Networked devices mostly violate US consumer protection
The FTC reminds providers of networked devices that they must specify how long they will provide software updates. Compliance is poor.
The symbolic image shows a thermostat that was programmable and networked until the manufacturer locked it and took the necessary servers offline.
(Image: Daniel AJ Sokolov)
For 89% of networked devices, the manufacturers do not state on the product webpages how long they will provide software updates. This was determined by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in a random sample of 184 different networked devices, from surveillance cameras to door locks and washing machines to hearing aids. For 163 devices (88.6 percent), there was no information about the duration of the support period from market launch or an expiration date.
This means that the providers are probably in breach of US consumer protection law. This was pointed out by the FTC's Consumer Protection Division. Although there is no general warranty obligation under US law, certain requirements of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act apply to products with sales prices of at least 15 US dollars. This US federal law requires suppliers to provide certain information on warranties in their dealings with consumers.
Google sometimes finds other information
There is no obligation to provide warranties at all. However, networked devices without software updates can quickly lose their online connection, become insecure or stop working altogether. Advertising promises that devices will perform certain functions may then turn out to be untrue. This could constitute a breach of the warranty law mentioned above. If the provider advertises a function duration or something like "lifelong support", the General Consumer Protection Act FTC Act may also be violated.
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Only 21 (11.4 percent) of the 184 networked devices in the sample had information on the product website about the update duration. And these details were sometimes very vague, such as "lifetime support", "as long as your device is fully functional" or "continuous software updates". In general, the information was not always easy to find and was hidden in specifications, FAQs or small footnotes, for example.
For some devices, the FTC employees were able to find information on update times by googling, sometimes on other websites of the provider, sometimes on other websites. However, the information found there did not always match the statements of the provider (as far as known).
FTC Staff Report: Smart Device Makers' Failure to Provide Updates May Leave You Smarting
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