Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

User:Cheerfulbull

2025-01-19T02:51:40Z

Cheerfulbull:

Source your claims, kids<ref>Because I said so</ref>.

User:Cheerfulbull

2025-01-19T02:50:53Z

Cheerfulbull: Created page with "Source your claims, kids."

Source your claims, kids.

Redbox

2025-01-19T02:43:55Z

Cheerfulbull: /* The Incident */ Use a permalink instead of a scroll-to-text fragment

{{InfoboxProductLine
| Title = Redbox
| Release Year = 2002
| Product Type = Video rental and streaming services
| In Production = No
| Official Website = https://web.archive.org/web/20241001080426/https://www.redbox.com/
| Logo = Redbox.png
}}

Founded in 2002, Redbox, before bankruptcy, was a company which primarily focused on kiosks, often found in grocery stores or gas stations where you could rent a DVD or video game. Redbox also offered a streaming app, where customers could purchase and stream content.

== The Incident ==
RedBox found itself bankrupt, largely due to mismanagement from executives and shut down all of its services, including not just the RedBox kiosks, but also their streaming platform.

From the shutdown, all users who had purchased content could not download or view any content, including one Roku user who claims that they lost approximately $10,000 of media. [https://community.roku.com/t5/Channels-viewing/Redbox-bankrupt-app-shows-nothing/m-p/980612/highlight/true#M169649]
[[File:Screenshot 2025-01-17 164008.png|thumb|A Roku user who claimed they lost $10,000 worth of content on RedBox]]
RedBox did not redefine terms such as “own” or “purchase” in their terms of service like Sony ([[EULA roofie#Sony PlayStation Store|hyperlink]]). RedBox only limits in their terms of service how many devices purchased content can be downloaded to.

== Broader Implications ==
Since this content was purchased digitally and nothing is guaranteed through physical ownership, companies are able to revoke, or suddenly fail to provide legitimately purchased content. Any consumer who bought content on RedBox, using legitimate avenues to view the content, are ultimately punished for viewing content the right way, which incentivizes illegal means of viewing content.

This is not just an issue with RedBox; any company that provides digital media that goes bankrupt or just does not honor terms such as “purchase” or “own.” Every large company that provides digital content engages, or has the capacity to engage, in revoking purchased content, which either were or were not defined in the terms of service.

== References ==

# https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/1dxn7p9/a_redbox_retrospective_from_an_employee/
# https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/21/24183454/redbox-universal-missed-payment-17-million
# https://community.roku.com/t5/Channels-viewing/Redbox-bankrupt-app-shows-nothing/m-p/980612/highlight/true#M169649
# http://web.archive.org/web/20240927064054/https://www.redbox.com/transactionterms

[[Category:Companies]]

John Deere

2025-01-19T02:35:13Z

Cheerfulbull: /* Monopoly On Repairs */ Add sources for claims

{{StubNotice}}
'''[https://www.deere.com John Deere]''' is a leading manufacturer of agricultural, and heavy machinery. Founded in 1837, they are primarily known for their heavy-duty agriculture machines, such as tractors and combines. They have recently faced criticism for their business practices, especially in the realm of equipment repair. These practices have raised concerns among farmers, independent repair technicians, and consumer advocacy groups.<ref name="jdflrtrt">https://www.npr.org/2025/01/15/nx-s1-5260895/john-deere-ftc-lawsuit-right-to-repair-tractors</ref>

{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = John Deere
| Founded = 1837
| Industry = Agricultural machinery, Heavy equipment
| Official Website = http://deere.com/
| Logo = John Deere logo.png
}}

== Consumer Protection Profile ==
[[File:John deere doc.png|thumb|524x524px|Front Page of the FTC's Suit Against John Deere<ref name="DCRCCN325">https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/DeereCoREDACTEDComplaintCaseNo325-cv-50017.pdf</ref>]]

==== Repairability ====

* John Deere limits access to essential repair software and diagnostic tools.<ref name="dith3">https://pirg.org/resources/deere-in-the-headlights-3/</ref>
* Restrictive policies prevent farmers from performing repairs or utilizing independent repair shops, forcing them to rely on authorized dealerships.<ref name="jdflrtrt" />
* Farmers have reported being unable to fix minor mechanical issues without John Deere's proprietary tools.<ref name="fssdcp">https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/01/ftc-states-sue-deere-company-protect-farmers-unfair-corporate-tactics-high-repair-costs</ref>
* John Deere has allegedly unlawfully inflated repair costs by controlling the repair service market.

==== Monopoly On Repairs ====
<ul>
<li> John Deere's control over the repair market has been likened to monopolistic behavior.</li>
<li> By restricting, and controlling access to repair resources, and parts, the company has effectively eliminated competition in the repair market.<ref>https://www.courthousenews.com/ftc-accuses-john-deere-of-unlawful-equipment-repair-practices/</ref></li>
</ul>

==== Digital Rights and Ownership ====

* John Deere uses software locks, and digital rights management (DRM) systems that control user autonomy.<ref>https://pirg.org/edfund/resources/john-deere-repair-software/</ref>
* These measures prevent farmers, and independent repair technicians from completing repairs without access to the proprietary software.<ref name="dith3"/>

==== Right to Repair Legislation Opposition ====

* John Deer has actively lobbied against right-to-repair legislation in multiple states, and on the federal level. <ref>https://pirg.org/resources/john-deere-and-right-to-repair-over-the-years/?utm_source=chatgpt.com</ref><ref>https://wisconsinwatch.org/2024/04/midwest-farmers-right-to-repair-agriculture-john-deere-illinois/?utm_source=chatgpt.com</ref>
* Despite signing a memorandum of understanding with the American Farm Bureau Federation in 2023, the company has been accused of undermining the spirit of the agreement.<ref>[https://investigatemidwest.org/2024/11/12/is-john-deeres-day-of-reckoning-soon-at-hand/#:~:text=In%20a%20nutshell%3A%20Deere%20embeds%20authorization%20codes%20in,dealers%20have%20access%20to%20all%20the%20verification%20codes. https://investigatemidwest.org/2024/11/12/is-john-deeres-day-of-reckoning-soon-at-hand/#:~:text=In%20a%20nutshell%3A%20Deere%20embeds%20authorization%20codes%20in,dealers%20have%20access%20to%20all%20the%20verification%20codes.]</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-RgOUT3zeo</ref>

== Consumer Protection Incidents ==

==== FTC Lawsuit (January 2025) ====
On January 15, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a lawsuit against John Deere, alleging anticompetitive practices in the repair market.<ref name="fssdcp" /><ref name="DCRCCN325" /> The lawsuit claims that:

* John Deere unlawfully inflated repair costs by monopolizing the repair service market.
* The company's restrictive policies violated consumer protection laws, and limited farmers' ability to maintain their equipment.

== References ==
<references />
[[Category:Companies]]
[[Category:John Deere]]

Ford

2025-01-19T02:30:40Z

Cheerfulbull: Removed unsourced claims, edit overly accusatory and casual language, found sources for certain claims, clarified dates

{{Under_Development}}

----
Henry Ford made the first patent Ford automobile, the quadricycle in 1896. He then incorporated the Ford motor company in 1903. They are now a company known for anti-consumer practices, like marked up parts sharing that probably started in the late 1990's.

=== Anti-Consumer Practices ===
Ford have been known for being the maker of America's most recalled vehicles, setting the record for most recalls issued in 2021, 2022, and 2023<ref>https://datahub.transportation.gov/stories/s/NHTSA-Recalls-by-Manufacturer/38mw-dp8u/</ref>. Ford have filed dangerous patents  and have issued a software update that ended up bricking a vehicle<ref>https://www.fordraptorforum.com/threads/automatic-software-update-bricked-my-truck.96624/</ref>.

Ford have also obtained patents for systems like one that serves ads based on the driver's conversations<ref>https://therecord.media/ford-patent-application-in-vehicle-listening-advertising</ref>, and another patent for a system to annoy the owner of, restrict access to and then repossess or destroy vehicles where the owner "has defected" on finance payments<ref>https://arstechnica.com/cars/2023/03/ford-files-patent-for-system-that-could-remotely-repossess-a-car/</ref>.

[[Category:Companies]]

LG

2025-01-19T02:01:55Z

Cheerfulbull: Remove box for deleted image

{{StubNotice}}

LG is a South Korean Electronics and Home Appliance Zaibatsu (or mega corporation). They make microwave ovens, ovens, stoves, refrigerators, cell phones, TVs, speakers, blu-ray disk drives, CD and DVD drives, and other electronics and computer components and peripherals.

LG was founded in 1947. The company is currently worth over 9.9 Billion USD in market cap.<ref>https://companiesmarketcap.com/lg-electronics/marketcap/</ref>

== LG Smart Home Privacy Violations ==

Part of the company's appliance division is involved with [[smart appliances]], like microwaves. The company also makes Smart OLED TVs.<ref>https://www.lg.com/us/promotions</ref>

=== Implementation ===
The implementation of "smart" LG devices come with the following features:<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3suztVz8s7s</ref>

* A terms of service with the only option being to "accept."
* A single terms of service that dictates how a multitude of unrelated LG devices can use your personal data. Agreeing on one device means agreement on all.
* There is only an easily accessible "accept all" button when the service prompts the user with the Terms of Service (ToS).
* Information gained by smart appliances are used to create a profile on the consumer. This profile is used to give targeted advertisements.
* Products such as the lines of LG smart vacuum cleaners collect information such as images, floor maps, cleaning history, cleaning diary list, and video feed, which is then sent to LG servers.
* Products such as LG smart TVs have the "Do not sell my personal data" setting off by default, being opt-out rather than opt-in.
* Products such as LG smart TV's collect information on the use of the product, such as what content you watch and when you watch it.
* LG's "ThinQ" mobile app to remotely control their line of portable air conditioners have a requirement for users to input their full name, email, and birthday in order to access these remote-control features. Further information fields prompted but not required include phone number, location, and address information.

== Broader Implications ==
This incident represents broader implications:

* A lack of control over one's own data.
* [[File:LG ThinQ App Screenshot.png|thumb]]A lack of consent before using the customers data to make a profit.
* Services being "opt-out" instead of being "opt-in."
* A lack of privacy in one' own home, due to their electronics siphoning data to LG, even after the transfer of ownership has been made.

== References ==
<references />

[[Category:LG]]
[[Category:Companies]]