Consumer Groups Urge FTC to Address Software Tethering
A coalition of consumer protection and anti-waste groups is calling on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to take action against the practice of software tethering. This practice ties hardware functionality to external software, often rendering products unusable after software updates cease.
Coalition’s Concerns
The coalition, which includes Consumer Reports, iFixIt, US PIRG, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the Center for Economic Justice, and Californians Against Waste, has signed a letter requesting the FTC to provide clear guidance on software tethering. The letter emphasizes that the lack of clarity and enforcement has led to an unreliable ecosystem for connected products.
Examples of Impact
The letter highlights several instances where software tethering has limited or eliminated product functionality. For example, the $1,695 Snoo bassinet had certain features locked behind a subscription service after initial purchase. Similarly, the Juicero juicer became unusable after the startup behind it shut down.
Statements from Advocates
Lucas Rockett Gutterman, Designed to Last director with US PIRG, stated, “Manufacturers increasingly use software to lock us into only using our tech in ways that just-so-happen to generate the most profits for them. If we want to stop the tech industry from pushing us into replacing products that still work, we need to stand up for consumers’ right to get what we’ve paid for in the age of connected devices.”
Major Companies and Waste Concerns
The letter also notes that even established companies like Google discontinue support for certain products, leaving consumers with waste. Smart home products, including major appliances, are particularly vulnerable. A forthcoming Consumer Reports study found that only three out of 22 major smart appliance makers provided a set period for cybersecurity and software updates, while four others offered unspecified support periods.
Future Expectations
The coalition expects the problem to worsen as more companies develop ‘smart’ products that connect to the internet or are app-controlled. To address this issue, the groups are proposing that the FTC establish clear guidelines and take action to protect consumers’ rights.
