Serious Lawsuit: Is the Era of Outdated Phones Coming to an End?

Consumer and digital advocacy groups in the U.S. are calling on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to address a growing problem: companies using software updates to render devices useless. The practice forces consumers to buy new products or pay hidden fees to keep existing devices functional. The call to action comes as frustration grows over devices aging — not because of hardware failures. But because manufacturers stop supporting them with necessary software updates.

Consumer advocates call on FTC to stop software-induced device obsolescence

The problem of equipment obsolescence

In today’s technology-driven world, many products stop working long before their time. Not because they are physically damaged, but because manufacturers stop updating software or charge for services that were previously free. This practice leaves consumers stuck with expensive gadgets that become useless or outdated far too soon.

Advocates say this trend needs to change. They believe consumers deserve devices that will continue to work after purchase, even if manufacturers stop offering updates. If companies meet their demands, it could lead to longer product life, fewer hidden fees and fairer treatment for consumers.

Pressure for change

The movement gained traction after activists sent an eight-page letter to the FTC detailing cases where software updates — or the lack thereof — rendered once-functional devices obsolete. One example in the letter was a high-tech denim jacket, created by Google and Levi’s, that lets users control their Android devices with a special app. But the jacket will lose all its functionality when the app is discontinued in 2023.

Another example is Spotify’s “Car Thing,” a device designed to improve music streaming in cars. Despite initial popularity, the product became unusable just two years after its launch when Spotify stopped supporting it. Frustratingly, customers were not offered any refunds or alternatives, leaving them with a non-functional device. These cases show how quickly companies can abandon products, leaving consumers with a financial burden.

Who is behind this movement?

Several major organizations are pushing for change, including Consumer Reports, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), iFixit (a popular hardware repair company), and the Software Freedom Conservancy. These groups advocate for stronger consumer protections and pressure manufacturers to take responsibility for their practices.

Environmental groups have also joined the fight, arguing that these practices not only harm consumers but also contribute to electronic waste. When companies prematurely stop supporting devices, consumers are often forced to throw them away, contributing to the growing problem of tech waste filling landfills. These groups see a clear link between sustainability and consumer protection, emphasizing that more durable devices would benefit both consumers and the environment.

What activists expect from the FTC

The letter to the FTC calls for specific regulations that would stop companies from using software updates to shorten the lifespan of their products. This practice, sometimes referred to as “software lock-in,” forces consumers to rely on ongoing software support to keep their devices running. Once that support is withdrawn, the product becomes obsolete, even if the hardware still works properly.

Activists want the FTC to create clear guidelines that would stop manufacturers from limiting a product’s functionality after purchase. They argue that once a consumer buys a device, they should be able to use it for as long as the hardware works, without having to deal with unwanted software updates or unexpected fees. They also believe that companies shouldn’t add extra costs after the initial purchase. Because that essentially traps consumers into paying more to keep their devices working.

Consumer rates

If the FTC acts on these requests, it could change the way tech companies treat their products. Devices that were once rendered obsolete by software support being discontinued could continue to work for years after their release. The result would be more durable gadgets, fewer hidden costs, and a reduction in the need to constantly upgrade to the latest model.

For consumers, this could mean avoiding unexpected charges and extending the life of their devices. Imagine a world in which your smartphone or smart home device continues to work even when your company stops sending out software updates. The idea is simple: If the hardware still works, the product should too.

Waiting for something

As the movement gains momentum, attention is turning to how the FTC will respond. A favorable ruling could lead to significant changes in the tech industry, ensuring that consumers get more value from their purchases and aren’t left with useless devices due to software issues. It could also set an important precedent, affecting everything from smartphones to smart home devices and even products like fitness trackers and wearables.

In an age where technology plays such a large role in everyday life, consumers deserve devices that are durable and provide value over time. The hope is that the FTC will step in to protect consumers from unfair practices. Making forced obsolescence and surprise fees a thing of the past.

If successful, this movement could usher in a new era of fairer and more sustainable products, benefiting consumers, the environment and the market as a whole.