jul 2021|date=28 March 2019|language=en|format=press release|publisher=VIZIO}}</ref> Consumer Reports revealed that Vizio has subpar reliability relative to other TV manufacturers, which is also among competing smart TVs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 Mar 2019 |title=Consumer Reports No Longer Recommends Vizio and Hisense TVs Due to Problems with Reliability |url=https://www.consumerreports.org/media-room/press-releases/2019/03/consumer-reports-no-longer-recommends-vizio-and-hisense-tvs-due-/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191120093010/https://www.consumerreports.org/media-room/press-releases/2019/03/consumer-reports-no-longer-recommends-vizio-and-hisense-tvs-due-/ |archive-date=20 Nov 2019 |publisher=Consumer Reports |language=en |format=press release}}</ref>

==See also==

*[[LG Television sale of personal data]]

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Vizio]]
[[Category:Smart TVs]]

Creality forces update that removes features from their 3D scanners

2026-02-05T19:12:18Z

Matt78:

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Creality
|StartDate=2025/08/07
|Status=Active
|ProductLine=3D Scanners
|Product=Otter, Raptor, Ferret*
|ArticleType=Service
|Type=Firmware lockout
|Description=Creality's forced update mandate and removing a big feature of their scanners that allows the use of Mobile APP is now locked behind proprietary hardware.
}}'''Creality''' has removed access to previously available features such as scanning directly with a phone link (connecting the phone directly to the 3d scanner), without the use of proprietary hardware. This worked, and while it was flawed, it was a feature that was advertised and they seem to be going into direction of finally supporting it. At some point after announcing '''Creality's Scan Bridge''', the application, Creality Scan on IOS/Android devices, had received an update, effectively removing the ability to directly scan via Phone->Scanner link. Only way was through their proprietary hardware, which can cost up to $300 USD.

==Background==
Creality's 3D Scanner lineup, up to that point (Otter, Ferret, Raptor and RaptorX*) had been advertised that they will soon feature ability to scan via simple connection to the phone. The first version to actually allow this of this is not 100% known, however, it is known that the last version to feature this, was 2.2.6v of the Creality Scan, which allowed said lineup, to easily and freely connect your 3D Scanner from the Creality's line up. <ref>{{Cite news |title=Image of showcasting promised support with the Creality Scan |url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/creality3dscanner2/permalink/2123415474748214/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260104040342/https://www.facebook.com/groups/creality3dscanner2/permalink/2123415474748214/ |archive-date=2026-01-04}}</ref>

This while not perfect, worked, and allowed you to somewhat, easily transfer your scans to the PC/Laptop and do the heavily computing on there, while having the freedom to scan with your phone. This allowed easy and fast scanning especially as it did not require for the Point Cloud (points that the scanner grabs), that you drag your PC/Laptop with you and hold it while scanning. It did had numerous issues, but the application was working.

==Forced update==
Since the application update from '''2.2.6V,''' onwards, the rhetoric of Creality was that in order to use the application as "intended" you had to buy the aforementioned, '''Creality Scan Bridge.''' A '''250-300$''' (USD) proprietary hardware, that features a battery, and a wireless antenna, all within a specific handle to make scanning easier. While the item in it self is not an issue, the issue was that it suddenly become '''mandatory to buy it''', in order to use it the application for IOS/Android with your scanner, even though that it was already properly working beforehand. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Showcase of a facebook post as many people reporting that the app worked, right until 2.2.6 |url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/creality3dscanner2/posts/2237763439980083/}}</ref>

They had effectively disabled the application to recognize the scanner if you plugged it directly to your phone, with a simple, yet quality USB-C to USB-C cable that connect to your Phone and Scanner.

Users could downgrade to said version ('''2.2.6v'''), however, after '''2025-08-07''', they have pushed a '''forced Mandatory update''' to all of the scanners before you can open and use it in Creality Scan 4. (Creality Scan 3, as of this point and date, still does not force users to update). Even if you are using Creality Scan on IOS/Android it would not register it from that point. This update changelog can be seen on: "https://www.crealitycloud.com/downloads/other/cr-scan".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Their official page listing downloads for all of the frimware, where you can see "Added network security authentication.". Suddenly. |url=https://www.crealitycloud.com/downloads/other/cr-scan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250909180150/https://www.crealitycloud.com/downloads/other/cr-scan |archive-date=2025-09-09}}</ref>

This '''forced''' update happens as soon as you have a stable internet connection and you open up the Creality Scan 4 software, their newest software as of writing this article. You are not allowed to not opt-out of this update, but have only the chance to install it. Keeping in mind that some of these scanners have not received any update from 2024 ('''Otter''' in particular), that gives no real fixes besides locking your scanner to not work with aforementioned application on your phone. Only with their proprietary hardware.

If you happen to install this update, and try to go back to the application on your phone, this essentially "soft-locks" the scanner so you cannot find you scanner even on previous version of the application on your phone (2.2.6v) that worked. However, if you do not update, you cannot use '''Creality Scan 4'''. Only way to use it without updating, is that you have a fresh installation of Creality Scan 4, and disable internet access to the software, before the first start of the application.

To top it off, Creality's software Creality Scan 4, suffers from observable quality degradation issues, that might or might not be intentional. (Even though it is faster and more intuitive, it has been noticed that in Colour Mapping abilities of scans, have been reduced in quality. This may not be intentional, but rather an oversight during the development phase)(This however cannot be overlooked, as Creality Scan 4 software, is no longer in beta since '''2025-06-06'''). ''*in direct compariosn between Creality Scan 3 software, and 4''. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Radic |first=Gabriel |title=Direct comparison of the same rock, only difference is the software (easily noticable quality difference in Color Mapping) |url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/creality3dscanner2/permalink/2259683924454701/}}</ref>

===Creality's response===

As of this moment have not been an official wide response on "why", aside from administrators from official Facebook groups, where they claim it would "drain the battery", and that this seems to be the reason they want you to buy a 250-300$ USD hardware from them, even though this was not an issue or statement before, when the software worked. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Henry |title=Quote from an employe that says it would suddenly drain your battery |url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/creality3dscanner2/posts/2237763439980083/?comment_id=2238238926599201}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Another post in which an employee of Creality says you need to use the Scanner Bridge (even though the application worked without it prior and with 2.2.6) |url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/creality3dscanner2/permalink/2130629434026818/}}</ref>

==Consumer response==

Backlash has been vocal, seeing many posts from Reddit and Facebook official and unoffical groups, shows that what the company has done, has not been received well. Such as a user willing to even pay for the APK version of '''2.2.6v,''' just so the user can use the actual software as it was advertised and intended to. [2]Some people have stated that it is most likely again, for people to switch and buy the aforementioned hardware. <ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-09 |title=Offical release where multiple users reported that they no longer can connect directly to their scanner with their phone on the app. |url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/creality3dscanner2/permalink/2130629434026818/}}</ref>

This has caused quite a stir on what the company actually prioritizes, as the software, up until that point had no issue with working.

==References==
{{reflist}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Creality 3d Scanner - Forces updates that remove previously advertised and shown features}}
[[Category:Creality]]

ADDW car systems legislated in the EU

2026-01-26T19:14:14Z

Matt78: Added archive URL to ref

{{StubNotice}}

The European Union (EU) has passed legislation that mandates Advanced Driver Distraction Warning (ADDW) systems for new cars produced for sale within the EU<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=16 Dec 2019 |title=Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32019R2144 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260105005359/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32019R2144 |archive-date=2026-01-05 |access-date=28 Jul 2025 |website=EUR-Lex}}</ref> (Article 6 clause D).

==How it works==
From 7 July 2026 onward, all new vehicles sold within the EU must contain cameras that monitor driver behavior and notify them accordingly in case of improper driving conduct - something that had already taken place with M and N type vehicles from 7 July 2024<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=ADDW specifications |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=PI_COM:C(2023)4523 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260104122145/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=PI_COM:C(2023)4523 |archive-date=2026-01-04 |access-date=28 Jul 2025 |website=EUR-Lex}}</ref>. This is on par with the goal that the EU had set to cut down on road accidents by half, compared to 2019<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=28 Oct 2021 |title=European Commission welcomes launch of Global Plan for the UN Decade of Action on Road Safety 2021-2030 |url=https://transport.ec.europa.eu/news-events/news/european-commission-welcomes-launch-global-plan-un-decade-action-road-safety-2021-2030-2021-10-28_en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260104122509/https://transport.ec.europa.eu/news-events/news/european-commission-welcomes-launch-global-plan-un-decade-action-road-safety-2021-2030-2021-10-28_en |archive-date=2026-01-04 |access-date=28 Jul 2025 |website=European Commission}}</ref>.

The cameras are meant to monitor the driver's gaze, which could result in a warning if it is not directed at the areas that are specified in<ref name=":0" /> (Specifically points 3.3.1.1., 3.3.1.2., 3.3.1.3).

The legislation asserts that the data generated by the ADDW system should be contained within a closed loop and may not be made available to 3rd parties. In addition, no data should be collected except that which is necessary to perform the task, and all collected data must be deleted after processing<ref name=":0" /> (Article 6 clause 3).

==Why it is a problem==
With such legislation, '''privacy concerns''' are a major issue.

Although the data falls under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the EU has established strong rules, the question remains how effectively the EU can enforce GDPR in the automotive sector, especially as these technologies become more widespread and are used on a daily basis.

Based on past incidents, these concerns are well-founded. For example, in the case of Tesla, employees were found sharing sensitive content from consumer vehicle cameras in private group chats<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stecklow |first=Steve |last2=Cunningham |first2=Waylon |last3=Jin |first3=Hyunjoo |date=7 Apr 2023 |editor-last=Hirschberg |editor-first=Peter |title=Tesla workers shared sensitive images recorded by customer cars |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/tesla-workers-shared-sensitive-images-recorded-by-customer-cars-2023-04-06/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/0L5zE |archive-date=2025-02-15 |access-date=28 Jul 2025 |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |date=8 Apr 2023 |title=Tesla workers shared sensitive images recorded by customer cars |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1746491 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260104124032/https://www.dawn.com/news/1746491 |archive-date=2026-01-04 |access-date=28 Jul 2025 |work=Dawn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Brodkin |first=John |date=6 Apr 2023 |title=Tesla workers shared images from car cameras, including “scenes of intimacy” |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/04/tesla-workers-shared-images-from-car-cameras-including-scenes-of-intimacy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250830115126/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/04/tesla-workers-shared-images-from-car-cameras-including-scenes-of-intimacy/ |archive-date=2025-08-30 |access-date=28 Jul 2025 |work=ArsTechnica}}</ref>.

Moreover, cars are already regarded as privacy hazards, with manufacturers often selling user information and exhibiting questionable security practices<ref>{{Cite news |last=Caltrider |first=Jen |last2=Rykov |first2=Misha |last3=MacDonald |first3=Zoë |date=6 Sep 2023 |title=It’s Official: Cars Are the Worst Product Category We Have Ever Reviewed for Privacy |url=https://www.mozillafoundation.org/en/privacynotincluded/articles/its-official-cars-are-the-worst-product-category-we-have-ever-reviewed-for-privacy/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250804133419/https://www.mozillafoundation.org/en/privacynotincluded/articles/its-official-cars-are-the-worst-product-category-we-have-ever-reviewed-for-privacy/ |archive-date=2025-08-04 |access-date=28 Jul 2025 |work=Mozilla Foundation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Katharine |first=Kemp |date=20 Nov 2024 |title=Modern cars are surveillance devices on wheels with major privacy risks – new report |url=https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2024/11/modern-cars-surveillance-devices-privacy-risks |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250713111557/https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2024/11/modern-cars-surveillance-devices-privacy-risks |archive-date=2025-07-13 |access-date=28 Jul 2025 |work=unsw.edu.au}}</ref>.

Adding to this, [[NOYB]], which is a "European Center for Digital Rights", conducted a survey with more than 1,000 privacy professionals, and 74.4% of them agree that the average company has relevant GDPR violations<ref>{{Cite web |title=GDPR a culture of non-compliance? |url=https://noyb.eu/sites/default/files/2024-01/GDPR_a%20culture%20of%20non-compliance.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250801172545/https://noyb.eu/sites/default/files/2024-01/GDPR_a%20culture%20of%20non-compliance.pdf |archive-date=2025-08-01 |access-date=28 Jul 2025 |website=noyb}}</ref>.

==References==
{{reflist}}

Canon ink DRM

2026-01-26T18:58:04Z

Matt78: Fixed link, removed Consumer Response section

{{Stub}}
[[Digital rights management]] (DRM) is a practice used by many major printer manufacturers, including [[Canon]]. The manufacturers include silicon chips as part of the ink cartridges that can identify a cartridge as coming directly from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) as opposed to an aftermarket alternative, which is often cheaper. When aftermarket cartridges are inserted, some printers will display a message suggesting the supposed dangers of using non-genuine ink and have in the past, disabled device functionality when aftermarket ink is installed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barret |first=Brian |date=23 Sep 2016 |title=HP Has Added DRM to Its Ink Cartridges. Not Even Kidding (Updated) |url=https://www.wired.com/2016/09/hp-printer-drm/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 Mar 2025 |website=Wired}}</ref> The DRM chip also prevents the OEM ink cartridges from being refilled, it communicates to the printer that the specific cartridge has already been used.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Gault |first=Matthew |date=11 Jan 2022 |title=Canon Tells Customers to Break Its Printer Cartridge DRM Due to Chip Shortage |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/canon-tells-customers-to-break-its-printer-cartridge-drm-due-to-chip-shortage/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 Mar 2025 |website=Vice}}</ref>
==Incident==
During the global chip shortage from 2020–2023, Canon had difficulty obtaining chips used in their printer ink cartridges. This resulted in genuine Canon ink cartridges behaving as if they were aftermarket cartridges when inserted into some Canon printers. A support page on the Canon website was created that instructed customers to ignore the warning or error messages that appeared as a result, stating this would cause "no negative effects on print quality".<ref>Original: [https://www.canon.de/support/business/interim-toner/ Canon Support - Germany] Archived Dec 31st 2023: [https://web.archive.org/web/20231231021849/https://www.canon.de/support/business/interim-toner/ archive.org]</ref>

==Company Response==
Canon's instructions to customers in its support page to ignore these printer warning messages drew attention on social media from tech news outlets that considered the practice anti-competitive,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tracy |first=Phillip |date=11 Jan 2022 |title=Printer Cartridge Debacle Forces Canon to Tell Customers How to Break DRM |url=https://gizmodo.com/printer-cartridge-debacle-forces-canon-to-tell-customer-1848332901 |url-status=live |access-date=20 Mar 2025 |website=GizModo}}</ref> with Vice stating: "as consumers and digital rights activists have been pointing out for ages, Canon essentially admits that its own DRM is absolutely not necessary".<ref name=":0" />

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Canon]]
[[Category:Articles based on videos]]

Itron

2026-01-26T18:54:37Z

Matt78: Added logo, removed template

{{Incomplete|Issue 1 = Needs additional sourcing - none of the main accusations are sufficiently backed up, and seem speculative}}

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1977
|Industry=[[Smart meter]](s) and Modules, Smart Grid, Data Collection, Analysis Software, Data Management, Water Communication Modules, Internet of Things (IoT), Smart Cities, Sensing + Control, Solar Monitoring, Natural Gas Detectors, Distributed Energy Resources, Smart Streetlights
|Type=Public
|Website=https://na.itron.com
|Description=Itron, Inc. is an American technology company that offers products and services for energy and water resource management.
|Logo=Itron Logo.png}}

'''Itron, Inc.''' is an American technology company that offers products and services for energy and water resource management. It is headquartered in Liberty Lake, Washington, United States. The company's products measure and analyze electricity, gas and water consumption. Its products include electricity, gas, water and thermal energy measurement devices and control technology, communications systems, software, as well as managed and consulting services.

==Consumer-impact summary==
Itron's services and products allow Itron access to many sources of data from their customers (mainly energy companies) and customers' end users:
*User Freedom - Many distribution and energy companies force customers to use technology from Itron (ex:[[Smart meter]](s) for gas, water, and electric) or face a monthly charge.
*User Privacy - Unable to view Itron Data Processing Agreement (Itron as Processor) https://na.itron.com/legal/privacy/contracts
*Business Model
*Market Control - Several utility profiders use Itron's services and technologies, see below for partial list:{{CitationNeeded}}

North America: CenterPoint Energy; Central Hudson; Southern California Edison; Pacific Gas & Electric; BC Hydro; FirstEnergy; DTE Energy; San Diego Gas & Electric; NYSEG; Cleveland Water; Sacramento Municipal Utility District; Glendale Water and Power;RG&E; Rancho California Water District; Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP); Florida Power & Light; Public Services Company of New Mexico

Europe, Middle East & Africa: EDF Energy; Gaz Réseau Distribution France (GRDF); Yorkshire Water; Italgas; Malta Water Services Corporation; State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR); Aguas de Valencia; Linea Distribuzione, Stadtnetze Neustadt and Stadtwerke Garbsen.

Asia Pacific & Australia: Powercor; CitiPower; PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN); Hong Kong Water; Sydney Water; Mitsubishi Electric Corporation; Tonga Power Limited (TPL).

South America: Iberdrola; Dominican Corporation of State Electricity Companies; NAMC Algeria; CPFL Energia; Eletrobras; ELO Sistemas Eletrônicos (ELO).

==Incidents==
===Itron's Smart meters allow them to collect, process, and store data without the end users' knowledge. (1980-Present)===
The major issue with Itron's smart meters is utility companies typically do not disclose to their customers what brand smart meter is being installed at their residence, what is happening with the data collected from the third party smart meter, or inform customers of the third party smart meter companies' privacy policy.

There is a possibility that data from Itron's end users has already been leaked. As an article from the International Energy Agency (IEA) states:
<blockquote>"Publicly available information on significant cybersecurity incidents is limited due to under-reporting and lack of detection. However, there is increasing evidence that cyberattacks on utilities have been growing rapidly since 2018, reaching alarmingly high levels in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Casanovas |first=Marc |last2=Nghiem |first2=Aloys |date=August 1, 2023 |title=Cybersecurity – is the power system lagging behind? |url=https://www.iea.org/commentaries/cybersecurity-is-the-power-system-lagging-behind |url-status=live
|access-date=September 28, 2025 |website=IEA – International Energy Agency}}</ref></blockquote>

===NYSEG requires customers to switch to Itron Smart meters or face monthly charge (November 2022-Present)===
NYSEG is in the process of switching all it's customers to the '''OpenWay Riva CENTRON''' smart meter made by Itron without disclosing the brand of meter to customers. If customers choose to opt-out of the smart meter they will be charged a monthly fee, this fee is currently $13.47 and subject to change in the future. The expected completion date of the smart meter installation is sometime 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Installation: Smart meter installation |url=https://www.nyseg.com/smartenergy/innovation/smartmeters/installation |access-date=September 28, 2025 |website=nyseg}}</ref>

===CenterPoint Energy requires customers to switch to Itron Smart meters or face one-time and monthly service charges (Unknown-Present)===
CenterPoint is switching all it's customers to the '''OpenWay Riva CENTRON''' smart meter made by Itron. If customers choose to opt-out of the smart meter they will be charged a one-time and a monthly fee.
<ref>{{Cite web |title=Smart Meter Opt Out |url=https://www.centerpointenergy.com/en-us/Services/Pages/Smart-Meter-Opt-Out |access-date=September 28, 2025 |website=centerpointenergy}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Non-standard meter option
!One-time fee
!Monthly fee
|-
|Existing Analog Meter
|$85
|$40
|-
|Replacing existing advanced meter with radio-disabled advanced meter
|$180
|$40
|-
|Replacing existing advanced meter with analog meter
|$190
|$40
|-
|Replacing existing advanced meter
with non-standard digital meter
|$200
|$40
|}

===Southern California Edison requires customers to switch to Itron Smart meters or face monthly charge (Unknown-Present)===

Southern California Edison is switching all it's customers to the '''OpenWay CENTRON''' smart meter made by Itron. If customers choose to opt-out of the smart meter they will be charged a set up fee of $50 and a $10 monthly fee. Income-qualified customers are charged a set up fee of $10 and a $5 monthly fee.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Smart Meter FAQs - SCE |url=https://www.sce.com/customer-service-center/help-center/billing-payments/understand-your-bill/smart-meter-faqs |access-date=September 28, 2025 |website=SCE}}</ref>

===FirstEnergy Corp. requires customers to switch to Itron Smart meters or face one-time and monthly service charges (Unknown-Present)===

FirstEnergy Corp. is switching all it's customers to the '''OpenWay CENTRON''' smart meter made by Itron. If customers choose to opt-out of the smart meter there is an up-front $44.46 charge to exchange the smart meter for a digital non-communicating meter, and a $15.00 monthly meter reading fee. Some customers can avoid the one-time meter exchange fee of $44.46 by choosing to have just have the transmitter in the AMI meter disabled, though the monthly meter reading charge of $15.00 still applies.
<ref>{{Cite web |title=Opt-Out Option |url= https://www.firstenergycorp.com/help/smart-meters/nj-smartmeter/nj-opt-out.html |access-date= September 28, 2025 |website=FirstEnergy Corp.}}</ref>

==Products==
'''Electricity Meters + Modules and Smart Electricity meters'''
*Cellular Module
*CENTRON
*CENTRON II
*CENTRON Polyphase
*CENTRON Polyphase III Advanced CP3SLV
*CENTRON Polyphase R400
*CENTRON R400
*CENTRON R450 Advanced Meter
*FDM Workorders
*Firmware Upgrader (FWU)
*Gen5 CENTRON II
*Gen5 Riva Meter
*Gen5 Riva Polyphase Electric Meter
*Itron Mobile Radio (IMR)
*Meter Program Configurator (MPC)
*OpenWay CENTRON
*OpenWay CENTRON Cellular LTE-M
*OpenWay CENTRON Polyphase Meter
*OpenWay Riva CENTRON Meter
*OpenWay Riva CENTRON Polyphase Meter
*PC-PRO+ Advanced
*SENTINEL
*Solar Meter
==See also==
*[[Smart meter]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

File:Itron Logo.png

2026-01-26T18:53:21Z

Matt78: Itron logo without background.

== Summary ==
Itron logo without background.

Roborock

2026-01-26T18:51:52Z

Matt78: Fixed reference

{{Incomplete}}
{{SloppyAI}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Description=
|Founded=2014
|Industry=Cleaning, Electronics, Robotics
|Logo=Roborock.png
|ParentCompany=
|Type=
|Website=https://us.roborock.com/
}}
'''[[wikipedia:Roborock|Roborock]]''' is a prominent Chinese manufacturer of robotic vacuum cleaners founded by Richard Chang in July 2014 that offers users an app to control and monitor their devices.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roborock |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roborock |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260126181952/http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FRoborock |archive-date=2026-01-26 |access-date=2026-01-26 |website=Wikipedia}}</ref>

==Consumer impact summary==
{{Placeholder box|Overview of concerns that arise from the company's conduct regarding (if applicable):
* User Freedom
* User Privacy
* Business Model
* Market Control}}

==Anti-consumer practices==

===Inaccessibility of Repair Parts and Anti-Repair Practices===
Roborock restricts access to repair parts, schematics, and documentation for out-of-warranty products. Consumers and even professional repair technicians have reported substantial difficulty sourcing critical components, effectively rendering repairs impossible or unreliable.

====Case Example – Roborock S7 Max-V Power Supply Board Failure:====
Following a power surge during a storm, a consumer's Roborock S7 Max-V robotic vacuum (retail value approximately $1,000) suffered a failure of its dock power supply board. Despite being a relatively simple electronics issue, the user encountered the following obstacles:

*No Official Support for Out-of-Warranty Repairs: Roborock does not sell replacement parts to consumers
*No Access to schematics or pin-out documentation
*Global parts scarcity and regional lockout: OEM parts must often be sourced from Chinese vendors via unofficial channels, with no guarantee of compatibility or full feature support (e.g., drawing/map functions or pin-outs for daughter boards)
*Well established repair centers also blocked: Even specialized robotic vacuum repair centers in the United States have acknowledged they are unable to obtain these parts through any official channel

====Broader Implications:====
This reflects a growing trend in consumer electronics where manufacturers:

*Lock down access to internal components
*Fail to support long-term maintainability of products
*Push customers toward full replacement over repair (even for minor failures)

====Result:====
Customers are forced to either discard a high-value device due to a single point of failure or resort to sourcing questionable aftermarket parts (undermining both sustainability and consumer rights).

===Spam===
Some users have reported receiving unsolicited promotional notifications through the app, which they consider spam.

===User experiences with promotional notifications===
Several users have expressed frustration over receiving promotional content via the Roborock app. For instance, a discussion on Reddit highlighted concerns about notification ad spam, with users debating the implications of disabling certain notification settings. One user noted that turning off the "Allow Roborock Product and Service Updates" setting might prevent both promotional messages and important service updates.
REDDIT

Another user shared their annoyance with the app's notifications, stating that while they want alerts for issues like the vacuum getting stuck, they find the promotional messages intrusive. They expressed disappointment that disabling these ads also meant losing essential notifications. <ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Roborock/comments/1cn367g/seriously_notification_ad_spam/ REDDIT</ref>

===Roborock's response and user actions===
In response to these concerns, some users have suggested reaching out directly to Roborock's support team to report the issue. One user recommended emailing support@roborock.com to express dissatisfaction with the promotional notifications, hoping that a collective effort might lead to a change in the company's approach. <ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Roborock/comments/1cn32ke/advertisement_in_app_now/ REDDIT</ref>

===Steps to manage notifications===
To manage or disable promotional notifications in the Roborock app, users can navigate to the app's settings:

Open the Roborock app.
Go to "Message Settings."
Select "Device Notifications."
Adjust the settings to disable promotional messages while retaining essential device alerts.
It's important to note that some users have reported that disabling certain notifications might also prevent important updates about the device's status or maintenance needs. Therefore, users should carefully consider which notifications to disable to ensure they continue receiving critical information about their device's performance.

In summary, while the Roborock app provides valuable functionalities for device management, the inclusion of promotional notifications has been a point of contention among users. By adjusting notification settings and communicating feedback to the company, users can work towards a more tailored and satisfactory experience.

==Privacy friendly alternative firmware==
Some users may not be comfortable connecting a device that maps their home and has a built-in microphone to a cloud service or even granting it internet access.

It is possible to operate some of their vacuum robots with alternative firmware [https://valetudo.cloud/ Valetudo]. This voids the warranty, may require small modifications to the device depending on the model and may disable some features, but allows them to be used and controlled in a privacy friendly manner without internet access or connecting to Roborock's cloud.

==Products==

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

Oneplus phone update introduces hardware anti-rollback

2026-01-24T04:13:09Z

Matt78: Updated link

{{IncidentCargo
|incident_name = OnePlus ColorOS 16.0.3.501 Anti-Rollback Fuse Incident
|date = January 2026
|company = OnePlus, OPPO, BBK Electronics
|industry = Consumer electronics, Smartphones
|category = Firmware restriction, Right to repair
|status = Ongoing
|description = OnePlus firmware update introduces permanent hardware-level anti-rollback mechanism that bricks devices attempting to downgrade
}}{{OngoingEvent}}
The OnePlus ColorOS 16.0.3.501 Anti-Rollback Fuse Incident refers to the January 2026 deployment of firmware updates by [[OnePlus]] that introduced a hardware-level anti-rollback mechanism. This permanently preventing users from downgrading their devices or installing custom ROMs. The updates, which affected the OnePlus 13, OnePlus 15, & OnePlus Ace 5 series, blow irreversible electronic fuses in the device's [[Qualcomm]] processor. Any subsequent attempt to install older firmware results in a permanent "hard brick" - the device becomes unusable. This cannot be repaired through standard methods.<ref name="xda-warning">{{cite web |url=https://xdaforums.com/t/critical-warning-coloros-16-0-3-501-updates-permanent-anti-rollback-arb-fuse-blown-do-not-downgrade.4775930/ |title=[CRITICAL WARNING] ColorOS 16.0.3.501 Updates = PERMANENT Anti-Rollback (ARB) & Fuse Blown. DO NOT DOWNGRADE! |website=XDA Forums |date=January 19, 2026 |access-date=January 22, 2026}}</ref>

OnePlus has not issued any official statement addressing the mechanism.<ref name="android-authority">{{cite web |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/oneplus-arb-protection-3633783/ |title=New OnePlus updates can permanently lock your phone's software future |author=Adamya Sharma |website=Android Authority |date=January 19, 2026 |access-date=January 22, 2026}}</ref>

==Background==

OnePlus was founded on December 16, 2013, by Pete Lau and Carl Pei, both former OPPO executives, with OPPO Electronics as the primary investor.<ref name="wikipedia-oneplus">{{cite web |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OnePlus |title=OnePlus |website=Wikipedia |access-date=January 22, 2026}}</ref> The company's first device, the OnePlus One, shipped with [[wikipedia:CyanogenMod|CyanogenMod]], a commercial variant of the popular custom ROM, through an exclusive licensing agreement with Cyanogen Inc.<ref name="wikipedia-oneplus-one">{{cite web |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OnePlus_One |title=OnePlus One |website=Wikipedia |access-date=January 22, 2026}}</ref> This partnership positioned OnePlus as a choice for modding enthusiasts.

When that partnership collapsed due to Cyanogen's exclusivity deal with Micromax in India, OnePlus developed OxygenOS for global markets and HydrogenOS for China.<ref name="wikipedia-oneplus" />

In July 2021, OnePlus merged OxygenOS with OPPO's ColorOS, sharing a common codebase while maintaining separate branding for different regions.<ref name="wikipedia-oneplus" />

==Timeline==

On January 18, 2026, users who updated to ColorOS 16.0.3.501 began reporting that their devices could not be reverted to previous versions. One OnePlus 13 owner reported that after flashing ColorOS 15, the phone entered EDL mode and was detected as "Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008," with the Chimera Rescue Tool unable to find a working programmer.<ref name="hard-brick-report">{{cite web |url=https://xdaforums.com/t/hard-brick-oneplus-13-pjz110.4775945/ |title=Hard Brick Oneplus 13 (PJZ110) |website=XDA Forums |date=January 18, 2026 |access-date=January 22, 2026}}</ref>

On January 19, 2026, XDA Forums member AdaUnlocked posted a warning thread documenting the issue with evidence including chat logs showing that the CPU anti-rollback fuse had been blown, warnings from paid unbrick services stating that Snapdragon 8 Elite devices updated to the affected build should not be downgraded, & user reports confirming that motherboard replacement was required after failed downgrade attempts.<ref name="xda-warning" />

DroidWin confirmed that OnePlus had removed the download links for the OnePlus 13 downgrade firmware for all regions and that OnePlus 12 downgrade packages had been removed as well.<ref name="droidwin">{{cite web |url=https://droidwin.com/oneplus-android-16-anti-rollback-is-here/ |title=OnePlus Android 16 Anti Rollback is Here! |author=Sadique Hassan |website=DroidWin |date=January 20, 2026 |access-date=January 22, 2026}}</ref>

==Affected devices==

The following devices and firmware versions have been confirmed to trigger the anti-rollback fuse:

*OnePlus 12: ColorOS 16.0.3.500 & 15.0.0.862
*OnePlus 13 / 13T: ColorOS 16.0.3.501 & 15.0.0.862
*OnePlus 15: ColorOS 16.0.3.503
*OnePlus Ace 5 / Ace 5 Pro: ColorOS 16.0.3.500 & 15.0.0.862
*OPPO Find X7 Ultra''':''' ColorOS 16.0.3.500
*OPPO Pad 4 Pro''':''' ColorOS 16.0.3.501
*OnePlus Pad 2 Pro (CN) / OnePlus Pad 3 (Global): ColorOS 16.0.3.501<ref name="xda-warning" />

Android Authority reported that the OPPO Find X8 series is considered at high risk, while the OnePlus 11 and OnePlus 12 could be next in line to receive similar updates.<ref name="android-authority" />

Devices running firmware version 16.0.2.402 or lower remain unaffected. The XDA thread advises users to avoid any OTA update ending in .500, .501, or .503 until community verification confirms safety.<ref name="xda-warning" />

==Technical mechanism==

The anti-rollback mechanism uses Qfprom (Qualcomm Fuse Programmable Read-Only Memory), a region on Qualcomm processors containing one-time programmable electronic fuses. These microscopic components are physically altered when "blown"; a controlled voltage pulse permanently changes the fuse's state from "0" to "1." This change cannot be reversed by any software means.<ref name="xda-warning" />

DroidWin explained that the implementation works similarly to how Knox gets tripped on Samsung devices upon unlocking the bootloader: both are e-fuses embedded in the motherboard that become permanently fused upon triggering. Changing the motherboard is the only way to restore the default state.<ref name="droidwin" />

When the device powers on, the Primary Boot Loader in the processor's ROM loads and verifies the eXtensible Boot Loader (XBL). XBL reads the current anti-rollback version from the Qfprom fuses and compares it against the firmware's embedded version number. If the firmware version is lower than the fuse value, boot is rejected. When newer firmware successfully boots, the bootloader issues commands through Qualcomm's TrustZone to blow additional fuses, permanently recording the new minimum version.<ref name="xda-warning" />

EDL (Emergency Download Mode), historically the last-resort recovery option using USB interface 9008, cannot bypass this protection. While EDL operates from the Primary Boot Loader ROM and allows direct storage writes, the eFuses remain in the processor silicon. EDL's Firehose programmers must be OEM-signed and contain their own anti-rollback versions; previously functional unbrick tools now fail because the fuse has been blown.<ref name="xda-warning" />

As explained on the XDA thread: "When we say 'Fuse Blown,' we are referring to Qfprom eFuses (Electronic Fuses) inside the Snapdragon chipset. It is not a physical fuse like in a household plug, so there is no smoke, no burning smell, and no heat. It is a microscopic logic gate that is electrically switched from '0' to '1'. Once it is switched, it effectively 'burns the bridge' to allow older software to run."<ref name="xda-warning" />

==Impact on custom ROMs==

The XDA warning describes the situation as dangerous for custom ROM users: <blockquote>''"Flashing ANY custom ROM developed prior to this update on top of ColorOS 16.0.3.501 (or newer) will result in an immediate HARD BRICK."<ref name="xda-warning" />''</blockquote>Custom ROMs package firmware components from the stock firmware they were built against. If a user's device has been updated to a fused firmware version & they flash a custom ROM built against older firmware, the anti-rollback mechanism triggers immediately. The XDA thread states:<blockquote>''"Almost ALL current Custom ROMs for OnePlus 13 / Ace 5 were built BEFORE this fuse policy was known. They are adapted for the 'Old' (Unfused) firmware environment."<ref name="xda-warning" />''</blockquote>AdaUnlocked characterized the impact on the development community as severe, noting that work on Custom ROMs, Ports, and GSIs would be rendered useless for fused devices.<ref name="xda-warning" />

The community recommendation is that users who have updated should not flash any custom ROM until developers explicitly announce support for fused devices with the new firmware base.<ref name="xda-warning" />

==Company response==

As of January 22, 2026, OnePlus, OPPO, and BBK Electronics have issued no official statement addressing the anti-rollback fuse mechanism. No press releases, community forum responses, or social media acknowledgments explain the policy or respond to reports of bricked devices.<ref name="android-authority" />

The removal of official downgrade packages from OnePlus's community forums on January 19, 2026, was interpreted by users as confirmation that the mechanism was intentional.<ref name="droidwin" />

==Comparison with other manufacturers==

Anti-rollback protection exists across the smartphone industry, but implementations vary in their impact on users.

[[Samsung Knox]] implements fuse-based security that trips permanently when non-OEM firmware is flashed, disabling Samsung Pay and Secure Folder. However, Android Authority noted that Samsung's implementation is not as stringent as OnePlus's; Samsung blocks the bootloader-unlocking process but usually does not hard-brick the phone if users attempt unauthorized modifications.<ref name="android-authority" />

DroidWin noted the irony of OnePlus's approach: <blockquote>''"EDL flashing is hardly used by 1-2% of its userbase, so rolling out a change to stop those niche segments of users from carrying out their tweaks, which would end up impacting the majority of its users, doesn't really add up."<ref name="droidwin" />''</blockquote>

==See also==
*[[Right to repair]]
*[[Planned obsolescence]]
*[[Bootloader unlocking]]
*[[Custom ROM]]
*[[Samsung Knox]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:2026 in technology]]
[[Category:OnePlus]]
[[Category:Right to repair]]
[[Category:Consumer protection]]
[[Category:Smartphone software]]
[[Category:Controversies]]

Autel

2026-01-22T18:33:52Z

Matt78:

{{StubNotice}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Website=https://autel.com/
|Description=Autel and subbrand Otofix - Automotive Diagnostic tools
|Logo=Autel logo.png|Type=Private|Industry=Automotive|Founded=2004}}Autel is a developer, manufacturer, and distributor of professional automotive diagnostic tools, equipment, and accessories.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Autel North America |url=https://autel.us/about/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251218041128/https://autel.us/about/ |archive-date=2025-12-18 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Autel |quote=Autel is a leading developer, manufacturer, and distributor of professional automotive diagnostic tools, equipment, and accessories.}}</ref>

== Consumer-impact summary ==
Autel has removed functions from their tools at the request of car manufacturers.

* Autel removed Ford immobilizer functions at Ford's request.<ref name=":0" />
* Autel did the same for Toyota with the immobilizer "All Keys Lost" functions.

==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]].
===Ford immobilizer functions removed (''25/08/2025'')===
On August 25, 2025, Autel removed all Autel IM608/IM508/KM100 Ford immobilizer functions at Ford's request. <blockquote>Dear Valued Autel Distributors/Users,

Thank you for your dedicated sales and support of Autel products. Together, we provide leading solutions essential for today’s shops to provide quality and efficient services to their customers. Because we value this relationship, we wanted to promptly discuss an action we must take with our Key and Immobilizer Programming tool line. Recently, Ford Motor Company notified us that we must remove specific key and immobilizer functions for Ford vehicles from our products, advising us that such functions are not within the scope of our software licensing agreement with them. To ensure we maintain good relations with Ford and access to Ford’s diagnostics data, which is essential to the ability of all our products to diagnose and service Ford vehicles, we are removing the requested Ford key functions from our products as of August 25, 2025. No Ford diagnostics functionality will be removed. Autel IM608/IM508/KM100 Ford immobilizer functions will be removed.

Though we are honoring Ford’s request and removing said software, we respectfully disagree with Ford and believe the Right to Repair Act grants us the right as developers of software for independent automotive repair and service shop, technicians, locksmiths and vehicle security professionals access to and use of this security-related data to develop key and immobilizer programming solutions on our products. The Ford Motor Company is the latest manufacturer in what seems to be an industry trend to deem security-related data and software outside the scope of permissible use in aftermarket products. This is unfortunate as we have acted in good faith to seek an equitable solution that would allow us to continue providing products with the same capabilities to our technicians and locksmith-users that they have relied on for years to carry out their trades and serve their customers. We ask our distributors to collaborate with us in building the necessary support and demand to drive change within our industry. Together, we believe we can begin to bring these features back into the aftermarket. We greatly appreciate your business and patience and apologize for this inconvenience.

Sincerely,

Autel U.S.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-08-06 |title=Autel is going to Remove Ford Immobilizer Functions |url=https://www.key-programmer.com/2025/08/06/autel-is-going-to-remove-ford-immobilizer-functions |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260121192342/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.key-programmer.com%2F2025%2F08%2F06%2Fautel-is-going-to-remove-ford-immobilizer-functions%2F |archive-date=2026-01-21 |access-date=2026-01-21}}</ref></blockquote>
===Toyota immobilizer "All Keys Lost" functions removed===
<blockquote>Dear Valued Partner,

Recently, Toyota Motor North America requested that Autel remove "all keys lost" security capabilities for Toyota vehicle brands from our tools, asserting that such functionality "goes beyond what is permitted in the License Agreement" for the software we purchase.

We believe and have responded that security functions fall under the terms "performing diagnosis, analysis, test, and repair of the Vehicle" in the license and, therefore, should be allowed. We believe we are operating within the confines of the Right to Repair memorandum of understanding, initially signed by automakers and the independent repair industry in 2014, stating that information related to diagnostics, repairs, and services are to be obtainable through secure data release.

We have removed the software functions requested by Toyota from our tools as a gesture of good faith as we continue to negotiate with Toyota to allow our locksmiths and vehicle tech-nicians to continue fully servicing Toyota security systems. We hope this gesture illustrates our desire for both parties to seek a timely and amicable resolution.

Autel is committed to investing in and developing products that are worthy of the technicians who use them. We apologize to our customers for any inconvenience this may cause and hope to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

Sincerely, Autel North America</blockquote>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Autel

2026-01-22T18:19:51Z

Matt78: Added company info

{{StubNotice}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Website=https://autel.com/
|Description=Autel and subbrand Otofix - Automotive Diagnostic tools
|Logo=Autel logo.png|Type=Private|Industry=Automotive|Founded=2004}}
{{Ph-C-Int}}

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

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
===Ford immobilizer functions removed (''25/08/2025'')===
On August 25, 2025, Autel removed all Autel IM608/IM508/KM100 Ford immobilizer functions at Ford's request. <blockquote>Dear Valued Autel Distributors/Users,

Thank you for your dedicated sales and support of Autel products. Together, we provide leading solutions essential for today’s shops to provide quality and efficient services to their customers. Because we value this relationship, we wanted to promptly discuss an action we must take with our Key and Immobilizer Programming tool line. Recently, Ford Motor Company notified us that we must remove specific key and immobilizer functions for Ford vehicles from our products, advising us that such functions are not within the scope of our software licensing agreement with them. To ensure we maintain good relations with Ford and access to Ford’s diagnostics data, which is essential to the ability of all our products to diagnose and service Ford vehicles, we are removing the requested Ford key functions from our products as of August 25, 2025. No Ford diagnostics functionality will be removed. Autel IM608/IM508/KM100 Ford immobilizer functions will be removed.

Though we are honoring Ford’s request and removing said software, we respectfully disagree with Ford and believe the Right to Repair Act grants us the right as developers of software for independent automotive repair and service shop, technicians, locksmiths and vehicle security professionals access to and use of this security-related data to develop key and immobilizer programming solutions on our products. The Ford Motor Company is the latest manufacturer in what seems to be an industry trend to deem security-related data and software outside the scope of permissible use in aftermarket products. This is unfortunate as we have acted in good faith to seek an equitable solution that would allow us to continue providing products with the same capabilities to our technicians and locksmith-users that they have relied on for years to carry out their trades and serve their customers. We ask our distributors to collaborate with us in building the necessary support and demand to drive change within our industry. Together, we believe we can begin to bring these features back into the aftermarket. We greatly appreciate your business and patience and apologize for this inconvenience.

Sincerely,

Autel U.S.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-06 |title=Autel is going to Remove Ford Immobilizer Functions |url=https://www.key-programmer.com/2025/08/06/autel-is-going-to-remove-ford-immobilizer-functions |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260121192342/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.key-programmer.com%2F2025%2F08%2F06%2Fautel-is-going-to-remove-ford-immobilizer-functions%2F |archive-date=2026-01-21 |access-date=2026-01-21}}</ref></blockquote>
===Toyota immobilizer All Key Lost functions removed(''date'')===
<blockquote>Dear Valued Partner,

Recently, Toyota Motor North America requested that Autel remove "all keys lost" security capabilities for Toyota vehicle brands from our tools, asserting that such functionality "goes beyond what is permitted in the License Agreement" for the software we purchase.

We believe and have responded that security functions fall under the terms "performing diagnosis, analysis, test, and repair of the Vehicle" in the license and, therefore, should be allowed. We believe we are operating within the confines of the Right to Repair memorandum of understanding, initially signed by automakers and the independent repair industry in 2014, stating that information related to diagnostics, repairs, and services are to be obtainable through secure data release.

We have removed the software functions requested by Toyota from our tools as a gesture of good faith as we continue to negotiate with Toyota to allow our locksmiths and vehicle tech-nicians to continue fully servicing Toyota security systems. We hope this gesture illustrates our desire for both parties to seek a timely and amicable resolution.

Autel is committed to investing in and developing products that are worthy of the technicians who use them. We apologize to our customers for any inconvenience this may cause and hope to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

Sincerely, Autel North America</blockquote>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Autel - Otofix

2026-01-21T19:47:21Z

Matt78: Matt78 moved page Autel - Otofix to Autel: Article is about Autel, not Otofix.

#REDIRECT [[Autel]]

Autel

2026-01-21T19:47:20Z

Matt78: Matt78 moved page Autel - Otofix to Autel: Article is about Autel, not Otofix.

{{StubNotice}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Website=https://autel.com/
|Description=Autel and subbrand Otofix - Automotive Diagnostic tools
|Logo=Autel logo.png}}
{{Ph-C-Int}}

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

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
===Ford immobilizer functions removed (''25/08/2025'')===
On August 25, 2025, Autel removed all Autel IM608/IM508/KM100 Ford immobilizer functions at Ford's request. <blockquote>Dear Valued Autel Distributors/Users,

Thank you for your dedicated sales and support of Autel products. Together, we provide leading solutions essential for today’s shops to provide quality and efficient services to their customers. Because we value this relationship, we wanted to promptly discuss an action we must take with our Key and Immobilizer Programming tool line. Recently, Ford Motor Company notified us that we must remove specific key and immobilizer functions for Ford vehicles from our products, advising us that such functions are not within the scope of our software licensing agreement with them. To ensure we maintain good relations with Ford and access to Ford’s diagnostics data, which is essential to the ability of all our products to diagnose and service Ford vehicles, we are removing the requested Ford key functions from our products as of August 25, 2025. No Ford diagnostics functionality will be removed. Autel IM608/IM508/KM100 Ford immobilizer functions will be removed.

Though we are honoring Ford’s request and removing said software, we respectfully disagree with Ford and believe the Right to Repair Act grants us the right as developers of software for independent automotive repair and service shop, technicians, locksmiths and vehicle security professionals access to and use of this security-related data to develop key and immobilizer programming solutions on our products. The Ford Motor Company is the latest manufacturer in what seems to be an industry trend to deem security-related data and software outside the scope of permissible use in aftermarket products. This is unfortunate as we have acted in good faith to seek an equitable solution that would allow us to continue providing products with the same capabilities to our technicians and locksmith-users that they have relied on for years to carry out their trades and serve their customers. We ask our distributors to collaborate with us in building the necessary support and demand to drive change within our industry. Together, we believe we can begin to bring these features back into the aftermarket. We greatly appreciate your business and patience and apologize for this inconvenience.

Sincerely,

Autel U.S.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-06 |title=Autel is going to Remove Ford Immobilizer Functions |url=https://www.key-programmer.com/2025/08/06/autel-is-going-to-remove-ford-immobilizer-functions |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260121192342/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.key-programmer.com%2F2025%2F08%2F06%2Fautel-is-going-to-remove-ford-immobilizer-functions%2F |archive-date=2026-01-21 |access-date=2026-01-21}}</ref></blockquote>
===Toyota immobilizer All Key Lost functions removed(''date'')===
<blockquote>Dear Valued Partner,

Recently, Toyota Motor North America requested that Autel remove "all keys lost" security capabilities for Toyota vehicle brands from our tools, asserting that such functionality "goes beyond what is permitted in the License Agreement" for the software we purchase.

We believe and have responded that security functions fall under the terms "performing diagnosis, analysis, test, and repair of the Vehicle" in the license and, therefore, should be allowed. We believe we are operating within the confines of the Right to Repair memorandum of understanding, initially signed by automakers and the independent repair industry in 2014, stating that information related to diagnostics, repairs, and services are to be obtainable through secure data release.

We have removed the software functions requested by Toyota from our tools as a gesture of good faith as we continue to negotiate with Toyota to allow our locksmiths and vehicle tech-nicians to continue fully servicing Toyota security systems. We hope this gesture illustrates our desire for both parties to seek a timely and amicable resolution.

Autel is committed to investing in and developing products that are worthy of the technicians who use them. We apologize to our customers for any inconvenience this may cause and hope to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

Sincerely, Autel North America</blockquote>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Autel

2026-01-21T19:45:20Z

Matt78:

File:Autel logo.png

2026-01-21T18:52:09Z

Matt78: Autel logo with red text

== Summary ==
Autel logo with red text

Vizio fined by the FTC for collecting and selling user data without consumer consent

2026-01-20T16:12:52Z

Matt78: Fixed references

{{StubNotice}}

On February 6th, 2017, The [[Federal Trade Commission|Federal Trade Commission (FTC)]] filed a lawsuit<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2017-02-06 |title=VIZIO, INC. and VIZIO Inscape Services, LLC |url=https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/162-3024-vizio-inc-vizio-inscape-services-llc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514204212/https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/162-3024-vizio-inc-vizio-inscape-services-llc |archive-date=2022-05-14 |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=The Federal Trade Commission}}</ref> against American electronics company [[Vizio|Vizio]] alleging privacy violations. FTC counted unfair tracking, deceptive omission regarding smart interactivity, and deceptive representation regarding smart interactivity. The Commission alleged Vizio had software installed on their smart televisions which collected user data, which they then sold to advertisers. {{IncidentCargo
|Company=Federal Trade Commission, Vizio
|StartDate=2017-02-17
|EndDate=2017-02-17
|Status=Resolved
|ProductLine=VIZIO Smart Televisions
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Privacy
|Description=VIZIO tracks Smart Television owners without consent.
}}
==Background==
Vizio was founded in 2002 as V Inc.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-23 |title=VIZIO |url=https://www.forbes.com/companies/vizio/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260119223325/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fcompanies%2Fvizio%2F |archive-date=2026-01-19 |access-date=2026-01-19 |website=Forbes |quote=Founded in Oct. 2002 as V, Inc}}</ref> and by 2007 they were already known for their affordable TVs. In 2011, they released their first smart TV line. This new line had built in software that would allow users to do things like connect the TV to internet, use Bluetooth and install apps. A few years after that, in 2015, Vizio launched their own operating system for these TVs called [[wikipedia:Vizio#Vizio_OS|SmartCast]] (now called Vizio OS) that utilized [[wikipedia:AirPlay|Apple AirPlay]] and [[wikipedia:Chromecast|Chromecast]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mashirenko |first=Anatoliy |date=2024-11-25 |title=Evolution of the Vizio TVs 2007-2024 |url=https://en.tab-tv.com/evolution-of-the-vizio-tvs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207045953/https://en.tab-tv.com/evolution-of-the-vizio-tvs/ |archive-date=2024-12-07 |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=Tab-Tv}}</ref>
==Vizio collecting data for marketing purposes without user consent==
A complaint filed by the FTC and New Jersey Attorney General says that, starting in February 2014, Vizio had been capturing everything that was displayed on the TV with ACR (Automatic Content Recognition) software, and allegedly collecting sex, age, income, marital status, household size, education level, home ownership, and household value to sell it to 3rd parties for targeted advertising, and other various purposes. Vizio matched what was displayed on the screen to a database of content<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2017-02-06 |title=VIZIO to Pay $2.2 Million to FTC, State of New Jersey to Settle Charges It Collected Viewing Histories on 11 Million Smart Televisions without Users’ Consent |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2017/02/vizio-pay-22-million-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it-collected-viewing-histories-11-million |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505152911/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2017/02/vizio-pay-22-million-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it-collected-viewing-histories-11-million |archive-date=2022-05-05 |access-date=2026-01-10 |website=Federal Trade Commission |no-pp=y}}</ref>. The FTC explained in a press release how this was being implemented : <blockquote>On a second-by-second basis, Vizio collected a selection of pixels on the screen that it matched to a database of TV, movie, and commercial content. What’s more, Vizio identified viewing data from cable or broadband service providers, set-top boxes, streaming devices, DVD players, and over-the-air broadcasts. Add it all up and Vizio captured as many as 100 billion data points each day from millions of TVs.<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>Vizio also advertised a feature called “Smart Interactivity” which “enables program offers and suggestions” according to Vizio. However Vizio did not disclose that this feature, enables collection of user data<ref name=":0" />. The feature also did not provide the advertised functionality<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fair |first=Lesley |date=2017-02-06 |title=What Vizio was doing behind the TV screen |url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2017/02/what-vizio-was-doing-behind-tv-screen |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313091120/https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2017/02/what-vizio-was-doing-behind-tv-screen |archive-date=2022-03-13 |access-date=2026-01-10 |website=Federal Trade Commission |quote=(Oh, and the 'Smart Interactivity' feature didn’t even provide the promised 'program offers and suggestions.')}}</ref>. The FTC said in a [https://archive.org/details/170206-vizio-stipulated-proposed-order/mode/2up court order] that Vizio must:<blockquote>A. Prominently disclose to the consumer, separate and apart from any “privacy

policy,” “terms of use” page, or other similar document: (1) the types of Viewing Data that will

be collected and used, (2) the types of Viewing Data that will be shared with third parties; (3) the

identity or specific categories of such third parties; and (4) all purposes for Defendants’ sharing

of such information;

B. Obtain the consumer’s affirmative express consent (1) at the time the disclosure in

Part II.A is made and (2) upon any material changes to the terms disclosed in Part II.A<ref name=":2">[[File:170206 vizio stipulated proposed order.pdf|thumb]]
Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction and Monetary Judgement (PDF), Federal Trade Commission, 2017-02-06, [https://archive.org/details/170206-vizio-stipulated-proposed-order/mode/2up archived] from the original on 2026-01-15</ref></blockquote>

==Lawsuit==

The FTC filed a case against Vizio on February 6, 2017 called "VIZIO, INC. and VIZIO Inscape Services, LLC".<ref name=":1" />

On February 6th, 2017, Vizio agreed to pay $2,200,000 to the FTC.

The complaint filed by the FTC acknowledges that Vizio sent onscreen notifications about changes to the Vizio privacy policy and Smart Interactivity being enabled for TVs that were updated in Febuary 2014, but this notification said nothing about the data being collected or Automatic Content Recognition. <blockquote>The VIZIO Privacy Policy has changed. Smart Interactivity has

been enabled on your TV, but you may disable it in the settings

menu. See www.vizio.com/privacy for more details. This

message will time out in 1 minute.</blockquote>In a court order from the case, the FTC said Vizio must, within 120 days of the order, delete all data that was collected before March 1st, 2016:<blockquote>IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that within 120 days after entry of this Order, Defendants

and Defendants’ officers, agents, employees, and attorneys, and all other persons in active

concert or participation with any of them, who receive actual notice of this Order, must destroy

Viewing Data that has been collected prior to March 1, 2016. Provided, however, that such

Viewing Data need not be destroyed, and may be disclosed, (A) to the extent requested by a

government agency or required by law, regulation, or court order, including without limitation as

required by rules applicable to the safeguarding of evidence in pending litigation, or (B) to the

extent a user of a television associated with the Viewing Data has affirmatively consented to the

collection, use, or disclosure thereof, consistent with Part II of this order.<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>

==Consumer response==

Jennifer Lynch, a senior staff attorney at the EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation), said in an interview with PBS NewsHour that "A $2.2 million dollar settlement for a company that sold 11 million TVs is a slap on the wrist,". Lynch also pointed out that the data deletion requirement of the settlement excludes data "requested by a government agency or required by law, regulation, or court order, including without limitation as required by rules applicable to the safeguarding of evidence in pending litigation", meaning some of the collected data was being given to law enforcement for evidence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morales Gomez |first=Dayana |author-link= |date=2017-02-07 |title=Vizio tracked, sold user data from millions of smart TVs, says FTC |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/vizio-tracked-sold-user-data-millions-smart-tvs-ftc-says |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260120005811/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbs.org%2Fnewshour%2Fnation%2Fvizio-tracked-sold-user-data-millions-smart-tvs-ftc-says |archive-date=2026-01-20 |access-date=2026-01-19 |website=PBS News |quote=}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Vizio]]

JetBlue Travel Credits

2026-01-20T16:05:42Z

Matt78: Fixed reference

{{Stub}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=JetBlue
|StartDate=2000
|EndDate=
|Status=Active
|Product=JetBlue Travel Credits
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Anti-consumer Behavior
|Description=JetBlue issues "travel credits" that only work at JetBlue as refunds instead of the currency that the ticket was purchased in. }}
JetBlue's travel credits are anti-consumer in nature due to their restrictive and devaluing nature compared to a cash refund. These limitations lock customers into future business with the airline, effectively removing their purchasing power while allowing JetBlue to hold onto cash for services it did not provide.
==Background==
When refunding a ticket, JetBlue does not refund with the same currency that was used to purchase the ticket<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-31 |title=Refunds {{!}} JetBlue |url=https://www.jetblue.com/help/refunds#get-a-refund |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250901021805/https://www.jetblue.com/help/refunds |archive-date=2025-09-01 |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=JetBlue}}</ref>. Instead, JetBlue issues a travel credit which limits what a person can spend their refunded money on, keeping it within the JetBlue ecosystem<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-31 |title=Travel Bank Credits {{!}} JetBlue |url=https://www.jetblue.com/help/travel-bank-credits#what-can-travel-credits-be-used-for |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250901022114/https://www.jetblue.com/help/travel-bank-credits |archive-date=2025-09-01 |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=JetBlue}}</ref>. By issuing travel credits instead of cash refunds, JetBlue coerces future business from customers who may have preferred to take their money to a different airline or travel another way.

==JetBlue refunds "travel credits" instead of the same currency that was used to purchase the ticket==
Rather than being a true refund, the credit functions as an interest-free loan from the customer to JetBlue or a "donation" with strings attached. This is particularly nefarious as JetBlue's travel credits expire if not spent in a set time period. The gift-card nature of the credit incentivizes an awkward balancing act: either spend more than the credit's value to make up the difference with cash, or risk "breakage" - the industry term for when a customer fails to use the entire value before its expiration date<ref>{{Cite web |last=Perkins-Southam |first=Toni |date=2024-12-19 |title=What Is Breakage And Why Does It Matter? |url=https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/what-is-breakage-and-why-does-it-matter/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207232150/https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/what-is-breakage-and-why-does-it-matter/ |archive-date=2024-12-07 |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Forbes}}</ref>. This encourages overspending to avoid wasting a small balance or, conversely, leaves customers with a nearly-spent balance that is too small to book a new flight and ultimately expires. This dynamic turns the unused portion of a customer's payment into pure, unearned revenue for JetBlue, a practice that shifts all the risk onto the consumer while the airline holds onto cash for services it never rendered.

==JetBlue travel credits not valid for as long as before==
During the COVID-19 pandemic, JetBlue made an unannounced policy change which stated that their travel credits which were issued as refunds would not be valid for as long as they were before. Without prior notice, JetBlue changed the policy so that the credits would be valid for one year from the original date of booking, rather than for one year from the date of cancellation, which is what it was previously.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reyes |first=Nick |date=2023-03-09 |title=JetBlue travel credits no longer valid as long as before |url=https://frequentmiler.com/jetblue-travel-credits-no-longer-valid-as-long-as-before/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250615151128/https://frequentmiler.com/jetblue-travel-credits-no-longer-valid-as-long-as-before/ |archive-date=2025-06-15 |access-date=2026-01-04 |website=Frequent Miler}}</ref> This was likely because this policy change took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning anyone who canceled a flight had less time to use it, and could not use it, because of the then on-going pandemic. As of July 2025, JetBlue travel credits still expire one year from the original booking date.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yadav |first=Arjun |date=2025-07-15 |title=Redeeming Jetblue Travel Bank: Quick And Easy Steps |url=https://quartzmountain.org/article/how-to-redeem-jetblue-travel-bank |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260104202717/https://quartzmountain.org/article/how-to-redeem-jetblue-travel-bank |archive-date=2026-01-04 |access-date=2026-01-04 |website=QuartzMountain}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:JetBlue]]

Vizio fined by the FTC for collecting and selling user data without consumer consent

2026-01-20T15:51:53Z

Matt78: Fixed reference, removed template

{{StubNotice}}

On February 6th, 2017, The [[Federal Trade Commission|Federal Trade Commission (FTC)]] filed a lawsuit<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2017-02-06 |title=VIZIO, INC. and VIZIO Inscape Services, LLC |url=https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/162-3024-vizio-inc-vizio-inscape-services-llc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514204212/https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/162-3024-vizio-inc-vizio-inscape-services-llc |archive-date=2022-05-14 |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=The Federal Trade Commission}}</ref> against American electronics company [[Vizio|Vizio]] alleging privacy violations. FTC counted unfair tracking, deceptive omission regarding smart interactivity, and deceptive representation regarding smart interactivity. The Commission alleged Vizio had software installed on their smart televisions which collected user data, which they then sold to advertisers. {{IncidentCargo
|Company=Federal Trade Commission, Vizio
|StartDate=2017-02-17
|EndDate=2017-02-17
|Status=Resolved
|ProductLine=VIZIO Smart Televisions
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Privacy
|Description=VIZIO tracks Smart Television owners without consent.
}}
==Background==
Vizio was founded in 2002 as V Inc.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-23 |title=VIZIO |url=https://www.forbes.com/companies/vizio/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260119223325/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fcompanies%2Fvizio%2F |archive-date=2026-01-19 |access-date=2026-01-19 |website=Forbes |quote=Founded in Oct. 2002 as V, Inc}}</ref> and by 2007 they were already known for their affordable TVs. In 2011, they released their first smart TV line. This new line had built in software that would allow users to do things like connect the TV to internet, use Bluetooth and install apps. A few years after that, in 2015, Vizio launched their own operating system for these TVs called [[wikipedia:Vizio#Vizio_OS|SmartCast]] (now called Vizio OS) that utilized [[wikipedia:AirPlay|Apple AirPlay]] and [[wikipedia:Chromecast|Chromecast]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mashirenko |first=Anatoliy |date=2024-11-25 |title=Evolution of the Vizio TVs 2007-2024 |url=https://en.tab-tv.com/evolution-of-the-vizio-tvs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207045953/https://en.tab-tv.com/evolution-of-the-vizio-tvs/ |archive-date=2024-12-07 |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=Tab-Tv}}</ref>
==Vizio collecting data for marketing purposes without user consent==
A complaint filed by the FTC and New Jersey Attorney General says that, starting in February 2014, Vizio had been capturing everything that was displayed on the TV with ACR (Automatic Content Recognition) software, and allegedly collecting sex, age, income, marital status, household size, education level, home ownership, and household value to sell it to 3rd parties for targeted advertising, and other various purposes. Vizio matched what was displayed on the screen to a database of content<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2017-02-06 |title=VIZIO to Pay $2.2 Million to FTC, State of New Jersey to Settle Charges It Collected Viewing Histories on 11 Million Smart Televisions without Users’ Consent |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2017/02/vizio-pay-22-million-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it-collected-viewing-histories-11-million |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505152911/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2017/02/vizio-pay-22-million-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it-collected-viewing-histories-11-million |archive-date=2022-05-05 |access-date=2026-01-10 |website=Federal Trade Commission |no-pp=y}}</ref>. The FTC explained in a press release how this was being implemented : <blockquote>On a second-by-second basis, Vizio collected a selection of pixels on the screen that it matched to a database of TV, movie, and commercial content. What’s more, Vizio identified viewing data from cable or broadband service providers, set-top boxes, streaming devices, DVD players, and over-the-air broadcasts. Add it all up and Vizio captured as many as 100 billion data points each day from millions of TVs.<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>Vizio also advertised a feature called “Smart Interactivity” which “enables program offers and suggestions” according to Vizio. However Vizio did not disclose that this feature, enables collection of user data<ref name=":0" />. The feature also did not provide the advertised functionality<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fair |first=Lesley |date=2017-02-06 |title=What Vizio was doing behind the TV screen |url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2017/02/what-vizio-was-doing-behind-tv-screen |url-status=live |archive-url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2017/02/what-vizio-was-doing-behind-tv-screen |archive-date=2022-03-13 |access-date=2026-01-10 |website=Federal Trade Commission |quote=(Oh, and the 'Smart Interactivity' feature didn’t even provide the promised 'program offers and suggestions.')}}</ref>. The FTC said in a [https://archive.org/details/170206-vizio-stipulated-proposed-order/mode/2up court order] that Vizio must:<blockquote>A. Prominently disclose to the consumer, separate and apart from any “privacy

policy,” “terms of use” page, or other similar document: (1) the types of Viewing Data that will

be collected and used, (2) the types of Viewing Data that will be shared with third parties; (3) the

identity or specific categories of such third parties; and (4) all purposes for Defendants’ sharing

of such information;

B. Obtain the consumer’s affirmative express consent (1) at the time the disclosure in

Part II.A is made and (2) upon any material changes to the terms disclosed in Part II.A<ref name=":2">[[File:170206 vizio stipulated proposed order.pdf|thumb]]
Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction and Monetary Judgement (PDF), Federal Trade Commission, 2017-02-06, [https://archive.org/details/170206-vizio-stipulated-proposed-order/mode/2up archived] from the original on 2026-01-15</ref></blockquote>

==Lawsuit==

The FTC filed a case against Vizio on February 6, 2017 called "VIZIO, INC. and VIZIO Inscape Services, LLC".<ref name=":1" />

On February 6th, 2017, Vizio agreed to pay $2,200,000 to the FTC.

The complaint filed by the FTC acknowledges that Vizio sent onscreen notifications about changes to the Vizio privacy policy and Smart Interactivity being enabled for TVs that were updated in Febuary 2014, but this notification said nothing about the data being collected or Automatic Content Recognition. <blockquote>The VIZIO Privacy Policy has changed. Smart Interactivity has

been enabled on your TV, but you may disable it in the settings

menu. See www.vizio.com/privacy for more details. This

message will time out in 1 minute.</blockquote>In a court order from the case, the FTC said Vizio must, within 120 days of the order, delete all data that was collected before March 1st, 2016:<blockquote>IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that within 120 days after entry of this Order, Defendants

and Defendants’ officers, agents, employees, and attorneys, and all other persons in active

concert or participation with any of them, who receive actual notice of this Order, must destroy

Viewing Data that has been collected prior to March 1, 2016. Provided, however, that such

Viewing Data need not be destroyed, and may be disclosed, (A) to the extent requested by a

government agency or required by law, regulation, or court order, including without limitation as

required by rules applicable to the safeguarding of evidence in pending litigation, or (B) to the

extent a user of a television associated with the Viewing Data has affirmatively consented to the

collection, use, or disclosure thereof, consistent with Part II of this order.<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>

==Consumer response==

Jennifer Lynch, a senior staff attorney at the EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation), said in an interview with PBS NewsHour that "A $2.2 million dollar settlement for a company that sold 11 million TVs is a slap on the wrist,". Lynch also pointed out that the data deletion requirement of the settlement excludes data "requested by a government agency or required by law, regulation, or court order, including without limitation as required by rules applicable to the safeguarding of evidence in pending litigation", meaning some of the collected data was being given to law enforcement for evidence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morales Gomez |first=Dayana |author-link= |date=2017-02-07 |title=Vizio tracked, sold user data from millions of smart TVs, says FTC |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/vizio-tracked-sold-user-data-millions-smart-tvs-ftc-says |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260120005811/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbs.org%2Fnewshour%2Fnation%2Fvizio-tracked-sold-user-data-millions-smart-tvs-ftc-says |archive-date=2026-01-20 |access-date=2026-01-19 |website=PBS News |quote=Jennifer Lynch, senior staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said in an interview with PBS NewsHour that while the settlement is a win for consumers, it's not clear whether this will hurt Vizio or encourage policy changes at other companies.
'A $2.2 million dollar settlement for a company that sold 11 million TVs is a slap on the wrist,' Lynch said.
Lynch also pointed out some of the data Vizio collected was being handed over to law enforcement officials. The settlement excludes data 'requested by a government agency or required by law, regulation, or court order, including without limitation as required by rules applicable to the safeguarding of evidence in pending litigation' from the data deletion requirement.}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Vizio]]

Vizio fined by the FTC for collecting and selling user data without consumer consent

2026-01-20T01:03:34Z

Matt78: Added citation, removed comma

{{StubNotice}}

On February 6th, 2017, The [[Federal Trade Commission|Federal Trade Commission (FTC)]] filed a lawsuit<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2017-02-06 |title=VIZIO, INC. and VIZIO Inscape Services, LLC |url=https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/162-3024-vizio-inc-vizio-inscape-services-llc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514204212/https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/162-3024-vizio-inc-vizio-inscape-services-llc |archive-date=2022-05-14 |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=The Federal Trade Commission}}</ref> against American electronics company [[Vizio|Vizio]] alleging privacy violations. FTC counted unfair tracking, deceptive omission regarding smart interactivity, and deceptive representation regarding smart interactivity. The Commission alleged Vizio had software installed on their smart televisions which collected user data, which they then sold to advertisers. {{IncidentCargo
|Company=Federal Trade Commission, Vizio
|StartDate=2017-02-17
|EndDate=2017-02-17
|Status=Resolved
|ProductLine=VIZIO Smart Televisions
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Privacy
|Description=VIZIO tracks Smart Television owners without consent.
}}
==Background==
Vizio was founded in 2002 as V Inc.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-23 |title=VIZIO |url=https://www.forbes.com/companies/vizio/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260119223325/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fcompanies%2Fvizio%2F |archive-date=2026-01-19 |access-date=2026-01-19 |website=Forbes |quote=Founded in Oct. 2002 as V, Inc}}</ref> and by 2007 they were already known for their affordable TVs. In 2011, they released their first smart TV line. This new line had built in software that would allow users to do things like connect the TV to internet, use Bluetooth and install apps. A few years after that, in 2015, Vizio launched their own operating system for these TVs called [[wikipedia:Vizio#Vizio_OS|SmartCast]] (now called Vizio OS) that utilized [[wikipedia:AirPlay|Apple AirPlay]] and [[wikipedia:Chromecast|Chromecast]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mashirenko |first=Anatoliy |date=2024-11-25 |title=Evolution of the Vizio TVs 2007-2024 |url=https://en.tab-tv.com/evolution-of-the-vizio-tvs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207045953/https://en.tab-tv.com/evolution-of-the-vizio-tvs/ |archive-date=2024-12-07 |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=Tab-Tv}}</ref>
==Vizio collecting data for marketing purposes without user consent==
A complaint filed by the FTC and New Jersey Attorney General says that, starting in February 2014, Vizio had been capturing everything that was displayed on the TV with ACR (Automatic Content Recognition) software, and allegedly collecting sex, age, income, marital status, household size, education level, home ownership, and household value to sell it to 3rd parties for targeted advertising, and other various purposes. Vizio matched what was displayed on the screen to a database of content<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2017-02-06 |title=VIZIO to Pay $2.2 Million to FTC, State of New Jersey to Settle Charges It Collected Viewing Histories on 11 Million Smart Televisions without Users’ Consent |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2017/02/vizio-pay-22-million-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it-collected-viewing-histories-11-million |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505152911/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2017/02/vizio-pay-22-million-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it-collected-viewing-histories-11-million |archive-date=2022-05-05 |access-date=2026-01-10 |website=Federal Trade Commission |no-pp=y}}</ref>. The FTC explained in a press release how this was being implemented : <blockquote>On a second-by-second basis, Vizio collected a selection of pixels on the screen that it matched to a database of TV, movie, and commercial content. What’s more, Vizio identified viewing data from cable or broadband service providers, set-top boxes, streaming devices, DVD players, and over-the-air broadcasts. Add it all up and Vizio captured as many as 100 billion data points each day from millions of TVs.<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>Vizio also advertised a feature called “Smart Interactivity” which “enables program offers and suggestions” according to Vizio. However Vizio did not disclose that this feature, enables collection of user data<ref name=":0" />. The feature also did not provide the advertised functionality<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fair |first=Lesley |date=2017-02-06 |title=What Vizio was doing behind the TV screen |url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2017/02/what-vizio-was-doing-behind-tv-screen |url-status=live |archive-url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2017/02/what-vizio-was-doing-behind-tv-screen |archive-date=2022-03-13 |access-date=2026-01-10 |website=Federal Trade Commission |quote=(Oh, and the 'Smart Interactivity' feature didn’t even provide the promised 'program offers and suggestions.')}}</ref>. The FTC said in a [https://archive.org/details/170206-vizio-stipulated-proposed-order/mode/2up court order] that Vizio must:<blockquote>A. Prominently disclose to the consumer, separate and apart from any “privacy

policy,” “terms of use” page, or other similar document: (1) the types of Viewing Data that will

be collected and used, (2) the types of Viewing Data that will be shared with third parties; (3) the

identity or specific categories of such third parties; and (4) all purposes for Defendants’ sharing

of such information;

B. Obtain the consumer’s affirmative express consent (1) at the time the disclosure in

Part II.A is made and (2) upon any material changes to the terms disclosed in Part II.A<ref name=":2">[[File:170206 vizio stipulated proposed order.pdf|thumb]]
Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction and Monetary Judgement (PDF), Federal Trade Commission, 2017-02-06, [https://archive.org/details/170206-vizio-stipulated-proposed-order/mode/2up archived] from the original on 2026-01-15</ref></blockquote>

==Lawsuit==

The FTC filed a case against Vizio on February 6, 2017 called "VIZIO, INC. and VIZIO Inscape Services, LLC".<ref name=":1" />

On February 6th, 2017, Vizio agreed to pay $2,200,000 to the FTC.

The complaint filed by the FTC acknowledges that Vizio sent onscreen notifications about changes to the Vizio privacy policy and Smart Interactivity being enabled for TVs that were updated in Febuary 2014, but this notification said nothing about the data being collected or Automatic Content Recognition. <blockquote>The VIZIO Privacy Policy has changed. Smart Interactivity has

been enabled on your TV, but you may disable it in the settings

menu. See www.vizio.com/privacy for more details. This

message will time out in 1 minute.</blockquote>In a court order from the case, the FTC said Vizio must, within 120 days of the order, delete all data that was collected before March 1st, 2016:<blockquote>IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that within 120 days after entry of this Order, Defendants

and Defendants’ officers, agents, employees, and attorneys, and all other persons in active

concert or participation with any of them, who receive actual notice of this Order, must destroy

Viewing Data that has been collected prior to March 1, 2016. Provided, however, that such

Viewing Data need not be destroyed, and may be disclosed, (A) to the extent requested by a

government agency or required by law, regulation, or court order, including without limitation as

required by rules applicable to the safeguarding of evidence in pending litigation, or (B) to the

extent a user of a television associated with the Viewing Data has affirmatively consented to the

collection, use, or disclosure thereof, consistent with Part II of this order.<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>

==Consumer response==

Jennifer Lynch, a senior staff attorney at the EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation), said in an interview with PBS NewsHour that "A $2.2 million dollar settlement for a company that sold 11 million TVs is a slap on the wrist,". Lynch also pointed out that the data deletion requirement of the settlement excludes data "requested by a government agency or required by law, regulation, or court order, including without limitation as required by rules applicable to the safeguarding of evidence in pending litigation", meaning some of the collected data was being given to law enforcement for evidence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morales Gomez |first=Dayana |author-link=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/author/dayana-morales-gomez |date=2017-02-07 |title=Vizio tracked, sold user data from millions of smart TVs, says FTC |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/vizio-tracked-sold-user-data-millions-smart-tvs-ftc-says |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260120005811/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbs.org%2Fnewshour%2Fnation%2Fvizio-tracked-sold-user-data-millions-smart-tvs-ftc-says |archive-date=2026-01-19 |access-date=2026-01-19 |website=PBS News |quote=Jennifer Lynch, senior staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said in an interview with PBS NewsHour that while the settlement is a win for consumers, it's not clear whether this will hurt Vizio or encourage policy changes at other companies.
'A $2.2 million dollar settlement for a company that sold 11 million TVs is a slap on the wrist,' Lynch said.
Lynch also pointed out some of the data Vizio collected was being handed over to law enforcement officials. The settlement excludes data 'requested by a government agency or required by law, regulation, or court order, including without limitation as required by rules applicable to the safeguarding of evidence in pending litigation' from the data deletion requirement.}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}
[[Category:Vizio]]

Vizio fined by the FTC for collecting and selling user data without consumer consent

2026-01-20T00:49:00Z

Matt78:

{{StubNotice}}

On February 6th, 2017, The [[Federal Trade Commission|Federal Trade Commission (FTC)]] filed a lawsuit<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2017-02-06 |title=VIZIO, INC. and VIZIO Inscape Services, LLC |url=https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/162-3024-vizio-inc-vizio-inscape-services-llc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514204212/https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/162-3024-vizio-inc-vizio-inscape-services-llc |archive-date=2022-05-14 |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=The Federal Trade Commission}}</ref> against American electronics company [[Vizio|Vizio]] alleging privacy violations. FTC counted unfair tracking, deceptive omission regarding smart interactivity, and deceptive representation regarding smart interactivity. The Commission alleged Vizio had software installed on their smart televisions which collected user data, which they then sold to advertisers. {{IncidentCargo
|Company=Federal Trade Commission, Vizio
|StartDate=2017-02-17
|EndDate=2017-02-17
|Status=Resolved
|ProductLine=VIZIO Smart Televisions
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Privacy
|Description=VIZIO tracks Smart Television owners without consent.
}}
==Background==
Vizio was founded in 2002 as V, Inc.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-23 |title=VIZIO |url=https://www.forbes.com/companies/vizio/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260119223325/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fcompanies%2Fvizio%2F |archive-date=2026-01-19 |access-date=2026-01-19 |website=Forbes |quote=Founded in Oct. 2002 as V, Inc}}</ref> and by 2007 they were already known for their affordable TVs. In 2011, they released their first smart TV line. This new line had built in software that would allow users to do things like connect the TV to internet, use Bluetooth and install apps. A few years after that, in 2015, Vizio launched their own operating system for these TVs called [[wikipedia:Vizio#Vizio_OS|SmartCast]] (now called Vizio OS) that utilized [[wikipedia:AirPlay|Apple AirPlay]] and [[wikipedia:Chromecast|Chromecast]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mashirenko |first=Anatoliy |date=2024-11-25 |title=Evolution of the Vizio TVs 2007-2024 |url=https://en.tab-tv.com/evolution-of-the-vizio-tvs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207045953/https://en.tab-tv.com/evolution-of-the-vizio-tvs/ |archive-date=2024-12-07 |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=Tab-Tv}}</ref>
==Vizio collecting data for marketing purposes without user consent==
A complaint filed by the FTC and New Jersey Attorney General says that, starting in February 2014, Vizio had been capturing everything that was displayed on the TV with ACR (Automatic Content Recognition) software, and allegedly collecting sex, age, income, marital status, household size, education level, home ownership, and household value to sell it to 3rd parties for targeted advertising, and other various purposes. Vizio matched what was displayed on the screen to a database of content<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2017-02-06 |title=VIZIO to Pay $2.2 Million to FTC, State of New Jersey to Settle Charges It Collected Viewing Histories on 11 Million Smart Televisions without Users’ Consent |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2017/02/vizio-pay-22-million-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it-collected-viewing-histories-11-million |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505152911/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2017/02/vizio-pay-22-million-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it-collected-viewing-histories-11-million |archive-date=2022-05-05 |access-date=2026-01-10 |website=Federal Trade Commission |no-pp=y}}</ref>. The FTC explained in a press release how this was being implemented : <blockquote>On a second-by-second basis, Vizio collected a selection of pixels on the screen that it matched to a database of TV, movie, and commercial content. What’s more, Vizio identified viewing data from cable or broadband service providers, set-top boxes, streaming devices, DVD players, and over-the-air broadcasts. Add it all up and Vizio captured as many as 100 billion data points each day from millions of TVs.<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>Vizio also advertised a feature called “Smart Interactivity” which “enables program offers and suggestions” according to Vizio. However Vizio did not disclose that this feature, enables collection of user data<ref name=":0" />. The feature also did not provide the advertised functionality<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fair |first=Lesley |date=2017-02-06 |title=What Vizio was doing behind the TV screen |url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2017/02/what-vizio-was-doing-behind-tv-screen |url-status=live |archive-url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2017/02/what-vizio-was-doing-behind-tv-screen |archive-date=2022-03-13 |access-date=2026-01-10 |website=Federal Trade Commission |quote=(Oh, and the 'Smart Interactivity' feature didn’t even provide the promised 'program offers and suggestions.')}}</ref>. The FTC said in a [https://archive.org/details/170206-vizio-stipulated-proposed-order/mode/2up court order] that Vizio must:<blockquote>A. Prominently disclose to the consumer, separate and apart from any “privacy

policy,” “terms of use” page, or other similar document: (1) the types of Viewing Data that will

be collected and used, (2) the types of Viewing Data that will be shared with third parties; (3) the

identity or specific categories of such third parties; and (4) all purposes for Defendants’ sharing

of such information;

B. Obtain the consumer’s affirmative express consent (1) at the time the disclosure in

Part II.A is made and (2) upon any material changes to the terms disclosed in Part II.A<ref name=":2">[[File:170206 vizio stipulated proposed order.pdf|thumb]]
Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction and Monetary Judgement (PDF), Federal Trade Commission, 2017-02-06, [https://archive.org/details/170206-vizio-stipulated-proposed-order/mode/2up archived] from the original on 2026-01-15</ref></blockquote>

==Lawsuit==

The FTC filed a case against Vizio on February 6, 2017 called "VIZIO, INC. and VIZIO Inscape Services, LLC".<ref name=":1" />

On February 6th, 2017, Vizio agreed to pay $2,200,000 to the FTC.

The complaint filed by the FTC acknowledges that Vizio sent onscreen notifications about changes to the Vizio privacy policy and Smart Interactivity being enabled for TVs that were updated in Febuary 2014, but this notification said nothing about the data being collected or Automatic Content Recognition. <blockquote>The VIZIO Privacy Policy has changed. Smart Interactivity has

been enabled on your TV, but you may disable it in the settings

menu. See www.vizio.com/privacy for more details. This

message will time out in 1 minute.</blockquote>In a court order from the case, the FTC said Vizio must, within 120 days of the order, delete all data that was collected before March 1st, 2016:<blockquote>IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that within 120 days after entry of this Order, Defendants

and Defendants’ officers, agents, employees, and attorneys, and all other persons in active

concert or participation with any of them, who receive actual notice of this Order, must destroy

Viewing Data that has been collected prior to March 1, 2016. Provided, however, that such

Viewing Data need not be destroyed, and may be disclosed, (A) to the extent requested by a

government agency or required by law, regulation, or court order, including without limitation as

required by rules applicable to the safeguarding of evidence in pending litigation, or (B) to the

extent a user of a television associated with the Viewing Data has affirmatively consented to the

collection, use, or disclosure thereof, consistent with Part II of this order.<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>

==Consumer response==

Jennifer Lynch, a senior staff attorney at the EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation), said in an interview with PBS NewsHour that "A $2.2 million dollar settlement for a company that sold 11 million TVs is a slap on the wrist,". Lynch also pointed out that the data deletion requirement of the settlement excludes data "requested by a government agency or required by law, regulation, or court order, including without limitation as required by rules applicable to the safeguarding of evidence in pending litigation", meaning some of the collected data was being given to law enforcement for evidence.

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}
[[Category:Vizio]]

Talk:Vizio fined by the FTC for collecting and selling user data without consumer consent

2026-01-19T22:34:46Z

Matt78: /* please use the uploaded file */ Reply

==please use the uploaded file==

hey [[User:Matt78]], I recommend you use [[File:170206 vizio stipulated proposed order.pdf]] in this article. As it might get deleted likely by me when I see its unused. [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 13:43, 17 January 2026 (UTC)

:I was going to use it, but it just showed up as an image. [[User:Matt78|Matt78]] ([[User talk:Matt78|talk]]) 21:49, 19 January 2026 (UTC)
::Never mind, I should've tested it. [[User:Matt78|Matt78]] ([[User talk:Matt78|talk]]) 21:54, 19 January 2026 (UTC)
:::no worries I too was running into the same thing [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 21:56, 19 January 2026 (UTC)
::::Ok. [[User:Matt78|Matt78]] ([[User talk:Matt78|talk]]) 22:34, 19 January 2026 (UTC)

Vizio fined by the FTC for collecting and selling user data without consumer consent

2026-01-19T21:56:45Z

Matt78: Updated reference to include PDF

{{StubNotice}}

On February 6th, 2017, The [[Federal Trade Commission|Federal Trade Commission (FTC)]] filed a lawsuit<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-02-06 |title=VIZIO, INC. and VIZIO Inscape Services, LLC |url=https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/162-3024-vizio-inc-vizio-inscape-services-llc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514204212/https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/162-3024-vizio-inc-vizio-inscape-services-llc |archive-date=2022-05-14 |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=The Federal Trade Commission}}</ref> against American electronics company [[Vizio|Vizio]] alleging privacy violations. FTC counted unfair tracking, deceptive omission regarding smart interactivity, and deceptive representation regarding smart interactivity. The Commission alleged Vizio had software installed on their smart televisions which collected user data, which they then sold to advertisers. {{IncidentCargo
|Company=Federal Trade Commission, Vizio
|StartDate=2017-02-17
|EndDate=2017-02-17
|Status=Resolved
|ProductLine=VIZIO Smart Televisions
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Privacy
|Description=VIZIO tracks Smart Television owners without consent.
}}
==Background==
Vizio was founded in 2002 and by 2007 they were already known for their affordable TVs. In 2011, they released their first smart TV line. This new line had built in software that would allow users to do things like connect the TV to internet, use Bluetooth and install apps. A few years after that, in 2015, Vizio launched their own operating system for these TVs called [[wikipedia:Vizio#Vizio_OS|SmartCast]] (now called Vizio OS) that utilized [[wikipedia:AirPlay|Apple AirPlay]] and [[wikipedia:Chromecast|Chromecast]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mashirenko |first=Anatoliy |date=2024-11-25 |title=Evolution of the Vizio TVs 2007-2024 |url=https://en.tab-tv.com/evolution-of-the-vizio-tvs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207045953/https://en.tab-tv.com/evolution-of-the-vizio-tvs/ |archive-date=2024-12-07 |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=Tab-Tv}}</ref>
==Vizio collecting data for marketing purposes without user consent==
A complaint filed by the FTC and New Jersey Attorney General says that, starting in February 2014, Vizio had been capturing everything that was displayed on the TV, and allegedly collecting sex, age, income, marital status, household size, education level, home ownership, and household value to sell it to 3rd parties for targeted advertising, and other various purposes. Vizio matched what was displayed on the screen to a database of content<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2017-02-06 |title=VIZIO to Pay $2.2 Million to FTC, State of New Jersey to Settle Charges It Collected Viewing Histories on 11 Million Smart Televisions without Users’ Consent |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2017/02/vizio-pay-22-million-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it-collected-viewing-histories-11-million |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505152911/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2017/02/vizio-pay-22-million-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it-collected-viewing-histories-11-million |archive-date=2022-05-05 |access-date=2026-01-10 |website=Federal Trade Commission |no-pp=y}}</ref>. The FTC explains how this was being implemented: <blockquote>On a second-by-second basis, Vizio collected a selection of pixels on the screen that it matched to a database of TV, movie, and commercial content. What’s more, Vizio identified viewing data from cable or broadband service providers, set-top boxes, streaming devices, DVD players, and over-the-air broadcasts. Add it all up and Vizio captured as many as 100 billion data points each day from millions of TVs.<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>Vizio also advertised a feature called “Smart Interactivity” which “enables program offers and suggestions” according to Vizio. However Vizio did not disclose that this feature, enables collection of user data<ref name=":0" />. The feature also did not provide the advertised functionality<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fair |first=Lesley |date=2017-02-06 |title=What Vizio was doing behind the TV screen |url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2017/02/what-vizio-was-doing-behind-tv-screen |url-status=live |archive-url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2017/02/what-vizio-was-doing-behind-tv-screen |archive-date=2022-03-13 |access-date=2026-01-10 |website=Federal Trade Commission |quote=(Oh, and the 'Smart Interactivity' feature didn’t even provide the promised 'program offers and suggestions.')}}</ref>.

The FTC said in a [https://archive.org/details/170206-vizio-stipulated-proposed-order/mode/2up court order] that Vizio must:<blockquote>A. Prominently disclose to the consumer, separate and apart from any “privacy

policy,” “terms of use” page, or other similar document: (1) the types of Viewing Data that will

be collected and used, (2) the types of Viewing Data that will be shared with third parties; (3) the

identity or specific categories of such third parties; and (4) all purposes for Defendants’ sharing

of such information;

B. Obtain the consumer’s affirmative express consent (1) at the time the disclosure in

Part II.A is made and (2) upon any material changes to the terms disclosed in Part II.A<ref>{{Citation |title=Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction and Monetary Judgement |date=2017-02-06 |url=https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/170206_vizio_stipulated_proposed_order.pdf |archive-url=https://archive.org/details/170206-vizio-stipulated-proposed-order/mode/2up |archive-date=2026-01-15 |url-status=live |publisher=Federal Trade Commission}}</ref></blockquote>

==Lawsuit==

The FTC filed a case against Vizio on Febuary 6, 2017 called "VIZIO, INC. and VIZIO Inscape Services, LLC".<ref>[[File:170206 vizio stipulated proposed order.pdf|thumb]]
</ref>
==Consumer response==
{{Ph-I-ConR}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}
[[Category:Vizio]]

Talk:Vizio fined by the FTC for collecting and selling user data without consumer consent

2026-01-19T21:54:22Z

Matt78: /* please use the uploaded file */ Reply

Vizio fined by the FTC for collecting and selling user data without consumer consent

2026-01-19T21:52:52Z

Matt78: Added PDF to test if it will work

{{StubNotice}}

On February 6th, 2017, The [[Federal Trade Commission|Federal Trade Commission (FTC)]] filed a lawsuit<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-02-06 |title=VIZIO, INC. and VIZIO Inscape Services, LLC |url=https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/162-3024-vizio-inc-vizio-inscape-services-llc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514204212/https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/162-3024-vizio-inc-vizio-inscape-services-llc |archive-date=2022-05-14 |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=The Federal Trade Commission}}</ref> against American electronics company [[Vizio|Vizio]] alleging privacy violations. FTC counted unfair tracking, deceptive omission regarding smart interactivity, and deceptive representation regarding smart interactivity. The Commission alleged Vizio had software installed on their smart televisions which collected user data, which they then sold to advertisers. {{IncidentCargo
|Company=Federal Trade Commission, Vizio
|StartDate=2017-02-17
|EndDate=2017-02-17
|Status=Resolved
|ProductLine=VIZIO Smart Televisions
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Privacy
|Description=VIZIO tracks Smart Television owners without consent.
}}
==Background==
Vizio was founded in 2002 and by 2007 they were already known for their affordable TVs. In 2011, they released their first smart TV line. This new line had built in software that would allow users to do things like connect the TV to internet, use Bluetooth and install apps. A few years after that, in 2015, Vizio launched their own operating system for these TVs called [[wikipedia:Vizio#Vizio_OS|SmartCast]] (now called Vizio OS) that utilized [[wikipedia:AirPlay|Apple AirPlay]] and [[wikipedia:Chromecast|Chromecast]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mashirenko |first=Anatoliy |date=2024-11-25 |title=Evolution of the Vizio TVs 2007-2024 |url=https://en.tab-tv.com/evolution-of-the-vizio-tvs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207045953/https://en.tab-tv.com/evolution-of-the-vizio-tvs/ |archive-date=2024-12-07 |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=Tab-Tv}}</ref>
==Vizio collecting data for marketing purposes without user consent==
A complaint filed by the FTC and New Jersey Attorney General says that, starting in February 2014, Vizio had been capturing everything that was displayed on the TV, and allegedly collecting sex, age, income, marital status, household size, education level, home ownership, and household value to sell it to 3rd parties for targeted advertising, and other various purposes. Vizio matched what was displayed on the screen to a database of content<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2017-02-06 |title=VIZIO to Pay $2.2 Million to FTC, State of New Jersey to Settle Charges It Collected Viewing Histories on 11 Million Smart Televisions without Users’ Consent |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2017/02/vizio-pay-22-million-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it-collected-viewing-histories-11-million |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505152911/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2017/02/vizio-pay-22-million-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it-collected-viewing-histories-11-million |archive-date=2022-05-05 |access-date=2026-01-10 |website=Federal Trade Commission |no-pp=y}}</ref>. The FTC explains how this was being implemented: <blockquote>On a second-by-second basis, Vizio collected a selection of pixels on the screen that it matched to a database of TV, movie, and commercial content. What’s more, Vizio identified viewing data from cable or broadband service providers, set-top boxes, streaming devices, DVD players, and over-the-air broadcasts. Add it all up and Vizio captured as many as 100 billion data points each day from millions of TVs.<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>Vizio also advertised a feature called “Smart Interactivity” which “enables program offers and suggestions” according to Vizio. However Vizio did not disclose that this feature, enables collection of user data<ref name=":0" />. The feature also did not provide the advertised functionality<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fair |first=Lesley |date=2017-02-06 |title=What Vizio was doing behind the TV screen |url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2017/02/what-vizio-was-doing-behind-tv-screen |url-status=live |archive-url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2017/02/what-vizio-was-doing-behind-tv-screen |archive-date=2022-03-13 |access-date=2026-01-10 |website=Federal Trade Commission |quote=(Oh, and the 'Smart Interactivity' feature didn’t even provide the promised 'program offers and suggestions.')}}</ref>.

The FTC said in a [https://archive.org/details/170206-vizio-stipulated-proposed-order/mode/2up court order] that Vizio must:<blockquote>A. Prominently disclose to the consumer, separate and apart from any “privacy

policy,” “terms of use” page, or other similar document: (1) the types of Viewing Data that will

be collected and used, (2) the types of Viewing Data that will be shared with third parties; (3) the

identity or specific categories of such third parties; and (4) all purposes for Defendants’ sharing

of such information;

B. Obtain the consumer’s affirmative express consent (1) at the time the disclosure in

Part II.A is made and (2) upon any material changes to the terms disclosed in Part II.A<ref>{{Citation |title=Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction and Monetary Judgement |date=2017-02-06 |url=https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/170206_vizio_stipulated_proposed_order.pdf |archive-url=https://archive.org/details/170206-vizio-stipulated-proposed-order/mode/2up |archive-date=2026-01-15 |url-status=live |publisher=Federal Trade Commission}}</ref></blockquote>

==Lawsuit==

The FTC filed a case against Vizio on Febuary 6, 2017 called "VIZIO, INC. and VIZIO Inscape Services, LLC".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-02-06 |title=VIZIO, INC. and VIZIO Inscape Services, LLC |url=https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/162-3024-vizio-inc-vizio-inscape-services-llc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251017054026/https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/162-3024-vizio-inc-vizio-inscape-services-llc |archive-date=2025-10-17 |access-date=2026-01-16 |website=Federal Trade Commission}}</ref>
[[File:170206 vizio stipulated proposed order.pdf|thumb]]

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}
[[Category:Vizio]]

Talk:Vizio fined by the FTC for collecting and selling user data without consumer consent

2026-01-19T21:49:55Z

Matt78: /* please use the uploaded file */ Reply

Vizio fined by the FTC for collecting and selling user data without consumer consent

2026-01-16T22:50:49Z

Matt78:

{{StubNotice}}

On February 6th, 2017, The [[Federal Trade Commission|Federal Trade Commission (FTC)]] filed a lawsuit<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-02-06 |title=VIZIO, INC. and VIZIO Inscape Services, LLC |url=https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/162-3024-vizio-inc-vizio-inscape-services-llc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514204212/https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/162-3024-vizio-inc-vizio-inscape-services-llc |archive-date=2022-05-14 |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=The Federal Trade Commission}}</ref> against American electronics company [[Vizio|Vizio]] alleging privacy violations. FTC counted unfair tracking, deceptive omission regarding smart interactivity, and deceptive representation regarding smart interactivity. The Commission alleged Vizio had software installed on their smart televisions which collected user data, which they then sold to advertisers. {{IncidentCargo
|Company=Federal Trade Commission, Vizio
|StartDate=2017-02-17
|EndDate=2017-02-17
|Status=Resolved
|ProductLine=VIZIO Smart Televisions
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Privacy
|Description=VIZIO tracks Smart Television owners without consent.
}}
==Background==
Vizio was founded in 2002 and by 2007 they were already known for their affordable TVs. In 2011, they released their first smart TV line. This new line had built in software that would allow users to do things like connect the TV to internet, use Bluetooth and install apps. A few years after that, in 2015, Vizio launched their own operating system for these TVs called [[wikipedia:Vizio#Vizio_OS|SmartCast]] (now called Vizio OS) that utilized [[wikipedia:AirPlay|Apple AirPlay]] and [[wikipedia:Chromecast|Chromecast]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mashirenko |first=Anatoliy |date=2024-11-25 |title=Evolution of the Vizio TVs 2007-2024 |url=https://en.tab-tv.com/evolution-of-the-vizio-tvs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207045953/https://en.tab-tv.com/evolution-of-the-vizio-tvs/ |archive-date=2024-12-07 |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=Tab-Tv}}</ref>
==Vizio collecting data for marketing purposes without user consent==
A complaint filed by the FTC and New Jersey Attorney General says that, starting in February 2014, Vizio had been capturing everything that was displayed on the TV, and allegedly collecting sex, age, income, marital status, household size, education level, home ownership, and household value to sell it to 3rd parties for targeted advertising, and other various purposes. Vizio matched what was displayed on the screen to a database of content<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2017-02-06 |title=VIZIO to Pay $2.2 Million to FTC, State of New Jersey to Settle Charges It Collected Viewing Histories on 11 Million Smart Televisions without Users’ Consent |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2017/02/vizio-pay-22-million-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it-collected-viewing-histories-11-million |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505152911/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2017/02/vizio-pay-22-million-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it-collected-viewing-histories-11-million |archive-date=2022-05-05 |access-date=2026-01-10 |website=Federal Trade Commission |no-pp=y}}</ref>. The FTC explains how this was being implemented: <blockquote>On a second-by-second basis, Vizio collected a selection of pixels on the screen that it matched to a database of TV, movie, and commercial content. What’s more, Vizio identified viewing data from cable or broadband service providers, set-top boxes, streaming devices, DVD players, and over-the-air broadcasts. Add it all up and Vizio captured as many as 100 billion data points each day from millions of TVs.<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>Vizio also advertised a feature called “Smart Interactivity” which “enables program offers and suggestions” according to Vizio. However Vizio did not disclose that this feature, enables collection of user data<ref name=":0" />. The feature also did not provide the advertised functionality<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fair |first=Lesley |date=2017-02-06 |title=What Vizio was doing behind the TV screen |url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2017/02/what-vizio-was-doing-behind-tv-screen |url-status=live |archive-url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2017/02/what-vizio-was-doing-behind-tv-screen |archive-date=2022-03-13 |access-date=2026-01-10 |website=Federal Trade Commission |quote=(Oh, and the 'Smart Interactivity' feature didn’t even provide the promised 'program offers and suggestions.')}}</ref>.

The FTC said in a [https://archive.org/details/170206-vizio-stipulated-proposed-order/mode/2up court order] that Vizio must:<blockquote>A. Prominently disclose to the consumer, separate and apart from any “privacy

policy,” “terms of use” page, or other similar document: (1) the types of Viewing Data that will

be collected and used, (2) the types of Viewing Data that will be shared with third parties; (3) the

identity or specific categories of such third parties; and (4) all purposes for Defendants’ sharing

of such information;

B. Obtain the consumer’s affirmative express consent (1) at the time the disclosure in

Part II.A is made and (2) upon any material changes to the terms disclosed in Part II.A<ref>{{Citation |title=Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction and Monetary Judgement |date=2017-02-06 |url=https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/cases/170206_vizio_stipulated_proposed_order.pdf |archive-url=https://archive.org/details/170206-vizio-stipulated-proposed-order/mode/2up |archive-date=2026-01-15 |url-status=live |publisher=Federal Trade Commission}}</ref></blockquote>

==Lawsuit==

The FTC filed a case against Vizio on Febuary 6, 2017 called "VIZIO, INC. and VIZIO Inscape Services, LLC".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-02-06 |title=VIZIO, INC. and VIZIO Inscape Services, LLC |url=https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/162-3024-vizio-inc-vizio-inscape-services-llc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251017054026/https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/162-3024-vizio-inc-vizio-inscape-services-llc |archive-date=2025-10-17 |access-date=2026-01-16 |website=Federal Trade Commission}}</ref>

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}
[[Category:Vizio]]

File:170206 vizio stipulated proposed order.pdf

2026-01-16T21:31:39Z

Matt78: Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction and Monetary Judgement A federal court order against Vizio, Inc. and Vizio Inscape Services, LLC for collecting consumer data, among other things.

== Summary ==
Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction and Monetary Judgement

A federal court order against Vizio, Inc. and Vizio Inscape Services, LLC for collecting consumer data, among other things.

Whistle pet tracker shutdown IoT fail

2026-01-16T01:25:03Z

Matt78: Changed product line from "Pet Tracking devices" to "Whistle Pet Trackers"

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Tractive, Mars Petcare, Whistle Labs
|StartDate=2025-07-28
|Status=Active
|ProductLine=Whistle Pet Trackers
|ArticleType=Incident
|Type=Planned Obsolescence, Service Termination
|Description=Whistle pet trackers will cease functioning on August 31, 2025, following Tractive's acquisition of the company from Mars Petcare
}}

Whistle pet trackers will cease functioning on August 31, 2025, following Tractive's acquisition of the company from Mars Petcare.

==Background==
Whistle Labs was founded in 2012 as a developer of GPS enabled pet tracking & health monitoring devices.<ref>{{cite web |title=Whistle (company) |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whistle_(company) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251101090945/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whistle_(company) |archive-date=1 Nov 2025 |access-date=2025-08-12 |publisher=Wikipedia}}</ref> The company marketed its products as ''"Fitbit for dogs,"'' offering activity tracking, GPS location services, & health monitoring ability.<ref>{{cite web |date=2016-03-31 |title=Whistle's 'Fitbit for dogs' acquired by Mars Petcare |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/03/31/whistle-acquired-by-mars/ |archive-url=https://archive.ph/s2zoV |archive-date=31 Mar 2016 |access-date=2025-08-12 |publisher=TechCrunch}}</ref>

Mars Petcare, a subsidiary of Mars Inc., acquired Whistle in April 2016 for approximately $117 million.<ref>{{cite web |date=2016-04-01 |title=Pet Food Maker Mars Spends $117 Million to Acquire Whistle's 'Fitbit for Dogs' |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-04-01/mars-said-to-spend-117m-to-acquire-whistle-s-fitbit-for-dogs |archive-url=https://archive.ph/4fbL9 |archive-date=11 Jun 2024 |access-date=2025-08-12 |publisher=Bloomberg}}</ref> Under Mars ownership, Whistle expanded its product line to include models such as the GO, GO Explore, Switch, FIT, & Health trackers, with retail prices ranging from $100 to $199.<ref>{{cite web |title=Whistle Pet Tracker 2024: Products Description |url=https://aorkuler.com/blogs/blog/whistle-pet-tracker-2024-product-description |archive-url=https://archive.ph/VBsTT |archive-date=6 Jan 2026 |access-date=2025-08-12 |publisher=Aorkuler}}</ref>

Tractive, an Austrian company founded in 2012, operates as a competitor in the pet GPS tracking market, offering similar location and health monitoring services across 175 countries.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |date=2025-07-28 |title=Tractive Acquires Whistle from Mars Petcare to Accelerate Leadership in Global Pet Tech Market |url=https://tractive.com/blog/en/press/tractive-acquires-whistle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250811053133/https://tractive.com/blog/en/press/tractive-acquires-whistle |archive-date=11 Aug 2025 |access-date=2025-08-12 |publisher=Tractive}}</ref>

==Acquisition and shutdown announcement==
On July 28, 2025, Tractive announced its acquisition of Whistle from Mars Petcare.<ref name=":1" /> Financial terms were not disclosed, though a webpage article that seems AI generated values the deal in the ''"tens of millions."''<ref>{{cite web |date=2025-07-29 |title=Tractive Acquires Whistle: Pet Trackers Obsolete by August 2025 |url=https://www.webpronews.com/tractive-acquires-whistle-pet-trackers-obsolete-by-august-2025/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250810105548/https://www.webpronews.com/tractive-acquires-whistle-pet-trackers-obsolete-by-august-2025/ |archive-date=10 Aug 2025 |access-date=2025-08-12 |publisher=WebProNews}}</ref> Take this with a shaker of salt.

Alongside the acquisition announcement, Tractive said that all Whistle devices would permanently stop working on August 31, 2025, giving users 33 days notice.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |date=2025-07-28 |title=Whistle joins the Tractive Family |url=https://www.whistle.com/blogs/news/whistle-joins-the-tractive-family |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729085120/https://www.whistle.com/blogs/news/whistle-joins-the-tractive-family |archive-date=29 Jul 2025 |access-date=2025-08-12 |publisher=Whistle}}</ref> The shutdown affects all Whistle product models and will result in:

*Complete loss of GPS tracking functionality
*Inability to access the Whistle mobile application
*Permanent loss of all historical pet health and activity data
*Obsolescence of all Whistle hardware accessories and chargers

Users have been informed that pet health data collected over years "will not be transferred to the replacement Tractive devices" due to what the company describes as "different algorithms that would not be compatible with Tractive's systems."<ref name=":0" />

===Tractive's response===
Tractive has offered a replacement program providing free GPS tracker devices to affected Whistle customers. The program includes:<ref name=":0" />

*One free Tractive GPS tracker (valued at $49.99-$99.00) per Whistle device
*Transfer of remaining subscription time to Tractive service
*Two months free service for non-subscribers who purchase a new plan
*Deadline of September 30, 2025, to claim replacements

The company justified the shutdown by stating that ''"maintaining and developing two separate ecosystems—devices, apps, and software—doubles the complexity and could limit the quality of service and innovation."''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tractive.com/blog/en/press/tractive-acquires-whistle|title=Tractive Acquires Whistle from Mars Petcare to Accelerate Leadership in Global Pet Tech Market|publisher=Tractive|date=2025-07-28|access-date=2025-08-12}}</ref>

Tractive CEO Michael Hurnaus characterized the acquisition as enabling the company to ''"deliver new features and improvements faster, more reliably, and with greater impact for all users—including former Whistle customers."''<ref>{{cite web |date=2025-07-28 |title=Tractive Acquires Whistle from Mars Petcare to Accelerate Leadership in Global Pet Tech Market |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tractive-acquires-whistle-mars-petcare-110000346.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260106170123/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tractive-acquires-whistle-mars-petcare-110000346.html?guccounter=1 |archive-date=6 Jan 2026 |access-date=2025-08-12 |publisher=Yahoo Finance}}</ref>

==Consumer impact==
Both Whistle & Tractive devices require active subscriptions to function. The subscription fees cover cellular data costs necessary for GPS tracking.<ref>{{cite web |title=Whistle GPS Pet Tracker |url=https://www.amazon.com/Whistle-100-00500-00-GPS-Pet-Tracker/dp/B015DV0O9C |archive-url=https://archive.ph/VeRlu |archive-date=6 Jan 2026 |access-date=2025-08-12 |publisher=Amazon}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Tractive GPS Tracker Plans |url=https://tractive.com/en/c/plans |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250815191740/https://tractive.com/en/c/plans |archive-date=15 Aug 2025 |access-date=2025-08-12 |publisher=Tractive}}</ref> Without an active subscription, neither device can perform location tracking or health monitoring functions.

===Subscription cost comparison===
Prior to the shutdown, Whistle subscription plans cost:
*Monthly: $9.95 per month
*Yearly: $8.25 per month when paid annually (approximately $99 per year)
*Some older plans: As low as $6.95 per month<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chewy.com/whistle-3-dog-cat-gps-tracker/dp/138368|title=Whistle 3 Dog & Cat GPS Tracker|publisher=Chewy|access-date=2025-08-12}}</ref>

Tractive subscription plans cost:
*Monthly: $10-12 per month (availability varies by country)
*Yearly: $5-9 per month when paid annually ($60-108 per year)
*Multi-year plans: As low as $5 per month<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tractive.com/en/c/plans|title=Tractive Subscription Plans|publisher=Tractive|access-date=2025-08-12}}</ref>

'''Subscription costs are comparable.'''

===Non-financial consumer impacts===
Despite Tractive providing free replacement devices & similar subscription pricing, there are several areas of harm caused by the bricking of older devices:

'''Data loss''': All historical pet health data collected over years '''cannot be transferred to Tractive's platform''', affecting users who rely on this information for veterinary care decisions, particularly for pets with chronic conditions.<ref name=":0" />

'''Feature reduction''': Whistle's specialized behavioral monitoring capabilities for tracking licking, scratching, and sleep quality are not available on Tractive devices, potentially affecting early detection of health issues.<ref>{{cite web |title=Whistle Go Explore Dog GPS Tracking Device |url=https://www.walmart.com/ip/Whistle-Go-Explore-Dog-GPS-Tracking-Device-and-Pet-Health-Monitoring-System-Grey-Fits-Most-Collars/2542522231 |archive-url=https://archive.ph/N7TsB |archive-date=6 Jan 2026 |access-date=2025-08-12 |publisher=Walmart}}</ref>

'''Significantly reduced battery life''': Users report Whistle devices lasting 10-15 days per charge compared to Tractive's 2-7 days/.<ref>{{cite web |date=2024-09-03 |title=Whistle Go Explore Review |url=https://www.rover.com/blog/whistle-go-explore-review/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250524033259/https://www.rover.com/blog/whistle-go-explore-review/ |archive-date=24 May 2025 |access-date=2025-08-12 |publisher=Rover}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2025-01-07 |title=Tractive Dog GPS Tracker 2025 Review |url=https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/tractive-dog-gps-tracker-review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250421025253/https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/tractive-dog-gps-tracker-review |archive-date=21 Apr 2025 |access-date=2025-08-12 |publisher=Dogster}}</ref>

'''Accessory obsolescence''': All Whistle-specific hardware including chargers, collar attachments, & accessories become unusable, requiring additional replacement purchases beyond the tracker itself.

'''Inadequate transition period''': The 33-day notice period has been criticized as insufficient for users to research alternatives, claim replacements, & adapt to new systems, particularly affecting elderly users and households with multiple pets.<ref>{{cite web |date=2025-07-30 |title=Whistle pet trackers are shutting down next month |url=https://www.engadget.com/wearables/whistle-pet-trackers-are-shutting-down-next-month-212828325.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729220640/https://www.engadget.com/wearables/whistle-pet-trackers-are-shutting-down-next-month-212828325.html |archive-date=29 Jul 2025 |access-date=2025-08-12 |publisher=Engadget}}</ref>

'''Choice elimination''': The acquisition removes a major competitor from the pet tracking market, reducing consumer options & innovation pressure in the $100-150 price segment.<ref>{{cite web |date=2025-07-29 |title=Tractive Acquires Whistle: Pet Trackers Obsolete by August 2025 |url=https://www.webpronews.com/tractive-acquires-whistle-pet-trackers-obsolete-by-august-2025/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250810105548/https://www.webpronews.com/tractive-acquires-whistle-pet-trackers-obsolete-by-august-2025/ |archive-date=10 Aug 2025 |access-date=2025-08-12 |publisher=WebProNews}}</ref>

==Consumer response==
Consumer reactions have been documented across multiple platforms:

*Trustpilot reviews for Whistle average 2.4 out of 5 stars across 2,579 reviews, with recent complaints focusing on the shutdown announcement. <ref>{{cite web |title=Whistle Reviews |url=https://www.trustpilot.com/review/whistle.com |archive-url=https://archive.ph/aOT1Q |archive-date=6 Jan 2026 |access-date=2025-08-12 |publisher=Trustpilot}}</ref> Reviews of the company & the product were consistently poor prior to the shutdown announcement.
*Better Business Bureau records show patterns of complaints regarding subscription issues and warranty concerns<ref>{{cite web |title=Whistle Labs BBB Complaints |url=https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/san-francisco/profile/find-a-pet/whistle-labs-1116-534049/complaints |archive-url=https://archive.ph/2rQtc |archive-date=6 Jan 2026 |access-date=2025-08-12 |publisher=Better Business Bureau}}</ref>
*Reddit users have expressed frustration about losing years of pet health data when it comes to animals with medical conditions that require long-term monitoring<ref>{{cite web |author=Scharon Harding |date=2025-07-29 |title=Acquisition sends thousands of Whistle pet trackers to IoT graveyard |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/07/acquisition-sends-thousands-of-whistle-pet-trackers-to-iot-graveyard/ |archive-url=https://archive.ph/BJHbE |archive-date=30 Jul 2025 |access-date=2025-08-12 |publisher=Ars Technica}}</ref>

One user stated that the loss of behavioral monitoring features was "very handy, so to lose that sucks" when describing how they used the device to track their dog's seasonal allergies.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |author= |date=2025-07-29 |title=Whistle question : r/tractivegps |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/tractivegps/comments/1mbflhn/comment/n5lwr0u/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1 |archive-url=https://archive.ph/dHlnU |archive-date=6 Jan 2026 |access-date=2025-08-12 |publisher=reddit}}</ref>
[[File:Reddit user discussing whistle device bricking.png|thumb|Whistle user discussing device bricking on Reddit. <ref name=":2" />]]

Technology publication Engadget noted that "''thousands of GPS trackers and monitors will morph into e-waste in about a month."''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/wearables/whistle-pet-trackers-are-shutting-down-next-month-212828325.html|title=Whistle pet trackers are shutting down next month|publisher=Engadget|date=2025-07-30|access-date=2025-08-12}}</ref>

==Institutional response==
The Whistle shutdown contributes to what the US PIRG Education Fund describes as an ''"Electronic Waste Graveyard"'' of over 100 tech products, which have stopped working after manufacturers dropped support.<ref>{{cite web |title=Electronic Waste Graveyard |url=https://pirg.org/edfund/resources/electronic-waste-graveyard/ |archive-url=https://archive.ph/UiIsD |archive-date=12 Jul 2025 |access-date=2025-08-12 |publisher=US PIRG Education Fund}}</ref> The organization estimates that expired software and canceled cloud services have created ''"a minimum of 130 million pounds of electronic waste"'' since 2014.<ref>{{cite web |author=Scharon Harding |date=2025-07-29 |title=Acquisition sends thousands of Whistle pet trackers to IoT graveyard |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/07/acquisition-sends-thousands-of-whistle-pet-trackers-to-iot-graveyard/ |archive-url=https://archive.ph/BJHbE |archive-date=30 Jul 2025 |access-date=2025-08-12 |publisher=Ars Technica}}</ref>

==See also==
*Google's Nest bricking Revolv smart home hubs in 2016<ref>{{cite web |date=2016-04-06 |title=Why Nest's Revolv hubs won't be the last IoT devices knocked offline |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/420413/why-nests-revolv-hubs-wont-be-the-last-iot-devices-knocked-offline.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205090621/https://www.pcworld.com/article/420413/why-nests-revolv-hubs-wont-be-the-last-iot-devices-knocked-offline.html |archive-date=5 Dec 2021 |access-date=2025-08-12 |publisher=PCWorld}}</ref>
*[[Wink]]'s 2020 demand for mandatory subscriptions with one week notice<ref>{{cite web |date=2020-05-06 |title=Wink Tells Users: Pay $5 a Month or We'll Disable Your Smart Home Hub |url=https://www.consumerreports.org/smart-home/wink-tells-users-pay-up-or-we-will-disable-smart-home-hub/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715132527/https://www.consumerreports.org/smart-home/wink-tells-users-pay-up-or-we-will-disable-smart-home-hub/ |archive-date=15 Jul 2020 |access-date=2025-08-12 |publisher=Consumer Reports}}</ref>
*[[Best Buy discontinuation of Insignia Connect|Best Buy's shutdown of Insignia smart home products]] in 2019<ref>{{cite web |date=2019-11-05 |title=Best Buy Is Dumbing Down Its Smart Home Devices |url=https://www.tomsguide.com/news/best-buy-is-dumbing-down-its-smart-home-devices |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191120111848/https://www.tomsguide.com/news/best-buy-is-dumbing-down-its-smart-home-devices |archive-date=20 Nov 2019 |access-date=2025-08-12 |publisher=Tom's Guide}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}

Vizio fined by the FTC for collecting and selling user data without consumer consent

2026-01-13T16:52:10Z

Matt78: Fixed some text

{{StubNotice}}

On February 6th, 2017, The [[Federal Trade Commission|Federal Trade Commission (FTC)]] filed a lawsuit<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-02-06 |title=VIZIO, INC. and VIZIO Inscape Services, LLC |url=https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/162-3024-vizio-inc-vizio-inscape-services-llc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514204212/https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/162-3024-vizio-inc-vizio-inscape-services-llc |archive-date=2022-05-14 |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=The Federal Trade Commission}}</ref> against American electronics company [[Vizio|Vizio]] alleging privacy violations. FTC counted unfair tracking, deceptive omission regarding smart interactivity, and deceptive representation regarding smart interactivity. The Commission alleged Vizio had software installed on their smart televisions which collected user data, which they then sold to advertisers. {{IncidentCargo
|Company=Federal Trade Commission, Vizio
|StartDate=2017-02-17
|EndDate=2017-02-17
|Status=Resolved
|ProductLine=VIZIO Smart Televisions
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Privacy
|Description=VIZIO tracks Smart Television owners without consent.
}}
==Background==
Vizio was founded in 2002 and by 2007 they were already known for their affordable TVs. In 2011, they released their first smart TV line. This new line had built in software that would allow users to do things like connect the TV to internet, use Bluetooth and install apps. A few years after that, in 2015, Vizio launched their own operating system for these TVs called [[wikipedia:Vizio#Vizio_OS|SmartCast]] (now called Vizio OS) that utilized [[wikipedia:AirPlay|Apple AirPlay]] and [[wikipedia:Chromecast|Chromecast]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mashirenko |first=Anatoliy |date=2024-11-25 |title=Evolution of the Vizio TVs 2007-2024 |url=https://en.tab-tv.com/evolution-of-the-vizio-tvs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207045953/https://en.tab-tv.com/evolution-of-the-vizio-tvs/ |archive-date=2024-12-07 |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=Tab-Tv}}</ref>
==Vizio collecting data for marketing purposes without user consent==
A complaint filed by the FTC and New Jersey Attorney General says that, starting in February 2014, Vizio had been capturing everything that was displayed on the TV, and allegedly collecting sex, age, income, marital status, household size, education level, home ownership, and household value to sell it to 3rd parties for targeted advertising, and other various purposes. Vizio matched what was displayed on the screen to a database of content<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2017-02-06 |title=VIZIO to Pay $2.2 Million to FTC, State of New Jersey to Settle Charges It Collected Viewing Histories on 11 Million Smart Televisions without Users’ Consent |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2017/02/vizio-pay-22-million-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it-collected-viewing-histories-11-million |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505152911/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2017/02/vizio-pay-22-million-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it-collected-viewing-histories-11-million |archive-date=2022-05-05 |access-date=2026-01-10 |website=Federal Trade Commission |no-pp=y}}</ref>. The FTC explains how this was being implemented: <blockquote>On a second-by-second basis, Vizio collected a selection of pixels on the screen that it matched to a database of TV, movie, and commercial content. What’s more, Vizio identified viewing data from cable or broadband service providers, set-top boxes, streaming devices, DVD players, and over-the-air broadcasts. Add it all up and Vizio captured as many as 100 billion data points each day from millions of TVs.<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>Vizio also advertised a feature called “Smart Interactivity” which “enables program offers and suggestions” according to Vizio. However Vizio did not disclose that this feature, enables collection of user data<ref name=":0" />. The feature also did not provide the advertised functionality<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fair |first=Lesley |date=2017-02-06 |title=What Vizio was doing behind the TV screen |url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2017/02/what-vizio-was-doing-behind-tv-screen |url-status=live |archive-url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2017/02/what-vizio-was-doing-behind-tv-screen |archive-date=2022-03-13 |access-date=2026-01-10 |website=Federal Trade Commission |quote=(Oh, and the 'Smart Interactivity' feature didn’t even provide the promised 'program offers and suggestions.')}}</ref>.

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

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}
[[Category:Vizio]]

Vizio fined by the FTC for collecting and selling user data without consumer consent

2026-01-13T16:50:58Z

Matt78: Added citation, deleted company response template

{{StubNotice}}

On February 6th, 2017, The [[Federal Trade Commission|Federal Trade Commission (FTC)]] filed a lawsuit<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-02-06 |title=VIZIO, INC. and VIZIO Inscape Services, LLC |url=https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/162-3024-vizio-inc-vizio-inscape-services-llc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514204212/https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/162-3024-vizio-inc-vizio-inscape-services-llc |archive-date=2022-05-14 |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=The Federal Trade Commission}}</ref> against American Electronic Company [[Vizio|Vizio]] alleging privacy violations. FTC counted unfair tracking, deceptive omission regarding smart interactivity, and deceptive representation regarding smart interactivity. The Commission alleged Vizio had software installed on their smart televisions which collected user data, which they then sold to advertisers. {{IncidentCargo
|Company=Federal Trade Commission, Vizio
|StartDate=2017-02-17
|EndDate=2017-02-17
|Status=Resolved
|ProductLine=VIZIO Smart Televisions
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Privacy
|Description=VIZIO tracks Smart Television owners without consent.
}}
==Background==
Vizio was founded in 2002 and by 2007 they were already known for their affordable TVs. In 2011, they released their first smart TV line. This new line had built in software that would allow users to do things like connect the TV to internet, use Bluetooth and install apps. A few years after that, in 2015, Vizio launched their own operating system for these TVs called [[wikipedia:Vizio#Vizio_OS|SmartCast]] (now called Vizio OS) that utilized [[wikipedia:AirPlay|Apple AirPlay]] and [[wikipedia:Chromecast|Chromecast]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mashirenko |first=Anatoliy |date=2024-11-25 |title=Evolution of the Vizio TVs 2007-2024 |url=https://en.tab-tv.com/evolution-of-the-vizio-tvs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207045953/https://en.tab-tv.com/evolution-of-the-vizio-tvs/ |archive-date=2024-12-07 |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=Tab-Tv}}</ref>
==Vizio collecting data for marketing purposes without user consent==
A complaint filed by the FTC and New Jersey Attorney General says that, starting in February 2014, Vizio had been capturing everything that was displayed on the TV, and allegedly collecting sex, age, income, marital status, household size, education level, home ownership, and household value to sell it to 3rd parties for targeted advertising, and other various purposes. Vizio matched what was displayed on the screen to a database of content<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2017-02-06 |title=VIZIO to Pay $2.2 Million to FTC, State of New Jersey to Settle Charges It Collected Viewing Histories on 11 Million Smart Televisions without Users’ Consent |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2017/02/vizio-pay-22-million-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it-collected-viewing-histories-11-million |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505152911/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2017/02/vizio-pay-22-million-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it-collected-viewing-histories-11-million |archive-date=2022-05-05 |access-date=2026-01-10 |website=Federal Trade Commission |no-pp=y}}</ref>. The FTC explains how this was being implemented: <blockquote>On a second-by-second basis, Vizio collected a selection of pixels on the screen that it matched to a database of TV, movie, and commercial content. What’s more, Vizio identified viewing data from cable or broadband service providers, set-top boxes, streaming devices, DVD players, and over-the-air broadcasts. Add it all up and Vizio captured as many as 100 billion data points each day from millions of TVs.<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>Vizio also advertised a feature called “Smart Interactivity” which “enables program offers and suggestions” according to Vizio. However Vizio did not disclose that this feature, enables collection of user data<ref name=":0" />. The feature also did not provide the advertised functionality<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fair |first=Lesley |date=2017-02-06 |title=What Vizio was doing behind the TV screen |url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2017/02/what-vizio-was-doing-behind-tv-screen |url-status=live |archive-url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2017/02/what-vizio-was-doing-behind-tv-screen |archive-date=2022-03-13 |access-date=2026-01-10 |website=Federal Trade Commission |quote=(Oh, and the 'Smart Interactivity' feature didn’t even provide the promised 'program offers and suggestions.')}}</ref>.

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

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}
[[Category:Vizio]]

Netflix

2026-01-11T22:27:38Z

Matt78: Removed redlink

{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Netflix, Inc.
| Type = Public
| Founded = 1997
| Industry = Media Streaming
| Official Website = https://www.netflix.com/
| Logo = Netflix 2015 logo.svg
}}

[[wikipedia:Netflix|Netflix, Inc.]] is a media streaming service and publisher, founded in 1997 by ''Reed Hastings'' and ''Marc Randolph'' formerly for remote video rentals, it eventually became the pioneer of the video streaming industry in 2007, eventually turning to more anti-consumer practices in the mid-2010s and later.

==Consumer-impact summary==

*User Freedom: Extensive history of restricting access to content, including paywalling higher quality content,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=And_You_Like_It_Too |date=Dec 16, 2023 |title=How much licensed content does Netflix display in premium formats (4K, HDR/Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos) in the 4K tier? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/netflix/comments/18k554z/how_much_licensed_content_does_netflix_display_in/ |access-date=May 18, 2025 |website=Reddit}}</ref> increasing costs of service, combatting password sharing, and more.
*User Privacy: Extensive history of collecting and selling user data.
*Business Model: Streaming service content, [[advertising overload]]
*Market Competition: Extensive, including free platforms like [[Roku]] TV and Pluto TV, and premium platforms such as [[Disney+]], Hulu, and [[HBO Max]].

==Controversies==

===Stream-quality controversy===
{{Main|Netflix stream-quality controversy}}
Discovered as early as December 2023,<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rikki1256 |date=Dec 2, 2023 |title=Netflix requirements to watch 4k that you paid for |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Piracy/comments/189odn6/netflix_requirements_to_watch_4k_that_you_paid_for/ |access-date=May 18, 2025 |website=Reddit}}</ref> ''Netflix'' has not clearly defined<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Netflix Support |title=Netflix supported browsers and system requirements |url=https://help.netflix.com/en/node/30081 |access-date=May 18, 2025 |website=help.netflix.com}}</ref> every restriction for how users are capable of accessing higher quality streaming content, despite 4k content being a specified tier consumers pay for.

===Advertising overload===
{{Main|Advertising overload}}
Netflix was among one of the first<ref name=":8">[https://help.netflix.com/en/node/126831 Ads on Netflix]</ref> premium streaming services to integrate advertisements on top of having to pay for the service. Since then, the platform has sought progressively more avenues to integrate advertisements, including further ads.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=11 Sep 2021 |title=Share of adults who think there were too many ads on video streaming services in the United States as of September 2021, by generation |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1307619/video-streaming-advertising-frequency-by-generation-us/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Statista]]}}</ref> These advertisements have also increased the amount of data that Netflix can collect, and by extension, sell.

Due to the amount of data that Netflix has been able to sell due to advertisement integration, it has also encouraged the company to raise the costs of ad-free tiers, so subscribers are forced either paying more to not see ads, or witness an increasing barrage of advertisements.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |last=Roettgers |first=Janko |date=23 Sep 2023 |title=Why every streaming service wants you to watch ads now |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90956587/why-every-streaming-service-wants-you-to-watch-ads-now |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Fast Company]]}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

Additionally, starting from 2025, Netflix will be using generative AI to "serve the right ad to the right member at the right time" to subscribers of the lowest paying tier.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=May 18, 2025 |title=Netflix puts AI ads in paid tier: pirate EVERYTHING at this point... 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️ |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhvDXmFEeUI |access-date=May 18, 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Netflix |date=May 14, 2025 |title=Netflix Upfront 2025: The Center of Attention |url=https://about.netflix.com/en/news/netflix-upfront-2025-the-center-of-attention |access-date=May 19, 2025 |website=Netflix About}}</ref> The nature of generative AI raises concerns about the quality of these advertisements. Said advertisements may also encourage further user tracking in order to "tailor" the content. Consumers were especially provoked by certain phrases used by Netflix' President of Advertising, Amy Reinhard at the Upfront 2025. Reinhard claimed that "When you compare us to our competitors, attention starts much higher and ends ''much'' higher. And even more impressive, members pay as much attention to mid-roll ads as they do to the shows and the movies themselves"<ref name=":4" />, which further raised concerns about user privacy.

===DRM Restrictions===
Netflix has historically halted access for certain consumer devices merely due to the fact that these devices cannot support PlayReady DRM.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Whitnam |first=Ryan |date=Nov 12, 2019 |title=Netflix Is Killing Support for Some TVs and Roku Boxes Because of DRM |url=https://www.extremetech.com/internet/301842-netflix-is-killing-support-for-some-tvs-and-roku-boxes-because-of-drm |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=Extreme Tech}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Torbet |first=Georgina |date=Nov 12, 2019 |title=Netflix explains why its apps won't work on older TVs and set-top boxes |url=https://www.engadget.com/2019-11-12-netflix-older-hardware-drm.html |access-date=May 18, 2025 |work=Engadget}}</ref> The usage of [[Digital rights management|DRM]] has also brought forth criticism from organizations such as Defective by Design and the Free Software Foundation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rogoff |first=Zak |date=Jul 12, 2013 |title=Cancel Netflix if you value freedom |url=https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/cancel-netflix-if-you-value-freedom |access-date=May 18, 2025 |work=Free Software Foundation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Farough |first=Greg |date=Dec 16, 2020 |title=IDAD 2020 sent Netflix and DRM a message |url=https://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/idad-2020-sent-netflix-and-drm-a-message |access-date=May 18, 2025 |website=Free Software Foundation}}</ref>

Previously until October 2014, Linux couldn't support Netflix for streaming strictly due to a lack of DRM support.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wallen |first=Jack |date=Aug 14, 2010 |title=The Netflix Linux conjecture: How Netflix snubs the Linux community |url=https://www.techrepublic.com/blog/linux-and-open-source/the-netflix-linux-conjecture-how-netflix-snubs-the-linux-community/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020232704/https://www.techrepublic.com/blog/linux-and-open-source/the-netflix-linux-conjecture-how-netflix-snubs-the-linux-community/ |archive-date=Oct 20, 2015 |access-date=May 19, 2025 |website=TechRepublic}}</ref>

===Selling identifiable user data===
From 2006 through 2010, ''Netflix'' held competitions to improve its recommendation system via '''The Netflix Prize''<nowiki/>'.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Netflix |title=The Netflix Prize |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090924184639/http://www.netflixprize.com/community/viewtopic.php?id=1537 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://www.netflixprize.com//community/viewtopic.php?id=1537 |archive-date=Sep 24, 2009 |access-date=May 19, 2025 |website=Netflix}}</ref> These competitions had prizes that were valued at $50k or higher.<ref name=":3" /> This has brought several privacy concerns from its userbase, and led to at least 2 lawsuits<ref>{{Cite news |last=Demerjian |first=Dave |date=Mar 15, 2007 |title=Rise of the Netflix Hackers |url=https://archive.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2007/03/72963 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928235912/http://archive.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2007/03/72963 |archive-date=Sep 28, 2015 |access-date=May 15, 2025 |work=WIRED}}</ref> concerning these competitions<ref>{{Cite news |last=Singel |first=Ryan |date=Dec 17, 2009 |title=Netflix Spilled Your Brokeback Mountain Secret, Lawsuit Claims |url=https://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/12/netflix-privacy-lawsuit/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227060413/http://www.wired.com/2009/12/netflix-privacy-lawsuit/ |archive-date=Feb 27, 2016 |access-date=May 19, 2015 |work=WIRED}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=Jun 6, 2023 |title=DOE et al v. NETFLIX, INC. et al, No. 1:2022cv01281 - Document 155 (S.D. Ind. 2023) |url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/indiana/insdce/1:2022cv01281/201228/155/ |access-date=May 19, 2025 |website=Justia}}</ref> which were found to be capable of leaking identifiable information, and especially could have been worsened had their sequel series successfully launched, as data such as renters' ages, gender, ZIP codes, genre ratings and previously chosen movies were provided to these research teams.

===Illegal retention of user data===
In 2011, Netflix settled a lawsuit regarding the retention of user data that was at least 2 years old.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stangel |first=Luke |date=Mar 25, 2013 |title=Netflix settles $9 million privacy lawsuit |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2013/03/25/netflix-settles-9-million-privacy.html |access-date=May 19, 2025 |website=Silicon Valley Business Journal}}</ref>{{Citation needed}}

===GDPR violation===
On November 26, 2024, the Dutch Data Protection Authority imposed an administrative fine of €4.75 million to Netflix for not properly informing customers about processing their data between the years 2018 and 2020. The lack of transparency and unclear information given by Netflix was in direct violation of several articles of the [[GDPR]].<ref>Dutch Data Protection Authority. (2024). Decision to impose an administrative fine for violation of the GDPR (Dutch DPA). Dutch Data Protection Authority. https://autoriteitpersoonsgegevens.nl/en/system/files?file=2024-12/Decision%20fine%20Netflix.pdf</ref>

===Netflix delisting 23 game titles===
On July 15 2025<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parrish |first=Ash |date=2025-08-17 |title=Netflix is letting go of some of its best indie games |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/692227/netflix-games-delisting-hades-braid-gaming-strategy |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-17 |website=theverge.com |publication-date=2025-06-24}}</ref>, some games provided by the "Netflix Games" service were pulled, and of those games that were already downloaded became unplayable too which has caused users to lose access to their saved games with no way to transfer or even play them as most were exclusive to Netflix Games.

{{Main|Netflix delisting 23 game titles}}

===Dark Patterns===

====Autoplay====
Netflix, like other streaming services, automatically plays another unsolicited video (trailer or episode) by default in order. In a scientific study, this has shown to significantly increase viewing hours since it deprives people of the time to actively decide if they want to continue watching or not.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Redenbaugh |first=Miranda |date=2025-03-04 |title=Scientists study the hidden cost of Netflix's autoplay |url=https://techxplore.com/news/2025-03-scientists-hidden-netflix-autoplay.html |access-date=2025-11-21 |website=TechXplore}}</ref>

The feature can also be considered disrespectful to the filmmakers who worked on the productions as their names are no longer shown at the end because end credits are cut off by the feature.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Cain |first=Sian |date=2025-11-12 |title=My petty gripe: autoplay trailers – give me more than 10 seconds before trying to make me watch The Diplomat |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/nov/12/my-petty-gripe-autoplay-trailers-give-me-more-than-10-seconds-before-trying-to-make-me-watch-the-diplomat |access-date=2025-11-21 |website=The Guardian}}</ref>

Users have also complained that they are subjected to the same trailers over and over again with no way to decline:<ref name=":5" /><blockquote>Netflix wants me to watch The Diplomat so badly, I can’t even have 10 seconds for a little cry after finishing Adolescence without being forced to dive for the remote to stop Netflix autoplaying the trailer for The Diplomat. […]

It’s not just Adolescence. It actually doesn’t seem to matter what I choose to watch; Netflix offers The Diplomat. Robert Eggers’ The Northman? Try The Diplomat, Netflix tells me 10 seconds into the credits. Dune: Part Two? You’ll love The Diplomat. The Brutalist? KPop Demon Hun– just kidding.</blockquote>The feature is on by default, but [https://help.netflix.com/en/node/121518 can be disabled in Netflix Settings].

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

LG

2026-01-11T03:07:15Z

Matt78: Removed redlink

{{Incomplete}}{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = LG
| Type = Public
| Founded = 1947
| Industry = Electronics
| Official Website = https://lg.com
| Logo = LG.png
}}
[[wikipedia:LG|'''LG Corporation''']] is a South Korean electronics and home-appliance chaebol (or mega corporation). They make microwave ovens, ovens, stoves, refrigerators, cell phones (until 2021), TVs, speakers, drives for Blu-ray Disk, CD, and DVD, computer components and peripherals, and other electronics.

Founded in 1947, the company is currently worth over 9.9 billion USD in market cap.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Market capitalization of LG Electronics |url=https://companiesmarketcap.com/lg-electronics/marketcap/ |url-status=live |access-date=13 Apr 2025 |website=companiesmarketcap.com}}</ref>
{{Clear}}
==Controversies==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Controversy
!Year
!Background Info
!Aftermath
!Related Article
!Related Video(s)
|-
|[[LG refrigerator warranty scandal|Linear Compressor Reliability]]
|2001
|Since its introduction, LG has been the subject of several class action lawsuits stemming from repeated failures of its linear compressor design for most of its refrigerators. There is also widespread criticism of LG's warranty and service practices related to these compressor failures.
|Ongoing
|
|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km-QqU5Pk84&t
|-
|Smart Home Privacy Violations
|
|LG's smart home devices; ranging from its large home appliances, vacuum cleaners, and its TVs have been criticized for their aggressive data collection policies and forced arbitration.
|Ongoing
|
|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3suztVz8s7s
|-
|Refusal to provide service manuals for dishwashers
|2025
|After making a request for a service manual from LG Canada as a consumer using the web portal, LG reached out to state that it is their policy that they will not provide service manuals to anyone other than authorized service centers. There was no escalation point to fight the policy decision.
This is based on the testimony of one consumer with a call recording but the recording wasn't made public.
|
|
|
|-
|Unsolicited installation of Microsoft Copilot app on Smart TVs
|2025
|After an update of WebOS, a new Copilot icon showed up on the home screens of LG Smart TVs. It cannot be uninstalled by the user.<ref>{{Cite web |first=defjam16 |date=2025-12-13 |title=My LG TV’s new software update installed Microsoft Copilot, which cannot be deleted. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1plldqo/my_lg_tvs_new_software_update_installed_microsoft/ |access-date=2025-12-16 |website=Reddit}}</ref>Following the online backlash, an LG spokesperson announced in an interview that it would be made possible to remove Copilot in the future, but did not respond when asked when this would be the case.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Washenko |first=Anna |date=2025-12-18 |title=LG will let you delete the previously unremovable Microsoft Copilot shortcut on its smart TVs |url=https://www.engadget.com/ai/lg-will-let-you-delete-the-previously-unremovable-microsoft-copilot-shortcut-on-its-smart-tvs-215352944.html |access-date=2025-12-20 |website=engadget}}</ref>
|Ongoing
|
|
|}

==Violations of smart-home privacy==

Part of the company's appliance division is involved with smart appliances, like microwaves. The company also makes smart OLED TVs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Promotions |url=https://www.lg.com/us/promotions |url-status=live |access-date=13 Apr 2025 |website=[[LG]]}}</ref>

===Implementation===
The implementation of "smart" LG devices come with the following features:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=18 Jul 2024 |title=This LG washing machine sells your personal data 🤦 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3suztVz8s7s |url-status=live |access-date=13 Apr 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pippig |first=Laura |last2=Lee |first2=Joel |date=15 Oct 2024 |title=Smart TVs are spying on you. How much do manufacturers really know? |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/2490054/smart-tvs-are-spying-on-you-how-much-do-manufacturers-really-know.html |url-status=live |access-date=13 Apr 2025 |website=PCWorld}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Anselmi |first=Gianluca |last2=Vekaria |first2=Yash |last3=D'Souza |first3=Alexander |last4=Callejo |first4=Patricia |last5=Mandalari |first5=Anna Maria |last6=Shafiq |first6=Zubair |date=10 Sep 2024 |title=Watching TV with the Second-Party: A First Look at Automatic Content Recognition Tracking in Smart TVs |url=https://arxiv.org/pdf/2409.06203 |url-status=live |access-date=13 Apr 2025 |website=arxiv.org}}</ref>

*[[Terms of service]] with the only option being to "accept."
*A single terms of service that dictates how a multitude of unrelated LG devices can use your personal data. Agreeing on one device means agreement on all.
*There is only an easily accessible "accept all" button when the service prompts the user with the Terms of Service (ToS).
*LG smart TVs will show you video ads with loud audio on the app store homepage and web browser homepage with no option to turn it off.
*Information gained by smart appliances are used to create a profile on the consumer. This profile is used to give targeted advertisements.
*LG smart TVs Patch root exploits with forced software updates making it so your forced to have a 1000 hour time limit on how long 3rd party apps can be installed with developer mode.
*Products such as the lines of LG smart vacuum cleaners collect information such as images, floor maps, cleaning history, cleaning diary list, and video feed, which is then sent to LG servers.
*Products such as LG smart TVs have the "Do not sell my personal data" setting off by default, being opt-out rather than opt-in.
**In some countries, on some models, (e.g EU and OLED C3) the data collection may become enabled by some firmware updates without the user having accepted the license agreement that entitles LG to collect data. However, the setting to disable the data collection is in a sub-menu that is inaccessible unless the user has agreed to the license agreement. Thus, the user is forced to agree to the license agreement in order to disable data collection.
*Products such as LG smart TVs aggressively promotes updating the firmware. If there is a newer firmware version, then the user will be prompted to update every time the TV is turned on .
*Products such as LG smart TV's collect information on the use of the product, such as what content you watch and when you watch it.
*LG's "ThinQ" mobile app to remotely control their line of portable air conditioners have a requirement for users to input their full name, email, and birthday in order to access these remote-control features. Further information fields prompted but not required include phone number, location, and address information.
*In cases where the OLED TV specifically, not connected to the internet by WiFi or LAN, prompt appears to suggest the user to connect to a network in order to use voice options. This behavior occurs regardless of voice privacy settings set by the user.
*For smart TVs, sign in to an LG account is now mandatory for functions such as downloading and installing apps. From LG support:

<blockquote>Regarding the forced sign-in requirement, we apologise for any inconvenience this has caused. The sign-in process is designed to enhance your experience by enabling access to personalised features, app downloads, and updates. It also ensures compatibility with various services and apps available on the LG platform.</blockquote>

:This seems to be a new requirement and is not present on older TVs. It also does not seem to be related to the "Software Version", but rather the "webOS TV Version".
:For unknown reasons, the LG sign in process can present an "Invalid terms type" error message. This seems to have been an issue since at least 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 Aug 2015 |title=Can't sign in to LG account on TV |url=https://www.avforums.com/threads/cant-sign-in-to-lg-account-on-tv.1973633/ |url-status=live |access-date=13 Apr 2025 |website=avforums}}</ref> In combination with the sign in requirement, this renders the smart functions of the TV inoperable. The workaround is to sign up at lg.com first (rather than lgemembers.com), then login to the TV.{{citation needed|reason=A page detailing this would be helpful}}

==Broader implications==
[[File:LG ThinQ App Screenshot.png|thumb]]
This incident represents broader implications:

*A lack of control over one's own data.
*A lack of consent before using the customers data to make a profit.
*Services being "opt-out" instead of being "opt-in."
*A lack of privacy in one's own home, because their electronics siphon data to LG, even after the transfer of ownership has been made.
*A lack of privacy regardless of the user modified settings, as voice recognition, recording, and transmission attempts happen regularly.

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:LG]]

Vizio fined by the FTC for collecting and selling user data without consumer consent

2026-01-11T02:09:58Z

Matt78:

{{StubNotice}}

On February 6th, 2017, The [[Federal Trade Commission|Federal Trade Commission (FTC)]] filed a lawsuit<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-02-06 |title=VIZIO, INC. and VIZIO Inscape Services, LLC |url=https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/162-3024-vizio-inc-vizio-inscape-services-llc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514204212/https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/162-3024-vizio-inc-vizio-inscape-services-llc |archive-date=2022-05-14 |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=The Federal Trade Commission}}</ref> against American Electronic Company [[Vizio|Vizio]] alleging privacy violations. FTC counted unfair tracking, deceptive omission regarding smart interactivity, and deceptive representation regarding smart interactivity. The Commission alleged Vizio had software installed on their smart televisions which collected user data, which they then sold to advertisers. {{IncidentCargo
|Company=Federal Trade Commission, Vizio
|StartDate=2017-02-17
|EndDate=2017-02-17
|Status=Resolved
|ProductLine=VIZIO Smart Televisions
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Privacy
|Description=VIZIO tracks Smart Television owners without consent.
}}
==Background==
Vizio was founded in 2002 and by 2007 they were already known for their affordable TVs. In 2011, they released their first smart TV line. This new line had built in software that would allow users to do things like connect the TV to internet, use Bluetooth and install apps. A few years after that, in 2015, Vizio launched their own operating system for these TVs called [[wikipedia:Vizio#Vizio_OS|SmartCast]] (now called Vizio OS) that utilized [[wikipedia:AirPlay|Apple AirPlay]] and [[wikipedia:Chromecast|Chromecast]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mashirenko |first=Anatoliy |date=2024-11-25 |title=Evolution of the Vizio TVs 2007-2024 |url=https://en.tab-tv.com/evolution-of-the-vizio-tvs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207045953/https://en.tab-tv.com/evolution-of-the-vizio-tvs/ |archive-date=2024-12-07 |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=Tab-Tv}}</ref>
==Vizio collecting data for marketing purposes without user consent==
A complaint filed by the FTC and New Jersey Attorney General says that, starting in February 2014, Vizio had been capturing everything that was displayed on the TV, and allegedly collecting sex, age, income, marital status, household size, education level, home ownership, and household value to sell it to 3rd parties for targeted advertising, and other various purposes. Vizio matched what was displayed on the screen to a database of content<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2017-02-06 |title=VIZIO to Pay $2.2 Million to FTC, State of New Jersey to Settle Charges It Collected Viewing Histories on 11 Million Smart Televisions without Users’ Consent |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2017/02/vizio-pay-22-million-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it-collected-viewing-histories-11-million |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505152911/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2017/02/vizio-pay-22-million-ftc-state-new-jersey-settle-charges-it-collected-viewing-histories-11-million |archive-date=2022-05-05 |access-date=2026-01-10 |website=Federal Trade Commission |no-pp=y}}</ref>. The FTC explains how this was being implemented: <blockquote>On a second-by-second basis, Vizio collected a selection of pixels on the screen that it matched to a database of TV, movie, and commercial content. What’s more, Vizio identified viewing data from cable or broadband service providers, set-top boxes, streaming devices, DVD players, and over-the-air broadcasts. Add it all up and Vizio captured as many as 100 billion data points each day from millions of TVs.</blockquote>Vizio also advertised a feature called “Smart Interactivity” which “enables program offers and suggestions” according to Vizio. However Vizio did not disclose that this feature, enables collection of user data<ref name=":0" />. The feature also did not provide the advertised functionality<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fair |first=Lesley |date=2017-02-06 |title=What Vizio was doing behind the TV screen |url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2017/02/what-vizio-was-doing-behind-tv-screen |url-status=live |archive-url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2017/02/what-vizio-was-doing-behind-tv-screen |archive-date=2022-03-13 |access-date=2026-01-10 |website=Federal Trade Commission |quote=(Oh, and the 'Smart Interactivity' feature didn’t even provide the promised 'program offers and suggestions.')}}</ref>.

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

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

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}
[[Category:Vizio]]

Vizio fined by the FTC for collecting and selling user data without consumer consent

2026-01-10T17:41:58Z

Matt78: Updated links and fixed some text

Veo paywalls camera features

2026-01-10T17:32:58Z

Matt78: Updated product line

{{Incomplete}}{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Veo Technologies ApS
|StartDate=2025-03-13
|Status=Active
|ProductLine=Veo Camera, Veo GO
|Product=Veo Camera 1, Veo Camera 2, Veo Camera 3, Veo GO
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Ownership
|Description=Veo patched a workaround on Mar 13, 2025, now blocking all video access without a subscription, reducing camera ownership value.
}}

In February 2025, Veo Technologies patched a workaround that had allowed camera owners to access and share recordings without a subscription.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Veo Camera Android 3.3.0.3 - update changelog |url=https://updates.veo.co/announcements/veo-camera-android-3-3-0-3}}</ref> The change followed months of community discussion on Reddit, where users discovered that Veo’s app could stream videos via AirPlay.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=VEO without subscription?? - Reddit |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/VeoCamera/comments/qqytnz/veo_without_subscription/}}</ref> With the update introducing “Native Viewing,” Veo effectively blocked all non-subscribed access, sparking criticism over transparency and product ownership.<ref>{{Cite web |title=hack veo camera? - Reddit |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/VeoCamera/comments/1muowh3/hack_veo_camera/}}</ref>

==Background==
'''Veo Technologies ApS''', a Danish company known for its AI-powered sports cameras, has built its business model around a subscription-based platform.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Veo Technologies |url=https://www.veo.co/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21503330536&creative=706795709477&campaignid=21503330536&adgroupid=170426476772&keyword=best%20sports%20camera&gad_source=1}}</ref> When purchasing a Veo Camera, customers are informed that an active subscription is required to access most features, including publishing and sharing recorded matches.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Veo Cam 3 |url=https://www.veo.co/product/veo-cam-3}}</ref> Despite this, until February 2025, camera owners without an active subscription could still record, view, and share their footage locally using workarounds such as AirPlay. This provided users with a degree of independence from Veo’s cloud services, preserving some value in camera ownership even without ongoing payments.

==Incident==
The controversy surrounding Veo’s subscription model dates back to late 2021, when users on the ''r/veocamera'' subreddit began questioning whether it was possible to use Veo cameras without an active subscription.<ref name=":1" /> One early post from November 2021 captured the frustration of potential buyers: while Veo’s AI-driven technology was appealing, its mandatory subscription requirement discouraged many. Responses confirmed that without a subscription, recordings remained inaccessible—even though the camera itself could still capture footage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reply on "VEO without subscription??" - Reddit (u/torona69) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/VeoCamera/comments/qqytnz/comment/hkdc4po/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button}}</ref> For years, users quietly sought alternatives, and in September 2024, one Redditor revealed a workaround: by using AirPlay through the Veo app’s video player, recordings could be streamed or even screen recorded, partially bypassing the subscription limitation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reply on "VEO without subscription??" - Reddit (u/Rushfcknb #1) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/VeoCamera/comments/qqytnz/comment/ln3h0sv/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button}}</ref> This method spread modestly online, until early March 2025, when the same user confirmed the loophole had been patched.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reply on "VEO without subscription??" - Reddit (u/Rushfcknb #2) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/VeoCamera/comments/qqytnz/comment/mhlduwo/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button}}</ref> The update effectively disabled AirPlay and similar sharing functions, locking video access fully behind Veo’s subscription paywall.<ref name=":0" />

===Veo's response===
Veo Technologies did not directly acknowledge the AirPlay patch or the community’s discovery of the workaround. However, a clue surfaced in Veo’s official changelog from late February 2025, describing a new feature called ''“Native Viewing.”'' The update promised “seamless viewing directly within the app,” but in practice, it introduced Veo’s proprietary video player — which blocked AirPlay and all external sharing options.<ref name=":0" /> This move, presented as an improvement, was perceived by users as a deliberate step to prevent unsubscribed owners from accessing their recordings outside the Veo ecosystem. By removing the final means of local playback, Veo reaffirmed its dependence on subscriptions for even basic functionality. The company’s silence on the issue and the misleading changelog description further fueled user frustration, reinforcing the perception that Veo prioritizes subscription revenue over fair product ownership.

===Consumer trust===
The decision to patch out local playback and enforce subscription-only access has raised serious concerns about consumer trust in Veo Technologies. Many owners feel that their expensive cameras (often costing over $1,000<ref name=":2" />) have effectively become unusable without continuous payments. What was once marketed as an innovative sports recording tool now feels, to some, like a leased service disguised as a product. The AirPlay patch incident especially damaged Veo’s credibility; by quietly removing a user-discovered feature under the pretense of a “Native Viewing” enhancement, the company appeared deceptive rather than transparent. This has sparked discussions about the broader implications of subscription-dependent hardware, where ownership does not guarantee access or control. For many users, Veo’s handling of the situation has undermined confidence in the brand, reinforcing fears that digital ecosystems can revoke functionality at any time — even after full purchase.

==References==
{{reflist}}