Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Special event page:Forced installation of Flock cameras in Denver, Colorado

2025-10-20T22:42:33Z

NashadkaJr: Added a link pointing to the article for the plate readers

{{Alert|message = This is a special page dedicated to an upcoming event. It will be deleted once irrelevant, and is not representative of a typical wiki article.}}

=WHAT HAPPENED:=
On May 5, 2025, the Denver City Council rejected a $666,000 two-year extension for [[Flock license plate readers|Flock ALPR cameras]] with a vote of 12-0.<ref>[https://denverite.com/2025/05/05/denver-rejects-flock-camera-license-plate-readers/ Denver rejects Flock camera license plate readers], Denverite, May 5, 2025</ref> 63 days later, in July 2025, Mayor Mike Johnston signed a $498,500 contract with Flock which is $1,500 under the $500k approval threshold, keeping the cameras running through October 31, 2025. That maneuver and date range are documented by Axios<ref>[https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/09/02/license-plate-denver-readers-mass-surveillance License plate readers in Denver spark mass surveillance concerns], Axios Denver, September 2, 2025</ref> and the ACLU of Colorado.<ref>[https://www.aclu-co.org/press-releases/coalition-of-civil-rights-and-advocacy-organizations-deeply-concerned-about-use-of-flock-cameras-for-ice-surveillance/ Coalition Deeply Concerned About Use of Flock Cameras for ICE Surveillance], ACLU of Colorado</ref>
----

==What the law says:==

===Denver Charter and City procurement rules:===
City Council must approve contracts over $500,000 according to Charter § 3.2.6<ref>[https://www.denvergov.org/files/assets/public/v/1/clerk-and-recorder/documents/new-folder/charterbooks_print_eng_v2.pdf Denver Charter], Page 58, Section E</ref>. This is Page 58, section E:<blockquote>(E) Approval of certain contracts by Council. Contracts which will require or result in the payment or receipt by the City of one-half million dollars ($500,000.00) or more, and those in which personal property valued at one-half million dollars ($500,000.00) or more will be sold or transferred by or to the City, and those in which a provider of services to the City will receive a percentage of generated revenues, shall require the approval of the City Council acting by ordinance or resolution, prior to their execution by City officials</blockquote>Also refer to Denver's $500,000 City Council approval rule, memorandum 8A<ref>[https://www.denvergov.org/files/assets/public/v/1/executive-orders/documents/2025/xo8-memo-a-2025-final-10k-po-threshold-increasedatesign.pdf Executive Order 8, Memorandum A], Page 15, Section H</ref>. This is Page 15, section H City Council, #1, item a, subsection 1:<blockquote>Contracts that may require the City to expend $500,000 or more or sell personal property worth $500,000 or more, and amendments which cause the total contract to exceed that amount</blockquote>'''The contract was for $498,500, not $500,000.''' However, the Denver Purchasing Manual says the following on page 13:<ref>[https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/573/documents/Purchasing%20Policy%20Manual%2009202017.pdf Denver Purchasing Policy Manual], Page 13, September 20, 2017</ref><blockquote>''"Buyers shall be diligent in preventing agency avoidance of the formal or informal bid thresholds or City Council required ordinance thresholds by artificially dividing requisitions to avoid any procurement regulations described in Article 20-64 of the Revised Municipal Code."''</blockquote>

====Colorado statutes====

*'''C.R.S. § 18-8-404'''<ref>[https://colorado.public.law/statutes/crs_18-8-404 C.R.S. § 18-8-404 - First-degree official misconduct], Colorado Public Law</ref>, First-degree official misconduct: '''''a public servant commits misconduct if, with intent to obtain a benefit, they violate any statute or lawfully adopted rule relating to their office (Class 1 misdemeanor)'''''

=====What's a "benefit"?=====
A benefit isn't just a bag of cash under the table.

The definition of "benefit" is found in '''Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-1-901(3)(b)'''<ref>[https://law.justia.com/codes/colorado/title-18/article-1/part-9/section-18-1-901/ C.R.S. § 18-1-901 - Definitions], Justia Law</ref>,<blockquote>''"(b) "Benefit" means any gain or advantage to the beneficiary including any gain or advantage to another person pursuant to the desire or consent of the beneficiary."''</blockquote>Section 18-1-901 contains general definitions that apply throughout Title 18 (Colorado Criminal Code), including the offenses in Article 8 (Governmental Operations).

The definition is broad and includes:

#'''Any gain or advantage''', which is not limited to money or personal enrichment
#'''Benefits to other people''' if the defendant wanted them to benefit
#'''Policy outcomes''', getting a governmental result the mayor wants
#'''Avoiding negative consequences''' like bypassing rejection

This is way broader than ''"personal financial enrichment."'' If Mayor Johnston saw getting the Flock contract approved as advantageous, that qualifies as a "benefit."
----

=====Case Law: People v. Luttrell=====
'''People v. Luttrell, 636 P.2d 712 (Colo. 1981)'''<ref>[https://law.justia.com/cases/colorado/supreme-court/1981/80sa478-0.html People v. Luttrell, 636 P.2d 712 (Colo. 1981)], Colorado Supreme Court</ref><blockquote>"Intent may be inferred. Intent to commit embezzlement of public property, official misconduct, and theft may be inferred from the defendants' conduct and the circumstances of the case"<ref>[https://law.justia.com/codes/colorado/2021/title-18/article-8/part-4/section-18-8-407/ Annotations to C.R.S. § 18-8-404], Justia Law</ref></blockquote>Direct evidence such as an email from the mayor saying "I'm doing this to avoid council approval" might not be necessary. It could be possible to prove criminal intent by inferring via the existing details.

*The timing of actions, 63 days after 12-0 vote rejecting Flock contract
*The specificity of the contract amount, which is 0.3% under the legal limit
*Surrounding circumstances, same vendor and same service, just repriced

=====This doesn't have to be a bribe; read "pecuniary benefit"=====
For comparison, Colorado law distinguishes between '''''"benefit"''''' and '''''"pecuniary benefit"'''''.

'''C.R.S. § 18-1-901(3)(m)''' "Pecuniary benefit" means benefit in the form of money, property, commercial interests, or anything else, the primary significance of which is economic gain.

The statute uses "pecuniary benefit" when it means financial enrichment specifically. The fact that § 18-8-404 uses just "benefit" (not "pecuniary benefit") proves our point that the legislature wanted a broader meaning of the word "benefit" in this context.

=====How it can apply to the mayor=====
Under the verified statutory definition, a mayor obtains a "benefit" by:

#'''policy benefit:''' he implemented his surveillance camera policy that he believed is necessary
#'''political benefit:''' avoided the political cost of removing operational cameras
#'''institutional benefit:''' expanding executive authority over public safety
#'''3rd benefit:''' Flock keeps getting Denver taxpayer money without consent

'''NONE OF THIS REQUIRES PERSONAL FINANCIAL ENRICHMENT TO BE AGAINST THE LAW!''' The "gain or advantage" is getting the contract approved after City Council rejected it.

==WHAT YOU NEED TO DO!==
We have to make it legally and politically untenable for the mayor to continue with his actions to extend the Flock contract past October 31st 2025. Help with the following:

===1) File complaints===

====Attorney General complaint====

*[https://coag.gov/file-complaint/ Click here to file a complaint with the Colorado Attorney General (Phil Weiser)]. Choose '''"Deprivation of Rights by a Governmental Authority":''' Allege contract-splitting to evade oversight (C.R.S. § 31-15-712) and official misconduct (C.R.S. § 18-8-404), citing:
**The Council's 12-0 rejection of the $666,000 extension on May 5<ref>[https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/denver-city-council-rejects-contract-expansion-for-license-plate-recognition-cameras-in-the-city Denver City Council rejects contract expansion for license plate recognition cameras], Denver7, May 5, 2025</ref>
**The $498,500 deal in July (exactly $1,500 under the threshold) and intent to evade Council
**1,400+ ICE searches of Denver data<ref>[https://coloradonewsline.com/2025/08/06/immigration-denver-flock-camera/ Federal immigration agents used Denver's Flock cameras 1,400 times], Colorado Newsline, August 6, 2025</ref> and potential conflict with state limits on sharing PII to aid immigration enforcement<ref>[https://leg.colorado.gov/publications/state-and-federal-immigration-laws State and Federal Immigration Laws], Colorado General Assembly</ref>

'''WHAT TO SAY:'''<blockquote>I am filing a formal complaint regarding Mayor Mike Johnston's violations of Colorado law. On May 5, 2025, Denver City Council [https://denver.granicus.com/player/clip/16871?view_id=21 unanimously rejected a Flock Safety camera contract], 12 no to 0 yes. 63 days later, Mayor Johnston signed a $498,500 contract with Flock which is exactly $1,500 below the $500,000 threshold requiring council approval under Denver Charter § 3.2.6.

This appears to be deliberate circumvention of required legislative oversight, violating C.R.S. § 18-8-404 (Official Misconduct). Additionally, this artificial division of a contract to evade approval requirements violates the Denver Purchasing Manual says the following on page 13:

''"Buyers shall be diligent in preventing agency avoidance of the formal or informal bid thresholds or City Council required ordinance thresholds by artificially dividing requisitions to avoid any procurement regulations described in Article 20-64 of the Revised Municipal Code."''

"under C.R.S. § 18-1-901(3)(b), ''"benefit"'' means ''"any gain or advantage to the beneficiary including any gain or advantage to another person pursuant to the desire or consent of the beneficiary."''

Mayor Johnston obtained a benefit by successfully implementing a surveillance contract that city council had unanimously rejected 63 days earlier. Under People v. Luttrell, 636 P.2d 712 (Colo. 1981), intent can be inferred from conduct and circumstances. The precise pricing ''($498,500, which is 0.3% below the $500,000 threshold)'' and timing ''(immediately after rejection)'' demonstrate '''''knowing violation with intent to obtain the benefit of contract approval."'''''

I respectfully request your office:

#Investigate whether Mayor Johnston violated C.R.S. § 18-1-901(3)(b) and C.R.S. § 18-8-404
#Subpoena internal communications between the Mayor's office and Flock Safety regarding contract pricing and structuring
#Review whether the Mayor's office discussed the $500,000 threshold when structuring this deal
#Charge Mayor Johnston if the evidence supports criminal violations

Thank you for your attention to this matter.</blockquote>

====Denver District Attorney complaint====

*Submit directly to the Denver District Attorney alongside the AG filing.
**Website: [https://www.denverda.org/contact-us/ denverda.org/contact-us]
**Email: '''info@denverda.org'''
**Main line: '''720-913-9000''', Línea en Español '''720-913-9020''', Consumer Fraud Hotline '''720-913-9179'''
**"Report a Crime" page: [https://www.denverda.org/report-a-crime/ denverda.org/report-a-crime]
*Use the same "What to say" text above, tailored to request a criminal inquiry into official misconduct and threshold avoidance, and include your attachments.

===2) Denver Code of Ethics; DRMC §§ 2-51 (letter and spirit)===
The code requires acting within the letter and spirit of ethics rules and avoiding even the appearance of impropriety. Alleged end-run behavior can be challenged as violating §2-51's intent.

[https://www.denvergov.org/files/assets/public/v/2/board-of-ethics/documents/complaintform_boardofethics.pdf Click to file a complaint with the Denver Board of Ethics]: claim misuse of office by the mayor by circumventing Charter § 3.2.6 and violating the City Purchasing Manual (ban on artificially dividing to avoid Council review, manual p.13).

===3) SIGN UP TO SPEAK AT CITY COUNCIL GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS, IMMEDIATELY===
Tell the City Council on the record that you want this investigated, as they can pressure the district attorney. '''Sign up''' for the [https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Denver-City-Council/Public-Input/General-Public-Comment Monday General Public Comment] which takes place at 5 PM, October 20th, 2025. Do it before 2 PM the day of.

Ask City Council to refer this matter to the auditor and district attorney, and to schedule an oversight hearing. [https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Denver-City-Council/Public-Input/General-Public-Comment CLICK HERE FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO SIGN UP!]

Ask City Council to introduce a pre-deadline resolution declaring any unilateral extension improper and demanding Council review for any surveillance-tech contract ''(example of this, New Orleans' tightening of oversight after a mayoral end-run)<ref>[https://thelensnola.org/2022/11/17/city-council-significantly-expands-approval-power-over-city-contracts/ City Council significantly expands approval power over city contracts], The Lens New Orleans, November 17, 2022</ref>''.

===4) FILE COLORADO OPEN RECORDS ACT REQUESTS===

While [https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/09/02/license-plate-denver-readers-mass-surveillance statements have been made by City Council members discussing the contract's improper extension], we're going to want the hard documents. That requires a request.

====How to Make a Colorado Open Records Request====

=====Step 1: visit the portal=====
Go to: https://www.denvergov.org/openrecords

=====Step 2: what departments to get records from=====

Submit '''SEPARATE''' requests to each department (increases chances of getting documents):

======Mayor's Office======
*'''Department:''' [https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Mayors-Office/Contact Office of the Mayor]
*'''Records Custodian:''' Mayor's Office Communications
*'''Request:'''
**All contracts with Flock Safety executed July 2025
**All emails between Mayor's Office and Flock Safety (April 1 - July 31, 2025)
**All internal emails containing "Flock" AND "$500,000" or "threshold"
**Meeting calendars showing any Flock Safety meetings

======City Attorney's Office======
*'''Department:''' Denver City Attorney's Office
*'''Records Custodian:''' Legal Department
*'''Request:'''
**Legal review memos for Flock contract
**Emails regarding "contract structuring" or "council approval threshold"
**Any legal opinions on contracts under $500,000

======Department of Finance======
*'''Department:''' Department of Finance
*'''Records Custodian:''' Controller's Office
*'''Request:'''
**Purchase orders for Flock Safety
**Budget documents showing the $498,500 allocation
**Any procurement waivers or exemptions filed

======Denver City Council======
*'''Department:''' Denver City Council
*'''Records Custodian:''' Council Secretary
*'''Request:'''
**Complete minutes and vote record from May 5, 2025 meeting
**All council communications regarding Flock rejection
**Any subsequent communications from Mayor's office about Flock

=====Step 3: what to say=====

some ideas:<blockquote>"This request includes all responsive records in any format including:
*Emails (including attachments)
*Text messages
*Teams/Slack/Official work chat messages
*Handwritten notes
*Calendar entries
*Phone logs
*Draft documents

Search terms should include variations like:
*'Flock' OR 'ALPR' OR 'license plate reader'
*'$498' OR '$499' OR 'four hundred ninety'
*'threshold' OR 'limit' OR 'approval requirement'

Time period: April 1, 2025 through July 31, 2025"</blockquote>

=====Step 4: save yourself money=====

Add this to avoid fees:<blockquote>"I request a fee waiver as this information is in the public interest regarding potential circumvention of City Council authority. Disclosure will contribute significantly to public understanding of government operations."</blockquote>

=====Step 5: documents to focus on=====

#'''Contract Modification'''
#*Original $666,000 contract draft
#*Revised $498,500 or $499,000 contract
#*Change orders or amendments
#'''"Keep It Under" Emails'''
#*Search: "under 500" "below threshold" "avoid council"
#*Any email sent between May 6-July 6, 2025
#'''The Timeline Documents'''
#*May 5 council rejection documentation
#*July 7 contract execution
#*Any June communications showing planning

=====Step 6: Follow-up=====

*Should get acknowledgement in 1-3 days
*7 days for "extenuating circumstances"
*After 10 days, file a complaint if you get no response

=====Sample Request Text=====

<blockquote>Under the Colorado Open Records Act § 24-72-201 et seq., I request access to the following records:

All communications, contracts, and documents related to agreements with Flock Safety or regarding automated license plate readers (ALPR) between April 1, 2025 and July 31, 2025, specifically including:

#The executed contract for $498,500 signed in July 2025 according to [https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2025/09/02/license-plate-denver-readers-mass-surveillance statements by City Councilwoman Sarah Parady]
#Any prior contract drafts or proposals with different amounts
#All emails between city officials containing the terms "Flock", "498", "500", "threshold", or "council approval"
#Meeting notes or memos discussing contract structuring

This request is in the public interest as it concerns potential circumvention of democratic oversight. I request a fee waiver.

Please provide records electronically to [your email].</blockquote>

===5) PUBLIC PRESSURE!===
SHOW UP 6 PM TO A TOWN HALL THIS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22ND, 6 PM, 2650 E 40th Ave, Denver, Colorado - BE THERE, I WILL BE!
[[File:Town Hall October 22nd 6 PM 2650 E 40th Ave, Denver, CO 80205.jpg|alt=Town Hall at October 22nd, 6 PM, 2650 E 40th Ave, Denver, CO 80205|thumb|Town Hall at October 22nd, 6 PM, 2650 E 40th Ave, Denver, CO 80205]]

==References==
<references />

Digital rights management

2025-10-18T18:36:23Z

NashadkaJr: /* DRM present elsewhere */

[[Category:Anti-Consumer_Practices]]
[[Category:Common terms]]

[[wikipedia:Digital_rights_management|'''Digital rights management''']] (DRM), alternatively known as '''digital restrictions management'''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stallman |first=Richard |title=Opposing Digital Rights Mismanagement |url=https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/opposing-drm.en.html |archive-url=https://archive.is/XwqaH |archive-date=2023-05-02}}</ref>, broadly refers to any kind of access control technology that is used to deliberately restrict the usage of media content or devices after the sale. It is typically used by a seller to prevent unauthorized distribution or replication of their product. Implementations of DRM can range from very simple (such as a basic disc check) to extremely complex executable binary obfuscation (such as Denuvo).

{{Quote|<I>DRM creates a damaged good; it prevents you from doing what would be possible without it. – Defective by Design</I><ref>https://www.defectivebydesign.org/what_is_drm</ref>}}

==DRM in video content==

Attempting to prevent the copying of video content is one of the most common and long-standing uses of DRM. The idea of using copy obstruction on video content predates the term "DRM", one early example being the "Automatic Gain Control" requirement in VCRs used to enforce the "Macrovision" copy-protection scheme.<ref>[https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/1201#k_1_A 17 U.S. Code § 1201 - Circumvention of copyright protection systems, K.1.A.i]</ref><ref>[https://cs.stanford.edu/people/eroberts/courses/cs181/projects/1999-00/dmca-2k/macrovision.html Macrovision Demystified], Stanford CS181. </ref> This requirement resulted in VCRs and compliant analog to DV capture cards not being able to record commercial VHS tapes{{citation needed}}.

From 1996, DVDs began to feature the "Content Scramble System" (CSS), an encryption based DRM. CSS was successfully circumvented as early as 1999, less than five years after its introduction, partly due to the limited length of the 40-bit encryption key, which was used to comply with US government export regulations of the time.<ref>http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/DeCSS/FrankStevenson/mail1.txt</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20000302000206/http://www.dvd-copy.com/news/cryptanalysis_of_contents_scrambling_system.htm "Cryptanalysis of Contents Scrambling System", Frank A. Stevenson, archived from dvd-copy.com]</ref> Following this, DVDs as well as HD-DVDs and Blu-Rays would implement other types of DRM, one of them being the "Advanced Access Content System".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Advanced Access Content System (AACS) |url=http://www.aacsla.com/specifications/specs091/AACS_Spec_Common_0.91.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070302130221/http://www.aacsla.com/specifications/specs091/AACS_Spec_Common_0.91.pdf |archive-date=2 Mar 2007 |access-date=20 Apr 2025}}
</ref> When the AACS key was similarly extracted, the AACS Licensing Administrator began issuing cease-and-desist letters to websites where the key was posted.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 Apr 2007 |title=AACS licensor complains of posted key |url=https://lumendatabase.org/notices/21725 |url-status=live |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Lumen}}</ref> Another form of Blu-Ray DRM, [[Cinavia]], uses a form of audio watermarking that makes certain releases unplayable in devices that are not equipped to recognize it, a notable example being Sony's Playstation 3.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ganesh |first=T. S. |date=21 Mar 2012 |title=Cinavia DRM: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Blu-ray’s Self-Destruction |url=https://www.anandtech.com/show/5693/cinavia-drm-how-i-learned-to-stop-worrying-and-love-blurays-selfdestruction/2 |url-status=live |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=AnandTech}}</ref>

In the attempt of preventing video ripping via a capture card, modern displays, optical disc players, and computers use the [[wikipedia:High-bandwidth_Digital_Content_Protection|High-Definition Content Protection]] system to encrypt display signals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About DCP |url=https://www.digital-cp.com/about_dcp |url-status=live |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=www.digital-cp.com}}</ref> For example, [[Netflix stream-quality controversy|Netflix will refuse]] to stream content at the full resolution advertised for the plan if the user is not streaming through an HDCP compliant video card and display.

For terrestrial over-the-air broadcast, in 2023 [[ATSC 3.0]] pilot stations across the United States started to encrypt their signals,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seidman |first=Lon |date=15 May 2023 |title=Broadcasters Roll Out Restrictive DRM Encryption on ATSC 3.0 Broadcasts |url=https://blog.lon.tv/2023/05/15/broadcasters-roll-out-restrictive-drm-encryption-on-atsc-3-0-broadcasts/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Lon.tv}}</ref> leaving those that bought ATSC 3.0 tuners that could not decrypt broadcasts unable to watch the newly encrypted channels. Those tuners that were later certified by the A3SA authority to decrypt signals also had potential restrictions placed as part of the DRM scheme, such as blocking recordings and remote tuner access.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newman |first=Jared |date=28 Jul 2023 |title=NextGen TV’s DRM puts future of the over-the-air DVR in doubt |url=https://www.techhive.com/article/2009693/nextgen-tv-drm-puts-future-of-the-over-the-air-dvr-in-doubt.html |url-status=live |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=TechHive}}</ref>

==DRM in audio content==
Another place DRMs were used in was audio content, which was rarely implemented due to audio's analog nature (compared to video and software), making it questionable whether it could effectively block data replication. The most notable application of audio DRM was [[wikipedia:MediaMax|MediaMax]], which essentially functioned as malware to prevent users from simply playing these audio discs on Windows and macOS. There was also the less-notable [[wikipedia:Extended_Copy_Protection|Extended Copy Protection]] (XCP) DRM, however it did leave [[Sony]] in hot water<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony BMG copy protection rootkit scandal |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_BMG_copy_protection_rootkit_scandal |url-status=live |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Wikipedia}}</ref>, dubbing this form of DRM also as the Sony Rootkit.

==DRM in software==
Most discussions about DRM often associate its use with some form of software restriction, from the simple product key, to the infamous [[Denuvo]] DRM. Historically, DRM started off with simpler physical techniques, such as decoder wheels and [[wikipedia:Lenslok|LensLok]]. The effectiveness of these systems varied, and many cracking groups simply found ways around them, especially since second-hand copies of software that used these primitive forms of DRM could easily become lost, damaged, or worse, fail to function with certain hardware.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whitehead |first=Ben |date=15 Apr 2010 |title=Banging the DRM |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/banging-the-drm-article?page=2 |url-status=live |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=EuroGamer}}</ref> This has essentially sparked a game of cat and mouse that continues to fester, especially for the gaming community, to this day.

==Consumer rights issues with DRM==
DRM, by definition, is designed to make content less compatible with devices. This means there is a higher likelihood of software or hardware refusing to play content due to buggy or overly restrictive DRM. For example, with the aforementioned Netflix HDCP requirement, it is not enough for the display you intend to watch the content on to support HDCP—all monitors connected to the system must support it.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Netflix requires all monitors to be HDCP 2.2. How can I get around this? |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/1avkwtb/netflix_requires_all_monitors_to_be_hdcp_22_how/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Old Reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=How do I get Netflix working at 4k on my second monitor? |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/netflix/comments/mam2l9/how_do_i_get_netflix_working_at_4k_on_my_second/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Old Reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=How to use Netflix on your Windows computer or tablet |url=https://help.netflix.com/en/node/23931 |url-status=live |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Netflix Help Center}}</ref> This means that on PCs with multi-monitor setup PC, older but fully functional monitors cannot be used as secondary screens without violating Netflix’s DRM restrictions.

Such requirements are not always clearly disclosed. When they are, they are often buried in the Terms of Service or, in Netflix's case, require navigating through multiple FAQ pages. Furthermore, some content may surreptitiously install DRM without the knowledge or consent of the user, such as in the Sony Rootkit scandal.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 Oct 2005 |title=Sony, Rootkits and Digital Rights Management Gone Too Far |url=http://blogs.technet.com/b/markrussinovich/archive/2005/10/31/sony-rootkits-and-digital-rights-management-gone-too-far.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317040653/http://blogs.technet.com/b/markrussinovich/archive/2005/10/31/sony-rootkits-and-digital-rights-management-gone-too-far.aspx |archive-date=17 Mar 2015 |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Mark Russinovich's Blog}}</ref> Such software may contain exploits that can compromise the security of the user's PC.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Krebs |first=Brian |date=10 Nov 2005 |title=Virus Writers Exploit Sony Anti-Piracy Software |url=http://blog.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2005/11/virus_writers_exploit_sony_ant.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061116191907/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2005/11/virus_writers_exploit_sony_ant.html |archive-date=16 Nov 2006 |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Washington Post}}</ref>

DRM in video games has frequently been implemented in an intrusive manner, hurting load times and performance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kessler |first=Ana |date=25 May 2023 |title=Testing Reveals Games with Denuvo Launch Up to Four Times Slower |url=https://80.lv/articles/testing-reveals-games-with-denuvo-launch-up-to-four-times-slower/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=80.lv}}</ref> This behavior has been more a result of negligent usage of the DRM rather than deliberate malicious intent.

DRM failures can also come as a surprise. For example, with a YouTube Premium subscription, you can "Download videos to watch offline", but such videos are only available for 48 hours without an internet connection.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch videos offline on mobile in select countries & regions |url=https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/6141269 |url-status=live |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=YouTube Help}}</ref> This creates confusion and problems, as users may want to download videos in anticipation of a period without internet access.

===Ineffectiveness of audio and video DRM===
It is nearly impossible to prevent copying of non-interactive content such as audio and video once it is distributed to the consumer.

Macrovision DRM can be defeated using a widely available time base corrector,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bought this box back in the early 90s to eliminate Macrovision copy guard on tapes - cost $49.95 back then. Decided to see if it still works by recording my Red Label Star Wars set to DVD. Still working it’s magic! |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/VHS/comments/so4xs5/bought_this_box_back_in_the_early_90s_to/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Old Reddit}}</ref> which strips out the signal that triggers the AGC on VCRs or Macrovision compliant devices.

Many HDMI splitters<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bypassing HDCP in 2024 |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/PS3/comments/19dohrh/bypassing_hdcp_in_2024/lbtqiky/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Old Reddit}}</ref> and capture cards<ref>{{Cite web |title=I bought a $40 capture card off Amazon and it seems to have hdcp bypass because my PS3 works directly with it. |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/PS3/comments/19dohrh/bypassing_hdcp_in_2024/kj7cu60/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Old Reddit}}
</ref> are capable of decrypting HDCP and copying the video stream. As long as at least one bypass exists at the HDCP level, all streaming content can be trivially ripped.

Audio DRM is trivial to bypass, as the audio must be decrypted into a plain analog signal in order to drive physical speakers or headphones.

===DRM degradation===
The development of some forms of DRM, such as [[wikipedia:Games_for_Windows_–_Live|Games For Windows Live]], are reliant on special processes within some operating systems that end up becoming unsupported or deprecated as time goes on. Legacy [[SecuROM]]-protected titles (released roughly between 1998 and 2005) are notoriously known for not running on operating systems newer than Windows XP<ref>https://www.lucadamico.dev/papers/drms/securom/ArabianNights.pdf</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=@haggar |date=15 Oct 2006 |title=Unpacking SecuROM 4.xx |url=http://www.reversing.be/article.php?story=20061015153108847 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226230919/http://www.reversing.be/article.php?story=20061015153108847 |archive-date=26 Feb 2022 |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=www.reversing.be}}</ref>. Customers must spend an extensive amount of time circumventing the DRM (or using more illicit methods) just to play content they legitimately purchased.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baggs |first=Nathan |date=16 Jan 2025 |title=Hacking This Terrible DRM |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjkqI7dBDVg |url-status=live |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

This DRM degradation has the worst effects on physical licenses of products, as unlike a digital installation, if a physical copy of a game's DRM stops being supported by modern hardware, developers cannot simply distribute a patch to directly modify the code on a disc, and online patches cannot last forever.

===Always-online DRM===
Some DRM requires a constant internet connection. While this may make sense in something that inherently requires an internet connection such as a streaming service or multiplayer-only video game, this has also been employed in games with single-player content, rendering customers unable to use their purchase if they do not have an active internet connection.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kain |first=Erik |date=17 May 2012 |title='Diablo III' Fans Should Stay Angry About Always-Online DRM |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/05/17/diablo-iii-fans-should-stay-angry-about-always-online-drm/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Forbes}}</ref> Conversely, if operations for these services are shut down, user, even those with legitimate copies of software and internet access, cannot run their games without resorting to hacking them first.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vitor |first=João |date=12 Jul 2024 |title=Rewriting completely the GameSpy support from 2000 to 2004 using Reverse Engineering on EA and Bungie Games |url=https://keowu.re/posts/Rewriting-completely-the-GameSpy-support-from-2000-to-2004-using-Reverse-Engineering-on-EA-and-Bungie-Games/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Keowu Blog's}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Burns |first=Chris |date=4 Apr 2014 |title=GameSpy Shuts Down May 31: Will Your Game Be Affected? |url=https://www.slashgear.com/gamespy-shuts-down-may-31-will-your-game-be-affected-04323788/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=SlashGear}}</ref> [[Ubisoft]] has historically been known for server shutdowns and transfers cutting off access to games for many players.<ref>http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/121/1218211p1.html

[https://web.archive.org/web/20250000000000*/http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/121/1218211p1.html Archive]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharkey |first=Mike |date=8 Feb 2012 |title=Ubisoft DRM Locks Out Paying Customers |url=http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/121/1218211p1.html |url-status=live |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=GameSpy}}</ref> Encrypted [[ATSC 3.0]] channels cannot be tuned to without a persistent internet connection.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seidman |first=Lon |date=3 Sep 2023 |title=The ADTH Nextgen TV Box Shows Us Just How Bad ATSC 3.0 Encryption Will Be.. |url=https://blog.lon.tv/2023/09/03/the-adth-nextgen-tv-box-shows-us-just-how-bad-atsc-3-0-encrpytion-will-be/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Lon.tv}}</ref>

==DRM present elsewhere==

===Printer Ink===
''See also: [[HP Dynamic Security]]''

Companies such as [[HP]] only allow printers to only use ink sold by the same brand. There are a number of DRM systems employed by different companies to this end, an example of which is HP Dynamic Security, which has caught controversy during recent years. Similarly, [[Dymo]] engages in this practice with their paper products using RFID tags.

=== Air Filters ===
''See also: [[Molekule threatens to remotely shut down devices used with third party air filters]]''

Some companies, namely Molekule and [[Xiaomi]], use NFC-based DRM systems to ensure that replacement air filters which are inserted in air purifying devices are made by the brand. Molekule additionally threatened to permanently shut down any devices which used third-party filters, essentially [[Device bricking|bricking]] them.

==Further reading==
*[[Automotive digital restrictions management]]

==References==
<references />

Logitech

2025-08-12T04:25:26Z

NashadkaJr: Added a logo

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1981-10-02
|Industry=Electronics, Technology
|Type=Public
|Website=https://www.logitech.com
|Description=Logitech is a Swiss company that manufactures computer peripherals, audio accessories, and other electronic devices.
|Logo=Logitech-logo.png}}
{{Ph-C-Int}}

Logitech is a Swiss technology company that manufactures computer peripherals, audio equipment, and other electronic devices.

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

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

This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
===Logitech Harmony Discontinuation (''May 28, 2025'')===
{{Main|https://consumerrights.wiki/Logitech_harmony_Discontinuation}}
Logitech used to manufacture universal remotes, named Harmony. Some of the devices required the use of the Harmony Remote software in order to program them. In March of 2025, Logitech announced that they would discontinue support for the older remotes, rendering them unable to be reprogrammed.
===Example incident two (''date'')===
...

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

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

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

File:Logitech-logo.png

2025-08-12T04:24:22Z

NashadkaJr: The Logitech logo

== Summary ==
The Logitech logo
== Licensing ==
{{From Wikimedia}}

Logitech

2025-08-12T04:19:18Z

NashadkaJr: Labeled the article with more categories

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1981-10-02
|Industry=Electronics, Technology
|Type=Public
|Website=https://www.logitech.com
|Description=Logitech is a Swiss company that manufactures computer peripherals, audio accessories, and other electronic devices.
}}
{{Ph-C-Int}}

Logitech is a Swiss technology company that manufactures computer peripherals, audio equipment, and other electronic devices.

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

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

This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
===Logitech Harmony Discontinuation (''May 28, 2025'')===
{{Main|https://consumerrights.wiki/Logitech_harmony_Discontinuation}}
Logitech used to manufacture universal remotes, named Harmony. Some of the devices required the use of the Harmony Remote software in order to program them. In March of 2025, Logitech announced that they would discontinue support for the older remotes, rendering them unable to be reprogrammed.
===Example incident two (''date'')===
...

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

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

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

Logitech

2025-08-12T04:15:43Z

NashadkaJr: Added an incident

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1981-10-02
|Industry=Electronics, Technology
|Type=Public
|Website=https://www.logitech.com
|Description=Logitech is a Swiss company that manufactures computer peripherals, audio accessories, and other electronic devices.
}}
{{Ph-C-Int}}

Logitech is a Swiss technology company that manufactures computer peripherals, audio equipment, and other electronic devices.

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

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

This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
===Logitech Harmony Discontinuation (''May 28, 2025'')===
{{Main|https://consumerrights.wiki/Logitech_harmony_Discontinuation}}
Logitech used to manufacture universal remotes, named Harmony. Some of the devices required the use of the Harmony Remote software in order to program them. In March of 2025, Logitech announced that they would discontinue support for the older remotes, rendering them unable to be reprogrammed.
===Example incident two (''date'')===
...

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

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Stub]]

Logitech

2025-08-12T04:06:10Z

NashadkaJr: Created the Logitech page; needs the subsections to be filled out, but at least the page now exists