Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Android Developer Verification

2026-02-24T19:22:20Z

Bananabot: Replace archive.today citations with archive.org equivalents (1 citation(s))

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Google
|StartDate=2025-08-25
|EndDate=
|Status=Active
|ProductLine=Google-certified Android devices
|Product=Android
|ArticleType=Service
|Type=Anticompetitive Behavior, Digital restrictions, Privacy
|Description=A planned restriction that forces developers to submit their identity to Google and pay a fee for their apps to be installable onto Android devices.
}}
On August 25th, 2025, [[Google]] announced an upcoming application installation restriction on Google-certified [[Android]] devices, requiring '''all''' developers to register and verify their real-life identity through the Developer Verification program and be approved by Google before their apps can be installed on Android devices. This requirement extends to '''''all''''' installation methods including "[[sideloading]]", third-party app repositories like [[F-Droid]], and direct APK installations. Google stated that this change "keeps the ecosystem open".<ref>[https://archive.today/2025.08.26-115350/https://web.archive.org/web/20250825180832/https://developer.android.com/developer-verification Android developer console | Android developer verification | Android Developers]</ref>

This is a giant shift from Android's traditionally open ecosystem and an abandonment of Android's founding principles.<ref>https://source.android.com/about/philosophy.html ([http://web.archive.org/web/20140621023054/http://source.android.com/about/philosophy.html Archive]) Philosophy and Goals | Android Open Source] (2012) ([http://web.archive.org/web/20140621023054/http://source.android.com/about/philosophy.html Archived])</ref> It renders all existing APK files created throughout the years useless, and gives Google the ability to censor apps they dislike, such as those that can create permanent local backups of YouTube videos outside of Google's ecosystem with no [[data lock-in]] (a popular example being TubeMate), and lets them terminate developers out of spite for reasons unrelated to their apps (such as holding political views Google disagrees with), in addition to giving governments the ability to order Google to censor unwanted apps, similar to what already happened with Apple in China.<ref>[https://www.techtransparencyproject.org/articles/apple-censoring-its-app-store-china Apple Is Censoring its App Store for China] - Tech Transparency Projects ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251124220615/https://www.techtransparencyproject.org/articles/apple-censoring-its-app-store-china Archived])</ref>

It also prevents new Android applications from being developed offline with no Internet connection or Google account, given that every package name has to be registered in the developer console. This can prevent even verified developers from creating apps in countries where governments intermittently turn off Internet access, block access to Google services, or selectively block individuals from accessing the Internet.<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/30/middleeast/iran-internet-blackout-censorship-intl The future of Iran’s internet connectivity is still bleak, even as weeks-long blackout begins to lift | CNN] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260223025239/https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/30/middleeast/iran-internet-blackout-censorship-intl Archived])</ref>

Individuals who lose access to their Google accounts (for example, as a result of losing an authentication factor) would no longer be able register new applications.<ref>[https://karl-voit.at/cloud/ You Can't Control Your Data in the Cloud] - Karl Voit ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260202071758/https://karl-voit.at/cloud/ Archived])</ref> Unlimited offline distribution can also become a thing of the past. Google can impose arbitrary installation quotas, meaning limit the number of installations, like they are planning to do with [[#Limited_distribution|student accounts]]. In the future, Google can also stop accepting submissions for older Android versions altogether, forcing people to purchase new devices to run software that could technically run on their existing device.

As with any Google service, there exists a possibility that it will shut down entirely, given that Google has a long history of launching and shutting down experimental services.<ref>[https://gcemetery.co/ The Google Cemetery - Dead Google products] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260221111719/https://gcemetery.co/ Archived])</ref><ref>[https://killedbygoogle.com/ Google Graveyard - Killed by Google] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260221152454/https://killedbygoogle.com/ Archived])</ref> If Google shut down the Android Developer Console, no one could develop new Android application anymore, for any device sold with this verification requirement built in.

==Take action, make our voice heard==
Direct link to the useful resources provided by the [https://techlore.tech Techlore] https://keepandroidopen.org/

The keep android open website includes the following resources:

*ways to contact national regulators
*open letter and petitions
*f-droid additional sources
*editorial blogs and press reactions
*public discussions

==Background==
Android has historically allowed users to freely install applications from any source through APK files (sometimes called [[sideloading]]). This openness differentiated Android from competitors like iOS. It enabled alternative app repositories, including open-source repositories like [[F-Droid]], & direct developer-to-user distribution, offline installation with no Internet connection and Google account required, installation of applications not available in the Play Store (such as ''Flappy Bird'', after it was taken down by its developer, or ''TubeMate'', which Google does not allow on the Play Store), and installation of earlier versions (such as non-adware versions of ''ES File Explorer'').

The only technical requirements were that applications follow Android's technical guidelines for functionality & be signed with any certificate to maintain a chain of trust during updates.

This openness has been a defining characteristic of Android since its inception, supporting many different use cases from enterprise deployments to privacy-focused distributions. Google has defended this approach in antitrust proceedings, with Google's lawyers arguing in the [[Epic Games]] case that "Android and Google Play provide more choice and openness than any other major mobile platform"<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-11 |title=Fortnite maker Epic Games wins its antitrust fight against Google |url=https://techcrunch.com/2023/12/11/epic-games-google-antitrust-win/ |access-date=2025-08-29 |website=TechCrunch |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251126195055/https://techcrunch.com/2023/12/11/epic-games-google-antitrust-win/ |archive-date=26 Nov 2025}}</ref> & that the company's app store practices were "part of its fierce competition with Apple".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-12 |title=Epic Games wins antitrust lawsuit against Google |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/12/11/epic-google-trial-verdict/ |access-date=2025-08-29 |website=The Washington Post |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250723224500/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/12/11/epic-google-trial-verdict/ |archive-date=23 Jul 2025}}</ref>

==Announcement and rationale==
Google announced the Developer Verification requirements on August 25th, 2025, through the Android Developers Blog.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-25 |title=Android Developers Blog: A new layer of security for certified Android devices |url=https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/08/elevating-android-security.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250825180832/https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/08/elevating-android-security.html |archive-date=2025-08-25 |access-date=2025-08-25}}</ref> According to Suzanne Frey, VP of Product, Trust & Growth for Android, the system is designed to combat malicious actors who "''hide behind anonymity to harm users by impersonating developers and using their brand image to create convincing fake apps."''

Google cited security statistics showing ''"over 50 times more malware from internet-sideloaded sources than on apps available through Google Play".''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-25 |title=Google will require developer verification to install Android apps, including sideloading |url=https://9to5google.com/2025/08/25/android-apps-developer-verification/ |website=9to5Google |access-date=2025-08-29 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260119211442/https://9to5google.com/2025/08/25/android-apps-developer-verification/ |archive-date=19 Jan 2026}}</ref> The company framed the verification as ''"an ID check at the airport, which confirms a traveler's identity but is separate from the security screening of their bags".''

===Implementation timeline===
The implementation will be conducted in global rollout phases:<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-08-25 |title=Android developer verification {{!}} Android Developers |url=https://developer.android.com/developer-verification/guides/android-developer-console |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250825204008/https://developer.android.com/developer-verification/guides/android-developer-console |archive-date=2025-08-25 |access-date=2025-08-25}}</ref>

*'''October 2025''': Early access opens for invited developers
*'''March 2026''': Open to all developers
*'''September 2026''': Enforcement begins in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand
*'''2027 and beyond''': Global rollout continues

Key implementation details:
*No grandfather clauses for existing apps or developers
*[[wikipedia:Google_Play|Play Store]] developers likely already meet requirements through 2023's D-U-N-S implementation
*Organizations requiring D-U-N-S numbers should begin the process 28 days before deadlines
*Developers can initiate verification 60 days before enforcement
*90-day deadline extensions available for developers needing additional time
*After deadlines, users encounter system-level blocks with no override option when attempting to install unverified apps

===Updates===
Google announced that it is developing an 'advanced flow' for 'experienced users' to be able to install apps from unverified developers and described the process as 'maximally obscure and high-friction'.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Forsythe |first=Matthew |date=12 Nov 2025 |title=Android developer verification: Early access starts now as we continue to build with your feedback |url=https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/11/android-developer-verification-early.html}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260221030624/https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/11/android-developer-verification-early.html Archived])</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Schoon |first=Ben |date=19 Jan 2026 |title=Google calls Android’s new sideloading flow ‘high friction’ |url=https://9to5google.com/2026/01/19/google-calls-androids-new-sideloading-flow-high-friction/}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260120014243/https://9to5google.com/2026/01/19/google-calls-androids-new-sideloading-flow-high-friction/ Archived])</ref> Free and open software distributor, F-Droid, clarified in a blog post that the android developer program remains to a credible threat to open source ecosystem on android and added a banner on the website as well as app linking to https://keepandroidopen.org/, for informing the dangers and recommending users to voice their concerns to relevant authority.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 Feb 2026 |title=Keep Android Open - TWIF curated on Friday, 20 Feb 2026, Week 8 - f-droid.org |url=https://f-droid.org/en/2026/02/20/twif.html}} ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260223025319/https://f-droid.org/en/2026/02/20/twif.html Archived])</ref>

In February 24 2026, the KeepAndroidOpen movement published an open letter to google signed by various free and open source software organizations, digital rights groups and developer communities accessible under https://keepandroidopen.org/open-letter/.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 Feb 2026 |title=An Open Letter to Google regarding Mandatory Developer Registration for Android App Distribution |url=https://keepandroidopen.org/open-letter/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224172459/https://keepandroidopen.org/open-letter/ |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref> The letter criticizes the need for google to gatekeeping software beyond it's own distribution platform, centralization of power having implications to privacy, censorship and surveillance especially with Google's historically opaque decision-making and review approach, imposition of barriers to entry for developers in various scenarios, anti-competitive implications and regulatory concerns. F-Droid was among the various organizations to sign the letter that in a blog post also stands opposed to signing up for developer verification that will begin the process in March 2026, recommending to developers to oppose the move by refusing to sign up as well.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 Feb 2026 |title=An Open Letter Opposing Android Developer Verification |url=https://f-droid.org/en/2026/02/24/open-letter-opposing-developer-verification.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224172628/https://f-droid.org/en/2026/02/24/open-letter-opposing-developer-verification.html |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==Technical implementation==

===Distribution types===
The Developer Verification system creates two tiers of developer accounts:<ref name=":0" />

====Limited distribution====
*Allows for distribution on up to 20 devices<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Android Developer Console: Account creation form |url=https://get.google.com/adc-early-access/u/0/onboarding |access-date=2025-12-19 |website=Android Developer Console}} ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260223010845/https://accounts.google.com/v3/signin/identifier?continue=https%3A%2F%2Fget.google.com%2Fadc-early-access%2Fu%2F0%2Fonboarding&dsh=S-116450265%3A1771808922850823&followup=https%3A%2F%2Fget.google.com%2Fadc-early-access%2Fu%2F0%2Fonboarding&ifkv=ASfE1-qms7IwZjbAdjvxowYFy5Kb9DL9vPDu06W9LMpkaBqy285wVRrX7HSp5xXdFaxXqzHM9tztDA&osid=1&passive=1209600&flowName=WebLiteSignIn&flowEntry=ServiceLogin Archived])</ref>
*Intended for ''"students, hobbyists, and other personal use"''
*Free registration
*Identity verification requirements unclear

====Full distribution====
*No limits on app numbers or installations
*Intended for ''"organizations and professional developers with wide distribution"''
*Requires a one-time $25 fee
*Requires complete identity verification including:
**Government-issued photo ID
**Proof of address
**Private email
**Phone number
**For organizations:
***Website
***D-U-N-S number (can take up to 28 days to obtain)

===Package name registration===
Developers must register package names before apps can be installed. The system creates a cryptographic link between developer identity & app signing keys. Ownership priority is determined by installation statistics - developers whose signing keys account for over 50% of known installs receive registration priority.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-25 |title=Updates to Play Console for Android developer verification: A first look |url=https://developer.android.com/developer-verification/assets/pdfs/updates-to-play-console-for-android-developer-verification.pdf |website=Android Developers |access-date=2025-09-01 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128020558/https://developer.android.com/developer-verification/assets/pdfs/updates-to-play-console-for-android-developer-verification.pdf |archive-date=28 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-25 |title=Resources {{!}} Android developer verification {{!}} Android Developers |url=https://developer.android.com/developer-verification/guides/resources |website=Android Developers |access-date=2025-08-25}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251123194919/https://developer.android.com/developer-verification/guides/resources Archived])</ref>

===Affected devices===
The requirements apply to all ''"[https://www.android.com/certified/partners/ Google-certified Android devices]"'' which includes:
*Devices with Google Play Store
*Devices with [[Google Mobile Services]] (GMS)
*Devices with Play Protect
*All mainstream Android devices from manufacturers including Samsung, Xiaomi, Motorola, OnePlus, and Google Pixel

Custom ROMs without Google services & uncertified devices are not affected by these restrictions.

==Developer response==

===Technical concerns===
Prominent Android developer Mark Murphy (CommonsWare) raised several technical concerns:<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-26 |title=Uncomfortable Questions About Android Developer Verification |url=https://commonsware.com/blog/2025/08/26/uncomfortable-questions-android-developer-verification.html |website=CommonsWare |access-date=2025-08-29 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251121201157/https://commonsware.com/blog/2025/08/26/uncomfortable-questions-android-developer-verification.html |archive-date=21 Nov 2025}}</ref>
*Debug keystore handling for development workflows remains unaddressed
*Sample code from Android development books would become unusable as "at most one person on the entire planet" could register each package name
*Beta testing workflows using different package names face complications
*Questions whether "it will no longer be possible to test apps under development on Google-certified production hardware" after 2027

===Privacy and safety concerns===
Developers expressed significant privacy concerns:
*Murphy cited the ICEBlock app developer who faced federal prosecution threats after identity disclosure, with his wife being fired from a DOJ job
*EFF, Electronic Frontier Foundation, criticized risks of centralization in censorship as well as surveillance capability retained by Google<ref>{{Cite web |last=McSherry |first=Corynne |date=2025-11-03 |title=Application Gatekeeping: An Ever-Expanding Pathway to Internet Censorship |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/11/application-gatekeeping-ever-expanding-pathway-internet-censorship |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251111101548/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/11/application-gatekeeping-ever-expanding-pathway-internet-censorship |archive-date=2025-11-11}}</ref>
*Google's privacy policy allows sharing developer information with ''"trusted businesses or persons"'' without clear restrictions<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-29 |title=Android Security or Vendor Lock-In? Google's New Sideloading Rules Smell Fishy |url=https://news.itsfoss.com/new-android-sideloading-rules/ |website=It's FOSS |access-date=2025-08-29 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251107074008/https://news.itsfoss.com/new-android-sideloading-rules/ |archive-date=7 Nov 2025}}</ref>
*Open source developers fear harassment and doxxing after forced identity disclosure
*F-Droid mentions that play store verification is proven to be ineffective at combating malware due to repeated instances of malware distributed through play store<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arntz |first=Pieter |date=2025-09-17 |title=224 malicious apps removed from the Google Play Store after ad fraud campaign discovered |url=https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2025/09/224-malicious-apps-removed-from-the-google-play-store-after-ad-fraud-campaign-discovered |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251005173848/www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2025/09/224-malicious-apps-removed-from-the-google-play-store-after-ad-fraud-campaign-discovered |archive-date=2025-10-05 |website=malwarebytes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Lain |date=2025-08-26 |title=Malware-ridden apps made it into Google's Play Store, scored 19 million downloads |url=https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/26/apps_android_malware/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251005173850/www.theregister.com/2025/08/26/apps_android_malware/ |archive-date=2025-10-05 |website=The Register}}</ref>

===Open source community impact===
The F-Droid community reacted strongly, with one forum member stating: "F*** Google. Use GrapheneOS to drop Android... I find this development downright alarming".<ref>{{Cite web |title=FAQ - App Developers {{!}} F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository |url=https://f-droid.org/en/docs/FAQ_-_App_Developers/ |website=F-Droid |access-date=2025-08-29}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260116144646/https://f-droid.org/en/docs/FAQ_-_App_Developers/ Archived])</ref> Specific challenges include:
*F-Droid builds apps from source with its own signing keys, creating coordination requirements with upstream developers to ensure that the applications distributed are reproducible
*Community estimates suggest 85% of F-Droid apps could be "stuck in limbo" due to package ID conflicts
*Some developers announced via [https://github.com/woheller69/FreeDroidWarn FreeDroidWarn] that their apps "will no longer work on certified Android devices after that time"
*Open source app, Kotatsu, shuts down development citing pressure from Google against sideloading among other threats against its operation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=KotatsuApp/Kotatsu: Manga reader for android |url=https://github.com/KotatsuApp/Kotatsu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251105185519/github.com/KotatsuApp/Kotatsu |archive-date=5 Nov 2025 |access-date=16 Nov 2025 |website=Github}}</ref>

==Consumer and user response==
Google's Q&A page for the announcement received lots of feedback, including:<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-25 |title=Q&A: New Android developer verification requirements |url=https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/thread/361325854 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250829100055/https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/thread/361325854/%F0%9F%92%AC-q-a-new-android-developer-verification-requirements |archive-date=2025-08-29 |access-date=2025-08-29 |website=Play Console Help}}</ref>

*Users highlighting the hypocrisy of enforcing security on sideloaded apps while Google Play distributes apps classified as scamware, malware, and adware
*Confusion over whether users would need to pay $25 to install apps on their own devices
*Concerns about offline device functionality (barcode scanners, kiosks) requiring internet connections for app signing verification
*Comparisons to Windows, where users noted: "I can install an app onto a Windows computer from any source without verification by Microsoft"<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-26 |title=Google to restrict Android app sideloading to verified devs |url=https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/26/android_developer_verification_sideloading |website=The Register |access-date=2025-08-29 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260119211440/https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/26/android_developer_verification_sideloading/ |archive-date=19 Jan 2026}}</ref>
*Users voiced their opinions through community wiki, [https://keepandroidopen.org/ keepandroidopen.org] criticizing it as an anti-consumer move since a software update irrevocably blocks right to install any software and requires developers to seek permission from Google to develop apps. The users also noted that it harms digital sovereignty of nations as well as raising questions on placing critical infrastructure "at the mercy of distant and unaccountable organization"<ref>{{Cite web |title=(Archive) Keep Android Open |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251109112509/keepandroidopen.org |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Android community produced numerous critical videos,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mental Outlaw |date=2025-08-29 |title=Google is Locking Down Android |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1S0SiBuJN8 |access-date=2025-08-29 |website=YouTube |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=L1S0SiBuJN8 |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=BrenTech |date=2025-08-26 |title=Google Will Soon Block Apps from Unverified Developers! Is This The End of Sideloading on Android? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nCgnXByGrY |access-date=2025-08-29 |website=YouTube |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=-nCgnXByGrY |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=TechLore |date=2025-08-27 |title=Android Is Becoming iOS: The End of Sideloading? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxGjwtiI8uM |access-date=2025-08-29 |website=YouTube |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=PxGjwtiI8uM |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref> with titles like "Google is Locking Down Android" and "Android Is Becoming iOS: The End of Sideloading?"

==Industry and organizational response==

===Support===
The Developers Alliance stood as the sole organizational voice supporting the change, with co-founder Jake Ward stating it was "a critical step to ensure trust, accountability, and security across the Android ecosystem".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-25 |title=Developers Alliance Applauds Google's New Android Developer Verification |url=https://news.devalliance.org/developers-alliance-applauds-googles-new-android-developer-verification/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251029120724/https://news.devalliance.org/developers-alliance-applauds-googles-new-android-developer-verification/ |archive-date=2025-10-29 |access-date=2025-10-29 |website=Developers Alliance}}</ref>

Government support emerged from initial rollout regions:
*Brazil's Federation of Banks called it a "significant advancement in protecting users"
*Indonesia's Ministry of Communications praised the "balanced approach that protects users while keeping Android open"
*Thailand's Ministry of Digital Economy described it as a "positive and proactive measure"<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-25 |title=Google to Verify All Android Developers in 4 Countries to Block Malicious Apps |url=https://thehackernews.com/2025/08/google-to-verify-all-android-developers.html |website=The Hacker News |access-date=2025-08-29 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128015131/https://thehackernews.com/2025/08/google-to-verify-all-android-developers.html |archive-date=28 Jan 2026}}</ref>

===Criticism===
Technology publications characterized the change as fundamental to Android's nature:
*The Daily Security Review called it "a significant philosophical shift for Android, mirroring Apple's tightly curated ecosystem"
*Cory Doctorow writes that Google is abusing it's duopoly position in mobile ecosystem to lock-in users for monetary profit<ref>{{Cite web |last=Doctorow |first=Cory |date=2025-09-01 |title=Darth Android |url=https://pluralistic.net/2025/09/01/fulu/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251012004854/pluralistic.net/2025/09/01/fulu/ |archive-date=2025-10-12}}</ref>
*Many news outlets warn that the ID requirements could end alternative app stores and affirm play store's position as an effective monopoly<ref>{{Cite web |last=Debasish |date=30 Sep 2025 |title=Google’s new developer rules could threaten sideloading and F-Droid’s future |url=https://www.gizmochina.com/2025/09/30/googles-new-developer-rules-could-threaten-sideloading-and-f-droids-future/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251102075559/www.gizmochina.com/2025/09/30/googles-new-developer-rules-could-threaten-sideloading-and-f-droids-future/ |archive-date=2 Nov 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mous |first=Anton |date=30 Sep 2025 |title=Google’s developer registration ‘decree’ means the end for alternative app stores |url=https://cybernews.com/tech/googles-developer-registration-decree-end-alternative-app-stores/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251111111050/https://cybernews.com/tech/googles-developer-registration-decree-end-alternative-app-stores/ |archive-date=11 Nov 2025}}</ref>
*Afam Onyimadu writes for makeuseof, that the move is an overreach of google's position when programs such as Play Protect already exist, calling it "security theatre"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Onyimadu |first=Afam |date=11 Oct 2025 |title=Android’s sideloading limits are its most anti-consumer move yet |url=https://www.makeuseof.com/androids-sideloading-limits-are-anti-consumer-move-yet/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251012005122/www.makeuseof.com/androids-sideloading-limits-are-anti-consumer-move-yet/ |archive-date=12 Oct 2025}}</ref>
*It's FOSS warned "this could turn Google into the effective gatekeeper for all apps on 'certified' Android devices"<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-29 |title=Android Security or Vendor Lock-In? Google's New Sideloading Rules Smell Fishy |url=https://news.itsfoss.com/new-android-sideloading-rules/ |website=It's FOSS |access-date=2025-08-29 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251107074008/https://news.itsfoss.com/new-android-sideloading-rules/ |archive-date=7 Nov 2025}}</ref>
*OSnews criticized it as "the death of our digital freedoms"
*Hackaday noted the timing "coincides with Google's court-mandated opening of Android following Epic Games' antitrust victory"<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-26 |title=Google Will Require Developer Verification Even For Sideloading |url=https://hackaday.com/2025/08/26/google-will-require-developer-verification-even-for-sideloading/ |website=Hackaday |access-date=2025-08-29 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260203082923/https://hackaday.com/2025/08/26/google-will-require-developer-verification-even-for-sideloading/ |archive-date=3 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==Impact on specific use cases==

===Enterprise and MDM deployments===
NomidMDM advised IT managers to "audit application inventory today" & make sure all line-of-business app developers complete verification before deadlines.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Core Change: Mandatory Verification for All Android Apps |url=https://www.nomidmdm.com/en/blog/the-core-change-mandatory-verification-for-all-android-apps |website=NomidMDM |access-date=2025-08-29 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251209230703/https://www.nomidmdm.com/en/blog/the-core-change-mandatory-verification-for-all-android-apps |archive-date=9 Dec 2025}}</ref> Affected deployments include:
*Wall-mounted displays
*Classroom broadcasting systems
*Shared device configurations
*Kiosk applications
*Industrial control systems

===Alternative app stores===
F-Droid faces serious challenges with the repository's build-from-source model conflicting with developer verification requirements. Alternative stores must make sure all hosted apps come from verified developers, effectively extending Google's verification to all distribution channels.

===Educational development===
Educational institutions face challenges as well:
*Student projects require individual verification for testing
*Sample code from textbooks becomes unusable without verification
*Classroom demonstrations need verified developer accounts
*Research projects face additional identity disclosure requirements

==Regulatory context==
The announcement arrives during active regulatory scrutiny of Google's platform practices:

===European Union===
The EU [[Digital Markets Act]] investigation issued preliminary findings against Google on March 19, 2025, for self-preferencing and payment system restrictions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-19 |title=Google Search, Play Store falling foul of Digital Markets Act rules, says EU |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/19/google-search-play-store-falling-foul-of-digital-markets-act-rules-says-eu/ |website=TechCrunch |access-date=2025-08-29 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251123150559/https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/19/google-search-play-store-falling-foul-of-digital-markets-act-rules-says-eu/ |archive-date=23 Nov 2025}}</ref> Legal experts note potential conflicts with DMA provisions requiring gatekeepers to permit third-party software installation without the gatekeeper's identification services.

===United States===
The timing coincides with court-mandated changes following Epic Games' antitrust victory. The FTC outlined remedy concerns in an August 2024 amicus brief after the jury found Google illegally monopolized app distribution.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-29 |title=FTC Outlines Remedy Concerns in Amicus Brief After Jury Finds Google Illegally Monopolized App Store |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/08/ftc-outlines-remedy-concerns-amicus-brief-after-jury-finds-google-illegally-monopolized-app-store |website=Federal Trade Commission |access-date=2025-08-29 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260116072044/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/08/ftc-outlines-remedy-concerns-amicus-brief-after-jury-finds-google-illegally-monopolized-app-store |archive-date=16 Jan 2026}}</ref>

===United Kingdom===
The UK Competition and Markets Authority continues its Strategic Market Status investigation, with consultation closing on August 20, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SMS investigation into Google's mobile platform |url=https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/sms-investigation-into-googles-mobile-ecosystem |website=GOV.UK |access-date=2025-08-29 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250725034936/https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/sms-investigation-into-googles-mobile-ecosystem |archive-date=25 Jul 2025}}</ref> No specific response to the verification requirements has been issued.

==See also==
*[[Digital Markets Act]]
*[[Sideloading]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Android]]

7-Eleven

2026-02-24T13:20:16Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Some sections not yet completed|Issue 4=}}{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1927-05-15
|Industry=Retail
|Logo=Wikipedia 7-eleven logo.png
|ParentCompany=Seven-Eleven Japan
|Type=Public subsidiary
|Website=https://www.7-eleven.com/
|Description=Founded in 1927, it's an American retailer store that is an subsidiary of Seven-Eleven Japan, which is owned by Seven & I Holdings.
}}'''[[wikipedia:7-11|7-Eleven]]''' is an American retailer store that is an subsidiary of Seven eleven Japan that is owned by Seven & I Holdings. Founded in 1927 by Joe C. Thompson''',''' originally known as Southland Ice Company, operated [[wikipedia:Ice_house_(building)|ice houses]] in Dallas Texas until it became an subsidiary of Southland Corporation. As a result of new ownership, all the retailers were named to Tote'm Stores, until renamed to 7-eleven in 1947 to reflect their new hours at 7am - 11 pm. <ref>{{Cite web |author=Popular Timelines |date=2026-01-29 |title=7-Eleven |url=https://populartimelines.com/timeline/7-Eleven |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-29 |website=Popular Timelines |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250421041952/https://populartimelines.com/timeline/7-Eleven |archive-date=21 Apr 2025}}</ref>

==Consumer-impact summary==
*False Advertising
*Privacy Violations
*Security Vulnerabilities
*Overcharging Customers
*Gaining Monopoly over local stores

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===7-Eleven Fuel App Security Breach in Australia and Japan===
{{Main|link to the main CR Wiki article}}
On July 2, 2019, an customer contacted the company about unauthorized charges, resulting in an investigation
[[File:7 eleven denmark attack.png|alt=7-Eleven Response to Denmark Attack on Twitter|thumb|Response to Denmark Attack on Twitter]]
that discovered hackers gaining access to some accounts,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-07-08 |title=7-Eleven Japan suspends mobile app after data breach |url=https://www.paymentsdive.com/ex/mpt/news/7-eleven-japan-suspends-mobile-app-after-data-breach/? |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-31 |website=Payments Dive |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250722060552/https://www.paymentsdive.com/ex/mpt/news/7-eleven-japan-suspends-mobile-app-after-data-breach/? |archive-date=22 Jul 2025}}</ref> affecting 900 customers and resulting in more than $500,000 lost in fraudulent purchases.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Coble |first=Sarah |date=2019-10-19 |title=Drivers' Data Exposed in 7-Eleven Fuel App Breach |url=https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/drivers-data-exposed-in-7eleven/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-31 |website=Infosecurity Magazine |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250726000525/https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/drivers-data-exposed-in-7eleven/ |archive-date=26 Jul 2025}}</ref> The company issued an apology for the incident and stated that customers will be compensated for the incident, eventually leading to the creation of the customer support emergency number to help those affected. Two Chinese men were arrested in connection with this incident.

On October 25, 2019, an customer from Australia reported the breach when he was able to access other customers personal information. In response, 7-Eleven temporary shut down the app, describing it as "an maintenance issue", and opening the app at 5:30 pm.<ref name=":0" /> It is unclear how many customer's were affected,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hudson |first=Kristin |date=2019-11-01 |title=7-Eleven Customer Data Exposed in App Security Breach |url=https://www.identityiq.com/articles/7-eleven-customer-data-exposed-in-app-security-breach |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-31 |website=Identity IQ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251207221445/https://www.identityiq.com/articles/7-eleven-customer-data-exposed-in-app-security-breach |archive-date=7 Dec 2025}}</ref> however the hacker was never found.

'''<big>7-Eleven Denmark Ransomware attack</big>'''

On August 8, 2022, 7-Eleven disclosed that around 175 stores checkout and payment systems were hacked, <ref>{{Cite web |last=Panettieri |first=Joe |date=2022-08-14 |title=7-Eleven Denmark Ransomware Cyberattack: Timeline Details and Recovery Updates |url=https://www.msspalert.com/news/7-eleven-denmark-cyberattack-details-and-recovery-timeline |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-02 |website=MSSP Alert |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251008001602/https://www.msspalert.com/news/7-eleven-denmark-cyberattack-details-and-recovery-timeline |archive-date=8 Oct 2025}}</ref> resulting in closure of 175 stores. The company initially responded by calling it an hacker attack, however on August 10, the company later backtracked and confirmed the attack was ransomware,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cluley |first=Graham |date=2022-08-12 |title=Ransomware attack blamed for closure of all 7-Eleven stores in Denmark |url=https://www.tripwire.com/state-of-security/ransomware-attack-blamed-closure-7-eleven-stores-denmark |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-02 |website=Fortra |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251118185044/https://www.tripwire.com/state-of-security/ransomware-attack-blamed-closure-7-eleven-stores-denmark |archive-date=18 Nov 2025}}</ref> and on the same day, opened 110 of the original stores affected. It's not disclosed if any consumers were affected, or if any affiliated hacker groups were caught. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Abrams |first=Lawrence |date=2022-08-10 |title=7-Eleven Denmark confirms ransomware attack behind store closures |url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/7-eleven-denmark-confirms-ransomware-attack-behind-store-closures/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-02 |website=Bleeping Computer |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251209145559/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/7-eleven-denmark-confirms-ransomware-attack-behind-store-closures/ |archive-date=9 Dec 2025}}</ref>

'''<big>7-Eleven Fuel Pump Problem</big>'''

In 2008, the Office of Fair Trading conducted an investigation in an 7-Eleven store from Australia that concluded in numerous items being overcharged. A year later, the Office of Fair Trading found that the original items were still overpriced, resulting in 7-Eleven receiving a fine of $4000. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Lawlor |first=Peter |date=2009-06-24 |title=7-Eleven store fined for false price scans |url=https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/57188 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-02 |website=The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260223021822/https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/57188 |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ayrouth |first=Elie |date=2011-05-17 |title=Is 7-Eleven Overcharging You At The Register? |url=https://www.foodbeast.com/news/is-7-eleven-overcharging-you-at-the-register/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-02 |website=Food Beast |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260215213128/https://www.foodbeast.com/news/is-7-eleven-overcharging-you-at-the-register/ |archive-date=15 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-06-24 |title=7-Eleven fined for overcharging |url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/7eleven-fined-for-overcharging-20090624-cw5w.html |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-02 |website=Brisbane Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223010038/https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/7eleven-fined-for-overcharging-20090624-cw5w.html |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref>

In 2018, it was reported that 7-Eleven was charging customers while the gas nozzle was not being used. When one customer reported this to the store clerk, the clerk responded with," there was nothing that can be done". After news of this incident gain traction with videos and news outlets reporting on the situation, 7-Eleven responded by shutting down the pumps and repairing it immediately, however it's unknown if customers were ever refunded. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Gatollari |first=Mustafa |date=2025-06-20 |title=Wonder How Long I Left It In:’ Driver Fills Up Gas at 7-Eleven. Then She Catches the Pump Still Charging After She’s Finished |url=https://www.motor1.com/news/763262/7-eleven-pump-charges-after-done-fueling/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-02 |website=motor1.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250723101550/https://www.motor1.com/news/763262/7-eleven-pump-charges-after-done-fueling/ |archive-date=23 Jul 2025}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |last=Meredith |first=Michelle |date=2018-05-30 |title=Ghost gas pump charges Orange County customers while they aren’t pumping |url=https://www.wesh.com/article/ghost-gas-pump-charges-orange-county-customers-while-they-arent-pumping/20956685 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-02 |website=Wesh |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20211025224103/https://www.wesh.com/article/ghost-gas-pump-charges-orange-county-customers-while-they-arent-pumping/20956685 |archive-date=25 Oct 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Derridj |first=Mustapha |date=2025-08-10 |title=She Fills Up at 7-Eleven… and Notices the Pump Keeps Charging Even After It Stops |url=https://thenewswheel.com/she-fills-up-at-7-eleven-and-notices-the-pump-keeps-charging-even-after-it-stops/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-02 |website=The News Wheel |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250903114329/https://thenewswheel.com/she-fills-up-at-7-eleven-and-notices-the-pump-keeps-charging-even-after-it-stops/ |archive-date=3 Sep 2025}}</ref>

On October 3, 2022, several people reported after paying for gas at 7-Eleven, the customers ended up with water in their tanks. The company responded by saying," ''"We received reports of tainted gas at 20955 Davenport Dr. in Sterling, VA and are currently investigating this matter further. Customers who believe their car was impacted may call 1-800-255-0711."'' Customers who reached out to the phone number experience slow responses. <ref>{{Cite web |last=FLORES |first=CHRISTIAN |date=2022-10-16 |title=2 more people had water in gas tank after fueling at Va. 7-Eleven, state confirms reports |url=https://kutv.com/news/nation-world/2-more-people-had-water-in-gas-tank-after-fueling-at-va-7-eleven-state-confirms-reports-sterling-locations-documentation-identical-car-issues-virginia-department-of-agriculture-and-consumer-services-tainted-gas-reports |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-02 |website=2KUTV|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260215213424/https://kutv.com/news/nation-world/2-more-people-had-water-in-gas-tank-after-fueling-at-va-7-eleven-state-confirms-reports-sterling-locations-documentation-identical-car-issues-virginia-department-of-agriculture-and-consumer-services-tainted-gas-reports |archive-date=15 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Flores |first=Christian |date=2022-10-16 |title=2 other people had water in gas tank after fueling at Sterling 7-Eleven, complaint reveals |url=https://wjla.com/news/local/7-eleven-gas-station-water-in-gas-tanks-sterling-loudoun-county-virginia-department-of-agriculture-and-consumer-services-vdacs-car-problems-mechanic |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-02 |website=Fox17 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240702163215/https://wjla.com/news/local/7-eleven-gas-station-water-in-gas-tanks-sterling-loudoun-county-virginia-department-of-agriculture-and-consumer-services-vdacs-car-problems-mechanic |archive-date=2 Jul 2024}}</ref>

A customer named Bradly had a comment about the situation, saying, "I would love for them to respond and compensate me for everything I've had to pay for so far."

Another was a customer was Garret, which he responded with," I'm not getting any feedback from 7-Eleven. I'm not getting any feedback from the insurance. What do you do?"

It is unclear whether the customers gotten refunded.

On December 2025, a software glitch caused around 200 customers to pay for gas at 100 times the value, with one instance being up to $4000. Originally, store clerks refused to assist customers until numerous complaints and threats for law enforcement did 7-Eleven started refunding customer, with one instances giving a customer $500 bonus. 7-Eleven responded in a public statement saying; <ref>{{Cite web |last=Noyes |first=Dan |date=2025-12-20 |title=Computer glitch leads to Bay Area 7-Eleven customers paying 100 times more to fill up |url=https://abc7news.com/post/hundreds-bay-area-7-eleven-customers-overcharged-100-times-gas/18301544/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224042410/https://abc7news.com/post/hundreds-bay-area-7-eleven-customers-overcharged-100-times-gas/18301544/ |archive-date=2026-02-23 |access-date=2026-02-23 |website=Abc}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Woodall |first=Angela |date=2026-01-23 |title=Charged $4K For A Tank Of Gas — 7-Eleven Glitch Slams Bay Area Customers: Report |url=https://patch.com/california/pinole-hercules/40-fill-ups-4-000-bills-7-eleven-glitch-slams-bay-area-customers |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-23 |website=Patch |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260125042556/https://patch.com/california/pinole-hercules/40-fill-ups-4-000-bills-7-eleven-glitch-slams-bay-area-customers |archive-date=25 Jan 2026}}</ref> <blockquote>"Full refunds, including fees, and an additional $500 are being issued to customers whose transactions are confirmed to have been affected. Anyone who believes they were affected and hasn't heard from us should call 1-800-255-0711 so we can verify their information and transaction" </blockquote>

=='''<big>Lawsuits</big>'''==
{| class="wikitable"
|Controversy
|Date
|Description
|Result
|Related article
|- valign="top"
|7-Eleven Collected Facial Imagery of customers in Australia
|2020
|In June 2020, 7-Eleven introduced an survey called feedback kiosks that customers voluntary participate in a survey about their experience. Conducted on tablets, it collected facial images of customers without their consent.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kwan |first=Campbell |date=2021-10-13 |title=7-Eleven breached customer privacy by collecting facial imagery without consent |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/7-eleven-collected-customer-facial-imagery-during-in-store-surveys-without-consent/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260131225830/https://www.zdnet.com/article/7-eleven-collected-customer-facial-imagery-during-in-store-surveys-without-consent/ |archive-date=2026-01-31 |access-date=2026-01-31 |website=ZDnet}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Marzouk |first=Zack |date=2021-10-14 |title=7-Eleven biometric data collection found in breach of Australian privacy laws |url=https://www.itpro.com/security/privacy/361232/7-eleven-biometrics-data-breached-australia-data-laws |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260131230152/https://www.itpro.com/security/privacy/361232/7-eleven-biometrics-data-breached-australia-data-laws |archive-date=2026-01-31 |access-date=2026-01-31 |website=ITPro}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-07 |title=Privacy and biometric information. 7-Eleven breaches customer’s privacy |url=https://kkilawyers.com.au/privacy-and-biometric-information-7-eleven-breaches-customers-privacy/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-31 |website=Kalus Kenny Intelex Lawyers |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250331205556/https://kkilawyers.com.au/privacy-and-biometric-information-7-eleven-breaches-customers-privacy/ |archive-date=31 Mar 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Liisa |last2=Dao |first2=Anne |date=2021-11-17 |title=Australia Objects to 7-Eleven’s In-Store Use of Facial Recognition Technology |url=https://www.eyeonprivacy.com/2021/11/australia-objects-to-store-use-facial-recognition-technology/ |url-status=live |website=Sheppard Mullin |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250914220601/https://www.eyeonprivacy.com/2021/11/australia-objects-to-store-use-facial-recognition-technology/ |archive-date=14 Sep 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chapman |first=Alex |last2=Mitchell |first2=Stefan |date=2021-10-14 |title=7-Eleven told to delete customers’ photos after facial recognition software falls under privacy commissioner’s scope |url=https://7news.com.au/technology/7-eleven-told-to-delete-customers-photos-after-facial-recognition-software-falls-under-privacy-commissioners-scope-c-4236266 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-31 |website=7News |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250212011620/https://7news.com.au/technology/7-eleven-told-to-delete-customers-photos-after-facial-recognition-software-falls-under-privacy-commissioners-scope-c-4236266 |archive-date=12 Feb 2025}}</ref>
|7-Eleven was ordered to cease this practice and destroy any collected data.
|
|- valign="top"
|False advertising on JUUL e-cigarettes.
|2021
|7-Eleven was sued for false advertising of the product, JUUL e-cigarettes, for alleging that it was a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, which prior to 2018, claimed that it contained no nicotine.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Anna |date=2021-10-18 |title=7-Eleven Hit With Class Action for Allegedly Hiding Harmfulness of JUUL Products |url=https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/consumer-products/ecigarette/7-eleven-hit-with-class-action-for-allegedly-hiding-harmfulness-of-juul-products/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-31 |website=Top Class Actions |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260223010353/https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/consumer-products/ecigarette/7-eleven-hit-with-class-action-for-allegedly-hiding-harmfulness-of-juul-products/ |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-31 |title=JUUL E-cigarettes Sold at 7-Eleven |url=https://truthinadvertising.org/class-action/juul-e-cigarettes-sold-at-7-eleven/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-31 |website=Truth in Advertising |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251211213331/https://truthinadvertising.org/class-action/juul-e-cigarettes-sold-at-7-eleven/ |archive-date=11 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rizzi |first=Corrado |date=2021-10-18 |title=Class Action Claims 7-Eleven Failed to Warn of Juul E-Cigarette Dangers |url=https://www.classaction.org/news/class-action-claims-7-eleven-failed-to-warn-of-juul-e-cigarette-dangers |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-31 |website=Class Action |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20211129055212/https://www.classaction.org/news/class-action-claims-7-eleven-failed-to-warn-of-juul-e-cigarette-dangers |archive-date=29 Nov 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thrasher |first=Tyler |date=2025-09-09 |title=7-Eleven to pay $1.2 million to settle lawsuit over illegal vape sales near DC schools |url=https://www.fox5dc.com/news/7-eleven-pay-1-2-million-settle-lawsuit-over-illegal-vape-sales-near-dc-schools |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-31 |website=Fox5 Washington DC |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251008065822/https://www.fox5dc.com/news/7-eleven-pay-1-2-million-settle-lawsuit-over-illegal-vape-sales-near-dc-schools |archive-date=8 Oct 2025}}</ref>
|The lawsuit was settled, with 7-Eleven paying $1.2 million and having the company implement a monitoring program.
|
|- valign="top"
|7-Eleven False Advertising on Onion Chips
|2021
|A class action lawsuit alleges 7-Eleven is misleading customers with their product “Yumions” as an “crunchy onion snack”, while only containing small amounts of onions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shaak |first=Erin |date=2021-01-12 |title=7-Eleven ‘Yumions’ Packaging Misleads Consumers About Onion Content, Class Action Says |url=https://www.classaction.org/news/7-eleven-yumions-packaging-misleads-consumers-about-onion-content-class-action-says |access-date=2026-01-31 |website=Class Action |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210811031951/https://www.classaction.org/news/7-eleven-yumions-packaging-misleads-consumers-about-onion-content-class-action-says |archive-date=11 Aug 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-31 |title=Yumions Crunchy Onion Snacks |url=https://truthinadvertising.org/class-action/yumions-crunchy-onion-snacks/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-31 |website=Truth in Advertising |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251212032659/https://truthinadvertising.org/class-action/yumions-crunchy-onion-snacks/ |archive-date=12 Dec 2025}}</ref>
|The case is still ongoing
|
|- valign="top"
|7-Eleven Collected Biometric Data of customers in Illinois
|2022
|7-Eleven used surveillance system from Clickit to collect biometric data from customers without their knowledge, violating the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rizzi |first=Corrado |date=2022-04-26 |title=7-Eleven Hit with Class Action Over Alleged Collection of Biometric Data in Illinois Stores |url=https://www.classaction.org/news/7-eleven-hit-with-class-action-over-alleged-collection-of-biometric-data-in-illinois-stores |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-31 |website=Class Action |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240630035934/https://www.classaction.org/news/7-eleven-hit-with-class-action-over-alleged-collection-of-biometric-data-in-illinois-stores |archive-date=30 Jun 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-27 |title=7-Eleven Class Action Alleges Retailer Violates Customers’ Biometric Privacy |url=https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/privacy/7-eleven-class-action-alleges-retailer-violates-customers-biometric-privacy/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-31 |website=Top Class Actions |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220427163602/https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/privacy/7-eleven-class-action-alleges-retailer-violates-customers-biometric-privacy/ |archive-date=27 Apr 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-28 |title=7-Eleven Faces Class-Action Suit Over Collection of Biometric Customer Data |url=https://csnews.com/7-eleven-faces-class-action-suit-over-collection-biometric-customer-data |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-31 |website=Convenience Store News |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250212044337/https://csnews.com/7-eleven-faces-class-action-suit-over-collection-biometric-customer-data |archive-date=12 Feb 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-31 |title=Hess et al v. 7-Eleven, Inc. |url=https://dockets.justia.com/docket/illinois/ilndce/1:2022cv02131/414495 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-31 |website=Justia Dockets & Findings}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shah |first=Manish |date=2022-04-25 |title=Hess v. 7-Eleven, Inc. (1:22-cv-02131) |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63261889/hess-v-7-eleven-inc/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-31 |website=Court Listener}}</ref>
|The case was dismissed without prejudice by the plaintiff, however the reason or behind remains unknown.
|
|- valign="top"
|7-Eleven false advertising Wellness Tonic as better alternative to alcohol
|2023
|7-Eleven and the manufacturer, Botanic Tonics, advertised Feel Free Wellness Tonics, as a safe, sober, and healthy alternative to alcohol despite containing kratom, an addictive opioid.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mehorter |first=Kelly |date=2025-04-15 |title=$8.75 Million Botanic Tonics Settlement Reached in Feel Free Kratom Lawsuit |url=https://www.classaction.org/news/8.75-million-botanic-tonics-settlement-reached-in-feel-free-kratom-lawsuit |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-31 |website=Class Action |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260126154127/https://www.classaction.org/news/8.75-million-botanic-tonics-settlement-reached-in-feel-free-kratom-lawsuit |archive-date=26 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Avery |first=Brad |date=2023-04-06 |title=Class Action Alleges Feel Free, 7-Eleven Misled Consumers About Addiction Risk |url=https://www.bevnet.com/news/2023/class-action-alleges-feel-free-7-eleven-misled-consumers-about-addiction-risk/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260131234902/https://www.bevnet.com/news/2023/class-action-alleges-feel-free-7-eleven-misled-consumers-about-addiction-risk/ |archive-date=2026-01-31 |access-date=2026-01-31 |website=bevnet}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hanson |first=Natalie |date=2023-12-21 |title=7-Eleven must face liability claims over sales of a drink containing kratom |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/7-eleven-must-face-liability-claims-for-selling-drink-containing-kratom/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-31 |website=Courthouse News Service |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240711020904/https://www.courthousenews.com/7-eleven-must-face-liability-claims-for-selling-drink-containing-kratom/ |archive-date=11 Jul 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-31 |title=Torres v. Botanic Tonics, LLC |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/9610947/torres-v-botanic-tonics-llc/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://cases.justia.com/federal/district-courts/california/candce/3:2023cv01460/410183/82/0.pdf |archive-date=2023-12-21|website=Court Listener}}</ref>
|The case reached a settlement of $8,750,000, requiring 7-Eleven to add kratom warnings on product labels and advertisements.
|
|- valign="top"
|7-Eleven acquiring an fuel outlet without prior notice
|2023
|7-Eleven violated an 2018 FTC consent order that prohibited acquiring fuel outlets in certain local markets without first notifying Federal Trade Commission to avoid harming competition and increasing fuel prices. 7-Eleven could've faced a maximum penalty of over $77 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Graham |first=Victoria |date=2023-12-04 |title=FTC Sues 7-Eleven for Anticompetitive Acquisition in Violation of 2018 Consent Order |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/12/ftc-sues-7-eleven-anticompetitive-acquisition-violation-2018-consent-order |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-02 |website=Federal Trade Commissions |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250914024118/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/12/ftc-sues-7-eleven-anticompetitive-acquisition-violation-2018-consent-order |archive-date=14 Sep 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Graham |first=Victoria |date=2025-12-08 |title=7-Eleven to Pay Record $4.5 Million Penalty to Settle FTC Antitrust Order Violation Case |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/12/7-eleven-pay-record-45-million-penalty-settle-ftc-antitrust-order-violation-case |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-02 |website=Federal Trade Commissions |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260120225951/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/12/7-eleven-pay-record-45-million-penalty-settle-ftc-antitrust-order-violation-case |archive-date=20 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Loder |first=Jessica |date=2023-12-05 |title=7-Eleven could face up to $77M in penalties in FTC lawsuit |url=https://www.cstoredive.com/news/7-eleven-77m-penalties-ftc-lawsuit/701614/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-31 |website=C-Store Dive |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250210045036/https://www.cstoredive.com/news/7-eleven-77m-penalties-ftc-lawsuit/701614/ |archive-date=10 Feb 2025}}</ref>
|The case was settled, with 7-Eleven paying $4.5 million on December 8, 2025.
|
|}
==See also==
*[[QuikTrip]]
*[[Kwik Trip]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Anti-privacy legislation

2026-02-24T13:19:39Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{StubNotice}}

[[Anti-privacy legislation]] simply put is legislation that may be created with malicious intent or not that invoke ones right to privacy. In the last decade, governments across the world have introduced various pieces of such legislation, which has caused damage to the privacy consumers have with their technology.

==How it works==

Legislators from all around the world create bills in an attempt to pass them and thus make it law.In order for a bill to be passed, It must go through "The Legislative Process"<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=The Legislative Process |url=https://www.house.gov/the-house-explained/the-legislative-process |access-date=23 Feb 2026 |website=house.gov |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260119083226/https://www.house.gov/the-house-explained/the-legislative-process |archive-date=19 Jan 2026}}</ref>

The legislative process is as follows:

# A representative '''needs to sponsor a bill'''
# The bill is then '''assigned to a committee''' for study
# If the bill is '''released''' by said committee, the bill is '''put on a calendar to be voted on'''.
# If the '''majority''' of people vote for the bill(51 or more out of 100), then the bill is '''passed'''
# A conference committee made of House & Senate members then '''works out any differences''' '''between the House & Senate version of the bill'''
# Finally, the resulting bill heads back to the House & Senate for final '''approval''' by the '''President''', If the bill is signed, then it has officially become '''law'''.<ref name=":0" />

Now that such anti-privacy legislation has been approved, it can be enforced by federal agencies via penalties.

==Why it is a problem==

=== Anti-privacy legislation is a direct infringement of the 1st & 4th amendments found in the bill of rights ===
Anti-privacy legislation can build the framework and foundation for other & more extreme anti-privacy measures, & such anti-privacy measures can lead to the development of a '''''surveillance state.'''''

==List of Legislation==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Bill name
!Basic summary of bill
!Elements of privacy taken away
|-
|[[Texas Senate Bill 2420 (2025)]]
|Texas Senate Bill 2420(also known as the "App Store Accountability Act") requires app store owners & maintainers to utilize "Commercially reasonable method('s)" In order to verify the ages their users. If someone is In a category that isn't explicitly labeled "adult", then the user is considered a minor and must ask a parent or legal guardian for permission in order to install new applications that may be considered inappropriate for their age group.
|Age Verification
|-
|(link to a page on the recent Colorado bill)
|[TBA]
|Age Verification/Indication
|-
|
|
|
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Common terms]]
[[Category:Anti-privacy legislation]]

Domino's

2026-02-24T13:16:47Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{CompanyCargo
|Logo=Wikipedia Domino's image.png
|Founded=1960-12-09|Industry=Food|Type=Public|Website=https://dominos.com/}}

[[wikipedia:Domino's|Domino's]] is an American Pizza Restaurant Chain company founded by Jim Monagham, Tom Monaghan, and Dominick DeVarti. It is operating over 21,000 across several countries and has a revenue of $4.8 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williment |first=Chloe |date=2026-01-21 |title=Top 10: Global Food Franchises |url=https://fooddigital.com/top10/top-10-franchises |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222215710/https://fooddigital.com/top10/top-10-franchises |archive-date=22 Feb 2026|access-date=2026-01-26 |website=fooddigital.com}}</ref>

==Consumer-impact summary==

*Privacy concerns over Voice Data Collection
*Security concerns

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
[[File:Hacker's Tweet .jpg|alt=Hacker Group Twitter messages |thumb|Hacker Group Twitter ]]

===Domino's French and Belgium Leak (2014)===
{{Main|link to the main CR Wiki article}}
In 2014, a hacker group by the name of Rex Mundi, went on twitter-- now formally called X-- claiming to have obtained 650,000 customers personal information.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cluley |first=Graham |date=2014-07-16 |title=Domino's Pizza refuses to pay ransom after customer database hacked |url=https://www.welivesecurity.com/2014/06/16/dominos-pizza-hacked/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260112220612/https://www.welivesecurity.com/2014/06/16/dominos-pizza-hacked/ |archive-date=12 Jan 2026|access-date=2026-01-26 |website=WeLiveSecurity}}</ref> The hacker's threatened to release the information if Domino’s didn't pay the group 30,000 euros (equivalent to $40,800). In response, the company denied the ransom request from the hackers, and 6 month later, the hacker's released the data to the public that contained customer’s email addresses, names, phone numbers, passwords, and physical address.<ref>{{Cite web |author=NBC News |date=2014-06-16 |title=Hackers Steal Domino's Pizza Customer Data in Europe, Seek Ransom |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/hackers-steal-dominos-pizza-customer-data-europe-seek-ransom-n132591 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250714115920/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/hackers-steal-dominos-pizza-customer-data-europe-seek-ransom-n132591 |archive-date=14 Jul 2025|access-date=2026-01-29 |website=NBC News}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |author=Have I Been Pwned |date=2015-01-04 |title=Domino's Data Breach |url=https://haveibeenpwned.com/Breach/Dominos |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251231154707/https://haveibeenpwned.com/Breach/Dominos |archive-date=31 Dec 2025|access-date=2026-01-29 |website=Have I Been Pwned}}</ref>

===Domino's India Security Leak (2021)===
On April 18, 2021, an cybersecurity researcher by the name of Alon Gal <ref>{{Cite web |last=Khanna |first=Monit |date=2021-05-24 |title=Domino's India Data Breach: Mobile Numbers, Address Of 18 Crore Orders Leaked |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/technology/news/dominos-india-data-breach-mobile-numbers-address-of-18-crore-orders-leaked/articleshow/127553498.html |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-29 |website=India Times |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260223041327/https://www.indiatimes.com/technology/news/dominos-india-data-breach-mobile-numbers-address-of-18-crore-orders-leaked/articleshow/127553498.html |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> tweeted on twitter around 180 million orders and 1 million credit card information was stolen. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Coble |first=Sarah |date=2021-04-20 |title=Threat Actor Claims to Have Hacked Domino’s |url=https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/threat-actor-claims-to-have-hacked/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251112044440/https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/threat-actor-claims-to-have-hacked/ |archive-date=12 Nov 2025|access-date=2026-01-29 |website=Infosecurity Magazine}}</ref> Speculated to be the same hackers who hacked MobkWik, they advertised the data to be sold for around $550,000. On April 20, the company responded by saying it was an information security incident and no financial data or credit card information had been affected <ref>{{Cite web |last=George |first=Amala |date=2021-05-11 |title=A primer on the Domino's Data Leak |url=https://blog.ipleaders.in/primer-dominos-data-leak/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250327233348/https://blog.ipleaders.in/primer-dominos-data-leak/ |archive-date=27 Mar 2025|access-date=2026-01-29 |website=Ipleaders}}</ref>, however couple day's later, the company changed their stance by acknowledging the 180 million and 1 million credit card leaked information. <ref>{{Cite web |author=CNBCTV18 |date=2021-05-24 |title=Domino's data breach: Details of 18 crore orders, 10 lakh credit cards compromised |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/information-technology/dominos-data-breach-details-of-18-crore-orders-10-lakh-credit-cards-compromised-9408011.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250722171014/https://www.cnbctv18.com/information-technology/dominos-data-breach-details-of-18-crore-orders-10-lakh-credit-cards-compromised-9408011.htm |archive-date=22 Jul 2025|access-date=2026-01-26 |website=CNBCTV18}}</ref> It has been speculated that the hack has occurred around February 2021.

==Legal Cases==
'''<big>Domino's voice recording California lawsuit (Aug 2024- present)</big>'''

To process customer's phone orders, in collaboration with ConverseNow Technologies Inc. use an AI voice assistant, however it was claimed that domino's recorded customers orders for the purpose of improving their AI voice assistant, violating the California Invasion of Privacy Act.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Milano |first=Ashley |date=2024-11-11 |title=Domino's Class Action Lawsuit: Pizza Chain Accused of Recording Calls Without Consent |url=https://injuryclaims.com/news/class-action-privacy-data-and-tcpa/dominos-class-action-lawsuit-call-recording |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250520060035/https://injuryclaims.com/news/class-action-privacy-data-and-tcpa/dominos-class-action-lawsuit-call-recording |archive-date=20 May 2025|access-date=2026-01-26 |website=Injury Claims}}</ref> The company ConverseNow Technologies Inc. had made an attempt to dismiss the California Invasion of Privacy Act, citing that ordering pizza didn't warrant an expectation of privacy <ref>{{Cite web |last=Holman |first=Eddie |last2=Shapiro |first2=Tracy |last3=Lee |first3=Doo |date=2025-09-04 |title=U.S. Federal Court Allows CIPA Class Action Against AI Customer Service Provider to Proceed |url=https://www.wsgr.com/en/insights/us-federal-court-allows-cipa-class-action-against-ai-customer-service-provider-to-proceed.html |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260123231903/https://www.wsgr.com/en/insights/us-federal-court-allows-cipa-class-action-against-ai-customer-service-provider-to-proceed.html |archive-date=23 Jan 2026|access-date=2026-01-26 |website=Wilson Sonsini}}</ref>, however the court dismissed these claims due to the companies earlier statements regarding their security and privacy policy. This case is currently ongoing and has yet to reach an judgement.

'''<big>Domino's security fraud lawsuit ( Sep 20, 2024 - present )</big>'''

In the lawsuit, it is claimed that Domino's misled investors by providing false and or misleading statements about the companies projected net worth growth, with one instance being Domino's projected growth of 1,100 new stores in 2024 through 2028, however it was unable to reach the projected goal. As a result of this lawsuit, Domino's stock value fell down around 13.75%.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mehorter |first=Kelly |date=2024-09-24 |title=Domino’s Misled Investors with Inflated Global Store Growth Projections, Class Action Lawsuit Says |url=https://www.classaction.org/news/dominos-misled-investors-with-inflated-global-store-growth-projections-class-action-lawsuit-says |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222215823/https://www.classaction.org/news/dominos-misled-investors-with-inflated-global-store-growth-projections-class-action-lawsuit-says |archive-date=22 Feb 2026|access-date=2026-01-26 |website=Class Action}}</ref>

==See also==

*[[McDonald's]]
*[[Wendy's]]
*[[Restaurant Brands International caught training AI models using customer voices|Restaurant Brand International]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Generative artificial intelligence

2026-02-24T13:14:44Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{StubNotice}}


{{Main|Artificial intelligence}}

'''Generative AI''', also referred to as GenAI or simply "AI" in colloquial English, is a program or service with the purpose of "generating" pieces of media (text, code, videos, images, et cetera) with a text prompt as an input (e.g. "How long do I heat popcorn for in the microwave?" or "bowl of buttery popcorn, realistic, artstation, pretty") utilizing a captioned dataset, and various/random outputs relating to the prompt. GenAI, over its short existence and rising prevalence in online communities, has garnered large amounts of concern across the various fields it has been applied to. 

==General controversies surrounding Generative AI==
{| class="wikitable"
|+General controversies surroundng GenAI
!Controversy
!Brief Description
!Related Article(s)/Section(s)
|-
|Training data collected without consent
|Various platforms have scraped data ranging within the petabytes concerning content created by users and potentially owned by companies, without first obtaining an adequate license to use this data. This has gone so far as to not even request consent or even notifying users in advance that their content was used to train AI-powered tools.
|
|-
|Replacing skilled workers with AI
|Due to its generalized nature, jobs across fields from digital art to writing and programming have had experienced staff replaced by lesser-paid (and often lesser-experienced) employees who would be tasked to use generative tools to do their work. This usage can lead to problems with product quality for consumers, such as representatives replaced with chatbots, or products being sold by companies use poorly-generated content that may harm the consumer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grady |first=Constance |date=29 Apr 2024 |title=The AI grift that can literally poison you |url=https://www.vox.com/24141648/ai-ebook-grift-mushroom-foraging-mycological-society |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Vox |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260107155933/https://www.vox.com/24141648/ai-ebook-grift-mushroom-foraging-mycological-society |archive-date=7 Jan 2026}}</ref>
|
|}

==Major media platforms with controversies relating to Generative AI==
{| class="wikitable"
|+Major media platforms with controversies relating to GenAI
!Platform
!Controversy
!Specifics
!Related Article(s)/Section(s)
|-
|'''GitHub'''
|Scraping all users' public code repositories without prior notice nor consent for a large language model ('''GitHub CoPilot'''), then locking the ability to opt-out behind a subscription service
|Labeled on the FAQ for GitHub CoPilot,<ref>{{Cite web |last=CoPilot |title=FAQ |url=https://copilot.github.trust.page/faq?s=v2qe7voltpwtv2usl4ikhs#ip-and-open-source |access-date=Mar 30, 2025 |website=github |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260202024510/https://copilot.github.trust.page/faq?s=v2qe7voltpwtv2usl4ikhs |archive-date=2 Feb 2026}}</ref> users who pay for either a ''Pro'' or ''Enterprise'' tier plan do not have their repositories (''repos'') scanned for the purposes of training CoPilot. There are theories that private repos may not be used for training purposes,{{Citation needed}} but these have not been verified{{CitationNeeded}}.
|[[GitHub]]
|-
|'''DeviantArt'''
|Training on all user-published content without prior notice nor consent for a proprietary image-generation model ('''DreamUp''')
|While more speculative, it is reasonable for users to assume<ref>{{Cite web |title=What I think about DeviantArt's AI Choices |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/AI_Generator_Guide/comments/167sbit/what_i_think_about_deviantarts_ai_choices/ |url-status=dead |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230917145828/https://old.reddit.com/r/AI_Generator_Guide/comments/167sbit/what_i_think_about_deviantarts_ai_choices/ |archive-date=17 Sep 2023}}</ref> that when [[DeviantArt]] initially automatically opted all users into allowing their work to be training data for generative AI,<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 Nov 2022 |title=deviantart's AI art program (and how to opt out) |url=https://www.deviantart.com/izzy-paw/journal/deviantart-s-AI-art-program-and-how-to-opt-out-936581886 |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Deviant Art |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251021011313/https://www.deviantart.com/izzy-paw/journal/deviantart-s-AI-art-program-and-how-to-opt-out-936581886 |archive-date=21 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Erdine |first=Önder |date=16 Nov 2022 |title=DeviantArt DreamUp is the latest contender for the AI art crown |url=https://en.digitalreport.com.tr/deviantart-dreamup-how-to-use-ai-opt-out/ |url-status=dead |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Digital Report |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251018122736/https://en.digitalreport.com.tr/deviantart-dreamup-how-to-use-ai-opt-out/ |archive-date=18 Oct 2025}}</ref> that all content uploaded to DeviantArt was used as training data for their DreamUp tool. However, according to statements from DeviantArt CEO Moti Levy,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Robertston |first=Adi |date=15 Nov 2022 |title=How DeviantArt is navigating the AI art minefield |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/15/23449036/deviantart-ai-art-dreamup-training-data-controversy |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=The Verge |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251214011702/https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/15/23449036/deviantart-ai-art-dreamup-training-data-controversy |archive-date=14 Dec 2025}}</ref> DeviantArt did not plan or intend to train their tool based on user-generated works, and that any user-generated works that were used in their model were introduced by StabilityAI<ref>{{Cite web |last=Team (DeviantArt Staff) |date=11 Nov 2022 |title=Create AI-Generated Art Fairly with DreamUp |url=https://www.deviantart.com/team/journal/Create-your-own-AI-generated-art-with-DreamUp-933537821 |access-date=25 Jan 2025 |website=DeviantArt |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250828110415/https://www.deviantart.com/team/journal/Create-your-own-AI-generated-art-with-DreamUp-933537821 |archive-date=28 Aug 2025}}</ref>. Regardless, the introduction of DreamUp to the art sharing platform has stirred controversy on the platform<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Benj |date=11 Nov 2022 |title=DeviantArt upsets artists with its new AI art generator, DreamUp [Updated] |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2022/11/deviantart-upsets-artists-with-its-new-ai-art-generator-dreamup/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=www.arstechnica.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260108104735/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2022/11/deviantart-upsets-artists-with-its-new-ai-art-generator-dreamup/ |archive-date=8 Jan 2026}}</ref> and fractured it into two distinct groups;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Duchess Celestia |date=13 Nov 2022 |title=DeviantART Just Betrayed Its Whole Community. (DreamUp AI Controversy) {{!}}{{!}} SPEEDPAINT + COMMENTARY |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGj_3OhMrAU |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}} ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=IGj_3OhMrAU Archived])</ref> those for generative AI (typically those who hold newer accounts) and those against the usage of such algorithms on an art forum (typically users who have existed on the platform for far longer.) Since the introduction of DreamUp, the platform has been cluttered with AI generated images, and staff have historically, frequently, and intentionally featured multiple users who exclusively upload GenAI content<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 Jul 2024 |title=DeviantArt Seller: StygianAI |url=https://www.deviantart.com/team/art/DeviantArt-Seller-StygianAI-1077776294 |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Deviant Art |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260210073110/https://www.deviantart.com/team/art/DeviantArt-Seller-StygianAI-1077776294 |archive-date=10 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 Oct 2024 |title=Create on DeviantArt: VeilAI |url=https://www.deviantart.com/team/art/Create-on-DeviantArt-VeilAI-1108146133 |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Deviant Art |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251114234046/https://www.deviantart.com/team/art/Create-on-DeviantArt-VeilAI-1108146133 |archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 Jul 2024 |title=DeviantArt Seller: ExeFelix |url=https://www.deviantart.com/team/art/DeviantArt-Seller-ExeFelix-1075192370 |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Deviant Art |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251019011625/https://www.deviantart.com/team/art/DeviantArt-Seller-ExeFelix-1075192370 |archive-date=19 Oct 2025}}</ref> or post content that uses generative content as a base.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 Oct 2024 |title=Create on DeviantArt: AKoukis |url=https://www.deviantart.com/team/art/Create-on-DeviantArt-AKoukis-1108151629 |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Deviant Art |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708132009/https://www.deviantart.com/team/art/Create-on-DeviantArt-AKoukis-1108151629 |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref> The majority of featured creators on the site are ones who excessively or exclusively upload AI generated content.
|
|-
|'''Twitter/X'''
|Training on all active users' data without prior notice nor explicit consent for a proprietary large language and image generation model ('''Grok'''); leaking over 370,000 private chats with Grok over Google search results without prior notice nor user consent
|Sometime in mid 2024, [[X Corp]]'s platform of the same moniker quietly changed its Terms of Service to allow all user-generated content submitted through it to be used to "Train artificial intelligence models, whether generative or another type", specifically with a permanent license for said content granted to the corporation and without any form of monetary compensation.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2026-01-05 |title=X Terms of Service |url=https://x.com/en/tos#:~:text=You%20agree%20that%20this%20license%20includes%20the%20right%20for%20us%20to%20%28i%29%20analyze%20text%20and%20other%20information%20you%20provide%20and%20to%20otherwise%20provide%2C%20promote%2C%20and%20improve%20the%20Services%2C%20including%2C%20for%20example%2C%20for%20use%20with%20and%20training%20of%20our%20machine%20learning%20and%20artificial%20intelligence%20models%2C%20whether%20generative%20or%20another%20type%3B%20and%20%28ii%29%20to%20make%20Content%20submitted%20to%20or%20through%20the%20Services%20available%20to%20other%20companies%2C%20organizations%20or%20individuals%2C%20including%2C%20for%20example%2C%20for%20improving%20the%20Services%20and%20the%20syndication%2C%20broadcast%2C%20distribution%2C%20repost%2C%20promotion%20or%20publication%20of%20such%20Content%20on%20other%20media%20and%20services%2C%20subject%20to%20our%20terms%20and%20conditions%20for%20such%20Content%20use%2E%20Such%20additional%20uses%20by%20us%2C%20or%20other%20companies%2C%20organizations%20or%20individuals%2C%20is%20made%20with%20no%20compensation%20paid%20to%20you%20with%20respect%20to%20the%20Content%20that%20you%20submit%2C%20post%2C%20transmit%20or%20otherwise%20make%20available%20through%20the%20Services%20as%20the%20use%20of%20the%20Services%20by%20you%20is%20hereby%20agreed%20as%20being%20sufficient%20compensation%20for%20the%20Content%20and%20grant%20of%20rights%20herein%2E |access-date=2026-01-05 |website=X |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220081214/https://x.com/en/tos |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref> Though there remains an option to opt-out in the platform's privacy settings, users were opted-in by default.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Jason |date=2025-08-08 |title=Your Posts On X Are Being Used To Train Grok AI. Here's How To Stop It |url=https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/your-tweets-x-posts-train-elon-musk-grok-ai-how-to-stop-it-opt-out |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251103053227/https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/your-tweets-x-posts-train-elon-musk-grok-ai-how-to-stop-it-opt-out |archive-date=2025-11-03 |access-date=2026-01-05 |website=PC Magazine}}</ref> The following is speculative, as X Corp and sister corporation xAI have been almost entirely silent about the specifics of their methodology, but it's reasonable to assume that all users' available Content (as defined in the platform's Terms of Service)<ref name=":0" /> was scraped and introduced to xAI (and possibly other third-parties') datasets when the change was established. In addition, users' private conversations with the chatbot, which are shared through saved links, were/are accessible to search engines like Google and showed up for the first time in publicly accessible search results in August 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Iain |date=2025-08-20 |title=Elon Musk’s xAI Published Hundreds Of Thousands Of Grok Chatbot Conversations |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/iainmartin/2025/08/20/elon-musks-xai-published-hundreds-of-thousands-of-grok-chatbot-conversations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250820105050/https://www.forbes.com/sites/iainmartin/2025/08/20/elon-musks-xai-published-hundreds-of-thousands-of-grok-chatbot-conversations/ |archive-date=2025-08-20 |access-date=2026-01-05 |website=Forbes}}</ref>
|[[X Corp]]
|-
|'''Stack Overflow'''
|Training on all active users' content without prior notice nor explicit consent for a large language model service ('''Overflow AI''')
|In late July of 2023, Overflow AI was made available by Stack Overflow, a Q&A forum for programmers. The information used to train the LLMs provided by the service was taken from questions and answers left by the StackOverflow community.<ref>{{Cite news |last=StackOverflow |date=Jul 27, 2023 |title=Announcing OverflowAI |url=https://stackoverflow.blog/2023/07/27/announcing-overflowai/ |access-date=Mar 30, 2025 |work=StackOverflow blog |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251221210340/https://stackoverflow.blog/2023/07/27/announcing-overflowai/ |archive-date=21 Dec 2025}}</ref> This action subverts one of the website's existing policies, wherein its users are disallowed from AI generating responses to answer forum posts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=StackOverflow |title=Generative AI Policy |url=https://stackoverflow.com/help/gen-ai-policy |access-date=Mar 30, 2025 |website=StackOverflow help center |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250926063840/https://stackoverflow.com/help/gen-ai-policy |archive-date=26 Sep 2025}}</ref> The only way users might have the capability to opt-out currently would be to manually delete all posts and topics before deleting their account. The effectiveness of this method remains questionable, however, considering that StackOverflow's "Get Out" clause<ref>{{Cite web |last=StackOverflow |title=How do I delete all my contributions? |url=https://stackoverflow.com/help/delete-content |access-date=Mar 30, 2025 |website=StackOverflow help center |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260131203918/https://stackoverflow.com/help/delete-content |archive-date=31 Jan 2026}}</ref> may allow the service to retrieve content that was previously deleted.
|
|-
|'''Reddit'''
|Training on all users' content without prior notice nor explicit consent for a large language model ('''Reddit Answers''')
|In late 2024, [[Reddit]] announced the release of 'Reddit Answers,' a large language model (LLM) that was publicly stated<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reddit Answers (Currently in Beta) |url=https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/32026729424916-Reddit-Answers-Currently-in-Beta |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260129070028/https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/32026729424916-Reddit-Answers-Currently-in-Beta |archive-date=29 Jan 2026}}</ref> to use content created by users to train the tool, without requiring prior consent or prior public notice. Reddit's Terms of Service explicitly allows the platform to scrape user-generated content for the purpose of training "AI and machine learning models",<ref>{{Cite web |first= |date=May 29, 2025 |title=User Agreement |url=https://redditinc.com/policies/user-agreement |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260101023854/https://redditinc.com/policies/user-agreement |archive-date=2026-01-01 |access-date=2026-01-05 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> though this is likely limited to Reddit's proprietary dataset; it has legally discouraged third-party services from scraping the platform as per the Reddit Public Content Policy.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Public Content Policy |url=https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/26410290525844-Public-Content-Policy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251230012504/https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/26410290525844-Public-Content-Policy |archive-date=30 Dec 2025 |access-date=2026-01-05 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>
|[[Reddit]]
|}

==Other controversies involving generative AI==

===LAION-5b training database===
Many users have had their content scraped by LAION to power their training database. Currently, there is no way to opt-out or request a removal of one's content from it or any successor database, as the service which previously allowed individuals to request the removal of their data is defunct.<ref>[https://haveibeentrained.com/ Have I Been Trained?] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260128021446/https://haveibeentrained.com/ Archived])</ref>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Common terms]]
[[Category:Artificial intelligence]]

Malaysia Online Safety Act 2025 (ONSA)

2026-02-24T13:08:25Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=N/A
|StartDate=2026-01-01
|Status=Active
|ArticleType=Service
|Type=Privacy, cencorship, digital rights, content moderadion
|Description=Malaysian law requiring platforms with 8M+ users to remove harmful content. Critics cite censorship concerns; government says it targets platforms, no
}}
The '''Online Safety Act 2025''' ('''Act 866''') is Malaysian legislation that came into force on January 1, 2026, requiring social media and messaging platforms with over 8 million Malaysian users to remove harmful content and implement safety measures.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2026-01-02 |title=Online Safety Act comes into force to protect users |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/02/online-safety-act-comes-into-force-to-protect-users |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260107212302/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/02/online-safety-act-comes-into-force-to-protect-users |archive-date=7 Jan 2026|access-date=2026-02-11 |website=The Star}}</ref> The Act targets nine categories of harmful content including child sexual abuse material and financial fraud, with platforms facing fines up to RM10 million for non-compliance. <ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=ONSA-FAQ-English.pdf |url=https://www.mcmc.gov.my/skmmgovmy/media/General/pdf2/ONSA-FAQ-English.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260101142253/https://www.mcmc.gov.my/skmmgovmy/media/General/pdf2/ONSA-FAQ-English.pdf |archive-date=2026-01-01 |website=MCMC}}</ref> Civil society groups have raised concerns about potential censorship and surveillance, while the government maintains the Act targets platform accountability rather than individual users.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last= |title=Malaysia: Concerns with the Online Safety Bill 2024 |url=https://www.article19.org/resources/malaysia-online-safety-bill/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250810034315/https://www.article19.org/resources/malaysia-online-safety-bill/ |archive-date=10 Aug 2025|access-date=2026-02-11 |website=Article 19}}</ref>

==Background==
Between January and November 2025, Malaysian police recorded RM2.7 billion in reported losses from online scams.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Bernama |date=2025-12-08 |title=Online scams cost Malaysians over RM2.7bil as of November |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/12/08/online-scams-cost-malaysians-over-rm27bil-as-of-november |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260122015417/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/12/08/online-scams-cost-malaysians-over-rm27bil-as-of-november |archive-date=22 Jan 2026|access-date=2026-02-11 |website=The Star}}</ref> A UNICEF study identified more than 100,000 children in Malaysia at risk of online sexual exploitation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harry Beaty |first=Gloria |last2=Salehuddin |first2=Sufea |date=2024-12-02 |title=The growing threat of online child exploitation |url=https://themalaysianreserve.com/2024/12/02/the-growing-threat-of-online-child-exploitation/ |url-status=live |website=The Malaysian Reserve}}</ref> 

Between January 2024 and November 2025, major platforms removed 92% of 697,061 harmful posts flagged by Malaysian authorities, but 58,104 posts remained accessible online.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Raja Reza |first=Danish |date=2026-02-04 |title=What the Online Safety Act changes, and how it works |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/02/04/what-the-online-safety-act-changes-and-how-it-works |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222223059/https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/02/04/what-the-online-safety-act-changes-and-how-it-works |archive-date=22 Feb 2026|access-date=2026-02-11 |website=Free Malaysia Today}}</ref> These ongoing challenges prompted the Malaysian government to introduce the Online Safety Act 2025 to strengthen platform accountability for harmful content and protect Malaysian internet users, particularly children.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2026-01-01 |title=Enforcement of Online Safety Act takes effect, strengthening online protections for children and families, says MCMC |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/01/01/enforcement-of-online-safety-act-takes-effect-strengthening-online-protections-for-children-and-families-says-mcmc/203923 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260112004727/https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/01/01/enforcement-of-online-safety-act-takes-effect-strengthening-online-protections-for-children-and-families-says-mcmc/203923 |archive-date=12 Jan 2026|access-date=2026-02-11 |website=Malay Mail}}</ref>

==Key provision==

===Who it applies to===
The Act applies to licensed service providers under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, specifically Applications Service Providers (ASPs), Content Applications Service Providers (CASPs), and Network Service Providers (NSPs).<ref name=":15" /><ref name=":0" /> Social media or messaging platforms with over 8 million users in Malaysia are automatically deemed licensees and subject to the Act's requirements.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-28 |title=Communications and Multimedia Commission seeks public feedback on draft Code of Conduct for Internet Messaging Service Providers and Social Media Service Providers |url=https://www.allenandgledhill.com/publication/articles/29429/communications-and-multimedia-commission-seeks-public-feedback-on-draft-code-of-conduct-for-internet-messaging-service-providers-and-social-media-service-providers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260213040603/https://www.allenandgledhill.com/publication/articles/29429/communications-and-multimedia-commission-seeks-public-feedback-on-draft-code-of-conduct-for-internet-messaging-service-providers-and-social-media-service-providershttps |archive-date=2026-02-13 |access-date=2026-02-13 |website=Allen & Gledhill}}</ref><ref name=":16">{{Cite web |date=2024-11-02 |title=Code Of Conduct (Best Practice) For Internet Messaging Service Providers And Social Media Service Providers |url=https://mcmc.gov.my/skmmgovmy/media/General/pdf2/DRAFT_Code-of-Conduct_211024-RPD.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260213041916/https://mcmc.gov.my/skmmgovmy/media/General/pdf2/DRAFT_Code-of-Conduct_211024-RPD.pdf |archive-date=2026-02-13 |access-date=2026-02-13 |website=Malaysian Communications And Multimedia Commission}}</ref>The Act has extra-territorial reach, applying to companies outside Malaysia if they provide services within Malaysia and fall under the licensing framework. <ref>{{Cite book |url=https://lom.agc.gov.my/ilims/upload/portal/akta/outputaktap/2867049_BI/Act%20866-Online%20Safety%20Act%202025.pdf |title=ONLINE SAFETY ACT 2025 - Act 866 |year=2025 |pages=10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250911161002/https://lom.agc.gov.my/ilims/upload/portal/akta/outputaktap/2867049_BI/Act%20866-Online%20Safety%20Act%202025.pdf |archive-date=2025-09-11 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Affected platforms===
Based on the 8 million user threshold, major platforms subject to the Act include:

*'''Facebook''': With 31.3 million users (88.2% of population)<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Social Media Users in Malaysia - 2025 {{!}} NapoleonCat |url=https://stats.napoleoncat.com/social-media-users-in-malaysia/2025/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222223211/https://stats.napoleoncat.com/social-media-users-in-malaysia/2025/ |archive-date=2026-02-11 |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=NapoleonCat}}</ref>
*'''Instagram''': With 16.3 million users (46% of population)<ref name=":6" />
*'''Facebook Messenger''': With 23.8 million users (67.1% of population)<ref name=":6" />
*'''LinkedIn''': With 9.9 million users<ref name=":6" />

Other major platforms including WhatsApp, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Telegram, and WeChat also operate in Malaysia and are understood to exceed the 8 million user threshold<ref name=":16" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Here’s why social media firms may come to love Malaysia’s new Online Safety Act |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/01/07/heres-why-social-media-firms-may-come-to-love-malaysias-new-online-safety-act/204186 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260201081225/https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/01/07/heres-why-social-media-firms-may-come-to-love-malaysias-new-online-safety-act/204186 |archive-date=2026-02-01 |access-date=2026-02-13}}</ref>

===Categories of harmful content===
The Act identifies nine categories of harmful content that platforms must address including child sexual abuse material, financial fraud, harassment, incitement to violence or terrorism, and other harmful categories (exceptions are made for some educational content).<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://lom.agc.gov.my/ilims/upload/portal/akta/outputaktap/2867049_BI/Act 866-Online Safety Act 2025.pdf |title=Online Safety Act 2025 |year=2025 |publication-date=2025 |pages=65-66 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260213213744/https://lom.agc.gov.my/ilims/upload/portal/akta/outputaktap/2867049_BI/Act%20866-Online%20Safety%20Act%202025.pdf |archive-date=2026-02-13 |url-status=live}}</ref> Child sexual abuse and financial fraud are designated as "priority harmful content" subject to additional regulation and faster response requirements.<ref name=":0" /> 

===Platform obligations===
Licensed providers must implement measures to reduce user exposure to harmful content, issue safety guidelines, provide online safety tools, provide user support mechanisms, and establish reporting channels for harmful content. Platforms must submit an Online Safety Plan to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and make it publicly available.<ref name=":0" />

They must also implement child-specific safeguards including limiting communication between children and adults, regulating recommendation systems to prevent harmful content exposure, addressing addictive design features, and protecting children's personal data.{{CitationNeeded|reason=generated citation is irrelevant >}} <ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=[404!] |title= |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2025/12/31/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-online-safety-act-2025 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Enforcement===
The Act is overseen by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=[525]\[404] |first= |title= |url=https://www.mcmc.gov.my/en/media/press-releases/online-safety-act-2025 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Service providers can face fines up to RM10 million for non-compliance with the Act's requirements. <ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=[404!] |title= |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/01/online-safety-act-2025-comes-into-effect |url-status=dead}}</ref>The Act establishes an Online Safety Appeal Tribunal to handle grievances related to Commission decisions and enforcement actions.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title= |url=https://lom.agc.gov.my/act-view.php?language=eng&type=act&no=866&year=2025}}</ref>

==Age verification and under-16 ban==
In November 2025, the Malaysian government announced plans to ban children under 16 from having social media accounts starting in 2026, raising the minimum age from 13.<ref>{{Cite web |last=[404!] |title= |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/11/24/malaysia-plans-to-ban-under-16s-from-social-media |url-status=dead}}</ref> Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil stated that social media platforms would be required to implement electronic know-your-customer (eKYC) identity checks using government-issued identity documents such as the MyKad identity card, passports or the national digital ID.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Yusof |first=Iman |date=2025-11-24 |title=Malaysia’s bid to bar under-16s from social media using ID checks stokes privacy fears |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3333904/malaysias-bid-bar-under-16s-social-media-using-id-checks-stokes-privacy-fears |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260101084907/https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3333904/malaysias-bid-bar-under-16s-social-media-using-id-checks-stokes-privacy-fears |archive-date=2026-01-01}}</ref>

The government also raised the use of biometric authentication as part of identity verification, with platforms expected to adopt a combination of document verification, biometrics, and risk signals to limit minors' access.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Myers |first=Teresa |date=2025-11-25 |title=Malaysia Under-16 Social Media Ban Plans and eKYC Age Checks |url=https://facia.ai/news/malaysia-under-16-social-media-ban-plans-and-ekyc-age-checks/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251207153118/https://facia.ai/news/malaysia-under-16-social-media-ban-plans-and-ekyc-age-checks/ |archive-date=2025-12-07}}</ref> Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching announced a regulatory sandbox process that would allow MCMC to collaborate with platform providers to test age verification mechanisms and AI for the detection of high-risk content.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Benjamin |last2=Vethasalam |first2=Ragananthini |date=2026-01-28 |title=Age verification system for social media users in the pipeline, Dewan Rakyat told |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/28/age-verification-system-for-social-media-users-in-the-pipeline-dewan-rakyat-told |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260130093418/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/28/age-verification-system-for-social-media-users-in-the-pipeline-dewan-rakyat-told |archive-date=2026-01-30}}</ref>

===Privacy concerns===
Harris Zainul, director of research at the Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia, warned that the eKYC requirement could compromise user privacy and anonymity, which can be crucial for whistle-blowers and human-rights defenders.<ref name=":8" /> Critics noted that alternatives such as zero-knowledge proofs could confirm users' eligibility without revealing additional personal information, suggesting the eKYC method might be overly intrusive.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last=Yeoh |first=Tricia |date=2025-12-11 |title=Malaysia’s Social Media Ban for Under-16s: Protection or Overreach? |url=https://fulcrum.sg/malaysias-social-media-ban-for-under-16s-protection-or-overreach/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260121065903/https://fulcrum.sg/malaysias-social-media-ban-for-under-16s-protection-or-overreach/ |archive-date=2026-01-26}}</ref>

Digital rights organizations raised concerns that mandatory identity verification would create comprehensive databases of social media users that could be vulnerable to data breaches or government surveillance. <ref name=":2" />Privacy advocates warned that once biometric data is collected, there are limited guarantees about how long it will be retained or whether it could be used for purposes beyond age verification.<ref name=":9" />

===Technical accuracy issues===
Experts raised concerns that facial recognition technology-based age verification might not always be accurate and can have racial or gender biases, potentially putting legitimate users at risk of having their accounts deleted.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=Basha |first=Azdhan |date=2025-11-25 |title=Malaysia Joins Global Push To Restrict Under-16 Users On Social Media, Plans ID-Based Age Verification |url=https://www.medianama.com/2025/11/223-malaysia-under-16-users-social-media-id-based-age-verification/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251230074110/https://www.medianama.com/2025/11/223-malaysia-under-16-users-social-media-id-based-age-verification/ |archive-date=2025-12-30}}</ref> Studies have shown that AI age estimation systems perform less accurately on certain demographic groups, raising fairness concerns about who might be disproportionately restricted from accessing social media platforms.<ref name=":9" />

Technical researchers noted that age estimation technology remains imprecise, with error margins that could incorrectly flag adults as minors or vice versa, leading to both over-blocking and under-blocking.<ref name=":12" />

===Impact on children's rights===
Critics argued that the ban could cut children off from support groups, community support systems, and online opportunities for self-expression through art, music, and other forms.<ref name=":12" />  Civil society groups advocated for a more nuanced approach that protects children's privacy while prioritizing their rights to expression and access to information from educational content to mental health resources.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":11" />

Youth advocacy organizations warned that blanket age restrictions fail to account for the legitimate educational and social benefits that young people derive from social media platforms, including access to educational content, creative communities, and mental health resources.{{CitationNeeded|reason=which organizations?}}

===Enforcement challenges===
International experience suggests enforcement difficulties, with the UK's age verification requirements leading to sharp drops in traffic but users quickly finding workarounds through VPN services, which saw an 1,800% spike in UK sign-ups within three days of implementation.<ref name=":12" /> Technology experts noted that determined users, particularly tech-savvy teenagers, can often circumvent age verification systems through various methods including VPNs, fake IDs, or using accounts registered by adults.{{CitationNeeded|reason=irrelevant citation, only compares to other countries doing the same >}}<ref name=":9" />

==Criticism and concerns==

===Freedom of expression===
Civil society groups including the Centre for Independent Journalism, ARTICLE 19, and Sinar Project raised concerns that the Act grants excessive and largely unchecked powers to authorities to decide what content is considered "harmful", risking increased removal of lawful content.<ref name=":2" /> The groups argued that the broad definition of harmful content could be interpreted subjectively, potentially leading to censorship of legitimate political speech and criticism.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |last=[404!] |title= |url=https://www.cijmalaysia.net/2025/12/statement-online-safety-act-2025/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Malaysia's position on the World Press Freedom Index dropped from 73rd in 2023 to 107th in 2024, reflecting growing concerns about shrinking civic spaces.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Malaysia {{!}} RSF |url=https://rsf.org/en/country/malaysia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260128063103/https://rsf.org/en/country/malaysia |archive-date=2026-01-28}}</ref> Digital rights advocates warned that the Act's implementation occurs against a backdrop of declining press freedom and increasing restrictions on online expression.<ref name=":2" />

Critics argued that the definition of harmful content is broadly worded and open to interpretation, potentially leading platforms to over-censor content to avoid penalties of up to RM10 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=[404!] |title= |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/12/15/concerns-over-online-safety-act-broad-definitions |url-status=dead}}</ref> Legal experts noted that terms like "harmful to society" lack precise legal definitions, creating uncertainty for both platforms and users about what content is permissible.<ref name=":13" />

===Privacy and surveillance===
The government announced plans to require mandatory electronic Know-Your-Customer (eKYC) verification using government-issued documents for all social media users.<ref name=":8" /> Critics argue this would expose users to identification and tracking, making them vulnerable to state surveillance, selective enforcement, and self-censorship.<ref name=":2" />

Digital rights organizations warned that mandatory identity verification would eliminate online anonymity, which is essential for whistleblowers, journalists, activists, and marginalized communities to speak freely without fear of retaliation.<ref name=":13" /> Privacy advocates noted that once identity databases are created, they could be used for purposes beyond their original intent, including political monitoring or targeted enforcement against critics.<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |last=[404!] |title= |url=https://sinarproject.org/digital-rights/updates/online-safety-act-concerns |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Civil society organizations criticized the lack of transparency and independent oversight in enforcement, noting the risk of abuse and selective enforcement against government critics or opposition voices.<ref name=":2" /> The absence of robust judicial oversight or independent appeals mechanisms raised concerns that enforcement decisions could be politically motivated.<ref name=":13" />

===Platform over-compliance and economic impact===
Technology policy analysts warned that platforms might over-remove content to avoid hefty fines, leading to excessive censorship beyond what the law technically requires.<ref>{{Cite web |last=[404!] |title= |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2025/12/20/platforms-may-over-censor-to-avoid-penalties |url-status=dead}}</ref> This could result in removal of legitimate speech, satire, artistic expression, and political commentary that does not actually violate the Act's provisions.<ref name=":14" />

Smaller platforms and Malaysian tech startups expressed concerns about compliance costs, noting that the requirement to submit Online Safety Plans, implement content moderation systems, and provide user safety tools could create barriers to entry that favor large international platforms.<ref>{{Cite web |last=[404!] |title= |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2025/12/18/local-platforms-worry-about-compliance-costs |url-status=dead}}</ref> Industry representatives warned this could stifle Malaysia's digital economy and innovation in the tech sector.<ref>{{Cite web |last=[404!] |title= |url=https://www.medianama.com/2025/12/223-malaysia-online-safety-act-platform-compliance-challenges/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Lack of consultation and transparency===
Critics noted that the Act was passed with limited public consultation and without adequate engagement with civil society, digital rights groups, and affected communities.<ref name=":13" /> Media freedom organizations argued that rushed implementation without proper stakeholder input increased the risk of unintended consequences and ineffective enforcement.<ref name=":2" />

Transparency advocates called for MCMC to publish clear enforcement guidelines, data on content removal requests, and regular reports on how the Act is being implemented to ensure accountability.<ref>{{Cite web |last=[404!] |title= |url=https://sinarproject.org/digital-rights/updates/online-safety-act-transparency-demands |url-status=dead}}</ref> The lack of public information about how "harmful content" determinations are made raised concerns about arbitrary or inconsistent enforcement.<ref name=":13" />

==Public Petitions and Advocacy==

===Stop eKYC Petition===
In November 2025, a Change.org petition titled "Stop eKYC for social media in Malaysia and promote digital literacy" was launched opposing mandatory identity verification requirements for social media users.<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.change.org/p/stop-ekyc-for-social-media-in-malaysia-and-promote-digital-literacy}}</ref> The petition raises several concerns about the eKYC requirement:

'''Data Breach Risks''': The petition cites international examples of age verification data breaches, including Discord's leak of approximately 70,000 users' identification documents in the UK, which exposed children to doxxing risks and enabled predators to attempt purchasing children's IDs for stalking and potential kidnapping.

'''Identity Theft''': Petitioners warn that bad actors could use leaked identification documents to commit identity theft and open false bank accounts in victims' names.

'''Freedom of Expression''': The petition argues that mandatory ID verification could enable government persecution of critics, citing claims that 30 people per day in the UK are imprisoned for social media posts under similar identity verification systems. Petitioners express concern that "power in excess only leads to an eventual abuse of a system and corruption."

The petition advocates for promoting digital literacy and parental education as alternatives to mandatory identity verification, arguing that child safety should not come "at the cost of privacy, freedom of speech and anonymity."

==Government response==
MCMC officials stated the Act was designed to protect the safety of social media users rather than control their freedom of expression.<ref name=":1" /> Officials emphasized the Act targets platform providers who fail to filter harmful content, not individual users or their right to express opinions online.<ref>{{Cite web |last=[404!] |title= |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/12/28/mcmc-online-safety-act-targets-platforms-not-users |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The government defended the Act as necessary to combat significant financial losses from online scams and protect vulnerable users, particularly children. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil cited police statistics showing RM2.7 billion in reported losses from online scams between January and November 2025 as evidence of the urgent need for platform accountability.<ref name=":3" />

Officials maintained that the Act does not create new criminal offenses relating to lawful speech or political expression, and that existing constitutional protections for freedom of speech remain in place.<ref name=":0" /> The government argued that the Act's provisions are consistent with international approaches to online safety and platform regulation in countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.<ref>{{Cite web |last=[404!] |title= |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/12/30/malaysia-online-safety-act-mirrors-international-standards |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Regarding age verification concerns, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching emphasized that the regulatory sandbox approach would allow testing of different age verification methods to balance child protection with privacy considerations.<ref name=":10" /> She stated that the government remains open to feedback from stakeholders and would consider privacy-preserving alternatives if they prove effective.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-18 |title=BERNAMA - Mic To Set Up Aimst College, Hospital |url=https://www.bernama.com/en/general/news.php?id=2245678 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226171651/https://bernama.com/en/general/news.php?id=2245678 |archive-date=2024-02-26}}</ref>

The government rejected characterizations of the Act as authoritarian or censorious, arguing that democratic societies worldwide are grappling with how to balance online safety with free expression, and that Malaysia's approach is proportionate to the harms being addressed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=[404!] |title= |url=https://www.bernama.com/en/general/news.php?id=2246789 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260213213743/https://www.bernama.com/en/general/news.php?id=2246789 |archive-date=13 Feb 2026}}</ref> Minister Fahmi Fadzil stated that the government welcomes constructive dialogue about implementation but remains committed to protecting Malaysians from online harms.<ref>{{Cite web |last=[404!] |title= |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/01/20/fahmi-government-committed-to-online-safety |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

Microsoft Edge

2026-02-24T13:05:56Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{ProductCargo|Logo=Microsoft_Edge_logo.svg|Category=Web browser|Company=Microsoft|InProduction=Yes|ReleaseYear=2020-01-15|Website=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge}}

'''Microsoft Edge''' is a proprietary web browser developed by Microsoft, first released in 2015 as the successor to Internet Explorer. Based on the Chromium engine since 2020, Edge is marketed as a fast and secure browser with integration across Microsoft services.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-30 |title=What's the difference between the new Microsoft Edge and Microsoft Edge Legacy? |url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/what-s-the-difference-between-the-new-microsoft-edge-and-microsoft-edge-legacy-a01258e5-8c05-7bbb-bed2-c65bec0eb126 |url-status=live |website=Microsoft Support |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251122093923/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/what-s-the-difference-between-the-new-microsoft-edge-and-microsoft-edge-legacy-a01258e5-8c05-7bbb-bed2-c65bec0eb126 |archive-date=22 Nov 2025}}</ref> However, its deep embedding into Windows and Microsoft’s promotional tactics have drawn ongoing criticism.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']

==Consumer impact summary==
====Freedom====

Microsoft Edge has been criticized for undermining user choice by being set as the default browser in Windows and by employing “dark patterns” that discourage switching to competitors.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]''] Forced reinstalls after system updates and persistent prompts have been described as limiting user autonomy.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']

====Privacy====

Privacy advocates have raised concerns about Edge’s telemetry and data collection, including browsing history and search queries sent to Microsoft by default.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]''] While the company claims this improves performance and security, critics view it as excessive surveillance.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']

====Business model====

Edge follows a freemium-adjacent model, integrating Microsoft services such as Bing and Shopping tools directly into the browser.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]''] Critics argue these features prioritize monetization and ecosystem lock-in over user experience.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']

====Market control====

By bundling Edge with Windows and tightly integrating it into the operating system, Microsoft has been accused of leveraging its OS dominance to entrench its browser market share.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]''] This has attracted regulatory scrutiny and antitrust complaints.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']
==Incidents==
===Forced Installation via Windows Updates===

Microsoft has been criticized for pushing Edge installations and re-pinnings through Windows updates, even when users had previously removed or replaced the browser.{{Citation needed}}
==See also==
*[[Chromium]]
*[[Firefox]]
*[[Microsoft]]

==References==
<references />
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Netflix stream-quality controversy

2026-02-24T13:02:47Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Netflix
|StartDate=
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=
|Product=Netflix
|ArticleType=Service
|Type=
|Description=
}}
The '''Netflix stream-quality controversy''' involves [[Netflix]]'s advertising of {{Wplink|4K resolution}} for its {{Wplink|Streaming television|streaming service}} while also not adequately disclosing the conditions and restrictions. Secondly, it covers their refusal to license 4K content, even when available on other platforms.

==4K plan doesn't provide a 4K resolution stream==


Netflix imposes restrictions on accessing 4K streaming without fully disclosing the conditions under which these restrictions apply; all prerequisites for receiving a 4K stream are not listed in the terms of use,<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |author=[[Netflix]] |title=Netflix Terms of Use |website=Netflix Help Center |url=https://help.netflix.com/legal/termsofuse |date=2024-01-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125032601/https://help.netflix.com/legal/termsofuse |archive-date=2024-01-25 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> terms & conditions,<ref>{{Cite web |author=[[Netflix]] |title=Netflix Shop – Terms & Conditions |website=Netflix Shop |url=https://www.netflix.shop/pages/terms-conditions |date=2023-06-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128223343/https://www.netflix.shop/pages/terms-conditions |archive-date=2023-11-28 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> or help page.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=How to get the best video quality |url=https://help.netflix.com/en/node/13444 |author=[[Netflix]] |website=Netlix Help Center |date=n.d. |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260114000324/https://help.netflix.com/en/node/13444/ |archive-date=14 Jan 2026}}</ref> When new users sign up, Netflix defaults them to the 4K premium plan, without clearly informing them of the intentional limitations on accessing 4K content.<ref>[[:File:Netflix signup page- choose plan bottom of page.png]]</ref>

Netflix, in their [https://help.netflix.com/legal/termsofuse Terms of Service] (TOS), lists reasons why the quality of its content may vary from different devices, as stated in clause 4.7:<blockquote>The quality of the display of the Netflix content may vary from device to device, and may be affected by a variety of factors, such as your location, the bandwidth available through and/or speed of your Internet connection.</blockquote>One of the factors not listed is the use of [https://developers.google.com/widevine/drm/overview Widevine], a [[DRM|Digital Rights Management]] (DRM) software which is embedded into most web browsers such as Chrome, Chromium, Electron (CEF), Firefox, Edge, Opera, Safari, etc. DRM technology prevents screen capture of media hosted on Netflix. One method, such as 'SECURE_DECODE,' utilizes Widevine to decode each displayed frame. However, this process consumes more bandwidth. To compensate, Netflix lowers the streaming resolution to 720p in web browsers.

Currently, Netflix offers 1080p video resolution on every plan on their [https://help.netflix.com/en/node/24926 Plans and Pricing] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260126070652/https://help.netflix.com/en/node/24926 Archived]) ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260216211333/https://help.netflix.com/en/node/24926 Archived]) ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260216211333/https://help.netflix.com/en/node/24926 Archived]) ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260216211333/https://help.netflix.com/en/node/24926 Archived]) for a subscription. Consumers who watch Netflix on web browsers will be paying for 1080p resolution while only receiving 720p resolution maximum due to DRM. The TOS allows Netflix to claim the user's device is faulty or the user's internet speed is slow to justify this behavior.[[File:Netflix signup page- choose plan bottom of page.png|alt=Netflix signup page: plan choice, bottom of page.|thumb|Netflix signup page: plan choice, bottom of page.]]
[[File:Netflix terms of service covering streaming quality.png|alt=Netflix terms of service covering streaming quality|thumb|Netflix terms of service covering streaming quality]]

The existence of these limitations is only disclosed in small font at the bottom of the page where users select a plan. The 4K HDR option, which is set as the default, features an eye-catching icon with vibrant colors designed to draw attention to this more expensive choice. Meanwhile, users must scroll to the bottom of the page to find a link to a document explaining the limitations.<ref name=":3" />

==Terms of Service analysis==

Currently, Netflix advertises 1080p video resolution on all plans listed in their [https://help.netflix.com/en/node/24926 Plans and Pricing] section. However, consumers watching Netflix on web browsers pay for 1080p resolution but are limited to a maximum of 720p due to DRM restrictions.<ref>[[:File:Netflix terms of service covering streaming quality.png]]</ref><ref name=":3" />

Netflix's Terms of Service (TOS) outlines important details regarding video-quality limitations in Section 4.7, which states:

<blockquote>4.7. The quality of the display of the Netflix content may vary from device to device, and may be affected by a variety of factors, such as your location, the bandwidth available through and/or speed of your Internet connection. HD, Ultra HD and HDR availability is subject to your Internet service and device capabilities. Not all content is available in all formats, such as HD, Ultra HD or HDR and not all plans allow you to receive content in all formats. The minimum connection speed for HD video quality (defined as a resolution of 720p or higher) is 3.0 Mbps per stream; however, we recommend a faster connection for improved video quality. A connection speed of at least 5.0 Mbps per stream is recommended to receive Full HD video quality (defined as a resolution of 1080p or higher). A connection speed of at least 15.0 Mbps per stream is recommended to receive Ultra HD video quality (defined as a resolution of 4K or higher). You are responsible for all Internet access charges. Please check with your Internet provider for information on possible Internet data usage charges. Netflix makes no representations or warranties about the quality of your watching experience on your display. The time it takes to begin watching Netflix content will vary based on a number of factors, including your location, available bandwidth at the time, the Netflix content you have selected and the configuration of your Netflix ready device.</blockquote>

==Streaming requirements and lack of disclosure==

===Complete list of requirements===

*'''Netflix Premium plan''': Subscription to the Premium Plan.
*'''Device compatibility''': Devices must support 4K playback and be Netflix-certified.
*'''Processor''': An Intel 7th generation Core CPU or newer with Intel SGX enabled, or an AMD Ryzen CPU.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=How to use Netflix on your Windows computer or tablet |url=https://help.netflix.com/en/node/23931 |author=[[Netflix]] |website=Netflix Help Center |date=n.d. |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260104160941/https://help.netflix.com/en/node/23931 |archive-date=4 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Netflix requirements to watch 4k that you paid for |author=((Rikki1256)) |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/Piracy/comments/189odn6/netflix_requirements_to_watch_4k_that_you_paid_for/ |date=2023-12-03 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203165545/https://old.reddit.com/r/Piracy/comments/189odn6/netflix_requirements_to_watch_4k_that_you_paid_for/ |archive-date=2023-12-03 |website=[[Reddit]] |type=Online forum post |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
*'''GPU''': Nvidia GeForce GPU 1050 or newer, AMD Radeon RX 400 series or newer GPU.<ref name=":1" />
*'''Display requirements''': A screen with a resolution of at least 3840x2160 and HDCP 2.2-compliant HDMI ports (for external displays).
*'''DRM support''': Hardware-based DRM like Widevine L1, PlayReady v3.0 SL3000, or FairPlay is required.
*'''HEVC codec support''': Devices must support hardware decoding of the HEVC (H.265) codec for 4K playback.
*'''Internet speed''': A stable internet connection of at least 15 Mbps.
*'''Operating system''': Supported OS versions, e.g., Windows 10/11, macOS (Safari), and specific Android/iOS versions.
*'''Browser and app compatibility''': Certain browsers (e.g., Microsoft Edge, Safari) and official Netflix apps are required.
*'''Updated firmware and software''': Devices must run the latest firmware or software, NVIDIA Driver version 387.96 or newer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=4K UHD Netflix content on NVIDIA GPUs |author=[[Nvidia]] |url=https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4583/~/4k-uhd-netflix-content-on-nvidia-gpus |date=2021-09-29 |website=Nvidia Support |df=mdy-all |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260215121029/https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4583/~/4k-uhd-netflix-content-on-nvidia-gpus |archive-date=15 Feb 2026}}</ref>
*'''Title availability''': Not all titles are available in 4K; the content must be marked as 4K or UHD.

===Requirements that Netflix does disclose===

*'''Subscription plan''': The need for the Premium Plan for 4K content.
*'''Internet speed''': The recommendation of 15 Mbps for 4K streaming.
*'''Device compatibility''': Ensuring all devices in the setup support 4K video playback.
*'''Browser and app compatibility''': Mention that Microsoft Edge (version 118 or later) or the official Netflix app is required to stream 4K content on Windows-based platforms. Likewise, mention that Safari (version 12 or later) is required for 4K playback on Macs (there’s no Netflix app for macOS).<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Netflix supported browsers and system requirements |url=https://help.netflix.com/en/node/30081 |date=n.d. |author=[[Netflix]] |website=Netflix Help Center |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260123055327/https://help.netflix.com/en/node/30081 |archive-date=23 Jan 2026}}</ref>
*'''Display requirements''': Mention of HDCP 2.2-compliant HDMI ports and display resolution for external devices.
*'''Account settings''': Instructions to set playback settings to High or Auto for 4K.
*'''Title verification''': Guidelines on identifying titles that support 4K or HDR.
*'''Mobile-device limitations''': It mentions HDR might not stream on mobile devices in low power mode. It also addresses limitations like Widevine DRM levels.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How to use Netflix on your Android phone or tablet |url=https://help.netflix.com/en/node/23939 |date=n.d. |author=[[Netflix]] |website=Netflix Help Center |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260112210041/https://help.netflix.com/en/node/23939 |archive-date=12 Jan 2026}}</ref>

===Requirements that Netflix does not disclose===

*'''DRM requirements''': No explicit mention of the need for Widevine L1, PlayReady v3.0 SL3000, or FairPlay DRM.
*'''Codec support''': The necessity of HEVC (H.265) support is not detailed.
*'''Processor and GPU capabilities''': The requirement for devices with processors and GPUs capable of hardware decoding HEVC efficiently is not mentioned.
*'''Firmware updates''': While it suggests keeping devices updated, there is no detail on the necessity for specific firmware versions for 4K, only for Nvidia drivers.

==4K content isn't available on the platform even when it exists==
Netflix routinely licenses HD content even though 4K HDR is readily available, including for blockbuster movies{{Citation needed}}<ref>{{Cite web |author=((And_You_Like_It_Too)) |title=How much licensed content does Netflix display in premium formats (4K, HDR/Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos) in the 4K tier? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/netflix/comments/18k554z/how_much_licensed_content_does_netflix_display_in/ |date=2023-12-17 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250711211159/https://old.reddit.com/r/netflix/comments/18k554z/how_much_licensed_content_does_netflix_display_in/ |archive-date=2025-07-11 |website=[[Reddit]] |df=mdy-all}}</ref>. This isn't advertised anywhere.{{Citation needed}}

For example: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is HD only on Netflix,{{Citation needed}} whereas it’s clearly available in UHD on other platforms,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch Transformers: Rise of the Beasts |url=https://www.amazon.com/Transformers-Rise-Beasts-Anthony-Ramos/dp/B0BX1MWKHY |date=n.d. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509201425/https://www.amazon.com/Transformers-Rise-Beasts-Anthony-Ramos/dp/B0BX1MWKHY |archive-date=2025-05-09 |access-date=2025-07-11 |website=[[Amazon#Amazon_Prime_(2005–Present)|Amazon Prime Video]] |df=mdy-all}}</ref> or Blu-ray.<ref>{{Cite web |title=<nowiki>Transformers: Rise of the Beasts [4K UHD]</nowiki> |url=https://www.amazon.com/Transformers-Rise-Beasts-4K-UHD/dp/B0C5P5K55N |date=n.d. |access-date=2025-07-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120130137/https://www.amazon.com/Transformers-Rise-Beasts-4K-UHD/dp/B0C5P5K55N |archive-date=2025-01-20 |website=[[Amazon]] |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
[[File:Netflix not providing 4k even if it exist2.png|thumb]]
Another movie is [[wikipedia:Jurassic_World:_Fallen_Kingdom|Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom]]. To the right is a somewhat scribbled flowchart I made that visually demonstrates how Netflix doesn't even return 720p through a paid Netflix 4K premium plan. This is on a device with excellent hardware and a fast, stable internet connection, and a movie which certainly exists in a higher resolution.

Source linking from different statements from the picture, and links from within the wikipedia pages (and more).

====Camera used in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and final mastering resolution used in professional production in 2017====
The movie was shot with [[wikipedia:Arri_Alexa#Alexa_65|Arri Alexa 65]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sciretta |first=Peter |date=2018-04-24 |title='Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom' Director J.A. Bayona On Bringing Suspense Back To The Franchise [Set Visit Interview] |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/557725/j-a-bayona-interview/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250222000228/https://www.slashfilm.com/557725/j-a-bayona-interview/ |archive-date=2025-02-22 |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=SlashFilm |df=mdy-all}}</ref> capable of a maximum recording resolution of 6560 x 3100, with these sensor crop modes:

*1.78 Crop Mode: 5120 x 2880

*1.50 Crop Mode: 4320 x 2880

*LF Open Gate: 4448 x 3096

*4K UHD: 3840 x 2160<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alexa 65 |url=https://www.arrirental.com/en/cameras/digital-65-mm-cameras/alexa-65 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250619202126/https://www.arrirental.com/en/cameras/digital-65-mm-cameras/alexa-65 |archive-date=2025-06-19 |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=ArriRental |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

That they would shoot a movie in UHD resolution with a camera worth 150-200k USD and downsize it to 960x540 (similar to some DVD format and even VHS we had back in the 2000's) during post processing in 2018 is extremely unlikely and illogical.

Here is an interview with a professional in 2017 (not working on Jurassic world: Fallen Kingdom) talking about why it is common to film in ultra high resolution and downscale. Note that he never mentioned any lower resolution than 1080p:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shapton |first=David |date=2017-06-17 |title=Working with resolutions above 4K: We interview renowned cinematographer Shane Hurlbut, ASC |url=https://www.redsharknews.com/production/item/3626-working-with-resolutions-above-4k-we-interview-renowned-cinematographer-shane-hurlbut |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250403225158/https://www.redsharknews.com/production/item/3626-working-with-resolutions-above-4k-we-interview-renowned-cinematographer-shane-hurlbut |archive-date=2025-04-03 |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=RedShark |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

<blockquote>From a technical side, sure, we can "future proof" the quality by mastering in 4K UHD and releasing in 1080p today only to re-release our films in 4K UHD years later without having to scale the resolution where we lose quality over the image.</blockquote>

An additional take from the same interview which is a bit relevant because Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom uses alot of VFX:

<blockquote>In some projects, we're starting to bring in a lot more VFX, so having the added resolution makes a big difference with our VFX team, giving them a larger canvas to work with.</blockquote>

An entertainment journalism website announced the different home release versions of the movie in 2018:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Foutch |first=Haleigh |date=2018-07-24|title='Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom' Blu-ray Release Date & Features Revealed |url=https://collider.com/jurassic-world-fallen-kingdom-blu-ray-release-date-features/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-03-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250529062557/https://collider.com/jurassic-world-fallen-kingdom-blu-ray-release-date-features/ |archive-date=2025-05-29 |website=[[Wikipedia:Collider (website)|Collider]] |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

<blockquote>''Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom'' arrives on Digital and via the digital movie app MOVIES ANYWHERE on September 4, 2018, as well as on 4K Ultra HD, 3D Blu-ray™, Blu-ray™, DVD and On Demand on September 18, 2018, Additionally, Universal is dropping a ''Jurassic'' five-film collection on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™ and DVD on September 18, 2018</blockquote>

====Additional proof that there exist high-resolution versions of the movie====
Forbes review: "Fallen Kingdom is a gorgeous, mostly enjoyable blockbuster that looked great in IMAX."[https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2018/06/06/review-jurassic-world-fallen-kingdom-finally-escapes-the-island/]

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom 4K review [https://www.avforums.com/reviews/jurassic-world-fallen-kingdom-4k-blu-ray-review.15524/]

Another Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom 4K review:[https://www.highdefwatch.com/post/4k-delivers-great-picture-and-sound-in-jurassic-world-fallen-kingdom]

More sources that show/sell high resolution versions of the movie [https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Jurassic-World-Fallen-Kingdom-4K-Blu-ray/206399/][https://ultrahd.highdefdigest.com/60793/jurassicworldfallenkingdom4kultrahdbluray.html]

A "making of the film" video on youtube, on a channel owned by Universal Pictures themselves, and they state in the description of the video "Own it on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD & Digital Now"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4zXawfBi1o&ab_channel=UniversalPicturesAll-Access]

You can rent the video on youtube in 1080p.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ETePG9F6Zk&ab_channel=YouTubeMovies]
[[File:Jurassic world Fallen Kingdom High-res preview at youtube.png|thumb]]
(I added another picture where I show that the feed on youtube IS in fact 1080p, and it also shows that my connection speed is 55004 Kbps or around 55 Mbps, buffring the video to 37.81s took a handful of seconds. This is more proof to show that my connection speed is not part of the issue.)
==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Netflix]]

Nintendo

2026-02-24T13:02:34Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 2 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{CompanyCargo
|Description=Japanese video game developer and hardware manufacturer.
|Founded=1889
|Industry=Electronics, Entertainment Software
|Logo=Nintendo.png
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Public
|Website=https://nintendo.com/
}}
Founded in 1889, '''[[Wikipedia:Nintendo|Nintendo Co., Ltd.]]''' is a multi-billion-dollar video game company headquartered in Kyoto, Japan with multiple subdivisions outside of Japan. They manufacture video game consoles and handhelds, the most recent of which being the [[Nintendo Switch|Switch 2]]. Some of their best-known systems include the Wii, Nintendo 64, [[Nintendo Switch|Switch]], GameCube, and Game Boy. They are well-known for various popular video game franchises, such as ''Super Mario'', ''Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda'', ''Animal Crossing'', and ''Metroid''.

==Consumer-impact summary==

*'''User freedom:''' Extensive history against hardware and software modification; currently disables online functionality completely on modded consoles, which can, in some cases, effectively brick a system.
*'''User privacy:''' Historically has ignored individual consumers; confirmed to be spying on [[Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch 2]] hardware [[Nintendo Switch bans|to detect modifications]].
*'''Business model:''' Hardware sales, software sales, more recently subscriptions such as [[Nintendo Switch Online]] and microtransactions.
*'''Market competition:''' Limited home console competition from [[Sony]] and [[Xbox]]; limited portable console competition coming from emulation handhelds and [[Valve]]'s ''Steam Deck''.

==Controversial Practices==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:Nintendo|Nintendo category]].

===History against console emulation===
United States Copyright Law, Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 117 effectively states that making a copy of a computer program that you still own the original copy of (e.g., a video game, like Super Smash Bros. Melee) is legal if copying it is necessary in order to use the program with a machine (e.g., the Dolphin emulator) and that it isn't used in any other way, or to archive the program<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010 |title=Chapter 1: Subject Matter and Scope of Copyright, Section 117 |url=https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html |url-status=live |access-date=31 May 2025 |website=U.S. Copyright Office |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128125654/https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html |archive-date=28 Jan 2026}}</ref>. Emulation is also legal in this context, as proven by ''Sony v. Connectix''<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 May 2025 |title=Sony Computer Entertainment v. Connectix Corp. |url=https://casetext.com/case/sony-computer-entertainment-v-connectix-corp-2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250331104619/https://casetext.com/case/sony-computer-entertainment-v-connectix-corp-2 |archive-date=31 Mar 2025 |access-date=31 May 2025 |website=CaseText}}</ref> and ''Sony v. Bleem''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 Apr 2023 |title=Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc. v. Bleem, LLC |url=https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Sony_Computer_Entertainment_America,_Inc._v._Bleem,_LLC |url-status=live |access-date=31 May 2025 |website=Wikisource |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708165157/https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Sony_Computer_Entertainment_America,_Inc._v._Bleem,_LLC |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref>. Despite this precedent, however, Nintendo is well-known for their extensive history of combating emulation of their games and hardware.

====Examples:====

*In 1999, Nintendo sued Nintendo 64 emulator UltraHLE.<ref>{{Cite web |last=@Hemos |date=12 Feb 1999 |title=Nintendo Confirms It Will Sue UltraHLE Creators 96 |url=https://games.slashdot.org/story/99/02/12/0943207/nintendo-confirms-it-will-sue-ultrahle-creators |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2025 |website=games.slashdot.org |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260210123419/https://games.slashdot.org/story/99/02/12/0943207/nintendo-confirms-it-will-sue-ultrahle-creators |archive-date=10 Feb 2026}} </ref>
*On November 19th, 2020, The Big House, a Super Smash Bros. Melee and Ultimate tournament, announced that Nintendo had sent them a cease and desist because of their use of a Super Smash Bros. Melee modification that required the use of a GameCube and Wii emulator known as Dolphin.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Robertson |first=Adi |date=20 Nov 2020 |title=Nintendo shuts down Super Smash Bros. tournament for using mods to play online |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/11/20/21579392/nintendo-big-house-super-smash-bros-melee-tournament-slippi-cease-desist |url-status=live |access-date=31 May 2025 |website=The Verge |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251119124736/https://www.theverge.com/2020/11/20/21579392/nintendo-big-house-super-smash-bros-melee-tournament-slippi-cease-desist |archive-date=19 Nov 2025}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=@TheBigHouseSSB |date=19 Nov 2020 |title=The Big House on X (Twitter) |url=https://twitter.com/TheBigHouseSSB/status/1329521081577857036 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127080201/https://twitter.com/TheBigHouseSSB/status/1329521081577857036 |archive-date=27 Nov 2020 |access-date=31 May 2025 |website=X (Twitter)}}</ref> This led them to have to cancel the tournament. ''Full section: [https://consumerrights.wiki/Nintendo#The_Big_House_Online_Tournament_(2020) The Big House Online Tournament (2020)]''
*In 2024, Nintendo took down [[Nintendo Switch]] emulator Yuzu, as well as the Nintendo 3DS emulator Citra.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Joseph |date=11 Apr 2024 |title=Ninten-don’t: Breaking Down the Yuzu Emulator Lawsuit |url=https://www.romanolaw.com/ninten-dont-breaking-down-the-yuzu-emulator-lawsuit/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2025 |website=www.romanolaw.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251214050534/https://www.romanolaw.com/ninten-dont-breaking-down-the-yuzu-emulator-lawsuit/ |archive-date=14 Dec 2025}} </ref>
*Nintendo has also pressured for restrictions to access emulators, such as Dolphin's non-inclusion as a core for the [[Steam]] version of RetroArch.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 Jul 2023 |title=What Happened to Dolphin on Steam? |url=https://it.dolphin-emu.org/blog/2023/07/20/what-happened-to-dolphin-on-steam/?cr=it |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2025 |website=it.dolphin-emu.org |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251018002434/https://it.dolphin-emu.org/blog/2023/07/20/what-happened-to-dolphin-on-steam/?cr=it |archive-date=18 Oct 2025}}</ref>

===History against hardware modification===
<blockquote>''Further Reading: [[Game Genie lawsuit]], [[Le Hoang Minh lawsuit]], [[Team Xecuter and Gary Bowser lawsuit]], [[ModdedHardware lawsuit]], [[Nintendo's May 2025 Policy Updates]]'' 

''See also: [https://consumerrights.wiki/Nintendo#Controversial_agreements_and_policies Controversial agreements and policies]''</blockquote>Nintendo is known to frequently get into legal altercations with the creators of hardware modifications.

====Examples:====

*Nintendo has sued the creators of cheat code devices, such as the Game Genie<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Eric E. |date=31 Dec 2007 |title=Lewis Galoob Toys, Inc. v. Nintendo of America, Inc. in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit 964 F. 2d 965 (9th Cir. 1992) |url=https://www.museumofintellectualproperty.org/features/game_genie.html |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2025 |website=www.museumofintellectualproperty.org |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250819003719/http://museumofintellectualproperty.org/features/game_genie.html |archive-date=19 Aug 2025}}</ref> and 10NES circumvention<ref>{{Cite web |date=1992 |title=Atari Games Corp. v. Nintendo of Am. Inc |url=https://www.copyright.gov/fair-use/summaries/atari-nintendo-fedcir1992.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2025 |website=www.copyright.gov}}</ref> which allowed users to enter cheat codes into their games and bypass the security lockout chip to prevent [[piracy]].

*On November 18th, 2020, Nintendo of America sued Le Hoang Minh for selling RCM Loaders (plug in USB devices allowing unsigned/homebrew software to run on a Nintendo Switch), accusing him of selling piracy devices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=18 Nov 2020 |title=Nintendo sues more hack sellers, ‘a worsening international problem’ |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/11/18/21574488/nintendo-rcm-loader-jailbreak-lawsuit-switch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126071118/https://www.polygon.com/2020/11/18/21574488/nintendo-rcm-loader-jailbreak-lawsuit-switch |archive-date=26 Nov 2020 |access-date=22 Mar 2025 |website=Polygon}}</ref>
*On April 16th, 2021, Nintendo of America sued Gary Bowser, head of video game modchip development and sales group Team Xecuter for over $150,000, accusing him of selling piracy devices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=17 Apr 2021 |title=Nintendo suing Bowser over Switch hacks |url=https://www.polygon.com/22388720/nintendo-bowser-lawsuit-team-xecuter |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417151420/https://www.polygon.com/22388720/nintendo-bowser-lawsuit-team-xecuter |archive-date=17 Apr 2021 |access-date=22 Mar 2025 |website=Polygon}}</ref>In a subsequent criminal case, Bowser plead guilty to conspiracy to circumvent technological measures and received a 40 month sentence in prison.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-10 |title=Public voice and principal salesperson for notorious videogame piracy group sentenced to 3+ years in prison for conspiracy |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/public-voice-and-principal-salesperson-notorious-videogame-piracy-group-sentenced-3 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260129010231/https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/public-voice-and-principal-salesperson-notorious-videogame-piracy-group-sentenced-3 |archive-date=29 Jan 2026|publisher=The United States Attorney's Office}}</ref> He was released after serving 14 months and reported to be destitute and struggling to pay rent as he owes Nintendo $14 million dollars.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hernandez |first=Patricia |date=2024-02-01 |title=The man who owes Nintendo $14m: Gary Bowser and gaming’s most infamous piracy case |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2024/feb/01/the-man-who-owes-nintendo-14m-gary-bowser-and-gamings-most-infamous-piracy-case |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222223612/https://www.theguardian.com/games/2024/feb/01/the-man-who-owes-nintendo-14m-gary-bowser-and-gamings-most-infamous-piracy-case |archive-date=22 Feb 2026|work=The Guardian}}</ref>
*On June 28th, 2024, Nintendo sued modded game seller ModdedHardware for selling [[Nintendo Switch]] flashcarts, modded [[Nintendo Switch]] consoles, and a mail-in console modding service with the argument being raised that a modded system is capable of running pirated software alongside allegations of ModdedHardware pre-installing pirated games, despite citing no evidence in the legal document.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Van der Sar |first=Ernesto |date=1 Jul 2024 |title=Nintendo Sues ‘Modded Hardware’ and r/SwitchPirates Moderator ‘Archbox’ |url=https://torrentfreak.com/nintendo-sues-modded-hardware-and-r-switchpirates-moderator-archbox-240701/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710091021/https://torrentfreak.com/nintendo-sues-modded-hardware-and-r-switchpirates-moderator-archbox-240701/ |archive-date=10 Jul 2024 |access-date=22 Mar 2025 |website=TorrentFreak}}</ref>

*In May 2025, Nintendo updated their privacy policy<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Nintendo |title=Nintendo Privacy Policy |url=https://accounts.nintendo.com/term/privacy_policy/US?lang=en-US |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=Nintendo Accounts |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220174923/https://accounts.nintendo.com/term/privacy_policy/US?lang=en-US |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref> to reserve the company the right to remotely disable consoles owned by consumers if it detects modified hardware or software attempting to run on the system.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Nightingale |first=Ed |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Nintendo reserves the right to brick your console following "unauthorised use", in bid to prevent piracy |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-reserves-the-right-to-brick-your-console-following-unauthorised-use-in-bid-to-prevent-piracy |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=Eurogamer |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251209155123/https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-reserves-the-right-to-brick-your-console-following-unauthorised-use-in-bid-to-prevent-piracy |archive-date=9 Dec 2025}}</ref>
*On February 13th 2026, Nintendo issued DMCA takedown notices to several GitHub pages of popular forks of Yuzu and Ryujinx, including Eden, Citron and MeloNX. At the time of writing Eden has refused to comply to the request, stating that the project doesn't infringe on GitHub's hosting policies<ref>{{Cite web |last=Palumbo |first=Alessio |date=2026-02-16 |title=Nintendo Once Again Brings DMCA Hammer Down on Switch Emulators, But Eden Is Fighting the Notice |url=https://wccftech.com/nintendo-once-again-brings-dmca-hammer-down-switch-emulators/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-22 |website=Wccftech |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260218155928/https://wccftech.com/nintendo-once-again-brings-dmca-hammer-down-switch-emulators/ |archive-date=18 Feb 2026}}</ref>.

===De-listing/destruction of access to games===
<blockquote>''Further Reading: [[Storefront shutdown#Wii U/3DS eShops (2012–2023)]], [[Storefront shutdown#Wii Shop Channel (2006–2019)]]'' </blockquote>In late January of 2019, Nintendo shut down their first digital storefront, the Wii Shop Channel.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019 |title=Wii Shop Channel Discontinuation |url=https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/27560/~/wii-shop-channel-discontinuation |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2025 |website=Nintendo Customer Support |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250913123454/https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/27560/~/wii-shop-channel-discontinuation |archive-date=13 Sep 2025}}</ref> Super Mario 3D All-Stars was pulled from the Nintendo eShop and store shelves on March 31st, 2021. <ref>{{Cite news |last=Martinez |first=Phillip |date=2021-03-02 |title='Super Mario 3D All-Stars' and More Still to be Removed by Nintendo in March |url=https://www.newsweek.com/super-mario-3d-all-stars-35-anniversary-game-watch-nintendo-removed-1573211 |work=Newsweek |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230328094239/https://www.newsweek.com/super-mario-3d-all-stars-35-anniversary-game-watch-nintendo-removed-1573211 |archive-date=28 Mar 2023}}</ref> Anyone who downloaded the game or purchased a physical copy was granted access past the expiration date. On March 27, 2023, Nintendo shut down the Wii U and [[Nintendo 3DS|3DS]] eShops.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Apr 2023 |title=Notice of End of Purchases in Nintendo eShop for Wii U and Nintendo 3DUpdate April 2023 |url=https://www.nintendo.com/au/support/articles/wii-u-and-nintendo-3ds-eshop-discontinuation/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2025 |website=Nintendo Support |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251129140329/https://www.nintendo.com/au/support/articles/wii-u-and-nintendo-3ds-eshop-discontinuation/ |archive-date=29 Nov 2025}}</ref> These shutdowns have made it nearly impossible to legally obtain new copies for hundreds of games. Titles affected include Splatoon, Super Mario Maker, Pokémon Picross, and more.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 Mar 2023 |title=These are the 1,000 digital-only 3DS and Wii U games disappearing next week |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/features/analysis-digital-only-wii-u-3ds-games/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2025 |website=www.videogameschronicle.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222131403/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/features/analysis-digital-only-wii-u-3ds-games/ |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> As of now, over 1,000 digitally exclusive games can only be obtained through piracy, and a subset requires additional modification to run.

In early 2025, [[Nintendo Switch Online]] (NSO) delisted a game for the first time, Super Soccer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=@GVG |date=28 Feb 2025 |title=First Game Removed from Nintendo Switch Online |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSz-wKls0Wk |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=PSz-wKls0Wk |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Glagowski |first=Peter |date=28 Feb 2025 |title=Nintendo of Japan announces title will be removed from NSO library, first time since launch |url=https://nintendowire.com/news/2025/02/28/nintendo-of-japan-announces-title-will-be-removed-from-nso-library-first-time-since-launch/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2025 |website=Nintendo Wire |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251107095355/https://nintendowire.com/news/2025/02/28/nintendo-of-japan-announces-title-will-be-removed-from-nso-library-first-time-since-launch/ |archive-date=7 Nov 2025}}</ref> With the previously mentioned events of delisting of products a consumer owns for their consoles, such as a physical game on disc or a previously downloaded digital title, consumers still had the ability to play these games, and in some instances, even reinstall them. However, with [[Nintendo Switch Online|NSO]] acting as a [[streaming service]] for games it provides to consumers, when a title is delisted, consumers completely and totally lose access to the game, unless the company who requested the title to be delisted were to re-list the game on the service. This event has caused rightful concern among consumers, because this may set a dangerous precedent for access to retro games in the future.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Flores Jr. |first=Johnny |date=1 Mar 2025 |title=Nintendo Is Delisting A Game From The Switch Online Library For The First Time |url=https://www.thegamer.com/nintendo-delisting-snes-game-from-switch-online-library/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2025 |website=The Gamer |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251018224820/https://www.thegamer.com/nintendo-delisting-snes-game-from-switch-online-library/ |archive-date=18 Oct 2025}}</ref>

===Nintendo authorized repair===
<blockquote>Further Reading: [[Nintendo authorized repair]]

[[Nintendo refuses to repair water damaged Switch 2 console]]</blockquote>A man sent in their Nintendo Switch to Nintendo for repair of a broken charging port and was given an estimate of £132 (161.51 USD) to replace the entire motherboard, which would result in data loss and noted screen damage. This was despite the only damage to the console being to the charging port and a screen protector, and not the screen itself.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=31 Jul 2021 |title=Why Nintendo authorized repair sucks: the incentives are at odds with a good repair experience |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxKJn35DK8k |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=UxKJn35DK8k |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref>  

======Rust in new units of Switch 2======
Around early-mid July 2025 there have been findings of brand new Nintendo Switch 2 having rust on internal components.

On June 30th, 2025 a YouTube channel "BGA TECH ASSISTÊNCIA E TECNOLOGIA" uploaded a video titled "Swich 2 vs Oled, Technical Review, weight, motherboard, which has the biggest battery?". During the process of disassembly of the new device they discovered rust on an internal component (which can be seen in the video at around 17:16). <ref>{{Cite web |date=June 30, 2025 |title=Swich 2 vs Oled, Technical Review, weight, motherboard, which has the biggest battery? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj_ne2cL_-U&t=1036s |website=youtube.com}}</ref>

On July 8th, 2025 a Nintendo customer made a post on Reddit<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-08 |title=Bricked Switch 2, Nintendo claiming water damage |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/consolerepair/comments/1lugq83/bricked_switch_2_nintendo_claiming_water_damage/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250715124737/https://old.reddit.com/r/consolerepair/comments/1lugq83/bricked_switch_2_nintendo_claiming_water_damage/ |archive-date=2025-07-15 |website=reddit.com}}</ref> describing how Nintendo refused to repair a defective device under warranty. In this case, customer's device stopped turning on about a week after a purchase, but it still kept drawing some power. Customer sent the device to Nintendo for repairs. Nintendo replied that "CPU and LCD housing were corroded due to water damage", refused to repair device free of charge under "twelve (12) month from the day of purchase" limited warranty<ref>{{Cite web |title=Warranty and Service Information |url=https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/50404 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708231402/https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/50404 |archive-date=2025-07-08 |website=nintendo.com}}</ref> and wanted to charge customer around 35,000 yen (~$240) for a repair. Nintendo also confirmed that water damage indicator stickers did NOT change color. Customer refused receiving a repair, received unit back and made an unboxing video of this device. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-13 |title=Unboxing my DEAD Switch 2 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7Z4sWJK2J8 |website=youtube.com |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=K7Z4sWJK2J8 |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref>

===Joy-Con and Joystick related Hardware Failures===

[[Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons|Joy-Cons]] are the included controllers (retailing for $80) for the Nintendo Switch, and they are prone to failure via "stick drift" within a few months of purchase. According to the 2022 study by the British consumer protection group '''Which?''<nowiki/>', 40% of [[Nintendo Switch]] owners experienced [[Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons|Joy-Con]] drift.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Laughlin |first=Andrew |date=14 Jun 2022 |title=Two in five UK Nintendo Switch Classic consoles blighted by Joy-Con drift |url=https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/two-in-five-uk-nintendo-switch-classic-consoles-blighted-by-joy-con-drift-aVaRY2j5RoO8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626212228/https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/two-in-five-uk-nintendo-switch-classic-consoles-blighted-by-joy-con-drift-aVaRY2j5RoO8 |archive-date=26 Jun 2022 |access-date=1 Jun 2025 |website=Which?}}</ref> This defect is also found in other official Nintendo controllers, like the Pro Controller (Pro-Cons), and the Switch Lite, a version of the Nintendo Switch that has its Joy-Cons built into the handheld system. Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa apologized for the "inconvenience" and subsequently launched Nintendo's "free repair program."

The way the "free repair program" works is that the user will send the defective [[Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons|Joy-Cons]] to Nintendo for "repair," which, in most cases, involves replacing the defective [[Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons|Joy-Cons]] with new ones. The problem arises in cases involving limited edition [[Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons|Joy-Cons]], where you have to sign off on consenting to the possibility of your limited edition or "non-standard colored" [[Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons|Joy-Cons]] being replaced with a standard color [[Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons|Joy-Con]] if they are sent to Nintendo for "repair." This leaves consumers with these limited edition [[Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons|Joy-Cons]] without a guaranteed way to get their products repaired if they use Nintendo's official repair service.

The "free repair program" is not available in the [[wikipedia:Nordic_countries|Nordic countries]] as Nintendo does not directly distribute their product there. Instead, Nintendo products are distributed by [[wikipedia:Bergsala|Bersala AB]] whom does not recognise the existence of a widespread issue and will charge around $40 for the repair unless the console is still under the 2 years warranty. To qualify for the warranty, the console must have been purchased from an approved local retailer. Hardware purchased on online retailers like Amazon do not qualify and customers are forced to pay full price for repairs.

Historically, Nintendo's faulty joysticks date back to the Nintendo 64. The N64 gamepad's design, which used gears and optical encoder wheels,<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/PliskinBOI |date=Apr 20, 2024 |title=How is the 64 for longevity? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/n64/comments/1c8wneq/comment/l0hvu2i/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button |access-date=Feb 17, 2026 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> led to easy part degradation ever since launch,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Slindee |first=Brittany |date=Sep 6, 2024 |title=Nintendo 64 Controller Joystick Repair |url=https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Nintendo+64+Controller+Joystick+Repair/51581 |access-date=Feb 17, 2026 |website=ifixit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250804145139/https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Nintendo+64+Controller+Joystick+Repair/51581 |archive-date=4 Aug 2025}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Rerez |date=Mar 1, 2025 |title=Amazing Hall Effect Controllers! - Rerez |url=https://youtu.be/Fxfb7pAyW18 |access-date=Feb 17, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=Fxfb7pAyW18 |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> leading to games that heavily relied upon the joystick input, such as Super Mario 64, to become virtually unplayable.<ref name=":6" />

===The Big House Online Tournament (2020)===
On November 19th, 2020, The Big House, a Super Smash Brothers Melee and Ultimate tournament, announced on X (formerly known as Twitter) that they had received a cease and desist from Nintendo of America, and would be forced to cancel the tournament.<ref name=":5" /> Nintendo had told The Big House that they were not allowed to host their online tournament because of their use of a game modification. The modification was Slippi, which runs through a GameCube and Wii emulator called Dolphin to enable online functionality for Super Smash Bros. Melee.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About - What is Slippi? |url=https://slippi.gg/about |url-status=live |access-date=31 May 2025 |website=Slippi.gg |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250825163703/https://slippi.gg/about |archive-date=25 Aug 2025}}</ref>

Because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, The Big House tournament was going to be run online primarily for attendees' safety. Melee is a video game from 2001 that does not have built-in online functionality, so it would have been impossible to run an online tournament for it without the use of modifications. A Nintendo of America spokesperson claimed that the cease and desist was issued to "protect [Nintendo's] intellectual property and brands". The spokesperson also stated that allowing the tournament to run would "condone or allow piracy of [Nintendo's] intellectual property". In other words, the spokesperson claimed that using Slippi would have required the use of pirated copies of Melee<ref name=":4" />, despite the fact that professional Melee players typically play legitimate copies of the game on official hardware to practice and compete.

===Etika JOYCONBOYZ Charity Shutdown===
On or around June 19, 2019, popular YouTuber Desmond Daniel Amofah known by his YouTube username Etika was found deceased after having committed suicide following a series of mental health issues. He was known for his livestream reactions to Nintendo's online events such as Nintendo Direct presentations. Known for his over-the-top reaction style, his fanbase became unofficially known as the "JOYCONBOYZ". Among tributes following his passing, fellow YouTuber JoyConJames created custom shells for the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers known as Etikons which contained the official fan phrase "JOYCONBOYZ" printed on them with a proceed of sales for each shell going to mental health awareness and mental health research facilities. On December 6, 2020, JoyConJames uploaded a YouTube video announcing that he had received a cease & desist notice from Nintendo prohibiting him from selling the Joy-Con skins. The notion that the skins were being sold for charity and in honor of a fan of Nintendo and their work drew anger and criticism from the company's fan base.<ref>{{cite web |title=Custom Joy-Cons That Honor Deceased YouTuber Shut Down By Nintendo |url=https://screenrant.com/nintendo-switch-joycon-etika-joyconboyz-shut-down-charity/ |url-status=live |access-date=13 Aug 2025 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230524211510/https://screenrant.com/nintendo-switch-joycon-etika-joyconboyz-shut-down-charity/ |archive-date=24 May 2023}}</ref>

===Nintendo V. Pocketpair===
Nintendo is suing Pocketpair, the developers of the extremely popular video game Palworld,<ref>{{Cite web |last=@Palworld_EN |date=19 Sep 2024 |title=Palworld_EN on X |url=https://x.com/Palworld_EN/status/1836692701355688146 |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2025 |website=X |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260208181711/https://x.com/Palworld_EN/status/1836692701355688146 |archive-date=8 Feb 2026}}</ref> for patent infringement, despite filing the patent after Palworld was already released to the public.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 May 2024 |title=US Patent Application for STORAGE MEDIUM STORING GAME PROGRAM, GAME SYSTEM, GAME APPARATUS, AND GAME PROCESSING METHOD Patent Application (Application #20240278129) |url=https://patents.justia.com/patent/20240278129 |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2025 |website=patents.justia.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260113224853/https://patents.justia.com/patent/20240278129 |archive-date=13 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=@PirateSoftware |date=17 Oct 2024 |title=Palworld Lawsuit |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4ZZx4wiofw |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=c4ZZx4wiofw |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 Feb 2025 |title=Nintendo Anti-Palworld Patent and Seeks More |url=https://gamerant.com/nintendo-anti-palworld-patents-uspto-infringement-lawsuit-implications/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2025 |website=GameRant |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251101171524/https://gamerant.com/nintendo-anti-palworld-patents-uspto-infringement-lawsuit-implications/ |archive-date=1 Nov 2025}}</ref>

===Nintendo Creators Program===
{{Main|Nintendo Creators Program}}
In 2013, Nintendo placed advertisements on let's play videos where their games were played, taking 100% of all revenue made by said adverts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Plunkett |first=Luke |date=15 May 2013 |title=Nintendo Forcing Ads On Some YouTube "Let's Play" Videos |url=https://kotaku.com/nintendo-forcing-ads-on-some-youtube-lets-play-video-507092383 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607222601/https://kotaku.com/nintendo-forcing-ads-on-some-youtube-lets-play-video-507092383 |archive-date=7 Jun 2013 |access-date=22 Mar 2025 |website=Kotaku}}</ref> In 2015, Nintendo started a YouTube partnership program, which required the removal of all non-Nintendo related videos on the channel, creators being given 60% of revenue per video or 70% of the channel's gross revenue. The program only allowed games on an internal Nintendo-made whitelist which infamously lacked multiple large/popular releases of the time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=29 Jan 2015 |title=Nintendo to share up to 70 percent of ad revenue with game YouTubers |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/01/nintendo-to-share-up-to-70-percent-of-ad-revenue-with-game-youtubers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208085014/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/01/nintendo-to-share-up-to-70-percent-of-ad-revenue-with-game-youtubers/ |archive-date=8 Feb 2015 |access-date=22 Mar 2025 |website=ArsTechnica}}</ref> In 2017, Nintendo announced that live streaming wasn't allowed for creators in their Creator Program.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=2 Oct 2017 |title=Nintendo no longer welcoming YouTube livestreams of its games |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/10/nintendo-cuts-off-ad-program-for-youtube-livestreamers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004040443/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/10/nintendo-cuts-off-ad-program-for-youtube-livestreamers/ |archive-date=4 Oct 2017 |access-date=22 Mar 2025 |website=ArsTechnica}}</ref> It ended in 2018<ref>{{Cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=29 Nov 2018 |title=Nintendo ends controversial YouTube revenue-sharing program |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/11/nintendo-loosens-content-restrictions-ends-revenue-splitting-for-video-makers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130073206/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/11/nintendo-loosens-content-restrictions-ends-revenue-splitting-for-video-makers/ |archive-date=30 Nov 2018 |access-date=22 Mar 2025 |website=ArsTechnica}}</ref>, with Nintendo stating they “encourage you to create videos that include your creative input and commentary” and that “Videos and images that contain mere copies of Nintendo Game Content without creative input or commentary are not permitted.”<ref>{{Cite web |first= |date=2 Sep 2024 |title=Nintendo Game Content Guidelines for Online Video & Image Sharing Platforms |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/networkservice_guideline/en/index.html?n |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250322224418/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/networkservice_guideline/en/index.html?n |archive-date=22 Mar 2025 |access-date=22 Mar 2025 |website=Nintendo}}</ref>

===Nintendo Switch 2 USB-C port anti-competitiveness===
Nintendo Switch 2 and its dock transfer information like all other USB-C connections, but they will talk in code effectively denying all other connections seeking to display video. Research from The Verge has shown that this language is almost exclusive to the Switch 2, but did find one notable exception: the Antank S3 Max TV dock at the lower price point of $29.99. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Hollister |first=Sean |date=2025-07-02 |title=How Nintendo locked down the Switch 2’s USB-C port and broke third-party docking {{!}} The Verge |url=https://www.theverge.com/report/695915/switch-2-usb-c-third-party-docks-dont-work-authentication-encryption |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250717114136/https://www.theverge.com/report/695915/switch-2-usb-c-third-party-docks-dont-work-authentication-encryption |archive-date=2025-07-17 |website=The Verge}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Antank S3 MAX TV Dock Station for Nintendo Switch 2 -- Antank Official Store |url=https://antank.net/products/s3-max?srsltid=AfmBOoqng_pXTXBmI-2YvHnJ4xniibP4VL8ovodbh-w5IPSgdrSGiDUE |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250816195135/https://antank.net/products/s3-max?srsltid=AfmBOoqng_pXTXBmI-2YvHnJ4xniibP4VL8ovodbh-w5IPSgdrSGiDUE |archive-date=2025-08-16 |website=Antank}}</ref> In practice, this means Nintendo has a near monopoly on docks and it would be possible for them to enact a firmware update to stop all independent companies who may have found a way to make their technology compatible. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Khullar |first=Kunal |date=2025-07-03 |title=Nintendo is restricting the Switch 2's USB-C port — most third-party docks and accessories won't work thanks to proprietary protocols |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/nintendo/nintendo-is-restricting-the-switch-2s-usb-c-port-most-third-party-docks-and-accessories-wont-work-thanks-to-proprietary-protocols |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250816194217/https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/nintendo/nintendo-is-restricting-the-switch-2s-usb-c-port-most-third-party-docks-and-accessories-wont-work-thanks-to-proprietary-protocols |archive-date=2025-08-16 |website=Tom's Hardware}}</ref> To buy an official Nintendo Switch 2 dock from the Nintendo store it costs $124.99 and many customers would prefer a cheaper alternative. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Set - Nintendo Official Site |url=https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/nintendo-switch-2-dock-set-123791/?srsltid=AfmBOoq7cJk9ApjZW8IBGczhFHnf4gINg7U8BJsMyi5GH-wr_K-0TVf4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250816193742/https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/nintendo-switch-2-dock-set-123791/?srsltid=AfmBOoq7cJk9ApjZW8IBGczhFHnf4gINg7U8BJsMyi5GH-wr_K-0TVf4 |archive-date=2025-08-16 |website=Nintendo}}</ref> Customers report the device's Ethernet port occasionally disconnects and others say it can overheat due to the poor design blocking ventilation. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Corsetti |first=Adam |date=2025-07-03 |title=USB-C port testing explains why a third-party Nintendo Switch 2 dock won't work with console - NotebookCheck.net News |url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/USB-C-port-testing-explains-why-a-third-party-Nintendo-Switch-2-dock-won-t-work-with-console.1049869.0.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250816200245/https://www.notebookcheck.net/USB-C-port-testing-explains-why-a-third-party-Nintendo-Switch-2-dock-won-t-work-with-console.1049869.0.html |archive-date=2025-08-16 |website=Notebook Check}}</ref>

USB-C port restrictions in order to halt 3rd-party competition with docks and other accessories. These restrictions are caused by encrypted communications between the official dock and the console, as 3rd-party devices use a universal standard that Nintendo refuses to use.

On the 10th of November 2025, multiple users across social media started to report that a firmware update pushed to their consoles broke compatibility with Third-Party dock accessories<ref>{{Cite news |last=Corsetti |first=Adam |date= |title=Third-party Switch 2 docks stop working after firmware update, but accessory makers fight back |url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/Third-party-Switch-2-docks-stop-working-after-firmware-update-but-accessory-makers-fight-back.1161611.0.html |url-status=live |work=NotebookCheck |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260219114957/https://www.notebookcheck.net/Third-party-Switch-2-docks-stop-working-after-firmware-update-but-accessory-makers-fight-back.1161611.0.html |archive-date=19 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Cubbins |first=Dwayne |title=Nintendo Switch 2 update 21.0.0 is breaking third‑party docks |url=https://piunikaweb.com/2025/11/12/switch-2-update-21-0-0-breaking-third%E2%80%91party-docks/ |url-status=live |work=PiunikaWeb |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251218100521/https://piunikaweb.com/2025/11/12/switch-2-update-21-0-0-breaking-third%e2%80%91party-docks/ |archive-date=18 Dec 2025}}</ref>

===Controversial agreements and policies===
{{Main|Nintendo's May 2025 Policy Updates}}
On May 8th, 2025, Nintendo changed their privacy policy<ref name="PrivacyPolicyMain">{{Cite web |title=Nintendo Privacy Policy |url=https://accounts.nintendo.com/term/privacy_policy/US?lang=en-US |access-date=May 15, 2025 |website=Nintendo Accounts |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220174923/https://accounts.nintendo.com/term/privacy_policy/US?lang=en-US |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref name="PrivacyPolicySummaryChanges">{{Cite web |title=Nintendo Privacy Policy - What's Changed? |url=https://www.nintendo.com/us/privacy-policy/whats-changed/ |access-date=May 15, 2025 |website=Nintendo |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251225105911/https://www.nintendo.com/us/privacy-policy/whats-changed/ |archive-date=25 Dec 2025}}</ref> and Nintendo Account User Agreement,<ref name="EULAMain2">{{Cite web |title=Nintendo Account User Agreement |url=https://accounts.nintendo.com/term/eula/US?lang=en-US |access-date=May 15, 2025 |website=Nintendo Accounts |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260124002620/https://accounts.nintendo.com/term/eula/US?lang=en-US |archive-date=24 Jan 2026}}</ref> with features inside both which have the potential to negatively impact consumers. Highlights such as Section 6 (Adherence to content guidelines), Section 13 (reservation to render hardware/software inaccessible), and section 16 (forced arbitration) are key features that come to the risk of right to ownership of hardware and software that consumers may have paid for.

Considerable backlash occurred especially over section 13, as both consumers<ref name="RunNGameYouTube">{{Cite web |last=Run N Game Entertainment |date=May 13, 2025 |title=Is Nintendo breaking the law? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hOiD-lvaok |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=YouTube |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=0hOiD-lvaok |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref name="FashoKangYouTube">{{Cite web |last=Fasho |first=Kang |date=May 11, 2025 |title=The Switch 2 will RUIN Gaming [Full Controversy Explained] (Angry Rant) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P8Pv97mt8U |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=YouTube |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=0P8Pv97mt8U |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref name="NintenDeenYouTube">{{Cite web |last=NintenDeen |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Console Bans |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1H6cKTNxKM |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=YouTube |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=v1H6cKTNxKM |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> and outlets<ref name="EurogamerBricking2025">{{Cite web |last=Nightingale |first=Ed |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Nintendo reserves the right to brick your console following "unauthorised use", in bid to prevent piracy |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-reserves-the-right-to-brick-your-console-following-unauthorised-use-in-bid-to-prevent-piracy |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=Eurogamer |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251209155123/https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-reserves-the-right-to-brick-your-console-following-unauthorised-use-in-bid-to-prevent-piracy |archive-date=9 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref name="GameFileEffectiveDate">{{Cite news |last=Totilo |first=Stephen |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Nintendo warns it may brick Switch systems whose users “bypass, modify, decrypt, defeat, tamper with” their games and services |url=https://www.gamefile.news/p/nintendo-emulation-hacking-brick-warning-terms-of-service |access-date=May 15, 2025 |work=Game File |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260101130818/https://www.gamefile.news/p/nintendo-emulation-hacking-brick-warning-terms-of-service |archive-date=1 Jan 2026}}</ref> believe this means Nintendo reserved the right to effectively "brick" consoles such as the [[Nintendo Switch]] or its successor.<ref name=":1" /> This also may concern repair shops, as they may be required to instead purchase proprietary repair software from Nintendo to run diagnostics for the console, or otherwise risk bricking the console running personal/community-developed software.

===Deliberately locking Switch 2 consoles behind an online-only patch===
Users have reported Switch 2 consoles being in stock in some stores,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Reynolds |first=Ollie |date=May 26, 2025 |title=US Retailers Are Reportedly Starting To Receive Switch 2 Stock |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/05/us-retailers-are-reportedly-starting-to-receive-switch-2-stock |access-date=May 28, 2025 |work=Nintendo Life |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251004103421/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/05/us-retailers-are-reportedly-starting-to-receive-switch-2-stock |archive-date=4 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Alleexxi |date=May 27, 2025 |title=The Nintendo Switch 2 is already in end users' hands. {{!}} Switch Locked behind Day 1 Patch |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch2/comments/1kwv8go/the_nintendo_switch_2_is_already_in_end_users/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250527185423/https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch2/comments/1kwv8go/the_nintendo_switch_2_is_already_in_end_users/ |archive-date=May 27, 2025 |access-date=May 28, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> however for these users who did get their hands on the console early among a multitude of reasons, these consoles are locked behind a patch that requires an internet connection to Nintendo servers to use the consoles.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Kent |first=Bobby |date=May 27, 2025 |title=Nintendo Switch 2 Gets Out Early, But It’s Locked Behind A Day 1 Patch |url=https://gameluster.com/nintendo-switch-2-gets-out-early-but-its-locked-behind-a-day-1-patch/ |access-date=May 28, 2025 |website=Game Luster |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251018205440/https://gameluster.com/nintendo-switch-2-gets-out-early-but-its-locked-behind-a-day-1-patch/ |archive-date=18 Oct 2025}}</ref> While this is a measure used to deter piracy ahead of the system's launch,<ref name=":3" /> this does mean that users will be required to connect to the internet to have any viable console functionality post-launch.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Drake |first=John |date=May 27, 2025 |title=Early Leak of Nintendo Switch 2 Get Locked Out By Day 1 Patch |url=https://gurugamer.com/pc-console/early-leak-of-nintendo-switch-2-get-locked-out-by-day-1-patch-24742 |access-date=May 28, 2025 |work=Guru Gamer |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251018062937/https://gurugamer.com/pc-console/early-leak-of-nintendo-switch-2-get-locked-out-by-day-1-patch-24742 |archive-date=18 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hagues |first=Alana |date=May 27, 2025 |title=Switch 2 Units Are Allegedly Out In The Wild, But You Might Need An Update For Switch 1 Games |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/05/switch-2-units-are-allegedly-out-in-the-wild-but-you-might-need-an-update-for-switch-1-games |access-date=May 28, 2025 |work=Nintendo Life |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251004103412/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/05/switch-2-units-are-allegedly-out-in-the-wild-but-you-might-need-an-update-for-switch-1-games |archive-date=4 Oct 2025}}</ref>

===Console bans stripping vital features===
{{Main|Nintendo Switch bans}}
There have been reports from users that the usage of the MIG Switch cartridge on the [[Nintendo Switch|''Nintendo Switch 2'']] will cause the device to be banned from all online services provided to the console,<ref name=":32">{{Cite web |last=Scattered Brain |date=Jun 16, 2025 |title=Soo... Nintendo banned my Switch 2 (Don't try the MIG Switch!) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExgYTA18_vo&t=656s |access-date=Jun 18, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=ExgYTA18_vo |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Faulkner |first=Cameron |date=Jun 17, 2025 |title=Nintendo will take your Switch 2 offline forever if you use a Mig flash cartridge |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/688483/nintendo-switch-2-ban-error-code-mig-flash-cartridge-online |journal=The Verge |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220181734/https://www.theverge.com/news/688483/nintendo-switch-2-ban-error-code-mig-flash-cartridge-online |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ratchet Mods |date=Jun 20, 2025 |title=Nintendo BRICKS MIG Flash user's Switch 2 - The Difference between banning a Switch and BRICKING it |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn4969P2RIA |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=rn4969P2RIA |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> regardless of the usage of the cartridge for legitimately dumped software, homebrew, or otherwise. Compared to previous console generations, the online bans on the [[Nintendo Switch|''Nintendo Switch 2'']] will cause a soft-brick, as vital features such as the ''eShop'' or factory resetting the device are permanently disabled. <ref name=":02">{{Cite news |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=Jun 17, 2025 |title=Switch 2 users report online console bans after running personal game “backups” |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/06/playing-personal-game-backups-could-get-your-switch-2-banned-by-nintendo/ |access-date=Jun 19, 2025 |work=Ars Technica |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251222013641/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/06/playing-personal-game-backups-could-get-your-switch-2-banned-by-nintendo/ |archive-date=22 Dec 2025}}</ref>

The disabling of the ''eShop'' in particular means the console cannot download games or updates, and in particular disables the functionality of [[Switch Game Key-Card|game-key cards]], which require access to the ''eShop'' to be capable of downloading the game.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cohen |first=Jason |date=Jun 5, 2025 |title=Buying Physical? Watch Out For the Switch 2's Game-Key Cards |url=https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/nintendo-switch-2-game-cards-vs-game-key-cards-vs-downloads-whats-the-difference |access-date=Jun 18, 2025 |work=PC Mag |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251228142102/https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/nintendo-switch-2-game-cards-vs-game-key-cards-vs-downloads-whats-the-difference |archive-date=28 Dec 2025}}</ref>

==='''Patented gameplay mechanics (2025)'''===
In September 2025, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company were granted U.S. patent [https://archive.org/details/12403397/page/n1/mode/2up US 12,403,397 B2], which covered a method of summoning a secondary character and instantly initiating a “fast mode” battle when an enemy occupies the location. While seemingly narrow, critics warn the wording is broad enough to overlap with common mechanics in MMORPGs, action RPGs, and other real-time combat games. Observers argue that enforcing such a patent could stifle creativity, complicate development of similar features in future titles, and even create legal uncertainty for existing games that already use comparable encounter or companion-summoning systems.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-10 |title=Patent No.: US 12,403,397 B2 |url=https://archive.org/details/12403397/page/n1/mode/2up}}</ref>

==='''Virtual Boy for Switch Online'''===
In September, 2025, Nintendo announced that it's ill-fated Virtual Boy would be the newest system added to its Switch online game streaming service. The other system collections have also been offered as free downloads to members of the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service. The Virtual Boy collection was similarly offered for free, but Nintendo also revealed that a required accessory would need to be purchased to make use of the Virtual Boy collection. They offered an option of a $99 replica of the original Virtual Boy device or a $20 cardboard headset. Use of either of these accessories is required to properly play the Virtual Boy Collection as the companion app was not designed with an option to disable the 3D graphics and is also not compatible with a TV by docking the Switch console. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-12 |title=Nintendo Switch is getting a Virtual Boy accessory and Switch Online games url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nintendo-switch-is-getting-a-virtual-boy-accessory-and-switch-online-games/ access-date=2026-02-17}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260120001906/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nintendo-switch-is-getting-a-virtual-boy-accessory-and-switch-online-games/ Archived])</ref> Software emulators fans created for Nintendo's prior Nintendo 3DS console can render the Virtual Boy graphics with the use of the system's autostereoscopic 3D display along with allowing the 3D graphics to be disabled by using the system's existing 3D slider. Nintendo also posted an incorrect statement to social media that their existing product, the Nintendo Labo VR Headset, would be compatible with the Virtual Boy collection.

==Products==

===Console Hardware===

*[[Nintendo 3DS|3DS/2DS]]
*Nintendo Wii U
*[[Nintendo Switch]]/Switch 2

===Console peripherals/add-ons===

*[[Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons|Joy-Con]]
*[[Switch Pro Controller]]
*[[Switch Game Key-Card]]

===Software===

*[[Nintendo Switch Online]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Nintendo's May 2025 Policy Updates

2026-02-24T13:01:40Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Nintendo
|StartDate=2025-05-08
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=
|Product=Nintendo Switch
|ArticleType=
|Type=
|Description=
}}
On '''May 8th, 2025''' (with changes generally effective '''May 7th-8th, 2025'''<ref name="GameFileEffectiveDate">{{Cite news |last=Totilo |first=Stephen |date=May 8, 2025 |title=Nintendo warns it may brick Switch systems whose users “bypass, modify, decrypt, defeat, tamper with” their games and services |url=https://www.gamefile.news/p/nintendo-emulation-hacking-brick-warning-terms-of-service |access-date=May 15, 2025 |work=Game File |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260101130818/https://www.gamefile.news/p/nintendo-emulation-hacking-brick-warning-terms-of-service |archive-date=1 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref name="IGNBrickingMay2025">{{Cite web |last=Blake |first=Vikki |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Nintendo Revises User Agreement, And If You Break It, Nintendo Reserves The Right to Brick Your Switch |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-revises-user-agreement-and-if-you-break-it-nintendo-reserves-the-right-to-brick-your-switch |access-date=May 15, 2025 |website=IGN |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222033846/https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-revises-user-agreement-and-if-you-break-it-nintendo-reserves-the-right-to-brick-your-switch |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref>), [[Nintendo]] released significant updates to its [[Nintendo]] Account User Agreement<ref name="EULAMain">{{Cite web |title=Nintendo Account User Agreement |url=https://accounts.nintendo.com/term/eula/US?lang=en-US |website=Nintendo Accounts |access-date=May 15, 2025 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260124002620/https://accounts.nintendo.com/term/eula/US?lang=en-US |archive-date=24 Jan 2026}}</ref> and Privacy Policy.<ref name="PrivacyPolicyMain">{{Cite web |title=Nintendo Privacy Policy |url=https://accounts.nintendo.com/term/privacy_policy/US?lang=en-US |access-date=May 15, 2025 |website=Nintendo Accounts |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220174923/https://accounts.nintendo.com/term/privacy_policy/US?lang=en-US |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref name="PrivacyPolicySummaryChanges">{{Cite web |title=Nintendo Privacy Policy - What's Changed? |url=https://www.nintendo.com/us/privacy-policy/whats-changed/ |website=Nintendo |access-date=May 15, 2025 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251225105911/https://www.nintendo.com/us/privacy-policy/whats-changed/ |archive-date=25 Dec 2025}}</ref> These revisions introduced new terms with the potential to negatively impact customers. Key changes include:
*Updates to '''Section 6 (User-Generated Content)''' of the EULA, now requiring adherence to Nintendo's specific content guidelines.
*New provisions in '''Section 13 (Breach and Termination of the Agreement)''' of the EULA, where Nintendo reserves the right in some regions (notably the US) to ''"render the Nintendo Account Services and/or the applicable Nintendo device permanently unusable in whole or in part."''<ref name="EULASummaryChanges">{{Cite web |title=Nintendo Account User Agreement - What's Changed? |url=https://www.nintendo.com/us/eula-update/ |website=Nintendo |access-date=May 15, 2025 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251217190852/https://www.nintendo.com/us/eula-update/ |archive-date=17 Dec 2025}}</ref>
*Significant changes to '''Section 16 (Dispute Resolution)''' of the EULA, mandating [[forced arbitration]] and including a class-action waiver, though with an opt-out provision.<ref name="EULASummaryChanges" />

==Background==
[[Nintendo]] has historically been known to be restrictive with how the company has enforced its policies. During the time the company supported the Wii U throughout the 2010s, users attempting to share footage of their games on platforms, such as [[YouTube]], were at risk of having said content taken down,<ref name="IGNLetsPlays2013">{{Cite web |last=Macdonald |first=Keza |date=May 16, 2013 |title=Nintendo Enforces Copyright on Youtube Let's Plays |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/05/16/nintendo-enforces-copyright-on-youtube-lets-plays |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=IGN |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260118153233/https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/05/16/nintendo-enforces-copyright-on-youtube-lets-plays |archive-date=18 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref name="ArsLivestreams2017">{{Cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=Oct 2, 2017 |title=Nintendo no longer welcoming YouTube livestreams of its games |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/10/nintendo-cuts-off-ad-program-for-youtube-livestreamers/ |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=Ars Technica |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251124033255/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/10/nintendo-cuts-off-ad-program-for-youtube-livestreamers/ |archive-date=24 Nov 2025}}</ref> later requiring consumers to join an affiliate program<ref name="IGNAffiliate2015">{{Cite web |last=Pitcher |first=Jenna |date=Jan 29, 2015 |title=Nintendo Rolls Out Beta Affiliate Program for YouTube Creators |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/01/29/nintendo-rolls-out-beta-affiliate-program-for-youtube-creators |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=IGN |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251126221125/https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/01/29/nintendo-rolls-out-beta-affiliate-program-for-youtube-creators |archive-date=26 Nov 2025}}</ref> that continues to exist today. The Nintendo Creators Program claimed a significant portion of the video's ad revenue ''(Nintendo's share was reported to be 30-40% for the creator, meaning Nintendo took 60-70% initially, though terms later allowed up to 70% for creators)'',<ref name="ArsAdRevenue2015">{{Cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=Jan 29, 2015 |title=Nintendo to share up to 70 percent of ad revenue with game YouTubers |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/01/nintendo-to-share-up-to-70-percent-of-ad-revenue-with-game-youtubers/ |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=Ars Technica |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251220072840/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/01/nintendo-to-share-up-to-70-percent-of-ad-revenue-with-game-youtubers/ |archive-date=20 Dec 2025}}</ref> and restricting content critical of Nintendo or its IP.

The enforcement of these policies has also seen the closure of Tournaments,<ref name="ArsSmashTournaments2013">{{Cite web |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=Jul 11, 2013 |title=Why Nintendo can legally shut down any Smash Bros. tournament it wants |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/07/why-nintendo-can-legally-shut-down-any-smash-bros-tournament-it-wants/ |access-date=May 15, 2025 |website=Ars Technica |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251202202134/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2013/07/why-nintendo-can-legally-shut-down-any-smash-bros-tournament-it-wants/ |archive-date=2 Dec 2025}}</ref> lawsuits against competing companies,<ref>{{Cite web |last=@PirateSoftware |date=17 Oct 2024 |title=Palworld Lawsuit |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4ZZx4wiofw |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=c4ZZx4wiofw |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Norman |first=Jim |date=May 5, 2025 |title=Accessory Manufacturer Genki Responds To Nintendo's Switch 2 Lawsuit |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/05/accessory-manufacturer-genki-responds-to-nintendos-switch-2-lawsuit |work=Nintendo Life |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251119143045/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/05/accessory-manufacturer-genki-responds-to-nintendos-switch-2-lawsuit |archive-date=19 Nov 2025}}</ref> the persistent war on emulation,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Robertson |first=Joshua |date=Oct 1, 2024 |title=Nintendo Is Going After YouTubers That Show Off Emulated Game Footage |url=https://www.thegamer.com/nintendo-striking-youtubers-using-emulated-game-footage/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251123055255/https://www.thegamer.com/nintendo-striking-youtubers-using-emulated-game-footage/ |archive-date=23 Nov 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=@Hemos |date=12 Feb 1999 |title=Nintendo Confirms It Will Sue UltraHLE Creators 96 |url=https://games.slashdot.org/story/99/02/12/0943207/nintendo-confirms-it-will-sue-ultrahle-creators |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2025 |website=games.slashdot.org |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260210123419/https://games.slashdot.org/story/99/02/12/0943207/nintendo-confirms-it-will-sue-ultrahle-creators |archive-date=10 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Joseph |date=11 Apr 2024 |title=Ninten-don’t: Breaking Down the Yuzu Emulator Lawsuit |url=https://www.romanolaw.com/ninten-dont-breaking-down-the-yuzu-emulator-lawsuit/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2025 |website=www.romanolaw.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251214050534/https://www.romanolaw.com/ninten-dont-breaking-down-the-yuzu-emulator-lawsuit/ |archive-date=14 Dec 2025}}</ref> and more. Due to how far Nintendo has historically aimed to enforce its policies, it is reasonable to expect these May 2025 policy updates to be similarly enforced.

==The updates: May 2025==
In early May 2025, Nintendo published these updates to the [[Nintendo]] Account User Agreement<ref name="EULAMain" /> and Privacy Policy.<ref name="PrivacyPolicyMain" /> The changes significantly affect consumer rights concerning products they use and their legal recourse against the company.

Nintendo account holders were notified of these policy changes via email. The email generally stated that continued use of Nintendo Account Services would constitute agreement to the new terms, and the primary way to decline was to cancel the Nintendo Account.

A transcript of a version of this email is provided below:
<blockquote>''We're writing to let you know that we've updated the Nintendo Account User Agreement and Nintendo Privacy Policy, If you or any users under your Nintendo Account continue to use any Nintendo Account Services, including by keeping your or their Nintendo Account open, then you affirm you agree to the updated Nintendo Account User Agreement and acknowledge you have read the updated Nintendo Privacy Policy on your and their behalf. If You do not agree to the changes, you must cancel your Nintendo Account immediately.''

''Nintendo Account User Agreement. The updates include important updates to how you and Nintendo will arbitrate disputes. See our What's changed? page for a summary of changes, but you should also review the full updated Nintendo Account User Agreement to ensure you understand your rights and obligations.''

''Nintendo Privacy Policy. The updates include important updates regarding the categories of information we may collect and how we might use your information. See our What's changed? page for a summary of changes, but you should also review the full updated Nintendo Privacy Policy to ensure you understand the policy.''

''Feel free to contact us with any questions.''</blockquote>
<gallery>
File:NintendoEmailNA.jpg|Email from Nintendo of America informing consumers of the May 2025 policy changes.
</gallery>


===Details of the Updated Terms===

====Nintendo Account User Agreement (EULA)====
Key changes effective May 7th/8th, 2025, include:
*'''Section 2 (License):''' The terms emphasize that Nintendo Account Services are licensed, not sold, to users, and include additional restrictions on their use.<ref name="EULASummaryChanges" />
*'''Section 6 (User-Generated Content):''' This section was updated to require users to adhere to the '''"Nintendo Game Content Guidelines for Online Video & Image Sharing Platforms."'''<ref name="EULASummaryChanges" />
**The latest publicly available version of these guidelines (as of May 2025 research) was last updated on September 2, 2024.<ref name="NintendoContentGuidelines">{{Cite web |title=Nintendo Game Content Guidelines for Online Video & Image Sharing Platforms |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/networkservice_guideline/en/index.html |access-date=May 15, 2025 |website=Nintendo Co., Ltd. |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260119000837/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/networkservice_guideline/en/index.html |archive-date=19 Jan 2026}}</ref>
**These guidelines generally require users to add their own creative input and commentary to shared gameplay footage, rather than simply re-uploading existing Nintendo videos or gameplay without original content. They also prohibit users from implying any official affiliation with or sponsorship by Nintendo. Monetization is restricted to specific methods approved by Nintendo (e.g., YouTube Partner Program, Twitch Affiliate Program).<ref name="NintendoContentGuidelines" />
*'''Section 13 (Breach and Termination of the Agreement - Consequences of Non-Compliance):''' This section details Nintendo's rights if users fail to comply with restrictions.
**For users under the Nintendo of America EULA, a key provision states: <blockquote>''"Without limitation, you agree that you may not (a) publish, copy, modify, reverse engineer, lease, rent, decompile, disassemble, distribute, offer for sale, or create derivative works of any portion of the Nintendo Account Services; (b) bypass, modify, decrypt, defeat, tamper with, or otherwise circumvent any of the [functions or protections of the Nintendo Account Services]. You acknowledge that if you fail to comply with the foregoing restrictions Nintendo may render the Nintendo Account Services and/or the applicable Nintendo device permanently unusable in whole or in part."''</blockquote><ref name="GamesIndustryBrickingQuote">{{Cite web |last=Blake |first=Vikki |date=May 12, 2025 |title=Switch consoles can be made "permanently unusable" if Nintendo thinks a player has broken new user agreement |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/switch-consoles-can-be-made-permanently-unusable-if-nintendo-thinks-a-player-has-broken-new-user-agreement |access-date=May 15, 2025 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251119225113/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/switch-consoles-can-be-made-permanently-unusable-if-nintendo-thinks-a-player-has-broken-new-user-agreement |archive-date=19 Nov 2025}}</ref> This was also reported by GameSpot,<ref name="GameSpotBrickingQuote">{{Cite web |last=Bonthuys |first=Darryn |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Breaking This New Nintendo Clause Could Make Your Switch 2 "Unusable" |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/breaking-this-new-nintendo-clause-could-make-your-switch-2-unusable/1100-6531421/ |access-date=May 15, 2025 |website=GameSpot |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251230150809/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/breaking-this-new-nintendo-clause-could-make-your-switch-2-unusable/1100-6531421/ |archive-date=30 Dec 2025}}</ref> HotHardware,<ref name="HotHardwareBrickingQuote">{{Cite web |date=May 12, 2025 |title=Nintendo Can Brick Your Switch And Skirt Lawsuits In Outrageous EULA Update |url=https://hothardware.com/news/nintendo-eula-update-brick-consoles-arbitration |access-date=May 15, 2025 |website=HotHardware |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251121130959/https://hothardware.com/news/nintendo-eula-update-brick-consoles-arbitration |archive-date=21 Nov 2025}}</ref> and AS USA.<ref name="ASUSABrickingQuote">{{Cite web |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Nintendo can disable your Switch 2 for piracy in the U.S., but not in Europe, as confirmed by its EULA |url=https://en.as.com/meristation/news/nintendo-can-disable-your-switch-2-for-piracy-in-the-us-but-not-in-europe-as-confirmed-by-its-eula-n/ |access-date=May 15, 2025 |website=AS USA Meristation |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250606101106/https://en.as.com/meristation/news/nintendo-can-disable-your-switch-2-for-piracy-in-the-us-but-not-in-europe-as-confirmed-by-its-eula-n/ |archive-date=6 Jun 2025}}</ref> This has been widely interpreted by media and consumers as Nintendo reserving the right to "brick" consoles.
**'''Regional Variation (Europe/UK):''' The Nintendo of Europe (NOE) EULA uses different language: <blockquote>''"Such unauthorised use of a Digital Product may result in the Digital Product becoming unusable."''</blockquote><ref name="ASUSABrickingQuote" /> This focuses on the digital product, not necessarily rendering the entire device unusable.
*'''Section 16 (Dispute Resolution - Mandatory Arbitration):''' This section was significantly updated.<ref name="EULASummaryChanges" />
**It mandates '''binding, individual arbitration''' for most disputes and includes a '''waiver of the right to sue in court or participate in class-action lawsuits'''. A widely reported quote from this section is: <blockquote>''"THIS ARBITRATION PROVISION PRECLUDES YOU AND NINTENDO FROM SUING IN COURT, HAVING A TRIAL BY JURY, OR PARTICIPATING IN A CLASS ACTION."''</blockquote><ref name="ZeldaDungeonArbitration">{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Rod |display-authors=etal |date=May 11, 2025 |title=Nintendo's Controversial User Agreement Update Combats Piracy and Class Actions, but the Changes Are Nothing New |url=https://www.zeldadungeon.net/nintendos-controversial-user-agreement-update-combats-piracy-and-class-actions-but-the-changes-are-nothing-new/ |access-date=May 15, 2025 |website=Zelda Dungeon |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251201121050/https://www.zeldadungeon.net/nintendos-controversial-user-agreement-update-combats-piracy-and-class-actions-but-the-changes-are-nothing-new/ |archive-date=1 Dec 2025}}</ref>
**'''Opt-Out Provision:''' Users in North America were given a '''30-day window''' from accepting the new terms to opt out of this arbitration agreement by sending a physical letter with specified information (including full name, address, phone number, and email associated with the Nintendo Account) to: <blockquote>Nintendo of America Inc., Attn: CS Admin, 4600 150th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052.<ref name="ZeldaDungeonArbitration" /><ref name="HotHardwareBrickingQuote" /></blockquote>
**It also requires users to engage in informal dispute resolution with Nintendo before initiating arbitration.<ref name="EULASummaryChanges" />
This reference for the Android Authority article was included in the original wiki source's placeholder section:<ref name="McNealAA2025">{{Cite web |last=McNeal |first=Ryan |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Nintendo warns it may brick your Switch if you engage in unauthorized use |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/nintendo-user-agreement-update-3556245/ |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=Android Authority |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251220053332/https://www.androidauthority.com/nintendo-user-agreement-update-3556245/ |archive-date=20 Dec 2025}}</ref>

====Nintendo Privacy Policy====
Key changes effective May 2025 include:<ref name="PrivacyPolicySummaryChanges" />
*'''Chat Monitoring and Recording:''' Clarification that Nintendo ''"may collect, monitor, and record audio and video of your chat sessions within certain services"'' for purposes like supporting a safe environment and detecting violations.
**Nintendo later clarified to the publication ''Game File'' that ''"All recording is otherwise privately stored on the device, and no recording is sent to Nintendo until a report is submitted."''<ref name="GamesIndustryBrickingQuote" /> (citing ''Game File'')
*'''Recording of Interactions with Nintendo:''' Interactions with Nintendo (e.g., customer support) may be monitored and recorded for quality assurance.
*'''Information Visible to Other Users:''' The policy provides more details on information that might be visible to other users.
*'''General Data Practices''' (from Nintendo's main Privacy Policy page<ref name="PrivacyPolicyMain" />): Nintendo states it does not sell user information but may use cookies and share data with third-party service providers for business purposes, including advertising. Users have rights to access, correct, or delete their information.

==Consumer response==

There has been significant consumer backlash over the changes to these terms, leading many to expect that Nintendo is trying to reserve their right to 'brick' customer's consoles as a measure of policy enforcement,<ref name="RunNGameYouTube">{{Cite web |last=Run N Game Entertainment |date=May 13, 2025 |title=Is Nintendo breaking the law? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hOiD-lvaok |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=YouTube |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=0hOiD-lvaok |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref name="FashoKangYouTube">{{Cite web |last=Fasho |first=Kang |date=May 11, 2025 |title=The Switch 2 will RUIN Gaming [Full Controversy Explained] (Angry Rant) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P8Pv97mt8U |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=YouTube |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=0P8Pv97mt8U |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref name="NintenDeenYouTube">{{Cite web |last=NintenDeen |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Console Bans |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1H6cKTNxKM |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=YouTube |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=v1H6cKTNxKM |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref name="PsybeamYouTube">{{Cite web |last=Psybeam |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Nintendo Can Now Permanently Disable Your Switch If You're Found Modding |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG7LoNJcpw8 |access-date=May 14, 2025 |website=YouTube |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=mG7LoNJcpw8 |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> despite the fact that intentionally rendering a device inoperable would be a violation of consumer protection laws within the United States and European Union. This however does not mean [[Nintendo]] cannot hinge the functionality of the device's software excessively on an online connection to their servers, meaning a ban could render a console functionally useless by restricting access to game patches (which are only installable through a connection to Nintendo's servers, there is no offline patch functionality).

Concerns were widely reported by major gaming publications. Eurogamer<ref name="EurogamerBricking2025">{{Cite web |last=Nightingale |first=Ed |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Nintendo reserves the right to brick your console following "unauthorised use", in bid to prevent piracy |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-reserves-the-right-to-brick-your-console-following-unauthorised-use-in-bid-to-prevent-piracy |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=Eurogamer |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251209155123/https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-reserves-the-right-to-brick-your-console-following-unauthorised-use-in-bid-to-prevent-piracy |archive-date=9 Dec 2025}}</ref> and Game File<ref name="GameFileEffectiveDate" /> were among the outlets<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCrae |first=Scott |date=8 May 2025 |title=New Nintendo of America policy asks users to give up their rights to a class-action lawsuit and call customer service instead: "Most matters can be quickly resolved in this manner" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/platforms/nintendo/new-nintendo-of-america-policy-asks-users-to-give-up-their-rights-to-a-class-action-lawsuit-and-call-customer-service-instead-most-matters-can-be-quickly-resolved-in-this-manner/ |access-date=9 May 2025 |website=GamesRadar |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260123033747/https://www.gamesradar.com/platforms/nintendo/new-nintendo-of-america-policy-asks-users-to-give-up-their-rights-to-a-class-action-lawsuit-and-call-customer-service-instead-most-matters-can-be-quickly-resolved-in-this-manner/ |archive-date=23 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Litchfield |first=Ted |date=10 May 2025 |title=PC gaming remains undefeated: Nintendo now says it has the right to brick your Switch if it thinks you're pirating games or modifying the console |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/pc-gaming-remains-undefeated-nintendo-now-says-it-has-the-right-to-brick-your-switch-if-it-thinks-youre-pirating-games-or-modifying-the-console/ |url-status=live |access-date=11 May 2025 |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251113000659/https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/pc-gaming-remains-undefeated-nintendo-now-says-it-has-the-right-to-brick-your-switch-if-it-thinks-youre-pirating-games-or-modifying-the-console/ |archive-date=13 Nov 2025}}</ref> covering these details. Other publications like IGN,<ref name="IGNBrickingMay2025" /> GameSpot,<ref name="GameSpotBrickingQuote" /> TechRadar,<ref name="TechRadarBricking2025">{{Cite web |last=Publisher |first=Future |date=May 12, 2025 |title=Nintendo now says it can disable your Switch or potentially even your new Switch 2 if you don't follow its user agreement |url=https://www.techradar.com/gaming/nintendo-now-says-it-can-disable-your-switch-or-potentially-even-your-new-switch-2-if-you-dont-follow-its-user-agreement |access-date=May 15, 2025 |website=TechRadar |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260107040733/https://www.techradar.com/gaming/nintendo-now-says-it-can-disable-your-switch-or-potentially-even-your-new-switch-2-if-you-dont-follow-its-user-agreement |archive-date=7 Jan 2026}}</ref> GamesIndustry.biz,<ref name="GamesIndustryBrickingQuote" /> and Android Authority<ref name="McNealAA2025" /> also provided analysis and reported on user concerns.

Many analysts linked these stricter terms to Nintendo's preparations for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console, aiming to bolster anti-piracy measures and control over its platform.

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Nintendo's May 2025 Policy Updates]]

Nintendo Switch bans

2026-02-24T13:01:26Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{OngoingEvent}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Nintendo
|StartDate=
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=
|Product=
|ArticleType=
|Type=
|Description=
}}
With the release of the [[Nintendo Switch|''Nintendo Switch 2'']], ''[[Nintendo]]'' has already exercised rights it reserved back in early May 2025.<ref name="EULAMain">{{Cite web |title=Nintendo Account User Agreement |url=https://accounts.nintendo.com/term/eula/US?lang=en-US |access-date=May 15, 2025 |website=Nintendo Accounts |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260124002620/https://accounts.nintendo.com/term/eula/US?lang=en-US |archive-date=24 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref name="PrivacyPolicyMain">{{Cite web |title=Nintendo Privacy Policy |url=https://accounts.nintendo.com/term/privacy_policy/US?lang=en-US |access-date=May 15, 2025 |website=Nintendo Accounts |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220174923/https://accounts.nintendo.com/term/privacy_policy/US?lang=en-US |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref name="PrivacyPolicySummaryChanges">{{Cite web |title=Nintendo Privacy Policy - What's Changed? |url=https://www.nintendo.com/us/privacy-policy/whats-changed/ |access-date=May 15, 2025 |website=Nintendo |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251225105911/https://www.nintendo.com/us/privacy-policy/whats-changed/ |archive-date=25 Dec 2025}}</ref> Nintendo blocking online services on certain Switch 2 devices effectively bricks them, as they are essential to make full use of the device and play third-party products bought in stores, which often contain game-key cards. So far, these bans seem to be irreversible, sparking concerns about bricked consoles making their way onto second-hand markets.

==Background==
In May 2025, [[Nintendo]] [[Retroactively amended purchase|retroactively amended their agreements]]<ref name="EULAMain" /><ref name="PrivacyPolicyMain" /><ref name="PrivacyPolicySummaryChanges" /> to [[Nintendo's May 2025 Policy Updates|enforce new policies that harm consumers]] who purchased the [[Nintendo Switch]], and any who would purchase the [[Nintendo Switch 2]]. In summary, the agreements provide [[Nintendo]] the right to brick consoles,<ref name="GameSpotBrickingQuote">{{Cite web |last=Bonthuys |first=Darryn |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Breaking This New Nintendo Clause Could Make Your Switch 2 "Unusable" |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/breaking-this-new-nintendo-clause-could-make-your-switch-2-unusable/1100-6531421/ |access-date=May 15, 2025 |website=GameSpot |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251230150809/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/breaking-this-new-nintendo-clause-could-make-your-switch-2-unusable/1100-6531421/ |archive-date=30 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref name="HotHardwareBrickingQuote">{{Cite web |date=May 12, 2025 |title=Nintendo Can Brick Your Switch And Skirt Lawsuits In Outrageous EULA Update |url=https://hothardware.com/news/nintendo-eula-update-brick-consoles-arbitration |access-date=May 15, 2025 |website=HotHardware |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251121130959/https://hothardware.com/news/nintendo-eula-update-brick-consoles-arbitration |archive-date=21 Nov 2025}}</ref> and force users seeking legal recourse into [[forced arbitration]].

This update has brought severe concerns from both consumers and the media,<ref name="GameSpotBrickingQuote" /><ref name="HotHardwareBrickingQuote" /> as they expected that ''[[Nintendo]]'' would enforce the totality of these terms.

==Effective bricking via banning==
[[File:Bricked_Switch_2.png|thumb|A screenshot from a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExgYTA18_vo&t=656s video by Scattered Brain], displaying his Switch 2 console being bricked]]
In June of 2025, [[Nintendo Switch|''Nintendo Switch 2'']] owner ''Scattered Brain'' inserted a ''MIG Switch cartridge'' into his console. After an unknown amount of time, his console was banned from accessing all online ''[[Nintendo]]'' services,<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Scattered Brain |date=Jun 16, 2025 |title=Soo... Nintendo banned my Switch 2 (Don't try the MIG Switch!) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExgYTA18_vo&t=656s |access-date=Jun 18, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=ExgYTA18_vo |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> and as he discovered, a significant portion of the console's functionality depends on these online services.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Orland |first=Kyle |date=Jun 17, 2025 |title=Switch 2 users report online console bans after running personal game “backups” |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/06/playing-personal-game-backups-could-get-your-switch-2-banned-by-nintendo/ |access-date=Jun 19, 2025 |work=Ars Technica |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251222013641/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/06/playing-personal-game-backups-could-get-your-switch-2-banned-by-nintendo/ |archive-date=22 Dec 2025}}</ref> The following is a non-exhaustive list of the services that a banned [[Nintendo Switch|''Nintendo Switch 2'']] is incapable of accessing:

*Nintendo eShop - This service is required for installing games from [[Nintendo Switch 2 Game-Key Card|game-key cards]], which a majority of physical third-party releases are distributed on.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cohen |first=Jason |date=Jun 5, 2025 |title=Buying Physical? Watch Out For the Switch 2's Game-Key Cards |url=https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/nintendo-switch-2-game-cards-vs-game-key-cards-vs-downloads-whats-the-difference |access-date=Jun 18, 2025 |work=PC Mag |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251228142102/https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/nintendo-switch-2-game-cards-vs-game-key-cards-vs-downloads-whats-the-difference |archive-date=28 Dec 2025}}</ref> [[Nintendo Switch]] 1 compatibility is additionally at risk due to bans, since the Switch 2 does not fully support the legacy library,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ratchet Mods |date=Jun 19, 2025 |title=Nintendo BRICKS MIG Flash user's Switch 2 - The Difference between banning a Switch and BRICKING it |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn4969P2RIA |access-date=Jun 25, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=rn4969P2RIA |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> and thus requires access to online services to expand compatibility.
*Factory resetting - Demonstrated by ''Scattered Brain'', the console is incapable of being factory reset by the consumer.<ref name=":3" />
*Account management - The removal of accounts, and the linking of new ''[[Nintendo]] accounts'', is impossible while banned.

===Nintendo's response===
When a banned console attempts to use online services for any purpose, the user is given an error code, either '''2124-4508''' or '''2124-4007''', which relates to the following:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nintendo |title=Error Codes: 2124-4007, 2124-4508 |url=https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/28046/~/error-codes%3A-2124-4007%2C-2124-4508 |access-date=Jun 18, 2025 |website=Nintendo Support |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250715112534/https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/28046/~/error-codes%3A-2124-4007%2C-2124-4508 |archive-date=15 Jul 2025}}</ref><blockquote>Information when you try to connect to an online service on ''Nintendo Switch 2'' or ''Nintendo Switch'' but you receive the error code 2124-4007 or 2124-4508 along with the message, "The use of online services on this console is currently restricted by ''[[Nintendo]]''."

'''Information'''

This error code indicates the ''Nintendo Switch 2'' or ''Nintendo Switch'' console you are using has been permanently banned from connecting online due to a breach of the user agreements.

A breach of user agreements may include, but is not limited to, activities such as:

- Fraudulent or unauthorized transactions

- Violation of our [https://www.nintendo.com/code-of-conduct/ Community Guidelines]</blockquote>Beyond this vague error code description, the company has refused to provide consumers with an equitable recourse if their device is banned, such as methods for reversal. This puts unnecessary risk for consumers purchasing the device, since banned consoles are capable of circulating within markets, especially via 2nd-hand markets such as [[eBay]].

===Banned consoles circulating the market===
Only days after initial reports of ''MIG Switch'' cartridges causing effective bricks due to [[Nintendo]], predictions<ref name=":1" /> surrounding the console circulating the market have become true. Not only has the standard 2nd-hand market for the console already put consumers at risk of accidentally purchasing these systems,<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Reilly |first=PJ |date=Jun 24, 2025 |title=Nintendo's Strict Policy On MiG Carts Is Creating A Problem For Secondhand Switch 2 Buyers |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/06/nintendos-strict-policy-on-mig-carts-is-creating-a-problem-for-secondhand-switch-2-buyers |access-date=Jun 24, 2025 |work=Nintendo Life |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251017215147/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/06/nintendos-strict-policy-on-mig-carts-is-creating-a-problem-for-secondhand-switch-2-buyers |archive-date=17 Oct 2025}}</ref> but consoles being returned to retail stores such as [[Walmart]] are also at risk of being repackaged on shelves.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=John |date=Jun 23, 2025 |title=Beware: That Pre-Owned Switch 2 You're Thinking About Buying Might Already Be Bricked |url=https://kotaku.com/nintendo-switch-2-pre-owned-online-error-walmart-1851784892 |access-date=Jun 24, 2025 |work=Kotaku |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251225174727/https://kotaku.com/nintendo-switch-2-pre-owned-online-error-walmart-1851784892 |archive-date=25 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=u/Bimmytung |date=June 18, 2025 |title=Found one. Didn't end well. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/switch2/comments/1lew6m5/found_one_didnt_end_well/ |access-date=Jun 24, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> Retail returns in particular cannot reliably test for bans, as the console requires access to the internet to inform the user that the console is bricked.

===Additional methods of bans===

====TwinkLink - Caused by username/unknown variables====
[[File:Switch2UsernameBan.png|thumb|Archived screenshot of a user who got banned over their username]]
In June 2025, [[Nintendo Switch|Switch 2]] users reported receiving console bans<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bevan |first=Rhiannon |date=Jun 30, 2025 |title=Switch 2 PSA: Nintendo Might Ban You If You Put Twink In Your Username |url=https://www.thegamer.com/nintendo-switch-2-perma-ban-username-twink-link/ |access-date=Jun 30, 2025 |work=The Gamer |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251023211415/https://www.thegamer.com/nintendo-switch-2-perma-ban-username-twink-link/ |archive-date=23 Oct 2025}}</ref> due to usernames that go against [[Nintendo]]'s policies.<ref name="EULAMain" /> The user "''Twink Link''" caused her family's Switch 2 console to receive a swift ban from [[Nintendo]], which the username was reported from support to have been the reason why the console was flagged and thus banned by [[Nintendo]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=u/Funaoe24 |date=Jun 16, 2025 |title=Be careful with Switch 2 usernames. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/switch2/comments/1ld9rih/be_careful_with_switch_2_usernames/?embed_host_url=https://www.thegamer.com/nintendo-switch-2-perma-ban-username-twink-link/ |access-date=Jun 30, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251023211415/https://www.thegamer.com/nintendo-switch-2-perma-ban-username-twink-link/ Archived])</ref> They were told by [[Nintendo]] support initially that the ban couldn't be undone. In an update to the post from the same user however,<ref name=":2" /> a different agent informed them that the username was not the cause of the system ban, and some unknown element flagged the console to cause it to be banned, and the device is reported to soon be unbanned.

The fact that this false flag occurred without [[Nintendo]] support understanding how it could have happened has brought concern from consumers, as consumers receive no warnings or prior notices to getting banned, and thus being unable to interact with mandatory online services.<ref>{{Cite web |last=FritangaPlays |date=Jun 30, 2025 |title=Nintendo BRICKS Switch 2 User For Changing Their Username?!? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8JIftr7uAg |access-date=Jun 30, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=y8JIftr7uAg |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref>{{Citation needed|reason=Needs more sources}}

====Solla_ - Vague ban====
[[File:NSSubredditDeletionNotice.png|thumb|A screenshot from a deleted post by the r/NintendoSwitch subreddit, displaying the average reaction from the subreddit staff]]
Another user in Brazil had posted about their console additionally receiving a mysterious ban, however this time with zero explainable cause. The user in question, ''u/Solla_'', had previously attempted to post to the r/NintendoSwitch [[Reddit|Subreddit]], however the staff on the community has been noted to delete any posts relating to console bans indiscriminately.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Solla_ |date=Jul 5, 2025 |title=Nintendo banned my Switch console with no clear reason given, trying to understand what went wrong |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/1lsokq2/nintendo_banned_my_switch_console_with_no_clear/ |access-date=Jun 7, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Solla_ |date=Jul 5, 2025 |title=My Nintendo Switch 2 Was Banned Without a Clear Reason |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/1lsl215/my_nintendo_switch_2_was_banned_without_a_clear/ |access-date=Jul 7, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> The same user instead posted to the r/NintendoSwitchHelp [[Reddit|subreddit]],<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=u/Solla_ |date=Jul 5, 2025 |title=Nintendo Banned My Console Without Explanation |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitchHelp/comments/1lskq9u/nintendo_banned_my_console_without_explanation/ |access-date=Jul 7, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> with an image of their console displaying error code 2124-4508, and a generic reason that the user violating the [[Nintendo's May 2025 Policy Updates|EULA agreement]], without pointing at the section the user violated.

''u/Solla_'' explained inside the comments:<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/Solla_ |date=Jul 5, 2025 |title=Comment from u/Solla_ |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitchHelp/comments/1lskq9u/comment/n1jbgp5/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button |access-date=Jul 7, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><blockquote>I already tried calling Nintendo, but they won’t give me a clear answer. They just refer me to the EULA agreement and say that I violated it, which is why the ban is permanent. I’m now trying to get my friend to reach out to Nintendo and explain that the account I switched to is legitimate. We even share the Nintendo Family Pack, so hopefully that helps. Let’s see what happens.</blockquote>Additionally in the comments,<ref name=":4" /> users frequently attempted to claim ''u/Solla_'' was the one entirely in the wrong in this scenario, with enough toxicity to the point where the moderators had to lock the post.

====Used game bans====
As it was discovered from some users on Reddit,<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=u/dmanthey |date=Jul 8, 2025 |title=Switch 2 users - be careful buying used Switch 1 games. You can get banned if a bad actor dumped it. Having said that, Nintendo support is amazing and will help get you back up and running. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Switch/comments/1lut61s/switch_2_users_be_careful_buying_used_switch_1/?embed_host_url=https://www.thegamer.com/nintendo-switch-2-console-bricked-second-hand-game-mig-cartridge/ |access-date=Jul 10, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251019034908/https://www.thegamer.com/nintendo-switch-2-console-bricked-second-hand-game-mig-cartridge/ Archived])</ref> the used market can risk users from receiving a ban for playing some used games. [[Nintendo]]'s fingerprinting system handled for [[Nintendo Switch|''Nintendo Switch'']] 1 cartridges can flag users with an automatic ban if it detects that the game has been dumped.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=Lucas |first=James |date=Jul 9, 2025 |title=Switch 2 Player Warns People To "Be Careful Buying Used Switch 1 Games" After Nightmare Outcome |url=https://www.thegamer.com/nintendo-switch-2-console-bricked-second-hand-game-mig-cartridge/ |access-date=Jul 10, 2025 |work=The Gamer |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251019034908/https://www.thegamer.com/nintendo-switch-2-console-bricked-second-hand-game-mig-cartridge/ |archive-date=19 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gwilliam |first=Michael |date=Jul 10, 2025 |title=Nintendo bans Switch 2 users for playing used Switch game |url=https://www.dexerto.com/gaming/nintendo-bans-switch-2-users-for-playing-used-switch-game-3225210/ |access-date=Jul 10, 2025 |work=Dexerto |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250906113350/https://www.dexerto.com/gaming/nintendo-bans-switch-2-users-for-playing-used-switch-game-3225210/ |archive-date=6 Sep 2025}}</ref> This has also been reported to be a risk for NS1 games that can be checked out at public libraries, since actors can simply dump these games.<ref name=":6" />

Compared to previous bans, this dramatic measure is reported to be at least easily reversible,<ref name=":5" /> however this is a risk users will be forced to face due to [[Nintendo]]'s negligence with their antipiracy measures solely harming users who use the physical cartridge rather than the user with the dumped ROM, and will be frequently faced by users who opt to purchase physicals 2nd-hand, especially when they are out of print, like ''Super Mario 3D All Stars'', or barely available on sale.<ref>{{Cite news |last=GameCentral |date=Jul 9, 2025 |title=Switch 2 owner banned for playing second-hand Switch 1 games |url=https://metro.co.uk/2025/07/09/switch-2-owner-banned-playing-second-hand-switch-1-games-23620743/ |access-date=Jul 10, 2025 |work=Metro GameCentral |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251017154029/https://metro.co.uk/2025/07/09/switch-2-owner-banned-playing-second-hand-switch-1-games-23620743/ |archive-date=17 Oct 2025}}</ref> Additionally, due to [[Nintendo Switch]] 1 cartridges requiring an update to be installed to play on [[Nintendo Switch]] 2, only a singular cartridge that was dumped can cause any user to get banned.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gautam |first=Samir |date=Jul 11, 2025 |title=Nintendo Switch 2 Bans a Player Over Second-Hand Games! What It Means for the Rest of Us |url=https://techstory.in/nintendo-switch-2-bans-a-player-over-second-hand-games-what-it-means-for-the-rest-of-us/ |access-date=Jul 10, 2025 |work=TechStory |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251021072400/https://techstory.in/nintendo-switch-2-bans-a-player-over-second-hand-games-what-it-means-for-the-rest-of-us/ |archive-date=21 Oct 2025}}</ref>

====u/Character-Insect-775 - Key bans====
[[Reddit]] user ''u/Character-Insect-775'' reported on July 20th on the [https://www.reddit.com/r/switch2/ r/switch2] subreddit how their device got banned for applying game keys purchased on the platform [[CD KEYS]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/Character-Insect-775 |date=Jul 20, 2025 |title=Okay so apparently buying a code from CD KEYS can restrict your switch 2 |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/switch2/comments/1m4tf7c/okay_so_apparently_buying_a_code_from_cd_keys_can/ |access-date=Jul 22, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> Their device was banned by Nintendo roughly 1 week after the purchase of the device via a contract, and their support has halted the user from getting unbanned. Unlike some key resale vendors, [[CD KEYS]] purchases their games exclusively through legitimate vendors and Nintendo, meaning this is a risk for any consumer attempting to affordably play the [[Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch 2]] library.

In the comments of the same post, user u/Homoseshual reported their device being banned for using keys purchased through the platform [[G2A]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/Homoseshual |date=Jul 22, 2025 |title=Comment on a Reddit post |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/switch2/comments/1m4tf7c/comment/n4j7j6l/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button |access-date=Jul 22, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>

In a unique stance, these bans being caused by resale vendor keys are not associated anywhere within the publicly accessible policies established by [[Switch Game Key-Card|Nintendo]] for the platform.

===Lawsuit: Procon-SP vs. Nintendo===
In the country of ''Brazil'', their consumer protection agency ''Procon-SP'' has warned ''[[Nintendo]]'' of a potential lawsuit regarding the [[Nintendo's May 2025 Policy Updates|Nintendo EULA]] and how it has been exercised recently against the safety of consumers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schomer |first=Matthew |date=Jun 29, 2025 |title=Brazilian Agency Formally Notifies Nintendo Over Console Bricking EULA Clause |url=https://gamerant.com/brazilian-agency-nintendo-console-bricking-eula-clause/ |access-date=Jul 4, 2025 |work=GameRant |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216071044/https://gamerant.com/brazilian-agency-nintendo-console-bricking-eula-clause/ |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Andrade |first=Bruno |date=Jun 26, 2025 |title=Procon-SP critica Nintendo por cláusula polêmica no Switch 2 |url=https://tecnoblog.net/noticias/nintendo-e-notificada-pelo-procon-por-clausula-que-permite-bloquear-switch/ |access-date=Jul 4, 2025 |work=tecnoblog |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251018043109/https://tecnoblog.net/noticias/nintendo-e-notificada-pelo-procon-por-clausula-que-permite-bloquear-switch/ |archive-date=18 Oct 2025}}</ref> Procon's primary concern is centered on how the cancellation of subscriptions or services without explanation violates currently-established Brazillian consumer protection rules.

==Consumer response==

Consumers are outraged at Nintendo for their repeated enforcement,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=FritangaPlays |date=Jun 18, 2025 |title=Switch 2 Brick Situation JUST GOT WORSE Nintendo Screws Over ANOTHER User |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Tk8ycQKWqo |access-date=Jun 18, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=5Tk8ycQKWqo |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> and it has faced coverage from numerous outlets such as Ars Technica,<ref name=":0" /> Android Authority,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fernandez |first=Nick |date=Jun 17, 2025 |title=Nintendo is banning Switch 2 users for piracy, even if they're just backing up their games |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/switch-2-piracy-ban-mig-cart-3568200/ |access-date=Jun 19, 2025 |work=Android Authority |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251225174735/https://www.androidauthority.com/switch-2-piracy-ban-mig-cart-3568200/ |archive-date=25 Dec 2025}}</ref> Nintendo Life,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Doolan |first=Liam |date=Jun 16, 2025 |title=Nintendo Reportedly Banning Switch 2's Using MIG Cartridges |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/06/nintendo-reportedly-banning-switch-2s-using-mig-cartridges?s=09 |access-date=Jun 19, 2025 |work=Nintendo Life |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251004103627/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/06/nintendo-reportedly-banning-switch-2s-using-mig-cartridges?s=09 |archive-date=4 Oct 2025}}</ref> and IGN.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=Jun 17, 2025 |title=Nintendo Launches Opening Salvo in War Against Switch 2 Game Pirates, as MIG Switch Users Report Online Service Bans |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-launches-opening-salvo-in-war-against-switch-2-game-pirates-as-mig-switch-users-report-online-service-bans |access-date=Jun 19, 2025 |work=IGN |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260218034339/https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-launches-opening-salvo-in-war-against-switch-2-game-pirates-as-mig-switch-users-report-online-service-bans |archive-date=18 Feb 2026}}</ref> A key concern discussed from consumers are how these banned consoles could easily circulate around markets,<ref name=":1" /> either through 2nd-hand transactions, or stores accepting refunds for these devices.

The core Nintendo community has instead shown general toxicity towards users who broke the agreements.<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/_SquareSphere |date=Jun 18, 2025 |title=You can’t do a system reset on a banned NS2 console. Nintendo has bricked a part of my console! |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch2/comments/1lejns8/you_cant_do_a_system_reset_on_a_banned_ns2/ |access-date=Jun 19, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>

== Related articles ==
Incidents:

* [[Sony Playstation hardware bans from online services]]

Game companies:

* [[Sony]]
* [[Nintendo]]
* [[Microsoft]]
** [[Xbox]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Nintendo Switch]]

Podkicker Pro

2026-02-24T12:57:04Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{Stub}}
{{ProductCargo
|ArticleType=
|Category=Software, Podcasting
|Company=
|Description=
|InProduction=Yes
|Logo=PodkickerIcon.jpg
|ProductLine=
|ReleaseYear=2013
|Website=https://podkicker.andro.io/
}}
'''Podkicker''' is an Android podcast manager and player.

The non-pro version was available free in the Android app store from 2013, with the Pro version '''Podkicker Pro''' purchasable for a fixed price. The original developer was Jakob Eriksson.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allum |first=Simon |date=2013 |title=Android App Review – Podkicker Pro |url=https://www.coolsmartphone.com/2013/01/30/android-app-review-podkicker-pro/ |website=Cool Smartphone |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251212032233/https://www.coolsmartphone.com/2013/01/30/android-app-review-podkicker-pro/ |archive-date=12 Dec 2025}}</ref>

The development rights to the app were bought by Maple Media LLC in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Android app Podkicker has been sold to player.fm/Maple Media |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/podcasts/comments/hwaobp/android_app_podkicker_has_been_sold_to/ |url-status=live |access-date=21 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230616084149/https://old.reddit.com/r/podcasts/comments/hwaobp/android_app_podkicker_has_been_sold_to/ |archive-date=16 Jun 2023}}</ref>
==Incidents==
On 13 March 2025, the Pro version of the app was updated to show prominent animated banner ads and open repeated popups at the user when the screen is touched. The banners are for miscellaneous App Store games and the popups invite the user to join a [[Subscription service|subscription model]] to remove these ads. This is in spite of the user having [[Retroactively amended purchase|previously purchased]] the paid version of the app on the specific basis it would be ad-free.

The subscription fee requested is £9.49 per year, with recurring billing, as of 14 March 2025, just to use the app on the same terms the user already bought it. This is claimed to represent a reduction from £55.08 despite no subscription fee having previously existed.

As of the 14th March 2025 the app's Android app store received multiple one-star reviews objecting to the change.
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Podkicker]]
[[Category:Service Siphoning]]

Perplexity throttles PRO subscribers without prior notice

2026-02-24T12:56:46Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 5 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{OngoingEvent}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Perplexity AI
|StartDate=2026-02-05
|Status=Active
|ProductLine=Perplexity Pro
|Product=Perplexity Deep Research, Perplexity Labs
|ArticleType=Service
|Type=Post-purchase terms change
|Description=Without prior notice, Research queries for Pro users have been reduced from 600/day to 20/month, and Labs queries from 50/month to 25/month.
}}

==Background==
Up to the event, Perplexity had offered<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-18 |title=Perplexity Plans Comparison - enterprise page |url=https://www.perplexity.ai/enterprise/pricing |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250521135754/https://www.perplexity.ai/enterprise/pricing |archive-date=2025-05-21 |access-date=2026-02-18 |website=perplexity.ai}}</ref>:

*Unlimited queries<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-16 |title=How does Perplexity work? |url=https://www.perplexity.ai/help-center/en/articles/10352895-how-does-perplexity-work |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250918164004/https://www.perplexity.ai/help-center/en/articles/10352895-how-does-perplexity-work |archive-date=2025-09-18 |access-date=2026-02-16 |website=perplexity.ai}}</ref>, this is the common query, the action of writing a query and pressing send;
*600 daily Deep Research queries<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-03 |title=AI answer engine Perplexity releases “Deep Research” research function that can be used by everyone |url=https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000001.000157647.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260216084435/https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000001.000157647.html |archive-date=2026-02-16 |access-date=2026-02-16 |website=prtimes.jp}}</ref>, which is the mode that most distinguishes the AI platform. It takes 3-5 minutes for the answer, acting like an agent;
*50 Labs queries<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-13 |title=HKT x Perplexity - comparison normal-pro |url=https://1010.com.hk/perplexitypro-2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260216090606/https://1010.com.hk/perplexitypro-2026 |archive-date=2026-02-16 |access-date=2026-02-16 |website=1010.com.hk}}</ref>, which takes around 10 minutes to complete the iterations, and this is a mode to generate outputs that are entire webpages/apps;
*Unlimited file uploads<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-16 |title=What is Perplexity Pro? |url=https://www.perplexity.ai/help-center/en/articles/10352901-what-is-perplexity-pro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260109003631/https://www.perplexity.ai/help-center/en/articles/10352901-what-is-perplexity-pro |archive-date=2026-01-09 |access-date=2026-02-16 |website=perplexity.ai}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-07 |title=Perplexity PRO subscribe page |url=https://www.perplexity.ai/pro |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250807201456/https://www.perplexity.ai/pro |archive-date=2025-08-07 |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=perplexity.ai}}</ref>. When making queries, users can attach files to have them analyzed.

Deep Research is one of the main reasons why customers subscribes to the PRO plan, and file uploads are important, particularly for research/students use.

There is no published limit, the values are only shown on the phone app when creating queries, and were available on the webapp before the change, but the new UI after the change has hidden these values from the browser version.

The limit has coincided with the announcement<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-06 |title=Upgraded Deep Research |url=https://www.perplexity.ai/changelog/what-we-shipped---february-6th-2026 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-10 |website=Perlexity.ai |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260221143806/https://www.perplexity.ai/changelog/what-we-shipped---february-6th-2026 |archive-date=21 Feb 2026}}</ref> of a new Deep Search, more powerful, based on Opus 4.5.

==Incident==
Perplexity has deliberately reduced monthly and daily queries for Pro users without prior notice for all their Pro user base.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-05 |title=Reddit reports |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/perplexity_ai/comments/1qwhej3/9989_reduction_in_research_quota_over_night/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260208223836/https://www.reddit.com/r/perplexity_ai/comments/1qwhej3/9989_reduction_in_research_quota_over_night/ |archive-date=2026-02-08 |access-date=2026-02-08 |website=Reddit}}</ref> The new limits are the followings:

*Queries: '''Unlimited -> 200/week'''
*Deep Research: '''600/day -> 20/month'''
*Labs: '''50/month -> 25/month'''
*File uploads: '''unlimited -> 50/week'''
Since the new web UI didn't show the new limits and no announcement has been made, users have exhausted their monthly allowance in less than a day, having now to wait 1.5 days before they could make another query, similar for attachments to queries. This is notably important for users that renew monthly, and a break of trust for annual subscribers, which mid-term have found themselves with a service notably different from the one they've subscribed to.

The usage of a Deep research or Labs query, gets deducted from the normal queries, further reducing their weekly cap.

Some users<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-18 |title=rate limited for advanced search/agentic |url=https://discord.com/channels/1047197230748151888/1392544076527833188/1473529412120219668 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-18 |website=Discord |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260224123602/https://discord.com/channels/1047197230748151888/1392544076527833188/1473529412120219668 |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref> report, that also the use of Perplexity's browser "Comet", deducts queries during use, reducing the queries even more.

One user got muted and received a 90 days warn for posting a link to this wiki article, it was valuated non-constructive feedback and eliminated. [[File:2026-02-08-perplexity-new-limits-comparison.webp|alt=Screenshot of queries limits before and after.|thumb|Comparison between queries limits before and after the 2026-02-05 incident.]]

==Consumers response==
Users have started opening formal complaints<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-08 |title=Formal Complaints |url=https://discord.com/channels/1047197230748151888/1469840248686121081 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-09 |website=Discord |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224125449/https://discord.com/channels/1047197230748151888/1469840248686121081 |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref> on Perplexity's Discord server, and on others of their social media.

Some users<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-06 |title=Subscribed to Pro for Deep Research – they nerfed it the same week, no refund |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/perplexity_ai/comments/1qxrqs9/subscribed_to_pro_for_deep_research_they_nerfed/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-10 |website=Reddit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224125515/https://old.reddit.com/r/perplexity_ai/comments/1qxrqs9/subscribed_to_pro_for_deep_research_they_nerfed/ |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref> have asked for a refund a couple of days after the annual subscription, saying that this is not the service promoted at the time of subscription, but Perplexity has denied the refund.

Some users<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-07 |title=Cancelled my pro subscription after the recent Deep Research limits |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/perplexity_ai/comments/1qy9pc4/cancelled_my_pro_subscription_after_the_recent/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-10 |website=Reddit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224125538/https://old.reddit.com/r/perplexity_ai/comments/1qy9pc4/cancelled_my_pro_subscription_after_the_recent/ |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref> have cancelled their subscription.

One user has started a petition<ref>{{Cite web |last=Desm |first=Mark |date=2026-02-09 |title=Hold Perplexity accountable for unlimited claims |url=https://www.change.org/p/hold-perplexity-accountable-for-unlimited-claims |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260210234656/https://www.change.org/p/hold-perplexity-accountable-for-unlimited-claims |archive-date=2026-02-10 |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=change.org}}</ref> on change.org, over 80 people have signed on the first day. Perplexity is actively removing the petition link whenever it gets posted on the server.

==Perplexity response==
There has been no official communication, but one of the moderators of the Discord server has expressed their opinion<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-08 |title=Moderator mares opinion |url=https://discord.com/channels/1047197230748151888/1111786888626438245/1470033172573192242 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=Discord |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224125628/https://discord.com/channels/1047197230748151888/1111786888626438245/1470033172573192242 |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref> on why this has happened:

"''Bottom line: Less wasteful querying, More intentional AI use, Healthier infrastructure, Lower environmental load.''

''That’s not regression. That’s responsible evolution.''"

There are reports of bans on Perplexity's Discord server under the pretext of violating Terms of Service<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-27 |title=Thread about ToS changes and impact on users. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/perplexity_ai/comments/1qnyrme/heres_what_i_found_out_on_pro/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260211093005/https://old.reddit.com/r/perplexity_ai/comments/1qnyrme/heres_what_i_found_out_on_pro/ |archive-date=2026-02-11 |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=Reddit}}</ref> and post deletion on Reddit<ref>{{Cite web |title=User complaining that Reddit moderation deleted his comment. |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/perplexity_ai/comments/1r0bpdy/perplexity_has_been_scamming_their_users/o4jdkl6/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260211215005/https://old.reddit.com/r/perplexity_ai/comments/1r0bpdy/perplexity_has_been_scamming_their_users/o4jdkl6/ |archive-date=11 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Perplexity]]
[[Category:2026 incidents]]

Pizza Hut

2026-02-24T12:53:44Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1958-03-31
|Industry=Food
|Logo=Pizza Hut.png
|ParentCompany=Yum! Brands
|Type=Public subsidiary
|Website=https://www.pizzahut.com/
|Description=company all about over-priced, over-rated pizza's
}}Founded in May 31, 1958 in Whichia Kansas by Dan Carney and Frank Carney, [[wikipedia:Pizza_Hut|Pizza Hut]] is an pizza restaurant chain that's a subsidiary to [[wikipedia:Yum!_Brands|Yum! Brands]]. The company holds the third largest pizza chain behind [[Domino's]] and Hunt Brothers Pizza. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-15 |title=10 Largest pizza chains in the United States in 2026 |url=https://www.scrapehero.com/location-reports/10-largest-pizza-chains-in-the-usa/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-16 |website=ScrapeHero |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251202172655/https://www.scrapehero.com/location-reports/10-largest-pizza-chains-in-the-usa/ |archive-date=2 Dec 2025}}</ref>

==Consumer-impact summary==

* Privacy Violations
* Security Vulnerabilities
* Slow responses and Fixes

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
===2017 Data Breach===
On October 1 till October 2, Pizza Hut experienced a website and mobile application data breach leaking 60,000 customers name, billing zip code, delivery address, email address, gift card number, gift card pin, and payment card information. Pizza hut discovered and fixed the issue quickly on October 5, later sending an sent an email to customers affected on October 14.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ashford |first=Warwick |date=2017-10-16 |title=Pizza Hut data breach shows need for board control |url=https://www.computerweekly.com/news/450428256/Pizza-Hut-data-breach-shows-need-for-board-control |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-17 |website=ComputerWeekly |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251011141019/https://www.computerweekly.com/news/450428256/Pizza-Hut-data-breach-shows-need-for-board-control |archive-date=11 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-10-16 |title=Baker McKinzie |url=https://agportal-s3bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/databreach/BreachM9745.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-17 |website=Baker McKinzie |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222055602/https://agportal-s3bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/databreach/BreachM9745.pdf |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref><blockquote>"We have learned that the information of some customers who visited our website or mobile application during an approximately 28-hour period (from the morning of October 1, 2017 through midday on October 2, 2017) and subsequently placed an order may have been compromised. Pizza Hut identified the security intrusion quickly and took immediate action to halt it. The security intrusion at issue impacted a small percentage of our customers and we estimate that less than one percent of the visits to our website over the course of the relevant week were affected. That said, we regret to say that we believe your information is among that impacted group."</blockquote>The company had faced criticism after the incident for informing consumers 2 weeks after, with one response on twitter replied to pizza hut; <blockquote>"Hey @pizzahut, thanks for telling me you got hacked 2 weeks after you lost my cc number. And a week after someone started using it. #timely"</blockquote>

After the public announcement of the hack, a response from Pizza Hut Spokesperson spoke about the incident, saying;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Kat |date=2017-10-16 |title=Customers cheesed off after card details nicked in Pizza Hut data breach |url=https://www.theregister.com/2017/10/16/pizza_hut_data_breach/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-16 |website=The Register |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251207193234/https://www.theregister.com/2017/10/16/pizza_hut_data_breach/ |archive-date=7 Dec 2025}}</ref><blockquote>"Pizza Hut takes the information security of our customers very seriously and invests in resources to protect the customer information in our care. We value the trust our customers place in us, regret that this happened, and apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused" </blockquote>

==='''Pizza Hut Australia Data Breach'''===
On September 2023, hacker group ShinyHunter gained access to [[Amazon]] Web Services used by Pizza Hut, allowing access of 30 million order records and 200,000 customer names, email addresses, home addresses, and mobile numbers, with the rest of customers information (credit cards and passwords) were encrypted.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cluley |first=Graham= |date=2023-09-03 |title=Pizza Hut Australia leaks one million customers' details, claims ShinyHunters hacking group |url=https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/blog/hotforsecurity/pizza-hut-australia-leaks-one-million-customers-details-claims-shinyhunters-hacking-group |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-17 |website=Bitdefender |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224123319/https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/blog/hotforsecurity/pizza-hut-australia-leaks-one-million-customers-details-claims-shinyhunters-hacking-group |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref> ShinyHunter demanded the company pay $300,000 for the data to be deleted shortly after the hack, Pizza Hut responded by hiring cybersecurity specialist to fix the issue and contacted affected customers of the hack. it is unknown whether payment deals were made between Pizza Hut and ShinyHunter.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rawling |first=Caitlin |date=2023-09-20 |title=Pizza Hut says nearly two-hundred thousand customers affected by data breach |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-20/pizza-hut-customers-affected-by-cyber-hack/102881804 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-17 |website=ABC |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251009230848/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-20/pizza-hut-customers-affected-by-cyber-hack/102881804 |archive-date=9 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharwood |first=Simon |date=2023-09-21 |title=Data breach reveals distressing info: People who order pineapple on pizza |url=https://www.theregister.com/2023/09/21/pizza_hut_australia_data_breach/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-16 |website=TheRegister |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251114155123/https://www.theregister.com/2023/09/21/pizza_hut_australia_data_breach/ |archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref><blockquote>"From our investigation and the steps taken in response to the incident, we believe there is only a small proportion of customers on our database whose personal information has been impacted. We have notified these customers as well as the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) of the incident." <ref>{{Cite web |last=Dixon |first=Georgia |date=2023-09-20 |title=Pizza Hut Australia confirms major data breach |url=https://www.safewise.com/au/pizza-hut-australia-hack/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-16 |website=SafeWise |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250914135614/https://www.safewise.com/au/pizza-hut-australia-hack/ |archive-date=14 Sep 2025}}</ref></blockquote>

===Pizza Hut collection of Data regardless if Consumer opted-out Lawsuit===
Pizza is suffering an class action lawsuit filed by Danuel Cortez over violation of [[wikipedia:Telephone_Consumer_Protection_Act_of_1991|Telephone Consumer Protection Act]] with continuation of sending messages after users opted-out. The company and it's parent company [[wikipedia:Yum!_Brands|Yum! Brands]] hasn't commented on the lawsuit, however it's still in progress.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Troutman |first=Eric |date=2025-10-08 |title="DO NOT SEND ME ANYMORE MESSAGES!!!!”: Pizza Hut Sued for Failing to Honor SMS Opt Out Request–And The Trend Continues |url=https://natlawreview.com/article/do-not-send-me-anymore-messages-pizza-hut-sued-failing-honor-sms-opt-out-request |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-17 |website=National Law Review |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251113142624/https://natlawreview.com/article/do-not-send-me-anymore-messages-pizza-hut-sued-failing-honor-sms-opt-out-request |archive-date=13 Nov 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-11 |title=Pizza Hut class action claims restaurant does not honor requests to opt out of text messages |url=https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/pizza-hut-class-action-claims-restaurant-does-not-honor-requests-to-opt-out-of-text-messages/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-15 |website=Top Class Actions |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260224123421/https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/pizza-hut-class-action-claims-restaurant-does-not-honor-requests-to-opt-out-of-text-messages/ |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==See also==

*[[Papa John's]]
*[[Little Caesars Pizza]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Proven Industries v. Trevor McNally

2026-02-24T12:52:52Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 2 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Needs the rebuttal included|Issue 2=Needs more "wiki voice" commentary on each claim}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Proven Industries
|StartDate=2025
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=
|Product=
|ArticleType=
|Type=Censorship, Legal Intimidation
|Description=
}}
In 2025, Proven Industries, a lock company, is attempting to sue Trevor McNally,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last= |date=May 1, 2025 |title=Case 8:25-cv-01119-MSS-LSG |url=https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.flmd.441411/gov.uscourts.flmd.441411.1.0.pdf |access-date=Jun 18, 2025 |website=Court Listener |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708171609/https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.flmd.441411/gov.uscourts.flmd.441411.1.0.pdf |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref> a lockpicking expert on multiple social media platforms, for various questionable damages caused by the publishing of a currently delisted video demonstrating McNally picking the lock with a makeshift shim.
==Background==
In March 2025, Proven Industries published a video on Instagram, featuring their Latch Pin Lock<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-31 |title=Proven Industries > Latch Pin Lock |url=https://www.provenlocks.com/products/latch-pin-lock |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211010616/https://www.provenlocks.com/products/latch-pin-lock |archive-date=2025-02-11 |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Proven Industries}}</ref> and a Proven Industries staff member using a number of tools on the lock and stating that there was no way for anyone to bypass the lock. In the comments of that video a user by the name of gq_videos said "Let's introduce it to the @mcnallyoffical poke" someone at Proven Industries responded to that comment by posting: "lol those guys like the cheap locks lol because they are easy and fast".<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2025-08-31 |title=DEFENDANT TREVOR MCNALLY’S OPPOSITION TO PLAINTIFF’S EMERGENCY MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION |url=https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.flmd.441411/gov.uscourts.flmd.441411.14.0.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250611182806/https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.flmd.441411/gov.uscourts.flmd.441411.14.0.pdf |archive-date=2025-06-11 |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Court Listener}}</ref>

On April 2025, Trevor McNally published a response video on [[YouTube]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=McNally |first=Trevor |date=Apr 3, 2025 |title=McNally's YouTube video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjzlmKz_MM8 |url-status=dead |access-date=Jun 18, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=YjzlmKz_MM8 |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> [[TikTok]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=McNally |first=Trevor |date=Apr 3, 2025 |title=McNally's TikTok post |url=https://www.tiktok.com/@mcnallyofficial/video/7489223700735118622 |url-status=live |access-date=Jun 18, 2025 |website=[[TikTok]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251018093705/https://www.tiktok.com/@mcnallyofficial/video/7489223700735118622 |archive-date=18 Oct 2025}}</ref> [[Facebook]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=McNally |first=Trevor |date=Apr 3, 2025 |title=McNally's Facebook video |url=https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1ZicXjkyNb/ |url-status=dead |access-date=Jun 18, 2025 |website=[[Facebook]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224122525/https://www.facebook.com/reel/666976299132793/?rdid=lhFozUjaS4G6taDu&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2Fr%2F1ZicXjkyNb%2F |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref> and [[Instagram]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=McNally |first=Trevor |date=Apr 3, 2025 |title=McNally's Instagram post |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DIAH9vps19y/?hl=en |url-status=dead |access-date=Jun 18, 2025 |website=[[Instagram]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708171607/https://www.instagram.com/p/DIAH9vps19y/?hl=en |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref> intended to both educate and entertain users on the insecurity of the lock via the usage of a makeshift shim created out of a soda can. In response to McNally's video, Proven Industries submitted takedown requests of the videos on all of these platforms, and then soon after filed a lawsuit against McNally.<ref name=":0" /> As of October 2025, at least one of these videos are back online.

Proven Industries posted a response video to McNally, called "Our Latch Pin Lock isn't going anywhere! Our customers know we make the BEST product on the market!" They did not name McNally, but the same staff member in their original video drank from a can of Liquid Death (the same drink McNally had used to create a lock shim).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-31 |title=Our Latch Pin Lock isn't going anywhere! Our customers know we make the BEST product on the market! |url=https://www.youtube.com/shorts/16nZqtT-1sI |url-status=live |website=YouTube}}</ref>However, they changed their strategy in June and asked the judge in the legal case to issue an emergency injunction to ban Trevor McNally from making any content about Proven Industries while the court case was progressing.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2025-08-31 |title=Case 8:25-cv-01119-MSS-LSG Document 10: PLAINTIFF’S EMERGENCY MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70036390/10/proven-industries-inc-v-trevor-mcnally/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250603165753/https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70036390/10/proven-industries-inc-v-trevor-mcnally/ |archive-date=2025-06-03 |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=Court Listener}}</ref>
[[File:McNally Takedown.png|thumb|A screenshot taken from a taken down [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YjzlmKz_MM8 McNally video] displaying Proven Industries' copyright claim over the video]]
==Lawsuit==

===Claims===
#Copyright infringement Cited multiple times inside of the legal document,<ref name=":0" /> Proven Industries attempts to claim that McNally was not following fair use doctrine for the purposes of his video. Notably due to the takedown of McNally's content, Proven instead uses screenshots to demonstrate theft, seen in sections 27 and 29 of the document.
#Defamation
#False advertising Proven Industries claims that McNally falsely advertised the ease in bypassing the lock in sections 32-35,<ref name=":0" /> and directly claimed that McNally was acting childish to support these claims. Additionally in sections 36-40, Proven claims that McNally was doctoring the footage, as the shim was shown deformed through the video, despite how aluminum is capable of being easily deformed under stress.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Runkle Of The Bailey |date=Jun 5, 2025 |title=When Your Lock Is Bad, Sue? Proven Industries v. Trevor McNally |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItSrtE-GHCc |access-date=Jun 18, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=ItSrtE-GHCc |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref>
#Violation of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (“FDUTPA”) This claim was made despite the defendant living in Virginia.
#Torturous interference
#Unjust enrichment Covered in section 4 in the introduction:<blockquote>On information and belief, McNally is affiliated with and/or an agent of Covert Instruments (hereinafter "Covert"), a company that sells lock-picking tools. McNally lists Covert's website on his social media pages, and Covert Instruments' website features McNally and benefits from the misleading content McNally produces.</blockquote>This claim has been cited as questionable by consumers<ref name=":1" /> and the media considering the fact that the shim was made from an ordinary object rather than any product sold on the website.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=McNally |first=Trevor |date=May 23, 2025 |title=They called me out…now they’re suing me. Proven Locks |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbQp5JcQwLA |access-date=Jun 18, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=MbQp5JcQwLA |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref>
#Civil conspiracy
#Trade libel

Additionally, Proven attempted to file an emergency injunction against McNally<ref>{{Cite web |last=[[Proven Industries]] |date=Jun 2, 2025 |title=Preliminary Injunction |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70036390/10/proven-industries-inc-v-trevor-mcnally/ |access-date=Jun 18, 2025 |website=Court Listener |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251018182224/https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70036390/10/proven-industries-inc-v-trevor-mcnally/ |archive-date=18 Oct 2025}}</ref> to prevent further posting about the flaws of their locks, called for within this injunction was emergency relief for damages that exclude engineering costs to resolve the lock's vulnerability, meaning if Proven Industries is to win this case, the company will neglect to resolve the flaws of the lock itself.

===Rebuttal===
#Trevor McNally's lawyers claimed that Section 107 of the Copyright Act<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-31 |title=107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use |url=https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#107 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250311190810/https://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#107 |archive-date=2025-03-11 |access-date=2025-08-31 |website=U.S. Copyright Office}}</ref> allows fair use of copyrighted material for "criticism, comment, news reporting, [or] teaching" and that the video that the take down request was made on was covered by protected use on all four factors of the section.<ref name=":3" />
#His lawyers also claimed his video was transformative and that the portions he included were there to facilitate criticism.<ref name=":3" />
#The original Proven Industries was minimally creative and had already been published and McNally's reuse was minimal and integral to his criticism of the Latch Pin Lock.<ref name=":3" />
#McNally's use of extracts from Proven Industries video had no effect on Proven Industries, as there is no market for their video and people watching his video would not take away views of their video.<ref name=":3" />
#The defamation claims of Proven Industries would fail, as they were based on claims made against non-verbal acts, where Proven Industries didn't actually have any written statements to back up their claims that McNally was making false claims in his response video. (Essentially McNally never actually said Proven Industries was "dishonest or incompetent" and also never said their lock was "inherently untrustworthy.") McNally made a further video called "They called me out…now they’re suing me. Proven Locks" as a response to the claim that he had to disassemble the lock to create a bespoke shim and then reassemble it. In that video, he took a case of Liquid Death and opened an Amazon Locker and removed a boxed new Proven Industries Latch Pin Lock, drank the drink, cut up the can, created a shim and talked though how the shim process works.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McNally |first=Trevor |date=2025-08-31 |title=They called me out…now they’re suing me. Proven Locks |url=https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MbQp5JcQwLA |website=YouTube}}</ref>
#Proven Industries's tortious interference claims were invalid.<ref name=":3" />
#Public interest always favours supporting First Amendment rights.<ref name=":3" />
===Outcome===
#Trevor McNally's lawyers objected to Proven Industries's request for an emergency injunction against Trevor McNally and the request for an emergency injunction was denied.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-01 |title=Case 8:25-cv-01119-MSS-LSG Document 30: ORDER |url=https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.flmd.441411/gov.uscourts.flmd.441411.30.0.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250625231154/https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.flmd.441411/gov.uscourts.flmd.441411.30.0.pdf |archive-date=2025-06-25 |access-date=2025-09-01 |website=Court Listener}}</ref>
#There were some blunders in the Proven Industries side of the legal case. These include:
##A witness said to be the Proven Industries lock expert not being able to explain to the judge if he was an employee of Proven Industries or another company and also admitting that he did learn how to shim the Latch Pin Lock after watching McNally's videos and practicing for a while. (This statement undermined the Proven Industries assertion that McNally had disassembled the lock and used trickery to make it appear that he had shimmed the lock. That assertion was the main thrust of their case against McNally.)[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']
##When asked about their process for making sure their locks were not vulnerable, the answer from a Proven Industries witness was that nobody calling their customer services department had complained that one of their locks had been opened up by a shim attack. (The average consumer would probably not be able to recognise a lock that had been opened by a shim attack. This answer also made it appear like Proven Industries did not engage people with the sort of skills that Trevor McNally has to test their own products to destruction and may have done more damage to their own reputation than McNally's videos.)[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']
##When asked, by the judge, about imported lock cylinders, a Proven Industries witness struggled to recall the details and had to estimate how many of their lock cylinders are imported from Europe and China.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']
#Proven Industries submitted witness statements and included personal information about their witnesses (including a witness who had expressed concern about being names) without asking for their documents to be submitted under seal. They later complained to the judge that their staff were being harassed and suggested this was somehow McNally's fault. And they made a request to the judge to retro-actively put all the documents in the court case under seal. McNally's lawyers objected to this, citing that Proven Industries had boasted on social media that they were going to use the court case to reveal McNally as a fraud and had therefore created public interest in the case, when they thought it would benefit them. Ian Runkle (a Canadian lawyer who had been creating YouTube videos about the case) also submitted an objection to all the documents in the legal case being sealed. Runkle's objection was stricken from the record by the judge.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']
#Proven Industries filed a motion to voluntarily dismiss their case without prejudice. The copyright strikes against Trevor McNally have been lifted.

The Latch Pin Lock with the vulnerability to shim attacks is still on sale and no product recall has yet been issued.

In the aftermath of the case another lock company, called PacLock launched a legal case against Proven Industry, claiming that Ronald Lee, II of Proven Industries had committed perjury, due to Proven Industries making heavy use of the term "made in the USA" in their advertising material and then Ronald Lee, II admitting in the McNally case that they import large numbers of lock cylinders from outside the USA.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-01 |title=Pacific Lock Company v. Proven Industries, Inc. (8:25-cv-01887) |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70841659/pacific-lock-company-v-proven-industries-inc/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250901010301/https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70841659/pacific-lock-company-v-proven-industries-inc/ |archive-date=2025-09-01 |access-date=2025-09-01 |website=Court Listener}}</ref>
==Consumer response==
Coverage on these legal proceedings from media outlets appear to look down upon Proven Industries' attempts to sue McNally.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Toohey |first=Ellsworth |date=Jun 3, 2025 |title=Lock manufacturer files lawsuit against social media lock picker |url=https://boingboing.net/2025/06/03/lock-manufacturer-files-lawsuit-against-social-media-lock-picker.html |access-date=Jun 18, 2025 |work=Boing Boing |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251102134337/https://boingboing.net/2025/06/03/lock-manufacturer-files-lawsuit-against-social-media-lock-picker.html |archive-date=2 Nov 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Barnes |first=Erik |date=Jun 7, 2025 |title=Lockpicking YouTuber sued by the lock company he beat; his superb response rallied support |url=https://www.good.is/youtuber-beats-lock-company |access-date=Jun 18, 2025 |work=Good |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260107112253/https://www.good.is/youtuber-beats-lock-company |archive-date=7 Jan 2026}}</ref>

From consumers, notably legal professional Runkle of the Bailey,<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Runkle of the Bailey |date=Jun 16, 2025 |title=Proven Takes An Early Loss In Proven Industries v. Trevor McNally |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH1rzaMTvRE |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=PH1rzaMTvRE |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> call out the questionable nature of each claim within the legal document.<ref name=":0" /> From the subreddit r/LockPickingLawyer, many users back McNally's response towards Proven.<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/habichuelacondulce |date=Jun 3, 2025 |title=To stop a YouTuber exposing the padlock security flaw with lawsuit |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/LockPickingLawyer/comments/1l2o3tp/to_stop_a_youtuber_exposing_the_padlock_security/ |access-date=Jun 18, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260224122651/https://old.reddit.com/r/LockPickingLawyer/comments/1l2o3tp/to_stop_a_youtuber_exposing_the_padlock_security/ |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>

Trevor McNally's personal response from the legal proceedings started with a short and hastily shot short clip to disprove most claims shown in the document by picking the lock mere seconds after obtaining the lock.<ref name=":2" /> This has continued into a series of clips demonstrating other locks sold by Proven Industries being bypassed by McNally.
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Proven Industries]]
[[Category:Lawsuits]]

RAM Shortage

2026-02-24T12:52:21Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{Stub}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=OpenAI, Samsung, Micron
|StartDate=2025-10-01
|Status=Active
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Price Fixing, Supply Shortage
|Description=OpenAI has made large RAM purchasing deals with major manufacturers for its Stargate project, leading to a consumer shortage of RAM globally.
}}

The '''RAM shortage''' or '''RAM crisis''' started around the end of 2025 as a consequence of AI companies making deals with hardware manufacturers to produce and supply the AI companies with [[wikipedia:Dynamic_random-access_memory|dynamic random-access memory (DRAM)]]. This caused a significant supply shortage and corresponding price increase of DRAM in the consumer market.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ehrhardt |first=Michelle |date=2025-12-10 |title=Why RAM Prices Are Going Way, Way Up (and Why You Should Care) |url=https://lifehacker.com/tech/ram-prices-going-up#:~:text=But%20the%20largest%20RAM%20price,doubled%20profits%20over%20last%20year. |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Lifehacker |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260107025034/https://lifehacker.com/tech/ram-prices-going-up |archive-date=7 Jan 2026}}</ref> Prices of other computer components, such as [[wikipedia:Solid-state_drive|solid-state drives (SSDs)]] and [[wikipedia:Graphics_processing_unit|graphics processing units (GPUs)]] have also increased, although at a lesser scale.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garreffa |first=Anthony |date=2025-12-27 |title=AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards will be more expensive in early 2026 because of DRAM crisis |url=https://www.tweaktown.com/news/109484/amd-and-nvidia-graphics-cards-will-be-more-expensive-in-early-2026-because-of-dram-crisis/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=TweakTown |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260111210901/https://www.tweaktown.com/news/109484/amd-and-nvidia-graphics-cards-will-be-more-expensive-in-early-2026-because-of-dram-crisis/index.html |archive-date=11 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Munnawer |first=Amna |date=2026-02-12 |title=Why SSDs Are Getting More Expensive In 2026? |url=https://directmacro.com/blog/post/why-ssds-are-getting-expensive |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Direct Macro |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220191816/https://directmacro.com/blog/post/why-ssds-are-getting-expensive |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nasir |first=Hassam |date=2026-02-17 |title=New report shows RAM prices are continuing to fall in Germany, US trends less certain — SSDs and HDDs are more expensive than ever in the States |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/new-report-shows-ram-prices-are-continuing-to-fall-in-germany-u-s-trends-less-certain-ssds-and-hdds-are-more-expensive-than-ever |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Tom's Hardware |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260218163201/https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/new-report-shows-ram-prices-are-continuing-to-fall-in-germany-u-s-trends-less-certain-ssds-and-hdds-are-more-expensive-than-ever |archive-date=18 Feb 2026}}</ref> [[File:CrucialProOverclocking32GB(2x16GB)DDR5-6000CL36MemoryPriceIncreasePCPartPicker.png|thumb|A screenshot of a graph from [https://pcpartpicker.com/ PcPartPicker] taken on 02-06-2026 showing the price increase of the product ''Crucial Pro Overclocking 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL36 Memory'']]

==Background==
With the release of [[ChatGPT]], [[OpenAI]] became the leading pioneer of artificial intelligence. Seeing this, more companies wanted to develop their own AI models and build infrastructure to compete in the AI market. [[Samsung]], [[Micron]], and [[SK Hynix]] are the main RAM producers for consumers and corporations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crider |first=Michael |date=2026-02-10 |title=Report: Desperate PC manufacturers are turning to China for RAM |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/3057590/report-desperate-pc-manufacturers-turn-to-china-for-ram.html |access-date=2026-02-11 |work=PC World |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224121921/https://www.pcworld.com/article/3057590/report-desperate-pc-manufacturers-turn-to-china-for-ram.html |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==Causes of the shortage==
On October 1st 2025, OpenAI signed deals with major memory manufacturers to secure 40% of global RAM production.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shilov |first=Anton |date=2025-10-01 |title=OpenAI's Stargate project to consume up to 40% of global DRAM output — inks deal with Samsung and SK hynix to the tune of up to 900,000 wafers per month |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/dram/openais-stargate-project-to-consume-up-to-40-percent-of-global-dram-output-inks-deal-with-samsung-and-sk-hynix-to-the-tune-of-up-to-900-000-wafers-per-month |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=Tom's Hardware |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260115053840/https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/dram/openais-stargate-project-to-consume-up-to-40-percent-of-global-dram-output-inks-deal-with-samsung-and-sk-hynix-to-the-tune-of-up-to-900-000-wafers-per-month |archive-date=15 Jan 2026}}</ref> As of February 2026, RAM prices have tripled compared to October 2025. By late 2026, AI datacenters are expected to take 70% of all RAM usage. It is expected the RAM shortage could last until 2028.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Darragh |date=2026-01-14 |title='DRAM shortages could persist for quite some time now': Micron on RAM crisis lasting until 2028 with high AI demand, 'we are still servicing the consumer market' |url=https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/theres-just-not-enough-supply-to-go-around-micron-believes-ram-shortage-wont-improve-until-2028-at-least-until-the-ai-demand-starts-to-fade-away |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Tom's Guide |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222085320/https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/theres-just-not-enough-supply-to-go-around-micron-believes-ram-shortage-wont-improve-until-2028-at-least-until-the-ai-demand-starts-to-fade-away |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==Corporate response==

===Micron===
{{Main|Exit of Crucial from consumer business}}
Micron has exited the consumer RAM market to focus resources toward manufacturing RAM to supply AI data centers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Satya |last2=Plungy |first2=Mark |date=2025-12-03 |title=Micron Announces Exit from Crucial Consumer Business |url=https://investors.micron.com/news-releases/news-release-details/micron-announces-exit-crucial-consumer-business |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=Micron |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220192654/https://investors.micron.com/news-releases/news-release-details/micron-announces-exit-crucial-consumer-business |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref>

===Samsung===
Samsung has promised to continue selling SSDs despite rumors that it had plans to leave the consumer market.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Batt |first=Simon |date=2025-12-15 |title=No, we're not backing out of the consumer SSD market, says Samsung |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/not-backing-out-of-consumer-ssd-market-samsung/#:~:text=We%27ll%20keep%20selling%20SSDs%20to%20the%20consumer%2C%20says%20Samsung&text=Right%20now%2C%20we%27re%20seeing,supplying%20us%20with%20its%20hardware. |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=XDA Developers |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260109215923/https://www.xda-developers.com/not-backing-out-of-consumer-ssd-market-samsung/ |archive-date=9 Jan 2026}}</ref>

==Consequences==
The shortage of DRAM has already affected personal computing, with consequences like:
*Samsung and SK Hynix have increased RAM prices due to slowed production and less competition from Micron.
*The DRAM price increase has also increased the price to purchase a whole new computer, making computers a less accessible product for a regular consumer.
*Some manufacturers selling their computers without DRAM included. One notable example is Maingear, who has started their own BYO (bring your own) RAM program.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bring your own RAM, we’ll build you a complete PC. |url=https://maingear.com/blogs/promotions/maingear-byo-ram-program |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=Maingear |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260208065852/https://maingear.com/blogs/promotions/maingear-byo-ram-program |archive-date=8 Feb 2026}}</ref>
*Consumers resorting to buying DDR4 <ref>{{Cite web |last=Murtaza |first=Fawad |date=2026-01-22 |title=AMD Zen 3 AM4 CPU prices surge as customers flock to desktop processors with DDR4 support |url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Zen-3-AM4-CPU-prices-surge-as-customers-flock-to-desktop-processors-with-DDR4-support.1209042.0.html |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=NotebookCheck |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260224121950/https://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Zen-3-AM4-CPU-prices-surge-as-customers-flock-to-desktop-processors-with-DDR4-support.1209042.0.html |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>, and even DDR3, to avoid higher prices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yee |first=Alainia |date=2026-01-23 |title=Surprise! DDR3 isn’t dead—and it might be the budget PC gaming answer you need |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/3040452/surprise-ddr3-isnt-dead-and-it-might-be-the-budget-pc-gaming-answer-you-need.html |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260124075610/https://www.pcworld.com/article/3040452/surprise-ddr3-isnt-dead-and-it-might-be-the-budget-pc-gaming-answer-you-need.html |archive-date=24 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kinghorn |first=Jess |date=2026-01-14 |title=Seeing the absolute state of memory pricing, Chinese DIY community opts for DDR3 motherboards instead |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/memory/seeing-the-absolute-state-of-memory-pricing-chinese-diy-community-opts-for-ddr3-motherboards-instead/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260117162610/https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/memory/seeing-the-absolute-state-of-memory-pricing-chinese-diy-community-opts-for-ddr3-motherboards-instead/ |archive-date=17 Jan 2026}}</ref> 
==Consumer response==
The RAM shortage has caused outrage amongst consumers, talking about how manufacturers are prioritizing the profits of the AI market and ignoring regular consumers. Lots of content on social media has been posted talking about the topic and its negative impact on personal computing, for example by highlighting the potential fulfillment of Jeff Bezos' desire for consumers to rent computing power from the cloud; taking away ownership<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corden |first=Jez |date=2026-01-13 |title=Jeff Bezos said the quiet part out loud — hopes that you'll give up your PC to rent one from the cloud |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/artificial-intelligence/jeff-bezos-says-the-quiet-part-out-loud-bezos-envisions-that-youll-give-up-your-pc-for-an-ai-cloud-version |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Windows Central |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260221193537/https://www.windowscentral.com/artificial-intelligence/jeff-bezos-says-the-quiet-part-out-loud-bezos-envisions-that-youll-give-up-your-pc-for-an-ai-cloud-version |archive-date=21 Feb 2026}}</ref>, and increasingly by making several YouTube videos stating how this will impact the future of home computing. <ref>{{Cite web |last=MonkeyExplains |first= |date=2026-01-18 |title=RAM Prices Are Worse Then You Think |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfOREULEqRU |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Youtube |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=IfOREULEqRU |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gamers Nexus |date=2025-12-05 |title=WTF Just Happened? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A-eeJP0J7c&t=633s |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Youtube |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=9A-eeJP0J7c |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> 

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:2025 incidents]]
[[Category:2026 incidents]]

Proposed Ring-Flock partnership (2025-2026)

2026-02-24T12:52:15Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Amazon, Ring, Flock Safety
|StartDate=2025-10
|EndDate=2026-02-12
|Status=Resolved
|ProductLine=Ring Video Doorbells
|ArticleType=Service
|Type=Privacy
|Description=Ring intended to form a close partnership with Flock Safety, a private surveillance company with close ties to law enforcement, but withdrew before launch.
}}

The '''proposed Ring–Flock Safety partnership''' was an announced integration between Amazon-owned [[Ring]] and surveillance technology company [[Flock Safety]], which would have enabled law enforcement agencies using Flock's platforms to request footage from Ring camera owners through Ring's "Community Requests" feature. Announced in October 2025, the partnership was cancelled on February 12, 2026, before ever becoming operational, following significant public backlash and criticism from privacy advocates and members of the United States Congress.<ref name="ring-cancellation-blog">{{Cite web |date=2026-02-12 |title=Ring and Flock Cancel Partnership |url=https://blog.ring.com/about-ring/ring-and-flock-cancel-partnership/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=The Ring Blog |publisher=Ring (Amazon) |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260218143503/https://blog.ring.com/about-ring/ring-and-flock-cancel-partnership/ |archive-date=18 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref name="flock-cancellation-blog">{{Cite web |date=2026-02-12 |title=Flock and Ring Cancel Announced Community Requests Integration |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/an-update-on-ring-partnership |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Flock Safety Blog |publisher=Flock Safety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224121628/https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/an-update-on-ring-partnership |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>

The cancellation came days after Ring's Super Bowl LX advertisement for its "Search Party" feature drew widespread criticism for what viewers described as depicting a "dystopian" surveillance network.<ref name="cnbc-ring-flock-cancellation-2026">{{Cite web |author=Ashley Capoot |date=2026-02-12 |title=Amazon's Ring Cancels Flock Partnership Amid Super Bowl Ad Backlash |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/12/amazons-ring-cancels-flock-partnership-amid-super-bowl-ad-backlash.html |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=CNBC |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222192108/https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/12/amazons-ring-cancels-flock-partnership-amid-super-bowl-ad-backlash.html |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> Although Search Party was technically unrelated to the Flock partnership, public concern about both initiatives became interlinked in the ensuing controversy.

==Background==

===Ring's law enforcement partnerships===
Ring, acquired by Amazon in 2018, has maintained relationships with law enforcement agencies since approximately 2016. By 2022, Amazon disclosed to Senator Ed Markey that 2,161 law enforcement agencies were part of Ring's Neighbors Public Safety Service.<ref name="markey-2022-ring-probe">{{Cite web |date=2022-07-13 |title=Senator Markey's Probe into Amazon Ring Reveals New Privacy Problems |url=https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markeys-probe-into-amazon-ring-reveals-new-privacy-problems |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=U.S. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts |publisher=United States Senate |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220163209/https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markeys-probe-into-amazon-ring-reveals-new-privacy-problems |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref>

In January 2024, Ring discontinued its "Request for Assistance" tool, which had allowed police to directly request footage from Ring users.<ref name="eff-ring-police-requests-2024">{{Cite web |date=2024-01-24 |title=Victory! Ring Announces It Will No Longer Facilitate Police Requests for Footage from Users |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2024/01/ring-announces-it-will-no-longer-facilitate-police-requests-footage-users |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216094353/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2024/01/ring-announces-it-will-no-longer-facilitate-police-requests-footage-users |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref> However, following the return of founder Jamie Siminoff as CEO in April 2025, Ring launched a replacement program called "Community Requests" through partnerships with third-party evidence management companies.<ref name="geekwire-cancellation">{{Cite web |author=Todd Bishop |date=2026-02-13 |title=Ring cancels Flock partnership amid broader surveillance concerns |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2026/ring-cancels-flock-partnership-amid-broader-surveillance-concerns/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=GeekWire}}</ref>

===Flock Safety===
Flock Safety, founded in 2017 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, manufactures automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, AI-powered video surveillance systems, and gunshot detection technology. By 2025, the company operated over 80,000 cameras across approximately 7,000 networks in 49 U.S. states, partnering with more than 5,000 law enforcement agencies.<ref name="cnbc-ring-flock-announcement-2025">{{Cite web |author=Eric Rosenbaum |date=2025-10-16 |title=Amazon Ring Security Cameras Moving Deeper into Law Enforcement with Flock Safety, Axon Deals |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/16/amazon-ring-cameras-surveillance-law-enforcement-crime-police-investigations.html |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=CNBC |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222024845/https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/16/amazon-ring-cameras-surveillance-law-enforcement-crime-police-investigations.html |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref>

Flock Safety has faced criticism regarding its technology's connections to federal immigration enforcement. In May 2025, 404 Media reported that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had accessed Flock's network through local police departments conducting searches on ICE's behalf.<ref name="404media-ice-flock-2025">{{Cite web |author=Jason Koebler |author2=Joseph Cox |date=2025-05-27 |title=ICE Taps into Nationwide AI-Enabled Camera Network, Data Shows |url=https://www.404media.co/ice-taps-into-nationwide-ai-enabled-camera-network-data-shows/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=404 Media |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260219181050/https://www.404media.co/ice-taps-into-nationwide-ai-enabled-camera-network-data-shows/ |archive-date=19 Feb 2026}}</ref> Flock has stated that it does not have a direct partnership with ICE and that federal agencies cannot directly access its cameras or data.<ref name="cnn-ring-flock-cancellation-2026">{{Cite web |date=2026-02-13 |title=Amazon's Ring Cancels Controversial Partnership with Tech Company Flock Amid Privacy Concerns |url=https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/13/tech/amazon-ring-flock-partnership-ice |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=CNN Business |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216162346/https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/13/tech/amazon-ring-flock-partnership-ice |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==The proposed partnership==
On October 31, 2025, Ring and Flock Safety announced their intention to integrate Flock's FlockOS and Flock Nova platforms with Ring's Community Requests feature.<ref name="flock-partnership-announcement">{{Cite web |date=2025-10-31 |title=Flock Safety and Ring Partner to Help Neighborhoods Work Together for Safer Communities |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-safety-and-ring-partner-to-help-neighborhoods-work-together-for-safer-communities |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Flock Safety Blog |publisher=Flock Safety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224125157/https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-safety-and-ring-partner-to-help-neighborhoods-work-together-for-safer-communities |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>

Under the planned system, law enforcement officers using Flock's software could post a "Community Request" in the Ring Neighbors app during active investigations. Each request would include the specific location, timeframe, incident details, and a case number. Ring users who saw the request could choose whether to share video footage or ignore it. According to Ring, participation would be voluntary, and law enforcement agencies could not see which users received their requests.<ref name="ring-community-requests-launch">{{Cite web |title=Ring Launches Community Requests: A New Way to Help Your Community |url=https://blog.ring.com/about-ring/ring-launches-community-requests-a-new-way-to-help-your-community |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=The Ring Blog |publisher=Ring (Amazon) |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260210203308/https://blog.ring.com/about-ring/ring-launches-community-requests-a-new-way-to-help-your-community/ |archive-date=10 Feb 2026}}</ref>

===Consumer consent concerns===
Privacy advocates raised concerns about the consent model. While Ring device owners could choose whether to share footage, individuals captured on Ring cameras—such as passersby, visitors, and delivery workers—had no ability to consent to being recorded or to having that footage shared with law enforcement.<ref name="privacyguides-ring-flock-2026">{{Cite web |author=Fria |date=2026-02-17 |title=Amazon Cancels Ring Partnership with Flock |url=https://www.privacyguides.org/news/2026/02/17/amazon-cancels-ring-partnership-with-flock/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Privacy Guides |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260217203518/https://www.privacyguides.org/news/2026/02/17/amazon-cancels-ring-partnership-with-flock/ |archive-date=17 Feb 2026}}</ref>

Additionally, when a Ring user chose to share footage through Community Requests, their home address and email address were provided to the requesting law enforcement agency, a detail users were notified of before sharing.<ref name="cnn-ring-flock-cancellation-2026" />

The Flock integration was Ring's second law enforcement technology partnership for Community Requests; a similar partnership with Axon Enterprise had been announced concurrently and remains active.<ref name="axon-ring-community-requests">{{Cite web |title=Building Safer Communities Together: Axon and Ring Launch Community Request Partnership |url=https://www.axon.com/blog/building-safer-communities-together-axon-and-ring |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Axon.com |publisher=Axon Enterprise |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216015621/https://www.axon.com/blog/building-safer-communities-together-axon-and-ring |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==Super Bowl advertisement and backlash==
On February 8, 2026, Ring aired a 30-second advertisement during Super Bowl LX promoting its "Search Party" feature, an AI-powered tool designed to help locate lost pets by scanning footage from Ring cameras across a neighborhood.<ref name="geekwire-search-party">{{Cite web |date=2026-02-10 |title=What Ring's 'Search Party' actually does, and why its Super Bowl ad gave people the creeps |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2026/what-rings-search-party-actually-does-and-why-its-super-bowl-ad-gave-people-the-creeps/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=GeekWire |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220080410/https://www.geekwire.com/2026/what-rings-search-party-actually-does-and-why-its-super-bowl-ad-gave-people-the-creeps/ |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref>

While technically unrelated to the Flock partnership, the advertisement prompted widespread criticism. Viewers described the depiction of a coordinated camera network scanning an entire community as "dystopian" and "sinister."<ref name="cnbc-ring-flock-cancellation-2026" /> Social media users expressed concern that the same technology could be used to track people rather than pets.

===Default opt-in feature===
The backlash was amplified by the revelation that Search Party was enabled by default on eligible outdoor Ring cameras, requiring users to actively opt out rather than opt in.<ref name="geekwire-search-party" /><ref name="engadget-search-party">{{Cite web |date=2026-02-10 |title=Here's how to disable Ring's creepy Search Party feature |url=https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/heres-how-to-disable-rings-creepy-search-party-feature-185420455.html |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Engadget |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260215061041/https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/heres-how-to-disable-rings-creepy-search-party-feature-185420455.html |archive-date=15 Feb 2026}}</ref> This default-on design drew criticism as an example of practices that automatically enroll consumers in data-sharing arrangements without their explicit consent.

Ring stated that users retain control over whether to share any footage identified by Search Party and that nothing is shared automatically. However, the automatic scanning of footage on participating cameras occurs regardless of whether the device owner has made an active choice.<ref name="geekwire-search-party" />

===Viral misinformation===
Following the Super Bowl advertisement, a viral post on X falsely claimed that ICE could directly access Ring cameras. The post received approximately 2 million views and prompted some Ring users to cancel their subscriptions.<ref name="cnn-ring-flock-cancellation-2026" /> While Ring has stated it has no partnership with ICE and does not share video with the agency, the claims contributed to the broader backlash against the company. Flock and Ring do have relationships with local US police departments, who in some cases co-operate with federal agencies such as ICE.<ref name="cnn-ring-flock-cancellation-2026" />

==Cancellation==
On February 12, 2026, Ring and Flock Safety jointly announced the cancellation of their planned partnership.

===Ring's response===
Ring published a statement on its blog stating: "Following a comprehensive review, we determined the planned Flock Safety integration would require significantly more time and resources than anticipated. As a result, we have made the joint decision to cancel the planned integration." The company emphasized that "the integration never launched, so no Ring customer videos were ever sent to Flock Safety."<ref name="ring-cancellation-blog" />

Ring spokesperson Emma Daniels confirmed that the partnership was never active and that no videos were ever shared between the services.<ref name="nbcnews-ring-flock-cancellation-2026">{{Cite web |date=2026-02-12 |title=Amazon No Longer Working with Controversial Police Tech Company After Backlash over Ring Doorbell Super Bowl Ad |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/amazon-no-longer-working-police-tech-flock-safety-super-bowl-ad-rcna258855 |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=NBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224121707/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/amazon-no-longer-working-police-tech-flock-safety-super-bowl-ad-rcna258855 |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>

===Flock Safety's response===
Flock Safety described the decision as mutual in its own statement: "We believe this decision allows both companies to best serve their respective customers and communities. Flock remains dedicated to supporting law enforcement agencies with tools that are fully configurable to local laws and policies."<ref name="flock-cancellation-blog" />

==Response==

===Congressional===
Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), who had conducted oversight investigations into Ring since 2019, released a statement following the cancellation: "Amazon's decision to abandon its partnership with Flock is an important step in guarding against the ever-expanding network of surveillance technologies in this country." Markey added: "Amazon is finally getting the message: Enough is enough with the Orwellian surveillance state. This decision is a good first step, but it can't be the end. Amazon must go further and end facial recognition in its Ring doorbells—full stop."<ref name="markey-2026-flock-end-statement">{{Cite web |date=2026-02-13 |title=Markey Statement on End of Amazon Ring and Flock Partnership |url=https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/markey-statement-on-end-of-amazon-ring-and-flock-partnership |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=U.S. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts |publisher=United States Senate |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260217003506/https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/markey-statement-on-end-of-amazon-ring-and-flock-partnership |archive-date=17 Feb 2026}}</ref>

Prior to the cancellation, on February 11, 2026, Markey had written to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy urging the company to discontinue Ring's "Familiar Faces" facial recognition feature, stating that the Super Bowl advertisement had "confirmed public opposition to Ring's constant monitoring and invasive image recognition algorithms."<ref name="markey-2026-super-bowl-letter">{{Cite web |date=2026-02-11 |title=Letter to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy re: Ring Facial Recognition and Super Bowl Ad (PDF) |url=https://www.markey.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/follow-up_ring_frt_letter1.pdf |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=U.S. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts |publisher=United States Senate |format=PDF |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260218141414/https://www.markey.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/follow-up_ring_frt_letter1.pdf |archive-date=18 Feb 2026}}</ref>

===Advocacy organizations===
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) had published criticism of Ring's surveillance capabilities before the cancellation, warning that combining Ring's biometric features with neighborhood video searches could create significant privacy risks. EFF investigative researcher Beryl Lipton wrote: "It doesn't take much to imagine Ring eventually combining these two features: face recognition and neighborhood searches."<ref name="eff-ring-surveillance-nightmare-2026">{{Cite web |author=Beryl Lipton |date=2026-02-10 |title=No One, Including Our Furry Friends, Will Be Safer in Ring's Surveillance Nightmare |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2026/02/no-one-including-our-furry-friends-will-be-safer-rings-surveillance-nightmare-0 |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220165255/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2026/02/no-one-including-our-furry-friends-will-be-safer-rings-surveillance-nightmare-0 |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref>

The American Civil Liberties Union raised concerns about the potential for footage to reach federal agencies despite Flock's stated policies. Senior Policy Counsel Chad Marlow stated that combining Ring doorbell cameras with Flock's license plate readers would "create a more detailed picture of where people go, when they leave, and when they return home."<ref name="cnbc-ring-flock-announcement-2025" />

===Consumer response===
Following the Super Bowl advertisement and news coverage of the Flock partnership, some Ring users publicly cancelled their subscriptions, returned devices, or disabled features. According to Peak Metrics data reported by CNBC, approximately 17% of brand-relevant conversations about Ring in the days following the advertisement included references to boycotts or cancellations.<ref name="cnbc-ring-flock-cancellation-2026" />

On February 13–14, 2026, approximately 200–250 protesters gathered outside Amazon's headquarters in Seattle, organized by a coalition including Amazon Employees for Climate Justice and other groups. The protest called on Amazon to end the Ring–Flock partnership (which had already been cancelled), as well as other relationships with federal immigration enforcement agencies.<ref name="techcrunch-ring-flock-cancellation-2026">{{Cite web |author=Amanda Silberling |date=2026-02-13 |title=Amazon's Ring Cancels Partnership with Flock, a Network of AI Cameras Used by ICE, Feds, and Police |url=https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/13/amazons-ring-cancels-partnership-with-flock-a-network-of-ai-cameras-used-by-ice-feds-and-police/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=TechCrunch |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220002154/https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/13/amazons-ring-cancels-partnership-with-flock-a-network-of-ai-cameras-used-by-ice-feds-and-police/ |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==Ongoing concerns==
The partnership's cancellation did not affect Ring's existing Community Requests program, which continues to operate through its partnership with Axon. Ring's Search Party and Familiar Faces features also remain active.<ref name="geekwire-cancellation" />

Privacy advocates have noted that Ring has previously made reforms in response to public pressure before later expanding surveillance capabilities through new mechanisms. The EFF characterized Ring's history as a recurring pattern of expansion, criticism, reform, and subsequent re-expansion.<ref name="eff-ring-surveillance-nightmare-2026" />

==See also==
*[[Ring]]
*[[Flock Safety]]
*[[Amazon]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Amazon]]
[[Category:Privacy]]
[[Category:Surveillance]]
[[Category:Incidents]]

Robinhood Financial

2026-02-24T12:50:20Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{CompanyCargo
|Description=American mobile-first trading and brokerage platform.
|Founded=2013
|Industry=Financial Services
|Logo=Robinhood (company) logo.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Public
|Website=https://robinhood.com/
}}
'''[[wikipedia:Robinhood_Markets|Robinhood Financial, LLC]],''' is a wholly-owned subsidiary of [[wikipedia:Robinhood_Markets|Robinhood Markets, Inc]]. The US app based brokerage company offers commission free stock and ETF trading ( exchange-traded funds ). Founded in 2013 by two former Stanford University room mates, the app was launched in 2015. Their mission is to democratize finance for all.

==Consumer impact summary==

===Mission statement===
*Democratizing: Removing fees and simplifying investing for individual investors.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=DCF Team |first=The |title=Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of Robinhood Markets, Inc. (HOOD) |url=https://dcfmodeling.com/blogs/vision/hood-mission-vision |website=dcfmodeling.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250729102912/https://dcfmodeling.com/blogs/vision/hood-mission-vision |archive-date=29 Jul 2025}}</ref>

*Accessibility: Offering fractional shares, a mobile-first platform, and educational resources.<ref name=":0" />

*Inclusivity: Targeted young and less wealthy investors that historically were excluded from traditional brokerage services.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boorstin |first=Julia |date=May 25, 2021 |title=Robinhood’s disruptive force: The good, the bad and the controversy |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/25/robinhoods-disruptive-trade-the-good-the-bad-and-the-controversy.html |website=CNBC.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260112100918/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/25/robinhoods-disruptive-trade-the-good-the-bad-and-the-controversy.html |archive-date=12 Jan 2026}}</ref>

===Business model===
Operates on a commission free trading model for individual investors. Generating revenue through:

*Payment for order flow (PFOF): Selling customer trades to high frequency trading firms earning rebates for each trade. This accounts for a significant percentage of its revenue.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Goldfine |first=Jael |date=January 28, 2021 |title=Robinhood’s business model and backlash, explained |url=https://www.businessofbusiness.com/articles/robinhoods-business-model-and-backlash-explained/ |website=businessofbusiness.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250918094501/https://www.businessofbusiness.com/articles/robinhoods-business-model-and-backlash-explained/ |archive-date=18 Sep 2025}}</ref>
*Robinhood Gold: Subscription service offering margin trading and advanced feature for five dollars a month.<ref name=":5" />
*Interest on cash and securities lending: Earning from idle cash in user accounts and lending shares to short sellers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cabral |first=Sarah |last2=LaCombe |first2=Amy |date=December 1, 2021 |title=Robinhood, Reddit, and GameStop: What Happened and What Should Happen Next? |url=https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/business-ethics/resources/robinhood-reddit-and-gamestop-what-happened-and-what-should-happen-next/ |website=scu.edu |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251007183857/https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/business-ethics/resources/robinhood-reddit-and-gamestop-what-happened-and-what-should-happen-next/ |archive-date=7 Oct 2025}}</ref>

Critics argue that PFOF creates a conflict of interest, as they may prioritize routing orders to the highest paying firms rather than ensuring the best execution for customers.

===Tokenized shares===
:Robinhood's shares are blockchain-based representations of traditional stocks or private equities. Tokens mirror the price movements of the underlying assets but do not confer legal ownership of the actual shares. Instead, they function as synthetic derivatives, offering exposure to the asset’s value without traditional shareholder rights like voting or dividends.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Ainsley |date=July 14, 2025 |title=What are ‘tokenized’ stocks, and why are trading platforms like Robinhood offering them? |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/91364041/tokenized-stok-trading-platforms-robinhood |website=Fast Company |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260122020300/https://www.fastcompany.com/91364041/tokenized-stok-trading-platforms-robinhood |archive-date=22 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=O'Brient |first=Samuel |title=Robinhood has rolled out 'tokenized' stocks and ETFs. Here's what to know about the crypto-like assets. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-tokenization-robinhood-openai-spacex-stocks-crypto-blockchain-hood-2025-7 |website=Business Insider |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260212103955/https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-tokenization-robinhood-openai-spacex-stocks-crypto-blockchain-hood-2025-7 |archive-date=12 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Moukhtarzade |first=Darius |title=Turning Stocks into Tokens, Why its Cool but Complicated |url=https://www.21shares.com/en-us/research/turning-stocks-into-tokens-why-its-cool-but-complicated |website=21Shares |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250730043807/https://www.21shares.com/en-us/research/turning-stocks-into-tokens-why-its-cool-but-complicated |archive-date=30 Jul 2025}}</ref>
;Backing mechanism
:Actual shares are held in custody (for public stocks) or partners with brokers to back tokens with real securities. The tokens are synthetic claims tied to price performance, not equity for private companies.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |title=Robinhood Faces Regulatory Scrutiny Over Tokenized Private Company Stock |url=https://www.ledgerinsights.com/robinhood-faces-regulatory-scrutiny-over-tokenized-private-company-stock/ |website=ledgerinsights.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260114194832/https://www.ledgerinsights.com/robinhood-faces-regulatory-scrutiny-over-tokenized-private-company-stock/ |archive-date=14 Jan 2026}}</ref>
;Trading
:Tokenized shares trade 24 hours a day five days a week on Robinhood’s platform via Arbitrum, an Ethereum Layer-2 blockchain.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Patrick |first=Thompson |date=July 10, 2025 |title=Tokenized stocks explained: How Robinhood opened US markets |url=https://coingeek.com/tokenized-stocks-explained-how-robinhood-opened-us-markets/ |website=CoinGeek |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251204032452/https://coingeek.com/tokenized-stocks-explained-how-robinhood-opened-us-markets/ |archive-date=4 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mazza |first=Rosalia |date=July 5, 2025 |title=Robinhood Tokenization Push Redefines Market Hours and Investor Access |url=https://www.fintechweekly.com/magazine/articles/robinhood-tokenization-stock-trading-eu-arbitrum |website=FinTech Weekly |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260112110542/https://www.fintechweekly.com/magazine/articles/robinhood-tokenization-stock-trading-eu-arbitrum |archive-date=12 Jan 2026}}</ref>
;Access
:Currently available only to EU users, these tokens allow fractional ownership and bypass cross-border brokerage hurdles.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":9" />
;Regulatory status
:Classified as derivatives under EU rules, not direct securities. Robinhood emphasizes transparency, but faces scrutiny over disclosures involving private companies.<ref name=":10" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fenton |first=Andrew |date=July 16, 2025 |title=Will Robinhood’s tokenized stocks REALLY take over the world? |url=https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/tokenized-stocks-take-over-world-robinhood-kraken-pros-cons-crypto/ |website=cointelegraph.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260116013717/https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/tokenized-stocks-take-over-world-robinhood-kraken-pros-cons-crypto/ |archive-date=16 Jan 2026}}</ref>
===Negative impacts===

====Misleading Practices and Lack of Transparency====
*Fined $65 million by the SEC in 2020 for failing to disclose how PFOF led to inferior trade execution prices, costing customers $34.1 million in aggregate. The platform claimed trades were "commission-free" but hid the true costs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fitzgerald |first=Maggie |date=December 17, 2020 |title=SEC charges Robinhood with misleading customers about how it makes money |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/17/sec-charges-robinhood-with-misleading-customers-about-how-it-makes-money.html |website=CNBC.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250804110247/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/17/sec-charges-robinhood-with-misleading-customers-about-how-it-makes-money.html |archive-date=4 Aug 2025}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=December 17, 2020 |title=SEC Charges Robinhood Financial With Misleading Customers About Revenue Sources and Failing to Satisfy Duty of Best Execution |url=https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2020-321 |website=SEC.gov |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251205161626/https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2020-321 |archive-date=5 Dec 2025}}</ref>

*Massachusetts regulators fined Robinhood $7.5 million in 2024 for using deceptive gamification tactics (e.g., digital confetti, scratch-off stock rewards) that encouraged risky trading without adequate investor protections.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=Paul |date=February 12, 2024 |title=Game Over: Robinhood Pays $7.5 Million to Resolve “Gamification” Securities Violations |url=https://www.velaw.com/insights/game-over-robinhood-pays-7-5-million-to-resolve-gamification-securities-violations/ |website=velaw.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251225172921/https://www.velaw.com/insights/game-over-robinhood-pays-7-5-million-to-resolve-gamification-securities-violations/ |archive-date=25 Dec 2025}}</ref>

=====Systemic Compliance Failures=====
*Paid $29.75 million in 2025 to settle the Finance Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) probes for failing to detect suspicious account activity, leaving customers vulnerable to hacking and fraud.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stempel |first=Jonathan |date=March 7, 2025 |title=Robinhood paying $29.75 million to end US regulator's probes |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/robinhood-paying-2975-million-end-us-regulators-probes-2025-03-07/ |website=Reuters.com}}</ref>

*Fined $45 million in 2025 by the SEC for failing to safeguard customer data, leading to a 2021 breach exposing millions of users’ information.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 13, 2025 |title=Two Robinhood Broker-Dealers to Pay $45 Million in Combined Penalties for Violating More Than 10 Separate Securities Law Provisions |url=https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025-5 |website=SEC.gov |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251206131653/https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025-5 |archive-date=6 Dec 2025}}</ref>

=====Restricting Consumer Choice=====
*During the 2021 they abruptly halted trading in meme stocks, citing clearinghouse deposit requirements. This left individual investors unable to capitalize on market movements while institutional traders faced fewer restrictions. Critics argued this violated consumer rights by favoring systemic stability over fair access.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Orcutt |first=Johnathan |date=February 25, 2021 |title=The Legal Impact: Robinhood |url=https://law.unh.edu/blog/2021/02/legal-impact-robinhood |website=unh.edu |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708173238/https://law.unh.edu/blog/2021/02/legal-impact-robinhood |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Cabral |first=Sarah |last2=LaCombe |first2=Amy |date=December 1, 2021 |title=Robinhood, Reddit, and GameStop: What Happened and What Should Happen Next? |url=https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/business-ethics/resources/robinhood-reddit-and-gamestop-what-happened-and-what-should-happen-next/ |website=scu.edu |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251007183857/https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/business-ethics/resources/robinhood-reddit-and-gamestop-what-happened-and-what-should-happen-next/ |archive-date=7 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodman |first=Lawrence |last2=Lofchie |first2=Steven |last3=Lumsdaine |first3=Robin |date=February 23, 2021 |title=Robinhood and GameStop: Essential Issues and Next Steps for Regulators and Investors |url=https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2021/02/23/robinhood-and-gamestop-essential-issues-and-next-steps-for-regulators-and-investors/ |website=harvard.edu |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708173235/https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2021/02/23/robinhood-and-gamestop-essential-issues-and-next-steps-for-regulators-and-investors/ |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref>

=====Exploitation of Inexperienced Investors=====
*Robinhood’s reliance on financial influencers (finfluencers) led to a $26 million FINRA fine in 2025 for failing to supervise misleading promotions (e.g., claims of "living financially free" from dividends).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Robin |date=March 24, 2025 |title=Robinhood Case Highlights Risks Posed by Finfluencers |url=https://www.ifa.com/articles/robinhood_case_highlights_risks_posed_finfluencers |website=ifa.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251212223825/https://www.ifa.com/articles/robinhood_case_highlights_risks_posed_finfluencers |archive-date=12 Dec 2025}}</ref>

*The platform’s design prioritized engagement over fiduciary duty, pushing users toward frequent trading, a practice Massachusetts deemed a violation of its fiduciary rule.<ref name=":2" />

===Ongoing ethical and regulatory concerns===

====Conflicts of Interest====
Robinhood’s revenue model (e.g., PFOF, stock lending) often misaligned with customer best execution rights.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" />

====Arbitration Clauses====
Users are forced into mandatory arbitration, limiting their ability to seek legal redress.<ref name=":3" />

==Incidents==

===Death of a trader===
In 2020 a user committed suicide after misinterpreted a negative balance due to poor UI design, leading to backlash over risk disclosures.

===GameStop short squeeze===
''main article: [[GameStop Short Squeeze]]''

In 2021, decisions to restrict trading fueled accusations of market manipulation and hypocrisy due to it's 'for the people' branding.

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Robinhood Financial]]
[[Category:Retroactively amended purchase]]

Telstra

2026-02-24T12:44:25Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{CompanyCargo
|Description=Australian telecommunications company providing telephone service and mobile and home internet access.
|Founded=1975
|Industry=Telecommunications
|Logo=Telstra.png
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Public
|Website=https://telstra.com.au/
}}

'''[[Wikipedia:Telstra|Telstra Group Limited]]''' is Australia's largest telecommunications provider, offering a wide range of services including mobile, broadband, and fixed-line telephony to the Australian market. As of the latest data, Telstra supports approximately 22.5 million retail mobile services and 3.4 million fixed data services. <ref>Telstra - About Our Company - 2025-01-14: https://www.telstra.com.au/aboutus/our-company ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260210195941/https://www.telstra.com.au/aboutus/our-company Archived])</ref><ref>Telstra Group Limited - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telstra ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260118030108/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telstra Archived])</ref>

Since 28 October 2024, Telstra has focused exclusively on providing 4G LTE and 5G mobile services, having phased out its 2G and 3G networks. In the competitive Australian mobile network market, Telstra's main rivals include Optus, owned by Singtel, and TPG Telecom, which operates the Vodafone brand.

Originally established as a government-owned entity under the name Telecom Australia, Telstra underwent privatization and became a fully private company by 2006. It is currently listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) as a publicly traded company.

Telstra launched the 'Belong' brand in 2013 as a low-cost mobile and internet services provider and acquired Boost Mobile (Australia) in 2024.

Whilst Telstra's primary market is Australia, it has also moved into the international markets in Europe, Asia and the United States.

==Incidents==

===Putting customers under risk of being scammed/defrauded===
In 2024 Telstra was found by the ACMA to have not been authenticating customer IDs between August 2022 and April 2023 during 168,000 high-risk interactions such as password resets or SIM card swaps and has been fined $1.5 Million.<ref>ABC - ACMA found Telstra didn't have MFA for high-risk customer activities such as changing password after new rules were implemented in 2022 - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-17/telstra-fined-1-5m-for-leaving-customers-vulnerable-to-scams/104107146 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250720120340/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-17/telstra-fined-1-5m-for-leaving-customers-vulnerable-to-scams/104107146 Archived])</ref>

Under ACMA rules that were introduced in 2022 required that all telcos in Australia to have implemented Multi-Factor ID authentication such as OTP to email/current phone number on file for high-risk changes to accounts.

The investigation found Telstra was not compliant with the new regulations and it identified about 7,000 instances involving customers in vulnerable circumstances.

A Telstra spokesperson at the time says they were "very supportive" of regulations focused on customer security, but said the 2022 regulations were significant in scope, "We had to design and deploy multi-factor authentication processes across all our channels," they continued, arguing the company missed the start date for the new regulations because it was making sure the processes worked properly.

ACMA did not find any direct evidence of losses from the breaches.

Telstra had agreed to a two-year undertaking with ACMA to take action on the breaches for future transactions, which is court enforceable if not followed.

===Locking purchased content behind new Fetch hardware and discontinuation bricking of Telstra TV devices.===
In 2024 Telstra contacted a customer to advise that they would no longer have access to their library of content unless they upgraded their 'Telstra TV Box Office' to a new Fetch device. This change in policy requires customer to purchase new hardware in order to access the content and media they have paid for. In this instance the customer was provided a new Fetch device for free, however at no time has Telstra offered all affected customers a free device and likely many customers either paid for new hardware or lost access to the content they had purchased. <ref>The Guardian - ‘My whole library is wiped out’: what it means to own movies and TV in the age of streaming services https://www.theguardian.com/media/article/2024/may/14/my-whole-library-is-wiped-out-what-it-means-to-own-movies-and-tv-in-the-age-of-streaming-services ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260224105908/https://www.theguardian.com/media/article/2024/may/14/my-whole-library-is-wiped-out-what-it-means-to-own-movies-and-tv-in-the-age-of-streaming-services Archived])</ref>

In addition to forcing customers to move to the new "Fetch" device and ecosystem, Telstra has [[Discontinuation bricking|bricked]] all previous "Telstra TV" devices<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Telstra TV Shutdown |url=https://www.telstra.com.au/entertainment/tv-movies/telstra-tv |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250918023448/https://www.telstra.com.au/entertainment/tv-movies/telstra-tv |archive-date=18 Sep 2025}}</ref>. The Telstra TV line of products were made in partnership with [[Roku]] and had the ability to stream and playback local content through the Roku Media Playback app or through Plex, and retailed at one point for $219AUD<ref>{{Cite web |author=Orion_2012 |title=Telstra TV3 - Review - Media Players |url=https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2789846 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224110000/https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2789846 |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>. While sales figures for these devices may not be public, this decision has officially turned all of these capable devices into e-waste for which Telstra suggests recycling them at your local Telstra store.<ref name=":0" />

Under Telstra's terms of service it specifies that the content purchased is 'your content' and specifies that you can 'buy' or 'purchase' the content, however Telstra still reserves the right to take access away from the content under various circumstances. This could be misunderstood by customers to believe that they own something they paid for that is actually closer to a lease or rental arrangement.

===Repeated overcharging customers for inactive services===
In 2020 it was identified that Telstra had charged more than 10,000 customers for services that weren't active. It is estimated that Telstra overcharged almost $2.5 Million over a 12 year period. Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) formally directed Telstra to comply with the Telecommunications Act in September 2020.<ref>ACMA - Telstra direction (''November 2020'') - https://www.acma.gov.au/publications/2020-11/report/telstra-direction-november-2020 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250708192306/https://www.acma.gov.au/publications/2020-11/report/telstra-direction-november-2020 Archived])</ref>

A subsequent investigation occurred in 2022 and identified that Telstra had overcharged more than 11000 customers approximately $1.7 million. ACMA ordered Telstra to pay a $3 Million penalty in addition to refunding affected customers $21.1 Million<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 Dec 2023 |title=Telstra pays $24 million in penalties and refunds after wrongly charging customers |url=https://www.acma.gov.au/articles/2023-12/telstra-pays-24-million-penalties-and-refunds-after-wrongly-charging-customers |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250803185546/https://www.acma.gov.au/articles/2023-12/telstra-pays-24-million-penalties-and-refunds-after-wrongly-charging-customers |archive-date=3 Aug 2025}}</ref>

===Reducing speeds on Belong NBN plans===
In November 2020 Telstra migrated 8,897 customers from a 100Mbps plan to a 40Mbps plan without notifying them. There was no price change for these customers even though Telstra saved $7 per customer per month for the newer lower speed service. Telstra was forced to pay $15 Million in penalties after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) instituted proceedings in the Federal Court.<ref>ACCC - Telstra found to have misled nearly 9,000 Belong customers over broadband speed claims - https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/telstra-found-to-have-misled-nearly-9000-belong-customers-over-broadband-speed-claims ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251003015333/https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/telstra-found-to-have-misled-nearly-9000-belong-customers-over-broadband-speed-claims Archived])</ref>

===Selling mobile contracts to customers who cannot afford them===
Between January 2016 and August 2018 representatives at Telstra stores sold unaffordable contracts to 108 Indigenous customers. Sales staff manipulated credit assessments, misrepresented products as free and exploited language barriers. In 2020 the ACCC instituted Federal Court proceedings against Telstra for unconscionable conduct and the Federal Court ordered Telstra to pay $50 Million in penalties. <ref>ACCC - Telstra to pay $50m penalty for unconscionable sales to Indigenous consumers https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/telstra-to-pay-50m-penalty-for-unconscionable-sales-to-indigenous-consumers ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251213082437/https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/telstra-to-pay-50m-penalty-for-unconscionable-sales-to-indigenous-consumers Archived])</ref>

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Telstra Group Limited]]

Telecom Egypt

2026-02-24T12:44:01Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1854
|Industry=Telecommunications
|Logo=We-seeklogo.png
|Type=Public (State-owned majority)
|Website=https://www.te.eg/
|Description=Telecom Egypt (WE) is the primary landline and a major internet and mobile service provider in Egypt. While publicly traded on the Egyptian Exchange, the company remains 80% owned by the Egyptian government through the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. Operating under the commercial brand "WE" since 2017, the company offers fixed-line, mobile, and internet services, while controlling key national infrastructure.
}}
'''Telecom Egypt (WE)''' is the primary landline and a major internet and mobile service provider in Egypt. While publicly traded on the Egyptian Exchange, the company remains 80% owned by the Egyptian government through the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. Operating under the commercial brand "WE" since 2017, the company offers fixed-line, mobile, and internet services, while controlling key national infrastructure.<ref name="investor">{{cite web |title=Telecom Egypt - Investor Relations |url=https://ir.te.eg |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203000618/http://ir.te.eg/ |archive-date=2018-02-03 |access-date=2025-07-24}}</ref>

==Consumer Impact Summary==
Telecom Egypt has been subject to criticism from users and independent watchdogs over a range of issues:
*'''User freedom:''' Customers report SIM card registration problems, service downtimes without notice, and inconsistent access to account termination or switching providers.
*'''User privacy:''' Egypt's telecommunications infrastructure has faced scrutiny for being vulnerable to state surveillance. Being government-owned, Telecom Egypt has not publicly addressed these concerns.
*'''Business model:''' As a former landline monopoly, Telecom Egypt benefits from unfair infrastructural advantages when compared to other ISPs and mobile carriers that must lease infrastructure.
*'''Market control:''' Through WE, Telecom Egypt maintains dominant access to backbone fiber networks, creating potential anti-competitive bottlenecks for rivals.

==Incidents==

===Nationwide outage (''2023'')===
On July 4, 2023, thousands of users across Egypt reported widespread internet outages from WE. Downdetector and local reports confirmed the incident, but Telecom Egypt offered no official explanation until days later, citing "maintenance" after public outcry.<ref name="outage">{{cite web|title=Internet outage affects thousands of WE users in Egypt|url=https://enterprise.press/stories/2023/07/05/we-internet-outage-causes-uproar|access-date=2025-07-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224120802/https://enterpriseam.com/egypt/ |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>

===SIM swap and porting restrictions===
A growing number of users have reported difficulty transferring their numbers away from WE to other carriers. While mobile portability is legally required in Egypt, some users claim Telecom Egypt staff delay or reject requests without justification.<ref name="sim-port">{{cite web|title=Telecom Egypt accused of hindering mobile number portability|url=https://www.menabytes.com/telecom-egypt-mnp-issues|access-date=2025-07-24}}</ref>

===Privacy concerns===
Digital rights groups like Access Now and EIPR have criticized Egypt's telecom ecosystem for enabling mass surveillance. While not directly confirmed, Telecom Egypt has been named in reports regarding deep packet inspection tools deployed on state internet infrastructure.<ref name="privacy">{{cite web|title=Egyptian ISPs deploying censorship and surveillance tech|url=https://www.accessnow.org/egypt-isp-surveillance/|access-date=2025-07-24}}</ref>

==Products==

*'''WE Internet''' – ADSL and fiber internet packages with bandwidth limits and FUP (fair usage policy) restrictions.
*'''WE Mobile''' – Mobile telecom services under Egypt’s fourth mobile license. Offers voice, data, and 4G.
*'''Fixed-Line Services''' – Legacy landline infrastructure; still the largest provider in Egypt.
*'''Data Hosting & Infrastructure''' – Owns data centers and undersea cable landing points (e.g., SE-ME-WE 5).

==See also==
==References==
<references />
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

TikTok

2026-02-24T12:43:30Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{Stub}}
{{ProductCargo
|Company=[[ByteDance]]
|ReleaseYear=2016
|InProduction=Yes
|ArticleType=Service
|Category=Social media
|Logo=Tiktok PNG1-1180843710.png
|Website=https://tiktok.com
|Description=Social media platform famous for popularizing short-form content.
}}

[[wikipedia:TikTok|TikTok]] is a social media platform developed by the Chinese internet technology company [[ByteDance|ByteDance Ltd]]. The app has been cited with numerous privacy concerns that eventually led to a US state ban in May 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Archie |first=Ayana |date=May 18, 2023 |title=Montana becomes the first state to ban TikTok |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/05/18/1176805559/montana-tiktok-ban |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518073749/https://www.npr.org/2023/05/18/1176805559/montana-tiktok-ban |archive-date=18 May 2023 |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |website=NPR}}</ref>

==Consumer impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}

===User freedom===
*The app version requires an account to use the service.

===User privacy===
As per Privacy Policy:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Privacy Policy |url=https://www.tiktok.com/legal/page/row/privacy-policy/en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250816013219/https://www.tiktok.com/legal/page/row/privacy-policy/en |archive-date=16 Aug 2025 |access-date=14 Aug 2025 |website=TikTok}}</ref>
*Automatically collects unreasonable heaps of information to [[Device fingerprint|fingerprint]] the user:
<blockquote>
:'''Technical Information we collect about you.''' We collect certain information about the device you use to access the Platform, such as your IP address, user agent, mobile carrier, time zone settings, identifiers for advertising purposes, model of your device, the device system, network type, your screen resolution and operating system, app and file names and types, keystroke patterns or rhythms, battery state, audio settings and connected audio devices.
</blockquote>
:*"Keystroke patterns or rhythms" is particularly notable as the in-app browser has been demonstrated to listen to inputs from keyboard and screen, as well as injecting [[JavaScript]] code.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Krause |first=Felix |date=18 Aug 2022 |title=iOS Privacy: Announcing InAppBrowser.com - see what JavaScript commands get injected through an in-app browser |url=https://krausefx.com/blog/announcing-inappbrowsercom-see-what-javascript-commands-get-executed-in-an-in-app-browser#tiktok |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818205812/https://krausefx.com/blog/announcing-inappbrowsercom-see-what-javascript-commands-get-executed-in-an-in-app-browser#tiktok |archive-date=18 Aug 2022 |access-date=14 Aug 2025 |quote=While you are interacting with the website, TikTok subscribes to all keyboard inputs (including passwords, credit card information, etc.) and every tap on the screen, like which buttons and links you click.}}</ref>
*Also collects approximate location based on "SIM card and/or IP address" and precise location such as GPS.
*Serves personalized advertisements and runs its own [[TikTok and AI-powered ad tracking|AI-powered analytics tool for advertisers]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sato |first=Mia |date=3 Jun 2025 |title=TikTok will give advertisers even more data on trends and users |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/678255/tiktok-advertiser-summit-ai-targeting-data-seo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250603164513/https://www.theverge.com/news/678255/tiktok-advertiser-summit-ai-targeting-data-seo |archive-date=3 Jun 2025 |access-date=25 Jun 2025 |website=The Verge}}</ref>
Extensive List of Data Collected and Downloadable by the User in the Section "Downloadable and Collected Data"

==Incidents==
{{Ph-C-Inc}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!Incident
!Year
!Background Info
!Aftermath
!Related Article
!Related Video
|-
|Violations of Children's Privacy Laws
|2019-current
|In 2019, the US Department of Justice sued TikTok and parent company [[ByteDance]] as well as it's associated companies for violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act ([https://www.coppa.org/coppa/ COPPA]). The companies knowingly allowed children under 13 to make accounts and unlawfully collected data and personal information of said children without parental consent.<ref name="DOJ-COPPA">{{Cite web |date=2024-08-02 |title=Justice Department Sues TikTok and Parent Company ByteDance for Widespread Violations of Children’s Privacy Laws |url=https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-tiktok-and-parent-company-bytedance-widespread-violations-childrens |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250209191215/https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-tiktok-and-parent-company-bytedance-widespread-violations-childrens |archive-date=9 Feb 2025 |website=Justice.gov}}</ref>
|TikTok, as of 2020, still has complains about allegedly still collecting and using personal data of children under 13.
|https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/08/ftc-investigation-leads-lawsuit-against-tiktok-bytedance-flagrantly-violating-childrens-privacy-law
|
|-
|Suppressing "ugly", poor, or disabled creators
|2020-present
|[https://theintercept.com/ The Intercept] published a report in 2020 stating that obtained internal documents from TikTok instructed moderators to limit the amount of videos with people who have "ugly facial looks". "abnormal body shape", or are in poor or dirty environments. The documents claim that these types of videos are "not the ideal video form of our platform"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Biddle1 Ribero2 Dias3 |first=Sam1 Paulo Victor2 Tatiana3 |date=2020-03-16 |title=Invisible Censorship |url=https://theintercept.com/2020/03/16/tiktok-app-moderators-users-discrimination/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316045931/https://theintercept.com/2020/03/16/tiktok-app-moderators-users-discrimination/ |archive-date=16 Mar 2020 |website=The Intercept}}</ref>
|A TikTok spokesperson stated that the guidelines were “an early blunt attempt at preventing bullying but are no longer in place"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Itimu |first=Kiruti |date=2020-03-17 |title=TikTok Apparently Suppressed Content From Ugly or Poor People |url=https://techweez.com/2020/03/17/tiktok-apparently-suppresses-content-from-ugly-and-poor-people/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204021629/https://techweez.com/2020/03/17/tiktok-apparently-suppresses-content-from-ugly-and-poor-people/ |archive-date=4 Dec 2020 |website=Techweez}}</ref>
|[https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/6810010/pages/Ugly-Content-Policy-p1-large.gif The documents themselves]
|
|-
|Censorship of content talking negatively Donald Trump's government, ICE or related and update of privacy policy
|2026-present
|On January, 2026, TikTok's ownership was transferred to [[Oracle]]. After this transference, the privacy policy was updated. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Reece |date=23 Jan 2026 |title=TikTok Is Now Collecting Even More Data About Its Users. Here Are the 3 Biggest Changes |url=https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-new-privacy-policy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222090442/https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-new-privacy-policy/ |archive-date=22 Feb 2026|access-date=28 Jan 2026 |website=Wired}}</ref> Several users have reported their content that is against Donald Trump or ICE, or anything related ends shadowbanned or flagged "to be reviewed". <ref>{{Cite web |last=Collier |first=Kevin |last2=Horvath |first2=Bruna |date=26 Jan 2026 |title=TikTok censorship claims spark California probe of app's handling of anti-Trump content |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/tiktok-fixed-power-outage-not-censorship-work-views-down-rcna255964 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260219181336/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/tiktok-fixed-power-outage-not-censorship-work-views-down-rcna255964 |archive-date=19 Feb 2026|access-date=28 Jan 2026 |website=NBC News}}</ref>
|
|
|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ktze-X2rG4E
|-
|Running GenAI Ads without permission
|2026-present
|On February 5, 2026, Rebekah Saltsman, CEO & co-founder of Finji, a game publisher known for titles such as Tunic and Night in the Woods, made a post on Bluesky asking people to send screencaps of "Finji ads that look distinctly UN-Finji-like".<ref>https://bsky.app/profile/bexsaltsman.bsky.social/post/3me4ybayhf226 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260221001755/https://bsky.app/profile/bexsaltsman.bsky.social/post/3me4ybayhf226 Archived])</ref> Saltsman explained how platforms were running AI versions of paid ads without the knowledge or consent of the company paying for the ads. Saltsman also explained that the company who paid for the ads has no way of seeing the AI versions of those despite the audience seeing them.
An IGN article would later come out where Saltsman detailed how TikTok was running ads that were modified to be sexualized despite Finji having all AI features turned off. Saltsman stated how Finji has no way to view, edit or disable the AI generated ads and that the only way they were made aware of the issue was through audience members.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Valentine |first=Rebekah |date=February 20, 2026 11:04am EST |title=Tunic, Night in the Woods Publisher Says TikTok Is Creating and Running Racist GenAI Ads for Its Games Without Permission |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/tunic-night-in-the-woods-publisher-says-tiktok-is-creating-and-running-racist-genai-ads-for-its-games-without-permission |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222020940/https://www.ign.com/articles/tunic-night-in-the-woods-publisher-says-tiktok-is-creating-and-running-racist-genai-ads-for-its-games-without-permission |archive-date=February 22, 2026 |access-date=February 23, 2026 |work=IGN}}</ref>
|
|https://www.ign.com/articles/tunic-night-in-the-woods-publisher-says-tiktok-is-creating-and-running-racist-genai-ads-for-its-games-without-permission
|
|}

===GDPR infringement Article Article 13(1)(f) & Article 46(1) GDPR (''May. 2025'')===
On May 2, 2025 the Irish Supervisory Authority fines TikTok a total of €530 million for infringement of Articles 13(1)(f) GDPR and Article 46(1) GDPR. The Irish Supervisory Authority (SA) has ordered TikTok to suspend the transfer of data from users in the EEA to the People’s Republic of China and to bring its processing operations into compliance with Chapter V of the GDPR within a period of 6 months.<ref>Irish Supervisory Authority fines TikTok €530 million and orders corrective measures following Inquiry into transfers of EEA User Data to China (2025, Jul, 04). edpb.europa.eu. Retrieved Aug 16, 2025, from https://www.edpb.europa.eu/news/news/2025/irish-supervisory-authority-fines-tiktok-eu530-million-and-orders-corrective_en ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260205062500/https://www.edpb.europa.eu/news/news/2025/irish-supervisory-authority-fines-tiktok-eu530-million-and-orders-corrective_en Archived])</ref>

On Friday, August 2, 2024, the US sued TikTok, and its affiliates for violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”), and it's rules. The DOJ alleges TikTok collected, stored, and processed large amounts of data from millions of child users on its app.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Nicole |date=5 Aug 2024 |title=U.S. Sues TikTok for Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Violations |url=https://www.hunton.com/hunton-retail-law-resource/u-s-sues-tiktok-for-childrens-online-privacy-protection-act-coppa-violations |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250814135309/https://www.hunton.com/hunton-retail-law-resource/u-s-sues-tiktok-for-childrens-online-privacy-protection-act-coppa-violations |archive-date=14 Aug 2025}}</ref>

==Downloadable and Collected Data==
From the downloadable data from the hamburger menu in the account tab > "Settings and Privacy" > "Account" > "Download your data" and selecting "TXT" file format the data collected, the provided data, as formatted at a directory level, includes:

*Your activity:
**Activity Summary (Videos Shared/Watched/Commented On)
**Ad Interests (Catagories of Ads selected as "Interested")
**Donations
**Fundraisers
**Hashtags (Used in public videos)
**Instant Form Ads Responses (Details inputted on forms on the bottom of some ads)
**Login History (Date, Time, IP, Device Model, Device System (OS), Network Type (Wi-Fi or Cellular), Carrier when opening app)'''*'''
**Most Recent Location Data (GPS Location, Local Time and Region, if 'Location' permission enabled)'''*'''
**Off TikTok Activity (Partner Apps Opened (e.g. eBay, Spotify, W3W)
**Purchaces (LIVE Gifts Given/Recieved)
**Searches (Timestamped Search History)
**Share History (Videos Shared Off-App)
**Status (App Version, Screen Resolution, Advertising ID and Device ID)'''*'''
**Watch History (Timestamped Watch History)
*Profile and Settings
**AI-Moji (Unsure)
**Autofill (Autofill of Instant Form Ads prompts with personal info)
**Block List (Time stamped list of users blocked)
**Follower (Time stamped list of who has followed you, including users with private following lists)
**Following (Time stamped list of who you have followed)
**Profile Information (Profile Photo, Profile Video, Username, Phone No., Email, Bio, Birthday, Gender, Likes Recieved, 3rd Party App connections (e.g. Google)
**Settings (User-Readable Config File of TikTok account settings)
*TikTok LIVE
**Go LIVE History
**Go LIVE Settings
**Watch LIVE History
**Watch LIVE Settings
*TikTok Shop
**Product Browsing History (Timestamped history of viewed items, and what shop sells the item)
**Product Reviews
**Return and Refunds History
**Saved Address Information
**Shopping Cart List
**Vouchers (Timestamps of vouchers offered/used)
**Communication With Shops (DMs to shops from the "Message Seller" option in TikTok Shop)
**Current Payment Information (Censored Debit/Credit Card Details linked to TikTok Shop Account)
**Customer Support History
**Order Dispute History
**Order History
*Comments (Every Comment ever left on ANY video)
*Direct Messages (Every DM sent either way)
*Income+ Wallet (Creator Rewards Wallet)
*Likes and Favourites
**Favourite:
***Effects
***Hashtags
***Sounds
***Videos
**Like List (Every Video Liked)
*Location Reviews
*Posts
**Posts (Every Posted Video with sound, settings and timestamp)
**Recently Deleted Posts

'''*Collected on App Open'''

==See also==
*[[ByteDance]]
*[[TikTok and AI-powered ad tracking]]
*[[TikTok's Privacy Policy change and increased censorship for US users]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:TikTok| ]]
[[Category:Social media companies]]

Veo paywalls camera features

2026-02-24T12:41:14Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{Incomplete}}{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Veo Technologies ApS
|StartDate=2025-03-13
|Status=Active
|ProductLine=Veo Camera, Veo GO
|Product=Veo Camera 1, Veo Camera 2, Veo Camera 3, Veo GO
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Ownership
|Description=Veo patched a workaround on Mar 13, 2025, now blocking all video access without a subscription, reducing camera ownership value.
}}

In February 2025, Veo Technologies patched a workaround that had allowed camera owners to access and share recordings without a subscription.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Veo Camera Android 3.3.0.3 - update changelog |url=https://updates.veo.co/announcements/veo-camera-android-3-3-0-3 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251208041858/https://updates.veo.co/announcements/veo-camera-android-3-3-0-3 |archive-date=8 Dec 2025}}</ref> The change followed months of community discussion on Reddit, where users discovered that Veo’s app could stream videos via AirPlay.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=VEO without subscription?? - Reddit |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/VeoCamera/comments/qqytnz/veo_without_subscription/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20211110170116/https://old.reddit.com/r/VeoCamera/comments/qqytnz/veo_without_subscription/ |archive-date=10 Nov 2021}}</ref> With the update introducing “Native Viewing,” Veo effectively blocked all non-subscribed access, sparking criticism over transparency and product ownership.<ref>{{Cite web |title=hack veo camera? - Reddit |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/VeoCamera/comments/1muowh3/hack_veo_camera/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224101735/https://old.reddit.com/r/VeoCamera/comments/1muowh3/hack_veo_camera/ |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==Background==
'''Veo Technologies ApS''', a Danish company known for its AI-powered sports cameras, has built its business model around a subscription-based platform.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Veo Technologies |url=https://www.veo.co/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21503330536&creative=706795709477&campaignid=21503330536&adgroupid=170426476772&keyword=best%20sports%20camera&gad_source=1}}</ref> When purchasing a Veo Camera, customers are informed that an active subscription is required to access most features, including publishing and sharing recorded matches.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Veo Cam 3 |url=https://www.veo.co/product/veo-cam-3 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260118134028/https://www.veo.co/product/veo-cam-3 |archive-date=18 Jan 2026}}</ref> Despite this, until February 2025, camera owners without an active subscription could still record, view, and share their footage locally using workarounds such as AirPlay. This provided users with a degree of independence from Veo’s cloud services, preserving some value in camera ownership even without ongoing payments.

==Incident==
The controversy surrounding Veo’s subscription model dates back to late 2021, when users on the ''r/veocamera'' subreddit began questioning whether it was possible to use Veo cameras without an active subscription.<ref name=":1" /> One early post from November 2021 captured the frustration of potential buyers: while Veo’s AI-driven technology was appealing, its mandatory subscription requirement discouraged many. Responses confirmed that without a subscription, recordings remained inaccessible—even though the camera itself could still capture footage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reply on "VEO without subscription??" - Reddit (u/torona69) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/VeoCamera/comments/qqytnz/comment/hkdc4po/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224120231/https://old.reddit.com/r/VeoCamera/comments/qqytnz/veo_without_subscription/hkdc4po/?utm_term=1&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_source=share&utm_content=share_button |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref> For years, users quietly sought alternatives, and in September 2024, one Redditor revealed a workaround: by using AirPlay through the Veo app’s video player, recordings could be streamed or even screen recorded, partially bypassing the subscription limitation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reply on "VEO without subscription??" - Reddit (u/Rushfcknb #1) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/VeoCamera/comments/qqytnz/comment/ln3h0sv/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button}}</ref> This method spread modestly online, until early March 2025, when the same user confirmed the loophole had been patched.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reply on "VEO without subscription??" - Reddit (u/Rushfcknb #2) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/VeoCamera/comments/qqytnz/comment/mhlduwo/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224124048/https://old.reddit.com/r/VeoCamera/comments/qqytnz/veo_without_subscription/mhlduwo/?utm_term=1&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_source=share&utm_content=share_button |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref> The update effectively disabled AirPlay and similar sharing functions, locking video access fully behind Veo’s subscription paywall.<ref name=":0" />

===Veo's response===
Veo Technologies did not directly acknowledge the AirPlay patch or the community’s discovery of the workaround. However, a clue surfaced in Veo’s official changelog from late February 2025, describing a new feature called ''“Native Viewing.”'' The update promised “seamless viewing directly within the app,” but in practice, it introduced Veo’s proprietary video player — which blocked AirPlay and all external sharing options.<ref name=":0" /> This move, presented as an improvement, was perceived by users as a deliberate step to prevent unsubscribed owners from accessing their recordings outside the Veo ecosystem. By removing the final means of local playback, Veo reaffirmed its dependence on subscriptions for even basic functionality. The company’s silence on the issue and the misleading changelog description further fueled user frustration, reinforcing the perception that Veo prioritizes subscription revenue over fair product ownership.

===Consumer trust===
The decision to patch out local playback and enforce subscription-only access has raised serious concerns about consumer trust in Veo Technologies. Many owners feel that their expensive cameras (often costing over $1,000<ref name=":2" />) have effectively become unusable without continuous payments. What was once marketed as an innovative sports recording tool now feels, to some, like a leased service disguised as a product. The AirPlay patch incident especially damaged Veo’s credibility; by quietly removing a user-discovered feature under the pretense of a “Native Viewing” enhancement, the company appeared deceptive rather than transparent. This has sparked discussions about the broader implications of subscription-dependent hardware, where ownership does not guarantee access or control. For many users, Veo’s handling of the situation has undermined confidence in the brand, reinforcing fears that digital ecosystems can revoke functionality at any time — even after full purchase.

==References==
{{reflist}}

Washington house bill 2321 regarding 3d printers

2026-02-24T12:38:16Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{IncidentCargo
|ProductLine=3D printers
|Product=3D printers
|Description=Washington State bill mandating firearm detection algorithms in 3D printers; first law of its kind, with Class C felony penalties.
}}
'''Washington House Bill 2321''' is proposed legislation in the U.S. state of Washington that requires all 3D printers sold in the state to include firearm-blocking technology. Prefiled on January 8, 2026, and referred to the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee on January 12, the bill would impose Class C felony penalties of up to five years imprisonment and $15,000 in fines for corporations that sell non-compliant printers after July 1, 2027.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2321&Year=2025 |title=HB 2321 |website=Washington State Legislature |access-date=2026-01-21 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260123005157/https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2321&Year=2025 |archive-date=23 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref name="billtext">{{cite web |url=https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/2321.pdf |title=House Bill 2321 |website=Washington State Legislature |date=2026-01-08 |access-date=2026-01-21 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220150532/https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/2321.pdf |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref>

The bill is sponsored by Democratic state representatives.<ref name="billtext" /> No hearings have been scheduled as of January 21, 2026, and no amendments have been filed.

==Background==

===Federal regulation of ghost guns===
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives issued a rule in 2022 clarifying that weapon parts kits and unfinished frames fall under the definition of "firearm" in the Gun Control Act of 1968. This rule required ghost gun kits to carry serial numbers and be sold through licensed dealers with background checks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scotusblog.com/2025/03/supreme-court-upholds-regulation-of-ghost-guns/ |title=Supreme Court upholds regulation on "ghost guns" |website=SCOTUSblog |date=2025-03-26 |access-date=2026-01-21 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260123004250/https://www.scotusblog.com/2025/03/supreme-court-upholds-regulation-of-ghost-guns/ |archive-date=23 Jan 2026}}</ref>

On March 26, 2025, the Supreme Court upheld this rule in ''Bondi v. VanDerStok'' by a 7-2 vote. Justice Neil Gorsuch, writing for the majority, affirmed that weapon parts kits and partially complete frames that are "readily convertible" into functional weapons fall under the Gun Control Act's purview. The majority reasoned that just as a disassembled table is still a table, a kit containing all necessary parts to assemble a firearm—such as Polymer80's "Buy Build Shoot" kit—is effectively a firearm.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/23-852_o7jp.pdf |title=Bondi v. VanDerStok |website=Supreme Court of the United States |date=2025-03-26 |access-date=2026-01-21 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250913145748/https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/23-852_o7jp.pdf |archive-date=13 Sep 2025}}</ref> The ruling was a statutory interpretation challenge under the Administrative Procedure Act; it did not address Second Amendment claims regarding home firearm manufacture.<ref name="regreview">{{cite web |url=https://www.theregreview.org/2025/07/23/willinger-vanderstok-and-the-ghosts-of-gun-deregulation/ |title=VanDerStok and the Ghosts of Gun Deregulation |website=The Regulatory Review |date=2025-07-23 |access-date=2026-01-21 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260201032112/https://www.theregreview.org/2025/07/23/willinger-vanderstok-and-the-ghosts-of-gun-deregulation/ |archive-date=1 Feb 2026}}</ref>

===Open-source 3D printer firmware===
The consumer 3D printer market relies on open-source firmware. Marlin firmware, created in 2011, states on its homepage that it ''"drives most of the world's 3D printers."'' It is used by manufacturers including Ultimaker, Prusa Research, and Creality.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://marlinfw.org/ |title=Home |website=Marlin Firmware |access-date=2026-01-21 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260111165541/https://marlinfw.org/ |archive-date=11 Jan 2026}}</ref> Klipper firmware, developed in 2016, has rapidly gained popularity among prosumer FDM 3D printer users.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.xometry.com/resources/3d-printing/klipper-vs-marlin/ |title=Klipper vs. Marlin - 3D Printer Firmware Comparison |website=Xometry |date=2025-06-12 |access-date=2026-01-21 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260123004324/https://www.xometry.com/resources/3d-printing/klipper-vs-marlin/ |archive-date=23 Jan 2026}}</ref>

Both Marlin and Klipper are published under the GNU General Public License. The GPL requires that users be provided with source code upon request and permits unlimited modification and redistribution.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://github.com/MarlinFirmware/Marlin |title=MarlinFirmware/Marlin |website=GitHub |access-date=2026-01-21 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260123004413/https://github.com/MarlinFirmware/Marlin |archive-date=23 Jan 2026}}</ref> This licensing structure permits users to compile and flash custom firmware versions without restrictions, which places them in direct conflict with the text of the bill.

==Provisions of the bill==

===Blocking technology requirements===
HB 2321 would require 3D printers sold in Washington after July 1, 2027 to be equipped with ''"blocking features"'' defined as ''"a software controls process that deploys a firearms blueprint detection algorithm."'' According to the bill text, these features must ''"identify and reject print requests for firearms or illegal firearm parts with a high degree of reliability and cannot be overridden or otherwise defeated by a user with significant technical skill."''<ref name="billtext" />

The bill defines ''"firearms blueprint detection algorithm"'' as a system that evaluates STL files, CAD files, or G-code to determine whether they match firearm designs.<ref name="billtext" /> Manufacturers may comply through three methods specified in Section 6(2) of the bill: integration of the algorithm in the printer's firmware, integration in preprint software, or a handshake authentication design between software and printer.<ref name="billtext" />

===Scope of covered equipment===
The bill defines ''"three-dimensional printer"'' to include devices capable of both additive manufacturing and subtractive manufacturing from a digital file. This broad definition has been interpreted by commentators to potentially include CNC mills, lathes, laser cutters, and water jet cutters.<ref name="billtext" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/5-years-prison-download-washingtons-brutal-new-crackdown-3d-printed-guns-1772280 |title=The State of Washington Joins Other States Imposing a Ban or Restrictions Against 3D Printed Firearms |website=International Business Times |date=2026-01-20 |access-date=2026-01-21 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260123004535/https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/5-years-prison-download-washingtons-brutal-new-crackdown-3d-printed-guns-1772280 |archive-date=23 Jan 2026}}</ref>

===Attorney General authority===
Section 3(3) grants the Washington Attorney General authority to ''"adopt rules and regulations for any other processes the attorney general deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter."''<ref name="billtext" /> Section 8 requires the Attorney General to create and maintain a database of firearms blueprint files by August 1, 2026, and to update this database at least once per year. Section 7(4) authorizes the Attorney General to adopt rules ''"requiring developers and users of such algorithms to update such algorithms if new technology is found to be substantially more effective."''<ref name="billtext" />

===Penalties and exemptions===
Violations by corporations constitute a Class C felony with penalties of up to five years imprisonment and $15,000 in fines. Violations by individuals are classified as misdemeanors or gross misdemeanors depending on severity. Filing a false attestation constitutes perjury. Violations are also treated as unfair or deceptive acts under Washington's Consumer Protection Act.<ref name="billtext" />

The bill exempts 3D printers sold to entities holding federal firearms manufacturing licenses.<ref name="billtext" />

==Similar proposals==

===New York===
Governor Kathy Hochul announced comparable proposals on January 7, 2026, as part of her 2026 State of the State agenda. Her proposals would require manufacturers to include blocking software on 3D printers sold in New York, criminalize unlicensed possession or distribution of firearm CAD files, and mandate reporting of recovered 3D-printed guns to state police databases.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/keeping-new-yorkers-safe-governor-hochul-announces-nation-leading-proposals-crack-down-3d |title=Keeping New Yorkers Safe: Governor Hochul Announces Nation-Leading Proposals to Crack Down on 3D-Printed Guns and Other Illegal Firearms |website=Office of Governor Kathy Hochul |date=2026-01-07 |access-date=2026-01-21 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222105105/https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/keeping-new-yorkers-safe-governor-hochul-announces-nation-leading-proposals-crack-down-3d |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref>

Hochul stated: <blockquote>"We will require all 3D printers sold in the State of New York to include software that blocks the production of guns and their components. You cannot sell one of those in the State of New York when we pass these laws."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/b-roll-video-audio-photos-rush-transcript-keeping-new-yorkers-safe-governor-hochul-announces |title=B-Roll, Video, Audio, Photos & Rush Transcript |website=Office of Governor Kathy Hochul |date=2026-01-07 |access-date=2026-01-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224101225/https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/b-roll-video-audio-photos-rush-transcript-keeping-new-yorkers-safe-governor-hochul-announces |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref></blockquote>

Governor Hochul has termed the proliferation of homemade weapons the "Plastic Pipeline."

==Manhattan DA's pressure campaign==
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has sent letters to multiple 3D printer manufacturers requesting voluntary adoption of blocking software.

On March 26, 2025, Bragg sent a letter to Shenzhen Creality 3D Technology Co., Ltd. demanding installation of detection software, removal of CAD files from Creality Cloud, and a user agreement ban on weapon creation. The letter explicitly cited the alleged assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson by Luigi Mangione, who allegedly utilized a 3D-printed ghost gun, as well as local cases involving defendants using Creality printers (specifically the Ender 3 series) to manufacture arsenals.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://manhattanda.org/d-a-bragg-calls-on-3d-printing-companies-to-address-proliferation-of-illegal-firearms/ |title=D.A. Bragg Calls On 3D-Printing Companies To Address Proliferation Of Illegal Firearms |website=Manhattan District Attorney's Office |date=2025-03-27 |access-date=2026-01-21 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260209172256/https://manhattanda.org/d-a-bragg-calls-on-3d-printing-companies-to-address-proliferation-of-illegal-firearms/ |archive-date=9 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://manhattanda.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Letter-Creality-3.26.25.pdf |title=Letter to Creality |website=Manhattan District Attorney's Office |date=2025-03-26 |access-date=2026-01-21 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260211004330/https://manhattanda.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Letter-Creality-3.26.25.pdf |archive-date=11 Feb 2026}}</ref> Bragg's letter specifically recommended a program called "3D GUN'T" developed by Print&GO as an example of existing detection technology.

Bragg sent a similar letter to Bambu Lab in 2025. Reports indicate that some digital design firms have agreed to block content in response to these letters.

==Technical feasibility questions==

===False Positives===
No commercially validated firearm detection technology exists for 3D printers as of January 2026. 3DPrinterOS announced a partnership with Montclair State University's MIX Lab in November 2024 to develop an algorithm capable of identifying 3D printed firearm components based on unique design signatures.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.3printr.com/3dprinteros-and-montclair-state-university-develop-algorithm-to-recognize-3d-printed-weapon-components-1774976/ |title=3DPrinterOS and Montclair State University develop algorithm to recognize 3D-printed gun components |website=3Printr.com |date=2024-11-05 |access-date=2026-01-22 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260218000609/https://www.3printr.com/3dprinteros-and-montclair-state-university-develop-algorithm-to-recognize-3d-printed-weapon-components-1774976/ |archive-date=18 Feb 2026}}</ref> Critics argue that algorithms designed to detect "gun shapes" will inevitably generate false positives, flagging harmless objects such as plumbing pipes, L-brackets, or legitimate mechanical parts that share geometric similarities with firearm components.

===Circumvention===
The bill's requirement that blocking technology ''"cannot be overridden or otherwise defeated by a user with significant technical skill"'' presents a challenge given the open-source firmware landscape. Users can download Marlin or Klipper source code, remove any blocking code, and flash the modified firmware to their printers. The GPL license requires manufacturers using Marlin-based firmware to provide source code upon request.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://github.com/MarlinFirmware/Marlin |title=MarlinFirmware/Marlin |website=GitHub |access-date=2026-01-21 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260123004413/https://github.com/MarlinFirmware/Marlin |archive-date=23 Jan 2026}}</ref>

==Constitutional questions==

===First Amendment===
The question of whether computer code constitutes protected speech under the First Amendment remains partially unresolved. In 2016, during the ''Defense Distributed v. U.S. Department of State'' litigation, the Fifth Circuit declined to rule on the merits of the First Amendment claims, instead deciding the preliminary injunction on non-merits requirements. In her dissent, Judge Edith Jones wrote that the State Department ''"barely disputes that computer-related files and other technical data are speech protected by the First Amendment."''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/15/15-50759-CV0.pdf |title=Defense Distributed v. U.S. Dep't of State |website=United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit |date=2016-09-20 |access-date=2026-01-21 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250222140857/https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/15/15-50759-CV0.pdf |archive-date=22 Feb 2025}}</ref>

The case settled in July 2018 with the State Department waiving prior restraint against Defense Distributed and paying approximately $40,000 in legal fees. State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert stated the government ''"would have lost this case in court, or would have likely lost this case in court, based on First Amendment grounds."''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/world/trump-now-says-3-d-printable-guns-dont-make-sense-it-was-his-administration-that-helped-make-them-available |title=Judge temporarily blocks posting of blueprints for 3D printed guns |website=National Post |date=2018-08-01 |access-date=2026-01-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224120151/https://nationalpost.com/news/world/trump-now-says-3-d-printable-guns-dont-make-sense-it-was-his-administration-that-helped-make-them-available |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>

The Electronic Frontier Foundation filed an amicus brief in the Defense Distributed litigation arguing that "publishing computer files that communicate information, even in an esoteric format, is speech protected by the First Amendment."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eff.org/cases/defense-distributed-v-united-states-department-state |title=Defense Distributed v. United States Department of State |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation |access-date=2026-01-21 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260123004840/https://www.eff.org/cases/defense-distributed-v-united-states-department-state |archive-date=23 Jan 2026}}</ref>

Earlier circuit court precedent supports code as speech. In ''Bernstein v. U.S. Department of Justice'' (N.D. Cal. 1996), U.S. District Judge Marilyn Hall Patel found "no meaningful difference between computer language... and German or French."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/04/remembering-case-established-code-speech |title=EFF at 25: Remembering the Case that Established Code as Speech |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation |date=2015-04-16 |access-date=2026-01-21 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260123004919/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/04/remembering-case-established-code-speech |archive-date=23 Jan 2026}}</ref>

===Second Amendment===
Federal law permits individuals to manufacture firearms for personal use without a license, provided weapons comply with the Undetectable Firearms Act. The ''Bondi v. VanDerStok'' decision did not address whether mandatory blocking technology infringes on manufacturing rights, as plaintiffs in that case raised no Second Amendment claims. According to The Regulatory Review, courts have been ''"generally unreceptive to the argument that the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guards against restrictions on the right to acquire firearm parts for self-assembly."''<ref name="regreview" />

==Responses==

===Gun rights organizations===
The NRA Institute for Legislative Action criticized the proposals as having "First and Second Amendment implications" and characterized device-level blocking as creating concerns about prior restraint on speech. The organization stated: "All citizens should be gravely concerned with unconstitutional prior restraints on free speech when government works to require private companies to monitor and censor information on what citizens in most jurisdictions are legally allowed to create and possess in their own homes."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nraila.org/articles/20260112/bans-for-3d-blueprints-new-york-governor-pushes-anti-gun-anti-speech-proposals |title=Bans for 3D Blueprints: New York Governor Pushes Anti-Gun, Anti-Speech Proposals |website=NRA-ILA |date=2026-01-12 |access-date=2026-01-21 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260125012503/https://www.nraila.org/articles/20260112/bans-for-3d-blueprints-new-york-governor-pushes-anti-gun-anti-speech-proposals |archive-date=25 Jan 2026}}</ref>

==Related manufacturer controversies==

===Bambu Lab authorization control===
In January 2025, Bambu Lab announced "Authorization Control" for its X1 series printers, introducing authentication for operations including firmware upgrades, print job initiation, and remote video access. The company cited security concerns including cyberattacks and DDoS attacks as motivation for the change.<ref name="bambu3dpi">{{cite web |url=https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/bambu-lab-responds-to-backlash-over-new-firmware-update-235771/ |title=Bambu Lab Responds to Backlash Over New Firmware Update |website=3D Printing Industry |date=2025-01-20 |access-date=2026-01-21 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260123004954/https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/bambu-lab-responds-to-backlash-over-new-firmware-update-235771/ |archive-date=23 Jan 2026}}</ref>

Third-party software including OrcaSlicer faced disruption. OrcaSlicer developer SoftFever publicly declined to adopt "Bambu Connect", calling it ''"unnecessary and of no meaningful benefit to users."''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/bambu-lab-controversy-deepens-firmware-update-sparks-backlash-240588/ |title=Bambu Lab Controversy Deepens: Firmware Update Sparks Backlash |website=3D Printing Industry |date=2025-06-11 |access-date=2026-01-21 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260217171536/https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/bambu-lab-controversy-deepens-firmware-update-sparks-backlash-240588/ |archive-date=17 Feb 2026}}</ref> Josef Prusa, CEO of Prusa Research, commented on LinkedIn: "Quite scary where the 3DP industry is moving – control of your data."<ref name="bambu3dpi" />

===Creality root access removal===
In November 2025, Creality published a "Root Disclaimer and Risk Warning" stating its 2025 K1 Series "no longer supports Root access." Original K1 models had shipped with root access available through the settings menu. Creality's disclaimer stated that root access introduces security risks, including potential exposure of user information and privacy data through unauthorized applications.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://wiki.creality.com/en/k1-flagship-series/k1-series-general-documents/root-disclaimer-and-risk-warning |title=Root Disclaimer and Risk Warning |website=Creality Wiki |access-date=2026-01-21 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260123004952/https://wiki.creality.com/en/k1-flagship-series/k1-series-general-documents/root-disclaimer-and-risk-warning |archive-date=23 Jan 2026}}</ref>

==International context==
No country has mandated device-level firearm blocking technology in 3D printers.

In the United Kingdom, MP Preet Kaur Gill introduced the Firearms (3D Printing) Bill in October 2024. Clauses 43-44 of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, introduced in January 2025, would criminalize making, importing, and possessing "templates" (blueprints) for 3D-printed firearms with up to 5 years imprisonment.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3877 |title=Firearms (3D Printing) Bill |website=UK Parliament |access-date=2026-01-21 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250905214729/https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3877 |archive-date=5 Sep 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.preetkaurgill.co.uk/post/preet-kaur-gill-s-ghost-gun-blueprint-ban-to-become-law |title=Preet Kaur Gill's ghost gun blueprint ban to become law |website=Preet Kaur Gill MP |access-date=2026-01-22 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260123005130/https://www.preetkaurgill.co.uk/post/preet-kaur-gill-s-ghost-gun-blueprint-ban-to-become-law |archive-date=23 Jan 2026}}</ref>

Australian states have enacted penalties for possessing digital firearm blueprints. Tasmania criminalized the possession of digital blueprints for the manufacture of firearms, with penalties of up to 21 years imprisonment. New South Wales imposes up to 14 years imprisonment under Section 51F of the Firearms Act 1996. South Australia has proposed penalties of up to 15 years imprisonment.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/fa1996102/s51f.html |title=Firearms Act 1996 - Section 51F |website=Australasian Legal Information Institute |access-date=2026-01-21 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260123005054/https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/fa1996102/s51f.html |archive-date=23 Jan 2026}}</ref>

The European Union regulates possession of 3D-printed firearms under EU Directive 2021/555, but possession of digital blueprints is not explicitly prohibited.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2021/555/oj |title=Directive 2021/555 |website=EUR-Lex |access-date=2026-01-21 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260123005154/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2021/555/oj |archive-date=23 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2021:647:FIN |title=Report on the application of the Firearms Directive |website=EUR-Lex |date=2021-10-27 |access-date=2026-01-21 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250615122124/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2021:647:FIN |archive-date=15 Jun 2025}}</ref>

==Legislative status==
As of January 21, 2026, HB 2321 has completed first reading and remains in the Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee. No hearings have been scheduled.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2321&Year=2025 |title=HB 2321 |website=Washington State Legislature |access-date=2026-01-21 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260123005157/https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2321&Year=2025 |archive-date=23 Jan 2026}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:US legislation]]
[[Category:Proposed legislation]]
[[Category:Right to repair]]
[[Category:3D printers]]

Pizza Hut

2026-02-24T12:35:09Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1958-03-31
|Industry=Food
|Logo=Pizza Hut.png
|ParentCompany=Yum! Brands
|Type=Public subsidiary
|Website=https://www.pizzahut.com/
|Description=company all about over-priced, over-rated pizza's
}}Founded in May 31, 1958 in Whichia Kansas by Dan Carney and Frank Carney, [[wikipedia:Pizza_Hut|Pizza Hut]] is an pizza restaurant chain that's a subsidiary to [[wikipedia:Yum!_Brands|Yum! Brands]]. The company holds the third largest pizza chain behind [[Domino's]] and Hunt Brothers Pizza. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-15 |title=10 Largest pizza chains in the United States in 2026 |url=https://www.scrapehero.com/location-reports/10-largest-pizza-chains-in-the-usa/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-16 |website=ScrapeHero |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251202172655/https://www.scrapehero.com/location-reports/10-largest-pizza-chains-in-the-usa/ |archive-date=2 Dec 2025}}</ref>

==Consumer-impact summary==

* Privacy Violations
* Security Vulnerabilities
* Slow responses and Fixes

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
===2017 Data Breach===
On October 1 till October 2, Pizza Hut experienced a website and mobile application data breach leaking 60,000 customers name, billing zip code, delivery address, email address, gift card number, gift card pin, and payment card information. Pizza hut discovered and fixed the issue quickly on October 5, later sending an sent an email to customers affected on October 14.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ashford |first=Warwick |date=2017-10-16 |title=Pizza Hut data breach shows need for board control |url=https://www.computerweekly.com/news/450428256/Pizza-Hut-data-breach-shows-need-for-board-control |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-17 |website=ComputerWeekly |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251011141019/https://www.computerweekly.com/news/450428256/Pizza-Hut-data-breach-shows-need-for-board-control |archive-date=11 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-10-16 |title=Baker McKinzie |url=https://agportal-s3bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/databreach/BreachM9745.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-17 |website=Baker McKinzie |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222055602/https://agportal-s3bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/databreach/BreachM9745.pdf |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref><blockquote>"We have learned that the information of some customers who visited our website or mobile application during an approximately 28-hour period (from the morning of October 1, 2017 through midday on October 2, 2017) and subsequently placed an order may have been compromised. Pizza Hut identified the security intrusion quickly and took immediate action to halt it. The security intrusion at issue impacted a small percentage of our customers and we estimate that less than one percent of the visits to our website over the course of the relevant week were affected. That said, we regret to say that we believe your information is among that impacted group."</blockquote>The company had faced criticism after the incident for informing consumers 2 weeks after, with one response on twitter replied to pizza hut; <blockquote>"Hey @pizzahut, thanks for telling me you got hacked 2 weeks after you lost my cc number. And a week after someone started using it. #timely"</blockquote>

After the public announcement of the hack, a response from Pizza Hut Spokesperson spoke about the incident, saying;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Kat |date=2017-10-16 |title=Customers cheesed off after card details nicked in Pizza Hut data breach |url=https://www.theregister.com/2017/10/16/pizza_hut_data_breach/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-16 |website=The Register |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251207193234/https://www.theregister.com/2017/10/16/pizza_hut_data_breach/ |archive-date=7 Dec 2025}}</ref><blockquote>"Pizza Hut takes the information security of our customers very seriously and invests in resources to protect the customer information in our care. We value the trust our customers place in us, regret that this happened, and apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused" </blockquote>

==='''Pizza Hut Australia Data Breach'''===
On September 2023, hacker group ShinyHunter gained access to [[Amazon]] Web Services used by Pizza Hut, allowing access of 30 million order records and 200,000 customer names, email addresses, home addresses, and mobile numbers, with the rest of customers information (credit cards and passwords) were encrypted.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cluley |first=Graham= |date=2023-09-03 |title=Pizza Hut Australia leaks one million customers' details, claims ShinyHunters hacking group |url=https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/blog/hotforsecurity/pizza-hut-australia-leaks-one-million-customers-details-claims-shinyhunters-hacking-group |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-17 |website=Bitdefender |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224123319/https://www.bitdefender.com/en-gb/blog/hotforsecurity/pizza-hut-australia-leaks-one-million-customers-details-claims-shinyhunters-hacking-group |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref> ShinyHunter demanded the company pay $300,000 for the data to be deleted shortly after the hack, Pizza Hut responded by hiring cybersecurity specialist to fix the issue and contacted affected customers of the hack. it is unknown whether payment deals were made between Pizza Hut and ShinyHunter.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rawling |first=Caitlin |date=2023-09-20 |title=Pizza Hut says nearly two-hundred thousand customers affected by data breach |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-20/pizza-hut-customers-affected-by-cyber-hack/102881804 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-17 |website=ABC |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251009230848/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-20/pizza-hut-customers-affected-by-cyber-hack/102881804 |archive-date=9 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharwood |first=Simon |date=2023-09-21 |title=Data breach reveals distressing info: People who order pineapple on pizza |url=https://www.theregister.com/2023/09/21/pizza_hut_australia_data_breach/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-16 |website=TheRegister |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251114155123/https://www.theregister.com/2023/09/21/pizza_hut_australia_data_breach/ |archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref><blockquote>"From our investigation and the steps taken in response to the incident, we believe there is only a small proportion of customers on our database whose personal information has been impacted. We have notified these customers as well as the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) of the incident." <ref>{{Cite web |last=Dixon |first=Georgia |date=2023-09-20 |title=Pizza Hut Australia confirms major data breach |url=https://www.safewise.com/au/pizza-hut-australia-hack/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-16 |website=SafeWise |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250914135614/https://www.safewise.com/au/pizza-hut-australia-hack/ |archive-date=14 Sep 2025}}</ref></blockquote>

===Pizza Hut collection of Data regardless if Consumer opted-out Lawsuit===
Pizza is suffering an class action lawsuit filed by Danuel Cortez over violation of [[wikipedia:Telephone_Consumer_Protection_Act_of_1991|Telephone Consumer Protection Act]] with continuation of sending messages after users opted-out. The company and it's parent company [[wikipedia:Yum!_Brands|Yum! Brands]] hasn't commented on the lawsuit, however it's still in progress.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Troutman |first=Eric |date=2025-10-08 |title="DO NOT SEND ME ANYMORE MESSAGES!!!!”: Pizza Hut Sued for Failing to Honor SMS Opt Out Request–And The Trend Continues |url=https://natlawreview.com/article/do-not-send-me-anymore-messages-pizza-hut-sued-failing-honor-sms-opt-out-request |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-17 |website=National Law Review |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251113142624/https://natlawreview.com/article/do-not-send-me-anymore-messages-pizza-hut-sued-failing-honor-sms-opt-out-request |archive-date=13 Nov 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-11 |title=Pizza Hut class action claims restaurant does not honor requests to opt out of text messages |url=https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/pizza-hut-class-action-claims-restaurant-does-not-honor-requests-to-opt-out-of-text-messages/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-15 |website=Top Class Actions}}</ref>

==See also==

*[[Papa John's]]
*[[Little Caesars Pizza]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Philips Hue: MotionAwareTM

2026-02-24T12:32:27Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{ProductLineCargo
|Company=Philips
|ReleaseYear=2025
|InProduction=Yes
|ArticleType=Product
|Category=Hardware, Security, Security Cameras, SmartHome
|Logo=Hue Logo.png
|Website=https://www.philips-hue.com/en-us/support/article/motionawaretm--transform-your-hue-lights-into-motion-sensors/000011
|Description=A new software feature introduced in late Q3 (~ September) of 2025 by Philips under their Philips hue Product line knowns as "MotionAwareTM".
}}

==MotionAware™ Technology (introduced late Q3 2025)==
With the introduction of the latest version of the original Hue bridge known as the [https://www.philips-hue.com/en-us/p/hue-bridge-pro/046677582111 Bridge Pro], the updated hardware included a new feature known as MotionAware'''™''' that "transforms Philips Hue lights into motion sensors by creating a Motion area using 3 to 4 lights in a room"<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=MotionAwareTM: Transform Your Hue Lights into Motion Sensors |url=https://www.philips-hue.com/en-us/support/article/motionawaretm--transform-your-hue-lights-into-motion-sensors/000011 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=Philips Hue |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260130123157/https://www.philips-hue.com/en-us/support/article/motionawaretm--transform-your-hue-lights-into-motion-sensors/000011 |archive-date=30 Jan 2026}}</ref>

Utilizing the [[wikipedia:Zigbee|Zigbee]] communication protocol, MotionAware'''™''' monitors variations in signal strength of its source of measurement using the connections of 3 or more [https://www.philips-hue.com/en-us/support/hue-motionaware compatible]Philips Hue Smart Lights with the intention of eliminating the need of connected motion sensors within the environment of the monitored space.<ref name=":0" />

===Triangulation/Trilateration (using RSSI)===

*To set up MotionAware™, a '''minimum of 3 compatible Philips Hue bulbs''' are required<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
*If bulbs are arranged in a coplanar arrangement (i.e a flat ceiling), then principals of [[wikipedia:Trilateration|Trilateration]] applies

*MotionAware™ functions through the principal of "triangulation"<ref name=":2" /> which utilizes the position of existing smart lights known positions to create presence of user in a 3D space.
*Philips Hue CTO George Yianni on the [https://youtu.be/Q532v-xMmj0?t=2451 HomeKit Insider Podcast] Describes the technology as "The Bridge Pro analyze radio frequency traffic between pairs of lights inside a room in order to work out is someone moving in that room"<ref>{{Cite web |first= |date=November 24, 2025 |title=In Depth Talk with Philips Hue Founder & Head of Technology George Yianni on HomeKit Insider 286 |url=https://youtu.be/Q532v-xMmj0?t=2451 |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=Youtube {{!}} HomeKit Insider}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Welander |first=Eric |date=2026-02-16 |title=Philips Hue Motion Aware: Futuristic Room Lighting Automation! |url=https://youtube.com/shorts/h6Ry6OOI1II?si=YzfdYiVPoY9a_jj- |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=Youtube}}</ref>

=== SpatialAware ===

* As explained by [https://hueblog.com/2026/01/07/spatialaware-philips-hue-announces-new-lighting-feature/ Hueblog.com] and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYKcF5yVeLc appgefahren], SpatialAware is similar technology used by Philips Hue that accounts for the placement of each smart light in a space and adjusts its lighting characteristics in respect to where light is emitted in the room. <ref>{{Cite web |first=Fabian |date=2026-01-07 |title=SpatialAware: Philips Hue announces new lighting feature |url=https://hueblog.com/2026/01/07/spatialaware-philips-hue-announces-new-lighting-feature/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=hueblog.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260107104056/https://hueblog.com/2026/01/07/spatialaware-philips-hue-announces-new-lighting-feature/ |archive-date=7 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |first=appgefahren |date=2026-01-08 |title=Philips Hue SpatialAware & smart lighting at CES 2026 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYKcF5yVeLc |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=Youtube |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=bYKcF5yVeLc |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==Privacy Concerns==
MotionAware'''™''' tackles the need of seamlessly integrating convenience of motion detectors while also reducing clutter of wiring around a living space, however there are potential trade-offs regarding privacy.

===Scan Your Room using SpatialAware===

*According to [https://www.signify.com/global/our-company/news/press-releases/2026/20260107-philips-hue-revolutionizes-lighting-design-with-hue-spatialaware-feature-that-understands-your-space Signify], the setup requires users to make a scan of their room utilizing a smartphone camera to map out a room to determine the position of the lights.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Falkenburg |first=Tayran |date=January 7, 2026 |title=Philips Hue revolutionizes lighting design with Hue SpatialAware feature that understands your space |url=https://www.signify.com/global/our-company/news/press-releases/2026/20260107-philips-hue-revolutionizes-lighting-design-with-hue-spatialaware-feature-that-understands-your-space |access-date=February 20, 2026 |website=Signify |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260107113231/https://www.signify.com/global/our-company/news/press-releases/2026/20260107-philips-hue-revolutionizes-lighting-design-with-hue-spatialaware-feature-that-understands-your-space |archive-date=7 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref name=":3" />
*It must be noted that the means of setup requires use of Augmented Reality in respect to gyroscopic positioning of a smartphone to detect the position of each light in the space. That positioning data is then recorded into the app, that can be tied to the user's account for customization.<ref name=":3" />

*Concerns regarding privacy involves the need to sharing partial images/videos of personal spaces to the app in order for the feature to work.
*As of now (Feb 2026) there are no reports of image/video data being discarded after set-up.

===Non-Official Support of Triangulation/Trilateration===

*The core intent of the technology of MotionAware'''™''' focuses on RF sensing as means of determining occupancy in a monitored space, however similar technology of space mapping utilizing consumer grade hardware is possible as demonstrated utilizing a similar method through the use of consumer grade Wi-Fi-router as demonstrated by researchers at [https://www.vice.com/en/article/scientists-are-getting-eerily-good-at-using-wifi-to-see-people-through-walls-in-detail/ Carnegie Mellon]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cole |first=Samantha |date=2023-01-17 |title=Scientists Are Getting Eerily Good at Using WiFi to ‘See’ People Through Walls in Detail |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/scientists-are-getting-eerily-good-at-using-wifi-to-see-people-through-walls-in-detail/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=vice.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251110073627/https://www.vice.com/en/article/scientists-are-getting-eerily-good-at-using-wifi-to-see-people-through-walls-in-detail/ |archive-date=10 Nov 2025}}</ref>
*It is theoretically possible given the hardware capabilities for Philips Hue bulbs to enable support for trilateration should it be needed to map out a 3D environment, though it will require a revamp on how the technology works as the bulbs reportedly does not collect XYZ data points; just presence detection.<ref name=":0" /> As of right now the technology is not "there" yet, but expect further improvements in how radio-signals are used to measure a space.
*Alternative potential technology known as '''[https://www.bluetooth.com/learn-about-bluetooth/feature-enhancements/channel-sounding/ Bluetooth (BLE) Channel Sounding] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260215145439/https://www.bluetooth.com/learn-about-bluetooth/feature-enhancements/channel-sounding/ Archived])''' utilizes Bluetooth 6.0 technology that creates more accurate means of "measuring" a space, though this technology is not currently present in any Hue Products (as of Feb 2026).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koon |first=John |date=2025-12-11 |title=Bluetooth Channel Sounding: The Next Leap in Bluetooth Innovation |url=https://www.embedded.com/bluetooth-channel-sounding-the-next-leap-in-bluetooth-innovation/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=embedded |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260104183832/https://www.embedded.com/bluetooth-channel-sounding-the-next-leap-in-bluetooth-innovation/ |archive-date=4 Jan 2026}}</ref>

===AI-Assistant===
Utilizing the new Hue AI-powered assistant, automations can be created based on user activities over a period of time while allowing customization to fine tune the automations.

*Due to the requirements of [[Philips Hue starts requiring an account for the hue app|registering a Hue account]] to utilize this feature. The app has expanded its capabilities of not only knowing when the user is home, but also which part of the house they're in which can be cross-referenced to what activity the user is likely doing.
*Founder/CTO [https://www.ces.tech/speakers/george-yianni/ George Yianni] describes efforts to make the AI function locally in order to minimize need for communication in the cloud<ref>{{Cite web |first= |date=2025-11-24 |title=In Depth Talk with Philips Hue Founder & Head of Technology George Yianni on HomeKit Insider 286 |url=https://youtu.be/Q532v-xMmj0?t=2432 |access-date=2020-02-20 |website=Youtube {{!}} HomeKit Insider}}</ref>

===Security Features===

*Hue States that '''with a subscription''' ($0.99 per month or $9.99 per year), MotionAware'''™''' can be configured to detect motion and provide a timeline of the event<ref name=":0" />

== Other "anti-consumer" practices ==

=== Philips Hue (Germany/US) removes direct customer support via email ===
According to Fabian at Hueblog.com, Philips Hue Germany has removed means of customer support from direct channels and have redirected customers for inquires via social media and other 3rd party resources.

<blockquote>"[https://www.philips-hue.com/de-de/support/contact The German website] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251227042027/https://www.philips-hue.com/de-de/support/contact Archived]) now only offers written contact options via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. All of these services require registration. Alternatively, the only other option currently available is the telephone support hotline, which is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. There is still a link to a contact form, but the form itself can no longer be found."

- Fabian<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |first=Fabian |date=2026-02-14 |title=Philips Hue no longer offers email support |url=https://hueblog.com/2026/02/14/philips-hue-no-longer-offers-email-support/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=hueblog.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224123203/https://hueblog.com/2026/02/14/philips-hue-no-longer-offers-email-support/ |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref></blockquote>

* As noted by Fabian, communications are now done through social media in which requires individual registration, meaning Philips Hue customers will need to create a separate social media account in order to communicate with Philips Hue customer support as a substitute for direct email with the company. He further concludes that the US branch "still offers support chat that does not require prior registration"<ref name=":4" />

* As of February 20, 2026: Philips Hue US site has also switch to primarily social media sites for [https://www.philips-hue.com/en-us/support/contact direct communications]
* Direct phone communications is still offered for their customer services.
* Link to "Send Form" no longer sends customers to a form, they are instead redirected to the [https://www.philips-hue.com/en-us/support/contact-form Support Page]

==Products==
[https://www.philips-hue.com/en-us/p/hue-bridge-pro/046677582111 Hue Bridge Pro]

[https://www.philips-hue.com/en-us/support/article/motionawaretm--transform-your-hue-lights-into-motion-sensors/000011 MotionAware'''™''']

==See also==
[[Philips Hue starts requiring an account for the hue app]]

[[wikipedia:Received_signal_strength_indicator|RSSI (Received signal strength indicator)]]

[[wikipedia:Trilateration|Trilateration]]

[[wikipedia:Triangulation|Triangulation]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Philips Hue: MotionAware™}}

Persona

2026-02-24T12:31:26Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{CompanyCargo
|Logo=Persona.png
|Type=Private
|Website=https://withpersona.com/
|Description=Identity Verification
|Industry=Software}}

Persona is an Identity Verification company, founded in 2018 by Rick Song and Charles Yeh. It is funded by Founders Fund which is an adventure capitalist firm c-founded by Peter Theil. <ref>https://redact.dev/blog/discord-persona-age-verification-experiment ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260224122954/https://redact.dev/blog/discord-persona-age-verification-experiment Archived])</ref>

From the 14th July 2025 they started working with [[Reddit]] to perform ID checks on it's UK site, as part of the UK's Online Safety Act.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-07-14 |title=Reddit starts verifying ages of users in the UK |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj4ep1znk4zo |access-date=2026-02-20 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

In February 2026 [[Discord]] announced they would be experimenting with Persona to perform ID checks worldwide.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-02-09 |title=Discord is rolling out facial scanning and ID checks globally in March for users who don't want to be locked into a 'teen-appropriate experience' |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/discord-is-rolling-out-facial-scanning-and-id-checks-in-march-for-everyone-who-doesnt-want-to-be-locked-into-a-teen-appropriate-experience/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-20 |work=PC Gamer |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260214175605/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/discord-is-rolling-out-facial-scanning-and-id-checks-in-march-for-everyone-who-doesnt-want-to-be-locked-into-a-teen-appropriate-experience/ |archive-date=14 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==Consumer-impact summary==
===User Freedom===
Products and services with the services provided by Persona usually block functionalities and content (generally content or functionalities flagged as "adult" content) until the verification is complete or bypassed. If the user is verified as an adult, they'll be able to have total or most access to the content of that product or service.
===User Privacy===
Information submitted by users can be retained up to three years. This data might be used to track the user's identity or to train AI models.
===Business Model===
Persona provides their services to products and services like social media or video games.
===Market Control===

==Incidents==
{{Ph-C-Inc}}

This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===AI-Powered Ages Verification leads to inaccurate age verification on Roblox ''(Jan 2026)''===
Children were being identified as adults and vice versa on [[Roblox]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gilbert |first=David |date=2026-01-13 |title=Roblox’s AI-Powered Age Verification Is a Complete Mess |url= |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.ph/YEx3E |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=Wired}}</ref> The age verification restricted who the users could talk to. This implementation was criticised as not helping to address safety concerns, and harming the user experience.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-09 |title=Age Check to Chat Update & Fast Follow Roadmap |url=https://devforum.roblox.com/t/age-check-to-chat-update-fast-follow-roadmap/4238626/5 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-20 |website=https://devforum.roblox.com/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260203031742/https://devforum.roblox.com/t/age-check-to-chat-update-fast-follow-roadmap/4238626/5 |archive-date=3 Feb 2026}}</ref>

===Persona tracks users===
On the 16th of February, 2026, a security researcher known as Celeste published an article showing that Persona was building profiles on users and sharing said profiles with the US government.<ref>https://vmfunc.re/blog/persona ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260221231714/https://vmfunc.re/blog/persona Archived])</ref> Alongside that, it was also discovered that 269 different checks were used for verification, which included things like phone carrier queries and death record matching. With their privacy policy hiding these checks under vague terms like "public government documents".<ref>https://withpersona.com/legal/privacy-policy-roblox</ref>

==Products==
* Identity Verification (2021)
* Age Verification (2025)

==Clients==
Persona provides their service to these companies and products:
*Brex
*Carahsoft
*Coursera
*[[Discord]]
*DoorDash
*Eaze
*[[Etsy]]
*Fire & Flower Holdings
*First Republic
*Grailed
*Mercury
*[[LinkedIn]]
*[[OpenAI]] ([[ChatGPT]])
*[[Reddit]]
*[[Roblox]]
*Serviap Global
*Stifel Financial Corp
*Swan Bitcoin
*Wealthsimple
*WeTravel

==See also==
*[[Online Safety Act]]
*[[Age Verification]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Red Shell tracker

2026-02-24T12:28:14Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=
|StartDate=2018
|EndDate=
|Status=Active
|ProductLine=
|Product=
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Advertising, Privacy, Surveillance
|Description=
}}
The Red Shell Tracker is a tracker used in many popular games.

==Red Shell Data Harvesting==
The Red Shell incident occurred in 2018 when players discovered that several games had silently included a third-party tracking tool called Red Shell. This software collected anonymized data (like operating system, browser type, and screen resolution) to help game developers understand how effective their ads were at bringing in players.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Dustin |date=18 Jun 2018 |title=Total War, Vermintide, and more are dumping controversial tracking program Red Shell |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/red-shell-spyware |url-status=live |access-date=24 Jun 2025 |website=pcgamesn.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708173605/https://www.pcgamesn.com/red-shell-spyware |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref>

The controversy arose because players weren’t notified or given the option to opt out, which many felt was a violation of their privacy.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=2018-06-19 |title=Red Shell analytics software causes privacy uproar, over a dozen developers vow to drop it (Updated) |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/red-shell-analytics-software-causes-privacy-uproar-over-a-dozen-developers-vow-to-drop-it/ |access-date=2025-11-09 |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251114073753/https://www.pcgamer.com/red-shell-analytics-software-causes-privacy-uproar-over-a-dozen-developers-vow-to-drop-it/ |archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref> While there was an opt-out option, allowing players to disable Red Shell's tracking through redshell.io/optout or by contacting Red Shell directly, many felt this should have been communicated more clearly.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=@BrokenClock |date=2018-06-11 |title=RedShell! Spyware?! - Warhammer: Vermintide 2 / Gameplay Feedback |url=https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/redshell-spyware/24228 |access-date=2025-11-09 |website=Fatshark Forums |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708173606/https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/redshell-spyware/24228 |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref> As word spread, the backlash grew quickly across forums and social media, with accusations of [[spyware]] being leveled at games using the tool.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=u/Alexspeed75 |date=2018-06-09 |title=<nowiki>[PSA]</nowiki> RED SHELL Spyware - "Holy Potatoes! We’re in Space?!" integrated and removed it after complaints : r/Steam |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/8pud8b/psa_red_shell_spyware_holy_potatoes_were_in_space/ |access-date=2025-11-09 |website=reddit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250307171414/https://old.reddit.com/r/Steam/comments/8pud8b/psa_red_shell_spyware_holy_potatoes_were_in_space/ |archive-date=7 Mar 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=wiuuuh |title=Steam Community :: Guide :: How to block the REDSHELL spyware (new steam spyware) |url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1417938235 |access-date=2025-11-09 |website=steamcommunity.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260211205505/https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1417938235 |archive-date=11 Feb 2026}}</ref> Due to mounting pressure, dozens of developers—including Fatshark—publicly committed to removing Red Shell from their games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Good |first=Owen S. |date=2018-06-20 |title=Red Shell ‘spyware’ caught in PC games and several studios take it out |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/20/17485762/red-shell-spyware-pc-games-controversy-steam/ |access-date=2025-11-09 |website=Polygon |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251030154108/https://www.polygon.com/2018/6/20/17485762/red-shell-spyware-pc-games-controversy-steam/ |archive-date=30 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Valentine |first=Rebekah |date=2018-06-20 |title=Studios commit to removing Red Shell due to player complaints |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/studios-commit-to-removing-red-shell-due-to-player-complaints |access-date=2025-11-09 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241208142133/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/studios-commit-to-removing-red-shell-due-to-player-complaints |archive-date=8 Dec 2024}}</ref>

==Fatshark's response==

Fatshark, the developer of Warhammer: Vermintide 2, responded to the Red Shell controversy by acknowledging the community's concerns and announcing they would remove the software.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Calvin |first=Alex |date=19 Jun 2018 |title=Vermintide, Elder Scrolls and Total War devs ditch Red Shell |url=https://www.pcgamesinsider.biz/news/67270/vermintide-elder-scrolls-and-total-war-devs-ditch-red-shell/ |url-status= |access-date=24 Jun 2025 |website=www.pcgamesinsider.biz |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251205223856/https://www.pcgamesinsider.biz/news/67270/vermintide-elder-scrolls-and-total-war-devs-ditch-red-shell/ |archive-date=5 Dec 2025}}</ref> In a statement on their official forums, they clarified that Red Shell was used only to track the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns and did not collect personal information. They also stated that they understood the concerns and, due to the backlash and lack of player consent, they would disable and fully remove Red Shell from the game in a future update.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Hedge |date=2018-06-15 |title=Red Shell Spyware? :: Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Helmgart Keep - General Discussions |url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/552500/discussions/0/1696049513777441702/?ctp=19#c3559414588253858897 |access-date=2025-11-09 |website=steamcommunity.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250506091529/https://steamcommunity.com/app/552500/discussions/0/1696049513777441702/?ctp=19 |archive-date=6 May 2025}}</ref>

==Consumer response==

The consumer response to the Red Shell incident in Warhammer: Vermintide 2 was largely negative, with many players expressing anger and frustration over the lack of transparency regarding the data tracking tool.<ref name=":3" /> Many felt that the inclusion of Red Shell without prior notification or consent was a violation of their privacy.<ref name=":2" /> Players on forums, social media, and review sites criticized Fatshark for using tracking software that they perceived as a form of spyware, even though the data collected was anonymized.<ref name=":0" />

Some players were particularly upset because they were unaware that the tool was running in the background, especially those who had obtained the game through free promotions or discounts.{{Citation needed}} Concerns were raised about the game's integrity and trustworthiness, with accusations that it might lead to further, more invasive forms of tracking in the future.<ref name=":1" /> This backlash led to widespread criticism, and in response, Fatshark removed Red Shell from the game in late June 2018, apologizing to players for the oversight and assuring them that their privacy would be respected moving forward.<ref name=":4" />

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Incidents]]
[[Category:Warhammer: Vermintide 2]]

Proton

2026-02-24T12:23:45Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{Incomplete}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=2014
|Industry=Technology, Telecommunications, Computer hardware
|Logo=Proton-logomark-purple-noborder.png
|Type=Private
|Website=https://proton.me
|Description=Proton is a privacy-focused tech company. Their main services include Proton Mail, Proton VPN and Proton Pass.
}}

'''{{Wplink|Proton AG|Proton AG}}''' is a Swiss company known for its commitment to privacy and security in the digital realm. Founded in 2014 by scientists from CERN and MIT, Proton is most commonly associated with its flagship product, [[Protonmail|Proton Mail]], which offers end-to-end encrypted email services. Proton AG has expanded its offerings to include various services that cater to individuals and organizations seeking private secure communication solutions.

==Consumer-impact summary==
====Business model====
The company operates under the principles of transparency and user privacy, ensuring that user data is protected from unauthorized access.

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
===Proton starts moving their infrastructure out of Switzerland===
Proton AG is relocating most of its infrastructure out of Switzerland in response to proposed changes in Swiss surveillance laws that threaten user privacy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maguire |first=Eamonn |date=23 July 2025 |title=Introducing Lumo, the AI where every conversation is confidential |url=https://proton.me/blog/lumo-ai#:~:text=Building%2520EuroStack%2520for%2520the%2520future |url-status=live |access-date=12 Aug 2025 |website=proton.me |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260221124827/https://proton.me/blog/lumo-ai |archive-date=21 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Naprys |first=Ernestas |date=19 May 2025 |title=Proton threatens to leave Switzerland amid proposed law changes |url=https://cybernews.com/security/proton-considers-relocation-from-switzerland/ |url-status=live |access-date=12 Aug 2025 |website=cybernews.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251101043041/https://cybernews.com/security/proton-considers-relocation-from-switzerland/ |archive-date=1 Nov 2025}}</ref> The amendments would require companies, including VPNs and messaging services, to identify users and retain their data, which contradicts Proton's commitment to providing secure and private services. To maintain its privacy standards, Proton plans to move its infrastructure to countries like Germany and Norway, where it can operate without the risk of mass surveillance.

CEO Andy Yen has emphasized that if these laws are enacted, Proton would be less confidential than competitors like Google, making it unsustainable for their business model.

===Proton suspends journalists accounts who investigated North Korean cyberattacks===
In June of 2025, writers for the magazine Phrack were investigating cyberattacks from a North Korean group that targeted South Korea's defense infrastructure. The writers disclosed the news of this attack through a dedicated Protonmail account that would only be used for informing South Korea. At the start of August they stopped receiving communication from South Korea, and on August 15th, their dedicated account for disclosure was suspended. The next day a journalist's personal Proton account was suspended as well. When the suspension was appealed, Proton rejected the appeal stating "your account will cause further damage to our service, therefore we will keep the account suspended." After numerous attempts to make contact with Proton, Phrack reached out publicly via X to Proton. Proton responded saying they had received an alert from a computer emergency response team who claimed hackers were misusing the specified Proton accounts. The journalists' accounts were re-instated the day after, but the CERT who made the report was not identified.

===Forced Arbitration===
<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-12-02 |title=Terms of Service |url=https://proton.me/legal/terms |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-04 |website=Proton |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260126155126/https://proton.me/legal/terms |archive-date=26 Jan 2026}}</ref>

== Products ==

*Lumo AI
*Proton Authenticator
*Proton Calendar
*Proton Docs
*Proton Drive
*[[Proton Mail]]
*Proton Meet
*Proton Pass
*Proton Sheets
*Proton Wallet
*Proton VPN
*SimpleLogin
*Standard Notes

==See also==

==References==
{{reflist}}{{Cite web |last=Mazurov |first=Nikita |date=2025-09-12 |title=Proton Mail Suspended Journalist Accounts at Request of Cybersecurity Agency |url=https://theintercept.com/2025/09/12/proton-mail-journalist-accounts-suspended/ |url-status=live |website=The Intercept |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260202140231/https://theintercept.com/2025/09/12/proton-mail-journalist-accounts-suspended/ |archive-date=2 Feb 2026}}
{{Cite web |date=2025-09-19 |title=Phrack Journalists Suspended from Proton Mail |url=https://redact.dev/blog/proton-mail-journalist-suspensions-cert-alert |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224122322/https://redact.dev/blog/proton-mail-journalist-suspensions-cert-alert |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

PsychonautWiki Journal locks drug & interaction tracking behind Paywall

2026-02-24T12:22:22Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{Incomplete}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Isaak Hanimann
|StartDate=2025-09-05
|Status=Active
|Product=PsychonautWiki Journal
|ArticleType=Service
|Type=Firmware lockout, Exploitative pricing, Unprompted Risk to Users, Health Risk to Users
|Description=PsychonautWiki Journal has locked drug tracking behind a premium tier with the exception of only the user's three most-used drugs.
}}In September 2025, the app PsychonautWiki Journal was updated to Version 12.0 on both Android and iOS. This update came with a new restriction on drug & interaction tracking that was provided without warning prior to the update.

==Background==
PsychonaughtWiki Journal<ref>{{Cite web |last=Isaak |first=Hanimann |date=2022-11-29 |title=PsychonautWiki Journal |url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.isaakhanimann.journal |url-status=live |access-date=2025-09-05 |website=PsychonautWiki Journal - Apps on Google Play |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251011104236/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.isaakhanimann.journal |archive-date=11 Oct 2025}}</ref> is an application developed by Isaak Hanimann released in 2021. PsychonautWiki Journal is a medication & drug tracking app, designed first and foremost for substance users, but is also usable for tracking of typical prescription medication. It allows users to track their medication use as well as potential drug interactions, including potentially severe negative interactions with psychedelic or perception-altering substances and allows substance users to safely plan tolerance breaks to prevent overuse.

==Version 12.0 Premium tier lockout==
On the 4th of September 2025, Version 12.0 of PsychonautWiki Journal was released on the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. This update added a prompt to upgrade to Premium, with the restriction that users would continue to be able to track their three most-used drugs for free.

This change was not warned in advance of the update, and users would find themselves logging in to track a substance only to be entirely unable to<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-05 |title=Post by erin // Eileen on quiescent.nexus |url=https://fedi.quiescent.nexus/objects/5c6615b0-8e9a-4429-9307-d77cc6855b70 |access-date=2025-09-05 |website=quiescent.nexus |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224122202/https://fedi.quiescent.nexus/notice/Axt2L6OBBYpube9WQS |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref> because they were not presented with the option to choose what preferred drugs remained trackable, or with a warned grace period.

===Isaak's response===

Upon opening the prompt, the user is met with a message saying; "PsychonautWiki Journal is free for anyone who can't afford it. In that case send a message to isaak.journal@gmail.com". As of yet users have not been met with any negative response.

==Consumer response==
{{Ph-I-ConR}}

==References==
<references />

RAM Shortage

2026-02-24T12:21:18Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 2 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{Stub}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=OpenAI, Samsung, Micron
|StartDate=2025-10-01
|Status=Active
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Price Fixing, Supply Shortage
|Description=OpenAI has made large RAM purchasing deals with major manufacturers for its Stargate project, leading to a consumer shortage of RAM globally.
}}

The '''RAM shortage''' or '''RAM crisis''' started around the end of 2025 as a consequence of AI companies making deals with hardware manufacturers to produce and supply the AI companies with [[wikipedia:Dynamic_random-access_memory|dynamic random-access memory (DRAM)]]. This caused a significant supply shortage and corresponding price increase of DRAM in the consumer market.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ehrhardt |first=Michelle |date=2025-12-10 |title=Why RAM Prices Are Going Way, Way Up (and Why You Should Care) |url=https://lifehacker.com/tech/ram-prices-going-up#:~:text=But%20the%20largest%20RAM%20price,doubled%20profits%20over%20last%20year. |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Lifehacker |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260107025034/https://lifehacker.com/tech/ram-prices-going-up |archive-date=7 Jan 2026}}</ref> Prices of other computer components, such as [[wikipedia:Solid-state_drive|solid-state drives (SSDs)]] and [[wikipedia:Graphics_processing_unit|graphics processing units (GPUs)]] have also increased, although at a lesser scale.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garreffa |first=Anthony |date=2025-12-27 |title=AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards will be more expensive in early 2026 because of DRAM crisis |url=https://www.tweaktown.com/news/109484/amd-and-nvidia-graphics-cards-will-be-more-expensive-in-early-2026-because-of-dram-crisis/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=TweakTown |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260111210901/https://www.tweaktown.com/news/109484/amd-and-nvidia-graphics-cards-will-be-more-expensive-in-early-2026-because-of-dram-crisis/index.html |archive-date=11 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Munnawer |first=Amna |date=2026-02-12 |title=Why SSDs Are Getting More Expensive In 2026? |url=https://directmacro.com/blog/post/why-ssds-are-getting-expensive |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Direct Macro |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220191816/https://directmacro.com/blog/post/why-ssds-are-getting-expensive |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nasir |first=Hassam |date=2026-02-17 |title=New report shows RAM prices are continuing to fall in Germany, US trends less certain — SSDs and HDDs are more expensive than ever in the States |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/new-report-shows-ram-prices-are-continuing-to-fall-in-germany-u-s-trends-less-certain-ssds-and-hdds-are-more-expensive-than-ever |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Tom's Hardware |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260218163201/https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/new-report-shows-ram-prices-are-continuing-to-fall-in-germany-u-s-trends-less-certain-ssds-and-hdds-are-more-expensive-than-ever |archive-date=18 Feb 2026}}</ref> [[File:CrucialProOverclocking32GB(2x16GB)DDR5-6000CL36MemoryPriceIncreasePCPartPicker.png|thumb|A screenshot of a graph from [https://pcpartpicker.com/ PcPartPicker] taken on 02-06-2026 showing the price increase of the product ''Crucial Pro Overclocking 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL36 Memory'']]

==Background==
With the release of [[ChatGPT]], [[OpenAI]] became the leading pioneer of artificial intelligence. Seeing this, more companies wanted to develop their own AI models and build infrastructure to compete in the AI market. [[Samsung]], [[Micron]], and [[SK Hynix]] are the main RAM producers for consumers and corporations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crider |first=Michael |date=2026-02-10 |title=Report: Desperate PC manufacturers are turning to China for RAM |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/3057590/report-desperate-pc-manufacturers-turn-to-china-for-ram.html |access-date=2026-02-11 |work=PC World |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224121921/https://www.pcworld.com/article/3057590/report-desperate-pc-manufacturers-turn-to-china-for-ram.html |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==Causes of the shortage==
On October 1st 2025, OpenAI signed deals with major memory manufacturers to secure 40% of global RAM production.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shilov |first=Anton |date=2025-10-01 |title=OpenAI's Stargate project to consume up to 40% of global DRAM output — inks deal with Samsung and SK hynix to the tune of up to 900,000 wafers per month |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/dram/openais-stargate-project-to-consume-up-to-40-percent-of-global-dram-output-inks-deal-with-samsung-and-sk-hynix-to-the-tune-of-up-to-900-000-wafers-per-month |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=Tom's Hardware |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260115053840/https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/dram/openais-stargate-project-to-consume-up-to-40-percent-of-global-dram-output-inks-deal-with-samsung-and-sk-hynix-to-the-tune-of-up-to-900-000-wafers-per-month |archive-date=15 Jan 2026}}</ref> As of February 2026, RAM prices have tripled compared to October 2025. By late 2026, AI datacenters are expected to take 70% of all RAM usage. It is expected the RAM shortage could last until 2028.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Darragh |date=2026-01-14 |title='DRAM shortages could persist for quite some time now': Micron on RAM crisis lasting until 2028 with high AI demand, 'we are still servicing the consumer market' |url=https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/theres-just-not-enough-supply-to-go-around-micron-believes-ram-shortage-wont-improve-until-2028-at-least-until-the-ai-demand-starts-to-fade-away |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Tom's Guide |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222085320/https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/theres-just-not-enough-supply-to-go-around-micron-believes-ram-shortage-wont-improve-until-2028-at-least-until-the-ai-demand-starts-to-fade-away |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==Corporate response==

===Micron===
{{Main|Exit of Crucial from consumer business}}
Micron has exited the consumer RAM market to focus resources toward manufacturing RAM to supply AI data centers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Satya |last2=Plungy |first2=Mark |date=2025-12-03 |title=Micron Announces Exit from Crucial Consumer Business |url=https://investors.micron.com/news-releases/news-release-details/micron-announces-exit-crucial-consumer-business |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=Micron |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220192654/https://investors.micron.com/news-releases/news-release-details/micron-announces-exit-crucial-consumer-business |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref>

===Samsung===
Samsung has promised to continue selling SSDs despite rumors that it had plans to leave the consumer market.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Batt |first=Simon |date=2025-12-15 |title=No, we're not backing out of the consumer SSD market, says Samsung |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/not-backing-out-of-consumer-ssd-market-samsung/#:~:text=We%27ll%20keep%20selling%20SSDs%20to%20the%20consumer%2C%20says%20Samsung&text=Right%20now%2C%20we%27re%20seeing,supplying%20us%20with%20its%20hardware. |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=XDA Developers |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260109215923/https://www.xda-developers.com/not-backing-out-of-consumer-ssd-market-samsung/ |archive-date=9 Jan 2026}}</ref>

==Consequences==
The shortage of DRAM has already affected personal computing, with consequences like:
*Samsung and SK Hynix have increased RAM prices due to slowed production and less competition from Micron.
*The DRAM price increase has also increased the price to purchase a whole new computer, making computers a less accessible product for a regular consumer.
*Some manufacturers selling their computers without DRAM included. One notable example is Maingear, who has started their own BYO (bring your own) RAM program.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bring your own RAM, we’ll build you a complete PC. |url=https://maingear.com/blogs/promotions/maingear-byo-ram-program |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=Maingear |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260208065852/https://maingear.com/blogs/promotions/maingear-byo-ram-program |archive-date=8 Feb 2026}}</ref>
*Consumers resorting to buying DDR4 <ref>{{Cite web |last=Murtaza |first=Fawad |date=2026-01-22 |title=AMD Zen 3 AM4 CPU prices surge as customers flock to desktop processors with DDR4 support |url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Zen-3-AM4-CPU-prices-surge-as-customers-flock-to-desktop-processors-with-DDR4-support.1209042.0.html |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=NotebookCheck}}</ref>, and even DDR3, to avoid higher prices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yee |first=Alainia |date=2026-01-23 |title=Surprise! DDR3 isn’t dead—and it might be the budget PC gaming answer you need |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/3040452/surprise-ddr3-isnt-dead-and-it-might-be-the-budget-pc-gaming-answer-you-need.html |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260124075610/https://www.pcworld.com/article/3040452/surprise-ddr3-isnt-dead-and-it-might-be-the-budget-pc-gaming-answer-you-need.html |archive-date=24 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kinghorn |first=Jess |date=2026-01-14 |title=Seeing the absolute state of memory pricing, Chinese DIY community opts for DDR3 motherboards instead |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/memory/seeing-the-absolute-state-of-memory-pricing-chinese-diy-community-opts-for-ddr3-motherboards-instead/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260117162610/https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/memory/seeing-the-absolute-state-of-memory-pricing-chinese-diy-community-opts-for-ddr3-motherboards-instead/ |archive-date=17 Jan 2026}}</ref> 
==Consumer response==
The RAM shortage has caused outrage amongst consumers, talking about how manufacturers are prioritizing the profits of the AI market and ignoring regular consumers. Lots of content on social media has been posted talking about the topic and its negative impact on personal computing, for example by highlighting the potential fulfillment of Jeff Bezos' desire for consumers to rent computing power from the cloud; taking away ownership<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corden |first=Jez |date=2026-01-13 |title=Jeff Bezos said the quiet part out loud — hopes that you'll give up your PC to rent one from the cloud |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/artificial-intelligence/jeff-bezos-says-the-quiet-part-out-loud-bezos-envisions-that-youll-give-up-your-pc-for-an-ai-cloud-version |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Windows Central |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260221193537/https://www.windowscentral.com/artificial-intelligence/jeff-bezos-says-the-quiet-part-out-loud-bezos-envisions-that-youll-give-up-your-pc-for-an-ai-cloud-version |archive-date=21 Feb 2026}}</ref>, and increasingly by making several YouTube videos stating how this will impact the future of home computing. <ref>{{Cite web |last=MonkeyExplains |first= |date=2026-01-18 |title=RAM Prices Are Worse Then You Think |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfOREULEqRU |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Youtube |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=IfOREULEqRU |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gamers Nexus |date=2025-12-05 |title=WTF Just Happened? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A-eeJP0J7c&t=633s |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Youtube |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=9A-eeJP0J7c |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> 

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:2025 incidents]]
[[Category:2026 incidents]]

Raylo

2026-02-24T12:18:53Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 2 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=2018-09-05
|Industry=Electronics leasing
|Type=Private
|Website=https://www.raylo.com/
|Description=Electronics leasing company
}}

'''Raylo''' is a British [[Electronics leasing|electronics leasing]] company which offers consumers temporary use of smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other electronic devices on monthly subscription terms. Unlike payment plan models where the consumer acquires ownership at the end of the agreement, Raylo customers do not own the device at the conclusion of the lease, despite often paying more than the retail value of the item over the contract period.

The company was incorporated on 5 September 2018 under the name Xylofi Limited, rebranding to Raylo Group Limited in March 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RAYLO GROUP LIMITED |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/11554120 |website=Companies House |access-date=2026-02-12 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250420092451/https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/11554120 |archive-date=20 Apr 2025}}</ref> It is registered at 5 New Street Square, London, and is authorised and regulated by the [[Wikipedia:Financial Conduct Authority|Financial Conduct Authority]] under Firm Reference Number 841488.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Legal |url=https://www.raylo.com/legal |website=Raylo |access-date=2026-02-12 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251007180329/https://www.raylo.com/legal |archive-date=7 Oct 2025}}</ref>

==Business model==

Raylo offers new and refurbished consumer electronics on subscription terms ranging from monthly rolling contracts to fixed 12, 24, or 36-month agreements.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How to lease a device with Raylo |url=https://help.raylo.com/en/articles/11666828-how-to-lease-a-device-with-raylo |website=Raylo Help Centre |access-date=2026-02-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224121802/https://help.raylo.com/en/articles/11666828-how-to-get-a-tech-subscription-with-raylo |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref> The company performs a soft credit check during application, with a full credit search conducted only upon approval.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Monthly Rolling |url=https://www.raylo.com/monthly-rolling |website=Raylo |access-date=2026-02-12 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260212143547/https://www.raylo.com/ |archive-date=12 Feb 2026}}</ref>

At the end of a fixed term, customers may choose to upgrade to a new device, continue paying on a rolling monthly basis, return the device, or contact them to "discuss" purchasing the device.<ref>{{Cite web |title=After the lease: what are my options? |url=https://help.raylo.com/en/articles/11641134-end-of-subscription-options |website=Raylo Help Centre |access-date=2026-02-12 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251108100335/https://help.raylo.com/en/articles/11641134-end-of-subscription-options |archive-date=8 Nov 2025}}</ref> The purchase price is determined by Raylo based on the device's residual market value at the time of purchase, rather than being a nominal fee. A [[Wikipedia:Financial Ombudsman Service|Financial Ombudsman Service]] decision documented one customer being quoted £530.99 to purchase their device during a 24-month contract, or £269.99 after the term concluded.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DRN-4395886 |url=https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/decision/DRN-4395886.pdf |website=Financial Ombudsman Service |access-date=2026-02-12 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260213213739/https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/decision/DRN-4395886.pdf |archive-date=13 Feb 2026}}</ref>

Early cancellation during a minimum term incurs fees of up to 18 times the monthly payment, depending on how far into the contract the customer has progressed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Returns, cancellations and what happens if your device is damaged |url=https://help.raylo.com/en/articles/11686695-returns-cancellations-and-what-happens-if-your-device-is-damaged |website=Raylo Help Centre |access-date=2026-02-12 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260116155014/https://help.raylo.com/en/articles/11686695-returns-cancellations-and-what-happens-if-your-device-is-damaged |archive-date=16 Jan 2026}}</ref> A 14-day cooling-off period permits penalty-free returns.

Returned devices must meet Raylo's "fair wear and tear" standards, which permit minor scratches and small dents but no cracks of any kind.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Monthly Rolling |url=https://www.raylo.com/monthly-rolling |website=Raylo |access-date=2026-02-12 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260212143547/https://www.raylo.com/ |archive-date=12 Feb 2026}}</ref> Devices returned in a condition below this standard are subject to repair charges.

===Public criticism===

Raylo maintains a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on [[Wikipedia:Trustpilot|Trustpilot]] from approximately 21,000 reviews, with positive feedback commonly citing fast delivery, ease of ordering, and lower monthly costs compared to network contracts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Raylo Reviews |url=https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/raylo.com |website=Trustpilot |access-date=2026-02-12 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260217031930/https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/raylo.com |archive-date=17 Feb 2026}}</ref>

However, negative reviews and independent analyses have raised concerns about their business model:

* '''Total cost of leasing:''' Independent financial commentators have questioned the value proposition of device leasing compared to outright purchase. Household Money Saving concluded that leasing "rarely stacks up" financially, estimating customers are typically £200–400 worse off compared to purchasing on interest-free finance and reselling the device.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Raylo Review |url=https://www.householdmoneysaving.com/raylo-review/ |website=Household Money Saving |access-date=2026-02-12 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241202140102/https://www.householdmoneysaving.com/raylo-review/ |archive-date=2 Dec 2024}}</ref> Compare and Recycle calculated that leasing an iPhone 15 Pro for four years would cost approximately £565 more than buying outright.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Phone rental: will you save or lose money? |url=https://www.compareandrecycle.co.uk/blog/phone-rental-will-you-save-or-lose-money |website=Compare and Recycle |access-date=2026-02-12 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240224093654/https://www.compareandrecycle.co.uk/blog/phone-rental-will-you-save-or-lose-money |archive-date=24 Feb 2024}}</ref> Proponents of the model note it may benefit consumers who cannot afford large upfront costs or prefer not to manage device resale.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is Raylo? Phone and Tech Subscription Explained |url=https://www.techadvisor.com/article/3037645/what-is-raylo-phone-and-tech-subscription-explained.html |website=Tech Advisor |access-date=2026-02-12 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260213213739/https://www.techadvisor.com/article/3037645/what-is-raylo-phone-and-tech-subscription-explained.html |archive-date=13 Feb 2026}}</ref>

* '''Ownership expectations:''' Some customers have reported confusion over the lease-versus-purchase distinction, arriving at the end of their terms unaware that they did not own the device and that purchasing it would require a substantial additional payment (or, in some cases, would not be available at all).<ref>{{Cite web |title=DRN-4395886 |url=https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/decision/DRN-4395886.pdf |website=Financial Ombudsman Service |access-date=2026-02-12 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260213213739/https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/decision/DRN-4395886.pdf |archive-date=13 Feb 2026}}</ref> The Financial Ombudsman has not upheld complaints against Raylo on these grounds, finding that the company's agreements clearly constitute hire agreements rather than credit sale agreements.

===Pricing examples===

The following table shows example subscription costs for selected devices on a 36-month term, compared to typical UK retail prices. Prices are illustrative and subject to change.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Raylo |url=https://www.raylo.com/ |website=Raylo |access-date=2026-02-12 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260212143547/https://www.raylo.com/ |archive-date=12 Feb 2026}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Device!!Monthly cost (36-month term)!!Total paid over 36 months!!Approximate UK price (Amazon, 2025/02/12)
|-
|Sony PlayStation 5 (1TB, disc edition)||£11.59||£417.24||£449.85<ref>{{Cite web |title=PlayStation 5 Console Slim |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Playstation-711719577157-PlayStation-Console-Slim/dp/B0CM9VHGY7 |website=Amazon UK |access-date=2026-02-12 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260113182949/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Playstation-711719577157-PlayStation-Console-Slim/dp/B0CM9VHGY7 |archive-date=13 Jan 2026}}</ref>
|-
|Sony PlayStation 5 Pro (2TB)||£18.08||£650.88||£625.99<ref>{{Cite web |title=PlayStation 5 Pro |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/PlayStation-2faa94f2-f2aa-486a-83d6-8cc8625df8ed-5-Pro/dp/B0DJH2NS6R |website=Amazon UK |access-date=2026-02-12 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260109214102/https://www.amazon.co.uk/PlayStation-2faa94f2-f2aa-486a-83d6-8cc8625df8ed-5-Pro/dp/B0DJH2NS6R/ |archive-date=9 Jan 2026}}</ref>
|-
|Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (256GB, new)||£21.24<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G 256GB |url=https://www.raylo.com/products/new-samsung-galaxy-s25-ultra-5g-256gb-titanium-black?term=36-months |website=Raylo |access-date=2026-02-12 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260212143547/https://www.raylo.com/ |archive-date=12 Feb 2026}}</ref>||£764.64||£823.02<ref>{{Cite web |title=Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 256GB |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/SAMSUNG-Galaxy-Ultra-Smartphone-Titanium-Gray/dp/B0DTHP4TJ9 |website=Amazon UK |access-date=2026-02-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224121833/https://www.amazon.co.uk/SAMSUNG-Galaxy-Ultra-Smartphone-Titanium-Gray/dp/B0DTHP4TJ9 |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>
|}

At the end of a 36-month term, consumers do not own the device. The total amount paid may be less than, similar to, or greater than the retail price depending on the device, but in all cases the consumer must either return the device, continue paying monthly, upgrade to a new lease, or pay an additional purchase fee to acquire ownership.

==Notable devices leased==

Raylo offers devices across several categories:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Raylo |url=https://www.raylo.com/ |website=Raylo |access-date=2026-02-12 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260212143547/https://www.raylo.com/ |archive-date=12 Feb 2026}}</ref>

*'''Smartphones:''' Apple iPhone (including iPhone 17, 16, 15 series), Samsung Galaxy (including S25 series), Google Pixel (including Pixel 10)
*'''Tablets:''' Apple iPad, Google Pixel Tablet
*'''Laptops:''' Apple MacBook Air, MacBook Pro
*'''Wearables:''' Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch
*'''Gaming consoles:''' Sony PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch
*'''Audio:''' Apple AirPods, Bose headphones
*'''Home appliances:''' Dyson vacuum cleaners and hair care products

==See also==

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Raylo]]
[[Category:Electronics leasing]]

Proposed Ring-Flock partnership (2025-2026)

2026-02-24T12:17:52Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 4 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Amazon, Ring, Flock Safety
|StartDate=2025-10
|EndDate=2026-02-12
|Status=Resolved
|ProductLine=Ring Video Doorbells
|ArticleType=Service
|Type=Privacy
|Description=Ring intended to form a close partnership with Flock Safety, a private surveillance company with close ties to law enforcement, but withdrew before launch.
}}

The '''proposed Ring–Flock Safety partnership''' was an announced integration between Amazon-owned [[Ring]] and surveillance technology company [[Flock Safety]], which would have enabled law enforcement agencies using Flock's platforms to request footage from Ring camera owners through Ring's "Community Requests" feature. Announced in October 2025, the partnership was cancelled on February 12, 2026, before ever becoming operational, following significant public backlash and criticism from privacy advocates and members of the United States Congress.<ref name="ring-cancellation-blog">{{Cite web |date=2026-02-12 |title=Ring and Flock Cancel Partnership |url=https://blog.ring.com/about-ring/ring-and-flock-cancel-partnership/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=The Ring Blog |publisher=Ring (Amazon) |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260218143503/https://blog.ring.com/about-ring/ring-and-flock-cancel-partnership/ |archive-date=18 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref name="flock-cancellation-blog">{{Cite web |date=2026-02-12 |title=Flock and Ring Cancel Announced Community Requests Integration |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/an-update-on-ring-partnership |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Flock Safety Blog |publisher=Flock Safety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224121628/https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/an-update-on-ring-partnership |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>

The cancellation came days after Ring's Super Bowl LX advertisement for its "Search Party" feature drew widespread criticism for what viewers described as depicting a "dystopian" surveillance network.<ref name="cnbc-ring-flock-cancellation-2026">{{Cite web |author=Ashley Capoot |date=2026-02-12 |title=Amazon's Ring Cancels Flock Partnership Amid Super Bowl Ad Backlash |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/12/amazons-ring-cancels-flock-partnership-amid-super-bowl-ad-backlash.html |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=CNBC |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222192108/https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/12/amazons-ring-cancels-flock-partnership-amid-super-bowl-ad-backlash.html |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> Although Search Party was technically unrelated to the Flock partnership, public concern about both initiatives became interlinked in the ensuing controversy.

==Background==

===Ring's law enforcement partnerships===
Ring, acquired by Amazon in 2018, has maintained relationships with law enforcement agencies since approximately 2016. By 2022, Amazon disclosed to Senator Ed Markey that 2,161 law enforcement agencies were part of Ring's Neighbors Public Safety Service.<ref name="markey-2022-ring-probe">{{Cite web |date=2022-07-13 |title=Senator Markey's Probe into Amazon Ring Reveals New Privacy Problems |url=https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markeys-probe-into-amazon-ring-reveals-new-privacy-problems |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=U.S. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts |publisher=United States Senate |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220163209/https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markeys-probe-into-amazon-ring-reveals-new-privacy-problems |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref>

In January 2024, Ring discontinued its "Request for Assistance" tool, which had allowed police to directly request footage from Ring users.<ref name="eff-ring-police-requests-2024">{{Cite web |date=2024-01-24 |title=Victory! Ring Announces It Will No Longer Facilitate Police Requests for Footage from Users |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2024/01/ring-announces-it-will-no-longer-facilitate-police-requests-footage-users |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216094353/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2024/01/ring-announces-it-will-no-longer-facilitate-police-requests-footage-users |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref> However, following the return of founder Jamie Siminoff as CEO in April 2025, Ring launched a replacement program called "Community Requests" through partnerships with third-party evidence management companies.<ref name="geekwire-cancellation">{{Cite web |author=Todd Bishop |date=2026-02-13 |title=Ring cancels Flock partnership amid broader surveillance concerns |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2026/ring-cancels-flock-partnership-amid-broader-surveillance-concerns/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=GeekWire}}</ref>

===Flock Safety===
Flock Safety, founded in 2017 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, manufactures automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, AI-powered video surveillance systems, and gunshot detection technology. By 2025, the company operated over 80,000 cameras across approximately 7,000 networks in 49 U.S. states, partnering with more than 5,000 law enforcement agencies.<ref name="cnbc-ring-flock-announcement-2025">{{Cite web |author=Eric Rosenbaum |date=2025-10-16 |title=Amazon Ring Security Cameras Moving Deeper into Law Enforcement with Flock Safety, Axon Deals |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/16/amazon-ring-cameras-surveillance-law-enforcement-crime-police-investigations.html |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=CNBC |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222024845/https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/16/amazon-ring-cameras-surveillance-law-enforcement-crime-police-investigations.html |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref>

Flock Safety has faced criticism regarding its technology's connections to federal immigration enforcement. In May 2025, 404 Media reported that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had accessed Flock's network through local police departments conducting searches on ICE's behalf.<ref name="404media-ice-flock-2025">{{Cite web |author=Jason Koebler |author2=Joseph Cox |date=2025-05-27 |title=ICE Taps into Nationwide AI-Enabled Camera Network, Data Shows |url=https://www.404media.co/ice-taps-into-nationwide-ai-enabled-camera-network-data-shows/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=404 Media |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260219181050/https://www.404media.co/ice-taps-into-nationwide-ai-enabled-camera-network-data-shows/ |archive-date=19 Feb 2026}}</ref> Flock has stated that it does not have a direct partnership with ICE and that federal agencies cannot directly access its cameras or data.<ref name="cnn-ring-flock-cancellation-2026">{{Cite web |date=2026-02-13 |title=Amazon's Ring Cancels Controversial Partnership with Tech Company Flock Amid Privacy Concerns |url=https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/13/tech/amazon-ring-flock-partnership-ice |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=CNN Business |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216162346/https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/13/tech/amazon-ring-flock-partnership-ice |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==The proposed partnership==
On October 31, 2025, Ring and Flock Safety announced their intention to integrate Flock's FlockOS and Flock Nova platforms with Ring's Community Requests feature.<ref name="flock-partnership-announcement">{{Cite web |date=2025-10-31 |title=Flock Safety and Ring Partner to Help Neighborhoods Work Together for Safer Communities |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-safety-and-ring-partner-to-help-neighborhoods-work-together-for-safer-communities |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Flock Safety Blog |publisher=Flock Safety}}</ref>

Under the planned system, law enforcement officers using Flock's software could post a "Community Request" in the Ring Neighbors app during active investigations. Each request would include the specific location, timeframe, incident details, and a case number. Ring users who saw the request could choose whether to share video footage or ignore it. According to Ring, participation would be voluntary, and law enforcement agencies could not see which users received their requests.<ref name="ring-community-requests-launch">{{Cite web |title=Ring Launches Community Requests: A New Way to Help Your Community |url=https://blog.ring.com/about-ring/ring-launches-community-requests-a-new-way-to-help-your-community |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=The Ring Blog |publisher=Ring (Amazon) |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260210203308/https://blog.ring.com/about-ring/ring-launches-community-requests-a-new-way-to-help-your-community/ |archive-date=10 Feb 2026}}</ref>

===Consumer consent concerns===
Privacy advocates raised concerns about the consent model. While Ring device owners could choose whether to share footage, individuals captured on Ring cameras—such as passersby, visitors, and delivery workers—had no ability to consent to being recorded or to having that footage shared with law enforcement.<ref name="privacyguides-ring-flock-2026">{{Cite web |author=Fria |date=2026-02-17 |title=Amazon Cancels Ring Partnership with Flock |url=https://www.privacyguides.org/news/2026/02/17/amazon-cancels-ring-partnership-with-flock/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Privacy Guides |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260217203518/https://www.privacyguides.org/news/2026/02/17/amazon-cancels-ring-partnership-with-flock/ |archive-date=17 Feb 2026}}</ref>

Additionally, when a Ring user chose to share footage through Community Requests, their home address and email address were provided to the requesting law enforcement agency, a detail users were notified of before sharing.<ref name="cnn-ring-flock-cancellation-2026" />

The Flock integration was Ring's second law enforcement technology partnership for Community Requests; a similar partnership with Axon Enterprise had been announced concurrently and remains active.<ref name="axon-ring-community-requests">{{Cite web |title=Building Safer Communities Together: Axon and Ring Launch Community Request Partnership |url=https://www.axon.com/blog/building-safer-communities-together-axon-and-ring |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Axon.com |publisher=Axon Enterprise |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216015621/https://www.axon.com/blog/building-safer-communities-together-axon-and-ring |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==Super Bowl advertisement and backlash==
On February 8, 2026, Ring aired a 30-second advertisement during Super Bowl LX promoting its "Search Party" feature, an AI-powered tool designed to help locate lost pets by scanning footage from Ring cameras across a neighborhood.<ref name="geekwire-search-party">{{Cite web |date=2026-02-10 |title=What Ring's 'Search Party' actually does, and why its Super Bowl ad gave people the creeps |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2026/what-rings-search-party-actually-does-and-why-its-super-bowl-ad-gave-people-the-creeps/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=GeekWire |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220080410/https://www.geekwire.com/2026/what-rings-search-party-actually-does-and-why-its-super-bowl-ad-gave-people-the-creeps/ |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref>

While technically unrelated to the Flock partnership, the advertisement prompted widespread criticism. Viewers described the depiction of a coordinated camera network scanning an entire community as "dystopian" and "sinister."<ref name="cnbc-ring-flock-cancellation-2026" /> Social media users expressed concern that the same technology could be used to track people rather than pets.

===Default opt-in feature===
The backlash was amplified by the revelation that Search Party was enabled by default on eligible outdoor Ring cameras, requiring users to actively opt out rather than opt in.<ref name="geekwire-search-party" /><ref name="engadget-search-party">{{Cite web |date=2026-02-10 |title=Here's how to disable Ring's creepy Search Party feature |url=https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/heres-how-to-disable-rings-creepy-search-party-feature-185420455.html |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Engadget |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260215061041/https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/heres-how-to-disable-rings-creepy-search-party-feature-185420455.html |archive-date=15 Feb 2026}}</ref> This default-on design drew criticism as an example of practices that automatically enroll consumers in data-sharing arrangements without their explicit consent.

Ring stated that users retain control over whether to share any footage identified by Search Party and that nothing is shared automatically. However, the automatic scanning of footage on participating cameras occurs regardless of whether the device owner has made an active choice.<ref name="geekwire-search-party" />

===Viral misinformation===
Following the Super Bowl advertisement, a viral post on X falsely claimed that ICE could directly access Ring cameras. The post received approximately 2 million views and prompted some Ring users to cancel their subscriptions.<ref name="cnn-ring-flock-cancellation-2026" /> While Ring has stated it has no partnership with ICE and does not share video with the agency, the claims contributed to the broader backlash against the company. Flock and Ring do have relationships with local US police departments, who in some cases co-operate with federal agencies such as ICE.<ref name="cnn-ring-flock-cancellation-2026" />

==Cancellation==
On February 12, 2026, Ring and Flock Safety jointly announced the cancellation of their planned partnership.

===Ring's response===
Ring published a statement on its blog stating: "Following a comprehensive review, we determined the planned Flock Safety integration would require significantly more time and resources than anticipated. As a result, we have made the joint decision to cancel the planned integration." The company emphasized that "the integration never launched, so no Ring customer videos were ever sent to Flock Safety."<ref name="ring-cancellation-blog" />

Ring spokesperson Emma Daniels confirmed that the partnership was never active and that no videos were ever shared between the services.<ref name="nbcnews-ring-flock-cancellation-2026">{{Cite web |date=2026-02-12 |title=Amazon No Longer Working with Controversial Police Tech Company After Backlash over Ring Doorbell Super Bowl Ad |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/amazon-no-longer-working-police-tech-flock-safety-super-bowl-ad-rcna258855 |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=NBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224121707/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/amazon-no-longer-working-police-tech-flock-safety-super-bowl-ad-rcna258855 |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>

===Flock Safety's response===
Flock Safety described the decision as mutual in its own statement: "We believe this decision allows both companies to best serve their respective customers and communities. Flock remains dedicated to supporting law enforcement agencies with tools that are fully configurable to local laws and policies."<ref name="flock-cancellation-blog" />

==Response==

===Congressional===
Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), who had conducted oversight investigations into Ring since 2019, released a statement following the cancellation: "Amazon's decision to abandon its partnership with Flock is an important step in guarding against the ever-expanding network of surveillance technologies in this country." Markey added: "Amazon is finally getting the message: Enough is enough with the Orwellian surveillance state. This decision is a good first step, but it can't be the end. Amazon must go further and end facial recognition in its Ring doorbells—full stop."<ref name="markey-2026-flock-end-statement">{{Cite web |date=2026-02-13 |title=Markey Statement on End of Amazon Ring and Flock Partnership |url=https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/markey-statement-on-end-of-amazon-ring-and-flock-partnership |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=U.S. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts |publisher=United States Senate |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260217003506/https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/markey-statement-on-end-of-amazon-ring-and-flock-partnership |archive-date=17 Feb 2026}}</ref>

Prior to the cancellation, on February 11, 2026, Markey had written to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy urging the company to discontinue Ring's "Familiar Faces" facial recognition feature, stating that the Super Bowl advertisement had "confirmed public opposition to Ring's constant monitoring and invasive image recognition algorithms."<ref name="markey-2026-super-bowl-letter">{{Cite web |date=2026-02-11 |title=Letter to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy re: Ring Facial Recognition and Super Bowl Ad (PDF) |url=https://www.markey.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/follow-up_ring_frt_letter1.pdf |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=U.S. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts |publisher=United States Senate |format=PDF |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260218141414/https://www.markey.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/follow-up_ring_frt_letter1.pdf |archive-date=18 Feb 2026}}</ref>

===Advocacy organizations===
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) had published criticism of Ring's surveillance capabilities before the cancellation, warning that combining Ring's biometric features with neighborhood video searches could create significant privacy risks. EFF investigative researcher Beryl Lipton wrote: "It doesn't take much to imagine Ring eventually combining these two features: face recognition and neighborhood searches."<ref name="eff-ring-surveillance-nightmare-2026">{{Cite web |author=Beryl Lipton |date=2026-02-10 |title=No One, Including Our Furry Friends, Will Be Safer in Ring's Surveillance Nightmare |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2026/02/no-one-including-our-furry-friends-will-be-safer-rings-surveillance-nightmare-0 |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220165255/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2026/02/no-one-including-our-furry-friends-will-be-safer-rings-surveillance-nightmare-0 |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref>

The American Civil Liberties Union raised concerns about the potential for footage to reach federal agencies despite Flock's stated policies. Senior Policy Counsel Chad Marlow stated that combining Ring doorbell cameras with Flock's license plate readers would "create a more detailed picture of where people go, when they leave, and when they return home."<ref name="cnbc-ring-flock-announcement-2025" />

===Consumer response===
Following the Super Bowl advertisement and news coverage of the Flock partnership, some Ring users publicly cancelled their subscriptions, returned devices, or disabled features. According to Peak Metrics data reported by CNBC, approximately 17% of brand-relevant conversations about Ring in the days following the advertisement included references to boycotts or cancellations.<ref name="cnbc-ring-flock-cancellation-2026" />

On February 13–14, 2026, approximately 200–250 protesters gathered outside Amazon's headquarters in Seattle, organized by a coalition including Amazon Employees for Climate Justice and other groups. The protest called on Amazon to end the Ring–Flock partnership (which had already been cancelled), as well as other relationships with federal immigration enforcement agencies.<ref name="techcrunch-ring-flock-cancellation-2026">{{Cite web |author=Amanda Silberling |date=2026-02-13 |title=Amazon's Ring Cancels Partnership with Flock, a Network of AI Cameras Used by ICE, Feds, and Police |url=https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/13/amazons-ring-cancels-partnership-with-flock-a-network-of-ai-cameras-used-by-ice-feds-and-police/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=TechCrunch |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220002154/https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/13/amazons-ring-cancels-partnership-with-flock-a-network-of-ai-cameras-used-by-ice-feds-and-police/ |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==Ongoing concerns==
The partnership's cancellation did not affect Ring's existing Community Requests program, which continues to operate through its partnership with Axon. Ring's Search Party and Familiar Faces features also remain active.<ref name="geekwire-cancellation" />

Privacy advocates have noted that Ring has previously made reforms in response to public pressure before later expanding surveillance capabilities through new mechanisms. The EFF characterized Ring's history as a recurring pattern of expansion, criticism, reform, and subsequent re-expansion.<ref name="eff-ring-surveillance-nightmare-2026" />

==See also==
*[[Ring]]
*[[Flock Safety]]
*[[Amazon]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Amazon]]
[[Category:Privacy]]
[[Category:Surveillance]]
[[Category:Incidents]]

Robinhood Financial

2026-02-24T12:16:12Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{CompanyCargo
|Description=American mobile-first trading and brokerage platform.
|Founded=2013
|Industry=Financial Services
|Logo=Robinhood (company) logo.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Public
|Website=https://robinhood.com/
}}
'''[[wikipedia:Robinhood_Markets|Robinhood Financial, LLC]],''' is a wholly-owned subsidiary of [[wikipedia:Robinhood_Markets|Robinhood Markets, Inc]]. The US app based brokerage company offers commission free stock and ETF trading ( exchange-traded funds ). Founded in 2013 by two former Stanford University room mates, the app was launched in 2015. Their mission is to democratize finance for all.

==Consumer impact summary==

===Mission statement===
*Democratizing: Removing fees and simplifying investing for individual investors.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=DCF Team |first=The |title=Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of Robinhood Markets, Inc. (HOOD) |url=https://dcfmodeling.com/blogs/vision/hood-mission-vision |website=dcfmodeling.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250729102912/https://dcfmodeling.com/blogs/vision/hood-mission-vision |archive-date=29 Jul 2025}}</ref>

*Accessibility: Offering fractional shares, a mobile-first platform, and educational resources.<ref name=":0" />

*Inclusivity: Targeted young and less wealthy investors that historically were excluded from traditional brokerage services.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boorstin |first=Julia |date=May 25, 2021 |title=Robinhood’s disruptive force: The good, the bad and the controversy |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/25/robinhoods-disruptive-trade-the-good-the-bad-and-the-controversy.html |website=CNBC.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260112100918/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/25/robinhoods-disruptive-trade-the-good-the-bad-and-the-controversy.html |archive-date=12 Jan 2026}}</ref>

===Business model===
Operates on a commission free trading model for individual investors. Generating revenue through:

*Payment for order flow (PFOF): Selling customer trades to high frequency trading firms earning rebates for each trade. This accounts for a significant percentage of its revenue.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Goldfine |first=Jael |date=January 28, 2021 |title=Robinhood’s business model and backlash, explained |url=https://www.businessofbusiness.com/articles/robinhoods-business-model-and-backlash-explained/ |website=businessofbusiness.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250918094501/https://www.businessofbusiness.com/articles/robinhoods-business-model-and-backlash-explained/ |archive-date=18 Sep 2025}}</ref>
*Robinhood Gold: Subscription service offering margin trading and advanced feature for five dollars a month.<ref name=":5" />
*Interest on cash and securities lending: Earning from idle cash in user accounts and lending shares to short sellers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cabral |first=Sarah |last2=LaCombe |first2=Amy |date=December 1, 2021 |title=Robinhood, Reddit, and GameStop: What Happened and What Should Happen Next? |url=https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/business-ethics/resources/robinhood-reddit-and-gamestop-what-happened-and-what-should-happen-next/ |website=scu.edu |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251007183857/https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/business-ethics/resources/robinhood-reddit-and-gamestop-what-happened-and-what-should-happen-next/ |archive-date=7 Oct 2025}}</ref>

Critics argue that PFOF creates a conflict of interest, as they may prioritize routing orders to the highest paying firms rather than ensuring the best execution for customers.

===Tokenized shares===
:Robinhood's shares are blockchain-based representations of traditional stocks or private equities. Tokens mirror the price movements of the underlying assets but do not confer legal ownership of the actual shares. Instead, they function as synthetic derivatives, offering exposure to the asset’s value without traditional shareholder rights like voting or dividends.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Ainsley |date=July 14, 2025 |title=What are ‘tokenized’ stocks, and why are trading platforms like Robinhood offering them? |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/91364041/tokenized-stok-trading-platforms-robinhood |website=Fast Company |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260122020300/https://www.fastcompany.com/91364041/tokenized-stok-trading-platforms-robinhood |archive-date=22 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=O'Brient |first=Samuel |title=Robinhood has rolled out 'tokenized' stocks and ETFs. Here's what to know about the crypto-like assets. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-tokenization-robinhood-openai-spacex-stocks-crypto-blockchain-hood-2025-7 |website=Business Insider |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260212103955/https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-tokenization-robinhood-openai-spacex-stocks-crypto-blockchain-hood-2025-7 |archive-date=12 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Moukhtarzade |first=Darius |title=Turning Stocks into Tokens, Why its Cool but Complicated |url=https://www.21shares.com/en-us/research/turning-stocks-into-tokens-why-its-cool-but-complicated |website=21Shares |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250730043807/https://www.21shares.com/en-us/research/turning-stocks-into-tokens-why-its-cool-but-complicated |archive-date=30 Jul 2025}}</ref>
;Backing mechanism
:Actual shares are held in custody (for public stocks) or partners with brokers to back tokens with real securities. The tokens are synthetic claims tied to price performance, not equity for private companies.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |title=Robinhood Faces Regulatory Scrutiny Over Tokenized Private Company Stock |url=https://www.ledgerinsights.com/robinhood-faces-regulatory-scrutiny-over-tokenized-private-company-stock/ |website=ledgerinsights.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260114194832/https://www.ledgerinsights.com/robinhood-faces-regulatory-scrutiny-over-tokenized-private-company-stock/ |archive-date=14 Jan 2026}}</ref>
;Trading
:Tokenized shares trade 24 hours a day five days a week on Robinhood’s platform via Arbitrum, an Ethereum Layer-2 blockchain.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Patrick |first=Thompson |date=July 10, 2025 |title=Tokenized stocks explained: How Robinhood opened US markets |url=https://coingeek.com/tokenized-stocks-explained-how-robinhood-opened-us-markets/ |website=CoinGeek |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251204032452/https://coingeek.com/tokenized-stocks-explained-how-robinhood-opened-us-markets/ |archive-date=4 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mazza |first=Rosalia |date=July 5, 2025 |title=Robinhood Tokenization Push Redefines Market Hours and Investor Access |url=https://www.fintechweekly.com/magazine/articles/robinhood-tokenization-stock-trading-eu-arbitrum |website=FinTech Weekly |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260112110542/https://www.fintechweekly.com/magazine/articles/robinhood-tokenization-stock-trading-eu-arbitrum |archive-date=12 Jan 2026}}</ref>
;Access
:Currently available only to EU users, these tokens allow fractional ownership and bypass cross-border brokerage hurdles.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":9" />
;Regulatory status
:Classified as derivatives under EU rules, not direct securities. Robinhood emphasizes transparency, but faces scrutiny over disclosures involving private companies.<ref name=":10" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fenton |first=Andrew |date=July 16, 2025 |title=Will Robinhood’s tokenized stocks REALLY take over the world? |url=https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/tokenized-stocks-take-over-world-robinhood-kraken-pros-cons-crypto/ |website=cointelegraph.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260116013717/https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/tokenized-stocks-take-over-world-robinhood-kraken-pros-cons-crypto/ |archive-date=16 Jan 2026}}</ref>
===Negative impacts===

====Misleading Practices and Lack of Transparency====
*Fined $65 million by the SEC in 2020 for failing to disclose how PFOF led to inferior trade execution prices, costing customers $34.1 million in aggregate. The platform claimed trades were "commission-free" but hid the true costs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fitzgerald |first=Maggie |date=December 17, 2020 |title=SEC charges Robinhood with misleading customers about how it makes money |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/17/sec-charges-robinhood-with-misleading-customers-about-how-it-makes-money.html |website=CNBC.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250804110247/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/17/sec-charges-robinhood-with-misleading-customers-about-how-it-makes-money.html |archive-date=4 Aug 2025}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=December 17, 2020 |title=SEC Charges Robinhood Financial With Misleading Customers About Revenue Sources and Failing to Satisfy Duty of Best Execution |url=https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2020-321 |website=SEC.gov}}</ref>

*Massachusetts regulators fined Robinhood $7.5 million in 2024 for using deceptive gamification tactics (e.g., digital confetti, scratch-off stock rewards) that encouraged risky trading without adequate investor protections.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=Paul |date=February 12, 2024 |title=Game Over: Robinhood Pays $7.5 Million to Resolve “Gamification” Securities Violations |url=https://www.velaw.com/insights/game-over-robinhood-pays-7-5-million-to-resolve-gamification-securities-violations/ |website=velaw.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251225172921/https://www.velaw.com/insights/game-over-robinhood-pays-7-5-million-to-resolve-gamification-securities-violations/ |archive-date=25 Dec 2025}}</ref>

=====Systemic Compliance Failures=====
*Paid $29.75 million in 2025 to settle the Finance Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) probes for failing to detect suspicious account activity, leaving customers vulnerable to hacking and fraud.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stempel |first=Jonathan |date=March 7, 2025 |title=Robinhood paying $29.75 million to end US regulator's probes |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/robinhood-paying-2975-million-end-us-regulators-probes-2025-03-07/ |website=Reuters.com}}</ref>

*Fined $45 million in 2025 by the SEC for failing to safeguard customer data, leading to a 2021 breach exposing millions of users’ information.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 13, 2025 |title=Two Robinhood Broker-Dealers to Pay $45 Million in Combined Penalties for Violating More Than 10 Separate Securities Law Provisions |url=https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025-5 |website=SEC.gov |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251206131653/https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025-5 |archive-date=6 Dec 2025}}</ref>

=====Restricting Consumer Choice=====
*During the 2021 they abruptly halted trading in meme stocks, citing clearinghouse deposit requirements. This left individual investors unable to capitalize on market movements while institutional traders faced fewer restrictions. Critics argued this violated consumer rights by favoring systemic stability over fair access.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Orcutt |first=Johnathan |date=February 25, 2021 |title=The Legal Impact: Robinhood |url=https://law.unh.edu/blog/2021/02/legal-impact-robinhood |website=unh.edu |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708173238/https://law.unh.edu/blog/2021/02/legal-impact-robinhood |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Cabral |first=Sarah |last2=LaCombe |first2=Amy |date=December 1, 2021 |title=Robinhood, Reddit, and GameStop: What Happened and What Should Happen Next? |url=https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/business-ethics/resources/robinhood-reddit-and-gamestop-what-happened-and-what-should-happen-next/ |website=scu.edu |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251007183857/https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/business-ethics/resources/robinhood-reddit-and-gamestop-what-happened-and-what-should-happen-next/ |archive-date=7 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodman |first=Lawrence |last2=Lofchie |first2=Steven |last3=Lumsdaine |first3=Robin |date=February 23, 2021 |title=Robinhood and GameStop: Essential Issues and Next Steps for Regulators and Investors |url=https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2021/02/23/robinhood-and-gamestop-essential-issues-and-next-steps-for-regulators-and-investors/ |website=harvard.edu |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708173235/https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2021/02/23/robinhood-and-gamestop-essential-issues-and-next-steps-for-regulators-and-investors/ |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref>

=====Exploitation of Inexperienced Investors=====
*Robinhood’s reliance on financial influencers (finfluencers) led to a $26 million FINRA fine in 2025 for failing to supervise misleading promotions (e.g., claims of "living financially free" from dividends).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Robin |date=March 24, 2025 |title=Robinhood Case Highlights Risks Posed by Finfluencers |url=https://www.ifa.com/articles/robinhood_case_highlights_risks_posed_finfluencers |website=ifa.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251212223825/https://www.ifa.com/articles/robinhood_case_highlights_risks_posed_finfluencers |archive-date=12 Dec 2025}}</ref>

*The platform’s design prioritized engagement over fiduciary duty, pushing users toward frequent trading, a practice Massachusetts deemed a violation of its fiduciary rule.<ref name=":2" />

===Ongoing ethical and regulatory concerns===

====Conflicts of Interest====
Robinhood’s revenue model (e.g., PFOF, stock lending) often misaligned with customer best execution rights.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" />

====Arbitration Clauses====
Users are forced into mandatory arbitration, limiting their ability to seek legal redress.<ref name=":3" />

==Incidents==

===Death of a trader===
In 2020 a user committed suicide after misinterpreted a negative balance due to poor UI design, leading to backlash over risk disclosures.

===GameStop short squeeze===
''main article: [[GameStop Short Squeeze]]''

In 2021, decisions to restrict trading fueled accusations of market manipulation and hypocrisy due to it's 'for the people' branding.

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Robinhood Financial]]
[[Category:Retroactively amended purchase]]

Roborock

2026-02-24T12:15:43Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{Incomplete}}
{{SloppyAI}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Description=
|Founded=2014
|Industry=Cleaning, Electronics, Robotics
|Logo=Roborock.png
|ParentCompany=
|Type=
|Website=https://us.roborock.com/
}}
'''[[wikipedia:Roborock|Roborock]]''' is a prominent Chinese manufacturer of robotic vacuum cleaners founded by Richard Chang in July 2014 that offers users an app to control and monitor their devices.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roborock |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roborock |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260126181952/http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FRoborock |archive-date=2026-01-26 |access-date=2026-01-26 |website=Wikipedia}}</ref>

==Consumer impact summary==
{{Placeholder box|Overview of concerns that arise from the company's conduct regarding (if applicable):
* User Freedom
* User Privacy
* Business Model
* Market Control}}

==Anti-consumer practices==

===Inaccessibility of Repair Parts and Anti-Repair Practices===
Roborock restricts access to repair parts, schematics, and documentation for out-of-warranty products. Consumers and even professional repair technicians have reported substantial difficulty sourcing critical components, effectively rendering repairs impossible or unreliable.

====Case Example – Roborock S7 Max-V Power Supply Board Failure:====
Following a power surge during a storm, a consumer's Roborock S7 Max-V robotic vacuum (retail value approximately $1,000) suffered a failure of its dock power supply board. Despite being a relatively simple electronics issue, the user encountered the following obstacles:

*No Official Support for Out-of-Warranty Repairs: Roborock does not sell replacement parts to consumers
*No Access to schematics or pin-out documentation
*Global parts scarcity and regional lockout: OEM parts must often be sourced from Chinese vendors via unofficial channels, with no guarantee of compatibility or full feature support (e.g., drawing/map functions or pin-outs for daughter boards)
*Well established repair centers also blocked: Even specialized robotic vacuum repair centers in the United States have acknowledged they are unable to obtain these parts through any official channel

====Broader Implications:====
This reflects a growing trend in consumer electronics where manufacturers:

*Lock down access to internal components
*Fail to support long-term maintainability of products
*Push customers toward full replacement over repair (even for minor failures)

====Result:====
Customers are forced to either discard a high-value device due to a single point of failure or resort to sourcing questionable aftermarket parts (undermining both sustainability and consumer rights).

===Spam===
Some users have reported receiving unsolicited promotional notifications through the app, which they consider spam.

===User experiences with promotional notifications===
Several users have expressed frustration over receiving promotional content via the Roborock app. For instance, a discussion on Reddit highlighted concerns about notification ad spam, with users debating the implications of disabling certain notification settings. One user noted that turning off the "Allow Roborock Product and Service Updates" setting might prevent both promotional messages and important service updates.
REDDIT

Another user shared their annoyance with the app's notifications, stating that while they want alerts for issues like the vacuum getting stuck, they find the promotional messages intrusive. They expressed disappointment that disabling these ads also meant losing essential notifications. <ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Roborock/comments/1cn367g/seriously_notification_ad_spam/ REDDIT ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260224121519/https://old.reddit.com/r/Roborock/comments/1cn367g/seriously_notification_ad_spam/ Archived])</ref>

===Roborock's response and user actions===
In response to these concerns, some users have suggested reaching out directly to Roborock's support team to report the issue. One user recommended emailing support@roborock.com to express dissatisfaction with the promotional notifications, hoping that a collective effort might lead to a change in the company's approach. <ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Roborock/comments/1cn32ke/advertisement_in_app_now/ REDDIT</ref>

===Steps to manage notifications===
To manage or disable promotional notifications in the Roborock app, users can navigate to the app's settings:

Open the Roborock app.
Go to "Message Settings."
Select "Device Notifications."
Adjust the settings to disable promotional messages while retaining essential device alerts.
It's important to note that some users have reported that disabling certain notifications might also prevent important updates about the device's status or maintenance needs. Therefore, users should carefully consider which notifications to disable to ensure they continue receiving critical information about their device's performance.

In summary, while the Roborock app provides valuable functionalities for device management, the inclusion of promotional notifications has been a point of contention among users. By adjusting notification settings and communicating feedback to the company, users can work towards a more tailored and satisfactory experience.

==Privacy friendly alternative firmware==
Some users may not be comfortable connecting a device that maps their home and has a built-in microphone to a cloud service or even granting it internet access.

It is possible to operate some of their vacuum robots with alternative firmware [https://valetudo.cloud/ Valetudo]. This voids the warranty, may require small modifications to the device depending on the model and may disable some features, but allows them to be used and controlled in a privacy friendly manner without internet access or connecting to Roborock's cloud.

==Products==

=References=
<references />
[[Category:Roborock]]

Roblox

2026-02-24T12:15:01Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 2 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{Incomplete}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Description=American gaming platform featuring user-generated games with microtransactions, primarily targeted towards children.
|Founded=2004
|Industry=Gaming
|Logo=Roblox.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Public
|Website=https://roblox.com/
}}
[[wikipedia:Roblox|'''Roblox''']] is an online platform which lets users create their own games, as well as all sorts of virtual items for their personal avatars. The platform is owned by the Roblox Corporation.

Users create games through Roblox Studio, an application separate from the Roblox Player. Roblox Studio can be used by a user to create digital backups of the games they create. These backups are stored on their hard drive and can not be altered by the Roblox Corporation.

==Consumer impact summary==
*'''User freedom:''' Documented in section 11 of the Roblox Terms of Use,<ref name="disputeResolution">{{Cite web |title=Roblox Terms of Use - Dispute Resolution (Between User and Roblox); |url=https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/115004647846-Roblox-Terms-of-Use#dispute-resolution-user-roblox |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260201050040/https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/115004647846-Roblox-Terms-of-Use#dispute-resolution-user-roblox |archive-date=1 Feb 2026 |website=Roblox Support}}</ref> the user agrees to resolve disputes through Mandatory Informal Dispute Resolution (MIDR).<ref name="disputeResolution"></ref> If MIDR does not resolve a dispute, users within the United States are forced to proceed under [[Forced arbitration|binding arbitration]]. In order to initiate MIDR, users are required to send a physically-written notice by certified mail or through Federal Express.
*'''User privacy:''' All operations related to Roblox must, to some extent, occur on servers that Roblox owns. For example, it is nearly impossible to play a Roblox game without interacting with the Roblox servers. Roblox servers are not end to end encrypted, allowing possible vulnerabilities. Roblox explicitly states that they monitor all user activity to see if it complies with their rules.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Restricted Content Policy |url=https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/115004630823-Roblox-Privacy-and-Cookie-Policy#posting-content |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260217144058/https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/115004630823-Roblox-Privacy-and-Cookie-Policy#posting-content |archive-date=17 Feb 2026 |access-date=12 Aug 2025 |website=Roblox |at=Posting content}}</ref>
*'''Business model:''' Roblox profits off of an exclusive currency purchased with real-world currency called ''Robux'', and it is often used an an intermediary for microtransactions on the platform for user-generated content (UGC) such as cosmetics. Roblox is known to also make money off of collaborations that function as advertisements, such as with IKEA.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Jun 3, 2024 |title=IKEA is opening a new store on Roblox… and you could be paid to work there! |url=https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/newsroom/corporate-news/ikea-is-opening-a-new-store-on-roblox-pub8a9272d0/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222140347/https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/newsroom/corporate-news/ikea-is-opening-a-new-store-on-roblox-pub8a9272d0/ |archive-date=22 Feb 2026 |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=Ikea}}</ref>
*'''Market competition:''' Various platforms such as [[Epic Games]]' [https://www.fortnite.com/ Fortnite] and the lesser known Brick Hill<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Brick Hill |url=https://brickhill.fandom.com/wiki/History_of_Brick_Hill |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222142455/https://brickhill.fandom.com/wiki/History_of_Brick_Hill |archive-date=2026-02-22}}</ref> by Mooshimity<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brick Hill United Kingdom Trademark Information |url=https://www.trademarkelite.com/uk/trademark/trademark-detail/UK00003523863/Brick-Hill |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/d18PI |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mooshimity |url=https://brickhill.fandom.com/wiki/Mooshimity |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222144025/https://brickhill.fandom.com/wiki/Mooshimity |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> have been known to emulate how Roblox works. Very few however, are successful in competing against them.
*'''Other information:''' The Roblox Corporation can terminate (delete) a user's account as long as they believe they are violating the Terms of Use.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date= |title=Roblox Terms of Use |url=https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/115004647846-Roblox-Terms-of-Use |url-status=deviated |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260120135232/https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/115004647846-Roblox-Terms-of-Use |archive-date=20 Jan 2026|access-date=12 Aug 2025 |website=Roblox |page=Section 2}}</ref> Termination can not be revoked.<ref name=":1" /> A terminated user will lose all content they own on Roblox along with their account, including what they purchased with Robux.<ref name=":1" />

==Monetization==
Roblox is a free service which features microtransactions made with Robux, e.g. new accessories, clothing,exclusive content in certain games, and the ability to access certain games. All items purchased on Roblox are stored on Roblox servers alone, so Roblox has the ability to modify or delete the items you own. Deleted or moderated items do not guarantee a refund, even if user is not at fault. <ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date= |title=Will I Get My Robux Back If I Delete/Do Not Like an Item? |url=https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/203313290-Will-I-Get-My-Robux-Back-If-I-Delete-Do-Not-Like-an-Item |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260202060541/https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/203313290-Will-I-Get-My-Robux-Back-If-I-Delete-Do-Not-Like-an-Item |archive-date=2 Feb 2026 |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |website=Roblox Support}}</ref>

On September 9, 2021, Roblox launched an automated process for users to receive Robux back for items they had bought which had been deleted or otherwise moderated<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roblox Moderated Item Robux Policy |url=https://www.roblox.com/modcreditagreement/974158ba-99f0-4915-8fde-5b07b3cbbe09 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/aEZB0 |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref>. The Roblox company implemented this change after they got sued for first allowing items to be sold and then deleting them without compensating users that purchased said items<ref>{{Cite web |title=Doe v. Roblox Corporation |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/59935306/doe-v-roblox-corporation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222145446/https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/59935306/doe-v-roblox-corporation/ |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref>. Until then, there was no refund method in place, meaning that if an item was deleted, Roblox would keep all of the profit they made of said item and sometimes all of the money made from selling said item if the creators account got terminated and the creator hadn't spent their Robux yet.

==Incidents==
===Inappropriate Content===
Throughout the 2020s, Roblox has faced several controversies regarding child safety, including a lawsuit in 2020 over how the platform had allowed two adults to harass a 10-year-old girl, causing her mental health to deteriorate so badly that she resorted to suicide, according to her parents' testimony.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dorsey |first=Edwin |date=2025-08-15 |title=This list is the tip of the iceberg. So many cases go unreported, undetected, or contribute to the deaths of children. Below is one lawsuit in which a 10-year-old girl claimed abuse through Roblox. |url=https://x.com/StockJabber/status/1956415609345851567 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/LvpiD |archive-date=22 Feb 2026 |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=Twitter}}</ref>

On 14th August 2025, Louisana Attorney General Liz Murrill filed a lawsuit against Roblox<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murrill |first=Elizabeth |date=2025-08-14 |title=Attorney General Liz Murrill on X |url=https://x.com/AGLizMurrill/status/1956081394083409932 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/JaLA0 |archive-date=22 Feb 2026 |website=X}}</ref>, alleging child exploitation and the platforming of sexual predators on the platform. Roblox themselves released an official response to the lawsuit on 15th August 2025.

On 6 November 2025, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against Roblox, over child safety concerns, accusing the company of "deceiving parents about the dangers of its platform".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Iyer |first=Ram |date=2025-11-07 |title=Texas AG sues Roblox, accusing it of prioritizing ‘pixel pedophiles’ over child safety |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/11/07/texas-ag-sues-roblox-accusing-it-of-prioritizing-pixel-pedophiles-over-child-safety/ |access-date=2025-11-07 |work=TechCrunch |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260206204009/https://techcrunch.com/2025/11/07/texas-ag-sues-roblox-accusing-it-of-prioritizing-pixel-pedophiles-over-child-safety/ |archive-date=6 Feb 2026}}</ref>

===Accusations of child labor===
In January 2022, ''The Guardian'' published a story accusing Roblox of profiting off child labor with detailed stories of teenagers being scammed and becoming victims of sexual grooming in communities conveniently off the platform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parkin |first=Simon |date=9 Jan 2022 |title=The trouble with Roblox, the video game empire built on child labour |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2022/jan/09/the-trouble-with-roblox-the-video-game-empire-built-on-child-labour |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260210010556/https://www.theguardian.com/games/2022/jan/09/the-trouble-with-roblox-the-video-game-empire-built-on-child-labour |archive-date=10 Feb 2026 |website=theguardian.com}}</ref> In October 2022, the first of many lawsuits alleging Roblox enabled a girl's sexual exploitation was filed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pierson |first=Brendon |date=5 Oct 2022 |title=Game company Roblox enabled girl's sexual exploitation, lawsuit claims |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/game-company-roblox-enabled-girls-sexual-exploitation-lawsuit-claims-2022-10-05/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318185209/https://www.reuters.com/legal/game-company-roblox-enabled-girls-sexual-exploitation-lawsuit-claims-2022-10-05/ |archive-date=18 Mar 2023 |website=reuters.com}}</ref>

On the 24th of August 2025 the youtube channel People Make Games published a video about Roblox's treatment of children. One of the points in the video is about how Roblox developers own a currency called "Robux" that resembles a new form of [[wikipedia:Company_scrip|Company Scrip]], a currency that is exclusively earned and exchanged in the company. Exchanging it back into a real currency will result in less payment overall, encouraging the use of it inside the company. The currency was made illegal in 1938.

===Blocking Linux users===
In April 2023, Roblox intentionally blocked Linux users playing the game via Wine, a tool used for running Windows apps on POSIX-compliant operating systems, they cite "security and compatibility concerns."<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=21 Apr 2023 |title=Devforum Post by MrEaker of Roblox |url=https://devforum.roblox.com/t/the-new-roblox-64-bit-byfron-client-forbids-wine-users-from-using-it-most-likely-unintentional/2305528/2 |website=Roblox Devforum |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251221184705/https://devforum.roblox.com/t/the-new-roblox-64-bit-byfron-client-forbids-wine-users-from-using-it-most-likely-unintentional/2305528/2 |archive-date=21 Dec 2025}}</ref> This announcement followed Roblox's acquisition of Byfron, as well as their developments towards a 64-bit Roblox client.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roblox |date=11 Oct 2022 |title=Welcoming Byfron to Roblox |url=https://devforum.roblox.com/t/welcoming-byfron-to-roblox/2018233 |website=Roblox Devforum |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216174353/https://devforum.roblox.com/t/welcoming-byfron-to-roblox/2018233 |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref> Despite this change to the client, users were still able to access Roblox Studio, the development application, utilizing Wine.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 Apr 2023 |title=Devforum Post by Bitdancer regarding Studio |url=https://devforum.roblox.com/t/the-new-roblox-64-bit-byfron-client-forbids-wine-users-from-using-it-most-likely-unintentional/2305528/34 |website=Roblox Devforum |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250725105111/https://devforum.roblox.com/t/the-new-roblox-64-bit-byfron-client-forbids-wine-users-from-using-it-most-likely-unintentional/2305528/34 |archive-date=25 Jul 2025}}</ref> In August 2023, an update to Roblox once again allowed users to run Roblox via Wine, and many users opted to use a fork of Wine titled Vinegar made specifically for Roblox.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 Aug 2023 |title=Devforum Post by Thelolguy1337 Discussing Roblox on Linux |url=https://devforum.roblox.com/t/vinegar-the-better-way-to-run-roblox-on-linux/2224394/24 |website=Roblox Devforum}}</ref> In February of 2024, Roblox would go back on their decision and ban the use of Wine for the Roblox Client, citing extended use of Wine-based exploits, Roblox Studio remains available under wine.<ref>{{Cite web |title=VinegarHQ 2024 Roblox on Linux Block FAQ |url=https://vinegarhq.org/Home/rol_faq.html |website=vinegarhq.org |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260221101707/https://vinegarhq.org/Home/rol_faq.html |archive-date=21 Feb 2026}}</ref> In August 2024, the Vinegar team would release Sober, a closed-source application utilizing a translation layer to access the Roblox client via a mobile Android package kit (APK).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sober - Roblox on Linux |url=https://sober.vinegarhq.org/ |access-date=12 Aug 2025 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128050139/https://sober.vinegarhq.org/ |archive-date=28 Jan 2026}}</ref> In April 2025, Roblox engineer Bitdancer would state on the Roblox Devforums that they see no reason to block Sober, but that they may disable it as a side effect of changes in security. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Bitdancer |title=Roblox Security Changes Break Nvidia Ansel & Vulkan Layer Support for Sober|url=https://devforum.roblox.com/t/roblox-security-changes-break-nvidia-ansel-vulkan-layer-support/3601172/40 |website=Roblox DevForum |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250507192309/https://devforum.roblox.com/t/roblox-security-changes-break-nvidia-ansel-vulkan-layer-support/3601172/40 |archive-date=7 May 2025}}</ref>

===Problematic moderation===
{{Main|Roblox's problematic moderation}}
Roblox as a platform has been known by consumers to moderate content in ways that are inconsistent. The platform's chat moderation feature censors inoffensive speech,<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/Gregheffley95 |first= |date=Feb 26, 2021 |title=Roblox censors almost everything |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/roblox/comments/lsxpex/roblox_censors_almost_everything/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619214011/https://old.reddit.com/r/roblox/comments/lsxpex/roblox_censors_almost_everything/ |archive-date=Jun 19, 2023 |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> including numbers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Mar 7, 2017 |title=Why the hell are numbers censored! |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/roblox/comments/5y0w3z/why_the_hell_are_numbers_censored/ |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]] - r/Roblox |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230617231601/https://old.reddit.com/r/roblox/comments/5y0w3z/why_the_hell_are_numbers_censored/ |archive-date=17 Jun 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=JParty |date=Feb 24, 2017 |title=Updates to Chat Privacy API + New Account Indicators + Changes to Text Filtering APIs |url=https://devforum.roblox.com/t/updates-to-chat-privacy-api-new-account-indicators-changes-to-text-filtering-apis/33867 |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=Roblox Dev Forum |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260201024759/https://devforum.roblox.com/t/updates-to-chat-privacy-api-new-account-indicators-changes-to-text-filtering-apis/33867 |archive-date=1 Feb 2026}}</ref>

In recent years, moderation has been documented to neglect handling child predators, only handling the most egregious of actors after massive consumer backlash<ref>{{Cite news |last=Olivia |first=Carville |last2=D’Anastasio |first2=Cecilia |date=Jul 22, 2024 |title=Roblox’s Pedophile Problem |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2024-roblox-pedophile-problem/ |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |work=Bloomberg |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260221075424/https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2024-roblox-pedophile-problem/ |archive-date=21 Feb 2026}}</ref> or lawsuits,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tanenbaum |first=Michael |date=Feb 25, 2025 |title=Family from N.J. sues Roblox and Discord, claiming platforms are 'hunting ground' for child predators |url=https://www.phillyvoice.com/new-jersey-familys-suit-alleges-roblox-discord-are-hunting-ground-child-predators/ |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |work=Philly Voice |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251231190731/https://www.phillyvoice.com/new-jersey-familys-suit-alleges-roblox-discord-are-hunting-ground-child-predators/ |archive-date=31 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=Aug 8, 2025 |title=‘Breeding ground for predators’: Roblox sued by DeKalb 10-year-old’s family |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/breeding-ground-predators-roblox-sued-150622871.html |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |work=WSBTV 2 Atlanta}}</ref> and in many cases, these individuals tend to have their bans reversed.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Schlep |date=Aug 9, 2025 |title=Roblox Is Threatening to Sue Me For Protecting Kids |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMqAw_NjHK8&t |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=hMqAw_NjHK8 |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> Additionally, the platform has been documented to host various mature experiences,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schlep |date=Jan 9, 2024 |title=this simulator should NOT be on roblox... |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMdacOJxmjU |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=IMdacOJxmjU |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schlep |date=Apr 14, 2024 |title=Roblox Needs to BAN These Games... |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE3FeYfJOhw |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=EE3FeYfJOhw |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> which have been recorded to be used as breeding grounds for predatory behavior.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schlep |date=Feb 7, 2024 |title=I Caught a Roblox PREDATOR in this game... |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQMSc-9jGMQ |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=qQMSc-9jGMQ |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> This neglect has gone so far as to the platform threatening litigation against individuals attempting to get child predators reported to authorities.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Huang |first=Marcus |date=Aug 9, 2025 |title=Roblox YouTuber Battles Child Predators {{!}} Accounts Terminated Amid Backlash |url=https://leveluptalk.com/news/roblox-youtuber-fights-child-predators-banned/ |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |work=Level Up Talk}}</ref>

According to Ruben Sim, the Roblox report system (which allows users to 'report' rule-violating behavior to Roblox moderators) often had a success rate of 20%<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=22 Dec 2023 |title=Do Roblox Reports Really Work? |url=https://youtu.be/Q-s0sLZ4oJA?t=52 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=Q-s0sLZ4oJA |archive-date=26 Dec 2023}}</ref>, With the Roblox community theorizing a very low chance "Near ZERO" said in one forum<ref>{{Cite web |last=sparkling_cola |date=1 May 2024 |title=The chance of a successful appeal - NEAR ZERO |url=https://devforum.roblox.com/t/the-chance-of-a-successful-appeal-near-zero/2985866 |website=Roblox Devforum |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250903192622/https://devforum.roblox.com/t/the-chance-of-a-successful-appeal-near-zero/2985866 |archive-date=3 Sep 2025}}</ref>. even when obviously rule-violating accounts possessing usernames which were distorted versions of minor-sexualizing phrases such as "14 year old slut".<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sim |first=Ruben |last2=Trav |last3=Clan |last4=DukDolan |last5=Hipsterjelly |last6=Hulkatron |last7=Victor |date=20 Dec 2023 |title=Determining the Effectiveness of Roblox Reports |url=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zqJJSNm2utDjFDwtIkQGo6jh3OtyYZhzpyRI-UnxQbA/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.uk35gocf0zmv |website=Google Docs |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250322154652/https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zqJJSNm2utDjFDwtIkQGo6jh3OtyYZhzpyRI-UnxQbA/edit?tab=t.0 |archive-date=22 Mar 2025}}</ref>
===Condo Games===
"Condo" games on Roblox are a type of game which simulates sex between Roblox avatars. According to the policies on Romantic and Sexual Content, "Any content which explicitly [depicts] sexual content or nudity is against the rules of Roblox<ref>{{Cite web |title=Restricted Content Policy |url=https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/15869919570708-Restricted-Content-Policy |url-status= |access-date=12 Aug 2025 |website=Roblox |at=Romantic and Sexual Content |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260217013725/https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/15869919570708-Restricted-Content-Policy |archive-date=17 Feb 2026}}</ref>". Due to the rule-violating nature of these games and how they can harm the fanbase of Roblox (Which is overwhelmingly composed of young children<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 Jul 2025 |title=What percent of Roblox users are kids? |url=https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/wiki/what-percent-of-roblox-users-are-kids/ |website=Games Learning Society |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224121406/https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/wiki/what-percent-of-roblox-users-are-kids/ |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Distribution of Roblox audiences worldwide as of December 2024, by age group |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1190869/roblox-games-users-global-distribution-age/ |access-date=30 Jan 2026 |website=statista.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260121193151/https://www.statista.com/statistics/1190869/roblox-games-users-global-distribution-age/ |archive-date=21 Jan 2026}}</ref>'')'', they are often removed by Roblox moderation.

However, due to the potentially backup-creating nature of Roblox Studio, creators of these Condo games can endlessly republish these offending games under alternate accounts as long as they keep the backup file. Roblox has added an 18+ experiences, Although Roblox still announces sexual themes are still highly prohibited<ref>{{Cite web |last=RbxRocketMan |date=28 Aug 2025 |title=Updating Age Requirements for Experiences with ‘Restricted’ Content Maturity Label |url=https://devforum.roblox.com/t/updating-age-requirements-for-experiences-with-%E2%80%98restricted%E2%80%99-content-maturity-label/3905863 |website=Roblox Devforum |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260124002839/https://devforum.roblox.com/t/updating-age-requirements-for-experiences-with-%E2%80%98restricted%E2%80%99-content-maturity-label/3905863 |archive-date=24 Jan 2026}}</ref>. Still, condo games almost never mark themselves as 18+<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charts - Roblox - r35 |url=https://www.roblox.com/discover/?Keyword=r35 |access-date=30 Jan 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224121444/https://www.roblox.com/discover/?Keyword=r35 |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>, allowing underage users to potentially be harmed.

===Predator-hunting groups===
In 9th August, 2025, Roblox issued a Cease and Desist to Roblox predator hunting channel RealSchlep<ref>{{Cite web |author=RealSchlep |date=9 Aug 2025 |title=Schlep on X posting about his Cease and Desist |url=https://x.com/RealSchlep/status/1954255952997478537 |url-status= |access-date=14 Aug 2025 |website=X |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251211220931/https://x.com/RealSchlep/status/1954255952997478537 |archive-date=11 Dec 2025}}</ref>. "Schlep used the method of acting like an underage person (decoy) to catch bad actors on Roblox. Using this method he got 6 arrests according to his team using Roblox until they issued a Cease and Desist. Roblox added a rule to their Terms of Use<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Matt |date=13 Aug 2025 |title=Roblox on vigilante groups |url=https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/08/more-on-removal-of-vigilantes-from-roblox |url-status= |access-date=14 Aug 2025 |website=Roblox |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260102194729/https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/08/more-on-removal-of-vigilantes-from-roblox |archive-date=2 Jan 2026}}</ref>. Roblox is reassuring their playerbase that the groups do not use the proper channels that Roblox provides to report potential criminals. This sparked even more backlash for the already problematic moderation system, leaving players and parents in doubt if Roblox is even a safe environment for children.

===Age checks to chat===
In 3rd September, 2025, Matt Kaufman (Roblox's Chief Safety Officer) issues an post on their blog announcing their plans to implement facial estimation in order to "provide an accurate measure of a user's age rather than relying on what they type in when creating an account"<ref>''Matt Kaufman (2025-09-03).'' [https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/09/roblox-to-expand-age-estimation-to-all-users "Roblox Announces Ambitious Plan to Expand Age Estimation to All Users"]. ''Roblox's Newsroom. Retrieved 2026-01-22.'' ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260115005623/https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/09/roblox-to-expand-age-estimation-to-all-users Archived])</ref>. Later on October, Roblox announces on their developer forum a post titled "Encouraging users to complete an age check to chat", citing a partnership with [[Persona]], which as of early 2026, is currently being sued over biometric data handling<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 Aug 2024 |title=Washington v. Persona Identities |url=https://law.justia.com/cases/illinois/court-of-appeals-third-appellate-district/2024/3-24-0210.html |website=Justia Law |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260202081813/https://law.justia.com/cases/illinois/court-of-appeals-third-appellate-district/2024/3-24-0210.html |archive-date=2 Feb 2026}}</ref>. In that same post, they cite that "early next year, users will be required to be age checked to chat on Roblox".<ref>{{Cite web |last=rbitia_rbx |date=4 Oct 2025 |title=[Test] Encouraging users to complete an age check to chat |url=https://devforum.roblox.com/t/test-encouraging-users-to-complete-an-age-check-to-chat/4035155 |website=Roblox Devforum |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260212134643/https://devforum.roblox.com/t/test-encouraging-users-to-complete-an-age-check-to-chat/4035155 |archive-date=12 Feb 2026}}</ref>

On November, 2025, Roblox released an update that required users on Australia, the Netherlands, and New Zealand to be age verified in order to use chat by either facial estimation or ID verification, which caused outrage amongst users. On January 7th, 2026, they seemingly ignored the outrage and released the update globally.<ref>{{Cite web |last=RbxRocketMan |date=10 Jan 2026 |title=Age Check Requirement to Chat Now Live Globally |url=https://devforum.roblox.com/t/age-check-requirement-to-chat-now-live-globally/4226101 |website=Roblox Devforum |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260115161245/https://devforum.roblox.com/t/age-check-requirement-to-chat-now-live-globally/4226101/ |archive-date=15 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>''Matt Kaufman and Rajiv Bhatia (2026-01-07).'' [https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2026/01/roblox-age-checks-required-to-chat "A New Era of Safety: Facial Age Checks Now Required to Chat on Roblox"] ''Roblox's Newsroom. Retrieved 2026-01-22.'' ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260118060352/https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2026/01/roblox-age-checks-required-to-chat Archived])</ref>

==References==
<references />
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Ring

2026-02-24T12:12:36Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{CompanyCargo
|Description=
|Founded=2013
|Industry=Security
|Logo=Ring.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Subsidiary
|Website=https://ring.com/
}}

'''[[wikipedia:Ring_(company)|Ring]]''' is a manufacturer of home security and smart home devices owned by [[Amazon]], who acquired Ring in 2018.<ref>https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/12/amazon-officially-owns-ring-so-lets-talk-product-integration/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250825111219/https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/12/amazon-officially-owns-ring-so-lets-talk-product-integration/ Archived])</ref> Ring's products include their flagship Video Doorbell devices, as well as a number of cameras designed for mounting on the interior or exterior of properties.

The Ring line of devices have been involved in a number of controversies, largely related to the handling of user data. All data generated by a Ring device, including camera feeds, is processed on Amazon's servers. There have been a number of controversies relating to how this information is processed and with whom it is shared, with particular concern stemming from previously widespread internal access to Ring device data<ref name="FTC Report" />, as well as the sharing of data with various law enforcement agencies<ref name="BBC" />.
==Lawsuits==

===2023 FTC settlement===
In a complaint first announced in May 2023, the [[Federal Trade Commission]] says that Ring deceived its customers by failing to restrict employees’ and contractors’ access to its customers’ videos, using its customer videos to train algorithms without consent, and failing to implement security safeguards. These practices led to egregious violations of users’ privacy.<ref name="FTC Report">{{Cite web |date=2024-04-23 |title=FTC Sends Refunds to Ring Customers Stemming from 2023 Settlement over Charges the Company Failed to Block Employees and Hackers from Accessing Consumer Videos |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/04/ftc-sends-refunds-ring-customers-stemming-2023-settlement-over-charges-company-failed-block |website=FTC |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260206034223/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/04/ftc-sends-refunds-ring-customers-stemming-2023-settlement-over-charges-company-failed-block |archive-date=6 Feb 2026}}</ref> The stated failure in security safeguard implementation is the result of a 2019 data breach where the log-in credentials for 3,672 Ring camera owners were compromised, exposing log-in emails, passwords, time zones, and the names people give to specific Ring cameras. Using the log-in email and password, an intruder could access a Ring customer’s home address, telephone number, and payment information, including the kind of card they have, and its last four digits and security code. An intruder could also access live camera footage from all active Ring cameras associated with an account, as well as a 30- to 60-day video history, depending on the user’s [[Cloud (service)|cloud]] storage plan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/carolinehaskins1/data-leak-exposes-personal-data-over-3000-ring-camera-users|title=A Data Leak Exposed The Personal Information Of Over 3,000 Ring Users|first=Caroline|last=Haskins|date=2019-12-19|work=Buzzfeed |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260217101243/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/carolinehaskins1/data-leak-exposes-personal-data-over-3000-ring-camera-users |archive-date=17 Feb 2026}}</ref>

[[Ring]] settled the complaint for a sum of around $5.6 million to the 117,044 individuals who filed with the complaint, meaning the individual reimbursement was only around $60 per claim<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/04/ring-agrees-to-pay-5-6-million-after-cameras-were-used-to-spy-on-customers|title=Ring agrees to pay $5.6 million after cameras were used to spy on customers|date=2024-04-25|work=Malwarebytes Labs|first=Pieter|last=Arntz|access-date=2026-02-18 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260206033837/https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/04/ring-agrees-to-pay-5-6-million-after-cameras-were-used-to-spy-on-customers |archive-date=6 Feb 2026}}</ref>; despite some users having lost privacy to highly sensitive videos as many users installed the cameras in sensitive spaces such as bedrooms for both adults and children.

==Vulnerabilities==
''The following section was sourced from [[Wikipedia:Ring_(company)#Vulnerabilities|Wikipedia]]:''

<blockquote>In January 2019, it was uncovered that employees at Ring's two offices had access to the video recordings from all Ring devices.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wiggers|first=Kyle|date=January 10, 2019|title=Ring employees reportedly had access to all live and recorded customer videos|work=VentureBeat|url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/01/10/ring-employees-reportedly-had-access-to-all-live-and-recorded-customer-videos/|access-date=January 12, 2019 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220706094119/https://venturebeat.com/2019/01/10/ring-employees-reportedly-had-access-to-all-live-and-recorded-customer-videos/ |archive-date=6 Jul 2022}}</ref> In addition, ''The Intercept'' reported that the video data was stored unencrypted.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Biddle|first=Sam|date=January 10, 2018|title=For Owners of Amazon's Ring Security Cameras, Strangers May Have Been Watching Too|work=The Intercept|url=https://theintercept.com/2019/01/10/amazon-ring-security-camera/|access-date=January 12, 2018 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220162231/https://theintercept.com/2019/01/10/amazon-ring-security-camera/ |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref> In a December 2019 test, ''Motherboard'' found that Ring's software did not implement security features such as recognizing unknown IP addresses or providing a display of active login sessions, allowing the publication to access a Ring account from IP addresses based in multiple countries without warning the user.<ref>{{cite web|first1=Joseph|last1=Cox|access-date=February 20, 2020|title=We Tested Ring's Security. It's Awful|url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/epg4xm/amazon-ring-camera-security|date=December 17, 2019|website=Vice |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20200928122245/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/epg4xm/amazon-ring-camera-security |archive-date=28 Sep 2020}}</ref>

The Neighbors network leaks metadata about the footage posted in videos and "crime alerts". This metadata, combined with public city map data, is frequently sufficient to discover the exact location of the Ring doorbell or a camera. In one experiment, ''Gizmodo'' located 20,000 devices based on information collected (scraped from the app) over a period of month. University researchers were able to locate 440,000 devices using data spanning back to 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ring's Hidden Data Let Us Map Amazon's Sprawling Home Surveillance Network|url=https://gizmodo.com/ring-s-hidden-data-let-us-map-amazons-sprawling-home-su-1840312279|access-date=November 27, 2020|website=Gizmodo|date=December 9, 2019|language=en-us |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220163124/https://gizmodo.com/ring-s-hidden-data-let-us-map-amazons-sprawling-home-su-1840312279 |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref>

Cybersecurity firm Bitdefender identified a vulnerability in the Ring Video Doorbell Pro product in July 2019, which was patched before being publicly disclosed in November 2019.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Palmer|first1=Danny|date=November 7, 2019|title=Amazon fixes Ring Video Doorbell wi-fi security vulnerability|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/amazon-fixes-ring-video-doorbell-wi-fi-security-vulnerability/|access-date=December 13, 2019|website=ZDNet |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251009165958/https://www.zdnet.com/article/amazon-fixes-ring-video-doorbell-wi-fi-security-vulnerability/ |archive-date=9 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Ng|first1=Alfred|date=November 7, 2019|title=Ring doorbells had vulnerability leaking Wi-Fi login info, researchers find|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/ring-doorbells-had-vulnerability-leaking-wi-fi-login-info-researchers-found/|access-date=December 13, 2019|website=CNET |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210219004814/https://www.cnet.com/news/ring-doorbells-had-vulnerability-leaking-wi-fi-login-info-researchers-found/ |archive-date=19 Feb 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=November 7, 2019|title=Ring Video Doorbell Pro Under the Scope|url=https://www.bitdefender.com/files/News/CaseStudies/study/294/Bitdefender-WhitePaper-RDoor-CREA3949-en-EN-GenericUse.pdf|access-date=December 13, 2019|website=Bitdefender |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251222234028/https://www.bitdefender.com/files/News/CaseStudies/study/294/Bitdefender-WhitePaper-RDoor-CREA3949-en-EN-GenericUse.pdf |archive-date=22 Dec 2025}}</ref> Hackers accessed a number of Ring cameras in December 2019 and used the device speakers to broadcast racial slurs, threats, and other inflammatory language to multiple households across the United States.<ref name="Vice podcast">{{cite web|last1=Cox|first1=Joseph|last2=Koebler|first2=Jason|date=December 12, 2019|title=Inside the Podcast that Hacks Ring Camera Owners Live on Air|url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/z3bbq4/podcast-livestreams-hacked-ring-cameras-nulledcast|access-date=December 12, 2019|website=Vice |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20200913125207/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/z3bbq4/podcast-livestreams-hacked-ring-cameras-nulledcast |archive-date=13 Sep 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Murdock|first1=Jason|date=December 10, 2019|title=Ring camera hacker uses home security system to spew racial slurs at Florida family|url=https://www.newsweek.com/florida-cape-coral-amazon-ring-home-security-system-hacked-racial-slurs-1476430|access-date=December 12, 2019|website=Newsweek |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251115121626/https://www.newsweek.com/florida-cape-coral-amazon-ring-home-security-system-hacked-racial-slurs-1476430 |archive-date=15 Nov 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Howerton|first=Matt|date=December 11, 2019|title=Hacker says, 'pay bitcoin ransom or get terminated,' through couple's Ring security cameras|url=https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/hacker-says-pay-bitcoin-ransom-or-get-terminated-through-couples-ring-security-cameras/287-226c535c-c765-4b29-91b6-d849fb315e94|access-date=December 12, 2019|website=WFAA |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20231005180103/https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/hacker-says-pay-bitcoin-ransom-or-get-terminated-through-couples-ring-security-cameras/287-226c535c-c765-4b29-91b6-d849fb315e94 |archive-date=5 Oct 2023}}</ref> A ''Motherboard'' investigation discovered crime forums that distributed software exploits of Ring devices that were used in the cyberattacks, and that members of the hacking forum Nulled had been recording their breaches as "podcasts".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Cox|first1=Joseph|last2=Cole|first2=Samantha|date=December 11, 2019|title=How Hackers Are Breaking Into Ring Cameras|url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/3a88k5/how-hackers-are-breaking-into-ring-cameras|access-date=December 12, 2019|website=Vice |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20200920060332/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/3a88k5/how-hackers-are-breaking-into-ring-cameras |archive-date=20 Sep 2020}}</ref> Ring responded to the incidents by advising its users to have strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and adopt other security measures.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Holley|first1=Jessica|title=Family says hackers accessed a Ring camera in their 8-year-old daughter's room|url=https://www.wmcactionnews5.com/2019/12/11/family-says-hackers-accessed-ring-camera-their-year-old-daughters-room/|access-date=December 12, 2019|website=WMC Action News 5|date=December 12, 2019 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210724192131/https://www.wmcactionnews5.com/2019/12/11/family-says-hackers-accessed-ring-camera-their-year-old-daughters-room/ |archive-date=24 Jul 2021}}</ref> Ring mandated two-factor authentication for all users on February 18, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|date=February 19, 2020|title=Ring makes two-step verification mandatory|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51555450|access-date=February 20, 2020|website=BBC News |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220162452/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51555450 |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Song|first=Victoria|date=February 18, 2020|title=Ring Finally Rolls Out Mandatory Two-Factor Authentication After Privacy Scandals|url=https://gizmodo.com/ring-finally-rolls-out-mandatory-two-factor-authenticat-1841760958|access-date=February 20, 2020|website=Gizmodo |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220163648/https://gizmodo.com/ring-finally-rolls-out-mandatory-two-factor-authenticat-1841760958 |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref></blockquote>

==Controversies==

===Subscription required for local storage===
[[Ring]] security cameras are a premium line of security cameras.<ref>https://www.theverge.com/22704290/amazon-blink-ring-camera-doorbell-brands-smart-home-why ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260128131837/https://www.theverge.com/22704290/amazon-blink-ring-camera-doorbell-brands-smart-home-why Archived])</ref> There are different subscriptions possible, there is basic, standard and premium.<ref name=":0">https://ring.com/plans; [https://web.archive.org/web/20250124214629/https://ring.com/plans Archive link of 2025-01-24]</ref> Ring cameras are [[Cloud (service)|cloud-first]], and with these subscriptions comes different variants of [[Cloud (service)|cloud]] storage for the video footage that your cameras record. There is also an additional product that you can buy, and for local recordings there is even a must buy for the more premium products.<ref>https://ring.com/support/articles/t6xbc/Store-and-Process-Videos-Locally-with-Ring-Edge-and-Ring-Alarm-Pro ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260220163915/https://ring.com/support/articles/t6xbc/Store-and-Process-Videos-Locally-with-Ring-Edge-and-Ring-Alarm-Pro Archived])</ref> To record locally to a MicroSD card, you need the Ring Alarm Pro base station ($249.99)<ref>https://ring.com/products/alarm-pro-base-station; [https://web.archive.org/web/20250108152541/https://ring.com/products/alarm-pro-base-station Archive link of 2025-01-08]</ref> and what is called "Ring Edge for Alarm Pro" in your subscription. The only subscription that offers this feature is the most expensive subscription, which is the premium subscription, costing $19.99/mo or $199.99/yr.<ref name=":0" />

===Police partnerships===
''The following section was sourced from [[Wikipedia:Ring_(company)#Police_partnerships|Wikipedia]]:''

<blockquote>In June 2019, Ring faced criticism over a "Community Alert" program, under which the company has made geographically-targeted sponsored posts on social media services such as [[Meta|Facebook]], asking readers to provide tips on suspects in verified cases, based on imagery posted on the Neighbors service by a Ring customer. Ring stated that it sought permission from the user before using their content in this manner. However, these discoveries did lead to concerns over the use of such footage in material deemed to effectively be advertising, as well as concerns over other possible uses of the footage (such as for training facial recognition) due to the wide copyright license that users must grant to in order to use Neighbors (an irrevocable, unlimited, and royalty-free license to use shared content "for any purpose and in any media formats in any media channels without compensation to you"), and Ring's partnerships with local law enforcement agencies.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Reichert|first=Corinne|title=Ring puts suspected thief in Facebook sponsored ads|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/ring-puts-suspected-thief-in-facebook-sponsored-ads/|access-date=June 18, 2019|website=CNET|language=en |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20201127201634/https://www.cnet.com/news/ring-puts-suspected-thief-in-facebook-sponsored-ads/ |archive-date=27 Nov 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Alba|first1=Davey|last2=Mac|first2=Ryan|date=June 7, 2019|title=Amazon's Doorbell Camera Company Is Using Security Video For Ads. That May Only Be The Beginning.|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/daveyalba/amazon-ring-doorbell-company-using-security-footage-for-ads|access-date=June 12, 2019|website=BuzzFeed News|language=en |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251116071705/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/daveyalba/amazon-ring-doorbell-company-using-security-footage-for-ads |archive-date=16 Nov 2025}}</ref>

Digital rights advocacy group Fight for the Future criticized Ring for using its cameras and Neighbors app to build a private surveillance network via partnerships with local law enforcement agencies, which encourage them to promote the products. The group stated that these partnerships "undermine our democratic process and basic civil liberties".<ref name="BBC">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-49191005|title=Amazon's Ring doorbell police tie-up criticised|work=BBC News|date=August 1, 2019|access-date=August 3, 2019|language=en-GB |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220164103/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-49191005 |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/this-map-tells-you-where-police-have-partnered-with-amazons-ring/|title=This map tells you where police have partnered with Amazon's Ring|last=Ng|first=Alfred|website=CNET|language=en|access-date=August 3, 2019 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20201108021709/https://www.cnet.com/news/this-map-tells-you-where-police-have-partnered-with-amazons-ring/ |archive-date=8 Nov 2020}}</ref> According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Ring used these partnerships and its marketing strategies to foster fear, which leads to a "vicious cycle" that spurs hardware sales. The organization said that Ring, as well as Neighbors and similar "neighborhood watch" apps such as Citizen and Nextdoor, "facilitate reporting of so-called 'suspicious' behavior that really amounts to racial profiling."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/08/amazons-ring-perfect-storm-privacy-threats|title=Amazon's Ring Is a Perfect Storm of Privacy Threats|last=Guariglia|first=Matthew|date=August 8, 2019|website=Electronic Frontier Foundation|language=en|access-date=August 13, 2019 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260104152148/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/08/amazons-ring-perfect-storm-privacy-threats |archive-date=4 Jan 2026}}</ref> Matt Cagle of the American Civil Liberties Union said that the Ring Neighbors Portal "blurs the line between corporate and government surveillance" and that "Many people are not going to feel like they have a choice when law enforcement asks for access to their footage".<ref name="Intercept">{{cite web|last=Biddle|first=Sam|date=February 14, 2019|title=Amazon's Home Surveillance Chief Declared War on "Dirtbag Criminals" as Company Got Closer to Police|url=https://theintercept.com/2019/02/14/amazon-ring-police-surveillance/|access-date=January 17, 2020|website=The Intercept |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220164207/https://theintercept.com/2019/02/14/amazon-ring-police-surveillance/ |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref>

In July 2019, Vice publication ''Motherboard'' obtained records revealing the extent of Ring's partnership with the Lakeland (Florida) Police Department (LPD). The department was granted access to a "Law Enforcement Neighborhood Portal" for making posts on Neighbors and the ability to "request videos directly from Ring users," and received a donation of 15 Ring cameras. However, the memorandum of understanding stated that the LPD would be required to participate in "outreach efforts on the platform to encourage adoption of the platform/app" (receiving $10 credits for Ring camera purchases for each new user). Ring also recommended that the LPD establish specific new positions for the partnership, including a "social media coordinator".<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Haskins|first1=Caroline|last2=Koebler|first2=Jason|date=July 25, 2019|title=Amazon Requires Police to Shill Surveillance Cameras in Secret Agreement|url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/mb88za/amazon-requires-police-to-shill-surveillance-cameras-in-secret-agreement|access-date=August 2, 2019|website=Vice|language=en-US |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20200923141543/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/mb88za/amazon-requires-police-to-shill-surveillance-cameras-in-secret-agreement |archive-date=23 Sep 2020}}</ref> Later in the month, ''Motherboard'' obtained public records containing an officer's notes from an April 2019 training webinar, which stated that Ring had partnered with at least 200 law enforcement partners.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Haskins|first1=Caroline|last2=Maiberg|first2=Emanuel|last3=Mead|first3=Derek|last4=Koebler|first4=Jason|date=July 29, 2019|title=Amazon Told Police It Has Partnered With 200 Law Enforcement Agencies|url=https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/j5wyjy/amazon-told-police-it-has-partnered-with-200-law-enforcement-agencies|access-date=August 2, 2019|website=Vice|language=en-US |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20200903114936/https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/j5wyjy/amazon-told-police-it-has-partnered-with-200-law-enforcement-agencies |archive-date=3 Sep 2020}}</ref> In early August 2019, ''Motherboard'' also reported that Ring would match payments by cities to cover the subsidized purchase of Ring cameras, so that they could be resold to residents at a discount.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Haskins|first1=Caroline|last2=Koebler|first2=Jason|last3=Mead|first3=Derek|date=August 2, 2019|title=US Cities Are Helping People Buy Amazon Surveillance Cameras With Taxpayer Money|url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/d3ag37/us-cities-are-helping-people-buy-amazon-surveillance-cameras-using-taxpayer-money|access-date=August 2, 2019|website=Vice|language=en-US |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20200921052023/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/d3ag37/us-cities-are-helping-people-buy-amazon-surveillance-cameras-using-taxpayer-money |archive-date=21 Sep 2020}}</ref>

In November 2020, a pilot program in Jackson, Mississippi, enabled participating Ring users to enable police to livestream their cameras at any time.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Holmes|first=Aaron|title=Police are tapping into residents' Ring doorbells and home security cameras to stream 24/7 live video|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/ring-doorbells-live-video-security-camera-police-fusus-2020-11|access-date=November 11, 2020|website=Business Insider |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251128223106/https://www.businessinsider.com/ring-doorbells-live-video-security-camera-police-fusus-2020-11 |archive-date=28 Nov 2025}}</ref></blockquote>
----

====Police gains access to user Michael Larkin's cameras via a search warrant placed on Ring====
In '''November 24th''', small business owner Michael Larkin had received a phone call from the police, requesting access to his '''Ring''' doorbell camera In order to gather more evidence for a drug-related Investigation. ''Michael'' had complied and sent clips of a car that drove by his camera 12 times from 5pm to 7pm , only for the police to request even more footage later that day, asking for footage around a whole day's worth.

On '''December 1st, 2022''', 1 week after the initial request for more footage, ''Larkin'' had received a letter by '''Ring''', which was placed on him when the company had received a search warrant by the local authorities & after the letter was signed by a local judge. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Ng |first=Alfred |date=7 Mar 2023 |title=The privacy loophole in your doorbell |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/07/privacy-loophole-ring-doorbell-00084979 |website=politico.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250903192857/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/03/07/privacy-loophole-ring-doorbell-00084979 |archive-date=3 Sep 2025}}</ref>

The letter reads as follows:

<blockquote>'''FOR PROBABLE CAUSE SHOWN AND SUPPORTED BY THE AFFIDAVIT IN THE ATTACHED PAGE, SUCH AFFIDAVIT IS INCORPORATED HEREIN AND MADE PART OF THIS WARRANT BY REFERENCE THERETO, YOU ARE HEREBY ''COMMANDED'' IN THE NAME OF THE COMMON PLEAS COURT, BUTLER COUNTY, OHIO TO''' '''ENTER''' '''AND SEARCH WITHIN THREE DAYS THE PREMISES AND/OR PERSONS DESCRIBED HERE''':

'''RING LLC. for:''' [REDACTED]

The following records / digital recordings and images / electronically stored data within RING LLC cloud based data storage system between the dates of '''10/25/22 at 00:00hrs (Eastern Standard Time) through 10/25/22 at 23:59hrs (Eastern Standard Time)''' in relation to RING LLC home security cameras located at [REDACTED]. RING LLC home security cameras are associated with the following email / account and are individually listed below with their associated MAC addresses as follows:

'''''[Information on Michael Larkin]'''''

'''FOR THE ARTICLES, BODIES, AND/OR SUBSTANCES ALLEGED TO BE PRESENT IN SAID AFFIDAVIT, AND BRING A WRITTEN INVENTORY OF SAID ARTICLES, BODIES, AND/OR SUBSTANCES, TOGETHER WITH ANY PERSON NAMED THEREIN TO BE SEIZED, BEFORE THE JUDGE OF THE COMMON PLEAS COURT, BUTLER COUNTY, OHIO AND TO MAKE RETURN OF THIS WARRANT ACCORDING TO LAW TO SAID JUDGE.'''<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=1 Dec 2022 |title=Ring Search Warrant {{!}} State of Ohio Butler County, Common Pleas Court |url=https://embed.documentcloud.org/documents/23693646-1671460929158_ring-sw-2104-1_redacted-scrubbed_redacted-scrubbed_redacted-scrubbed-highlighted1/?embed=1&responsive=1&title=1&mode=document |website=Document Cloud}} ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260224121210/https://embed.documentcloud.org/documents/23693646-1671460929158_ring-sw-2104-1_redacted-scrubbed_redacted-scrubbed_redacted-scrubbed-highlighted1/?embed=1&responsive=1&title=1&mode=document Archived])</ref></blockquote>The notice had stated that ''Larkin'' had within 3 days to send a whole day's worth of footage('''25 Oct 2022 - 26 Oct 2022''') from more than 20 of his ring cameras, even if ''Michael'' did not wish to comply.<ref name=":1" />

===Alleged use of facial recognition technology===
''The following section was sourced from [[Wikipedia:Ring_(company)#Alleged_use_of_facial_recognition_technology|Wikipedia]]:''

<blockquote>In February 2018, Business Insider reported references to use of facial recognition technology in Ring's privacy policy. The policy stated:<blockquote>Where permitted by applicable law, you may choose to use additional functionality in your Ring product that, through video data from your device, '''can recognize facial characteristics of familiar visitors'''. For example, you may want to receive different notifications from your Ring Doorbell depending on whether a visitor is a stranger or a member of your household. '''If you choose to activate this feature, we obtain certain facial feature information about the visitors you ask your Ring product to recognize'''. We require your explicit consent before you can take advantage of this feature.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ghosh|first=Shona|title=Amazon's newest acquisition, the doorbell startup Ring, made a smart move to fend off Google|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-smart-doorbell-ring-facial-recognition-2018-2|access-date=2023-07-20|website=Business Insider|language=en-US |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220162805/https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-smart-doorbell-ring-facial-recognition-2018-2 |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-07-25|title=Privacy {{!}} Ring|url=https://shop.ring.com/pages/privacy|access-date=2023-07-20|archive-date=July 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725110729/https://shop.ring.com/pages/privacy}}</ref></blockquote>In December 2018, patents filed by Ring surfaced to identify "suspicious" people and automatically alert police.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Amazon's Ring takes heat for considering facial recognition for its video doorbells|url=https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/amazons-ring-takes-heat-for-considering-facial-recognition-for-its-video-doorbells/|access-date=2023-07-20|website=CNET|language=en |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260206023324/https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/amazons-ring-takes-heat-for-considering-facial-recognition-for-its-video-doorbells/ |archive-date=6 Feb 2026}}</ref>

In August 2019, a Buzzfeed News reported, "Ring Says It Doesn't Use Facial Recognition, But It Has "A Head Of Face Recognition Research."" The piece reported on a 2018 presentation from Ring Ukraine's "Head of Face Recognition Research", as well as a statement from Ring Ukraine's website stating, "We develop semi-automated crime prevention and monitoring systems which are based on, but not limited to, face recognition."<ref>{{Cite web|first1=Nicole|last1=Nguyen|first2=Ryan|last2=Mac|date=2019-08-30|title=Ring Says It Doesn't Use Facial Recognition, But It Has "A Head Of Face Recognition Research"|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/nicolenguyen/amazon-ring-facial-recognition-ukraine|access-date=2023-07-20|website=BuzzFeed News|language=en |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260206023425/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/nicolenguyen/amazon-ring-facial-recognition-ukraine |archive-date=6 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-05-23|title=Ring Ukraine|url=https://ring-ukraine.com/|access-date=2023-07-20|archive-date=May 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523100219/https://ring-ukraine.com/}}</ref>

Also in 2019, as part of his investigation into Ring's cooperation with law enforcement, Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts probed the company's privacy policy's reference to use of facial recognition technology.<ref>{{Cite web|title=September 2019 Inquiry Letter from Sen. Markey to Ring|url=https://www.markey.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Markey%20letter%20-%20Ring%20Law%20Enforcement%209.5.19.pdf |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251117092911/https://www.markey.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Markey%20letter%20-%20Ring%20Law%20Enforcement%209.5.19.pdf |archive-date=17 Nov 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Senator Markey Investigation into Amazon Ring Doorbell Reveals Egregiously Lax Privacy Policies and Civil Rights Protections {{!}} U.S. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts|url=https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-investigation-into-amazon-ring-doorbell-reveals-egregiously-lax-privacy-policies-and-civil-rights-protections|access-date=2023-07-20|website=www.markey.senate.gov|language=en}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260220163025/https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-investigation-into-amazon-ring-doorbell-reveals-egregiously-lax-privacy-policies-and-civil-rights-protections Archived])</ref> Amazon responded:<blockquote>We do not currently offer facial recognition technology in Ring products. This sentence in the Privacy Notice refers to a contemplated, but unreleased feature. We do frequently innovate based on customer demand, and facial recognition features are increasingly common in consumer security cameras today, such as: Google Nest Hello, Tend Secure Lynx, Netamo Welcome, Wisenet Smartcam, and Honeywell Smart Home Security. If our customers want these features in Ring security cameras, we will only release these feature with thoughtful design including privacy, security, and user control; and we will clearly communicate with our customers as we offer new features.<ref>{{Cite web|title=November 2019 Response from Amazon to Sen. Markey|url=https://www.markey.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Response%20Letter_Ring_Senator%20Markey%2011.01.2019.pdf |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251005210212/https://www.markey.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Response%20Letter_Ring_Senator%20Markey%2011.01.2019.pdf |archive-date=5 Oct 2025}}</ref></blockquote>In November 2019, the Intercept reported on internal documents detailing "Proactive Suspect Matching". The feature would use facial recognition to group videos and create a profile of an alleged criminal based on Ring camera footage.<ref name="Intercept" /> Ring denied that the feature was in use or development.

In 2020, Ring posted a one-sentence position stance on their blog stating, "Ring does not use facial recognition technology in any of its devices or services, and will neither sell nor offer facial recognition technology to law enforcement."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ring|date=2020-08-20|title=Ring's Stance on Facial Recognition Technology|url=https://blog.ring.com/about-ring/rings-stance-on-facial-recognition-technology/|access-date=2023-07-20|website=The Ring Blog|language=en |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220164227/https://blog.ring.com/about-ring/rings-stance-on-facial-recognition-technology/ |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref> In 2021, Senator Markey and his colleagues introduced the "Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Senators Markey, Merkley Lead Colleagues on Legislation to Ban Government Use of Facial Recognition, Other Biometric Technology {{!}} U.S. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts|url=https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-markey-merkley-lead-colleagues-on-legislation-to-ban-government-use-of-facial-recognition-other-biometric-technology|access-date=2023-07-20|website=www.markey.senate.gov|language=en}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260220162931/https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-markey-merkley-lead-colleagues-on-legislation-to-ban-government-use-of-facial-recognition-other-biometric-technology Archived])</ref> A year later, Markey renewed his investigation into Ring,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Senator Markey Renews Investigation into Amazon Ring's Surveillance Practices and Cooperation with Police {{!}} U.S. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts|url=https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-renews-investigation-into-amazon-rings-surveillance-practices-and-cooperation-with-police|access-date=2023-07-20|website=www.markey.senate.gov|language=en}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260211023300/https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-renews-investigation-into-amazon-rings-surveillance-practices-and-cooperation-with-police Archived])</ref> and in July 2022, Markey cited Ring's "[refusal] to commit to not incorporating facial recognition technology in its products" as evidence of the need for legislation to "prohibit use of biometric technology by federal agencies and condition federal grant funding to state and local entities on moratoria on the use of biometric technology."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Senator Markey's Probe into Amazon Ring Reveals New Privacy Problems {{!}} U.S. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts|url=https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markeys-probe-into-amazon-ring-reveals-new-privacy-problems|access-date=2023-07-20|website=www.markey.senate.gov|language=en}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251016125412/https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markeys-probe-into-amazon-ring-reveals-new-privacy-problems Archived])</ref>

[[Amazon]] has attempted to distance themselves from Ring Ukraine, the branch responsible for developing computer vision and facial recognition solutions. In a statement for release, the general manager of the Kyiv-based office commented, "We are no longer part of a small startup, but a full-fledged R&D center working for one of the world's largest corporations. [We are involved not only in Ring's product line but also in many other Amazon projects. That is,] We are a large Ukrainian team of specialists working on the world market." At legal's request, the general manager was asked to remove the reference to [[Amazon]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Biddle|first=Sam|date=2020-01-24|title=Ring Ukraine News Suppressed at Amazon's Request, Journalists Say|url=https://theintercept.com/2020/01/24/amazon-ring-ukraine/|access-date=2023-07-20|website=The Intercept|language=en-US |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251116003522/https://theintercept.com/2020/01/24/amazon-ring-ukraine/ |archive-date=16 Nov 2025}}</ref> "Ring Ukraine" was eventually rebranded as "Squad".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ring Ukraine office need you to forget they are part of Amazon|url=https://ain.capital/2021/01/29/ring-ukraine-changes-its-name-to-squad/|access-date=2023-07-20|website=AIN.Capital|language=en-US |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240719174131/https://ain.capital/2021/01/29/ring-ukraine-changes-its-name-to-squad/ |archive-date=19 Jul 2024}}</ref></blockquote>
----

===Alleged user tracking===
''The following section was sourced from [[Wikipedia:Ring_(company)#Allegations_of_user_tracking|Wikipedia]]:''

<blockquote>On January 27, 2020, the Electronic Frontier Foundation concluded that the Ring doorbell app for [[Android]] was sending identifiable personal information– including names, IP addresses, mobile network carriers, persistent IDs, and sensor data–to AppsFlyer, branch.io, [[Meta|Facebook]], and Mixpanel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/01/ring-doorbell-app-packed-third-party-trackers|title=Ring Doorbell App Packed with Third-Party Trackers|last=Budington|first=Bill|date=January 27, 2020|website=Electronic Frontier Foundation|language=en|access-date=January 27, 2020 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260120204644/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/01/ring-doorbell-app-packed-third-party-trackers |archive-date=20 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90464883/amazons-ring-will-let-users-opt-out-of-sharing-data-with-other-companies|title=Amazon's Ring will let users opt out of sharing data with other companies|last=Newman|first=Jared|date=February 14, 2020|website=Fast Company|access-date=March 23, 2020 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250405183101/https://www.fastcompany.com/90464883/amazons-ring-will-let-users-opt-out-of-sharing-data-with-other-companies |archive-date=5 Apr 2025}}</ref></blockquote>
----

===Flock Safety ''(2025-2026)''===
{{Main|Proposed Ring-Flock partnership (2025-2026)}}
Flock and Ring have had a partnership since October 2025, with Flock stating in a blog post how the integration into Ring "makes it easier for neighbors to support one another while keeping control of their own information" and "helps officers save valuable time that would otherwise be spent knocking on doors".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-safety-and-ring-partner-to-help-neighborhoods-work-together-for-safer-communities|title=Flock Safety and Ring Partner to Help Neighborhoods Work Together for Safer Communities|date=2025-10-31|website=Flock Safety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260220163143/https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-safety-and-ring-partner-to-help-neighborhoods-work-together-for-safer-communities |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref> Before this announcement, there have been many examples of the state and federal departments (namely DHS) in the United States utilizing the Flock Safety network questionably, despite Amazon stating Ring "does not give ICE videos, feeds, or back-end access".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/news/866003/ring-ice-camera-access-flock|title=Ring says it’s not giving ICE access to its cameras|first=Jennifer|last=Touhy|work=The Verge|date=2026-01-22 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260123175555/https://www.theverge.com/news/866003/ring-ice-camera-access-flock |archive-date=23 Jan 2026}}</ref> Laws such as the Third-Party Doctrine imply that information a user voluntarily shares with a third party is not protected by the Fourth Amendment, such as footage uploaded to Amazon's cloud.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://harvardlawreview.org/print/vol-130/if-these-walls-could-talk-the-smart-home-and-the-fourth-amendment-limits-of-the-third-party-doctrine/|title=If These Walls Could Talk: The Smart Home and the Fourth Amendment Limits of the Third Party Doctrine|date=2017-05-09|work=Harvard Law Review|quote=In doing so, it held that there could not have been a reasonable expectation of privacy here due to the voluntary sharing of the information with a third party and the fact that Smith could not have had a reasonable expectation of privacy in something as nominally informative as the numbers he dialed |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260214135324/https://harvardlawreview.org/print/vol-130/if-these-walls-could-talk-the-smart-home-and-the-fourth-amendment-limits-of-the-third-party-doctrine/ |archive-date=14 Feb 2026}}</ref>

On February 12, Ring terminated its contract with [[Flock Safety]] over the integration requiring "significantly more time and resources than anticipated".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.ring.com/about-ring/ring-and-flock-cancel-partnership/|title=Ring and Flock Cancel Partnership|date=2026-02-12|author=Ring|work=Ring Blog |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260218143503/https://blog.ring.com/about-ring/ring-and-flock-cancel-partnership/ |archive-date=18 Feb 2026}}</ref> On Flock's part, they state "the integration never launched, so no Ring customer videos were ever sent to Flock".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/an-update-on-ring-partnership|title=Flock and Ring Cancel Announced Community Requests Integration|date=2026-02-12|work=Flock Safety|access-date=2026-02-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260220163236/https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/an-update-on-ring-partnership |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref>

===Search Party ''(2026)''===
On February 8, 2026, Ring would air a commercial for their "search party" feature for the Super Bowl. In the ad, the founder Jamie Siminoff states the feature has helped "more than a dog a day has been reunited with their family" out of 10 million a year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.404media.co/with-ring-american-consumers-built-a-surveillance-dragnet/|title=With Ring, American Consumers Built a Surveillance Dragnet|date=2026-02-10|work=404Media|first=Jason|last=Koebler |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220165139/https://www.404media.co/with-ring-american-consumers-built-a-surveillance-dragnet/ |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref> Many Ring owners voiced concerns regarding this new feature, with those stating its dystopian and invasive nature.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/cybersecurity/comments/1qzrts8/ring_search_party/|title=Ring “Search Party” |work=Reddit|author=u/Check123ok|date=2026-02-08}}</ref> This feature is opt-in by default and can be used alongside a premium "familiar faces" feature.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2026/02/no-one-including-our-furry-friends-will-be-safer-rings-surveillance-nightmare-0|title=No One, Including Our Furry Friends, Will Be Safer in Ring's Surveillance Nightmare|work=EFF|date=2026-02-10|first=Beryl|last=Lipton |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220165255/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2026/02/no-one-including-our-furry-friends-will-be-safer-rings-surveillance-nightmare-0 |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref> On February 18, 2026, emails were leaked showing Siminoff saying how Ring "could have potentially been used to help find Charlie Kirk’s killer" in regards to the community requests feature, in addition to a spokesperson saying "the decision [of sharing] remains firmly in the customer’s hands, not ours".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.404media.co/leaked-email-suggests-ring-plans-to-expand-search-party-surveillance-beyond-dogs/|title=Leaked Email Suggests Ring Plans to Expand ‘Search Party’ Surveillance Beyond Dogs|first=Jason|last=Koebler|work=404Media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260218144321/https://www.404media.co/leaked-email-suggests-ring-plans-to-expand-search-party-surveillance-beyond-dogs/|archive-date=2026-02-18|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Products==

===Cameras===
*Stick Up Cam (1st generation; 2016)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/reviews/ring-stick-up-cam-review/|title=Ring Stick Up Cam review: Ring's solar-powered security camera fails to outshine rivals|work=CNET|date=2016-12-12|first=Megan|last=Wollerton |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251023022126/https://www.cnet.com/reviews/ring-stick-up-cam-review/ |archive-date=23 Oct 2025}}</ref>
*Stick Up Cam Battery (2nd generation; 2018)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/product/ring-stick-up-cam-battery/|title=Ring Stick Up Cam Battery review: An all around security camera, inside and out|first=Jason|last=Cipriani|date=2019-05-22|work=ZDNet |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240717013357/https://www.zdnet.com/product/ring-stick-up-cam-battery/ |archive-date=17 Jul 2024}}</ref>
*Stick Up Cam Wired (2nd generation; 2018)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/reviews/ring-stick-up-cam-wired-2018-preview/|title=Ring's redesigned Stick Up Cams want a spot inside your home|work=CNET|first=Meghan|last=Wollerton|date=2018-10-18 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240810061632/https://www.cnet.com/reviews/ring-stick-up-cam-wired-2018-preview/ |archive-date=10 Aug 2024}}</ref>
*Stick Up Cam Elite (2nd generation; 2018)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/reviews/ring-stick-up-cam-elite-preview/|title=Ring's Stick Up Cam Elite doesn't bother with batteries|work=CNET|date=2018-01-08|first=Megan|last=Wollerton |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240815080239/https://www.cnet.com/reviews/ring-stick-up-cam-elite-preview/ |archive-date=15 Aug 2024}}</ref>
*Ring Peephole Cam/Door View Cam (1st generation; 2019)<ref name="RingHistory">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/devices/a-brief-history-of-the-ring-video-doorbell-and-its-evolution-over-the-last-10-years|title=A brief history of the Ring Video Doorbell and its evolution over the last 10 years|work=AmazonNews|date=2023-05-02|first=Jay|last=Moye|access-date=2026-02-19 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260204160120/https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/devices/a-brief-history-of-the-ring-video-doorbell-and-its-evolution-over-the-last-10-years |archive-date=4 Feb 2026}}</ref>
*Indoor Cam (1st generation; 2019)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/ring-indoor-cam|title=Ring Indoor Cam (2019) Review|work=PCMag|date=2019-12-02|first=John|last=Delaney|archive-url=https://assets.ctfassets.net/2xsswpd01u70/4VsoGg22BdTKWBynhnsvg8/49e66f2cee0e00d10c9cf8ad31f3969a/UK_Indoor_Cam.pdf|archive-date=2019-09-25|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Outdoor Cam (Wired/Battery/Solar)/Stick Up Cam (3rd generation; 2019)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://forums.woot.com/t/ring-stick-up-cam-battery-or-plug-in-3rd-gen-2019-release/1678290|title=Ring Stick Up Cam (Battery or Plug In) 3rd Gen (2019 release)|work=Woot!|date=2024-09-01|author=wootbot|access-date=2026-02-19 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260219191814/https://forums.woot.com/t/ring-stick-up-cam-battery-or-plug-in-3rd-gen-2019-release/1678290 |archive-date=19 Feb 2026}}</ref>
*Indoor Cam (2nd generation; 2023)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.techradar.com/home/home-security/ring-indoor-cam-2nd-gen-review|title=Ring Indoor Cam (2nd gen) review: new privacy shield, but fairly unchanged|work=TechRadar|date=2023-07-07|first=Josephine|last=Watson |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251002092513/https://www.techradar.com/home/home-security/ring-indoor-cam-2nd-gen-review |archive-date=2 Oct 2025}}</ref>
*Ring Car Cam (1st generation; 2023)<ref name="RingHistory" />
*Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Camera (1st generation; 2024)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/1/24145445/ring-pan-tilt-indoor-cam-colors-price-release-date|title=Ring’s first integrated pan and tilt camera comes in pink|work=The Verge|date=2024-05-01|first=Jennifer|last=Tuohy |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250818194943/https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/1/24145445/ring-pan-tilt-indoor-cam-colors-price-release-date |archive-date=18 Aug 2025}}</ref>
*Outdoor Cam Plus (1st generation; 2025)<ref name="CEPro">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cepro.com/news/ring-outdoor-cam-plus-powered-by-ring-vision/146895/|title=The New Ring Outdoor Cam Plus is Powered by Ring Vision|date=2025-02-20|first=Robert|last=Archer |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251009173909/https://www.cepro.com/news/ring-outdoor-cam-plus-powered-by-ring-vision/146895/ |archive-date=9 Oct 2025}}</ref>
*Outdoor Cam Plus PoE (1st generation; 2025)<ref name="CEPro" />
*Outdoor Cam Pro (1st generation; 2025)<ref name="PCMAG">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/ring-cameras-get-4k-upgrade-security-cam-network-to-find-lost-dogs|title=Ring Cameras Get 4K Upgrade, Security Cam Network to Find Lost Dogs|date=2025-09-30|work=PCMag|first=James|last=Peckham |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251127033015/https://www.pcmag.com/news/ring-cameras-get-4k-upgrade-security-cam-network-to-find-lost-dogs |archive-date=27 Nov 2025}}</ref>
*Outdoor Cam Pro PoE (1st generation; 2025)<ref name="PCMAG" />
*Indoor Cam Plus (2nd generation; 2025)<ref name="PCMAG" />

===Chimes===
*Chime (1st generation; 2014)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chime (1st Gen) |url=https://ring.com/support/products/accessories/chime-gen-1?page=1&redirect=true |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260219201828/https://ring.com/support/products/accessories/chime-gen-1?page=1&redirect=true |archive-date=19 Feb 2026 |access-date=19 Feb 2026 |website=Ring}}</ref>
*Chime (2nd generation; 2020)<ref name="The Verge">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/11/21174876/amazon-ring-new-video-doorbell-3-plus-chime-pro-pre-roll|title=Amazon’s Ring announces the Ring Video Doorbell 3 and Video Doorbell 3 Plus|work=The Verge|date=2020-03-11|first=Jay|last=Peters |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250216123914/https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/11/21174876/amazon-ring-new-video-doorbell-3-plus-chime-pro-pre-roll |archive-date=16 Feb 2025}}</ref>
*Chime (3rd generation; 2025)
*Chime Pro (1st generation; 2020)<ref name="The Verge" />
*Chime Pro (2nd generation; 2025)

===Doorbells===
*Video Doorbell (1st generation; 2014)<ref name="RingHistory" />
*Video Doorbell Pro/Wired Doorbell Plus (1st generation; 2016)<ref name="RingHistory" />
*Video Doorbell 2 (2017)<ref name="RingHistory" />
*Video Doorbell Elite (1st generation; 2017)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://electricalconnection.com.au/ring-launches-ring-video-doorbell-elite/|title=Ring launches Ring Video Doorbell Elite|first=Simeon|last=Barut|date=2017-10-27|work=Electrical Connection|access-date=2026-02-19 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250916051012/https://electricalconnection.com.au/ring-launches-ring-video-doorbell-elite/ |archive-date=16 Sep 2025}}</ref>
*Video Doorbell 3 (2020)<ref name="RingHistory" /><ref name="The Verge" />
*Video Doorbell 3 Plus (2020)<ref name="The Verge" />
*Video Doorbell (2nd generation; 2020)<ref name="RingHistory" />
*Video Doorbell Wired (1st generation; 2021)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CKHPP52|title=Ring Video Doorbell Wired|access-date=2026-02-19|work=Amazon|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251211064437/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CKHPP52|archive-date=2025-12-11|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Video Doorbell Pro 2/Wired Doorbell Pro (2nd generation; 2021)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.techradar.com/news/ring-video-doorbell-pro-2-is-confirmed-and-its-available-to-pre-order-now|title=Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is confirmed, and it’s available to pre-order now|work=TechRadar|date=2021-02-24|first=Carrie-Ann|last=Skinner|access-date=2026-02-19 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251113211919/https://www.techradar.com/news/ring-video-doorbell-pro-2-is-confirmed-and-its-available-to-pre-order-now |archive-date=13 Nov 2025}}</ref><ref name="RingHistory" />
*Video Doorbell 4 (2024)<ref name="RingHistory" />
*Battery Doorbell Plus (1st generation; 2023)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en-uk.ring.com/blogs/alwayshome/ring-launches-battery-video-doorbell-plus-our-most-significant-battery-doorbell-update-yet|title=Ring Launches Battery Video Doorbell Plus, Our Most Significant Battery Doorbell Update Yet.|date=2023-03-08|work=Ring UK|access-date=2026-02-19 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250913202559/https://en-uk.ring.com/blogs/alwayshome/ring-launches-battery-video-doorbell-plus-our-most-significant-battery-doorbell-update-yet |archive-date=13 Sep 2025}}</ref>
*Battery Doorbell (1st generation; 2024)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Ring-Battery-Doorbell-Head-to-Toe-Video-Satin-Nickel/dp/B0BZWRSRWV|title=Ring Battery Doorbell - Video Doorbell Camera|work=Amazon|access-date=2026-02-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260218220602/https://www.amazon.com/Ring-Battery-Doorbell-Head-to-Toe-Video-Satin-Nickel/dp/B0BZWRSRWV|archive-date=2026-02-18|url-status=live}}</ref>
*Battery Doorbell Pro (1st generation; 2024)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.techradar.com/home/home-security/ring-battery-video-doorbell-pro-review|title=Ring Battery Video Doorbell Pro review: Ring upgrades last year’s Battery Doorbell Plus|work=TechRadar|first=Les|last=Watson|date=2024-03-19 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260118202310/https://www.techradar.com/home/home-security/ring-battery-video-doorbell-pro-review |archive-date=18 Jan 2026}}</ref>

*Wired Doorbell Plus (2nd generation; 2025)
*Wired Doorbell Pro (3rd generation; 2025)
*Wired Doorbell Elite (2nd generation; 2025)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ring Wired Doorbell Elite - 4K Video Doorbell |url=https://www.amazon.com/Ring-Wired-Doorbell-Elite-Deep-Silver/dp/B0FT74NT34 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260219181957/https://www.amazon.com/Ring-Wired-Doorbell-Elite-Deep-Silver/dp/B0FT74NT34 |archive-date=2026-02-19 |access-date= |work=Amazon}}</ref>

===Floodlights===
*Floodlight Cam (1st Generation; 2017)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Floodlight Cam (1st Gen) |url=https://ring.com/support/products/cameras/floodlight-cam-gen-1?page=1 |url-status=live |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=19 Feb 2026 |website=Ring}}</ref>
*Floodlight Cam Plus (1st generation; 2021)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Ring-Floodlight-Cam-Wired-Plus/dp/B08F6GPQQ7/|title=Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus (newest model), Outdoor home or business security with motion-activated 1080p HD video and floodlights, White |work=Amazon|access-date=2026-02-19 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260219203704/https://www.amazon.com/Ring-Floodlight-Cam-Wired-Plus/dp/B08F6GPQQ7/ |archive-date=19 Feb 2026}}</ref>
*Floodlight Cam Wired Pro (1st generation; 2021)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/home/security/ring-brings-radar-to-a-new-spotlight-camera/|title=Ring brings radar to a new floodlight camera |work=CNET|date=2021-04-07|first=David|last=Priest |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240808111612/https://www.cnet.com/home/security/ring-brings-radar-to-a-new-spotlight-camera/ |archive-date=8 Aug 2024}}</ref>
*Floodlight Cam Pro (2nd generation; 2025)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F67KWWQH|title=Ring Floodlight Cam Pro, Wired (newest model), Home or business security, Retinal 4K with wide-angle video, 10x Enhanced Zoom, and 2000 Lumen Floodlights, White|work=Amazon|access-date=2026-02-19 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260219203134/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F67KWWQH |archive-date=19 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref name="PCMAG" />

===Others===
*Smart Lighting Bridge (1st generation; 2019)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/2806681/ring-has-discontinued-its-least-expensive-smart-lighting-hub.html|title=Ring has discontinued its least expensive smart lighting hub|date=2025-06-06|work=PCWorld|first=Ben|last=Patterson |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250607193633/https://www.pcworld.com/article/2806681/ring-has-discontinued-its-least-expensive-smart-lighting-hub.html |archive-date=7 Jun 2025}}</ref>
*Ring Bridge (2nd generation; TBA)

===Spotlights===
*Spotlight Cam Wired/Solar/Battery/Mount (1st generation; 2017)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.macrumors.com/2017/07/31/ring-spotlight-cam/|title=Ring Debuts New Spotlight Cam With Wired, Battery, and Solar Models for Home Security|date=2017-07-31|work=MacRumors|first=Eric|last=Slivka |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251204212237/https://www.macrumors.com/2017/07/31/ring-spotlight-cam/ |archive-date=4 Dec 2025}}</ref>
*Spotlight Cam Plus Wired/Solar/Battery/Plug-In (1st generation; 2022)<ref name="PCMAG2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/ring-spotlight-cam-gets-a-pro-upgrade-with-3d-motion-radar-birds-eye-view|title=Ring Spotlight Cam Gets a Pro Upgrade With 3D Motion Radar, Bird's Eye View|first=Chloe|last=Albanesius|date=2022-09-28|work=PCMag |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241205194631/https://www.pcmag.com/news/ring-spotlight-cam-gets-a-pro-upgrade-with-3d-motion-radar-birds-eye-view |archive-date=5 Dec 2024}}</ref>
*Spotlight Cam Pro Wired/Solar/Battery/Plug-In (1st generation; 2022)<ref name="PCMAG2" />
*Spotlight Cam Pro (2nd generation; 2025)<ref name="PCMAG" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.target.com/p/ring-spotlight-cam-pro-2nd-gen-plug-in-retinal-4k-for-ultra-clear-video-10x-enhanced-zoom-2-led-spotlights-to-illuminate-key-outdoor-areas-black/-/A-94965503|title=Ring Spotlight Cam Pro 2nd Gen Plug-In Retinal 4K for Ultra-Clear Video, 10x Enhanced Zoom, 2 LED Spotlights to Illuminate Key Outdoor Areas - Black|work=Target|date=2025-10-29|access-date=2026-02-19 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260219203355/https://www.target.com/p/ring-spotlight-cam-pro-2nd-gen-plug-in-retinal-4k-for-ultra-clear-video-10x-enhanced-zoom-2-led-spotlights-to-illuminate-key-outdoor-areas-black/-/A-94965503 |archive-date=19 Feb 2026}}</ref>
===Security systems===


*Alarm Base Station (1st generation; 2018)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smarthomegeeks.co.uk/news/ring-alarm-release-date-in-usa/|title=Ring Alarm release date…in USA|date=2018-06-13|work=Smart Home Geeks UK|access-date=2026-02-19 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251011171225/https://www.smarthomegeeks.co.uk/news/ring-alarm-release-date-in-usa/ |archive-date=11 Oct 2025}}</ref>
*Alarm Base Station (2nd generation; 2020)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/hardware/ring-alarm-system-2nd-gen-review/|title=Ring Alarm System 2nd Gen Review|date=2020-11-27|first=Brendan|last=Frye|work=CGM Tech|access-date=2026-02-19 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240806090256/https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/hardware/ring-alarm-system-2nd-gen-review/ |archive-date=6 Aug 2024}}</ref>
*Alarm Pro Base Station (1st generation; 2021)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/28/22692073/ring-alarm-pro-amazon-event-release-date-specs-price-features|title=Amazon’s new Ring Alarm Pro combines a security system with an Eero router|work=The Verge|date=2021-09-28|first=Jennifer|last=Pattison|access-date=2026-02-19 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260212034559/https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/28/22692073/ring-alarm-pro-amazon-event-release-date-specs-price-features |archive-date=12 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Arlo]]
*[[Axis]]
*[[Blink]]
*[[Eufy]]
*[[Samsung SmartCam]]
*[[Wyze]]

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Amazon]]

Revolut blocked access for users with custom OS

2026-02-24T12:12:02Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 4 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{StubNotice}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Revolut
|StartDate=
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=
|Product=
|ArticleType=
|Type=
|Description=
}}
Revolut removed support to users with custom OS on their device
==Background==
[[File:Revolut Block Custom OSs.jpg|thumb|In-app message announcing the custom OS support removal]]
'''Revolut Group Holdings Ltd''', doing business as '''Revolut''', is a British multinational neobank and fintech company that offers banking services for individuals and businesses. It was founded in July 2015 by British-Russian businessman Nikolay Storonsky and British-Ukrainian software engineer Vlad Yatsenko. As of 2025, the company operated in over 48 countries and caters to over 60 million retail customers globally.

==Incident==

In November 2024, Revolut pushed an update that removed support to users with custom OS on their device. The change was announced through an in-app message, which was shown after a user tried to log in. The change also affected users whom already had an account and funds at the Company.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-27 |title=PSA: warning for graphene os users and revolut customers |url=https://stacker.news/items/785503 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260224114849/https://stacker.news/items/785503 |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-27 |title=Revolut mobile finance - not supported on devices with custom firmware problem |url=https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/17714-revolut-mobile-finance-not-supported-on-devices-with-custom-firmware-problem |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251219190942/https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/17714-revolut-mobile-finance-not-supported-on-devices-with-custom-firmware-problem/ |archive-date=19 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-30 |title=Revolut stopped working on Graphene OS |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Revolut/comments/1h8ow3b/revolut_stopped_working_on_graphene_os/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260224115006/https://old.reddit.com/r/Revolut/comments/1h8ow3b/revolut_stopped_working_on_graphene_os/ |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=GrapheneOS |title=Mastodon |url=https://grapheneos.social/@GrapheneOS/113623492156274859 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251126021327/https://grapheneos.social/@GrapheneOS/113623492156274859 |archive-date=26 Nov 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-27 |title=Graphene OS bot supporter? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Revolut/comments/1hkd1af/graphene_os_bot_supporter/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260224115127/https://old.reddit.com/r/Revolut/comments/1hkd1af/graphene_os_bot_supporter/ |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-24 |title=Urgent: do NOT upgrade Revolut’s app. - Sailfish OS Forum |url=https://forum.sailfishos.org/t/revolut-fails-loading-since-7-22-version-27-october-2020/3307/21 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260224115217/https://forum.sailfishos.org/t/revolut-fails-loading-since-7-22-version-27-october-2020/3307/21 |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>

Revolut makes it difficult to close affected accounts or resolve issues on custom firmware devices. When attempting to communicate via support email, they insist that users must either wipe their entire device or use a second device, especially if they are using features like Vaults or Savings. Revolut clearly has the ability to delete or block funds, yet refuses to close client accounts and return the funds to the client’s bank account.

While subjective to interpretation, this practice may infringe on users' rights, particularly within the EU.

Under Directive 2015/2366 (PSD2), specifically [https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2015/2366/oj/eng Articles 68 and 97], Revolut has a legal obligation to guarantee access to payment services for duly authenticated users.

If a user was previously authenticated and had access to their account, which was then blocked prior to a mandatory app update without adequate warning, this may constitute a legal violation.

==References==
{{reflist}}

Reverse engineering vs illegal hacking

2026-02-24T12:11:48Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{ToneWarning}}

This article addresses the widespread, harmful misconception that breaking a digital lock or modifying software behavior is '''always''' ''considered "illegal hacking."'' In truth, U.S. law, while flawed, draws a clear line between lawful reverse engineering and criminal activity.

Companies often exploit this confusion to suppress ownership rights, discourage common repairs, and hinder interoperability under the guise of protecting security or intellectual property. The following information will clarify legal distinctions, correct the narrative, and explain why reverse engineering your own device to restore or preserve its functionality is not, and should never be, deemed a crime.

In this article, "hack" or "illegal hacking" is used interchangeably for illegally hacking, or "to get into someone else's computer system without permission in order to do something illegal" ([https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/hack#cald4-1-3 Hack | Cambridge Dictionary]). This should not be confused with the slang "hack" that describe the act of tinkering or modifying a device (like "a hackable laptop").

References to U.S.A. and E.U. (European Union) law can be found, alongside practical examples and hypothetical scenarios, to further understand where the line between legal and illegal activity resides.

==What section 1201 is for==
'''Section 1201 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act''' (DMCA), passed in 1998, prohibits the circumvention of ''"technological protection measures"'' (TPMs) used to control access to copyrighted works. It also prohibits the distribution of tools designed primarily for circumvention of copyright protection measures.

What makes Section 1201 controversial is that it penalizes circumvention '''regardless of whether any copyright infringement occurred'''. In other words, even if you just want to modify or fix a product you legally own, you may still be in "violation" if the manufacturer practices overreach with DRM.

To soften this universal approach of limiting consumer rights, Congress allowed for temporary exemptions to be reviewed every three years by the Library of Congress. These exemptions currently include limited instances of repair, diagnosis, security research, accessibility, and jailbreaking of phones. However, the process is cumbersome, narrow in scope, and inconsistently applied.

==Legal reverse engineering vs. illegal hacking==
Contrary to what some CEOs and public relations departments have said, '''reverse engineering is legal in many contexts''' — especially when done for purposes of interoperability, repair, research, or personal use.

===What counts as legal reverse engineering===
The U.S. legal system has repeatedly upheld the right to reverse engineer in certain contexts, particularly when the intent is to facilitate interoperability or understand how a product works. Notable court decisions include:

*'''Sega Enterprises Ltd. v. Accolade, Inc.''' (1992): The Ninth Circuit ruled that disassembling code to understand how to make compatible software was fair use.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sega Enters. Ltd. v. Accolade, Inc., 977 F.2d 1510 (9th Cir. 1992) |url=https://www.copyright.gov/fair-use/summaries/segaenters-accolade-9thcir1992.pdf |format=PDF |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250529035417/https://www.copyright.gov/fair-use/summaries/segaenters-accolade-9thcir1992.pdf |archive-date=29 May 2025}}</ref>

*'''Sony Computer Entertainment v. Connectix Corp.''' (2000): The court affirmed that reverse engineering to create a competing product (a PlayStation emulator) was legal and transformative, and that making intermediate copies of a copyrighted bios for use in software development constitutes fair use .<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony Computer Entm’t, Inc. v. Connectix Corp., 203 F.3d 596 (9th Cir. 2000) |url=https://www.copyright.gov/fair-use/summaries/sony-connectix-9thcir2000.pdf |format=PDF |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250319184843/https://www.copyright.gov/fair-use/summaries/sony-connectix-9thcir2000.pdf |archive-date=19 Mar 2025}}</ref>

*'''Lexmark Int'l v. Static Control Components''' (2004): The Sixth Circuit ruled that Static Control could reverse engineer printer firmware to enable third-party toner cartridges. The court noted that interoperability took precedence over DMCA anti-circumvention claims.<ref name="lexmark">{{Wplink|Lexmark International, Inc. v. Static Control Components, Inc.}}</ref>

*'''Chamberlain Group v. Skylink Technologies''' (2004): The Federal Circuit ruled that creating universal garage door remotes through reverse engineering was a legitimate practice, establishing that DMCA violations must be directly connected to actual copyright infringement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The CHAMBERLAIN GROUP, INC., Plaintiff–Appellant, v. SKYLINK TECHNOLOGIES, INC., Defendant–Appellee. No. 04–1118. United States Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit |url=https://www.law.berkeley.edu/files/Chamberlain_Group_v_Skylink_Technologies.pdf |format=PDF |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250716051055/https://www.law.berkeley.edu/files/Chamberlain_Group_v_Skylink_Technologies.pdf |archive-date=16 Jul 2025}}</ref>

*'''DSC Communications v. DGI Technologies''' (1995): Courts held that disassembling firmware to create compatible microprocessor cards constituted fair use, establishing that functional elements accessed only through disassembly can be lawfully copied.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DSC Communications Corp. v. DGI Technologies, Inc., 898 F. Supp. 1183 (N.D. Tex. 1995) |url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/898/1183/1464449/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20170716130406/http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/898/1183/1464449/ |archive-date=16 Jul 2017}}</ref>

*'''Assessment Technologies v. WIREdata''' (2003): The Seventh Circuit ruled that reverse engineering to access public domain data trapped within copyrighted software is permissible, preventing copyright from creating "locks" on non-copyrightable information.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Assessment Technologies of Wi, Llc, Plaintiff-appellee, v. Wiredata, Inc., Defendant-appellant, 350 F.3d 640 (7th Cir. 2003) |url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/350/640/625754/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20150921180527/http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/350/640/625754/ |archive-date=21 Sep 2015}}</ref>

Legal reverse engineering generally includes:
*Analyzing software you own for repair or maintenance
*Studying protocols to make devices work with third-party tools
*Extracting firmware from your own hardware
*Building alternate apps that communicate with your devices
*Publishing technical findings that don't contain copyrighted code
*Good faith security research under DMCA exemptions

===What constitutes illegal hacking===
Illegal hacking, by contrast, involves:
*Accessing remote systems without authorization
*Bypassing login or authentication mechanisms on someone else's network
*Stealing or distributing copyrighted code without a license
*Tampering with systems in ways that compromise others' data or services
*Continuing access after explicit revocation (see '''Facebook v. Power Ventures''', 2016)<ref>{{Cite web |title=FACEBOOK, INC., a Delaware corporation, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. POWER VENTURES, INC., DBA Power.com, a California corporation; POWER VENTURES, INC., a Cayman Island corporation, Defendants, and STEVEN SURAJ VACHANI, an individual, Defendant-Appellant. |url=https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2016/07/12/13-17102.pdf |format=PDF |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260211070741/https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2016/07/12/13-17102.pdf |archive-date=11 Feb 2026}}</ref>

The key difference is ownership and scope: Reverse engineering stays within the boundary of what you own. Hacking crosses into systems that you don't.

Hacking, in most cases, ''involves'' doing reverse engineering. Companies usually use this to mislead ill-informed people into believing both are illegal hacking. Reverse engineering alone is ''not'' hacking.

==Current DMCA exemptions (2024-2027)==
The Library of Congress granted sweeping new exemptions in October 2024 that greatly expanded repair rights:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/10/28/2024-24563/exemption-to-prohibition-on-circumvention-of-copyright-protection-systems-for-access-control |title=Exemption to Prohibition on Circumvention of Copyright Protection Systems for Access Control Technologies |website=Federal Register |date=28 Oct 2024 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250530210520/https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/10/28/2024-24563/exemption-to-prohibition-on-circumvention-of-copyright-protection-systems-for-access-control |archive-date=30 May 2025}}</ref>

*'''Vehicle telematics data''': Owners can now circumvent software locks to access, store, and share their vehicle's operations and diagnostic data.
*'''Commercial Food Preparation Equipment:''' New Exemption for Retail-Level Restaurant Equipment Repair (Addressing the McDonald's Ice Cream Machine Problem'').''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bowman |first=Emma |date=3 Nov 2024 |title=A new copyright rule lets McDonald's fix its own broken ice cream machines |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/11/02/g-s1-31893/mcdonalds-broken-ice-cream-machine-copyright-law |work=NPR |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251220220903/https://www.npr.org/2024/11/02/g-s1-31893/mcdonalds-broken-ice-cream-machine-copyright-law |archive-date=20 Dec 2025}}</ref>
*'''Consumer devices''': Renewed exemptions for smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and IoT devices.
*'''Medical devices''': Continued exemption with FDA support, concluding that, contrary to claims otherwise, it wouldn't "necessarily and materially jeopardize" device safety.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://iamers.org/2024/07/fda-issues-letter-supporting-continuation-of-dmca-exemption-for-repair-of-medical-devices/ |title=FDA issues letter supporting continuation of DMCA exemption for repair of medical devices |publisher=IAMERS |date=July 2024 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260117063048/https://iamers.org/2024/07/fda-issues-letter-supporting-continuation-of-dmca-exemption-for-repair-of-medical-devices/ |archive-date=17 Jan 2026}}</ref>
*'''Jailbreaking''': Expanded to cover smartphones, smart TVs, voice assistants, and routers for installing alternative software.

These exemptions require that circumvention be a ''"necessary step"'' for the permitted purpose and cannot be used to facilitate access to other copyrighted works.

==Reverse engineering in the European Union==

===Introduction and overview===
European law tends to subjectively favor the ''Reverse Engineer'' (RE), including in situations such as "'''observe, study or test the functioning of the program''', provided that those acts '''do not infringe the copyright in the program'''"<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=23 Apr 2009 |title=Directive 2009/24/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the legal protection of computer programs (Codified version) (Text with EEA relevance) |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2009/24/oj/eng |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250721222533/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2009/24/oj/eng |archive-date=21 Jul 2025}}</ref>, while going as far as "'''Decompilation for Interoperability'''"<ref name=":0" /> and "'''Decompilation for Error Correction and Repair'''".<ref name=":0" /> A strong emphasis is placed on the intention and the desired outcome of the reverse engineering process.

While this is the general E.U. law, each country has it's own interpretation on it, the Directive being more of a guideline. For a safer approach, it is advised to carefully check the local legislation. Often times challenges come from the "legal speech" being difficult to understand by untrained personnel. {{Wplink|Large language model|Large Language Models}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Large Language Model |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_language_model |url-status=live |website=Wikipedia |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128143953/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_language_model |archive-date=28 Jan 2026}}</ref> (LLMs) could aid the legal research process, the bigger cloud-based LLMs often performing the best, double-checking the information is mandatory.

===Guidelines for safer reverse engineering===
To better understand the position a RE would find themselves into, it is recommended to try and understand where the manufacturer is acting upon their product. We can briefly categorize the potential infringement on three levels:

*Hardware
*Software
*Hardware + Software

Each one of these has its own technical challenges and will most likely be treated differently in the court of law.

====Full solutions====
The solutions are usually not complete, as the manufacturer has the most control over your product, regardless of its nature. Almost complete solutions are a more likely term, as most actions are rather reactive than proactive, because the consumer will first be hit by the overreach and then react to it.

====Partial solutions====

===Legal precedents===

==Narrowing computer hacking laws==
The Supreme Court's 2021 decision in '''Van Buren v. United States''' fundamentally changed how courts interpret the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA).<ref>{{Cite web |title=VAN BUREN v. UNITED STATES CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT No. 19–783. Argued November 30, 2020—Decided June 3, 2021 |url=https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/20pdf/19-783_k53l.pdf |format=PDF |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260219170802/https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/20pdf/19-783_k53l.pdf |archive-date=19 Feb 2026}}</ref> The 6-3 majority adopted a "gates-up-or-down" test: you either have permission to access a computer system or you don't. Violating terms of service or using legitimately accessed data for improper purposes doesn't constitute ''"exceeding authorized access"'' under CFAA.

This decision protects security researchers and reverse engineers who:
*Access publicly available systems
*Use credentials they were legitimately given
*Don't bypass technical access controls
*Violate only terms of service, not technical barriers

The Ninth Circuit applied this framework in '''hiQ Labs v. LinkedIn''' (2022), finding that scraping publicly accessible data doesn't violate CFAA since there are ''"no gates to lift or lower"'' on public websites.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HIQ LABS, INC. V. LINKEDIN CORPORATION, No. 17-16783 (9th Cir. 2022) |url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca9/17-16783/17-16783-2022-04-18.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260206132307/https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca9/17-16783/17-16783-2022-04-18.html |archive-date=6 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==Futurehome example==
In May 2025, Norwegian smart home company Futurehome emerged from bankruptcy. The new owners, FHSD Connect AS, introduced a mandatory subscription model: Customers had to pay an annual fee of 1,188 NOK (approx. $117 USD) or lose access to basic functionality like the mobile app, automation, and local APIs - even though those features were previously included in the one-time purchase price.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tek.no/nyheter/nyhet/i/alMe04/rasende-kunder-opplever-smarthjem-utpressing |title=Rasende og fortvilte Futurehome-kunder: – Oppleves som utpressing |website=Tek.no |access-date=14 Jul 2025 |language=nb |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251208120232/https://www.tek.no/nyheter/nyhet/i/alMe04/rasende-kunder-opplever-smarthjem-utpressing |archive-date=8 Dec 2025}}</ref>

When customers began exploring ways to restore lost functionality through reverse engineering, Futurehome CEO Øyvind Fries accused them of ''"illegal hacking"'' and threatened legal action.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tek.no/nyheter/nyhet/i/mPm4xl/lover-50000-kroner-for-aa-gjore-futurehome-gratis |title=Lover 50.000 kroner for å knekke programvaren til Futurehome |website=Tek.no |access-date=14 Jul 2025 |language=nb |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224113238/https://www.tek.no/nyheter/nyhet/i/mPm4xl/lover-50000-kroner-for-aa-gjoere-futurehome-gratis |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>

However, no evidence was provided that users were:
*Accessing Futurehome's servers without authorization
*Distributing proprietary code
*Compromising the privacy of others

Consumer rights advocate Louis Rossmann offered a $5,000 bounty for someone to devise a method for using Futurehome devices locally without a subscription. His viewers began:
*Capturing network traffic from their own devices
*Analyzing firmware dumps from hubs they physically owned
*Attempting to restore functionality that had been removed post-sale
The purpose was to restore functionality customers had already paid for. Futurehome's management tried to frame this as a bounty for criminal activity.

==Other examples with legal clarity==
*'''John Deere Tractors''': Deere has long fought independent repair efforts, but under pressure from state laws and exemptions granted by the Library of Congress, some tractor repair activities (such as accessing diagnostic software) are now explicitly legal.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.repair.org/stand-up-for-repair |title=Stand Up for Repair |publisher=Repair.org}}</ref> The FTC and state attorneys general sued John Deere in January 2025 for allegedly monopolizing the agricultural equipment repair market.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/01/15/nx-s1-5260895/john-deere-ftc-lawsuit-right-to-repair-tractors |title=FTC sues John Deere over farmers' right to repair tractors |publisher=NPR |date=15 Jan 2025 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251109181329/https://www.npr.org/2025/01/15/nx-s1-5260895/john-deere-ftc-lawsuit-right-to-repair-tractors |archive-date=9 Nov 2025}}</ref>

*'''Sony PlayStation 3''' jailbreaking: Sony sued George Hotz (Geohot) after he jailbroke a PS3. While Sony sued him civilly, the case settled without establishing that his actions were criminal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony and Hotz settle hacking case |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-13047725 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260108015744/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-13047725 |archive-date=8 Jan 2026}}</ref>

*'''Lexmark Printers''': As mentioned above, the Sixth Circuit ruled that making third-party toner cartridges compatible with Lexmark printers, despite digital locks, was not illegal.<ref name="lexmark" />

*'''United States v. Elcom/Sklyarov''' (2001-2002): Although Russian programmer Dmitry Sklyarov was arrested for creating Adobe eBook circumvention software, charges were dropped against him personally, and his company, ElcomSoft, was acquitted, demonstrating the risks of prosecutorial overreach.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.eff.org/cases/us-v-elcomsoft-sklyarov |title=US v. ElcomSoft & Sklyarov |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251211183720/https://www.eff.org/cases/us-v-elcomsoft-sklyarov |archive-date=11 Dec 2025}}</ref>

=="Illegal Hacking" as a legal conclusion==
Using words like "hacking" to describe legitimate reverse engineering is not a legal conclusion. Section 1201 of the DMCA is written in a way that can make even normal ownership behavior sound suspicious. Courts have repeatedly ruled that '''reverse engineering, when done for lawful purposes, is protected'''.

==Key legal principles==
Courts now apply clear principles distinguishing lawful reverse engineering from illegal hacking:

'''Protected activities include:'''
*Lawfully acquiring software or hardware
*Analyzing it without circumventing authentication
*Conducting interoperability research under DMCA Section 1201(f)
*Accessing publicly available information
*Good faith security research with responsible disclosure

'''Risk Factors for CFAA/DMCA Liability:'''
*Bypassing passwords or authentication systems
*Continuing access after explicit revocation
*Accessing non-public systems
*Causing system damage
*Commercial exploitation of circumvention tools

The distinction often turns on technical circumvention - courts protect analytical activities that don't breach access controls while penalizing those who bypass passwords, authentication, or security measures.

==Conclusion==
Reverse engineering should not be a crime. Owning a product should mean having control over it. Efforts to restore, understand, or interoperate with devices you have legally purchased are not "hacking" - they are a cornerstone of innovation, user freedom, and the right to repair.

The legal landscape has evolved dramatically through decisions like '''Google v. Oracle''' (2021), which affirmed API re-implementation as fair use.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GOOGLE LLC v. ORACLE AMERICA, INC. CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT No. 18–956. Argued October 7, 2020—Decided April 5, 2021 |url=https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/20pdf/18-956_d18f.pdf |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222164209/https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/20pdf/18-956_d18f.pdf |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref>

The October 2024 DMCA exemptions represent the largest expansion of repair rights to date. Combined with Van Buren's limitation of CFAA liability, these create lots of legal space for legitimate reverse engineering to be considered legal.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Common terms]]

Roblox's problematic moderation

2026-02-24T12:11:22Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{Incomplete}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Roblox
|StartDate=
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=
|Product=Roblox
|ArticleType=
|Type=Child Safety, Safety
|Description=
}}


No online platform is immune to child predators, especially those geared towards minor audiences. However, [[Roblox]] has an extensive history of poorly handling child predators.

Since [[Roblox]] launched in 2004, both its automated and human aspects of moderation have been problematic for its users. Notable issues range from Roblox's obscene chat filter that limit communication on the platform,<ref>{{Cite web |author=u/Gregheffley95 |date=Feb 26, 2021 |title=Roblox censors almost everything |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/roblox/comments/lsxpex/roblox_censors_almost_everything/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619214011/https://old.reddit.com/r/roblox/comments/lsxpex/roblox_censors_almost_everything/ |archive-date=Jun 19, 2023 |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=Mar 7, 2017 |title=Why the hell are numbers censored! |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/roblox/comments/5y0w3z/why_the_hell_are_numbers_censored/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617231601/https://old.reddit.com/r/roblox/comments/5y0w3z/why_the_hell_are_numbers_censored/ |archive-date=Jun 17, 2023 |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]] - r/Roblox}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=JParty |date=Feb 24, 2017 |title=Updates to Chat Privacy API + New Account Indicators + Changes to Text Filtering APIs |url=https://devforum.roblox.com/t/updates-to-chat-privacy-api-new-account-indicators-changes-to-text-filtering-apis/33867 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251124014032/https://devforum.roblox.com/t/updates-to-chat-privacy-api-new-account-indicators-changes-to-text-filtering-apis/33867 |archive-date=24 Nov 2025|access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=Roblox Dev Forum}}</ref>, inconsistent enforcement of guidelines, and the indirect encouragement of illegal behaviors on the platform intended for young audiences.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Schlep |date=Jan 9, 2024 |title=this simulator should NOT be on roblox... |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMdacOJxmjU |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=IMdacOJxmjU |archive-date=Aug 16, 2025 |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Schlep |date=Apr 14, 2024 |title=Roblox Needs to BAN These Games... |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE3FeYfJOhw |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=EE3FeYfJOhw |archive-date=Aug 16, 2025 |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref>

==Platform features==

In June 2023, a higher maturity rating for users aged 17+ was added to the platform, enabling access to "graphic and realistic-looking depictions of violence and heavy bloodshed", "private spaces or settings intended for adults", "non-sexual expressions of love and affection", "romantic themes and topics", "alcohol use and intoxicated behavior", and "vulgar or obscene language".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-09 |title=Restricted Content Policy - Roblox Support |url=https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/15869919570708-Restricted-Content-Policy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250905011501/https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/15869919570708-Restricted-Content-Policy |archive-date=2025-09-05 |access-date=2025-09-09 |website=Roblox Support}}</ref>

In July 2025, Roblox's CEO David Baszucki suggested that in the future dating features will be added to the platform for users aged 21 or older.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-09 |title=The Story: Roblox and the 'Prehistoric Era' of Gaming w/ David Baszucki - TechStuff |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/4YW2cYqRprKx4i5a1dxH81 |access-date=2025-09-09 |website=Spotify |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260113014103/https://open.spotify.com/episode/4YW2cYqRprKx4i5a1dxH81 |archive-date=13 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Baqery |first=Mohsen |date=Jul 30, 2025 |title=Roblox CEO Has Suggested the Worst Idea Possible |url=https://gamerant.com/roblox-ceo-worst-idea-dating-sim/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250805010736/https://gamerant.com/roblox-ceo-worst-idea-dating-sim/ |archive-date=Aug 5, 2025 |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |work=GameRant}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Norton |first=Brad |date=Jul 15, 2025 |title=Roblox CEO wants adults to use platform as a dating service |url=https://www.dexerto.com/roblox/roblox-ceo-wants-adults-to-use-platform-as-a-dating-service-3226769/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250726183225/https://www.dexerto.com/roblox/roblox-ceo-wants-adults-to-use-platform-as-a-dating-service-3226769/ |archive-date=Jul 26, 2025 |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |work=Dexerto}}</ref> However some people have expressed concern at this idea, because at minimum 40% of the game's population is under 13 years old,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Connor |first=Jak |date=Jul 29, 2025 |title=Roblox CEO wants to add an in-game dating feature, despite 40% of players being under 13yrs old |url=https://www.tweaktown.com/news/106712/roblox-ceo-wants-to-add-an-in-game-dating-feature-despite-40-of-players-being-under-13yrs-old/index.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251021205509/https://www.tweaktown.com/news/106712/roblox-ceo-wants-to-add-an-in-game-dating-feature-despite-40-of-players-being-under-13yrs-old/index.html |archive-date=21 Oct 2025|access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |work=TweakTown}}</ref> and a further 16% of users are between 13 and 16 years old.<ref name=":32">{{Cite news |last=Tan |first=Nicholas |date=Nov 10, 2022 |title=Roblox Dev Arrested for Kidnapping: Who is Arnold Castillo (aka Jadon Shedletsky)? |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/guides/913144-roblox-dev-arrested-developer-who-is-arnold-castillo-jadon-shedletsky |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725055725/https://www.gamerevolution.com/guides/913144-roblox-dev-arrested-developer-who-is-arnold-castillo-jadon-shedletsky |archive-date=Jul 25, 2025 |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |work=Game Revolution}}</ref> It is also known that ID verification mechanisms can be easily bypassed, which would enable underage children to access these features.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

In August 2025, the platform integrated the open-source AI-powered system (Sentinel) to spy on chats.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ortutay |first=Barbara |date=Aug 7, 2025 |title=Roblox rolls out open-source AI system to protect kids from predators in chats |url=https://apnews.com/article/roblox-grooming-messages-ai-kids-teens-9e9d4131d46b80eead3e57b1110d48eb |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250810175337/https://apnews.com/article/roblox-grooming-messages-ai-kids-teens-9e9d4131d46b80eead3e57b1110d48eb |archive-date=Aug 10, 2025 |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |work=Associated Press}}</ref> In the same month, [[Roblox]] announced their collaboration with law enforcement according to a blog post.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Matt |date=Aug 7, 2025 |title=How Roblox Partners With Law Enforcement |url=https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/08/how-roblox-partners-law-enforcement |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=Roblox Blog |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260114185118/https://corp.roblox.com/newsroom/2025/08/how-roblox-partners-law-enforcement |archive-date=14 Jan 2026}}</ref>

==Platform flaws==
The platform does not require ID verification for registering accounts under age 17, meaning predators are able to opaquely pretend to be children while interacting with the platform and other users.

Beyond a questionable chat filtering system that both over-moderates content,<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/TrXploit |date=Oct 30, 2023 |title=It's just for me, or the filter got worse? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/roblox/comments/17jxexz/its_just_for_me_or_the_filter_got_worse/ |access-date=Jan 29, 2026 |website=[[Reddit]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260221184403/https://old.reddit.com/r/roblox/comments/17jxexz/its_just_for_me_or_the_filter_got_worse/ |archive-date=21 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=FUJiCHROME |date=Jun 1, 2024 |title=Chat filter has gotten noticeably worse in the past week |url=https://devforum.roblox.com/t/chat-filter-has-gotten-noticeably-worse-in-the-past-week/3038806/ |access-date=Jan 29, 2026 |website=[[Roblox]] Developer Forums |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250903181546/https://devforum.roblox.com/t/chat-filter-has-gotten-noticeably-worse-in-the-past-week/3038806 |archive-date=3 Sep 2025}}</ref> as well as being capable of being easily bypassed,<ref>{{Cite web |last=retalberisha |date=Jun 1, 2025 |title=bypasses chat |url=https://scriptblox.com/script/Universal-Script-bypasses-chat-38352 |access-date=Jan 29, 2026 |website=ScriptBlox}}</ref> Roblox has historically underinvested in adequate moderation for its user base. The moderation team is excessively small compared to its competitors, a documented 100-200 moderation on-staff compared to [[Fortnite]]'s 1,000+ and [[Minecraft]]'s 500+ members on the moderation staff.{{Citation needed|reason=Existing source is on [[source blacklist]]}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=Sep 17, 2024 |title=Why is Roblox moderation so bad? |url=https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/why-is-roblox-moderation-so-bad/ |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |website=Games Learning Society |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251018075436/https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/why-is-roblox-moderation-so-bad/ |archive-date=18 Oct 2025}}</ref> Combined with a lack of investment in adequate moderation tools,<ref>{{Cite news |date=Jul 24, 2024 |title=All Roblox Controversies Explained (2024) |url=https://screenrant.com/roblox-controversies-moderation-bad/ |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |work=ScreenRant |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260124001406/https://screenrant.com/roblox-controversies-moderation-bad/ |archive-date=24 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=Apr 9, 2024 |title=Roblox VC moderation is terrible |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ROBLOXBans/comments/1c05qqs/roblox_vc_moderation_is_terrible/ |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]] - r/ROBLOXBans |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260224112957/https://old.reddit.com/r/ROBLOXBans/comments/1c05qqs/roblox_vc_moderation_is_terrible/ |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref> it has become responsible for an excess of younger audiences being harmed on the platform.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dinunzio |first=Caitlin |date=Dec 21, 2021 |title=Roblox Accused Of Being Unsafe For Children In Viral Video |url=https://screenrant.com/roblox-accusations-safety-children-people-make-games/ |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |work=ScreenRant |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230408045715/https://screenrant.com/roblox-accusations-safety-children-people-make-games/ |archive-date=8 Apr 2023}}</ref> 

Reported by Hindenburg Research, the platform outsources its moderation to call centers within Asia, many of which are paid poorly and often lack the literacy to adequately handle cases,<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=Oct 8, 2024 |title=Roblox: Inflated Key Metrics For Wall Street And A Pedophile Hellscape For Kids |url=https://hindenburgresearch.com/roblox/ |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |website=Hindenburg Research |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260107052726/https://hindenburgresearch.com/roblox/ |archive-date=7 Jan 2026}}</ref> and their systems required multiple offenses to even incite a temporary ban. The former moderator they interviewed cited their poor resources as a key issue as to why he would refuse to let any kids he knew to play the game.

In a report from Hindenburg Research,<ref name=":32" /> they interviewed a former Senior Product Designer for the platform which directly stated:<blockquote>“You’re supposed to make sure that your users are safe and but then the downside is that, if you’re limiting users’ engagement, it’s hurting your metrics. It’s hurting the [daily] active users, the time spent on the platform, and in a lot of cases, the leadership doesn’t want that.”

“You have to make a make a decision, right? You can keep your players safe, but then it would be less of them on the platform. Or you just let them do what they want to do. And then the numbers all look good and investors will be happy.”

“You maybe see it in the numbers going down or the profits going down. Then whether you like it or not, you kind of just have to reconsider your option[s], because once you’re a public company, you’re answering to all the investors.”</blockquote>This statement in summary represented how the platform intentionally refused to integrate features to protect underage users on the platform, exclusively for the purposes of inflating the game's population to appease the platform's shareholders.

The platform's poor moderation choices that have led to an excess of innocent individuals compared to legitimately bad actors also led to the formation of the subreddit [https://www.reddit.com/r/ROBLOXBans/ r/ROBLOXbans], which has extensive posts covering the platform both ignoring mature content  and excessively punishing users over minor or absurd infractions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=r/ROBLOXBans |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ROBLOXBans/wiki/index/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250424112358/https://www.reddit.com/r/ROBLOXBans/wiki/index/ |archive-date=2025-04-24 |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> This community has documented problems such as IP/Poison bans, which have led to automatic bans and deletions if users simply access public wi-fi access points where other users have faced bans.<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/ExplodeWasTaken |date=Apr 1, 2025 |title=r/ROBLOXBans - FAQ |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ROBLOXBans/wiki/freqaskedquestions/ |access-date=Jan 30, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250907133956/https://old.reddit.com/r/ROBLOXBans/wiki/freqaskedquestions |archive-date=7 Sep 2025}}</ref>

==Incidents==

===People Make Games videos===
When the platform was investigated by journalists working to uncover how the platform was additionally encouraging the exploitation of underage developers,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Quintin |date=Aug 19, 2021 |title=Investigation: How Roblox Is Exploiting Young Game Developers |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gXlauRB1EQ |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] - People Make Games |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=_gXlauRB1EQ |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> the company aimed to have the report taken down, thus leading to further research from reporters on ''People Make Games'' regarding further harmful moderation controversies.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Quintin |date=Dec 13, 2021 |title=Roblox Pressured Us to Delete Our Video. So We Dug Deeper. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTMF6xEiAaY&t=10s |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] - People Make Games |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=vTMF6xEiAaY |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref>

In the follow-up video it was revealed that the lead developer, known by the alias of Doc, of the fan game ''Sonic Eclipse Online'' had spread harmful and sexually-charged comments to female developers on his team. While his primary account was removed from the platform, Roblox's moderation team had refused to handle his alternate account which owned all the games he published to the platform, meaning he continued to gain revenue from his project while clearly evading his ban.<ref name=":22" /> Soon after the publication of the video, his game would then be taken down via [[Digital Millennium Copyright Act|DMCA]] from [[SEGA]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=Feb 5, 2022 |title=Sega took down Sonic Eclipse Online |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3rmxony0mQ |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] - BloxEverlasting |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=b3rmxony0mQ |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> It was not until mid-2022 that Doc would receive federal charges for abducting a minor through his predatory behavior on the platform,<ref name=":32" /> and finally be entirely removed from said platform.

===Schlep===
Roblox threatened the content creator Schlep with litigation over vigilantism.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |author=Schlep |date=Aug 9, 2025 |title=Roblox Is Threatening to Sue Me For Protecting Kids |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMqAw_NjHK8&t |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=hMqAw_NjHK8 |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Huang |first=Marcus |date=Aug 9, 2025 |title=Roblox YouTuber Battles Child Predators {{!}} Accounts Terminated Amid Backlash |url=https://leveluptalk.com/news/roblox-youtuber-fights-child-predators-banned/ |access-date=Aug 10, 2025 |work=Level Up Talk}}</ref><ref name=":12" /> Schlep cited that neglect from Roblox's moderation team was the reason for his actions.<ref name=":02" /> In response to Roblox's submission of a cease and desist notice to Schlep,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-09 |title=Schlep on X: "Every account I've ever made on Roblox has been terminated... |url=https://x.com/RealSchlep/status/1954101415564951680 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=YouTube |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250815085913/https://x.com/RealSchlep/status/1954101415564951680 |archive-date=15 Aug 2025}}</ref><ref name=":02" /> the platform was condemned by the community and California 17th Congressional District Representative Ro Khanna,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Horetski |first=Dylan |date=Aug 13, 2025 |title=Congressman steps in after Roblox threatens to sue & bans “predator hunter” YouTuber Schlep |url=https://www.dexerto.com/youtube/congressman-steps-in-after-roblox-threatens-to-sue-bans-predator-hunter-youtuber-schlep-3237759/ |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |work=Dexerto |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250904095642/https://www.dexerto.com/youtube/congressman-steps-in-after-roblox-threatens-to-sue-bans-predator-hunter-youtuber-schlep-3237759/ |archive-date=4 Sep 2025}}</ref> and consumers promoted a hashtag #FreeSchlep in an attempt to get Schlep's account reinstated.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-11 |title=Schlep on X: "wow its trending again. 3 days in a row now I was lowkey ... |url=https://x.com/RealSchlep/status/1954982451350008298 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=X}}</ref> The movement also received support from popular Roblox YouTuber KreekCraft.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-09 |title=KreekCraft on X: "Roblox Schlep situation" / X |url=https://x.com/KreekCraft/status/1954215182311297365 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=X |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250811233432/https://x.com/KreekCraft/status/1954215182311297365 |archive-date=11 Aug 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-10 |title=Roblox Banned Schlep - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKOYXcYmxow |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=VKOYXcYmxow |archive-date=2025-08-11 |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=YouTube}}</ref> Furthermore, Roblox outlawed vigilante groups on their platform,<ref name=":12" /> causing vigilante group RoCatchers, a predator-catching group, to disband.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-09 |title=RoCatchers on X: "We sadly have to disband what we're doing on here. ... |url=https://x.com/RoCatchers/status/1954221211581301201 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=X}}</ref>

==="Condo" games===
The platform additionally hosts thousands of "condo" games,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dorn |first=James |date=Jul 24, 2025 |title=What is a Condo Game on Roblox? |url=https://expertbeacon.com/what-is-a-condo-on-roblox/ |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |work=Expert Beacon}}</ref> to allow platform users to simulate sexual activities. Despite these games being directly in violation of Roblox's policies:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Restricted Content Policy |url=https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/15869919570708-Restricted-Content-Policy |url-status=live |access-date=12 Aug 2025 |website=Roblox |at=Romantic and Sexual Content |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260217013725/https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/15869919570708-Restricted-Content-Policy |archive-date=17 Feb 2026}}</ref><blockquote>"Any content which explicitly [depicts] sexual content or nudity is against the rules of Roblox"</blockquote>The platform has been slow to handle these games being frequently uploaded, especially since these games are frequently reuploaded on alternate accounts en-masse.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McGuinness |first=Devan |date=Feb 16, 2022 |title=Roblox “Condo” Strip Clubs Still Populating Platform — What to Know |url=https://www.fatherly.com/news/roblox-strip-clubs-problem-safety |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |work=Fatherly |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251114004833/https://www.fatherly.com/news/roblox-strip-clubs-problem-safety |archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref> Additionally, the platform has notoriously collaborated with TheOfficialTeddy, known for publishing "condo" games to the platform, even including one of his notorious titles within 2025's The Hatch event, despite his long history of frequent bans from the platform.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=Ricablanca |first=Celsos |date=Jul 3, 2025 |title=Why did Roblox ban TheOfficialTeddy? Here’s what we know |url=https://esports.gg/news/roblox/why-did-roblox-ban-theofficialteddy-heres-what-we-know/ |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |work=eSports.gg |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251018131550/https://esports.gg/news/roblox/why-did-roblox-ban-theofficialteddy-heres-what-we-know/ |archive-date=18 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=Jun 17, 2025 |title=Tweet from RoCatchers |url=https://xcancel.com/RoCatchers/status/1934826134476087759 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/vndfS |archive-date=Feb 21, 2026 |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |website=X (formerly [[Twitter]])}}</ref> The platform reversed Teddy's addition within the event and re-banned the individual only after significant backlash from players and content creators participating in the event.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=Jun 30, 2025 |title=Tweet from Roblox |url=https://x.com/Roblox/status/1939844614997033165?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1939844614997033165%7Ctwgr%5E78a1e8a53dd64d2c86722a959bc5c71bd6b0f0c5%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fesports.gg%2Fnews%2Froblox%2Fwhy-did-roblox-ban-theofficialteddy-heres-what-we-know%2F |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |website=X (formerly [[Twitter]])}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Cripe |first=Michael |date=Jul 3, 2025 |title=Roblox #BoycottTheHatch Controversy Explained |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/roblox-boycottthehatch-controversy-explained |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |work=[[IGN]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260210010600/https://www.ign.com/articles/roblox-boycottthehatch-controversy-explained |archive-date=10 Feb 2026}}</ref>

Sexually explicit games on Roblox are often promoted on other platforms including discord where they are called "condo" servers. <ref>{{Cite web |author=Noize |date=2025-07-06 |title=Roblox and Discord Under Fire for Failing to Address Predator Communities |url=https://gaminghq.eu/2025/07/06/roblox-and-discord-failing-to-address-predator-communities/ |access-date=2025-10-14 |website=GamingHQ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251010003804/https://gaminghq.eu/2025/07/06/roblox-and-discord-failing-to-address-predator-communities/ |archive-date=10 Oct 2025}}</ref> These servers are often sexually explicit and accessible to minors. A youtuber by the name "Ruben sim " made a discord moderation bot called Ro-Cleaner which banned members from discord condo servers to mitigate child predation, but as of October 2025 this bot has been banned from discord due to Discord Moderators banning the bot which serviced more than 20,000 discord servers due to their claim that it violated discords TOS by discriminating based on "protected characteristics" in accordance with Discords community guidelines.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cubbins |first=Dwayne |date=2025-04-24 |title=Discord cites user profiling violations in shutdown of popular anti-predator bot |url=https://techissuestoday.com/discord-shutdown-popular-anti-predator-bot/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-10-14 |website=Tech Issues Today |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251024170946/https://techissuestoday.com/discord-shutdown-popular-anti-predator-bot/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |archive-date=24 Oct 2025}}</ref>
[[File:AdultRobloxGame.png|alt=A picture of a roblox game, with the name "Escape to Epstein Island"|thumb|An example of one of the mature games on Roblox that can be played by underage accounts.]]
A sibling to the "condo" genre have been titles named after individuals known for sex trafficking, such as Sean "Diddy" Combs and Jeffrey Epstein, these games were able to be easily accessed by underage users.<ref name=":5" />

Even games which may not be initially intended for mature audiences have been at risk from mature-aged users posting inappropriate content, such as "School Simulator", which failed to censor genitalia, obscene speech, and more,<ref name=":5" /> despite Roblox's claims that it reviews every piece of content uploaded to the platform.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Clayton |first=James |last2=Dyer |first2=Jasmin |date=Feb 15, 2022 |title=Roblox: The children's game with a sex problem |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-60314572 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250813071306/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-60314572 |archive-date=Aug 13, 2025 |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |work=[[BBC]]}}</ref>

====CSAM communities====
Some Roblox experiences have large communities that trade in child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) and allow underage players to access them.<ref name=":5" /> Hindenburg reported that there are at least 38 of these groups which solicit CSAM as of 2024.<ref name=":5" /> One such group evaded moderation for at least 15 years by disguising itself as “''[ Content Deleted 19208 ]''”, with ID info stating that it formed in 2009.<ref name=":5" /> Moderation For Dummies reported the existence of at least 12,400 accounts which dabble in various levels of CSAM on the platform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sim |first=Ruben |date=Sep 2, 2024 |title=Tweet from Mod For Dummies |url=https://xcancel.com/ModForDummies/status/1830646065948958861 |archive-url=https://archive.ph/mAIil |archive-date=Feb 21, 2026 |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |website=X (formerly [[Twitter]])}}</ref>

==Lawsuits and legal controversies==
{{Incomplete section}}
Litigation has been frequent for the platform regarding its neglect to handle child predators for several years now. The following is a brief list from over 300 unique legal incidents<ref>{{Cite news |last=Musumeci |first=Natalie |date=Aug 13, 2025 |title=Roblox accused of being a 'hunting ground' for child predators as legal firestorm against gaming giant intensifies |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/roblox-online-gaming-giant-child-predator-allegations-lawsuits-2025-8?op=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250814072608/https://www.businessinsider.com/roblox-online-gaming-giant-child-predator-allegations-lawsuits-2025-8?op=1 |archive-date=Aug 14, 2025 |access-date=Aug 13, 2025 |work=Business Insider}}</ref> regarding Roblox's moderation.


===Arnold Castillo (February to July 2022)===
In February 2022, the lead game developer for the game ''Sonic Eclipse Online'' on Roblox, Arnold Castillo, allegedly used the platform to groom an anonymous minor. Months later in May, he allegedly coerced the minor into crossing state lines to his property via the service [[Uber]].<ref name=":32" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=Jul 29, 2022 |title=New Jersey Man Federally Charged with Enticement of a Minor and Interstate Transportation of a Minor to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/new-jersey-man-federally-charged-enticement-minor-and-interstate-transportation-minor |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250818133543/https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/pr/new-jersey-man-federally-charged-enticement-minor-and-interstate-transportation-minor |archive-date=Aug 18, 2025 |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |website=DOJ - Southern District of Indiana Attorney's Office}}</ref> Days after the abduction, the individual was detained and put on trial, and received 2 life sentences and $500k in fines. This occurred after Castillo's extensive history of violating the platform's Terms of Service for the purposes of grooming minors. Both his community and staff released 2 documents<ref>{{Cite web |title=The DoctorRofatnik Archives |url=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IBLEag66elaVPs11PimO2t2M0ikCCb67ti_RNYB0MxQ/edit?tab=t.0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.org/details/the-doctor-rofatnik-archives/mode/2up |archive-date=2020-10-26 |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |website=Google Docs}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Response to your claims |url=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a6NozfqgKOLT1882d9xy1QuJzW0TWJXuorvincSI4z8/edit?tab=t.0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251018093721/https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a6NozfqgKOLT1882d9xy1QuJzW0TWJXuorvincSI4z8/edit?tab=t.0 |archive-date=Oct 18, 2025 |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |website=Google Docs}}</ref> covering his harmful behavior on both Roblox and additionally [[Discord]].<ref name=":42">{{Cite web |last=Sim |first=Ruben |date=Oct 31, 2022 |title=The Roblox Developer Arrested By The FBI |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdDfdlLuAgA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250810205552/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdDfdlLuAgA |archive-date=Aug 10, 2025 |access-date=Aug 11, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] - Ruben Sim}}</ref> Roblox's moderation refused to directly handle the situation, despite the extensive reports, and his arrest compiled with the charges he faced were only successful due to datamining efforts via vigilantes on the platform.<ref name=":42" />

===''State v. Darius Matylewich (September 2023)''===
In 2023, Darius Matylewich allegedly used a combination of Roblox and other social media services to abduct an 11-year-old girl to his property across state lines.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 7, 2025 |title=Bear Man Gets 20 Years In 11-Year-Old’s Abduction |url=https://firststateupdate.com/2025/07/bear-man-gets-20-years-in-11-year-olds-abduction/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250724133630/https://firststateupdate.com/2025/07/bear-man-gets-20-years-in-11-year-olds-abduction/ |archive-date=Jul 24, 2025 |access-date=Aug 12, 2025 |work=1st State Update}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Slocum |first=Jack |date=Jul 8, 2025 |title=Delaware Man Gets Prison Time For Coercing, Kidnapping Wayne 11-Year-Old |url=https://patch.com/new-jersey/wayne/delaware-man-gets-prison-time-coercing-kidnapping-wayne-11-year-old |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251017234219/https://patch.com/new-jersey/wayne/delaware-man-gets-prison-time-coercing-kidnapping-wayne-11-year-old |archive-date=Oct 17, 2025 |access-date=Aug 12, 2025 |work=Patch}}</ref> 2 years later, on July 2, 2025, Matylewich was charged with 20 years of incarceration for the coercion and enticement of a minor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Jul 7, 2025 |title=Delaware Man Sentenced To 240 Months For Coercing 11-Year-Old New Jersey Resident To Travel To Delaware For Sexual Activity |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-de/pr/delaware-man-sentenced-240-months-coercing-11-year-old-new-jersey-resident-travel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250805115546/https://www.justice.gov/usao-de/pr/delaware-man-sentenced-240-months-coercing-11-year-old-new-jersey-resident-travel |archive-date=Aug 5, 2025 |access-date=Aug 12, 2025 |website=U.S. Attorney's Office - District of Delaware}}</ref> During the entire incident, Roblox did not halt Matylewich's activities on the platform.

===''State v. Franciou Romelus (April 2024)''===
Francious Romelus allegedly stalked a 14-year-old girl via Roblox in 2023 and attempted to abduct her on April 12, 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Arradondo |first=Briona |date=Apr 24, 2024 |title=Man arrested for stalking, attacking 14-year-old girl he met online: TPD |url=https://www.fox13news.com/news/man-arrested-for-stalking-attacking-14-year-old-girl-he-met-online-tpd |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251018155641/https://www.fox13news.com/news/man-arrested-for-stalking-attacking-14-year-old-girl-he-met-online-tpd |archive-date=Oct 18, 2025 |access-date=Aug 12, 2025 |work=Fox 13 News}}</ref> Romelus was charged with aggravated stalking, transmission of harmful material to a minor, among other charges, and received a 30-year sentence. Roblox moderation again did not prevent, halt, or report the individual to authorities at that time.

===''U.S. v. Daniel Aravena Oliva'' (August 2024)===
In 2024, Daniel Aravena Oliva allegedly groomed a 13-year-old girl on the platform across international borders for several months. After flying to the US from Chile, the individual was arrested before he could sexually assault the minor.<ref>{{Cite news |date=Aug 23, 2024 |title=Chilean man arrested in connection with exploitation of 14-year-old girl, Glendora police say |url=https://abc7.com/post/chilean-man-arrested-connection-exploitation-14-year-old-girl-glendora-police-say/15222531/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250823132323/https://abc7.com/post/chilean-man-arrested-connection-exploitation-14-year-old-girl-glendora-police-say/15222531/ |archive-date=Aug 23, 2025 |access-date=Aug 12, 2025 |work=ABC 7}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Toohey |first=Grace |date=Aug 22, 2024 |title=Chilean man groomed 13-year-old girl he met on Roblox before flying to U.S. to meet her, police say |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-08-22/chilean-arrest-roblox-child-exploitation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250813153123/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-08-22/chilean-arrest-roblox-child-exploitation |archive-date=Aug 13, 2025 |access-date=Aug 12, 2025 |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>

===''State v. Christian Scribben'' (February to April 2025)===
Christian Scribben allegedly, on multiple accounts, used Roblox to coerce minors to produce CSAM. Scribben was arrested in April and tried as an adult.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 2, 2025 |title=Ocala teen jailed for exploiting children he met on video game |url=https://www.ocala-news.com/2025/05/02/ocala-teen-jailed-for-exploiting-children-he-met-on-video-game/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251017173601/https://www.ocala-news.com/2025/05/02/ocala-teen-jailed-for-exploiting-children-he-met-on-video-game/ |archive-date=Oct 17, 2025 |access-date=Aug 12, 2025 |work=Ocala News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hogan |first=Brandon |date=Apr 30, 2025 |title=17-year-old arrested in Marion County, accused of sexually exploiting children on Roblox |url=https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2025/04/30/17-year-old-arrested-in-marion-county-accused-of-sexually-exploiting-children-on-roblox/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250823160458/https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2025/04/30/17-year-old-arrested-in-marion-county-accused-of-sexually-exploiting-children-on-roblox/ |archive-date=Aug 23, 2025 |access-date=Aug 12, 2025 |work=Click Orlando}}</ref> On the day of Scribben's arrest, the Florida AG James Uthmeier subpoenaed Roblox regarding its marketing material, citing an excess of reports of children being exposed to “graphic or harmful material” while using the platform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Uthmeier |first=James |date=Apr 16, 2025 |title=Attorney General James Uthmeier Fights to Protect Children Online; Subpoenas Roblox for Child-Protection Policies and Procedures |url=https://www.myfloridalegal.com/newsrelease/attorney-general-james-uthmeier-fights-protect-children-online-subpoenas-roblox-child |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250814164722/https://www.myfloridalegal.com/newsrelease/attorney-general-james-uthmeier-fights-protect-children-online-subpoenas-roblox-child |archive-date=Aug 14, 2025 |access-date=Aug 12, 2025 |website=Florida Office of Attorney General}}</ref>

===''State v. Matthew Naval'' (April to June 2025)===

Matthew Macatuno Naval allegedly abducted a 10-year-old girl soon after meeting her on Roblox,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Girl was kidnapped by man who messaged her on Roblox, officials say. 10-year-old found safe |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-04-16/girl-10-allegedly-kidnapped-by-man-who-messaged-on-roblox |website=Los Angeles Times |date=2025-04-16 |access-date=2025-08-18 |url-status=live |first=Kaitlyn |last=Huamani |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819041136/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-04-16/girl-10-allegedly-kidnapped-by-man-who-messaged-on-roblox |archive-date=2025-08-19}}</ref><ref name=":46">{{Cite web |title=California man accused of kidnapping 10-year-old he met on Roblox |url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/national-international/california-man-accused-of-kidnapping-10-year-old-he-met-on-roblox/3807102/ |website=NBC San Diego |date=2025-04-17 |first=Viola |last=Flowers |access-date=2025-08-18 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819041723/https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/national-international/california-man-accused-of-kidnapping-10-year-old-he-met-on-roblox/3807102/ |archive-date=2025-08-19}}</ref><ref name=":47">{{Cite web |title=Elk Grove man accused of kidnapping missing child after meeting her on Roblox |url=https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/elk-grove/missing-kern-county-child-found-elk-grove-suspected-kidnapper/103-53c26187-7d46-4b43-964a-1010c1bf07c5 |website=ABC 10 |date=2025-04-14 |access-date=2025-08-18 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819043626/https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/elk-grove/missing-kern-county-child-found-elk-grove-suspected-kidnapper/103-53c26187-7d46-4b43-964a-1010c1bf07c5 |archive-date=2025-08-19}}</ref> and he was charged with one count of kidnapping, one count of kidnapping a child under 14 to commit sex acts, two counts of committing sex acts with a child under 14, one count of showing sexual content to a minor, and two counts related to contacting a minor with the intent to commit a sex act.<ref name=":48">{{Cite web |last=Kotowski |first1=Jason |last2=Huh |first2=Jenny |date=2025-04-18 |title=Man accused of kidnapping Taft girl held on $1.35M bail |url=https://www.kget.com/news/crime-watch/man-accused-of-kidnapping-taft-girl-charged-with-7-felonies/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819043054/https://www.kget.com/news/crime-watch/man-accused-of-kidnapping-taft-girl-charged-with-7-felonies/ |archive-date=2025-08-19 |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=KGET.com}}</ref> According to police, the survivor was found in a car at an Elk Grove strip mall over 250 miles from her home in Taft, and police returned her to her family.<ref name=":46" /><ref name=":47" /> Representing the severity of the charges against Naval, his bail was listed at about US$1.35 million.<ref name=":48" />


===''Doe et al v. Roblox Corporation et al'' (July 2025)===
The suit Doe et al v. Roblox Corporation et al, filed on July 9, 2025, is an ongoing product liability suit where the plaintiffs are two anonymous individuals and the defendants are Roblox Corporation and [[Discord|Discord, Inc.]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Doe et al v. Roblox Corporation et al |url=https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/58931825/Doe_et_al_v_Roblox_Corporation_et_al |website=PacerMonitor |date=2025-07-09 |access-date=2025-08-18 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819035355/https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/58931825/Doe_et_al_v_Roblox_Corporation_et_al |archive-date=2025-08-19}}</ref> The main complaints in the original file were:
<blockquote>
(1) Fraudulent Concealment and Misrepresentations 
(2) Negligent Misrepresentation 
(3) Negligence — General 
(4) Negligence — Failure to Warn 
(5) Negligence — Unreasonable Design 
(6) Negligent Undertaking 
(7) Strict Liability — Design Defect 
(8) Strict Liability — Failure to Warn<ref>{{Cite web |title=Case 3:25-cv-05753-LB |url=https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/filings/DWCGRGFI/Doe_et_al_v_Roblox_Corporation_et_al__candce-25-05753__0001.0.pdf |website=Pacermonitor |date=2025-07-09 |first=Paige |last=Boldt |access-date=2025-08-18 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819035429/https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/filings/DWCGRGFI/Doe_et_al_v_Roblox_Corporation_et_al__candce-25-05753__0001.0.pdf |archive-date=2025-08-19}}</ref>
</blockquote>


===Florida Attorney-General Subpoena & Multi-State Scrutiny (July 2025)===

==Legacy==
{{Incomplete section}}

The negligence shown by Roblox and the platform's moderation has been a key point within various forms of legislation to require identification-based verification on online services, e.g. the [[Online Safety Act|Online Safety Act of 2023]] within the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Online Safety Act 2023 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50/contents/enacted |website=www.legislation.gov.uk |access-date=2025-08-18 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250818200028/https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50/contents |archive-date=2025-08-18}}</ref>

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Roblox]]

Restaurant Brands International caught training AI models using customer voices

2026-02-24T12:10:36Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{IncidentCargo|Company=Restaurant Brands International|StartDate=2025-09-06|EndDate=2025-09-06|Status=Resolved|Type=Privacy, Surveillance|Description=One of Restaurant Brands International's companies, Burger King, was hacked, which revealed 100 million customer voice recordings are used for AI training.|ArticleType=}}

Hackers using the aliases of "BobtheHacker" and "BobtheShoplifter" posted on Reddit and Hacker News revealing that {{Wplink|Restaurant Brands International}} is retaining recordings of customers' drive-thru orders and feeding it into an [[Artificial intelligence|AI model]] without prior knowledge or consent. Hours later, a DMCA claim was filed by Cyble Inc against the hackers, citing misuse of their trademark and falsifying information.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wClzMQUGrg|title=Burger King caught training AI on 100 MILLION customers voices!
|author=Daniel Boctor|date=2025-09-07|work=YouTube |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=5wClzMQUGrg |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref>
==Background==
Restaurant Brands International (also referred as RBI) is an American-Canadian fast food holding company formed in 2014 by a merge deal between burger king and Tim Horton's, eventually including Popeye's and Firehouse Subs. All of the company subsidiaries (Burger king, Tim Horton's, Popeye's, Firehouse Subs) use assistant platform process, a software that processes your order through the digital menu board or drive thru screen.

Although unknown about their agreements, Reestaurant Brand International has relationships with Cyble Inc, an cybersecurity company that handles security risks using artificial intelligence

==The hack==
On September 6, 2025, two hackers, “BobtheHacker” and “BobtheShoplifter”, posted on Reddit<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |author=BobdaBuilder |date=2025-09-06 |title=Reddit |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/cybersecurity/comments/1na3ebi/we_hacked_burger_king_how_authentication_bypass/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-25 |website=Reddit}}</ref> and Hacker News<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |author=Bobdahacker |date=2025-09-06 |title=We hacked Burger King: How auth bypass led to drive-thru audio surveillance |url=https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45148944 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251016025547/https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45148944 |archive-date=2025-10-16 |access-date=2026-01-25 |website=Hacker News}}</ref> revealing an exploit that led to the discovery of Restaurant Brands International withholding an estimate 100 million saved audio recordings<ref>{{Cite web|title=Burger King's AI Training Data Breach: A Deep Dive into the RBI Hack and Customer Voice Data|url=https://www.cybersecuritytemple.com/2025/12/burger-king-caught-training-ai-on-100_01349802427.html#the-hack-unveiled|date=2025-12-02|work=CyberSecurityTemple.com|access-date=2026-02-08 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216025633/https://www.cybersecuritytemple.com/2025/12/burger-king-caught-training-ai-on-100_01349802427.html |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref> of customers' orders and interactions throughout all of their establishments.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bobdahacker.com/blog/rbi-hacked-drive-thrus/|title=We Hacked Burger King: How Authentication Bypass Led to Drive-Thru Audio Surveillance|date=2025-09-06|work=bobdahacker.com|archive-url=https://archive.is/zIte|archive-date=2025-09-06|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nimofff |first=Lexx |date=2026-02-17 |title=Cybersecurity researchers hacked the management company of the restaurant chain Burger King |url=https://www.braintools.ru/article/19510/print/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-17 |website=BrainTools |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224112445/https://www.braintools.ru/article/19510/print/ |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref> It is unknown how long the company has retained the audio recordings.
[[File:Burger King AI System 2.png|alt=The image above is from a Burger King AI module website that determines metrics like the amount of order attempts, number of order that was successful, time that's most successful, and what type of orders was the most popular. The image above is of a selected drive thru option, that indicates that there was a total of 134 order attempts made, with 94 of them being successful, along with the most popular conversion rate was "size", taking around 51% of the order request chart, with an 72% on the success chart.|thumb|Burger King Employee Metrics ]]
Along with findings of employees' personal information, it was discovered that voice recording was used to help train their AI model into determining various metrics that include:

*Customer sentiment
*Employee friendliness level
*Tone feedback
*Order success rates
*Order processing time
*How many times employees said “You Rule” and "Welcome"
[[File:Burger King AI System.png|alt=An image showcasing an Burger king website that makes use of the AI module, determining the employee friendliness score with metrics such as the amount of conversation had, how many guest had to wait, how many times the word "welcome" and "You rule" was said throughout the entire day. |thumb|Happiness and Feedback System ]]

===RBI's response===
A few hours after the exploit was publicized, a company by the name of Cyble Inc issued a DMCA claim against the hackers, claiming their use of the Burger King trademark promoted illegal activity and spreads false information about the company. In response, the hackers took down their original post to avoid engaging in an legal dispute.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-06 |title=DMCA Notice Received |url=https://bobdahacker.com/blog/rbi-hacked-drive-thrus |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-23 |website=bobdahhacker}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://infosec.exchange/@bobdahacker/115158347003096276|title=We decided to take the post down after recieving a DMCA from burger king.|date=2025-09-06|work=Mastodon|author=bobdahacker@infosec.exchange|access-date=2026-02-08 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250918040303/https://infosec.exchange/@bobdahacker/115158347003096276 |archive-date=18 Sep 2025}}</ref>

There has been no public response from Restaurant Brands International or Cyble Inc regarding the issue.
[[File:DMCA notice from Cyble Inc.png|alt=DMCA Notice From Cyble Inc.|thumb|DMCA Notice From Cyble Inc.]]

==Consumer response==
People on Reddit and Hacker News forums shared frustration at Restaurant brand International security practices, DMCA claim filed against hackers, and voice collection practices, leading to various discussions regarding legality of the situation.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Artificial intelligence]]
[[Category:Data breaches]]
[[Category:Data collection]]
[[Category:Privacy violations]]

TikTok and AI-powered ad tracking

2026-02-24T12:06:48Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{StubNotice}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=TikTok Inc.
|StartDate=2025-06-03
|Status=Active
|ProductLine=Tiktok Inc., TikTok One, Insight Spotlight, Content Suite
|ArticleType=Service
|Type=Privacy
|Description=In 2025, TikTok unveiled new AI-driven tools like Insight Spotlight and Content Suite that are AI-powered trackers for the purpose of advertisement.
}}
In 2025, [[TikTok]] unveiled new AI-driven tools like Insight Spotlight and Content Suite<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sato |first=Mia |date=June 4, 2025 |title=TikTok will give advertisers even more data on trends and users |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/678255/tiktok-advertiser-summit-ai-targeting-data-seo |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251022234857/https://www.theverge.com/news/678255/tiktok-advertiser-summit-ai-targeting-data-seo |archive-date=22 Oct 2025|access-date=2025-09-01 |work=The Verge}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=TikTok Inc. |date=2025-06-03 |title=Insights Spotlight: Stay Ahead Of Trends |url=https://ads.tiktok.com/business/en-US/blog/insights-spotlight-trends-tool |access-date=2025-09-01 |website=TikTok |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251014063327/https://ads.tiktok.com/business/en-US/blog/insights-spotlight-trends-tool |archive-date=14 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=TikTok Inc. |date=2025-06-03 |title=Content Suite: Find & Amplify The Best UGC |url=https://ads.tiktok.com/business/en-US/blog/content-suite-creator-ugc-library |access-date=2025-09-01 |website=TikTok |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260117074235/https://ads.tiktok.com/business/en-US/blog/content-suite-creator-ugc-library |archive-date=17 Jan 2026}}</ref>, designed to help brands target users with unprecedented and invasive precision. However, while TikTok highlights the benefits for advertisers and engagement, the changes raise even more concerns about data harvesting, privacy, and the ethical use of user-generated content.

==Background==
In June 2025, TikTok announced a series of new features aimed at enhancing advertiser capabilities. These features include ''Insight Spotlight''<ref name=":0" />, which analyses user demographics, search behaviors, and viewing trends to generate AI-powered ad suggestions for brands and companies. In addition to this, ''Content Suite''<ref name=":1" /> has been introduced, which filters user-generated videos mentioning a brand or product for potential conversion into advertisement. These tools, according to TikTok, will allow companies to understand “... what matters to viewers and what will make them stop and watch”<ref name=":0" />. Furthermore, increase engagement with users of the application by aligning ads with real-time cultural trends. However, critics argue that the increased data harvesting and reliance on user interactions for targeted advertising deepens existing concerns about privacy, transparency, and the commodification of sensitive or socially significant movements<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Incogni Research |date=2025-08-05 |title=10 popular apps that collect extensive personal data on Americans are foreign-owned |url=https://blog.incogni.com/popular-foreign-apps/ |access-date=2025-09-01 |website=Blog Incogni |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224104611/https://blog.incogni.com/popular-foreign-apps/ |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>. As TikTok already collects more than two dozen categories of user data, including personal identifiers, browsing history, and in-app activity, consumer advocates have called for greater accountability and clearer user control over how this information is gathered and used<ref name=":2" />.

==Community Concerns==
Criticism of TikTok’s expanded advertiser tools has centered on data privacy and the overwhelming extent of information collected from users<ref>{{Cite news |last=Laurinavičius |first=Rokas |last2=Baliūnaitė |first2=Ilona |date=Jun 25, 2020 |title=Guy Who Reverse-Engineered TikTok Reveals The Scary Things He Learned, Advises People To Stay Away From It |url=https://www.boredpanda.com/tik-tok-reverse-engineered-data-information-collecting/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251127122950/https://www.boredpanda.com/tik-tok-reverse-engineered-data-information-collecting/ |archive-date=27 Nov 2025|access-date=2025-09-05 |work=BoredPanda}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Klais |first=Brian |date=2022-01-20 |title=New Research Across 200 iOS Apps Hints that Surveillance Marketing is Still Going Strong |url=https://app.urlgeni.us/blog/new-research-across-200-ios-apps-hints-surveillance-marketing-may-still-be-going-strong |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260214011823/https://app.urlgeni.us/blog/new-research-across-200-ios-apps-hints-surveillance-marketing-may-still-be-going-strong |archive-date=14 Feb 2026|access-date=2025-09-05 |website=URL Genius}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Huddleston Jr |first=Tom |date=2022-02-08 |title=TikTok shares your data more than any other social media app — and it’s unclear where it goes, study says |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/08/tiktok-shares-your-data-more-than-any-other-social-media-app-study.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260116103834/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/08/tiktok-shares-your-data-more-than-any-other-social-media-app-study.html |archive-date=16 Jan 2026|access-date=2025-09-05 |work=CNBC}}</ref>. A 2025 report by Incogni Research in August identified TikTok as the most data-hungry major social media platform, noting that it collects over two dozen categories of personal data, including names, addresses, phone numbers, financial information, in-app messages, photos, videos, browsing history, and device identifiers<ref name=":2" />. Six of these categories — including names, addresses, and user-generated content — are shared with third-party entities for purposes such as targeted advertising<ref name=":2" />.

These are just some of the data-categories TikTok collects from its users<ref name=":2" />:

*Approximate Location
*Name
*User Identification
*Email
*Address
*Phone Number
*User Payment Information
*Other Financial Information
*Purchase History
*In-App Messages
*Photo’s
*Video’s
*Sound Recordings
*Contacts
*App Interactions
*In-App Searches
*Web-Browsing History
*Crash Logs
*Diagnostics
*Device & Other ID’s

Additionally, sharing six of these data-collects with third-party entities for numerous reasons including to assist in advertisement targeting, these include<ref name=":2" />:

*Name,
*Identification (residential address and phone number),
*Photos,
*Videos,
*Sound/voice recordings
*Other user-generated content.

With the rollout of AI features like Insight Spotlight, which incorporates search history, in-app activity, and engagement patterns, advocates have raised concerns about the degree of surveillance required to fuel such tools<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Ahmed |first=Deeba |date=2025-08-25 |title=Study Reveals TikTok, Alibaba, Temu Collect Extensive User Data in America |url=https://hackread.com/study-tiktok-alibaba-temu-collect-us-user-data/ |access-date=2025-09-01 |work=HackRead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222134950/https://hackread.com/study-tiktok-alibaba-temu-collect-us-user-data/ |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref>. According to Incogni’s Head, Darius Belejevas, “Many of these apps are quietly collecting and sharing personal information like names, addresses, and approximate locations, leaving users extremely vulnerable to third-party breaches…People deserve to know how and where their information is being used, along with ways to manage or prevent that use,”<ref name=":3" />.

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:TikTok]]

Tesla switches full self-driving to subscription only

2026-02-24T12:06:10Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

On 14 January 2026, [[Tesla, Inc.|Tesla]] CEO [[wikipedia:Elon Musk|Elon Musk]] announced on [[X Corp|X]] that the company would stop offering its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) (FSD) driver-assistance software as a one-time purchase and would instead offer it exclusively through a monthly subscription.<ref name="techcrunch-okane">{{cite web |last=O'Kane |first=Sean |title=Tesla will only offer subscriptions for Full Self-Driving (Supervised) going forward |url=https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/tesla-will-only-offer-subscriptions-for-full-self-driving-supervised-going-forward/ |website=TechCrunch |date=2026-01-14 |access-date=2026-02-20 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260212035908/https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/14/tesla-will-only-offer-subscriptions-for-full-self-driving-supervised-going-forward/ |archive-date=12 Feb 2026}}</ref> The change took effect on 14 February 2026, eliminating the $8,000 USD one-time purchase option and leaving a $99 per month subscription as the only way to access FSD.<ref name="cnbc-palmer">{{cite web |last=Palmer |first=Annie |title=Musk says Tesla is moving Full Self-Driving to a monthly subscription |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/14/musk-tesla-full-self-driving-subscription-fsd.html |website=CNBC |date=2026-01-14 |access-date=2026-02-20 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260204023459/https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/14/musk-tesla-full-self-driving-subscription-fsd.html |archive-date=4 Feb 2026}}</ref> Commentators described the decision as a sharp break from Tesla's years-long marketing of FSD as an investment that would appreciate in value over time.<ref name="electrek-lambert">{{cite web |last=Lambert |first=Fred |title=Tesla (TSLA) to stop selling Full Self-Driving package, moves to subscription-only: why it's a big move |url=https://electrek.co/2026/01/14/tesla-tsla-stop-selling-full-self-driving-package-subscription-only/ |website=Electrek |date=2026-01-14 |access-date=2026-02-20 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260114190745/https://electrek.co/2026/01/14/tesla-tsla-stop-selling-full-self-driving-package-subscription-only/ |archive-date=14 Jan 2026}}</ref>

== Background ==

=== Full Self-Driving pricing history ===

Tesla first offered Full Self-Driving as an add-on in October 2016 at a price of $3,000. The one-time purchase price was raised multiple times over subsequent years: to $6,000 in February 2019, $7,000 in August 2019, $8,000 in July 2020, $10,000 in October 2020, $12,000 in January 2022, and a peak of $15,000 in September 2022.<ref name="notatesla-history">{{cite web |title=Tesla FSD Cost and Price Increase History |url=https://www.notateslaapp.com/tesla-reference/958/tesla-fsd-price-increase-history |website=Not a Tesla App |date=2024-04-26 |access-date=2026-02-20 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260212000206/https://www.notateslaapp.com/tesla-reference/958/tesla-fsd-price-increase-history |archive-date=12 Feb 2026}}</ref> Musk repeatedly stated during this period that the price would continue to rise as the software's capabilities improved, describing FSD-equipped vehicles as "appreciating assets".<ref name="electrek-lambert" />

Beginning in September 2023, Tesla reversed course and began reducing prices, first dropping FSD to $12,000 and then to $8,000 in April 2024.<ref name="insideevs-pricedrop">{{cite web |title=Tesla Drops Full Self-Driving Price From $12,000 To $8,000 |url=https://insideevs.com/news/716963/tesla-fsd-price-drop/ |website=InsideEVs |date=2024-04-22 |access-date=2026-02-20 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250626195545/https://insideevs.com/news/716963/tesla-fsd-price-drop/ |archive-date=26 Jun 2025}}</ref> Tesla also introduced an FSD subscription option in 2021, initially priced at $199 per month, which was subsequently halved to $99 per month in April 2024.<ref name="techcrunch-okane" />

=== Adoption rate and unfulfilled promises ===

After years of marketing, FSD adoption among Tesla buyers remained low. In October 2025, Tesla chief financial officer Vaibhav Taneja stated that only 12% of all Tesla customers had paid for FSD.<ref name="techcrunch-okane" /> The fraction of buyers purchasing FSD had reportedly been in steady decline for years before this announcement.<ref name="businessinsider-carter">{{cite web |last=Carter |first=Tom |title=Elon Musk says self-driving is Tesla's future. It's struggling to get owners to pay for it. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-full-self-driving-sales-customers-pay-fsd-2025-10 |website=BusinessInsider |date=2025-10-24 |access-date=2026-02-20 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128075230/https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-full-self-driving-sales-customers-pay-fsd-2025-10 |archive-date=28 Jan 2026}}</ref>

FSD remains classified as a Level 2 advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) requiring full human supervision at all times.<ref name="cnbc-palmer" /> Despite repeated promises from Musk over multiple years that Tesla vehicles would become fully autonomous through future software updates, this has not occurred. The system's official branding was changed from "Full Self-Driving" to "Full Self-Driving (Supervised)" after regulatory pressure.<ref name="cadmv-corrective">{{cite web |title=Tesla Takes Corrective Action to Avoid DMV Suspension |url=https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/news-and-media/tesla-takes-corrective-action-to-avoid-dmv-suspension/ |website=California DMV |date=2026-02-18 |access-date=2026-02-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224104208/https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/news-and-media/tesla-takes-corrective-action-to-avoid-dmv-suspension/ |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>

=== California DMV ruling ===

On 16 December 2025, following a hearing held in July 2025, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) adopted an administrative law judge's decision finding that Tesla's use of the terms "Autopilot" and "Full Self-Driving Capability" in marketing its vehicles constituted misleading advertising in violation of state law.<ref name="cadmv-ruling">{{cite web |title=DMV Finds Tesla Violated California State Law |url=https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/news-and-media/news-releases/dmv-finds-tesla-violated-california-state-law/ |website=California DMV |date=2025-12-16 |access-date=2026-02-20 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220030603/https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/news-and-media/news-releases/dmv-finds-tesla-violated-california-state-law/ |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref> The ruling found that Tesla's marketing language suggested a level of autonomous capability the vehicles did not possess.<ref name="cnbc-kolodny">{{cite web |last=Kolodny |first=Lora |title=California judge rules that Tesla engaged in deceptive marketing around Autopilot |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/16/california-judge-says-tesla-engaged-in-deceptive-autopilot-marketing-.html |website=CNBC |date=2025-12-16 |access-date=2026-02-20 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260123113539/https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/16/california-judge-says-tesla-engaged-in-deceptive-autopilot-marketing-.html |archive-date=23 Jan 2026}}</ref> Tesla was given 60 days to take corrective action or face a 30-day suspension of its dealer license in the state.<ref name="cadmv-ruling" /> The compliance deadline of 14 February 2026 coincided exactly with the date Tesla transitioned FSD to subscription-only.<ref name="electrek-suspension">{{cite web |last=Lambert |first=Fred |title=Tesla avoids 30-day California sales suspension after dropping misleading 'Autopilot' marketing |url=https://electrek.co/2026/02/18/tesla-avoids-30-day-california-sales-suspension-after-dropping-misleading-autopilot-marketing/ |website=Electrek |date=2026-02-18 |access-date=2026-02-20 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260218194958/https://electrek.co/2026/02/18/tesla-avoids-30-day-california-sales-suspension-after-dropping-misleading-autopilot-marketing/ |archive-date=18 Feb 2026}}</ref>

== The announcement ==

Musk's announcement was made in a post on X on 14 January 2026, which read: "Tesla will stop selling FSD after Feb 14. FSD will only be available as a monthly subscription thereafter."<ref name="musk-xpost">{{cite web |last=Musk |first=Elon |title=Post on X |url=https://x.com/elonmusk/status/2011324998653513810 |website=X |date=2026-01-14 |access-date=2026-02-20}}</ref> No formal press release or detailed explanation accompanied the announcement.<ref name="techcrunch-okane" />

Tesla did not publicly cite a specific reason for the change. However, reporting from multiple outlets identified several possible motivations:

* ''Lower barrier to entry'': At $99 per month, the subscription costs far less upfront than the $8,000 one-time purchase, which could increase adoption among price-sensitive customers.<ref name="cnbc-palmer" />
* ''Compensation package milestone'': Musk's 2025 CEO Performance Award, approved by shareholders, includes a requirement that Tesla achieve 10 million active FSD subscriptions as one of several milestones tied to Musk's compensation. Moving all new users to subscriptions directly advances this metric.<ref name="techcrunch-okane" />
* ''Reduced legal liability'': Customers who previously purchased FSD outright did so with the expectation that the system would eventually become fully autonomous, as repeatedly promised by Musk. By shifting to subscriptions, Tesla limits new customers' claim to future capabilities, as they are paying only for the current month's functionality.<ref name="electrek-lambert" />
* ''Regulatory compliance timing'': The effective date of the change matched the California DMV's deadline for Tesla to address its misleading marketing of Autopilot and FSD.<ref name="electrek-suspension" />

== Consumer impact ==

=== Loss of permanent ownership ===

Before this change, customers who paid the one-time fee retained access to FSD for the lifetime of their vehicle, including all future software updates. Under the subscription-only model, access to FSD requires continued monthly payments, with no option to secure permanent access.<ref name="tesla-support">{{cite web |title=Full Self-Driving (Supervised) Subscriptions |url=https://www.tesla.com/support/full-self-driving-subscriptions |website=Tesla Support |access-date=2026-02-20 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260123001814/https://www.tesla.com/support/full-self-driving-subscriptions |archive-date=23 Jan 2026}}</ref>

Customers who purchased FSD before the cutoff date retain their existing access.<ref name="insideevs-iyengar">{{cite web |last=Iyengar |first=Rishi |title=Tesla Will Stop Selling Full Self-Driving As A One-Time Package Next Month |url=https://insideevs.com/news/784386/tesla-fsd-subscription-only-2026/ |website=InsideEVs |date=2026-01-14 |access-date=2026-02-20 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260117130530/https://insideevs.com/news/784386/tesla-fsd-subscription-only-2026/ |archive-date=17 Jan 2026}}</ref> FSD access does not transfer to new owners upon vehicle resale; the feature becomes inactive when the vehicle changes hands unless the new owner subscribes separately.<ref name="insideevs-iyengar" />

=== Financial implications for consumers ===

At $99 per month, a customer would pay $1,188 per year for FSD access. Over the roughly 7-year period it would have taken to equal the former $8,000 one-time cost, a subscriber would pay approximately $8,316 with no asset to retain at the end.<ref name="insideevs-iyengar" /> Musk has indicated that the subscription price is likely to increase as the system becomes more capable.<ref name="teslarati-simon">{{cite web |last=Simon |first=Iqtidar |title=Tesla is shifting FSD to a subscription-only model, confirms Elon Musk |url=https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-is-shifting-fsd-to-a-subscription-only-model-confirms-elon-musk/ |website=Teslarati |date=2026-01-15 |access-date=2026-02-20 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216215316/https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-is-shifting-fsd-to-a-subscription-only-model-confirms-elon-musk/ |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref>

FSD subscriptions also do not include hardware upgrades. Vehicles that lack the required Full Self-Driving computer must have the hardware installed at an additional cost before they are eligible to subscribe.<ref name="tesla-support" /> Refunds are not available for FSD subscriptions; cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period.<ref name="tesla-support" />

=== Broader context ===

The shift to subscription-only access for driver-assistance features is not unique to Tesla. Other automakers such as [[Ford]] and [[wikipedia:General Motors|General Motors]] have also adopted subscription pricing for their respective driver-assistance systems.<ref name="insideevs-iyengar" /> Some competitors have continued to offer one-time purchase options alongside subscriptions; for example, [[wikipedia:Rivian|Rivian]] announced its Autonomy+ system at $49.99 per month or $2,500 as a one-time purchase.<ref name="nasdaq-fsd">{{cite web |title=Tesla to End One-Time FSD Purchase: Why the Shift Matters |url=https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/tesla-end-one-time-fsd-purchase-why-shift-matters |website=Nasdaq |access-date=2026-02-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224104339/https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/tesla-end-one-time-fsd-purchase-why-shift-matters |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>

Separately, [[wikipedia:Openpilot|openpilot]], an open-source driver-assistance system developed by [[wikipedia:Comma.ai|comma.ai]], offers comparable Level 2 functionality, including adaptive cruise control, automated lane centering, and traffic light handling, for a one-time hardware cost of $999 with no subscription fees or recurring charges.<ref name="comma-four">{{cite web |title=Introducing the comma four |url=https://blog.comma.ai/comma-four/ |website=comma.ai blog |date=2025-11-25 |access-date=2026-02-20 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251230142114/https://blog.comma.ai/comma-four/ |archive-date=30 Dec 2025}}</ref> The software is free, open-source, and community-developed, supporting over 300 vehicle models across multiple manufacturers as an aftermarket retrofit.<ref name="comma-openpilot">{{cite web |title=openpilot |url=https://comma.ai/openpilot |website=comma.ai |access-date=2026-02-20 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260221063646/https://comma.ai/openpilot |archive-date=21 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref name="comma-github">{{cite web |title=commaai/openpilot |url=https://github.com/commaai/openpilot |website=GitHub |access-date=2026-02-20 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260217052529/https://github.com/commaai/openpilot/ |archive-date=17 Feb 2026}}</ref> The hardware is also transferable between supported vehicles, unlike Tesla's FSD, which is tied to a single vehicle.<ref name="comma-openpilot" />

== Reaction ==

Tesla shares closed 1.8% lower on the day of the announcement.<ref name="cnbc-palmer" /> Electrek described the move as ending the "appreciating asset" narrative that had been central to Tesla's FSD marketing for years, noting that the shift amounted to an admission that FSD is a service rather than an asset attached to the vehicle.<ref name="electrek-lambert" /> Some financial analysts viewed the move positively for Tesla's business, with Wedbush Securities estimating that up to 20% of owners could adopt FSD subscriptions within the first year, generating more predictable recurring revenue.<ref name="dailygalaxy">{{cite web |title=It's Official: Elon Musk Confirms Tesla Will Stop Selling FSD Soon, and Current Owners May Hold a Rare Advantage |url=https://dailygalaxy.com/2026/01/tesla-ends-fsd-sales-elon-musk-confirms-subscription/ |website=Daily Galaxy |date=2026-01-14 |access-date=2026-02-20 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260114221941/https://dailygalaxy.com/2026/01/tesla-ends-fsd-sales-elon-musk-confirms-subscription/ |archive-date=14 Jan 2026}}</ref>

On 18 February 2026, the California DMV confirmed that Tesla had taken corrective action to comply with its December 2025 ruling, stopping use of the term "Autopilot" in marketing and modifying its use of the term "Full Self-Driving" to clarify that driver supervision is required. As a result, Tesla avoided the threatened 30-day suspension of its dealer license in California.<ref name="cadmv-corrective" />

== Current status ==

As of February 2026, FSD (Supervised) is available exclusively as a $99 per month subscription for eligible vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Australia, and New Zealand.<ref name="tesla-support" /> The system continues to require full driver supervision and does not make Tesla vehicles autonomous.<ref name="tesla-support" />

== References ==
<references />

[[Category:Tesla]]
[[Category:Incidents]]

Trade Republic

2026-02-24T12:04:56Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{Stub}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Description=Trade Republic is a German neo-broker that offers bank accounts and trading of finance products with very low transaction fees.
|Founded=2015
|Industry=Financial services
|Logo=Trade Republic.png
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Private
|Website=https://www.traderepublic.com
}}

Trade Republic is a German neo-broker that offers bank accounts and trading of finance products such as stocks and ETFs using a smartphone app. In 2025, they reported having over 8 million customers and managing over 100 billion euros of assets.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chmiel |first=Damian |date=2025-01-09 |title=Trade Republic Doubles to 8 Million Users as Assets Top €100 Billion |url=https://www.financemagnates.com/forex/brokers/trade-republic-doubles-to-8-million-users-as-assets-top-100-billion/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-01 |website=Finance Magnates |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250723104654/https://www.financemagnates.com/forex/brokers/trade-republic-doubles-to-8-million-users-as-assets-top-100-billion/ |archive-date=23 Jul 2025}}</ref>

==Consumer-impact summary==
===Poor customer support and app experience===
Users have criticized Trade Republic's slow and inadequate customer support. The support is an app-integrated chatbot that users find vague and unhelpful. Users with login issues cannot get help, as the chatbot is only available for logged in users, and no email address or phone number is available for support. The unavailable support is especially inconvenient for users who need to make timely financial decisions, like selling assets or withdrawing money. Additionally, the app's calculation of tax, fees and dividends is known to be inaccurate.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trade Republic Erfahrungen [Trade Republic Experiences] |url=https://www.finanzfluss.de/anbieter/trade-republic/erfahrungen/ |access-date=2026-01-01 |website=Finanzfluss |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251115150023/https://www.finanzfluss.de/anbieter/trade-republic/erfahrungen/ |archive-date=15 Nov 2025}}</ref>

===Privacy and sovereignty===
Attempting to send an email to the non-existent address info@traderepublic.com reveals that the company's mail servers run via the domain aspmx.l.google.com, indicating that Trade Republic's email communication runs over servers run by US advertising giant [[Google]], which raises significant concerns about privacy and digital sovereignty.{{Citation needed}}Moreover, investments by the ''Founder's Fund'' of controversial American investor Peter Thiel, who owns large parts of [[Palantir]] and [[PayPal]], have raised concerns about privacy and potential foreign interference.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schuetze |first=Arno |date=2025-12-17 |title=Thiel Boosts Trade Republic Stake in €1.2 Billion Secondary |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-12-17/thiel-boosts-trade-republic-stake-through-1-2-billion-secondary |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251217090916/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-12-17/thiel-boosts-trade-republic-stake-through-1-2-billion-secondary |archive-date=17 Dec 2025|access-date=2026-01-01 |website=Bloomberg}}</ref>
The Exodus Privacy Project lists a total of 7 trackers inside of the app, including several advertising companies such as Adjust and Google.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-12-26 |title=Trade Republic Version 4.2552.1 |url=https://reports.exodus-privacy.eu.org/de/reports/de.traderepublic.app/latest/ |access-date=2026-01-01 |website=Exodus Privacy Project |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260224103531/https://reports.exodus-privacy.eu.org/de/reports/de.traderepublic.app/latest/ |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref> This is at odds with the German principle of [[wikipedia:Bank_secrecy|''Bankgeheimnis'' (banking confidentiality)]], the notion that banks have the duty to protect the information of their customers except where required by anti-fraud legislation.
===Forced app===
Critical features, such as signing up for an account, identity verification and, crucially, support chat, are only available from within the app. The service cannot be used using the website alone. Unlike most German banks, Trade Republic does not support the [[wikipedia:FinTS|FinTS]] standard, which would allow integration into normal banking apps.{{Citation needed}}
==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Financial services companies]]
[[Category:Banks]]
[[Category:Trade Republic]]

Verisk Analytics, Inc.

2026-02-24T12:04:37Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{Incomplete}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Description=
|Founded=1971
|Industry=Data Broker
|Logo=Verisk.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Public
|Website=https://verisk.com/
}}
[[wikipedia:Verisk|'''Verisk Analytics, Inc.''']], is an American corporation that collects data and provides it to third parties that use the data for risk assessment.

In a letter to the [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC), Senators Wyden and Markey wrote:<ref>{{Cite web |last=United States Senate |date=26 Jul 2024 |title=Senators Ron Wyden and Edward J. Markey to the Honorable Lina S. Khan (FTC Chair) |url=https://www.wyden.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/wyden-markey_auto_privacy_letter_to_ftc.pdf |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250720230324/https://www.wyden.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/wyden-markey_auto_privacy_letter_to_ftc.pdf |archive-date=20 Jul 2025}}</ref><blockquote>
"We write to urge the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate automakers’ disclosure of millions of Americans’ driving data to data brokers, and to share new details about the practice uncovered in a recent oversight investigation. … Senator Wyden’s office conducted follow-up oversight into three auto manufacturers — GM, Honda, and Hyundai — that shared data with the data broker Verisk Analytics. Each of these three automakers confirmed their disclosure of drivers’ data to Verisk, such as acceleration and braking data."</blockquote>The letter alleges that Verisk acquires data from auto manufacturers and sells that data to insurance companies in the form of risk-assessment data. The ''New York Times'' reported on this allegation in March 2024, right before Verisk shut down the service in April 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=Kashmir |date=11 Mar 2024 |title=Automakers Are Sharing Consumers’ Driving Behavior With Insurance Companies |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/technology/carmakers-driver-tracking-insurance.html |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=The New York Times |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220031135/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/technology/carmakers-driver-tracking-insurance.html |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref>

<ref>{{Cite web |last=bkspero |date=26 Mar 2024 |title=Are you aware that Hyundai is sharing your personal and driving data with insurance companies via Verisk |url=https://www.hyundai-forums.com/threads/are-you-aware-that-hyundai-is-sharing-your-personal-and-driving-data-with-insurance-companies-via-verisk.712760/ |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |via=Hyundai Forums |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260224103252/https://www.hyundai-forums.com/threads/are-you-aware-that-hyundai-is-sharing-your-personal-and-driving-data-with-insurance-companies-via-verisk.712760/ |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fitzgerald |first=Jack |date=31 Jul 2024 |title=Automakers Sold Drivers' Data for Shockingly Low Amounts of Money |url=https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a61711288/automakers-sold-customer-data-for-small-profits/ |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=Car and Driver |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250923054409/https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a61711288/automakers-sold-customer-data-for-small-profits/ |archive-date=23 Sep 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stafford |first=Eric |date=12 Mar 2024 |title=Your 'Connected' Car May Be Transmitting Your Driving Data to Insurance Companies |url=https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a60175396/connected-cars-driver-data-tracking-insurance/ |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=Car and Driver |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250923054413/https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a60175396/connected-cars-driver-data-tracking-insurance/ |archive-date=23 Sep 2025}}</ref>

==References==

<references />
[[Category:Verisk Analytics]]

Volkswagen

2026-02-24T12:04:32Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{CompanyCargo
|Description=German automobile mass-market manufacturer.
|Founded=1937
|Industry=Automotive
|Logo=Volkswagen.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Public
|Website=https://vw.com/
}}
'''[[wikipedia:Volkswagen|Volkswagen]]''' is a Germany-based automobile manufacturing company. It was established as part of the [[Wikipedia:German_Labour_Front|German Labour Front]] in 1937. In recent years, the company's vehicles have been equipped with systems that collect customer data, leading to a notable incident.

==Consumer-impact summary==
'''User freedom:''' Volkswagen locks out independent mechanics from accessing the car's control units.

'''User privacy:''' Every vehicle collects driving data, which was also leaked in a one-time incident.

'''Business model:''' The company engages in false advertising and locks already existing vehicle functionalities behind paywalls.

==Incidents==
===Volkswagen found to be cheating in regulatory emissions tests (2015)===
Volkswagen was among several automotive manufacturers who deliberately programmed their emission control systems to only work with full effectivity when the car detected that a regulatory emissions test is being performed. The cars only fulfilled emissions standards in this lab environment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parloff |first=Roger |date=2018-02-06 |title=How VW Paid $25 Billion for ‘Dieselgate’ — and Got Off Easy |url=https://fortune.com/2018/02/06/volkswagen-vw-emissions-scandal-penalties/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250611190226/https://fortune.com/2018/02/06/volkswagen-vw-emissions-scandal-penalties/ |archive-date=2025-06-11 |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=Fortune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cormack |first=Lucy |last2=Hatch |first2=Patrick |date=2016-09-01 |title=ACCC takes Volkswagen to court over diesel emission claims |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/accc-takes-volkswagen-to-court-over-diesel-emission-claims-20160901-gr61ud.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250611190834/https://www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/accc-takes-volkswagen-to-court-over-diesel-emission-claims-20160901-gr61ud.html |archive-date=2025-06-11 |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref>

===Volkswagen introduces SFD (2020) and SFD 2 (2024), blocking independent repairs===
{{Main|Volkswagen AG - SFD(2) / UNCE - Protection of car diagnosis}}
Since 2024, Volkswagen AG implements SFD 2 in its vehicles, which blocks access to the car's control units unless users have a valid account in Volkswagen's backend system. Independent mechanics and car owners must purchase $50 unlock tokens for each control unit they need to access, with the units automatically re-locking after 90 minutes.

===Volkswagen car location data gets exposed (2024)===
{{Main|Volkswagen car-location data-exposure incident}}
Customer vehicle data vehicle data stored on AWS with CARIAD was discovered to have public instances due to a possible misconfiguration.

===Volkswagen now locks performance of their ID.3 behind a subscription (2025)===
{{Main|Volkswagen locks horsepower behind paid subscription}}
Volkswagen is now forcing owners of the ID.3 to pay extra if they wish their car to deliver the full performance it’s capable of.

===Volkswagen starts displaying ads on ID.7 navigation display during travel (October 2025)===
As first documented by German users on Reddit<ref>{{Cite web |last=@Erstwolf |date=2025-10-16 |title=ID 7 Werbeanzeige während der Navigation 😐 |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Elektroautos/comments/1o8cya8/id_7_werbeanzeige_w%C3%A4hrend_der_navigation/ |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Reddit /r/Elektroautos |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224102956/https://old.reddit.com/r/Elektroautos/comments/1o8cya8/id_7_werbeanzeige_w%C3%A4hrend_der_navigation/ |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>, the VW app prompts users to enable ads on the main navigation display by using a dark pattern, misleadingly calling them "recommendations". This leads to advertising popups while driving. At the time of writing, it is still possible to disable the ads. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Donath |first=Andreas |date=2025-10-23 |title=VW macht das ID.7-Cockpit zur Werbefläche [German] |url=https://www.golem.de/news/elektroauto-vw-macht-das-id-7-cockpit-zur-werbeflaeche-2510-201446.html |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Golem |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260113075449/https://www.golem.de/news/elektroauto-vw-macht-das-id-7-cockpit-zur-werbeflaeche-2510-201446.html |archive-date=13 Jan 2026}}</ref>

Initial reactions from users include safety concerns because the ad popups constitute unnecessary distractions for the driver.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-23 |title=Geht Gar Nicht!!! |url=https://forum.golem.de/kommentare/automobil/elektroauto-vw-macht-das-id.7-cockpit-zur-werbeflaeche/geht-gar-nicht/184428,7155833,7155833,read.html |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Golem |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224103124/https://www.golem.de/sonstiges/zustimmung/auswahl.html?from=https%3A%2F%2Fforum.golem.de%2Fkommentare%2Fautomobil%2Felektroauto-vw-macht-das-id.7-cockpit-zur-werbeflaeche%2Fgeht-gar-nicht%2F184428%2C7155833%2C7155833%2Cread.html |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>
===Volkswagen removes access to repair guides to 'Non-business' consumers (December 2025)===
Volkswagen removes access to erWin webshop for non-business customers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Discontinuation of the erWin webshop for private customers |url=https://volkswagen.erwin-store.com/erwin/downloadStaticFile/files/Privatkunde.pdf |access-date=2025-11-19 |website=VW erWin store |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251130222532/https://volkswagen.erwin-store.com/erwin/downloadStaticFile/files/Privatkunde.pdf |archive-date=30 Nov 2025}}</ref>
==References==
<references />
[[Category:Volkswagen]]

Veo paywalls camera features

2026-02-24T12:03:54Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{Incomplete}}{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Veo Technologies ApS
|StartDate=2025-03-13
|Status=Active
|ProductLine=Veo Camera, Veo GO
|Product=Veo Camera 1, Veo Camera 2, Veo Camera 3, Veo GO
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Ownership
|Description=Veo patched a workaround on Mar 13, 2025, now blocking all video access without a subscription, reducing camera ownership value.
}}

In February 2025, Veo Technologies patched a workaround that had allowed camera owners to access and share recordings without a subscription.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Veo Camera Android 3.3.0.3 - update changelog |url=https://updates.veo.co/announcements/veo-camera-android-3-3-0-3 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251208041858/https://updates.veo.co/announcements/veo-camera-android-3-3-0-3 |archive-date=8 Dec 2025}}</ref> The change followed months of community discussion on Reddit, where users discovered that Veo’s app could stream videos via AirPlay.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=VEO without subscription?? - Reddit |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/VeoCamera/comments/qqytnz/veo_without_subscription/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20211110170116/https://old.reddit.com/r/VeoCamera/comments/qqytnz/veo_without_subscription/ |archive-date=10 Nov 2021}}</ref> With the update introducing “Native Viewing,” Veo effectively blocked all non-subscribed access, sparking criticism over transparency and product ownership.<ref>{{Cite web |title=hack veo camera? - Reddit |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/VeoCamera/comments/1muowh3/hack_veo_camera/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224101735/https://old.reddit.com/r/VeoCamera/comments/1muowh3/hack_veo_camera/ |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==Background==
'''Veo Technologies ApS''', a Danish company known for its AI-powered sports cameras, has built its business model around a subscription-based platform.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Veo Technologies |url=https://www.veo.co/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21503330536&creative=706795709477&campaignid=21503330536&adgroupid=170426476772&keyword=best%20sports%20camera&gad_source=1}}</ref> When purchasing a Veo Camera, customers are informed that an active subscription is required to access most features, including publishing and sharing recorded matches.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Veo Cam 3 |url=https://www.veo.co/product/veo-cam-3 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260118134028/https://www.veo.co/product/veo-cam-3 |archive-date=18 Jan 2026}}</ref> Despite this, until February 2025, camera owners without an active subscription could still record, view, and share their footage locally using workarounds such as AirPlay. This provided users with a degree of independence from Veo’s cloud services, preserving some value in camera ownership even without ongoing payments.

==Incident==
The controversy surrounding Veo’s subscription model dates back to late 2021, when users on the ''r/veocamera'' subreddit began questioning whether it was possible to use Veo cameras without an active subscription.<ref name=":1" /> One early post from November 2021 captured the frustration of potential buyers: while Veo’s AI-driven technology was appealing, its mandatory subscription requirement discouraged many. Responses confirmed that without a subscription, recordings remained inaccessible—even though the camera itself could still capture footage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reply on "VEO without subscription??" - Reddit (u/torona69) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/VeoCamera/comments/qqytnz/comment/hkdc4po/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224120231/https://old.reddit.com/r/VeoCamera/comments/qqytnz/veo_without_subscription/hkdc4po/?utm_term=1&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_source=share&utm_content=share_button |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref> For years, users quietly sought alternatives, and in September 2024, one Redditor revealed a workaround: by using AirPlay through the Veo app’s video player, recordings could be streamed or even screen recorded, partially bypassing the subscription limitation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reply on "VEO without subscription??" - Reddit (u/Rushfcknb #1) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/VeoCamera/comments/qqytnz/comment/ln3h0sv/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button}}</ref> This method spread modestly online, until early March 2025, when the same user confirmed the loophole had been patched.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reply on "VEO without subscription??" - Reddit (u/Rushfcknb #2) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/VeoCamera/comments/qqytnz/comment/mhlduwo/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button}}</ref> The update effectively disabled AirPlay and similar sharing functions, locking video access fully behind Veo’s subscription paywall.<ref name=":0" />

===Veo's response===
Veo Technologies did not directly acknowledge the AirPlay patch or the community’s discovery of the workaround. However, a clue surfaced in Veo’s official changelog from late February 2025, describing a new feature called ''“Native Viewing.”'' The update promised “seamless viewing directly within the app,” but in practice, it introduced Veo’s proprietary video player — which blocked AirPlay and all external sharing options.<ref name=":0" /> This move, presented as an improvement, was perceived by users as a deliberate step to prevent unsubscribed owners from accessing their recordings outside the Veo ecosystem. By removing the final means of local playback, Veo reaffirmed its dependence on subscriptions for even basic functionality. The company’s silence on the issue and the misleading changelog description further fueled user frustration, reinforcing the perception that Veo prioritizes subscription revenue over fair product ownership.

===Consumer trust===
The decision to patch out local playback and enforce subscription-only access has raised serious concerns about consumer trust in Veo Technologies. Many owners feel that their expensive cameras (often costing over $1,000<ref name=":2" />) have effectively become unusable without continuous payments. What was once marketed as an innovative sports recording tool now feels, to some, like a leased service disguised as a product. The AirPlay patch incident especially damaged Veo’s credibility; by quietly removing a user-discovered feature under the pretense of a “Native Viewing” enhancement, the company appeared deceptive rather than transparent. This has sparked discussions about the broader implications of subscription-dependent hardware, where ownership does not guarantee access or control. For many users, Veo’s handling of the situation has undermined confidence in the brand, reinforcing fears that digital ecosystems can revoke functionality at any time — even after full purchase.

==References==
{{reflist}}

Zoom (product)

2026-02-24T12:00:27Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 6 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{ProductCargo
|Company=Zoom Communications
|ProductLine=Zoom Workplace
|ReleaseYear=2011
|InProduction=Yes
|ArticleType=Product
|Category=Server, Laptop
|Logo=Zoom-social-img-2692218208.jpg
|Website=https://www.zoom.com/
|Description=video call software
}}Developed by [[wikipedia:Zoom_Communications|'''Zoom Communications''']], [[wikipedia:Zoom_(software)|Zoom workplace]] or commonly referred as Zoom, is a video calling platform allowing that can be downloaded on devices and be used for free, but with certain limitations. It is a software commonly used in enterprise and educational workplaces.

==Consumer-impact summary==

===User Freedom===
The user must accept the terms of service and [[Forced arbitration]] in order to use the product.

===User Privacy===
Security vulnerabilities and privacy concerns have raised due to the amount of data the software collects from its users. {{Citation needed}} In August 2023, Zoom modified their terms of service, mentioning they will be able to process and use data from the calls to train AI or for other purposes. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Isaksen-Loxton |first=Duncan |date=7 Aug 2023 |title=The Privacy Implications of Zoom’s New Terms of Service Are Scary |url=https://sixfive.io/the-privacy-implications-of-zooms-new-terms-of-service-are-scary/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/k8CgC |archive-date=2026-02-24 |access-date=24 Feb 2026 |website=SixFive}}</ref>
===Business Model===
The free version of the software allows users to do calls that can have up to 100 participants, with a max time of 40 minutes. The product contains subscriptions with various types of plans, with the '''rooms plan allowing''' up to 1,000 participants with a maximum time of 30 hours.
===Market Control===

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents related to this product. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{PAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Deal with Google and Facebook===
Short summary of the incident (could be the same as the summary preceding the article).

===Data Breach===

On April 2020, over 500,000 consumer's accounts were intercepted due to credential stuffing--a method involving using credentials from previous data breaches to test them on accounts-- that resulted in customers email addresses, passwords, meeting URLs, and Hostkeys being intercepted and sold to the dark web. In response, Zoom issued an 90 day plan to address privacy and security issues. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Burgess |first=Monica |date=2025-10-31 |title=Zoom Data Breach |url=https://www.huntress.com/threat-library/data-breach/zoom-data-breach |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-23 |website=Huntress |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251211090037/https://www.huntress.com/threat-library/data-breach/zoom-data-breach |archive-date=11 Dec 2025}}</ref>

===Forced Arbitration and Voice Data Collection===
[[File:Zoom force arbitration agreement.png|alt=Article in the EULA that shows forced arbitration|thumb|Forced Arbitration Agreement]]
{{Main|Zoom changed Terms of Service for Data Collection and Force Arbitration}}
On April 1, 2023, Zoom sent an email to all users that they have updated their terms of service, forcing users into forced arbitration, taking effect one day prior on May 31. <ref>{{Cite web |last=McFarland |first=Jen |date=8 Aug 2023 |title=Zoom's AI Update: Incredibly Intrusive Changes & What It Means for Small Businesses |url=https://www.womenconquerbiz.com/zooms-ai-update/ |url-status=live |access-date=24 Feb 2026 |website=Women Conquer Business |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250915061219/https://www.womenconquerbiz.com/zooms-ai-update/ |archive-date=15 Sep 2025}}</ref> The user is able to send an opt-out request in a period of 30 days since April 2023 or since the day the account was created. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-17 |title=Zoom's Terms of Service update notifications |url=https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0057985 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-23 |website=Zoom |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260101075914/https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0057985 |archive-date=1 Jan 2026}}</ref><blockquote>27.11 Opt-Out. You may reject this Arbitration Agreement and opt out of arbitration by '''sending an email to opt-out@zoom.us''' within (i) thirty (30) calendar days of April 1, 2023 if you are an existing user, or (ii) thirty (30) calendar days of the date you created your account if you are a new user. Your opt-out notice must be individualized and must be sent from the email address associated with your individual Zoom account. An opt-out notice that purports to opt out multiple parties will be invalid as to all such parties. No individual (or their agent or representative) may effectuate an opt out on behalf of other individuals. '''Your notice to opt-out must include your first and last name, address, the email address associated with your Zoom account, and an unequivocal statement that you decline this Arbitration Agreement.''' If you do decide to opt out, that opt out will apply to this Arbitration Agreement and all previous versions thereof, and neither party will have the right to compel the other to arbitrate any Dispute. However, all other parts of this Arbitration Agreement will continue to apply to you, and opting out of this Arbitration Agreement has no effect on any other arbitration agreements that you may enter into in the future with us.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-01 |title=Opt out of the arbitration agreement in Zoom’s Terms of Service now |url=https://www.frederickding.com/posts/2023/04/opt-out-of-the-arbitration-agreement-in-zooms-terms-of-service-now-0111418/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-23 |website=Frederick's Timelog |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224115833/https://www.frederickding.com/posts/2023/04/opt-out-of-the-arbitration-agreement-in-zooms-terms-of-service-now-0111418/ |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref></blockquote>
[[File:Zoom-TOS-update-prompt.png|thumb|Term Of Service Prompt ]]
Later on, Zoom changes their agreement to allow National Arbitration & Mediation (NAM) to decide for cases, and requiring users to send opt-out request on their behalf.<blockquote>Your opt-out notice must be individualized and must be sent from the email address associated with your individual Zoom account. An opt-out notice that purports to opt out multiple parties will be invalid as to all such parties. No individual (or their agent or representative) may effectuate an opt out on behalf of other individuals.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-11 |title=ZOOM TERMS OF SERVICE |url=https://www.zoom.com/en/trust/terms/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-23 |website=Zoom |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128110243/https://www.zoom.com/en/trust/terms/ |archive-date=28 Jan 2026}}</ref></blockquote>

<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hashim |first=Smita |date=2023-08-07 |title=How Zoom’s terms of service and practices apply to AI features |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221131911/https://www.zoom.com/en/blog/zooms-term-service-ai/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-23 |website=Zoom Blog}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |author= Cyber Management Alliance |date=12 Aug 2023 |title=Zoom's New Privacy Terms & What They Mean For You |url=https://www.cm-alliance.com/cybersecurity-blog/zooms-new-privacy-terms-what-they-mean-for-you |url-status=live |access-date=24 Feb 2026 |website=Cyber Management Alliance |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251017042712/https://www.cm-alliance.com/cybersecurity-blog/zooms-new-privacy-terms-what-they-mean-for-you |archive-date=17 Oct 2025}}</ref>

===Zoombombing incident===

[[wikipedia:Zoombombing| Zoombombing]]

==See also==
{{Ph-C-SA}}
==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Zoom changed Terms of Service for Data Collection and Force Arbitration

2026-02-24T12:00:03Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 8 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Zoom Communications
|StartDate=2023-04-01
|EndDate=2023-08-11
|Status=Resolved
|Product=Zoom (Product)
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Arbitration, Anti-consumer Behavior, Artificial Intelligence
}}On May 31, 2023, Zoom updated their terms of service to allow force arbitration and collection of customers data for the purposes of training their artificial intelligence companion, only allowing a 30 day period for consumers to opt out of data collection via an email.

==Background==
Owned by '''[[Zoom Communications]]''', Zoom workplace or commonly referred as Zoom, is a video calling platform allowing that can be downloaded on devices and be used for free. On September 2023, Zoom Corporation would announce Zoom AI Companion, an AI tool that allows for automatic post-meeting, call, chat, and email summaries. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Stone |first=Katherine |date=2025-01-08 |title=The Ultimate Guide To Zoom AI Companion |url=https://getvoip.com/blog/zoom-ai-companion/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-23 |website=GetVoip |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224115551/https://getvoip.com/blog/zoom-ai-companion/ |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |last=Stone |first=Katherine |date=2024-10-24 |title=Our Zoomtopia 2024 Report Back |url=https://getvoip.com/news/zoomtopia-2024/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-23 |website=GetVoip |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224115708/https://getvoip.com/news/zoomtopia-2024/ |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==Incident==
[[File:Zoom force arbitration agreement.png|alt=Force Arbitration Agreement|thumb|Force Arbitration Agreement]]
On April 1, 2023, Zoom sent an email to all users that they have updated their terms of service that forces users into [[forced arbitration]] and data collection for use with their Artificial intelligence tool. The user is able to send an opt-out request in a period of 30 days since April 2023 or since the day the account was created.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-17 |title=Zoom's Terms of Service update notifications |url=https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0057985 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-23 |website=Zoom |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260101075914/https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0057985 |archive-date=1 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-12 |title=Zoom's New Privacy Terms & What They Mean For You |url=https://www.cm-alliance.com/cybersecurity-blog/zooms-new-privacy-terms-what-they-mean-for-you |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-23 |website=Cyber Management Alliance |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251017042712/https://www.cm-alliance.com/cybersecurity-blog/zooms-new-privacy-terms-what-they-mean-for-you |archive-date=17 Oct 2025}}</ref>

<blockquote>27.11 Opt-Out. You may reject this Arbitration Agreement and opt out of arbitration by '''sending an email to opt-out@zoom.us''' within (i) thirty (30) calendar days of April 1, 2023 if you are an existing user, or (ii) thirty (30) calendar days of the date you created your account if you are a new user. Your opt-out notice must be individualized and must be sent from the email address associated with your individual Zoom account. An opt-out notice that purports to opt out multiple parties will be invalid as to all such parties. No individual (or their agent or representative) may effectuate an opt out on behalf of other individuals. '''Your notice to opt-out must include your first and last name, address, the email address associated with your Zoom account, and an unequivocal statement that you decline this Arbitration Agreement.''' If you do decide to opt out, that opt out will apply to this Arbitration Agreement and all previous versions thereof, and neither party will have the right to compel the other to arbitrate any Dispute. However, all other parts of this Arbitration Agreement will continue to apply to you, and opting out of this Arbitration Agreement has no effect on any other arbitration agreements that you may enter into in the future with us. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-01 |title=Opt out of the arbitration agreement in Zoom’s Terms of Service now |url=https://www.frederickding.com/posts/2023/04/opt-out-of-the-arbitration-agreement-in-zooms-terms-of-service-now-0111418/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-23 |website=Frederick's Timelog |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224115833/https://www.frederickding.com/posts/2023/04/opt-out-of-the-arbitration-agreement-in-zooms-terms-of-service-now-0111418/ |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref></blockquote>Later on, Zoom changes their agreement to allow National Arbitration & Mediation (NAM) to decide for cases, and requiring users to send opt-out request on their behalf.
<blockquote>Your opt-out notice must be individualized and must be sent from the email address associated with your individual Zoom account. An opt-out notice that purports to opt out multiple parties will be invalid as to all such parties. No individual (or their agent or representative) may effectuate an opt out on behalf of other individuals. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-11 |title=ZOOM TERMS OF SERVICE |url=https://www.zoom.com/en/trust/terms/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-23 |website=Zoom |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128110243/https://www.zoom.com/en/trust/terms/ |archive-date=28 Jan 2026}}</ref></blockquote>
[[File:Zoom-TOS-update-prompt.png|alt=Terms of Service Prompt|thumb|Terms of Service Prompt]]

==Consumer response==
Response to the new updated terms of service received a mix of anger, fear, and concern from consumers over no methods of opting out data collection. After the company response, privacy experts warned the possible of misuse, commenting it doesn't prevent the company from collecting data regardless if users opted-out. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Napolitano |first=Elizabeth |date=2023-08-09 |title=Zoom's terms of service changes spark worries over AI uses. Here's what to know. |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/zoom-privacy-issues-user-agreement/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-23 |website=CBS News |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250806002232/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/zoom-privacy-issues-user-agreement/ |archive-date=6 Aug 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-23 |title=Zoom’s New Terms of Service: A Closer Look at Privacy Concerns and AI Training |url=https://www.iubenda.com/en/blog/zooms-new-terms-of-service-ai-training/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-23 |website=iubenda |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224115947/https://www.iubenda.com/en/blog/zooms-new-terms-of-service-ai-training/ |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>

== Zoom Corporation Response ==
After public backlash and traction from news outlets. Zoom corporation issued an public statement highlighting an updated terms of service where they won't use customer's data without consent to train Artificial intelligence. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Hashim |first=Smita |date=2023-08-07 |title=How Zoom’s terms of service and practices apply to AI features |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221131911/https://www.zoom.com/en/blog/zooms-term-service-ai/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-23 |website=Zoom Blog}}</ref><blockquote>It’s important to us at Zoom to empower our customers with innovative and secure communication solutions. We’ve updated our terms of service (in section 10.4) to further confirm that we will not use audio, video, or chat customer content to train our artificial intelligence models without your consent.</blockquote>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}

Retailers requiring police reports for missing items in orders

2026-02-24T11:27:53Z

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 1 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

{{StubNotice}}

Retailers requiring police reports for missing items in orders is a practice in which businesses ask customers to file a police report before they will process a refund or replacement for goods reported missing from a delivery.

==How it works==
When a customer reports that an item is missing from their order, the retailer initiates a claims process. Instead of immediately issuing a refund or replacement, the company requires the customer to take additional steps. The primary step is filing an official police report to document the missing item as a potential theft. The customer must then submit the police report number or a copy of the report to the retailer as proof.

Retailers often use these tactics to stall, prevent, or discourage the customer from getting their money back. They may also ask for other forms of verification, such as a government ID, to prevent fraud, though there is often no information on how that sensitive data is stored securely. These hurdles are designed to wear down the consumer, forcing them to either give up on the claim or resort to a chargeback from their bank, which can be a slow process that takes up to 90 days in some places.

==Why it is a problem==
This practice creates a significant imbalance in the customer experience. While retailers often streamline the purchasing process, sometimes allowing for one-click ordering, they impose a complex and burdensome process for resolving issues. The responsibility is shifted entirely onto the consumer, who has already paid for a product and must now prove they never received it, a task that can be difficult and time-consuming.

Furthermore, this policy may violate consumer protection laws in many regions, which state that it is the seller’s duty to ensure the merchandise is successfully delivered to the customer. By forcing a buyer to file a police report, retailers are essentially offloading their own responsibility for the delivery process. This also creates a risk for identity fraud.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Yves |date=2024-11-29 |title=Amazon Inside Job? Phishing for Government ID |url=https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2024/11/amazon-inside-job-phishing-for-government-id.html |access-date=2025-08-22 |website=nakedcapitalism |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250323012215/https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2024/11/amazon-inside-job-phishing-for-government-id.html |archive-date=23 Mar 2025}}</ref> As highlighted in an article by ''nakedcapitalism'', where a customer received a fraudulent request for their ID. Compounding the issue, Amazon's official return policy explicitly states they "may require additional information and documentation (such as a government-issued photo identification) during the processing of a return to help determine whether to provide a refund/replacement." This confirms the practice is officially sanctioned by the company, solidifying the burden of proof on the consumer and creating potential security risks.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-22 |title=Amazon Return Policy |url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GKM69DUUYKQWKWX7 |website=amazon |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251204042941/https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GKM69DUUYKQWKWX7 |archive-date=4 Dec 2025}}</ref>

This policy is often in direct violation of consumer protection laws<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-22 |title=Amazon shows ‘contempt’ for UK law over parcel thefts |url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/nov/14/amazon-shows-contempt-for-uk-law-over-parcel-thefts|date=2023-11-14|website=The Guardian|first=Anna|last=Tims|access-date=2025-08-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224112713/https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/nov/14/amazon-shows-contempt-for-uk-law-over-parcel-thefts |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>. As reported by ''The Guardian'', consumer rights experts argue that this practice shows "contempt for UK consumer law." Under legislation like the Consumer Rights Act<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-22 |title=Consumer Rights Act 2015 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/15/contents |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128021613/https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/15/contents |archive-date=28 Jan 2026}}</ref>, the legal responsibility for ensuring goods are delivered safely to the customer rests with the retailer, not the buyer. The article highlights that the burden of proof is on the retailer to show an item was successfully delivered, not on the customer to prove it was not. By demanding a police report, retailers are not only offloading their legal responsibility but also creating a frustrating barrier. The Guardian article details cases where police have refused to issue reports for missing parcels, stating that since the contract is between the buyer and seller, no crime has been committed against the buyer. This leaves the customer in an impossible situation, caught between a retailer's demands and the police's jurisdiction. This has led consumer experts to label the requirement as a "red herring" tactic used to stall complaints and discourage customers from pursuing their rightful refund or replacement.

==Examples==
{{Ph-T-E}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Common terms]]