Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Talk:Sponsored content in consumer electronics system interfaces

2026-05-15T22:39:39Z

JamesTDG: /* Duplicate of article "Advertising Overload" */ new section

== Duplicate of article "Advertising Overload" ==

Hi there, this article is focused on an element of [[Advertising overload]]. While we appreciate your work on this article, it would be more beneficial to focus efforts on having the same topic in 1 article, especially since most of the information explained here has been previously covered in more depth with far more reliable sources. [[User:JamesTDG|JamesTDG]] ([[User talk:JamesTDG|talk]]) 22:39, 15 May 2026 (UTC)

Talk:Dead Space 2 activation limit lockout

2026-05-11T19:58:31Z

JamesTDG: /* Related incident to cover */ new section

== Related incident to cover ==

DS2 isn't the only example of EA bricking games, and we should consider covering various games whose DRM doesn't work anymore after EA changed their launcher from Origin to EA. There's several reported games that became unplayable strictly because EA never bothered to invest in updating the DRM checks for their games to query the new launcher. I can't launch Titanfall 2 on Steam because of this shit!

Regaining my composure now, here's a list of quite a few jumping off posts to get you all started with adequate research:

titanfall 2 - first game I've had to deal with regarding this, still has calls for origin launcher in the code, users have to do some mild hacking just to launch the game

https://www.getdroidtips.com/titanfall-2-cant-launch-game-steam-launcher-fix/

https://www.reddit.com/r/titanfall/comments/15wiif9/titanfall_2_wont_launch/

https://www.reddit.com/r/titanfall/comments/18eefim/titanfall_2_fails_to_launchcrashes/

https://forums.ea.com/discussions/titanfall-franchise-discussion-en/titanfall-2-wont-launch/11441081

https://www.reddit.com/r/titanfall/comments/15yri58/windows_10_troubleshooting_titanfall_2_not/

https://forums.ea.com/discussions/titanfall-franchise-discussion-en/i-cant-open-titanfall-2-/11414674 - ea automatically marked this as resolved despite the user in the forum claiming it's not actually fixing it

https://steamcommunity.com/app/1237970/discussions/0/3113669366296153075/

Other EA games - some games that fail to launch were designed as 32-bit applications, and since EA chose to only support 64 bit, they neglected to fix this issue

https://www.reddit.com/r/origin/comments/vm8fhc/all_games_failing_to_launch_through_both_origin/

https://www.reddit.com/r/origin/comments/yah72l/unable_to_launch_any_games_on_ea_desktop_app/

https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/0/4362376160461592641/ - modding the origin launcher just to play older games

https://forums.ea.com/discussions/mass-effect-franchise-discussion-en/how-to-launch-game-on-origin-launcher-without-steam-prompting-ea-app/9134497 - unnecessary fix just to get Mass Effect Legendary Edition to function as intended

https://forums.ea.com/discussions/ea-app-technical-issues-en/games-wont-launch/11910196 - The Sims Franchise

https://forums.ea.com/discussions/ea-app-technical-issues-en/re-nobody-can-launch-their-games-since-forced-client-change-over/7630823

Ea only offers a generic AI generated article for troubleshooting

https://help.ea.com/en/articles/orders-and-rewards/ea-app-game-download-installation-loading-not-working/

[[User:JamesTDG|JamesTDG]] ([[User talk:JamesTDG|talk]]) 19:58, 11 May 2026 (UTC)

Article suggestions

2026-05-09T06:55:08Z

JamesTDG: Undo revision 53192 by MorroTheCoder (talk) - user deleted the whole table from the page

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 {{Key press|Ctrl|Shift|K}} 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]] and [[Other Channels - Video Directory|other channels video directory]] for a good collections 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 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=ExgYTA18_vo |archive-date=22 Feb 2026|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/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251222013641/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/06/playing-personal-game-backups-could-get-your-switch-2-banned-by-nintendo/ |archive-date=22 Dec 2025|access-date=Jun 19, 2025 |work=Ars Technica}}</ref>
|}

==List of incidents not yet covered==
[[Category:Sources]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Company
!Summary of Incident
!Refs
|-
|194 Online Marketing Services (incl. [[Google]], [[Microsoft]], [[Meta]])
|Survey shows that more than half of websites set marketing cookies despite users opting out via Do Not Track header, Browser add-ons or by declining cookie banners. Google calles it a "misunderstanding of how their products work", Meta comments that according to the law an opt-out only prohibits selling of the data, not collecting it.
|<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.404media.co/google-microsoft-meta-all-tracking-you-even-when-you-opt-out-according-to-an-independent-audit/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://globalprivacyaudit.org/2026/california}}</ref>
|-
|[[8Player]]
|In early March, 2026, the Apple TV application called 8Player began displaying a notice informing users who had already paid for the app, that the app would not continue to function unless they agreed to an ongoing subscription.
The text of the notice says the following:
----Thank you for being a valued 8player user.

To keep improving the app and delivering new features, 8player is moving to a subscription model.

You can continue using the full version at no cost until April 15, 2026.

After that, activate the subscription in the app to keep full access. Your existing features will remain available, and no action is needed today.

Thank you for supporting 8player over the years.

[[:File:8player-subscription-model-notice.png]]
|
|-
|[[ABC Financial Services]]
|Manages memberships and recurring service subscriptions for other companies. Prevents customers from being able to cancel a service by locking them into a never-ending cycle of auto renewals, and not allowing the customer to opt out of auto renewal.
|
|-
|[[Acer]]
|Removed Predator/Nitro Sense Applications for laptops from their support sites somewhere in early March 2026 (Looking at wayback machine snapshots). The application is required by the laptops to be able to toggle "Turbo" mode, which applies overclocks and boosts cooling. Additionally, recent Windows update(s) (KB5083769/KB5082417) have broken the application, making users unable to use it even if you were able to install it.
|
|-
|Affinity / [[Canva]] page created needs editors to help
|Canva purchases [[Serif]]; the owner of perpetual license design software Affinity Publisher, Designer, and Photo on March 26th 2024. Provides a pledge to assure users that Canva will not "ruin" the suite. In October 2025, Affinity users are locked out of the community forum for a new "Creative Freedom" announcement on October 30th 2025. Complete radio silence for a whole month while they tease long term users on Twitter and Discord. Finally on October 30th 2025, the new Affinity software is announced as "free". Instead, all creative professionals that used the original software are forced to create a new Canva account to access the new Affinity and thus agree to Canva's ToS<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2025-10-30 |title=Canva Terms of Use |url=https://www.canva.com/policies/terms-of-use/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128105545/https://www.canva.com/policies/terms-of-use/ |archive-date=28 Jan 2026|website=Canva Legal Trust Center}}</ref>. Affinity redirects the pledge page to an announcement for the new software, effectively burying the original pledge<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2024-03-27 |title=The Affinity and Canva Pledge |url=https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/press/newsroom/affinity-and-canva-pledge |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251002083749/https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/press/newsroom/affinity-and-canva-pledge/ |archive-date=2025-10-02 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref>. Questions about Canva now being able to monetize the work of professionals to train their own AI models sold to Canva users are left unanswered. Free, but at what cost?
EDIT: Initial article has been written but needs more work, citation, and verification. [[Canva Affinity Studio adds arbitration clause|See this article here]].
|<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" />
|-
|[[Alibaba]]
|{{Wplink|Alibaba Group|Wikipedia entry}}
|
|-
|[[Apotheka]]
|Personal ID codes, purchase information and contact details of almost half of Estonian citizens and residents have been compromised in a mass data breach of the IT system operated by Allium UPI, a firm dealing with pharmacy and hospital products.
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-04 |title=Cybercriminals steal data of around 700,000 Apotheka pharmacy customers |url=https://news.err.ee/1609302096/cybercriminals-steal-data-of-around-700-000-apotheka-pharmacy-customers |url-status=live |website=[[ERR]]}}</ref>
|-
|[[Apple]]
|$17 000 Apple Watch 18 karat gold edition out of support only 8 years after its introduction (not end of sale!). This means no software support, and, crucially, no repair or replacement parts. If the battery dies, the watch is but a paperweight.
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apple will no longer fix the $17,000 gold Apple Watch |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/2/23900158/apple-watch-edition-gold-2015-obsolete-unsupported-beyonce |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222211749/https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/2/23900158/apple-watch-edition-gold-2015-obsolete-unsupported-beyonce |archive-date=22 Feb 2026|website=The Verge}}</ref>
|-
|[[Apple]], [[Beats]]
|No support for Powerbeats (4th generation) despite the headphones being under 5 years from when Apple last distributed the product for sale. The product is not listed as discontinued or vintage, and by Apple's own guidelines, should be eligible for replacement parts and repair. OEM replacement eartips cannot be purchased for any Beats earphones.
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/102772 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260207094149/https://support.apple.com/en-us/102772 |archive-date=7 Feb 2026|access-date=2025-10-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Beats Repair and Service |url=https://support.apple.com/beats/repair |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260104000857/https://support.apple.com/beats/repair |archive-date=4 Jan 2026|access-date=2025-10-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Apple store search for eartips |url=https://www.apple.com/us/search/eartips?src=alp |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251028001314/https://www.apple.com/us/search/eartips?src=alp |archive-date=28 Oct 2025|access-date=2025-10-18}}</ref>
|-
|[[Apple]] iWork/Creator Studio
|The update that makes the iWork apps part of the new Apple Creator Studio subscription now adds tracking that is enabled by default and implemented as opt-out. The information about it is displayed in a first launch screen without any immediate way opt out, which qualifies as a dark pattern. Instead, the user has to go through a slightly convoluted path via the iPhone/iPad system settings app, and under the submenu "Apps" find each of the iWork apps and disable analytics there individually for each app. On Desktop, it is under a dedicated menu item under the "Pages"/"Numbers"/"Keynote" menu.
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=New versions of Keynote, Numbers, and Pages collect telemetry by default on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ios/comments/1qq7q9m/new_versions_of_keynote_numbers_and_pages_collect/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223032029/https://old.reddit.com/r/ios/comments/1qq7q9m/new_versions_of_keynote_numbers_and_pages_collect/ |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref>
|-
|[[Apple]] / [[Visa]]
|Apple & Visa have known about a vulnerability in their payment processing systems regarding transit systems since 2021 hand have done nothing to prevent scams from exploiting the vulnerability.
Apple blames Visa for the vulnerability, and Visa simply says if you see it happen on your account then you can dispute the charge, and they'll give you your money back... but this requires you to actually notice that you've been scammed in this way, which could be pretty easy to miss unless you are checking your bank statements regularly.
|<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPJ6NJkmDAo&list=WL&index=35</ref>
|-
|[[archive.today]] / archive.ph (Web Archival Service)
|The website used [[JavaScript]] embedded into the website code to conduct a DDOS attack from users' devices against a blogger who has voiced criticism of the service in the past. This may make also cause legal issues for users.
NOTE: A similar technique has previously been used by Chinese search giant [[Baidu]], so we might want to create a category or tag for this type of thing

ADDENDUM: This page was reported to have been changing the information displayed in some archived screenshots, such as the author who published particular articles.
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kirchner |first=Malte |last2=Kunz |first2=Dr. Christopher |date=10 Feb 2026 |title=Archive.today: Operator uses users for DDoS attack |url=https://www.heise.de/en/news/Archive-today-Operator-uses-users-for-DDoS-attack-11171455.html |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260212060655/https://www.heise.de/en/news/Archive-today-Operator-uses-users-for-DDoS-attack-11171455.html |archive-date=12 Feb 2026 |website=heise}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=LMG Clips |title=Wikipedia Banned 690,000 Archive Links - LMG Clips |url=https://youtu.be/rrnFUvFGf5A?si=32JRogu2ID9xykHd |access-date=2026-03-03 |website=LMG Clips on YouTube - Wikipedia Banned 690,000 Archive Links}}</ref>
|-
|[[ASUS]] (ROG)
|Releases bios updates via windows executable, meaning that you can't update your bios to the latest version to amend a security vulnerability or fix an issue unless you're running microsoft windows. The windows executable simply extracts a binary file, that you can drop on a thumb drive. This could be easily done via direct download to support other operating systems.
|
|-
|[[AutoAuth]]
|'''AutoAuth''' represents a significant shift toward "repair-by-subscription," where owning a vehicle no longer guarantees the right to maintain it. By placing a digital firewall between the owner and the car’s computer, AutoAuth forces independent shops and DIY enthusiasts to pay recurring access fees and register their personal data with a third-party gatekeeper just to perform basic maintenance, such as electronic parking brake retractions or oil life resets.
|
|-
|[[Bayer]]
|[[wikipedia:Bayer|Wikipedia]]. See [[Monsanto]]
|
|-
|[[Benjamin]]
|Offerwall phone app that pays users money for various tasks- such as watching ads, or downloading and using software. After years of user satisfaction, in late 2025, the company first put a 2 month moratorium on users' ability to withdraw their earned money, then rolled out a massive wave of enshittification features, the most egregious of which, is a "withdrawl queue", where withdrawing your earnings is placed into a queue with no visible progress. No days, no queue tracker, many members have been waiting over 3 months for their withdrawls to be processed, on a feature listed as "instant withdrawl". Various policies also implemented that would completely void a user's earned money, mainly inactivity but also many baseless random user bans (many of which were reversed). There are hundreds of frustrated user testimonials on reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/benjaminone/).
|
|-
|Berlin
|City of Berlin installs security cameras that alerts authorities about people who are "loitering without reason".
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Krempl |first=Stefan |date=10 Mar 2026 |title=Surveillance in Berlin: When AI reports "loitering without reason" |url=https://www.heise.de/en/news/Surveillance-in-Berlin-When-AI-reports-loitering-without-reason-11206420.html |website=heise}}</ref>
|-
|[[Better Business Bureau]] (BBB)
|Users who have been wronged and even scammed by companies have recently started reporting that the BBB has ignored, rejected, misclassified, closed prematurely or taken down their valid, BBB compliant, complaints for no apparent reason<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-29 |title=Better Business Bureau Reviews |url=https://www.trustpilot.com/review/bbb.org |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-29 |website=Trustpilot}}</ref>. Attempts to remedy the situation often result in unanswered/ignored emails and ghosting. Companies with large percentages of unresolved complaints often get an A+ rating (which basically contradicts the BBB's own guidelines). This is especially true when it comes to paying BBB member companies, but is often also the case with non member companies. A Redditors explained that a company can easily buy an A+ BBB rating by paying the BBB<ref>{{Cite web |title=Waste Managment sent an ad disguised as a bill |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ColoradoSprings/comments/1l6hr18/comment/mwpys3o/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-30 |website=Reddit}}</ref> or by paying a lawyer to threaten to sue the BBB for defamation.
|
|-
|[[Best Buy]]
|In late 2025, BestBuy added [https://www.bestbuy.com/site/help-topics/pricing-message/pcmcat748302046647.c?id=pcmcat748302046647#:~:text=Our%20%E2%80%9CComparable%20Value%E2%80%9D%20(Comp,retailers%20or%20e%2Dcommerce%20companies. "Comparable Value"] as means of comparing values of products that is of equivalent value to other products sold by manufacturers, 1st party, or 3rd party vendors. Changes to their pricing model has made it to where it is more difficult to determine overall value of a product compared to MSRP.
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Support |first=Best Buy |date=2025-01-24 |title=Pricing: Promotions |url=https://www.bestbuy.com/site/help-topics/pricing-message/pcmcat748302046647.c?id=pcmcat748302046647#:~:text=Our%20%E2%80%9CComparable%20Value%E2%80%9D%20(Comp,retailers%20or%20e%2Dcommerce%20companies. |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-24 |website=Best Buy}}</ref>
|-
|[[Blackview]]
|[https://www.blackview.hk Blackview], a technology brand that originally specialized in rugged outdoor phones more info at [https://www.blackview.hk/about-blackview "About us]"
Certain Phones have been hit with advertisements from the App called "System message" which is baked in the OS, "Allow Notification dots" can be disabled however "All System message notifications" and neither "Push" notifications cannot be disabled by the user. The App cannot be disabled nor uninstalled, it can be forced stopped and set the battery restriction option to "restricted". I [[User:SolidSnakePliskin|SolidSnakePliskin]] creating this entry have seen this happen firsthand on 1st April 2026 on my Blackview Model Number: N6000 (EEA) Purchased on [https://web.archive.org/web/20260401174012/https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0CCXBNTWR Amazon Italy]. OS Details: Android Version 13 (Security Update November 5, 2025) & DokeOS 3.1. Further More other Reddit users complaining [https://old.reddit.com/r/blackview/comments/1mo441x/get_rid_of_system_notification_that_contains_ads/ here].
|
|-
|[[Bluesky]]
|Introduced ID check for Direct Messaging to comply with laws in certain states and abroad, despite both the company and community being against it.
Its legal docs ([https://bsky.social/about/support/tos ToS], [https://bsky.social/about/support/privacy-policy PP], [https://bsky.social/about/support/community-guidelines CG]) need [[JavaScript|JS]] to be viewed by humans, however this seems more of an oversight than deliberate
|
|-
|[[Carvana]]
|Saying cars that have been in accidents have not; Lies about inspection and does not replace brake pads even when worn down. Non-refundable $1,500 shipping fee. See [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9yhOeTUEo4 Louis Rossmann's video]
|
|-
|[[Chuwi]]
|Misleading consumers by falsifying the specsheet of one of their latest laptops, and repeatedly threatened one of the online publications that wrote an article of their alleged misdeeds.
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leitner |first=Simon |date=2026-03-12 |title=CPU fraud, next round: Chuwi CoreBook Plus with supposed AMD Ryzen 5 7430U also affected |url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/CPU-fraud-next-round-Chuwi-CoreBook-Plus-with-supposed-AMD-Ryzen-5-7430U-also-affected.1248660.0.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/N7UmU |archive-date=2026-03-12 |access-date=2026-03-12 |website=Notebookcheck}}</ref>
|-
|[[Cloudary Holdings Limited / Webnovel]]
|Terms of service with binding Arbitration.
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Webnovel ToS |url=https://www.webnovel.com/terms_of_service |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260101204816/https://www.webnovel.com/terms_of_service |archive-date=1 Jan 2026}}</ref>
|-
|[[Devolo]]
|Devolo switches off 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=IT-News für Profis |url=https://www.golem.de/news/weiterbetrieb-verursacht-weitere-kosten-devolo-macht-smart-home-system-zum-grossteil-unbrauchbar-2508-199409.html |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251210052941/https://www.golem.de/news/weiterbetrieb-verursacht-weitere-kosten-devolo-macht-smart-home-system-zum-grossteil-unbrauchbar-2508-199409.html |archive-date=10 Dec 2025|website=Golem |language=de}}</ref>
|-
|[[DeviantArt]]
|DeviantArt launched in 2000 and quickly became a household name among digital artists. [https://www.wix.com/press-room/home/post/wix-acquires-deviantart-pairing-wix-capabilities-with-global-creative-community But in 2017 WiX] bought the website and in 2022 had made all art on it's site liable to be training data by default. They then back peddled and then set all art to noai by default. Now they are moving basic functions to be behind their paywall. [https://www.deviantart.com/razorstargazer/journal/Deviantart-is-the-worst-website-ever-created-1309667089 Ones that were free.]
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=The AI Controversy on DeviantArt: How a Creative Paradise Became a Battleground |url=https://expertbeacon.com/the-ai-controversy-on-deviantart-how-a-creative-paradise-became-a-battleground/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Wix Acquires DeviantArt, Pairing Wix Capabilities with Global Creative Community |url=https://www.wix.com/press-room/home/post/wix-acquires-deviantart-pairing-wix-capabilities-with-global-creative-community |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|DotPe cyber-sec negligence
|In 2024, an Indian company that provides digital services to food-chains got trivially hacked/cracked, allowing anyone to get customer data and company revenue-stats across many countries
|<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20240923081639/https://peabee.substack.com/p/whats-inside-the-qr-code-menu-at</ref>
|-
|[[Digital Europe]] (lobby organization consisting of [[Microsoft]], [[Google]], [[Amazon]], and [[Meta]])
|Group lobbied to keep datacenter emissions secret from consumers via confidentiality clause that was adopted almost verbatim by the Eurpean Comission, intentionally keeping consumers in the dark about the environmental impact of the products they use.
|<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/17/microsoft-us-tech-firms-lobbied-eu-secrecy-rules-datacentre-emissions}}</ref>
|-
|[[E621]]
|Terms of service that require agreement to forced arbitration to use the website.
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-02 |title=E621 |url=https://e621.net/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128164339/https://e621.net/ |archive-date=28 Jan 2026|website=E621}}</ref>
|-
|[[EcoVac]]
|Vacuum cleaner robots produced by company 'EcoVac' were found vulnerable to hacking over bluetooth allowing for remote control and access to camera feed. Security researcher Dennis Giese notified the company in December of 2023. In August of 2024, the issue was described by the company as "extremely rare in typical user environments and require specialized hacking tools and physical access to the device."
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fell |first=Julian |date=2024-10-04 |title=We hacked a robot vacuum — and could watch live through its camera - ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-04/robot-vacuum-hacked-photos-camera-audio/104414020 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251128025250/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-04/robot-vacuum-hacked-photos-camera-audio/104414020 |archive-date=28 Nov 2025|access-date=2025-09-10 |website=ABC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Franceschi-Bicchierai |first=Lorenzo |date=2024-08-09 |title=Ecovacs home robots can be hacked to spy on their owners, researchers say {{!}} TechCrunch |url=https://techcrunch.com/2024/08/09/ecovacs-home-robots-can-be-hacked-to-spy-on-their-owners-researchers-say/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222212044/https://techcrunch.com/2024/08/09/ecovacs-home-robots-can-be-hacked-to-spy-on-their-owners-researchers-say/ |archive-date=2026-02-22 |access-date=10 Aug 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Franceschi-Bicchierai |first=Lorenzo |date=2024-08-15 |title=Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai on X: "Finally, Ecovacs responds to the researchers' findings, saying it won't fix the bugs. |url=https://x.com/lorenzofb/status/1823774980460388675 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241108194816/https://x.com/lorenzofb/status/1823774980460388675 |archive-date=8 Nov 2024}}</ref>
|-
|[[Elegoo Centauri Carbon|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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251206142736/https://freethecode.lol/ |archive-date=6 Dec 2025|access-date=2025-08-28 |website=PSA: Elegoo Centauri Carbon & GPL Compliance}}</ref>
|-
|[[Ericcson]]
|Data Breach March 2026
|
|-
|[[FBI]]
|FBI buys location data of US citizens
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=FBI is buying location data to track US citizens, director confirms |url=https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/18/fbi-is-buying-location-data-to-track-us-citizens-kash-patel-wyden/ |url-status=live |website=[[TechCrunch]]}}</ref>
|-
|[[Foxconn]]
|Foxconn is an electronics manufacturer with various human rights violations on it's record. They've also convinced the government to use eminent domain to take people's property to build factories, that never end up using the factories.
|
|-
|[[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.
|
|-
|[[Gaggia]]
|Between 2015 to 2019, the redesigned Gaggia Classic removed the traditional three-way solenoid valve. The valve was restored in the 2019 Gaggia Classic Pro after criticism and backlash from the espresso enthusiast community.
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Waddell |first=Kelsey |date=2023-03-23 |title=Gaggia Classic vs Pro: A Closer Look at the Differences |url=https://www.roastycoffee.com/gaggia-classic-vs-pro/ |website=Roasty Coffee}}</ref>
|-
|[[General Motors|GM]]
|GM originally released the EV1 in 1996 on a lease program, and then instead of selling the much loved used/leased vehicles to consumers, they decided to crush the grand majority of them. Very few surviving examples can be found today, with most in private collections or at universities.
Because it was seen as a failure to major auto manufacturers, It would take over a decade before another EV was produced in the United States.
|
|-
|[[Google Chromecast]]
|Chromecast has transitioned from a standalone product to one that [[Forced_app_download|requires the Google Home app]] for setup and control. This change prevents customers who either don't own a smartphone or prefer not to use the app from accessing their Chromecast devices. As a result, certain televisions—such as the Caixon EC43S1UA, which relied on built-in Chromecast functionality—can no longer be used as intended. This effectively removes a key feature from a product that was already purchased, diminishing its value or rendering it unusable altogether.
|
|-
|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
|
|-
|[[Google]] ([[Android]])
|Google apparently plans to reduce the interval of publishing source code of security patches they consider non-critical. This is another blow to the custom ROM community.
Right now we don't have these incidents organised chronologically, maybe we should have a table with a timeline of measures Google takes to enshittify and close down Android (more APIs moved to Play Services, Developer verification, withholding AOSP device trees for Pixel devices to mess with [[GrapheneOS]], now delayed source code disclosure). What's worst, they always cite safety as a reason.
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Exclusive: Google wants to make Android phones safer by switching to ‘risk-based’ security updates |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/android-risk-based-security-updates-3597466/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260107025310/https://www.androidauthority.com/android-risk-based-security-updates-3597466/ |archive-date=7 Jan 2026 |website=Android Authority}}</ref>
|-
|[[Google Maps]]
|Google restricts data visible in Google Maps for users who are not signed in with an account (see [[Forced account]]). Reviews and photos are no longer visible without login. This also forces users to agree to Google's TOS and logs them into all other Google services, such as YouTube or Google Search so that now all their data in those other services is associated with their accounts. This also raises concerns that other services such as YouTube might follow.
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 Feb 2026 |title=Google Maps now forces you to sign-in |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/GoogleMaps/comments/1r4iauf/google_maps_now_forces_you_to_signin/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223032117/https://old.reddit.com/r/GoogleMaps/comments/1r4iauf/google_maps_now_forces_you_to_signin/ |archive-date=23 Feb 2026 |website=Reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 Feb 2026 |title=Can't view images without logging in? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/GoogleMaps/comments/1r74v0f/cant_view_images_without_logging_in/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223032213/https://old.reddit.com/r/GoogleMaps/comments/1r74v0f/cant_view_images_without_logging_in/ |archive-date=23 Feb 2026 |website=Reddit}}</ref>
|-
|[[Google]], [[Mozilla]], [[Apple]], [[Microsoft]], but largely Google-led
|Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari are removing XSLT 1.0 support, which could break critical parts of government's websites worldwide<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dimant |first=Dimitrii "Mamut" |date=2025-08-10 |title=XSLT removal will break multiple government and regulatory sites across the world #11582 |url=https://github.com/whatwg/html/issues/11582 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260211221059/https://github.com/whatwg/html/issues/11582 |archive-date=11 Feb 2026|access-date=2025-10-25 |website=Github (specifically the Web Hypertext Application Technology Working Group's HTML standards repo, controlled by Mozilla, Google, Microsoft and Apple)}}</ref>. There are valid security reasons for them to want to stop supporting this 1999-era standard, however they have had 26+ years to update to a newer standard (such as the 2017-era 3.1 standard, which is backwards compatible and would allow these sites to continue to work<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-03-21 |title="XML Path Language (XPath) 3.1: W3C Recommendation 21 March 2017" |url=https://www.w3.org/TR/xpath-31/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260116015839/https://www.w3.org/TR/xpath-31/ |archive-date=16 Jan 2026|website=W3C}}</ref>). The single unpaid developer maintaining these libraries has more or less retired after getting flooded with impossible to satisfy security requests from these companies<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wellnhoffer |first=Nick |date=2025-05-08 |title=Triaging security issues reported by third parties |url=https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/libxml2/-/issues/913 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260131231248/https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/libxml2/-/issues/913 |archive-date=31 Jan 2026|access-date=2025-10-25 |website=gitlab.gnome.org}}</ref>. There is an existing project called XRUST to implement the 3.1 standard<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-09 |title=XRust: XPath, XQuery, and XSLT for Rust |url=https://gitlab.gnome.org/World/Rust/markup-rs/xrust |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260204085435/https://gitlab.gnome.org/World/Rust/markup-rs/xrust |archive-date=4 Feb 2026|access-date=2025-10-14 |website=gitlab.gnome.org}}</ref>, which is 2/3rds of the way through supporting all the features of 1.0 - the XSLT part fully supports all the 1.0 features at this point. XSLT is part of the W3C Consortium's open web standards for formatting and presenting XML, and is also how RSS works, so RSS feeds would stop working as well, disrupting the livelihoods of podcasters<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rijo |first=Luis |date=2025-08-20 |title=Google targets RSS feeds in new XSLT removal proposal |url=https://ppc.land/google-targets-rss-feeds-in-new-xslt-removal-proposal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222212228/https://ppc.land/google-targets-rss-feeds-in-new-xslt-removal-proposal/ |archive-date=22 Feb 2026|access-date=2025-10-14 |website=PPC-Land}}</ref>. This has led to questions of who owns the web - the public (including the government) who paid for and laid down the highways / web infrastructure - or a handful of large corporations? <ref>{{Cite web |last=Branscombe |first=Mary |date=2025-09-01 |title=XSLT Debate Leads to Bigger Questions of Web Governance |url=https://thenewstack.io/xslt-debate-leads-to-bigger-questions-of-web-governance/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260131231310/https://thenewstack.io/xslt-debate-leads-to-bigger-questions-of-web-governance/ |archive-date=31 Jan 2026|access-date=2025-10-14 |website=The New Stack}}</ref>
|
|-
|[[Google Photos]]
|Google Makes it more difficult to manage photos within your google drive account through third party applications, including open source software running on linux.
This makes it incredibly frustrating to clear space in google drive if you've exceeded the space limits.
|<ref>https://github.com/gilesknap/gphotos-sync-discussion/discussions/1</ref>
|-
|[[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.
|
|-
|[[Honda]]
|moved the garage door opener from a button on the mirror to a [[Pay-walling|paywall]] [[subscription service]]
|<ref>https://reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1sd54jo/replaced_my_honda_with_a_new_one_after_an/</ref>
|-
|[[Hyundai]] (BlueLink)
|Hyundai ads in-car advertisements for subscription services, while you're driving, after telling you not to look at the screen while driving.
The advertisement is a full page of text, that you can't either enable or disable while you're driving. Your only options are to (A) select later, to delay the ad for another driving session, or (2) Pull over and park your car so you can (C) enable the feature at $10/mo or (iii) dig through settings menus to figure out how to disable the message permanently (which will probably only be actually permanent until the battery in the car dies).
BlueLink appears to be marketing lingo for their cell-phone-linked remote start/stop, lock/unlock, and climate control features. The only feature that should actually need a cellular subscription appears to be stolen vehicle recovery.
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Hank |date=2026-16-04 |title=Should I Sue Hyundai? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ1RUyOF2Rk |url-status=live |website=Youtube}}</ref> <ref>https://connected-mobility.hyundai.com/what-we-do/connected-car-services/bluelink</ref>
|-
|Indonesia
|Banning Social Media for children under 16
|
|-
|[[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].
|
|-
|[[iRacing]]
|iRacing is a racing game that's subscription-based, requiring payment just to play the actual game in either online or offline mode.
|
|-
|[[itch.io]], [[Night School Studios]], [[Netflix]]
|In September 2024, users who purchased the game 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>
|-
|[[The Japan Times|Japan Times, The]]
|The Japan Times uses the DMCA to take down an open source study resource for the Genki and Quartet workbooks.
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clydesdale |first=Seth |date=2025-09-11 |title=Important Information Regarding Genki and Quartet Study Resources |url=https://ko-fi.com/post/Important-Information-Regarding-Genki-and-Quartet-D1D21L4B1S |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251116072121/https://ko-fi.com/post/Important-Information-Regarding-Genki-and-Quartet-D1D21L4B1S |archive-date=16 Nov 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Update Regarding Genki and Quartet Study Resources DMCA Situation |url=https://ko-fi.com/post/Update-Regarding-Genki-and-Quartet-Study-Resources-Y8Y21M1F5E |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251115073152/https://ko-fi.com/post/Update-Regarding-Genki-and-Quartet-Study-Resources-Y8Y21M1F5E |archive-date=15 Nov 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-03 |title=All Exercises for Genki/Quartet Study Resources Have Been Removed |url=https://ko-fi.com/post/All-Exercises-for-GenkiQuartet-Study-Resources-Wi-R6R81M8LLN |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251113045244/https://ko-fi.com/post/All-Exercises-for-GenkiQuartet-Study-Resources-Wi-R6R81M8LLN |archive-date=13 Nov 2025}}</ref>
|-
|[[Kangaroo]]
|A home security camera company that locks local hardware features behind software subscriptions and paywalls that ultimately could work without external service. Access to local storage playback via the app is locked behind a paywall; see reviews. "cooldown" periods provide a risk to security as motion detection does not activate until after a fixed period of time on no-subscription plans with clips that only capture 12 seconds of recording, this was not always the case.
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Delaney |first=John |date=2021-11-09 |title=Kangaroo Indoor + Outdoor Cam Review |url=https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/kangaroo-indoor-plus-outdoor-cam |url-status=live |archive-date=2024-08-11 |access-date=2026-04-01 |website=PCMag}}</ref><ref>https://www.bestbuy.com/product/kangaroo-indoor-outdoor-wired-1080p-security-camera-white/J3QLYYW64G/sku/6506997/reviews?pageSize=20</ref>
|-
|[[Klarna]]
|A German consumer rights association reports that payment provider Klarna requests access to users' bank accounts for payment purposes, but instead of just initiating transactions as the user expects, it also scans the complete list of transactions on the user's bank account for advertising purposes and also forwards that data to third parties. Klarna also faces criticism for encouraging debt by offering "buy now, pay later" schemes.
|<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.spiegel.de/netzwelt/apps/klarna-verbraucherschuetzer-kritisieren-konto-schnueffelei-bei-zahlungsdienstleister-a-de915cd3-997e-4b39-ad67-bb5d22969635}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.chip.de/news/Warnung-vor-KlarnaVebraucherschuetzer-sind-besorgt_185654845.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.computerbild.de/artikel/cb-News-Sicherheit-Verbraucherzentrale-warnt-Klarna-analysiert-Kontodaten-39229147.html}}</ref>
|-
|[[Kohls]]
|There is no option to delete your account on their website
|
|-
|[[KOSA]]
|KOSA claims to make kids safer, but it’s really a dangerous censorship bill that would give the U.S. government unprecedented control over the internet. This would put youth in danger by preventing them from accessing potentially life-saving resources.
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fight for the Future |first= |date=2026-01-24 |title=Reject online censorship. Tell lawmakers to oppose KOSA! |url=https://www.stopkosa.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=Stop KOSA}}</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20250228145348/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/Katy-ISD-blocks-LGBTQ-resources-suicide-16647274.php</ref>
|-
|[[LBRY]] Foundation, [[Odysee]]
|Community first decentralization & Odysee's 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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260211161516/https://lbry.org/ |archive-date=11 Feb 2026|access-date=2025-08-08 |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 name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Watson |first=RT |date=6 Jun 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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251127094918/https://www.theblock.co/post/298888/decentralized-youtube-alternative-odysee-acquired-by-forward-research-despite-content-concerns |archive-date=27 Nov 2025|access-date=16 Aug 2025 |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 |url-status=live |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 |url-access=registration |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250825221749/https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9126007/ |archive-date=25 Aug 2025 |via=IEEE Xplore}}</ref>
|-
|[[LexisNexis]]
|Data breach March 2026
|
|-
|[[LG]]
|LG discontinued its LG Bluetooth Remote app (including plugins such as "btc4") making it non-public on the Play Store and making Bluetooth controllable devices (like for example the CM2630B) half as useful, without even publishing neither the protocol used to control such devices nor the source code of the app.
|
|-
|Linkedin
|LinkedIn has been caught running a massive, silent operation that scans the local computers of its visitors. Every time a user visits <code>linkedin.com</code> using a Chromium-based browser (Chrome, Edge, Brave), a hidden JavaScript program executes to check for the presence of over '''6,000 specific browser extensions.'''
|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHj6IvBmlpU
https://browsergate.eu/
|-
|[[Lowe's]]
|Lowe's 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.
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koebler |first=Jason |date=6 Aug 2025 |title=Home Depot and Lowe's Share Data From Hundreds of AI Cameras With Cops |url=https://www.404media.co/home-depot-and-lowes-share-data-from-hundreds-of-ai-cameras-with-cops/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216173226/https://www.404media.co/home-depot-and-lowes-share-data-from-hundreds-of-ai-cameras-with-cops/ |archive-date=16 Feb 2026|access-date=15 Sep 2025 |website=404 Media}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=26 Aug 2025 |title=Lowe’s U.S. Privacy Statement |url=https://www.lowes.com/l/about/privacy-and-security-statement |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251228013530/https://www.lowes.com/l/about/privacy-and-security-statement |archive-date=28 Dec 2025|access-date=15 Sep 2025 |website=Lowe's}}</ref>
|-
|[[Marquis]]
|Data Breach March 2026
|
|-
|[[Meta]] and [[YouTube]]
|In a recent trial Meta and Google were found liable for making there social media platforms addictive and harmful
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jury finds Meta and Google negligent in social media harms trial |url=https://www.npr.org/2026/03/25/nx-s1-5746125/meta-youtube-social-media-trial-verdict |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Campaigners welcome Meta and YouTube's defeat in landmark social media addiction trial |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c747x7gz249o |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Meta and YouTube Found Negligent in Landmark Social Media Addiction Case |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/25/technology/social-media-trial-verdict.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|[[McDonald's]]/Taylor
|McDonald's US mandates which ice cream machine has to be used by franchise licensees. The company that makes these machines uses deliberately obfuscated error codes to force restaurant owners to use their expensive tech service to fix them and reset the machines. The company makes more money from these "repairs" support than with actual sales. Not strictly end consumer, but the pattern warrants documenting imo.
A similar problem exists with Doremi (Dolby) cinema projectors where their DRM leads to a ridiculous number of actions breaking the so-called "marriage" (projector-media block unity), requiring a costly technician to reset it. This one needs sources researched, though, as I don't have one on hand.
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why McDonald's Ice Cream Machines Are Always Broken and How To Fix Them |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uCpY3tFTIA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=2uCpY3tFTIA |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref>
|-
|[[Microsoft]]
|Microsoft's Android keyboard app SwiftKey set to make it impossible to backup user data without a Microsoft Account, backups must be stored in Microsoft cloud
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Emma |date=18 Mar 2026 |title=SwiftKey will soon require a Microsoft account to save your typing info. |url=https://www.theverge.com/tech/896859/swiftkey-will-soon-require-a-microsoft-account-to-save-your-typing-info}}</ref>
|-
|[[Microsoft]]
|Locked the developers of Windscribe, Veracrypt, and, Wireguard out of their accounts
|
|-
|[[Microsoft]] Rewards
|Used to be a good program, but over the last few years they've implemented a number of anti-user policies including extensive cool-downs for earning points on Bing, and making it more difficult to redeem points. There are multiple reports on r/microsoftrewards of people getting banned or restricted when they have over $100 worth of points that they are trying to redeem. They've also removed points opportunities that used to be interesting and engaging.
|
|-
|[[Minut]]
|Minute sells sensors and alarms. They released an alarm (Point) on kickstarter that long after release got a firmware update adding forced subscription if more than one person wanted to use the alarm.
|<ref>https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/minut/pointthe-friendly-home-alarm</ref>
<ref>https://www.minut.com/</ref>
|-
|[https://www.mobvoi.com/us Mobvoi/Ticwatch]
|Written with partially help of AI
Mobvoi has gained a reputation for a "launch and forget" pattern, where devices are marketed with the promise of future software updates that often arrive years late or are cancelled entirely. This pattern—most notable in the two-year delay of the Wear OS 3 update—frequently leaves consumers with hardware that lacks core advertised features, such as Google Assistant. Additionally, the company faces criticism for restrictive warranty policies and a difficult return process that often places the financial burden of shipping and replacement on the user. Once the app was abandoned subscription was still available for purchases but was unusable
|https://9to5google.com/2025/12/05/mobvoi-ticwatch-wear-os-dead/
https://www.androidcentral.com/wearables/mobvoi-explains-wear-os-3-holdup
https://www.pcmag.com/news/another-wear-os-smartwatch-maker-appears-to-have-given-up
https://www.xda-developers.com/mobvoi-lying-ticwatch-hardware/
|-
|Multiple
|Several legal cases involving forced arbitration in some manner; many of these relate to other anticonsumer practices, such as when Wells Fargo illegally opened up ~3.5M fake checking and credit accounts in customers' names. Highly advised to deeply scrub for supplementary sources.
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=Apr 16, 2019 |title=Fact Sheet: Cases Tossed Out of Court Because of Forced Arbitration Causes and Class Action Bans |url=https://www.centerjd.org/content/fact-sheet-cases-tossed-out-court-because-forced-arbitration-causes-and-class-action-bans#_ftn1 |access-date=Feb 12, 2026 |website=Center for Justice & Democracy at New York Law School |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251013145327/https://centerjd.org/content/fact-sheet-cases-tossed-out-court-because-forced-arbitration-causes-and-class-action-bans |archive-date=13 Oct 2025}}</ref>
|-
|[[MuseGroup]] (MuseSounds)
|Releasing more and more subscription sound packs while previously released one-time purchase sound packs are full of bugs/issues and have gone without updates for sometimes over a year. They have also increased the price of one-time purchase packs by about 500% while still providing no additional or improved functionality.
They also added unsolicited popups advertising their paid sound packs at startup of the open source MuseScore application, as well as buttons and commands for their cloud service to the home screen, which cannot be disabled. They previously ran into controversy when changing the privacy policy of Audacity and tried to add tracking. The closed-source MuseHub application (which is required to download the free sound packs) connects to tracking services with neither a real opt-in nor an opt-out option. Newer versions of MuseHub now seem to [[Forced account|require an account]] to download free sound packs and sound effects, which previously was not the case. Muse Hub starts at every system launch by default and stays active in the background despite this not being required for its functionality. They also added proprietary parts to MuseScore (like the MuseSample), which is kept closed source. They also bought StaffPad and seem to have quietly ceased its development without publishing any statements.
|
|-
|[[NationStates]]
|Data Breach March 2026
|
|-
|[[Navdy]], [[Harman International]]
|Device discontinued and no updates, device can be used offline for 1 year until it stops working.
https://www.reddit.com/r/navdy/
|
|-
|[[Navia]]
|Data Breach March 2026
|
|-
|[[Netgear]] (internet networking equipment)
|Almost every Netgear internet router requires the creation of a new account to function as a router (see [[Forced account]]), where the TOS includes an agreement to binding arbitration. Most if not all devices are locked into proprietary firmware with no option to change. Some automatic updates have reportedly cause loss of performance with option to revert to a previous version, "bricking" the device in some cases.
Engages in anti-consumer practices, requiring a subscription for basic WiFi-router features such as parental controls. According to a blogpost by a senior employee, grew from "45% in 2016 to over 60% in 2019" of the US consumer router market. In 2025, Netgear is "being sued by TP-Link for a 'Smear Campaign' to Advance US Router Ban [of it's competitor TP-Link].
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=NETGEAR Terms and Conditions |url=https://www.netgear.com/about/terms-and-conditions/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=What subscription plans are available for NETGEAR Smart Parental Controls? |url=https://kb.netgear.com/000062104/What-subscription-plans-are-available-for-NETGEAR-Smart-Parental-Controls |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Abhay Bhorkar |url=https://www.netgear.com/hub/author/abhorkar/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=TP-Link Accuses Netgear of 'Smear Campaign' to Advance US Router Ban |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/tp-link-accuses-netgear-of-smear-campaign-to-advance-us-router-ban?test_uuid=04IpBmWGZleS0I0J3epvMrC&test_variant=B |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|[https://www.nexigroup.com/ Nexi S.p.A.]
|Nexi is a payment services provider based in Italy, which has been used by the [https://fsfe.org/ Free Software Foundation Europe] (FSFE) for ~ 15 years. They have allegedly been asking FSFE for personal information of FSFE executives and supporters and have recently cancelled their contract with FSFE.
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-16 |title=450 FSFE supporters affected: Payment provider Nexi cancelled us |url=https://fsfe.org/news/2026/news-20260316-01.en.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260317162959/https://fsfe.org/news/2026/news-20260316-01.en.html |archive-date=2026-03-17 |access-date=2026-03-17 |website=FSFE - Free Software Foundation Europe}}</ref>
|-
|[[Odido]] Netherlands B.V.
|Odido is an internet service provider in the Netherlands with a 10-15% market share [[https://www.acm.nl/nl/publicaties/acm-telecommonitor-derde-kwartaal-2025 79]]. On the 3rd of March 2026 a user reported that his Odido Zyxel EX5601-T1 router was (illegally) sending analytics data to a Turkish AI-company [[https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/odido-router-verzamelt-analytics-van-je-huishouden-sipke-mellema-0uoie/ 80]]. The user reported on the 8th of March 2026 that the router silently stopped sending this data with no formal mention/patch from Odido. The user reported on the poor security of the router and that the analytics data contained the unencrypted names of local networks, the names of devices connected to these networks, and MAC-addresses. The poor security of Odido's routers follows a massive data leak of 6.2 million customers' full legal names, phone numbers, emails, bank account numbers, passport numbers and more [[https://tweakers.net/nieuws/244656/odido-waarschuwt-voor-datalek-miljoenen-klantgegevens-gestolen-bij-cyberaanval.html 81]].
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=ACM Telecommonitor derde kwartaal 2025 |url=https://www.acm.nl/nl/publicaties/acm-telecommonitor-derde-kwartaal-2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Odido-router verzamelt analytics van je huishouden |url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/odido-router-verzamelt-analytics-van-je-huishouden-sipke-mellema-0uoie/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Odido waarschuwt voor datalek: miljoenen klantgegevens gestolen bij cyberaanval |url=https://tweakers.net/nieuws/244656/odido-waarschuwt-voor-datalek-miljoenen-klantgegevens-gestolen-bij-cyberaanval.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|[[OICA]] (European automotive lobby organisation)
|The OICA recently pushed for the right to emit sounds from quiet electric cars to make them as loud as conventional cars with combustion engine and against stricter noise regulation in cities. The fake engine noises in question are specifically not for safety purposes, but for emotional effect for the driver. However, instead of playing the noises only inside for just the driver to hear, the noise is to be played on speakers on the exterior, thus affecting the general public. Noise pollution has long been known to have adverse health effects. ''[NOTE: Similar to environmental aspects, greenwashing etc., we will have to find a good angle for how this fits the wiki. I would say it does match the general theme of manufacturers deliberately making their products worse for minor financial gain and lobbies pushing against things that are in public interest.]''
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Krempl |first=Stefan |date=2026-01-07 |title=Sound Dictatorship vs. Quiet: The Battle for E-Car Roar |url=https://www.heise.de/en/news/Sound-Dictatorship-vs-Quiet-The-Battle-for-E-Car-Roar-11133630.html |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260108165124/https://www.heise.de/en/news/Sound-Dictatorship-vs-Quiet-The-Battle-for-E-Car-Roar-11133630.html |archive-date=8 Jan 2026|access-date=2026-01-08 |website=Heise Online}}</ref>
|-
|[[Oracle]]
|Similarly to [[Tencent]], this corp is behind many other companies, so it has a lot of power over users. Also, their CEO is very petty about letting go the [[JavaScript]] trademark<ref>https://deno.com/blog/javascript-tm-gofundme</ref>
|
|-
|Pearl Abyss
|Crimson Desert engaged in hardware gatekeeping by purposely locking out support for Intel GPUs. Their response when people asked what was going on was, “Get a refund.” They failed to mention in their hardware requirements that Intel GPUs were not supported. Intel also reached out to Pearl Abyss over the course of Crimson Desert’s development to offer support but was ignored. Pearl Abyss has now backpedaled after public backlash and says they will offer Intel GPU support.
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Intel suggests it was snubbed by Crimson Desert dev after reaching out "many times" about Arc GPUs – company says it provided "early hardware, drivers, and engineering resources" to studio |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/intel-suggests-it-was-snubbed-by-crimson-desert-dev-after-reaching-out-many-times-about-arc-gpus-company-says-it-provided-early-hardware-drivers-and-engineering-resources-to-studio |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Crimson Desert blocks Intel ARC GPUs from playing, studio asks owners to refund |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/crimson-desert-blocks-intel-arc-gpus-from-playing-studio-asks-owners-to-refund/#:~:text=Users%20on%20Reddit%20who%20discovered,resolution%20for%20Intel%20ARC%20owners. |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Crimson Desert doesn't support Intel Arc GPUs on PC, it may never, and the devs say get a refund if you have one — they didn't warn players until launch |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-gaming/crimson-desert-doesnt-support-intel-arc-gpus-it-may-never-and-the-devs-say-get-a-refund-if-you-have-one |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Crimson Desert Doesn't Work on Intel GPUs, But Pearl Abyss Is Working On It |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/crimson-desert-doesnt-work-on-intel-gpus-but-pearl-abyss-is-working-on-it |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|[[Proton]]
|Proton helped FBI unmask anonymous "Stop Cop City" protestor
|<ref>https://www.404media.co/proton-mail-helped-fbi-unmask-anonymous-stop-cop-city-protestor/</ref>
|-
|[[Regus]]
|A flexible office / workplace provider for freelancers, contractors, small businesses, etc.
This is specifically for their Virtual Office service. I am sure they apply these same predatory and deceptive tactics with the rest of their services as well.
Locks you into a contract for virtual services that they may terminate at any time. You can too only if you follow very specific and exaggerated terms. They will bill you for the entire agreement even with it terminated. You lose access to the services immediately upon termination but are forced to pay for the rest of the agreement. They are predatory with agreements and will not allow you to break them and will charge you for the entire thing regardless of what happens.
Forced arbitration. Force you to waive any right to class action lawsuits.
Contract comes with terms hidden in their "house rules" document, automatically opting the user into services they did not knowingly agree to, by default. These services are NOT included in the original contract in any way except through the referencing to other documents like the "Terms of Service" and "House Rules", not disclosed ahead of time. They clearly show a lower price and do not clearly show any of the additional services you unknowingly opt into.
They lead you into a low price to get the agreement signed. Once signed, you cannot escape or get out with their terms. You find out later that they've made you agree to additional services by default. They require YOU to jump through hoops to opt out of those services, and they bury the information to do it.
They have predatory auto-renewals for the contracts that are typically months to years long, with many being sold into higher 1 year+ contracts for "savings" and "discounts". These auto-renewals cannot be canceled without 3 MONTHS notice! If it renews, you are locked into another term which you will be forced to pay in full even if you terminate.
This is all for VIRTUAL office services that cost nothing to provide or remove.
A lot of deceptive patterns including, but not limited to: Comparison prevention, hidden costs, hidden subscription, obstruction.
|[https://serviceagreement.regus.com/TermsPDF/VirtualOffice/Global20250301.pdf Terms of Service]
[https://serviceagreement.regus.com/PreviewHouseRule.aspx?guidId=840179ed-c894-4e91-8ccc-3b882bcf4b38 House Rules]
[https://www.myregus.com/help#:~:text=you%20can%20give%20notice%20to%20terminate%20your%20agreement%20at%20anytime%20in%20your%20online%20account%20%2D%20but%20you%20will%20be%20charged%20until%20the%20end%20of%20your%20agreement%20term. Help Page - terminate anytime but pay everything]
|-
|[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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251021143111/https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1364020/view/4209257868262605607?l=english |archive-date=21 Oct 2025}}</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 |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=Kr8IhV1fovE |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref>
|-
|[[Sony]], Sony Online Entertainment/[[Daybreak Game Company]]
|Selling off SOE to the investment firm Columbus Nova, all games published by SOE were delisted without prior notice to consumers or developers, and licenses were revoked as well.
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=S |first=Shawn |date=Jun 10, 2016 |title=Akimi Village |url=https://delistedgames.com/akimi-village/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251127030103/https://delistedgames.com/akimi-village/ |archive-date=27 Nov 2025|website=Delisted Games}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Weber |first=Rachel |date=Feb 2, 2015 |title=SOE acquired, becomes Daybreak Game Company |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/soe-acquired-becomes-daybreak-game-company |work=GamesIndustry.biz |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260204235742/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/soe-acquired-becomes-daybreak-game-company |archive-date=4 Feb 2026}}</ref>
|-
|[[Sony]]
|Sony implements surge pricing/discounts on a per-user basis on their playstation store by profiling users, similar to airlines, car rentals, and concert tickets... only the goods are digital only and downloadable rather than physical media. Critics are calling this Surveillance Pricing.
|<ref>https://youtu.be/t8yVc6Uarho?si=fJeCzxqmxgyB_tLq</ref>
|-
|[[Spectora]]
|Spectora is a home inspection software used by many home inspectors, a very important portion of the home buying process. Spectora has announced they intend to insert ads April 7th. The ads look like the home inspector (a independent entity) is recommending outside services. Spectora has also purchased other home inspection platform HomeGauge on April 4th. With Fixle being in the purchese which is the ad network they now own. There are also allegations (have not been proven) of sale of the inspection data (something that remains confidential with client controlling confidentiality) to insurance companies, and Home Lenders. Causing increased rates on historical inspection data even when those things could be a condition to close on the home.
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forced Partnership |url=https://forum.nachi.org/t/forced-partnership/266387 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Fixle by Spectora: Post-Inspection Tools for Home Buyers |url=https://www.spectora.com/fixle/?utm_campaign=41151531-2026%20Fixle%20Launch%20Campaign&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=411347418&utm_content=411347418&utm_source=hs_automation |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Spectora acquires HomeGauge |url=https://coverager.com/spectora-acquires-homegauge/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|[[Starbucks]]
|Data Breach affecting employees March 2026
|
|-
|[[Superbox]]
|Android TV box manufacturer Superbox remotely locks consumers' devices if they were sold below the manufacturer's minimum specified prices and asks consumers to contact the retailer when they complain.
They are not the first to do something like this. [[Deye]] locked down inverters in the US that they suspected might be gray imports.
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=You'll Own Nothing and Be Happy |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I5-rAyFQrk |website=YouTube |type=Video |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=5I5-rAyFQrk |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref>
|-
|[[Symantec]]
|Product: Norton Internet Security.
This one might be tough to document, because it's been slowly going on for the past 15 years. Norton used to offer a great internet security package with a ton of good and useful services for a decent price. Unfortunately, slowly over the years, they've gone further and further down the rabbit hole of charging more money for fewer and fewer features, and then locking some of those features behind even more paywalls and micro-transactions.
|
|-
|[[Telus]]
|Data Breach March 2026
|
|-
|[[TCL]]
|[[wikipedia:TCL_Technology|WP]]. Misleading advertising. Software and firmware full of bugs (such as screens "randomly" turning off)<ref>https://reddit.com/r/nxtpaper/comments/1nckzv5/comment/obv34b6/</ref>. Taking years to upgrade Android phones, and lying about the expected dates. Refusing to comply with Google policies and some gov regulations
|<ref>https://www.notebookcheck.net/TCL-can-t-advertise-TVs-as-QLED-since-they-lack-in-quantum-dots-and-color-accuracy.1243552.0.html</ref><ref>https://reddit.com/r/nxtpaper/comments/1nckzv5/tcl_update_policy/</ref><ref>https://reddit.com/r/Android/comments/vvnuq6/tcl_has_been_actively_ignoring_my_firmware/</ref>
|-
|[[TriZetto]]
|Data Breach March 2026
|
|-
|[[Universal Audio]]
|Product: UAD (Volt) Audio Interfaces
Universal Audio (UAD) [[Forced account|requires users to create an account and sign in]] to their software to use their audio interfaces–this is a necessary step and without it the interfaces are unusable.
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Official UAD setup guide for "Volt" audio interfaces |url=https://help.uaudio.com/hc/en-us/articles/4409233546644-How-to-set-up-your-Volt-Interface}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Review of Volt 876 audio interface by Julian Krause |url=https://youtu.be/CCnttwq9jMw?si=DcwA97e3pSfp5rlr&t=803}}</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.
|
|-
|[[Vive]]
|In 2022, Vive discontinued the original Vive Facial Tracker module a year after the original release, then released an updated model with proprietary firmware that blocked use on other 3rd party VR headset, while only allowing the new model to work with their new locked-down headset. The 2021 version of the face tracker's long term support was seemingly cut overnight without any software updates since 2021.
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vive Team |date=2022-08-07 |title=VIVE Focus 3 gets Facial Tracker, and Eye Tracker |url=https://blog.vive.com/us/vive-focus-3-gets-facial-tracker-and-eye-tracker/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250619155201/https://blog.vive.com/us/vive-focus-3-gets-facial-tracker-and-eye-tracker/ |archive-date=2025-06-19 |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=Vive Blog}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=StateKi |date=2023-10-10 |title=Post by StatekTi on X |url=https://x.com/StatekTi/status/1733954156379963393 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/DiYbF |archive-date=9 Jan 2026 |access-date=2025-11-21 |website=X (Formerly Twitter)}}</ref>
|-
|Wheatstone Corporation
|Wheatstone Corporation are a manufacturer of professional broadcast equipment, mainly audio consoles and interfaces that utilise their proprietary Wheatnet audio over IP protocol.
Wheatstone restricts access to firmware updates, software configuration tools and software. You must open a support ticked in order for them to send you a download link to these software tools, they make it very difficult to access software required to make their hardware audio interfaces work, even stating they want proof of purchase (not just a licence key) before they will even give you the download link. Managing licences is also non-existent and you will need to contact support, and as such a fee is imposed.
|
|-
|White House
|The White House made a news app, but this app tracks your location every 4.5 minutes through third-party OneSignal
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Deep Humor |date=2026-03-30 |title=Don't Download This App |url=https://youtu.be/d5OTwcRxaTw?si=REEdhGeYPelHGLEQ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-30 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tixon |first=Bernadette B. |date=2026-03-29 |title=White House App Found Tracking Users' Exact Location Every 4.5 Minutes via Third-Party Server |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/white-house-app-gps-tracking-controversy-1788974 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-31 |website=[[International Business Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Milden |first=Dashia |date=2026-03-30 |title=I Downloaded (and Deleted) the White House App So You Don't Have To. It's a Hot Mess |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/i-downloaded-and-deleted-the-white-house-app-so-you-dont-have-to-its-a-hot-mess/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-31 |website=[[CNET]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-30 |title=White House app sparks concern over location tracking and privacy issues |url=https://www.tradingview.com/news/cointelegraph:565f766ef094b:0-white-house-app-sparks-concern-over-location-tracking-and-privacy-issues/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-31 |website=[[TradingView]]}}</ref>
|-
|[[WHMCS]]
|Discontinuation of support and updates for WHMCS legacy “Owned” licenses, forcing users who want ongoing updates or technical support to switch to subscription licensing and pay recurring fees rather than continue with the original owned model. This change affects all holders of legacy owned licenses and alters the long-term terms under which those licenses were originally sold
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=WHMCS Knowledgebase |url=https://www.whmcs.com/members/index.php/knowledgebase/70/Support-and-Updates-Expiration.html |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251211021038/https://www.whmcs.com/members/index.php/knowledgebase/70/Support-and-Updates-Expiration.html |archive-date=11 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Important pricing changes to your WHMCS owned license Mailer |url=https://www.whmcs.com/members/mailings/?k=price21-emailo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260215233549/https://www.whmcs.com/members/mailings/?k=price21-emailo |archive-date=15 Feb 2026}}</ref>
|-
|[[Wireless Power Consortium]]
|After monopolizing wireless charging market Qi turned from an open standard into a proprietary.
Version 1.3 introduced "secure authentication between the transmitter and the receiver", i.e. in order to operate every charger must include an expensive proprietary chip licensed only to certified members. This results in increased development and manufacturing costs directly passed onto consumer. Version 2.2, unlike previous versions, "is available for WPC Members only".
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Qi Certification Is Changing and We've Got You Covered |url=https://www.nxp.com/company/about-nxp/smarter-world-blog/BL-QI-CERTIFICATION-IS-CHANGING |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251104012700/https://www.nxp.com/company/about-nxp/smarter-world-blog/BL-QI-CERTIFICATION-IS-CHANGING |archive-date=4 Nov 2025|website=NXP Semiconductors}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web |title=Download the Qi Specifications |url=https://www.wirelesspowerconsortium.com/knowledge-base/specifications/download-the-qi-specifications/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251104094044/https://www.wirelesspowerconsortium.com/knowledge-base/specifications/download-the-qi-specifications/ |archive-date=4 Nov 2025|website=Wireless Power Consortium}}</ref>
|-
|[[Wizards of the Coast]]
|Wizards of the Coast (WotC) seems to be positioning itself to move away from publishing physical books that last forever in favor of pushing digital-only sales and micro-transactions of content and subscriptions. They attempted to amend the OGL (Open Game License) to include language that would require third party authors of D&D content to give up rights to their own content, so WotC can sell it to consumers without crediting the original authors.
Notably, as a direct response to these anti-consumer activities and policies, a select few of the third party publishers have instead decided to come out with their own systems that are not beholden to WotC's whims. A couple of examples include ''Draw Steel'' and ''Daggerheart''. An earlier conflict prompted Paizo to release their own version of the classic D20-based tabletop RPG, ''Pathfinder'', when WotC started releasing the fourth edition of it's rule-set.
|
|-
|[[Wolfgang Puck]]
|Some of the bread makers have anti repair screws in them to prevent people from repairing them themselves. Needs more citations.
|
|-
|[[World Orb]]
|World Network (Sam Altman/Open AI) scheme to collect biometric data on all people. Tied to cryptocurrency, AI schemes. Supposedly way for people to show they are human (run by the people who are trying to make a profit from AI).
|
|-
|[[Zhiyun]]
|Like competing products from [[DJI]], Zhiyun video gimbals require a Chinese smartphone app, internet access and an [[Forced account|account]] to activate on first use.
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=ZHIYUN Tutorials |date=25 Jul 2023 |title=ZHIYUN CRANE 2S Activation Tutorial |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CjNp6pWNoQ |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=_CjNp6pWNoQ |archive-date=23 Feb 2026 |website=YouTube}}</ref>
|}

==List of themes not yet covered==
Consumer Rights Wiki is not an encyclopedia.

*Before proposing or making a theme article, see if you can find an article that covers the topic on wikipedia, or some other reference. If you can, just use a reference to that.
*Check the list of theme articles [[:Category:common terms]], to be sure there isn't already an article on the topic, or one closely related. Sometimes a theme may be covered by generalizing an existing article.

{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Theme
!Summary of Theme
!Refs
|-
|Anti-rollback or ARB for device firmware
|most recent example being [[Oneplus phone update introduces hardware anti-rollback]] but ain't exclusive to it. Also implemented by [[Oneplus phone update introduces hardware anti-rollback#Comparison with other manufacturers|Samsung]], [https://mavicpilots.com/threads/not-be-able-to-degrade-firmfare-of-dji-mini2-from-01-06-0200.134806/#post-1518967 DJI] (link found from [[DJI]]) and likely many more.
|
|-
|Car manufacturers replacing physical controls by touch-screens
|This is increasingly common, and puts drivers at risk. Some corps pretend touchscreens are a "premium" or "modern" feature, but are typically cheaper for them
|
|-
|[[Content delivery network]] ([[CDN]])
|[[wikipedia:Content_delivery_network|WP]], see also [[Cloud (service)]]. While helpful, they can infer the browsing history of millions of users across sites. The bigger their monopoly, the more cross-site tracking power they have. Even GDPR has been against using CDNs in some situations. Examples of CDN: [[wikipedia:Amazon_CloudFront|CloudFront]] (see [[Amazon]] [[wikipedia:Amazon_Web_Services|AWS]]), [[Cloudflare]], [[Microsoft]] [[wikipedia:Microsoft_Azure|Azure]], [[wikipedia:Fastly|Fastly]], etc...
|
|}

==List of companies doing the right thing==
It would be helpful to include examples of companies doing the right thing, even if they aren't, strictly speaking, consumer products.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Company
!Good deed
!Refs
|-
|APSystems
|After requests from users, the company released a firmware update that adds a local API to their EZ-1M solar micro inverter, allowing it to remain fully usable if the company ends support for the device
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=APsystems EZHI Local API User Manual |url=https://global.apsystems.com/document/apsystems-ezhi-local-api-user-manual/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251107061040/https://global.apsystems.com/document/apsystems-ezhi-local-api-user-manual/ |archive-date=7 Nov 2025|website=global.apsystems.com}}</ref>
|-
|Concept2
|Readily provides parts and diagrams. Exists under a [https://www.concept2.com/about/perpetual-purpose-trust Perpetual Purpose Trust].
|
|-
|Core Devices (from creator of Pebble Smartwatches)
|Not strictly Core Devices, but when Pebble was sold to Fitbit, the servers remained online for some time, and the Pebble app was updated to allow the Rebble community project to take over some of the Pebble server-side functionality. All backers of the upcoming Pebble 2 series of watches were refunded in full, despite it being a crowd-funding campaign.
Following Google's acquisition of Fitbit and after many years, Google released much of the Pebble Smart Watch source code on github (excluding proprietary libraries). Core Devices and Rebble replaced the usage of the proprietary libraries with open source alternatives, and released new Android and iOS apps, not only supporting the new core devices, but bringing updated support to legacy Pebble devices.
|
|-
|Fairphone
|The new Fairphones (5th and 6th generation) are availible with stock android as well as e/os, which is a fork of lineage os and a european alternative cloud provider (murena) instead of google. This has many privacy features (app tracker blocker, tor network usage, and gps spoofing) availible in a few clicks. Also degoogle apps (microg, safetynet, ...) are preinstalled therefore it is w´possible to install everything also from playstore with an anonymous account. As e/os is a fork of lineage os and there is an official guide to flash the fairphone with e/os and is officially supported, flashing lineage os is very easy.
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-24 |title=How to manually install Android on your Fairphone |url=https://support.fairphone.com/hc/en-us/articles/18896094650513-How-to-manually-install-Android-on-your-Fairphone |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Fairphone (Gen. 6) with privacy first /e/OS |url=https://shop.fairphone.com/the-fairphone-gen-6-e-operating-system |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|Framework
|They have 10/10 repair score by iFixit site for most of their products. They also support right to repair themselves.
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sustainability |url=https://frame.work/sustainability |url-status=live |website=[[Framework]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Frauenheim |first=Carsten |title=Framework Laptop 13 Repair |url=https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Framework_Laptop |url-status=live |website=[[iFixit]]}}</ref>
|-
|Home Assistant
|Open-source smart home platform that provides local control, automation, and interoperability for a wide range of smart home devices. Provides support for many cloud devices after they're subject to [[discontinuation bricking]].
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home Assistant |url=https://www.home-assistant.io/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260129222300/https://www.home-assistant.io/ |archive-date=2026-01-29 |access-date=2026-02-05}}</ref>
|-
|Noctua
|Extremely long support for old products and availability of upgrade kits
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=LMG Clips |date=19 Feb 2026 |title=The Last CPU Cooler You Will Ever Buy |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3g4-fb6u90 |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=D3g4-fb6u90 |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref>
|-
|Numatic International
|A UK based manufacture of commercial and consumer wet/dry floor cleaning products (vacuums, scrubbers, floor buffers) that provides a robust library of technical documents, parts breakdowns, data sheets and training for free on both new and existing products without the need to login, pay additional fees or be an approved repair facility.
|
|-
|Oral-B
|When installing the Android App, there is no login, and the user is asked for analytics tracking consent.
|
|-
|Orange Pi (Shenzhen Xunlong Software Co., Ltd.)
|Commitment to Open Source Hardware and Transparency. (written with help of AI)
Public Schematics, Open Documentation (extensive datasheets for the SoCs), Right to Repair Friendly by using standardized components and providing the "map" (schematics) to the board. Community-Centric: hey actively support the "maker" ecosystem by allowing third-party OS developers (like Armbian) easy access to the hardware information needed to keep older boards running for a decade or more.
|http://www.orangepi.org/index.html
http://www.orangepi.org/html/serviceAndSupport/index.html
|-
|Philips
|Added files for replacement parts to Printables so you can 3D print parts for your Philips products
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Philips |url=https://www.printables.com/@Philips |url-status=live |website=Printables}}</ref>
|-
|ratgdo
|A garage door opener controller developed by Paul Wieland, allowing you to locally control it (namely Chamberlain openers that would otherwise require the MyQ app for smart home features).
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wieland |first=Paul |title=About - ratgdo |url=https://ratcloud.llc/pages/about |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251213022055/https://ratcloud.llc/pages/about |archive-date=2025-12-13 |access-date=2026-02-05}}</ref>
|-
|Reticulum
|Reticulum is an open-source, decentralized networking stack designed to communicate between practically any wireless device, even without internet. Its purpose is to provide fully anonymous end-to-end encrypted communication by default, especially in the age of government surveillance. The Reticulum network, protocol, and hardware are not tied any company in particular but were initially created by Github user 'markqvist'. Honorable mention to NomadNet, which is a network of nodes that serve webpages, similar to the internet, that communicate via Reticulum.
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=markqvist |title=Reticulum Network |url=https://reticulum.network/ |access-date=2026-02-15 |website=Reticulum |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222180553/https://reticulum.network/ |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref>
|-
|RME Audio
|Audio equipment manufacturer that provides reliable, high-quality audio interfaces and equipment with driver and firmware support that spans 15+ years. Extensive documentation and support for both Mac, Windows, and USB Class-Compliant machines on all of their products across several OS generations ensures compatibility, transparency, and a dedication for keeping old hardware alive.
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 Apr 2026 |title=RME |url=https://www.rme-usa.com/ |url-status=live |access-date=28 Apr 2026 |website=RME-usa.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 Apr 2026 |title=RME Downloads |url=https://www.rme-usa.com/downloads.html |url-status=live |access-date=28 Apr 2026 |website=RME-usa.com}}</ref>
|-
|stevesgames.co.uk
|Will never put ads or in-app purchases in their computer games and will make gamees available for free after securing the companys future.
|
|-
|Sweetwater Sound
|The largest US-focused audio and music retailer that offers one of the best customer support systems to customers. Provides near 24x7 support with each customer being designated to a dedicated "sales engineer" who becomes the primary point of contact, with support networks that have direct contact to product vendors. Also contributes to more than 600 non-profits across the US. Also keeps outdated or obsolete product pages online as references, acting as a sort of music product database for most audio vendors.
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 Apr 2026 |title=Why Choose Sweetwater? |url=https://www.sweetwater.com/about/why-choose-sweetwater/ |url-status=live |access-date=30 Apr 2026 |website=Sweetwater.com}}</ref>
|-
|Tektronix
|Provided extensive product data on unsupported products to a museum, vintageTEK, and thus to tekwiki and the rest of the community.
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lenihan |first=Thomas F. |date=2012-02-28 |title=Copyright Notice |url=https://vintagetek.org/copyright-notice/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250828004431/https://vintagetek.org/copyright-notice/ |archive-date=2025-08-28 |access-date=2025-10-18 |website=vintageTEK museum}}</ref>
|-
|Ulanzi
|The company offers a tutorial on how users can mix their own fog juice to use with Ulanzi mini fog machines from readily available low-cost ingredients, whereas competitors sell proprietary fog juice at extortionate prices, refuse to release the formula and refuse to honour the warranty if users use anything but the OEM brand with their machines.
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tutorial {{!}} How to DIY Ulanzi FM01 Fog Machine Juice? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiq1B6-dcEM |type=Video}} ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=qiq1B6-dcEM Archived])</ref>
|-
|ZSA
|This company produces programmable ergonomic keyboards. They have 10/10 repair score by iFixit site for one of their keyboards <ref>{{Cite web |title=ErgoDox EZ Keyboard Repairability Assessment |url=https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/ErgoDox+EZ+Keyboard+Repairability+Assessment/125077}}</ref>. They also support right to repair themselves <ref>{{Cite web |title=Supporting the Right to Repair |url=https://blog.zsa.io/2105-right-to-repair/}}</ref>. They have their own web software to modify keyboard layout <ref>{{Cite web |title=Voyager default layout |url=https://configure.zsa.io/voyager/layouts/default/latest/2}}</ref>, but it's possible to download source code of your layout and compile and flash it yourself using their fork of the QMK <ref>{{Cite web |title=QMK, forked for ZSA's Oryx Configurator (to safeguard stability) |url=https://github.com/zsa/qmk_firmware/}}</ref>. The flashing can be done with standard tools, without any signing and bootloader unlocking.
|
|}

==See Also==

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

==Reference List==
<references />

Kinect

2026-05-07T12:45:02Z

JamesTDG: Article started, someone needs to archive all of these articles and flip through more info on this stuff

{{StubNotice}}{{ProductLineCargo
|Company=Xbox, Microsoft
|ReleaseYear=2010
|InProduction=No
|ArticleType=Product
|Category=accessory, peripheral
|Logo=Kinect Logo.png
|Description=The Kinect was a line of accessories for both Xbox hardware and Windows. The Xbox One release was formerly mandatory for the console to function.
}}The '''Kinect''' was a line of peripherals sold by Microsoft for the ''[[Xbox]] 360'', ''Xbox One'', and [[Microsoft Windows|''Windows'']] hardware. Its first public release was for the ''Xbox 360'' on November 4th, 2010.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thorsen |first=Tor |date=August 11, 2010 |title=4GB Xbox 360 official, $300 Kinect bundle coming |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/4gb-xbox-360-official-300-kinect-bundle-coming/1100-6270112/ |access-date=May 7, 2026 |work=GameSpot}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Chen |first=Jason |date=Jun 14, 2010 |title=Microsoft Xbox 360 Kinect Launches November 4 |url=https://gizmodo.com/microsoft-xbox-360-kinect-launches-november-4-5563148 |access-date=May 7, 2026 |work=Gizmodo}}</ref> It was formerly planned by [[Microsoft]] that the ''Kinect for Xbox One'' would be mandatory for launch Xbox One hardware to function,<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Schreier |first=Jason |date=May 21, 2013 |title=Xbox One Requires Kinect To Function |url=https://kotaku.com/xbox-one-requires-kinect-to-function-509112572 |access-date=May 7, 2026 |work=Kotaku}}</ref> however due to consumer backlash,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Crecente |first=Brian |date=Jun 5, 2013 |title=Privacy concerns threaten to overshadow Microsoft's new console |url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/6/5/4398440/privacy-microsoft-xbox-one/ |access-date=May 7, 2026 |work=Polygon}}</ref> this was lifted before launch. In 2014, the hardware stopped being bundled with Xbox One consoles.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Futter |first=Mike |date=May 13, 2014 |title=Microsoft Completes Its 180 And Drops Kinect From Xbox One |url=https://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2014/05/13/microsoft-completes-its-180-and-drops-kinect-from-xbox-one.aspx |access-date=May 7, 2026 |work=GameInformer}}</ref>

In 2019, the Azure Kinect released,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Liao |first=Shannon |date=May 7, 2018 |title=Microsoft is moving Kinect to the cloud |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/7/17318690/microsoft-kinect-cloud-announced-build-2018 |access-date=May 7, 2026 |work=The Verge}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ranger |first=Steve |date=Feb 25, 2019 |title=What is Microsoft's Azure Kinect DK? |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/what-is-microsofts-azure-kinect-dk/ |access-date=May 7, 2026 |work=ZDNet}}</ref> being the first standalone Kinect hardware that did not see a shared release on Xbox. On Aug 21, 2023 it was discontinued and the Kinect line was deprecated.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=Aug 21, 2023 |title=Microsoft kills Kinect again |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/21/23840327/microsoft-azure-kinect-developer-kit-discontinued |access-date=May 7, 2026 |work=The Verge}}</ref>

==Consumer-impact summary==

* User Freedom: Formerly planned to be mandatory for use with Xbox One on launch;<ref name=":0" /> currently unsupported by Microsoft and incompatible with Xbox Series consoles and later.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Gartenberg |first=Chaim |date=Jan 2, 2018 |title=Microsoft has discontinued the Kinect Adapter for newer Xbox One consoles |url=https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/1/2/16842738/microsoft-kinect-adapter-xbox-one-x-s-discontinued |access-date=May 7, 2026 |work=The Verge}}</ref> Users have reported questionable compatibility on Windows for all models except for Azure.<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/Edmundo-Studios |date=Mar 19, 2022 |title=Windows 11 compatibility |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/kinect/comments/thtal1/windows_11_compatibility/ |access-date=May 7, 2026 |website=[[Reddit]] - r/Kinect}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chelsea |date=Sep 3, 2022 |title=Why won't my Xbox 360 Kinect work with windows 11? Should I upgrade to an Xbox One Kinect? |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/993064/why-wont-my-xbox-360-kinect-work-with-windows-11-s |access-date=May 7, 2026 |website=[[Microsoft]] Learn forums}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Garcia |date=Aug 20, 2023 |title=problems with kinect v2 (Xbox One) on pc |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/1349001/problems-with-kinect-v2-(xbox-one)-on-pc |access-date=May 7, 2026 |website=[[Microsoft]] Learn Forums}}</ref>
* User Privacy: Patents showed the Kinect potentially monitoring its users for advertising purposes,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sottek |first=T.C. |date=May 27, 2013 |title=Microsoft may award achievements for watching TV and ads by monitoring you with Kinect |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/5/27/4370676/microsoft-kinect-tv-monitoring-achievements-ads |access-date=May 7, 2026 |work=The Verge}}</ref> despite claims from Microsoft that it would be in violation of their Privacy Policy.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=Jun 6, 2013 |title=Kinect on Xbox One will not record or upload your conversations, Microsoft says |url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/6/6/4403926/kinect-on-xbox-one-will-not-record-or-upload-your-conversations/ |access-date=May 7, 2026 |work=Polygon}}</ref>
* Business Model: Sales as hardware accessory and mandatory for some games, such as Kinect Adventures.
* Market Control: Not Applicable; Deprecated product line since 2023.<ref name=":1" />

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

=== Mandatory usage for Xbox One ===
[To Be Written]

===Harmful discontinuations of support===

==== Xbox One Kinect ====
In October 2017, [[Microsoft]] stopped manufacturing the ''Kinect for Xbox One'',<ref>{{Cite news |last=Reisinger |first=Don |date=October 25, 2017 |title=Microsoft Has Finally Killed the Kinect Xbox Sensor |url=https://fortune.com/2017/10/25/microsoft-kinect-xbox-sensor/ |access-date=May 7, 2026 |work=Fortune}}</ref> and 3 months later, discontinued the adapter necessary for connecting this hardware to both newer [[Xbox]] consoles, as well as [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] computers.<ref name=":2" /> When the Xbox Series consoles released, they were incompatible with the Kinect, even if the end user has the necessary adapter.<ref name=":2" /> This means that any games that rely on Kinect hardware are additionally unplayable on Xbox Series consoles, despite being fully compatible with the rest of the Xbox One library.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bonthuys |first=Darryn |date=Oct 28, 2020 |title=Xbox Series X/S Officially Plays Every Game That Works On Xbox One (Except The Kinect Ones) |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-series-x-s-officially-plays-every-game-that-works-on-xbox-one-except-the-kinect-ones/1100-6483849/ |access-date=May 7, 2026 |work=GameSpot}}</ref>

==Products==

* Kinect for Xbox 360 (2010)
* Kinect for Windows (2012)
* Kinect for Xbox One (2013)
* Kinect 2 for Windows (2014)
* Azure Kinect (2020)

==See also==
==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Kinect

2026-05-07T11:17:46Z

JamesTDG: Created page with "{{ProductLineCargo |Company=Xbox, Microsoft |ReleaseYear=2010 |InProduction=No |ArticleType=Product |Category=accessory, peripheral |Logo=Kinect Logo.png |Description=The Kinect was a line of accessories for both Xbox hardware and Windows. The Xbox One release was formerly mandatory for the console to function. }} {{Ph-C-Int}} ==Consumer-impact summary== {{Ph-C-CIS}} ==Incidents== {{Ph-C-Inc}} This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents related to this p..."

{{ProductLineCargo
|Company=Xbox, Microsoft
|ReleaseYear=2010
|InProduction=No
|ArticleType=Product
|Category=accessory, peripheral
|Logo=Kinect Logo.png
|Description=The Kinect was a line of accessories for both Xbox hardware and Windows. The Xbox One release was formerly mandatory for the console to function.
}}
{{Ph-C-Int}}

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

==Incidents==
{{Ph-C-Inc}}
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents related to this product line. 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'')===
...

==Products==
{{Ph-C-P}}

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

File:Kinect Logo.png

2026-05-07T11:16:44Z

JamesTDG: Logo used for Xbox One Kinect, sourced from Wikipedia

== Summary ==
Logo used for Xbox One Kinect, sourced from Wikipedia
== Licensing ==
{{From Wikimedia}}

Digital rights management

2026-04-22T20:32:49Z

JamesTDG: /* Further reading */ Start of an organized list of DRM, we should consider a dedicated list article though

[[Category:Anti-consumer practices]]
[[Category:Common terms]]

[[wikipedia:Digital_rights_management|'''Digital rights management''']] (DRM), alternatively known as '''digital restrictions management'''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stallman |first=Richard |title=Opposing Digital Rights Mismanagement |url=https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/opposing-drm.en.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251009050044/https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/opposing-drm.en.html |archive-date=9 Oct 2025}}</ref>, broadly refers to any kind of access control technology that is used to deliberately restrict the usage of media content or devices after the sale. It is typically used by a seller to protect their digital rights through prevention of unauthorized distribution or replication of their product. Implementations of DRM can range from very simple (such as a basic disc check) to extremely complex executable binary obfuscation (such as Denuvo)

<blockquote>DRM creates a damaged good; it prevents you from doing what would be possible without it. – Defective by Design<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is DRM? |url=https://www.defectivebydesign.org/what_is_drm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203202020/https://www.defectivebydesign.org/what_is_drm |archive-date=2026-02-03 |access-date=2026-02-06 |website=Defective by Design}}</ref></blockquote>

==Why it is a problem==
Any design of a device that allows it to act against the intention of its owner constitutes a case of [[Right to own|eroded ownership]] over the device.

A DRM technology is, by design, an artificial restriction of capabilities of a device, either in general or only for certain protected types of content. From a perspective of the rights holder (whose rights DRM protects), such restrictions need to be effective when the device or a copy of a creative work is in user's physical possession. And physical access inherently allows for many techniques of analysis and reverse engineering that may be used to devise a way to circumvent the restrictions. Therefore to be effective, a DRM technology needs to withstand the circumvention techniques available to consumers. This presents a significant engineering challenge, seemingly with no perfect solution, because solutions to date have failed or compromised various additional functions in different ways.

For example, Netflix requires HDCP DRM for playback of its video content in advertised quality. And on multi-monitor systems HDCP only works if ''all'' connected monitors support it, not just the one that displays the video.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-24 |title=Netflix requires all monitors to be HDCP 2.2. How can I get around this? |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/1avkwtb/netflix_requires_all_monitors_to_be_hdcp_22_how/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126224945/https://old.reddit.com/r/pcmasterrace/comments/1avkwtb/netflix_requires_all_monitors_to_be_hdcp_22_how/ |archive-date=2025-01-26 |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Old Reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-22 |title=How do I get Netflix working at 4k on my second monitor? |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/netflix/comments/mam2l9/how_do_i_get_netflix_working_at_4k_on_my_second/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250403054443/https://old.reddit.com/r/netflix/comments/mam2l9/how_do_i_get_netflix_working_at_4k_on_my_second/ |archive-date=2025-04-03 |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Old Reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=How to use Netflix on your Windows computer or tablet |url=https://help.netflix.com/en/node/23931 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260104160941/https://help.netflix.com/en/node/23931 |archive-date=2026-01-04 |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Netflix Help Center}}</ref> This means that older but fully functional monitors cannot be used as secondary screens without causing HDCP to fail on that PC and thus causing Netflix to serve a version of the content much lower in quality than it advertises.

Requirements such as this are not always clearly disclosed. When they are, they are often buried in the Terms of Service or, in Netflix's case, require navigating through multiple FAQ pages. Furthermore, some content may surreptitiously install DRM without the knowledge or consent of the user, such as in the Sony Rootkit scandal.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 Oct 2005 |title=Sony, Rootkits and Digital Rights Management Gone Too Far |url=https://blogs.technet.com/b/markrussinovich/archive/2005/10/31/sony-rootkits-and-digital-rights-management-gone-too-far.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317040653/http://blogs.technet.com/b/markrussinovich/archive/2005/10/31/sony-rootkits-and-digital-rights-management-gone-too-far.aspx |archive-date=17 Mar 2015 |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Mark Russinovich's Blog}}</ref> Such software may contain exploits that can compromise the security of the user's PC.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Krebs |first=Brian |date=10 Nov 2005 |title=Virus Writers Exploit Sony Anti-Piracy Software |url=https://blog.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2005/11/virus_writers_exploit_sony_ant.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061116191907/http://blog.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2005/11/virus_writers_exploit_sony_ant.html |archive-date=16 Nov 2006 |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Washington Post}}</ref>

DRM in video games has frequently been implemented in an intrusive manner, hurting load times and performance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kessler |first=Ana |date=25 May 2023 |title=Testing Reveals Games with Denuvo Launch Up to Four Times Slower |url=https://80.lv/articles/testing-reveals-games-with-denuvo-launch-up-to-four-times-slower/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250911084255/https://80.lv/articles/testing-reveals-games-with-denuvo-launch-up-to-four-times-slower |archive-date=2025-09-11 |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=80.lv}}</ref> This behavior has been more a result of negligent usage of the DRM rather than deliberate malicious intent. The detrimental effect of DRM on games appears to be known to their developers and publishers, seeing that DRM is removed from some games some time after the release,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wesh |first=Oli |date=2009-07-09 |title=DRM removed, UGC in Witcher patch |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/drm-removed-ugc-added-in-witcher-patch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241211070935/https://www.eurogamer.net/drm-removed-ugc-added-in-witcher-patch |archive-date=2024-12-11 |website=Eurogamer}}</ref> often with no announcement.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grayson |first=Nathan |date=2016-12-08 |title=Doom Becomes Latest Game To Drop Anti-Piracy Tech Denuvo |url=https://kotaku.com/doom-becomes-latest-game-to-drop-anti-piracy-tech-denuv-1789838010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250821033141/https://kotaku.com/doom-becomes-latest-game-to-drop-anti-piracy-tech-denuv-1789838010 |archive-date=2025-08-21 |website=Kotaku}}</ref>

DRM failures can also come as a surprise. For example, with a YouTube Premium subscription, you can "Download videos to watch offline", but such videos are only available for 48 hours without an internet connection.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch videos offline on mobile in select countries & regions |url=https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/6141269 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260115091128/https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/6141269 |archive-date=2026-01-15 |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=YouTube Help}}</ref> This creates confusion and problems, as users may want to download videos in anticipation of a period without internet access.

===Ineffectiveness of audio and video DRM===
It is nearly impossible to prevent copying of non-interactive content such as audio and video once it is distributed to the consumer.

Macrovision DRM can be defeated using a widely available time base corrector,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-09 |title=Bought this box back in the early 90s to eliminate Macrovision copy guard on tapes - cost $49.95 back then. Decided to see if it still works by recording my Red Label Star Wars set to DVD. Still working it’s magic! |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/VHS/comments/so4xs5/bought_this_box_back_in_the_early_90s_to/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250402200726/https://old.reddit.com/r/VHS/comments/so4xs5/bought_this_box_back_in_the_early_90s_to/ |archive-date=2025-04-02 |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Old Reddit}}</ref> which strips out the signal that triggers the AGC on VCRs or Macrovision compliant devices.

Many HDMI splitters<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-23 |title=Bypassing HDCP in 2024 |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/PS3/comments/19dohrh/bypassing_hdcp_in_2024/lbtqiky/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250121093658/https://old.reddit.com/r/PS3/comments/19dohrh/bypassing_hdcp_in_2024/lbtqiky/ |archive-date=2025-01-21 |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Old Reddit}}</ref> and capture cards<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-23 |title=I bought a $40 capture card off Amazon and it seems to have hdcp bypass because my PS3 works directly with it. |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/PS3/comments/19dohrh/bypassing_hdcp_in_2024/kj7cu60/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250803020254/https://old.reddit.com/r/PS3/comments/19dohrh/bypassing_hdcp_in_2024/kj7cu60/ |archive-date=2025-08-03 |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Old Reddit}}</ref> are capable of decrypting HDCP and copying the video stream. As long as at least one bypass exists at the HDCP level, all streaming content can be trivially ripped.

Audio DRM is trivial to bypass, as the audio must be decrypted into a plain analog signal in order to drive physical speakers or headphones.

===DRM degradation===
The development of some forms of DRM, such as [[wikipedia:Games_for_Windows_–_Live|Games For Windows Live]], are reliant on special processes within some operating systems that end up becoming unsupported or deprecated as time goes on. Legacy [[SecuROM]]-protected titles (released roughly between 1998 and 2005) are notoriously known for not running on operating systems newer than Windows XP<ref>{{Cite web |last=D’Amico |first=Luca |date=5 May 2022 |title=Arabian Nights |url=https://www.lucadamico.dev/papers/drms/securom/ArabianNights.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260112055300/https://www.lucadamico.dev/papers/drms/securom/ArabianNights.pdf |archive-date=2026-01-12 |access-date=2026-02-06 |website=lucadamico.dev}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=@haggar |date=15 Oct 2006 |title=Unpacking SecuROM 4.xx |url=https://www.reversing.be/article.php?story=20061015153108847 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226230919/http://www.reversing.be/article.php?story=20061015153108847 |archive-date=26 Feb 2022 |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=www.reversing.be}}</ref>. Customers must spend an extensive amount of time circumventing the DRM (or using more illicit methods) just to play content they legitimately purchased.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baggs |first=Nathan |date=16 Jan 2025 |title=Hacking This Terrible DRM |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjkqI7dBDVg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=vjkqI7dBDVg |archive-date=2025-01-20 |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

This DRM degradation has the worst effects on physical licenses of products, as unlike a digital installation, if a physical copy of a game's DRM stops being supported by modern hardware, developers cannot simply distribute a patch to directly modify the code on a disc, and online patches cannot last forever.

==DRM in video content==

Attempting to prevent the copying of video content is one of the most common and long-standing uses of DRM. The idea of using copy obstruction on video content predates the term "DRM", one early example being the "Automatic Gain Control" requirement in VCRs used to enforce the "Macrovision" copy-protection scheme.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1999-11-29 |title=17 U.S. Code § 1201 - Circumvention of copyright protection systems |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/1201#k_1_A |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260201101756/https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/1201#k_1_A |archive-date=2026-02-01 |access-date=2026-02-06 |website=Cornell Law School}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018 |title=Macrovision Demystified |url=https://cs.stanford.edu/people/eroberts/courses/cs181/projects/1999-00/dmca-2k/macrovision.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251212001352/https://cs.stanford.edu/people/eroberts/courses/cs181/projects/1999-00/dmca-2k/macrovision.html |archive-date=2025-12-12 |access-date=2026-02-06 |website=Stanford Engineering Computer Science}} </ref>
Formally known as "Analog Copy Protection", the scheme worked by encoding specific control signals into the output signal that corrupted the video. <ref name="hackaday_article">
{{Cite web
| last = Maloney
| first = Dan
| date = 2018-05-27
| title = Rolling Old School With Copy Protection From The 1980s
| url = https://hackaday.com/2018/05/27/rolling-old-school-with-copy-protection-from-the-1980s/
| access-date = 2026-03-19
| archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/archive/wa2zi
| archive-date = 2026-03-19
}}
</ref>
These signals were generally ignored by TVs, so when the VHS tape was played back, the video appeared correct, but VCRs handled these bogus signals, causing the recorded tape to contain the corrupted video. <ref name="hackaday_article" />

From 1996, DVDs began to feature the "Content Scramble System" (CSS), an encryption based DRM. CSS was successfully circumvented as early as 1999, less than five years after its introduction, partly due to the limited length of the 40-bit encryption key, which was used to comply with US government export regulations of the time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stevenson |first=Frank Andrew |date=27 Oct 1999 |title=[Livid-dev] Successfull attack on CSS algorithm |url=https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/DeCSS/FrankStevenson/mail1.txt |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260114031245/https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/DeCSS/FrankStevenson/mail1.txt |archive-date=2026-01-14 |access-date=2026-02-06 |website=Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stevenson |first=Frank A. |date=8 November 1999 |title=Cryptanalysis of Contents Scrambling System |url=http://www.dvd-copy.com/news/cryptanalysis_of_contents_scrambling_system.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000302000206/http://www.dvd-copy.com/news/cryptanalysis_of_contents_scrambling_system.htm |archive-date=2000-03-02 |access-date=2026-02-06 |website=DVD-Copy}}</ref> Following this, DVDs as well as HD-DVDs and Blu-Rays would implement other types of DRM, one of them being the "Advanced Access Content System".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Advanced Access Content System (AACS) |url=https://www.aacsla.com/specifications/specs091/AACS_Spec_Common_0.91.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070302130221/http://www.aacsla.com/specifications/specs091/AACS_Spec_Common_0.91.pdf |archive-date=2 Mar 2007 |access-date=20 Apr 2025}}
</ref> When the first AACS processing key was similarly extracted, the AACS Licensing Administrator began issuing cease-and-desist letters to websites where the key was posted.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 Apr 2007 |title=AACS licensor complains of posted key |url=https://lumendatabase.org/notices/21725 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251207212919/https://lumendatabase.org/notices/21725 |archive-date=2025-12-07 |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Lumen}}</ref> Another form of Blu-Ray DRM, [[Cinavia]], uses a form of audio watermarking that makes certain releases unplayable in devices that are not equipped to recognize it, a notable example being Sony's Playstation 3.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ganesh |first=T. S. |date=21 Mar 2012 |title=Cinavia DRM: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Blu-ray’s Self-Destruction |url=https://www.anandtech.com/show/5693/cinavia-drm-how-i-learned-to-stop-worrying-and-love-blurays-selfdestruction/2 |url-status=live |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=AnandTech |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708174835/https://www.anandtech.com/show/5693/cinavia-drm-how-i-learned-to-stop-worrying-and-love-blurays-selfdestruction/2 |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref>

In the attempt of preventing video ripping via a capture card, modern displays, optical disc players, and computers use the [[wikipedia:High-bandwidth_Digital_Content_Protection|High-Definition Content Protection]] system to encrypt display signals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About DCP |url=https://www.digital-cp.com/about_dcp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260104104231/https://www.digital-cp.com/about_dcp |archive-date=2026-01-04 |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Digital CP}}</ref> For example, [[Netflix stream-quality controversy|Netflix will refuse]] to stream content at the full resolution advertised for the plan if the user is not streaming through an HDCP compliant video card and display.

For terrestrial over-the-air broadcast, in 2023 [[ATSC 3.0]] pilot stations across the United States started to encrypt their signals,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seidman |first=Lon |date=15 May 2023 |title=Broadcasters Roll Out Restrictive DRM Encryption on ATSC 3.0 Broadcasts |url=https://blog.lon.tv/2023/05/15/broadcasters-roll-out-restrictive-drm-encryption-on-atsc-3-0-broadcasts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260104092252/https://blog.lon.tv/2023/05/15/broadcasters-roll-out-restrictive-drm-encryption-on-atsc-3-0-broadcasts/ |archive-date=2026-01-04 |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Lon.tv}}</ref> leaving those that bought ATSC 3.0 tuners that could not decrypt broadcasts unable to watch the newly encrypted channels. Those tuners that were later certified by the A3SA authority to decrypt signals also had potential restrictions placed as part of the DRM scheme, such as blocking recordings and remote tuner access.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newman |first=Jared |date=28 Jul 2023 |title=NextGen TV’s DRM puts future of the over-the-air DVR in doubt |url=https://www.techhive.com/article/2009693/nextgen-tv-drm-puts-future-of-the-over-the-air-dvr-in-doubt.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251213194219/https://www.techhive.com/article/2009693/nextgen-tv-drm-puts-future-of-the-over-the-air-dvr-in-doubt.html |archive-date=2025-12-13 |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=TechHive}}</ref>

==DRM in audio content==
Another place DRMs were used in was audio content, which was rarely implemented due to audio's analog nature (compared to video and software), making it questionable whether it could effectively block data replication. The most notable application of audio DRM was [[wikipedia:MediaMax|MediaMax]], which essentially functioned as malware to prevent users from simply playing these audio discs on Windows and macOS. There was also the less-notable [[wikipedia:Extended_Copy_Protection|Extended Copy Protection]] (XCP) DRM, however it did leave [[Sony]] in hot water<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=1 February 2026 |title=Sony BMG copy protection rootkit scandal |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_BMG_copy_protection_rootkit_scandal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260204145529/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_BMG_copy_protection_rootkit_scandal |archive-date=2026-02-04 |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Wikipedia}}</ref>, dubbing this form of DRM also as the Sony Rootkit.

==DRM in software==
Most discussions about DRM often associate its use with some form of software restriction, from the simple product key, to the infamous [[Denuvo]] DRM. Historically, DRM started off with simpler physical techniques, such as decoder wheels and [[wikipedia:Lenslok|LensLok]]. The effectiveness of these systems varied, and many cracking groups simply found ways around them, especially since second-hand copies of software that used these primitive forms of DRM could easily become lost, damaged, or worse, fail to function with certain hardware.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whitehead |first=Ben |date=15 Apr 2010 |title=Banging the DRM |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/banging-the-drm-article?page=2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251118190312/https://www.eurogamer.net/banging-the-drm-article?page=2 |archive-date=2025-11-18 |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=EuroGamer}}</ref> This has essentially sparked a game of cat and mouse that continues to fester, especially for the gaming community, to this day.

===Always-online DRM===
Some DRM requires a constant internet connection. While this may make sense in something that inherently requires an internet connection such as a streaming service or multiplayer-only video game, this has also been employed in games with single-player content, rendering customers unable to use their purchase if they do not have an active internet connection.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kain |first=Erik |date=17 May 2012 |title='Diablo III' Fans Should Stay Angry About Always-Online DRM |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/05/17/diablo-iii-fans-should-stay-angry-about-always-online-drm/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251024065743/https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/05/17/diablo-iii-fans-should-stay-angry-about-always-online-drm/ |archive-date=2025-10-24 |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Forbes}}</ref> Conversely, if operations for these services are shut down, users, even those with legitimate copies of software and internet access, cannot run their games without resorting to hacking them first.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vitor |first=João |date=12 Jul 2024 |title=Rewriting completely the GameSpy support from 2000 to 2004 using Reverse Engineering on EA and Bungie Games |url=https://keowu.re/posts/Rewriting-completely-the-GameSpy-support-from-2000-to-2004-using-Reverse-Engineering-on-EA-and-Bungie-Games/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251216155905/https://keowu.re/posts/Rewriting-completely-the-GameSpy-support-from-2000-to-2004-using-Reverse-Engineering-on-EA-and-Bungie-Games |archive-date=2025-12-16 |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Keowu Blog's}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Burns |first=Chris |date=4 Apr 2014 |title=GameSpy Shuts Down May 31: Will Your Game Be Affected? |url=https://www.slashgear.com/gamespy-shuts-down-may-31-will-your-game-be-affected-04323788/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251024204157/https://www.slashgear.com/gamespy-shuts-down-may-31-will-your-game-be-affected-04323788/ |archive-date=2025-10-24 |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=SlashGear}}</ref> [[Ubisoft]] has historically been known for server shutdowns and transfers cutting off access to games for many players.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharkey |first=Mike |date=2012-02-08 |title=Ubisoft DRM Locks Out Paying Customers |url=https://pc.gamespy.com/articles/121/1218211p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906130332/http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/121/1218211p1.html |archive-date=2015-09-06 |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=IGN Entertainment}}</ref> Encrypted [[ATSC 3.0]] channels cannot be tuned to without a persistent internet connection.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seidman |first=Lon |date=3 Sep 2023 |title=The ADTH Nextgen TV Box Shows Us Just How Bad ATSC 3.0 Encryption Will Be.. |url=https://blog.lon.tv/2023/09/03/the-adth-nextgen-tv-box-shows-us-just-how-bad-atsc-3-0-encrpytion-will-be/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251214005506/https://blog.lon.tv/2023/09/03/the-adth-nextgen-tv-box-shows-us-just-how-bad-atsc-3-0-encrpytion-will-be/ |archive-date=2025-12-14 |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Lon.tv}}</ref>

==DRM present elsewhere==

===Network-Attached Storage Units===
''See also: [[Synology requiring proprietary-branded drives to be used with its NAS]]''

In 2025, certain models of pre-built network attached storage units produced by [[Synology]] contained DRM in order to prevent the usage of non-Synology branded hard drives.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morales |first=Jowi |date=2025-04-16 |title=Synology requires self-branded drives for some consumer NAS systems, drops full functionality and support for third-party HDDs |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/nas/synology-requires-self-branded-drives-for-some-consumer-nas-systems-drops-full-functionality-and-support-for-third-party-hdds |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260107215841/https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/nas/synology-requires-self-branded-drives-for-some-consumer-nas-systems-drops-full-functionality-and-support-for-third-party-hdds |archive-date=2026-01-07 |access-date=2026-02-06 |website=Tom's Hardware}}</ref> This decision recieved a lot of backlash and was reverted in October 2025.

===Printer Ink===
''See also: [[HP Dynamic Security]]''

Companies such as [[HP]] only allow printers to only use ink sold by the same brand. There are a number of DRM systems employed by different companies to this end, an example of which is HP Dynamic Security, which has caught controversy during recent years. Similarly, [[Dymo]] engages in this practice with their paper products using RFID tags.

===Air Filters===
''See also: [[Molekule threatens to remotely shut down devices used with third party air filters]]''

Some companies, namely Molekule and [[Xiaomi]], use NFC-based DRM systems to ensure that replacement air filters which are inserted in air purifying devices are made by the brand. Molekule additionally threatened to permanently shut down any devices which used third-party filters, essentially [[Device bricking|bricking]] them.

===Water Filters===
''See also: [[GE Refrigerator water filter DRM]]''

Certain models of refrigerators manufactured by General Electric contain DRM in order to prevent customers from purchasing generic water filters and to instead force their own water filters which are more expensive. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Bode |first=Karl |date=2020-01-23 |title=These Fridges Won’t Dispense Filtered Water Unless You Pay Extra for ‘Official’ Filters With RFID Chips |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/these-fridges-wont-dispense-filtered-water-unless-you-pay-extra-for-official-filters-with-rfid-chips/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251021063650/https://www.vice.com/en/article/these-fridges-wont-dispense-filtered-water-unless-you-pay-extra-for-official-filters-with-rfid-chips/ |archive-date=2025-10-21 |access-date=2026-02-06 |website=VICE}}</ref>

==Further reading==
*[[Automotive digital restrictions management]]

=== Types of DRM ===

==== Gaming ====

* [[Denuvo]]
* [[SecuROM]]

==== Other ====

* [[HP Dynamic Security]]

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Digital rights management]]

Talk:Panera's failure to disclose a known security breach

2026-03-30T23:47:47Z

JamesTDG: /* Empty article */ new section

== Empty article ==

Hi there, if you're going to start an article on our wiki, it is recommended to make sure you're going to fill it in at least a bit in your first edit. It is generally a risk that non-developed articles are abandoned by their creators after 24hrs after creation.

If you're not actually planning on developing this article, please just add it to our [[Article suggestions]] page instead.

Additionally, the page name is a little too lengthy, may I instead suggest "Panera's failure to disclose a known security breach"? (Though TBH this feels like an incident that's best served as a footnote in the incidents section of the company article than a dedicated incident page) [[User:JamesTDG|JamesTDG]] ([[User talk:JamesTDG|talk]]) 23:47, 30 March 2026 (UTC)

3D Printing restrictions and bans

2026-03-28T10:20:08Z

JamesTDG: Fixed hidden bullet points via source editor, shouldn't break editor's brains while tweaking this article.

{{Cleanup}}
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==

With legal restrictions and bans applied to 3D printers, there are numerous faults that arise:

==='''Loss of ownership'''===
Locks, applied either via software or hardware, most likely will block the end-user from having the capability to repair, modify, or maintain printers they legally own. On the legal front, the end-user cannot bypass these locks thanks to [[DMCA Section 1201|section 1201]] of the [[Digital Millennium Copyright Act]]. On the corporate front, [[e-fuses]], [[Digital rights management|DRM]], and more will likely be applied in an attempt to block the end-user from repairing, modifying, or maintaining their 3D printers for the sake of legal compliance, despite regular maintenance being mandatory for the functionality of these printers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=3DISM |date=May 1, 2025 |title=3D Printer Maintenance Checklist (Monthly, Weekly Tasks) |url=https://3dism.org/3d-printer-maintenance-checklist-monthly-weekly-tasks/ |access-date=Mar 28, 2025 |website=3dism.org}}</ref> This would effectively treat the end-user as a licensee than the owner of both the hardware and software they purchased.

==='''Loss of functionality'''===
3D printers will have an increased likelihood of becoming partially or fully inoperable due to various variables. With how [[Digital rights management|DRM]] may be applied to these devices, they may be required to communicate with privately hosted servers from the manufacturer to verify if the printer or what it is printing is compliant with regulations. If these servers lose functionality, such as from the manufacturer going defunct, temporary outages, or [[Planned obsolescence|forced obsolescence]], these printers may lose vital functionality as well.

==='''Overbroad regulation'''===
The legal front of regulation is excessively overbroad:

====Overbroad applications====
While consumers treat 3D printers as the definition of a device that extrudes materials to create a 3-dimensional object, the legal definition of a 3D printer is far more broad to cover any machine that handles either additive or subtractive creation of a desired part.{{Citation needed|reason=Check comment}} Simply put, while this regulation may be intended to target just the consumer definition of 3D printers, CNC machines, laser cutters, and more, may also fall under this legal scrutiny.

====Overbroad enforcement====
The most common applications for 3D printers are within education, research, prototyping, art, or hobbyist projects, all of which are traditionally legal applications. Depending on how this may be enforced, the end-user could be punished for making a part that could be used in the manufacture of a firearm, as the simplicity of firearm construction may lead to mundane parts being unable to be printed, regardless of intent.

===Harmful precedents===

====Legal precedents====
When legislation is passed, it sets the foundation for related legislation to be more capable of passing. Restrictive legislation against 3D printers may extend to the creation of additional laws that harms the ability for consumers to modify, maintain, or repair other devices they may own. 

===='''Precedent for other industries'''====
Companies may be enabled to include locks that block the end-user from manufacturing parts for repair in other devices, forcing consumers to only be capable of procuring parts from approved sellers in industries such as automotive, home appliances, or even industrial components. This blocking may extend to also halting consumers from repairing devices that are no-longer supported by the manufacturer, forcing hardware that once was easily repairable to become mere waste that they will have to replace with a newer model instead of fix.

==Examples==

=== Legislative and regulatory examples ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Legislature name
!Year
!Region
!Summary
!Legislation Link
|-
|HB 2321
|2025
|Washington State
|Proposed legislation addressing 3D printing technology that may unintentionally restrict lawful consumer ownership, modification, or use of consumer 3D printers.
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-09 |title=HB 2321 - 2025-26 |url=https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2321&Year=2025 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=Washington State Legislature}}</ref>
|-
|HB 2320
|2025
|Washington State
|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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Cam |date=2026-02-08 |title=Washington Dems Advance Bill That Could Ban 3D Printers Over Gun Fears |url=https://bearingarms.com/camedwards/2026/02/08/washington-dems-advance-bill-that-could-ban-3d-printers-over-gun-fears-n1231483 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/xvTvu |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=Bearing Arms}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-09 |title=HB 2320 - 2025-26 |url=https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?Year=2025&BillNumber=2320 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=Washington State Legislature}}</ref>
|-
|Assembly Bill A2228
|2025
|New York State
|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.
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-09 |title=Assembly Bill A2228 |url=https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2228 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=[[The New York State Senate]]}}</ref>
|-
|Letter regarding 3D printer policies
|2025
|New York County
|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.
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bragg |first=Alvin |date=2026-03-09 |title=Letter-Creality-3.26.25.pdf |url=https://manhattanda.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Letter-Creality-3.26.25.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=}}</ref>
|-
|AB-2047
|2026
|California
|Proposed legislation that would require a certified firearm blueprint detection algorithm in all 3D printers and make it a crime to knowingly disable, deactivate, uninstall, or otherwise circumvent any firearm blocking technology installed in a 3D printer.
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-09 |title=AB-2047 Firearms: 3-dimensional printing blocking technology. |url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB2047 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=California Legislative Information}}</ref>
|-
|HB26-1144
|2026
|Colorado
|Proposed legislation would ban manufacturing or producing a firearm, receiver, frame, large capacity magazine, or rapid fire device using 3d printing. Possessing or distributing computer code to manufacture a firearm or firearm component on a 3d printer or CNC mill would be prohibited. Violating any of the prohibitions would be a class 1 misdemeanor, and a second or subsequent violation would be a class 5 felony.
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-09 |title=Prohibit Three-Dimensional Printing Firearms & Components |url=https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/HB26-1144 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/bj124 |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=Colorado General Assembly}}</ref>
|}

===Manufacturer and platform policies===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Company name
!Year
!Summary
!CRW article
|-
|Print&Go Tech
|2024
|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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-08 |title=3D Printer Ban Company Exposed |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGEVra9U91I |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=tGEVra9U91I |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-04 |title=3D GUN'T: Print&Go’s solution to prevent 3D printed ‘Ghost Guns’ |url=https://printandgo.tech/blog/3d-gunt-solution-to-prevent-3d-printed-ghost-guns |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/TBCWF |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=[[Print&Go]]}}</ref>
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|}

===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==
[[Category:Common terms]]
<references />

3D Printing restrictions and bans

2026-03-28T10:09:29Z

JamesTDG: /* Examples */ Table formatting

{{Cleanup}}
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==

With legal restrictions and bans applied to 3D printers, there are numerous faults that arise:

==='''Loss of ownership'''===
Locks, applied either via software or hardware, most likely will block the end-user from having the capability to repair, modify, or maintain printers they legally own. On the legal front, the end-user cannot bypass these locks thanks to [[DMCA Section 1201|section 1201]] of the [[Digital Millennium Copyright Act]]. On the corporate front, [[e-fuses]], [[Digital rights management|DRM]], and more will likely be applied in an attempt to block the end-user from repairing, modifying, or maintaining their 3D printers for the sake of legal compliance, despite regular maintenance being mandatory for the functionality of these printers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=3DISM |date=May 1, 2025 |title=3D Printer Maintenance Checklist (Monthly, Weekly Tasks) |url=https://3dism.org/3d-printer-maintenance-checklist-monthly-weekly-tasks/ |access-date=Mar 28, 2025 |website=3dism.org}}</ref> This would effectively treat the end-user as a licensee than the owner of both the hardware and software they purchased.

==='''Loss of functionality'''===
3D printers will have an increased likelihood of becoming partially or fully inoperable due to various variables. With how [[Digital rights management|DRM]] may be applied to these devices, they may be required to communicate with privately hosted servers from the manufacturer to verify if the printer or what it is printing is compliant with regulations. If these servers lose functionality, such as from the manufacturer going defunct, temporary outages, or [[Planned obsolescence|forced obsolescence]], these printers may lose vital functionality as well.

==='''Overbroad regulation'''===
The legal front of regulation is excessively overbroad:

====Overbroad applications====
While consumers treat 3D printers as the definition of a device that extrudes materials to create a 3-dimensional object, the legal definition of a 3D printer is far more broad to cover any machine that handles either additive or subtractive creation of a desired part.{{Citation needed|reason=Check comment}} Simply put, while this regulation may be intended to target just the consumer definition of 3D printers, CNC machines, laser cutters, and more, may also fall under this legal scrutiny.

====Overbroad enforcement====
The most common applications for 3D printers are within education, research, prototyping, art, or hobbyist projects, all of which are traditionally legal applications. Depending on how this may be enforced, the end-user could be punished for making a part that could be used in the manufacture of a firearm, as the simplicity of firearm construction may lead to mundane parts being unable to be printed, regardless of intent.

===Harmful precedents===

====Legal precedents====
When legislation is passed, it sets the foundation for related legislation to be more capable of passing. Restrictive legislation against 3D printers may extend to the creation of additional laws that harms the ability for consumers to modify, maintain, or repair other devices they may own. 

===='''Precedent for other industries'''====
Companies may be enabled to include locks that block the end-user from manufacturing parts for repair in other devices, forcing consumers to only be capable of procuring parts from approved sellers in industries such as automotive, home appliances, or even industrial components. This blocking may extend to also halting consumers from repairing devices that are no-longer supported by the manufacturer, forcing hardware that once was easily repairable to become mere waste that they will have to replace with a newer model instead of fix.

==Examples==

=== Legislative and regulatory examples ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Legislature name
!Year
!Region
!Summary
!Legislation Link
|-
|HB 2321
|2025
|Washington State
|Proposed legislation addressing 3D printing technology that may unintentionally restrict lawful consumer ownership, modification, or use of consumer 3D printers.
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-09 |title=HB 2321 - 2025-26 |url=https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2321&Year=2025 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=Washington State Legislature}}</ref>
|-
|HB 2320
|2025
|Washington State
|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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Cam |date=2026-02-08 |title=Washington Dems Advance Bill That Could Ban 3D Printers Over Gun Fears |url=https://bearingarms.com/camedwards/2026/02/08/washington-dems-advance-bill-that-could-ban-3d-printers-over-gun-fears-n1231483 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/xvTvu |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=Bearing Arms}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-09 |title=HB 2320 - 2025-26 |url=https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?Year=2025&BillNumber=2320 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=Washington State Legislature}}</ref>
|-
|Assembly Bill A2228
|2025
|New York State
|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.
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-09 |title=Assembly Bill A2228 |url=https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2228 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=[[The New York State Senate]]}}</ref>
|-
|Letter regarding 3D printer policies
|2025
|New York County
|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.
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bragg |first=Alvin |date=2026-03-09 |title=Letter-Creality-3.26.25.pdf |url=https://manhattanda.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Letter-Creality-3.26.25.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=}}</ref>
|-
|AB-2047
|2026
|California
|Proposed legislation that would require a certified firearm blueprint detection algorithm in all 3D printers and make it a crime to knowingly disable, deactivate, uninstall, or otherwise circumvent any firearm blocking technology installed in a 3D printer.
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-09 |title=AB-2047 Firearms: 3-dimensional printing blocking technology. |url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB2047 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=California Legislative Information}}</ref>
|-
|HB26-1144
|2026
|Colorado
|Proposed legislation would ban manufacturing or producing a firearm, receiver, frame, large capacity magazine, or rapid fire device using 3d printing. Possessing or distributing computer code to manufacture a firearm or firearm component on a 3d printer or CNC mill would be prohibited. Violating any of the prohibitions would be a class 1 misdemeanor, and a second or subsequent violation would be a class 5 felony.
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-09 |title=Prohibit Three-Dimensional Printing Firearms & Components |url=https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/HB26-1144 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/bj124 |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=Colorado General Assembly}}</ref>
|}
*

*

*

===Manufacturer and platform policies===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Company name
!Year
!Summary
!CRW article
|-
|Print&Go Tech
|2024
|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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-08 |title=3D Printer Ban Company Exposed |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGEVra9U91I |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=tGEVra9U91I |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-04 |title=3D GUN'T: Print&Go’s solution to prevent 3D printed ‘Ghost Guns’ |url=https://printandgo.tech/blog/3d-gunt-solution-to-prevent-3d-printed-ghost-guns |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/TBCWF |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=[[Print&Go]]}}</ref>
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|}
*

===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==
[[Category:Common terms]]
<references />

3D Printing restrictions and bans

2026-03-28T09:59:15Z

JamesTDG: Cleanup run - "Why it is a problem"

{{Cleanup}}
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==

With legal restrictions and bans applied to 3D printers, there are numerous faults that arise:

=== '''Loss of ownership''' ===
Locks, applied either via software or hardware, most likely will block the end-user from having the capability to repair, modify, or maintain printers they legally own. On the legal front, the end-user cannot bypass these locks thanks to [[DMCA Section 1201|section 1201]] of the [[Digital Millennium Copyright Act]]. On the corporate front, [[e-fuses]], [[Digital rights management|DRM]], and more will likely be applied in an attempt to block the end-user from repairing, modifying, or maintaining their 3D printers for the sake of legal compliance, despite regular maintenance being mandatory for the functionality of these printers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=3DISM |date=May 1, 2025 |title=3D Printer Maintenance Checklist (Monthly, Weekly Tasks) |url=https://3dism.org/3d-printer-maintenance-checklist-monthly-weekly-tasks/ |access-date=Mar 28, 2025 |website=3dism.org}}</ref> This would effectively treat the end-user as a licensee than the owner of both the hardware and software they purchased.

=== '''Loss of functionality''' ===
3D printers will have an increased likelihood of becoming partially or fully inoperable due to various variables. With how [[Digital rights management|DRM]] may be applied to these devices, they may be required to communicate with privately hosted servers from the manufacturer to verify if the printer or what it is printing is compliant with regulations. If these servers lose functionality, such as from the manufacturer going defunct, temporary outages, or [[Planned obsolescence|forced obsolescence]], these printers may lose vital functionality as well.

=== '''Overbroad regulation''' ===
The legal front of regulation is excessively overbroad:

==== Overbroad applications ====
While consumers treat 3D printers as the definition of a device that extrudes materials to create a 3-dimensional object, the legal definition of a 3D printer is far more broad to cover any machine that handles either additive or subtractive creation of a desired part.{{Citation needed|reason=Check comment}} Simply put, while this regulation may be intended to target just the consumer definition of 3D printers, CNC machines, laser cutters, and more, may also fall under this legal scrutiny.

==== Overbroad enforcement ====
The most common applications for 3D printers are within education, research, prototyping, art, or hobbyist projects, all of which are traditionally legal applications. Depending on how this may be enforced, the end-user could be punished for making a part that could be used in the manufacture of a firearm, as the simplicity of firearm construction may lead to mundane parts being unable to be printed, regardless of intent.

=== Harmful precedents ===

==== Legal precedents ====
When legislation is passed, it sets the foundation for related legislation to be more capable of passing. Restrictive legislation against 3D printers may extend to the creation of additional laws that harms the ability for consumers to modify, maintain, or repair other devices they may own. 

==== '''Precedent for other industries''' ====
Companies may be enabled to include locks that block the end-user from manufacturing parts for repair in other devices, forcing consumers to only be capable of procuring parts from approved sellers in industries such as automotive, home appliances, or even industrial components. This blocking may extend to also halting consumers from repairing devices that are no-longer supported by the manufacturer, forcing hardware that once was easily repairable to become mere waste that they will have to replace with a newer model instead of fix.

==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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-09 |title=HB 2321 - 2025-26 |url=https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2321&Year=2025 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=Washington State Legislature}}</ref>

*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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Cam |date=2026-02-08 |title=Washington Dems Advance Bill That Could Ban 3D Printers Over Gun Fears |url=https://bearingarms.com/camedwards/2026/02/08/washington-dems-advance-bill-that-could-ban-3d-printers-over-gun-fears-n1231483 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/xvTvu |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=Bearing Arms}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-09 |title=HB 2320 - 2025-26 |url=https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?Year=2025&BillNumber=2320 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=Washington State Legislature}}</ref>

*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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-09 |title=Assembly Bill A2228 |url=https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2228 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=[[The New York State Senate]]}}</ref>

*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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bragg |first=Alvin |date=2026-03-09 |title=Letter-Creality-3.26.25.pdf |url=https://manhattanda.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Letter-Creality-3.26.25.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=}}</ref>
*California State Legislature: AB-2047 (2026) – Proposed legislation that would require a certified firearm blueprint detection algorithm in all 3D printers and make it a crime to knowingly disable, deactivate, uninstall, or otherwise circumvent any firearm blocking technology installed in a 3D printer.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-09 |title=AB-2047 Firearms: 3-dimensional printing blocking technology. |url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB2047 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=California Legislative Information}}</ref>
*Colorado General Assembly. HB26-1144 (2026) – Proposed legislation would ban manufacturing or producing a firearm, receiver, frame, large capacity magazine, or rapid fire device using 3d printing. Possessing or distributing computer code to manufacture a firearm or firearm component on a 3d printer or CNC mill would be prohibited. Violating any of the prohibitions would be a class 1 misdemeanor, and a second or subsequent violation would be a class 5 felony.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-09 |title=Prohibit Three-Dimensional Printing Firearms & Components |url=https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/HB26-1144 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/bj124 |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=Colorado General Assembly}}</ref>

===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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-08 |title=3D Printer Ban Company Exposed |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGEVra9U91I |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=tGEVra9U91I |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-04 |title=3D GUN'T: Print&Go’s solution to prevent 3D printed ‘Ghost Guns’ |url=https://printandgo.tech/blog/3d-gunt-solution-to-prevent-3d-printed-ghost-guns |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/TBCWF |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=[[Print&Go]]}}</ref>

===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==
[[Category:Common terms]]
<references />

McDonald's Japan malware attack

2026-03-26T06:21:20Z

JamesTDG: Grammar cleanup

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=McDonald's Japan
|StartDate=4 August 2006
|EndDate=31 August 2006
|Status=Resolved
|ProductLine=
|Product=
|ArticleType=
|Type=
|Description=McDonald's Japan, in collaboration with Coca-Cola, ran a promotion in August 2006 where customers would peel a code from a cup and type it into the website for a chance at a free USB-stick MP3 player pre-loaded with ten songs. Those that won had their computer infected with a trojan horse that captured password information if the user was running QQ Instant Messenger.
}} [[File:McDonald's Japan MP3 Player showcase.png|alt=McDonald's Japan MP3 Player showcase from the advertisement. |thumb|McDonald's Japan MP3 Player showcase]]

In 2006, [[McDonald's]] in collaboration with [[The Coca-Cola Company|Coca-Cola]] ran a promotion in Japan that lasted for 1 month. During this promotion, 10,000 winners obtained a USB-stick MP3 player.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Sayer |first=Peter |title=Worm eats its way into McDonald’s MP3 player promotion |url=https://www.infoworld.com/article/2183448/worm-eats-its-way-into-mcdonald-s-mp3-player-promotion.html |website=InfoWorld |date=16 Oct 2006 |access-date=6 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222055606/https://www.infoworld.com/article/2183448/worm-eats-its-way-into-mcdonald-s-mp3-player-promotion.html |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |author=Loof |title=McDonald's Mp3 Virus {{!}} Info Comp |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV4rxKhiEKo |website=[[YouTube]] |date=18 Jun 2023 |access-date=6 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=vV4rxKhiEKo |archive-date=7 Mar 2026}}</ref> When Japanese winners received their MP3 players and inserted them into their computers, it was discovered that the products additionally carried malware meant for Windows operating systems.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" />

==Incident==
On ''4 August, 2006'' across Japan, [[McDonald's]] collaborated with [[The Coca-Cola Company|Coca-Cola]] to run a promotion which lasted until ''31 August, 2006''. During this promotion, customers would peel a code from a cup and type the code onto their website, with 10,000 selected winners obtaining a USB-stick MP3 player loaded with ten free songs.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Winners who received the ''McDonald's MP3 Player'' would be infected with a [[wikipedia:Trojan_horse_(computing)|Trojan Horse]] called ''QQPass Trojan'' that would affect devices running the popular [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] versions at the time. ''QQPass Trojan'' worked to first disable the device's antivirus(es), and then if the user was running was {{Wplink|Tencent QQ|QQ Instant Messenger}}, it would capture password information and forward it via e-mail to a malicious third-party.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=deVilla |first=Joey |title=Superspyware Me! |url=https://www.globalnerdy.com/2006/10/16/superspyware-me/ |website=Global Nerdy |date=16 Oct 2006 |access-date=6 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250806085622/https://www.globalnerdy.com/2006/10/16/superspyware-me/ |archive-date=6 Aug 2025}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Stevens |first=Chris |title=McDonalds' free Trojan: "Would you like malware with that?" |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/mcdonalds-free-trojan-would-you-like-malware-with-that/ |website=CNet |date=17 Oct 2006 |access-date=6 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250821060514/https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/mcdonalds-free-trojan-would-you-like-malware-with-that/ |archive-date=21 Aug 2025}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Leyden |first=John |title=Spyware infection prompts McDonalds MP3 recall |url=https://www.theregister.com/2006/10/16/mcd_spyware_mp3_recall/ |website=The Register |date=16 Oct 2006 |access-date=6 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260123185302/https://www.theregister.com/2006/10/16/mcd_spyware_mp3_recall/ |archive-date=23 Jan 2026}}</ref>[[File:McDonald's Japan 2006 Cup Advertisment.png|thumb|alt=McDonald's Japan 2006 Cup Advertisement]]

==Company response==
On ''7 August 2006'', McDonald's issued a public apology for any consumers infected from the incident. The company offered a web link that removed the malware from computers and allowed winners to return their MP3 players for a free replacement.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomson |first=Iain |title=Free malware from McDonalds |url=https://www.itpro.com/95790/free-malware-from-mcdonalds |website=ITpro |date=17 Oct 2006 |access-date=6 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250710015215/https://www.itpro.com/95790/free-malware-from-mcdonalds |archive-date=10 Jul 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=McDonalds Unwittingly Distributes Contaminated Prizes |url=https://www.spamfighter.com/News-6650-McDonalds-Unwittingly-Distributes-Contaminated-Prizes.htm |website=SPAMfighter |date=26 Oct 2006 |access-date=6 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260213213750/https://www.spamfighter.com/News-6650-McDonalds-Unwittingly-Distributes-Contaminated-Prizes.htm |archive-date=13 Feb 2026}}</ref>
<gallery>
McDonald's Japan 2006 Google Translate Page.png|McDonald's Japan 2006 Google Translate Page apology and request for Mp3 players
McDonald's Japan Customer Support Page.png|McDonald's Japan Customer Support Page in 2006
McDonald's Official Statement.png|McDonald's Official Statement regarding 2006 Japan malware incident
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:McDonald's]]

Talk:Ad block

2026-03-24T01:01:52Z

JamesTDG: /* Relevance */ Reply

I propose a table for each type of ad blocking or privacy filter.

For example, one table should be web browsers and which add-ons and plug-ins work with it.

It should also have notation indicators for desktop vs mobile; OS may also be useful

Examples

Browsers:

Fire Fox

Firefox Dev Edition

Vivaldi

Waterfox

Add-ons/Extensions/Plug-ins:

Duck Duck Go Privacy Essentials

NoScript

Privacy Badger

uBlock Origin

I'm on mobile. Sorry.

==Relevance==

Wiki Policy specifically states that product recommendations are outside the scope of this wiki. A relevance notice has been added. [[User:Beanie Bo|Beanie Bo]] ([[User talk:Beanie Bo|talk]]) 02:16, 2 November 2025 (UTC)

:I think ad block is an appropriate theme article. Just as we have a lot of articles about anti-consumer practices, it is reasonable to cover some of the common pro-consumer alternatives.
:I guess if others really feel this is topic is irrelevant, maybe we could fold this into an article about advertising. (Which could cover advertising overload, and ad-block as sub-themes. If they got big enough they could be broken out to their own articles.)
:Is there a section relevance notice? It sounds like the relevance objection is to the section about ad blocking features, rather than the article as a whole?
:As far as the table about specific ad blocking features. Is there a similar table in Wikipedia we could link to? If not, could something like that fly there? (I have no objection to the content, just figure it might get broader audience there.) [[User:Drakeula|Drakeula]] ([[User talk:Drakeula|talk]]) 20:48, 2 November 2025 (UTC)
::It looks better now. Before it was written as if advertising ad blockers, so that was the issue. I still think the table is unnecessary though, and it would be better to link to external source rather than describing in detail the different ad blockers and browsers out there. Thanks for cleaning up the article [[User:Beanie Bo|Beanie Bo]] ([[User talk:Beanie Bo|talk]]) 14:24, 4 November 2025 (UTC)
:::Unfortunately, I haven't seen a comprehensive summary with this concise information on another wiki source. Otherwise, I would have just linked to that instead of creating one here. Presently, the table is incomplete. For example, Vivaldi exists for A, L, and Windows but I was unsure of iOS and need to research that as well as the mods for each browser. On my phone, I only have Chrome, Firefox, DuckDuckGo, and Vivaldi. Also, editing a wiki table is far easier when not on a phone (at least for me). [[Special:Contributions/2603:7081:1200:FB1D:82AA:2677:C186:2876|2603:7081:1200:FB1D:82AA:2677:C186:2876]] 20:50, 21 November 2025 (UTC)
:::Second it. I think the table needs to go. It's good information, just IMHO in the wrong place.
:::It can serve as supplementary/illustrative to the current bird's eye view of ad blocking, but at this time I fail to see to what. [[User:D-side|D-side]] ([[User talk:D-side|talk]]) 00:47, 24 March 2026 (UTC)
::::I must concur, we could probably get this to work well if we suggest it as a topic for Wikipedia to cover though. [[User:JamesTDG|JamesTDG]] ([[User talk:JamesTDG|talk]]) 01:01, 24 March 2026 (UTC)

==Remove "Do Not Track" from the table==

The DNT header is [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Reference/Headers/DNT deprecated] and enables websites to track users even more precisely, as it's yet another signal that only some clients send with their requests. There have been many arguments made against it, for example by the popular privacy-respecting analytics service GoatCounter[https://www.arp242.net/dnt.html]. It shouldn't be considered while choosing a browser for daily use at all, and I'd argue that it's beneficial to avoid it alltogether. [[User:Skybydy|Skybydy]] ([[User talk:Skybydy|talk]]) 01:42, 23 February 2026 (UTC)

Talk:JavaScript

2026-03-18T08:52:35Z

JamesTDG: /* maybe better to move this to 'Forced JavaScript on websites' and narrow the scope or something? */ Reply

==maybe better to move this to 'Forced JavaScript on websites' and narrow the scope or something?==

This article currently reads as an opinionated article about how bad a programming language is. Whether it's valid or not is beyond me, but I'm not sure it really fits the wiki, especially as it's a bit of a stretch to call it a 'product'. An incident/theme page on javascript being forced for tracking etc. could make ore sense instead? [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 08:12, 18 March 2026 (UTC)

:I agree, it's not a product, it's a web-tech, like [[Web cookie|cookies]]. I think that if there's an article about cookies, there should be one about JS [[User:Rudxain|Rudxain]] ([[User talk:Rudxain|talk]]) 08:28, 18 March 2026 (UTC)
::yeah, it's more of a general theme article regarding how it's used that we'd want i guess, rather than an article discussing the language itself (though obviously things about the language would be brought up). [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 08:47, 18 March 2026 (UTC)
:::Agreed, if we need an explainer article for JS, we should just link to Wikipedia. Any incidents/themes explicitly involving JS should have their own dedicated articles [[User:JamesTDG|JamesTDG]] ([[User talk:JamesTDG|talk]]) 08:52, 18 March 2026 (UTC)

Talk:Advertising overload

2026-03-13T18:51:45Z

JamesTDG: /* Reminder about the markings */ Reply

==Reminder about the markings==

Hi there, the AI gen lists at the bottom of the article are covering stuff that heavily supports the article, we NEED these replaced with human-written text, and we ESPECIALLY NEED sources included! I hate that I have to leave these marks on my own article, but it is for the greater good... Please do NOT use the marks as an excuse to blindly delete this (I've seen a few moderators act a little hasty to delete articles that have had these kinds of marks for prolonged periods without discussing it first), I put in a lot of valuable labor that I do NOT want lost! [[User:JamesTDG|JamesTDG]] ([[User talk:JamesTDG|talk]]) 12:14, 17 October 2025 (UTC)

:Hi James! I've rewritten the list, referencing Google Support. I think your AI did use their article, but it categorized things slightly strangely, so I hope you don't mind that I did a little restructuring.
:Cheers! [[User:Scholar Silas|Scholar Silas]] ([[User talk:Scholar Silas|talk]]) 05:31, 12 March 2026 (UTC)
::I didn't have ai generate those lists for the record, that was a user within the log that was feeling particularly lazy [[User:JamesTDG|JamesTDG]] ([[User talk:JamesTDG|talk]]) 18:51, 13 March 2026 (UTC)

Talk:Casey Stefanski

2026-03-09T00:39:12Z

JamesTDG: /* Unsure if she's notable enough to need a full article dedicated to her */ Reply

==Unsure if she's notable enough to need a full article dedicated to her==

If I'm not mistaken, the only incident/company she's connected with is this DCA lobbying group and the legal but dubious opacity surrounding its finances. Generally articles about Living Persons should probably be reserved for people who have been involved in multiple incidents, companies, or organisations related to consumer protection incidents. Not many people have made living person articles at this stage so we don't have any strict rules etc. on it, but the category is more intended for individuals like Mark Zuckerberg or some policymaker, where they've been involved in enough different controversies to fill a page. For this individual, I don't feel that there's much new info usefully included in this article which could not just be included in the DCA article instead.

Also a worthwhile distinction that came to me while writing this out (mainly for any of the regular wiki users who check this out) is that it's probably a good idea to avoid using Wikipedia's term for articles about living people, that being BLPs. BLP stands for biography of a living person, and we don't want any articles about living people to resemble full biographies; rather they should be focused very narrowly on their connection to consumer protection companies and incidents. [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 19:51, 8 March 2026 (UTC)

:I'm someone who completely opposes living persons articles on the CRW as a whole, and I was surprised when I saw this, especially considering the weak connection. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 20:01, 8 March 2026 (UTC)
::I am more in the middle here, I am normally wary of covering living persons here unless there's a significant amount of incidents surrounding the individual. Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg are good examples of people deserving coverage here considering their direct involvement in oh so many anti-consumer activities, but Casey here has only a couple infractions at best to cover here. [[User:JamesTDG|JamesTDG]] ([[User talk:JamesTDG|talk]]) 00:39, 9 March 2026 (UTC)

Talk:Electronic Arts

2026-03-09T00:34:40Z

JamesTDG: /* Help me understand this, C&C open source under Github */ Reply

==Help me understand this, C&C open source under Github==

If all of the C&C games are on steam and the EA app, why is this true?

"meaning once users cannot purchase any Command & Conquer game, this source code repository is effectively useless."

Are we pushing EA to release their IP on GOG?

because they know,

reference :https://www.reddit.com/r/commandandconquer/comments/1icqudy/go_and_vote_gog_has_shortlisted_cc_the_ultimate/

"Absolutely—GO AND VOTE!

C&C: The Ultimate Collection is such an important title to many of us at GOG. We know just how awesome you all are and what can be achieved with the power of the gaming community :) You rock! Thanks for sharing our Dreamlist!" [[User:A Clippy|A Clippy]] ([[User talk:A Clippy|talk]]) 07:05, 8 March 2026 (UTC)

:who tf added that line? I just noticed it. the [[EA releases source code of classic command and conquer titles|Main]] article has no mention of "this source code repository is effectively useless" [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 17:44, 8 March 2026 (UTC)
::also "meaning once users cannot purchase any C&C game" does not mean pushing for a release on GOG. it is talking abt when EA will eventually pull the game from Steam or any other store front. tho I do not understand what "and the only way to compile the source code continues to require ownership of a copy of Command & Conquer" means. is this referring to the assets not being open sourced? in that case the language needs to be explicit, not ambigious and should reflect this on the [[EA releases source code of classic command and conquer titles|Main]] article. [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 17:50, 8 March 2026 (UTC)
:::I attempted to edit it for some improved clarity. Hopefully this was the author's original intent with that line... [[User:JamesTDG|JamesTDG]] ([[User talk:JamesTDG|talk]]) 00:34, 9 March 2026 (UTC)

Electronic Arts

2026-03-09T00:33:58Z

JamesTDG: /* Release of Command & Conquer source code (2025) */ Clarity changes

{{CompanyCargo
|Description=American video game developer and publisher.
|Founded=1982
|Industry=Video Games
|Logo=Electronic Arts.png
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Public
|Website=https://ea.com/
}}
[[wikipedia:Electronic_Arts|'''Electronic Arts''']] ('''EA''') is a former video-game developer and now publisher founded in 1982 by Trip Hawkins. It is well known for its simulator titles under the ''Sim'' series (''The Sims,'' ''SimCity,'' ''MySims,'' etc.), titles published under its EA Sports division (''Madden,'' ''FIFA,'' etc.), and its ''Battlefield'' series.

EA has received criticism for its reliance on microtransactions, its focus on [[downloadable content]] (DLC), and other business practices that both consumers and the media perceive as excessively unfavorable predatory and anti-consumer.

==Consumer impact summary==

*User freedom: limited; removed capability to play games on 32-bit systems via Origin, extensive abuse of DRM ([[SecuROM]], [[Denuvo]]), monopolization of game genres, orphaned content/game licenses, and more.
*User privacy: questionable; uses kernel-level anti-cheat in many games,<ref>{{Cite web |last=SEgopher |date=Sep 15, 2022 |title=The insanity of EA's anti-cheat system by a Kernel Dev |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/xf1cwr/the_insanity_of_eas_anticheat_system_by_a_kernel/ |access-date=Jun 1, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250803140044/https://old.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/xf1cwr/the_insanity_of_eas_anticheat_system_by_a_kernel/ |archive-date=3 Aug 2025}}</ref> DRM abuse, considerations for advertisements in games.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hollister |first=Sean |date=May 10, 2024 |title=EA is prototyping in-game ads even as we speak |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/10/24153809/ea-in-game-ads-redux |access-date=Jun 1, 2025 |work=The Verge |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260124074306/https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/10/24153809/ea-in-game-ads-redux |archive-date=24 Jan 2026}}</ref>
*Business model: Game sales, [[microtransactions]], DLC, [[Non-fungible tokens|NFTs]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Colp |first=Tyler |date=Nov 3, 2021 |title=EA calls NFT and blockchain games 'the future of our industry' |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/ea-calls-nft-and-blockchain-games-the-future-of-our-industry/ |access-date=Jun 1, 2025 |work=PC Gamer |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260116010512/https://www.pcgamer.com/ea-calls-nft-and-blockchain-games-the-future-of-our-industry/ |archive-date=16 Jan 2026}}</ref>
*Market competition: Extensive; [[Nintendo]], [[Microsoft]]/[[Xbox]], [[Ubisoft]], [[Valve]]

EA has [[EA releases source code of classic command and conquer titles|open-sourcing older Command & Conquer games]] in 2025. However, the company continues to have a history of little to no consumer rights.

==Incidents==

===Origin shutdown===
On April 17, 2025, EA shut down the Origin client,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Will |title=EA is ditching Origin, which means you could lose access to your games |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/the-sims-4/ea-origin-shut-down |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=PCGamesN |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251121113702/https://www.pcgamesn.com/the-sims-4/ea-origin-shut-down |archive-date=21 Nov 2025}}</ref> which was the last option for 32-bit hardware owners to run EA-published titles. While most consumers have switched to 64-bit hardware, the discontinued support for 32-bit hardware signifies that vintage enthusiasts, tech historians, and others users of 32-bit hardware are unable to either install or play the games they have purchased, unless they upgrade to 64-bit hardware.

===Lootboxes===
{{Hatnote|See also: [[Microtransactions]]}}

Multiple games published by EA in recent years have garnered significant controversy over what is essentially legal gambling. This is most commonly seen in EA sports titles and their "''Ultimate Team''" modes, which has players using in-game currency that can be purchased with real-world money to buy card packs, in order to potentially get high-value player cards. This monetization method, considered by many to be "predatory", most notably introduced controversy within the modern release of ''Star Wars Battlefront 2'', wherein the most powerful character in-game, Darth Vader, could only be obtained through this lootbox system.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dingman |first=Hayden |date=10 Oct 2017 |title=How loot boxes are turning full-priced PC games into pay-to-win games of chance |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/407482/loot-boxes-ruining-gaming.html |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=PCWorld |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260122024918/https://www.pcworld.com/article/407482/loot-boxes-ruining-gaming.html |archive-date=22 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Purchese |first=Robert |date=10 Oct 2017 |title=Star Wars Battlefront 2 has a loot crate problem |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/star-wars-battlefront-2-has-a-loot-crate-problem |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Robert Purchese |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251113073209/https://www.eurogamer.net/star-wars-battlefront-2-has-a-loot-crate-problem |archive-date=13 Nov 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fahey |first=Rob |date=13 Oct 2017 |title=Thinking outside the loot box |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/thinking-outside-the-loot-box |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Games Industry |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260206121255/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/thinking-outside-the-loot-box |archive-date=6 Feb 2026}}</ref> It was not until several weeks after the backlash that EA would tone down these lootboxes by changing loot pools.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Machkovech |first=Sam |date=1 Nov 2017 |title=Star Wars: Battlefront II changes its loot box plans… but is it enough? |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/10/star-wars-battlefront-ii-changes-its-loot-box-plans-but-is-it-enough/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=ArsTechnica |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251113052311/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/10/star-wars-battlefront-ii-changes-its-loot-box-plans-but-is-it-enough/ |archive-date=13 Nov 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Connor |first=James |date=13 Oct 2017 |title=After beta controversy, DICE has better clarified the 'loot crate' and progression systems in Star Wars Battlefront 2 |url=https://www.vg247.com/after-beta-controversy-dice-has-better-clarified-the-loot-crate-system-in-the-final-version-of-star-wars-battlefront-2 |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=VG247 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250905064209/https://www.vg247.com/after-beta-controversy-dice-has-better-clarified-the-loot-crate-system-in-the-final-version-of-star-wars-battlefront-2 |archive-date=5 Sep 2025}}</ref> Lootboxes remained within the title until ''[[Disney]]'' directly instructed EA to stop because of gambling concerns.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Needleman |first=Sarah E. |last2=Fritz |first2=Ben |date=17 Nov 2017 |title=Electronic Arts Pulls Microtransactions From ‘Star Wars Battlefront II’ After Fan Backlash |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/electronic-arts-pulls-microtransactions-from-star-wars-battlefront-ii-after-fan-backlash-1510936871 |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=The Wall Street Journal |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251228182703/https://www.wsj.com/articles/electronic-arts-pulls-microtransactions-from-star-wars-battlefront-ii-after-fan-backlash-1510936871 |archive-date=28 Dec 2025}}</ref> 

===DRM===
EA holds the record for most pirated game with the title ''[[Spore (game)|Spore]],'' which was directly because of EA's use of ''[[SecuROM]]'', and was one of the earlier known titles to introduce always-online [[digital rights management]] (DRM).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Modern Vintage Gamer |date=25 Nov 2019 |title=SecuROM - The PC CD-ROM DRM that broke games {{!}} MVG |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8ltfyqD3lM |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=u8ltfyqD3lM |archive-date=17 Feb 2026}}</ref> Some releases of ''Mass Effect'' also used ''[[SecuROM]]'', and would instill excessive limits, such as a three-install limit that both could not be refunded by uninstalling and could only be increased through customer-service calls, and a recurring-validation system that required that the game have its activation code run every 10 days.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=8 May 2008 |title=Mass Effect, Spore To Use Recurring Validation |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/Mass-Effect-Spore-To-Use-Recurring-Validation/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=The Escapist |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251202160156/https://www.escapistmagazine.com/mass-effect-spore-to-use-recurring-validation/ |archive-date=2 Dec 2025}}</ref> While its use of SecuROM died off in the mid-2010s, the company merely switched to DRM that has been far worse for consumers, [[Denuvo]]. One significant EA title that has used this DRM is ''Star Wars: Jedi Survivor.x'' 

===''Spore''===
{{Hatnote|Further reading: ''[[Spore (game)]]''}}

''Spore'' retains a historical 1.7+ million pirated copies,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Molina |first=Andres |date=21 Jun 2024 |title=How many times was Spore pirated? |url=https://www.ncesc.com/gaming-pedia/how-many-times-was-spore-pirated/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=ncesc.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250414054642/https://www.ncesc.com/gaming-pedia/how-many-times-was-spore-pirated/ |archive-date=14 Apr 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Van der Sar |first=Ernesto |date=13 Sep 2008 |title=Spore: Most Pirated Game Ever Thanks to DRM |url=https://torrentfreak.com/spore-most-pirated-game-ever-thanks-to-drm-080913/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=TorrentFreak |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260130152354/https://torrentfreak.com/spore-most-pirated-game-ever-thanks-to-drm-080913/ |archive-date=30 Jan 2026}}</ref> directly related to EA's use of [[SecuROM]].<ref name=":0" /> In more recent years, ''Spore'''s server access was locked down to EA accounts,<ref name=":1">[https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=582350678 How to Connect to Spore Servers (Steam/GOG/EA App)] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260109104720/https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=582350678 Archived])</ref> mostly because of free [[Steam]] key exploit. This has led to various problems for legitimate consumers who wanted to play the iconic game and its sibling ''Darkspore,'' since according to guides,<ref name=":1" /> users could only have a singular install of the game on any device, were required to have an EA account using an alphanumeric password, and needed a CD key to redeem on the user's EA account. ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260109104720/https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=582350678 Archived])<ref>[https://support.gog.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002333209-Spore-How-to-get-access-to-online-features?product=gog Spore - How to get access to online features] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250802014736/https://support.gog.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002333209-Spore-How-to-get-access-to-online-features?product=gog Archived])</ref> This has brought concern among the community, leading to community-developed tools to circumvent these server problems.<ref>[https://sporecommunity.com/ Spore Community Hub] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260105100840/https://sporecommunity.com/ Archived])</ref>

===License exclusivity===
With various [[Intellectual property|intellectual properties]], from ''Star Wars''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dolen |first=Rob |date=15 Jan 2021 |title=EA No Longer Has Exclusive Rights to Star Wars, But Is It Too Late? |url=https://gamerant.com/ea-no-longer-star-wars-exclusive-publisher-lucasfilm-games-ubisoft-bethesda/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Game Rant |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251024210316/https://gamerant.com/ea-no-longer-star-wars-exclusive-publisher-lucasfilm-games-ubisoft-bethesda/ |archive-date=24 Oct 2025}}</ref> to the NFL, EA has created an artificial monopoly over large genres and major IP of the industry. Its exclusive licenses with various football organizations, such as the AFL and NFL, has resulted in an antitrust lawsuit against it.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20110510050257/http://www.aolcdn.com/tmz_documents/0611_nfl_ea_wm.pdf</ref> This lawsuit ended in a $600K settlement, but did not resolve the primary problems caused by EA's exclusive deals.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kuchera |first=Ben |date=13 Jun 2008 |title=Lawsuit flags EA for illegal procedure on football monopoly |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2008/06/lawsuit-flags-ea-for-illegal-procedure-on-football-monopoly/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=ArsTechnica |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251227210233/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2008/06/lawsuit-flags-ea-for-illegal-procedure-on-football-monopoly/ |archive-date=27 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kravets |first=David |date=28 Jun 2016 |title=EA punts, gives $600k to former football star in Madden NFL rights flap |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/06/ea-punts-gives-600k-to-former-football-star-in-madden-nfl-rights-flap/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=ArsTechnica |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260208100019/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/06/ea-punts-gives-600k-to-former-football-star-in-madden-nfl-rights-flap/ |archive-date=8 Feb 2026}}</ref> NCAA players brought additional lawsuits against EA, alleging that it was not authorized to use their likeness in its games. These suits were also settled out of court.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eder |first=Steve |date=26 Sep 2016 |title=E.A. Sports Settles Lawsuit With College Athletes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/27/sports/ncaafootball/ea-sports-wont-make-college-video-game-in-2014.html?_r=0 |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=The New York Times |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251221151143/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/27/sports/ncaafootball/ea-sports-wont-make-college-video-game-in-2014.html?_r=0 |archive-date=21 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref>http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/writer/dennis-dodd/23859858/ea-sports-settles-likeness-suits-thousands-of-current-former-players-eligible-for-money ([http://web.archive.org/web/20160507131507/http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/writer/dennis-dodd/23859858/ea-sports-settles-likeness-suits-thousands-of-current-former-players-eligible-for-money Archived])</ref>

===Buyouts and closures===
In order for EA to hold its high position, it has been known to buy out its competition.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stebbins |first=Samuel |last2=Comen |first2=Evan |last3=Sauter |first3=Michael B. |last4=Stockdale |first4=Charles |date=1 Feb 2018 |title=Bad reputation: America’s Top 20 most-hated companies |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2018/02/01/bad-reputation-americas-top-20-most-hated-companies/1058718001/ |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230013406/https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2018/02/01/bad-reputation-americas-top-20-most-hated-companies/1058718001/ |archive-date=30 Dec 2019 |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Usa Today}}</ref> Often, this has led to the detriment of the companies they buy out,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hsu |first=Tiffany |date=4 Apr 2012 |title=Electronic Arts: ‘Worst company in America’? Consumerist says yes |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2012-apr-04-la-fi-mo-electronic-arts-worst-company-consumerist-20120404-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251227051302/https://www.latimes.com/business/la-xpm-2012-apr-04-la-fi-mo-electronic-arts-worst-company-consumerist-20120404-story.html |archive-date=27 Dec 2025}}</ref> and by extension, the media which they release. A historical example, Westwood Studios, which pioneered the RTS genre with the ''Command & Conquer'' series, was shut down about five years after its purchase by EA, and its notable franchise was left abandoned years later, with entries either delisted or broken after GameSpy-based DRM were broken circa 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maiberg |first=Emanuel |date=8 Apr 2014 |title=Reddit compiles terrifying list of games affected by GameSpy shutdown |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/reddit-compiles-terrifying-list-of-games-affected-by-gamespy-shutdown/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=PCGamer |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251213064431/https://www.pcgamer.com/reddit-compiles-terrifying-list-of-games-affected-by-gamespy-shutdown/ |archive-date=13 Dec 2025}}</ref> While its habit of buying and closing studios has thinned since 2008, it similarly closed Visceral Games, the developer of ''Dead Space,'' in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fingas |first=Jon |date=18 Oct 2017 |title=EA shuts down the studio behind 'Dead Space' |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017-10-17-ea-shuts-down-visceral-games.html |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=endgadget |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251003042709/https://www.engadget.com/2017-10-17-ea-shuts-down-visceral-games.html |archive-date=3 Oct 2025}}</ref>

===Switching to in-house kernel-level anti-cheat after purchase===
{{Main|EA moves to in-house kernel-level anti-cheat on PC after purchase}}

EA has implemented a change to the anti-cheat of several games after release including: EA SPORTS WRC, Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2, Battlefield 2042, Battlefield V, and Battlefield 1. This change breaks the ability to play the game, even after purchase, on older [[Windows]] versions and alternative operating systems to Windows including Linux and SteamOS. EA refuses to give you a refund for these games.

===Shutting down Anthem===
{{Main|Anthem server shutdown}}
On 3 July, 2025, EA announced that the Anthem servers would be sunset on 12 January, 2026. Since the game was designed to require connection to the Anthem servers, the game would become unplayable following the shutdown of the servers. According to the terms of service that all consumers must agree to in order to play the game, this action by EA to revoke the purchase from the consumer is legal and permissible so long as 30 days notice was provided.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ELECTRONIC ARTS USER AGREEMENT |url=https://tos.ea.com/legalapp/WEBTERMS/US/en/PC/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260118092421/http://tos.ea.com/legalapp/WEBTERMS/US/en/PC/ |archive-date=18 Jan 2026|access-date=2025-08-16 |website=tos.ea.com}}</ref>

On 12 January, 2026, the servers were shut down to the dismay of many.<ref name=":03">{{Cite web |last=Shepard |first=Kenneth |date=2026-01-13 |title=7 Years Later, BioWare's Anthem Is Dead But It'll Never Be Forgotten |url=https://kotaku.com/anthem-server-shutdown-final-hours-videos-clips-stream-2000659367 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-14 |website=Kotaku |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260114200220/https://kotaku.com/anthem-server-shutdown-final-hours-videos-clips-stream-2000659367 |archive-date=14 Jan 2026}}</ref>

===Battlefield 6===
{{Main|EA requires open beta players of battlefield 6 to change their motherboard bios settings}}
The open beta of Battlefield 6 imposes strict requirements on the computer hardware people use to play the game, which caused discontent among the player base.

==Positive incidents==

===Release of Command & Conquer source code (2025)===
{{Main|EA releases source code of classic command and conquer titles}}
In February 2025, EA worked with C&C community members to open source four Command & Conquer games under the GPLv3 license, in a move widely celebrated by the gaming community.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Feb 2025 |title=EA Open Sources Command and Conquer: Red Alert, along with other games |url=https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43197131 |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=HackerNews |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708165349/https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43197131 |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rudra |first=Sourav |date=28 Feb 2025 |title=Unbelievable! EA Open Sources 4 Command & Conquer Games |url=https://news.itsfoss.com/ea-open-source-cc-games/ |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=It's FOSS News |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250811112138/https://news.itsfoss.com/ea-open-source-cc-games/ |archive-date=11 Aug 2025}}</ref> Despite this good measure, the only content available to consumers via these repositories is exclusively the code, and the only way to compile the source code continues to require ownership of a copy of the respective Command & Conquer in order to supply any assets. If any entry in the series were to be delisted again, their respective source code repository is rendered moot for anyone who did not already hold a license.

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

Consumer Rights Wiki talk:Moderators' noticeboard

2026-03-05T04:21:30Z

JamesTDG: /* How will the CRW approach April Fool's day? */ Reply

<div style="margin: {{#ifeq:{{{navbox|<noinclude>yes</noinclude>}}}|yes|2px}} 0 0.5em; padding: 0.5em; {{{style|border: 1px solid #A0A5AD;}}} {{{backgroundstyle|background-color: var(--background-color-progressive-subtle, #eaf3ff); color: inherit;}}}">
<div style="padding: 0.25em 0; text-align: center; font-size: 120%; border-radius: 3px; font-weight: bold; {{{titlestyle|background-color: var(--background-color-content-added, #aad1ff); color: inherit;}}}">Welcome — post issues of interest to Moderators</div>
*Post '''appeals''' to article notice templates (e.g. Incomplete, Stub, etc.)
*Post requests for '''moderator action''' here (e.g. blocks)
*Just need a mod? Post here or ping a mod with a question.
*Post any information or news relevant to the moderation team here.
*To request an article to be created, do not post here, try [[Article suggestions]] instead.
*Do not report technical issues here, please use the [[Consumer Rights Wiki talk:Bugs|Bugs noticeboard]] instead.

<div style="padding: 0.25em 0; text-align: center; font-size: 150%; border-radius: 3px; font-weight: bold">[[Special:NewSection/Consumer Rights Wiki talk:Moderators' noticeboard|Start a new section]]</div>
</div>
 
{{Archives}} 
==Open tasks==

*[[:Category:Articles with deletion requests]]
*[[:Category:Articles with merge requests]]
*[[:Category:Articles marked as irrelevant]]
*[[Special:NewPages]]

==stub notice bug==

I tried submitting my deletion req for [[FakePortal]] but get hit with "Stub notices can NOT be removed by users with normal privileges". Tried removing the unused infoboxes in [[WhatsApp]], [[GoGuardian]], [[Asus]] and [[Roblox]], and the same dice. w h y? [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 19:31, 12 January 2026 (UTC)

:I'll check this out now [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 18:19, 13 January 2026 (UTC)
::This seems to be a regular issue with the abuse filter [[Consumer_Rights_Wiki_talk:Bugs#How_do_you_edit_beginning_of_an_article_with_StubNotice?|which absolutely has been talked about before]]. It's very annoying and in my opinion we need some sort of edit request system or a new group given to users to bypass the filter, but for now I'll just check the abuse log and apply the edit manually myself. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 18:28, 13 January 2026 (UTC)
:The issue is when edits are made in-line with a stub notice, as (iirc) the filter checks for edits to the same line as the change [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 00:50, 20 January 2026 (UTC)
::the notice* [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 00:50, 20 January 2026 (UTC)
:::hey can this please be fixed? it's really damn annoying. removal of redundant infoboxes on [[Deep Cycle Systems]] and [[Allstate]] are triggering it [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 14:39, 25 January 2026 (UTC)
::::I can remove these now. It would be cool if a usergroup would dodge the filter. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 15:01, 25 January 2026 (UTC)
:::::yeah, I wonder if we should create a 'superconfirmed' group or something, which doesn't have the banning powers of a mod but can edit article notices. [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 00:19, 18 February 2026 (UTC)
::I had the same issue. Just noticed this section. [[User:Luigi2262|Luigi2262]] ([[User talk:Luigi2262|talk]]) 19:45, 25 February 2026 (UTC)
:::@[[User:Luigi2262|Luigi2262]] {{Done}} your edit! [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 20:38, 25 February 2026 (UTC)
::::Thank you. [[User:Luigi2262|Luigi2262]] ([[User talk:Luigi2262|talk]]) 20:45, 25 February 2026 (UTC)

==Idea for a new section==

An "Important" / "Must-Reads" / "Starter Pack" / "Essential Reading" section showing the most important articles to view for someone new to the Consumer Rights scene, or just someone unknowing.

Furthermore, the ability to rate an article. Perhaps as a way to show which matters are trending, because of many people having said problem with said device/service. Could be a "Saved me!", "Worked", "Didn't work", where "Saved me!" can only be used maybe once a day, to show which issues a not just trending, but very crucial. These ratings could help place relevant articles at the top of a second section within "Important"/Whatever.

These two sections would give users a place to scroll and skim through, to see if there are any matters relevant for them, like a random product they own, that they didn't know had a Consumer Rights issue.

Additionally; the ability to give pledges to article writers/editors. I'm not fully sure how it would work at the moment, but it would give people a way to support editors that produce important relevant articles. Perhaps the site could take a small cut, which both contributes to funding the server costs or the "legal fund" that Rossman mentioned, but also gives people a bigger incentive to pledge to editors, knowing that some of it goes to supporting the website and its users. [[User:Sebandar|Sebandar]] ([[User talk:Sebandar|talk]]) 19:57, 23 January 2026 (UTC)

:I would appreciate a pane with "must-reads" on the main page that highlights the articles with the widest spread effects and only includes well-written articles. Putting some articles in the same industry, like articles on Apple and Google's app store restrictions, would be especially effective, because it's nearly guaranteed that one of these applies to the reader. If you want to make a draft of this somewhere I would be down to help work on it.
:I like the article rating idea. I don't know how difficult it would be to add interactive content like this to the wiki, but it sounds like a good way to receive feedback. The only official way to receive feedback currently is on the talk pages but those are all pretty dead. Some prioritization on pageviews or feedback would be nice.
:On pledges, Wikipedia actually has something like this, it has a [[wikipedia:Wikipedia:Reward_board|reward board]] where users are offered barnstars or real money to improve articles, but it's not used very much. Most users seem to be offering up prizes only for the fun of doing so, not because it's particularly effective. If the content is relevant and/or interesting, someone probably is already working on it. I don't personally think this site needs an economy but if it were to be implemented, I think we should plug donations to FULU or other affiliated foundations on the main page and then have those foundations offer microgrants for editors. [[User:Bythmusters|Bythmusters]] ([[User talk:Bythmusters|talk]]) 16:02, 25 January 2026 (UTC)
::I'd probably agree with you that this isn't needed - creating an economy/bounty system is probably overkill, and unnecessarily complex at this stage. I think article ratings etc. are probably something best handled through the [[Projects:Hub|projects]] system, similar to how Wikipedia uses it for things like this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Molecular_Biology/Molecular_and_Cell_Biology . creating a project like that for each article type could be a pretty decent way of going about it? [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 12:57, 28 February 2026 (UTC)

==Form pages==

I made a change to [[Form:Company]] following Discord suggestion #181. I was going to add this to [[Form:Product]] and [[Form:ProductLine]] but these pages are protected.

So, I am requesting an edit to those two pages to replace "(supported file types = PNG|JPG)" with "(supported file types = JPG, PNG, SVG)" to represent the fact that SVGs are allowed, and also to admin-protect [[Form:Company]] since that's an important page. [[User:Bythmusters|Bythmusters]] ([[User talk:Bythmusters|talk]]) 13:13, 25 January 2026 (UTC)

==“Summaries” of articles==

I'd like to propose an idea that I think would help people read articles in a rush. Add a box at the top of all long pages (e.g. [[YouTube]], or all that aren't stubs or marked as incomplete) that summarises the article (the incidents the company has been involved in, what it does, etc) in a couple of sentences. Let me know what you think. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 15:17, 25 January 2026 (UTC)

:What makes this different from a lead paragraph? Would you replace the lead paragraph entirely with this template or would it be a complementary resource with links to related company/product/theme articles? You could link to categories/other articles there. I think categories on wikis in general are overlooked by most readers and putting them at the top sounds interesting. [[User:Bythmusters|Bythmusters]] ([[User talk:Bythmusters|talk]]) 16:07, 25 January 2026 (UTC)

==InfoboxCompany to CargoCompany cleanup part 2==

The companies have all been moved over now, the only [https://consumerrights.wiki/w/Special:WhatLinksHere?target=Template%3AInfoboxCompany&namespace=&limit=50 places that InfoboxCompany exist in] are in some documentation out of main namespace and on these pages where they were placed on the same line as a notice:
[[AirAsia]], [[Deep Cycle Systems]], [[Allstate]], [[Happiest Baby]], [[Verisk Analytics, Inc.]], [[DAZN]], [[Federal Communications Commission]], [[Anova Culinary]], [[Sig Sauer]], [[RepairShopr]]

Converting InfoboxProductLine and finding more pages without infoboxes or cargo... sometime. [[User:Bythmusters|Bythmusters]] ([[User talk:Bythmusters|talk]]) 15:44, 25 January 2026 (UTC)

:Still need these removed if anyone has 5 minutes:
:[[AirAsia]], [[Allstate]], [[Happiest Baby]], [[Verisk Analytics, Inc.]], [[DAZN]], [[Federal Communications Commission]] [[User:Bythmusters|Bythmusters]] ([[User talk:Bythmusters|talk]]) 19:51, 29 January 2026 (UTC)
::{{Done}}. Sorry for taking so long. It'd be nice if there was a usergroup that could dodge all the edit filters. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 20:07, 7 February 2026 (UTC)

==Color scheme==

The main Sitenotice text is nearly the same color as the link inside of it, making it hard to distinguish where the link is if you haven't clicked the link yet. A larger contrast would be nice, since the notice is going to be up for another 25 days or so. https://consumerrights.wiki/index.php?title=MediaWiki:Sitenotice&action=edit

This also applies to most of the main page, blue/muddy purple on blue doesn't look the best, but that's a larger undertaking. If the main page is up for redesign it would be nice to take the color contrast into consideration. [[User:Bythmusters|Bythmusters]] ([[User talk:Bythmusters|talk]]) 16:15, 25 January 2026 (UTC)

:I've simply made it black and white, although I don't think it is entirely fixed it. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 17:39, 26 January 2026 (UTC)
::Please can nobody amend the theme or any elements currently, I am restyling the website. [[User:JakeL|JakeL]] ([[User talk:JakeL|talk]]) 17:41, 26 January 2026 (UTC)
:::Oh, sorry. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 17:57, 26 January 2026 (UTC)
:::Looks great, and has nice contrast! [[User:Bythmusters|Bythmusters]] ([[User talk:Bythmusters|talk]]) 18:56, 26 January 2026 (UTC)
::::Thank you! Still somewhat of a work in progress, but definitely a significant improvement over the previous version. [[User:JakeL|JakeL]] ([[User talk:JakeL|talk]]) 18:59, 26 January 2026 (UTC)
:::::Yeah, I like it too! As an idea, make the borders rounded like the original one. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 07:52, 27 January 2026 (UTC)
::::::No worries, all done! [[User:JakeL|JakeL]] ([[User talk:JakeL|talk]]) 19:09, 27 January 2026 (UTC)
:::::::Wow, this looks amazing now. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 07:30, 28 January 2026 (UTC)

==Template troubles==

So, a lot of the articles with [[Template:Incomplete]] and cargo templates that display a box (any but IncidentCargo) have big foreheads right now (see a list of articles with Incomplete [https://consumerrights.wiki/index.php?title=Special:WhatLinksHere/Template:Incomplete&limit=100 here]). I did some testing, the Incomplete template itself doesn't have a trailing newline, and none of the cargos have a preceding newline. A <nowiki> </nowiki><nowiki></nowiki> is being added by the parser when the two are put together, and only when they are not on the same line. I've also seen this in the wild with [[Template:SloppyAI]] and with [[Template:Welcome]] on new user talk pages. Welcome should be a simple edit fix since it's not combined with other templates, but it seems that anytime templates are combined, they must be put on the same line or they will introduce an unintended newline. You can see an instance of Incomplete and SloppyAI together causing problems on [[Samsung TVs]].

Many Wikipedia pages have several templates next to each other without this problem, for example see [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2025%E2%80%932026_Iranian_protests&oldid=1334922628 2025-2026 Iranian protests]. So the problem is solvable in MediaWiki, but I don't know how much work is required to do so. According to [[:Category:Todo]], over 700 articles have these banners, which is the majority of the wiki.

If other people think it's important too, I can work on this, but I don't know how to compare this wiki's configuration against stuff in the MediaWiki documentation. [[User:Bythmusters|Bythmusters]] ([[User talk:Bythmusters|talk]]) 13:35, 26 January 2026 (UTC)

:Oh yeah, some junk from my experimenting that we should delete once the problem is resolved: [[User:Bythmusters/templatetesting]], [[Qwerty]] [[User:Bythmusters|Bythmusters]] ([[User talk:Bythmusters|talk]]) 13:37, 26 January 2026 (UTC)
::Do you mean the top has more height than the rest of the box? I'm not entirely sure what you are talking about. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 16:42, 26 January 2026 (UTC)
:::Also, the Wiki's main config can be seen at [[MediaWiki:Common.css]] and [[MediaWiki:Common.js]], where all the css and js that you see the moment you load a page is at. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 17:34, 26 January 2026 (UTC)
:::So, let's compare these two versions:
:::https://consumerrights.wiki/index.php?title=User:Bythmusters/templatetesting&oldid=35089
:::https://consumerrights.wiki/index.php?title=User:Bythmusters/templatetesting&oldid=35091
:::There is an additional newline between the bottom of the template and the beginning of the article text. The only difference in the source text is:
:::<nowiki>"{\{Incomplete}}{\{ProductLineCargo"</nowiki>
:::vs:
:::<nowiki>"{\{Incomplete}}</nowiki>
:::{\{ProductLineCargo"
:::In the second one, there's a newline to separate the templates, as it's more natural to read in the source editor this way. Wikipedia articles do not render this newline, but CRW does. That is my issue, it takes up a lot of space on the screen.
:::Thanks for the links, I read through the Common.css and Common.js of this wiki and Wikipedia but I didn't see anything relevant. I think it's in the parser, where the mediawiki text gets converted into html but I don't know enough about this stuff to be sure. [[User:Bythmusters|Bythmusters]] ([[User talk:Bythmusters|talk]]) 18:53, 26 January 2026 (UTC)
::::Ah, okay. Reread your previous post and now feel like an idiot for not understanding. I don't know how to fix that if it's the parser. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 07:33, 28 January 2026 (UTC)
:::::Yeah idk it's probably not worth the trouble to fix. I like learning about mediawiki but not that much [[User:Bythmusters|Bythmusters]] ([[User talk:Bythmusters|talk]]) 15:55, 28 January 2026 (UTC)

==Feedback on changes to sidebar appearance and arrangement==

*I suggest renaming the "Tools" section for the web browser addon to something else to differentiate it from the wiki tools. I also recommend moving it to the way bottom, at least until it's ready for prime time, since it makes wiki editors have to scroll further to reach the wiki tools than previously.

*An option to hide the mini-list of recent changes and restore the single line "Recent Changes" for the original minimalist design.
**<strike>As an addendum: The font size of said mini-list is not consistent with the font size used both throughout the sidebar and the wiki itself, making it stand out like a sore thumb.</strike>

*An option to hide the community section for those of us that refuse to ever use [[Discord]]. I'd rather have a native choice available instead of resorting to a browser addon to remove it.

''(Note: Feedback is based on using Firefox v147.0.2 and the wiki skin "Vector legacy (2010)".)'' — [[User:Sojourna|Sojourna]] ([[User talk:Sojourna|talk]]) 21:32, 30 January 2026 (UTC)

:I’ve mentioned already that Vector legacy (2010) hasn’t been worked on yet, as most users are on Vector 2022 where these changes have been applied. The examples you listed aren’t present on the current default skin. I’d appreciate your patience while I get round to updating the legacy variant. In the meantime, I’ve resolved the issue where discussion tabs and similar tabs were hidden. [[User:JakeL|JakeL]] ([[User talk:JakeL|talk]]) 22:51, 30 January 2026 (UTC)

::Respectfully, I find your response confusing. What I bring up here is a separate matter from [[Consumer_Rights_Wiki_talk:Bugs#Page_tabs_hidden|my bug report]], and I posted ''only'' after first waiting a couple days and checked the default skin before-hand. I've struck out the one line since apparently it wasn't intentional like I had thought (and it had affected both legacy and default skins for the record), but otherwise my general feedback is unchanged.

::I appreciate the work you do on the wiki and thank you for fixing the bugged page tabs. — [[User:Sojourna|Sojourna]] ([[User talk:Sojourna|talk]]) 02:22, 11 February 2026 (UTC)
:::I understand that the feedback here is separate from the bug report, though I’m also a little confused: the default skin does not show the duplicated Tools section that the legacy version does, so I’m not sure how it would be confused with the wiki tools. It’s also already at the very bottom on the default skin. As for the other suggestions about hiding certain areas, I can look into those, but it won’t be a short-term fix. I appreciate the feedback and the kind words! [[User:JakeL|JakeL]] ([[User talk:JakeL|talk]]) 19:14, 11 February 2026 (UTC)

==What should this image be licensed under?==

This [[:Category:Suspected copyright violations|image I archived]] for Age Verification, I selected as "without permission" since I didn't see they licensed it under CC BY 4.0 at the time - yet the site rejected both IA and archive.today, which felt like they held the copyright. How should the content be tagged? (I

On another note, if you go to the [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563217303357 site of the reference] and click "View PDF", after solving a Cloudflare "are you human" it grants access to the full pdf which has "© 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)." as the footer of the first page. I wonder if that's the better way to go about archiving this reference.

Probably could have worded this better, thanks for your time. [[User:Raster|Raster]] ([[User talk:Raster|talk]]) 02:59, 2 February 2026 (UTC)

:I've deleted it while we figure out copyright status of this. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 16:35, 3 February 2026 (UTC)
::It seems to exist on the IA [https://web.archive.org/web/20190203021620/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563217303357 here]. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 16:37, 3 February 2026 (UTC)
:::Unfortunately that snapshot only has the Abstract. I'm not the one that added the particular source, but it (may) be sufficient enough to add as an archive link for that particular source (talking about the [[Age Verification]] article in case anyone's confused), so I've gone and done so. Thanks for your input. [[User:Raster|Raster]] ([[User talk:Raster|talk]]) 04:34, 4 February 2026 (UTC)
::This can be safely undeleted. The copyright symbol is sometimes used for partial copyright (which Creative Commons is). A more suitable symbol would have been the "(cc)" (creative commons) symbol, but it is not a dedicated unicode character like "©". The document itself says it is Creative Commons, not "all rights reserved", so I see no reason not to undelete it. [[User:JodyBruchonFan|JodyBruchonFan]] ([[User talk:JodyBruchonFan|talk]]) 22:51, 4 February 2026 (UTC)

==Appeal Request==

On the article regarding [[Restaurant Brands International caught training AI models using customer voices|Restaurant Brand International]], I think that the source credibility issue lacks merit and should be removed, as I don't see how it could be lacking in source credibility due to (in my opinion) additional evidence backup with images and detail breakthrough of the event that would classify it as being trustworthy? Would like some thoughts and comments around this, very confused. [[User:SquidthePlummer|SquidthePlummer]] ([[User talk:SquidthePlummer|talk]]) 23:45, 13 February 2026 (UTC)

:Mr Pollo often does tagging like that, pinging @[[User:Mr Pollo|Mr Pollo]] for thoughts here. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 18:01, 14 February 2026 (UTC)
::Also, incomplete is often simply used for a short article, although it doesnt specify it in the notice. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 18:02, 14 February 2026 (UTC)
:Hello, I added the incomplete template to that article for two main reasons: aspects such as the Background section can be expanded into a paragraph and a "consumer response" section as seen [[Template:IncidentPreload|here]] would greatly benefit the article. So far it is a good article, but it can be better with my suggestions. [[User:Mr Pollo|Mr Pollo]] ([[User talk:Mr Pollo|talk]]) 20:47, 16 February 2026 (UTC)
::Now i see. I think that's fair and i agree! Thank you for clearing some things up, will definitely work on it as soon as I get the chance! [[User:SquidthePlummer|SquidthePlummer]] ([[User talk:SquidthePlummer|talk]]) 20:56, 16 February 2026 (UTC)
:::Of course, thank you as well for your contributions! [[User:Mr Pollo|Mr Pollo]] ([[User talk:Mr Pollo|talk]]) 21:05, 16 February 2026 (UTC)
::::No problem! it should be good now when you have the time to check, please let me know of any addition problems~@[[User:Mr Pollo|Mr Pollo]] [[User:SquidthePlummer|SquidthePlummer]] ([[User talk:SquidthePlummer|talk]]) 23:49, 17 February 2026 (UTC)
:::::forgot to add that regarding your previous comment on if you rule and welcome really happened, yes and I can confirm with screenshots or whatever necessary for whatever link you couldn't access. [[User:SquidthePlummer|SquidthePlummer]] ([[User talk:SquidthePlummer|talk]]) 00:02, 18 February 2026 (UTC)
::::::I've removed the notice! [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 00:17, 18 February 2026 (UTC)
:::::The article looks good, didn’t notice any new problems. Nice work! [[User:Mr Pollo|Mr Pollo]] ([[User talk:Mr Pollo|talk]]) 14:20, 18 February 2026 (UTC)

==Archive.today weaponising PCs into causing DDoS attacks==

Hello, I just wanted to bring up the fact that Archive.today has recently decided to DDoS a random blog using people visiting their site (without them even realising) because they disliked a page on it. This doesn't exactly make me very happy with using the service for archiving links if they willingly do things like that. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 15:11, 19 February 2026 (UTC)

:That is concerning, afaik it's basically just run by one person so that's always a risk factor. Internet archive still has the issue of being pretty compliant when faced with DMCA takedowns, but at least it's a bit more of an institution...
:Do you think we should pull it as a recommended archive site over this? does result in a bit of a single-point-of-failure with IA. [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 15:17, 19 February 2026 (UTC)
::Maybe wait it out for a little while, see what Wikipedia does, and then copy them? from the looks of it there's a lot of discussion going on about it over there. [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 15:25, 19 February 2026 (UTC)
:::https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Requests_for_comment/Archive.is_RFC_5 [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 15:26, 19 February 2026 (UTC)
::::Seems like a good plan. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 15:36, 19 February 2026 (UTC)
:::::It's been closed as deprecate archive.today. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 08:05, 20 February 2026 (UTC)
::::::As the saying goes, "This is informative, and unfortunate".
::::::My main concern with IA is its aging maintainers (which I can no longer verify on the site), but this does seem to be a more pressing issue. Will look into re-archiving pages I've done in the past. [[User:Raster|Raster]] ([[User talk:Raster|talk]]) 09:34, 20 February 2026 (UTC)
:::::::This seems extremely far fetched, but I'd like if the FULU Foundation themselves could make an archiving service. This sounds ridiculous but just putting it out there in case it is possible. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 10:24, 20 February 2026 (UTC)
::::::::Pulled it from the recommended archiving lists, @[[User:Keith|Keith]] you can change it back if you disagree. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 10:28, 20 February 2026 (UTC) Edit: Was a bit hasty of me, I've reinstated it with a warning. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 12:53, 20 February 2026 (UTC)
::::::::we have considered self-hosting an archivebox instance or similar, with the ability to create archive pages locked behind a confirmed wiki account. Cost wise (including the time cost of setup and maintenance), it's feasible but not ideal, so i wouldn't count on it happening unless things really go to shit with the big archivers. [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 01:35, 22 February 2026 (UTC)
:::::::::OK, actually looking through and reading the reasons given for the consensus view, I'd be happy to adopt it, and will un-undo your edits and just take it off, leaving an explanation.
:::::::::the fact that the maintainer has been credibly alleged to have altered the content of sites hosted there is the biggest concern for me, as having a reliable record is kind of the whole point.
:::::::::going to @[[User:Banana|Banana]] here to see this discussion since he's been working on an archive bot for citations. [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 01:41, 22 February 2026 (UTC)
::::::::::I've created [[Special:AbuseFilter/14]] for links. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 15:33, 22 February 2026 (UTC)
::::::::I agree with this. but being a US org wouldn't they also be mandated to honor the DMCA? and hence have the same issues as IA? idk much abt the hosting aspect of it but many shadow sites exist that do not at all honor the DMCA. [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 16:03, 22 February 2026 (UTC)
:::::::::From what I've seen they've done malicious things like making seperate web crawlers that do the same thing to make it harder to block it and also not honoring the DMCA which from my understanding has gotten them into legal issues. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 16:20, 22 February 2026 (UTC)
:thanks for letting us know! will definetly be using alternative means of archiving for now on! [[User:SquidthePlummer|SquidthePlummer]] ([[User talk:SquidthePlummer|talk]]) 02:43, 21 February 2026 (UTC)

==banning Discord from citations==

[[OpenAI#cite_ref-5]] is a Discord link. As a non user of Discord I cannot see what has been cited. people should not be required to create an account to view the source of a claim. [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 16:11, 22 February 2026 (UTC)

:Agreed. Ive removed it. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 16:26, 22 February 2026 (UTC)

==[[special:AbuseFilter/14]]==

Hi, can someone with good knowledge of the abuse filter code fix or tell me how to fix this? [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 21:06, 22 February 2026 (UTC)

:I've fixed this and it's now working [[User:JakeL|JakeL]] ([[User talk:JakeL|talk]]) 03:08, 25 February 2026 (UTC)
::Thanks! [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 06:13, 25 February 2026 (UTC)

==Is Bloatware still a stub?==

[[Bloatware|This article]] seems less of a stub compared to [[Ad block]] [[User:Rudxain|Rudxain]] ([[User talk:Rudxain|talk]]) 23:59, 23 February 2026 (UTC)

:Unsure on this one. I don't think any mods passed by it and tagged that one, so I've tagged Ad block now. I'm leaning to de-stub it but I'm still not entirely sure. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 17:11, 24 February 2026 (UTC)

==Potential website bug==

I made my new page (unlocking technology act of 2013) on mobile, where I could not use the shortcut to make proper references according to Rossmann's guide video, so I had just included links to the sources used instead. I got back here on a computer and attempted to fix them, but I ran into a problem. I had previously added a stub notice to my article. While I did not attempt to remove the stub notice in my edits while fixing the references, I still got the message that I could not remove the notice, and it would not accept my edit. I cannot fix the article as things are. [[User:Luigi2262|Luigi2262]] ([[User talk:Luigi2262|talk]]) 03:28, 25 February 2026 (UTC)

:The wiki has always had the irritating behavior of a notice tag (whether Incomplete, Stub, etc.) forbidding any in-line editing, even if it's only to place a page's cargo template on a new line separate from the tag.
:And I know you've already commented under the [[Consumer Rights Wiki talk:Moderators' noticeboard#stub notice bug|stub notice bug]] discussion, but I figure it'll be good to make note here as well. — [[User:Sojourna|Sojourna]] ([[User talk:Sojourna|talk]]) 06:18, 27 February 2026 (UTC)

==What should I do once my article is finished==

Should I leave it in that place <nowiki>https://consumerrights.wiki/w/User:%5E%26*/Digital_Ownership_Superact</nowiki>? [[User:^&*|^&*]] ([[User talk:^&*|talk]]) 18:09, 27 February 2026 (UTC)

:Oh yes this link https://consumerrights.wiki/index.php?title=Digital_Ownership_Superact&redirect=no, this link is there to fix the broken redirect left (SixenTitan did that iirc) I have done the article what should I do? [[User:^&*|^&*]] ([[User talk:^&*|talk]]) 19:27, 27 February 2026 (UTC)
::as [[Digital Ownership Superact]] already exists I could not move [[User:^&*/Digital Ownership Superact]] to it. idk how articles are merged or supplanted or if I have such perms. but what I can do is copy over the content which I did. [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 23:06, 27 February 2026 (UTC)
:::Thank you! [[User:^&*|^&*]] ([[User talk:^&*|talk]]) 23:18, 27 February 2026 (UTC)

==May I ask are you going to transition from Discord to Matrix (Not the movie)?==

Just another genuine question. Sorry to bother you.

https://matrix.org/ [[User:^&*|^&*]] ([[User talk:^&*|talk]]) 19:37, 27 February 2026 (UTC)

:[[User_talk:Keith#alternative_to_Discord]] this might intrigue you [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 22:59, 27 February 2026 (UTC)
::Thanks for that too [[User:^&*|^&*]] ([[User talk:^&*|talk]]) 23:19, 27 February 2026 (UTC)
:We might be doing this. There is discussion on what’s going to happen if privacy stuff continues to occur with discord. Rest assured though that staff will keep everyone informed. Thanks for bringing this up and please let us know if you need anything else. - [[User:Atsumari|Atsumari]] ([[User talk:Atsumari|talk]]) 23:49, 28 February 2026 (UTC)

==Yum! relevance appeal==

the person that marked it irrelevant did it so w the justification of "because subject doesn't seem to be relevant to cases of "new" consumer exploitation". are incidents from 2014 really irrelevant? if so we got a lot of onions to chop [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 23:14, 27 February 2026 (UTC)

:{{done}} [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 17:09, 28 February 2026 (UTC)

==Discord tone appeal==

Hi, on 13 September 2025 [https://consumerrights.wiki/index.php?title=Discord&oldid=24510 Beanie Bo put a tone notice] on [[Discord]]. It's been some time since then, so does the ToS and Privacy Policy still need to be described instead of in bullet point? What other things could be improved in clearing the tone warning? (if any)? Thanks. [[User:Raster|Raster]] ([[User talk:Raster|talk]]) 05:11, 28 February 2026 (UTC)

:I’ll get this flagged to Keith so we can review this internally - [[User:Atsumari|Atsumari]] ([[User talk:Atsumari|talk]]) 23:46, 28 February 2026 (UTC)
:I think as you say the main issues relate to the bullet pointed sections; mainly there are phrases like 'broad rights', which are both unhelpful and potentially misleading depending on how the reader interprets it. I'd say a shortening of the consumer impact summary, and the addition of a full section on its terms of service is probably sensible.
:I also removed the section on vague moderation as it really didn't have good enough citations to support its inclusion.
:I do think it's in a decent enough state to probably not need the tone warning however, and so I've taken it off.
:thanks @[[User:Atsumari|Atsumari]] for pinging me! [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 00:42, 1 March 2026 (UTC)

==can I get mod?==

the title's a half joke. can sm1 revert [[Talk:Razer]] to [https://consumerrights.wiki/index.php?title=Talk:Razer&oldid=36825 this] version? a rando replaced the topic alongside the discussion with a summarized line cuz they thought it was the article itself. I wasn't able to revert cuz of this. [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 06:11, 28 February 2026 (UTC)

{{Done}} [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 17:07, 28 February 2026 (UTC)

==May I ask where do I place it?==

I dont mind if need placing at a different website, but where should this article be placed at?
https://consumerrights.wiki/w/Digital_Ownership_Superact [[User:^&*|^&*]] ([[User talk:^&*|talk]]) 23:51, 28 February 2026 (UTC)

:Not in a rude way ofc [[User:^&*|^&*]] ([[User talk:^&*|talk]]) 23:53, 28 February 2026 (UTC)
::Since it not formal like rest of the wiki; where do I place it? (Look at the edit history) [[User:^&*|^&*]] ([[User talk:^&*|talk]]) 23:54, 28 February 2026 (UTC)
:::I've been following this discussion, I've just tried the move to your user now and it worked. No idea why it didn't work for Keith. It is now at [[User:^&*/Digital Ownership Superact]]. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 20:26, 1 March 2026 (UTC)
::::Thanks [[User:^&*|^&*]] ([[User talk:^&*|talk]]) 21:32, 1 March 2026 (UTC)

==Some Thoughts???==

I'm currently working on this [[Shell|article]], and i am having difficulty deciding on what to do with a 1990-1996 incident the company was involved in with the Nigerian Government. To keep it short, the company collaborated with the Nigerian Government after protest of the company environmental damage, creating the Internal Security Task Force (ISTF) with the sole purpose of serving Shell "community en-devours"that resulting in rape, killings, torture, and execution of protestors and Nigerian's. The company would frequently have meetings with the Nigerian government, encouraging the killings and rewarding the higher officials and police officers with meals, cash, and transportation. (sorry if i get some of this wrong)

I would like some thoughts around this incident to decide on what i should do? I was thinking creating an incident and putting an disclaimer similar to the article disclaimer shown [[Shell|here]], as this incident doesn't really delve into a product or service per-se, more of an incident about human rights abuses and market control. @[[User:Keith|Keith]]

Here is one big source of reference i plan on using: https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/AFR44/7393/2017/en/

[[User:SquidthePlummer|SquidthePlummer]] ([[User talk:SquidthePlummer|talk]]) 06:52, 2 March 2026 (UTC)

:I'm not entirely sure if human rights issues are even allowed in the first place. Sure, it's absolutely horrible, but I'm not sure if it's in scope. We'll see what Keith says anyway. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 07:33, 2 March 2026 (UTC)
::torn on this one. it's done in service of market control etc., but it certainly seems like a issue more adjacent to worker abuses or environmental damage which are out-of-scope (and also it's being done in service of securing supply rather than securing demand). maybe could be mentioned off-hand as context for something else (e.g. demonstrating that they have capability/track record of working in that way), with a link to the relevant wikipedia page, but I don't think it makes sense to have a full page for it on the wiki. I assume Wikipedia has it pretty well documented? [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 11:02, 2 March 2026 (UTC)
:::I looked on Wikipedia and I couldn't find any reference to the incident. I think mentioning it off-hand as additional context is a good idea, maybe with it being implemented with something like this [[Chevron|article]] (on chevron killing protestors part) and acting as a summary of the incident and not its whole article. [[User:SquidthePlummer|SquidthePlummer]] ([[User talk:SquidthePlummer|talk]]) 14:14, 2 March 2026 (UTC)
::::never-mind, found it https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Movement_for_the_Survival_of_the_Ogoni_People#Saro-Wiwa_v [[User:SquidthePlummer|SquidthePlummer]] ([[User talk:SquidthePlummer|talk]]) 20:38, 2 March 2026 (UTC)

==How will the CRW approach April Fool's day?==

Hi, April Fool's day is next month and I don't want to initiate a discussion too late, so how would we approach it? My idea is 1) no jokes in articles, no exceptions and 2) clearly mark all jokes when they occur (I've made [[Template:April fools]] for this purpose). [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 19:57, 2 March 2026 (UTC)

:If my science textbook in school gave me a QR code that ends up rickrolling me I think I'll spend longer than 1 day being distracted about it... lol
:In my opinion they should be contained within user pages and other types of pages the common person never visits, like having it as an extra link under Wiki policy or something. It would be really bad if someone in power happens to see it the one day they get told to visit a page on the wiki. Just my two cents... but then again I'm pretty biased against the day anyway [[User:Raster|Raster]] ([[User talk:Raster|talk]]) 06:56, 3 March 2026 (UTC)
::I don't even think we should have it under a link on Wiki policy, just silently add it with thr correct template the correct people internally will see it via recent changes. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 07:08, 3 March 2026 (UTC)
:Honestly, I don't think we will be doing one this year. [[User:JamesTDG|JamesTDG]] ([[User talk:JamesTDG|talk]]) 07:29, 3 March 2026 (UTC)
::Was there one last year? I don't think there was. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 07:36, 3 March 2026 (UTC)
:::There definitely wasn't. [[User:JamesTDG|JamesTDG]] ([[User talk:JamesTDG|talk]]) 08:29, 3 March 2026 (UTC)
::::I've deleted the template. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 16:10, 3 March 2026 (UTC)
:::::Might be worth undeleting it... Louis came up with an idea for an April Fools, based on that Norwegian enshittification video from the other day. Basic concept is to enshittify the wiki (maybe just the main page, and with an off button, of course) for a day. I fully agree with no jokes in articles - that's just a pain to keep track of and undo, and could damage credibility if done without good taste. [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 10:33, 4 March 2026 (UTC)
::::::I have had my ideas, but I'll keep them secret for now. I'll undelete it. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 15:54, 4 March 2026 (UTC)
::::::we could prob use the trollface as the wiki logo at least [[User:JamesTDG|JamesTDG]] ([[User talk:JamesTDG|talk]]) 04:21, 5 March 2026 (UTC)

Consumer Rights Wiki talk:Moderators' noticeboard

2026-03-03T08:29:48Z

JamesTDG: /* How will the CRW approach April Fool's day? */ Reply

Consumer Rights Wiki talk:Moderators' noticeboard

2026-03-03T07:29:04Z

JamesTDG: /* How will the CRW approach April Fool's day? */ Reply

Nintendo Switch bans

2026-02-22T06:43:53Z

JamesTDG: Related articles section

{{OngoingEvent}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Nintendo
|StartDate=
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=
|Product=
|ArticleType=
|Type=
|Description=
}}
With the release of the [[Nintendo Switch|''Nintendo Switch 2'']], ''[[Nintendo]]'' has already exercised rights it reserved back in early May 2025.<ref name="EULAMain">{{Cite web |title=Nintendo Account User Agreement |url=https://accounts.nintendo.com/term/eula/US?lang=en-US |access-date=May 15, 2025 |website=Nintendo Accounts}}</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>

== Related articles ==
Incidents:

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

Game companies:

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

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

Sony Playstation hardware bans from online services

2026-02-22T06:42:29Z

JamesTDG: Related articles section

{{Incomplete}}
{{Tone}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Sony
|StartDate=2011
|EndDate=2025
|Status=Active
|ProductLine=Gaming consoles
|Product=Playstation, Playstation 4, Plastation 5, PS Vita
|ArticleType=Service
|Type=Service Termination, Digital restrictions
|Description=Sony is permanently banning consoles from accessing online services permanently. This practice is in place since launch of PS Vita for sure.
}}[[Sony]] is banning gaming consoles from accessing online services on hardware level permanently for "violation of terms of service". This results in console hardware being unable to access software digitally purchased by customers. This also creates the risk of someone buying a used console which is permanently banned from accessing online services.

==Background==
Sony has a long history of banning gaming consoles hardware from accessing PlayStation Network online services for "violation of terms of service".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2021 |title=Sony suffers new defeat in the Court of SP after banning PS5 permanently (Portuguese) |url=https://tecnoblog.net/noticias/sony-sofre-derrota-na-justica-de-sp-apos-banir-ps5-de-forma-permanente/ |website=tecnoblog.net}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2025-09-03 |title=Suspensions on PlayStation |url=https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/account/suspensions-psn/ |website=Sony playstation official site}}</ref> This practice is in place since PS Vita<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2020 |title=Need Advice About A Banned Vita |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/vita/comments/hiu3ak/need_advice_about_a_banned_vita_not_your_typical/ |website=Reddit}}</ref>. (Might be in place since PS3, but this is unconfirmed - also in these days digital purchases was not a big deal)

This type of ban is permanent and Sony does not allow to be lifted<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024 |title=Can You Fix a PS5 Console Ban? |url=https://expertbeacon.com/can-you-fix-a-ps5-console-ban/ |website=expertbeacon.com}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2020 |title=Ps4 has been permanently banned by Sony. Previous owner had unpaid bills. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/ewpd6p/ps4_has_been_permanently_banned_by_sony_previous/ |website=Reddit}}</ref> - as Sony states on their official site<ref name=":1" />.

If it happens, users have a banned console (which can be bought as second hand<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=Jul 18, 2016 |title=Sony Permanently Banning PS4 Console |url=https://www.neogaf.com/threads/sony-permanently-banning-ps4-console.1248162/ |website=neogaf.com forum}}</ref><ref name=":3" />), that cannot access digitally purchased content. Which is confirmed on Sony's official site:<blockquote>With this suspension, you will be unable to use your console to access any account, play games or game modes requiring online access, or access content purchased from the PlayStation Store. <ref name=":1" /></blockquote>

==Hardware-level Network Bans==
Sony issues three different types of bans for PlayStation Network users. These types are:<blockquote>'''<big>Account Suspension:</big>'''

With this suspension, you won't be able to sign into your account and access any PlayStation features, including online multiplayer, PlayStation Store, and other features. That means you will not be able to use some products and services, even ones you paid for.

An account suspension can be either temporary or permanent.

'''<big>Communication Suspension:</big>'''

With this suspension, you won't be able to access “social” features, such as interacting with other players and playing online. Communication suspensions will act as account suspensions when attempting to play on a PS4 console.

'''<big>Console Suspension:</big>'''

With this suspension, you will be unable to use your console to access any account, play games or game modes requiring online access, or access content purchased from the PlayStation Store.

The suspension type and length are determined based on the severity of the violation and the player's offense history.<ref name=":1" /></blockquote>

Sony "usually" emails users to explain why they have been suspended and how long the suspension will last, and allows users to view their account status by visiting [https://www.playstation.com/safety/status/?smcid=pdc:en-us:pdc-support-account-suspensions-psn:my-support My Support]. <ref name=":1" />

Console level bans render Digital Edition PlayStation 5s effectively unusable, since PlayStation Network access is required to download and install games on these consoles. PlayStation 5s with disk drives are still capable of reading games from a disk when banned on a console level, but upgrading eligible PlayStation 4 games to PlayStation 5 digital versions requires PlayStation Network access.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How to upgrade an eligible PS4 game to the digital PS5 version |url=https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/games/upgrade-ps4-game-to-ps5-version/}}</ref>

Additionally, Sony offers no recourse to users who buy a suspended used console:<blockquote>
===Can a second-hand PlayStation console suspension be lifted?===
No. If you have purchased a suspended PlayStation console, please contact the seller for help.<ref name=":1" /></blockquote>

Since someone selling a suspended PlayStation console can simply choose not to tell the buyer about the suspension, this can blindside secondhand buyers. Buyers might have trouble contacting the seller about the console ban, and if the PlayStation was suspended before the seller even obtained it, then tracing the user who caused the suspension could be near impossible.

Sony's refusal to support users who buy a suspended used console disincentivizes purchasing used consoles out of concern that the buyer may end up with an unusable console. Thus, users are more likely to buy new, from which Sony profits, and the banned used consoles are likely to become e-waste.

==Lawsuit==
In some states, Sony has already lost court cases and were forced to unban some consoles.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-05 |title=Sony Suffers Defeat in Brazilian Court Over Banned PS5 Consoles |url=https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2021/05/05/ps5-ban-brazil-ruling/ |website=playstationlifestyle.net}}</ref>

Despite these lost cases, Sony still uses this practice.

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

== Related articles ==
Incidents:

* [[Nintendo Switch bans]]

Game companies:

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

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

Minecraft

2026-02-22T04:42:14Z

JamesTDG: /* Mojang requires age verification in order to chat in the UK */ Audited; had to fix article formatting because the previous user inserted this in the middle of an existing section. (Reminder for users: READ BEFORE YOU EDIT!)

{{ProductCargo
|Company=Mojang, Microsoft
|ProductLine=Minecraft
|Logo=Minecraft logo.svg
|ReleaseYear=2011
|InProduction=Yes
|ArticleType=Service
|Category=Video Games
|Website=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us
|Description=Minecraft is a sandbox video game meant for younger audiences
}}

'''{{wplink|Minecraft|Minecraft}}''' is a 2011 multiplayer sandbox game made by [[Mojang|Mojang Studios]]. Once acquired by [[Microsoft]], the game began to harvest telemetry data, force users to comply with an ever shifting EULA to keep access to the paid game, and hide various clauses in the EULA from the public.

==Consumer impact summary==
Under [[Microsoft]]'s ownership, Minecraft has undergone multiple anti-consumer changes in order to acquire more user data and utilizing undisclosed and an ever changing EULA terms to censor user-generated content. These practices are especially concerning since a significant amount of Minecraft players are children.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Capel |first=Chris J |date=2019-09-25 |title=Believe it or not, the average age of a Minecraft player is 24 |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/player-age |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018082457/https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/player-age |archive-date=2019-10-18 |access-date=2025-08-30 |website=PCGamesN}}</ref>

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

===Minecraft account migration===
{{Main|Minecraft account migration}}
On October 21st, 2020, [[Mojang]] announced that all Minecraft Java Edition users must migrate their Mojang accounts to Microsoft accounts to retain access to the game. On December 18th, 2023, consumers who did not do so lost access and needed to re-purchase the game to regain it. Any game progress, including purchased first and third party in-game items were lost.

===Minecraft post-purchase ownership rights changes===
{{Main|Minecraft post-purchase ownership rights changes}}
Before Microsoft's acquisition of Mojang, the sole developer of Minecraft, Markus Persson, advocating for consumer ownership, promised [[Digital rights management|DRM]]-free, free optional software updates, and a free copy of the fully released version for every earlier buyer.<ref name=":22">,{{Cite web |date=2011-09-23 |title=Minecraft - About the game |url=http://www.minecraft.net/store/game |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923112156/http://www.minecraft.net/store/game |archive-date=2011-09-23 |website=www.minecraft.net}}</ref>

Post acquisition of Mojang, all the previous buyers of Minecraft who failed to stop accepting updates in time, had to choose between forfeiting ownership or losing the option to use the software offline. Microsoft enacted several EULA changes which turned the game into a license with DRM that can be terminated by the company anytime.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=2024-09-30 |title=Microsoft Services Agreement |url=https://www.microsoft.com/servicesagreement |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930001856/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/servicesagreement |archive-date=2024-09-30 |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=microsoft.com}}</ref>

===Minecraft enforcing undisclosed server EULA terms===
{{Main|Minecraft enforcing undisclosed server EULA terms}}
Minecraft began taking action against mod developers and servers in 2023 for using firearms, which was deemed 'adult' by their [[End-user license agreement|EULA]]. When asked for clarification of the changes made to their EULA, Mojang gave little response, and eventually pointed them to a new EULA which had been changed without either informing consumers about the change or asking for permission to change the contract. This information was available only internally, and was later revealed by whistleblowers, since the documents holding the internal changes to their EULA was held under NDA.

In addition they selectively ignore their own EULA rules on "gambling" (loot boxes and literally gambling) servers, and even made contract with [[wikipedia:Nerf|Nerf]] to create Minecraft inspired weapons and in game items, while still refusing to allow weapon mods.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderca |first=Cristina |date=2023-10-02 |title=NERF World brings blasters into Minecraft |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/nerf-world-brings-blasters-minecraft |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002180846/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/nerf-world-brings-blasters-minecraft |archive-date=2023-10-02 |access-date=2025-08-19 |work=Minecraft}}</ref>

===Mojang shuts down community-run Minecraft servers===
{{Main|Mojang shuts down community-run Minecraft servers}}

For the past 5-8 years, [[Mojang]] have enforced countless server shutdowns citing violations of the Minecraft End User License Agreement (EULA). However, said enforcements have been unfairly biased against operators of smaller [[Minecraft]] Java Edition servers, abusing vague and often inaccessible community guidelines to shut down these servers.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Brose |first=Kian |date=Dec 3, 2024 |title=Hold Mojang Accountable For Their Unlawful Behaviour |url=https://www.gofundme.com/f/hold-mojang-accountable-for-their-unlawful-behaviour |access-date=May 12, 2024 |website=GoFundMe}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Brose |first=Kian |date=Dec 3, 2024 |title=Suing Minecraft Because They Broke The Law & Pissed Me Off |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5RvoPQZQeM |access-date=May 12, 2024 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Brose |first=Kian |title=Lawsuit Video Accompanying Document |url=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1l3fxs_pZBTdWu7q_iiRKwQdhkEKp8zkuw0O3KBVWC-I/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.8vmqv8enui5u |access-date=May 12, 2025 |website=Google Docs}}</ref>

An example of this occurred in late 2024 involving the [[Minecraft]] server '''McWar''<nowiki/>', wherein Mojang contacted the developer of the server to shut it down.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

===Minecraft Beta pre-1.8's lack of authentication===
{{Main|Minecraft Beta pre-1.8's lack of authentication}}
In version Beta 1.8, Mojang has changed the endpoint used for authentication on Minecraft servers from "www.minecraft.net" to "session.minecraft.net". Unknown amount of time later the original endpoint used for the authentication was shut down, breaking authentication support for several old Minecraft versions, despite no actual changes in the behavior of the endpoint. The latter endpoint still works, despite being insecure (supports HTTP requests, with token being within the URL parameters) - this means that the shutdown is likely not a security concern.

Lack of authentication has caused several Minecraft servers to:

*lose part of the playerbase due to a need of modding the game client (and server) to fix the authentication issue,
*become completely insecure by allowing non-premium Minecraft users to join (e.g. opens the risk of botting the server, or brute-forcing user login passwords),
*break the EULA of the game due to allowing non-premium Minecraft users to join their server.

===Mojang requires age verification in order to chat in the UK===
{{Incomplete section}}
In February 2026, Mojang has decided to implement mandatory age verification in the United Kingdom to access some features.{{Citation needed}} Although players still have access to play the game, they miss out on social features.{{Citation needed}} The big issue is players will now be locked out of the chat feature in the game which is essentially what keeps the online connection alive in the many servers players have access to.{{Citation needed}} In order to get this feature that has always been included automatically (regardless of age) UK residents must now verify their identity by using Yoti (a third-party service).{{Citation needed}} This is a huge blow to the Minecraft community as many of the games players are children.{{Citation needed}} Famous players such as TommyInnit (who's career took off due to his Minecraft streams and VODS later posted on YouTube) were under the age of 18 when they started to gain popularity.{{Citation needed}} Although these players had access to outside game voice chats with other players, many don't have access to the proper equipment required to do so, solely relying on the in-game chat. This mass majority of players in the UK will now have to verify their age and sell their data to a third-party service in order to get one of the most essential features in the game.

===DMCA takedowns of competing games===
There has been a documented history of Microsoft submitting [[Digital Millennium Copyright Act|DMCA]] takedown notices to various voxel-based sandbox games which act as competition to Minecraft. As of ''February 10th, 2026'', the latest takedown was the project Allumeria,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mazeriio |date=Feb 10, 2026 |title=Tweet from Mazeriio |url=https://xcancel.com/Mazeriio/status/2021128578742513930 |access-date=Feb 10, 2026 |website=X formerly [[Twitter]]}}</ref> which existed as a wholly original project that was unreasonably delisted from Steam. The following is a complete list of competing games taken down by Microsoft.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Game
!Takedown Date
!Summary
!Related Article (if applicable)
|-
|MC.JS
|Circa Aug. 2019
|Microsoft issued a DMCA takedown notice to a developer who created MC.JS, a JavaScript-based browser version of Minecraft hosted on GitHub.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maxwell |first=Andy |date=September 1, 2019 |title=Microsoft Puts Blocks On In-Browser Minecraft Clone |url=https://torrentfreak.com/microsoft-puts-blocks-on-in-browser-minecraft-clone-190831/ |access-date=Feb 10, 2026 |website=Torrent Freak}}</ref> The notice cited copyright infringement, trademark violations, and unauthorized use of Minecraft's imagery and textures, resulting in the project being removed from GitHub. An archived snapshot of the page shows that the only infringing contents were referring to itself as a "Minecraft clone" and using a singular texture from the game,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tominous |title=MC.JS Github page |url=https://github.com/ideaplexus/mc.js/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125143334/https://github.com/ideaplexus/mc.js/ |archive-date=Nov 25, 2020 |access-date=Feb 10, 2026 |website=[[GitHub]]}}</ref> both of which could have easily been requested to be removed.
|
|-
|Eaglercraft
|Circa Feb. 2023
|Microsoft issued a DMCA takedown to 92 individual repositories hosting Eaglercraft, a decompilation of Minecraft. Microsoft claimed it was a violation of the EULA and Terms of Use of Minecraft.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Van der Sar |first=Ernesto |date=February 24, 2023 |title=Mojang Targets Repositories of Browser-Based Minecraft Copy ‘Eaglercraft’ |url=https://torrentfreak.com/mojang-targets-repositories-of-browser-based-minecraft-copy-eaglercraft-230224/ |access-date=Feb 10, 2026 |work=Torrent Freak}}</ref>
|[[Eaglercraft Takedows]]
|-
|Luanti
|Circa Mar. 2023
|Luanti (formerly known as Minetest at the time), an open source voxel game platform had its Android app taken down from Google Play by a DMCA takedown from a company representing Mojang, claiming it was infringing of their copyright.<ref>https://github.com/luanti-org/luanti/issues/13363#issuecomment-1485528633</ref> The app was later restored in May after filing a counter-notice with no response.
|
|-
|N/A
|Jan. 29, 2025
|Mojang enforcement issued a DMCA takedown notice to [[Cloudflare]] over the chat service Revolt (now Stoat) supposedly being a Minecraft clone because of the platform hosting screenshots of an unknown Minecraft clone.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2025-01-29 |title=2025-01-29 mojang copyright infringement complaint |url=https://wiki.revolt.chat/notes/transparency/abuse-reports/2025-01-29-mojang-copyright-infringement-complaint/ |access-date=Feb 10, 2026 |website=Revolt Wiki}}</ref> In a subsequent email, a different actor representing [[Microsoft]], [[Tracer.ai]], sent another takedown notice over the same assets.<ref name=":3" />
|
|-
|Allumeria
|Feb. 10, 2026
|[[Microsoft]] submitted a [[DMCA]] notice to [[Valve]] via [[Tracer.ai]] over Allumeria after its systems detected that the game was supposedly using stolen assets from the game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mazeriio |date=Feb 10, 2026 |title=Tweet from Mazeriio |url=https://xcancel.com/Mazeriio/status/2021128578742513930 |access-date=Feb 10, 2026 |website=X formerly [[Twitter]]}}</ref> In an archived snapshot of Allumeria's [[Steam]] page, no assets were discernibly taken from Minecraft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Unomelon |title=Allumeria's Steam page |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/3516590/Allumeria/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250308151651/https://store.steampowered.com/app/3516590/Allumeria/ |archive-date=Mar 8, 2025 |access-date=Feb 10, 2026 |website=[[Steam]]}}</ref> A day later, Microsoft withdrew the complaint and Allumeria was reinstated on Steam store page.<ref>[[File:Screenshot_from_Allumeria_Discord_server.png|thumb|Screenshot from Allumeria Discord server announcing that game has been reinstated on Steam.]]
</ref>
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|}

==See also==

*[[Microsoft]]
*[[Mojang]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Microsoft]]

Talk:PlayStation Lease with Flex

2026-02-21T14:02:05Z

JamesTDG: /* Wrong template in use */ new section

== Wrong template in use ==

Hey uh, this is definitely something where it should be using the incident template rather than the product template [[User:JamesTDG|JamesTDG]] ([[User talk:JamesTDG|talk]]) 14:02, 21 February 2026 (UTC)

Nintendo

2026-02-18T00:45:24Z

JamesTDG: Small cleanup, new paragraph mentioning historical joystick flaws

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

==Consumer-impact summary==

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

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

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

====Examples:====

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

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

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

====Examples:====

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

*On November 18th, 2020, Nintendo of America sued Le Hoang Minh for selling RCM Loaders (plug in USB devices allowing unsigned/homebrew software to run on a Nintendo Switch), accusing him of selling piracy devices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=18 Nov 2020 |title=Nintendo sues more hack sellers, ‘a worsening international problem’ |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/11/18/21574488/nintendo-rcm-loader-jailbreak-lawsuit-switch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126071118/https://www.polygon.com/2020/11/18/21574488/nintendo-rcm-loader-jailbreak-lawsuit-switch |archive-date=26 Nov 2020 |access-date=22 Mar 2025 |website=Polygon}}</ref>
*On April 16th, 2021, Nintendo of America sued Gary Bowser, head of video game modchip development and sales group Team Xecuter for over $150,000, accusing him of selling piracy devices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=17 Apr 2021 |title=Nintendo suing Bowser over Switch hacks |url=https://www.polygon.com/22388720/nintendo-bowser-lawsuit-team-xecuter |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417151420/https://www.polygon.com/22388720/nintendo-bowser-lawsuit-team-xecuter |archive-date=17 Apr 2021 |access-date=22 Mar 2025 |website=Polygon}}</ref>In a subsequent criminal case, Bowser plead guilty to conspiracy to circumvent technological measures and received a 40 month sentence in prison.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-10 |title=Public voice and principal salesperson for notorious videogame piracy group sentenced to 3+ years in prison for conspiracy |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/public-voice-and-principal-salesperson-notorious-videogame-piracy-group-sentenced-3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/ob2eg#selection-395.5-395.10 |archive-date=2022-02-11 |publisher=The United States Attorney's Office}}</ref> He was released after serving 14 months and reported to be destitute and struggling to pay rent as he owes Nintendo $14 million dollars.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hernandez |first=Patricia |date=2024-02-01 |title=The man who owes Nintendo $14m: Gary Bowser and gaming’s most infamous piracy case |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2024/feb/01/the-man-who-owes-nintendo-14m-gary-bowser-and-gamings-most-infamous-piracy-case |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/eZPwz |archive-date=2024-02-03 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>
*On June 28th, 2024, Nintendo sued modded game seller ModdedHardware for selling [[Nintendo Switch]] flashcarts, modded [[Nintendo Switch]] consoles, and a mail-in console modding service with the argument being raised that a modded system is capable of running pirated software alongside allegations of ModdedHardware pre-installing pirated games, despite citing no evidence in the legal document.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Van der Sar |first=Ernesto |date=1 Jul 2024 |title=Nintendo Sues ‘Modded Hardware’ and r/SwitchPirates Moderator ‘Archbox’ |url=https://torrentfreak.com/nintendo-sues-modded-hardware-and-r-switchpirates-moderator-archbox-240701/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710091021/https://torrentfreak.com/nintendo-sues-modded-hardware-and-r-switchpirates-moderator-archbox-240701/ |archive-date=10 Jul 2024 |access-date=22 Mar 2025 |website=TorrentFreak}}</ref>

*In May 2025, Nintendo updated their privacy policy<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Nintendo |title=Nintendo Privacy Policy |url=https://accounts.nintendo.com/term/privacy_policy/US?lang=en-US |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=Nintendo Accounts}}</ref> to reserve the company the right to remotely disable consoles owned by consumers if it detects modified hardware or software attempting to run on the system.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Nightingale |first=Ed |date=May 9, 2025 |title=Nintendo reserves the right to brick your console following "unauthorised use", in bid to prevent piracy |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-reserves-the-right-to-brick-your-console-following-unauthorised-use-in-bid-to-prevent-piracy |access-date=May 9, 2025 |website=Eurogamer}}</ref>

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

==Products==

===Console Hardware===

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

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

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

===Software===

*[[Nintendo Switch Online]]

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

Predatory microtransactions

2026-02-18T00:12:58Z

JamesTDG: /* Point 1: Bias */ New photo added

Microtransactions (MTX) act as a format of additional monetization within games. This can range from purchasing in-game currency, to cosmetics, boosts, and more. On a small scale, MTX has minimal harm towards the experience of consumers, however as trends have shown, companies have grown to be over-reliant on MTX to fund their games, often converging with [[advertising overload]] to encourage consumers to be constantly purchasing these new pieces of content. It is often cited by consumers<ref>{{Cite web |last=Caldwell |first=Don |date=Apr 19, 2013 |title=Horse Armor |url=https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/events/horse-armor |access-date=May 19, 2025 |website=Know Your Meme}}</ref> that the first potent form of MTX in AAA gaming originates with the Oblivion golden horse armor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oblivion Downloads |url=https://www.obliviondownloads.com/StoreCatalog_ProductList.aspx?SubCategoryId=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061223190230/https://www.obliviondownloads.com/StoreCatalog_ProductList.aspx?SubCategoryId=1 |archive-date=Dec 23, 2006 |access-date=May 19, 2025 |website=Bethesda Softworks}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Surette |first=Tim |date=Apr 3, 2006 |title=Oblivion horse armor now available |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/oblivion-horse-armor-now-available/1100-6147013/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910133616/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/oblivion-horse-armor-now-available/1100-6147013/ |archive-date=Sep 10, 2015}}</ref>

==Why it is a problem==

===Point 1: Bias===
In many games, the progressive development is encouraged by executives and leadership to focus on content that introduces the most financial return.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Strickland |first=Derek |date=Feb 4, 2024 |title=It's not just you, game devs are tired of microtransactions too |url=https://www.tweaktown.com/news/95972/its-not-just-you-game-devs-are-tired-of-microtransactions-too/index.html |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=Tweak Town}}</ref> Unfortunately, this means that when updates are handled for games, and especially [[Games as a service|live service games]], content developed for the game focuses around keeping the storefront functional over more vital systems that need to be repaired,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mint Blitz |date=Mar 11, 2024 |title=Microsoft Ended Halo MCC Because of This. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StHpA3hsWH0 |access-date=May 30, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> or new content being introduced is centered around more products on the storefront that can be purchased.<ref>{{Cite news |last=King Link |date=Feb 22, 2019 |title=A discussion of microtransactions and game design. |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/a-discussion-of-microtransactions-and-game-design- |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=Game Developer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Nunley |first=Christian |date=Mar 24, 2024 |title=Why the $183 billion video game industry can’t quit microtransactions |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/24/why-the-183-billion-video-game-industry-cant-quit-microtransactions.html |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=[[CNBC]]}}</ref>

This bias also has a tendency to influence features that used to be industry standard as free with the product,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petrovskaya |first=Elena |last2=Deterding |first2=Sebastian |last3=Zendle |first3=David I |date=Apr 29, 2022 |title=Prevalence and Salience of Problematic Microtransactions in Top-Grossing Mobile and PC Games: A Content Analysis of User Reviews |url=https://dl.acm.org/doi/fullHtml/10.1145/3491102.3502056 |access-date=May 30, 2025 |website=CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems}}</ref> such as progression-locked content to be instead sold either in piecemeal or bundles on the storefront.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mint Blitz |date=Jan 31, 2024 |title=343 Has Gone Too Far - New Halo Infinite Update. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psAqKCIclJY |access-date=May 30, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> For example, compared to previous installments in the franchise, [[Halo Infinite]] was the first title in the franchise to solely lock cosmetics behind paywalls, and furthermore lock the ability to recolor armor behind paywalls and battle pass progression.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Santa Maria |first=Alex |date=Oct 26, 2020 |title=Halo Infinite Armor Coating Customization Controversy Addressed By 343 |url=https://screenrant.com/halo-infinite-armor-coatings-customize-color-343-response/ |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=ScreenRant}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Palm |first=Zack |date=Nov 18, 2021 |title=Halo Infinite fans are not happy about the limited Spartan color and armor customization options in multiplayer |url=https://www.gamepur.com/news/halo-infinite-fans-are-not-happy-about-the-limited-spartan-color-and-armor-customization-options |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=Gamepur}}</ref><gallery>
File:Fortnite Storefront MTX.jpg|The Fortnite storefront, which after the Battle Pass, is the only other way to obtain content.
File:HINF Shop.png|A screenshot of Halo Infinite's storefront roughly from when the game launched.
</gallery>

===Point 2: Manipulation===
In cases where [[Games as a service|live service games]] provide free content, it often manipulates the consumer into paying into the system in some way to receive a better return on investment when playing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hardy |first=Matt |date=2021 |title=PREDATORY MICROTRANSACTION REGULATIONS: AN INTERNATIONAL COMPARISON |url=https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1242&context=scjilb |access-date=May 30, 2025 |website=South Carolina Journal of International Law and Business}}</ref> Features such as experience boosts often will hamper the default progression in order to encourage the purchase of these boosts. Battle passes often offer only poor-quality/unwanted content within the free tier,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kelley |first=Carson |date=May 6, 2025 |title=Why Some Battle Passes Offer Too Many Meaningless Items |url=https://battlepass.news/2025/05/06/why-some-battle-passes-offer-too-many-meaningless-items/ |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=Battle Pass News}}</ref> to encourage users to be constantly paying into the system.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Kelley |first=Carson |date=Apr 16, 2025 |title=Why Some Battle Passes Should Be Banned Under Consumer Protection Laws? |url=https://battlepass.news/2025/04/16/why-some-battle-passes-should-be-banned-under-consumer-protection-laws/ |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=BattlePass News}}</ref> Often, these battle passes will also encourage [[FOMO]],<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Hrnjicevic |first=Ismar |date=Nov 17, 2024 |title=How Battle Passes Are Ruining Multiplayer Games |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/how-battle-passes-are-ruining-multiplayer-games/ |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=How To Geek}}</ref> as content featured within these passes will often only be offered inside that limited time event, further encouraging the purchase of experience boosts if consumers wish to not miss out on content within the final days of the pass.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Pass |first=JC |date=Nov 1, 2024 |title=Ethical Considerations and Concerns Surrounding Battle Passes |url=https://simplyputpsych.co.uk/gaming-psych/ethical-considerations-and-concerns-surrounding-battle-passes |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=Simply Put Psych}}</ref><ref name=":4" />

Manipulative behavior surrounding this can further be shown via services that do offer free content to be explicitly worse than anything that can be obtained financially.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=TheMisterEpic |date=May 31, 2025 |title=The Most Harmful Minecraft Server in EXISTENCE. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy04zE3t0Ow |access-date=Jun 1, 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><gallery>
File:Candy Crush MTX.jpg|A Candy Crush shop screen trying to trick the consumer into buying the "better value" product
File:Fortnite Vbucks MTX.jpg|Fortnite including "bonus" V-bucks with transactions
</gallery>

===Point 3: Pay to win===
In some scenarios, games will further encourage users to get an advantage over players, often leaving META-influencing content to be paywalled<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Flavio |date=Aug 2, 2023 |title=Price to pay: the damage caused by Pay to Win games. |url=https://flavio-lee.medium.com/price-to-pay-the-damage-caused-by-pay-to-win-games-74cc533bf9d8 |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=Medium}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> as a method to force consumers to either invest more into the product, or risk lacking an important edge within matches.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why do people seem so hellbent against people using "pay to win" methods in games? |url=https://www.quora.com/Why-do-people-seem-so-hellbent-against-people-using-pay-to-win-methods-in-games |access-date=May 19, 2025 |website=Quora}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lelonek-Kuleta PhD |first=Bernadeta |last2=Piotr Bartczuk PhD |first2=Rafał |last3=Wiechetek PhD |first3=Michał |date=Oct 13, 2020 |title=Pay for play – Behavioural patterns of pay-to-win gaming |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563220303393 |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=Science Direct}}</ref> P2W also has ties in manipulating resource progression in games,<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=(Owner of Illumination Gaming) |first=Aiden |date=Jul 22, 2022 |title=How Pay-To-Win Games Ruin Player Experience |url=https://medium.com/illumination/how-pay-to-win-games-ruin-player-experience-a52b7edf5744 |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=Medium}}</ref> so players may be at a competitive disadvantage in a game because a newer user purchased their way through progression, or alternatively, punishing players into grinding far more excessively as a method to encourage paying to skip progression.

This has especially been documented within casual mobile games, where players are often left to wait excessively on tasks to finish, or pay to have the task be completed immediately.<ref name=":0" /> Frequently, these games have also exhibited methods that give players a "free sample" of what it feels like to skip this wait time.<ref name=":0" />

Behaviors from operators on some [[Minecraft]] servers in particular have shown attempts to exceed the baseline pay to win model,<ref name=":5" /> such as placing high-value ranks behind a large subscription. Documented from Minecadia's network, a user has to pay ~$300 for the 2nd highest rank, and then an additional ~$50 per month for the highest rank, or pay ~$850 for the 2nd and top ranks.<ref name=":5" /> Reportedly, the rank is required in order to have any advantage over other players in the Factions mode.<ref name=":5" /><gallery>
File:Dungeon Keeper dark pattern.webp|An example of a game (Dungeon Keeper) enticing a consumer into spending premium currency to skip waiting on a menial task.
File:PVZ Shop.jpg|Content in Plants Vs. Zombies 2 that makes the game easier, but with a direct paywall
File:Marvel Rivals FOMO MTX.jpeg|A $100 microtransaction for Marvel Contest of Champions to get an advantage over other players
</gallery>

===Point 4: Gambling===
A method some companies have aimed at introducing, was having content be locked behind randomness, so a consumer may get lucky and receive the cosmetic they want or worse, progression/META item that they are in need of,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Purchese |first=Robert |date=10 Oct 2017 |title=Star Wars Battlefront 2 has a loot crate problem |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/star-wars-battlefront-2-has-a-loot-crate-problem |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Robert Purchese}}</ref> but often would end up with bad luck. Often these are defined as lootboxes, however it is effectively a format of gambling,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dingman |first=Hayden |date=10 Oct 2017 |title=How loot boxes are turning full-priced PC games into pay-to-win games of chance |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/407482/loot-boxes-ruining-gaming.html |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=PCWorld}}</ref> one of which has been seen as detrimental as reports of underrage gambling addiction continue to skyrocket within these games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fahey |first=Rob |date=13 Oct 2017 |title=Thinking outside the loot box |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/thinking-outside-the-loot-box |url-status=live |access-date=31 Mar 2025 |website=Games Industry}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=W. Osborne |first=Jason |date=May 25, 2023 |title=How Loot Boxes In Children’s Video Games Encourage Gambling |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonwosborne/2023/05/25/how-loot-boxes-in-childrens-video-games-encourage-gambling/ |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=Forbes}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Zendle |first=David |last2=Meyer |first2=Rachel |last3=Over |first3=Harriet |date=Jun 19, 2019 |title=Adolescents and loot boxes: links with problem gambling and motivations for purchase |url=https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6599795/ |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=National Library of Medicine}}</ref>

The frequency of these lootboxes has been seen to be relatively higher on games marketed towards minors, such as ''[[Minecraft]]''<ref name=":5" /> (more specifically community-run servers) or ''[[Roblox]]'', only further representing the ethical issues behind lootboxes.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Young People & Gambling in Gaming |url=https://ineqe.com/2022/04/01/gambling-in-gaming/ |access-date=May 19, 2025 |work=Ineqe Safeguarding Group}}</ref><ref name=":2" /><gallery>
File:Overwatch loot box gambling mtx.jpg|The primary way to purchase content in Overwatch is via lootboxes, which have an unknown pool of rewards when the user purchases it
File:Overwatch loot box gambling rewards.jpg|An example of these loot box rewards from Overwatch, many of which are exclusive to these loot boxes.
File:Counter Strike loot box gambling.jpeg|Counter Strike depending on gambling for monetization
File:Halo 5 req pack mtx.jpg|The only way the user can obtain content in Halo 5: Guardians is via 'REQ Packs'
</gallery>

==Examples==
Some examples of microtransactions include:

===Bias:===

*''[[Halo|Halo Infinite]]'': Introduced paywalling Spartan customization to the franchise, including armor palettes, which especially introduced outrage from the franchise's fandom.
*[[Call of Duty|''Call of Duty'']]
*''[[Fortnite]]'': The only way to obtain content in-game is to invest in its 'VBucks' economy, either to purchase the limited-time 'Battle Pass', or whatever content is available in the storefront for a limited time.
*''[[Fallout 76]]'': Most content released is broken into piecemeal microtransactions with both in-game and real world currency.

===Gambling:===

*''[[Star Wars Battlefront 2]]'': Notoriously known for its Darth Vader lootbox scandal,<ref name=":1" /> where the title's META was focused around the Sith character, which could only be obtained via lootboxes.
*''[[Counter-Strike 2|Counter-Strike]]'': Game's economy is extremely centered around cosmetics; can only be obtained via community market or lootboxes.
*''Team Fortress 2'': Excessively large economy centered around the lootboxes, often players are given crates, where they must go out of their way to purchase keys for. The title has also required participating in purchasing its MTX for the purposes of participating in communication features.
*[[Halo 5 Guardians]]: The only way to obtain content in Halo 5 is via 'REQ Packs', which are only obtainable via intense grinding, or buying these packs with cash.
*''[[Krunker]]'': Cosmetics primarily obtained via "spins"

===Pay to Win:===

*''All Points Bulletin (APB) Reloaded''
*[[Dungeon Keeper|''Dungeon Keeper'']]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sterling |first=Jim |date=Feb 2, 2014 |title=Dungeon Keeper Mobile Review – Wallet Reaper |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/editorials/reviews/10956-Dungeon-Keeper-Mobile-Review-Wallet-Reaper |access-date=May 19, 2024 |work=The Escapist}}</ref>
*[[League of Legends|''League of Legends'']] 

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Common terms]]

File:HINF Shop.png

2026-02-18T00:06:58Z

JamesTDG: A screenshot of Halo Infinite's storefront roughly from when the game launched. Sourced from Halopedia https://www.halopedia.org/File:HINF_Shop.png

== Summary ==
A screenshot of Halo Infinite's storefront roughly from when the game launched. Sourced from Halopedia
https://www.halopedia.org/File:HINF_Shop.png
== Licensing ==
{{Fairuse}}

Forced arbitration

2026-02-12T11:45:21Z

JamesTDG: Section on the origins of forced arb's abuse and a section on legal cases shut down due to forced arb

'''[[wikipedia:Arbitration|Forced arbitration]]''' is a practice in which businesses can require their customers to resolve disputes through arbitration, instead of a traditional court system. Per Wikipedia: "Arbitration is a formal method of dispute resolution involving a third party neutral who makes a binding decision."

== Origins ==
In 2011<ref>''American Express v Italian Colors Restaurant'', 133 S. Ct. 2403 (2013); ''AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion'', 131 S.

Ct. 1740 (2011).</ref> and 2013<ref>{{Cite web |date=Apr 16, 2019 |title=Fact Sheet: Cases Tossed Out of Court Because of Forced Arbitration Causes and Class Action Bans |url=https://www.centerjd.org/content/fact-sheet-cases-tossed-out-court-because-forced-arbitration-causes-and-class-action-bans#_ftn1 |access-date=Feb 12, 2026 |website=Center for Justice & Democracy at New York Law School}}</ref> cases received rulings from the ''Supreme Court of the United States'' wherein corporations can strip individuals of their constitutional right to civil jury trial and force them into private, corporate-controlled arbitration systems to resolve disputes. These rulings also stated that companies have the unilateral right to ban class actions by inserting class action “waivers” into these arbitration clauses.

In 2018, the scope of these decisions were expanded by ''Epic Systems Corp. v. Lewis'',<ref>''Epic Systems Corp. v. Lewis'', 138 S. Ct. 1612 (2018).</ref> wherein workers whose employment contracts contain class action waivers was decided to not violate legal rights granted to workers by the ''National Labor Relations Act''. This decision impacted millions of employment contracts,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Liptak |first=Adam |date=Oct 2, 2017 |title=Supreme Court Divided on Arbitration for Workplace Cases |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/02/us/politics/supreme-court-workplace-arbitration.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/gd5bQ |archive-date=Feb 12, 2026 |access-date=Feb 12, 2026 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> and analysis by the ''National Law Journal'' has shown that the employment cases, most of which were class actions, “broke in favor of the defendant.” At least 50% of these cases compelled plaintiffs to arbitrate.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mulvaney |first=Erin |date=Feb 28, 2019 |title='Epic' Impact: How a Major SCOTUS Decision in Favor of Arbitration Is Shaping the Landscape for Workplace Lawsuits |url=https://www.law.com/nationallawjournal/2019/02/28/epic-impact-how-a-major-scotus-decision-in-favor-of-arbitration-is-shaping-the-landscape-for-workplace-lawsuits/?slreturn=20260212061628 |journal=National Law Journal |via=Law.com}}</ref> 

==How it works==
Businesses will typically add an arbitration clause to their [[Terms of Service]] or Terms of Use. This clause generally outlines how disputes are handled between the consumer and the business. A good example of a typical arbitration clause can be found in [[Instagram]]'s Terms of Use, which, as of January 6, 2025, is under Section 7.4 - How We Will Handle Disputes:<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Terms of Use |url=https://help.instagram.com/581066165581870/ |url-status=live |access-date=4 May 2025 |website=[[Instagram]]}}</ref><blockquote>"Except as provided below, you and we agree that any cause of action, legal claim, or dispute between you and us arising out of or related to these Terms or Instagram ("claim(s)") must be resolved by arbitration on an individual basis. [[Class action|Class actions]] and class arbitrations are not permitted; you and we may bring a claim only on your own behalf and cannot seek relief that would affect other Instagram users."</blockquote>Currently, in the United States, arbitration clauses such as this one are legal under the [[Federal Arbitration Act]] (FAA).<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=30 Jul 1947 |title=TITLE 9—ARBITRATION |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2019-title9/html/USCODE-2019-title9.htm |url-status=live |access-date=4 May 2025 |website=www.govinfo.gov}}</ref> Efforts have been made, however, to prohibit forced arbitration, most notably the [[Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal]] (FAIR) Act of 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 Apr 2023 |title=S.1376 - Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/1376 |url-status=live |access-date=4 May 2025 |website=www.congress.gov}}</ref>

The [[wikipedia:United_Nations|United Nations]] has published a guideline for consumer protections in 2016, which lists the following under IV 11(c):<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016 |title=United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection |url=https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/ditccplpmisc2016d1_en.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=4 May 2025 |website=unctad.org}}</ref><blockquote>"Businesses should provide complete, accurate and not misleading information regarding the goods and services, terms, conditions, applicable fees and final costs to enable consumers to take informed decisions. Businesses should ensure easy access to this information, especially to the key terms and conditions"</blockquote>

==Why it is a problem==

===Revocation of rights===
The practice of forced arbitration is one that is designed to revoke the rights of the consumer. In this case, the consumer's right to sue or participate in a [[class action]] against a business. Instead, the consumer must work with an arbiter of the businesses' choosing behind closed doors to resolve claims, which is widely believed to result in biased outcomes.

====Bypassing of constitutional rights====
Due to the out of place nature of arbitration, various rights granted by the US constitution and its amendments are entirely bypassed.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zanville |first=Stuart |date=Sep 1, 2015 |title=Forced Arbitration |url=https://www.advocatemagazine.com/article/2015-september/forced-arbitration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921050552/https://www.advocatemagazine.com/article/2015-september/forced-arbitration |archive-date=Sep 21, 2020 |access-date=Mar 5, 2025 |work=Advocate Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=J. Mann |first=Kimberly |date=1997 |title=Constitutional Challenges to Court-Ordered Arbitration |url=https://ir.law.fsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1454&context=lr |url-status=live |access-date=4 May 2025 |website=ir.law.fsu.edu}}</ref><ref>Brunet, Edward, Arbitration and Constitutional Rights (June 24, 1992). North Carolina Law Review, Vol. 71, pp. 81-120, 1992, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2284464</ref>

The 7th amendment,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Constitution of the United States Seventh Amendment |url=https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-7/ |url-status=live |access-date=4 May 2025 |website=constitution.congress.gov}}</ref> also known as the right to a trial by jury, is bypassed via forced arbitration. Additionally, the 6th amendment,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Constitution of the United States Sixth Amendment |url=https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-6/ |url-status=live |access-date=4 May 2025 |website=constitution.congress.gov}}</ref> also known as the right to a speedy trial, is also bypassed by arbitration since arbitrated cases can take excessively longer than traditional public trials,<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 Sep 2024 |title=How Long Does Arbitration Take? A Closer Look |url=https://adrtimes.com/how-long-does-arbitration-take/ |url-status=live |access-date=4 May 2025 |website=adrtimes.com}}</ref> especially when lawsuits that could have been filed under class action, end up being broken up into hundreds of individually arbitrated cases, such as what has happened with ''Bucher Law PLLC Vs. Valve Inc.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bucher |first=Will |title=Steam Case Explained |url=https://www.bucherlawfirm.com/steam-case-explained |url-status=live |access-date=4 May 2025 |website=BUCHER LAW PLLC}}
</ref>

===Inconvenient opt-out procedure===
Arbitration is often made inconvenient for users to opt-out of. Instead of giving users the option to do so at sign-up digitally, most businesses will require users to send a handwritten letter within 30 days of their sign-up to opt-out of arbitration. This type of opt-out clause can also be seen in Instagram's Terms of Use:<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>"You can opt out of this provision within 30 days of the date that you agreed to these Terms. To opt out, you must send your name, residence address, username, email address or phone number you use for your Instagram account, and a clear statement that you want to opt out of this arbitration agreement, and you must send them here:" [Address redacted]</blockquote>

This practice is similar to how gyms will often require members to travel to their location or send snail mail to cancel a membership, while an online system could easily be put in its place.

===Conflict of interest===
Companies track performance of arbitrators over time, and as such, are able to pick arbitrators that lean towards the industry rather than the consumer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seru |first=Amit |date=Feb 2023 |title=Tipping the scales: Balancing consumer arbitration cases. |url=https://siepr.stanford.edu/publications/policy-brief/tipping-scales-balancing-consumer-arbitration-cases |url-status=live |access-date=4 May 2025 |website=Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research}}</ref> While both the consumer and company theoretically have some control over the selection of the arbitrator, the company generally has an information advantage in the selection process. Furthermore, individual arbitrators have a long-term financial incentive to bias their rulings in favor of corporations, as the corporation is much more likely to become a "repeat customer" than the consumer. In extreme cases, entire arbitration firms may have a material conflict of interest.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 Jul 2009 |title=NAF Announcement — Out of Consumer Arbitration |url=https://indisputably.org/2009/07/naf-announcement-out-of-consumer-arbitration/ |url-status=live |access-date=4 May 2025 |website=indisputably.org}}</ref>

===Bricking until agreement===
[[File:BadPiggiesArbitration.png|thumb|An example of forced arbitration, where the user has to agree to arbitration, regardless of if the software was previously installed on their device]]
For digital software in particular, they can be retroactively amended to require the user to agree to forced arbitration, while blocking the user from accessing the content they paid for until they agree to this binding arbitration. In the case of the mobile game ''Bad Piggies'', published by [[Rovio]], regardless of if the end user chose to not update their game or had the game previously installed since before the publisher instituted arbitration, said user is incapable of playing the game until they agree to binding arbitration.<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/JamesTDG |date=Oct 30, 2025 |title=r/badpiggies - God damn it, Rovio, you put arbitration into the game I ALREADY PAID FOR |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/badpiggies/comments/1oklx98/god_damn_it_rovio_you_put_arbitration_into_the/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button |access-date=Oct 30, 2025 |website=Reddit}}</ref>

==Examples==
''Main article: [[List of products and services with forced arbitration]]''

Some examples of arbitration clauses in terms and conditions include:

*Bandcamp Terms of Service, as of 2025-10-20. In addition, users in countries where forced arbitration is not allowed cannot use the service: "Use of the Service is not authorized in any jurisdiction that does not give effect to all provisions of these Terms of Use, including without limitation, this section."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bandcamp Terms of Use |url=https://bandcamp.com/terms_of_use |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251013161152/https://bandcamp.com/terms_of_use |archive-date=2025-10-13 |access-date=2025-10-20 |website=Bandcamp}}</ref>
*CNN Terms of Service, as of 2025-10-13 "14. CLASS ACTION AND JURY TRIAL WAIVER" <ref>{{Cite web |title=CNN Terms Of Use |url=https://www.cnn.com/terms0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251014030156/https://www.cnn.com/terms0 |archive-date=2025-10-13 |access-date=2025-10-13 |website=[[CNN]]}}</ref>
*Indeed Terms of Service, as of 2025-08-22 - Section D: General Terms for All Users - 12. Arbitration Agreement<ref>{{Cite web |title=Terms of Service |url=https://www.indeed.com/legal#d12 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250825081104/https://www.indeed.com/legal#d12 |archive-date=2025-08-25 |access-date=2025-09-02 |website=[[Indeed]]}}</ref>
*Instagram Terms of Use - Section 7.4 - How We Will Handle Disputes<ref name=":0" />
*Itch.io Terms of Service Section 15. Class Action Waiver<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2023-04-15 |title=itch.io Terms of Service |url=https://itch.io/docs/legal/terms |website=Itch.io}}</ref> does not force arbitration, but still seeks to revoke rights to participate in class action or collective arbitration proceedings.
*Powell's Books - Has forced arbitration clause in their Term of Use.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-30 |title=Terms of Use {{!}} Powell's Books |url=https://www.powells.com/info/terms-of-use |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250528215842/https://www.powells.com/info/terms-of-use |archive-date=2025-05-28 |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=Powell's Books}}</ref>
*Section 13.1. Binding arbitration agreement and class action waiver, of [[Protonmail|Proton]]'s Terms of Service, says " Please read this section and the class action waiver section carefully – it may significantly affect your legal rights, including your right to file a lawsuit in court and to have a jury hear your claims. It contains procedures for mandatory binding arbitration and a class action waiver."<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 Jan 2025 |title=Terms of Service |url=https://proton.me/legal/terms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250310210512/https://proton.me/nl/legal/terms |archive-date=10 Mar 2025 |access-date=4 May 2025 |website=Proton}}</ref>
*[[Sony]] PlayStation Network Terms of Service - Section 14 - Binding Individual Arbitration<ref>{{Cite web |title=PLAYSTATION NETWORK TERMS OF SERVICE AND USER AGREEMENT |url=https://www.playstation.com/en-us/legal/psn-terms-of-service/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216114722/https://www.playstation.com/en-us/legal/psn-terms-of-service/ |archive-date=16 Dec 2024 |access-date=4 May 2025 |website=[[PlayStation]]}}</ref>
*[[Roku]], in March of 2024, prompted a pop-up on its devices for the tv owners to accept new terms of use, which included preventing "mass arbitration" from multiple plantiffs, before being able to use their devices. Opting out can be done by mail, but only after accepting the agreement shown on the TV.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roku Channel Terms of Use |url=https://docs.roku.com/published/therokuchannel-userstermsandconditions/en/us |website=Roku}}</ref>
*[[Spotify]]'s End User Agreement, since 2015, contains a Mandatory Arbitration Agreement and Class Action Waiver<ref>{{Cite web | title=Spotify Terms of Use |url=https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/end-user-agreement/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250901121247/https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/end-user-agreement/#6-problems-and-disputes |archive-date=1 Sep 2025 |access-date=5 Sep 2025 |website=[[Spotify]]}}</ref>
*[[Ticketmaster]] Terms of Use - Section 17 - Mandatory Arbitration Agreement and Class Action Waiver<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mandatory Arbitration Agreement and Class Action Waiver |url=https://help.ticketmaster.com/hc/en-us/articles/10468830739345-Terms-of-Use |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250105150022/https://help.ticketmaster.com/hc/en-us/articles/10468830739345-Terms-of-Use#section17 |archive-date=5 Jan 2025 |access-date=4 May 2025 |website=[[Ticketmaster]]}}</ref>
*Wayfair uses forced arbitration language in the Legal Disputes section of their Terms of Use.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Terms of Use |url=https://www.wayfair.com/terms?section=terms-of-use |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241025165417/https://www.wayfair.com/terms?section=terms-of-use |archive-date=25 Oct 2024 |access-date=6 Nov 2025 |website=[[Wayfair]]}}</ref> On 6 November 2025, the company emailed account holders notifying them of a change to the Legal Disputes section, and stating "You do not have to do anything to accept the updated Terms. Your continued use of our websites, apps or any of our services, including your account, indicate your acceptance of the updated Terms."
*Western Digital - Has a forced-arbitration clause in the warranty for a ST500DM002-1BD142 hard drive. Clause 1, section "C". (And possibly other products.) <ref>{{Cite web |title=Warranty {{!}} Western Digital |url=https://consumerrights.wiki/File:WD-HDD-Warranty.pdf}}</ref>
*Yahoo Terms of Service - Section 14.2.b "'''BINDING ARBITRATION AGREEMENT'''" <ref>{{Cite web |title=Yahoo Terms of Service {{!}} Yahoo |url=https://legal.yahoo.com/us/en/yahoo/terms/otos/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250315082242/https://legal.yahoo.com/us/en/yahoo/terms/otos/index.html |archive-date=2025-03-15 |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=Yahoo}}</ref>
*Zenimax Media (Bethesda) has an arbitration agreement that can only be opted out of within 30 days, ''by mail''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ZeniMax Terms of Service |url=https://www.zenimax.com/en/legal/terms-of-service |access-date=2025-05-31 |website=ZeniMax Media}}</ref>
*[[Zoom]]'s Terms of Service, Section 27.1, says: "You and Zoom agree that any dispute or claim between you and Zoom arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Services (a “Dispute”), including any related software, hardware, integrations, advertising or marketing communications, your account, or any aspects of your relationship or transactions with Zoom, will be resolved by binding arbitration, rather than in court."<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 Aug 2023 |title=Zoom Terms of Service |url=https://www.zoom.com/it/trust/terms/?cms_guid=false&lang=null |url-status=live |access-date=4 May 2025 |website=[[Zoom]]}}</ref>

== Legal cases ==
Many cases, often class actions, were turned away because of forced arbitration clauses, below is an incomplete list of consumer protection cases shut down by forced arbitraton.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Case name
!Year
!Summary
!Related article
|-
|'''''Clemins v. GE Money Bank, No. 11-CV-00210, 2012 WL 5868659'''''
|2012
|[TBA]
|
|-
|'''''Jabbari v. Wells Fargo & Co.'', No. 15-CV-02159-VC (N.D. Cal. 2017).'''
|2017
|In 2017, Wells Fargo settled with many of its customers whose credit scores were harmed after thousands of bank employees opened as many as 3.5 million fake checking and credit card accounts in customers’ names to meet the company’s aggressive sales goals. Yet for years, the company had forced complaining customers into arbitration and just a few months before the bank agreed to settle this case, it tried to kill the case by forcing defrauded customers to arbitrate.
|
|-
|'''''G.G. v. Valve Corp., No. 2:16cv01941, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 50640'''''
|2017
|[TBA] - Lawsuit against valve over CS:GO loot boxes being gambling, compelled into arbitration
|
|-
|'''''Gutierrez v. Wells Fargo Bank, NA'', 889 F.3d 1230'''
|2018
|From 2008 to 2009 across various class actions, Wells Fargo was abusing its forced arbitration clause to combat legal cases wherein the company unlawfully charged overdraft fees.
|
|-
|'''''DeNicolo v. The Hertz Corp'', No. 19-210'''
|2019
|[TBA]
|
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Common license terms]]
[[Category:Theme]]

Article suggestions

2026-02-12T11:29:32Z

JamesTDG: Discovered a treasure trove of an article that may introduce more articles on the CRW

Minecraft

2026-02-10T09:49:05Z

JamesTDG: New section on anticompetitive actions, needs more expansion ofc

{{ProductCargo
|Company=Mojang, Microsoft
|ProductLine=Minecraft
|Logo=Minecraft logo.svg
|ReleaseYear=2011
|InProduction=Yes
|ArticleType=Service
|Category=Video Games
|Website=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us
|Description=Minecraft is a sandbox video game meant for younger audiences
}}

'''{{wplink|Minecraft|Minecraft}}''' is a 2011 multiplayer sandbox game made by [[Mojang|Mojang Studios]]. Once acquired by [[Microsoft]], the game began to harvest telemetry data, force users to comply with an ever shifting EULA to keep access to the paid game, and hide various clauses in the EULA from the public.

==Consumer impact summary==
Under [[Microsoft]]'s ownership, Minecraft has undergone multiple anti-consumer changes in order to acquire more user data and utilizing undisclosed and an ever changing EULA terms to censor user-generated content. These practices are especially concerning since a significant amount of Minecraft players are children.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Capel |first=Chris J |date=2019-09-25 |title=Believe it or not, the average age of a Minecraft player is 24 |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/player-age |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018082457/https://www.pcgamesn.com/minecraft/player-age |archive-date=2019-10-18 |access-date=2025-08-30 |website=PCGamesN}}</ref>

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

===Minecraft account migration===
{{Main|Minecraft account migration}}
On October 21st, 2020, [[Mojang]] announced that all Minecraft Java Edition users must migrate their Mojang accounts to Microsoft accounts to retain access to the game. On December 18th, 2023, consumers who did not do so lost access and needed to re-purchase the game to regain it. Any game progress, including purchased first and third party in-game items were lost.

===Minecraft post-purchase ownership rights changes===
{{Main|Minecraft post-purchase ownership rights changes}}
Before Microsoft's acquisition of Mojang, the sole developer of Minecraft, Markus Persson, advocating for consumer ownership, promised [[Digital rights management|DRM]]-free, free optional software updates, and a free copy of the fully released version for every earlier buyer.<ref name=":22">,{{Cite web |date=2011-09-23 |title=Minecraft - About the game |url=http://www.minecraft.net/store/game |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923112156/http://www.minecraft.net/store/game |archive-date=2011-09-23 |website=www.minecraft.net}}</ref>

Post acquisition of Mojang, all the previous buyers of Minecraft who failed to stop accepting updates in time, had to choose between forfeiting ownership or losing the option to use the software offline. Microsoft enacted several EULA changes which turned the game into a license with DRM that can be terminated by the company anytime.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=2024-09-30 |title=Microsoft Services Agreement |url=https://www.microsoft.com/servicesagreement |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930001856/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/servicesagreement |archive-date=2024-09-30 |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=microsoft.com}}</ref>

===Minecraft enforcing undisclosed server EULA terms===
{{Main|Minecraft enforcing undisclosed server EULA terms}}
Minecraft began taking action against mod developers and servers in 2023 for using firearms, which was deemed 'adult' by their [[End-user license agreement|EULA]]. When asked for clarification of the changes made to their EULA, Mojang gave little response, and eventually pointed them to a new EULA which had been changed without either informing consumers about the change or asking for permission to change the contract. This information was available only internally, and was later revealed by whistleblowers, since the documents holding the internal changes to their EULA was held under NDA.

In addition they selectively ignore their own EULA rules on "gambling" (loot boxes and literally gambling) servers, and even made contract with [[wikipedia:Nerf|Nerf]] to create Minecraft inspired weapons and in game items, while still refusing to allow weapon mods.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderca |first=Cristina |date=2023-10-02 |title=NERF World brings blasters into Minecraft |url=https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/nerf-world-brings-blasters-minecraft |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002180846/https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/nerf-world-brings-blasters-minecraft |archive-date=2023-10-02 |access-date=2025-08-19 |work=Minecraft}}</ref>

===Mojang shuts down community-run Minecraft servers===
{{Main|Mojang shuts down community-run Minecraft servers}}

For the past 5-8 years, [[Mojang]] have enforced countless server shutdowns citing violations of the Minecraft End User License Agreement (EULA). However, said enforcements have been unfairly biased against operators of smaller [[Minecraft]] Java Edition servers, abusing vague and often inaccessible community guidelines to shut down these servers.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Brose |first=Kian |date=Dec 3, 2024 |title=Hold Mojang Accountable For Their Unlawful Behaviour |url=https://www.gofundme.com/f/hold-mojang-accountable-for-their-unlawful-behaviour |access-date=May 12, 2024 |website=GoFundMe}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Brose |first=Kian |date=Dec 3, 2024 |title=Suing Minecraft Because They Broke The Law & Pissed Me Off |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5RvoPQZQeM |access-date=May 12, 2024 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Brose |first=Kian |title=Lawsuit Video Accompanying Document |url=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1l3fxs_pZBTdWu7q_iiRKwQdhkEKp8zkuw0O3KBVWC-I/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.8vmqv8enui5u |access-date=May 12, 2025 |website=Google Docs}}</ref>

An example of this occurred in late 2024 involving the [[Minecraft]] server '''McWar''<nowiki/>', wherein Mojang contacted the developer of the server to shut it down.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

===Minecraft Beta pre-1.8's lack of authentication===
{{Main|Minecraft Beta pre-1.8's lack of authentication}}
In version Beta 1.8, Mojang has changed the endpoint used for authentication on Minecraft servers from "www.minecraft.net" to "session.minecraft.net". Unknown amount of time later the original endpoint used for the authentication was shut down, breaking authentication support for several old Minecraft versions, despite no actual changes in the behavior of the endpoint. The latter endpoint still works, despite being insecure (supports HTTP requests, with token being within the URL parameters) - this means that the shutdown is likely not a security concern.

Lack of authentication has caused several Minecraft servers to:

*lose part of the playerbase due to a need of modding the game client (and server) to fix the authentication issue,
*become completely insecure by allowing non-premium Minecraft users to join (e.g. opens the risk of botting the server, or brute-forcing user login passwords),
*break the EULA of the game due to allowing non-premium Minecraft users to join their server.

=== DMCA takedowns of competing games ===
There has been a documented history of Microsoft submitting [[Digital Millennium Copyright Act|DMCA]] takedown notices to various voxel-based sandbox games which act as competition to Minecraft. As of ''February 10th, 2026'', the latest takedown was the project Allumeria,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mazeriio |date=Feb 10, 2026 |title=Tweet from Mazeriio |url=https://xcancel.com/Mazeriio/status/2021128578742513930 |access-date=Feb 10, 2026 |website=X formerly [[Twitter]]}}</ref> which existed as a wholly original project that was unreasonably delisted from Steam. The following is a complete list of competing games taken down by Microsoft.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Game
!Takedown Date
!Summary
!Related Article (if applicable)
|-
|MC.JS
|Circa Aug. 2019
|Microsoft issued a DMCA takedown notice to a developer who created MC.JS, a JavaScript-based browser version of Minecraft hosted on GitHub.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maxwell |first=Andy |date=September 1, 2019 |title=Microsoft Puts Blocks On In-Browser Minecraft Clone |url=https://torrentfreak.com/microsoft-puts-blocks-on-in-browser-minecraft-clone-190831/ |access-date=Feb 10, 2026 |website=Torrent Freak}}</ref> The notice cited copyright infringement, trademark violations, and unauthorized use of Minecraft's imagery and textures, resulting in the project being removed from GitHub. An archived snapshot of the page shows that the only infringing contents were referring to itself as a "Minecraft clone" and using a singular texture from the game,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tominous |title=MC.JS Github page |url=https://github.com/ideaplexus/mc.js/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125143334/https://github.com/ideaplexus/mc.js/ |archive-date=Nov 25, 2020 |access-date=Feb 10, 2026 |website=[[GitHub]]}}</ref> both of which could have easily been requested to be removed.
|
|-
|Eaglercraft
|Circa Feb. 2023
|Microsoft issued a DMCA takedown to 92 individual repositories hosting Eaglercraft, a decompilation of Minecraft. Microsoft claimed it was a violation of the EULA and Terms of Use of Minecraft.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Van der Sar |first=Ernesto |date=February 24, 2023 |title=Mojang Targets Repositories of Browser-Based Minecraft Copy ‘Eaglercraft’ |url=https://torrentfreak.com/mojang-targets-repositories-of-browser-based-minecraft-copy-eaglercraft-230224/ |access-date=Feb 10, 2026 |work=Torrent Freak}}</ref>
|[[Eaglercraft Takedows]]
|-
|N/A
|Jan. 29, 2025
|Mojang enforcement issued a DMCA takedown notice to [[Cloudflare]] over the chat service Revolt (now Stoat) supposedly being a Minecraft clone because of the platform hosting screenshots of an unknown Minecraft clone.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2025-01-29 |title=2025-01-29 mojang copyright infringement complaint |url=https://wiki.revolt.chat/notes/transparency/abuse-reports/2025-01-29-mojang-copyright-infringement-complaint/ |access-date=Feb 10, 2026 |website=Revolt Wiki}}</ref> In a subsequent email, a different actor representing [[Microsoft]], [[Tracer.ai]], sent another takedown notice over the same assets.<ref name=":3" />
|
|-
|Allumeria
|Feb. 10, 2026
|[[Microsoft]] submitted a [[DMCA]] notice to [[Valve]] over Allumeria after its systems detected that the game was supposedly using stolen assets from the game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mazeriio |date=Feb 10, 2026 |title=Tweet from Mazeriio |url=https://xcancel.com/Mazeriio/status/2021128578742513930 |access-date=Feb 10, 2026 |website=X formerly [[Twitter]]}}</ref> In an archived snapshot of Allumeria's [[Steam]] page, no assets were discernibly taken from Minecraft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Unomelon |title=Allumeria's Steam page |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/3516590/Allumeria/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250308151651/https://store.steampowered.com/app/3516590/Allumeria/ |archive-date=Mar 8, 2025 |access-date=Feb 10, 2026 |website=[[Steam]]}}</ref>
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|}

==See also==

*[[Microsoft]]
*[[Mojang]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Microsoft]]

Microsoft

2026-02-10T08:37:26Z

JamesTDG: */Anti-competitive incidents/* Revised to use table format. May be ideal to re-organize the article to follow the same format elsewhere too considering the heavy population of incidents

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Article needs to be broken up into sub-articles in order to make it more legible, organized, and navigable. use of main headings should also be improved|Issue 2=Elaboration needed on section(s) describing recent and ongoing anti-competitive lawsuits.|Issue 3=Elaboration needed on Bing and search engine under anti-competitive incidents.}}
{{CompanyCargo
| Founded = 1975
| Industry = Information Technology
| Logo = Microsoft_logo.svg
| ParentCompany =
| Type = Public
| Website = https://www.microsoft.com/
| Description = Microsoft is one of the "Big Five" tech giants who has had issues ranging from antitrust issues to monopolies
}}
[[Wikipedia:Microsoft|'''''Microsoft Corporation''''']] was founded in 1975 by ''Bill Gates'' and ''Paul Allen'' in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is one of the "Big Five" tech giants, well known for licensing ''Q-DOS'' from ''Seattle Computer Product''s as ''MS-DOS'' prior to purchasing it in 1980, as well as being known for ''Windows'', the graphical extension to ''MS-DO''S. They have developed the ''Microsoft'' ''Office Suite: Access,'' ''Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher,'' and ''Word''; the ''Xbox'' under ''the Microsoft'' ''Gaming'' division; the ''Surface'' line of laptop devices; and the cloud platform ''Azure''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zachary |first=Gregg Pascal |last2=Hall |first2=Mark |last3=Montevirgen |first3=Karl |title=Microsoft-Corporation |url=https://www.britannica.com/money/Microsoft-Corporation |url-status=live |website=britannica.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Michael |date=August 12, 2021 |title=The Rise of DOS: How Microsoft Got the IBM PC OS Contract |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/the-rise-of-dos-how-microsoft-got-the-ibm-pc-os-contract |url-status=live |website=PCmag}}</ref>

Through acquisitions, Microsoft owns numerous other tech-related businesses.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of mergers and acquisitions by Microsoft |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mergers_and_acquisitions_by_Microsoft |website=Wikipedia}}</ref>. Their most notable acquisitions include Skype, [[LinkedIn]], Github and [[Activision Blizzard]].

They also invest heavily in artificial intelligence enterprises like ''[[OpenAI]]'' (best known for creating ''ChatGPT'').<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vincent |first=James |date=July 22, 2019 |title=Microsoft invests $1 billion in OpenAI to pursue holy grail of artificial intelligence |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/22/20703578/microsoft-openai-investment-partnership-1-billion-azure-artificial-general-intelligence-agi |work=The Verge}}</ref>

==Consumer impact summary==
Microsoft has engaged in significant anti-consumer and anti-competitive practices, often leading to lawsuits in relating to allegations of monopolistic behavior. Such lawsuits have featured Microsoft's practices of bundling Internet Explorer (and later, the Edge browser) with the Windows operating system, signing exclusive deals with original equipment manufacturers (OEM) to stifle competition, using [[wikipedia:Embrace,_extend,_and_extinguish|"embrace, extend, extinguish"]] tactics to eliminate competitors, and other incidents. Microsoft was also featured within the [[wikipedia:2010s_global_surveillance_disclosures|Snowden leaks]] as being engaged in mass surveillance through the PRISM program<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=July 11, 2011 |title=Snowden Reveals Microsoft PRISM Cooperation: Helped NSA Decrypt Emails, Chats, Skype Conversations |url=https://www.ibtimes.com/snowden-reveals-microsoft-prism-cooperation-helped-nsa-decrypt-emails-chats-skype-conversations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250701125316/https://www.ibtimes.com/snowden-reveals-microsoft-prism-cooperation-helped-nsa-decrypt-emails-chats-skype-conversations |archive-date=2025-07-01 |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=International Business Times}}</ref> and has been reported on for removing content from Bing to appease the Chinese government<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nicholas |first=Kristof |date=2009-11-20 |title=Boycott Microsoft Bing |url=http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/boycott-microsoft-bing/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091123194315/http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/boycott-microsoft-bing/ |archive-date=2009-11-23 |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=The New York Times}}</ref>.

==Anti-competitive lawsuits==

===US Department of Justice, U.S. v. Microsoft Corp. (1998-2001)===
In a major antitrust case brought by the ''US Department of Justice'', ''U.S. v.'' Microsoft Corp'''''.''','' 253 F.3d 34 (D.C. Cir. 2001)<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2001-06-28 |title=U.S. v. Microsoft Corp., 253 F.3d 34 (D.C. Cir. 2001) |url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/253/34/576095/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110413112825/https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/253/34/576095/ |archive-date=2011-04-13 |access-date=2025-08-19 |website=JUSTIA U.S. Law}}</ref>, Microsoft argued that there was no barrier to entry in the market they operated in. A central issue at that time was whether Microsoft could bundle the web browser ''Internet Explorer'' with the Microsoft Windows operating system. The District Court stated the following in the court case:<blockquote>"The District Court condemned a number of provisions in Microsoft's agreements licensing Windows to OEMs, because it found that Microsoft's imposition of those provisions (like many of Microsoft's other actions at issue in this case) serves to reduce usage share of ''Netscape''<nowiki/>'s browser and, hence, protect Microsoft's operating system monopoly."</blockquote>The court specifically identified three main license restrictions for [[Original Equipment Manufacturers]] (OEMs) that were considered problematic:

#The prohibition upon the removal of desktop icons, folders, and Start menu entries
#The prohibition of modifying the initial boot sequence
#The prohibition of otherwise altering the appearance of the Windows desktop

The case was eventually settled<ref>[https://www.justice.gov/atr/case-document/file/503541/dl "Final judgment of US v. Microsoft"] - justice.gov - accessed 2025-01-29</ref><ref>[https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/373/1199/474311/ "Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Ex Rel., Appellant, v. Microsoft Corporation"] - law.justia.com - accessed 2025-01-29</ref> and did not result in a company breakup.<ref>[https://www.seattletimes.com/business/microsoft/long-antitrust-saga-ends-for-microsoft/ "Long antitrust saga ends for Microsoft"] - seattletimes.com - accessed 2025-01-29</ref>

Section III.H of the Consent Decree<ref>[https://www.justice.gov/atr/microsoft-consent-decree-compliance-advisory-august-1-2003-us-v-microsoft "Microsoft Consent Decree Compliance Advisory - August 1, 2003 : U.S. V. Microsoft"] - justice.gov - accessed 2025-01-29</ref> required ''Microsoft'' to "allow end users and OEMs to enable or remove access to all middleware products, including web browsers, e-mail clients, and media players through a readily accessible, centralized mechanism." End users and Original Equipment Manufacturers should be able "to specify a non-Microsoft middleware product as the default middleware product to be launched in place of the corresponding Microsoft middleware product."

In the case ''United States v.'' Microsoft Corp'''''.''','' 87 F. Supp. 2d 30 (D.D.C. 2000),<ref>[https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp2/87/30/2307082/ "United States v. Microsoft Corp., 87 F. Supp. 2d 30 (D.D.C. 2000)"] - law.justia.com - accessed 2025-01-29</ref> Microsoft's conduct in totality was described as a "deliberate assault upon entrepreneurial efforts that, could well have enabled the introduction of competition into the market for [[Intel]]-compatible PC operating systems". Furthermore, "Microsoft's anti-competitive actions trammeled the competitive process through which the computer software industry generally stimulates innovation and conduces to the optimum benefit of consumers."

====Summary of anti-competitive practices alleged in this lawsuit====
:*Slowing development of rival products like IBM and Apple through contractual or technical barriers.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2002-01-25 |title=Competitive Processes, Anticompetitive Practices And Consumer Harm In The Software Industry: An Analysis Of The Inadequacies Of The Microsoft-Department Of Justice Proposed Final Judgment |url=https://www.justice.gov/atr/competitive-processes-anticompetitive-practices-and-consumer-harm-software-industry-analysis |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115104834/https://www.justice.gov/atr/competitive-processes-anticompetitive-practices-and-consumer-harm-software-industry-analysis |archive-date=2017-11-15 |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=justice.gov |publisher=U.S. Department Of Justice}}</ref>
:*Overcharging consumers by $20–30 billion total for Windows licenses in the 1990s by hiding costs in PC bundles.<ref name=":0" />
:*Degrading interoperability of competing software (e.g., Java, Netscape) with Windows. <ref name=":0" />
:*Blocking rivals' distribution channels by signing exclusive deals with PC manufacturers and ISPs. <ref name=":0" />

===Microsoft Corp. v Commission of the European Communities (2004-2007)===
The EU began an investigation of Microsoft in 1998 following a complaint by Sun Microsystems for not disclosing some interfaces to Windows NT. In August 2001, the EU expanded the investigation to look at how streaming media technology has been integrated into Windows.<ref>{{cite news |last=McCullagh |first=Declan |date=2002-07-01 |title=EU looks to wrap up Microsoft probe |url=http://www.news.com/2100-1001_3-941090.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120907171103/http://www.news.com/2100-1001_3-941090.html |archive-date=2012-09-07 |access-date=2025-08-23 |work=CNET}}</ref> Microsoft was found guilty of illegally abusing its dominant position in the operating system market<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=2007-09-17 |title=EUR-Lex - 62004TJ0201 - Judgment of the Court of First Instance (Grand Chamber) of 17 September 2007. Microsoft Corp. v Commission of the European Communities. |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:62004TJ0201 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725161632/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:62004TJ0201 |archive-date=2015-07-25 |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=EUR-Lex}}</ref> in order to dominate the entertainment market and push out competitors. It did this by bundling Windows Media Player with the Windows operating system, despite them being two distinct products, allowing "that media player automatically to achieve a level of market penetration corresponding to that of the dominant undertaking’s client PC operating system, without having to compete on the merits with competing products".<ref name=":6" />

The case was settled and Microsoft was fined €497 million ($613 million) - the largest fine for abuse of a dominant position at the time{{Citation needed|reason=is this still the case?}} - as well as having to provide a version of its Windows operating system without a bundled media player<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date=2004-03-25 |title=Microsoft hit by record EU fine |url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/BUSINESS/03/24/microsoft.eu/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060413082435/http://www.cnn.com/2004/BUSINESS/03/24/microsoft.eu/ |archive-date=2006-04-13 |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=CNN}}</ref> (called Windows XP Home Edition N<ref name="WinXPSRedmondMag2">{{cite news |last=Bekker |first=Scot |date=2005-03-28 |title=European Windows Called 'Windows XP Home Edition N' |url=http://www.redmondmag.com/news/article.asp?EditorialsID=6625 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050407081820/http://redmondmag.com/news/article.asp?EditorialsID=6625 |archive-date=2005-04-07 |access-date=2025-08-23 |publisher=Redmondmag.com}}</ref><ref name="WinXPSBBC">{{cite news |date=2005-03-28 |title=Microsoft and EU reach agreement |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4388349.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051222031525/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4388349.stm |archive-date=2005-12-22 |access-date=2025-08-23 |publisher=BBC}}</ref>). However, this ruling could be seen as insufficient to reduce Microsoft's monopolistic control as the company priced it the same as its bundled counterpart and the ruling didn't prevent them from selling Windows XP Home Edition. Consumer interest was low, and major Original Equipment Manufacturers did not pre-install Windows XP N on their computers<ref name="WinXPlite">{{cite news |last=Wearden |first=Graeme |date=2005-06-28 |title=Windows XP-lite 'not value for money' |url=http://management.silicon.com/government/0,39024677,39131434,00.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051102014905/http://management.silicon.com/government/0%2C39024677%2C39131434%2C00.htm |archive-date=2005-11-02 |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=Silicon.com}}</ref>.

See also: [[wikipedia:Microsoft_Corp._v_European_Commission|''Microsoft Corp. v European Commission'' (Wikipedia)]]

===JJH Enterprises Limited (trading as ValueLicensing) v Microsoft Corporation and Others (2021-ongoing)===
Valuelicensing, a UK reseller of software licenses, sued<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-22 |title=JJH Enterprises Limited (trading as ValueLicensing) v Microsoft Corporation and Others |url=https://www.catribunal.org.uk/cases/15705722-t-jjh-enterprises-limited-trading-valuelicensing |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219014502/https://www.catribunal.org.uk/cases/15705722-t-jjh-enterprises-limited-trading-valuelicensing |archive-date=2025-02-19 |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=Competition Appeal Tribunal}}</ref> Microsoft for "suppressing the availability of preowned perpetual licences" and restricting customers from reselling old licenses in exchange for more favourable terms on newer, subscription-based models<ref>{{Cite news |last=Speed |first=Richard |date=2022-07-08 |title=Judge rejects another Microsoft appeal against surplus license reseller suit |url=https://www.theregister.com/2022/07/08/microsoft_valuelicensing/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708112410/https://www.theregister.com/2022/07/08/microsoft_valuelicensing/ |archive-date=2022-07-08 |access-date=2025-08-23 |work=The Register}}</ref>, claiming £270 million in damages<ref>{{Cite news |last=Speed |first=Richard |date=2021-04-08 |title=UK reseller sues Microsoft for £270m in damages claiming prohibitive contracts choke off surplus Office licence supplies |url=https://www.theregister.com/2021/04/08/valuelicensing_microsoft_lawsuit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408123252/https://www.theregister.com/2021/04/08/valuelicensing_microsoft_lawsuit/ |archive-date=2021-04-08 |access-date=2025-08-23 |work=The Register}}</ref>.

===Ongoing UK lawsuit for overcharging users of non Azure cloud services===
UK lawsuit alleges ''Windows Servers'' users were overcharged when using non ''Azure ''cloud services.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gerken |first=Tom |date=2024-12-03 |title=Microsoft faces £1bn class action case in UK over software prices |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20wjnxr5ldo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203111042/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20wjnxr5ldo |archive-date=2024-12-03 |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=BBC}}</ref>

Facing EU and UK lawsuits, Microsoft settled with some cloud vendors but retained practices criticized as unfair.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Browne |first=Ryan |date=December 3, 2024 |title=Microsoft faces £1 billion lawsuit in UK for allegedly overcharging rival cloud firms’ customers |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/03/microsoft-overcharging-rival-cloud-firms-customers-uk-lawsuit-says.html |url-status=live |website=cnbc.com}}</ref>

===Antitrust investigation by U.S.===
Making it costly or technically difficult for customers to migrate data from Azure to other platforms.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Godoy |first=Jody |date=November 28, 2024 |title=Microsoft faces wide-ranging US antitrust probe |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/microsoft-faces-wide-ranging-us-antitrust-probe-2024-11-27/ |website=reuters.com}}</ref>

==Anti-competitive incidents==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Incident
!Date Started - Date Ended (if applicable)
!Incident summary
!Related Product
!Related article (if applicable)
|-
|Taking down Minecraft competitors
|2019 - Present
|Microsoft has submitted various takedowns on games that compete against [[Minecraft]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maxwell |first=Andy |date=September 1, 2019 |title=Microsoft Puts Blocks On In-Browser Minecraft Clone |url=https://torrentfreak.com/microsoft-puts-blocks-on-in-browser-minecraft-clone-190831/ |access-date=Feb 10, 2026 |website=Torrent Freak}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mazeriio |date=Feb 10, 2026 |title=Tweet from Mazeriio |url=https://xcancel.com/Mazeriio/status/2021128578742513930 |access-date=Feb 10, 2026 |website=X formerly [[Twitter]]}}</ref> which unfairly thins out competition against the game.
|[[Minecraft]]
|
|-
|Prompts to stop users from installing competing browsers
|2021 - Present
|Users attempting to install other web browsers, such as ''[[Google Chrome|Chrome]], [[Brave browser|Brave]], or [[Opera web browser|Opera]],'' will face a pop-up on their screen telling users to instead use [[Microsoft Edge|Edge]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=2021-12-02 |title=Microsoft’s new Windows prompts try to stop people downloading Chrome |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/2/22813733/microsoft-windows-edge-download-chrome-prompts |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202114904/https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/2/22813733/microsoft-windows-edge-download-chrome-prompts |archive-date=2021-12-02 |access-date=2025-08-22 |website=The Verge}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sen |first=Sayan |date=2021-12-02 |title=Microsoft says its own Edge browser is more trustworthy than "so 2008" Google Chrome |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-says-its-own-edge-browser-is-more-trustworthy-than-so-2008-google-chrome/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202081952/https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-says-its-own-edge-browser-is-more-trustworthy-than-so-2008-google-chrome/ |archive-date=2021-12-02 |access-date=2025-08-22 |website=Neowin}}</ref> It has been reported to occur on devices running either ''[[Windows|Windows 10]]'' or ''[[Windows|Windows 11]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hollister |first=Sean |date=2023-10-25 |title=Microsoft now thirstily injects a poll when you download Google Chrome |url=https://www.theverge.com/23930960/microsoft-edge-google-chrome-poll-why-try-another-browser |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025001842/https://www.theverge.com/23930960/microsoft-edge-google-chrome-poll-why-try-another-browser |archive-date=2023-10-25 |access-date=2025-08-22 |website=The Verge}}</ref>'' which harms the market share of [[Google Chrome|Chrome]], despite [[Microsoft Edge|Edge]] being based on ''[[Chromium]]''.
|[[Microsoft Edge]]
|
|-
|Bing search attempting to harm competing search engines
|2023 - Present
|When doing a web search for an alternative web browser through ''[[Microsoft Bing|Bing]]'', ''[[Microsoft]]''<nowiki/>'s in-house developed search engine that is also used as the default for ''[[Microsoft Edge|Edge]]'', the search engine's AI will attempt to bury the search results for the web browser from the user.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hollister |first=Sean |date=Jun 6, 2023 |title=Microsoft has no shame: Bing spit on my ‘Chrome’ search with a fake AI answer |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/6/23736289/microsoft-bing-chrome-search-fake-ai-chatbot |access-date=Jun 21, 2025 |work=The Verge}}</ref> 
|[[Bing]], [[Microsoft Edge]]
|
|-
|Bing disguising itself as another search engine
|2025 - Present
|Currently, when a user does a web search for "[[Google]]", the search engine will disguise itself as a generic search engine that would appear to look like Google in the eyes of the average user.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=Jan 6, 2025 |title=Microsoft is using Bing to trick people into thinking they’re on Google |url=https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/6/24337117/microsoft-bing-search-results-google-design-trick |access-date=Jun 21, 2025 |work=The Verge}}</ref>
|[[Bing]]
|
|}

==Anti-consumer incidents==

===Failure to handle quality assurance===
{{Main|Microsoft's quality assurance failures}}
Microsoft has had an extensive history when it comes to failing to maintain the quality of its products.

===Windows 3.1 AARD code===
[[File:Windows 3.10.068 setup AARD code.png|alt=Windows 3.1 beta setup with a gray square in the middle in red text coloring that says "Non-fatal error detected: error #4D53 (Please contact Windows 3.1 beta support.). Press ENTER to continue"|thumb|Windows 3.1 AARD code]]
Users attempting to install a beta release of Windows 3.1 on a machine running [[wikipedia:DR-DOS|DR-DOS]] would receive an error message stating "'''Non-fatal error detected: error #4D53 (Please contact Windows 3.1 beta support)'''". The error code was discovered by Geoff Chappell on April 17 1992.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chappell |first=Geoff |date=8 May 1999 |title=AARD code |url=https://www.geoffchappell.com/notes/windows/archive/aard/index.htm?tx=57 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112155815/https://www.geoffchappell.com/notes/windows/archive/aard/index.htm?tx=57 |archive-date=12 Jan 2024 |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |website=Geoff Chappell, Software Analyst}}</ref> DR DOS was capable of running Windows 3.1 as it is compatible with MS-DOS, but the AARD code in the installer used undocumented structures to detect if the machine was running DR DOS in order to display this message. The rationale was to pressure the user into buying MS-DOS: "What the [user] is supposed to do is feel uncomfortable, and when he has bugs, suspect that the problem is DR-DOS and then go out to buy MS-DOS," wrote Brad Silverberg, the senior vice president of Microsoft at the time, in a 1992 email.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2002-01-02 |title=Microsoft emails focus on DR-DOS threat |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-emails-focus-on-dr-dos-threat/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310065721/https://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-emails-focus-on-dr-dos-threat/ |archive-date=2016-03-10 |access-date=2025-08-30 |work=CNET}}</ref>
===Inactive account deletions===
Microsoft has a [[Inactive account deletion|deletion policy on inactive accounts]] in which accounts that are not used for 2 years or more may be scheduled to be deleted. Any account that has been locked for more than two years will also be considered "inactive" and will be closed. Before the deletion of the inactive account, users may get an email or text message warning that their account is scheduled to be deleted. Such policies could adversely affect those who had good reasons to become inactive for a long time, such as hospitalization, prison incarceration, and being in totalitarian countries which have prolonged internet shutdowns.<ref>https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/microsoft-account-activity-policy-7c0a9fa7-0982-b7c6-fd72-df852b63699f</ref>

====Exceptions====

The following are the exceptions to the inactive account deletion policy as provided by Microsoft:

*'''Purchases''': If you have used your Microsoft account to purchase, or to redeem or access a purchase of, a current Microsoft product or service, your Microsoft account will remain active and Microsoft will not close your account due to inactivity. Note, this does not apply to gift cards, certifications or subscription-based purchases or services.

*'''Subscriptions''': Your Microsoft account will continue to remain active for so long as you have an active Microsoft subscription associated with your Microsoft account. Following the expiration or termination of the subscription, you must sign in to your Microsoft account at least once in a two-year period to keep your account active.

*'''Publishing to the Microsoft Store''': If you have used your Microsoft account to publish applications or games (including game DLCs) to the Microsoft Store or to register for a Microsoft Partner Center account, your Microsoft account will remain active and Microsoft will not close your account due to inactivity.

*'''Certifications''': If you earn a certification from Microsoft using your Microsoft account, your Microsoft account will remain active and Microsoft will not close your account due to inactivity.

*'''Account Balance''': Your Microsoft account will continue to remain active for so long as you have an unspent balance in your Microsoft account (e.g. from a Microsoft gift card or a credit from Microsoft). If you live in a jurisdiction where gift cards are considered “unclaimed property,” Microsoft will, pursuant to local law, escheat the unspent balance associated with your Microsoft gift card.

*'''Accounts Payable''': Your Microsoft account will continue to remain active for so long as there is an amount owed to you by Microsoft associated with your Microsoft account (e.g. amounts due to you from Microsoft Payment Central).

*'''Family Accounts''': If you have an inactive Microsoft account that has granted consent for an active Microsoft account belonging to a minor, Microsoft will not close your Microsoft account due to your inactivity. Your inactive Microsoft account will be kept open by Microsoft until the minor’s account (i) is deemed inactive and closed by Microsoft, (ii) is closed by you, or (iii) transitions into a standard Microsoft account when the minor reaches the requisite age of majority in their region.

*'''Legal Requirements or as otherwise provided by Microsoft''': Notwithstanding the foregoing, Microsoft reserves the right to maintain your account status as active, or not to close an inactive account, as required by applicable law or regulation, or as otherwise provided by Microsoft to you.

===Edge===
{{Main|Microsoft Edge}}
''Microsoft Edge''(''Edge'') is a ''[[Chromium]]''-based <ref>{{Cite web |last=Tung |first=Liam |date=2020-06-03 |title=Windows 10: Microsoft begins automatically pushing Chromium Edge to users |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-10-microsoft-begins-automatically-pushing-chromium-edge-to-users/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603160238/https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-10-microsoft-begins-automatically-pushing-chromium-edge-to-users/ |archive-date=2020-06-03 |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=ZDNET}}</ref> web browser that comes preinstalled with Windows 10 and later. It is the successor to ''IE''.

====Resetting primary browser (2017-present)====
Windows has frequently been resetting the default browser to ''Edge'' without consent.{{Citation needed|reason=old link dead}} While there are methods to disable this,<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/15zbjar/default_browser_keeps_changing_to_microsoft_edge/ "Default browser keeps changing to Microsoft Edge after every PC restart. Win 11, tried everything"] - reddit.com - accessed 2025-01-29</ref> it is tedious to achieve, especially for users who are not tech-savvy.

====Inability to delete (2018-present)====
During major updates for ''Windows'', users have been reporting their installations of ''Edge'' being reinstalled to their devices without their consent.<ref>[https://www.windowscentral.com/how-prevent-microsoft-edge-chromium-installing-automatically-windows-10 "How to prevent new Microsoft Edge from installing automatically on Windows 10"] - windowscentral.com - accessed 2025-01-29</ref>

====Importing content from other browsers (2020-?)====
Users have reported on frequent occasions that Edge has imported user data from browsers such as ''Chrome'' and ''Firefox'' without first requesting consent from the user.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Komando |first=Kim |date=2020-07-01 |title=Microsoft caught importing data before you give the OK |url=https://www.komando.com/news/microsoft-edge-caught-importing-data/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213192319/https://www.komando.com/news/microsoft-edge-caught-importing-data/ |archive-date=2024-12-13 |access-date=2025-08-22 |website=KIMKOMANDO}}</ref>

====Pressuring users into using Edge (2020-?)====
In 2020, users for [[Windows|Windows 10]] faced repeated harassment from Edge to use this browser instead of the user's chosen default browser.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hollister |first=Sean |date=2020-07-02 |title=Microsoft just sank to a new low by shoving Edge down our throats |url=https://www.theverge.com/21310611/microsoft-edge-browser-forced-update-chromium-editorial |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702205823/https://www.theverge.com/21310611/microsoft-edge-browser-forced-update-chromium-editorial |archive-date=2020-07-02 |access-date=2025-08-22 |website=The Verge}}</ref> Some examples included the browser opening on startup, the browser being forced into full screen, being incapable of closing the browser until the user acknowledges the pop-up, and the browser pinning itself to the taskbar.{{Citation needed}}

====Removal of ''365'' features to push ''Copilot (2025)''====
Eliminated key search features in ''365'', forcing users to pay $30/month for ''Copilot'' access, sparking backlash from businesses and educators.{{Citation needed}} The FTC and DOJ are reportedly investigating, with Elon Musk alleging antitrust violations in its ''OpenAI'' partnership.{{Citation needed}}

====Increasing the difficulty to switch default browsers (2021 - Present)====
After an update in 2021, computers running ''[[Windows 11]]'' had the systems that handled modifying the web browser defaults.<ref name=":03">{{Cite news |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=Aug 18, 2021 |title=Microsoft is making it harder to switch default browsers in Windows 11 |url=https://www.theverge.com/22630319/microsoft-windows-11-default-browser-changes |access-date=Jun 21, 2025 |work=The Verge}}</ref> Rather than allow the user to simply switch the default web browser, file types typically accessed via web browsers, such as HTM, HTML, SVG, and more have to be individually modified to have the default opening application changed. This has angered companies maintaining competing web browsers<ref name=":03" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lockheimer |first=Hiroshi |date=Aug 18, 2021 |title=Tweet from Hiroshi Lockheimer |url=https://x.com/lockheimer/status/1428047760620621831?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1428047760620621831%7Ctwgr%5E9ac6cc57ee0013acb388128e04c3a43f4cd79c94%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theverge.com%2F22630319%2Fmicrosoft-windows-11-default-browser-changes |access-date=Jun 21, 2025 |website=X, formerly [[Twitter]]}}</ref> and consumers alike over this change. Even if users modify all of these default settings, other features on the device, such as the taskbar's weather widget, which if opened, will create a new tab specifically in ''[[Microsoft Edge|Edge]]''.<ref name=":03" />Microsoft attempts to justify this by stating:<ref name=":03" /><blockquote>“With Windows 11, we are implementing customer feedback to customize and control defaults at a more granular level, eliminating app categories and elevating all apps to the forefront of the defaults experience,” “As evidenced by this change, we’re constantly listening and learning, and welcome customer feedback that helps shape Windows. Windows 11 will continue to evolve over time; if we learn from user experience that there are ways to make improvements, we will do so.”</blockquote>

===Minecraft===
{{Main|Minecraft account migration}}
Following Microsoft's acquisition of Minecraft, they have started forcing account migration to users who already had a Mojang account to a Microsoft account. The company gave users a grace period for account migration, after which users would have to purchase Minecraft again if the Mojang account was not migrated.<ref>https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/19633473939981-I-Missed-My-Chance-to-Migrate-What-Happens-to-My-Account</ref>

===Office 365 Suite===
{{Main|Microsoft Office 365}}
The Office 365 program has been facing a number of issues in recent years, with allegations of forced upsell and forced implementation of OneDrive.

===Microsoft Windows===
''Main article: [[Microsoft Windows]]''

====Telemetry====
Windows 10 and 11 are configured to send telemetry by default[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]''], and users may only switch it to a reduced mode, without actually being able to easily disable it[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']. Only certain editions like the Enterprise version have options to switch it off{{Citation needed}}, but a study conducted by the German ministry of information security in 2018 suggests that even this does not stop telemetry data collection completely{{Citation needed}}.

Telemetry covers a wide variety of system information as well as a multitude of user interactions. Microsoft can configure remotely which and how much data and is collected from a particular system[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']. This can go up to a level where all key presses are transmitted in real time{{Citation needed}}. This makes telemetry very intransparent and difficult to monitor since the kind of data being collected could change at any moment without notice.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']

====Windows 10====
The release of Windows 10 in 2015 marked a decade of taking away user choice through forced updates, resetting user preferences, and [[Forced app download|forced software installation.]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hruska |first=Joel |date=30 Jul 2015 |title=Windows 10's default privacy settings and controls leave much to be desired |url=https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/211208-windows-10s-default-privacy-settings-and-controls-leave-much-to-be-desired |website=ExtremeTech}}</ref> Updates would be automatically scheduled when the computer is inactive, <ref>[https://www.crn.com/news/applications-os/300077576/did-microsoft-just-backtrack-on-forced-updates-for-windows-10 "Did Microsoft Just Backtrack On Forced Updates For Windows 10?"] - crn.com - accessed 2025-01-29</ref> leading to some systems being rendered unusable because of bugged updates that cannot be avoided.<ref>[https://www.tomsguide.com/news/windows-10-update-is-bricking-pcs-uninstall-this-right-now "Windows 10 update is 'breaking' PCs — what to do now"] - tomsguide.com - accessed 2025-01-29</ref><ref>[https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-update-bricked-my-bios-thought-to-be/a1f0ebc7-d20d-459f-9956-72a3f98ca432 "Windows update bricked my bios ?? Thought to be impossible ?"] - answers.microsoft.com - accessed 2025-01-29 </ref> Some updates would force changes on preferences set by the user for various applications and settings.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/n1hoz0/windows_please_stop_changing_my_settings_with/ "Windows: PLEASE STOP CHANGING MY SETTINGS WITH UPDATES"] - reddit.com - accessed 2025-01-29</ref><ref>[https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-10-updated-and-reset-all-of-my-settings/529ffb03-edd4-4be2-9412-50e3271fa8fe "Windows 10 updated and reset all of my settings and preferences."] - answers.microsoft.com - 2025-01-29</ref><ref>[https://www.minitool.com/news/windows-settings-are-reset-after-reboot.html "Windows Settings Are Reset After Reboot? Best Fixes Here!"] - minitool.com - accessed 2025-01-29</ref>

Additionally, Microsoft Windows installs software, such as Candy Crush, on computers that the user did not ask for.{{Citation needed}} This may also force users to agree to licensing terms, for instance when interacting with forcibly installed software to remove it.{{Citation needed}}

When ''Windows'' ''10'' is installed from the ISO that can be downloaded from Microsoft, the EULA explicitly mentions forced arbitration.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Microsoft Software License Terms |url=https://www.microsoft.com/content/dam/microsoft/usetm/documents/windows/10/oem-pre-installed/UseTerms_OEM_Windows_10_English.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729194240/https://www.microsoft.com/content/dam/microsoft/usetm/documents/windows/10/oem-pre-installed/UseTerms_OEM_Windows_10_English.pdf |archive-date=2025-07-29 |access-date=2025-08-11 |page=6 |quote="If we can’t [informally resolve a dispute], you and we agree to binding individual arbitration before the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) under the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”), and not to sue in court in front of a judge or jury."}}</ref>

====Windows 11====
{{Main|Microsoft Windows 11}}

=====TPM 2.0 chip requirements=====
{{see also|Trusted computing}}
Microsoft updated their system requirements to include ''Trusted Platform Module 2.0'' (TPM) support as a mandatory requirement for upgrading to ''[[Windows 11]]''. This would require either a TPM-compatible CPU, or a separate TPM-dedicated chip to be installed on the motherboard, however some users were able to circumvent this requirement by editing the registry.<ref>[https://www.starwindsoftware.com/blog/bypass-tpm-and-install-windows-11-on-unsupported-hardware/ "Bypass TPM and Install Windows 11 on Unsupported Hardware"] - starwindsoftware.com - accessed 2025-01-29</ref> This change resulted in many customers selling or discarding their otherwise functional computers and hardware that did not meet the new system requirements.<ref>[https://securityonline.info/windows-11s-tpm-2-0-free-software-foundation-fights-forced-upgrades-and-e-waste/ "Windows 11’s TPM 2.0: Free Software Foundation Fights Forced Upgrades and E-Waste"] - securityonline.info - accessed 2025-01-29</ref> Microsoft has been frequently reminding users of ''[[Windows|Windows 10]]'' to upgrade their hardware to be compatible with ''[[Windows 11]]'',<ref>[https://www.pcmag.com/news/microsoft-revives-pop-ups-in-windows-10-to-push-windows-11-upgrades "Microsoft Revives Pop-Ups in Windows 10 to Push Windows 11 Upgrades"] - pcmag.com - accessed 2025-01-29</ref><ref>[https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsoft-embarrasses-itself-with-windows-10-pop-up-that-hogs-the-desktop-urging-an-upgrade-to-windows-11-then-promptly-crashes "Microsoft embarrasses itself with Windows 10 pop-up that hogs the desktop urging an upgrade to Windows 11 – then promptly crashes"] - techradar.com - accessed 2025-01-29</ref> which has caused many users frequent agitation.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/microsoft/comments/19dvs9k/any_way_to_disable_the_upgrade_to_windows_11_ads/ "Any way to disable the "upgrade to Windows 11" ads?"] - reddit.com - accessed 2025-01-29</ref>

Some advocacy groups, such as the [https://endof10.org End of Windows 10 campaign] , have encouraged users with older PCs to switch to Linux instead.

=====Recall=====
{{Main|Microsoft Copilot's recall feature}}
In 2024, Microsoft unveiled ''Recall'' for ''Copilot+ PCs'', marketed as a way for users to search through what they have done on their computer by recording their screen. This sparked controversy,<ref>[https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsofts-controversial-recall-feature-for-windows-11-could-already-be-in-legal-hot-water "Microsoft’s controversial Recall feature for Windows 11 could already be in legal hot water"] - techradar.com - accessed 2025-01-29</ref> especially among security experts<ref>[https://www.techtarget.com/searchenterpriseai/feature/Privacy-and-security-risks-surrounding-Microsoft-Recall "Privacy and security risks surrounding Microsoft Recall"] - techtarget.com - accessed 2025-01-29</ref> who worried about the security of screenshots,<ref>[https://news.sky.com/story/microsoft-ai-feature-investigated-by-uk-watchdog-over-screenshots-13141171 "Microsoft AI feature investigated by UK watchdog over screenshots"] - news.sky.com - accessed 2025-01-29</ref> since it could easily document private information like social-security numbers, bank-account information, and passwords, as well as user browsing behavior. A ''Python'' script was developed, called "''TotalRecall''", that collects the screenshots and descriptions of these recordings,<ref>[https://github.com/xaitax/TotalRecall "TotalRecall - a 'privacy nightmare'?"] - github.com - accessed 2025-01-29</ref> proving the danger of ''Recall''. This feature was delayed after backlash from users.<ref>[https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/06/microsoft-recall-delayed-after-privacy-and-security-concerns "Microsoft Recall delayed after privacy and security concerns"] - malwarebytes.com - accessed 2025-01-29</ref>

In 2025, Microsoft re-released ''Recall'',<ref>{{Cite news |last=Davenport |first=Corbin |date=Apr 25, 2025 |title=Windows Recall Is Finally Rolling Out After Controversal Reveal |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/windows-recall-is-finally-rolling-out-after-controversal-release/ |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=How to Geek}}</ref> with claims that the tool has resolved the security flaws and it coming disabled by default.<ref>{{Cite news |last=LeClair |first=Dave |date=Apr 11, 2025 |title=Microsoft Recall is rolling out following major controversy — what you need to know |url=https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/microsoft-recall-is-coming-for-real-this-time |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=Tom's Guide}}</ref> However, despite integrating better security, having this feature enabled continues to pose privacy risks for consumers, as it is only a matter of when a vulnerability is discovered for the problems both consumers and businesses initially had with the tool to resurface,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Nick |date=May 5, 2025 |title=Turn Off Windows' Recall to Protect Your Privacy |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/how-to-disable-recall/ |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=How to Geek}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Piltch |first=Avram |date=2025-08-01 |title=Tested: Microsoft Recall can still capture credit cards and passwords, a treasure trove for crooks |url=https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/01/microsoft_recall_captures_credit_card_info/ |access-date=2025-08-05 |website=The Register}}</ref> especially since it is difficult for users to inspect the screenshots that are taken by the tool.

=====Family Safety=====
{{Main|Microsoft's anticompetitive practices}}
A feature seen within ''[[Windows 11]]''<nowiki/>'s parental controls is Family Safety. A key problem shown from this feature is that it can questionably ban certain applications from properly running on the device, with no notice to the administrator in charge of the device. In '''June 2025''', this feature banned the string "Chrome",<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=u/Witty-Discount-2906 |date=Jun 3, 2025 |title=Chrome won’t open (Windows 11) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/chrome/comments/1l2c552/comment/mvt1w2a/ |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> which blocked the web browser [[Google Chrome|''Chrome'']] from functioning.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=Jun 20, 2025 |title=Microsoft is blocking Google Chrome through its family safety feature |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/690179/microsoft-block-google-chrome-family-safety-feature |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=The Verge}}</ref> Schools in particular use this feature on devices given out for students to complete classwork remotely, and as [[Google Chrome|''Chrome'']] holds the majority market share of web browser usage, (65-70%)<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 1, 2025 |title=Browser Market Share Worldwide |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/browser-market-share/ |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |website=Statcounter}}</ref> there has been mass reports of students being unable to complete their classwork strictly due to this flaw.<ref name=":04">{{Cite news |last=Priestley |first=Peter |date=Jun 4, 2025 |title=Microsoft Family Safety Blocking Chrome Browser |url=https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_11-wintop_famsafety/microsoft-family-safety-blocking-chrome-browser/40023ef5-177b-4eed-a857-80ed15afa3a5?rtAction=1749008739548&page=1 |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=Microsoft Answers}}</ref>

Currently, Microsoft has neglected to inform users on rolling out a fix in the future,<ref>{{Cite web |date=Jun 3, 2025 |title=[User Feedback - Stable] M137 Windows - Increase in feedback about crashing |url=https://issues.chromium.org/issues/422222571 |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |website=Chromium issues}}</ref> and the only solutions available to users is to either rename the executable on the affected device<ref name=":3" /> or disable "Block inappropriate browsing" inside the ''Family Safety'' settings.<ref name=":04" />

=====Removal of WordPad=====
Starting with Windows 11, version 24H2, [[wikipedia:WordPad|WordPad]], a word processor included with every version of Windows since [[wikipedia:Windows_95|Windows 95]] was removed and would not be included with future clean installations. Microsoft recommended users to use [[wikipedia:Microsoft_Word|Microsoft Word]] for rich text documents like .doc and .rtf, and [[wikipedia:Windows_Notepad|Windows Notepad]] for plain text documents like .txt. Microsoft Word is included with Microsoft 365 for $69.99 a year, or with Office 2024 with a one-time purchase of $149.99.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Oct 4, 2024 |title=RIP: Windows 11 Update Officially Removes WordPad |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/rip-windows-11-update-officially-removes-wordpad |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=PC Mag}}</ref>

=====Microsoft account increasingly required=====
{{See also|Microsoft ends use of "bypassnro.cmd" for Windows 11}}
Increasingly difficult to use a local account rather than a Microsoft account for installation and use of Windows.


[[File:MSInstall.png|thumb|An image of a Windows 10 installation, to illustrate the effort required to make an account unattached to a Microsoft account.]]
Numerous [[dark patterns]] have been implemented in the form of vague language and a confusing user interface, which hides the option to create an account without a Microsoft account under sub-menus and small text. This implementation, first launched under Windows 10 in 2015, continues into the [[Windows 11]] installation process. In March 2025, Microsoft announced that the creation of a Microsoft account would be mandatory when downloading Windows 11, claiming that the decision would tighten security and streamline the user experience.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-28 |title=Windows 11 Enforces Mandatory Microsoft Account for Setup: What You Need to Know |url=https://windowsforum.com/threads/windows-11-enforces-mandatory-microsoft-account-for-setup-what-you-need-to-know.358519/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-10-05 |website=Windows Forum}}</ref> On occasion, Microsoft accounts have been unilaterally disabled by Microsoft. The default experience with a Microsoft account and trusted computing is that if something goes wrong with the computer, you are likely to lose all your data. Experienced users know to backup credentials to minimize this risk, however Microsoft sets most users up for failure.

=====Discontinued support for Windows Mixed Reality (WMR)=====
{{Main|Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) discontinuation}}
Beginning with [[Windows 11]] version ''24H2'', Microsoft no longer supports Windows Mixed Reality, and all support for the platform will end November 1, 2027. This affects device models from manufacturers including ''[[Samsung]]'', ''[[HP Inc.|HP]]'', ''[[Lenovo]]'', ''[[Acer]]'', ''Dell'', and Microsoft - including their own flagship device, Microsoft ''HoloLens''. Users who wish to continue using these devices must either use Windows 10 or block the ''24H2'' update from being installed.<ref> https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/hp-reverb-g2-windows-11-24h2-not-working-need-help/dd90e232-1f28-4655-aafa-685285017d59 </ref>

===Xbox===
{{Main|xbox}}

====Xbox 360 Defect - The "Red Ring of Death"====
{{Main|Bumpgate}}
In 2005, Microsoft released the ''Xbox 360''. Not long after, consumers began reporting an issue with their consoles of three red flashing lights on the ring around the power button. This was coined by consumers as the "''Red Ring of Death''", and by 2007, ''Xbox''<nowiki/>'s hardware engineers eventually discovered that the reason for it was a defect in the ''Xbox 360''<nowiki/>'s GPU.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 13, 2021 |title=Power On: The Story of Xbox {{!}} Chapter 5: The Red Ring of Death |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch? |url-status=live |access-date=June 4, 2025 |website=YouTube}}</ref>

For several months of this incident's prevalence in 2006, consumers had to pay to get their consoles fixed by Microsoft if the console was outside of its one year warranty. However, by September 2007, they chose to extend the warranty to three years from the date of original purchase, and they refunded anyone who had previously paid to get this issue fixed<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Peter |date=2007 |title=Open Letter from Peter Moore |url=http://xbox.com/en-ca/support/petermooreletter.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023004948/http://xbox.com/en-ca/support/petermooreletter.htm |archive-date=23 Oct 2007 |access-date=4 Jun 2025 |website=Xbox}}</ref>. Some current and former employees' comments in the ''Xbox'' documentary, ''Power On: The Story of Xbox'' reveal that Microsoft may have done this to rescue the ''Xbox'' brand.<ref name=":2" /> Nonetheless, this was beneficial to consumers who had made an investment in and enjoyed games from Microsoft's console.

====Xbox====
*'''Online activation'''
:Requiring internet connectivity to set up Xbox consoles or install physical game discs, even for single-player modes.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=April 12, 2021 |title=DRM or Die. How Anti-Consumer Practices Became the New Norm and the Consumers Are to Blame |url=https://cgicoffee.com/blog/2021/04/drm-or-die-anti-consumer-practices |website=}}</ref>
*'''DRM'''
:Xbox Series X/S games demand online verification for disc-based installations, rendering offline play difficult.<ref name=":4" />
*'''Xbox storage monopolization'''
:Xbox Series X/S uses a proprietary [https://www.seagate.com/content/dam/seagate/en/content-fragments/products/datasheets/xbox-expansion-card-series-4tb/xbox-expansion-card-series-4tb-DS2081-4-2504US-en_US.pdf Storage Expansion Card] that costs more when compared to industry standard storage.{{Citation needed}}
*'''Encrypted Storage'''
:Xbox Series X/S consoles have a removable solid-state drive (SSD), yet they contain an encrypted partition with a key that is married to the motherboard. This key changes after each system update, making it difficult to replace the drive<ref>{{Cite web |date=Jul 13, 2023 |title=New Xbox SSD interface is horribly anti repair|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbmzp-rqwfU |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=YouTube}}</ref>. Xbox 360 and Xbox One consoles allowed users to easily replace the hard disk drive (HDD) as needed since the hard drives did not contain such encryption<ref>{{Cite web |date=Nov 28, 2024 |title=Xbox 360 HDD Replacement|url=https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Xbox+360+HDD+Replacement/3430 |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=iFixit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 20, 2024 |title=Xbox One Hard Drive Replacement|url=https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Xbox+One+Hard+Drive+Replacement/36771 |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=iFixit}}</ref>. For the original Xbox, the hard drive was married to the motherboard, but if the console was modified with custom firmware, users could easily replace the drive{{Citation needed}}.
*'''Ending Third-Party Wireless Controller Support'''
:Support for third-party wireless controllers was ended in October 2023. Users were given a two week warning before their devices could no longer be used wirelessly unless the manufacturer paid a licensing fee.

====Removal of games====
In early September 2016, Microsoft shut down ''Xbox Live Indie Games'',<ref>[https://www.polygon.com/2015/9/9/9297959/xbox-live-indie-games-shutting-down "After seven years, Xbox Live Indie Games is closing down for good"] - polygon.com - accessed 2025-01-29</ref> and in late July 2024, Microsoft shut down its storefront for ''[[Xbox|Xbox 360]]'' games.<ref>[https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2023/08/17/xbox-360-store-will-close-july-2024/ "The Xbox 360 Store Will Close July 2024, But You Can Keep Playing Your Favorite Games"] - news.xbox.com - accessed 2025-01-29</ref> These shutdowns have made it impossible to obtain new copies of, or in some cases, play, hundreds of games within the legacy ''[[Xbox]]'' library.

===Other===

===='''Collaboration with surveillance'''====
Working with the NSA and FBI to bypass encryption (PRISM program) and access user data (Skype, Outlook).<ref name=":1" />

===='''Recurring billing traps'''====
Defaulting users into subscription auto-renewals while making cancellation processes opaque.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-18 |title=Why is MS Software So Predatory? |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/3869973/why-is-ms-software-so-predatory?forum=windows-all&referrer=answers |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=learn.microsoft.com}}</ref>{{Citation needed|reason=better source than just support forum}}

==See Also==
[[Microsoft Office 365]], an article on Microsoft's Office 365 subscription service which includes how to avoid the $30 price increase at the start.

Cross-platform limitations and consumer impact of [[Microsoft Authenticator]] multi-factor authentication.

*[[Visual Studio Code]]

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

Talk:Mojang shuts down community-run Minecraft servers

2026-02-09T10:03:44Z

JamesTDG: /* Change article name */ Reply

==Change article name==

Considering my previous post on [[Talk:Minecraft enforcing undisclosed server EULA terms]] referring to merging it with this article, it is only fair this also gets a slight rebrand. Here's my idea, however I would like to encourage others to put in their 2 cents, especially if they have a better name post-merge.

"Mojang's illegal EULA enforcements"

Considering most of these shutdowns involve terms that are inadequately disclosed (see the first Kian Brose video), there's significant overlap already.

Additionally, I am considering coverage to expand to how enforcement is unfairly being handled, since lesser offenders (McWar, MCO, GTM) are being more strictly enforced against, while large networks that offend the EULA much worse are left standing, and the few that they do enforce, often just switch domains. [[User:JamesTDG|JamesTDG]] ([[User talk:JamesTDG|talk]]) 10:44, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

:"Illegal" sounds too accusatory. I'd replace it with "biased" or "unfair(ly)" for neutral tone.
:Something like "Mojang enforces EULA unfairly". [[User:Raster|Raster]] ([[User talk:Raster|talk]]) 16:41, 8 February 2026 (UTC)
::For sake of flow, I'd probably aim for "Mojang's unfair enforcements of EULA" [[User:JamesTDG|JamesTDG]] ([[User talk:JamesTDG|talk]]) 10:03, 9 February 2026 (UTC)

Talk:Mojang shuts down community-run Minecraft servers

2026-02-08T10:44:18Z

JamesTDG: /* Change article name */ new section

== Change article name ==

Considering my previous post on [[Talk:Minecraft enforcing undisclosed server EULA terms]] referring to merging it with this article, it is only fair this also gets a slight rebrand. Here's my idea, however I would like to encourage others to put in their 2 cents, especially if they have a better name post-merge.

"Mojang's illegal EULA enforcements"

Considering most of these shutdowns involve terms that are inadequately disclosed (see the first Kian Brose video), there's significant overlap already.

Additionally, I am considering coverage to expand to how enforcement is unfairly being handled, since lesser offenders (McWar, MCO, GTM) are being more strictly enforced against, while large networks that offend the EULA much worse are left standing, and the few that they do enforce, often just switch domains. [[User:JamesTDG|JamesTDG]] ([[User talk:JamesTDG|talk]]) 10:44, 8 February 2026 (UTC)

Mojang shuts down community-run Minecraft servers

2026-02-08T10:34:39Z

JamesTDG: Background expansion - ineffective enforcement against legitimately bad actors

{{Incomplete}}

{{IncidentCargo|Company=Mojang|StartDate=2024|EndDate=|Status=Active|ProductLine=|Product=Minecraft Java Edition servers|ArticleType=Product|Type=EULA, Ownership, Third-party|Description=}}

For the past 5-8 years, [[Mojang]], the developers of the title [[Minecraft]], and a subsidiary of [[Microsoft]]'s [[Xbox Game Studios]] publishing brand, have enforced countless server shutdowns citing violations of the Minecraft End User License Agreement (EULA). However, said enforcements have been unfairly biased against operators of smaller Minecraft Java Edition servers, abusing vague and often inaccessible community guidelines to shut down these servers.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Brose |first=Kian |date=Dec 3, 2024 |title=Hold Mojang Accountable For Their Unlawful Behaviour |url=https://www.gofundme.com/f/hold-mojang-accountable-for-their-unlawful-behaviour |access-date=May 12, 2024 |website=GoFundMe}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=Brose |first=Kian |date=Dec 3, 2024 |title=Suing Minecraft Because They Broke The Law & Pissed Me Off |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5RvoPQZQeM |access-date=May 12, 2024 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref name=":22">{{Cite web |last=Brose |first=Kian |title=Lawsuit Video Accompanying Document |url=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1l3fxs_pZBTdWu7q_iiRKwQdhkEKp8zkuw0O3KBVWC-I/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.8vmqv8enui5u |access-date=May 12, 2025 |website=Google Docs}}</ref>

===Examples===
An example of this occurred in late 2024 involving the Minecraft server '''McWar''<nowiki/>', wherein Mojang contacted the developer of the server to shut it down.<ref name=":02" /><ref name=":12" /><ref name=":22" />

Additionally, [https://minecraftonline.com/ MinecraftOnline] was threatened by Mojang in late 2025 over their [https://minecraftonline.com/wiki/Free_Speech freedom of speech policy], stating that they need to repeal it, or risk being blacklisted by Mojang, meaning that players would not be able to access the server.<ref>https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/288054115651551234/1433189774717489364/image.png?ex=69066c7d&is=69051afd&hm=71166ca4c1d36843c4536aa6e6da07fdb3928ddce3c40a192fc2d3731a5b154b</ref>{{More citations needed|reason=Dead link|nocat=yes}}

==Background==
[[Minecraft]] is a voxel-based sandbox game created by Markus "Notch" Persson, and currently maintained by [[Mojang|Mojang Studios]], a subsidiary of [[Xbox|Xbox Game Studios]], owned by [[Microsoft]]. The game achieved an estimated 350M sales, marking it as the world's #1 best-selling game.<ref name=":13">{{cite book |author=[[Mojang AB]] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a7nv0AEACAAJ |title=Minecraft Annual 2026 |date=2025 |publisher=Farshore |isbn=978-0-00-868220-0 |access-date=Feb 4, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405083536/https://books.google.com/books/about/Minecraft_Annual_2026.html?id=a7nv0AEACAAJ |archive-date=April 5, 2025 |url-status=live |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref>

Minecraft is split into 2 specific versions of the game: Java Edition (JE) and Bedrock Edition (BE). JE is exclusive to PC platforms, and is traditionally where most 3rd-party multiplayer servers are hosted,{{Citation needed|reason=Check comment}} such as Hypixel, McWar, and DonutSMP. Most of these servers being shut down are on JE as well,{{Citation needed|reason=Check comment}} as BE's multiplayer system is far more compartmentalized and controlled by Microsoft,<ref>{{Cite web |date=Jun 9, 2024 |title=Request to Continue Providing PDB Files in Future BDS Versions |url=https://feedback.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/community/posts/27425253557389-Request-to-Continue-Providing-PDB-Files-in-Future-BDS-Versions |access-date=Feb 4, 2026 |website=Minecraft Feedback}}</ref>{{Citation needed|reason=Check comment}} leading to fewer servers being determined as "violating the EULA".

Most shutdowns are currently handled via blacklisting the server URL as a hash,<ref name=":0" /> however, its effectiveness has been proven to only work against non-malicious servers, as servers such as Minepot have been jumping domains to circumvent any block from Mojang.<ref>{{Cite web |last=TheMisterEpic |date=Feb 7, 2026 |title=Exposing the Most ILLEGAL Minecraft Server I've EVER Seen... |url=https://youtu.be/XgCvuUoj6mA |access-date=Feb 8, 2026 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

==Shutdowns==

===Server Blacklist - Circa 2016 (Version 1.9.3)===
When Minecraft version 1.9.3 pre-release 2 released, the client had an encrypted "server blacklist"<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/ceruleanReverie |date=May 2, 2016 |title=Mojang's "server blacklist", what it is, and why it's a big deal |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Minecraft/comments/4hh3ns/mojangs_server_blacklist_what_it_is_and_why_its_a/ |access-date=Feb 4, 2026 |website=[[Reddit]] - r/Minecraft}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Blocked server list |url=https://sessionserver.mojang.com/blockedservers |access-date=Feb 4, 2026 |website=Mojang.com}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=15773 |date=Feb 24, 2016 |title=Mojang EULA Enforcement |url=https://www.spigotmc.org/threads/mojang-eula-enforcement.125792/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251022040914/https://www.spigotmc.org/threads/mojang-eula-enforcement.125792/ |archive-date=Oct 22, 2025 |access-date=Feb 4, 2026 |website=Spigot Forums}}</ref> which if the user attempted to access a server that was on this blacklist, they would only receive a "connection error". When this list was discovered shortly after the update, the blacklist carried only 31 servers/domains, currently, this list reaches >100 servers.<ref name=":3" />While some of these servers were reasonably determined to be violating the EULA at the time, not all of them received fair punishment, especially as the company refused to transparently communicate with the overall community over these issues.

Notably during this period, the servers known to be blacklisted were primarily ones who were selling cosmetics and "pay to win" content, which violated the EULA at the time, however this enforcement later-on would become lenient enough to leave these previous rulings to be questionable.<ref>{{Cite web |last=TheMisterEpic |date=Sep 21, 2024 |title=Exposing Minecraft's ILLEGAL Server Gambling Operations... |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgrKo1mpeGo |access-date=Feb 4, 2026 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

===Grant Theft Minecart shutdown (May 2023)===
During some period in 2023, Mojang updated their EULA to classify "guns and weapons" as "non-compliant features under our Adult Content requirement." There was no prior notification to the EULA change for server owners to capably comply in-time before enforcement could occur.

Shortly after this change, the Grand Theft Minecart (GTM) server was attempted to be shut down by the Mojang Enforcement Team.<ref>{{Cite web |last=SkylixMC |date=May 28, 2023 |title=Mojang Strikes Again |url=https://grandtheftmc.net/threads/mojang-strikes-again.17292/ |access-date=Feb 4, 2026 |website=Grand Theft Minecart forums}}</ref> In a response to Mojang's enforcement email, the server owner called out some key details about the unfairness of this enforcement. <blockquote>Furthermore, please allow me to ask for clarification when you say “guns and weapons” violate the EULA under this new directive. I am genuinely confused by what is meant by “guns and weapons.” What weapons are not considered adult content? Weapons have been a part of Minecraft since its inception. For example, are swords considered adult content? Are crossbows (which under most municipalities are considered “firearms”) regarded as adult content? How about TNT? Surely bombs can’t be more “kid friendly” than “guns”? To us, this measure feels arbitrary and unnecessary

Moreover, Mojang-endorsed items that are on Minecraft’s marketplace right now clearly contain explicit “firearms”

...

What makes it OK for these items to be available to kids but not our server? Are these items, too, going to be removed?</blockquote>In summary, the email outlined how Mojang chose to focus its enforcement on the GTM server before focusing on moderating content that infringes these same rules on the BE marketplace, as well as how the rules are too vague for server owners to adequately comply.

===Forcing server rules or risking being blacklisted (Oct 2025)===
Prior to October 2025, as part of the free speech policy that was enforced for 15 years, nothing a player could say would result in a ban/official reprimand. After these changes, players are required to receive moderation action on JE servers for violations of the [https://www.minecraft.net/usage-guidelines Minecraft Usage Guidelines], [https://www.minecraft.net/community-standards Minecraft Community Standards], and [https://www.xbox.com/legal/community-standards Xbox Community Standards]. This essentially forces all Minecraft servers to enforce these rules, or risk being blacklisted by Mojang's systems.

===Mojang's response===
{{Placeholder box|If applicable, add the proposed solution to the issues by the company.}}
==Lawsuit==
<blockquote>Editor's notice: There is a lawsuit being prepped for this incident at the moment, please check in with the community under the Minecraft: Consequences Edition discord server,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brose |first=Kian |title=Minecraft: Consequences Edition Discord Server |url=https://discord.com/invite/mojanglawsuit |website=Discord}}</ref> or updates within the lawsuit's GoFundMe<ref name=":02" /> for details.</blockquote>{{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==
<references />
[[Category:Incidents]]
[[Category:Mojang]]
[[Category:Microsoft]]
[[Category:Minecraft]]
[[Category:Incidents]]
[[Category:Mojang]]
[[Category:Microsoft]]
[[Category:Minecraft]]

Mojang shuts down community-run Minecraft servers

2026-02-05T23:10:02Z

JamesTDG: Fixing some bugs with the templates

{{Incomplete}}

{{IncidentCargo|Company=Mojang|StartDate=2024|EndDate=|Status=Active|ProductLine=|Product=Minecraft Java Edition servers|ArticleType=Product|Type=EULA, Ownership, Third-party|Description=}}

For the past 5-8 years, [[Mojang]], the developers of the title [[Minecraft]], and a subsidiary of [[Microsoft]]'s [[Xbox Game Studios]] publishing brand, have enforced countless server shutdowns citing violations of the Minecraft End User License Agreement (EULA). However, said enforcements have been unfairly biased against operators of smaller Minecraft Java Edition servers, abusing vague and often inaccessible community guidelines to shut down these servers.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Brose |first=Kian |date=Dec 3, 2024 |title=Hold Mojang Accountable For Their Unlawful Behaviour |url=https://www.gofundme.com/f/hold-mojang-accountable-for-their-unlawful-behaviour |access-date=May 12, 2024 |website=GoFundMe}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=Brose |first=Kian |date=Dec 3, 2024 |title=Suing Minecraft Because They Broke The Law & Pissed Me Off |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5RvoPQZQeM |access-date=May 12, 2024 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref name=":22">{{Cite web |last=Brose |first=Kian |title=Lawsuit Video Accompanying Document |url=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1l3fxs_pZBTdWu7q_iiRKwQdhkEKp8zkuw0O3KBVWC-I/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.8vmqv8enui5u |access-date=May 12, 2025 |website=Google Docs}}</ref>

===Examples===
An example of this occurred in late 2024 involving the Minecraft server '''McWar''<nowiki/>', wherein Mojang contacted the developer of the server to shut it down.<ref name=":02" /><ref name=":12" /><ref name=":22" />

Additionally, [https://minecraftonline.com/ MinecraftOnline] was threatened by Mojang in late 2025 over their [https://minecraftonline.com/wiki/Free_Speech freedom of speech policy], stating that they need to repeal it, or risk being blacklisted by Mojang, meaning that players would not be able to access the server.<ref>https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/288054115651551234/1433189774717489364/image.png?ex=69066c7d&is=69051afd&hm=71166ca4c1d36843c4536aa6e6da07fdb3928ddce3c40a192fc2d3731a5b154b</ref>{{More citations needed|reason=Dead link|nocat=yes}}

==Background==
[[Minecraft]] is a voxel-based sandbox game created by Markus "Notch" Persson, and currently maintained by [[Mojang|Mojang Studios]], a subsidiary of [[Xbox|Xbox Game Studios]], owned by [[Microsoft]]. The game achieved an estimated 350M sales, marking it as the world's #1 best-selling game.<ref name=":13">{{cite book |author=[[Mojang AB]] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a7nv0AEACAAJ |title=Minecraft Annual 2026 |date=2025 |publisher=Farshore |isbn=978-0-00-868220-0 |access-date=Feb 4, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405083536/https://books.google.com/books/about/Minecraft_Annual_2026.html?id=a7nv0AEACAAJ |archive-date=April 5, 2025 |url-status=live |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref>

Minecraft is split into 2 specific versions of the game: Java Edition (JE) and Bedrock Edition (BE). JE is exclusive to PC platforms, and is traditionally where most 3rd-party multiplayer servers are hosted,{{Citation needed|reason=Check comment}} such as Hypixel, McWar, and DonutSMP. Most of these servers being shut down are on JE as well,{{Citation needed|reason=Check comment}} as BE's multiplayer system is far more compartmentalized and controlled by Microsoft,<ref>{{Cite web |date=Jun 9, 2024 |title=Request to Continue Providing PDB Files in Future BDS Versions |url=https://feedback.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/community/posts/27425253557389-Request-to-Continue-Providing-PDB-Files-in-Future-BDS-Versions |access-date=Feb 4, 2026 |website=Minecraft Feedback}}</ref>{{Citation needed|reason=Check comment}} leading to fewer servers being determined as "violating the EULA".

==Shutdowns==

===Server Blacklist - Circa 2016 (Version 1.9.3)===
When Minecraft version 1.9.3 pre-release 2 released, the client had an encrypted "server blacklist"<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/ceruleanReverie |date=May 2, 2016 |title=Mojang's "server blacklist", what it is, and why it's a big deal |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Minecraft/comments/4hh3ns/mojangs_server_blacklist_what_it_is_and_why_its_a/ |access-date=Feb 4, 2026 |website=[[Reddit]] - r/Minecraft}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Blocked server list |url=https://sessionserver.mojang.com/blockedservers |access-date=Feb 4, 2026 |website=Mojang.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=15773 |date=Feb 24, 2016 |title=Mojang EULA Enforcement |url=https://www.spigotmc.org/threads/mojang-eula-enforcement.125792/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251022040914/https://www.spigotmc.org/threads/mojang-eula-enforcement.125792/ |archive-date=Oct 22, 2025 |access-date=Feb 4, 2026 |website=Spigot Forums}}</ref> which if the user attempted to access a server that was on this blacklist, they would only receive a "connection error". When this list was discovered shortly after the update, the blacklist carried only 31 servers/domains, currently, this list reaches >100 servers.<ref name=":3" />While some of these servers were reasonably determined to be violating the EULA at the time, not all of them received fair punishment, especially as the company refused to transparently communicate with the overall community over these issues.

Notably during this period, the servers known to be blacklisted were primarily ones who were selling cosmetics and "pay to win" content, which violated the EULA at the time, however this enforcement later-on would become lenient enough to leave these previous rulings to be questionable.<ref>{{Cite web |last=TheMisterEpic |date=Sep 21, 2024 |title=Exposing Minecraft's ILLEGAL Server Gambling Operations... |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgrKo1mpeGo |access-date=Feb 4, 2026 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

===Grant Theft Minecart shutdown (May 2023)===
During some period in 2023, Mojang updated their EULA to classify "guns and weapons" as "non-compliant features under our Adult Content requirement." There was no prior notification to the EULA change for server owners to capably comply in-time before enforcement could occur.

Shortly after this change, the Grand Theft Minecart (GTM) server was attempted to be shut down by the Mojang Enforcement Team.<ref>{{Cite web |last=SkylixMC |date=May 28, 2023 |title=Mojang Strikes Again |url=https://grandtheftmc.net/threads/mojang-strikes-again.17292/ |access-date=Feb 4, 2026 |website=Grand Theft Minecart forums}}</ref> In a response to Mojang's enforcement email, the server owner called out some key details about the unfairness of this enforcement. <blockquote>Furthermore, please allow me to ask for clarification when you say “guns and weapons” violate the EULA under this new directive. I am genuinely confused by what is meant by “guns and weapons.” What weapons are not considered adult content? Weapons have been a part of Minecraft since its inception. For example, are swords considered adult content? Are crossbows (which under most municipalities are considered “firearms”) regarded as adult content? How about TNT? Surely bombs can’t be more “kid friendly” than “guns”? To us, this measure feels arbitrary and unnecessary

Moreover, Mojang-endorsed items that are on Minecraft’s marketplace right now clearly contain explicit “firearms”

...

What makes it OK for these items to be available to kids but not our server? Are these items, too, going to be removed?</blockquote>In summary, the email outlined how Mojang chose to focus its enforcement on the GTM server before focusing on moderating content that infringes these same rules on the BE marketplace, as well as how the rules are too vague for server owners to adequately comply.

===Forcing server rules or risking being blacklisted (Oct 2025)===
Prior to October 2025, as part of the free speech policy that was enforced for 15 years, nothing a player could say would result in a ban/official reprimand. After these changes, players are required to receive moderation action on JE servers for violations of the [https://www.minecraft.net/usage-guidelines Minecraft Usage Guidelines], [https://www.minecraft.net/community-standards Minecraft Community Standards], and [https://www.xbox.com/legal/community-standards Xbox Community Standards]. This essentially forces all Minecraft servers to enforce these rules, or risk being blacklisted by Mojang's systems.

===Mojang's response===
{{Placeholder box|If applicable, add the proposed solution to the issues by the company.}}
==Lawsuit==
<blockquote>Editor's notice: There is a lawsuit being prepped for this incident at the moment, please check in with the community under the Minecraft: Consequences Edition discord server,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brose |first=Kian |title=Minecraft: Consequences Edition Discord Server |url=https://discord.com/invite/mojanglawsuit |website=Discord}}</ref> or updates within the lawsuit's GoFundMe<ref name=":02" /> for details.</blockquote>{{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==
<references />
[[Category:Incidents]]
[[Category:Mojang]]
[[Category:Microsoft]]
[[Category:Minecraft]]
[[Category:Incidents]]
[[Category:Mojang]]
[[Category:Microsoft]]
[[Category:Minecraft]]

Talk:Minecraft enforcing undisclosed server EULA terms

2026-02-04T13:19:12Z

JamesTDG: /* Merge with "Mojang shuts down community-run Minecraft servers" */ new section

== Merge with "Mojang shuts down community-run Minecraft servers" ==

Considering these topics overlap far too much to ignore, it may be beneficial to merge any relevant info from this article into [[Mojang shuts down community-run Minecraft servers]] and archive this page. [[User:JamesTDG|JamesTDG]] ([[User talk:JamesTDG|talk]]) 13:19, 4 February 2026 (UTC)

Mojang shuts down community-run Minecraft servers

2026-02-04T13:15:32Z

JamesTDG: A well-deserved pass after WAY too long just sitting around gathering dust

{{Incomplete}}

{{IncidentCargo|Company=Mojang|StartDate=2024|EndDate=|Status=Active|ProductLine=|Product=Minecraft Java Edition servers|ArticleType=Product|Type=EULA, Ownership, Third-party|Description=}}

For the past 5-8 years, [[Mojang]], the developers of the title [[Minecraft]], and a subsidiary of [[Microsoft]]'s [[Xbox Game Studios]] publishing brand, have enforced countless server shutdowns citing violations of the Minecraft End User License Agreement (EULA). However, said enforcements have been unfairly biased against operators of smaller Minecraft Java Edition servers, abusing vague and often inaccessible community guidelines to shut down these servers.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Brose |first=Kian |date=Dec 3, 2024 |title=Hold Mojang Accountable For Their Unlawful Behaviour |url=https://www.gofundme.com/f/hold-mojang-accountable-for-their-unlawful-behaviour |access-date=May 12, 2024 |website=GoFundMe}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=Brose |first=Kian |date=Dec 3, 2024 |title=Suing Minecraft Because They Broke The Law & Pissed Me Off |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5RvoPQZQeM |access-date=May 12, 2024 |website=YouTube}}</ref><ref name=":22">{{Cite web |last=Brose |first=Kian |title=Lawsuit Video Accompanying Document |url=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1l3fxs_pZBTdWu7q_iiRKwQdhkEKp8zkuw0O3KBVWC-I/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.8vmqv8enui5u |access-date=May 12, 2025 |website=Google Docs}}</ref>

===Examples===
An example of this occurred in late 2024 involving the Minecraft server '''McWar''<nowiki/>', wherein Mojang contacted the developer of the server to shut it down.<ref name=":02" /><ref name=":12" /><ref name=":22" />

Additionally, [https://minecraftonline.com/ MinecraftOnline] was threatened by Mojang in late 2025 over their [https://minecraftonline.com/wiki/Free_Speech freedom of speech policy], stating that they need to repeal it, or risk being blacklisted by Mojang, meaning that players would not be able to access the server.<ref>https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/288054115651551234/1433189774717489364/image.png?ex=69066c7d&is=69051afd&hm=71166ca4c1d36843c4536aa6e6da07fdb3928ddce3c40a192fc2d3731a5b154b</ref>{{More citations needed|reason=Dead link|nocat=yes}}

==Background==
[[Minecraft]] is a voxel-based sandbox game created by Markus "Notch" Persson, and currently maintained by [[Mojang|Mojang Studios]], a subsidiary of [[Xbox|Xbox Game Studios]], owned by [[Microsoft]]. The game achieved an estimated 350M sales, marking it as the world's #1 best-selling game.<ref name=":13">{{cite book |author=[[Mojang AB]] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a7nv0AEACAAJ |title=Minecraft Annual 2026 |date=2025 |publisher=Farshore |isbn=978-0-00-868220-0 |access-date=Feb 4, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405083536/https://books.google.com/books/about/Minecraft_Annual_2026.html?id=a7nv0AEACAAJ |archive-date=April 5, 2025 |url-status=live |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref>

Minecraft is split into 2 specific versions of the game: Java Edition (JE) and Bedrock Edition (BE). JE is exclusive to PC platforms, and is traditionally where most 3rd-party multiplayer servers are hosted,{{Citation needed|reason=Check comment}} such as Hypixel, McWar, and DonutSMP. Most of these servers being shut down are on JE as well,{{Citation needed|reason=Check comment}} as BE's multiplayer system is far more compartmentalized and controlled by Microsoft,<ref>{{Cite web |date=Jun 9, 2024 |title=Request to Continue Providing PDB Files in Future BDS Versions |url=https://feedback.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/community/posts/27425253557389-Request-to-Continue-Providing-PDB-Files-in-Future-BDS-Versions |access-date=Feb 4, 2026 |website=Minecraft Feedback}}</ref>{{Citation needed|reason=Check comment}} leading to fewer servers being determined as "violating the EULA".

==Shutdowns==

=== Server Blacklist - Circa 2016 (Version 1.9.3) ===
When Minecraft version 1.9.3 pre-release 2 released, the client had an encrypted "server blacklist"<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/ceruleanReverie |date=May 2, 2016 |title=Mojang's "server blacklist", what it is, and why it's a big deal |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Minecraft/comments/4hh3ns/mojangs_server_blacklist_what_it_is_and_why_its_a/ |access-date=Feb 4, 2026 |website=[[Reddit]] - r/Minecraft}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Blocked server list |url=https://sessionserver.mojang.com/blockedservers |access-date=Feb 4, 2026 |website=Mojang.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=15773 |date=Feb 24, 2016 |title=Mojang EULA Enforcement |url=https://www.spigotmc.org/threads/mojang-eula-enforcement.125792/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251022040914/https://www.spigotmc.org/threads/mojang-eula-enforcement.125792/ |archive-date=Oct 22, 2025 |access-date=Feb 4, 2026 |website=Spigot Forums}}</ref> which if the user attempted to access a server that was on this blacklist, they would only receive a "connection error". When this list was discovered shortly after the update, the blacklist carried only 31 servers/domains, currently, this list reaches >100 servers.<ref name=":3" />While some of these servers were reasonably determined to be violating the EULA at the time, not all of them received fair punishment, especially as the company refused to transparently communicate with the overall community over these issues.

Notably during this period, the servers known to be blacklisted were primarily ones who were selling cosmetics and "pay to win" content, which violated the EULA at the time, however this enforcement later-on would become lenient enough to leave these previous rulings to be questionable.<ref>{{Cite web |last=TheMisterEpic |date=Sep 21, 2024 |title=Exposing Minecraft's ILLEGAL Server Gambling Operations... |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgrKo1mpeGo |access-date=Feb 4, 2026 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

=== Grant Theft Minecart shutdown (May 2023) ===
During some period in 2023, Mojang updated their EULA to classify "guns and weapons" as "non-compliant features under our Adult Content requirement." There was no prior notification to the EULA change for server owners to capably comply in-time before enforcement could occur.

Shortly after this change, the Grand Theft Minecart (GTM) server was attempted to be shut down by the Mojang Enforcement Team.<ref>{{Cite web |last=SkylixMC |date=May 28, 2023 |title=Mojang Strikes Again |url=https://grandtheftmc.net/threads/mojang-strikes-again.17292/ |access-date=Feb 4, 2026 |website=Grand Theft Minecart forums}}</ref> In a response to Mojang's enforcement email, the server owner called out some key details about the unfairness of this enforcement. <blockquote>Furthermore, please allow me to ask for clarification when you say “guns and weapons” violate the EULA under this new directive. I am genuinely confused by what is meant by “guns and weapons.” What weapons are not considered adult content? Weapons have been a part of Minecraft since its inception. For example, are swords considered adult content? Are crossbows (which under most municipalities are considered “firearms”) regarded as adult content? How about TNT? Surely bombs can’t be more “kid friendly” than “guns”? To us, this measure feels arbitrary and unnecessary

Moreover, Mojang-endorsed items that are on Minecraft’s marketplace right now clearly contain explicit “firearms”

...

What makes it OK for these items to be available to kids but not our server? Are these items, too, going to be removed?</blockquote>In summary, the email outlined how Mojang chose to focus its enforcement on the GTM server before focusing on moderating content that infringes these same rules on the BE marketplace, as well as how the rules are too vague for server owners to adequately comply.

=== Forcing server rules or risking being blacklisted (Oct 2025) ===
Prior to October 2025, as part of the free speech policy that was enforced for 15 years, nothing a player could say would result in a ban/official reprimand. After these changes, players are required to receive moderation action on JE servers for violations of the [https://www.minecraft.net/usage-guidelines Minecraft Usage Guidelines], [https://www.minecraft.net/community-standards Minecraft Community Standards], and [https://www.xbox.com/legal/community-standards Xbox Community Standards]. This essentially forces all Minecraft servers to enforce these rules, or risk being blacklisted by Mojang's systems.

===Mojang's response===

==Lawsuit==
<blockquote>Editor's notice: There is a lawsuit being prepped for this incident at the moment, please check in with the community under the Minecraft: Consequences Edition discord server,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brose |first=Kian |title=Minecraft: Consequences Edition Discord Server |url=https://discord.com/invite/mojanglawsuit |website=Discord}}</ref> or updates within the lawsuit's GoFundMe<ref name=":02" /> for details.</blockquote>

==Consumer response==

==References==
{{StubNotice}} {{IncidentCargo|Company=Mojang|StartDate=2024|EndDate=|Status=Active|ProductLine=|Product=Minecraft Java Edition servers|ArticleType=Product|Type=EULA, Ownership, Third-party|Description=}} {{Incomplete section}} {{Placeholder box|If applicable, add the proposed solution to the issues by the company.}} {{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.}} {{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 />
[[Category:Incidents]]
[[Category:Mojang]]
[[Category:Microsoft]]
[[Category:Minecraft]]
[[Category:Incidents]]
[[Category:Mojang]]
[[Category:Microsoft]]
[[Category:Minecraft]]

7-Eleven

2026-02-01T07:51:36Z

JamesTDG: Minor cleanup, notices shrank, just a little bit more work and she's good to go for the wiki

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

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Incomplete section}}
*False Advertising
*Privacy Violations
*Security Vulnerabilities

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
===7-Eleven Fuel App Security Breach in Australia and Japan===
{{Main|link to the main CR Wiki article}}
On July 2, 2019, an customer contacted the company about unauthorized charges, resulting in an investigation that discovered hackers gaining access to some accounts,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-07-08 |title=7-Eleven Japan suspends mobile app after data breach |url=https://www.paymentsdive.com/ex/mpt/news/7-eleven-japan-suspends-mobile-app-after-data-breach/? |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-31 |website=Payments Dive}}</ref> affecting 900 customers and resulting in more than $500,000 lost in fraudulent purchases.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Coble |first=Sarah |date=2019-10-19 |title=Drivers' Data Exposed in 7-Eleven Fuel App Breach |url=https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/drivers-data-exposed-in-7eleven/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-31 |website=Infosecurity Magazine}}</ref> The company issued an apology for the incident and stated that customers will be compensated for the incident, eventually leading to the creation of the customer support emergency number to help those affected. Two Chinese men were arrested in connection with this incident.

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

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Roblox's problematic moderation

2026-01-30T08:08:37Z

JamesTDG: Some cleanup

{{Incomplete}}


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]]

Talk:7-Eleven

2026-01-30T07:27:14Z

JamesTDG: /* Dealing with all the Lawsuits */ Reply

==Dealing with all the Lawsuits==

@[[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|AnotherConsumerRightsPerson]]

Sorry for the ping but I have a question regarding around the vast amount of lawsuits the company 7-Eleven has been into. I don't want to overflow the majority of this article with just lawsuits, as i was thinking maybe segregating them into separate links, though i don't know how that would work. I was wondering if you could provide some insight on what I should do regarding the company's history of lawsuits and incidents and implementing them in a way where it's appealing to the reader to not overload them with just large information of just text or something along those lines? [[User:SquidthePlummer|SquidthePlummer]] ([[User talk:SquidthePlummer|talk]]) 06:41, 30 January 2026 (UTC)

:You can make something called a "wikitable". I've been trying to find a good example on here for a while but I haven't found one yet so I'm just going to give you a link to [[Projects:Archive everything]]. This uses a wikitable to format its contents. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 07:09, 30 January 2026 (UTC)
::I've gone ahead and made one so you can build up on that. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 07:13, 30 January 2026 (UTC)
:Hi there, I recommend reading the article [[Amazon]] to have a good idea as to how you should format displaying large volumes of lawsuits. I also had the opportunity to read through your listed legal cases, you need more source variety and not all of the listed legal cases are relevant to cover on this wiki. Remember, we're supposed to only cover incidents that impact consumers. [[User:JamesTDG|JamesTDG]] ([[User talk:JamesTDG|talk]]) 07:27, 30 January 2026 (UTC)

7-Eleven

2026-01-30T07:24:34Z

JamesTDG: Incomplete and relevance notices; article needs SEVERE work

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Multiple sections not filled in|Issue 2=Zero sources inserted as references (use ctrl + shift + k)|Issue 3=Multiple incidents/lawsuits are irrelevant to the wiki (coverage should only cover things that directly affect consumers)|Issue 4=No elaboration on article content; section ideas should be kept to comments (best inserted via visual editor) or the discuss tab only.}}{{Irrelevant}}{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1927-05-15
|Industry=Retail
|Logo=Wikipedia 7-eleven logo.png
|ParentCompany=Seven-Eleven Japan
|Type=Public subsidiary
|Website=https://www.7-eleven.com/
|Description=Founded in 1927, it's an American retailer store that is an subsidiary of Seven-Eleven Japan, which is owned by Seven & I Holdings.
}}7-Eleven is an American retailer store that is an subsidiary of Seven eleven Japan that is owned by Seven & I Holdings. Founded in 1927 by Joe C. Thompson''', origionally known as Southland Ice Company''', it operated [[wikipedia:Ice_house_(building)|ice houses]] in Dallas Texas until it became an subsidiary of Southland Corporation. As a result of new ownership, all the retailers were named to Tote'm Stores, until renamed to 7-eleven in 1947 to reflect their new hours of 7am - 11 pm. <ref>{{Cite web |first=Popular Timelines |date=2026-01-29 |title=7-Eleven |url=https://populartimelines.com/timeline/7-Eleven |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-29 |website=Popular Timelines}}</ref>

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

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
===7-Eleven Sold Vape Near Schools===
{{Main|link to the main CR Wiki article}}
https://www.fox5dc.com/news/7-eleven-pay-1-2-million-settle-lawsuit-over-illegal-vape-sales-near-dc-schools

===7-Eleven Recorded people faces from survey responses without consent===
https://7news.com.au/news/7-eleven-investigation-into-facial-recognition-privacy-breaches-closed-by-oaic-c-16201287

===Underpaying It's Employees scandal===
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-10-30/7-11-pays-back-$176-million-worth-of-backpay-super-to-staff/12831176

==Lawsuits==

Smt smt
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!Result
!URL
|-
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https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/12/7-eleven-pay-record-45-million-penalty-settle-ftc-antitrust-order-violation-case

https://evilcorporations.com/7-eleven-worker-misclassification-neoliberalism/

Too much control over franchisees

https://evilcorporations.com/7-eleven-worker-misclassification-neoliberalism/

https://unhappyfranchisee.com/7-eleven-class-action-franchise-lawsuit-brewing/

https://unhappyfranchisee.com/nj-lawsuit-7-eleven-franchise-scam/

https://unhappyfranchisee.com/7-eleven-franchise-lawsuits-vikram-bhalla-vs-7-eleven-inc/

7- eleven Surveilling and Stalking their employees

https://unhappyfranchisee.com/7-eleven-franchise-lawsuit-adnan-khan/

7-Eleven Running Background Checks on individuals without their knowledge

https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/employment-labor/7-eleven-will-pay-2m-settle-background-check-class-action/

Wage Violations (bro wtf is this company bro . . .)

https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/sol/sol20230929

Collected Customer Bio-metric Data Without consent nor clarification

https://www.classaction.org/news/7-eleven-hit-with-class-action-over-alleged-collection-of-biometric-data-in-illinois-stores

https://kkilawyers.com.au/privacy-and-biometric-information-7-eleven-breaches-customers-privacy/

https://www.thelawyermag.com/au/news/general/7-eleven-found-breaching-customer-privacy-with-feedback-form/315839

Collected Facial Images of customers and storing them without consent

https://www.zdnet.com/article/7-eleven-collected-customer-facial-imagery-during-in-store-surveys-without-consent/

7-Eleven Doing an Soda Tax for a Sweeten Tea on an Customer

https://csnews.com/class-action-beverage-tax-lawsuit-against-7-eleven-dismissed

https://headless-stage.courthousenews.com/consumers-accuse-chains-misapplying-illinois-soda-tax/

https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/7-eleven-mcdonalds-walgreens-face-soda-tax-class-action-lawsuits/

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2017/10/13/7-eleven-settles-lawsuit-with-customer-over-soda-tax-charge/

False Advertising on Potato Chips

https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/7-eleven-potato-chips-false-advertising-class-action-lawsuit/

Persuaded consumers into accepting marketing messages for future text advertisements

https://www.classaction.org/news/telemarketing-texts-sent-by-7-eleven-were-illegal-under-the-tcpa-class-action-claims

Racial segregation lawsuit filed by former employee

https://southshorepress.com/stories/671717527-former-7-eleven-employee-alleges-discrimination-and-retaliation

https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/franchisees-take-7-eleven-to-court-for-alleged-racial/235895

Workers Not getting paid overtime

https://www.classaction.org/news/new-york-city-7-eleven-franchisee-hit-with-unpaid-overtime-lawsuit

Acquired stores without permission

https://csnews.com/7-eleven-faces-ftc-penalty-over-florida-store-acquisition

Work without meal breaks

https://www.cstoredive.com/news/7-eleven-settles-wage-related-lawsuit-missed-meals/644771/

==See also==

*hey good lookin ;P
*brian culberston- say What

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Talk:Washington house bill 2321 regarding 3d printers

2026-01-22T13:20:26Z

JamesTDG: /* Missing topics that need to be considered for inclusion */ new section

== Change the Title ==

The title and framing of this bill are misleading. It’s not just about “3D printers.” If you actually read the definitions, it explicitly includes '''subtractive manufacturing from a digital design file''', which covers '''CNC mills, lathes, laser cutters, and other computer-controlled machining tools''', not just additive printers.

From the bill itself: it defines a “three-dimensional printer” as any machine that makes objects from a digital design using '''additive ''or subtractive'' manufacturing'''. That’s an extremely broad definition that sweeps in a large category of normal workshop and hobbyist equipment.

If the intent is to regulate hobbyist 3D printing, then the language doesn’t match that intent. If the intent is to regulate any digitally controlled fabrication equipment, then the title and public discussion should reflect that, because this impacts far more than just plastic printers on a desk. [[User:OokTastrophe|OokTastrophe]] ([[User talk:OokTastrophe|talk]]) 01:42, 22 January 2026 (UTC)

== Missing topics that need to be considered for inclusion ==

As my previous edit has been removed without explanation, I am going to detail what should be covered here instead.

'''False Positives'''

This bill is mandating the usage of software that has not seen any sort of commercial testing, and gives companies an excessively short deadline to integrate this detection software. This WILL cause false positives for anyone doing projects, considering 3D printed firearms may use various generic-looking parts for assembly. In the current incarnation of the bill, it also covers both additive (3d Printing) and subtractive machining through being vague, meaning C&C machines may be affected by this too. The above discussion focuses on this aspect a bit better, but on the FP front, this means builds involving bearings or just machining pipes in general will be insanely policed.

'''Harming Hobbyists'''

Airsoft, foam dart guns, water guns, and replica dummy guns. These are industries heavily held up by hobbyists creating these toys, many WA-based shops may be blocked from affordably manufacturing these because the software, either by false-positive or part matching, suspects that the end-user is printing a harmful firearm. Toy guns are legal to own in WA state last I checked, and blocking the manufacture of these because of overly-protective software will just kill the hobbyist industry. The Stargate and Halo fandoms in particular are known for 3D printing (and in some cases subtractively manufacturing) dummy replicas of firearms for their cosplays, and these guns are rather realistic-looking, unfortunately, large populations of these fandoms live inside Washington.

'''State Overreach'''

There are only 2 ways the legislation can go:

# Washington only enforces it on manufacturing machines in their state, meaning end-users will likely either import these from out of state, or run these printers connected to a VPN at all times, meaning the legislation is rendered moot.
# Washington enforces it for ALL manufacturing machines, leading into overreach into other states which didn't get a voice in the matter. States like Oregon, Texas, and Florida do not have similar legislation even formatted, and thus will harm residents outside of the state too. This is the only way one can ensure that the software is left ineffable.

In scenario 2, this could also leech into international territories, depending on enforcement severity. [[User:JamesTDG|JamesTDG]] ([[User talk:JamesTDG|talk]]) 13:20, 22 January 2026 (UTC)

Enshittification

2026-01-22T12:50:06Z

JamesTDG: /* Social media */ Added discord | Incomplete notice; this article needs some serious tweaks, and also feels a bit too surface-level.

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Some sections are lacking adequate source population or quality|Issue 2=Some sections are far too brief, or aren't even written|Issue 3=Lack of depth; there's not enough links of data that connects each stage together, not to mention real-world examples of companies going through the full process.}}

'''Enshittification''', also known as '''crapification''' and '''platform decay''', is a pattern in which two-sided online products and services decline in quality over time. Initially, companies create high-quality offerings to attract users and undercut competition, then they degrade those offerings to better serve business customers, and finally degrade their services to users, business customers and workers to maximize profits for shareholders.

The term was first coined by tech blogger Cory Doctorow in November 2022<ref>{{Cite web |last=Doctorow |first=Cory |date=28 Nov 2022 |title=Pluralistic: How monopoly enshittified Amazon/28 Nov 2022 |url=https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/28/enshittification/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=Pluralistic}}</ref>, popularized by Arun Maini (Mrwhosetheboss)<ref>[https://www.uniladtech.com/news/tech-news/mrwhosetheboss-explains-google-search-broken-715030-20241030 Popular tech YouTuber exposes why 'broken' Google Search is falling apart]</ref><ref>The Internet is starting to Break - Here's Why. - Mrwhosetheboss</ref><ref>Why Google Search is Falling Apart. - Mrwhosetheboss</ref>, and has since gained widespread recognition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=enshittification |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/slang/enshittification |url-status=live |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=Merriam-Webster}}</ref>

==How it works==
<blockquote>''"It is a seemingly inevitable consequence arising from the combination of the ease of changing how a platform allocates value, combined with the nature of a "two-sided market," where a platform sits between buyers and sellers, hold each hostage to the other, raking off an ever-larger share of the value that passes between them."'' - Cory Doctorow, ''Wired,'' 2023<ref>{{Cite web |last=Doctorow |first=Cory |date=23 Jan 2023 |title=The ‘Enshittification’ of TikTok |url=https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-platforms-cory-doctorow/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=WIRED}}</ref></blockquote>Enshittification at its core is a three-stage process.

===Stage 1 - Incentivizing Mass Adoption===
Companies offer their product or service to users with great incentive to try and build an established userbase. It is usually during the early stage of the company is the most focused on providing a positive user experience and listening to feedback.

For example, [[Uber]] was initially well-received for offering competitive prices for transportation, leading to a large userbase adopting the platform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wolff |first=Micheal |date=22 Dec 2013 |title=Wolff: The tech company of the year is Uber |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/wolff/2013/12/22/the-success-of-app-based-car-service-uber/4141669/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=USA TODAY}}</ref>

===Stage 2 - Catering to Business Clients===
Once a stable userbase is locked in, companies begin offering access to the userbase to business customers with great incentive. This stage is usually when the user experience begins to decline as the company is now more focused on catering to partners such as suppliers and advertisers.

For example, in 2023, Reddit removed free access to their API nearing the time of its Initial public offering (IPO).<ref name="TheVergeAnnouncement">{{Cite web |last=Shakir |first=Umar |date=April 18, 2023 |title=Reddit's upcoming API changes will make AI companies pony up |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/18/23688463/reddit-developer-api-terms-change-monetization-ai |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614020642/https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/18/23688463/reddit-developer-api-terms-change-monetization-ai |archive-date=June 14, 2023 |access-date=June 17, 2023 |work=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> Then, in 2024, Reddit struck a $60 million deal with [[Google]] to give access to its user-generated content for AI training data.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tong |first=Anna |last2=Wang |first2=Echo |last3=Coulter |first3=Martin |last4=Tong |first4=Anna |last5=Wang |first5=Echo |date=2024-02-22 |title=Exclusive: Reddit in AI content licensing deal with Google |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/reddit-ai-content-licensing-deal-with-google-sources-say-2024-02-22/ |access-date=2025-06-20 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref>

===Stage 3 - Quality Degradation for Shareholders===
When both users and business partners are locked in, the company shifts its surpluses to the shareholders. It no longer has any incentive to grow or maintain quality for either of its customer bases and relentlessly seeks profit at any rate for the shareholders. Companies at this stage also tend to have such a large market presence that switching barriers naturally (or intentionally) fall into place for those trying to leave for alternatives.

An ongoing example is [[YouTube]]'s [[YouTube#Crackdown against ad-blockers|crackdown on users using ad-blockers]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=YouTube intensifies crackdown on ad blockers {{!}} AdGuard |url=https://adguard.com/en/blog/youtube-new-banner-adblockers-violate-tos.html |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=AdGuard Blog |language=en}}</ref> While such a crackdown might reduce [[Ad blocker|ad-blocker]] usage and increase short-term shareholder returns, it degrades the experience for users and reduces the quality of impressions for advertisers. Over 30% of the world's population uses YouTube, with a ~98% market share in online video media.<ref>{{Cite web |title=YouTube - Market Share, Competitor Insights in Media Players And Streaming Platforms |url=https://www.6sense.com/tech/media-players-and-streaming-platforms/youtube-market-share |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=6sense}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=23 Essential YouTube Statistics You Need to Know in 2025 |url=https://thesocialshepherd.com/blog/youtube-statistics |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=The Social Shepherd |language=en}}</ref>

==Why it is a problem==

===Erosion of user experiences===
It can cause frustration among customers, for example Netflix has started locking down movies behind expensive plans, so customers are frustrated into subscribing to a more expensive plan.

Enshittification can also lead to [[wikipedia:Feature creep|feature creep]] - especially when new features of a product are intended to further lock in users and increase revenue. This creep can lead to an overall reduction in performance due to [[Bloatware|bloat]] and increased complexity, reducing a product's usability. A prime example of feature creep caused in large part by late-stage enshittification is Microsoft Windows.

===Switching barriers===
Enshittified platforms that act as intermediaries can act as both a monopoly on services and a monopsony on customers, as high switching barriers prevent either from leaving even when better alternatives technically exist. These barriers can be intentionally put in place - such as restricting the user's ability to transfer data or communicate between platforms - or unintentional, such as a platform's userbase being so large that it naturally makes it near impossible for users or partners to find equivalent engagement on an alternative platform.

An example of this would be a long-time eBay seller hoping to leave the site for an alternative with lower fees (possibly Mercari or Etsy). They might first encounter issues migrating all of their listings over to the new platform; a process which could be tedious. Their feedback history will certainly not carry over to the new platform so buyers are initially less likely to view them as trustworthy, potentially impacting sales. Lastly, the alternative platform likely has a vastly smaller userbase than eBay so despite all the possible benefits - the seller is less likely to be successful on the new platform than they are on eBay.

Such switching barriers can create an adversarial relationship between platform users or business partners and the company they're dependent on. The users or partners cannot be successful without access to the wide reach of the platform - but it leaves them wholly dependent on a company that no longer has their best interests in mind.

===Platform death===
A potential end-scenario for enshittified platforms is death, usually caused by a large enough exodus of users and business partners, and a general loss of trust. A platform may not truly "die" per se, but it can completely lose the identity that made it successful in the first place - and might not ever regain it. An ongoing example is [[X Corp|Twitter]] post Elon Musk's takeover. Under its new ownership and branding, the platform drove away swathes of its userbase and advertisers to alternative platforms (such as Bluesky) after its policy shifts proved widely unpopular.

However, the death of an enshittified platform is not an entirely positive end result. It uproots a long established userbase and can greatly disrupt their activities. There is also the chance that alternative platforms lack feature parity with the old platform or that it might not even be able to support the massive influx of new users - at least for some amount of time. At worst, data loss could be involved meaning years worth of information - if not archived beforehand - could potentially be lost if a platform shuts down in some capacity.

==Possible solutions==

===End-to-end principal===
...

===Right of exit===
{{see also|Click-to-cancel|Interoperability}}
The right of exit, or Data portability, is the right of a user to leave a platform without losing the data stored on it, and instead being able to export it and access it in various applications of the user's liking.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DataPortability Project |url=http://www.dataportability.org/ |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723171111/http://www.dataportability.org/ |archive-date=23 Jul 2009 |access-date=18 Aug 2025 |website=DataPortability}}</ref>

==Examples==
{{Incomplete section}}

===E-commerce===
In Doctorow's original post, he discussed the practices of Amazon. The online retailer initially drew in users with products sold below cost and free shipping. Once its userbase was well established, more sellers began to sell their products through Amazon. Finally, Amazon began to add fees to increase profits. In 2023, over 45% of the sale price of items went to Amazon in the form of various fees. Amazon also allows sellers the ability to push their listing higher in search results via its paid Sponsored Products program. Doctorow described advertisement within Amazon as a payola scheme in which sellers bid against one another for search-ranking preference, and said that the first five pages of a search for "cat beds" were half advertisements

eBay is another e-commerce site that followed a similar trajectory, initially offering low fees and a robust buying/selling protection system. Once its userbase of largely secondhand buyers and sellers was solidified, eBay raised seller fees and began incentivizing large volume sellers - often actual businesses - with lower selling fees should they subscribe to eBay Store. eBay sellers are also no longer able to leave negative feedback for buyers, greatly reducing the ability of sellers to avoid bad actors. Since then, eBay has introduced promoted listings that are effectively analogous to Amazon's paid sponsored listing system. eBay has also encouraged sellers to use AI generated descriptions that often misrepresent the condition of items being sold, along with opting all of its users into in-house AI training [[Ebay AI opt in by default|by default]] as of its April 21, 2025 privacy policy revision.

===Media streaming platforms===
The enshittification of Netflix is similarly reflected in other competing streaming platforms such as YouTube TV and Amazon Prime Video, where prices have increased despite a decline (or at least no perceivable improvement) in overall service quality. Multiple providers have also downgraded their cheapest paid plans to now come bundled with ads.

===Search engines===
Google started as an ad-free search engine, but over time more paid insertions have been included on the top of the search without a clear and visible distinction between ads and actual legitimate results. In 2024, Google started rolling out AI Overview, but the roll-out was rushed. The AI Overview showed inaccurate, potentially dangerous overviews, such as encouraging eating rocks, suggesting putting glue on top of pizza as a solution to cheese sliding off, encouraging smoking during pregnancy, encouraging suicide and suggesting users to jump off the golden gate bridge.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goodwin |first=Danny |date=24 May 2024 |title=Google AI Overviews under fire for giving dangerous and wrong answers |url=https://searchengineland.com/google-ai-overview-fails-442575 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250623180113/https://searchengineland.com/google-ai-overview-fails-442575 |archive-date=23 Jun 2025 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |work=Search Engine Land}}</ref> Google has responded to those issues and temporarily disabled the AI overview. While those incidents have been fixed and the AI Overview has been made available again, the AI overview still shows inaccurate results, often citing satire comments as factual sources, or making stuff up. The AI overview has also been criticized for reducing traffic towards genuine sites, where instead of visiting sites to get the information, the information is displayed on top, where people don't have to visit sites to get the information they were looking for, and is also a cause of privacy concerns.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=15 Jul 2025 |title=Google Discover adds AI summaries, threatening publishers with further traffic declines |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/15/google-discover-adds-ai-summaries-threatening-publishers-with-further-traffic-declines/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250718124612/https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/15/google-discover-adds-ai-summaries-threatening-publishers-with-further-traffic-declines/ |archive-date=18 Jul 2025 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |work=TechCrunch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bellan |first=Rebecca |date=10 Jun 2025 |title=Google’s AI search features are killing traffic to publishers |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/10/googles-ai-overviews-are-killing-traffic-for-publishers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250714040741/https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/10/googles-ai-overviews-are-killing-traffic-for-publishers/ |archive-date=14 Jul 2025 |access-date=21 Jul 2025 |work=TechCrunch}}</ref>

===Social media===
'''[[Facebook]]'''

[[Facebook]] has shifted from a network for personal connection to a platform dominated by advertising and algorithmic manipulation. User data is monetised at the expense of privacy, while the quality of organic content has steadily declined.

'''[[Instagram]]'''

Once centred on creativity and social sharing, Instagram now prioritises sponsored posts, shopping features, and influencer marketing. Users’ ability to control their feeds has been reduced, reflecting the platform’s focus on profit over consumer experience.

'''[[Reddit]]'''

[[Reddit]]’s 2023 API changes exemplify enshitification, undermining community tools and third-party apps in favour of advertising revenue. This has eroded user autonomy and restricted consumer choice.

'''Twitter/X'''

Following its acquisition and rebrand, Twitter/X introduced paywalls for basic features, weakened moderation, and increased promoted content. The result has been a degraded service and a diminished consumer experience.

'''[[TikTok]]'''

[[TikTok]]’s powerful recommendation algorithm drives engagement but also funnels users into repetitive content while saturating feeds with advertising. Concerns over data exploitation further highlight the imbalance between corporate gain and consumer rights.

'''YouTube'''

YouTube has expanded ad loads and aggressively promoted subscriptions, while algorithmic changes often disadvantage independent creators. Consumers face reduced choice and increased intrusion, hallmarks of enshitification.

'''[[Discord]]'''

Discord's primary selling point is that it is the most-used method of communication, especially for communities, online.{{Citation needed}} Because of this dominance, it has caused barriers for users intending to switch to alternative platforms such as Stoat or Matrix, as a lack of common users between platforms makes it difficult for more users to transfer over.{{Citation needed}} This fact has been abused by Discord with its infrastructure showing signs of decay,{{Citation needed}} the introduction of advertisements in the format of "quests",{{Citation needed}} and the degradation of free perks.{{Citation needed}}

===Software===
Adobe...

Microsoft Windows...

===Video Games===
Unity...

A lot of mobile games have fell into enshittifed experiences. A lot of mobile games were paid in the early days of the [[Apple App Store]], but then became [[Free to Play]] with users being bombarded with ads, [[Microtransactions|micro-transactions]], [[Battle passes|battle-passes]], energy-systems and more, to extract as much money out of the player's pocket, while making the experience less fun. The video game Angry-Brid is a good example of this. What started as a very simple game now has all of the aforementioned tactics baked into it, rendering the playing experience tedious and unpleasant.

===Learning Applications===
Duolingo

==Further reading==

*https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/30/go-nuts-meine-kerle/#ich-bin-ein-bratapfel

==External links==

*[https://gavinhoward.com/2023/11/your-loved-ones-are-prisoners-and-you-made-the-chain "Digital chains and modern feudalism"]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Common terms]]

Washington house bill 2321 regarding 3d printers

2026-01-22T04:03:34Z

JamesTDG: /* Technical feasibility questions */ False positives & circumvention expansion

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

The bill is sponsored by 26 Democratic state representatives, with Rep. Osman Salahuddin (D-48th District) as the prime sponsor and Rep. Strom Peterson (D-21st District) as second-listed sponsor.<ref name="billtext" /> No hearings have been scheduled as of January 21, 2026, and no amendments have been filed.

==Background==

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

On March 26, 2025, the Supreme Court upheld this rule in ''Bondi v. VanDerStok'' by a 7-2 vote. Justice Neil Gorsuch, writing for the majority, found that Polymer80's "Buy Build Shoot" kit meets the statutory definition of a firearm, stating: "Really, the kit's name says it all."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/23-852_o7jp.pdf |title=Bondi v. VanDerStok |website=Supreme Court of the United States |date=2025-03-26 |access-date=2026-01-21}}</ref> The ruling was a statutory interpretation challenge under the Administrative Procedure Act; it did not address Second Amendment claims regarding home firearm manufacture.<ref name="regreview">{{cite web |url=https://www.theregreview.org/2025/07/23/willinger-vanderstok-and-the-ghosts-of-gun-deregulation/ |title=VanDerStok and the Ghosts of Gun Deregulation |website=The Regulatory Review |date=2025-07-23 |access-date=2026-01-21}}</ref>

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

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

==Provisions of the bill==

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

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

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

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

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

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

==Similar proposals==

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

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

No bill numbers have been assigned as these remain gubernatorial proposals requiring legislative action.

===Federal legislation===
H.R. 4143, the "3D Printed Gun Safety Act of 2025," was introduced in 2025 by Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. Unlike Washington's hardware-focused approach, the federal bill would prohibit distribution of 3D printer plans for firearms rather than mandate device-level blocking.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4143/text |title=H.R.4143 - 3D Printed Gun Safety Act of 2025 |website=Congress.gov |access-date=2026-01-21}}</ref>

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

On March 26, 2025, Bragg sent a letter to Shenzhen Creality 3D Technology Co., Ltd. demanding installation of detection software, removal of CAD files from Creality Cloud, and a user agreement ban on weapon creation. The letter stated that ''"recent research has found that the vast majority of illegal 3D printed guns were created using Creality printers, specifically the Ender 3 series model."''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://manhattanda.org/d-a-bragg-calls-on-3d-printing-companies-to-address-proliferation-of-illegal-firearms/ |title=D.A. Bragg Calls On 3D-Printing Companies To Address Proliferation Of Illegal Firearms |website=Manhattan District Attorney's Office |date=2025-03-27 |access-date=2026-01-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://manhattanda.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Letter-Creality-3.26.25.pdf |title=Letter to Creality |website=Manhattan District Attorney's Office |date=2025-03-26 |access-date=2026-01-21}}</ref>

Bragg sent a similar letter to Bambu Lab in 2025, stating: ''"The risk your product creates, as 3D printers are used more and more frequently in schools and homes, is unacceptable."''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/digital-design-firm-agrees-block-3d-guns-letter/story?id=123876632 |title=Digital design firm agrees to block 3D guns, following letter from Manhattan DA |website=ABC News |date=2025-08-05 |access-date=2026-01-21}}</ref>

Neither Creality nor Bambu Lab has publicly announced implementation of firearm blocking features in response to these letters.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/digital-design-firm-agrees-block-3d-guns-letter/story?id=123876632 |title=Digital design firm agrees to block 3D guns, following letter from Manhattan DA |website=ABC News |date=2025-08-05 |access-date=2026-01-21}}</ref>

==Technical feasibility questions==

=== False Positives ===
No commercially validated firearm detection technology exists for 3D printers as of January 2026. 3DPrinterOS announced a partnership with Montclair State University's MIX Lab in November 2024 to develop an algorithm capable of identifying 3D printed firearm components based on unique design signatures, but the feature has not been deployed commercially.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tctmagazine.com/additive-manufacturing-3d-printing-news/software-and-simulation-news/3dprinteros-montclair-state-university-algorithm-3d-printed-guns/ |title=3DPrinterOS & Montclair State University to develop algorithm capable of identifying 3D printed gun components |website=TCT Magazine |date=2024-11-05 |access-date=2026-01-21}}</ref> As such, it is entirely plausible for an increased frequency in false-positives when it comes to determining if a component being manufactured is similar enough to a firearm component.

False positives will additionally have an increased impact on hobbyists within the airsoft toy industry, which is well-known for using 3D-printed parts for custom dart guns and accessories for officially-branded airsoft toys such as [[Nerf]] guns. Due to the potential similarities between components inside airsoft/foam dart guns and "3d-printed firearms", these toys are at an increased risk of being unreasonably blocked by the 3D printer.

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

As this is a bill that only influences Washington state, individuals could in-theory spoof their location for their printer to be in a state, such as Texas or Oregon, without these regulations. Alternatively, it could be considered legislative overreach into other states if this affects all 3D printers manufactured inside the United States.

==Constitutional questions==

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

The case settled in July 2018 with the State Department waiving prior restraint against Defense Distributed and paying approximately $40,000 in legal fees. State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert stated the government ''"would have lost this case in court, or would have likely lost this case in court, based on First Amendment grounds."''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/gun-rights-activists-post-plans-3d-firearms-after-judge-s-n896411 |title=Gun rights activists post plans for 3D firearms after judge's order blocking them |website=NBC News |date=2018-08-01 |access-date=2026-01-21}}</ref>

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

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

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

==Responses==

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

===Industry analysis===
Washington Gun Law president William Kirk stated in a video that most manufacturers would likely choose not to sell their products in Washington State rather than implement blocking technology.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kcgop.org/washington-gun-law-the-bill-that-would-ban-3d-printers-in-washington-state/ |title=Washington Gun Law – The Bill That Would Ban 3D Printers in Washington State |website=KCGOP |date=2026-01-18 |access-date=2026-01-21}}</ref>

==Related manufacturer controversies==

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

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

Bambu Lab introduced "Developer Mode" as a partial concession, allowing users to retain local control when enabled alongside LAN-only mode. The company did not cite firearm printing as a motivation for the authorization system.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://blog.bambulab.com/updates-and-third-party-integration-with-bambu-connect/ |title=Updates and Third-Party Integration with Bambu Connect |website=Bambu Lab Blog |date=2025-01-20 |access-date=2026-01-21}}</ref>

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

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

In the United Kingdom, MP Preet Kaur Gill introduced the Firearms (3D Printing) Bill in October 2024. Clauses 43-44 of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill would criminalize making, importing, and possessing templates for 3D-printed firearms with up to 5 years imprisonment, but no device-blocking mandates are included.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3877 |title=Firearms (3D Printing) Bill |website=UK Parliament |access-date=2026-01-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.preetkaurgill.co.uk/post/preet-kaur-gill-s-ghost-gun-blueprint-ban-to-become-law |title=Preet Kaur Gill's ghost gun blueprint ban to become law |website=Preet Kaur Gill MP |access-date=2026-01-21}}</ref>

Australian states have enacted penalties for possessing digital firearm blueprints. New South Wales imposes up to 14 years imprisonment under Section 51F of the Firearms Act 1996. Tasmania allows up to 21 years. No Australian jurisdiction requires device-level blocking.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/fa1996102/s51f.html |title=Firearms Act 1996 - Section 51F |website=Australasian Legal Information Institute |access-date=2026-01-21}}</ref>

The European Union regulates possession of 3D-printed firearms under EU Directive 2021/555, but possession of digital blueprints is not explicitly prohibited. The Commission has stated it is assessing "the need for specific rules on the possession and trafficking of blueprints" but has not proposed device-level requirements.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2021/555/oj |title=Directive 2021/555 |website=EUR-Lex |access-date=2026-01-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2021:647:FIN |title=Report on the application of the Firearms Directive |website=EUR-Lex |date=2021-10-27 |access-date=2026-01-21}}</ref>

==Legislative status==
As of January 21, 2026, HB 2321 has completed first reading and remains in the Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee. No hearings have been scheduled. Neither Rep. Salahuddin nor Rep. Peterson has issued public statements explaining the bill's motivation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2321&Year=2025 |title=HB 2321 |website=Washington State Legislature |access-date=2026-01-21}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Legislation]]
[[Category:3D printing]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:Proposed legislation]]
[[Category:Right to repair]]

Coca-Cola

2026-01-20T14:49:37Z

JamesTDG: Deletion notice

{{Delete|Duplicate of [[The Coca-Cola Company]]; incomplete article; existing contents irrelevant to the wiki; no references.}}{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1886-08-06
|Logo=Cocacola.jpeg
|Website=https://www.coca-cola.com/
|Description=Originally a caffeinated wine containing cocaine leaves, Coca-Cola is now the most recognizable soft drink company in the world.
}}
{{Ph-C-Int}}

==Consumer-impact summary==
The Coca-Cola company is actively exploiting the country of Mexico, which suffers from a lack of clean water, and not only forces the citizens to buy water and soda, but also lobbies Mexican politicians to keep it that way.

==Incidents==
Coca-Cola had a history of conducting invasive and deadly animal experiments–including cutting open chimpanzees’ faces in order to conduct taste tests and force-feeding chemicals to rats to test “caramel color.”

In 2001 the 500 million dollar lawsuit, Sinaltrainal v. Coca-Cola was filed in the Florida Third District Court of Appeal, which alleged that Panamco, a Colombian Coca-Cola bottling company, assisted in murdering several union members. In 2003 Coca-Cola was found not liable, although an attempted boycott was made under the name "Stop Killer Coke."

===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'')===
...

==Products==
{{Ph-C-P}}

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

The Coca-Cola Company

2026-01-20T13:24:10Z

JamesTDG: Article made, there is a lot to cover, so have fun!

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Multiple sections need to either be completed or simply written. These are clearly labeled within the article.}}{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1892-01-29
|Industry=Beverage
|Logo=CokeCompanyLogo.svg
|Type=Public
|Website=https://www.coca-colacompany.com/
|Description=The Coca-Cola company is a beverage company known for its consolidation of roughly 1/3 of the beverage market, and corporate lobbying/bribery.
}}'''The Coca-Cola Company''' is an American multinational corporation founded in 1892. It is most commonly known for the product that is the namesake of the company "Coca-Cola", however it sells other beverages underneath various brands such as Sprite, Barq's, and Powerade. Since its founding, it has acquired dozens of companies and brands, consolidating roughly 44.9% of the greater beverage industry.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dey |first=Maitrayee |date=Dec 8, 2025 |editor-last=Jambhale |editor-first=Rohan |title=Coca-Cola Statistics By Revenue, Brand Valuation, Sales and Facts |url=https://electroiq.com/stats/coca-cola-statistics/ |archive-url= |access-date=Jan 20, 2026 |website=ElectroIQ}}</ref>

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Incomplete section}}

* '''User Freedom''':
* '''User Privacy''':
* '''Business Model''': Primarily beverage sales
* '''Market Control''': Commands the largest portion of the beverage industry, shared with [[PepsiCo]] and [[Keurig-Dr. Pepper]].

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
===Skewing health research data===
Until 2021, Coca-Cola Co. partially was funding the pro-industry advocacy group [[International Life Sciences Institute]] (ILSI),<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pulley |first1=Brett |date=13 January 2021 |title=Coca-Cola Severs Longtime Ties With Pro-Sugar Group |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-13/coca-cola-severs-longtime-ties-with-pro-sugar-industry-group |access-date=Jan 20, 2026 |publisher=Bloomberg}}</ref> which was founded in 1978 by a former Coca-Cola Co. executive, alongside a rich history of employing high-level Coca-Cola Co. employees.<ref name="nytimes-2019">{{cite news |last1=Jacobs |first1=Andrew |date=16 September 2019 |title=A Shadowy Industry Group Shapes Food Policy Around the World |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/16/health/ilsi-food-policy-india-brazil-china.html |access-date=Jan 20, 2026 |work=New York Times}}</ref> Most notably, the organization has taken similar positions as Coca-Cola Co.'s own research and messaging when it comes to how obesity should be addressed; not by dietary changes, but solely physical activity.<ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Connor |first1=Anahad |date=9 August 2015 |title=Coca-Cola Funds Scientists Who Shift Blame for Obesity Away From Bad Diets |url=https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/08/09/coca-cola-funds-scientists-who-shift-blame-for-obesity-away-from-bad-diets/ |access-date=Jan 20, 2026 |work=New York Times}}</ref>

===Vitamin Water Lawsuit (Jan 2009)===
In January 2009, the US consumer group the [[Center for Science in the Public Interest]] filed a class-action lawsuit against Coca-Cola.<ref>{{cite web |date=January 15, 2009 |title=Coke Sued for Fraudulent Claims on Obesity-Promoting "VitaminWater" |url=http://www.cspinet.org/new/200901151.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728104633/http://www.cspinet.org/new/200901151.html |archive-date=July 28, 2012 |access-date=Jan 20, 2026 |publisher=Center for Science in the Public Interest}}</ref> The lawsuit was in regard to claims made, along with the company's flavors, of [[wikipedia:Vitamin_Water|Vitamin Water]]. Claims say that the 33 grams of sugar are more harmful than the vitamins and other additives are helpful. Coca-Cola insists the suit is "ridiculous."<ref>{{cite web |title=Statement on The glacéau vitaminwater Lawsuit |url=http://www.coca-colacompany.com/media-center/company-statements/glaceau-vitaminwater-lawsuit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116234344/http://www.coca-colacompany.com/media-center/company-statements/glaceau-vitaminwater-lawsuit |archive-date=2013-01-16 |access-date=Jan 20, 2026 |work=The Coca-Cola Company}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=15 January 2009 |title=Coca-Cola sued over VitaminWater claims |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28675966 |access-date=Jan 20, 2026 |work=NBC News}}</ref>

=== Mislabeling Minute Maid products (2014) ===
In the case POM Wonderful LLC v. Coca-Cola Co., POM Wonderful unsuccessfully argued that Minute Maid was mislabeling its pomegranate and blueberry juices due to the products containing 99.4% apple/grape juices.

=== Water usage ===
{{Incomplete section}}

=== Pollution  ===
{{Incomplete section}}

=== Anti-competitive practices  ===
{{Incomplete section}}

==Products==

=== Beverages ===

* Coca-Cola
* Sprite
* Minute Maid
* Barq's
* Powerade

=== Machinery ===

* Coke Freestyle Machine 
* BreakMate 

==See also==

=== Beverage Companies ===

* [[PepsiCo]]
* [[Keurig-Dr. Pepper]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

The Coca-Cola Company

2026-01-20T12:28:59Z

JamesTDG: Created page with "{{CompanyCargo |Founded=1892-01-29 |Industry=Beverage |Logo=CokeCompanyLogo.svg |Type=Public |Website=https://www.coca-colacompany.com/ |Description=The Coca-Cola company is a beverage company known for its consolidation of roughly 1/3 of the beverage market, and corporate lobbying/bribery. }} {{Ph-C-Int}} ==Consumer-impact summary== {{Ph-C-CIS}} ==Incidents== {{Ph-C-Inc}} This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any inc..."

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1892-01-29
|Industry=Beverage
|Logo=CokeCompanyLogo.svg
|Type=Public
|Website=https://www.coca-colacompany.com/
|Description=The Coca-Cola company is a beverage company known for its consolidation of roughly 1/3 of the beverage market, and corporate lobbying/bribery.
}}
{{Ph-C-Int}}

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

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

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

==Products==
{{Ph-C-P}}

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

File:Coca-Cola Company logo.svg

2026-01-20T12:26:42Z

JamesTDG: Sourced from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Coca-Cola_Company#/media/File:The_Coca-Cola_Company_(2020).svg

== Summary ==
Sourced from:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Coca-Cola_Company#/media/File:The_Coca-Cola_Company_(2020).svg
== Licensing ==
{{From Wikimedia}}

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2026-01-14T08:02:03Z

JamesTDG: Stadia handled