Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

RAM Shortage

2026-02-12T05:30:06Z

Bythmusters: Partial cleanup, please convert the rest of the citations to the official wiki format. It makes maintaining the article much easier.

{{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.{{Citation needed}} 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.{{Citation needed}} [[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.

==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}}</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.{{Citation needed}}

==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}}</ref>

===Samsung===
Samsung has promised to continue selling SSDs

==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}}</ref>
*Consumers resorting to buying DDR4 [[https://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Zen-3-AM4-CPU-prices-surge-as-customers-flock-to-desktop-processors-with-DDR4-support.1209042.0.html 4]], and even DDR3, to avoid higher prices.[[https://www.pcworld.com/article/3040452/surprise-ddr3-isnt-dead-and-it-might-be-the-budget-pc-gaming-answer-you-need.html 5]][[https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/memory/seeing-the-absolute-state-of-memory-pricing-chinese-diy-community-opts-for-ddr3-motherboards-instead/ 6]] 
==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, [[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 7]] and increasingly by making several YouTube videos stating how this will impact the future of home computing. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfOREULEqRU 8]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A-eeJP0J7c&t=633s 9]] 

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}

3D Printing restrictions and bans

2026-02-12T05:12:21Z

Bythmusters: Fixed bolding and erroneous text. Was this touched up or entirely generated with AI?

3D Printing Restrictions and Bans is a practice in which businesses, platforms, or governments impose legal, technical, or policy-based limitations on how consumer 3D printers may be used. These restrictions can affect the ability to modify, repair, or continue using hardware that consumers legally own. They are commonly implemented through legislation, firmware or software controls, licensing terms, or manufacturer support policies.

==How it works==

Restrictions on consumer 3D printing can be implemented in several ways:

*'''Legislative restrictions''' – Laws or proposed bills may restrict ownership, modification, or use of 3D printers based on perceived risks, such as the production of prohibited items.
*'''Firmware and software locks''' – Manufacturers may restrict printer functionality through signed firmware, mandatory cloud connections, or software validation checks.
*'''Platform or service dependency''' – Printers may rely on proprietary slicers, cloud services, or online authorization systems to remain functional.
*'''Content filtering and model blocking''' – Software may scan, flag, or block certain model files or printing instructions.
*'''Support withdrawal''' – Manufacturers may declare devices “unsupported,” potentially disabling functionality through software updates or server shutdowns.

These mechanisms can operate independently or in combination.

==Why it is a problem==

These restrictions raise several consumer rights concerns:

*'''Right to repair''' – Hardware or software locks may make it illegal, impractical, or technically impossible for owners to repair, modify, or maintain printers they legally own.
*'''Loss of functionality''' – Printers may become partially or fully inoperable if a manufacturer discontinues support, shuts down services, or enforces new restrictions.
*'''Forced obsolescence''' – Devices may stop working due to policy or software changes rather than hardware failure.
*'''Overbroad regulation''' – Laws intended to address specific risks may unintentionally affect lawful uses such as education, research, prototyping, art, or hobbyist projects.
*'''Precedent for other industries''' – Similar restrictions could expand to copyright- or patent-protected replacement parts, such as automotive, appliance, or industrial components.
*'''Ownership versus licensing''' – Consumers may effectively be treated as licensees rather than owners of their hardware and software.

==Examples==

===Legislative and regulatory examples===

*Washington State Legislature: HB 2321 (2025) – Proposed legislation addressing 3D printing technology that may unintentionally restrict lawful consumer ownership, modification, or use of consumer 3D printers.

*Washington State Legislature: HB 2320 (2025) – Related proposed legislation addressing risks associated with 3D printing technology, which has raised concerns about potential impacts on lawful consumer use and operation of consumer 3D printers.

*New York State Senate: Assembly Bill A2228 (2025) – Proposed legislation addressing the regulation of 3D printed items, raising concerns that enforcement mechanisms could indirectly affect consumer access to, or use of, 3D printing equipment.

*Manhattan District Attorney Office: Letter regarding 3D printer policies (2025) – Public correspondence outlining concerns related to consumer 3D printers that has been cited in discussions about potential technical or policy restrictions affecting lawful consumer activity.

===Manufacturer and platform policies===

*Print&Go Tech – Company promoting technical solutions intended to prevent the printing of certain prohibited items, referenced in discussions about content filtering, software enforcement mechanisms, and their potential impact on consumer control and repairability.

===Companies enforcing restrictive policies===
''This list is intentionally left blank pending verified, neutral sourcing.''

*

===Companies not enforcing restrictive policies===
''This list is intentionally left blank pending verified, neutral sourcing.''

*

==References==

*[https://manhattanda.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Letter-Creality-3.26.25.pdf Manhattan District Attorney Office. ''Letter regarding 3D printer policies'', March 26, 2025.]

*[https://printandgo.tech/blog/3d-gunt-solution-to-prevent-3d-printed-ghost-guns Print and Go Tech. ''3D gun prevention solutions and policy discussion''.]

*[https://bearingarms.com/camedwards/2026/02/08/washington-dems-advance-bill-that-could-ban-3d-printers-over-gun-fears-n1231483 Bearing Arms. ''Washington Democrats advance bill related to 3D printers''.]

*[https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2321&Year=2025 Washington State Legislature. ''Bill Summary: HB 2321 (2025)''.]

*[https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?Year=2025&BillNumber=2320 Washington State Legislature. ''Bill Summary: HB 2320 (2025)''.]

*[https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2228 New York State Senate. ''Assepmbly Bill A2228 (2025)''.]

[[Category:Common terms]]

Monsanto

2026-02-12T05:00:47Z

Bythmusters: Overall cleanup. Added some comments, please read and consider what makes this site different from Wikipedia

{{StubNotice}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1901
|Industry=Agriculture, Biotechnology, Chemicals
|Logo=Image 2026-02-06 173246414.png
|ParentCompany=Bayer
|Type=Subsidiary
|Description=An agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology company known for Roundup.
}}
Monsanto is an agricultural chemical and biotechnology corporation that was acquired by Bayer AG in June 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 Jun 2018 |title=Bayer closes Monsanto acquisition |url=https://www.bayer.com/media/en-us/bayer-closes-monsanto-acquisition/ |website=Bayer Global}}</ref> Monsanto is infamous for their aggressive legal maneuvering, poor treatment of farmers, sketchy business practices, and inaction regarding the carcinogenicity of their herbicide Roundup.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gillam |first=Carey |date=20 Apr 2020 |title=EPA faces court over backing of Monsanto's controversial crop system |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/apr/20/epa-faces-court-over-backing-of-monsantos-controversial-crop-system |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Glenna |first=Leland |last2=Bruce |first2=Analena |date=Sep 2021 |title=Suborning science for profit: Monsanto, glyphosate, and private science research misconduct |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048733321000925 |website=ScienceDirect}}</ref>

==Consumer-impact summary==
'''Carcinogenic herbicides'''

There have been many accusations of clients developing [[wikipedia:Non-Hodgkin_lymphoma|non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)]] from Monsanto products, most commonly with their premier herbicide "Roundup" which contains the active ingredient glyphosate.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yan |first=Holly |date=2018-08-11 |title=Jurors give $289 million to a man they say got cancer from Monsanto’s Roundup weedkiller |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/08/10/health/monsanto-johnson-trial-verdict/index.html |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=CNN Health}}</ref> Despite the many lawsuits faced by Monsanto regarding cancer diagnosis, it still remains a debated topic, with the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring Roundup as probably carcinogenic in 2015, while following studies told otherwise.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dixon |first=Emily |date=15 Feb 2019 |title=Common weed killer glyphosate increases cancer risk by 41%, study says |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/02/14/health/us-glyphosate-cancer-study-scli-intl/index.html |website=CNN Health}}</ref>

'''Aggressive legal action against farmers'''

Since 2004, over 90 lawsuits have occurred with farmers as the accused and Monsanto as the plaintiff. Most of these lawsuits have occurred around issues with seed patents.{{Citation needed}}

'''Vietnam war involvement with "Agent Orange"'''

During the Vietnam War, Monsanto developed and produced large quantities of "Agent Orange", a powerful herbicide that the American military used to kill off thousands of acres of jungle and farmland in Vietnam. This chemical attack lead to increased cases of birth defects, diabetes and cancer among the native population even years after the war ended.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ghosal |first=Aniruddha |last2=Dinh |first2=Hau |date=2025-04-30 |title=The Vietnam War ended 50 years ago, but the battle with Agent Orange continues |url=https://apnews.com/article/vietnam-war-anniversary-agent-orange-0829caefe48cc11fb88ab27982da922b |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=AP News}}</ref> Furthermore, the ecological impact of these attacks have often been considered ecocide, with over 7,000,000 acres of rainforest being poisoned. This lead to a stark drop in bio-diversity in affected areas.{{Citation needed}}
==Incidents==
===Kemner v. Monsanto===
The longest civil jury trial in American history.It ran from 1984 to 1987 with Monsanto as the defendant. The plaintiffs claimed that they had been poisoned by the chemical dioxin.{{Citation needed}}

===Alachlor lawsuits===
Alachlor is a type of herbicide that has now been widely banned outside of the US. Sold by Monsanto under the name Lasso, poisoned a man in France.{{Citation needed}}

===India and foreign investment===

.

==See also==


== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

User:Bythmusters

2026-02-03T03:39:22Z

Bythmusters: ce

clippy's strongest soldier o7
{| class="wikitable"
|+CRW Backrooms
! colspan="2" |[[Consumer Rights Wiki talk:Moderators' noticeboard|'''<big>Moderators' noticeboard</big>''']]
|-
![[Projects:Archive everything|Archive everything]]
![[Projects:Cargo-complete|Cargo-complete]]
|-
!'''[[Special:SpecialPages|<big>SpecialPages</big>]]'''
!'''[[:Category:Wiki root|<big>Category root</big>]]'''
|-
|[[Special:RecentChanges|RecentChanges]]
|[[:Category:Todo|Todo categories]]
|-
|[[Special:AncientPages|AncientPages]]
|[[Special:UncategorizedCategories|Uncategorized categories]]
|-
|[[Special:WantedPages|WantedPages]]
|[[Special:UncategorizedPages|Uncategorized pages]]
|-
|[[Special:FewestRevisions|FewestRevisions]]
|[[Special:MostCategories|Pages w/ most categories]]
|-
|[[Special:ShortPages|ShortPages]]
|[[Special:MostLinkedCategories|Most popular categories]]
|-
! colspan="2" |[[Special:Statistics|<big>Statistics</big>]]
|}
Redirect cleanup: [[Special:DoubleRedirects|Double redirects]], [[Special:BrokenRedirects|broken redirects]]

It's 2026, who isn't using https-only? [https://consumerrights.wiki/w/Special:LinkSearch?target=http%3A%2F%2F*&namespace= Turn http links to https]

Search queries are a good way to find articles that have starter text or broken elements: [https://consumerrights.wiki/index.php?search=%5BIncident%5D&title=Special%3ASearch&wprov=acrw1_-1 <nowiki>Pages containing [Incident]</nowiki>]

Also template search, pages with: [https://consumerrights.wiki/index.php?title=Special:WhatLinksHere/Template:InfoboxCompany&limit=500 InfoboxCompany] [https://consumerrights.wiki/w/Special:WhatLinksHere?target=Template%3AInfoboxProductLine&namespace=&limit=50 InfoboxProductLine] (mostly gone)

Scroll through every page at once by namespace: [[Special:AllPages]]

==Finding articles without certain templates==
As of 1/31/26, I am trying to find articles which are missing any of the four [[Help:Templates#Cargo|cargo templates]]. I have manually scraped the list of pages with certain templates copying lists from [[Special:WhatLinksHere]] and all pages in the main namespace (excluding redirects) from [[Special:AllPages]] into text documents. Using these lists, you can run a basic Python script and count how many lists each page is present in. Any page found in only 1 list must have no cargo templates, any page found in 2 lists has one cargo template, any pages with 3-5 lists has several cargo templates.

I am not an advanced programmer but here is my script:

<nowiki># these files all generated 1/30/26 21 UTC
# generate list of filepaths to be read
filenames = ["allpages.txt", "company.txt", "incident.txt", "productline.txt", "product.txt"]
pathprefix = "[your-path-here]"
filepaths = []
for x in filenames:
filepaths.append(pathprefix + x)
# print(filepaths)

# read files line-by-line, sanitize lines, and count in dictionary
match = " (transclusion) (← links | edit)"
table = {} # String to Int: line, count
for x in filepaths:
with open(x, "r") as file: # auto closes file
content = file.read()
lines = content.split('\n')
for line in lines:
line = line.replace(match, "")
# print(line)
if line in table:
table[line] += 1
else:
table[line] = 1
# print(table)

# read unsorted dict and sort into new dict with count as key
sortedtable = {} # Int to List[String]: count, lines
for pair in table.items():
line = pair[0]
count = pair[1]

if count in sortedtable:
sortedtable[count].append(line)
else:
sortedtable[count] = [line]

print("#####Only in AllPages#####")
for x in sortedtable[1]:
print(x)</nowiki>

Then a list can be displayed or saved with Bash: <code>python3 table.py | less</code>

Projects:Cargo-complete

2026-02-03T03:37:17Z

Bythmusters: updated status of finding articles without cargo

Articles on this wiki contain structured data about the article's topic which is stored in a Cargo template. This data is being prepared for a browser extension that will notify users about a company's past incidents while they are shopping online. On some pages this data shows up in a box alongside the article, but on Incident pages, it is invisible. We need editors to contribute to this data by filling in missing data points and adding Cargo templates to old pages that do not have them. We've put this project page together to try and make it easier to track down and identify articles in need of metadata updates.
===What are Cargo tables?===
Cargo tables are data structures used on the Consumer Rights Wiki for storing info about articles. These can be used to create queries on the wiki (like the ones generating the tables you see below) as well as accessed via the wiki's API by things like the consumerrights.wiki browser extension project.

We have a few different Cargo tables, which are linked below. Each corresponds to a certain [[Consumer Rights Wiki:Article types|article type]] (although not all article types have Cargo tables).
===Project goals===
The purpose of project Cargo-Complete is to ensure that every Cargo table on the wiki contains all the information that it should, and that every relevant page has a Cargo table. This page contains tables which fetch all of the articles with each kind of Cargo table present on them, By checking over these tables, you should be able to identify articles where the Cargo data is missing, incorrect, or incomplete.

The pages which should have a Cargo table include:
*Pages about specific incidents ([[Template:IncidentCargo|template]])
*Pages about specific companies ([[Template:CompanyCargo|template]])
*Pages about specific products or services ([[Template:ProductCargo|template]])
*Pages about specific product lines ([[Template:ProductLineCargo|template]])

There are pages without Cargo. Some pages are using the deprecated Infobox data structures, which can be searched for and replaced:
* [https://consumerrights.wiki/w/Special:WhatLinksHere?target=Template%3AInfoboxCompany%namespace=%limit=50 Companies] - done, but still referenced on internal pages
* [https://consumerrights.wiki/w/Special:WhatLinksHere?target=Template%3AInfoboxProductLine&namespace=&limit=50 Product lines] - mostly done

Other pages do not have Cargo or Infoboxes and must be found by searching through the wiki in places like [[Special:AncientPages|ancient pages]] or [[Special:FewestRevisions|fewest revisions]], or may be stumbled across while doing other work on the wiki like copyediting or adding categories.
New method to find articles: [[User:Bythmusters#Finding articles without certain templates]] List has been exhausted, remaining articles do not fit into cargo classifications.

'''TL;DR - We want to look for empty boxes in the tables below, and fill them in'''

==What you need to do==
We need you to go through the tables below and 'fill in the blanks', as well as check for pages that don't have Cargo tables, and make cargo tables for them.

There are two good ways of editing a Cargo table. The first, and best, is through the source editor. Cargo tables are stored as plaintext within articles, and you can add or fill in fields within a Cargo table by simply adding the fields, or changing the information within them. Take a look at the template pages linked above if you're not sure on how this works.

It is also possible to edit them by going though the 'create a page' flow, and entering the name of a page that already exists (with the correct article type). This will take you to a form where you can change and add information to the various Cargo table fields. This also works for creating Cargo tables on pages that don't have them.

Feel free to keep a tally of the pages you've fixed up on the discussion page for this project, or share any tools or techniques you're using to make progress on the project with other editors, it'll be a great help!

This project will be considered complete when all relevant pages contain Cargo tables, and all Cargo tables have their full complement of data.

==Incidents==

{{#cargo_query:
|tables=Incident
|fields=_pageName=Page, Company, StartDate=Start Date, EndDate=End Date, Status, Product, Type, Description
|order by=_pageName
|format=table
|class=wikitable sortable
|limit=1000
}}
==Companies==
{{#cargo_query:
|tables=Company
|fields=_pageName=Page, Type, Industry, Founded, ParentCompany=Parent Company, Website, Description
|order by=_pageName
|format=table
|class=wikitable sortable
|limit=1000
}}

==Products==
{{#cargo_query:
|tables=Product
|fields=_pageName=Page, Company, ProductLine=Product Line, Category, ArticleType=Article Type, ReleaseYear=Release Year, InProduction=In Production, Description
|order by=_pageName
|format=table
|class=wikitable sortable
|limit=1000
}}

==Product lines==
{{#cargo_query:
|tables=ProductLine
|fields=_pageName=Page, Company, Category, ArticleType=Article Type, ReleaseYear=Release Year, InProduction=In Production, Description
|order by=_pageName
|format=table
|class=wikitable sortable
|limit=1000
}}
[[Category:Projects]]

Yahoo! mandatory use of AI on all consumer services and content

2026-02-03T03:34:39Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{StubNotice}}{{Ph-I-Int}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Yahoo
|StartDate=
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=
|Product=
|ArticleType=
|Type=Data, Privacy
|Description=
}}
==Background==
{{Ph-I-B}}

==[Incident]==
Yahoo! implemented a change to their Terms of Service stipulating their mandatory use of third-party AI on customer data, specifically including e-mail and account content. The only provision to decline is to close the customer account. However, it is not possible to have done so before the data was already shared due to the date of implementation versus notification of the change.{{Citation needed}}

===[Company]'s response===
{{Ph-I-ComR}}

==Lawsuit==
{{Ph-I-L}}

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

==References==

# "Yahoo Terms of Service." ''Yahoo Legal'' https://legal.yahoo.com/us/en/yahoo/terms/otos/index.html, ¶ 6 § (b). Accessed 27 October 2025
{{Ph-I-C}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Yahoo! mandatory customer data sharing with third-party AI providers}}

Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) discontinuation

2026-02-03T03:34:01Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{Incomplete|Issue 1= this needs to be properly formated as an incident article|Issue 2=The links in the reference section should be citew with <nowiki><ref></nowiki> in the text itself}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Microsoft
|StartDate=
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=
|Product=Windows Mixed Reality
|ArticleType=
|Type=Discontinued
|Description=
}}
[[Microsoft]] discontinued support for Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) <ref>{{Cite web |author=David Heaney |date=2024-10-01 |title=Windows Mixed Reality Headsets No Longer Function With Latest Windows 11 Update |url=https://www.uploadvr.com/windows-11-24h2-kills-windows-mr-support/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241001224130/https://www.uploadvr.com/windows-11-24h2-kills-windows-mr-support/ |archive-date=1 Oct 2024 |publisher=UploadVR |language=en |format=article}}</ref>starting with the 24H2 release of Windows 11.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Heaney |first=David |date=2023-12-21 |title=Microsoft Is Killing Windows Mixed Reality, Will Remove Support For It From Windows |url=https://www.uploadvr.com/microsoft-killing-windows-mixed-reality/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221153741/https://www.uploadvr.com/microsoft-killing-windows-mixed-reality/ |archive-date=21 Dec 2023 |publisher=UploadVR |language=en |format=article |ref=Heaney-2}}</ref> All users who have installed this version or later can no longer use their devices. Microsoft had the drivers built into the operating system and removed them citing maintenance issues. Users who wish to continue using these devices must either use Windows 10 or block the 24H2 update from being installed.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |author=VR Flight Sim Guy |date=2024-02-10 |title=DO NOT Update Windows 11 IF you have a REVERB G2! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! How to Guide {{!}} MSFS, DCS |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10Ke7nV4q08 |publisher=YouTube |language=en |format=video}}</ref> This affects device models from manufacturers including Samsung, HP, Lenovo, Acer, Dell, and Microsoft.

==Discontinuation of service==

UploadVR contacted Microsoft and a company representative provided the following official statement: "As of Nov 1, 2026 for consumers and Nov 1, 2027 for commercial customers, Windows Mixed Reality will no longer be available for download via the Mixed Reality portal app, Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR, and SteamVR Beta, and we will discontinue support. At that time, Windows Mixed Reality will no longer receive security updates, non-security updates, bug fixes, technical support, or online technical content updates."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |author=Heaney |first=David |date=2023-12-21 |title=Microsoft Explains What Will Happen To Windows Mixed Reality Headsets |url=https://www.uploadvr.com/windows-mixed-reality-headset-support-end-date/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231222053646/https://www.uploadvr.com/windows-mixed-reality-headset-support-end-date/ |archive-date=22 Dec 2023 |publisher=UploadVR |language=en |format=article |ref=Heaney-1}}</ref> Microsoft has since updated the official ''Windows Deprecated features for Windows client'' [https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/deprecated-features article] with a more complete statement: "Windows Mixed Reality is deprecated and will be removed in Windows 11, version 24H2. This deprecation includes the Mixed Reality Portal app, Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR, and Steam VR Beta. Existing Windows Mixed Reality devices will continue to work with Steam through November 2026, if users remain on their current released version of Windows 11, version 23H2. After November 2026, Windows Mixed Reality will no longer receive security updates, nonsecurity updates, bug fixes, technical support, or online technical content updates."<ref>''mestew, robinharwood, aczechowski, vinaypamnani-msft, v-alje, MicrosoftGuyJFlo, warren-msft, TerryWarwick'' [https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/deprecated-features Deprecated features for Windows client] ''(article) Microsoft.''</ref> This however is misleading, as the required Windows 11 version 23H2 itself will no longer be supported and receive security update after Nov 11 2025<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 Mar 2025 |title=Windows 11 Home and Pro Support Dates |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-11-home-and-pro |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251229214605/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-11-home-and-pro |archive-date=29 Dec 2025}}</ref> - and user would have to run such OS for the device to continue working.

Microsoft's HoloLens ran Windows Mixed Reality so once it was deprecated, many speculated that HoloLens would be discontinued.{{citation needed}} HoloLens 2 production stopped in October 2024.<ref>''David Heaney (2024-10-01)'' [https://www.uploadvr.com/microsoft-discontinuing-hololens-2/ Microsoft Is Discontinuing HoloLens 2, With No Replacement] ''(article). UploadVR.'' </ref> It was subsequently announced that Consumer and business divisions of HoloLens are now headed towards end of life in 2028 due to a shift in focus to the defense industry per the following statement provided to ''The Verge'' by Microsoft CVP of Mixed Reality Robin Seiler: "We are transitioning away from hardware development but will continue to provide support for HoloLens2 hardware and software through 2027, as announced in October. We remain committed to the IVAS program and will shift our focus to cloud and AI technologies, which will serve as the foundation for IVAS as a situational awareness platform."<ref>''Chris Paoli (2025-02-14)'' [https://redmondmag.com/Articles/2025/02/14/HoloLens-is-Dead.aspx Microsoft Makes it Official: HoloLens is Dead] ''(article). Redmond.''</ref> HoloLens 1 was officially deprecated in December 2024 following entering LTS on November 23, 2021.<ref>(2024-06-27) [https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/hololens/hololens-release-notes#windows-holographic-version-24h1---december-2024-update Windows Holographic, version 24H1 - December 2024 Update] ''(article). Microsoft.'' </ref>

==Customer response==

==Workarounds==

These headsets are working on Linux distributions using the monado/opencomposite vr stack. [https://gitlab.com/gabmus/envision Envision] is an app that will compile and run the required apps to get everything working. More information can be found on the [https://lvra.gitlab.io/ LVRA website] and [https://discord.gg/EHAYe3tTYa discord]. As it is still alpha/beta software, there are still bugs, and depending on vr set, not all functionality may be implemented yet. However, as it is open source software, it is constantly being improved.

<ref name="mixed-w11-update">
{{Cite web|title=The latest W11 update makes your Windows VR headset unusable|url=https://mixed-news.com/en/w11-update-disables-windows-mixed-reality|publisher=MIXED|format=article|language=en|author=Tomislav Bezmalinovic|date=2024-10-02}}
 {{Cite web|title=Neues W11-Update macht Windows-VR-Brillen unbrauchbar|url=https://mixed.de/windows-11-update-kill-windows-mixed-reality/|publisher=MIXED|format=article|language=de|author=Tomislav Bezmalinovic|date=2024-10-02}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web |author=João Carrasqueira |date=2023-12-21 |title=Microsoft deprecates Windows Mixed Reality as another Windows 10 dream dies |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/microsoft-deprecates-windows-mixed-reality/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221205148/https://www.xda-developers.com/microsoft-deprecates-windows-mixed-reality/ |archive-date=21 Dec 2023 |publisher=XDA |language=en |format=article}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web |author=Ryan Whitwam |date=2023-12-21 |title=Microsoft Quietly Announces the End of Windows Mixed Reality |url=https://www.extremetech.com/electronics/microsoft-quietly-announces-the-end-of-windows-mixed-reality |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221192332/https://www.extremetech.com/electronics/microsoft-quietly-announces-the-end-of-windows-mixed-reality |archive-date=21 Dec 2023 |publisher=ExtremeTech |language=en |format=article}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web |author=Sean Endicott |date=2023-12-21 |title=Microsoft just killed Windows Mixed Reality but the company's VR vision lives on thanks to a surprising savior in Meta Quest |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/virtual-reality/microsoft-killed-windows-mixed-reality-but-meta-quest-lives-on |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231221154008/https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/virtual-reality/microsoft-killed-windows-mixed-reality-but-meta-quest-lives-on |archive-date=21 Dec 2023 |publisher=Windows Central |language=en |format=article}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-18 |title=HP Reverb G2 + Windows 11 24H2 Not Working Need Help |url=https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/hp-reverb-g2-windows-11-24h2-not-working-need-help/dd90e232-1f28-4655-aafa-685285017d59 |archive-url=https://archive.ph/wn1kJ |archive-date=5 Jan 2026 |publisher=Microsoft |language=en |format=forum thread}}</ref>

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

Warcraft III legacy CD keys no longer redeemable on Battle.net

2026-02-03T03:33:43Z

Bythmusters: cargo + added lead

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Activision Blizzard
|StartDate=2025-10-21
|EndDate=
|Status=Unresolved
|ProductLine=
|Product=Warcraft 3 Legacy
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Broken Promise
|Description=
}}
CD keys for Warcraft 3 (2002) used to be redeemable on [[Battle.net]] for a copy of Warcraft 3: Reforged (2020). This grandfathered deal was discontinued on November 21, 2025.

==Background==

<big>O</big>n October 21st, 2025, [[Activision Blizzard]] posted an announcement on the news section of their site declaring imminent discontinuation of redemption of unused legacy Warcraft 3 CD keys from purchased physical discs.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Original Warcraft III keys expire on November 21st. |url=https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/article/24241844/original-warcraft-iii-keys-expire-on-november-21 |access-date=2026-01-31 |website=Activision Blizzard}}</ref> The established fact of the revocation of unused legacy physical product key interoperability, compatibility, and redeemability with the Battle.net service platform. The denial is summarily stated in the announcement as in force after the deadline: November 21, 2025. Potential for grandfathered support from keys previously redeemed for their specific product is counter-indicated by the article's plain language.

==Incident==

<big>T</big>he criticality of the issue is high due to compressed timeline of the announced change. A one month window was declared in the regards to the affected software: Warcraft 3: Reforged. The sole announcement, posted<ref name=":0" /> came in the form of a company forum news blog post. To knowledge and wit of this article's author, no additional notice was provided via any other means. Firsthand knowledge of which is corroborated internally among customers of affected titles among membership of the curator documenting this issue: [[GBAMFS Organization]] (Gamer consumer collaborative watchdog group.)

===Scope===

Over 4.4 million legacy customers of directly affected product lines beginning from initial release of Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos (2002,) and through subsequent release of Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne (2003.) Additional figures beyond this point are not corroborated and this must be treated as a minimum threshold for scope of affected users.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Warcraft III tops 1m sales in Europe |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/news050104war3 |access-date=2026-01-31 |website=Eurogamer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Warcraft III Shatters Sales Records |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/07/22/warcraft-iii-shatters-sales-records |access-date=2026-01-31 |website=IGN}}</ref>

==Consumer response and Activision-Blizzard's follow-up==

Consumer responses in reply to the announcement tended to reflect skepticism or negative responses to the change. While unofficial alternatives do exist allowing for ad hoc play compatible with the affected titles, the sentiment reflected overall disappointment that players can no longer utilize the Activision-Blizzard services for online play, and reacquiring the software.

Blizzard has declined to provide assistance to affected legacy users via technical support, citing the announcement.

==References==
<references />
{{Ph-I-C}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Warcraft III: Legacy physical media key mass invalidation}}
[[Category:Physical media]]
[[Category:Online services]]
[[Category:Platforms]]

Creality forces update that removes features from their 3D scanners

2026-02-03T03:25:58Z

Bythmusters: Removed "DISPLAYTITLE" text

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Creality
|StartDate=2025/08/07
|Status=Active
|ProductLine=3D Scanners
|Product=Otter, Raptor, Ferret*
|ArticleType=Service
|Type=Firmware lockout
|Description=Creality's forced update mandate and removing a big feature of their scanners that allows the use of Mobile APP is now locked behind proprietary hardware.
}}'''Creality''', has removed access to previously available features such as scanning directly with a phone link (connecting the phone directly to the 3d scanner), without the use of proprietary hardware. This worked, and while it was flawed, it was a feature that was advertised and they seem to be going into direction of finally supporting it. At some point after announcing '''Creality's Scan Bridge''', the application, Creality Scan on IOS/Android devices, had received an update, effectively removing the ability to directly scan via Phone->Scanner link. Only way was through their proprietary hardware, which can cost up to 300 USD.

==Background==
Creality's 3D Scanner lineup, up to that point (Otter, Ferret, Raptor and RaptorX*) had been advertised that they will soon feature ability to scan via simple connection to the phone. The first version to actually allow this of this is not 100% known, however, it is known that the last version to feature this, was 2.2.6v of the Creality Scan, which allowed said lineup, to easily and freely connect your 3D Scanner from the Creality's line up. <ref>{{Cite news |title=Image of showcasting promised support with the Creality Scan |url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/creality3dscanner2/permalink/2123415474748214/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260104040342/https://www.facebook.com/groups/creality3dscanner2/permalink/2123415474748214/ |archive-date=2026-01-04}}</ref>

This while not perfect, worked, and allowed you to somewhat, easily transfer your scans to the PC/Laptop and do the heavily computing on there, while having the freedom to scan with your phone. This allowed easy and fast scanning especially as it did not require for the Point Cloud (points that the scanner grabs), that you drag your PC/Laptop with you and hold it while scanning. It did had numerous issues, but the application was working.

==Forced update==
Since the application update from '''2.2.6V,''' onwards, the rhetoric of Creality was that in order to use the application as "intended" you had to buy the aforementioned, '''Creality Scan Bridge.''' A '''250-300$''' (USD) proprietary hardware, that features a battery, and a wireless antenna, all within a specific handle to make scanning easier. While the item in it self is not an issue, the issue was that it suddenly become '''mandatory to buy it''', in order to use it the application for IOS/Android with your scanner, even though that it was already properly working beforehand. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Showcase of a facebook post as many people reporting that the app worked, right until 2.2.6 |url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/creality3dscanner2/posts/2237763439980083/}}</ref>

They had effectively disabled the application to recognize the scanner if you plugged it directly to your phone, with a simple, yet quality USB-C to USB-C cable that connect to your Phone and Scanner.

Users could downgrade to said version ('''2.2.6v'''), however, after '''2025-08-07''', they have pushed a '''forced Mandatory update''' to all of the scanners before you can open and use it in Creality Scan 4. (Creality Scan 3, as of this point and date, still does not force users to update). Even if you are using Creality Scan on IOS/Android it would not register it from that point. This update changelog can be seen on: "https://www.crealitycloud.com/downloads/other/cr-scan".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Their official page listing downloads for all of the frimware, where you can see "Added network security authentication.". Suddenly. |url=https://www.crealitycloud.com/downloads/other/cr-scan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250909180150/https://www.crealitycloud.com/downloads/other/cr-scan |archive-date=2025-09-09}}</ref>

This '''forced''' update happens as soon as you have a stable internet connection and you open up the Creality Scan 4 software, their newest software as of writing this article. You are not allowed to not opt-out of this update, but have only the chance to install it. Keeping in mind that some of these scanners have not received any update from 2024 ('''Otter''' in particular), that gives no real fixes besides locking your scanner to not work with aforementioned application on your phone. Only with their proprietary hardware.

If you happen to install this update, and try to go back to the application on your phone, this essentially "soft-locks" the scanner so you cannot find you scanner even on previous version of the application on your phone (2.2.6v) that worked. However, if you do not update, you cannot use '''Creality Scan 4'''. Only way to use it without updating, is that you have a fresh installation of Creality Scan 4, and disable internet access to the software, before the first start of the application.

To top it off, Creality's software Creality Scan 4, suffers from observable quality degradation issues, that might or might not be intentional. (Even though it is faster and more intuitive, it has been noticed that in Colour Mapping abilities of scans, have been reduced in quality. This may not be intentional, but rather an oversight during the development phase)(This however cannot be overlooked, as Creality Scan 4 software, is no longer in beta since '''2025-06-06'''). ''*in direct compariosn between Creality Scan 3 software, and 4''. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Radic |first=Gabriel |title=Direct comparison of the same rock, only difference is the software (easily noticable quality difference in Color Mapping) |url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/creality3dscanner2/permalink/2259683924454701/}}</ref>

===Creality's response===

As of this moment have not been an official wide response on "why", aside from administrators from official Facebook groups, where they claim it would "drain the battery", and that this seems to be the reason they want you to buy a 250-300$ USD hardware from them, even though this was not an issue or statement before, when the software worked. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Henry |title=Quote from an employe that says it would suddenly drain your battery |url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/creality3dscanner2/posts/2237763439980083/?comment_id=2238238926599201}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Another post in which an employee of Creality says you need to use the Scanner Bridge (even though the application worked without it prior and with 2.2.6) |url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/creality3dscanner2/permalink/2130629434026818/}}</ref>

==Consumer response==

Backlash has been vocal, seeing many posts from Reddit and Facebook official and unoffical groups, shows that what the company has done, has not been received well. Such as a user willing to even pay for the APK version of '''2.2.6v,''' just so the user can use the actual software as it was advertised and intended to. [2]Some people have stated that it is most likely again, for people to switch and buy the aforementioned hardware. <ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-09 |title=Offical release where multiple users reported that they no longer can connect directly to their scanner with their phone on the app. |url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/creality3dscanner2/permalink/2130629434026818/}}</ref>

This has caused quite a stir on what the company actually prioritizes, as the software, up until that point had no issue with working.

==References==
{{reflist}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Creality 3d Scanner - Forces updates that remove previously advertised and shown features}}
[[Category:Creality]]

Volkswagen protection of car diagnosis

2026-02-03T03:25:04Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Volkswagen
|StartDate=2024-07-01
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=
|Product=
|ArticleType=
|Type=Right to Repair,
|Description=
}}
'''Protection of car diagnosis''' is a system from [[Volkswagen]] designed to protect software-controlled vehicle functions from unauthorized access and manipulation.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |author=Volkswagen AG |date=1 Jul 2021 |title=Schutz der Fahrzeugdiagnose - Nutzungsbedingungen |url=https://privacy.volkswagen.com/download/get-document-content/57b3edcf-a670-4cfc-87b5-f6afd70f3bb2 |url-status=live |access-date=30 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304060729/https://privacy.volkswagen.com/download/get-document-content/57b3edcf-a670-4cfc-87b5-f6afd70f3bb2 |archive-date=4 Mar 2024 |language=de}}</ref>

Access to the cars control units is secured in such a way that only users with a valid, personal account in the SFD backend of Volkswagen AG or in the system of the respective diagnostic system provider are authorized. In addition, all accesses to SFD-protected control units are individually logged via the SFD backend of Volkswagen AG to ensure traceability at a later stage.<ref name=":0" />

==Origin of SFD==
SFD(2) stems from UNECE regulations (Addendum 154 – UN Regulation No. 155, Addendum 155 – UN Regulation No. 156) which were adopted by the UNECE World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations on June 24, 2020.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |author=Sekurit Service |date=31 May 2025 |title=Erweiterter CYBER-SECURITY-SCHUTZ (SFD2/UNECE) bei VAG-Fahrzeugen ab Modelljahr 2024 |url=https://www.sekurit-service.com/medias/Technical-Bulletin-New-CSM-Funktion-at-VAG-vehicles-DE.pdf?context=bWFzdGVyfGltYWdlc3wxNjYyMTZ8YXBwbGljYXRpb24vcGRmfGFETmlMMmhsT0M4NU5UYzBORFkwTmpFNE5USTJMMVJsWTJodWFXTmhiQ0JDZFd4c1pYUnBiaUJPWlhjZ1ExTk5JRVoxYm10MGFXOXVJR0YwSUZaQlJ5QjJaV2hwWTJ4bGMxOUVSUzV3WkdZfDAyNmI1YjU0YjYyYzdjODA3ZTg3MTkzMDFjMDBjZjZhNTcyYjhmNjcwY2U2NmVlMTYyMGI3MzY2ZThlMTQ2MDg&attachment=true |url-status=live |access-date=30 May 2025 |language=de}}</ref>

Since July 2022, these rules have applied to all newly registered model series of passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, trucks, and buses. Starting July 1, 2024, the regulations will apply to all newly manufactured vehicles, regardless of whether they are new or existing models.<ref name=":1" />

If SFD(2) is enabled, any unauthorized attempt to access one of the car’s engine control units will result in an timeout error message.<ref name=":1" />

==Consumer impact summary==
===User freedom===
*'''Restricted access:''' Only authorized users can access or modify key vehicle systems; independent mechanics and owners will be locked out from any kind of repair which requires interacting with the cars ECU.
*'''Dealer dependence:''' Owners are forced to rely on Volkswagen dealerships (or VW authorized repair centers) for repairs and updates, leading to higher costs and less flexibility.
*'''Aftermarket barriers:''' DIY and independent repairs or upgrades are blocked, even for simple tasks.
*'''Privacy concerns:''' All access is logged, raising data privacy issues.
*'''Ownership issues:''' SFD limits what owners can do with their cars, challenging the [[right to repair]].

===Business model===
SFD(2) protection can be bypassed by purchasing an unlock token which only can be used in the dealer specific software. A single token is available for $50 USD. Each activation token is uniquely assigned to a specific control unit and is valid for a single use only.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |author=VAGupdate |date=31 May 2025 |title=SFD Token |url=https://vagupdate.com/sfd-token |access-date=31 May 2025}}</ref>

During Guided Fault Finding procedures, SFD-protected control units are automatically re-locked at the conclusion of the diagnostic session. If this does not occur, the system will automatically re-lock the control unit 90 minutes after activation.<ref name=":2" />

==Affected car models from Volkswagen AG==
The following is a list of Volkswagen AG car models known to be affected by the restrictions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=PCI-Diagnose-Technik GmbH & Co. KG |date=31 May 2025 |title=SFD2 / UNECE - Erweiterter SFD Schutz |url=https://forum.vcdspro.de/index.php?/wiki/misc/allgemeine-informationen/sfd2-unece-erweiterter-sfd-schutz-r68/#was-ist-sfd-2 |access-date=31 May 2025 |language=de}}</ref>

===Audi===
*Audi A1 (GB) from approx. production date March 2024
*Audi A3 (8Y) from model year 2025
*Audi A4 (8W) from model year 2024
*Audi A4 Avant (F4) from model year 2024
*Audi A5 (F5) from model year 2024
*Audi A6 (4A) from model year 2024
*Audi A6 Avant (F2) from model year 2024
*Audi A7 (4K) from model year 2024
*Audi A8 (4N) from model year 2024
*Audi Q2 (GA) from approx. production date March 2024
*Audi Q3 (F3) from approx. production date March 2024
*Audi Q4 (F4) from approx. production date November 2024
*Audi Q5 (FY) from model year 2024
*Audi Q7 (4M) from approx. production start August 2023
*Audi Q8 (4M) from approx. production start August 2023
*Audi Q8 e-tron (GE) from model year 2024
*Audi e-tron GT (FW) from model year 2024
*Audi e-tron GT (F8) from model year 2024

===Volkswagen===
*VW Arteon (3H) from model year 2024
*VW Crafter (SY) from model year 2025
*VW Caddy (SB) from model year 2025
*VW Golf 8 (CD), (CG) from approx. production start April 2024
*VW Passat (B9) from model year 2024
*VW Polo (AE1) from approx. production start March 2024
*VW T-Cross (D31)
*VW Touran (5T) from approx. production start March 2024
*VW T-Roc (D11, AC8) from approx. production start March 2024
*VW Taigo (CS) from approx. production start March 2024
*VW Tiguan ALLSPACE (BJ2) from approx. production start February 2024
*VW Tiguan (CT) from model year 2024
*VW Touareg RC
*VW Touareg (CR) from model year 2024
*VW T7 (ST) from model year 2025
*VW ID3 (E12) from model year 2025
*VW ID4 (E21) from approx. production start January 2024
*VW ID5 (E39) from approx. production start January 2024
*VW ID.7 (ED) from model year 2024
*VW ID Buzz (EB) from model year 2025

===Seat / Cupra===
*Seat Arona (KJ7) from approx. production start February 2024
*Seat Ateca (KBP, KHP) with PR-No.: NI7
*Seat Born (K11) from model year 2025
*Seat Formentor (KM7) from model year 2025
*Seat Ibiza (KJ1) from approx. production start February 2024
*Seat Leon (KL) from model year 2025
*Seat Leon (KU) from model year 2025

===Skoda===
*Skoda Enyaq (5A) with PR-No.: NI1 or NI9
*Skoda Fabia (PJ) from model year 2024
*Skoda Fabia (6P) from model year 2024
*Skoda Kamiq (NW) from model year 2024
*Skoda Kamiq (NW4) from approx. production start January 2024
*Skoda Scala (NW1) from approx. production date January 2024
*Skoda Karoq (NU) from approx. production date March 2024
*Skoda Octavia (NX) with PR-No.: GP1

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Volkswagen]]

VOIPO overbills customers and denys refunds

2026-02-03T03:23:43Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{StubNotice}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=VOIPO
|StartDate=2024-10
|EndDate=
|Status=Unresolved
|ProductLine=
|Product=
|ArticleType=Service
|Type=Business Practices
|Description=
}}
VOIPO LLC is a US based telecommunications company founded in May 2006 which provides Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services.<ref>{{Cite web |title=VOIPO |url=https://www.voipo.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250427075023/https://www.voipo.com/ |archive-date=27 Apr 2025 |access-date=24 May 2025 |website=voipo.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=VOIPO |url=https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/voipo |url-status=live |access-date=24 May 2025 |website=crunchbase}}</ref>

==Customers Report Duplicate Billing==
As early as October of 2024 many customers who were enrolled in biennial autopay reported having been billed multiple times over a short period of time. Customers were typically paying approximately $185 every 2 years and many said that they were being unexpectedly charged for billing cycles many years in advance. VOIPO has reached out to some customers who brought up the issue on Trustpilot stating they would reach out to them.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=VOIPO |url=https://www.trustpilot.com/review/voipo.com |url-status=live |access-date=24 May 2025 |website=Trustpilot |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251004104025/https://www.trustpilot.com/review/voipo.com |archive-date=4 Oct 2025}}</ref>
==Consumer response==
Several affected customers have called the charges fraudulent in reviews and on Reddit with many frustrated customers stating they were overbilled in excess of $1000 over a short period.

Many claimed that upon contacting customer support they were told it could take up to 30 days to issue a refund, other customers stated in reviews that they were told refunds would be processed however never received any a refund from VOIPO.

A common theme among complaints among customers experiencing the billing issues include: not noticing the charges initially as they had autopay enabled, customer service opening refund tickets that were never fulfilled, and having to contact their credit card provider to dispute charges. Some reviews from customers have noted that after spending significant time in contact with VOIPO customer service they were told by their card providers they could not complete a chargeback as too much time had passed.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=@Ok-Cherry4250 |title=VOIPO.com Fraudulently Unauthorized Charges |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/VOIP/comments/1fq0x4p/voipocom_fraudulently_unauthorized_charges/ |url-status=live |access-date=24 May 2025 |website=[[Reddit]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250801153204/https://www.reddit.com/r/VOIP/comments/1fq0x4p/voipocom_fraudulently_unauthorized_charges/ |archive-date=1 Aug 2025}}</ref>

As of May 2025 customers are still reporting this issue.<ref name=":0" />

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Articles in need of additional work]]
[[Category:VOIPO]]

Unity Engine runtime fee

2026-02-03T03:22:36Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{StubNotice}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Unity Software Inc.
|StartDate=2023-09-12
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=
|Product=Unity Engine
|ArticleType=
|Type=
|Description=Rent-seeking
}}
Unity Software Inc. (aka: Unity Technologies), a publicly traded software company known for their Unity game engine, implemented sweeping changes to its pricing model for Unity that would affect all users of the engine, forcing users to either adopt their per-download fee or de-list their games.

==Background==
Unity is a well known game engine used by studios of all sizes, and very widely across the indie space due to its accessibility, capacity for both 2D and 3D development, and C# support. Prior to the runtime fee, Unity had multiple subscription tiers:

===Unity Personal===
Costs nothing and allows you to the Unity game engine to produce commercial works up until your revenue from the product created using the Unity game engine reaches 100,000$ at which point you're required to change license to one of the higher tiers.

===Unity Pro===
Costs [TBD]$ yearly per seat, and allows you to continue working on your projects past the 100,000$ revenue limit and gives additional features.

===Unity Enterprise===
[TBD]

==Runtime fee==
On September 12th, 2023, Unity announced a "Runtime Fee that’s based on game installs," which fundamentally altered their monetization model. This runtime fee aimed to charge developers a small amount every time an end user installed their application. To qualify for the fee, games must have passed a minimum revenue threshold within the past 12 months and a minimum lifetime install count threshold. The following table (taken directly from the original announcement) lays out specific thresholds and install costs that the new model would impose on engine users.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |first= |date=2023-09-12 |title=Unity plan pricing and packaging updates |url=https://blog.unity.com/news/plan-pricing-and-packaging-updates |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912135629/https://blog.unity.com/news/plan-pricing-and-packaging-updates |archive-date=2023-09-12 |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=Unity Blog}}</ref><table class="table-responsive" style="width:100%;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000"><tr style="background-color:#2196f3;color:#ffffff"><th style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000" width="15%"></th><th style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000" width="28%">Unity Personal and Unity Plus</th><th style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000" width="29%">Unity Pro</th><th style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000" width="28%">Unity Enterprise</th></tr><tr style="background-color:#000000;color:#ffffff"><td colspan="4" style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000">Unity Runtime Fee thresholds to be met</td></tr><tr><td style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000">Revenue Threshold (USD)</td><td style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000">$200,000 (last 12mo)</td><td style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000">$1,000,000 (last 12mo)</td><td style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000">$1,000,000 (last 12mo)</td></tr><tr><td style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000">Install Threshold</td><td style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000">200,000 (life to date)</td><td style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000">1,000,000 (life to date)</td><td style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000">1,000,000 (life to date)</td></tr><tr style="background-color:#000000;color:#ffffff"><td style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#ffffff">Installs over the Install Threshold</td><td colspan="3" style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#ffffff">Standard monthly rate</td></tr><tr><td style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000">1–100,000</td><td rowspan="4" style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000">$0.20 per install</td><td style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000">$0.15 per install</td><td style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000">$0.125 per install</td></tr><tr><td style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000">100,001–500,000</td><td style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000">$0.075 per install</td><td style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000">$0.06 per install</td></tr><tr><td style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000">500,001–1,000,000</td><td style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000">$0.03 per install</td><td style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000">$0.02 per install</td></tr><tr><td style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000">1,000,001+</td><td style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000">$0.02 per install</td><td style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000">$0.01 per install</td></tr><tr style="background-color:#000000;color:#ffffff"></tr><tr style="background-color:#000000;color:#ffffff"><td style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#ffffff">Installs over the Install Threshold</td><td colspan="3" style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#ffffff">Emerging market monthly rate</td></tr><tr><td style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000">1+</td><td style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000">$0.02 per install</td><td style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000">$0.01 per install</td><td style="padding:10px;border:1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#000000">$0.005 per install</td></tr></table>
These fees were to be applied retroactively to any product using the unity runtime, including those released prior to this change.<ref name=":1">Needs citation
</ref>

This announcement also removed the popular unity plus plan, forcing developers to the more expensive Unity Pro plan if they wanted to remove the baked in unity splash screen.<ref name=":0" />

To ensure adoption of this change Unity quietly changed their EULA to allow for such a change and never notified their users, going as far to private their EULA Github repository which was created as a result of a prior incident where Unity Technologies changed quietly their EULA quietly.<ref name=":1" />

==Consumer impact==
''What the repercussions of the incident are for consumers in the context of "new" consumer protection (privacy,right to ownership,right to say no).''

==Consumer response==
The yearly GMTK Game jam released a series of statistics on engine usage within the jam, both in 2023<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Mark |date=2023-07-18 |title=game engines that people used to make 6835 game jam games |url=https://x.com/gamemakerstk/status/1681376508688883713 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/9dTO1 |archive-date=10 Jan 2026 |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=Twitter}}</ref> before the runtime fee announcement and in 2024<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Mark |date=2024-08-21 |title=game engines that people used to make 7,711 game jam games |url=https://x.com/gamemakerstk/status/1826184926393491689 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/AaQQk |archive-date=10 Jan 2026 |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=Twitter}}</ref> afterwards. The 2023 results showed 59% of jam entries were made in the unity engine, while the next largest engine, Godot, (a free & open source competitor to unity), took a 19% share. The 2024 results see unity's share drop by 16% to an overall 43%, and Godot's more than double to 37%, Illustrating a significant exodus of talent from the unity platform correlating with the release of the runtime fee.

==References==
{{reflist}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Unity game engine runtime fee}}
[[Category:Unity engine]]
[[Category:Software licensing]]

USAGov

2026-02-03T03:21:38Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{StubNotice}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Description=
|Founded=
|Industry=Consumer Rights
|Logo=
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Interagency Government
|Website=
}}
[[wikipedia:USAGov|'''USAGov''']] is a program within the U.S. General Services Administration's Technology Transformation Services. USAGov manages USA.gov, the official website of the U.S. government. The bilingual, interagency website is legislatively mandated through Section 204 of the E-Government Act of 2002.<ref>[https://www.usa.gov/mission-history "USAGov - about"] - usa.gov - accessed 2025-02-03</ref>

USA.gov publishes information for consumers interested in making complaints.<ref>[https://www.usa.gov/consumer-complaints "USAGov - complaints"] - usa.gov - accessed 2025-02-03</ref> These include categories such as:

*Consumer products and services
*Bank, credit, and securities
*Housing
*Travel
*Complaints against the government

USA.gov provides a web-search tool to redirect the user to the webpages of consumer-protection offices in each of the U.S. states and territories.<ref>[https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer "USAGov - state offices"] - usa.gov - accessed 2025-02-03</ref>

==References==

<references />

[[Category:Regulatory agencies and public support bodies]]

Tom Evans Audio copyright strike

2026-02-03T03:19:54Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Tom Evans Audio
|StartDate=2024-11
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=
|Product=
|ArticleType=
|Type=Censorship, Legal Intimidation
|Description=
}}
In November 2024, YouTube creator [https://www.youtube.com/@MendItMark Mend It Mark] uploaded a video in which he repaired a [https://audiodesign.co.uk/styled-23/styled-27/index.html MasterGroove SR Mk3] pre-amp made by [https://www.audiodesign.co.uk/ Tom Evans Audio]. In the video he took the pre-amp apart and - to help diagnose the issue - he reverse-engineered the device and created some schematic diagrams.<ref>{{Cite web |author=@Mend It Mark |date=13 Nov 2024 |title=The £ 25, 000 Pre Amp That Went Wrong Tom Evans Mastergroove SR Mk III [ RJbp FSFzi I] |url=https://archive.org/details/the-gbp-25-000-pre-amp-that-went-wrong-tom-evans-mastergroove-sr-mk-iii-rjbp-fsfzi-i |url-status=live |access-date=23 Mar 2025}}</ref> He also made his viewers aware of the fact that the price of this pre-amp is £25,000 (about $30,000 USD) and that many of the electrical components in the pre-amp had their part numbers scraped off.

==Copyright strike==
After the video was published, Tom Evans Audio issued a copyright strike against the video which resulted in the video being taken down. Mend It Mark was not informed on what the copyright infringement was.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=11 Dec 2024 |title=Tom Evans Audio doubles down on a bad decision |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYpPNCzQCVQ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=qYpPNCzQCVQ |archive-date=26 Jan 2026 |access-date=23 Mar 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> This decision was met with criticism from creators on YouTube since it questions whether or not showing a circuit design in a video could be considered copyright infringement.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=9 Dec 2024 |title=Tom Evans audio proves that their $30,000 audio preamp is garbage by filing a bogus copyright claim |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJYIhLQJtTs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=gJYIhLQJtTs |archive-date=26 Jan 2026 |access-date=23 Mar 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mellor |first=David |date=13 Dec 2024 |title=Audiophile preamp repair video triggers YouTube copyright takedown war! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93QlQN_1yUA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=93QlQN_1yUA |archive-date=26 Jan 2026 |access-date=14 Jul 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Defpom's Electronics Repair |date=15 Dec 2024 |title=🔴 Mend It Mark's Frivolous Copyright Takedown - Pre-Amp da £25.000 - N.1312 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15AiQv-EiGM |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=15AiQv-EiGM |archive-date=26 Jan 2026 |access-date=23 Mar 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> In December 2024, Louis Rossmann re-uploaded Mend It Mark's original video to his channel with his own introduction.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=15 Dec 2024 |title=Mastergroove repair by Mend it Mark & an honest message to Tom Evans audio |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hVe_spuJQI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=6hVe_spuJQI |archive-date=26 Jan 2026 |access-date=14 Jul 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> As of May 2025, the video is still up on Louis' channel. The original video on the Mend It Mark channel is now back up.<ref>{{Cite web |author=@Mend It Mark |date=13 Nov 2024 |title=The £25,000 Pre-Amp that went Wrong - Tom Evans Mastergroove SR mkIII |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RJbpFSFziI |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=-RJbpFSFziI |archive-date=26 Jan 2026 |access-date=24 May 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Tom Evans]]
[[Category:Articles based on videos]]

Tim Hortons app collects user data without consent

2026-02-03T03:19:21Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{Incomplete}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Radar, Tim Hortons
|StartDate=2019-05
|EndDate=2020-08
|Status=Resolved
|ProductLine=
|Product=Tim Hortons App
|ArticleType=Service
|Type=Data, Privacy
|Description=
}}
==Background==
In June of 2022, reports in Canada went viral regarding the Tim Hortons Android app which was collecting personal information from users phones without consent. Tim Hortons used a third-party service, Radar, to collect geolocation data of users. it is alleged that they stopped this practice in August of 2020. One of the pieces of data reported back to the Tim Hortons servers included information about when a person with this app on their phone was visiting a competitor coffee shop.

==Tim Hortons app tracked too much personal information without adequate consent (May 2019)==

Starting in in May 2019 Tim Hortons released updated versions of its App so that it could, with assistance from a US third-party service provider (“Radar”), track and collect the location of Users’ devices. <ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Joint investigation into location tracking by the Tim Hortons App |url=https://www.priv.gc.ca/en/opc-actions-and-decisions/investigations/investigations-into-businesses/2022/pipeda-2022-001/ |access-date=September 28, 2025 |website=Commissariat à la protection de la vie privée}}</ref>

In August 2020, subsequent to notification of investigation by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, Tim Hortons permanently ceased collecting granular location data, via the App, for purposes of targeted advertising.<ref name=":0" />

==Investigation Report by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (June 1, 2022)==

The finding from the investigation are as follows:

*Tim Hortons did not collect or use personal information for appropriate purposes in the circumstances<ref name=":0" />

*Tim Hortons did not obtain valid consent, as would have been required for its collection and use of the Radar Location Data through the App had we found Tim Hortons to have had an appropriate purpose.<ref name=":0" />

During the course of the Investigation two additional concerns were identified:

*The contractual protections Tim Hortons implemented to protect Users’ personal information while being processed by a third-party service provider.<ref name=":0" />

*Accountability, and Tim Hortons’ apparent failure to implement policies and practices to ensure compliance with the Acts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Joint investigation into location tracking by the Tim Hortons App |url=https://www.priv.gc.ca/en/opc-actions-and-decisions/investigations/investigations-into-businesses/2022/pipeda-2022-001/ |access-date=September 28, 2025 |website=Commissariat à la protection de la vie privée}}</ref>

==Tim Hortons' response post investigation==

Deletion: [Tim Hortons] agreed to comply with the recommendation detailed in paragraph 90 within one (1) month of the lifting of any relevant litigation holds, which currently prevents [Tim Hortons] from deleting, or effecting deletion, of the data in question, following a final disposition of the matters underlying the litigation holds. In the interim, [Tim Hortons] will not use the data for any purpose other than in relation to the associated litigation. [Tim Hortons] will inform our Offices in writing of its compliance with this commitment within 14 days of completing the required deletions, including with a detailed description of the data deleted by [Tim Hortons] and that deleted by its third-party service providers.<ref name=":0" />

Privacy Management Program: [Tim Hortons] agreed to comply with the recommendations detailed in paragraph 91 and 92 within twelve (12) months of the issuance of this report of findings, noting the effort and resources that would be required to implement such a program. [Tim Hortons] further agreed to provide quarterly written updates to our Offices detailing work completed, and progress to completion, on development and implementation of the privacy management program to date.<ref name=":0" />

==Class action lawsuits==
Restaurant Brands International Inc., the parent company of Tim Hortons, is facing several class-action lawsuits in relation to its mobile app.

The lawsuits were launched after the Financial Post's reporting on the collection of geolocation data.<ref name=":0" />
==See also==
*https://www.priv.gc.ca/en/opc-news/news-and-announcements/2022/nr-c_220601/
*https://uwaterloo.ca/cybersecurity-privacy-institute/news/tim-hortons-app-violated-privacy-laws-after-collecting
==References==

<references />

Tidal updates terms without explanation or opportunity to decline

2026-02-03T03:17:23Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Tidal
|StartDate=2025-05
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=
|Product=Tidala
|ArticleType=Service
|Type=Forced Migration, Terms of Service
|Description=
}}
In May 2025, Tidal.com prompted users to accept their updated terms. The differences are not explained within the notification and the entire Tidal application is blocked until the user accepts the new terms, constituting an example of coerced post-purchase EULA modification. Coupled with the need for users to follow a complex opt-out process for certain terms, this has lead to Tidal being accused of adopting a consumer-unfriendly posture with this TOS change{{Citation needed}}.

==Background==

According to the wayback machine, the previous terms were effective from January 1st 2024.

https://web.archive.org/web/20240501074048/https://tidal.com/terms

With the new terms effective from April 10, 2025.

https://web.archive.org/web/20250501082456/https://tidal.com/terms

==Forcing acceptance without clear explanation==

When opening the Tidal app after the terms update, users encountered a screen requiring acceptance of the new terms with no option to continue using the service under the previous agreement. This is an example of modern consumer abuse where a company leverages a user's pre-existing investment into a platform(subscriptions, saved playlists, data, etc) to force acceptance of new terms without providing simple alternatives.

==Difficult arbitration opt-out process==

While the terms do include an arbitration provision opt-out mechanism, Tidal created a huge barrier to exercising this right:

#Users must physically mail a completed form to Block, Inc. within 30 days of accepting the terms.<ref>https://tidal.com/TIDAL_Arbitration_Opt-Out_Form.pdf</ref>
#The form must be sent to their Oakland, California address regardless of where the user is located
#'''No digital opt-out option is provided despite Tidal being a digital service'''

According to Section 14(g) of the updated terms:<blockquote>''"You may reject this Arbitration Provision, in which case only a court may be used to resolve any Dispute. To reject this provision, you must send us an opt-out notice (the 'Opt Out') within thirty (30) days after you create a TIDAL account or we first provide you with the right to reject this provision."''</blockquote>The Opt-Out notice must be mailed to: Block, Inc., Attn: TIDAL Arbitration Provision, 1955 Broadway, Suite 600, Oakland, CA 94612.

==Differences in terms==

Using <code>diff -u</code> for the page contents as a text file:

===Changed effective date===
*Old: "Effective as of January 1, 2024 ("Effective Date")"
*New: "Effective as of April 10, 2025 ("Effective Date")"

===Changed territorial application===
*Old: "These terms and conditions ("Terms") govern your use of and access to TIDAL's content and streaming services, and associated websites and applications outside of Canada, the European Union ("EU"), European Economic Area ("EEA"), and United Kingdom (the "TIDAL Service")."
*New: "These terms and conditions ("Terms") govern your use of and access to TIDAL's content and streaming services, and associated websites and applications in the United Kingdom, European Union ("EU") and European Economic Area ("EEA") except Germany (the "TIDAL Service")."

===Changed company definition===
*Old: ""TIDAL" (or "we", "us", and/or "our") means (a) TIDAL Music LLC if you reside in the United States, (b) Tidal Serviços de Entretenimento Ltda. if you reside in Brazil, or (c) Tidal Music AS if you reside elsewhere other than Canada, the EU, the EEA, and the United Kingdom. If you reside in Canada, the EU, the EEA, or the UK, please see the Tidal Terms and Conditions of Use specific to your location (Canada; Germany; UK, EU and EEA except Germany)."
*New: ""TIDAL" (or "we", "us", and/or "our") means Tidal Music AS, the corporate entity that operates the TIDAL Service in the United Kingdom, EU and EEA except Germany. If you reside in Canada, Germany, and elsewhere, please see the Tidal Terms and Conditions of Use specific to your location (Canada; Germany; rest of world except Canada, the United Kingdom, EU and EEA except Germany)."

===Changed profile name requirements===
*Old: "You may not select a Profile name or identifier that (a) misleads or deceives others as to your personal identity; (b) clearly consists of the name of a company, group, product or brand that you don't have permission to use; or (c) violates our Content Guidelines (as described below)."
*New: "You may not select a Profile name or identifier that (a) misleads or deceives others as to your personal identity; (b) clearly consists of the name of a person, company, group, product or brand that you don't have permission to use; or (c) violates our Content Guidelines (as described below)."

===Eliminated free subscription references===
*Old: "(a) Subscriptions. TIDAL offers various subscription options, some of which are free ("Free Subscription") and others which charge a fee ("Paid Subscription") (collectively, "Subscriptions''). Some Subscriptions may start with a free or discounted trial period ("Trial Period")..."''
*New: "Subscriptions. TIDAL offers various subscription options, for which you will be charged a fee (each, a "Subscription", and collectively, "Subscriptions''). Some Subscriptions may start with a free or discounted trial period ("Trial Period")..."''

===Changed payment method language===
*Old: "(c) Payment Methods. To sign up for a Paid Subscription (including if preceded by a Trial Period), you must provide a current, valid, accepted method of payment, which may change from time to time ("Payment Method"). Paid Subscription purchases may be subject to additional terms..."
*New: "(c) Payment Methods. To sign up for a Subscription (including if preceded by a Trial Period), you must provide a current, valid, accepted method of payment, which may change from time to time ("Payment Method"). Subscription purchases may be subject to additional terms..."

===Changed consumer rights===
*Old: "(g) Right of Regret. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if you are a consumer in Brazil, you have the right to withdraw from your Subscription within seven (7) days of signing up, for any reason, provided you have not commenced use of the TIDAL Service during that time. Your right of regret is lost once the 7-day period expires."
*New: "(g) Right of Withdrawal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if you are a consumer in the European Union (EU), the European Economic area (EEA) and the United Kingdom have the right to withdraw from your Subscription within fourteen (14) days of signing up, for any reason, provided you have not commenced use of the TIDAL Service during that time. Your right of withdrawal is lost once the 14-day period expires."

===Added tax liability language===
New text added: "Additionally, you are responsible and liable for identifying and calculating any and all Taxes required to be assessed, incurred, collected, paid or withheld for your use of TIDAL. Unless otherwise expressly stated, you also are responsible and liable for (a) determining whether Taxes apply to your sale of products and services, payments received, and/or any other transactions arising from or out of your use of TIDAL, and (b) registering with Tax authorities in jurisdictions where you are required to do so by applicable law, and (c) calculating, collecting, reporting, paying, and/or remitting any such applicable Taxes to the appropriate Tax and revenue authority. TIDAL specifically disclaims any liability for such Taxes and you agree to fully indemnify, defend, and hold TIDAL harmless against any such Taxes and any other related expenses or costs."

===Added AI content rights===
New text added: "By using any of the Generative AI or AI-powered products, features, and tools ("AI Products") offered by TIDAL, you are responsible for all content associated with your use of AI Products. You agree that you will not use any AI Product to create any content that is harmful, misleading, or violates the rights of any third party. You are responsible for any text you type or images, content, or data you upload into AI Products ("Input"), as well as any text, images, or content generated by AI Products through your use of AI Products or through prompts you provide to AI Products ("Output", collectively together with Input, "AI Content"). You are also responsible for ensuring that any AI Content complies with all applicable laws, regulations, and terms before generating, using, or sharing it. You agree that you will not include any sensitive personal data of any individual (including data that reveals racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, or trade union membership, health data or data concerning anyone's sex life or sexual orientation) in any Input to AI Products. TIDAL reserves the right to suspend, terminate, or otherwise modify your access to AI Products or other Services as determined in our sole discretion if we identify any such misuse. As between you and TIDAL, to the extent permitted by law and subject to these Terms, you own your AI Content. You grant us and our subsidiaries, affiliates, and successors a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, fully-paid, transferable, irrevocable, perpetual, and sub-licensable right to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, prepare derivative works of, distribute, publicly perform, and publicly display your AI Content throughout the world in any media for any reason, including to provide, promote, and/or incorporate into the AI Products. You retain all rights in your Inputs and Outputs, subject to the rights you granted to us in these Terms."

===Added DJ tools information===
New text added: "You may access third-party DJ products made available through the TIDAL Service ("DJ Tools") if you have a Subscription to the DJ Extension. The use of the TIDAL Service with DJ Tools is for personal, non-commercial use only. Not all TIDAL Content is made available for use with the DJ Tools, and TIDAL is not responsible for any such TIDAL Content unavailability."

===Added uploads feature information===
New text added: "TIDAL Uploads feature allows those with a Subscription to upload ("Uploaders") finished or unfinished original musical recordings, music or otherwise, and underlying compositions ("Tracks") to the TIDAL platform to which Uploaders must have all necessary rights to share through a link with a person ("Receiver"), as contemplated in these Terms. We may limit the number of Tracks you can upload and/or the number of times you can share a Track. Tracks composed of covers of original works, to which you do not have the rights, are strictly prohibited. When a Track is uploaded, the Uploader may upload an image or artwork to coincide with that Track. If you do not upload an image or artwork with a Track, the image or art may be AI generated. The AI generated image or artwork is not copyrightable and TIDAL cannot guarantee that it is not substantially similar to other art in existence. No royalties or other monies will be payable to any Track contributors when Receivers play Tracks. You are responsible for any payments owed to Track contributors or other third parties for use of a Track. Tracks shall be considered Listener Content (as defined below) under these Terms. In order to use the Uploads feature, you will need to create a TIDAL account with a Profile and designate a Profile name and/or username. Your artist name may be the same as your Profile name. To use Uploads, you must be 18 years of age or over and not require any third party's permission to share and release music, e.g., being signed to an exclusive recording and/or publishing deal. Uploaders may manage the Track's limited, basic data, i.e., Track title, track image, and artist name ("Metadata"). Your uploads, including your image and/or artwork, must, at all times adhere to TIDAL's Content Guidelines. TIDAL reserves the right to terminate or suspend your ability to upload and to remove uploaded content if we determine, in our sole discretion, that an upload is in violation of these Terms and/or the Content Guidelines."

===Changed third party applications===
*Old: "The TIDAL Service may utilize or interact with certain third party applications, websites, platforms, devices and services ("Third Party Applications")."
*New: "The TIDAL Service may utilize or interact with certain third party applications, websites, platforms, devices and services, including DJ Tools and use of TIDAL Uploads ("Third Party Applications")."

===Changed copyright notice procedure===
*Old: "Send your notice to TIDAL Copyright Department, 799 Broadway, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10003, or by email to support@tidal.com."
*New: "To file your notice to TIDAL, go to TIDAL Support on our website and go to "Submit a Request" under "Still Need Help?" at the bottom of the page. This will lead you to our content request form. Choose "I want to report a copyright/DMCA or trademark violation" from the initial list of options and input all of the required information."

===Changed account termination options===
*Old: "You may terminate this Agreement at any time by canceling your Subscription or deleting your TIDAL account by contacting support@tidal.com, in which case you may not continue accessing or using the TIDAL Service."
*New: "You may terminate this Agreement at any time by canceling your Subscription or deleting your TIDAL account by contacting support@tidal.com, deleting your TIDAL account from your mobile settings, or by visiting account.tidal.com/profile; in all such cases, you may not continue accessing or using the TIDAL Service."

===Removed California residents notice===
The entire section 11 "Notice to California Residents" was removed:
"Pursuant to California Civil Code Section 1789.3, California residents are entitled to the following specific consumer rights notice which is hereby offered as a convenience to you:

The name and address of the provider to California residents of the TIDAL Service is TIDAL Music LLC, TIDAL – Customer Support, 799 Broadway, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10003. Complaints regarding the service or requests to receive further information regarding use of this service may be sent to the above address or by email to support@tidal.com.

The Complaint Assistance Unit of the Division of Consumer Services of the California Department of Consumer Affairs may be contacted in writing at 1625 North Market Boulevard, Suite S202, Sacramento, CA 95834 or by telephone at (916) 574-7950 or (800) 952-5210."

===Changed section numbers===
Due to the removal of the California Residents section, all subsequent section numbers were decreased by one.

===Added EU dispute resolution process===
New text added: "(i) If you reside in the European Union ("EU"): In accordance with our Content Guidelines, we may make decisions which affect you about (i) whether or not to remove or disable access to or restrict visibility of information; (ii) whether or not to suspend or terminate our provision of the TIDAL Service, in whole or in part, to you; and/or (iii) whether or not to suspend or terminate the your account. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 14, if you disagree with any such decision, you are entitled to select any out-of-court dispute settlement body certified by the Digital Services Coordinator in the relevant EU member state to resolve a dispute relating to any such decision. TIDAL will engage with the selected certified out-of-court dispute settlement body with a view to resolving the dispute in accordance with the Digital Services Act. You should be aware that TIDAL is not bound by any decision made by a certified out-of-court dispute settlement body. You also have the option to pursue your claim in accordance with the terms of this Section 14."

==Consumer protection concerns==

#

==References==
<ref>Tidal Terms and Conditions (April 10, 2025): [https://tidal.com/terms]</ref>
<ref>Tidal Terms and Conditions (January 1, 2024): [https://web.archive.org/web/20240501074048/https://tidal.com/terms]</ref>
<ref>Tidal Arbitration Opt-Out Form: [https://tidal.com/TIDAL_Arbitration_Opt-Out_Form.pdf]</ref>
<references />

[[Category:Tidal]]
[[Category:Terms of Service changes]]
[[Category:Arbitration clauses]]
[[Category:Digital rights]]

The Italian digital identity wallet only supports Google-certified Android devices

2026-02-03T03:16:53Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{IncidentCargo
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"IO, l'app dei servizi pubblici" (IO hereinafter) is an app developed by PagoPA S.p.A., a State-owned enterprise which develops tools to make digital public services available in Italy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-25 |title=About us page on PagoPA's website |url=https://www.pagopa.it/en/company/about-us/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250825201650/https://www.pagopa.it/en/company/about-us/ |archive-date=2025-08-25 |access-date=2025-08-25 |website=PagoPA S.p.A.}}</ref> The app can be downloaded on Android and iOS.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-25 |title=IO F.A.Q.s on how to install the app |url=https://ioapp.it/domande-frequenti#come-installare-io |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250716101927/https://ioapp.it/domande-frequenti#come-installare-io |archive-date=2025-07-16 |access-date=2025-08-25 |website=IO, l'app dei servizi pubblici}}</ref>

One of the services offered by IO is "Documenti su IO" (IT-Wallet hereinafter), a wallet containing digital identification documents<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-25 |title=IO F.A.Q.s on what Documenti su IO is |url=https://ioapp.it/domande-frequenti#cose-documenti |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250716101927/https://ioapp.it/domande-frequenti#cose-documenti |archive-date=2025-07-16 |access-date=2025-08-25 |website=IO, l'app dei servizi pubblici}}</ref>, as defined by the [https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/eidas-regulation eIDAS regulation].

To be able to access the IT-Wallet, the user needs to satisfy certain device integrity requirements, which the app's F.A.Q.s define as (translated from Italian)<ref name=":0" />:<blockquote>The device should not be compromised, that is, it should not be modified in such a way as to remove the security restrictions imposed by the operating system (for instance, jailbreak on iOS or rooting on Android). Furthermore, it is necessary that the app being executed is the official one, downloaded and signed from the Android and Apple stores (respectively, Play Store and App Store). </blockquote>On Android, these integrity requirements are checked with the Play Integrity API.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-08-25 |title=IO F.A.Q.s on technical requirements for the IT-Wallet |url=https://ioapp.it/domande-frequenti#requisiti-minimi |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250716101927/https://ioapp.it/domande-frequenti#requisiti-minimi |archive-date=2025-07-16 |access-date=2025-08-25 |website=IO, l'app dei servizi pubblici}}</ref>

The distribution policy and the implementation of the integrity checks highlighted above pose two issues discussed in the next sections.

==Exclusive distribution on Google Play Store==
IO is distributed on Android exclusively via the Google Play Store, which may not be available on all devices<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-25 |title=List of Android devices compatible with Google Play |url=https://storage.googleapis.com/play_public/supported_devices.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250825204544/https://storage.googleapis.com/play_public/supported_devices.html |archive-date=2025-08-25 |access-date=2025-08-25 |website=Supported devices - Google Play Help}}</ref> or the user may be running a non-Google licensed or non-Google compatible version of Android, which could not include the Play Store or may not even be [[wikipedia:Google_Play#Compatibility|eligible]] to include it. Moreover, users may wish not to install Google services on the device themselves in favor of alternatives.

Android devices are not only those running a version of the OS commercially licensed by Google to include the proprietary [[Google Mobile Services]] (GMS), a collection of proprietary applications and APIs from Google, containing Google Play and Google Play services. Devices running Android versions based on or stemming from the [https://source.android.com/ Android Open Source Project] or devices produced by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) with an agreement with Google that does not include GMS should also be taken into consideration.

Manufacturers wishing to ship devices with GMS and the Play Store pre-installed are required to enter into an agreement with Google.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2025-08-25 |title=Appendix of report from the UK's Competition and Markets Authority |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/61b794d6d3bf7f05545e1416/Appendix_E_-_Google_agreements_with_device_manufacturers_and_app_developers.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250717192313/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/61b794d6d3bf7f05545e1416/Appendix_E_-_Google_agreements_with_device_manufacturers_and_app_developers.pdf |archive-date=2025-07-17 |access-date=2025-08-25 |website=assets.publishing.service.gov.uk}}</ref> Google's position in the app distribution market can be seen as concerning for market competition<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-04-10 |title=Rivals claim Google's 'deceptive' use of Android has been anti-competitive |url=https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/news/rivals-claim-googles-deceptive-use-of-android-has-been-anti-competitive |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250825205900/https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/news/rivals-claim-googles-deceptive-use-of-android-has-been-anti-competitive |archive-date=2025-08-25 |access-date=2025-08-25 |website=Pinsent Masons}}</ref>, as it could represent a barrier to emerging distribution channels and app stores.<ref name=":1" /> The European Union itself designated Alphabet (the parent holding company of Google) as a ''gatekeeper'' '''—''' a large digital platform providing core platform services, that needs to comply with specific regulations set forth in the Digital Markets Act '''—''' with respect to its Google Play platform.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2023-09-05 |title=EU's designation decision on Google Play |url=https://ec.europa.eu/competition/digital_markets_act/cases/202344/DMA_100002_145.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250703093659/https://ec.europa.eu/competition/digital_markets_act/cases/202344/DMA_100002_145.pdf |archive-date=2025-07-03 |access-date=2025-08-25 |website=European Commission}}</ref> One of the purposes of the DMA is to enforce the right of European citizens to have the choice to install preferred apps directly from the web or alternative app stores.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-25 |title=About the Digital Markets Act |url=https://digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu/about-dma_en#what-does-this-mean-for-consumers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250825210330/https://digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu/about-dma_en#what-does-this-mean-for-consumers |archive-date=2025-08-25 |access-date=2025-08-25 |website=Digital Markets Act}}</ref>

Note that the European Digital Identity Wallet Architecture and Framework Reference explicitly states that wallets can be made available "on other means than the official OS app store".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-04 |title=Section 6.5.2.2 of the EU Digital Identity Wallet Architecture and Framework Reference |url=https://github.com/eu-digital-identity-wallet/eudi-doc-architecture-and-reference-framework/blob/main/docs/architecture-and-reference-framework-main.md |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250726100752/https://github.com/eu-digital-identity-wallet/eudi-doc-architecture-and-reference-framework/blob/main/docs/architecture-and-reference-framework-main.md |archive-date=2025-07-26 |access-date=2025-08-25 |website=GitHub}}</ref>

==Use of Play Integrity API==
The [[Google Play Integrity API]] is part of Google Play<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-24 |title=Google Play Integrity terms |url=https://developer.android.com/google/play/integrity/terms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250825211316/https://developer.android.com/google/play/integrity/terms |archive-date=2025-08-25 |access-date=2025-08-25 |website=Android Mobile App Developer Tools}}</ref> and its strong integrity check is not compatible with devices running on alternative operating systems. This issue has been reported by the [https://grapheneos.org/ GrapheneOS] developers<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-25 |title=GrapheneOS attestation compatibility guide |url=https://grapheneos.org/articles/attestation-compatibility-guide |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250825211648/https://grapheneos.org/articles/attestation-compatibility-guide |archive-date=2025-08-25 |access-date=2025-08-25 |website=GrapheneOS}}</ref> and by IO users.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-06 |title=Forum thread discussing lack of IT-Wallet support on GrapheneOS |url=https://forum.italia.it/t/grapheneos-e-documenti-su-io/43232/3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250825211802/https://forum.italia.it/t/grapheneos-e-documenti-su-io/43232/3 |archive-date=2025-08-25 |access-date=2025-08-25 |website=Forum Italia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-23 |title=Issue on IO's GitHub repository |url=https://github.com/pagopa/io-app/issues/6327 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250720071402/https://github.com/pagopa/io-app/issues/6327 |archive-date=2025-07-20 |access-date=2025-08-25 |website=GitHub}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-28 |title=/e/os user reports issues with IO on the e Foundation community |url=https://community.e.foundation/t/io-app-it-wallet-play-integrity-api-and-key-attestation/63555 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250825212120/https://community.e.foundation/t/io-app-it-wallet-play-integrity-api-and-key-attestation/63555 |archive-date=2025-08-25 |access-date=2025-08-25 |website=/e/OS community}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-25 |title=Users' reports in Google Play reviews of the IO app |url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=it.pagopa.io.app&hl=en-US |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250226184528/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=it.pagopa.io.app&hl=en-US |archive-date=2025-02-26 |access-date=2025-08-25 |website=Google Play}}</ref>

A more universally compatible solution to check the integrity of the device would be the standard Android [https://developer.android.com/privacy-and-security/security-key-attestation hardware attestation API], which would support non-Google alternative operating systems via the whitelisting of their keys.

==Impact==
The design choices of the IT-Wallet make it so that the service is only accessible to Italian citizens using one of two core services from Apple and Google, two foreign companies designated as gatekeepers by the EU Digital Markets Act.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-05 |title=EU's designation decision on the AppStore |url=https://ec.europa.eu/competition/digital_markets_act/cases/202344/DMA_100013_215.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250728225957/https://ec.europa.eu/competition/digital_markets_act/cases/202344/DMA_100013_215.pdf |archive-date=2025-07-28 |access-date=2025-08-25 |website=European Commission}}</ref> Furthermore, Android users can only use the IT-Wallet if they have a Google-certified device and OS.

Distributing the app on Android via channels other than Google Play and performing integrity checks via the [https://developer.android.com/privacy-and-security/security-key-attestation hardware attestation API] instead of the Google Play Integrity API would enable users to access the service on alternative devices and operating systems, not restricting it to services with a dominant position in the market.

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

Tesla Cybertruck voids warranty if Powershare feature is used

2026-02-03T03:16:43Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{IncidentCargo
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The [[Tesla]] Cybertruck advertises a feature called "Powershare" (formerly "Power Your Site"), which seems to fall outside of the warranty conditions for the car battery.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cybertruck - Electric Utility Truck |url=https://www.tesla.com/cybertruck |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/BEt6w |archive-date=2025-10-28 |access-date=2025-10-29 |publisher=Tesla |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Tesla's cybertruck warranty is what happens when consumer protection is a joke|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzdIjCzKhfM|author=Louis Rossmann|language=en|publisher=YouTube|format=video|date=2024-07-08}}</ref> The feature matches a warranty void clause that is in the New Vehicle Limited Warranty conditions that took effect since November 11th 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vehicle Warranty |url=https://www.tesla.com/support/vehicle-warranty |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/l2372 |archive-date=2024-10-13 |access-date=2025-10-29 |website=Tesla Support |publisher= |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://digitalassets.tesla.com/tesla-contents/image/upload/tesla-cybertruck-new-vehicle-limited-warranty-en-us.pdf;|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241224172501oe_/https://digitalassets.tesla.com/tesla-contents/image/upload/tesla-cybertruck-new-vehicle-limited-warranty-en-us.pdf|archive-date=2024-12-24|title=NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY|publisher=Tesla|language=en}}</ref>

==Background==
The "Powershare" (formerly "Power Your Site") feature allows using the car battery to power other devices. It is advertised as a way to "operate your tools or charge any EV with integrated 120V and 240V bed and cabin outlets. During a grid outage, provide up to 11.5 kW of power directly to your home to help keep the lights on." These vehicles are equipped with 200kW motors, which primarily power the vehicle's movement. Having 79 MPGe and weighing 3 tons, driving normally would use more energy than the 11.5kWh the Power Your Site feature would be supplying.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=2024 Tesla Cybertruck Dual Motor AWD - Specifications and price |url=https://www.evspecifications.com/en/model/800fef |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/04aZ4 |archive-date=2025-10-29 |access-date=2025-10-29 |publisher=EVSpecifications |language=en}}</ref> Yet, the Powershare features are not covered under warranty, being advertised on their website with no disclaimers.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Powershare - Vehicle to Home Backup System {{!}} Tesla |url=https://www.tesla.com/powershare |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/eY19D |archive-date=2025-10-29 |access-date=2025-10-29 |website=Tesla}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tesla Powershare {{!}} Tesla Support |url=https://www.tesla.com/support/powershare |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250330132652/https://www.tesla.com/support/powershare |archive-date=2025-03-30 |access-date=2025-10-29 |website=Tesla Support}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> 

==Updated warranty void conditions for the car battery==
The relevant New Vehicle Limited Warranty for the Cybertruck battery are as follows:<ref name=":1" /><blockquote>Damage to the Battery resulting from the following activities is also not covered under this Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty:

*Damaging the Battery, or intentionally attempting, either by physical means, programming, or other methods, to extend (other than as specified in your Owner's Manual and any documentation provided by Tesla) or reduce the life of the Battery;
*Exposing the Battery to direct flame (excluding from Battery fires as specified previously);
*Using the vehicle as a permanent, stationary or long-term power source or backup; and
*Flooding the Battery or vehicle use outside the scope of the Owner's Manual.
</blockquote>The third clause, "Using the vehicle as a permanent, stationary or long-term power source or backup", does not further define what "long-term" means. On the same page, there is also another section that further reduces the scope of the provided warranty<ref name=":1" />:<blockquote>Your vehicle updates its software wirelessly, constantly providing new features and improvements for your vehicle, including updates to protect and improve Battery longevity. Any noticeable changes to the performance of the Battery due to these software updates are NOT covered under this Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty.</blockquote>This means customers would not be able to claim warranty should there be a software update that affects their experience negatively.

===Tesla's response===
No official response has been provided yet, although there was a significant backlash by customers.

==Consumer response==
Customers mainly reacted on the other conditions that fall outside of the warranty, like driving off-road, the environment, or [[wikipedia:Act_of_God#Contract_law|an act of nature]], which includes "exposure to sunlight".<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-24 |title=Tesla Cybertruck Warranty Doesn’t include off-roading, or driving on uneven surfaces |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/RealTesla/comments/1d0ld6y/tesla_cybertruck_warranty_doesnt_include |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/e0r4S |archive-date=2025-10-29 |access-date=2025-10-29 |website=Reddit |publisher=Reddit |language=en |format=forum thread}}</ref>

==See also==

*[[Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act]]
*[[Tesla, Inc.]]

==References==
{{reflist}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Tesla Cybertruck voids warranty if advertised "Power Your Site" feature is used}}
[[Category:Tesla]]
[[Category:Articles based on videos]]

Terumo Cardiovascular discontinues third-party repair of System 1

2026-02-03T03:12:25Z

Bythmusters: Added deletion request

{{Incomplete}}
{{Delete}}
{{Stub}}[[File:TerumoCardiovascularDiscontinuesCertification.png|thumb|Terumo Cardiovascular discontinues certification of third-party repair]]
On December 12, 2024, [[Terumo Cardiovascular]] informed customers that, effective January 1, 2025, it would no longer be offering certification for repair or maintenance of the System 1, its advanced perfusion heart-lung machine. Instead, future repair and servicing is expected to be carried out by the company directly. While existing certifications will remain valid, they will naturally lapse at their expiration dates, and renewal will not be possible.
[[Category:Terumo Cardiovascular]]

Tekken 8 retroactively introducing micro transactions

2026-02-03T03:12:09Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

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[[Predatory microtransactions|Microtransactions]] and a battle pass were added to the game Tekken 8 a month after its release. This was not disclosed or hinted at prior to the game's release or in the game’s first few weeks.

==Background==
Tekken 8 is a video game released on January 26, 2024, by Bandai Namco Entertainment for the [[Sony]] Playstation 5, [[Microsoft]] Xbox Series X/S and PC via [[Steam]]. Upon its release, the game contained no micro transactions. The only in-game purchases were downloadable content (DLC) packs. The absence of micro transactions was indicated by the game’s Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating lacking the necessary label.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20231017075002/https://www.esrb.org/ratings/39605/tekkentm-8/ TEKKEN™ 8 - ESRB - web.archive.org, October 17, 2023]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20240126054125/https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/tekken-8/ Tekken 8 - PS5 Games | PlayStation (US) - web.archive.org, January 26, 2024]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20240203111112/https://www.xbox.com/en-us/games/store/tekken-8/9PPSM14VKCLW Buy TEKKEN 8 | Xbox - web.archive.org, February 3, 2024]</ref>

==Introduction of micro transactions==
With the update to version Ver.1.02.01 on February 29, 2024, a feature called "TEKKEN SHOP" was introduced.<ref>[https://www.bandainamcoent.com/news/tekken-8-patch-notes-v1-02-01 TEKKEN 8 Patch Notes v1.02.01 | Official Site]</ref> This feature is an in-game shop where cosmetic items for characters and consumables can be acquired. Besides some free items, the majority of items cost "TEKKEN COINS," a premium currency introduced alongside the "TEKKEN SHOP". Because of this update, the game’s ESRB rating had to be updated to include the "In-Game Purchases" label.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20240222041526/https://www.esrb.org/ratings/39605/tekkentm-8/ TEKKEN™ 8 - ESRB - web.archive.org, February 22, 2024]</ref><ref name=":0">[https://web.archive.org/web/20240302152902/https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/tekken-8/ Tekken 8 - PS5 Games | PlayStation (US) - web.archive.org, March 2, 2024]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20240228223711/https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/store/tekken-8/9PPSM14VKCLW Buy TEKKEN 8 | Xbox - web.archive.org, February 28, 2024]</ref>

The pricing for "TEKKEN COINS" is as follows:

* $2.99 for 300 "TEKKEN COINS"
* $4.99 for 500 "TEKKEN COINS"
* $9.99 for 1050 "TEKKEN COINS"
* $19.99 for 2120 "TEKKEN COINS"
* $29.99 for 3210 "TEKKEN COINS"
* $49.99 for 5500 "TEKKEN COINS"

Items in the "TEKKEN SHOP" are grouped in three categories:

* "Party Effects"
* "Avatar Items"
* "Character Items"

"Party Effects" are consumable fireworks the player can launch in the "Tekken Fight Lounge". The "Tekken Fight Lounge" is a game mode where players can create their own avatar and interact with other players in a closed area. Single colored fireworks can be purchased for 50 "TEKKEN COINS" for 10 usages while 10 usages of rainbow colored fireworks can be purchased for 100 "TEKKEN COINS".

"Avatar Items" are cosmetic items the player can equip to their "Tekken Fight Lounge" avatar. These packs can be purchased for 300 and 400 "TEKKEN COINS"

"Character Items" are cosmetic items the player can equip to their characters. These packs cost 400 "TEKKEN COINS" each.

There are also "Collaboration Packs" which cost 500 "TEKKEN COINS"

The conversion of real-world money into "TEKKEN COINS" is necessary to purchase items. They cannot be bought with money directly. Many items are priced at 400 "TEKKEN COINS" which is 100 "TEKKEN COINS" more than the cheapest option and 100 "TEKKEN COINS" less than the second cheapest. This leads to the player needing to purchase more "TEKKEN COINS" then they actually need for one such item pack. This is a common tactic used by many game publishers to push players to spend more money, as they will have premium currency left over after purchasing the desired item, which then makes the player more likely to purchase premium currency again.

On top of that, with the update to version Ver.1.03.01 on April 1, 2024, a feature called "TEKKEN FIGHT PASS" was introduced to the game.<ref>[https://www.bandainamcoent.com/news/tekken-8-patch-notes-v1-03-01 TEKKEN 8 Patch Notes v1.03.01 | Official Site]</ref> The "TEKKEN FIGHT PASS" is a battle pass system which gives the player a set amount of time to progress through the battle pass tiers, unlocking new rewards on the way. If the player is not able to complete the battle pass in the set amount of time, the rewards will not be able to be earned at a later point in time, unless the game developer makes those rewards available again. A battle pass is inherently an abuse of the [[Fear of missing out]] (FOMO) [[dark pattern]]. The rewards include cosmetic items for characters and player avatars, "TEKKEN COINS,” and other items. The "TEKKEN FIGHT PASS" has a free version alongside a premium version which costs 600 "TEKKEN COINS" or 2000 "TEKKEN COINS" with the benefit of skipping 20 tiers. Again, the price is just slightly higher than the amount of "TEKKEN COINS" the closest pack gives the player. The premium version of the "TEKKEN FIGHT PASS" includes more items and 600 "TEKKEN COINS" on top of the free rewards. The free version did not offer any "TEKKEN COINS" in its first run. Starting from the second pass, the free version offers 100 "TEKKEN COINS" as a level reward.<ref>[https://tekken.fandom.com/wiki/Tekken_Fight_Pass Tekken Fight Pass | Tekken Wiki | Fandom]</ref>

===Bandai Namco Entertainment's response===

Bandai Namco Entertainment has not given an official response to the criticism. However, TEKKEN Project Chief Director Katsuhiro Harada has stated on multiple occasions that this choice was made to combat the increasing game development costs.<ref>[https://x.com/Harada_TEKKEN/status/1760182225143009473 <nowiki>Katsuhiro Harada on X: "@Daturaf4 @AH_alhumaidi Development costs are now 10 times more expensive [...]</nowiki>]</ref>

==Consumer response==

While many players are fine with those additions, many other players have criticized Bandai Namco Entertainment's decision to add micro transactions to a game priced at $69.99 without extra content, or $109.99 for the "Ultimate Edition"<ref name=":0" />.

Another point of criticism is the addition of micro transactions a month after the game's release in order to, allegedly, gain a lot of positive reviews in the initial review phase. Supporting this allegation is the update of the game's ESRB rating and not hinting at an addition of micro transactions in any way.

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Tekken 8]]

TeamViewer terminates perpetual licenses

2026-02-03T03:11:27Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=TeamViewer
|StartDate=
|EndDate=
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|ProductLine=
|Product=TeamViewer 11, TeamViewer 12
|ArticleType=
|Type=Broken Promise
|Description=
}}
[[TeamViewer]] terminates perpetual license users by no longer supporting versions 11 and 12 on their global network infrastructure.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=JeanK (Community Manager) |date=26 May 2025 |title=End of support for TeamViewer versions 11 and 12 |url=https://community.teamviewer.com/English/discussion/141015/end-of-support-for-teamviewer-versions-11-and-12/p1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250618115103/https://community.teamviewer.com/English/discussion/141015/end-of-support-for-teamviewer-versions-11-and-12/p1 |archive-date=18 Jun 2025 |access-date=21 Jun 2025 |via=Teamviewer Community}}</ref> Versions 11 and 12 were the last versions of TeamViewer that were not subscription based. The customer response on the community forum focuses on the legal aspect of this conduct, and about organizing a class action lawsuit against TeamViewer.

==Background==
TeamViewer built its business on a perpetual licensing model. The initial licensing fee was substantial at the time, but licensees were given the option of paying for upgrades at a discount that would contain new features and enhancements. Licensees were also promised that should they not need the new features, they would not be forced to upgrade. Licensees could continue to use their existing version in perpetuity. TeamViewer 12 was the last version that allowed perpetual licensing. The licensing model of TeamViewer products has been changed, perpetual licenses are no longer supported, and instead new customers are sold a subscription model.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yuri_T |date=27 Feb 2019 |title=Perpetual licence option? |url=https://community.teamviewer.com/English/discussion/55413/perpetual-licence-option/p1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250621140111/https://community.teamviewer.com/English/discussion/55413/perpetual-licence-option/p1 |archive-date=21 Jun 2025 |access-date=21 Jun 2025 |website= |via=TeamViewer Community}}</ref>

==Perpetual Users LAN only==
As of an email dated 6/3/2025, the final perpetual version will no longer function outside of a Local Area Network.

In addition, TeamViewer has also removed features from the product and reintroducting similar features in new product. TeamViewer removed the meeting capability in TeamViewer 13 with the introduction of Blizz (now TeamViewer Meeting).

TeamViewer is offering discounts to the subscription version for perpetual users

===TeamViewer's response===
Customers were sent the following email:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Customer notice to "upgrade" |url=https://services.teamviewer.com/html_mail.jsp?params=SPAWb7TgrG3i5Ps2Vo6AdrIr3nf2RLCsakmg2S5bYYz8ciX0%2FFb7IqnRBskejxpadKtGgym6KxphKhlEPSqdrhTa%2Ba6Ue7J%2BmDFwuzVAVX6%2FBRU5mWsXOLB98yOvpswe |website=TeamViewer}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|Dear Customer, 

Thank you for being a valued TeamViewer customer. 

We’re reaching out to inform you of an important update regarding your TeamViewer license. Support for TeamViewer versions '''11 and 12''' will officially end on '''31 December 2025''', as we continue advancing the security and performance of our remote connectivity platform.

'''How does this affect you?'''

*After the above date, licenses for TeamViewer '''11 and 12 will no longer be supported''' on our global network infrastructure.
*You will still be able to use these versions for local (LAN) connections, where both devices are on the same network, but internet-based remote sessions will no longer be available.

'''Why this change?'''

As technology and security standards evolve, older software versions like TeamViewer 11 and 12 become more susceptible to vulnerabilities and lack the capabilities to support modern features. Continuing to maintain these legacy versions not only poses security risks but also limits our ability to provide you with the most stable and secure experience.

By transitioning to the latest TeamViewer Remote platform, you’ll benefit from:

*Stronger security with the latest standards and encryption protocols
*More stable and responsive connections across devices and platforms
*Continuous access to innovations like AI-powered support and new productivity tools

This change ensures that you can continue to rely on TeamViewer for secure, efficient, and cutting-edge remote connectivity.

'''Your options'''

We highly encourage you to consider upgrading to the latest version of TeamViewer. As a valued customer, we are pleased to offer you an '''exclusive upgrade discount''' should you choose to transition to a subscription plan.

To explore your options or to speak with a member of our support team, please click below:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|'''Contact Us'''
|}
|}
In the original post, TeamViewer proposes that users with existing perpetual licenses "upgrade" to the latest TeamViewer under a subscription plan. It is mentioned that existing customers are eligible for an "exclusive upgrade discount", which is not further specified for perpetual license owners.<ref name=":0" />

==Lawsuit==
{{Placeholder box|If applicable, add any information regarding litigation around the incident here.

===Claims===
Main claims of the suit.

===Rebuttal===
The response of the company or counterclaims.

===Outcome===
The outcome of the suit, if any.}}

==Consumer response==
One user on the forum states that they bought a license for TeamViewer version 12 with a term of 10 years, so this comes two years before their license ends.<ref name=":0" /> Commercial users of the software must have a license to use TeamViewer, only personal usage of the software is free.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 May 2023 |title=Commercial use suspected |url=https://www.teamviewer.com/en/global/support/knowledge-base/teamviewer-classic/licensing/personal-use/commercial-use-suspected/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250208061425/https://www.teamviewer.com/en/global/support/knowledge-base/teamviewer-classic/licensing/personal-use/commercial-use-suspected/ |archive-date=8 Feb 2025 |access-date=21 Jun 2025 |website=TeamViewer Support}}</ref>

This invalidation additionally ignores when users who paid for their lifetime perpetual licenses, where in one case with Linus of ''Linus Tech Tips'' only received a discount for the subscription for paying for a ~$5k+ software upgrade only a few months before the announcement of the sunset of versions 11 and 12 in '''December 2025'''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=LMG Clips |date=Jun 23, 2025 |title=If Buying Isn’t Owning, Then Piracy Isn’t Stealing |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDfCYF0PLac |access-date=Jun 23, 2025 |work=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> Some highlights included with the email sent to Linus are the following:<blockquote>'''How does this affect you?'''

- After the above date, licenses for TeamViewer '''11 and 12 will no longer be supported''' on our global network infrastructure.h

- You will still be able to use these versions for local (LAN) connections, where both devices are on the same network, but internet-based remote sessions will no longer be available

'''Your options'''

We highly encourage you to consider upgrading to the latest version of TeamViewer. As a valued customer, we are pleased to offer you an '''exclusive upgrade discount''' should you choose to transition to a subscription plan.</blockquote>

==See also==

*[[Lifetime license removal]]
*[[Adobe Lightroom: Perpetual to Subscription Transition]]
*[[Bandicam perpetual license invalidation]]

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

Swiggy and Zomato refuse to refund customers for cancelled orders

2026-02-03T03:09:36Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=missing some sections}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Swiggy, Zomato
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Indian food and grocery ordering companies Zomato and Swiggy refuse to refund their customers if they cancel their order. This has been noted to occur when the customers pay in advance for their food orders (prepaid orders).

==Background==
While Swiggy and Zomato may be competitors, they have often worked together on joint startups and collaborations with each other despite competing for market share.<ref>{{Cite web |publisher=TOI Business Desk |date=2024-11-13 |title='Couldn't have asked for better company': Zomato CEO's heartfelt message as rival Swiggy makes market debut |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/couldnt-have-asked-for-better-company-zomato-ceos-heartfelt-message-as-rival-swiggy-makes-market-debut/articleshow/115248238.cms |url-status=live |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=indiatimes}}</ref> It is unclear as to why both businesses decided to make similar policies of withholding refunds at relatively the same time. But, it has been subject to backlash by both users and consumer protections of India.
==Withholding Refunds for Canceled Orders==
The [https://www.swiggy.com/refund-policy cancellation policy of Swiggy] states that they may withhold the refunds if a prepaid customer cancels their order deeming such cancellation a "breach of contract".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bansal |first=Aakriti |date=22 May 2025 |title=Why the CCPA Is Questioning Zomato and Swiggy’s Approach to Refunds & Cancellations |url=https://www.medianama.com/2025/05/223-ccpa-probes-zomato-swiggy-cancellation-refund-policies/ |url-status=live |access-date=26 May 2025 |website=Medianama}}</ref>

The [https://www.zomato.com/policies/terms-of-service/ terms of service of Zomato] similarly calls such cancellation an "Authorization Breach" for which they claim the right to withhold the refund amount.

This has violated consumer rights of India in the following ways:

===Lack of transparency when ordering===
This information is not shown to the customer when they are paying for their order in advance. This information is hidden in the cancellation policy page or terms and conditions pages of the apps that most customers of the apps do not usually click on as it is written in a lengthy and legal manner. A quick but imperfect word count of the length of Zomato's terms of service page using two command-line tools available on a GNU/Linux system (pandoc -f html -t markdown "https://www.zomato.com/policies/terms-of-service/" | wc -w) tells us that the page contains approximately 22,479 words. The firefox browser's reader mode also estimates an average reader to take 116-148 minutes to read through Zomato's terms of service page from start to finish.

===Unclear term violations===
There is no exact definition of what may constitute an action that can be deemed "breach of contract" or "Authorization Breach" provided within the policy. This gives Swiggy and Zomato full discretion to decide what actions may or may not fall under the term. There is no way for the customers or the restaurants who receive the order to challenge the decision of Swiggy or Zomato to not refund the customer under this policy.

These policies also negatively affect the restaurant owners as they receive no compensation for a cancelled order and further have their payouts reduced by the sum of refunds for cancelled orders. The food prepared by the restaurants before the order is cancelled also goes to waste.

==[Company]'s response==
{{Placeholder box|If applicable, add the proposed solution to the issues by the company.}}

==Lawsuit==
An inquiry has been instituted to review these practices by the Central Consumer Protection Authority of India; and may take legal action against both companies for unfair terms.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burgula |first=Pavan |date=21 May 2025 |title=CCPA may ask Zomato, Swiggy to revise cancellation policies |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/companies/ccpa-may-ask-zomato-swiggy-to-revise-cancellation-policies-13038009.html |url-status=live |access-date=25 May 2025 |website=Moneycontrol}}</ref> As of now there currently is no active case against both companies for this type of policy and will remain until further notice.

==Consumer response==
{{Placeholder box|Summary and key issues of prevailing sentiment from the consumers and commentators that can be documented via articles, emails to support, reviews and forum posts.}}

==References==
<references />

SunStrong Management LLC puts solar monitoring app behind paywall

2026-02-03T03:08:58Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=SunStrong Management
|StartDate=2025-01-29
|EndDate=
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|Product=SunPower
|ArticleType=
|Type=Rent-seeking
|Description=
}}
In a January 2025 decision by SunStrong Management LLC, subscription fees began to be charged for solar monitoring features previously included with hardware purchases, while simultaneously blocking local access methods through firmware updates, affecting approximately 600,000 former SunPower customers following SunPower's August 2024 bankruptcy.

==Incident==
On January 29, 2025, SunStrong Management LLC sent a mass email to former SunPower customers announcing mandatory subscription fees for solar monitoring features.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SunStrong Management Continuing mySunPower App |url=https://mysolarlady.com/my-solar-lady-blog/sunstrong-management-continuing-mysunpower-app |archive-url=https://archive.ph/cOOnz |archive-date=26 Jan 2026 |access-date=2025-10-16 |work=My Solar Lady}}</ref> The email informed customers that features previously included with their monitoring hardware purchase (costing $1,600+) would now require either:
*Premium monitoring: $9.99/month or $99.99/year
*Cellular connectivity (effective July 8, 2025): $59.99/year (solar only) or $149.99/year (solar + battery)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Action Required: Changes to SunStrong Solar Monitoring and Cellular Connectivity by July 8 |url=https://solartechnologies.com/action-required-changes-to-sunstrong-solar-monitoring-and-cellular-connectivity-by-july-8/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250710163104/https://solartechnologies.com/action-required-changes-to-sunstrong-solar-monitoring-and-cellular-connectivity-by-july-8/ |archive-date=10 Jul 2025 |access-date=2025-10-16 |work=Solar Technologies}}</ref>

Features moved behind the paywall included historical production data, panel-level monitoring, usage analytics, and monthly performance reports. Basic monitoring (real-time production, device alerts, battery management) remains free for WiFi/Ethernet connected systems.

Concurrent with implementing subscription fees, SunStrong deployed firmware updates that restrict local access to monitoring data. Starting with firmware version 2025.06 build 61838, the company blocked access to the local API that customers and third-party developers had been using to retrieve their own solar production data directly from their hardware without going through SunStrong's servers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sunpower PVS6 and Solar-Assistant Beta? |url=https://diysolarforum.com/threads/sunpower-pvs6-and-solar-assistant-beta.103738/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250613105930/https://diysolarforum.com/threads/sunpower-pvs6-and-solar-assistant-beta.103738/ |archive-date=13 Jun 2025 |access-date=2025-10-16 |work=DIY Solar Power Forum}}</ref>

==Background==
===SunPower bankruptcy===
SunPower Corporation filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy on August 5, 2024 (Case 24-11649-CTG, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware) with approximately $2.01 billion in outstanding debt.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://dm.epiq11.com/case/sunpower/info |title=SunPower Corporation Bankruptcy Case Information |work=Epiq |access-date=2025-10-16}}</ref> The company had previously sold solar monitoring hardware and software solutions to approximately 600,000 households across the United States.

On September 24, 2024, the bankruptcy court approved the sale of SunPower's monitoring app infrastructure, customer databases, and approximately 110,000 solar lease contracts to HA SunStrong Capital LLC and GF SunStrong Capital LLC for $11.5 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Motion for Asset Sale Approved for SunPower Corporation |url=https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/SUNPOWER-CORPORATION-9483260/news/Motion-for-Asset-Sale-Approved-for-SunPower-Corporation-47994455/ |archive-url=https://archive.ph/5t4hL |archive-date=26 Jan 2026 |access-date=2025-10-16 |work=Market Screener}}</ref> Asset transfers occurred between September 30 and October 21, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Acquisition Announcement |url=https://us.sunpower.com/acquisition-announcement |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250511065230/https://us.sunpower.com/acquisition-announcement |archive-date=11 May 2025 |access-date=2025-10-16 |work=SunPower}}</ref>

===SunStrong Management LLC===
SunStrong Management LLC was incorporated on April 8, 2025, and is jointly owned by Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital Inc. (NYSE: HASI) and GoodFinch Management LLC.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SunStrong Management LLC Credit Rating Report |url=https://www.kbra.com/publications/FHhdwysX |archive-url=https://archive.ph/FJFZ1 |archive-date=26 Jan 2026 |access-date=2025-10-16 |work=Kroll Bond Rating Agency}}</ref> The company is led by CEO Brendon Merkley, formerly of GoodLeap, SolarCity, and Vivint Solar.

Following additional acquisitions including Sunnova's portfolio in September 2025, SunStrong manages over 500,000 customers across 50 states with 83 employees.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/sunstrong-becomes-one-largest-u-130700976.html |title=SunStrong Becomes One of Largest U.S. Residential Solar Management Companies |work=Yahoo Finance |access-date=2025-10-16}}</ref> The company maintains a BBB rating of C with 104 complaints filed as of October 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbb.org/us/md/annapolis/profile/renewable-energy/sunstrong-management-llc-0011-90376265 |title=SunStrong Management LLC Business Profile |work=Better Business Bureau |access-date=2025-10-16}}</ref>

===Hardware specifications===
The monitoring hardware consists of PVS5/PVS6 (PV Supervisor) units with FCC certifications YAW529027 and YAW539848.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FCC ID YAW529027 |url=https://fccid.io/YAW529027 |archive-url=https://archive.ph/1R4g2 |archive-date=26 Jan 2026 |access-date=2025-10-16 |work=FCC ID Database}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=FCC ID YAW539848-Z Technical Documentation |url=https://fcc.report/FCC-ID/YAW539848-Z/6022544.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250709015022/https://fcc.report/FCC-ID/YAW539848-Z/6022544.pdf |archive-date=9 Jul 2025 |access-date=2025-10-16 |work=FCC Report}}</ref> These devices feature:
*NEMA Type 3R rating, operating temperature -30°C to 60°C
*Connectivity: Ethernet, WiFi, Power Line Communication, cellular backup
*Requirements: Dedicated 240/208V AC circuit
*Communication: USB ports, RS-485

==Customer impact==
The PVS5/PVS6 monitoring hardware includes a local data interface that previously allowed homeowners to access their solar production data directly through their home network. This enabled integration with home automation systems and avoided reliance on SunStrong's cloud services. Through firmware updates in March-April 2025, SunStrong began blocking this local access, with the system returning "403 Unauthorized" errors when customers attempt to retrieve their own data.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SunPower SunStrong Monitoring Situation |url=https://www.solarpaneltalk.com/forum/solar-panels-for-home/solar-panel-system-equipment/443648-sunpower-sunstrong-monitoring-situation |archive-url=https://archive.ph/zwceu |archive-date=26 Jan 2026 |access-date=2025-10-16 |work=Solar Panel Talk}}</ref>

The blocking appears intermittent. It may be temporarily resolved after power cycling the device, but returning after several weeks of use. This pattern forces customers who want local access to repeatedly reset their equipment. Additionally, SunStrong changed monitoring system URLs without notification, breaking existing third-party integrations and older monitoring setups.

These restrictions effectively force customers to either pay for SunStrong's subscription service or lose access to detailed monitoring capabilities they originally purchased with their hardware. While solar systems continue producing electricity regardless of monitoring status, customers cannot access their own production data, receive system alerts, or integrate with home automation without subscribing to SunStrong's service.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Update: Solar App Monitoring Features |url=https://empower-solar.com/en/blog/update-solar-app-monitoring-features/ |archive-url=https://archive.ph/5Gsjg |archive-date=26 Jan 2026 |access-date=2025-10-16 |work=Empower Solar}}</ref>

==Legal status==
As of October 2025, no class action lawsuit has been filed regarding the monitoring subscription fees. The California Contractors State License Board filed an accusation on March 28, 2024, seeking to revoke SunPower Corporate Systems' contractor license, with a hearing scheduled April 14, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=San Jose SunPower Solar Panels Bankruptcy CSLB Accusation |url=https://abc7news.com/post/san-jose-sunpower-solar-panels-bankruptcy-cslb-accusation/15410343/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250517184511/https://abc7news.com/post/san-jose-sunpower-solar-panels-bankruptcy-cslb-accusation/15410343/ |archive-date=17 May 2025 |access-date=2025-10-16 |work=ABC7 News}}</ref>

California Consumer Attorneys notes customers may bring claims against SunStrong for issues arising after September 24, 2024, when asset transfer occurred.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Solar Panel Consumer Rights |url=https://www.californiaconsumerattorneys.com/solar |archive-url=https://archive.ph/BNbrQ |archive-date=26 Jan 2026 |access-date=2025-10-16 |work=California Consumer Attorneys}}</ref> Small claims court remains viable for claims under jurisdictional limits.

==Community response==
As of October 2025, the SunStrong Connect app maintained an overall 3.8-star rating from 3,350+ reviews on Google Play Store, though reviews from Janurary 2025 onwards skew more negative, with complaints about the introduction of subscription fees for previously free features.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SunStrong Connect App |url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mysunpower&hl=en_US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250627173116/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mysunpower&hl=en_US |archive-date=27 Jun 2025 |access-date=2025-10-16 |work=Google Play Store}}</ref>

==See also==
*SunPower PVS6 API Guide: [https://consumerrights.wiki/images/8/83/SunPower_PVS6_Access_and_API.pdf SunPower PVS6 Access and API.pdf]
*Communicator information by koleson: https://gist.github.com/koleson/5c719620039e0282976a8263c068e85c
*SunPower ESS Mode Set Script by koleson: https://gist.github.com/koleson/db9df38ef6051715d743e572acebdd4d
*SunPower SunVault Hardware: https://gist.github.com/koleson/5c719620039e0282976a8263c068e85c#file-sunvault_notes-md
*SunPower SunVault Modbus: https://gist.github.com/koleson/5c719620039e0282976a8263c068e85c#file-sunvault_modbus-md
==References==
<references />
[[Category:SunPower Corporation]]

Stellantis in-car advertisements

2026-02-03T03:08:00Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{StubNotice}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Stellantis
|StartDate=2024-02-07
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=
|Product=
|ArticleType=
|Type=Advertising
|Description=
}}
On February 7th, 2024, TechStory.in reported that [[Jeep]] 4xe owners are now seeing full screen pop-up advertisements on the displays of their vehicle's infotainment systems.<ref>{{Cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250304102847/https://techstory.in/stellantis-introduces-pop-up-ads-in-vehicles-sparking-outrage-among-owners/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2025-03-04|url=https://techstory.in/stellantis-introduces-pop-up-ads-in-vehicles-sparking-outrage-among-owners/|title=Stellantis Introduces Pop-Up Ads in Vehicles, Sparking Outrage Among Owners|first=Samir|last=Gautam|date=2025-02-07|work=TechStory.in}}</ref>

==Background==
The controversy surrounding [[Stellantis]]' infotainment advertisements is part of a larger trend in the automotive industry, where manufacturers have been experimenting with subscription-based features and monetization of vehicle services. Stellantis' decision to integrate advertisements into vehicle interfaces has reignited debates over consumer rights and ownership expectations.

==Incident==
Stellantis, has come under scrutiny following the introduction of full-screen pop-up advertisements on its in-vehicle infotainment systems.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McFall |first=Marni Rose |date=2025-03-14 |title=Dodge Drivers Furious After Unwanted Ads Pop Up in Their Cars |url=https://www.newsweek.com/stellantis-dodge-car-drivers-adverts-pop-ups-2045033 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250314190927/https://www.newsweek.com/stellantis-dodge-car-drivers-adverts-pop-ups-2045033 |archive-date=14 Mar 2025 |website=News Week}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Esther |first=Anochie |date=2015-02-11 |title=Jeep Introduces Pop-Up Ads That Appear Every Time You Stop |url=https://techstory.in/jeep-introduces-pop-up-ads-that-appear-every-time-you-stop/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250214081830/https://techstory.in/jeep-introduces-pop-up-ads-that-appear-every-time-you-stop/ |archive-date=14 Feb 2025 |website=Tech Story}}</ref> This feature, has been met with widespread criticism, disrupts driver experience by displaying ads whenever the vehicle comes to a stop.

Reports indicate that the cars infotainment system will be overridden with a whole of screen advertisement for Mopar’s extended warranty services. These ads require manual dismissal before users can resume normal system operation, such as checking GPS navigation or adjusting media settings. Initially affected vehicles appeared to be Jeeps, however reports in March state that Dodge is also effected.

Users are unable to opt out of the advertising and there is not ability to prevent them from appearing.

===Stellantis' response===

Stellantis, through its "JeepCares" representative, acknowledged the implementation of these ads, citing an agreement with [[SiriusXM]]. The company suggested that users simply dismiss the ads by tapping the provided close button. However, concerns remain regarding the forced nature of these interruptions and their frequency.

==References==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Stellantis]]
[[Category:Jeep]]

Sony x900h television

2026-02-03T03:07:14Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{Incomplete}}
{{ProductCargo
|ArticleType=Product
|Category=
|Company=Sony
|Description=
|InProduction=
|Logo=
|ProductLine=
|ReleaseYear=2020
|Website=
}}
The Sony X900H (XH90 in Europe) Television is a 4K LCD TV produced by Sony in 2020.

=Anti-consumer instances=

===The 4K120 blur issue===
Sony advertised this TV in 2020 as supporting "4K120" feature<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210111215436/https://www.sony.ca/en/electronics/televisions/xbr-x900h-series/specifications "Full Specifications and Features of the 4k120"] - archive.org - archived 2021-01-11</ref> defined in HDMI 2.1 specifications<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20201112194107/https://www.hdmi.org/spec21sub/eightk60_fourk120 "8K60 / 4K120 Specs"] - archive.org - archived 2020-11-12</ref>, but the feature is still not fully supported, at least not exactly how it is defined in the referenced HDMI 2.1 specifications nor how an average person/buyer would be led to believe. The official specification states that ''4K@120Hz enables ultra-fast motion UHD images to be crisp and razor sharp'' and [http://web.archive.org/web/20201106145004im_/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/hdmi-web-shared/public-web/static-images/1080vs4Kvs8K.jpg this image] from the same source defines the 4K Ultra HD resolution as 3840 horizontal pixels and '''2160 vertical pixels''', which is crucial for this case.

Sony started selling the TV with no support for 4K120 feature claiming it will be available via a future firmware update, which it has been. However, their implementation was very deceptive towards the consumers because the effective resolution this TV can display when outputting 4K120 content is 3840 horizontal and '''1080 vertical pixels''' (even though TV is reporting 3840x2160 resolution in this case). A very simple close visual inspection is enough to see the degrade in image quality compared to 4K60, and a thorough pixel count will prove that the image resolution at 4K120 is 3840x1080 stretched vertically to fit the 2160 physical pixels.

This issue is ultimately manifested as vertical blur, because every 2 vertical pixels are duplicated instead of being unique.

Sony never fixed the blur issue in their X900H TV, as evident by the hundreds of people in the relevant topic at AVS forum <ref>[https://www.avsforum.com/threads/owners-thread-for-the-sony-x900h-no-price-talk.3125278/page-1819 "Owner's Thread for the Sony X900H (No Price Talk)"] - avsforum.com - accessed 2025-02-03</ref>

Following this they decide to band-aid hoping nobody would notice by applying a sharpening filter as claimed in this article <ref>[https://videocardz.com/newz/sony-fixes-4k120hz-blurriness-on-x900h-xh90-tvs-by-applying-a-sharpening-filter "Sony fixes 4K@120Hz blurriness on X900H/XH90 TVs by… applying a sharpening filter"] - videocardz.com - accessed 2025-02-03</ref>, which is a text version of a YouTube video from the reputable TV tester Vincent Teoh.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOxVqq088Cw "Sony X900H/ XH90 4K@120Hz Blur Sharpened by Firmware Update 6.0414"] - youtube.com - accessed 2025-02-03</ref>

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzsD9yg_vrI&list=PL7gbQimCDib2EKoT-S2DVDtwtRFTxl2PU&t=924s Phone calls with Sony customer service saying that the TV is working as intended because of chipset limitations.][[File:Screenshot 8-11-2020.png|thumb|4k120 feature advertising ]]

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Sony X900H]]

Skoda Citigo Move&Fun app discontinuation

2026-02-03T03:06:38Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Needs more references for claims made.|Issue 2=Article contains some speculation and/or original research.}}[[File:Skoda Sunset announcements.jpg|thumb|Email announcement of app discontinuation]]
[[File:Official Leaflet When purchasing The Wehicle.jpg|thumb|Official leaflet advertising the app when purchasing the vehicle]]
[[File:Email thread SKODA Ignoring questions.jpg|thumb|Skoda ignoring questions trying to move topic away to not important topics as navigation. Instead of answering charging current control problem and paid subscription model for inferior service.]]
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=ŠKODA Auto, Volkswagen
|StartDate=2025
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=
|Product=
|ArticleType=
|Type=
|Description=
}}
In early 2025, the automobile manufacturer ŠKODA Auto (subsidiary of VW group manufacturers of [[Volkswagen]] automobiles) announced the discontinuation of the Move&Fun mobile app, which was critical for [https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%A0koda_Citigo-e_iV ŠKODA Citigo-e iV] (also known as {{wplink|Volkswagen_Up#E-up|E-Up}}) owners. The removal of the app has led to several usability issues, including the inability to manage charging settings and monitor vehicle status, raising concerns among customers.

==Background==
[[File:Skoda Lost Features.png|thumb|Features tied to the app]]
[[File:Buy_skoda_connect.png|thumb|skodaConnect webpage reffering to buy the services]]
The Move&Fun app, launched alongside the ŠKODA Citigo e iV, allowed owners to manage essential vehicle functions, such as charging control, real-time monitoring of battery status, and integrated navigation<ref name="movefunapp">
{{cite web
|author=
|title=Citigo-e iV Connectivity
|url=https://www.skoda-auto.com/models/layers/layers/citigoe-iv-connectivity
|website=Skoda
|access-date= 26 Feb 2025
|url-status=live
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190917210735/https://www.skoda-auto.com/models/layers/layers/citigoe-iv-connectivity
|archive-date=17 Sep 2019
}}</ref>. The app used Bluetooth, providing a free, convenient solution for vehicle management, but was discontinued in early 2025 for unspecified technical and security reasons.<ref name="disc-announce">
{{cite web
|author=
|title=Discontinuation announcement (dead url)
|url=https://view.communication.skoda-auto.com/?qs=66ea8bcd8724826905d310f9950d5b69dc4b9b381198613853db90c047bc12ed262378edfeed67989cab086b0ea28f6fcf329f03448ee608bead84e90065d1432d5bc4df7edbe61f20de02dae1d94995
|website=Skoda Communication
|url-status=dead
}}
See [[:File:Skoda Sunset announcements.jpg|screenshot of discontinuation anouncement]]
</ref>

==Application discontinuation==
The discontinuation of the Move&Fun app has resulted in the removal of critical features that were integral to the driving and ownership experience{{Citation needed}}. The inability to control charging currents and monitor vehicle status has led to widespread dissatisfaction among ŠKODA Citigo e iV owners{{Citation needed}}. The company offered an alternative through the MyŠKODA app, but it requires a paid subscription{{citation needed}} and an internet connection, contrasting with the original Bluetooth-based, free solution.

===Company's response===
ŠKODA Auto stated that the Move&Fun app was discontinued due to "technical and security reasons" and encouraged users to transition to the MyŠKODA app<ref name="disc-announce" />. However, they did not offer a clear timeline or commitment on when the missing functionalities would be restored in the new app.
[[File:Skoda-Mobile-Switch-Off.png|thumb|'''Skoda Mobile Switch Off''']]

==Warranty Claims==
Several affected consumers have initiated warranty claims, arguing that the removal of essential features undermines the vehicle's value and intended functionality.<ref name="going-electric">
{{cite web
|author=
|title=Skoda discontinues Move&Fun App (German)
|url=https://www.goingelectric.de/forum/viewtopic.php?t=95061
|date=23 Oct 2024
|website=Going Electric
|language=DE
|access-date= 26 Feb 2025
|url-status=live
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250226145721/https://www.goingelectric.de/forum/viewtopic.php?t=95061
|archive-date=26 Feb 2025
}}</ref>

===Claims===
Consumers are claiming that ŠKODA's removal of the Move&Fun app without offering a suitable replacement constitutes planned obsolescence. Additionally, they argue that the company should honor warranties for the loss of core vehicle features.<ref name="going-electric" /><ref name="speakEV">
{{cite web
|author=
|date=31 Dec 2024
|title=CITIGOe iV Move&Fun app to be discontinued at the end of 2024
|url=https://www.speakev.com/threads/citigoe-iv-move-fun-app-to-be-discontinued-at-the-end-of-2024.187798/
|website=Going Electric
|access-date= 26 Feb 2025
|url-status=live
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250226145752/https://www.speakev.com/threads/citigoe-iv-move-fun-app-to-be-discontinued-at-the-end-of-2024.187798/
|archive-date=26 Feb 2025
}}</ref>

===Response===
ŠKODA has not explicitly acknowledged the impact of these features' removal but has responded by pushing for customers to adopt the MyŠKODA app, citing technical and security reasons for discontinuing the original app{{Citation needed}}.

===Outcome===
Outcome of these claims is currently pending, with no clear resolution as of February 2025.

==Consumer response==
Consumers are voicing frustration online and through customer support channels, arguing that ŠKODA has removed essential functions without offering adequate alternatives. Many are concerned about the forced transition to a paid, subscription-based model that requires an internet connection, which adds a hidden cost. Some users are organizing collective action to raise awareness and seek compensation for the loss of vehicle functionalities.<ref name="going-electric" /><ref name="speakEV" />

==Workaround==
Although the Move&Fun app has been removed from Google Play and Apple App Store{{Citation needed}}, users of Android devices can still download the apk file from from third party repositories and install it.{{Clarify|maybe add link to trusted source, (good idea! but dont know where)}}. As of 20/5/2025, the VW equivalent app for the e-UP (Maps + More) is still available in both app stores and appears to be compatible with the CITIGOe-iV. Maps + More was updated in July 2025 with unspecified bug fixes to version 6.2.2, but the charging functionality appears to have been removed{{Citation needed}}.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Original Terms of Service==
<gallery widths="120" heights="120" perrow="1" showfilename="yes">
File:Original Terms of use 2020 for the app.pdf | Original Terms of Service
</gallery>

==Skoda App Screenshots==
<gallery mode="slideshow" caption="Screenshots of the app in use">
File:Skoda app printscreen 01.png
File:Skoda app printscreen 02.png
File:Skoda app printscreen 03.png
File:Skoda app printscreen 04.png
File:Skoda app printscreen 05.png
File:Skoda app printscreen 06.png
File:Skoda app printscreen 07.png
File:Skoda app printscreen 08.png
File:Skoda app printscreen 09.png
File:Skoda app printscreen 10.png
File:Skoda app printscreen 11.png
File:Skoda app printscreen 12.png
File:Skoda app printscreen 13.png
File:Skoda app printscreen 14.png
File:Skoda app printscreen 15.png
File:Skoda app printscreen 16.png
File:Skoda app printscreen 17.png
File:Skoda app printscreen 18.png
File:Skoda app printscreen 19.png
File:Skoda app printscreen 20.png
File:Skoda app printscreen 21.png
File:Skoda app printscreen 22.png
File:Skoda app printscreen 23.png
File:Skoda app printscreen 24.png
File:Skoda app printscreen 25.png
File:Skoda app printscreen 26.png
File:Skoda app printscreen 27.png
File:Skoda app printscreen 28.png
</gallery>

[[Category:Volkswagen]]
[[Category:Skoda]]

Sketchfab

2026-02-03T03:06:05Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{StubNotice}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Epic Gamess
|StartDate=2025
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=
|Product=Sketchfab
|ArticleType=Service
|Type=
|Description=
}}
{{Ph-C-Int}}

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

==Incidents==
{{Ph-C-Inc}}
===Migration to Epic Games account (''2025'')===
[https://sketchfab.com/ Sketchfab] is a repository for downloading 3D models. It was created March 10 2011, and July 21 2021 it was bought by [[Epic Games]].
[[File:Sketchfab Epic Games sign up requirement.png|thumb]]
On December 11 they started requiring all new user to sign up using [[Epic Games]]. Existing users should still be able to log in using Email, Facebook, Google Twitter or Apple. Existing Epic Games users should be unaffected by this.

[[File:Sketchfab Email Nov 6 2025.png|thumb|[https://sketchfab.com/terms Sketchfab TOS] [https://sketchfab.com/blogs/community/?page_id=142060003276&preview=true Sketchfab TOS Update]]]
==Products==
{{Ph-C-P}}

==See also==
*[[Minecraft account migration]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sketchfab TOS (as of Nov 7 2025 |url=https://sketchfab.com/terms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251107060034/https://sketchfab.com/terms |archive-date=2025-11-07 |website=Sketchfab}}</ref>
[[Category:Sketchfab]]
<references />

Signal cloud backups

2026-02-03T03:04:52Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Signal
|StartDate=2020
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=
|Product=
|ArticleType=
|Type=Cloud, Privacy
|Description=
}}
Signal is a privacy-focused, open source encrypted messaging service. In 2020, the company was accused of collecting and storing sensitive user data on their cloud database without user consent.

==Background==
Signal states on their website that they can't "read your messages or listen to your calls, and no one else can either."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Signal |url=https://signal.org/}}</ref><blockquote>"We’ve designed the Signal service to minimize the data we retain about Signal users, so the only information we can produce in response to a request like this is the date and time a user registered with Signal and the last date of a user’s connectivity to the Signal service.

Notably, things we don’t have stored include anything about a user’s contacts (such as the contacts themselves, a hash of the contacts, any other derivative contact information), anything about a user’s groups (such as how many groups a user is in, which groups a user is in, the membership lists of a user’s groups), or any records of who a user has been communicating with."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Grand jury subpoena for Signal user data, Eastern District of Virginia |url=https://signal.org/bigbrother/eastern-virginia-grand-jury/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250302042109/https://signal.org/bigbrother/eastern-virginia-grand-jury/ |archive-date=2 Mar 2025 |access-date=6 Mar 2025}}</ref></blockquote>

==Incident==
In 2019, Signal previewed a feature called "secure value recovery" which would allow users installing the app on a new device to retrieve data from cloud servers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Technology Preview for secure value recovery |url=https://signal.org/blog/secure-value-recovery/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228040757/https://signal.org/blog/secure-value-recovery/ |archive-date=28 Dec 2024 |access-date=6 Mar 2025}}</ref> While the data is stored in Signal's cloud, it is stored in a securely encrypted manner.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=PSA: Disabling PINs will now upload nothing to the server |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/signal/comments/htmzrr/psa_disabling_pins_will_now_upload_nothing_to_the/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616082821/https://old.reddit.com/r/signal/comments/htmzrr/psa_disabling_pins_will_now_upload_nothing_to_the/ |archive-date=16 Jun 2023 |access-date=6 Mar 2025}}</ref> The data collected and stored includes the user's name, photo, phone number, and a list of each Signal user that had been contacted.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What contact info does the Signal PIN functionality actually save |url=https://community.signalusers.org/t/what-contact-info-does-the-signal-pin-functionality-actually-save/16854/4 |access-date=6 Mar 2025}}</ref>{{DisputedInline|Cited source is heavily cherry picked|reason=contact discovery on Signal is private and does not share the phone number as explained later in the cited sources}} Messages are not saved.

Users objected,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Don’t want PIN, don’t want anything stored in cloud |url=https://community.signalusers.org/t/dont-want-pin-dont-want-anything-stored-in-cloud/14057 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301015109/https://community.signalusers.org/t/dont-want-pin-dont-want-anything-stored-in-cloud/14057 |archive-date=1 Mar 2024 |access-date=6 Mar 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=PIN, cloud storage are showstoppers |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/signal/comments/ghsj5b/pin_cloud_storage_are_showstoppers/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Forced PIN, bite it Signal |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/signal/comments/hkle3d/forced_pin_bite_it_signal/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome to the cloud Signal users! |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/signal/comments/hkl914/welcome_to_the_cloud_signal_users/}}</ref> requesting that Signal instead provide a means to export encrypted backups that could be imported locally, which would eliminate dependence on cloud-based servers. Some users also raised technical concerns about the security of the system and doubted that it could sufficiently protect their data.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Proper secure value security: PINs are too easy to brute force, SGX is not reliable enough |url=https://community.signalusers.org/t/proper-secure-value-security-pins-are-too-easy-to-brute-force-sgx-is-not-reliable-enough/15096 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301015110/https://community.signalusers.org/t/proper-secure-value-security-pins-are-too-easy-to-brute-force-sgx-is-not-reliable-enough/15096 |archive-date=1 Mar 2024 |access-date=6 Mar 2025}}</ref> These concerns were shared by cybersecurity experts,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Signal’s New PIN Feature Worries Cybersecurity Experts |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/signal-new-pin-feature-worries-cybersecurity-experts/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117232443/https://www.vice.com/en/article/signal-new-pin-feature-worries-cybersecurity-experts/ |archive-date=17 Jan 2025 |access-date=6 Mar 2025}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Signal Going to Cloud? A Discussion with Sean O'Brien |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFi-VI7_T3o}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Does Signal’s “secure value recovery” really work? |url=https://palant.info/2020/06/16/does-signals-secure-value-recovery-really-work/}}</ref> and security researchers demonstrated that the system was vulnerable to attacks, which allowed them to access the user data being stored.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SGX CacheOut SGAxe attack. Signal’s cloud storage and contact discovery vulnerable |url=https://community.signalusers.org/t/sgx-cacheout-sgaxe-attack-signals-cloud-storage-and-contact-discovery-vulnerable/14892 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519115856/https://community.signalusers.org/t/sgx-cacheout-sgaxe-attack-signals-cloud-storage-and-contact-discovery-vulnerable/14892 |archive-date=19 May 2023 |access-date=6 Mar 2025}}</ref>{{DisputedInline|reason="In recent weeks, Signal has introduced more features that make it more user friendly to people who may not have extremely paranoid threat models. For example, it’s now possible to migrate all Signal data, including message history, from one phone to another, using a feature that does not rely on cloud servers and is also encrypted, according to Signal. "|Cited vice article explains more nuance}}

Signal began to roll out the cloud-based recovery feature in 2020. without clear communication with the public or app users about the new feature.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Can someone explain this new PIN system? |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/signal/comments/ggty6n/can_someone_explain_this_new_pin_system/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mandatory PIN without clear explanation within the app might cause significant number of users to quit using Signal |url=https://community.signalusers.org/t/mandatory-pin-without-clear-explanation-within-the-app-might-cause-significant-number-of-users-to-quit-using-signal/11597}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=What exactly is Signal protecting with the mandatory PIN? |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/signal/comments/hymlfd/what_exactly_is_signal_protecting_with_the/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=What contact info does the Signal PIN functionality actually save? |url=https://community.signalusers.org/t/what-contact-info-does-the-signal-pin-functionality-actually-save/16854}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Following user backlash, Signal lowers one of its drastic PIN measures |url=https://www.androidpolice.com/2020/05/29/many-signal-users-arent-happy-with-new-pin-requirements/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=What info does Signal store about it's user? |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/signal/comments/q5tlg1/what_info_does_signal_store_about_its_user/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011111619/https://old.reddit.com/r/signal/comments/q5tlg1/what_info_does_signal_store_about_its_user/ |archive-date=11 Oct 2021 |access-date=6 Mar 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=About data collection and data delivery |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/signal/comments/1id3xu8/about_data_collection_and_data_delivery/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250201072439/https://old.reddit.com/r/signal/comments/1id3xu8/about_data_collection_and_data_delivery/?ref=readnext |archive-date=1 Feb 2025 |access-date=6 Mar 2025}}</ref> Signal users questioned the need for the PIN, and communication from the Signal team responded that it was to ensure messages were not missed or lost.<ref>{{Cite web |title=I don’t understand what the new PIN requirement is for |url=https://community.signalusers.org/t/i-don-t-understand-what-the-new-pin-requirement-is-for/13895}}</ref> A more detailed response from Signal following user backlash explains that cloud backups were encrypted in the same way as messages, and were safe.<ref name=":7" />

Several users requested that Signal update their privacy policy following the change in data collection.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Can Signal please update its Privacy Policy |url=https://community.signalusers.org/t/can-signal-please-update-its-privacy-policy/15323 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519120053/https://community.signalusers.org/t/can-signal-please-update-its-privacy-policy/15323 |archive-date=19 May 2023 |access-date=6 Mar 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Signal’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy are not very user friendly |url=https://community.signalusers.org/t/signals-terms-of-use-and-privacy-policy-are-not-very-user-friendly/11047 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250306164621/https://community.signalusers.org/t/signals-terms-of-use-and-privacy-policy-are-not-very-user-friendly/11047 |archive-date=6 Mar 2025 |access-date=6 Mar 2025}}</ref> The Signal privacy policy has not changed since 2018.
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Signal messenger]]

Serato DJ Pro / DJM-S11

2026-02-03T03:03:30Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=NEEDS REFERENCES}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=
|StartDate=
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=
|Product=
|ArticleType=
|Type=
|Description=
}}c
The Pioneer DJ DJM-S11 software previously allowed users to enable the "Make Audio Available to Other Applications" checkbox to route audio directly into applications such as OBS or QuickTime. Later, the checkbox is locked until a Virtual Audio Device (VAD) is installed. On some operating systems like Windows this requires third-party paid software such as Virtual Audio Cable Lite. The change has created a retroactive cost and restriction for workflows that once worked out of the box.

==Details==
===Original Behavior===
Users reported that when using Serato DJ Pro with the DJM-S11 in 2022, the "Make Audio Available to Other Applications" checkbox could be enabled directly without requiring additional drivers. Once enabled, the DJM-S11 appeared as an audio source in OBS and other applications. This allowed both recording and streaming workflows to function directly.

===Transition Behavior===
According to user reports, systems where the checkbox had already been enabled prior to newer software versions may continue to work without prompting for a Virtual Audio Device. In contrast, fresh installs or new machines appear to require users to download and install a VAD before audio will pass to other applications. This suggests that earlier configurations may have been effectively “grandfathered in,” and that enforcement of the VAD requirement tightened over time.

===Current Behavior===
In the present version of Serato DJ Pro, the same checkbox appears locked. Attempting to enable it prompts the user to download and install a Virtual Audio Device. On macOS this is provided by Serato itself beginning in version 2.5.5. On Windows, users are directed to install Virtual Audio Cable Lite, a third-party paid driver. Without installing such software, OBS and similar applications no longer receive audio from Serato DJ Pro, even though the DJM-S11 is visible as a device.

===Timeline===
*2020: Serato blog and support articles reference the need for a virtual audio device for live streaming.
*May 2021: Serato DJ Pro 2.5.5 introduces Serato Virtual Audio for macOS, bundling the VAD directly.
*2022: User reports indicate that the checkbox worked without manual VAD installation, allowing direct audio routing.
*2025: Windows users find the checkbox locked until a paid VAD is installed, breaking prior workflows.

===Company Position vs. User Evidence===
*Company Position:* Serato documentation and support responses describe the functionality as always requiring a Virtual Audio Device. They often attribute difficulties to operating system security changes or to users not enabling the correct permissions. The official explanation frames this as a matter of setup steps, not a loss of features.

*User Evidence:* Users confirm that as recently as 2022 on macOS the checkbox worked without manual VAD installation. OBS and similar software could capture Serato audio directly. On Windows in 2025 the checkbox is locked and cannot be enabled without third-party software. This demonstrates that a workflow once possible out of the box has been restricted after purchase.

==Evidence==
*[[File:audio-settings-vad-download.png|287x287px]] – ''Screenshot of Serato DJ Pro showing the "Make Audio Available to Other Applications" checkbox locked, with prompt to install a Virtual Audio Device.''

*Serato official support page: [https://support.serato.com/hc/en-us/articles/360001784415-Getting-Serato-DJ-Pro-Lite-ready-to-Live-Stream Getting Serato DJ Pro/Lite ready to Live Stream].

==Consumer Impact==
User reports describe implications for DJs who record or stream using OBS or other applications. What previously required only checking a box now requires installing and in some cases paying for third-party software. What previously required only checking a box now requires installing and in some cases paying for third-party software. Users who purchased premium hardware such as the Pioneer DJ DJM-S11, which retailed for over $2,300, with the expectation of ownership and consistent functionality, now face added costs and barriers.

One DJM-S11 user reported that their private set recording workflow, used extensively for personal playback, stopped functioning once the checkbox was locked. Even though the DJM-S11 appeared as a device in OBS, no audio was received. Attempts to use the recommended third-party Virtual Audio Device resulted in unusable output, as the trial version injected repeated “TRIAL” voice messages into the audio stream. This demonstrates that functionality once available out of the box was retroactively restricted, leaving paying customers without a practical solution unless they purchase additional software.

==References==
*[https://support.serato.com/hc/en-us/articles/360001784415-Getting-Serato-DJ-Pro-Lite-ready-to-Live-Stream Serato Support – Getting Serato DJ Pro/Lite ready to Live Stream]
*[https://the-drop.serato.com/announcements/serato-dj-pro-2-5-5-serato-dj-lite-1-5-5 Serato DJ Pro 2.5.5 release notes (May 2021) – introduction of Serato Virtual Audio on macOS]
*[https://www.reddit.com/r/Serato/comments/zlzw0a/help_recording_serato_mix/ Reddit user experience — “Recording mix… trial voice recorded”]
*[https://obsproject.com/forum/threads/serato-time-coding-sound-on-live-stream.125449/ OBS forum thread — “Serato Time Coding Sound on live stream”]
[[Category:Serato DJ Pro / DJM-S11]]
[[Category:Serato]]

Securities and Exchange Commission

2026-02-03T03:02:56Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{CompanyCargo
|Description=
|Founded=
|Industry=
|Logo=
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Government Agency
|Website=https://www.sec.gov
}}
The stated mission of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is to protect investors; maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets; and facilitate capital formation<ref>[https://www.sec.gov/about "SEC - About"] - sec.gov</ref>.

The SEC has online resources related to protecting consumers:
*Filing whistleblower complaints<ref>[https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/whistleblower-program "SEC Whistleblower program"] - sec.gov</ref>
*Searching or subscribing to digital feeds of litigation releases<ref>[https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/litigation-releases "SEC litigation"] - sec.gov</ref>

==Concerns==
On February 6, 2025, the SEC has granted a temporary exemption from compliance with Rule 13f-2 and Form SHO reporting, pushing the compliance deadline to January 2, 2026.<ref>[https://www.sec.gov/files/rules/exorders/2025/34-102380.pdf Order Granting Temporary Exemption Pursuant to Section 13(f)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act]

[https://www.sec.gov/files/rules/exorders/2025/34-102380.pdf of 1934 from Compliance with Rule 13f-2 and Form SHO]</ref>

This delay means that information about large short positions, which could signal market manipulation or instability, won't be available to the public for another year. This lack of transparency puts individual investors at a disadvantage, as they won't have access to data that could help them make informed decisions.

The Fails-to-Deliver (FTD) data set is released at two-week intervals with a two-week delay <ref>[https://www.sec.gov/data-research/sec-markets-data/fails-deliver-data "Fails-to-Deliver Data"] - sec.gov</ref>. The ability of FTD to be released at a significantly faster rate, has been evidenced by the accidental release of GME FTD on February 12, 2022, followed by the subsequent official release of the same data on February 28, 2022 <ref>[https://x.com/chartexchange_/status/1498373341375307778 "The new FTD numbers are identical to the numbers accidentally released two weeks ago, suggesting the @SECGov is artificially delaying public reports."] - x.com</ref>.

There are numerous instances of FTD being redacted. In December 2024 the SEC denied Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request regarding significant gaps in GME's FTD data around key market events with "foreseeable harm" standard as justification for withholding data <ref>[https://franknez.com/the-sec-now-rejects-a-foia-request-for-missing-gamestop-ftd-data "The SEC now rejects a FOIA request for missing GameStop FTD data"] - franknez.com</ref>.

==References==

[[Category:Regulatory agencies and public support bodies]]
<references />

Seagate sells old hard drives as new

2026-02-03T03:01:52Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Seagate
|StartDate=
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=Seagate Exos
|Product=
|ArticleType=
|Type=Deceptive Advertising, Poor Quality
|Description=
}}
Reports from consumers, as well as investigations by ''Heise Online'',<ref name="heise-online-report" /> describe an issue where used and refurbished [[Seagate]] hard drives are being sold as new. Many buyers reported receiving drives with extensive prior usage, despite being marketed and priced as brand-new products. The issue appears to stem from deceptive practices by certain sellers, rather than Seagate itself, though questions remain regarding how these drives re-entered the supply chain.

== Details ==
Customers who purchased Seagate ''Exos'' series hard drives from several different online retailers, including [[Amazon]], JB Computer, Mindfactory, Reichelt, Alternate, Böttcher, Büroshop 24, Galaxus, Jacob, Kosatec, Maingau, and Proshop, reported inconsistencies in their drives.<ref name="heise-online-report">[https://www.heise.de/news/Gebrauchte-Seagate-Festplatten-als-Neuware-im-Umlauf-10254276.html Heise Online Report]</ref>

Upon inspection by users, these drives showed thousands of operating hours, suggesting they had been previously used despite being sold as new. Many had run for 10,000 to 50,000 hours, confirming they were repurposed rather than unused.

=== Affected Models ===
The primary models affected are:

*'''Seagate Exos X16 (16TB)''' – ST16000NM000J, ST16000NM001G
*'''Seagate Exos X14 (14TB)''' – ST14000NM001G, ST14000NM005G
*'''Seagate Exos X12 (12TB)''' – ST12000NM0127, ST12000NM0558

Additional reports mention 4TB, 10TB, and 18TB drives, as well as certain NAS-specific models.<ref name="heise-online-report" />

=== Identifying used drives ===

=== '''SMART and FARM data''' ===
Many buyers identified the issue using SMART (self-monitoring, analysis, and reporting technology) and FARM (field-accessible reliability metrics) values. SMART values are sometimes reset to give the appearance of a new drive, whereas FARM logs still retain the true operational hours, exposing the actual usage.

A consumer who purchased two ST14000NM005G (14TB) drives found they had already been used for 10,000 to 15,000 hours. A replacement order for ST16000NM001G (16TB) drives revealed even worse results: 22,000 operational hours.<ref name="heise-online-report" />

[https://www.smartmontools.org/ smartmontools]

=== Manufacturer warranty checks ===
Many affected buyers found that when they checked warranty status on Seagate's website, they were redirected to contact their retailer. This shows that these were OEM models, which do not include a manufacturer-backed warranty beyond the retailer’s return policy.<ref>[https://www.seagate.com/de/de/support/warranty-and-replacements/ Seagate Warranty Check]</ref>

== Responsibility and supply-chain concerns ==

=== Seller Fraud ===
The primary responsibility lies with the sellers who misrepresented the drives as new.
*Some retailers sold OEM or recertified drives, but failed to disclose this information.
*Some drives even exhibited physical wear, such as scratches and missing security labels.<ref name="heise-online-report" />
*Certain affected vendors have since begun accepting returns, suggesting at least partial acknowledgment of the issue.<ref name="heise-online-report" />

Heise Online conducted an undercover test, ordering two 16TB drives from a suspect retailer. The order was later canceled by the seller, who admitted that a "quality control check" revealed the drives were not actually new.<ref name="heise-online-report" />

=== Seagate’s role and supply-chain gaps ===
While Seagate is not directly responsible for seller deception, some concerns remain:
*Seagate acknowledged that factory-recertified drives exist, but said they should be clearly labeled with a green-bordered sticker. Many affected buyers received drives without any such indicators.<ref name="heise-online-report" />
*The source of these used drives remains unclear: it is unknown how these high-hour drives re-entered the market.
*Seagate states that because of data-protection policies, they cannot disclose the original sale location of the affected drives.<ref name="heise-online-report" />

Even official Seagate distributors have been caught selling questionable drives, raising concerns about the integrity of authorized reseller networks.<ref name="heise-online-report" />

== Consumer Impact ==

=== Financial and reliability concerns ===
*Consumers paid full price for drives that had already undergone years of use.
*These drives were sold without manufacturer-backed warranties, making returns and replacements difficult.
*Customers relying on these drives for data integrity and professional storage solutions are at risk of premature failures.

== Consumer Advice ==

=== How to Check If A Drive Is Affected ===
*'''Run SMART & FARM checks''' – Use smartmontools (Linux/Windows) or Seagate’s Seatools utility to check for high power-on hours.
- Linux Command: `smartctl -l farm /dev/sdX`
- Compare results with `smartctl -a /dev/sdX`
*'''Check serial numbers''' – Check warranty status on Seagate's [https://www.seagate.com/de/de/support/warranty-and-replacements/ official website].
*'''Check for physical wear''' – Look for scratches, missing seals, or inconsistent labels that indicate prior use.
*'''Request a refund''' – If you purchased from an affected retailer, request a return or replacement based on misrepresentation.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Seagate]]

Sassy Saints review copyright claim

2026-02-03T03:01:11Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{Incomplete|Article could do with additional sources, and also needs to have a cargo table added}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Sassy Saints
|StartDate=2025-02-06
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=
|Product=
|ArticleType=
|Type=Censorship, Legal Intimidation
|Description=
}}
On September 27 2024, YouTube creator [https://www.youtube.com/@lotsoflovecindy Lots of Love, Cindy] posted a video review of a nail kit made by the British company [https://www.sassysaints.com/ Sassy Saints], providing her opinion and experiences with the product.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Lot of Love |first=Cindy |date=27 Sep 2024 |title=Sassy Saints Nail Kit - I Don't Know How To Feel |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89oiL5IBGn4 |url-status=live |access-date=21 Mar 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

On February 6th 2025, Sassy Saints issued a copyright strike against her channel, claiming unauthorized use of their copyrighted content.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Lot of Love |first=Cindy |date=2 Feb 2025 |title=Brand is Trying to SILENCE Me… Over a Nail Powder Review?! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJabGNfi9IE |url-status=live |access-date=21 Mar 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
==Background==
Sassy Saints is a British company offering a range of beauty kits targeting the home market, with their stated mission being "to bring salon-quality treatments right to your home".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sassy Saints |url=https://www.sassysaints.com/ |url-status=live |access-date=21 Mar 2025}}</ref> Cindy purchased one of their nail manicure kits and produced a video review describing her experience with the kit. She talked about how the kit required some getting used to and provided viewers some tips on how to use the kit more effectively.<ref name=":0" /> She had a generally positive experience with the kit until she tried to remove the nail polish, in which she experienced a great level of difficulty. The amount of nail polish remover in the kit was found to be insufficient and store-bought alternatives failed to remove the polish.

==Copyright claim==
A few months after the review video was posted, Sassy Saints issued a copyright strike against Cindy's channel. When Cindy asked about this strike, the company said "Unauthorized use of our copyrighted content in your video is clearly against intellectual property laws".<ref name=":1" /> They claimed that showing their products and brand name in a video is copyright infringement. Cindy responded saying she believes her video to fall under fair use since her video is criticism and review, which is protected under fair use. Sassy Saints responded saying the claim of fair use is "not valid" and that it is "not authorized" to use their goods in her video. They then threatened legal action against Cindy.

After discussing the incident online, Cindy issued a counter notification to YouTube and the video was restored to her channel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lot of Love |first=Cindy |date=23 Feb 2025 |title=Update on Copyright Strike on My Product Review |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLHq2gv2AhY |url-status=live |access-date=21 Mar 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

==Response==
People on the internet have described the copyright strike as "bullying" and a "scare tactic" and have said that the video falls under fair use, since the video was a review of the product.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Copyright Strike I reviewed their product?? (no freedom of speech?) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/PartneredYoutube/comments/1iejpxc/copyright_strike_i_reviewed_their_product_no/ |url-status=live |access-date=21 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> Also, Louis Rossmann made a video about this incident, saying that it's absurd that companies think they can control products that people have bought.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=26 Feb 2025 |title=Sassy Saints threatens to sue fashion youtuber over review of a nail kit; do they own it or do you? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dHbZiciLJM |url-status=live |access-date=21 Mar 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> This video drew a lot of attention to Cindy's video.

Since then, Sassy Saints have emailed Cindy to clarify what had happened.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lot of Love |first=Cindy |date=28 Feb 2025 |title=THANK YOU + UPDATE |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm8f-N4RS-I |url-status=live |access-date=21 Mar 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> They say that Cindy received the copyright strike because they hired a 3rd party to help them with brand protection. They also said that their messaging "does not align with how we want to engage with our community" and have said they will "make sure this never happens again to another creator in the future".

==See also==

*[[Tom Evans Audio copyright strike]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Sassy Saints]]

Samsung Bothersome visual and audible pop up every 2 hours on certain TV models

2026-02-03T03:00:15Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Samsung
|StartDate=
|EndDate=
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|ProductLine=
|Product=
|ArticleType=
|Type=Annoying, Data
|Description=
}}
== Summary ==
Owners of Samsung QN90B and similar models have reported a recurring pop-up message appearing approximately every 2 hours. The message includes a short ding sound and disappears within 5 seconds, making it difficult to read.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.reddit.com/r/samsung/comments/1izfff5/im_getting_a_pop_up_on_my_samsung_tv_about_its/|title= I'm getting a pop up on my Samsung tv about its privacy policy.|author=u/TA-SP|date=2025-02-27|work=Reddit|access-date=2025-02-15}}</ref> It typically thanks the user and references Smart Hub's data collection practices.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://us.community.samsung.com/t5/LED-and-OLED-TVs/Pop-up-notification-every-2-hours-or-so-on-my-QN90B/td-p/3153763/page/2|title= Pop up notification every 2 hours or so on my QN90B|date=2025-02-25|author=EsQueue|work=Samsung Community|access-date=2025-08-15}}</ref>

== Verified Message Content ==
<blockquote>
“Thank you for being our valued customer. As a reminder, and as mentioned in the Smart Hub Privacy Notice (found in the TV settings), we may collect information about how you use this device and the services you use on it.”
</blockquote>

== Community Findings ==
* '''Disabling Network Access''': Disconnecting the TV from the internet or blocking WAN access via router settings appears to stop the pop-up.
* '''Privacy Settings''': Some users report that reviewing and agreeing to all privacy terms under <code>Settings > General & Privacy > Terms & Privacy > Smart Hub U.S. Privacy Notice</code> suppresses the message.
* '''Samsung Account Sign-Out''': Signing out of the Samsung account has also helped eliminate the pop-up for some users.
* '''Home Assistant Workaround''': Users who rely on IP remote control have found success by isolating the TV to LAN-only access while maintaining control via encrypted DDNS setups.

== Consumer Concerns ==
* The pop-up seems designed to pressure users into accepting terms they may not agree with.
* Lack of a clear opt-out mechanism undermines user autonomy.
* The message’s frequency and brevity make it disruptive and opaque.

== Suggested Actions ==
* Samsung should provide a persistent log or notification center where users can review messages at their convenience.
* An explicit opt-out for Smart Hub data collection should be available without requiring full agreement to all terms.
* Consumers should be informed of network-based workarounds without needing to resort to trial-and-error.

==References ==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Samsung]]

Revolut blocked access for users with custom OS

2026-02-03T02:54:41Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{StubNotice}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Revolut
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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}}</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}}</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/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=GrapheneOS |title=Mastodon |url=https://grapheneos.social/@GrapheneOS/113623492156274859}}</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/}}</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}}</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}}

Requirement for Canon EOS Webcam Utility subscription to enable webcam features on cameras

2026-02-03T02:53:46Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{ToneWarning}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Canon
|StartDate=
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|Product=
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Subscription
|Description=
}}
[[Canon]], a camera company, sells webcams that feature advanced capabilities only through the use of a subscription-based app, Canon EOS Webcam Utility.

==Incident==
[[File:Canon-utility-pro-vs-free-pricing.png|thumb|alt=differences between free vs. paid subscription version of canon camera app|Differences between the free version vs. the subscription version of the Canon camera app.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Zipp |first=Roman |date=17 Jan 2025 |title=No, you can't use your $6,299.00 Camera as a Webcam. That will be $5 |url=https://romanzipp.com/blog/no-you-cant-use-your-6299-canon-camera-as-a-webcam |access-date=19 Aug 2025 |website=romanzipp.com}}</ref>]]

The '''Canon EOS Webcam Utility''', a software designed to connect Canon cameras to computers for use as high-quality webcams, restricts advanced features such as higher resolution, color adjustments, and white balance settings – unless customers subscribe to a paid plan.

Specific modern Canon cameras can be used as a webcam without additional cost by utilizing the UVC/UAC functionality. For example, the Canon EOS R1 instruction manual provides a guide on how to use UVC/UAC, ensuring that the webcam functionality operates without limitations at full 1080p resolution and 30 frames per second.<ref name=":1" /> This UVC/UAC functionality does not include several advanced features, and cameras that do not feature UVC/UAC functionality cannot be used as a high-resolution webcam without the Canon EOS Webcam Utility.

This has been criticized as an example of the anti-ownership subscription economy, which describes practices where companies deliberately limit functionality to generate recurring revenue from features that are already included in the product's hardware. Customers are required to pay $4.99 per month, or $49.99 per year, to unlock the full suite of features if they use an older camera that does not support the UVC/UAC standard. A free version of the Canon EOS Webcam Utility is available, offering 720p webcam functionality without advanced features. Critics argue that this undermines ownership rights; if Canon decides to discontinue support for the software or shut down the servers, access to these features can be lost, even if the hardware remains capable of supporting them.

==Technical details==

===Hardware capability===
Modern Canon cameras are capable of functioning as high-quality webcams without any software or hardware modifications, using the '''UVC/UAC standard'''.<ref name=":1">[https://cam.start.canon/en/C018/manual/html/UG-06_Network_0300.html Canon USB Streaming Manual]</ref>

===Differences between UVC/UAC mode and EOS Webcam Utility Pro===
Canon provides two methods for using its cameras as webcams. The first is the UVC/UAC mode, and the second is EOS Webcam Utility Pro.

*'''UVC/UAC mode''':
**Supported on modern Canon camera models, such as the EOS R8 and R5 II
**Allows users to connect the camera directly to a computer via USB without requiring additional software or fees
**Outputs video at a resolution of 1920x1080 (1080p) at 30 frames per second, with built-in audio support<ref name=":1" />

*'''EOS Webcam Utility Pro''':
**Requires a paid subscription ($4.99 per month or $49.99 per year) to access its full features<ref name=":2">[https://www.usa.canon.com/product-page/eos-webcam-utility Canon EOS Webcam Utility Pricing Details]</ref>
**Unlocks advanced functionality like adjustable brightness, color settings, and white balance controls

===Compatible camera models===

====Cameras supporting UVC/UAC====
{| class="wikitable"
!Camera Model!!Resolution!!Frame Rate!!Citation
|-
|Canon EOS R1||1920x1080||30 fps||[https://diiorio.me/posts/uvc-cameras/ Source]
|-
|Canon EOS R5 Mark II||1920x1080||30 fps||[https://diiorio.me/posts/uvc-cameras/ Source]
|-
|Canon EOS R6 Mark II||1920x1080||30 fps||[https://diiorio.me/posts/uvc-cameras/ Source]
|-
|Canon EOS R8||1920x1080||30 fps||[https://diiorio.me/posts/uvc-cameras/ Source]
|-
|Canon EOS R50||1920x1080||30 fps||[https://diiorio.me/posts/uvc-cameras/ Source]
|-
|Canon PowerShot V10||1920x1080||30 fps||[https://diiorio.me/posts/uvc-cameras/ Source]
|}

====Cameras requiring EOS Webcam Utility subscription====
{| class="wikitable"
!Camera Model!!Citation
|-
|Canon EOS-1D X Mark II||[https://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/2/0300023012/04/eos1dx-mk2-im4-en.pdf Instruction Manual]
|-
|Canon EOS 5D Mark IV||[https://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/0/0300024970/07/eos5d-mk4-im8-en.pdf Instruction Manual]
|-
|Canon EOS 6D||[https://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/8/0300009238/06/eos6d-im7-en.pdf Instruction Manual]
|-
|Canon EOS M50||[https://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/3/0300029803/01/eosm50-um-en.pdf Instruction Manual]
|-
|Canon EOS R||[https://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/3/0300032123/08/eosr-ug9-en.pdf Instruction Manual]
|-
|Canon EOS R7
|[https://cam.start.canon/en/C005/manual/c005.pdf Instruction Manual]
|-
|Canon EOS Rebel T7||[https://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/0/0300029810/03/eos-rebelt7-1500d-im2-en.pdf Instruction Manual]
|-
|Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II||[https://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/9/0300035509/02/psg5x-mk2-ug2-en.pdf Instruction Manual]
|-
|Canon EOS 70D
|[http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/5/0300011965/01/eos70d-im-en.pdf Instruction Manual]
|}

==Software details==

===EOS Webcam Utility===
[[File:Canon uvc manual.png|thumb|Canon's [https://cam.start.canon/en/C018/manual/html/UG-06_Network_0300.html instruction manual for the EOS R1] provides instructions on how to use the webcam via a standard USB connection with UVC/UAC at 1920x1080 resolution at 30 frames per second, with audio support.<ref name=":1" />]]

The Canon EOS Webcam Utility is a software application that enables webcam functionality on Canon cameras. While the free version of this utility supports basic features like 720p resolution, advanced settings, such as brightness adjustments, white balance, & 1080p resolution, are locked behind a subscription plan.

===Subscription requirement===
To access the advanced features of the EOS Webcam Utility, Canon requires users to subscribe to a paid plan, which costs $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year.<ref name=":2" />

==Impact and reception==

===Ownership concerns===
Critics argue that Canon's decision to monetize features already supported by the hardware undermines the concept of ownership. Additionally, the reliance on subscription-based software introduces risks of obsolescence should Canon discontinue the service or cease software support in the future.

===User frustrations===
Many users have reported frustrations with the EOS Webcam Utility, including mandatory account registration and server-related issues that hinder access to the free version. Such barriers have amplified dissatisfaction among consumers, especially given the availability of the free UVC/UAC mode for newer models.<ref>{{Cite web |last=@koenkooi |date=17 Jan 2025 |title=Canon to start charging for using cameras as webcams - Or you can set the USB mode to UVC/UAC for free and have it work as a webcam: https:// cam.start.canon/en/C018/manual/html/UG-06_Network_0300.html |url=https://www.canonrumors.com/forum/threads/canon-to-start-charging-for-using-cameras-as-webcams.44299/#post-1018704 |url-status=live |access-date=19 Aug 2025 |website=canonrumors.com}}</ref>

===Canon's response===
Canon's moderator, who represents himself as part of Canon by use of the verbiage ''"our dev team",'' stated the following concerning this software's business model:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Canon Moderator |first=Stephen |date=17 Sep 2024 |title=Why is the the "EOS Webcam Utility" a Subscription App? |url=https://community.usa.canon.com/t5/EOS-Webcam-Utility-Pro/Why-is-the-the-quot-EOS-Webcam-Utility-quot-a-Subscription-App/m-p/491093 |access-date=19 Aug 2025 |website=community.usa.canon.com}}</ref><blockquote>"The EOS Webcam Utility was originally developed during lockdown when webcams weren't available because everyone was working from home. Our dev team put it together for free to allow our users to be able to take advantage of the cameras they already had. When it became apparent that our users wanted the software to do more and be better than something thrown together in ''a week'', our dev team spent time revising the app, fixing bugs, and ensuring greater compatibility. At that point, we realized we couldn't keep devoting precious developer time and resources to an app that is pretty popular but free. At the same time, the team also needed a whole portfolio of other products to develop updates, drivers, and new software. The solution was an optional subscription model. We didn't remove anything from the original free version, but we added benefits users could opt into for a small monthly (or annual) fee. This allows us to allocate sufficient talent to the EOS Webcam Utility to keep enhancing and updating the software as new versions of Windows or macOS become available or new camera models hit the market."</blockquote>In response, users pointed to Canon's net profit of over $2 billion per year, combined with the high cost of the camera, as reasons they believe this was an unnecessary, anti-consumer move by Canon.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Financial Highlights |url=https://global.canon/en/ir/finance/highlight.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618000518/https://global.canon/en/ir/finance/highlight.html |archive-date=18 Jun 2024 |access-date=19 Aug 2025 |website=Canon}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Purdy |first=Kevin |date=17 Jan 2025 |title=Camera owner asks Canon, skies: Why is it $5/month for webcam software? |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/01/canon-charges-50-per-year-to-use-a-900-camera-as-a-functional-webcam/ |url-status=live |access-date=19 Aug 2025 |website=ArsTechnica}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Canon]]

Reddit made it impossible for blind Redditors to moderate

2026-02-03T02:52:22Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Reddit
|StartDate=2023-07-01
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=
|Product=Reddit
|ArticleType=
|Type=Accessibility
|Description=
}}
On July 1st 2023, an announcement was made that there were serious issues with accessibility of the main '''[[Reddit]]''' website, specifically concerning blind moderators.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=They finally did it: Reddit made it impossible for blind Redditors to moderate their own sub |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Blind/comments/14nzwkm/they_finally_did_it_reddit_made_it_impossible_for/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=3 Jul 2023 |title=Reddit screws over blind community - a lesson on road rage in business |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdAOAmaMIL8 |url-status=live |access-date=20 Mar 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> This forced blind and visually-impaired moderators to resort to third-party apps in order to execute their usual tasks. The blind redditor's concerns were hindered at the time due to changes a month earlier regarding the larger {{Wplink|Reddit API controversy|2023 API controversy}}.

==Background==
The accessibility updates were announced on June 30th.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Accessibility Updates to Mod Tools: Part 2 |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/modnews/comments/14n9426/accessibility_updates_to_mod_tools_part_2/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> For a platform so large as Reddit, accessibility should be ensured for the large user base. The moderators tried working with Reddit, and the demo Reddit gave made it clear to the moderators that Reddit could not be used without sight, and there was no reaction to requesting a test with a screen curtain on.<ref name=":0" /> The third-party app RedReader did have proper accessibility features for screen reader use, but had issues with logins at the time.

===Third-party apps in the API controversy===
Initially all free third-party apps had to pay up the cost for accessing content of Reddit.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reddit's Recently Announced API Changes, and the future of the /r/blind subreddit |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Blind/comments/13zr8h2/reddits_recently_announced_api_changes_and_the/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Update 3: Reddit effectively kills off third party apps |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/RedReader/comments/13ylk42/update_3_reddit_effectively_kills_off_third_party/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> A week later exceptions were made, the third-party app RedReader fell under the exemption for non-commercial accessibility-focused apps<ref>{{Cite web |title=Update 4: RedReader granted non-commercial accessibility exemption |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/RedReader/comments/145du4j/update_4_redreader_granted_noncommercial/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>

==Moderator response==
A large part of the controversy was the lack of cooperation to make the platform accessible, when most of the work to make it accessible was already done and provided to Reddit.<ref name=":1" /> The main site for regular users has the required labels on the buttons such that screen readers can read what they do out loud, but they have not provided these on the moderator version of the site. In an interview about this, one of the moderators states:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Ben Brock |last2=Russell |first2=Dean |date=28 Jun 2023 |title=How Reddit's announced changes affects blind users |url=https://www.wbur.org/endlessthread/2023/06/28/reddit-api-blind |url-status=live |access-date=20 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><blockquote>There are some organizations that prioritize accessibility, and there are some organizations that kind of treat it as an afterthought. Reddit seems to have been the latter type of organization where accessibility was sort of something that they kind of went, OK, it sort of works now. And in any case, we've got these third-party apps, so it's not a big deal. Right?</blockquote>This captures the lack of concern for accessibility beforehand, and explains how the combination of events created a state where the platform became really inaccessible for the moderators.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Reddit]]
[[Category:Articles based on videos]]

Proven Industries v. Trevor McNally

2026-02-03T02:48:25Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{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}}</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]]}}</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]]}}</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]]}}</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]]}}</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]]}}</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]]}}</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}}</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}}</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}}</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}}</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]]}}</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]]

PolarBackup - Cloud Storage

2026-02-03T02:47:18Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{StubNotice}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=PolarBackup
|StartDate=
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=
|Product=
|ArticleType=
|Type=Broken Promise, Rent-seeking
|Description=
}}
About 5 yrs ago, PolarBackup sold permanent lifetime subscription for a minimal, one time fee. Users that pay the initial fee got 5TB. Out of nowhere the company terminated the lifetime subscription.

This is their response.

Greetings,

First and foremost, we extend our sincerest gratitude for your support as a member of the Polarbackup community.

It is with a heavy heart that we must inform you of the permanent closure of Polarbackup accounts associated with lifetime subscriptions. This decision was not taken lightly but was deemed necessary due to the evolving landscape of operational costs. Our unwavering commitment has always been to offer a reliable, secure, and sustainable backup solution. However, the increasing operational expenses have posed significant challenges to the long-term viability of our lifetime account offerings.

Despite our best efforts, and after issuing numerous notification alerts via email starting from early March 2024, we regret to inform you that those who did not seize the opportunity to upgrade their accounts have unfortunately forfeited access to them.

We deeply appreciate your steadfast support throughout the years as a Polarbackup user. We understand the inconvenience and disappointment this closure may cause, and we extend our heartfelt apologies for any disruption to your cloud backup service. Regrettably, please be aware that any data associated with your lifetime account has been permanently deleted and is irretrievable.

Once again, we express our sincere gratitude for your understanding and patience during this transition period. Should you have any further inquiries or require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Best Regards,

'''[Support representative's name]'''
{| class="wikitable"
|'''Technical Support Team'''
| colspan="4" |
|-
|'''Setting New Standards in Data Security'''
|}

PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions

2026-02-03T02:46:39Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{StubNotice}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Sony
|StartDate=
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=
|Product=PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
|ArticleType=
|Type=
|Description=
}}
PlayStation is able to and have restricted how developers can give upgrades to players and what developers can give people upgrading from a PS4 edition to a PS5 edition of a game post launch.

==Background==
Rust console was released in May 2021 for both PS4 & PS5 along with Xbox one and series S & X<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-03-28 |title=Rust Console Edition Release Date Announced for PS4 and Xbox One |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/rust-console-edition-release-date-announced-for-ps4-and-xbox-one |url-status=live |access-date=2025-07-10 |work=IGN}}</ref>. This continued until March 10th 2025, that’s when Rust console announced a PS5 & Xbox series only version<ref>{{Cite news |date= |title=Rust Console Edition new gen version announcement. |url=https://x.com/playrustconsole/status/1899128521957453960 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-07-10 |work=@playrustconsole on X}}</ref>, and like most games, it came in three editions, for rust these are standard, deluxe and ultimate<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rust Console Edition on the PS store |url=https://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/EP4415-PPSA24616_00-RUSTCONSOLEBASE5 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-07-10 |website=Playstation Store}}</ref>. And after much speculation, the developers (Double11) announced that it would be a free upgrade for existing players on April 24th<ref>{{Cite web |last=Silva |first=Pedro |date=2025-04-24 |title=Rust Console Dev Blog 38 (confirms free upgrade) |url=https://rust.double11.com/news/dev-blog-38 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-07-10}}</ref>.

==Incident==
on June 18th it was finally confirmed that the free upgrades could not be completed on playstation until the full release date of June 26th<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |first= |date=2025-06-18 |title=Update for players on PlayStation |url=https://rust.double11.com/news/update-for-players-on-playstation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250619174133/https://rust.double11.com/news/update-for-players-on-playstation |archive-date=2025-06-19 |access-date=2025-07-10}}</ref>, the release date of the game “due to platform limitations”. This meant that deluxe & ultimate edition owners, who were supposed to get 7 days early access starting on the 19th of June could not access the game until the 26th on June, unless they paid full price. In addition PlayStation players were only given the standard edition, instead of the edition they owned, however Double11 was able to add the other benefits into players accounts from the backend<ref name=":0" />.

==Consumer response==
The consumer response was mainly a lot of anger to the Rust Console team rather than PlayStation, this is seen by a lot of the comments on their posts and the trailer<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6c3JgpXY7A</ref> for the rust console new gen version.

==References==
{{reflist}}

Pixel 5a

2026-02-03T02:45:45Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{StubNotice}}
{{ProductCargo
|ArticleType=Product
|Category=
|Company=Google
|Description=
|InProduction=
|Logo=
|ProductLine=Google Pixel
|ReleaseYear=Bricking, Poor Quality
|Website=
}}
This phone was infamous for bricking after 1-2 years and the issue was swept under the rug with an extended warranty program.

The Pixel 5a is acknowledged to have a high incidence rate of motherboard failures, causing power issues resulting in a blank or black screen. As a response, Google Pixel implemented an extended 2 year repair warranty for this problem in the 5a beyond the standard 1 year Google Hardware Warranty.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/11833075?hl=en|title=Two-year extended repair program for Pixel 5a (5G)|work=Pixel Phone Help|access-date=2025-09-01}}</ref>

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

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

===Example incident one (''date'')===
{{Main|link to the main CR Wiki article}}
Short summary of the incident (could be the same as the summary preceding the article).
===Example incident two (''date'')===
...

==See also==
{{Ph-C-SA}}

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Google Pixel]]

PROCON

2026-02-03T02:44:45Z

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{{Stub}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Description=
|Founded=
|Industry=Consumer rights
|Logo=
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Government Agency
|Website=
}}
'''Protection and Defense for the Consumer Program''' or '''PROCON''' is a Brazilian government agency run by states and/or cities to receive and process complaints from the consumer, having about 27 state driven agencies and about a 1000 city driven agencies all over 750 different cities whom are members of the National System of Defense for the Consumer

Currently the most popular is PROCON-SP which has issued [[Nintendo]] a warning regarding the new ToS.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.procon.sp.gov.br/procon-sp-notifica-nintendo-sobre-mudanca-unilateral-dos-termos-de-uso/|title=Procon-SP notifica Nintendo sobre mudança unilateral dos termos de uso|date=2025-05-13|work=ProconSP|access-date=2025-08-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250724011442/https://www.procon.sp.gov.br/procon-sp-notifica-nintendo-sobre-mudanca-unilateral-dos-termos-de-uso/|archive-date=2025-07-24|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programa_de_Prote%C3%A7%C3%A3o_e_Defesa_do_Consumidor Wikipedia]
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Regulatory agencies and public support bodies]]

PCIe power connector design linked to melting GPU cables

2026-02-03T02:42:46Z

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{{ToneWarning}}{{Stub}}{{Irrelevant}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Nvidia. PSI-SIG
|StartDate=
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=
|Product=
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Poor Quality
|Description=
}}
'''{{wplink|12VHPWR|12VHPWR}}''' and its revision '''12V-2x6 (H++)''' are modern PCIe power connector standards published by the {{wplink|PCI-SIG|PCI-SIG}} that aim to deliver more power to PCIe devices such as GPUs but in a smaller foorprint than the older PCIe 6- and 8-pin connectors.{{Citation needed}} Since 12VHPWR's debut on Nvidia's RTX 40-series GPUs,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Steve |last2=Lathan |first2=Patrick |last3=Makhnovets |first3=Vitalii |last4=Coleman |first4=Andrew |last5=Thang |first5=Jimmy |date=2024-10-07 |title=12VHPWR is a Dumpster Fire {{!}} Investigation into Contradicting Specs & Corner Cutting |url=https://gamersnexus.net/gpus/12vhpwr-dumpster-fire-investigation-contradicting-specs-corner-cutting |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250715184806/https://gamersnexus.net/gpus/12vhpwr-dumpster-fire-investigation-contradicting-specs-corner-cutting |archive-date=2025-07-15 |access-date=2025-07-15 |website=GamersNexus}}</ref> the connector's been infamous for its design flaws that make it quite prone to ignition.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Wallossek |first=Igor |date=2022-10-27 |title=The horror has a face - NVIDIA’s hot 12VHPWR adapter for the GeForce RTX 4090 with a built-in breaking point |url=https://www.igorslab.de/en/adapter-of-the-gray-analyzed-nvidias-brand-hot-12vhpwr-adapter-with-built-in-breakpoint/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250715181914/https://www.igorslab.de/en/adapter-of-the-gray-analyzed-nvidias-brand-hot-12vhpwr-adapter-with-built-in-breakpoint/ |archive-date=2025-07-15 |access-date=2025-07-15 |website=igor´sLAB}}</ref> The minor revision 12V-2x6 aimed to mitigate these issues but ultimately succumbed to it's predecessor's shortcomings.<ref name=":1" /> As of July 2025, there are still reports of the connectors catching on fire even when using accessories that advertise less risk of catching ablaze.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hartung |first=Roman |date=2025-07-13 |title=It Happened Again – RTX 4090 with Melted 12VHPWR |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-Rmv2rEHc0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250829165209/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-Rmv2rEHc0 |archive-date=2025-08-29 |access-date=2025-08-29 |website=YouTube}}</ref>

==Background==
An early iteration of the connector, not part of the official specification, without the sense pins first appeared on PCI-SIG member [[Nvidia]]'s RTX 3080 Founder Edition (FE) graphics cards.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Steve |last2=Coleman |first2=Andrew |last3=Gallick |first3=Keegan |date=2020-09-16 |title=Tear-Down: NVIDIA RTX 3080 Founders Edition Disassembly - A Lot Fewer Screws |url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=OX9Eh_NaC5c |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-17 |website=YouTube}}</ref> Since then Nvidia has used the connector on some of their RTX 40 Series GPUs and all RTX 50 Series GPUs.

==Melting connectors==
Since its first debut on the RTX 4090, the connector has faced a myriad of incidents all revolving around them melting.<ref name=":0" /> As an effect Thermal Grizzly, a computer cooling company started by {{wplink|Overclocking|XOC}} enthusiast Der8auer, cannot guarantee their WireView, that uses the connector, as fail-proof.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Steve |last2=Hartung |first2=Roman |last3=Gaglione |first3=Mike |last4=Makhnovets |first4=Vitalii |date=2025-05-23 |title=Fixing the Unfixable 12VHPWR Connector, ft. Der8auer |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puFaUSTwiis |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250829164026/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puFaUSTwiis |archive-date=2025-08-29 |access-date=2025-08-29 |website=YouTube}}</ref>

Initital round of investigations led many to blame the incident on user error. Referencing improper insertion of the connector into the receptacle, leading to subpar contact between the conductors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Steve |last2=Lathan |first2=Patrick |last3=Coleman |first3=Andrew |date=2022-11-16 |title=The Truth About NVIDIA’s RTX 4090 Adapters: Testing, X-Ray, & 12VHPWR Failures |url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=ig2px7ofKhQ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-17 |website=YouTube}}</ref> In Nvidia's official statement they declared to have come to the same conclusion from their investigations. The company still offered an expedited RMA process for any RTX 4090 affected by the melting connectors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Steve |last2=Gaglione |first2=Mike |date=2022-11-18 |title=NVIDIA Responds to Melting Cables, Warranty Concerns, & 12VHPWR Adapter Failures |url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=_QmKYJzJhB4 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-17 |website=YouTube}}</ref> Following Nvidia's statement, PCI-SIG released their own in which they state "Members are responsible for the design, manufacturing, and testing, including safety testing, of their products".<ref name=":1" />

===Industry response===
Despite the gaping shortcomings, the connector was formally adopted as a part of PCI Express 5.

==Lawsuit==
{{Placeholder box|If applicable, add any information regarding litigation around the incident here.

===Claims===
Main claims of the suit.

===Rebuttal===
The response of the company or counterclaims.

===Outcome===
The outcome of the suit, if any.}}

==Consumer response==
{{Placeholder box|Summary and key issues of prevailing sentiment from the consumers and commentators that can be documented via articles, emails to support, reviews and forum posts.}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Placeholder box|[[mw:Help:VisualEditor/User_guide#Editing_categories|Add a category]] with the same name as the product, service, website, software, product line or company that this article is about.

The "Incidents" category is not needed.}}

Roblox's problematic moderation

2026-02-03T02:41:40Z

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{{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://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><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}}</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 |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 |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 |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}}</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/ |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/ |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 |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 |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 |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}}</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]]}}</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}}</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}}</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}}</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}}</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}}</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}}</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]]}}</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}}</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}}</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}}</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]]}}</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}}</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}}</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}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-10 |title=Roblox Banned Schlep - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKOYXcYmxow |url-status=live |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}}</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}}</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}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=Jun 17, 2025 |title=Tweet from RoCatchers |url=https://xcancel.com/RoCatchers/status/1934826134476087759 |url-status=live |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]]}}</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}}</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}}</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 |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 |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 |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 |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 |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 |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/ |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 |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 |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 |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/ |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 |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/ |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/ |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 |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]]

Ola Electric disables vehicle riding modes without MoveOS+ subscription

2026-02-03T02:35:28Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{Stub}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Ola Electric
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==Background==
Ola Electric[https://www.olaelectric.com/] is an electric scooter manufacturer in India with numerous electric scooters on sale since 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bhalla |first=Tarush |date=27 May 2021 |title=Ola Electric acquires Etergo, looks to launch electric scooters in India by 2021 |url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/ola-electric-acquires-etergo-looks-to-launch-electric-scooters-in-india-by-2021-11590576268370.html |access-date=2025-11-07 |work=mint}}</ref> The company has a poor track record for quality and has had previous issues with consumer rights in India.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shah |first=Aditi |date=2024-10-10 |title=India orders audit of Ola's service centres after consumer complaints, source and document reveal |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-orders-audit-olas-service-centres-after-consumer-complaints-source-2024-10-10/ |access-date=2025-11-07 |work=Reuters}}</ref>

==Incident==
Features like Eco mode, selectable ride modes, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), voice commands, and "smart charging" are locked behind a subscription. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Agarwal |first=Kavya |date=2025-08-11 |title=Ola Electric Disables ECO Mode, Demands up to ₹10,000 for MoveOS+ Subscription |url=https://www.evfy.in/news/ola-electric-disables-eco-mode-demands-up-to-10000-for-moveos+-subscription |access-date=2025-11-07 |website=evfy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhoir |first=Ajinkya |date=2022-06-22 |title=Ola S1 Pro MoveOS 2.0 Update Brings Cruise Control, Eco Mode, Music Playback |url=https://onsitego.com/blog/ola-s1-pro-moveos-2-0-update/ |access-date=2025-11-07 |website=Onsitego Blog}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Padmakumar |first=Neeraj |date=2025-07-31 |title=Ola Disabling Eco Mode And Several Other Features If We Don't Pay Subscription Charges: Angry Ola Electric Scooter Owners |url=https://www.cartoq.com/bike-life/ola-electric-scooter-moveos-plus-update-issues-solutions-subscription-model/ |access-date=2025-11-07 |website=cartoq}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shanbhag |first=Prathamesh |date=2025-08-10 |title=Ola Warns – Pay Rs 10,000 Or We Will Disable Features On Your Scooter? |url=https://motoroctane.com/news/291742-ola-warns-pay-rs-10000-or-we-will-disable-features-on-your-scooter |access-date=2025-11-07 |website=MotorOctane}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Subbarao |date=2025-07-21 |title=Complaint Regarding Forced OS Upgrade, Feature Loss & Poor Service on Ola S1 Pro |url=https://consumercourt.net/threads/complaint-regarding-forced-os-upgrade-feature-loss-poor-service-on-ola-s1-pro.1493/ |access-date=2025-11-07 |website=consumercourt.net/}}</ref> Previously, they were available as a standard feature. Now they are subscription only.

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Ola Electric]]

Oculus (Meta) Quest 1 Deprecation

2026-02-03T02:33:14Z

Bythmusters: added cargo

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Meta
|StartDate=2023-01-31
|EndDate=2025-01-31
|Status=Unresolved
|ProductLine=
|Product=Quest 1
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=End of Life
|Description=
}}
[[Meta]] (formerly Oculus) recently prevented developers from providing updates to programs for Quest 1 through their store in addition to previous restrictions. <ref name=":0">''(2025-02-28) David Heaney'' [https://www.uploadvr.com/quest-1-can-no-longer-get-new-app-updates/ Developers Can No Longer Support Quest 1 In Store App Updates] ''(article) UploadVR''</ref>
==Background==
Oculus Quest 1 was introduced on May 21st 2019 and received 50 operating system versions. It entered extended support on January 31st 2023 with this notice<ref name=":1">''(2023-01-31)'' [https://developers.meta.com/horizon/blog/changes-coming-quest-1-2023-meta Upcoming Changes to Quest 1] ''(article). Meta.'' </ref> which was followed by this archived support page<ref>''(2023-02-22)'' [https://web.archive.org/web/20230222221653/https://www.meta.com/help/quest/articles/headsets-and-accessories/using-your-headset/changes-for-meta-quest-one/ Changes For Meta Quest 1] ''(article). Meta.''</ref> from February 22nd 2023 which states that it will no longer receive new version updates but will continue to receive security updates until 2024. The current version of this notice as of writing states that critical bug fixes and security patches were provided until August 2024.<ref>''(2025-02-28)'' [https://web.archive.org/web/20250301013457/https://www.meta.com/help/quest/508248785631415/?gk_enable=store_meta_ventura_is_live Support for legacy Meta Quest headsets and accessories] ''(article). Meta.'' </ref>

===Developers blocked from supporting Quest 1 in new apps listed on Meta Horizon store===
On January 31st 2023 Meta announced that developers are no longer able to support Quest 1 in new apps listed on the Meta Horizon store effective immediately.<ref name=":1" />

====Users no longer able to use Meta Horizon Home social features====
Effective March 5th 2023 "Quest 1 users won't be able to invite others to their Home, visit someone else's Home, create or join a Party."<ref name=":1" />

===Developers blocked from providing software updates to Quest 1 apps hosted on Meta Horizon store===
On January 31st 2025 Meta announced that developers are no longer able to support Quest 1 with app updates on Meta Horizon store. This change will be in effect from May 2nd 2025 onward. <ref name=":0" />
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Meta Quest 1]]

Nvidia threatens GamersNexus

2026-02-03T02:30:05Z

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At the start of {{Wplink|CES}} 2025, [http://gamersnexus.net/ GamersNexus], a pro consumer tech publication channel, uploaded a video to their [[YouTube]] channel exposing [[Nvidia]]'s scheme of threatening them.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |author=@Gamers Nexus |title=NVIDIA's Dirty Manipulation of Reviews |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiekGcwaIho |website=[[YouTube]] |date=18 May 2025 |url-status=live |access-date=11 Jul 2025}}</ref>

==Background==
Nvidia's Multi-frame Generation or MFG is an "AI" frame generation technology first debuted on their RTX 50-series of GPUs as part of the DLSS 4.0 family. MFG, for one real frame on screen uses AI to generate three artificial frames of "indistinguishable" quality, which is up from only one generated frame from the preceding DLSS 3's frame generation.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Henry |last=Lin |first2=Andrew |last2=Burnes |title=NVIDIA DLSS 4 Introduces Multi Frame Generation & Enhancements For All DLSS Technologies |url=https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/news/dlss4-multi-frame-generation-ai-innovations/ |website=[[Nvidia]] |date=6 Jan 2025 |access-date=11 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250711093405/https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/news/dlss4-multi-frame-generation-ai-innovations/ |archive-date=2025-07-11}}</ref>

==Nvidia threatens GamersNexus==
On 18 May 2025, GamersNexus uploaded a video to their YouTube channel where they exposed Nvidia's attempt at extorting them. Nvidia strongly suggested to GN that access to their engineers for future engineering interviews and deep-dives would only be possible if GN underwent an editorial change according to Nvidia's specification. The company's ransom was for longer emphasis on their new MFG technology, currently exclusive only to RTX 50-series offerings, in GN's future reviews of their GPUs. In the video, GN responded to Nvidia's "request" for longer MFG coverage by stating that they provided multiple stand-alone pieces that span longer than the initial GPU reviews. GN also stated that Nvidia's attempts at strong-arming media is disingenuous at best.<ref name=":0" /> Nvidia's breach of trust has led to GN opening an investigation and deep-dive into more of the company's shady business practices.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |author=Gamers Nexus |title=Post from Gamers Nexus |url=https://www.youtube.com/post/UgkxRu3y8tmPdsRBVuru4Fe-ExTFS0GD0I1m |website=[[YouTube]] |date=18 May 2025 |access-date=11 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250711094823/https://www.youtube.com/post/UgkxRu3y8tmPdsRBVuru4Fe-ExTFS0GD0I1m |archive-date=11 Jul 2025}}</ref>

==Consumer response==
GamersNexus is well-known for their pro-consumer advocacy and likewise consumers and industry colleagues, such as JayzTwoCents,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |author=@JayzTwoCents |title=I don't know how... but NVIDIA sank to a new LOW! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_CuOTK-XiY |date=19 May 2025 |access-date=11 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> took the side of GN and were outraged at Nvidia's attempt at market control. Due to Nvidia holding greater than 90% of the consumer GPU market and hence being the market leader,<ref>{{Cite web |first=Jon |last=Peddie |title=Q1'25 PC GPU shipments decreased by -12% from last quarter; quarter following seasonality but still down from historical average |url=https://www.jonpeddie.com/news/q125-pc-gpu-shipments-decreased-by-12-0-from-last-quarter-quarter-following-seasonality-but-still-down-from-historical-average/ |website=Jon Peddie Research |date=4 Jun 2025 |access-date=11 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250711094024/https://www.jonpeddie.com/news/q125-pc-gpu-shipments-decreased-by-12-0-from-last-quarter-quarter-following-seasonality-but-still-down-from-historical-average/ |archive-date=11 Jul 2025}}</ref> many now consider the brand to be a [[monopoly]] and hence engaging in egregious behavior.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> This has led to some people considering taking their business elsewhere, such as Nvidia competitors [[AMD]] and [[Intel]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

==See also==
*[[Nvidia]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Nvidia]]

Nothing Phone (1)

2026-02-03T02:26:09Z

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Several users have reported a recurring issue with the Nothing Phone (1) where the Bluetooth functionality becomes inoperable. Affected devices are unable to activate Bluetooth, with the toggle permanently greyed out or failing to switch on. This malfunction has been described as rendering the feature "completely broken," making it impossible to pair headphones, speakers, or other accessories.<ref name="reddit1">[https://www.reddit.com/r/NothingTech/comments/vytvol/bluetooth_connectivity_issues_on_the_nothing/ "Bluetooth connectivity issues on the Nothing Phone (1)" – Reddit thread]</ref><ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/NothingTech/comments/1c9rsqa/bluetooth_not_turning_on_on_my_phone_1/ "Bluetooth not turning on on my phone (1)" – Reddit thread]</ref>

===User Reports===
Reports on Reddit and other forums suggest that this issue often appears suddenly, sometimes after software updates or without any apparent cause. Multiple threads document similar complaints, with users stating that restarting, resetting, or factory wiping the device does not resolve the malfunction.<ref name="reddit2">[https://www.reddit.com/r/NothingTech/comments/1h5ps5e/np_1_bluetooth_not_turning_on/ "Np (1) Bluetooth not turning On" – Reddit thread]</ref>

===Warranty Concerns===
Refusing warranty.<ref name="reddit3">[https://www.reddit.com/r/NothingTech/comments/1bjicln/nothing_refusing_warranty/ "Nothing refusing warranty – Reddit thread]</ref>

Other references<ref>https://nothing.community/d/20279-bluetooth-doesnt-turn-on-phone-1</ref><ref>https://nothing.community/d/10772-phone-1-wifibluetooth-connection</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/NothingTech/comments/1gbrx23/bluetooth_does_not_turn_on_nothing_phone_1/?show=original</ref>

==References==
<references />

Nissan shuts 2G car service in UK

2026-02-03T02:24:46Z

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'''[[Nissan]]''' has shut down down its 2G app for older electric cars in the UK on April 2024.

==Background==
Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in the UK have confirmed that '''2G services''' will be phased out by the end of the decade, though individual operators are discontinuing these services at different times, according to Nissan.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Flaherty |first=Nick |date=4 Mar 2024 |title=Nissan is shutting down its 2G app for older electric cars in the UK from April 2024. |url=https://www.eenewseurope.com/en/nissan-shuts-2g-car-service-in-uk/ |access-date=1 Mar 2025 |website=EENews Automotive}}</ref> While Nissan is preparing for the phase-out, the UK government has set a deadline of 2033 for operators to completely switch off 2G services.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rainford |first=Paul |date=4 Mar 2024 |title=Eurobites: Nissan blames UK's planned 2G switch-off for withdrawal of EV app |url=https://www.lightreading.com/2g-3g-4g/eurobites-nissan-blames-uk-s-planned-2g-switch-off-for-withdrawal-of-ev-app |access-date=1 Mar 2025 |website=LightReading}}</ref>

==App support==
The shutdown affects approximately '''3,000 Nissan Leaf and e-NV200 vehicles''' manufactured before 2016. These early models rely on the 2G network for connectivity. While around half of these vehicles are active users of the app, they will lose remote functionality after the shutdown. However, key features such as the '''Climate Control Timer''' and '''Charging Timer''' will remain accessible directly through the car's navigation system.<ref name=":0" />

===Nissan's response===
Nissan stated to the BBC:<blockquote>The NissanConnect EV app currently linked to Nissan Leaf and e-NV200 vehicles produced up until 2016 will shut down from 1 April 2024 in preparation for the 2G technology sunset. Owners will, however, still be able to use key features such as Climate Control Timer and Charging Timer directly from their car's Navigation System.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Rahman-Jones |first=Imran |last2=Kleinman |first2=Zoe |date=4 Mar 2024 |title=Nissan accused of dumping its electric car pioneers |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-68426263 |access-date=1 Mar 2025 |website=BBC News}}</ref></blockquote>

===Consumer response===
Customers have expressed frustration and disappointment, telling the BBC they were not informed about the app's discontinuation and did not expect such a sudden withdrawal of services.<ref name=":1" />

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

Nintendo Switch bans

2026-02-03T02:24:36Z

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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}}</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}}</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}}</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}}</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}}</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]]}}</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}}</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}}</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]]}}</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}}</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}}</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}}</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}}</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]]}}</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]]}}</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]]}}</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}}</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}}</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}}</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}}</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}}</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}}</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]]}}</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}}</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}}</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}}</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>

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

Nintendo Switch Online

2026-02-03T02:24:14Z

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Nintendo Switch Online (or NSO for short), is a paid online gaming subscription service for the [[Nintendo Switch]] and [[Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch 2]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Nintendo Switch Online — Overview |url=https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Nintendo-Switch-Online/Nintendo-Switch-Online-Overview-1183143.html}}</ref> similar to [[PlayStation Network]] on the [[PlayStation]] consoles and [[Xbox Live]] on [[Xbox]] consoles. It was introduced in September of 2018<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-09-12 |title="The Nintendo Switch online service is launching on September 18th" |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/12/17850516/nintendo-switch-online-service-release-date |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109033627/https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/12/17850516/nintendo-switch-online-service-release-date |archive-date=2020-11-09 |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=The Verge}}</ref>, roughly a year after the Nintendo Switch's launch. At which time, games that used to have their online multiplayer functions accessible for free were locked behind this subscription service.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-06-02 |title="Nintendo Switch online service pushed back to 2018 |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/nintendo-switch-online-service-to-launch-in-2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124013853/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-06-02-nintendo-switch-online-service-to-launch-in-2018 |archive-date=2020-11-24 |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=gamesindustry.biz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=What online games can you play without switch online? |url=https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/wiki/what-online-games-can-you-play-without-switch-online/}}</ref> The service also includes access to other things such as saving to the cloud, Nintendo Music, GameChat (Nintendo's new voice chat system introduced with the Nintendo Switch 2<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-19 |title=Nintendo Switch 2 Gamechat |url=https://www.nintendo.com/us/gaming-systems/switch-2/features/gamechat/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819130515/https://www.nintendo.com/us/gaming-systems/switch-2/features/gamechat/ |archive-date=2025-08-19 |access-date=2025-08-19 |website=Nintendo}}</ref>), and playing older Nintendo games from the NES/Famicom, SNES/Super Famicom, and Game Boy.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2025-08-19 |title=Compare Nintendo Switch Online Memberships |url=https://www.nintendo.com/us/online/compare-memberships/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819125044/https://www.nintendo.com/us/online/compare-memberships/ |archive-date=2025-08-19 |access-date=2025-08-19 |website=Nintendo}}</ref>

Nintendo offers the base subscription pack at either a free 7-day trial, once monthly (3.99), once every 3 months (7.99), or once ever year (19.99). Nintendo also offers a Family subscription pack exclusively yearly for $34.99.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Memberships {{!}} Nintendo Switch Online |url=https://ec.nintendo.com/US/en/membership/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729043936/https://ec.nintendo.com/US/en/membership/ |archive-date=2025-07-29 |access-date=2025-08-19 |website=Nintendo}}</ref> The family pack allows for up to 8 accounts to be connected on one plan.<ref name=":1" /> (More research needed on why the expansion pack and family subscription packs are only available yearly)

Some users have been banned from all online services, including Nintendo Switch Online after hacking their consoles.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Petite |first=Steven |date=May 22, 2018 |title=Nintendo starts banning Switch hackers from online services |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/nintendo-starts-banning-switch-hackers/ |access-date=August 16, 2025 |work=digitaltrends}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Doolan |first=Liam |date=June 17, 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 |work=Nintendo Life}}</ref>

==Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack==
Unlike the base subscription Nintendo prices the NSO+EP exclusively as a yearly subscription for $49.99 (individual) or at 79.99 (Family). The expansion pack offers additional services such as Nintendo Switch 2 Upgrade Packs for games, DLC, and access to games from older consoles such as the GameCube, N64, Game Boy Advance, and Sega Genesis/Mega Drive.<ref name=":1" />

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

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

===Nintendo Classics subscription requirement===
Nintendo Classics is the product line in which NSO subscribers gain access to games from older consoles via software emulation. Subscribers can download applications pertaining to a particular console's library, and thereby gain access to the games for that console which Nintendo has approved for the service. While the games are installed locally, the selection of games available can be changed any time by Nintendo. The selection of games has expanded over time, but in some instances, games were taken off the service.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-28 |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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228182428/https://nintendowire.com/news/2025/02/28/nintendo-of-japan-announces-title-will-be-removed-from-nso-library-first-time-since-launch/ |archive-date=2025-02-28 |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=nintendowire.com}}</ref>

This is in stark contrast to the 'Virtual Console' service Nintendo offered for their Wii, Wii U, and 3DS consoles previously, in which individual titles were available for a one-time purchase and digital download.

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Subscription-based services]]
[[Category:Nintendo Switch Online]]