Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Template:Main Page/Consumer Tools

2026-03-29T05:02:02Z

0xDE57: add exodus privacy tool under privacy section

'''Ad & tracking blockers'''
* [https://pi-hole.net/ Pi-hole] – Self-hosted network-based ad blocker.
* [https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock uBlock Origin] – Efficient browser-based ad and tracker blocker.
* [https://adnauseam.io/ Adnauseum] - Browser-based ad and tracker blocker built off of uBlock Origin that also clicks ads to obscure your digital fingerprint.

'''Anti-scam resources'''
* [https://haveibeenpwned.com/ Have I Been Pwned] – Check if your email/password was exposed in a breach.
* [https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ CFPB] – File complaints and view alerts about financial services.
* [https://virustotal.com/ VirusTotal] / [https://hybrid-analysis.com Hybrid Analysis] – Scan files for potential malware.
* [https://tria.ge/ Triage] – Online sandbox for analyzing executables.

'''Archival tools'''
*[https://archive.org Wayback Machine] – World's largest internet archival service
*[https://www.getsinglefile.com/ SingleFile] – Browser extension to save website EULA/privacy policy as html locally
*[http://archivebox.io/ ArchiveBox] – Self-hosted website archival tool

'''Corporate accountability & recalls'''
* [https://www.bbb.org/ Better Business Bureau (BBB)] – Lookup business complaints and file your own.
* [https://www.saferproducts.gov/ SaferProducts.gov] – U.S. product recall and complaint site.
* [https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts FDA Recalls] – Drug and food recall database.

'''Legal & complaint filing'''
* [https://www.consumerreports.org/ Consumer Reports] – Independent product reviews and ratings.
* [https://www.ripoffreport.com/ Ripoff Report] – Public consumer complaint database.
* [https://www.classaction.org/ ClassAction.org] – View or join consumer class-action lawsuits.

'''Repair & Open designs'''
* [https://www.ifixit.com iFixit] – Open repository of device repair instructions.
* [https://www.opensourceecology.org/gvcs/gvcs-machine-index/ Open Source Ecology] – Open source machinery designs.

'''Price & product transparency'''
* [https://camelcamelcamel.com/ CamelCamelCamel] – Amazon price tracker to detect deceptive price drops.
* [https://keepa.com/ Keepa] – Detailed price history and deals on Amazon products.

'''Privacy & surveillance tools'''
* [https://simpleoptout.com/ SimpleOptOut] – Direct links to opt out of data brokers.
** [https://easyoptouts.com/ EasyOptOuts] – Automated data broker opt-out service. <small>'''[Subscription needed]'''</small>
* [https://exodus-privacy.eu.org/en/ Exodus Privacy] - Analyzes privacy concerns in Android applications. Discover unwanted permissions and tracking libraries in common apps.

'''Subscription & dark pattern tracking'''
* [https://www.asktrim.com/ Trim] – Finds and cancels unwanted subscriptions.
* [https://goodbudget.com Goodbudget] – Budgeting app with debt tracker. <small>'''[Subscription needed]'''</small>
* [https://tosdr.org/ Terms of Service; Didn't Read] / [https://privacyspy.org/ PrivacySpy] – Summarizes privacy policies and rates companies by trustworthiness.
* [https://www.deceptive.design/ Deceptive Design] – Defines, identifies, and catalogs dark patterns and deceptive design practices in various software and services.
* [https://www.darkpattern.games/ Dark Pattern Games] – A game review website devoted to helping you find games that don't use psychological tricks to manipulate you into becoming an addicted gamer.

Dark pattern

2025-07-11T00:29:09Z

0xDE57: /* Dark patterns in games */ add citations

{{Incomplete}}

Dark Patterns, also referred to as Deceptive Patterns, refer to deceptive design practices used in websites, applications, or digital interfaces to manipulate users into making decisions that benefit the organization implementing them, often at the expense of the user’s best interests.<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – user interfaces designed to trick you. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/</ref> Coined by user-experience (UX) specialist Harry Brignull in 2010, the term has since become a critical focus in consumer advocacy, as these practices undermine transparency and user autonomy.

==Types and examples of dark patterns==
Dark patterns can be found across multiple industries and platforms. While some examples overlap or share common tactics, all rely on manipulation and deception to achieve their goals. Listed below are notable types:

*'''[[Post-purchase EULA modification]]''': Critical [[End-user license agreement|end-user license agreements]] (EULAs) are hidden or presented only after purchase, making it difficult for users to review terms before committing. These agreements may be located inside packaging, under a lid, or displayed upon initial activation, limiting informed consent. This tactic overlaps with "forced continuity" and "roach motel" practices.

*'''Forced continuity''': Users are charged for a subscription or service after a free trial without adequate warning or an easy cancellation option.

*'''Roach motel''': Users can easily sign up for a service or subscription but will find it extremely difficult to cancel.

*'''Hidden costs''': Additional charges are revealed only at the final stages of a transaction, after users have already invested significant time.<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Hidden Costs. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/hidden-costs</ref>

*'''Sneak into basket''': Items or services are automatically added to a shopping cart without explicit consent.

*'''Confirmshaming''': Users are guilt-tripped into taking a particular action by framing alternative options unfavorably (e.g., "No, I don’t want to save money").<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Confirmshaming. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/confirmshaming</ref>

*'''Privacy Zuckering''': Tricking users into sharing more personal information than intended, often through misleading privacy settings or pre-checked consent boxes.

*'''Disguised ads''': Ads are designed to look like native content or legitimate interface elements, tricking users into clicking.<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Disguised ads. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/disguised-ads</ref>

*'''Trick wording''': Misleading language to elicit unintended responses from users.<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Trick wording. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/trick-wording</ref>

*'''[[Fear of missing out]] (FOMO)''': The use of time-limited availability to instill a sense of urgency in users, causing them to devote more time or money in order to acquire a product, service, or digital item. This tactic overlaps with "misleading scarcity message" practices.

*'''Misleading scarcity messages''': Phrases like "Only 3 left in stock!" or "Offer expires in 10 minutes" are displayed to create a false sense of urgency, even when the product is widely available.

*'''Friend spam''': Users are encouraged to share personal information about their friends or contacts, which is then used for unsolicited marketing.

*'''Default-settings exploitation''': Options that benefit the company are pre-selected, such as extensive data sharing or auto-renewal of subscriptions.<ref name="edpb">European Data Protection Board. (2023). Deceptive design patterns in social media platform interfaces: how to recognise and avoid them (EDPB). European Data Protection Board. https://www.edpb.europa.eu/system/files/2023-02/edpb_03-2022_guidelines_on_deceptive_design_patterns_in_social_media_platform_interfaces_v2_en_0.pdf</ref>

*'''Obstruction''': Simple tasks are made unnecessarily complicated, such as requiring users to navigate multiple steps to cancel a subscription or delete an account.<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Obstruction. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/obstruction</ref>
*'''[[Bait-and-switch|Bait and Switch]]''': A user sets out to do one thing, but a different outcome happens instead. For example, clicking a button that says “Download” initiates a purchase instead.
*'''Forced Action (a.k.a. Forced Engagement):''' Users are required to perform an unrelated task to proceed - for example, making an account or subscribing to a newsletter just to access basic content or features.<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Forced action. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/forced-action</ref>
*'''Misdirection:''' Attention is purposefully drawn to one element to distract from another - often used to downplay important opt-outs, costs, or alternatives.
*'''Visual Interference:''' Design elements such as misleading colours, button sizes, or placements make it hard for users to make informed choices (e.g., greyed-out opt-outs that are still clickable).<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Visual interference. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/visual-interference</ref>
*'''Gamification for Manipulation:''' Using badges, streaks, or points to incentivize continued use or spending, beyond what’s rational or in the user’s best interest.
*'''Nagging:''' Repeatedly prompting the user to take an action that is potentially detrimental to the user - e.g., “Are you sure you don’t want notifications?” shown on every login.<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Nagging. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/nagging</ref>
*'''Hidden Subscription (a variant of Forced Continuity):''' The cost and terms of a subscription are hidden during sign-up or obscured in fine print, often leading users to unknowingly commit to recurring charges.<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Hidden subscription. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/hidden-subscription</ref>
*'''Price Comparison Prevention:''' Limiting a user’s ability to compare prices across competitors - e.g., by using unique product names or obscuring base pricing models.<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Comparison prevention. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/comparison-prevention</ref>
*'''Intermittent Rewards:''' Randomised rewards (like loot boxes or algorithmic content feeds) are designed to mimic gambling patterns from games in which players wager and encourage compulsive behaviour.
*'''Trick Timers:''' Timers that restart or extend themselves after expiring to simulate urgency and encourage immediate decisions based on false time pressure.

==Dark patterns in games==
A gaming dark pattern is something that is deliberately added to a game to cause an unwanted negative experience for the player with a positive outcome for the game developer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DarkPattern.Games |url=https://www.darkpattern.games/ |access-date=2025-07-10 |website=Dark Pattern Games}}</ref>

*'''Temporal Dark Patterns:''' A temporal dark pattern is designed to get you to spend more time playing the game than you would have otherwise.
**'''Playing by Appointment:''' Being forced to play according to the game's schedule instead of yours.
**'''Daily Rewards:''' Encourages return visits every day and punishes you for missing a day.
*'''Monetary Dark Patterns:''' A monetary dark pattern is one which tricks you into spending more money than you want to spend on a game.
**'''Currency Obfuscation:''' Exchange rate between real money and in-game currency disguises the real price of items. Hiding the true amount being spent.
**'''Premium Currency Hostage Cycle:''' Never allowing users to get their balance down to zero, resulting in small amounts of left over premium currency that can't be used without spending more. Always trapping an amount that cannot be used in an endless cycle. A real world example of this dark pattern was used in the Starbucks coffee app.<ref>{{Cite web |first= |date=2024-01-03 |title=A new complaint claims Starbucks’ app traps customers in a cycle of spending |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/91004280/complaint-starbucks-app-spending-cycle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240103063608/https://www.fastcompany.com/91004280/complaint-starbucks-app-spending-cycle |archive-date=2024-01-03 |access-date=2025-07-10 |website=Fast Company}}</ref>
*'''Social Dark Patterns:''' Social dark patterns use your relationships with friends and family to benefit the game.
**'''Social Pyramid Scheme:''' You get a bonus for inviting your friends and then they have to invite their friends.
*'''Psychological Dark Patterns:''' These dark patterns are psychological tricks that are used to get you to make bad decisions.

==Why dark patterns are problematic==
Dark patterns are more than just unethical design choices. They have real-world consequences for consumers and society. Key concerns include:

*'''Erosion of trust''': Users lose confidence in platforms that manipulate their choices, undermining long-term loyalty.
*'''Financial loss''': Consumers often incur unexpected charges or fees, because of deceptive practices.
*'''Privacy violations''': Trickery in consent-gathering leads to the misuse or overcollection of personal data.
*'''Exploitation of vulnerability''': Vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected, such as children or those with limited digital literacy.

===Regulatory efforts===
Governments and consumer-protection organizations are increasingly scrutinizing dark patterns. Key developments include:

*'''[[California Privacy Rights Act]] (CPRA)''': Prohibits the use of deceptive designs to obtain consent for data collection.
*'''[[General Data Protection Regulation|EU General Data Protection Regulation]] (GDPR)''': Mandates that consent be informed and freely given, effectively targeting privacy zuckering.
*'''[[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC)''': In the U.S., the FTC has taken action against companies employing dark patterns, including fines and enforcement actions.

===Combating dark patterns===
Consumers and designers can take steps to identify and combat dark patterns by:

*'''Raising awareness''': Educating users about common dark patterns helps them make informed decisions.
*'''Transparent design principles''': Advocating for ethical design practices that prioritize user autonomy and clarity.
*'''Policy advocacy''': Supporting stronger regulatory frameworks to hold organizations accountable for deceptive practices.
*'''Third-party tools''': Using browser extensions and tools designed to block or highlight manipulative elements.

===Conclusion===
Dark patterns undermine the principles of fair commerce and user empowerment, exploiting human psychology for profit. As awareness grows, collaboration among consumers, designers, and regulators will be essential to curb their prevalence and ensure digital spaces remain transparent and trustworthy.

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Anti-Consumer_Practices]]
[[Category:Common terms]]

Dark pattern

2025-07-11T00:18:02Z

0xDE57: add section for 'Dark patterns in games' and some definitions

{{Incomplete}}

Dark Patterns, also referred to as Deceptive Patterns, refer to deceptive design practices used in websites, applications, or digital interfaces to manipulate users into making decisions that benefit the organization implementing them, often at the expense of the user’s best interests.<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – user interfaces designed to trick you. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/</ref> Coined by user-experience (UX) specialist Harry Brignull in 2010, the term has since become a critical focus in consumer advocacy, as these practices undermine transparency and user autonomy.

==Types and examples of dark patterns==
Dark patterns can be found across multiple industries and platforms. While some examples overlap or share common tactics, all rely on manipulation and deception to achieve their goals. Listed below are notable types:

*'''[[Post-purchase EULA modification]]''': Critical [[End-user license agreement|end-user license agreements]] (EULAs) are hidden or presented only after purchase, making it difficult for users to review terms before committing. These agreements may be located inside packaging, under a lid, or displayed upon initial activation, limiting informed consent. This tactic overlaps with "forced continuity" and "roach motel" practices.

*'''Forced continuity''': Users are charged for a subscription or service after a free trial without adequate warning or an easy cancellation option.

*'''Roach motel''': Users can easily sign up for a service or subscription but will find it extremely difficult to cancel.

*'''Hidden costs''': Additional charges are revealed only at the final stages of a transaction, after users have already invested significant time.<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Hidden Costs. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/hidden-costs</ref>

*'''Sneak into basket''': Items or services are automatically added to a shopping cart without explicit consent.

*'''Confirmshaming''': Users are guilt-tripped into taking a particular action by framing alternative options unfavorably (e.g., "No, I don’t want to save money").<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Confirmshaming. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/confirmshaming</ref>

*'''Privacy Zuckering''': Tricking users into sharing more personal information than intended, often through misleading privacy settings or pre-checked consent boxes.

*'''Disguised ads''': Ads are designed to look like native content or legitimate interface elements, tricking users into clicking.<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Disguised ads. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/disguised-ads</ref>

*'''Trick wording''': Misleading language to elicit unintended responses from users.<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Trick wording. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/trick-wording</ref>

*'''[[Fear of missing out]] (FOMO)''': The use of time-limited availability to instill a sense of urgency in users, causing them to devote more time or money in order to acquire a product, service, or digital item. This tactic overlaps with "misleading scarcity message" practices.

*'''Misleading scarcity messages''': Phrases like "Only 3 left in stock!" or "Offer expires in 10 minutes" are displayed to create a false sense of urgency, even when the product is widely available.

*'''Friend spam''': Users are encouraged to share personal information about their friends or contacts, which is then used for unsolicited marketing.

*'''Default-settings exploitation''': Options that benefit the company are pre-selected, such as extensive data sharing or auto-renewal of subscriptions.<ref name="edpb">European Data Protection Board. (2023). Deceptive design patterns in social media platform interfaces: how to recognise and avoid them (EDPB). European Data Protection Board. https://www.edpb.europa.eu/system/files/2023-02/edpb_03-2022_guidelines_on_deceptive_design_patterns_in_social_media_platform_interfaces_v2_en_0.pdf</ref>

*'''Obstruction''': Simple tasks are made unnecessarily complicated, such as requiring users to navigate multiple steps to cancel a subscription or delete an account.<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Obstruction. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/obstruction</ref>
*'''[[Bait-and-switch|Bait and Switch]]''': A user sets out to do one thing, but a different outcome happens instead. For example, clicking a button that says “Download” initiates a purchase instead.
*'''Forced Action (a.k.a. Forced Engagement):''' Users are required to perform an unrelated task to proceed - for example, making an account or subscribing to a newsletter just to access basic content or features.<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Forced action. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/forced-action</ref>
*'''Misdirection:''' Attention is purposefully drawn to one element to distract from another - often used to downplay important opt-outs, costs, or alternatives.
*'''Visual Interference:''' Design elements such as misleading colours, button sizes, or placements make it hard for users to make informed choices (e.g., greyed-out opt-outs that are still clickable).<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Visual interference. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/visual-interference</ref>
*'''Gamification for Manipulation:''' Using badges, streaks, or points to incentivize continued use or spending, beyond what’s rational or in the user’s best interest.
*'''Nagging:''' Repeatedly prompting the user to take an action that is potentially detrimental to the user - e.g., “Are you sure you don’t want notifications?” shown on every login.<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Nagging. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/nagging</ref>
*'''Hidden Subscription (a variant of Forced Continuity):''' The cost and terms of a subscription are hidden during sign-up or obscured in fine print, often leading users to unknowingly commit to recurring charges.<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Hidden subscription. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/hidden-subscription</ref>
*'''Price Comparison Prevention:''' Limiting a user’s ability to compare prices across competitors - e.g., by using unique product names or obscuring base pricing models.<ref>Brignull, H., Leiser, M., Santos, C., & Doshi, K. (2023, April 25). Deceptive patterns – Comparison prevention. deceptive.design. Retrieved May 23, 2025, from https://www.deceptive.design/types/comparison-prevention</ref>
*'''Intermittent Rewards:''' Randomised rewards (like loot boxes or algorithmic content feeds) are designed to mimic gambling patterns from games in which players wager and encourage compulsive behaviour.
*'''Trick Timers:''' Timers that restart or extend themselves after expiring to simulate urgency and encourage immediate decisions based on false time pressure.

==Dark patterns in games==
A gaming dark pattern is something that is deliberately added to a game to cause an unwanted negative experience for the player with a positive outcome for the game developer.

*'''Temporal Dark Patterns:''' A temporal dark pattern is designed to get you to spend more time playing the game than you would have otherwise.
**'''Playing by Appointment:''' Being forced to play according to the game's schedule instead of yours.
**'''Daily Rewards:''' Encourages return visits every day and punishes you for missing a day.
*'''Monetary Dark Patterns:''' A monetary dark pattern is one which tricks you into spending more money than you want to spend on a game.
**'''Currency Obfuscation:''' Exchange rate between real money and in-game currency disguises the real price of items. Hiding the true amount being spent.
**'''Premium Currency Hostage Cycle:''' Never allowing users to get their balance down to zero, resulting in small amounts of left over premium currency that can't be used without spending more. Always trapping an amount that cannot be used in an endless cycle. A real world example of this dark pattern was used in the Starbucks coffee app.[2]
*'''Social Dark Patterns:''' Social dark patterns use your relationships with friends and family to benefit the game.
**'''Social Pyramid Scheme:''' You get a bonus for inviting your friends and then they have to invite their friends.
*'''Psychological Dark Patterns:''' These dark patterns are psychological tricks that are used to get you to make bad decisions.

==Why dark patterns are problematic==
Dark patterns are more than just unethical design choices. They have real-world consequences for consumers and society. Key concerns include:

*'''Erosion of trust''': Users lose confidence in platforms that manipulate their choices, undermining long-term loyalty.
*'''Financial loss''': Consumers often incur unexpected charges or fees, because of deceptive practices.
*'''Privacy violations''': Trickery in consent-gathering leads to the misuse or overcollection of personal data.
*'''Exploitation of vulnerability''': Vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected, such as children or those with limited digital literacy.

===Regulatory efforts===
Governments and consumer-protection organizations are increasingly scrutinizing dark patterns. Key developments include:

*'''[[California Privacy Rights Act]] (CPRA)''': Prohibits the use of deceptive designs to obtain consent for data collection.
*'''[[General Data Protection Regulation|EU General Data Protection Regulation]] (GDPR)''': Mandates that consent be informed and freely given, effectively targeting privacy zuckering.
*'''[[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC)''': In the U.S., the FTC has taken action against companies employing dark patterns, including fines and enforcement actions.

===Combating dark patterns===
Consumers and designers can take steps to identify and combat dark patterns by:

*'''Raising awareness''': Educating users about common dark patterns helps them make informed decisions.
*'''Transparent design principles''': Advocating for ethical design practices that prioritize user autonomy and clarity.
*'''Policy advocacy''': Supporting stronger regulatory frameworks to hold organizations accountable for deceptive practices.
*'''Third-party tools''': Using browser extensions and tools designed to block or highlight manipulative elements.

===Conclusion===
Dark patterns undermine the principles of fair commerce and user empowerment, exploiting human psychology for profit. As awareness grows, collaboration among consumers, designers, and regulators will be essential to curb their prevalence and ensure digital spaces remain transparent and trustworthy.

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Anti-Consumer_Practices]]
[[Category:Common terms]]

Template:Main Page/Consumer Tools

2025-07-07T02:11:07Z

0xDE57: /* Subscription & Dark Pattern Tracking */

=== Price & Product Transparency ===
* [https://camelcamelcamel.com/ CamelCamelCamel] – Amazon price tracker to detect deceptive price drops.
* [https://keepa.com/ Keepa] – Detailed price history and deals on Amazon products.
* [https://www.fakespot.com/ Fakespot] – Detects fake reviews and scammy sellers on Amazon, eBay, and more.
* [https://reviewmeta.com/ ReviewMeta] – Analyzes Amazon reviews for manipulation.

=== Subscription & Dark Pattern Tracking ===
* [https://www.asktrim.com/ Trim] – Finds and cancels unwanted subscriptions.
* [https://rocketmoney.com/ Rocket Money] – Budgeting app with subscription tracking.
* [https://tosdr.org/ Terms of Service; Didn’t Read] – Summarizes privacy policies and rates companies by trustworthiness.
* [https://www.deceptive.design/ Deceptive Design] - Defines, identifies, and catalogs dark patterns and deceptive design practices in various software and services.
* [https://www.darkpattern.games/ Dark Pattern Games] - A game review website devoted to helping you find games that don't use psychological tricks to manipulate you into becoming an addicted gamer.

=== Privacy & Surveillance Tools ===
* [https://www.privacytools.io/ PrivacyTools.io] – Recommends tools to protect online privacy.
* [https://simpleoptout.com/ SimpleOptOut] – Direct links to opt out of data brokers.
* [https://coveryourtracks.eff.org/ Cover Your Tracks] – See how trackable your browser is.

=== Ad & Tracking Blockers ===
* [https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock uBlock Origin] – Efficient browser-based ad and tracker blocker.
* [https://codeberg.org/nobody/LocalCDN LocalCDN] – Replaces third-party CDNs with local resources to block trackers.

=== Corporate Accountability & Recalls ===
* [https://www.bbb.org/ Better Business Bureau (BBB)] – Lookup business complaints and file your own.
* [https://www.saferproducts.gov/ SaferProducts.gov] – U.S. product recall and complaint site.
* [https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts FDA Recalls] – Drug and food recall database.

=== Anti-Scam Resources ===
* [https://haveibeenpwned.com/ Have I Been Pwned] – Check if your email/password was exposed in a breach.
* [https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ CFPB] – File complaints and view alerts about financial services.
* [https://www.scamadviser.com/ ScamAdviser] – Analyze websites for trustworthiness.

=== Legal & Complaint Filing ===
* [https://www.consumerreports.org/ Consumer Reports] – Independent product reviews and ratings.
* [https://www.ripoffreport.com/ Ripoff Report] – Public consumer complaint database.
* [https://www.classaction.org/ ClassAction.org] – View or join consumer class-action lawsuits.

Template:Main Page/Consumer Tools

2025-07-07T02:10:10Z

0xDE57: /* Subscription & Dark Pattern Tracking */

=== Price & Product Transparency ===
* [https://camelcamelcamel.com/ CamelCamelCamel] – Amazon price tracker to detect deceptive price drops.
* [https://keepa.com/ Keepa] – Detailed price history and deals on Amazon products.
* [https://www.fakespot.com/ Fakespot] – Detects fake reviews and scammy sellers on Amazon, eBay, and more.
* [https://reviewmeta.com/ ReviewMeta] – Analyzes Amazon reviews for manipulation.

=== Subscription & Dark Pattern Tracking ===
* [https://www.asktrim.com/ Trim] – Finds and cancels unwanted subscriptions.
* [https://rocketmoney.com/ Rocket Money] – Budgeting app with subscription tracking.
* [https://tosdr.org/ Terms of Service; Didn’t Read] – Summarizes privacy policies and rates companies by trustworthiness.
* [https://www.deceptive.design/] - Defines, identifies, and catalogs dark patterns and deceptive design practices in various software and services.
* [https://www.darkpattern.games/] - A game review website devoted to helping you find games that don't use psychological tricks to manipulate you into becoming an addicted gamer.

=== Privacy & Surveillance Tools ===
* [https://www.privacytools.io/ PrivacyTools.io] – Recommends tools to protect online privacy.
* [https://simpleoptout.com/ SimpleOptOut] – Direct links to opt out of data brokers.
* [https://coveryourtracks.eff.org/ Cover Your Tracks] – See how trackable your browser is.

=== Ad & Tracking Blockers ===
* [https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock uBlock Origin] – Efficient browser-based ad and tracker blocker.
* [https://codeberg.org/nobody/LocalCDN LocalCDN] – Replaces third-party CDNs with local resources to block trackers.

=== Corporate Accountability & Recalls ===
* [https://www.bbb.org/ Better Business Bureau (BBB)] – Lookup business complaints and file your own.
* [https://www.saferproducts.gov/ SaferProducts.gov] – U.S. product recall and complaint site.
* [https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts FDA Recalls] – Drug and food recall database.

=== Anti-Scam Resources ===
* [https://haveibeenpwned.com/ Have I Been Pwned] – Check if your email/password was exposed in a breach.
* [https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ CFPB] – File complaints and view alerts about financial services.
* [https://www.scamadviser.com/ ScamAdviser] – Analyze websites for trustworthiness.

=== Legal & Complaint Filing ===
* [https://www.consumerreports.org/ Consumer Reports] – Independent product reviews and ratings.
* [https://www.ripoffreport.com/ Ripoff Report] – Public consumer complaint database.
* [https://www.classaction.org/ ClassAction.org] – View or join consumer class-action lawsuits.

Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program

2025-01-26T12:42:50Z

0xDE57: /* Restoring battery functionality */ add another citation

The Google Pixel 4a is an Android smartphone designed, developed and marketed by [[Google]]. It was released on August 20, 2020, and reached its end of support on August 5, 2022.<ref>https://endoflife.date/pixel</ref> On January 6, 2025, Google announced its Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program to users:<blockquote>"Google has determined that certain Pixel 4a phones require a software update to improve the stability of their battery's performance. An automatic update to Android 13 will roll out to all Pixel 4a devices starting January 8, 2025. For some devices ("Impacted Devices"), '''the software update reduces available battery capacity and impacts charging performance.''' [...] users of these Impacted Devices are eligible for an appeasement from Google."''<ref name=":0">https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861

Mirror, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250107002112/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861

Other mirror via archive.ph https://archive.ph/zoooR</ref>''</blockquote>

==Compensation==

===Request form sent out to users===
Google has asked users to provide the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number of their Pixel 4a to determine whether their device is an "Impacted Device."<ref>https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/15642495 (unavailable after January 6, 2026)

https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/7/24338566/google-pixel-4a-battery-stability-replacement-reduced-capacity</ref> If the user's device is an "Impacted Device," they may choose one of the following:

*'''Free battery replacement''' (only available in: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, and India)
*'''$100 USD''' (or local equivalent) '''discount code applicable towards the purchase of another Pixel phone''' on the Google Store (unavailable in certain countries)
*'''$50 USD''' (or local equivalent)<ref name=":0" />

Compensation will be unavailable after January 6, 2026.<ref name=":0" />

===Payment-processing issues===
The $50 USD compensation option requires users to process payment through Payoneer, which has many issues:
*Users must provide sensitive personal information including social security numbers and bank details
*A $3 USD processing fee is deducted from the compensation
*An annual account fee of $29.95 USD is charged if the account balance does not exceed $2,000 USD in transactions within 12 months<ref>https://payoneer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43738/~/annual-account-fee</ref>
*Users report being advised to immediately delete their Payoneer account after receiving compensation to avoid fees<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i1e4ds/i_have_replaced_battery_in_a_local_shop_not/</ref>

===Store-credit limitations===
The $100 USD Google Store credit option has restrictions:
*Must be used on full-price devices in most regions
*Available only for Pixel phone purchases<ref name=":0" />
*Cannot be used in conjunction with trade-in offers
*Users cannot change their compensation choice after selecting this option<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2zz4g/100_google_store_voucher_code_cannot_be_combined/</ref>

===Editing of initial announcement===
By January 15, 2025 the following edit had been inserted into the original January 6 announcement:<blockquote>"'''Note:''' Carefully select your appeasement option as after you choose, you can't change it. You may have statutory rights available to you under laws of the country where you purchased the device. If available to you, you may alternatively make a claim pursuant to those."<ref>January 7, 2025, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250107002112/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861

January 15, 2025, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250115045948/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861</ref></blockquote>

==Aftermath of software update==
Users with "Impacted Devices" who have received the update have reported severely decreased battery capacity & other performance issues.

===Battery-performance issues===
Users have reported several issues following the update:
*Erratic battery percentage readings, including sudden jumps in charge levels
*Battery percentage remaining static despite continuous use
*Reduced charging speeds
*Permanent exclamation mark appearing in battery indicator
*Forced battery percentage display
*Severely reduced battery life, even with recently replaced batteries<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2xm7c/i_change_my_battery_a_month_before_the_upgrade/</ref>

===Battery-replacement complications===
Many users have reported that replacing the battery, either before or after the update, doesn't fix the performance limitations:
*Devices with new batteries still show warning indicators
*Performance remains capped even with official Google batteries
*Users who replaced batteries before the update experienced the same limitations as those with original batteries<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2xm7c/i_change_my_battery_a_month_before_the_upgrade/</ref>
*Google support has indicated this may be due to repairs being performed outside of authorized service centers<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i19hxf/replaced_the_battery_but_still_the_warning/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i1e4ds/i_have_replaced_battery_in_a_local_shop_not/</ref>

In a Reddit poll posted on the r/Pixel4a subreddit, 170 out 212 respondents stated that their device had been identified as an "Impacted Device" by Google.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1hvmggd/pixel_4a_battery_update_google_says_some_phones/</ref>

==Possible technical rationale==
While Google has not provided detailed technical explanations for the update, there are several known factors about lithium-ion battery aging that could potentially justify such measures:

===Aging lithium-ion batteries===
Lithium-ion batteries face degradation as they age:
*Loss of active lithium ions through repeated charge cycles
*Growth of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) layer
*Physical expansion & contraction stress during charging cycles
*Potential for dendrite formation in aged cells
*Increased internal resistance over time<ref>https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378775320301476</ref>

===Safety considerations===
Several factors specific to the Pixel 4a situation could indicate that this was a battery safety concern:
*The device was released in August 2020; many units are approaching 4.5 years of use
*The mandatory nature of the update suggests safety implications rather than performance optimization
*The use of specialized shipping containers marked for "Damaged/Defective Lithium Ion Battery(s)" parallels procedures used for known hazardous devices<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1hxyp6z/certainly_seems_battery_defectrelated_vs_planned/</ref><ref>https://www.cultofmac.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Note-7-return-kit.png</ref>

*The update seems to target specific device serial numbers rather than all units; suggesting a manufacturing batch issue<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/7/24338566/google-pixel-4a-battery-stability-replacement-reduced-capacity</ref>

===Precedent in mobile phones===
Similar battery-related interventions have occurred previously; Apple's 2017 iPhone throttling was done to prevent unexpected shutdowns in devices with degraded batteries.

===Potential manufacturing variables===
Several factors could explain why only certain devices are affected:
*Different battery suppliers or manufacturing batches
*Variations in battery cell chemistry or construction
*Manufacturing date ranges coinciding with specific material supplies
*Quality control variations between production runs

These technical considerations suggest the update may be a preventative measure against potential battery safety issues, rather than planned obsolescence. However, Google's limited transparency about the specific technical justification has left users unable to verify this interpretation.<ref>https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/good-news-bad-news-pixel-4a-is-getting-an-update-but-it-reduces-battery-life/</ref>

==Criticism by community==
The following concerns have been raised regarding the Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program:

#This update is an automatic update '''users can not opt''' '''out''' of.
#*While the update can be circumvented, it requires technical knowledge of Android phones, which an average user does not have.
#Google's communication on what the problem with "Impacted Devices" is and how the update seeks to remedy it has been vague.<ref>https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/good-news-bad-news-pixel-4a-is-getting-an-update-but-it-reduces-battery-life/</ref>
#*As Google has not publicly commented on the issue, users have been left to speculate on what the intent behind the update could be.
#Google Support has been giving out misleading or incorrect information'''.'''
#*Google Support initially stated that the $100 USD coupon code could not be used in combination with other sales. This has turned out to be false. This information may have affected the compensation option customers chose.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2zz4g/100_google_store_voucher_code_cannot_be_combined/</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i6ei4x/the_pixel_discount_does_stack_with_the_sale/</ref>
#At least two users have reported Google Support telling them that their Pixel 4a's trade-in price would be lowered after the update's installation.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i43nz3/does_anyone_know_if_theyll_give_full_cashback_for/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i43nz3/comment/m867zhz/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button</ref>

==Restoring battery functionality==
'''Warning:''' please consider the [[Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program#Safety considerations|battery safety concerns]] before reverting or ignoring updates. Users must evaluate battery health at own risk.

Following the criticism, the community was quick to find workarounds to retain or restore previous battery capacity. Users can stop the update by blocking DNS requests to Google's OTA servers (''ota.googlezip.net, ota-cache1.googlezip.net, ota-cache2.googlezip.net'') via a DNS filtering application such as NextDNS, RethinkDNS, or AdAway<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i0zih0/the_only_working_solution_to_stop_the_forced/</ref>. Users can delete an already downloaded (and not yet installed) update: ''Settings -> Apps -> All Apps -> Google Play Services -> Storage and cache -> Manage Space'' and from there on delete all data through the "'''Clear all data'''" button. If the phone has already installed the Jan 2025 update, users can manually flash the previous firmware to restore functionality<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/undo-the-january-2025-update-without-losing-data-unlocked-devices-only.4713980</ref>. Flashing to the previous firmware requires unlocking the bootloader<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/guide-unlock-root-safetynet-for-pixel-4a.4153773/</ref>, and a copy of the previous firmware from November 2023 (sunfish-tq3a.230805.001.s1-factory-82902ea9) <ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/changes-coming-to-your-pixel-4a.4712085/</ref>.

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Incidents]]
[[Category:Pixel 4a]]

Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program

2025-01-26T12:40:07Z

0xDE57: /* Restoring battery functionality */ fix phrasing

The Google Pixel 4a is an Android smartphone designed, developed and marketed by [[Google]]. It was released on August 20, 2020, and reached its end of support on August 5, 2022.<ref>https://endoflife.date/pixel</ref> On January 6, 2025, Google announced its Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program to users:<blockquote>"Google has determined that certain Pixel 4a phones require a software update to improve the stability of their battery's performance. An automatic update to Android 13 will roll out to all Pixel 4a devices starting January 8, 2025. For some devices ("Impacted Devices"), '''the software update reduces available battery capacity and impacts charging performance.''' [...] users of these Impacted Devices are eligible for an appeasement from Google."''<ref name=":0">https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861

Mirror, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250107002112/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861

Other mirror via archive.ph https://archive.ph/zoooR</ref>''</blockquote>

==Compensation==

===Request form sent out to users===
Google has asked users to provide the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number of their Pixel 4a to determine whether their device is an "Impacted Device."<ref>https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/15642495 (unavailable after January 6, 2026)

https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/7/24338566/google-pixel-4a-battery-stability-replacement-reduced-capacity</ref> If the user's device is an "Impacted Device," they may choose one of the following:

*'''Free battery replacement''' (only available in: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, and India)
*'''$100 USD''' (or local equivalent) '''discount code applicable towards the purchase of another Pixel phone''' on the Google Store (unavailable in certain countries)
*'''$50 USD''' (or local equivalent)<ref name=":0" />

Compensation will be unavailable after January 6, 2026.<ref name=":0" />

===Payment-processing issues===
The $50 USD compensation option requires users to process payment through Payoneer, which has many issues:
*Users must provide sensitive personal information including social security numbers and bank details
*A $3 USD processing fee is deducted from the compensation
*An annual account fee of $29.95 USD is charged if the account balance does not exceed $2,000 USD in transactions within 12 months<ref>https://payoneer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43738/~/annual-account-fee</ref>
*Users report being advised to immediately delete their Payoneer account after receiving compensation to avoid fees<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i1e4ds/i_have_replaced_battery_in_a_local_shop_not/</ref>

===Store-credit limitations===
The $100 USD Google Store credit option has restrictions:
*Must be used on full-price devices in most regions
*Available only for Pixel phone purchases<ref name=":0" />
*Cannot be used in conjunction with trade-in offers
*Users cannot change their compensation choice after selecting this option<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2zz4g/100_google_store_voucher_code_cannot_be_combined/</ref>

===Editing of initial announcement===
By January 15, 2025 the following edit had been inserted into the original January 6 announcement:<blockquote>"'''Note:''' Carefully select your appeasement option as after you choose, you can't change it. You may have statutory rights available to you under laws of the country where you purchased the device. If available to you, you may alternatively make a claim pursuant to those."<ref>January 7, 2025, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250107002112/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861

January 15, 2025, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250115045948/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861</ref></blockquote>

==Aftermath of software update==
Users with "Impacted Devices" who have received the update have reported severely decreased battery capacity & other performance issues.

===Battery-performance issues===
Users have reported several issues following the update:
*Erratic battery percentage readings, including sudden jumps in charge levels
*Battery percentage remaining static despite continuous use
*Reduced charging speeds
*Permanent exclamation mark appearing in battery indicator
*Forced battery percentage display
*Severely reduced battery life, even with recently replaced batteries<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2xm7c/i_change_my_battery_a_month_before_the_upgrade/</ref>

===Battery-replacement complications===
Many users have reported that replacing the battery, either before or after the update, doesn't fix the performance limitations:
*Devices with new batteries still show warning indicators
*Performance remains capped even with official Google batteries
*Users who replaced batteries before the update experienced the same limitations as those with original batteries<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2xm7c/i_change_my_battery_a_month_before_the_upgrade/</ref>
*Google support has indicated this may be due to repairs being performed outside of authorized service centers<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i19hxf/replaced_the_battery_but_still_the_warning/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i1e4ds/i_have_replaced_battery_in_a_local_shop_not/</ref>

In a Reddit poll posted on the r/Pixel4a subreddit, 170 out 212 respondents stated that their device had been identified as an "Impacted Device" by Google.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1hvmggd/pixel_4a_battery_update_google_says_some_phones/</ref>

==Possible technical rationale==
While Google has not provided detailed technical explanations for the update, there are several known factors about lithium-ion battery aging that could potentially justify such measures:

===Aging lithium-ion batteries===
Lithium-ion batteries face degradation as they age:
*Loss of active lithium ions through repeated charge cycles
*Growth of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) layer
*Physical expansion & contraction stress during charging cycles
*Potential for dendrite formation in aged cells
*Increased internal resistance over time<ref>https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378775320301476</ref>

===Safety considerations===
Several factors specific to the Pixel 4a situation could indicate that this was a battery safety concern:
*The device was released in August 2020; many units are approaching 4.5 years of use
*The mandatory nature of the update suggests safety implications rather than performance optimization
*The use of specialized shipping containers marked for "Damaged/Defective Lithium Ion Battery(s)" parallels procedures used for known hazardous devices<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1hxyp6z/certainly_seems_battery_defectrelated_vs_planned/</ref><ref>https://www.cultofmac.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Note-7-return-kit.png</ref>

*The update seems to target specific device serial numbers rather than all units; suggesting a manufacturing batch issue<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/7/24338566/google-pixel-4a-battery-stability-replacement-reduced-capacity</ref>

===Precedent in mobile phones===
Similar battery-related interventions have occurred previously; Apple's 2017 iPhone throttling was done to prevent unexpected shutdowns in devices with degraded batteries.

===Potential manufacturing variables===
Several factors could explain why only certain devices are affected:
*Different battery suppliers or manufacturing batches
*Variations in battery cell chemistry or construction
*Manufacturing date ranges coinciding with specific material supplies
*Quality control variations between production runs

These technical considerations suggest the update may be a preventative measure against potential battery safety issues, rather than planned obsolescence. However, Google's limited transparency about the specific technical justification has left users unable to verify this interpretation.<ref>https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/good-news-bad-news-pixel-4a-is-getting-an-update-but-it-reduces-battery-life/</ref>

==Criticism by community==
The following concerns have been raised regarding the Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program:

#This update is an automatic update '''users can not opt''' '''out''' of.
#*While the update can be circumvented, it requires technical knowledge of Android phones, which an average user does not have.
#Google's communication on what the problem with "Impacted Devices" is and how the update seeks to remedy it has been vague.<ref>https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/good-news-bad-news-pixel-4a-is-getting-an-update-but-it-reduces-battery-life/</ref>
#*As Google has not publicly commented on the issue, users have been left to speculate on what the intent behind the update could be.
#Google Support has been giving out misleading or incorrect information'''.'''
#*Google Support initially stated that the $100 USD coupon code could not be used in combination with other sales. This has turned out to be false. This information may have affected the compensation option customers chose.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2zz4g/100_google_store_voucher_code_cannot_be_combined/</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i6ei4x/the_pixel_discount_does_stack_with_the_sale/</ref>
#At least two users have reported Google Support telling them that their Pixel 4a's trade-in price would be lowered after the update's installation.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i43nz3/does_anyone_know_if_theyll_give_full_cashback_for/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i43nz3/comment/m867zhz/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button</ref>

==Restoring battery functionality==
'''Warning:''' please consider the [[Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program#Safety considerations|battery safety concerns]] before reverting or ignoring updates. Users must evaluate battery health at own risk.

Following the criticism, the community was quick to find workarounds to retain or restore previous battery capacity. Users can stop the update by blocking DNS requests to Google's OTA servers (''ota.googlezip.net, ota-cache1.googlezip.net, ota-cache2.googlezip.net'') via a DNS filtering application such as NextDNS, RethinkDNS, or AdAway<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i0zih0/the_only_working_solution_to_stop_the_forced/</ref>. Users can delete an already downloaded (and not yet installed) update: ''Settings -> Apps -> All Apps -> Google Play Services -> Storage and cache -> Manage Space'' and from there on delete all data through the "'''Clear all data'''" button. If the phone already has the update, users can manually flash the previous firmware to restore functionality<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/undo-the-january-2025-update-without-losing-data-unlocked-devices-only.4713980</ref>. Flashing to the previous firmware requires unlocking the bootloader, and a copy of the previous firmware from November 2023 (sunfish-tq3a.230805.001.s1-factory-82902ea9) <ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/changes-coming-to-your-pixel-4a.4712085/</ref>.

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Incidents]]
[[Category:Pixel 4a]]

Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program

2025-01-26T12:35:02Z

0xDE57: /* Restoring battery functionality */ more detail

The Google Pixel 4a is an Android smartphone designed, developed and marketed by [[Google]]. It was released on August 20, 2020, and reached its end of support on August 5, 2022.<ref>https://endoflife.date/pixel</ref> On January 6, 2025, Google announced its Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program to users:<blockquote>"Google has determined that certain Pixel 4a phones require a software update to improve the stability of their battery's performance. An automatic update to Android 13 will roll out to all Pixel 4a devices starting January 8, 2025. For some devices ("Impacted Devices"), '''the software update reduces available battery capacity and impacts charging performance.''' [...] users of these Impacted Devices are eligible for an appeasement from Google."''<ref name=":0">https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861

Mirror, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250107002112/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861

Other mirror via archive.ph https://archive.ph/zoooR</ref>''</blockquote>

==Compensation==

===Request form sent out to users===
Google has asked users to provide the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number of their Pixel 4a to determine whether their device is an "Impacted Device."<ref>https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/15642495 (unavailable after January 6, 2026)

https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/7/24338566/google-pixel-4a-battery-stability-replacement-reduced-capacity</ref> If the user's device is an "Impacted Device," they may choose one of the following:

*'''Free battery replacement''' (only available in: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, and India)
*'''$100 USD''' (or local equivalent) '''discount code applicable towards the purchase of another Pixel phone''' on the Google Store (unavailable in certain countries)
*'''$50 USD''' (or local equivalent)<ref name=":0" />

Compensation will be unavailable after January 6, 2026.<ref name=":0" />

===Payment-processing issues===
The $50 USD compensation option requires users to process payment through Payoneer, which has many issues:
*Users must provide sensitive personal information including social security numbers and bank details
*A $3 USD processing fee is deducted from the compensation
*An annual account fee of $29.95 USD is charged if the account balance does not exceed $2,000 USD in transactions within 12 months<ref>https://payoneer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43738/~/annual-account-fee</ref>
*Users report being advised to immediately delete their Payoneer account after receiving compensation to avoid fees<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i1e4ds/i_have_replaced_battery_in_a_local_shop_not/</ref>

===Store-credit limitations===
The $100 USD Google Store credit option has restrictions:
*Must be used on full-price devices in most regions
*Available only for Pixel phone purchases<ref name=":0" />
*Cannot be used in conjunction with trade-in offers
*Users cannot change their compensation choice after selecting this option<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2zz4g/100_google_store_voucher_code_cannot_be_combined/</ref>

===Editing of initial announcement===
By January 15, 2025 the following edit had been inserted into the original January 6 announcement:<blockquote>"'''Note:''' Carefully select your appeasement option as after you choose, you can't change it. You may have statutory rights available to you under laws of the country where you purchased the device. If available to you, you may alternatively make a claim pursuant to those."<ref>January 7, 2025, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250107002112/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861

January 15, 2025, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250115045948/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861</ref></blockquote>

==Aftermath of software update==
Users with "Impacted Devices" who have received the update have reported severely decreased battery capacity & other performance issues.

===Battery-performance issues===
Users have reported several issues following the update:
*Erratic battery percentage readings, including sudden jumps in charge levels
*Battery percentage remaining static despite continuous use
*Reduced charging speeds
*Permanent exclamation mark appearing in battery indicator
*Forced battery percentage display
*Severely reduced battery life, even with recently replaced batteries<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2xm7c/i_change_my_battery_a_month_before_the_upgrade/</ref>

===Battery-replacement complications===
Many users have reported that replacing the battery, either before or after the update, doesn't fix the performance limitations:
*Devices with new batteries still show warning indicators
*Performance remains capped even with official Google batteries
*Users who replaced batteries before the update experienced the same limitations as those with original batteries<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2xm7c/i_change_my_battery_a_month_before_the_upgrade/</ref>
*Google support has indicated this may be due to repairs being performed outside of authorized service centers<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i19hxf/replaced_the_battery_but_still_the_warning/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i1e4ds/i_have_replaced_battery_in_a_local_shop_not/</ref>

In a Reddit poll posted on the r/Pixel4a subreddit, 170 out 212 respondents stated that their device had been identified as an "Impacted Device" by Google.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1hvmggd/pixel_4a_battery_update_google_says_some_phones/</ref>

==Possible technical rationale==
While Google has not provided detailed technical explanations for the update, there are several known factors about lithium-ion battery aging that could potentially justify such measures:

===Aging lithium-ion batteries===
Lithium-ion batteries face degradation as they age:
*Loss of active lithium ions through repeated charge cycles
*Growth of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) layer
*Physical expansion & contraction stress during charging cycles
*Potential for dendrite formation in aged cells
*Increased internal resistance over time<ref>https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378775320301476</ref>

===Safety considerations===
Several factors specific to the Pixel 4a situation could indicate that this was a battery safety concern:
*The device was released in August 2020; many units are approaching 4.5 years of use
*The mandatory nature of the update suggests safety implications rather than performance optimization
*The use of specialized shipping containers marked for "Damaged/Defective Lithium Ion Battery(s)" parallels procedures used for known hazardous devices<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1hxyp6z/certainly_seems_battery_defectrelated_vs_planned/</ref><ref>https://www.cultofmac.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Note-7-return-kit.png</ref>

*The update seems to target specific device serial numbers rather than all units; suggesting a manufacturing batch issue<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/7/24338566/google-pixel-4a-battery-stability-replacement-reduced-capacity</ref>

===Precedent in mobile phones===
Similar battery-related interventions have occurred previously; Apple's 2017 iPhone throttling was done to prevent unexpected shutdowns in devices with degraded batteries.

===Potential manufacturing variables===
Several factors could explain why only certain devices are affected:
*Different battery suppliers or manufacturing batches
*Variations in battery cell chemistry or construction
*Manufacturing date ranges coinciding with specific material supplies
*Quality control variations between production runs

These technical considerations suggest the update may be a preventative measure against potential battery safety issues, rather than planned obsolescence. However, Google's limited transparency about the specific technical justification has left users unable to verify this interpretation.<ref>https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/good-news-bad-news-pixel-4a-is-getting-an-update-but-it-reduces-battery-life/</ref>

==Criticism by community==
The following concerns have been raised regarding the Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program:

#This update is an automatic update '''users can not opt''' '''out''' of.
#*While the update can be circumvented, it requires technical knowledge of Android phones, which an average user does not have.
#Google's communication on what the problem with "Impacted Devices" is and how the update seeks to remedy it has been vague.<ref>https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/good-news-bad-news-pixel-4a-is-getting-an-update-but-it-reduces-battery-life/</ref>
#*As Google has not publicly commented on the issue, users have been left to speculate on what the intent behind the update could be.
#Google Support has been giving out misleading or incorrect information'''.'''
#*Google Support initially stated that the $100 USD coupon code could not be used in combination with other sales. This has turned out to be false. This information may have affected the compensation option customers chose.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2zz4g/100_google_store_voucher_code_cannot_be_combined/</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i6ei4x/the_pixel_discount_does_stack_with_the_sale/</ref>
#At least two users have reported Google Support telling them that their Pixel 4a's trade-in price would be lowered after the update's installation.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i43nz3/does_anyone_know_if_theyll_give_full_cashback_for/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i43nz3/comment/m867zhz/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button</ref>

==Restoring battery functionality==
'''Warning:''' please consider the [[Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program#Safety considerations|battery safety concerns]] before reverting or ignoring updates. Users must evaluate battery health at own risk.

Following the criticism, the community was quick to find workarounds to retain or restore previous battery capacity. Users can stop the update by blocking DNS requests to Google's OTA servers (''ota.googlezip.net, ota-cache1.googlezip.net, ota-cache2.googlezip.net'') via a DNS filtering application such as NextDNS, RethinkDNS, or AdAway<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i0zih0/the_only_working_solution_to_stop_the_forced/</ref>. Users can delete an already installed update: ''Settings -> Apps -> All Apps -> Google Play Services -> Storage and cache -> Manage Space'' and from there on delete all data through the "'''Clear all data'''" button. If the phone already has the update, users can manually flash the previous firmware to restore functionality<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/undo-the-january-2025-update-without-losing-data-unlocked-devices-only.4713980</ref>. Flashing to the previous firmware requires unlocking the bootloader, and a copy of the previous firmware from November 2023 (sunfish-tq3a.230805.001.s1-factory-82902ea9) <ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/changes-coming-to-your-pixel-4a.4712085/</ref>.

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Incidents]]
[[Category:Pixel 4a]]

Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program

2025-01-26T12:18:45Z

0xDE57: /* Restoring battery functionality */ wording

The Google Pixel 4a is an Android smartphone designed, developed and marketed by [[Google]]. It was released on August 20, 2020, and reached its end of support on August 5, 2022.<ref>https://endoflife.date/pixel</ref> On January 6, 2025, Google announced its Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program to users:<blockquote>"Google has determined that certain Pixel 4a phones require a software update to improve the stability of their battery's performance. An automatic update to Android 13 will roll out to all Pixel 4a devices starting January 8, 2025. For some devices ("Impacted Devices"), '''the software update reduces available battery capacity and impacts charging performance.''' [...] users of these Impacted Devices are eligible for an appeasement from Google."''<ref name=":0">https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861

Mirror, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250107002112/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861

Other mirror via archive.ph https://archive.ph/zoooR</ref>''</blockquote>

==Compensation==

===Request form sent out to users===
Google has asked users to provide the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number of their Pixel 4a to determine whether their device is an "Impacted Device."<ref>https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/15642495 (unavailable after January 6, 2026)

https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/7/24338566/google-pixel-4a-battery-stability-replacement-reduced-capacity</ref> If the user's device is an "Impacted Device," they may choose one of the following:

*'''Free battery replacement''' (only available in: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, and India)
*'''$100 USD''' (or local equivalent) '''discount code applicable towards the purchase of another Pixel phone''' on the Google Store (unavailable in certain countries)
*'''$50 USD''' (or local equivalent)<ref name=":0" />

Compensation will be unavailable after January 6, 2026.<ref name=":0" />

===Payment-processing issues===
The $50 USD compensation option requires users to process payment through Payoneer, which has many issues:
*Users must provide sensitive personal information including social security numbers and bank details
*A $3 USD processing fee is deducted from the compensation
*An annual account fee of $29.95 USD is charged if the account balance does not exceed $2,000 USD in transactions within 12 months<ref>https://payoneer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43738/~/annual-account-fee</ref>
*Users report being advised to immediately delete their Payoneer account after receiving compensation to avoid fees<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i1e4ds/i_have_replaced_battery_in_a_local_shop_not/</ref>

===Store-credit limitations===
The $100 USD Google Store credit option has restrictions:
*Must be used on full-price devices in most regions
*Available only for Pixel phone purchases<ref name=":0" />
*Cannot be used in conjunction with trade-in offers
*Users cannot change their compensation choice after selecting this option<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2zz4g/100_google_store_voucher_code_cannot_be_combined/</ref>

===Editing of initial announcement===
By January 15, 2025 the following edit had been inserted into the original January 6 announcement:<blockquote>"'''Note:''' Carefully select your appeasement option as after you choose, you can't change it. You may have statutory rights available to you under laws of the country where you purchased the device. If available to you, you may alternatively make a claim pursuant to those."<ref>January 7, 2025, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250107002112/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861

January 15, 2025, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250115045948/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861</ref></blockquote>

==Aftermath of software update==
Users with "Impacted Devices" who have received the update have reported severely decreased battery capacity & other performance issues.

===Battery-performance issues===
Users have reported several issues following the update:
*Erratic battery percentage readings, including sudden jumps in charge levels
*Battery percentage remaining static despite continuous use
*Reduced charging speeds
*Permanent exclamation mark appearing in battery indicator
*Forced battery percentage display
*Severely reduced battery life, even with recently replaced batteries<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2xm7c/i_change_my_battery_a_month_before_the_upgrade/</ref>

===Battery-replacement complications===
Many users have reported that replacing the battery, either before or after the update, doesn't fix the performance limitations:
*Devices with new batteries still show warning indicators
*Performance remains capped even with official Google batteries
*Users who replaced batteries before the update experienced the same limitations as those with original batteries<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2xm7c/i_change_my_battery_a_month_before_the_upgrade/</ref>
*Google support has indicated this may be due to repairs being performed outside of authorized service centers<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i19hxf/replaced_the_battery_but_still_the_warning/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i1e4ds/i_have_replaced_battery_in_a_local_shop_not/</ref>

In a Reddit poll posted on the r/Pixel4a subreddit, 170 out 212 respondents stated that their device had been identified as an "Impacted Device" by Google.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1hvmggd/pixel_4a_battery_update_google_says_some_phones/</ref>

==Possible technical rationale==
While Google has not provided detailed technical explanations for the update, there are several known factors about lithium-ion battery aging that could potentially justify such measures:

===Aging lithium-ion batteries===
Lithium-ion batteries face degradation as they age:
*Loss of active lithium ions through repeated charge cycles
*Growth of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) layer
*Physical expansion & contraction stress during charging cycles
*Potential for dendrite formation in aged cells
*Increased internal resistance over time<ref>https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378775320301476</ref>

===Safety considerations===
Several factors specific to the Pixel 4a situation could indicate that this was a battery safety concern:
*The device was released in August 2020; many units are approaching 4.5 years of use
*The mandatory nature of the update suggests safety implications rather than performance optimization
*The use of specialized shipping containers marked for "Damaged/Defective Lithium Ion Battery(s)" parallels procedures used for known hazardous devices<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1hxyp6z/certainly_seems_battery_defectrelated_vs_planned/</ref><ref>https://www.cultofmac.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Note-7-return-kit.png</ref>

*The update seems to target specific device serial numbers rather than all units; suggesting a manufacturing batch issue<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/7/24338566/google-pixel-4a-battery-stability-replacement-reduced-capacity</ref>

===Precedent in mobile phones===
Similar battery-related interventions have occurred previously; Apple's 2017 iPhone throttling was done to prevent unexpected shutdowns in devices with degraded batteries.

===Potential manufacturing variables===
Several factors could explain why only certain devices are affected:
*Different battery suppliers or manufacturing batches
*Variations in battery cell chemistry or construction
*Manufacturing date ranges coinciding with specific material supplies
*Quality control variations between production runs

These technical considerations suggest the update may be a preventative measure against potential battery safety issues, rather than planned obsolescence. However, Google's limited transparency about the specific technical justification has left users unable to verify this interpretation.<ref>https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/good-news-bad-news-pixel-4a-is-getting-an-update-but-it-reduces-battery-life/</ref>

==Criticism by community==
The following concerns have been raised regarding the Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program:

#This update is an automatic update '''users can not opt''' '''out''' of.
#*While the update can be circumvented, it requires technical knowledge of Android phones, which an average user does not have.
#Google's communication on what the problem with "Impacted Devices" is and how the update seeks to remedy it has been vague.<ref>https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/good-news-bad-news-pixel-4a-is-getting-an-update-but-it-reduces-battery-life/</ref>
#*As Google has not publicly commented on the issue, users have been left to speculate on what the intent behind the update could be.
#Google Support has been giving out misleading or incorrect information'''.'''
#*Google Support initially stated that the $100 USD coupon code could not be used in combination with other sales. This has turned out to be false. This information may have affected the compensation option customers chose.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2zz4g/100_google_store_voucher_code_cannot_be_combined/</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i6ei4x/the_pixel_discount_does_stack_with_the_sale/</ref>
#At least two users have reported Google Support telling them that their Pixel 4a's trade-in price would be lowered after the update's installation.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i43nz3/does_anyone_know_if_theyll_give_full_cashback_for/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i43nz3/comment/m867zhz/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button</ref>

==Restoring battery functionality==
'''Warning:''' please consider the [[Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program#Safety considerations|battery safety concerns]] before reverting or ignoring updates. Users must evaluate battery health at own risk.

Following the criticism, the community was quick to find workarounds to retain or restore previous battery capacity. If the phone is not yet updated, users are able to block DNS requests (via a DNS filtering application such as NextDNS, RethinkDNS, AdAway) and prevent update's<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i0zih0/the_only_working_solution_to_stop_the_forced/</ref>. If the phone already has the update, users can manually flash the previous firmware to restore functionality<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/undo-the-january-2025-update-without-losing-data-unlocked-devices-only.4713980</ref>. Flashing to the previous firmware requires unlocking the bootloader, and a copy of the previous firmware from November 2023 (sunfish-tq3a.230805.001.s1-factory-82902ea9) <ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/changes-coming-to-your-pixel-4a.4712085/</ref>.

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Incidents]]
[[Category:googlepixel]]
[[Category: Google]]
[[Category: Google Pixel]]
[[Category: Google Pixel 4a]]

Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program

2025-01-26T12:17:38Z

0xDE57: /* Restoring battery functionality */ better wording

The Google Pixel 4a is an Android smartphone designed, developed and marketed by [[Google]]. It was released on August 20, 2020, and reached its end of support on August 5, 2022.<ref>https://endoflife.date/pixel</ref> On January 6, 2025, Google announced its Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program to users:<blockquote>"Google has determined that certain Pixel 4a phones require a software update to improve the stability of their battery's performance. An automatic update to Android 13 will roll out to all Pixel 4a devices starting January 8, 2025. For some devices ("Impacted Devices"), '''the software update reduces available battery capacity and impacts charging performance.''' [...] users of these Impacted Devices are eligible for an appeasement from Google."''<ref name=":0">https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861

Mirror, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250107002112/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861

Other mirror via archive.ph https://archive.ph/zoooR</ref>''</blockquote>

==Compensation==

===Request form sent out to users===
Google has asked users to provide the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number of their Pixel 4a to determine whether their device is an "Impacted Device."<ref>https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/15642495 (unavailable after January 6, 2026)

https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/7/24338566/google-pixel-4a-battery-stability-replacement-reduced-capacity</ref> If the user's device is an "Impacted Device," they may choose one of the following:

*'''Free battery replacement''' (only available in: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, and India)
*'''$100 USD''' (or local equivalent) '''discount code applicable towards the purchase of another Pixel phone''' on the Google Store (unavailable in certain countries)
*'''$50 USD''' (or local equivalent)<ref name=":0" />

Compensation will be unavailable after January 6, 2026.<ref name=":0" />

===Payment-processing issues===
The $50 USD compensation option requires users to process payment through Payoneer, which has many issues:
*Users must provide sensitive personal information including social security numbers and bank details
*A $3 USD processing fee is deducted from the compensation
*An annual account fee of $29.95 USD is charged if the account balance does not exceed $2,000 USD in transactions within 12 months<ref>https://payoneer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43738/~/annual-account-fee</ref>
*Users report being advised to immediately delete their Payoneer account after receiving compensation to avoid fees<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i1e4ds/i_have_replaced_battery_in_a_local_shop_not/</ref>

===Store-credit limitations===
The $100 USD Google Store credit option has restrictions:
*Must be used on full-price devices in most regions
*Available only for Pixel phone purchases<ref name=":0" />
*Cannot be used in conjunction with trade-in offers
*Users cannot change their compensation choice after selecting this option<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2zz4g/100_google_store_voucher_code_cannot_be_combined/</ref>

===Editing of initial announcement===
By January 15, 2025 the following edit had been inserted into the original January 6 announcement:<blockquote>"'''Note:''' Carefully select your appeasement option as after you choose, you can't change it. You may have statutory rights available to you under laws of the country where you purchased the device. If available to you, you may alternatively make a claim pursuant to those."<ref>January 7, 2025, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250107002112/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861

January 15, 2025, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250115045948/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861</ref></blockquote>

==Aftermath of software update==
Users with "Impacted Devices" who have received the update have reported severely decreased battery capacity & other performance issues.

===Battery-performance issues===
Users have reported several issues following the update:
*Erratic battery percentage readings, including sudden jumps in charge levels
*Battery percentage remaining static despite continuous use
*Reduced charging speeds
*Permanent exclamation mark appearing in battery indicator
*Forced battery percentage display
*Severely reduced battery life, even with recently replaced batteries<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2xm7c/i_change_my_battery_a_month_before_the_upgrade/</ref>

===Battery-replacement complications===
Many users have reported that replacing the battery, either before or after the update, doesn't fix the performance limitations:
*Devices with new batteries still show warning indicators
*Performance remains capped even with official Google batteries
*Users who replaced batteries before the update experienced the same limitations as those with original batteries<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2xm7c/i_change_my_battery_a_month_before_the_upgrade/</ref>
*Google support has indicated this may be due to repairs being performed outside of authorized service centers<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i19hxf/replaced_the_battery_but_still_the_warning/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i1e4ds/i_have_replaced_battery_in_a_local_shop_not/</ref>

In a Reddit poll posted on the r/Pixel4a subreddit, 170 out 212 respondents stated that their device had been identified as an "Impacted Device" by Google.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1hvmggd/pixel_4a_battery_update_google_says_some_phones/</ref>

==Possible technical rationale==
While Google has not provided detailed technical explanations for the update, there are several known factors about lithium-ion battery aging that could potentially justify such measures:

===Aging lithium-ion batteries===
Lithium-ion batteries face degradation as they age:
*Loss of active lithium ions through repeated charge cycles
*Growth of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) layer
*Physical expansion & contraction stress during charging cycles
*Potential for dendrite formation in aged cells
*Increased internal resistance over time<ref>https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378775320301476</ref>

===Safety considerations===
Several factors specific to the Pixel 4a situation could indicate that this was a battery safety concern:
*The device was released in August 2020; many units are approaching 4.5 years of use
*The mandatory nature of the update suggests safety implications rather than performance optimization
*The use of specialized shipping containers marked for "Damaged/Defective Lithium Ion Battery(s)" parallels procedures used for known hazardous devices<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1hxyp6z/certainly_seems_battery_defectrelated_vs_planned/</ref><ref>https://www.cultofmac.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Note-7-return-kit.png</ref>

*The update seems to target specific device serial numbers rather than all units; suggesting a manufacturing batch issue<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/7/24338566/google-pixel-4a-battery-stability-replacement-reduced-capacity</ref>

===Precedent in mobile phones===
Similar battery-related interventions have occurred previously; Apple's 2017 iPhone throttling was done to prevent unexpected shutdowns in devices with degraded batteries.

===Potential manufacturing variables===
Several factors could explain why only certain devices are affected:
*Different battery suppliers or manufacturing batches
*Variations in battery cell chemistry or construction
*Manufacturing date ranges coinciding with specific material supplies
*Quality control variations between production runs

These technical considerations suggest the update may be a preventative measure against potential battery safety issues, rather than planned obsolescence. However, Google's limited transparency about the specific technical justification has left users unable to verify this interpretation.<ref>https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/good-news-bad-news-pixel-4a-is-getting-an-update-but-it-reduces-battery-life/</ref>

==Criticism by community==
The following concerns have been raised regarding the Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program:

#This update is an automatic update '''users can not opt''' '''out''' of.
#*While the update can be circumvented, it requires technical knowledge of Android phones, which an average user does not have.
#Google's communication on what the problem with "Impacted Devices" is and how the update seeks to remedy it has been vague.<ref>https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/good-news-bad-news-pixel-4a-is-getting-an-update-but-it-reduces-battery-life/</ref>
#*As Google has not publicly commented on the issue, users have been left to speculate on what the intent behind the update could be.
#Google Support has been giving out misleading or incorrect information'''.'''
#*Google Support initially stated that the $100 USD coupon code could not be used in combination with other sales. This has turned out to be false. This information may have affected the compensation option customers chose.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2zz4g/100_google_store_voucher_code_cannot_be_combined/</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i6ei4x/the_pixel_discount_does_stack_with_the_sale/</ref>
#At least two users have reported Google Support telling them that their Pixel 4a's trade-in price would be lowered after the update's installation.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i43nz3/does_anyone_know_if_theyll_give_full_cashback_for/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i43nz3/comment/m867zhz/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button</ref>

==Restoring battery functionality==
'''Warning:''' please consider the [[Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program#Safety considerations|battery safety concerns]] before reverting or ignoring updates. Users must evaluate battery health at own risk.

Following the criticism, the community was quick to find workarounds to retain or restore previous battery capacity. If the phone is not yet updated, users are able to block DNS via a DNS filtering application such as NextDNS, RethinkDNS, AdAway to block requests and prevent update's<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i0zih0/the_only_working_solution_to_stop_the_forced/</ref>. If the phone already has the update, users can manually flash the previous firmware to restore functionality<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/undo-the-january-2025-update-without-losing-data-unlocked-devices-only.4713980</ref>. Flashing to the previous firmware requires unlocking the bootloader, and a copy of the previous firmware from November 2023 (sunfish-tq3a.230805.001.s1-factory-82902ea9) <ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/changes-coming-to-your-pixel-4a.4712085/</ref>.

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Incidents]]
[[Category:googlepixel]]
[[Category: Google]]
[[Category: Google Pixel]]
[[Category: Google Pixel 4a]]

Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program

2025-01-26T12:15:48Z

0xDE57: /* Restoring battery functionality */ add more detail and another reference

The Google Pixel 4a is an Android smartphone designed, developed and marketed by [[Google]]. It was released on August 20, 2020, and reached its end of support on August 5, 2022.<ref>https://endoflife.date/pixel</ref> On January 6, 2025, Google announced its Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program to users:<blockquote>"Google has determined that certain Pixel 4a phones require a software update to improve the stability of their battery's performance. An automatic update to Android 13 will roll out to all Pixel 4a devices starting January 8, 2025. For some devices ("Impacted Devices"), '''the software update reduces available battery capacity and impacts charging performance.''' [...] users of these Impacted Devices are eligible for an appeasement from Google."''<ref name=":0">https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861

Mirror, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250107002112/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861

Other mirror via archive.ph https://archive.ph/zoooR</ref>''</blockquote>

==Compensation==

===Request form sent out to users===
Google has asked users to provide the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number of their Pixel 4a to determine whether their device is an "Impacted Device."<ref>https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/15642495 (unavailable after January 6, 2026)

https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/7/24338566/google-pixel-4a-battery-stability-replacement-reduced-capacity</ref> If the user's device is an "Impacted Device," they may choose one of the following:

*'''Free battery replacement''' (only available in: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, and India)
*'''$100 USD''' (or local equivalent) '''discount code applicable towards the purchase of another Pixel phone''' on the Google Store (unavailable in certain countries)
*'''$50 USD''' (or local equivalent)<ref name=":0" />

Compensation will be unavailable after January 6, 2026.<ref name=":0" />

===Payment-processing issues===
The $50 USD compensation option requires users to process payment through Payoneer, which has many issues:
*Users must provide sensitive personal information including social security numbers and bank details
*A $3 USD processing fee is deducted from the compensation
*An annual account fee of $29.95 USD is charged if the account balance does not exceed $2,000 USD in transactions within 12 months<ref>https://payoneer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43738/~/annual-account-fee</ref>
*Users report being advised to immediately delete their Payoneer account after receiving compensation to avoid fees<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i1e4ds/i_have_replaced_battery_in_a_local_shop_not/</ref>

===Store-credit limitations===
The $100 USD Google Store credit option has restrictions:
*Must be used on full-price devices in most regions
*Available only for Pixel phone purchases<ref name=":0" />
*Cannot be used in conjunction with trade-in offers
*Users cannot change their compensation choice after selecting this option<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2zz4g/100_google_store_voucher_code_cannot_be_combined/</ref>

===Editing of initial announcement===
By January 15, 2025 the following edit had been inserted into the original January 6 announcement:<blockquote>"'''Note:''' Carefully select your appeasement option as after you choose, you can't change it. You may have statutory rights available to you under laws of the country where you purchased the device. If available to you, you may alternatively make a claim pursuant to those."<ref>January 7, 2025, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250107002112/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861

January 15, 2025, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250115045948/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861</ref></blockquote>

==Aftermath of software update==
Users with "Impacted Devices" who have received the update have reported severely decreased battery capacity & other performance issues.

===Battery-performance issues===
Users have reported several issues following the update:
*Erratic battery percentage readings, including sudden jumps in charge levels
*Battery percentage remaining static despite continuous use
*Reduced charging speeds
*Permanent exclamation mark appearing in battery indicator
*Forced battery percentage display
*Severely reduced battery life, even with recently replaced batteries<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2xm7c/i_change_my_battery_a_month_before_the_upgrade/</ref>

===Battery-replacement complications===
Many users have reported that replacing the battery, either before or after the update, doesn't fix the performance limitations:
*Devices with new batteries still show warning indicators
*Performance remains capped even with official Google batteries
*Users who replaced batteries before the update experienced the same limitations as those with original batteries<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2xm7c/i_change_my_battery_a_month_before_the_upgrade/</ref>
*Google support has indicated this may be due to repairs being performed outside of authorized service centers<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i19hxf/replaced_the_battery_but_still_the_warning/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i1e4ds/i_have_replaced_battery_in_a_local_shop_not/</ref>

In a Reddit poll posted on the r/Pixel4a subreddit, 170 out 212 respondents stated that their device had been identified as an "Impacted Device" by Google.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1hvmggd/pixel_4a_battery_update_google_says_some_phones/</ref>

==Possible technical rationale==
While Google has not provided detailed technical explanations for the update, there are several known factors about lithium-ion battery aging that could potentially justify such measures:

===Aging lithium-ion batteries===
Lithium-ion batteries face degradation as they age:
*Loss of active lithium ions through repeated charge cycles
*Growth of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) layer
*Physical expansion & contraction stress during charging cycles
*Potential for dendrite formation in aged cells
*Increased internal resistance over time<ref>https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378775320301476</ref>

===Safety considerations===
Several factors specific to the Pixel 4a situation could indicate that this was a battery safety concern:
*The device was released in August 2020; many units are approaching 4.5 years of use
*The mandatory nature of the update suggests safety implications rather than performance optimization
*The use of specialized shipping containers marked for "Damaged/Defective Lithium Ion Battery(s)" parallels procedures used for known hazardous devices<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1hxyp6z/certainly_seems_battery_defectrelated_vs_planned/</ref><ref>https://www.cultofmac.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Note-7-return-kit.png</ref>

*The update seems to target specific device serial numbers rather than all units; suggesting a manufacturing batch issue<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/7/24338566/google-pixel-4a-battery-stability-replacement-reduced-capacity</ref>

===Precedent in mobile phones===
Similar battery-related interventions have occurred previously; Apple's 2017 iPhone throttling was done to prevent unexpected shutdowns in devices with degraded batteries.

===Potential manufacturing variables===
Several factors could explain why only certain devices are affected:
*Different battery suppliers or manufacturing batches
*Variations in battery cell chemistry or construction
*Manufacturing date ranges coinciding with specific material supplies
*Quality control variations between production runs

These technical considerations suggest the update may be a preventative measure against potential battery safety issues, rather than planned obsolescence. However, Google's limited transparency about the specific technical justification has left users unable to verify this interpretation.<ref>https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/good-news-bad-news-pixel-4a-is-getting-an-update-but-it-reduces-battery-life/</ref>

==Criticism by community==
The following concerns have been raised regarding the Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program:

#This update is an automatic update '''users can not opt''' '''out''' of.
#*While the update can be circumvented, it requires technical knowledge of Android phones, which an average user does not have.
#Google's communication on what the problem with "Impacted Devices" is and how the update seeks to remedy it has been vague.<ref>https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/good-news-bad-news-pixel-4a-is-getting-an-update-but-it-reduces-battery-life/</ref>
#*As Google has not publicly commented on the issue, users have been left to speculate on what the intent behind the update could be.
#Google Support has been giving out misleading or incorrect information'''.'''
#*Google Support initially stated that the $100 USD coupon code could not be used in combination with other sales. This has turned out to be false. This information may have affected the compensation option customers chose.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2zz4g/100_google_store_voucher_code_cannot_be_combined/</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i6ei4x/the_pixel_discount_does_stack_with_the_sale/</ref>
#At least two users have reported Google Support telling them that their Pixel 4a's trade-in price would be lowered after the update's installation.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i43nz3/does_anyone_know_if_theyll_give_full_cashback_for/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i43nz3/comment/m867zhz/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button</ref>

==Restoring battery functionality==
'''Warning:''' please consider the [[Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program#Safety considerations|battery safety concerns]] before reverting or ignoring updates. Users must evaluate battery health at own risk.

Following the criticism, the community was quick to find workarounds to retain or restore previous battery capacity. If the phone is not yet updated, users are able to block DNS via NextDNS, RethinkDNS, AdAway to block requests and prevent update's<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i0zih0/the_only_working_solution_to_stop_the_forced/</ref>. If the phone already has the update, users can manually flash the previous firmware to restore functionality<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/undo-the-january-2025-update-without-losing-data-unlocked-devices-only.4713980</ref>. Flashing to the previous firmware requires unlocking the bootloader, and a copy of the previous firmware from November 2023 (sunfish-tq3a.230805.001.s1-factory-82902ea9) <ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/changes-coming-to-your-pixel-4a.4712085/</ref>.

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Incidents]]
[[Category:googlepixel]]
[[Category: Google]]
[[Category: Google Pixel]]
[[Category: Google Pixel 4a]]

Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program

2025-01-26T11:19:57Z

0xDE57: /* Criticism by community */ add references for workaround efforts to restore battery functionality

The Google Pixel 4a is an Android smartphone designed, developed and marketed by [[Google]]. It was released on August 20, 2020, and reached its end of support on August 5, 2022.<ref>https://endoflife.date/pixel</ref> On January 6, 2025, Google announced its Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program to users:<blockquote>"Google has determined that certain Pixel 4a phones require a software update to improve the stability of their battery's performance. An automatic update to Android 13 will roll out to all Pixel 4a devices starting January 8, 2025. For some devices ("Impacted Devices"), '''the software update reduces available battery capacity and impacts charging performance.''' [...] users of these Impacted Devices are eligible for an appeasement from Google."''<ref name=":0">https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861

Mirror, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250107002112/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861

Other mirror via archive.ph https://archive.ph/zoooR</ref>''</blockquote>

==Compensation==

===Request form sent out to users===
Google has asked users to provide the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number of their Pixel 4a to determine whether their device is an "Impacted Device."<ref>https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/15642495 (unavailable after January 6, 2026)

https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/7/24338566/google-pixel-4a-battery-stability-replacement-reduced-capacity</ref> If the user's device is an "Impacted Device," they may choose one of the following:

*'''Free battery replacement''' (only available in: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, and India)
*'''$100 USD''' (or local equivalent) '''discount code applicable towards the purchase of another Pixel phone''' on the Google Store (unavailable in certain countries)
*'''$50 USD''' (or local equivalent)<ref name=":0" />

Compensation will be unavailable after January 6, 2026.<ref name=":0" />

===Payment-processing issues===
The $50 USD compensation option requires users to process payment through Payoneer, which has many issues:
*Users must provide sensitive personal information including social security numbers and bank details
*A $3 USD processing fee is deducted from the compensation
*An annual account fee of $29.95 USD is charged if the account balance does not exceed $2,000 USD in transactions within 12 months<ref>https://payoneer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43738/~/annual-account-fee</ref>
*Users report being advised to immediately delete their Payoneer account after receiving compensation to avoid fees<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i1e4ds/i_have_replaced_battery_in_a_local_shop_not/</ref>

===Store-credit limitations===
The $100 USD Google Store credit option has restrictions:
*Must be used on full-price devices in most regions
*Available only for Pixel phone purchases<ref name=":0" />
*Cannot be used in conjunction with trade-in offers
*Users cannot change their compensation choice after selecting this option<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2zz4g/100_google_store_voucher_code_cannot_be_combined/</ref>

===Editing of initial announcement===
By January 15, 2025 the following edit had been inserted into the original January 6 announcement:<blockquote>"'''Note:''' Carefully select your appeasement option as after you choose, you can't change it. You may have statutory rights available to you under laws of the country where you purchased the device. If available to you, you may alternatively make a claim pursuant to those."<ref>January 7, 2025, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250107002112/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861

January 15, 2025, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250115045948/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861</ref></blockquote>

==Aftermath of software update==
Users with "Impacted Devices" who have received the update have reported severely decreased battery capacity & other performance issues.

===Battery-performance issues===
Users have reported several issues following the update:
*Erratic battery percentage readings, including sudden jumps in charge levels
*Battery percentage remaining static despite continuous use
*Reduced charging speeds
*Permanent exclamation mark appearing in battery indicator
*Forced battery percentage display
*Severely reduced battery life, even with recently replaced batteries<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2xm7c/i_change_my_battery_a_month_before_the_upgrade/</ref>

===Battery-replacement complications===
Many users have reported that replacing the battery, either before or after the update, doesn't fix the performance limitations:
*Devices with new batteries still show warning indicators
*Performance remains capped even with official Google batteries
*Users who replaced batteries before the update experienced the same limitations as those with original batteries<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2xm7c/i_change_my_battery_a_month_before_the_upgrade/</ref>
*Google support has indicated this may be due to repairs being performed outside of authorized service centers<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i19hxf/replaced_the_battery_but_still_the_warning/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i1e4ds/i_have_replaced_battery_in_a_local_shop_not/</ref>

In a Reddit poll posted on the r/Pixel4a subreddit, 170 out 212 respondents stated that their device had been identified as an "Impacted Device" by Google.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1hvmggd/pixel_4a_battery_update_google_says_some_phones/</ref>

==Possible technical rationale==
While Google has not provided detailed technical explanations for the update, there are several known factors about lithium-ion battery aging that could potentially justify such measures:

===Aging lithium-ion batteries===
Lithium-ion batteries face degradation as they age:
*Loss of active lithium ions through repeated charge cycles
*Growth of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) layer
*Physical expansion & contraction stress during charging cycles
*Potential for dendrite formation in aged cells
*Increased internal resistance over time<ref>https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378775320301476</ref>

===Safety considerations===
Several factors specific to the Pixel 4a situation could indicate that this was a battery safety concern:
*The device was released in August 2020; many units are approaching 4.5 years of use
*The mandatory nature of the update suggests safety implications rather than performance optimization
*The use of specialized shipping containers marked for "Damaged/Defective Lithium Ion Battery(s)" parallels procedures used for known hazardous devices<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1hxyp6z/certainly_seems_battery_defectrelated_vs_planned/</ref><ref>https://www.cultofmac.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Note-7-return-kit.png</ref>

*The update seems to target specific device serial numbers rather than all units; suggesting a manufacturing batch issue<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/7/24338566/google-pixel-4a-battery-stability-replacement-reduced-capacity</ref>

===Precedent in mobile phones===
Similar battery-related interventions have occurred previously; Apple's 2017 iPhone throttling was done to prevent unexpected shutdowns in devices with degraded batteries.

===Potential manufacturing variables===
Several factors could explain why only certain devices are affected:
*Different battery suppliers or manufacturing batches
*Variations in battery cell chemistry or construction
*Manufacturing date ranges coinciding with specific material supplies
*Quality control variations between production runs

These technical considerations suggest the update may be a preventative measure against potential battery safety issues, rather than planned obsolescence. However, Google's limited transparency about the specific technical justification has left users unable to verify this interpretation.<ref>https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/good-news-bad-news-pixel-4a-is-getting-an-update-but-it-reduces-battery-life/</ref>

==Criticism by community==
The following concerns have been raised regarding the Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program:

#This update is an automatic update '''users can not opt''' '''out''' of.
#*While the update can be circumvented, it requires technical knowledge of Android phones, which an average user does not have.
#Google's communication on what the problem with "Impacted Devices" is and how the update seeks to remedy it has been vague.<ref>https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/good-news-bad-news-pixel-4a-is-getting-an-update-but-it-reduces-battery-life/</ref>
#*As Google has not publicly commented on the issue, users have been left to speculate on what the intent behind the update could be.
#Google Support has been giving out misleading or incorrect information'''.'''
#*Google Support initially stated that the $100 USD coupon code could not be used in combination with other sales. This has turned out to be false. This information may have affected the compensation option customers chose.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i2zz4g/100_google_store_voucher_code_cannot_be_combined/</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i6ei4x/the_pixel_discount_does_stack_with_the_sale/</ref>
#At least two users have reported Google Support telling them that their Pixel 4a's trade-in price would be lowered after the update's installation.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i43nz3/does_anyone_know_if_theyll_give_full_cashback_for/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i43nz3/comment/m867zhz/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button</ref>

== Restoring battery functionality ==
'''Warning:''' please consider the [[Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program#Safety considerations|battery safety concerns]] before reverting or ignoring updates. Users must evaluate battery health at own risk.

Following the criticism, the community was quick to find workarounds to restore full functionality prior to the update. Users are able to block DNS requests to prevent update's<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i0zih0/the_only_working_solution_to_stop_the_forced/</ref>, or revert to the previous firmware if they have already upgraded<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/undo-the-january-2025-update-without-losing-data-unlocked-devices-only.4713980</ref>.

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Incidents]]
[[Category:googlepixel]]
[[Category: Google]]
[[Category: Google Pixel]]
[[Category: Google Pixel 4a]]

Take Two

2025-01-26T10:44:52Z

0xDE57: add basic description for Take-two, update infobox, and move Rockstar into own sub heading.

'''[[wikipedia:Take-Two_Interactive|Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.]]''' is an American video game holding company based in New York City founded by Ryan Brant in September 1993. The company owns three major publishing labels, Rockstar Games, Zynga and 2K, which operate internal game development studios.{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
| Type = Holding Company
| Founded = 1993
| Industry = Video games
| Official Website = https://www.take2games.com/
| Logo = QuestionMark.svg
}}

===Rockstar===
'''[[wikipedia:Rockstar_Games|Rockstar Games, Inc]].''' is an American video-game publisher based in New York City. It is known for action-adventure game franchises such as ''Grand Theft Auto'' and ''Red Dead Redemption.''

==Relevant incidents==

===''GTA 4'' content removal===
Licensing for some songs in ''GTA 4'' have run out, and updates to the game have been removing content after purchase.<ref>https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/360001005308/Music-Updates-in-Grand-Theft-Auto-IV-The-Lost-and-Damned-and-The-Ballad-of-Gay-Tony</ref> A list of removed songs can be found here<ref>https://gtaforums.com/topic/908139-iv-song-removal-due-to-licenses-expiring/</ref> and here.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/8f4crm/the_update_for_gta_4_removes_songs_from_the/</ref> Players who purchased a physical disk copy can enjoy the full soundtrack but cannot update without losing content.

===''GTA 5'' move to kernel-level anti-cheat on PC after purchase===
''GTA 5'' was released in 2013. On September 17, 2024 (11 years after release), Rockstar implemented a controversial update that included a more invasive and dangerous kernel-mode anti-cheat by BattlEye.<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/271590/view/6356356787200715684?l=english</ref>

This update retroactively restricted online usage on the [[Windows]] OS, despite being fully functional on alternative operating systems like [[Linux]] and [[SteamOS]]. Despite Rockstar's claim that ''GTA 5 Online'' is not supported by [[Steam Deck]],<ref>https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/33490543992467/Grand-Theft-Auto-Online-BattlEye-FAQ</ref> ''GTA 5 Online'' did work prior to this breaking change. Furthermore, BattlEye actually is compatible with Linux<ref>https://x.com/TheBattlEye/status/1441477816311291906</ref>, and compatibility can be enabled by email,<ref>https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2021/11/supporting-linux-proton-and-the-steam-deck-with-battleye-is-just-an-email-away/</ref> yet Rockstar deliberately chooses not to take minimal steps to enable support.

In response, [[Valve]] has issued refunds for some Steam Deck and Linux users<ref>https://www.notebookcheck.net/Steam-grants-GTA-V-refunds-after-anti-cheat-strands-Steam-Deck-gamers-in-compatibility-purgatory.891105.0.html</ref> based on some criteria, such as hours played on Linux / Steam Deck.

Additionally, anti-cheat systems can be incredibly invasive with the ability to scan user's files and processes, including hardware identifiers, according to the [[privacy policy]]:<ref>https://www.battleye.com/privacy-policy/</ref> <blockquote>
*IP address
*Game identifiers (e.g., in-game name, account ID)
*Hardware device information and identifiers (e.g., serial numbers)
*Information about the running operating system
*Information about files and memory related to the game or operating system
*Information about running processes, drivers, and other executable code
*File names included in other information listed here, which might also contain your operating-system user name
</blockquote>Because of the inherent privacy and security risks associated with kernel-mode anti-cheat, increasingly players and developers are demanding more transparency in the usage of kernel-mode software included in games. In response, Valve added a new transparency requirement for developers and publishers to disclose the use of more invasive kernel-mode anti-cheat solutions:<ref>https://steamcommunity.com/groups/steamworks/announcements/detail/4547038620960934857</ref><blockquote>We've heard from more and more developers recently that they're looking for the right way to share anti-cheat information about their game with players. At the same time, players have been requesting more transparency around the anti-cheat services used in games, as well as the existence of any additional software that will be installed within the game.</blockquote><blockquote>Going forward, when you submit a new game to Steam, '''if your game installs a client side, kernel mode anti-cheat, you will need to fill out this new field'''. We will be going through old games and contacting partners with games that fall into this category.

If your game contains a client or server based anti-cheat that is not kernel based, submitting the field is optional but we generally think that any game that makes use of anti-cheat technology would benefit from letting players know.</blockquote><blockquote>'''Specifying Kernel-level Integration''' - Select this to let players know that your anti-cheat integration installs or modifies files at the OS kernel level for any modes of your game. This is automatically selected or disabled for the relevant common anti-cheat services in the drop-down menu.</blockquote>Kernal mode anti-cheat solutions carry inherently more risks to the player, as the anti-cheat installs drivers with elevated permissions and sometimes contains vulnerabilities<ref>https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/22/h/ransomware-actor-abuses-genshin-impact-anti-cheat-driver-to-kill-antivirus.html</ref> that can leave the user machine and data at risk, far beyond the risks when the software is isolated to user-mode permissions. Even Rockstar's own instructions suggest adding an exception to anti-virus, only increasing risk to players.<blockquote>While BattlEye is compatible with most antivirus software, you may run into issues if your antivirus does not recognize BattlEye. To avoid any potential problems, make sure to add BattlEye to your antivirus’ exception list.</blockquote>

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Video game publishers]]
[[Category:Video game development companies]]

Rockstar

2025-01-26T03:56:34Z

0xDE57: 0xDE57 moved page Rockstar to Take Two: Take Two is parent company of Rockstar

#REDIRECT [[Take Two]]

Take Two

2025-01-26T03:56:34Z

0xDE57: 0xDE57 moved page Rockstar to Take Two: Take Two is parent company of Rockstar

{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Rockstar Games
| Type = Subsidiary
| Founded = 1998
| Industry = Video games
| Official Website = https://rockstargames.com
| Logo = QuestionMark.svg
}}

'''[[wikipedia:Rockstar_Games|Rockstar Games, Inc]].''' is an American video-game publisher based in New York City. It is known for action-adventure game franchises such as ''Grand Theft Auto'' and ''Red Dead Redemption.''

==Relevant incidents==

===''GTA 4'' content removal===
Licensing for some songs in ''GTA 4'' have run out, and updates to the game have been removing content after purchase.<ref>https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/360001005308/Music-Updates-in-Grand-Theft-Auto-IV-The-Lost-and-Damned-and-The-Ballad-of-Gay-Tony</ref> A list of removed songs can be found here<ref>https://gtaforums.com/topic/908139-iv-song-removal-due-to-licenses-expiring/</ref> and here.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/8f4crm/the_update_for_gta_4_removes_songs_from_the/</ref> Players who purchased a physical disk copy can enjoy the full soundtrack but cannot update without losing content.

===''GTA 5'' move to kernel-level anti-cheat on PC after purchase===
''GTA 5'' was released in 2013. On September 17, 2024 (11 years after release), Rockstar implemented a controversial update that included a more invasive and dangerous kernel-mode anti-cheat by BattlEye.<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/271590/view/6356356787200715684?l=english</ref>

This update retroactively restricted online usage on the [[Windows]] OS, despite being fully functional on alternative operating systems like [[Linux]] and [[SteamOS]]. Despite Rockstar's claim that ''GTA 5 Online'' is not supported by [[Steam Deck]],<ref>https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/33490543992467/Grand-Theft-Auto-Online-BattlEye-FAQ</ref> ''GTA 5 Online'' did work prior to this breaking change. Furthermore, BattlEye actually is compatible with Linux<ref>https://x.com/TheBattlEye/status/1441477816311291906</ref>, and compatibility can be enabled by email,<ref>https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2021/11/supporting-linux-proton-and-the-steam-deck-with-battleye-is-just-an-email-away/</ref> yet Rockstar deliberately chooses not to take minimal steps to enable support.

In response, [[Valve]] has issued refunds for some Steam Deck and Linux users<ref>https://www.notebookcheck.net/Steam-grants-GTA-V-refunds-after-anti-cheat-strands-Steam-Deck-gamers-in-compatibility-purgatory.891105.0.html</ref> based on some criteria, such as hours played on Linux / Steam Deck.

Additionally, anti-cheat systems can be incredibly invasive with the ability to scan user's files and processes, including hardware identifiers, according to the [[privacy policy]]:<ref>https://www.battleye.com/privacy-policy/</ref> <blockquote>
*IP address
*Game identifiers (e.g., in-game name, account ID)
*Hardware device information and identifiers (e.g., serial numbers)
*Information about the running operating system
*Information about files and memory related to the game or operating system
*Information about running processes, drivers, and other executable code
*File names included in other information listed here, which might also contain your operating-system user name
</blockquote>Because of the inherent privacy and security risks associated with kernel-mode anti-cheat, increasingly players and developers are demanding more transparency in the usage of kernel-mode software included in games. In response, Valve added a new transparency requirement for developers and publishers to disclose the use of more invasive kernel-mode anti-cheat solutions:<ref>https://steamcommunity.com/groups/steamworks/announcements/detail/4547038620960934857</ref><blockquote>We've heard from more and more developers recently that they're looking for the right way to share anti-cheat information about their game with players. At the same time, players have been requesting more transparency around the anti-cheat services used in games, as well as the existence of any additional software that will be installed within the game.</blockquote><blockquote>Going forward, when you submit a new game to Steam, '''if your game installs a client side, kernel mode anti-cheat, you will need to fill out this new field'''. We will be going through old games and contacting partners with games that fall into this category.

If your game contains a client or server based anti-cheat that is not kernel based, submitting the field is optional but we generally think that any game that makes use of anti-cheat technology would benefit from letting players know.</blockquote><blockquote>'''Specifying Kernel-level Integration''' - Select this to let players know that your anti-cheat integration installs or modifies files at the OS kernel level for any modes of your game. This is automatically selected or disabled for the relevant common anti-cheat services in the drop-down menu.</blockquote>Kernal mode anti-cheat solutions carry inherently more risks to the player, as the anti-cheat installs drivers with elevated permissions and sometimes contains vulnerabilities<ref>https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/22/h/ransomware-actor-abuses-genshin-impact-anti-cheat-driver-to-kill-antivirus.html</ref> that can leave the user machine and data at risk, far beyond the risks when the software is isolated to user-mode permissions. Even Rockstar's own instructions suggest adding an exception to anti-virus, only increasing risk to players.<blockquote>While BattlEye is compatible with most antivirus software, you may run into issues if your antivirus does not recognize BattlEye. To avoid any potential problems, make sure to add BattlEye to your antivirus’ exception list.</blockquote>

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Video game publishers]]
[[Category:Video game development companies]]

Take Two

2025-01-26T02:52:31Z

0xDE57: add tags: "Video game development companies" & "Video game publishers"

Take Two

2025-01-25T02:52:12Z

0xDE57: /* GTA 4 content removal */ typo

'''[[wikipedia:Rockstar_Games|Rockstar Games, Inc]].''' is an American video game publisher based in New York City. Known for action-adventure game franchises is ''Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption.''

todo: insert infobox

==Relevant incidents==

===GTA 4 content removal===
Licensing for some songs in GTA 4 have run out, and updates to the game have been removing content after purchase. <ref>https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/360001005308/Music-Updates-in-Grand-Theft-Auto-IV-The-Lost-and-Damned-and-The-Ballad-of-Gay-Tony</ref> A list of removed songs can be found here<ref>https://gtaforums.com/topic/908139-iv-song-removal-due-to-licenses-expiring/</ref> and here<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/8f4crm/the_update_for_gta_4_removes_songs_from_the/</ref>. Players who purchased a physical disk copy can enjoy the full soundtrack but cannot update without losing content.

===''GTA 5 move to Kernel-level Anti-Cheat on PC after purchase''===
GTA 5 was released 2013. On September 17, 2024 (11 years after release), Rockstar implemented controversial update to include more invasive and dangerous kernel mode anti-cheat by BattlEye.<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/271590/view/6356356787200715684?l=english</ref>

This update retroactively restricts online usage to Windows OS, despite being fully functional on alternative OS's like Linux and SteamOS. Despite Rockstar's claim that GTA 5 Online is not supported by steam deck<ref>https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/33490543992467/Grand-Theft-Auto-Online-BattlEye-FAQ</ref>, GTA 5 Online did work prior to this breaking change. Furthermore, BattlEye actually is compatible with Linux <ref>https://x.com/TheBattlEye/status/1441477816311291906</ref> and compatibility can be enabled via email<ref>https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2021/11/supporting-linux-proton-and-the-steam-deck-with-battleye-is-just-an-email-away/</ref>, yet Rockstar deliberately chooses not to take minimal steps to enable support.

In response, Valve has issued refunds for some Steam Deck and Linux users<ref>https://www.notebookcheck.net/Steam-grants-GTA-V-refunds-after-anti-cheat-strands-Steam-Deck-gamers-in-compatibility-purgatory.891105.0.html</ref> based on some criteria such as hours played on Linux / Steam Deck.

Additionally, Anti-cheat systems can be incredibly invasive with the ability to scan user's files and processes, including hardware identifier's, according to the privacy policy<ref>https://www.battleye.com/privacy-policy/</ref>: <blockquote>
*IP address
*Game identifiers (e.g. in-game name, account ID, etc.)
*Hardware device information and identifiers (e.g. serial numbers)
*Information about the running operating system
*Information about game-related and operating-system-related files and memory
*Information about running processes, drivers and other executable code
*File names included in other information listed here, which might also contain your operating system user name
</blockquote>Due to the inherent privacy and security risks associated with Kernel-mode anti-cheat, increasingly players and developers are demanding more transparency in the usage of Kernel mode software included in games. In response, Valve added a new transparency requirement for developers/publishers to disclose the use of more invasive Kernel-Mode Anti-Cheat solutions <ref>https://steamcommunity.com/groups/steamworks/announcements/detail/4547038620960934857</ref><blockquote>We've heard from more and more developers recently that they're looking for the right way to share anti-cheat information about their game with players. At the same time, players have been requesting more transparency around the anti-cheat services used in games, as well as the existence of any additional software that will be installed within the game.</blockquote><blockquote>Going forward, when you submit a new game to Steam, '''if your game installs a client side, kernel mode anti-cheat, you will need to fill out this new field'''. We will be going through old games and contacting partners with games that fall into this category.

If your game contains a client or server based anti-cheat that is not kernel based, submitting the field is optional but we generally think that any game that makes use of anti-cheat technology would benefit from letting players know.</blockquote><blockquote>'''Specifying Kernel-level Integration''' - Select this to let players know that your anti-cheat integration installs or modifies files at the OS kernel level for any modes of your game. This is automatically selected or disabled for the relevant common anti-cheat services in the drop-down menu.</blockquote>Kernal mode anti-cheat solutions carry inherently more risks to the player, as the anti-cheat installs drivers with elevated permissions and sometimes contain vulnerabilities<ref>https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/22/h/ransomware-actor-abuses-genshin-impact-anti-cheat-driver-to-kill-antivirus.html</ref> that can leave the user machine and data at risk, much beyond the risks when the software is isolated to user mode permissions.

Even Rockstars own instructions suggest adding an exception to anti-virus, only furthering risk to player.<blockquote>While BattlEye is compatible with most antivirus software, you may run into issues if your antivirus does not recognize BattlEye. To avoid any potential problems, make sure to add BattlEye to your antivirus’ exception list.</blockquote>

==References==
<references />

Take Two

2025-01-25T02:45:51Z

0xDE57: /* GTA 4 content removal */ add more detail and lists for gta 4 content removal after purchase

'''[[wikipedia:Rockstar_Games|Rockstar Games, Inc]].''' is an American video game publisher based in New York City. Known for action-adventure game franchises is ''Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption.''

todo: insert infobox

==Relevant incidents==

===GTA 4 content removal===
Licensing for some songs in GTA 4 have run out, and updates to the came have been removing content after purchase. <ref>https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/360001005308/Music-Updates-in-Grand-Theft-Auto-IV-The-Lost-and-Damned-and-The-Ballad-of-Gay-Tony</ref> A list of removed songs can be found here<ref>https://gtaforums.com/topic/908139-iv-song-removal-due-to-licenses-expiring/</ref> and here<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/8f4crm/the_update_for_gta_4_removes_songs_from_the/</ref>. Players who purchased a physical disk copy can enjoy the full soundtrack but cannot update without losing content.

===''GTA 5 move to Kernel-level Anti-Cheat on PC after purchase''===
GTA 5 was released 2013. On September 17, 2024 (11 years after release), Rockstar implemented controversial update to include more invasive and dangerous kernel mode anti-cheat by BattlEye.<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/271590/view/6356356787200715684?l=english</ref>

This update retroactively restricts online usage to Windows OS, despite being fully functional on alternative OS's like Linux and SteamOS. Despite Rockstar's claim that GTA 5 Online is not supported by steam deck<ref>https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/33490543992467/Grand-Theft-Auto-Online-BattlEye-FAQ</ref>, GTA 5 Online did work prior to this breaking change. Furthermore, BattlEye actually is compatible with Linux <ref>https://x.com/TheBattlEye/status/1441477816311291906</ref> and compatibility can be enabled via email<ref>https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2021/11/supporting-linux-proton-and-the-steam-deck-with-battleye-is-just-an-email-away/</ref>, yet Rockstar deliberately chooses not to take minimal steps to enable support.

In response, Valve has issued refunds for some Steam Deck and Linux users<ref>https://www.notebookcheck.net/Steam-grants-GTA-V-refunds-after-anti-cheat-strands-Steam-Deck-gamers-in-compatibility-purgatory.891105.0.html</ref> based on some criteria such as hours played on Linux / Steam Deck.

Additionally, Anti-cheat systems can be incredibly invasive with the ability to scan user's files and processes, including hardware identifier's, according to the privacy policy<ref>https://www.battleye.com/privacy-policy/</ref>: <blockquote>
*IP address
*Game identifiers (e.g. in-game name, account ID, etc.)
*Hardware device information and identifiers (e.g. serial numbers)
*Information about the running operating system
*Information about game-related and operating-system-related files and memory
*Information about running processes, drivers and other executable code
*File names included in other information listed here, which might also contain your operating system user name
</blockquote>Due to the inherent privacy and security risks associated with Kernel-mode anti-cheat, increasingly players and developers are demanding more transparency in the usage of Kernel mode software included in games. In response, Valve added a new transparency requirement for developers/publishers to disclose the use of more invasive Kernel-Mode Anti-Cheat solutions <ref>https://steamcommunity.com/groups/steamworks/announcements/detail/4547038620960934857</ref><blockquote>We've heard from more and more developers recently that they're looking for the right way to share anti-cheat information about their game with players. At the same time, players have been requesting more transparency around the anti-cheat services used in games, as well as the existence of any additional software that will be installed within the game.</blockquote><blockquote>Going forward, when you submit a new game to Steam, '''if your game installs a client side, kernel mode anti-cheat, you will need to fill out this new field'''. We will be going through old games and contacting partners with games that fall into this category.

If your game contains a client or server based anti-cheat that is not kernel based, submitting the field is optional but we generally think that any game that makes use of anti-cheat technology would benefit from letting players know.</blockquote><blockquote>'''Specifying Kernel-level Integration''' - Select this to let players know that your anti-cheat integration installs or modifies files at the OS kernel level for any modes of your game. This is automatically selected or disabled for the relevant common anti-cheat services in the drop-down menu.</blockquote>Kernal mode anti-cheat solutions carry inherently more risks to the player, as the anti-cheat installs drivers with elevated permissions and sometimes contain vulnerabilities<ref>https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/22/h/ransomware-actor-abuses-genshin-impact-anti-cheat-driver-to-kill-antivirus.html</ref> that can leave the user machine and data at risk, much beyond the risks when the software is isolated to user mode permissions.

Even Rockstars own instructions suggest adding an exception to anti-virus, only furthering risk to player.<blockquote>While BattlEye is compatible with most antivirus software, you may run into issues if your antivirus does not recognize BattlEye. To avoid any potential problems, make sure to add BattlEye to your antivirus’ exception list.</blockquote>

==References==
<references />

Take Two

2025-01-25T02:38:52Z

0xDE57: /* GTA 5 move to Kernel-level AC after purchase */ clarify title

'''[[wikipedia:Rockstar_Games|Rockstar Games, Inc]].''' is an American video game publisher based in New York City. Known for action-adventure game franchises is ''Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption.''

todo: insert infobox

==Relevant incidents==

===GTA 4 content removal===
todo: removing content after purchase. <ref>https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/360001005308/Music-Updates-in-Grand-Theft-Auto-IV-The-Lost-and-Damned-and-The-Ballad-of-Gay-Tony</ref>

===''GTA 5 move to Kernel-level Anti-Cheat on PC after purchase''===
GTA 5 was released 2013. On September 17, 2024 (11 years after release), Rockstar implemented controversial update to include more invasive and dangerous kernel mode anti-cheat by BattlEye.<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/271590/view/6356356787200715684?l=english</ref>

This update retroactively restricts online usage to Windows OS, despite being fully functional on alternative OS's like Linux and SteamOS. Despite Rockstar's claim that GTA 5 Online is not supported by steam deck<ref>https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/33490543992467/Grand-Theft-Auto-Online-BattlEye-FAQ</ref>, GTA 5 Online did work prior to this breaking change. Furthermore, BattlEye actually is compatible with Linux <ref>https://x.com/TheBattlEye/status/1441477816311291906</ref> and compatibility can be enabled via email<ref>https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2021/11/supporting-linux-proton-and-the-steam-deck-with-battleye-is-just-an-email-away/</ref>, yet Rockstar deliberately chooses not to take minimal steps to enable support.

In response, Valve has issued refunds for some Steam Deck and Linux users<ref>https://www.notebookcheck.net/Steam-grants-GTA-V-refunds-after-anti-cheat-strands-Steam-Deck-gamers-in-compatibility-purgatory.891105.0.html</ref> based on some criteria such as hours played on Linux / Steam Deck.

Additionally, Anti-cheat systems can be incredibly invasive with the ability to scan user's files and processes, including hardware identifier's, according to the privacy policy<ref>https://www.battleye.com/privacy-policy/</ref>: <blockquote>
*IP address
*Game identifiers (e.g. in-game name, account ID, etc.)
*Hardware device information and identifiers (e.g. serial numbers)
*Information about the running operating system
*Information about game-related and operating-system-related files and memory
*Information about running processes, drivers and other executable code
*File names included in other information listed here, which might also contain your operating system user name
</blockquote>Due to the inherent privacy and security risks associated with Kernel-mode anti-cheat, increasingly players and developers are demanding more transparency in the usage of Kernel mode software included in games. In response, Valve added a new transparency requirement for developers/publishers to disclose the use of more invasive Kernel-Mode Anti-Cheat solutions <ref>https://steamcommunity.com/groups/steamworks/announcements/detail/4547038620960934857</ref><blockquote>We've heard from more and more developers recently that they're looking for the right way to share anti-cheat information about their game with players. At the same time, players have been requesting more transparency around the anti-cheat services used in games, as well as the existence of any additional software that will be installed within the game.</blockquote><blockquote>Going forward, when you submit a new game to Steam, '''if your game installs a client side, kernel mode anti-cheat, you will need to fill out this new field'''. We will be going through old games and contacting partners with games that fall into this category.

If your game contains a client or server based anti-cheat that is not kernel based, submitting the field is optional but we generally think that any game that makes use of anti-cheat technology would benefit from letting players know.</blockquote><blockquote>'''Specifying Kernel-level Integration''' - Select this to let players know that your anti-cheat integration installs or modifies files at the OS kernel level for any modes of your game. This is automatically selected or disabled for the relevant common anti-cheat services in the drop-down menu.</blockquote>Kernal mode anti-cheat solutions carry inherently more risks to the player, as the anti-cheat installs drivers with elevated permissions and sometimes contain vulnerabilities<ref>https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/22/h/ransomware-actor-abuses-genshin-impact-anti-cheat-driver-to-kill-antivirus.html</ref> that can leave the user machine and data at risk, much beyond the risks when the software is isolated to user mode permissions.

Even Rockstars own instructions suggest adding an exception to anti-virus, only furthering risk to player.<blockquote>While BattlEye is compatible with most antivirus software, you may run into issues if your antivirus does not recognize BattlEye. To avoid any potential problems, make sure to add BattlEye to your antivirus’ exception list.</blockquote>

==References==
<references />

Take Two

2025-01-25T02:37:44Z

0xDE57: /* GTA 5 move to Kernel-level AC after purchase */ clarify online service

'''[[wikipedia:Rockstar_Games|Rockstar Games, Inc]].''' is an American video game publisher based in New York City. Known for action-adventure game franchises is ''Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption.''

todo: insert infobox

==Relevant incidents==

===GTA 4 content removal===
todo: removing content after purchase. <ref>https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/360001005308/Music-Updates-in-Grand-Theft-Auto-IV-The-Lost-and-Damned-and-The-Ballad-of-Gay-Tony</ref>

===''GTA 5 move to Kernel-level AC after purchase''===
GTA 5 was released 2013. On September 17, 2024 (11 years after release), Rockstar implemented controversial update to include more invasive and dangerous kernel mode anti-cheat by BattlEye.<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/271590/view/6356356787200715684?l=english</ref>

This update retroactively restricts online usage to Windows OS, despite being fully functional on alternative OS's like Linux and SteamOS. Despite Rockstar's claim that GTA 5 Online is not supported by steam deck<ref>https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/33490543992467/Grand-Theft-Auto-Online-BattlEye-FAQ</ref>, GTA 5 Online did work prior to this breaking change. Furthermore, BattlEye actually is compatible with Linux <ref>https://x.com/TheBattlEye/status/1441477816311291906</ref> and compatibility can be enabled via email<ref>https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2021/11/supporting-linux-proton-and-the-steam-deck-with-battleye-is-just-an-email-away/</ref>, yet Rockstar deliberately chooses not to take minimal steps to enable support.

In response, Valve has issued refunds for some Steam Deck and Linux users<ref>https://www.notebookcheck.net/Steam-grants-GTA-V-refunds-after-anti-cheat-strands-Steam-Deck-gamers-in-compatibility-purgatory.891105.0.html</ref> based on some criteria such as hours played on Linux / Steam Deck.

Additionally, Anti-cheat systems can be incredibly invasive with the ability to scan user's files and processes, including hardware identifier's, according to the privacy policy<ref>https://www.battleye.com/privacy-policy/</ref>: <blockquote>
*IP address
*Game identifiers (e.g. in-game name, account ID, etc.)
*Hardware device information and identifiers (e.g. serial numbers)
*Information about the running operating system
*Information about game-related and operating-system-related files and memory
*Information about running processes, drivers and other executable code
*File names included in other information listed here, which might also contain your operating system user name
</blockquote>Due to the inherent privacy and security risks associated with Kernel-mode anti-cheat, increasingly players and developers are demanding more transparency in the usage of Kernel mode software included in games. In response, Valve added a new transparency requirement for developers/publishers to disclose the use of more invasive Kernel-Mode Anti-Cheat solutions <ref>https://steamcommunity.com/groups/steamworks/announcements/detail/4547038620960934857</ref><blockquote>We've heard from more and more developers recently that they're looking for the right way to share anti-cheat information about their game with players. At the same time, players have been requesting more transparency around the anti-cheat services used in games, as well as the existence of any additional software that will be installed within the game.</blockquote><blockquote>Going forward, when you submit a new game to Steam, '''if your game installs a client side, kernel mode anti-cheat, you will need to fill out this new field'''. We will be going through old games and contacting partners with games that fall into this category.

If your game contains a client or server based anti-cheat that is not kernel based, submitting the field is optional but we generally think that any game that makes use of anti-cheat technology would benefit from letting players know.</blockquote><blockquote>'''Specifying Kernel-level Integration''' - Select this to let players know that your anti-cheat integration installs or modifies files at the OS kernel level for any modes of your game. This is automatically selected or disabled for the relevant common anti-cheat services in the drop-down menu.</blockquote>Kernal mode anti-cheat solutions carry inherently more risks to the player, as the anti-cheat installs drivers with elevated permissions and sometimes contain vulnerabilities<ref>https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/22/h/ransomware-actor-abuses-genshin-impact-anti-cheat-driver-to-kill-antivirus.html</ref> that can leave the user machine and data at risk, much beyond the risks when the software is isolated to user mode permissions.

Even Rockstars own instructions suggest adding an exception to anti-virus, only furthering risk to player.<blockquote>While BattlEye is compatible with most antivirus software, you may run into issues if your antivirus does not recognize BattlEye. To avoid any potential problems, make sure to add BattlEye to your antivirus’ exception list.</blockquote>

==References==
<references />

Take Two

2025-01-25T02:29:54Z

0xDE57: /* GTA 4 */ title description

'''[[wikipedia:Rockstar_Games|Rockstar Games, Inc]].''' is an American video game publisher based in New York City. Known for action-adventure game franchises is ''Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption.''

todo: insert infobox

==Relevant incidents==

===GTA 4 content removal===
todo: removing content after purchase. <ref>https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/360001005308/Music-Updates-in-Grand-Theft-Auto-IV-The-Lost-and-Damned-and-The-Ballad-of-Gay-Tony</ref>

===''GTA 5 move to Kernel-level AC after purchase''===
GTA 5 was released 2013. On September 17, 2024 (11 years after release), Rockstar implemented controversial update to include more invasive and dangerous kernel mode anti-cheat by BattlEye.<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/271590/view/6356356787200715684?l=english</ref>

This update retroactively restricts usage to Windows OS, despite being fully functional on alternative OS's like Linux and SteamOS. Despite Rockstar's claim that GTA 5 is not supported by steam deck<ref>https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/33490543992467/Grand-Theft-Auto-Online-BattlEye-FAQ</ref>, GTA 5 online did work prior to this breaking change. Furthermore, BattlEye actually is compatible with Linux <ref>https://x.com/TheBattlEye/status/1441477816311291906</ref> and compatibility can be enabled via email<ref>https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2021/11/supporting-linux-proton-and-the-steam-deck-with-battleye-is-just-an-email-away/</ref>, yet Rockstar deliberately chooses not to take minimal steps to enable support.

In response, Valve has issued refunds for some Steam Deck and Linux users<ref>https://www.notebookcheck.net/Steam-grants-GTA-V-refunds-after-anti-cheat-strands-Steam-Deck-gamers-in-compatibility-purgatory.891105.0.html</ref> based on some criteria such as hours played on Linux / Steam Deck.

Additionally, Anti-cheat systems can be incredibly invasive with ability to scan users files and processes, including hardware identifier's, according to the privacy policy<ref>https://www.battleye.com/privacy-policy/</ref>: <blockquote>
*IP address
*Game identifiers (e.g. in-game name, account ID, etc.)
*Hardware device information and identifiers (e.g. serial numbers)
*Information about the running operating system
*Information about game-related and operating-system-related files and memory
*Information about running processes, drivers and other executable code
*File names included in other information listed here, which might also contain your operating system user name
</blockquote>Due to the inherent privacy and security risks associated with Kernel-mode anti-cheat, increasingly players and developers are demanding more transparency in the usage of Kernel mode software included in games. In response, Valve added a new transparency requirement for developers/publishers to disclose the use of more invasive Kernel-Mode Anti-Cheat solutions <ref>https://steamcommunity.com/groups/steamworks/announcements/detail/4547038620960934857</ref><blockquote>We've heard from more and more developers recently that they're looking for the right way to share anti-cheat information about their game with players. At the same time, players have been requesting more transparency around the anti-cheat services used in games, as well as the existence of any additional software that will be installed within the game.</blockquote><blockquote>Going forward, when you submit a new game to Steam, '''if your game installs a client side, kernel mode anti-cheat, you will need to fill out this new field'''. We will be going through old games and contacting partners with games that fall into this category.

If your game contains a client or server based anti-cheat that is not kernel based, submitting the field is optional but we generally think that any game that makes use of anti-cheat technology would benefit from letting players know.</blockquote><blockquote>'''Specifying Kernel-level Integration''' - Select this to let players know that your anti-cheat integration installs or modifies files at the OS kernel level for any modes of your game. This is automatically selected or disabled for the relevant common anti-cheat services in the drop-down menu.</blockquote>Kernal mode anti-cheat solutions carry inherently more risks to the player, as the anti-cheat installs drivers with elevated permissions and sometimes contain vulnerabilities<ref>https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/22/h/ransomware-actor-abuses-genshin-impact-anti-cheat-driver-to-kill-antivirus.html</ref> that can leave the user machine and data at risk, much beyond the risks when the software is isolated to user mode permissions.

Even Rockstars own instructions suggest adding an exception to anti-virus, only furthering risk to player.<blockquote>While BattlEye is compatible with most antivirus software, you may run into issues if your antivirus does not recognize BattlEye. To avoid any potential problems, make sure to add BattlEye to your antivirus’ exception list.</blockquote>

==References==
<references />

Take Two

2025-01-25T02:25:41Z

0xDE57: initial draft. work in progress.

'''[[wikipedia:Rockstar_Games|Rockstar Games, Inc]].''' is an American video game publisher based in New York City. Known for action-adventure game franchises is ''Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption.''

todo: insert infobox

== Relevant incidents ==

=== GTA 4 ===
todo: removing content after purchase. <ref>https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/360001005308/Music-Updates-in-Grand-Theft-Auto-IV-The-Lost-and-Damned-and-The-Ballad-of-Gay-Tony</ref>

=== ''GTA 5 move to Kernel-level AC after purchase'' ===
GTA 5 was released 2013. On September 17, 2024 (11 years after release), Rockstar implemented controversial update to include more invasive and dangerous kernel mode anti-cheat by BattlEye.<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/271590/view/6356356787200715684?l=english</ref>

This update retroactively restricts usage to Windows OS, despite being fully functional on alternative OS's like Linux and SteamOS. Despite Rockstar's claim that GTA 5 is not supported by steam deck<ref>https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/33490543992467/Grand-Theft-Auto-Online-BattlEye-FAQ</ref>, GTA 5 online did work prior to this breaking change. Furthermore, BattlEye actually is compatible with Linux <ref>https://x.com/TheBattlEye/status/1441477816311291906</ref> and compatibility can be enabled via email<ref>https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2021/11/supporting-linux-proton-and-the-steam-deck-with-battleye-is-just-an-email-away/</ref>, yet Rockstar deliberately chooses not to take minimal steps to enable support.

In response, Valve has issued refunds for some Steam Deck and Linux users<ref>https://www.notebookcheck.net/Steam-grants-GTA-V-refunds-after-anti-cheat-strands-Steam-Deck-gamers-in-compatibility-purgatory.891105.0.html</ref> based on some criteria such as hours played on Linux / Steam Deck.

Additionally, Anti-cheat systems can be incredibly invasive with ability to scan users files and processes, including hardware identifier's, according to the privacy policy<ref>https://www.battleye.com/privacy-policy/</ref>: <blockquote>
* IP address
* Game identifiers (e.g. in-game name, account ID, etc.)
* Hardware device information and identifiers (e.g. serial numbers)
* Information about the running operating system
* Information about game-related and operating-system-related files and memory
* Information about running processes, drivers and other executable code
* File names included in other information listed here, which might also contain your operating system user name
</blockquote>Due to the inherent privacy and security risks associated with Kernel-mode anti-cheat, increasingly players and developers are demanding more transparency in the usage of Kernel mode software included in games. In response, Valve added a new transparency requirement for developers/publishers to disclose the use of more invasive Kernel-Mode Anti-Cheat solutions <ref>https://steamcommunity.com/groups/steamworks/announcements/detail/4547038620960934857</ref><blockquote>We've heard from more and more developers recently that they're looking for the right way to share anti-cheat information about their game with players. At the same time, players have been requesting more transparency around the anti-cheat services used in games, as well as the existence of any additional software that will be installed within the game.</blockquote><blockquote>Going forward, when you submit a new game to Steam, '''if your game installs a client side, kernel mode anti-cheat, you will need to fill out this new field'''. We will be going through old games and contacting partners with games that fall into this category.

If your game contains a client or server based anti-cheat that is not kernel based, submitting the field is optional but we generally think that any game that makes use of anti-cheat technology would benefit from letting players know.</blockquote><blockquote>'''Specifying Kernel-level Integration''' - Select this to let players know that your anti-cheat integration installs or modifies files at the OS kernel level for any modes of your game. This is automatically selected or disabled for the relevant common anti-cheat services in the drop-down menu.</blockquote>Kernal mode anti-cheat solutions carry inherently more risks to the player, as the anti-cheat installs drivers with elevated permissions and sometimes contain vulnerabilities<ref>https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/22/h/ransomware-actor-abuses-genshin-impact-anti-cheat-driver-to-kill-antivirus.html</ref> that can leave the user machine and data at risk, much beyond the risks when the software is isolated to user mode permissions.

Even Rockstars own instructions suggest adding an exception to anti-virus, only furthering risk to player.<blockquote>While BattlEye is compatible with most antivirus software, you may run into issues if your antivirus does not recognize BattlEye. To avoid any potential problems, make sure to add BattlEye to your antivirus’ exception list.</blockquote>

== References ==
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