Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Monopoly

2025-09-06T10:13:06Z

Guacamole: minor polish

{{ToneWarning}}

A [[wikipedia:Monopoly|monopoly]] is a market structure where a single firm, the monopolist, is the exclusive supplier of a product or service with no close substitutes. This grants the firm significant control over prices and supply, often leading to reduced consumer choice and potential market inefficiencies. They often share a few distinct character traits.
==What is a monopoly?==
===Monopolistic characteristics===
#Single seller
#*One company dominates the entire market, eliminating competition.<ref name=":01">{{Cite web |title=What is 'Monopoly' |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/definition/monopoly |website=Economic Times of India }}</ref><ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=July 8, 2024 |title=Monopoly Market – Types, Characteristic and Impact |url=https://herovired.com/learning-hub/blogs/monopoly-market |website= }}</ref>
#Price maker
#*The monopolist sets prices unilaterally, unlike competitive markets where prices are determined by supply and demand.<ref name=":01"></ref><ref name=":02"></ref>
#Barriers to entry
#*Legal, economic, or natural obstacles prevent competitors from entering the market.<ref name=":03">{{Cite web |date= |title=Understanding Monopoly Definitions and Barriers to Entry |url=https://www.studypug.com/micro-econ-help/monopoly-definitions |website=Study Pug }}</ref>
#Unique product
#*The absence of viable substitutes forces consumers to buy from the monopolies.<ref name=":06"></ref>
#Market power
#*Enables manipulation of supply, prices, and consumer behavior.<ref name=":02"></ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="border-style: solid; border-width: 2px; text-align: center" cellpadding="4px"
|+Key characteristics of monopolies
|-
! scope="col" style="text-align: left" |Characteristic
!Description
!Implication
|-
! scope="col" style="text-align: left" |Single seller
|Sole provider of a product/service
|No market competition
|-
! scope="col" style="text-align: left" |Price setting
|Ability to set prices above competitive levels
|Higher consumer prices
|-
! scope="col" style="text-align: left" |Barriers to Entry
|Obstacles like patents, high startup costs, or resource control
|Sustained market dominance
|-
! scope="col" style="text-align: left" |No Close Substitutes
|Unique product offering
|Consumer dependency on monopolist
|-
|}

===Types of monopolies===
Monopolies emerge through distinct mechanisms.
*Natural monopoly
*:Arises when a single firm supplies the entire market at the lowest cost due to economies of scale (e.g., utilities like water or electricity).<ref name=":02"></ref><ref name=":03"></ref><ref name=":04">{{Cite web |date= |title=Legal Monopoly |url=https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/economics/legal-monopoly/ |website=Corporate Finance Institute }}</ref> Example: Railway networks requiring massive infrastructure investments.
*Legal or statutory monopoly
*:Government-granted exclusive rights via patents, copyrights, licenses, or public franchises. Rationales include ensuring universal access to essential services and incentivizing innovation.<ref name=":01"></ref><ref name=":04"></ref> Example: AT&T’s telephone service monopoly (1907–1982).<ref name=":04"></ref><ref name=":05">{{Cite web |last=Nasrudin |first=Ahmad |date=January 22, 2025 |title=Monopoly: Meaning, Examples, Characteristics, Causes, Advantages, Disadvantages |url=https://penpoin.com/monopoly/ |website=penpoin.com}}</ref>
*Technological monopoly
*:Control over proprietary technology or processes like Microsoft’s dominance in operating systems.<ref name=":02"></ref>
*Pure monopoly
*:Complete market control with no substitutes, though rare in practice.<ref name=":06"></ref>
*Discriminating monopoly
*:Charges different prices to consumer groups based on willingness to pay, business or leisure airline ticket pricing.<ref name=":01"></ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="border-style: solid; border-width: 2px; text-align: center" cellpadding="5px"
|+Monopoly types
|-
! style="text-align: left" |Type
!Mechanism
!Example
|-
! style="text-align: left" |Natural monopoly
|Economies of scale in infrastructure heavy sectors
|Public utilities
|-
! style="text-align: left" |Legal monopoly
|Government grants exclusive rights
|AT&T and pharmaceuticals patents
|-
! style="text-align: left" |Technological monopoly
|Control over proprietary innovations
|Microsoft Windows OS
|-
! style="text-align: left" |Discriminating monopoly
|Price differentiation by consumer segment
|Airlines (business vs. leisure fares)
|-
|}

===Barriers to entry===
Barriers sustain monopolies by deterring potential competitors in multiple ways.
#'''Financial barriers'''
#*''Economies of scale''
#*:Large-scale production lowers cots per unit and disadvantages smaller companies.<ref name=":02"></ref><ref name=":03"></ref>
#*''Sunk costs''
#*:High initial investments like research and development deter new firms.<ref name=":06">{{Cite web |last=Emerson |first=Patrick |date= |title=Intermediate Microeconomics |url=https://open.oregonstate.education/intermediatemicroeconomics/chapter/module-15/ |website=oregonstate.education}}</ref>
#*''Resource control''
#*:Ownership of critical inputs (e.g., De Beers’ diamond reserves).<ref name=":05"></ref>
#'''Legal barriers'''
#*''Patents/Copyrights''
#*:Temporary exclusivity for inventions or creative works.<ref name=":07">{{Cite web |date=July 2023 |title=Monopoly |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/monopoly |website=law.cornell.edu}}</ref>
#*''Licenses/Franchises''
#*:Government-mandated permits (e.g., broadcast spectrum licenses).<ref name=":04"></ref>
#'''Strategic barriers'''
#*''Network effects''
#*:Value increases with user base (e.g., social media platforms)
#*''Predatory pricing''
#*:Temporarily lowering prices to drive out competitors.<ref name=":01"></ref>

===Effects of monopolies===
*''Negative effects''
:#Profit maximization often reduces supply and raises prices.
:#Lack of alternatives limits product variety and quality.<ref name=":05"></ref>
:#Absence of competition diminishes incentives for improvement.<ref name=":02"></ref>
:#Monopoly profits exacerbate wealth gaps.<ref name=":06"></ref>
*''Positive effects''
:#Lower production costs can translate to affordable prices.<ref name=":01"></ref><ref name=":07"></ref>
:#Essential for long-term infrastructure planning (e.g., utilities).<ref name=":05"></ref>
:#Patents enable recouping R&D investments (e.g., pharmaceutical drugs)<ref name=":04"></ref>

===Government regulation===
Governments try to curb monopoly abuses with antitrust laws, prohibiting anti-competitive practices such as price-fixing or predatory pricing; price regulation, capping the cost of essential services like utilities; and public ownership where the government directly controls a market, similar to Canada's healthcare system.<ref name=":06"></ref><ref name=":05"></ref> The DOJ mandated the breakup of AT&T in 1982 and filed antitrust suits against Microsoft in the 90s.<ref name=":06"></ref><ref name=":04"></ref>

===Emerging challenges===
Digital monopolies (tech giants) face global scrutiny over data control and market dominance.<ref name=":02"></ref>
Monopolists divert resources to maintain privileges such as lobbying against regulations.<ref name=":05"></ref> Global governance complicates regulating multinational firms.<ref name=":01"></ref> Monopolies can enable efficiency and innovation under regulation while unchecked power often hurts the consumer. Antitrust frameworks are needed to balance market control with public interest. Continuous regulatory adaptation remains vital to preserve competition and equity.

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Common terms]]

Google LSA terms of service change

2025-09-02T20:29:01Z

Guacamole: some more polish

{{StubNotice}}

[[Google]] changed the terms of service for their ''''L'''ocal '''S'''ervices '''A'''ds' program in the US and Canada. These changes allow Google to collect and analyze '''phone calls''' and '''chat messages''' between businesses and customers who got in contact via an advertisement.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date= |title=Google Local Services Ads Additional Terms for Providers |url=https://support.google.com/localservices/answer/7501778?hl=en |url-status=live |website=Support Google}}</ref>

==Background==
'''LSA''' is a program designed for businesses to advertise their services in the Google search engine as well as Google Maps. Once a business signs up, it will go through a verification process where the necessary licenses, certificates and insurance documents are verified by Google. Following this step, a business may receive a verification check mark and can officially start an ad campaign.

If an ad campaign is started, the respective business will appear higher in Google search results and be marked with the word 'sponsored'. This leads to an increased reach and may attract more customers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Getting started with Local Services Ads |url=https://support.google.com/localservices/answer/6224841?co=GENIE.CountryCode%3DUS&sjid=2416158513707060248-NA |url-status=live |website=Support Google}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Local Services Ads |url=https://business.google.com/us/ad-solutions/local-service-ads/ |url-status=live |website=Business Google}}</ref>

==Changes to the Terms of Service of the '''LSA''' Program (US & Canada)==
As of June 2025, Google requires participating companies to comply with their new terms of service in order to continue advertising via '''LSA'''.

One of the most notable additions to the TOS is the right for Google to collect and analyze different types of data from '''phone calls''' and '''text-based conversations''' between the business and the customer, which are for example, initialized through the click on an LSA advertisement. (This data collection may also occur when other methods of contacting a business through Google are used.)

According to Google, data collection '''includes but is not limited to''' photos, service descriptions, special offers, pricing information and discounts. <ref name=":0" />

==How it Affects Consumers and Businesses==
These changes affect the privacy of businesses and consumers alike due to the fact that is ambiguous what exact data is collected, when it is collected and how it's used by Google. Many fear that data collection might go far beyond what is stated in the TOS and that this data won't just be used to improve Google's algorithms, but also to expand the hidden profiles of Google users with highly sensitive information.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Conrad |first=Saam |date=2025-04-24 |title=Google asserts ownership of all advertiser assets in Local Services Ads |url=https://searchengineland.com/google-asset-ownership-local-services-ads-454561 |url-status=live |website=Search Engine Land}}</ref>

Many businesses in sectors which require confidentiality, such as lawyer services, insurance agencies and medical service providers, can, in theory, not be part of the LSA program anymore. The only options these companies have is to either agree to the new TOS and thereby abandon their duty of confidentiality or to stop using the service entirely, which would leave them at a competitive disadvantage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Konigsberg |first=Josh |date=2025-06-13 |title=What Lawyers Need to Know About the New Google Local Service Ads Policy |url=https://lawfirmmarketingpros.com/what-lawyers-need-to-know-about-the-new-google-local-service-ads-policy/ |url-status=live |website=Law Firm Marketing Pros}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Apple |first=Marc |date=2025-04-30 |title=Google Quietly Claims Ownership of Your Law Firm’s LSA Data |url=https://forwardpush.com/blog/google-quietly-claims-ownership-of-your-law-firms-lsa-call-data/ |url-status=live |website=Forward Push}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

Google LSA terms of service change

2025-09-02T13:16:50Z

Guacamole: some polish

{{StubNotice}}

[[Google]] changed the terms of service for their ''''L'''ocal '''S'''ervices '''A'''ds' program in the US and Canada. These changes allow Google to collect and analyze '''phone calls''' and '''chat messages''' between businesses and customers who got in contact via an advertisement.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date= |title=Google Local Services Ads Additional Terms for Providers |url=https://support.google.com/localservices/answer/7501778?hl=en |url-status=live |website=Support Google}}</ref>

==Background==
'''LSA''' is a program designed for businesses to advertise their services in the Google search-engine as well as Google Maps. Once a business signs up it will go through a verification process where the necessary licenses, certificates and insurance documents are verified by Google. Following this step, a business may receive a verification check-mark and can officially start an ad-campaign.

If an ad-campaign is started, the respective business will appear higher in Google search results and be marked with the word 'sponsored'. This leads to in an increased reach and may attract more customers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Getting started with Local Services Ads |url=https://support.google.com/localservices/answer/6224841?co=GENIE.CountryCode%3DUS&sjid=2416158513707060248-NA |url-status=live |website=Support Google}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Local Services Ads |url=https://business.google.com/us/ad-solutions/local-service-ads/ |url-status=live |website=Business Google}}</ref>

==Changes to the Terms of Service of the '''LSA''' Program (US & Canada)==
As of June 2025, Google requires participating companies to comply with their new terms of service in order to continue advertising via LSA.

One of the most notable additions to the TOS include the right for Google to collect and analyze different types of data from '''phone calls''' and '''text-based conversations''' between the business and the customer which are for example initialized through the click on an LSA advertisement. (This data collection may also occur when other methods of contacting a business through Google are used)

According to Google, data collection '''includes but is not limited to''' photos, service descriptions, special offers, pricing information and discounts. <ref name=":0" />

==How it Affects Consumers and Businesses==
These changes affect the privacy of businesses and consumers alike due to the fact, that is ambiguous what exact data is collected, when it is collected and how it's used by Google. Many fear, that data collection might go far beyond what is stated in the TOS and that this data won't just be used to improve Googles algorithms, but also to expand the hidden profiles of Google users with highly sensitive information.

Many businesses in sectors which require confidentiality such as lawyer services, insurance agencies and medical service providers can, in theory, not be part of the LSA program anymore. The reason for this is that the LSA program undermines this exact confidentiality. Since the only options are either to agree to the new TOS or stop using the service entirely, businesses of these sectors will be left at a disadvantage.
==References==
{{reflist}}Articles:

https://forwardpush.com/blog/google-quietly-claims-ownership-of-your-law-firms-lsa-call-data/ (law-industry marketing)

https://lawfirmmarketingpros.com/what-lawyers-need-to-know-about-the-new-google-local-service-ads-policy/ (law-industry marketing)

https://searchengineland.com/google-asset-ownership-local-services-ads-454561 (search marketing industry)

Google:

LSA program:

https://business.google.com/us/ad-solutions/local-service-ads/

In-depth LSA program:

https://support.google.com/localservices/answer/6224841?co=GENIE.CountryCode%3DUS&sjid=2416158513707060248-NA

TOS changes:

https://support.google.com/localservices/answer/7501778?hl=en<nowiki/>{{Ph-I-C}}

Changes to the ToS of Google's Local Services Ads introduce collection of sensitive call data

2025-09-02T09:18:34Z

Guacamole: Guacamole moved page Changes to the ToS of Google's Local Services Ads introduce collection of sensitive call data to Google LSA terms of service change: Misspelled title: Not in sentence case: I decided on a shorter and clearer Title

#REDIRECT [[Google LSA terms of service change]]

Google LSA terms of service change

2025-09-02T09:18:34Z

{{StubNotice}}

[[Google]] changed the terms of service for their ''''L'''ocal '''S'''ervices '''A'''ds' program in the US and Canada. These changes allow Google to collect and analyze phone calls and chat messages between businesses and customers who got in contact via an advertisement.

==Background==
'''LSA''' is a program designed for businesses to advertise their services in the Google search-engine as well as Google Maps. Once a business signs up it will go through a verification process where the necessary licenses, certificates and insurance documents are verified by Google. Following this step, a business may receive a verification check-mark and can officially start an ad-campaign.

If an ad-campaign is started, the respective business will appear higher in Google search results and be marked with the word 'sponsored'. This leads to in an increased reach and may attract more customers.

==Changes to the Terms of Service of the '''LSA''' Program (US & Canada)==
As of June 2025, Google requires participating companies to comply with their new terms of service in order to continue advertising via LSA.

One of the most notable additions to the TOS include the right for Google to collect and analyze different types of data from phone calls and text-based conversations between the business and the customer which are for example initialized through the click on an LSA advertisement. (This data collection may also be the case with other methods of contacting a business through Google)

According to Google, data collection '''includes but is not limited to''' photos, service descriptions, special offers, pricing information and discounts.

==How it Affects Consumers and Businesses==
These changes affect the privacy of businesses and consumers alike due to the fact, that is ambiguous what exact data is collected, when it is collected and how it's used by Google. Many fear, that data collection might go far beyond what is stated in the TOS and that this data won't just be used to improve Googles algorithms, but also to expand the hidden profiles of Google users with highly sensitive information.

Many businesses in sectors which require confidentiality such as lawyer services, insurance agencies and medical service providers can, in theory, not be part of the LSA program anymore. The reason for this is that the LSA program undermines this exact confidentiality. Since the only options are either to agree to the new TOS or stop using the service entirely, businesses of these sectors will be left at a disadvantage.

{{Ph-I-ConR}}

==References==
{{reflist}}Articles:

https://forwardpush.com/blog/google-quietly-claims-ownership-of-your-law-firms-lsa-call-data/ (law-industry marketing)

https://lawfirmmarketingpros.com/what-lawyers-need-to-know-about-the-new-google-local-service-ads-policy/ (law-industry marketing)

https://searchengineland.com/google-asset-ownership-local-services-ads-454561 (search marketing industry)

Google:

LSA program:

https://business.google.com/us/ad-solutions/local-service-ads/

In-depth LSA program:

https://support.google.com/localservices/answer/6224841?co=GENIE.CountryCode%3DUS&sjid=2416158513707060248-NA

TOS changes:

https://support.google.com/localservices/answer/7501778?hl=en<nowiki/>{{Ph-I-C}}

Google LSA terms of service change

2025-09-02T08:34:00Z

Guacamole: modified sources slightly

{{StubNotice}}

[[Google]] changed the terms of service for their ''''L'''ocal '''S'''ervices '''A'''ds' program in the US and Canada. These changes allow Google to collect and analyze phone calls and chat messages between businesses and customers who got in contact via an advertisement.

==Background==
'''LSA''' is a program designed for businesses to advertise their services in the Google search-engine as well as Google Maps. Once a business signs up it will go through a verification process where the necessary licenses, certificates and insurance documents are verified by Google. Following this step, a business may receive a verification check-mark and can officially start an ad-campaign.

If an ad-campaign is started, the respective business will appear higher in Google search results and be marked with the word 'sponsored'. This leads to in an increased reach and may attract more customers.

==Changes to the Terms of Service of the '''LSA''' Program (US & Canada)==
As of June 2025, Google requires participating companies to comply with their new terms of service in order to continue advertising via LSA.

One of the most notable additions to the TOS include the right for Google to collect and analyze different types of data from phone calls and text-based conversations between the business and the customer which are for example initialized through the click on an LSA advertisement. (This data collection may also be the case with other methods of contacting a business through Google)

According to Google, data collection '''includes but is not limited to''' photos, service descriptions, special offers, pricing information and discounts.

==How it Affects Consumers and Businesses==
These changes affect the privacy of businesses and consumers alike due to the fact, that is ambiguous what exact data is collected, when it is collected and how it's used by Google. Many fear, that data collection might go far beyond what is stated in the TOS and that this data won't just be used to improve Googles algorithms, but also to expand the hidden profiles of Google users with highly sensitive information.

Many businesses in sectors which require confidentiality such as lawyer services, insurance agencies and medical service providers can, in theory, not be part of the LSA program anymore. The reason for this is that the LSA program undermines this exact confidentiality. Since the only options are either to agree to the new TOS or stop using the service entirely, businesses of these sectors will be left at a disadvantage.

{{Ph-I-ConR}}

==References==
{{reflist}}Articles:

https://forwardpush.com/blog/google-quietly-claims-ownership-of-your-law-firms-lsa-call-data/ (law-industry marketing)

https://lawfirmmarketingpros.com/what-lawyers-need-to-know-about-the-new-google-local-service-ads-policy/ (law-industry marketing)

https://searchengineland.com/google-asset-ownership-local-services-ads-454561 (search marketing industry)

Google:

LSA program:

https://business.google.com/us/ad-solutions/local-service-ads/

In-depth LSA program:

https://support.google.com/localservices/answer/6224841?co=GENIE.CountryCode%3DUS&sjid=2416158513707060248-NA

TOS changes:

https://support.google.com/localservices/answer/7501778?hl=en<nowiki/>{{Ph-I-C}}

Google LSA terms of service change

2025-09-01T18:43:31Z

Guacamole: added a couple sources

{{StubNotice}}

[[Google]] changed the terms of service for their ''''L'''ocal '''S'''ervices '''A'''ds' program in the US and Canada. These changes allow Google to collect and analyze phone calls and chat messages between businesses and customers who got in contact via an advertisement.

==Background==
'''LSA''' is a program designed for businesses to advertise their services in the Google search-engine as well as Google Maps. Once a business signs up it will go through a verification process where the necessary licenses, certificates and insurance documents are verified by Google. Following this step, a business may receive a verification check-mark and can officially start an ad-campaign.

If an ad-campaign is started, the respective business will appear higher in Google search results and be marked with the word 'sponsored'. This leads to in an increased reach and may attract more customers.

==Changes to the Terms of Service of the '''LSA''' Program (US & Canada)==
As of June 2025, Google requires participating companies to comply with their new terms of service in order to continue advertising via LSA.

One of the most notable additions to the TOS include the right for Google to collect and analyze different types of data from phone calls and text-based conversations between the business and the customer which are for example initialized through the click on an LSA advertisement. (This data collection may also be the case with other methods of contacting a business through Google)

According to Google, data collection '''includes but is not limited to''' photos, service descriptions, special offers, pricing information and discounts.

==How it Affects Consumers and Businesses==
These changes affect the privacy of businesses and consumers alike due to the fact, that is ambiguous what exact data is collected, when it is collected and how it's used by Google. Many fear, that data collection might go far beyond what is stated in the TOS and that this data won't just be used to improve Googles algorithms, but also to expand the hidden profiles of Google users with highly sensitive information.

Many businesses in sectors which require confidentiality such as lawyer services, insurance agencies and medical service providers can, in theory, not be part of the LSA program anymore. The reason for this is that the LSA program undermines this exact confidentiality. Since the only options are either to agree to the new TOS or stop using the service entirely, businesses of these sectors will be at a disadvantage.

{{Ph-I-ConR}}

==References==
{{reflist}}Articles:

https://searchengineland.com/google-asset-ownership-local-services-ads-454561

https://business.google.com/us/ad-solutions/local-service-ads/

https://lawfirmmarketingpros.com/what-lawyers-need-to-know-about-the-new-google-local-service-ads-policy/

Google:

https://support.google.com/localservices/answer/6224841?co=GENIE.CountryCode%3DUS&sjid=2416158513707060248-NA<nowiki/>https://support.google.com/localservices/answer/7501778?hl=en<nowiki/>{{Ph-I-C}}

Article suggestions

2025-09-01T17:59:38Z

Guacamole: writing of the article on Google's TOS change of the LSA program has begun

This page is dedicated towards providing a communal list for users to submit potential articles to feature on the wiki, and to give editors inspiration on what pages they might want to add to the wiki. If you create an article based on an entry from this list, or see that someone else has done so, please make sure to delete the row from this page in order to prevent confusion.

Sources should be inserted within the 'refs' section of the table. If using the visual editor, take advantage of '<nowiki/>'''insert reference'''<nowiki/>' via ''''ctrl + shift + k'''<nowiki/>' so that the sources are quick to add to future articles. If you are using the source editor, feel free to copy and paste the formatting from other correctly formatted references on the page. The more sources you include with an article idea, the more likely it is that others will pick the article idea up and run with it, so please attempt to include a good variety of descriptive sources!

Please take note of the wiki's [[Consumer Rights Wiki:Inclusion guidelines|Inclusion criteria]] when submitting article suggestions. If you see article suggestions here which do not fit the Wiki, feel free to remove them, leaving your reasoning in an edit note.

If you are an editor looking for further inspiration to write an article, you can also check out the [[Louis Rossmann - Video Directory|Louis Rossmann video directory]] for a good collection of potential articles.

==Example==
Below is an example of what an entry should appear as:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Company
!Summary of Incident
!Refs
|-
|[[Nintendo]]
|In 2025, the company Nintendo stripped Switch 2 consoles that used the MIG switch cartridge of all online functionality
|<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><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>
|}

==List of incidents not yet covered==
{| class="wikitable"
!Company
!Summary of Incident
!Refs
|-
|[[Audi]]
|Subscription-based paywalling of basic features of the Audi A3 in the EU and the UK.
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=MickDrivesCars |date=2025-07-28 |title=How to ruin your car brand |url=https://youtu.be/ueHgn6UTZjk |url-status=live |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Haefner |first=Morgan |last2=Hodge |first2=Lawrence |date=2024-03-14 |title=Audi wants buyers to pay for basic car features |url=https://qz.com/audi-a3-buyers-must-subscribe-to-use-basic-car-features-1851333470 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/B1SHT |archive-date=2025-08-25 |access-date=2025-08-25 |work=Quartz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hundal |first=Thomas |date=2024-03-13 |title=Audi Wants European A3 Customers To Subscribe To Features That Come Standard On A Base Toyota Corolla |url=https://www.theautopian.com/audi-wants-european-a3-customers-to-subscribe-to-features-that-come-standard-on-a-base-toyota-corolla/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250208095611/https://www.theautopian.com/audi-wants-european-a3-customers-to-subscribe-to-features-that-come-standard-on-a-base-toyota-corolla/ |archive-date=2025-02-08 |access-date=2025-08-25 |work=The Autopian}}</ref>
|-
|LBRY Foundation, Oddessy
|Community first decentralization & Odysseys plan to enable censorship by switching away from the opensource LBRY network.
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=The LBRY Foundation |url=https://lbry.org/ |url-status=live |access-date=08 Aug 2025 |quote=The LBRY community invites everyone to join us in building a more free and open way to share content and information online.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Watson |first=RT |date=06 June 2024 |title=Decentralized YouTube alternative Odysee acquired by Forward Research despite content concerns |url=https://www.theblock.co/post/298888/decentralized-youtube-alternative-odysee-acquired-by-forward-research-despite-content-concerns |url-status=live |access-date=8/16/25 |work=The Block}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Li |first=Jun |last2=Grintsvayg |first2=Alex |last3=Kauffman |first3=Jeremy |last4=Fleming |first4=Charles |date=2020 |title=LBRY: A Blockchain-Based Decentralized Digital Content Marketplace |url=https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9126007 |journal=2020 IEEE International Conference on Decentralized Applications and Infrastructures (DAPPS) |location=Oxford, UK |publisher=IEEE |doi=10.1109/DAPPS49028.2020.00005 |isbn=978-1-7281-6978-1 |via=IEEE Xplore}}</ref>
|-
|[[Microsoft]]
|Anticompetitive behavior contributing to the damaging of the security of customer devices.
|<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Triplette |first=Ryan |date=Nov 15, 2024 |title=Microsoft’s anticompetitive behavior weakens its customers’ cybersecurity |url=https://federalnewsnetwork.com/commentary/2024/11/microsofts-anticompetitive-behavior-weakens-its-customers-cybersecurity/?readmore=1 |access-date=Jun 25, 2025 |work=Federal News Network}}</ref>
|-
|[[Samsung]], [[Glance]]
|Using the faces of its devices' users for the purposes of generating ads with AI to display on the lock screen
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Whitwam |first=Ryan |date=Jun 4, 2025 |title=Samsung teams up with Glance to use your face in AI-generated lock screen ads |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/06/samsung-teams-up-with-glance-to-use-your-face-in-ai-generated-lock-screen-ads/ |access-date=Jun 25, 2025 |work=Ars Technica}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fink |first=Charlie |date=2025-06-04 |title=Glance AI And Samsung Bring Personalized Shopping To The Lock Screen |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/charliefink/2025/06/04/glance-ai-and-samsung-bring-personalized-shopping-to-the-lock-screen/ |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=Forbes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Allison |date=2025-06-04 |title=Samsung phones are getting a weird AI shopping platform nobody asked for |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/679541/samsung-galaxy-glance-ai-lock-screen-app |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=The Verge}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Devenport |first=Corbin |date=2025-06-04 |title=Lock Screen Ads Are Coming to Your Galaxy Phone |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/lock-screen-ads-are-coming-to-your-galaxy-phone/ |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=How To Geek}}</ref>
|-
|[[Facebook]], [[Yandex]]
|De-anonymizing web browsing identifiers
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wildeboer |first=Jan |date=Jun 03, 2025 |title=Wildeboer post from Jan Wildeboer |url=https://social.wildeboer.net/@jwildeboer/114620123151656825 |access-date=Jun 25, 2025 |work=social.wildeboer.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Goodin |first=Dan |date=Jun 3, 2025 |title=Meta and Yandex are de-anonymizing Android users’ web browsing identifiers |url=https://arstechnica.com/security/2025/06/meta-and-yandex-are-de-anonymizing-android-users-web-browsing-identifiers/ |access-date=Jun 25, 2025 |work=Ars Technica}}</ref>
|-
|[[TikTok]]
|Integrated AI tools to track user behaviors even more for the purposes of selling to advertisers
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sato |first=Mia |date=Jun 3, 2025 |title=TikTok will give advertisers even more data on trends and users |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/678255/tiktok-advertiser-summit-ai-targeting-data-seo |access-date=Jun 25, 2025 |work=The Verge}}</ref>
|-
|[[k.chicntech]]
|Selling fraudulent products on its platform
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Harding |first=Scharon |date=Jun 3, 2025 |title=Shopper denied $51 refund for 20TB HDD that’s mostly a weighted plastic box |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/06/man-buys-20tb-portable-hdd-for-51-son-breaks-the-news-that-its-a-fake/ |access-date=Jun 25, 2025 |work=Ars Technica}}</ref>
|-
|[[Facebook]], [[Yandex]]
|Automatic opt-in of user-generated content being used for the purposes of training AI.
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Borgesius |first=Frederik |date=Apr 24, 2025 |title=Post on akademienl.social |url=https://akademienl.social/@Frederik_Borgesius/114392662340468118 |access-date=Jun 25, 2025 |website=akademienl.social}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=Apr 24, 2025 |title=AP: kom nu in actie als je niet wil dat Meta AI traint met jouw data |url=https://autoriteitpersoonsgegevens.nl/actueel/ap-kom-nu-in-actie-als-je-niet-wil-dat-meta-ai-traint-met-jouw-data |access-date=Jun 25, 2025 |work=autoriteitpersoonsgegevens.nl}}</ref>
|-
|[[VidIQ]]
|Scraping user generated content so poorly that it puts users at risk of violating copyright law
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=CutCafe |date=Jan 24, 2025 |title=This AI tool is EXPLOITING small content creators (So I exposed it) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg8JZozCa0c |access-date=Jun 25, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
|-
|[[Waymo]]
|Using interior camera to train GenAI models; automatic opt-in
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bellan |first=Rebecca |date=Apr 8, 2025 |title=Waymo may use interior camera data to train generative AI models, but riders will be able to opt out |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/04/08/waymo-may-use-interior-camera-data-to-train-generative-ai-models-sell-ads/ |access-date=Jun 25, 2025 |work=TechCrunch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hawkins |first=Andrew |date=April 7, 2025 |title=Waymo: ‘no plans’ to use in-car camera data for targeted ads |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/644770/waymo-interior-camera-ai-training-ads-privacy |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-14}}</ref>
|-
|[[Dymo]]
|550 and newer models have DRM in the printer paper; older model printers bricked via a driver update.
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Malawey |first=David |date=Apr 3, 2025 |title=discard junkware and the extract pure value of Dymo |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hlhPRlxA9s |access-date=Jun 25, 2025 |work=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
|-
|[[Google]]
|Numerous incidents listed under Wikipedia's [[wikipedia:Google_litigation|Google Litigation]] page
|N/A
|-
|[[UPS]]
|Charges excessively high brokerage fees disguised as "customs fees" that exceed shipping costs when mailing a product from the US to Canada; sent person in source a $42.60 bill AFTER delivering the package, without the person being informed of the shipper being UPS.
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Runkle Of The Bailey |date=Nov 14, 2024 |title=I Fought UPS' Bogus Brokerage Fees, And Won |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKju9a4lA5I |access-date=Jun 26, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
|-
|[[Liberty Safe]]
|At the point of sale (POS) of the safe, the consumer was not informed that the manufacturer has a backdoor for the safe. In this specific incident, this backdoor was used to bypass the security for the purposes of the FBI
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Runkle Of The Bailey |date=Sep 6, 2023 |title=Liberty Safe Has Secret Backdoors -- And They Gave It To the FBI |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeCwrX2gcXM |access-date=Jun 26, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
|-
|[[Yubo]]
|Only in-scope elements of the provided source should focus on "age estimation" and "facial recognition", despite the ethical dubiousness of the platform for minors.
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=CinemaGuess |date=Jun 25, 2025 |title=Yubo; The Most Dangerous Snapchat Clone Ever Made |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKm5gkG9yMw |access-date=Jun 26, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
|-
|[[itch.io]], [[Night School Studios]], [[Netflix]]
|In September 2024, users who purchased Oxenfree on itch.io were warned that the game was going to be pulled from the platform on October 1st. Consumers would not be able to download the installers after this date, so they would lose access unless they had them backed up. Users speculated that Netflix, the parent company of the development studio, had ordered the move; however, no response from Netflix or the developers was ever published. This is particularly notable because it is against itch.io's terms of service: "Users shall retain a license to this content even after the content is removed from the Service."
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=itch corp |date=15 Apr 2023 |title=itch.io Terms of Service |url=https://itch.io/docs/legal/terms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240907004719/https://itch.io/docs/legal/terms |archive-date=7 Sep 2024 |access-date=27 Jun 2025 |website=itch.io}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |last=ShawnS |date=31 Jan 2025 |title=OXENFREE |url=https://delistedgames.com/oxenfree/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250321070400/https://delistedgames.com/oxenfree/ |archive-date=21 Mar 2025 |access-date=27 Jun 2025 |website=Delisted Games}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |last=Colp |first=Tyler |date=9 Sep 2024 |title=Another reminder that your digital library isn't forever: Oxenfree will be completely removed from Itch.io next month |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/adventure/another-reminder-that-your-digital-library-isn-t-forever-oxenfree-will-be-completely-removed-from-itch-io-next-month/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250523111125/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/adventure/another-reminder-that-your-digital-library-isn-t-forever-oxenfree-will-be-completely-removed-from-itch-io-next-month/ |archive-date=23 May 2025 |access-date=27 Jun 2025 |website=PC Gamer}}</ref>
|-
|[https://consumerrights.wiki/index.php?title=SourceForge.net_forces_users_to_inconditionally_accept_terms_of_use_with_no_alternative_before_logging_in&veaction=edit&section=2 Sourceforge.net]
|Sourceforge forces users to accept terms and conditions before they can even log in, denying their right to refuse or disagree.
|
|-
|[[Electronic Arts]]
|The video game [[Anthem]] was announced to have its servers shut down, leading to all licenses for the title becoming bricked.
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hore |first=Jamie |date=Jul 3, 2025 |title=Anthem will soon die for good, as Bioware confirms a full server shut down |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/anthem/servers-shutting-down-bioware |access-date=Jul 4, 2025 |work=Ars Technica}}</ref>
|-
|[https://drivesaversdatarecovery.com/partner-programs/ DriveSavers]
|Through DriveSavers' partner program, independent or otherwise affiliated shops receive an approximately 10% commission for referring customers to the service (typical service being approximately $3,000.00, resulting in $300.00 of commission for partners). On top of this, partnered shops also receive DriveSavers branded merchandise (pens, antistatic mats and similar shop equipment, etc). Has relevance as this may result in partners having heavy incentives to refer customers to a service they may not need.
|
|-
|[https://www.skystone.games/ Skystone Games]
|Boundary, a multiplayer online-only first-person shooter, got shut down just a year after its release by Skystone games, and its publishing rights relinquished, citing "ongoing delays and a lack of updates from the developer". Studio Surgical Scalpels (the developer) stated that the publisher decissions were "extremely sudden and unreasonable", and attempted to "regain the rights to boundary". The game has been offline for more than a year at the time of writing, and no refunds or communications to the userbase has been made by Skystone Games.
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-19 |title=Boundary - End of service notice |url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1364020/view/4209257868262605607?l=english |url-status=live |access-date=2025-07-07 |website=Steam}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-30 |title=Boundary Shut Down: Who's to Blame? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr8IhV1fovE |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|[[Automatic Content Recognition (ACR)]]
|Smart TVs of multiple brands have a feature called Automatic Content Recognition, which sends several screenshots per minute of whatever plays on the device to the manufacturer for analysis. This includes content from external inputs and thus could include private photos and videos of the user, as well as third parties who never agreed to anything of that nature. This is required to be opt-in in the US, but most people inadvertently agree to it with the EULA of the device.
|<ref>{{Cite web |first=Rachel Cericola, Jon Chase and Lee Neikirk |date=2025-06-25 |title=Yes, Your TV Is Probably Spying on You. Your Fridge, Too. Here’s What They Know. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/advice-smart-devices-data-tracking/ |access-date=2025-07-09 |website=The New York Times - Wirecutter}}</ref>
|-
|Not applicable
|Factory reset and deconfiguration guides for removing personal/sensitive data from devices before change of ownership to avoid that data being used for identity theft, spear phishing and scams.
|<ref>{{cite web|title=ACCC Report Revelations Of Scams And Cyber Crime Not Surprising |website=Tech Business News |url=https://www.techbusinessnews.com.au/news/accc-report-revelations-of-scams-and-cyber-crime-not-surprising/ |publication-date=29 April 2024 |access-date=20 July 2025 |quote="Whilst there exists the Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF) and the Information Security Manual (ISM) which direct government and critical industry to use NAID AAA certified recyclers to destroy and sanitise data at end of life, there remains confusion over ownership of accountability."}}</ref>
|-
|Not applicable
|Users are being forced by law to violate their privacy to access adult websites, when numerous sites that won't follow the law exist and are unsafe.
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ortutay |first=Barbara |date=27 Jun 2025 |title=What to know about online age verification laws {{!}} AP News |url=https://apnews.com/article/internet-age-verification-supreme-court-def346d7bf299566a3687d8c4f224fec |url-status=live |access-date=19 Jul 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 Jun 2025 |title=The Scam of Age Verification {{!}} PORNBIZ.COM |url=https://pornbiz.com/post/17/the_scam_of_age_verification/en#5 |url-status=live |access-date=19 Jul 2025}}</ref>
|-
|[[Microsoft]]
|Microsoft uses software engineers based in China to work on US Defense Department systems with laughably ineffective precautions. I think this is relevant in the context of Microsoft's attitude towards cloud security. In the past, master keys have been stolen by Chinese hackers and from my understanding, it's not even clear to what extent those groups still have access to Microsoft's internal systems, and by extension, Microsoft customers'. This needs more research though.
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dudley |first=Renee |date=2025-07-15 |title=A Little-Known Microsoft Program Could Expose the Defense Department to Chinese Hackers |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/microsoft-digital-escorts-pentagon-defense-department-china-hackers |website=ProRepublica}}</ref>
|-
|[[QIDI]]
|3D printer causes disastrous fire; subreddit staff attempts to cover up incident.
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/ProgressLocal1511 |date=Mar 30, 2025 |title=R/QidiTech3d Permanently banned me for warning people after my family lost everything from a fire! |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/comments/1jnuju1/rqiditech3d_permanently_banned_me_for_warning/ |access-date=Jul 23, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>
|-
|[[Microsoft]]
|Potentially related to: [[Microsoft's anticompetitive practices]]
Mysteriously banned the developer of LibreOffice from his Hotmail Account; Automated systems handled the appeal process and refused to restore access to his account, potentially harming LibreOffice's development.
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Simms |first=Daniel |date=Jul 30, 2025 |title=Microsoft suddenly bans LibreOffice developer's email account, blocks appeal |url=https://www.techspot.com/news/108878-microsoft-suddenly-bans-libreoffice-developer-email-account-blocks.html |access-date=Aug 4, 2025 |work=TechSpot}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Beri |first=Devesh |date=Aug 1, 2025 |title=Microsoft Bans Profile Belonging to Developer Behind Free Microsoft Office Alternative |url=https://tech.yahoo.com/business/articles/microsoft-bans-profile-belonging-developer-204536148.html |access-date=Aug 4, 2025 |work=ExtremeTech}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=Rohit |date=Aug 3, 2025 |title=LibreOffice Developer Says Microsoft Blocked His Email Account Without Warning |url=https://www.alltechnerd.com/libreoffice-developer-says-microsoft-blocked-his-email-account-without-warning/ |access-date=Aug 4, 2025 |work=All Tech Nerd}}</ref>
|-
|[[Swiffer]]
|When using a Swiffer wet jet power mop you need to buy Swiffer's WetJet Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner which comes in a bottle with a cap on it that the customer can not take off and refill with their own floor cleaner of their choice. The cap is "locked" with plastic hooks that prevent refilling and force the customer to buy another bottle which is heavily priced.
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|-
|[[Assioma]]

|When purchasing power pedals that just need to output ANT+ data, you cannot use the product you have bought without creating an account, logging into the app and pairing your phone with BLE (lots of phones can't do this pair step). This is claimed by the manufacturer for warranty activation but mean without a phone with the right capability you can't use your expensive power pedals.
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-16 |title=FAQs |url=https://cycling.favero.com/en/faq#headingFAQ6-Favero-Assioma-App}}</ref>
|-
|[[Discord]]
|RubenSim's bot "Ro-Cleaner", which protects servers from users who have joined "Roblox Condo" servers in the past, is banned because it invades user's privacy and accesses "Protected Characteristics". Should also be added to [[Roblox's problematic moderation]].
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|-
|[[TeamViewer]]
|TeamViewer's free trial automatically enrolls users into a paid subscription unless they provide 28 days' advance written notice to cancel. This excessively long cancellation window, combined with the requirement for written notice (rather than allowing cancellations through the same platform used for sign-up), creates a high risk of unintended charges. If users fail to meet these stringent requirements, TeamViewer bills the full annual subscription fee without further warning
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-03 |title=All about subscription |url=https://www.teamviewer.com/en/global/support/knowledge-base/teamviewer-classic/licensing/subscription/all-about-subscription/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250628031915/https://www.teamviewer.com/en/global/support/knowledge-base/teamviewer-classic/licensing/subscription/all-about-subscription/ |archive-date=2025-06-28 |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=TeamViewer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=ozgurozkan |title=TeamViewer invoiced me after a free trial + demanded “28‑day written cancellation.” Proofs inside |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/teamviewer/comments/1mpzpo5/teamviewer_invoiced_me_after_a_free_trial/ |url-status=live |website=Reddit}}</ref>
|-
|Embodied
|This is case of "software tethering". Embodied's $799 companion robot Moxie permanently shut down once the company decided to shut down cloud services. According to Embodied's own website "Moxie relies on cloud connectivity for its core features, and it will not function once services end ... Our Terms of Service specify that services may be terminated at any time without prior notice."
|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Notopoulos |first=Katie |date=2024-12-11 |title=They bought an $800 AI robot for their kids. Now the company is shutting down — and children are having to say goodbye. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/moxie-robot-toy-shutting-down-kids-embodied-goodbye-2024-12?op=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250816193431/https://www.businessinsider.com/moxie-robot-toy-shutting-down-kids-embodied-goodbye-2024-12?op=1 |archive-date=2025-08-16 |access-date=2025-08-16 |work=Business Insider}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Closing FAQs – Moxie Robot |url=https://moxierobot.com/pages/closing-faqs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241126054436/https://moxierobot.com/pages/closing-faqs |archive-date=2024-11-26 |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=moxierobot.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Degeurin |first=Mack |date=2024-12-10 |title=‘I love you… goodbye:’ What will happen when this companion robot suddenly dies? |url=https://www.popsci.com/technology/moxie-robot-offline/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212035257/https://www.popsci.com/technology/moxie-robot-offline/ |archive-date=2024-12-12 |access-date=2025-08-16 |work=Popular Science}}</ref>
|-
|UP3 By Jawbone
|Approximately 2011, Pioneering startup company from San Francisco, had revolutionary fitness trackers. In 2017 with no notice to customers they stole personal data and shut down app which in turn, bricked devices. Highly likely went bankrupt and sold to sister company to manipulate customer services and rights. Now owned by Aliph brands.
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|GoPro Hero 12
|GoPro Hero 12 requires the GoPro app to be installed before you can use the camera. Many currently used devices are not compatible with the app, therefore making use of the camera difficult to impossible for new owners or upon camera factory reset. There's also the question of what data the app collects and whether it requires login and or camera activation.
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|-
|[[Internet radios]]
|I'd like a page where I can share information about internet radios "openness." Few allow you to enter a radio station's URL (which I would consider the least intrusive option). Most depend on third-party websites or apps; [https://www.sangean.com/uk/blog/149 some of which have already bricked devices].
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|-
|Google TLS Changes
|Google's new requirements to certificate authorities require separate authority/signing chains to be used to issue Server Authentication and Client Authentication certificates. Therefore, starting 11 February 2026, Let's Encrypt will no longer include the Client Authentication EKU on default certificates
|
|-
|Devolo
|Devolo switches of servers and removes their app from stores for their "Home Control" system, thus severely reducing the functionality of their devices (apparently Z-Wave-based).
|<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.golem.de/news/weiterbetrieb-verursacht-weitere-kosten-devolo-macht-smart-home-system-zum-grossteil-unbrauchbar-2508-199409.html |website=Golem [German]}}</ref>
|-
|Juicero
|Silicon Valley startup that received more than $100 million in funding from investors such as Google and Campbell's Soup. Produced a juicer which was sold for $700 (later $400). Device required a Wi-Fi connection and mobile app in order to use and only accepted "produce packs" sold exclusively by Juicero. Said produce packs had short shelf lives, required the machine to scan a QR code to process, and could be remotely disabled (for instance, if a component item was recalled). Packs were capable of being squeezed by hand (yielding slightly more juice in less time) as demonstrated in an infamous Bloomberg video, which led to the company offering refunds for its juicer. Suspended all operations and (again) offered refunds on September 1st, 2017.
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Levin |first=Sam |date=2017-09-01 |title=Squeezed out: widely mocked startup Juicero is shutting down {{!}} Silicon Valley {{!}} The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/sep/01/juicero-silicon-valley-shutting-down |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901233738/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/sep/01/juicero-silicon-valley-shutting-down |archive-date=2017-09-01 |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carson |first=Biz |date=2017-04-20 |title=Juicero Offers Refund For Squeezing Juice Packets |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/juicero-offers-refund-for-squeezing-juice-packets-2017-4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421033635/http://www.businessinsider.com/juicero-offers-refund-for-squeezing-juice-packets-2017-4 |archive-date=2017-04-21 |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=Business Insider}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Huet |first=Ellen |last2=Zaleski |first2=Olivia |date=2017-04-19 |title=Silicon Valley’s $400 Juicer May Be Feeling the Squeeze |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-04-19/silicon-valley-s-400-juicer-may-be-feeling-the-squeeze |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170429015614/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-04-19/silicon-valley-s-400-juicer-may-be-feeling-the-squeeze |archive-date=2017-04-29 |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=Bloomberg}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Reilly |first=Claire |date=2018-09-08 |title=Juicero is still the greatest example of Silicon Valley stupidity |url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/juicero-is-still-the-greatest-example-of-silicon-valley-stupidity/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241104015047/https://www.cnet.com/culture/juicero-is-still-the-greatest-example-of-silicon-valley-stupidity/ |archive-date=2024-11-04 |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=CNET}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kolodny |first=Lora |date=2025-09-01 |title=The tech start-up that made a $700 juicing machine has shut down |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/01/the-tech-start-up-that-made-a-700-juicing-machine-has-shut-down.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905084642/https://www.cnbc.com/2017/09/01/the-tech-start-up-that-made-a-700-juicing-machine-has-shut-down.html |archive-date=2017-09-05 |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=CNBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mihalcik |first=Carrie |date=2017-09-01 |title=Juicero shuts down, offers refunds |url=https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/juicero-shuts-down-offers-refunds/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250702172950/https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/juicero-shuts-down-offers-refunds/ |archive-date=2025-07-02 |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=CNET}}</ref>
|-
|Flock Security
|ALPRs that have been popping up everywhere. No way to opt out of surveillance. Maybe also make an article on the car-mounted cameras.
|
|-
|Foxit Reader
|Updater uses dark pattern to trick unsuspecting users into installing a trial version of their paid product. The checkbox is enabled again by default with each update in the hope that the user misses it by accident at some point.
|
|-
|Lowes
|Lowes uses flock cameras and other AI powered cameras to collect data and build a profile on "prospective, current, or former Lowe's customers". Their cameras point away from their stores.
|
|-
|Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
|CCSF in their eligibility form requires high school students to agree to a User Agreement which includes waiving their FERPA rights to inspecting otherwise confidential information that the foundation collects throughout the scholarship process, including sensitive information such as home addresses and financial status.
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 Aug 2025 |title=Eligibility Quiz (click SUBMIT) |url=https://webportalapp.com/sp/task_item_primary_print/ccsf?item_id=1 |url-status=live |access-date=24 Aug 2025 |website=Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation}}</ref>
|-
|English Government
|Mass facial-recognition cameras and facial-recognition vans
|
|-
|[[H&R Block]]
|Marketing paid products as free, deleting users' tax data upon downgrading to free versions, and forcing users to contact support to get access to the free version of the tax filing software. FTC alleges coercive and obstructive techniques are used to make users pay for services they don't need as well.
|
|-
|[[Meta]]
|In 2024, Meta was sued in the UK for their practice of the consent-or-pay model, forcing viewers to accepted data tracking or monetarily pay to reject it. In July 2025, European Commission (unofficially?) said that Meta may accrue daily fines if they continue.
|
|-
|Elegoo
|The Elegoo Centauri Carbon 3d printer has been proven to use open source Klipper software which requires them to publish their changes to the code.
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-28 |title=PSA: Elegoo Centauri Carbon & GPL Compliance |url=https://freethecode.lol/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-28 |website=PSA: Elegoo Centauri Carbon & GPL Compliance}}</ref>
|-
|Razer
|<nowiki>How Razer Screws Customers | Hardware, Software, & Support Failures</nowiki>
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Steve |last2=Phetdara |first2=Tim |last3=Thang |first3=Jimmy |date=2025-08-27 |title=How Razer Screws Customers {{!}} Hardware, Software, & Support Failures |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhfqhCxqpQ8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250830051717/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhfqhCxqpQ8 |archive-date=2025-08-30 |access-date=2025-08-30 |website=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
|Social media
|Social media platforms like Facebook, Discord and Instagram not mentioning but requiring a phone number to verify after signing up
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=GueraGoesGreen |title=Instagram allows you to sign up without a phone number... only to lock your account until you give them one. |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/assholedesign/comments/oc75bs/instagram_allows_you_to_sign_up_without_a_phone/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250830144910/https://old.reddit.com/r/assholedesign/comments/oc75bs/instagram_allows_you_to_sign_up_without_a_phone/ |archive-date=2025-08-30 |access-date=2025-08-30 |website=Reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=randomgunhunter |title=I verified my email, why is discord asking for my phone number? am i not human enough? |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/discordapp/comments/6xf1kl/i_verified_my_email_why_is_discord_asking_for_my/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/20250830000000/https://old.reddit.com/r/discordapp/comments/6xf1kl/i_verified_my_email_why_is_discord_asking_for_my/ |archive-date=2025-08-30 |access-date=2025-08-30 |website=Reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=thelma1907 |title=So to have a discord account, I absolutely need to give them my phone number? |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/discordapp/comments/1gwg9q4/so_to_have_a_discord_account_i_absolutely_need_to/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/20250830000000/https://old.reddit.com/r/discordapp/comments/1gwg9q4/so_to_have_a_discord_account_i_absolutely_need_to/ |archive-date=2025-08-30 |access-date=2025-08-30 |website=Reddit}}</ref>
|-
|Palantir
|Gotham
|
|-
|Adobe, Pantone
|Adobe and Pantone change colors in users' existing files in Photoshop and Illustrator to black unless they pay an additional $15/month
|[https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/1/23434305/adobe-pantone-subscription-announcement-photoshop-illustrator][https://www.wired.com/story/adobe-pantone-color-subscription-fee/]
|}
==See Also==

*[[Louis Rossmann - Video Directory]]
*[[Other Channels - Video Directory|Other Channels - VIdeo Directory]]

==Reference List==
<references />
[[Category:Sources]]

Google LSA terms of service change

2025-09-01T13:48:19Z

Guacamole: added stub notice

Google LSA terms of service change

2025-09-01T13:30:54Z

Guacamole: further expanded the article

[[Google]] changed the terms of service for their ''''L'''ocal '''S'''ervices '''A'''ds' program in the US and Canada. These changes allow Google to collect and analyze phone calls and chat messages between businesses and customers who got in contact via an advertisement.

==Background==
'''LSA''' is a program designed for businesses to advertise their services in the Google search-engine as well as Google Maps. Once a business signs up it will go through a verification process where the necessary licenses, certificates and insurance documents are verified by Google. Following this step, a business may receive a verification check-mark and can officially start an ad-campaign.

If an ad-campaign is started, the respective business will appear higher in Google search results and be marked with the word 'sponsored'. This leads to in an increased reach and may attract more customers.

==Changes to the Terms of Service of the '''LSA''' Program (US & Canada)==
As of June 2025, Google requires participating companies to comply with their new terms of service in order to continue advertising via LSA.

One of the most notable additions to the TOS include the right for Google to collect and analyze different types of data from phone calls and text-based conversations between the business and the customer which are for example initialized through the click on an LSA advertisement. (This data collection may also be the case with other methods of contacting a business through Google)

According to Google, data collection '''includes but is not limited to''' photos, service descriptions, special offers, pricing information and discounts.

==How it Affects Consumers and Businesses ==
These changes affect the privacy of businesses and consumers alike due to the fact, that is ambiguous what exact data is collected, when it is collected and how it's used by Google. Many fear, that data collection might go far beyond what is stated in the TOS and that this data won't just be used to improve Googles algorithms, but also to expand the hidden profiles of Google users with highly sensitive information.

Many businesses in sectors which require confidentiality such as lawyer services, insurance agencies and medical service providers can, in theory, not be part of the LSA program anymore. The reason for this is that the LSA program undermines this exact confidentiality. Since the only options are either to agree to the new TOS or stop using the service entirely, businesses of these sectors will be at a disadvantage.

{{Ph-I-ConR}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}

Google LSA terms of service change

2025-09-01T11:31:17Z

Guacamole: further expanded the article

[[Google]] changed the terms of service for their 'Local Services Ads' program in the US and Canada. These changes allow Google to collect and analyze phone calls and chat messages between businesses and customers who got in contact through an advertisement.

==Background==
LSA is a program designed for businesses to advertise their services in the Google search-engine as well as Google Maps. Once a business signs up it will go through a verification process where the necessary licenses, certificates and insurance documents are verified by Google. Following this step, a business may receive a verification check-mark and can officially start an ad-campaign.

If an ad-campaign is started, the respective business will appear higher in the search results and will be marked with the word 'sponsored'. This leads to in an increased reach and may attract more customers.

==[Incident]==
As of May 2025, Google requires participating companies to comply with their new Terms of Services.{{Ph-I-I}}

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

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

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}

Google LSA terms of service change

2025-09-01T10:06:33Z

Guacamole: an introduction has been added

Google's 'Local Services Ads' program enables businesses to advertise their services in the Google search-engine. As of May 2025 Google requires participating companies to comply with their new Terms of Services. This article will mainly focus on the privacy implications these changes have for the business owners and their customers.

==Background==
{{Ph-I-B}}

==[Incident]==
{{Ph-I-I}}

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

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

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}

Google LSA terms of service change

2025-09-01T09:28:25Z

Guacamole: Google changed the ToS of their 'Local Services Ads' program which enables the collection of sensitive call data as well as message conversations between businesses and their customers if they are routed through Google.

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Google
|StartDate=2025-04-01
|Status=Active
|Product=Local Services Ads
|ArticleType=Service
|Type=Privacy, Terms of Service
|Description=Google changed the ToS of 'Local Services Ads' allowing them to analyze calls and messages between businesses and customers using this service.
}}
{{Ph-I-Int}}
==Background==
{{Ph-I-B}}

==[Incident]==
{{Ph-I-I}}

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

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

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}

Google LSA terms of service change

2025-09-01T09:08:03Z

Guacamole: Created page with "{{IncidentCargo |Company=Google |StartDate=2025-04-01 }} {{Ph-I-Int}} ==Background== {{Ph-I-B}} ==[Incident]== {{Ph-I-I}} ===[Company]'s response=== {{Ph-I-ComR}} ==Lawsuit== {{Ph-I-L}} ==Consumer response== {{Ph-I-ConR}} ==References== {{reflist}} {{Ph-I-C}}"

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Google
|StartDate=2025-04-01
}}
{{Ph-I-Int}}
==Background==
{{Ph-I-B}}

==[Incident]==
{{Ph-I-I}}

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

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

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}