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FTC: Most smart device makers break the law by not adequately informing consumers of software support terms | Companies would rather drop support on old products and then sell you a new one


In September, representatives from iFixit, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and Consumer Reports sent a letter to Samuel Levine, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, and...

In context: For consumers using a variety of smart home gadgets, there's nothing more infuriating than spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on products rendered unusable or left with limited functionality after software support ends. Phrases like "continuous software updates," "lifetime technical support," and "as long as your device is fully operational" were found in product-related materials that were sometimes at odds with reality. They say new rules for smart device manufacturers would give consumers a better understanding of how long their internet-connected gadgets should work, thus allowing them to make an informed decision.

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