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Flock Safety

2026-04-26T03:18:54Z

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{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=2017
|Industry=Surveillance Technology
|Type=Private
|Website=https://www.flocksafety.com,
|Description=Flock Safety is an American surveillance technology company that develops and operates a mass surveillance system combining automated license plate readers (LPRs), video surveillance cameras, gunshot detection, drones, and data analytics platforms used by thousands of law enforcement agencies and private entities across the United States.
|Logo=Flock Safety Logo (2025).svg
}}

'''{{Wplink|Flock Safety}}''' is a technology company that creates and operates an extensive surveillance network using automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and related technologies.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=23 Oct 2025 |title=Highlights from Denver's Flock camera town hall – Mayor didn't show up |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dkIiLWuXBE |access-date=30 Oct 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] |type=Video |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=1dkIiLWuXBE |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> Flock was founded in 2017 by Georgia Tech alumni Garrett Langley (CEO), Matt Feury (CTO), and Paige Todd (CPO), beginning as a side project where they built their first surveillance cameras by hand.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edmonson |first=Crystal |date=22 Aug 2023 |title=Flock Safety cameras help police amid worker shortage, CEO Garrett Langley says |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2023/08/22/flock-safety-ceo-garrett-langley-podcast.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=dead |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date= |website=Atlanta Business Chronicle}}</ref> The company operates on a "surveillance as a service" business model, owning and maintaining camera infrastructure while charging recurring fees to law enforcement agencies, private communities, and businesses for access to its surveillance data and network.<ref name="FlockFunding">{{Cite web |date=13 Mar 2025 |title=Accelerating Innovation: Flock Secures $275 Million to Advance Crime-Solving Technology |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-safety-secures-major-funding |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/64KcV |archive-date=18 April 2026 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |website=Flock Safety}}</ref>

As of mid-2025, independent reporting and public records indicate the Flock network comprised more than 80,000 AI-enabled cameras nationwide.<ref name="Koebler2025">{{Cite web |last=Koebler |first=Jason |title=CBP Had Access to More than 80,000 Flock AI Cameras Nationwide |url=https://www.404media.co/cbp-had-access-to-more-than-80-000-flock-ai-cameras-nationwide/ |website=404 Media |date=25 Aug 2025 |access-date=29 Oct 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250825211512/https://www.404media.co/cbp-had-access-to-more-than-80-000-flock-ai-cameras-nationwide/ |archive-date=25 Aug 2025}}</ref> Flock's materials state deployments in roughly 5,000 communities, and the company reports the system processes "over 20 billion" vehicle scans per month; these latter two figures are company-provided and should be read as Flock's claims rather than independently verified totals.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 May 2025 |title=City Leaders Choose Flock Safety: A Proven, Community-Focused Public Safety Solution |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/city-leaders-choose-flock-safety-a-proven-community-focused-public-safety-solution |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/mQzuY |archive-date=18 April 2026 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |website=Flock Safety}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Real-Time Vehicle Leads, Nationwide |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/products/national-lpr-network |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/mJ8nZ |archive-date=18 April 2026 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |website=Flock Safety}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date= |title=FlockOS |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/products/flock-os |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/LrSjc |archive-date=20 April 2026 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |website=Flock Safety}}</ref>

The company reported surpassing roughly $300 million in annual recurring revenue. In March 2025, it closed a $275 million funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz, which independent reporting estimated valued the company at about $7.5 billion.<ref name="FlockFunding" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hu |first=Krystal |title=US startup Flock Safety raises $275 million to fund manufacturing plant, R&D |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/us-startup-flock-safety-raises-275-million-fund-manufacturing-plant-rd-2025-03-13/ |website=Reuters |date=13 Mar 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/JaV0t |archive-date=13 Mar 2025}}</ref> As of 2025, the company has raised a total of $957.5 million in funding.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=MacBride |first=Elizabeth |title=Flock Safety: 2025 CNBC Disruptor 50 |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/10/flock-safety-cnbc-disruptor-50.html |website=CNBC |date=10 Jun 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250612102045/https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/10/flock-safety-cnbc-disruptor-50.html |archive-date=12 Jun 2025}}</ref>

==Consumer impact summary==
===Privacy===
Critics, including civil liberties organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), argue that Flock's mass surveillance network violates privacy rights and represents a form of constant public monitoring that differs fundamentally from traditional, fleeting police observation.<ref name="ACLUStanley">{{Cite web |last=Stanley |first=Jay |title=Flock's Aggressive Expansions Go Far Beyond Simple Driver Surveillance |url=https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/flock-roundup |website=American Civil Liberties Union |date=18 Aug 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819025249/https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/flock-roundup |archive-date=19 Aug 2025}}</ref> A lawsuit filed in 2024 challenges the constitutionality of warrant-less searches of ALPR databases; courts have split on the issue in different jurisdictions, and rulings continue to be appealed. For example, a federal complaint in ''Schmidt v. City of Norfolk'' (E.D. Va.) alleges repeated location logging by ALPRs, while appellate activity in related Virginia cases continued into 2025. Readers should consult the cited court documents and reporting for further developments.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Collier |first=Kevin |title=Police cameras tracked one driver 526 times in four months, lawsuit says |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/virginia-police-used-flock-cameras-track-driver-safety-lawsuit-surveil-rcna230399 |website=NBC News |date=18 Sep 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250918133508/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/virginia-police-used-flock-cameras-track-driver-safety-lawsuit-surveil-rcna230399 |archive-date=18 Sep 2025}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |date=14 Oct 2025 |title=Flock Applauds Virginia Court of Appeals Ruling Affirming Constitutionality of LPR Cameras |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-applauds-virginia-court-of-appeals-ruling-affirming-constitutionality-of-lpr-cameras |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/JbcMV |archive-date=20 April 2026 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |website=Flock Safety}}</ref> The system does not offer a public opt-out mechanism.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Leaving the Door Wide Open: Flock Surveillance Systems Expose Washington Data to Immigration Enforcement |url=https://jsis.washington.edu/humanrights/2025/10/21/leaving-the-door-wide-open/ |website=University of Washington Center for Human Rights
|date=21 Oct 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251113234912/https://jsis.washington.edu/humanrights/2025/10/21/leaving-the-door-wide-open/ |archive-date=13 Nov 2025}}</ref> This raised concerns about the potential for misuse, profiling, and long-term monitoring of individuals and their associations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hamid |first=Sarah |last2=Alajaji |first2=Rindala |title=Flock Safety's Feature Updates Cannot Make Automated License Plate Readers Safe |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/06/flock-safetys-feature-updates-cannot-make-automated-license-plate-readers-safe |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation |date=27 Jun 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250628052030/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/06/flock-safetys-feature-updates-cannot-make-automated-license-plate-readers-safe |archive-date=28 Jun 2025}}</ref>

Specific privacy violations include:
*Warrant-less tracking and data sharing: Flock's business model enables a nationwide data-sharing network that allows thousands of law enforcement agencies to access location data without warrants or reasonable suspicion of wrongdoing.<ref name="ACLUStanley" />

*Expanded audio surveillance: In 2025, Flock announced that its Raven gunshot detection systems would begin listening for "human distress" sounds, such as screaming, expanding beyond gunshot detection to voice monitoring.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guariglia |first=Matthew |title=Flock's Gunshot Detection Microphones Will Start Listening for Human Voices
|url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/10/flocks-gunshot-detection-microphones-will-start-listening-human-voices |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation |date=2 Oct 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251029213640/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/10/flocks-gunshot-detection-microphones-will-start-listening-human-voices |archive-date=29 Oct 2025}}</ref>

*Undermining state shield laws: Despite state laws protecting healthcare access, out-of-state officers from jurisdictions that criminalize abortion or gender-affirming care can access Flock data on residents of protective states.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maass |first=Dave |title=Flock Safety and Texas Sheriff Claimed License Plate Search Was for a Missing Person. It Was an Abortion Investigation. |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/10/flock-safety-and-texas-sheriff-claimed-license-plate-search-was-missing-person-it |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation |date=7 Oct 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251007134746/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/10/flock-safety-and-texas-sheriff-claimed-license-plate-search-was-missing-person-it |archive-date=7 Oct 2025}}</ref>

*Immigration enforcement: Research from the University of Washington Center for Human Rights documented systematic access to Flock data by federal immigration authorities, often in violation of state laws.<ref name=":0" /> This occurred through three methods: "front door" access, where agencies directly shared data with Border Patrol; "back door" access via a default "National Lookup" setting that granted federal access without explicit local authorization; and "side door" searches where local officers ran searches on behalf of ICE.<ref name=":0" />

*Contractual privacy overreach: The ACLU of Massachusetts found that Flock's default service agreement grants the company a "worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free" license to disclose agency data for "investigative purposes," even if a local police department has chosen to restrict data-sharing with other agencies.<ref name="ACLUStanley2">{{Cite web |last=Stanley |first=Jay |title=Flock Can Share Driver-Surveillance Data Even When Police Departments Opt Out, And Other Flock Developments |url=https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/flock-massachusetts-and-updates |website=American Civil Liberties Union |date=7 Oct 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251024234020/https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/flock-massachusetts-and-updates |archive-date=24 Oct 2025}}</ref>

===Business model===
Flock Safety operates on a subscription-based "safety-as-a-service" model.<ref name="Sacra">{{Cite web |title=Flock Safety revenue, growth rate & funding |url=https://sacra.com/c/flock-safety/ |website=Sacra |url-access=limited |date= |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251123150450/https://sacra.com/c/flock-safety/ |archive-date=23 Nov 2025}}</ref> The company charges approximately $2,500 per camera annually, plus a one-time installation fee.<ref name="Sacra" /> This subscription includes maintenance, software updates, and data hosting. Forbes reported in 2025 that a single license plate reader camera costs between $3,000 and $3,500, with additional fees for the FlockOS platform.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Brewster |first=Thomas |title=AI Startup Flock Thinks It Can Eliminate All Crime In America |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2025/09/03/ai-startup-flock-thinks-it-can-eliminate-all-crime-in-america/ |website=Forbes |date=3 Sep 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250903144312/https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2025/09/03/ai-startup-flock-thinks-it-can-eliminate-all-crime-in-america/ |archive-date=3 Sep 2025}}</ref> This model has proven highly successful, with the company reporting over $300 million in annual recurring revenue as of 2024, reflecting a 70% year-over-year increase.<ref name="FlockFunding" />

Flock's AI-enabled cameras capture detailed vehicle "[[Device fingerprint|fingerprints]]" — including make, model, color, bumper stickers, damages, and other distinguishing characteristics — in addition to license plates,<ref name=":4" /> with footage retained for thirty days before deletion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 Mar 2019 |title=How Flock Safety Eliminates Neighborhood Crime While Protecting Resident Privacy |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/how-flock-safety-protects-resident-privacy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/tRLU8 |archive-date=20 April 2026 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |website=Flock Safety}}</ref> The company's network benefits from strong network effects. Investor Andreessen Horowitz has stated the system's power grows with adoption, as "digital evidence can be pooled across different law enforcement agencies," creating network effects that increase surveillance capabilities as more agencies join.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ulevitch
|first=David |last2=George |first2=David |title=Investing in Flock Safety |url=https://a16z.com/announcement/investing-in-flock-safety/ |website=Andreessen Horowitz |date=13 Jul 2021 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928171419/https://a16z.com/announcement/investing-in-flock-safety/ |archive-date=28 Sep 2023}}</ref> As cameras are deployed across more jurisdictions, participating agencies gain access to a broader shared data pool.

Flock initially focused on homeowner's associations — which still account for roughly 40% of its business — before expanding rapidly into law enforcement and enterprise sectors, illustrating a "land-and-expand" growth strategy.<ref name="Sacra" /> Major venture capital firms have invested heavily, signaling strong market confidence. In March 2025, a funding round of $275 million was led by Andreessen Horowitz, with participation from Green Oaks Capital, Bedrock Capital, and Tiger Global, among others, valuing the company at $7.5 billion.<ref name="FlockFunding" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pavri |first=Rezwan D. |last2=Conklin |first2=Colin G. |title=Wilson Sonsini Advises Flock Safety on $275 Million Financing |url=https://www.wsgr.com/en/insights/wilson-sonsini-advises-flock-safety-on-dollar275-million-financing.html |website=Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati |date=14 Mar 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250315234904/https://www.wsgr.com/en/insights/wilson-sonsini-advises-flock-safety-on-dollar275-million-financing.html |archive-date=15 Mar 2025}}</ref> Major corporate clients include retailers like {{Wplink|Lowe's}} and {{Wplink|FedEx}}, mall operator {{Wplink|Simon Property Group}}, and healthcare provider {{Wplink|Kaiser Permanente}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brewster |first=Thomas |title=America's Biggest Mall Owner Is Sharing AI Surveillance Feeds Directly With Cops |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2024/05/06/simon-property-and-flock-safety-feed-ai-surveillance-feeds-to-the-cops/ |website=Forbes |date=6 May 2024 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260203012902/https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2024/05/06/simon-property-and-flock-safety-feed-ai-surveillance-feeds-to-the-cops/ |archive-date=3 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brewster |first=Thomas |title=FedEx's Secretive Police Force Is Helping Cops Build An AI Car Surveillance Network |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2024/06/19/fedex-police-help-cops-build-an-ai-car-surveillance-network/ |website=Forbes |date=19 Jun 2024 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128023325/https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2024/06/19/fedex-police-help-cops-build-an-ai-car-surveillance-network/ |archive-date=28 Jan 2026}}</ref>

Strategic acquisitions and infrastructure investment fuel the company's expansion. Following its acquisition of Aerodome in October 2024, Flock Safety is building a 100,000-square-foot U.S.A. manufacturing facility for drone production.<ref name=":1" />

==Surveillance technology==
{{Main|Flock license plate readers}}

Flock Safety offers an integrated ecosystem of surveillance hardware and software marketed as a public safety platform.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Flock Safety Product Hub |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/products |website=Flock Safety |date= |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222221459/https://www.flocksafety.com/products |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> The hardware component includes solar-powered ALPRs;<ref name=":2" /> video cameras with AI-powered analytics for people and vehicle detection;<ref name=":2" /> acoustic sensors that identify gunshots and breaking glass for real-time alerts;<ref name=":2" /> and drones acquired through Aerodome for "drone as first responder" systems automatically dispatched to emergency calls.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Flock Expands Into Drones |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-safety-expands-into-drones-for-law-enforcement-with-acquisition-of-aerodome |website=Flock Safety |date=17 Oct 2024 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222221554/https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-safety-expands-into-drones-for-law-enforcement-with-acquisition-of-aerodome |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref>

Specific product models include the Falcon and Sparrow license plate readers, as well as the Raven gunshot detection system.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Katz-Lecabe |first=Mike |title=Dissection of Flock Safety Camera |url=https://www.chrp.org/blog/dissection-of-flock-safety-camera |website=The Center for Human Rights and Privacy |date=1 Apr 2022 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430151222/https://www.cehrp.org/dissection-of-flock-safety-camera/ |archive-date=30 Apr 2022}}</ref> Flock's software integrates with police vehicle systems, including widely-used {{Wplink|Axon Enterprise|Axon}} dashcams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Axon Partners with Flock Safety to Enhance Security for Cities and Neighborhoods |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/axon-partners-with-flock-safety-to-enhance-security-for-cities-and-neighborhoods-301033947.html |website=PR Newswire |date=2 Apr 2020 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404123408/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/axon-partners-with-flock-safety-to-enhance-security-for-cities-and-neighborhoods-301033947.html |archive-date=4 Apr 2020}}</ref>

The software platform includes FlockOS, a real-time crime center platform that enables users to view maps and geographic data, body camera and drone feeds, 911 call data, as well as traffic camera and acoustic sensor data.<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 Aug 2025 |title=The Evolution of FlockOS: How Customer Feedback Continues to Shape the Future |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/the-evolution-of-flockos-how-customer-feedback-continues-to-shape-the-future |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/PaFQu |archive-date=25 April 2026 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |website=Flock Safety}}</ref> FlockOS enables the National LPR Network, a nationwide database for sharing and searching LPR data across jurisdictions; and Flock Nova, a data analytics platform that integrates LPR data with law enforcement systems, such as Records Management Systems (RMS) and Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD), to identify patterns.<ref name=":2" />

==Incidents==
===The FBI is accused in pending lawsuit to use Flock data to "create a domestic terrorist" (February 2026)===
In a recent reporting by LegalEagle on Youtube https://youtu.be/ZRZoGc3Wdpo?t=1138 at timestamp 18:58, court documents are shown where law enforcement collects 30 days of movements from Flock cameras (after the fact) in efforts to "construct the appearance the person is a domestic terrorist". The release of this footage was denied to ensure people not know where the cameras are in order to avoid them. This was a part of the ICE operation "Midway Blitz".
===Wrongful package theft accusation in Bow Mar, Colorado (September 2025)===
On 27 September 2025, Columbine Valley Police Sgt. Jamie Milliman wrongfully accused Denver resident Chrisanna Elser of package theft, relying exclusively on Flock Safety license plate reader data that placed her vehicle in Bow Mar during the robbery.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Kenney |first=Andrew |title=Police used Flock cameras to accuse a Denver woman of package theft. She had her own evidence |url=https://denverite.com/2025/10/27/bow-mar-flock-cameras-accusation/ |website=Denverite |date=28 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251028180112/https://denverite.com/2025/10/27/bow-mar-flock-cameras-accusation/ |archive-date=28 Oct 2025}}</ref> The officer asserted "zero doubt" about her guilt, telling her verbatim, "It is locked in. There is zero doubt. I wouldn't have come here unless I was 100% sure." He also bragged about the extensive surveillance network, stating "You can't get a breath of fresh air, in or out of that place, without us knowing."<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Prentzel |first=Olivia |title=After police used Flock cameras to accuse a Denver woman of theft, she had to prove her own innocence |url=https://coloradosun.com/2025/10/28/flock-camera-police-colorado-columbine-valley/ |website=The Colorado Sun |date=28 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251112221400/https://coloradosun.com/2025/10/28/flock-camera-police-colorado-columbine-valley/ |archive-date=12 Nov 2025}}</ref> When Elser denied the accusation, Milliman refused to show her the supposed evidence, stating, "You have not been honest with me, so I'm not going to extend you any courtesy of showing you a video when I don't need to."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coon |first=Anna |title=Police use Flock cameras to wrongfully accuse Denver woman of theft |url=https://kdvr.com/news/local/police-use-flock-cameras-to-wrongfully-accuse-denver-woman-of-theft/ |website=KDVR |date=28 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251103031304/https://kdvr.com/news/local/police-use-flock-cameras-to-wrongfully-accuse-denver-woman-of-theft/ |archive-date=3 Nov 2025}}</ref> Elser was compelled to compile extensive exculpatory evidence, including dashcam footage, Google Timeline data, witness statements, and surveillance images from her tailor. She ultimately submitted a seven-page affidavit and a voluminous Google Drive folder to prove her innocence.<ref name=":5" /> The summons was voided several weeks later after Police Chief Bret Cottrell reviewed her evidence, writing, "After reviewing the evidence you have provided (nicely done btw), we have voided the summons that was issued." However, the department provided neither an apology nor an explanation.<ref name=":6" />

===Denver contract and surveillance controversy (October 2025 ongoing)===
On 22 October 2025, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston unilaterally renewed the city's contract with Flock Safety through an emergency executive order just hours before a town hall protest, after the Denver City Council had unanimously rejected the contract 12-0.<ref name="cbsdenver">{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Chierstin |title=Some on the Denver City Council upset after Mayor Mike Johnston moves forward with controversial Flock cameras |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/flock-camera-denver-city-council-mayor/ |website=CBS News Colorado |date=23 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251030171650/https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/flock-camera-denver-city-council-mayor/ |archive-date=30 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref name="coloradopolitics">{{Cite web |last=Grigsby |first=Deborah |title=Anger grows as Denver mayor extends Flock camera contract |url=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/10/23/anger-grows-as-denver-mayor-extends-flock-camera-contract/ |website=Colorado Politics |date=23 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251024231906/https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/10/23/anger-grows-as-denver-mayor-extends-flock-camera-contract/ |archive-date=24 Oct 2025}}</ref> The council's rejection was due to a lack of guardrails around data access and privacy concerns.<ref name="cbsdenver" /> The mayor's move, described by Councilwoman Shontel Lewis as "'king' behavior," bypassed the democratic process and sparked immediate public backlash.<ref name="cbsdenver" /> A town hall protest organized by consumer advocate Louis Rossmann drew close to 700 attendees, filling a main conference room and overflow spaces.<ref name="coloradopolitics" /><ref name=":7" /> Rossmann had also published a guide for residents to oppose the cameras.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |title=A guide to de‑flocking Denver: here's EXACTLY what you need to do, step‑by‑step. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxJIp_4RaWk |website=[[YouTube]] |date=20 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |type=Video |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=cxJIp_4RaWk |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> The new, no-cost five-month extension included new safeguards, such as a $100,000 fine on Flock for any unauthorized data sharing and cutting off access for all jurisdictions outside of the Denver Police Department.<ref name="cbsdenver" /><ref name="coloradopolitics" /> The mayor's office cited the technology's role in recovering stolen vehicles and solving homicides, while critics remained concerned about executive overreach and the system's potential for misuse.<ref name="cbsdenver" /><ref name="coloradopolitics" />

===Data sharing with federal immigration authorities (Ongoing)===
Federal immigration enforcement agencies systematically accessed Flock's license plate data through multiple methods despite state laws prohibiting such sharing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koebler
|first=Jason |last2=Cox |first2=Joseph |title=ICE Taps into Nationwide AI-Enabled Camera Network, Data Shows |url=https://www.404media.co/ice-taps-into-nationwide-ai-enabled-camera-network-data-shows/ |website=404 Media |date=27 May 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250527141200/https://www.404media.co/ice-taps-into-nationwide-ai-enabled-camera-network-data-shows/ |archive-date=27 May 2025}}</ref> This included direct "front door" access where at least eight Washington law enforcement agencies enabled 1:1 data sharing with the U.S. Border Patrol,<ref name=":0" /> "back door" access where Border Patrol searched data from at least ten Washington police departments without explicit authorization,<ref name=":0" /> and "side door" searches where local officers conducted searches on behalf of ICE, visible only when officers typed reasons like "ICE" into search fields.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koebler |first=Jason |title=CBP Had Access to More than 80,000 Flock AI Cameras Nationwide |url=https://www.404media.co/cbp-had-access-to-more-than-80-000-flock-ai-cameras-nationwide/ |website=404 Media
|date=25 Aug 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250825211512/https://www.404media.co/cbp-had-access-to-more-than-80-000-flock-ai-cameras-nationwide/ |archive-date=25 Aug 2025}}</ref> Internal Flock data revealed that CBP had access to more than 80,000 cameras nationwide, with searches conducted in multiple states, potentially violating state sanctuary laws.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Connor |first=John |title=License plate camera company halts cooperation with federal agencies among investigation concerns |url=https://abc7.com/post/flock-safety-license-plate-camera-company-halts-cooperation-federal-agencies-among-investigation-concerns-including-il/17653876/ |website=ABC7 |date=26 Aug 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250827010855/https://abc7.com/post/flock-safety-license-plate-camera-company-halts-cooperation-federal-agencies-among-investigation-concerns-including-il/17653876/ |archive-date=27 Aug 2025}}</ref>

===Investigation of abortion seeker (May 2025)===
A Johnson County, Texas sheriff's officer conducted a nationwide surveillance operation using Flock Safety's network to track a woman who had a self-managed abortion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koebler |first=Jason |last2=Cox |first2=Joseph |title=A Texas Cop Searched License Plate Cameras Nationwide for a Woman Who Got an Abortion |url=https://www.404media.co/a-texas-cop-searched-license-plate-cameras-nationwide-for-a-woman-who-got-an-abortion/ |website=404 Media |date=29 May 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250529181049/https://www.404media.co/a-texas-cop-searched-license-plate-cameras-nationwide-for-a-woman-who-got-an-abortion/ |archive-date=29 May 2025}}</ref> The search spanned 6,809 different Flock networks and queried data from over 83,000 cameras across multiple states.<ref name=":0" /> The officer specifically searched Flock camera data from Yakima and Prosser, Washington, accessing surveillance data from jurisdictions where abortion is legally protected to investigate someone from a restrictive state.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koebler |first=Jason |last2=Cox |first2=Joseph |title=Police Said They Surveilled Woman Who Had an Abortion for Her 'Safety.' Court Records Show They Considered Charging Her With a Crime |url=https://www.404media.co/police-said-they-surveilled-woman-who-had-an-abortion-for-her-safety-court-records-show-they-considered-charging-her-with-a-crime/ |website=404 Media |date=7 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251007135454/https://www.404media.co/police-said-they-surveilled-woman-who-had-an-abortion-for-her-safety-court-records-show-they-considered-charging-her-with-a-crime/ |archive-date=7 Oct 2025}}</ref> While police initially claimed the surveillance was for the woman's "safety," internal documents revealed the case was officially logged as a "death investigation" and detectives had consulted the district attorney about charging the woman.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Epstein |first=Gideon |title=Flock Gives Law Enforcement All Over the Country Access to Your Location |url=https://data.aclum.org/2025/10/07/flock-gives-law-enforcement-all-over-the-country-access-to-your-location/ |website=ACLU Massachusetts |date=7 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251018052911/https://data.aclum.org/2025/10/07/flock-gives-law-enforcement-all-over-the-country-access-to-your-location/ |archive-date=18 Oct 2025}}</ref> The incident sparked a congressional investigation and led to multiple jurisdictions re-evaluating their Flock contracts over concerns about reproductive rights surveillance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stanley |first=Jay |title=I'm Hearing About More Pushback Against Flock, Fueled by Concern Over Anti-Immigrant Uses |url=https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/flock-pushback |website=ACLU |date=21 Aug 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250821161654/https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/flock-pushback |archive-date=21 Aug 2025}}</ref>

===Paused federal pilots and systemic data sharing with federal agencies (August 2025)===
Flock Safety announced it was pausing all ongoing pilot programs with Department of Homeland Security agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Langley |first=Garrett |date=25 Aug 2025 |title=Ensuring Local Compliance |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/ensuring-local-compliance |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/tdOCI |archive-date=25 April 2026 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |website=Flock Safety}}</ref> The company stated this pause was to "ensure local compliance" and admitted its previous public statements had "inadvertently provided inaccurate information" about the level of federal access to its network.<ref name=":3" />

This decision followed investigations revealing systemic data sharing with federal immigration authorities that potentially violated state laws in Washington, Illinois, and other states with sanctuary protections.<ref name=":0" /> A University of Washington Center for Human Rights report documented three methods of federal access:

*Front door access: At least eight Washington law enforcement agencies, including police departments in Yakima and Wenatchee, enabled direct data sharing with U.S. Border Patrol.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="wenatchee">{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Jordan |title=Flock Safety setting allowed U.S. Border Patrol access to Wenatchee Valley license plate data without police knowledge |url=https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/flock-safety-setting-allowed-u-s-border-patrol-access-to-wenatchee-valley-license-plate-data/article_8335941e-161c-594d-bc51-a56e0bd7251b.html |website=The Wenatchee World |date=27 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251103210114/https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/flock-safety-setting-allowed-u-s-border-patrol-access-to-wenatchee-valley-license-plate-data/article_8335941e-161c-594d-bc51-a56e0bd7251b.html |archive-date=3 Nov 2025}}</ref>

*Back door access: A default "National Lookup" setting allowed Border Patrol to access data from at least ten Washington agencies without explicit authorization. Police chiefs in Wenatchee and East Wenatchee stated they were unaware of this setting and disabled it upon discovery.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="wenatchee" />

*Side door searches: Law enforcement officers conducted searches on behalf of ICE, visible only when officers typed reasons like "ICE" or "illegal immigration" into search fields.<ref name=":0" /> A public interest law firm noted Flock's pause of direct federal access does little to prevent this workaround, as "federal law enforcement cannot directly access this trove of information; they can just ask other Flock customers to run searches or share log-in information."<ref name="ij">{{Cite web |last=King |first=Dan |title=Public Interest Law Firm Responds to Flock Safety Pausing Federal Access to License Plate Reader Cameras |url=https://ij.org/press-release/public-interest-law-firm-responds-to-flock-safety-pausing-federal-access-to-license-plate-reader-cameras/ |website=Institute for Justice |date=26 Aug 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250925231824/https://ij.org/press-release/public-interest-law-firm-responds-to-flock-safety-pausing-federal-access-to-license-plate-reader-cameras/ |archive-date=25 Sep 2025}}</ref>

===Consumer complaints about business practices===
Multiple independent user reviews on {{Wplink|Trustpilot}}, as well as reports from legal advocacy groups, detail a range of consumer complaints against Flock Safety. These issues span predatory billing practices, unreliable hardware, inadequate customer support, and concerns over the value and ethics of the service.

*Predatory billing and contract issues: Customers report aggressive auto-renewal practices. One review alleges the company sent termination notices to the incorrect party and then enforced an auto-renewed two-year contract for nearly $10,000, demanding payment because the customer did not provide a thirty-day termination notice.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fiala |first=Steven |title=Flock Safety reviewed by Steven Fiala on 1/8/2025 |url=https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/677ef12bc84c2a5269f7cb9c |website=Trustpilot |date=8 Jan 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260108013844/https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/677ef12bc84c2a5269f7cb9c |archive-date=8 Jan 2026}}</ref> Another customer claimed the company would not offer a refund for cameras they found to be useless, describing the system as a "rip off."<ref name="TrustPilot RR">{{Cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Ruben |title=Flock Safety reviewed by Ruben Rodriguez on 10/13/2023 |url=https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/65292d1cd90a6358742b453b |website=Trustpilot |date=13 Oct 2023 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260108014407/https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/65292d1cd90a6358742b453b |archive-date=8 Jan 2026}}</ref> The Institute for Justice has raised concerns that Flock tries to "lock customers into its products."<ref name="ij" />

*Poor camera reliability and performance: Reviews frequently cite hardware failures and poor video quality. One neighborhood reported that a camera, costing $4,000 per year, was operational for only nine days before failing and had been offline for 25% of its total service time.<ref name="TrustPilot SE">{{Cite web |last=Elliott |first=Steve |title=Flock Safety reviewed by Steve Elliott on 6/20/2025 |url=https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/68553b4c0981a42b5f818398 |website=Trustpilot |date=20 Jun 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260108020837/https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/68553b4c0981a42b5f818398 |archive-date=8 Jan 2026}}</ref> Another customer complained that the cameras are "not live" and lack night vision, concluding that a "$300 video camera system from Harbor Freight is 100% better."<ref name="TrustPilot RR" />

*Inadequate customer support: Numerous complaints have been made about poor customer service, particularly among smaller communities and organizations. One reviewer felt that the company is "focused on big city/county government contracts" and that "little guys are at the back of the line for support."<ref name="TrustPilot SE" /> The company's profile on TrustPilot indicates that it has not replied to negative reviews.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flock Safety Reviews |url=https://www.trustpilot.com/review/flocksafety.com |website=TrustPilot |date= |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260108022250/https://www.trustpilot.com/review/flocksafety.com |archive-date=8 Jan 2026 |quote=Hasn’t replied to negative reviews}}</ref>

*Ethical and legal concerns: Some criticisms extend beyond business practices to the product's societal impact. Major civil liberties organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have published analyses raising significant privacy and Fourth Amendment concerns about the technology.<ref name="ACLUStanley" /> The ACLU has also published analyses raising considerable privacy concerns about the technology.<ref name="ACLUStanley2" />

==Lawsuits==
===''Schmidt v. City of Norfolk'' (18 September 2025)===
A lawsuit in Norfolk, VA, revealed that the city's ALPR system has logged the location of a plaintiff's vehicle 526 times in 4 months.<ref name=":9" /> The second plaintiff had their vehicle's position logged 849 times in a similar time period. The ALPR system is provided by Flock to the Norfolk Police Department in a deal costing $2.2 million, in return for Flock providing services through to the end of 2027. The camera installation began in 2023 and, at present, there are 176 cameras around the city. The lawsuit is requesting that the plaintiff's data be deleted and the cameras be turned off, arguing that these actions constitute an infringement of the Fourth Amendment and a warrant-less search. Flock counters this assertion by claiming that "LPRs do not constitute a warrant-less search because they take point-in-time photos of cars in public and cannot continuously track the movements of any individual." This legal position was supported by a ruling from the Virginia Court of Appeals in October 2025, which reversed a lower court and found that warrant-less use of Flock's system does not violate the Fourth Amendment.<ref name=":10" />

===''United States v. Martin'' (11 October 2024)===
In ''United States v. Martin'' (E.D. Va.), the district court denied a motion to suppress evidence obtained via an ALPR network, issuing a memorandum opinion on 11 October 2024. The court concluded that the images at issue were point-in-time photographs of vehicles on public roads and therefore did not establish a reasonable expectation of privacy for purposes of the Fourth Amendment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Payne |first=Robert E. |title=MEMORANDUM OPINION, United States v. Martin, No. 3:23-cr-150 (E.D. Va. Oct. 11, 2024) |url=https://case-law.vlex.com/vid/united-states-v-martin-1056100094 |url-access=limited |website=vLex |date=11 Oct 2024 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260108024629/https://case-law.vlex.com/vid/united-states-v-martin-1056100094 |archive-date=8 Jan 2026}}</ref> 

Legal commentators have treated the ruling as a persuasive decision supporting warrant-less searches of ALPR/Flock databases in that jurisdiction; however, it remains a district-court decision and not binding precedent outside the Eastern District of Virginia. Courts in other jurisdictions have reached different conclusions on the warrant requirements for ALPR searches.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grosdidier |first=Pierre |title=Authorities can search Flock databases without a warrant |url=https://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=articles&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=67513 |website=Texas Bar Journal |date=Apr 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250418012511/https://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=articles&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=67513 |archive-date=18 Apr 2025}}</ref>

===Public records lawsuits in Washington (2025)===
Multiple public-records disputes over Flock camera data have led to litigation in Washington. In one high-profile example, the cities of Sedro-Woolley and Stanwood filed a declaratory-judgment action in Skagit County (Case No. 25-2-00717-29), asking a court to declare that images and data stored in Flock's AWS cloud are not "public records" under the Washington Public Records Act (PRA) unless and until a public agency accesses and downloads them.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guildner |first=Emily |title=City of Sedro-Woolley and City of Stanwood v. Jose Rodriguez — Complaint for Declaratory Judgment |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/901263718/City-of-Sedro-Woolley-v-Jose-Rodriguez-Complaint-for-Declaratory-Judgement |website=Scribd |date=16 Jul 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222221830/https://www.scribd.com/document/901263718/City-of-Sedro-Woolley-v-Jose-Rodriguez-Complaint-for-Declaratory-Judgement |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> The dispute became contested in multiple forums after the requester filed his own suit and responsive filings, alleging that the cities had violated the PRA. While the litigation proceeds, some municipalities have paused or disabled Flock camera deployments pending a judicial ruling on whether the raw images and data must be released as public records.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peterson |first=Jenna |title=Stanwood pauses Flock cameras amid public records lawsuits |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/stanwood-pauses-flock-cameras-amid-public-records-lawsuits/ |website=HeraldNet |date=10 Sep 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250911213648/https://www.heraldnet.com/news/stanwood-pauses-flock-cameras-amid-public-records-lawsuits/ |archive-date=11 Sep 2025}}</ref>

===Norfolk Circuit Court warrant requirement (2024-2025)===
In June 2024, a Norfolk Circuit Court judge granted a defendant's motion to suppress evidence obtained from the city's Flock ALPR system, ruling that, in that case, warrant-less access to the system implicated the Fourth Amendment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=King |first=Katie |title=Norfolk judge rejects police Flock camera evidence without warrant |url=https://www.pilotonline.com/2024/06/15/one-nation-under-watch-norfolk-judge-rejects-police-flock-camera-evidence-without-warrant/ |website=The Virginian-Pilot |date=15 Jun 2024 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240702005515/https://www.pilotonline.com/2024/06/15/one-nation-under-watch-norfolk-judge-rejects-police-flock-camera-evidence-without-warrant/ |archive-date=2 Jul 2024}}</ref>

That trial-court ruling was later reversed by the Virginia Court of Appeals in ''Commonwealth v. Church'' in Oct 2025, which concluded the circuit court erred and held that the ALPR images at issue were point-in-time photographs of vehicles in public and therefore did not require a search warrant; the appellate court reversed the suppression and remanded for further proceedings.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beales |first=Randolph A. |title=Commonwealth v. Ronnie D. Church, No. 0737-25-1 (Va. Ct. App. Oct. 2025) (unpublished opinion) |url=https://www.vacourts.gov/static/opinions/opncavwp/0737251.pdf |website=Virginia Court System |date=14 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251028232244/https://www.vacourts.gov/static/opinions/opncavwp/0737251.pdf |archive-date=28 Oct 2025 |format=PDF}}</ref>

==External links==
*[https://deflock.me/ DeFlock: ALPR Location Map]
*[https://www.noalprs.org/ No ALPRs: Advocacy Group]
*[https://www.eff.org/issues/license-plate-readers EFF: License Plate Readers]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20260415082121/https://www.aclu.org/wp-content/uploads/publications/flock_1.pdf ACLU: Fast-Growing Company Flock is Building a New AI-Driven Mass-Surveillance System]
*[https://www.wired.com/tag/automated-license-plate-readers/ Wired: Automated License Plate Readers]
*[https://www.vice.com/en/topic/automated-license-plate-readers Vice: Automated License Plate Readers]
*[https://www.technologyreview.com/tag/surveillance/ MIT Technology Review: Surveillance]
*[https://www.flock-restrictions.org/ Flock Restrictions: Policy Tracking]
*[https://www.urban.org/features/how-police-use-technology Urban Institute: Police Technology Use]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Honda requires connection of the car to the internet and creating an account to be able to download offline map updates.

2026-04-26T02:58:58Z

Neige:

{{#seo:
|description=Honda requires vehicle internet connection and account creation on its navigation portal to download offline map updates, despite already having the VIN.
}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Honda
|StartDate=2023-09
|EndDate=
|Status=Active
|ProductLine=
|Product=
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Forced Account Creation,Privacy
|Description=Requires car internet connection and account creation to download offline map updates despite already having the VIN
}}
[[Honda]] owners who purchased vehicles with built-in navigation systems can't download offline map updates without first connecting the car to the internet, activating Online Services to transmit the vehicle's VIN to [[HERE Technologies]], and creating an account on the Honda Navigation Store.<ref name="honda-faq">{{Cite web |title=Honda FAQ & Troubleshooting Guide |url=https://hondanavi.navigation.com/static/WFS/Shop-HondaNA-Site/-/Shop-HondaNA/en_US/Documents/Honda-FAQ-and-Troubleshooting-Guide.pdf |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Honda Navigation Store |publisher=HERE Technologies}}</ref><ref name="honda-navi-store">{{Cite web |title=Honda Navigation System GPS Map Update |url=https://hondanavi.navigation.com/home/en_US/HondaNA/USD |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Honda Navigation Store |publisher=HERE Technologies}}</ref> Honda already has the VIN for each vehicle and sends owners personalized emails with that VIN to notify them of available updates, but the download process still requires the vehicle to independently transmit the same VIN through Online Services and the owner to register on the HERE Technologies portal before the update can be downloaded.<ref name="honda-faq" />

==Background==

[[Honda]] sells several vehicle models with infotainment systems that include built-in navigation maps. The map data is provided by HERE Technologies, a mapping and location data company that operates the Honda Navigation Store at hondanavi.navigation.com.<ref name="honda-navi-store" /> Honda's MapCare program provides free map updates for a limited period after new vehicle purchase, after which owners must pay for a subscription renewal.<ref name="honda-faq" />

To update their maps, owners must register an account on the Honda Navigation Store, enter their vehicle model, model year, VIN, and current database version, then download the update to a USB drive on a Windows or Mac computer.<ref name="honda-faq" /><ref name="honda-navi-store" /> The update cannot be downloaded to a phone, tablet, or Chromebook. The USB drive is then inserted into the vehicle to install the update, a process that takes roughly 40 minutes.<ref name="piloteers-nav-response">{{Cite web |title=Your Complimentary Map Update Is Now Available! |url=https://www.piloteers.org/threads/your-complimentary-map-update-is-now-available.183448/ |date=2023-09-20 |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Honda Pilot Forums (piloteers.org)}}</ref>

==Online Services and account requirement==

Downloading a map update requires two separate gatekeeping steps: the vehicle must have Online Services activated, and the owner must create an account on the Honda Navigation Store portal operated by HERE Technologies.<ref name="honda-navi-store" /> The portal prompts users to register with an email address and password before proceeding.<ref name="honda-navi-store" />

Honda's own FAQ states that Online Services must be turned on because "this is the only way HERE Technologies gets a feed of the vehicle VIN in able to recognize it on the MapCare portal."<ref name="honda-faq" /> The FAQ adds that Online Services "should remain on while you complete a map update download or Wi-Fi update."<ref name="honda-faq" />

Honda owners on automotive forums have pointed out a contradiction in this process. Honda sends owners personalized emails containing their VIN to notify them of available updates.<ref name="piloteers-nav-response" /> If Honda has the VIN in its own database and can associate it with the owner's email address, the VIN could be transmitted to HERE Technologies without requiring the vehicle to establish an independent internet connection. The download itself happens on a separate computer, not on the vehicle.<ref name="honda-faq" />

Multiple Honda Pilot owners have reported that activating Online Services fails despite functional internet connections. One 2024 Pilot Elite owner reported getting a "no internet connection" error even though Android Auto and HondaLink were connected and working.<ref name="piloteers-online-services">{{Cite web |title=2024 Pilot "connect to on-line services" for map update |url=https://www.piloteers.org/threads/2024-pilot-connect-to-on-line-services-for-map-update.185445/ |date=2024-03-20 |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Honda Pilot Forums (piloteers.org)}}</ref> Another owner activated Online Services successfully but received an error stating the subscription "expired in 1972" on a brand-new 2024 vehicle; customer service told them to purchase a subscription.<ref name="piloteers-online-services" />

The only workaround some owners have found is connecting to the vehicle's free three-month trial AT&T hotspot, which enables the Online Services connection. Once that trial expires, the vehicle loses its internet connection and further map updates require a paid cellular subscription or an alternative connection method.<ref name="piloteers-online-services" />

===Honda's response===

Honda Navigation Center, when asked by an owner about updating maps without Online Services, responded: "Unfortunately, you have to have online services connected in order for the map updates to work."<ref name="piloteers-nav-response" /> The owner had noted that Honda already had their VIN, as Honda had sent them an email containing it. Honda did not address why the VIN needed to be transmitted a second time through the vehicle.

HERE Technologies, which provides third-party support for the Honda Navigation Store, has been unable to resolve the issue for owners who contact them directly. One owner reported spending over two hours on the phone with Honda and HERE without resolution, describing both support teams as reading from information binders with no ability to troubleshoot the underlying problem.<ref name="piloteers-online-services" />

==Related enforcement actions==

In March 2025, the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) announced a settlement requiring Honda to pay $632,500 and change its business practices for violating the [[California Consumer Privacy Act]] (CCPA).<ref name="cppa-honda">{{Cite web |date=2025-03-12 |title=Honda Settles With CPPA Over Privacy Violations |url=https://cppa.ca.gov/announcements/2025/20250312.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260423140943/https://cppa.ca.gov/announcements/2025/20250312.html |archive-date=23 April 2026 |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=California Privacy Protection Agency}}</ref> The CPPA found that Honda required consumers to "verify themselves and provide excessive personal information" to exercise privacy rights such as opting out of data sales. Honda also shared consumer data with advertising companies without producing contracts containing the necessary terms to protect privacy.<ref name="cppa-honda" />

The settlement arose from the CPPA's investigation into data privacy practices by connected vehicle manufacturers in the state of California.<ref name="cppa-honda" />

==Consumer response==

Honda Pilot owners on automotive forums have documented persistent frustration with the map update process. Common complaints include VIN verification failures on the Honda Navigation Store despite using the VIN from Honda's own notification emails, "no internet connection" errors when attempting to activate Online Services, and dealerships that are unable to assist with the process.<ref name="piloteers-nav-response" /><ref name="piloteers-online-services" />

Several owners have abandoned Honda's built-in navigation entirely, opting to use Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze through Android Auto or Apple CarPlay instead.<ref name="piloteers-nav-response" /> One owner described the built-in navigation as "worthless" and "a complete waste of time."<ref name="piloteers-nav-response" />

The issue affects Honda vehicles with newer HERE Technologies-based infotainment systems, beginning with certain 2023 model year vehicles such as the Pilot. Some Honda models continued using Garmin-based navigation through 2024.<ref name="piloteers-online-services" />

==See also==

*[[Forced account]]
*[[Forced cloud]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Honda requires connection of the car to the internet and creating an account to be able to download offline map updates}}
[[Category:Honda]]
[[Category:Forced Account Creation]]
[[Category:Privacy]]

Flock Safety

2026-04-20T21:56:41Z

Neige: More archives on Ghost Archive

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=2017
|Industry=Surveillance Technology
|Type=Private
|Website=https://www.flocksafety.com,
|Description=Flock Safety is an American surveillance technology company that develops and operates a mass surveillance system combining automated license plate readers (LPRs), video surveillance cameras, gunshot detection, drones, and data analytics platforms used by thousands of law enforcement agencies and private entities across the United States.
|Logo=Flock Safety Logo (2025).svg
}}

'''{{Wplink|Flock Safety}}''' is a technology company that creates and operates an extensive surveillance network using automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and related technologies.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=23 Oct 2025 |title=Highlights from Denver's Flock camera town hall – Mayor didn't show up |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dkIiLWuXBE |access-date=30 Oct 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] |type=Video |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=1dkIiLWuXBE |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> Flock was founded in 2017 by Georgia Tech alumni Garrett Langley (CEO), Matt Feury (CTO), and Paige Todd (CPO), beginning as a side project where they built their first surveillance cameras by hand.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edmonson |first=Crystal |date=22 Aug 2023 |title=Flock Safety cameras help police amid worker shortage, CEO Garrett Langley says |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2023/08/22/flock-safety-ceo-garrett-langley-podcast.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=dead |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date= |website=Atlanta Business Chronicle}}</ref> The company operates on a "surveillance as a service" business model, owning and maintaining camera infrastructure while charging recurring fees to law enforcement agencies, private communities, and businesses for access to its surveillance data and network.<ref name="FlockFunding">{{Cite web |date=13 Mar 2025 |title=Accelerating Innovation: Flock Secures $275 Million to Advance Crime-Solving Technology |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-safety-secures-major-funding |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/64KcV |archive-date=18 April 2026 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |website=Flock Safety}}</ref>

As of mid-2025, independent reporting and public records indicate the Flock network comprised more than 80,000 AI-enabled cameras nationwide.<ref name="Koebler2025">{{Cite web |last=Koebler |first=Jason |title=CBP Had Access to More than 80,000 Flock AI Cameras Nationwide |url=https://www.404media.co/cbp-had-access-to-more-than-80-000-flock-ai-cameras-nationwide/ |website=404 Media |date=25 Aug 2025 |access-date=29 Oct 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250825211512/https://www.404media.co/cbp-had-access-to-more-than-80-000-flock-ai-cameras-nationwide/ |archive-date=25 Aug 2025}}</ref> Flock's materials state deployments in roughly 5,000 communities, and the company reports the system processes "over 20 billion" vehicle scans per month; these latter two figures are company-provided and should be read as Flock's claims rather than independently verified totals.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 May 2025 |title=City Leaders Choose Flock Safety: A Proven, Community-Focused Public Safety Solution |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/city-leaders-choose-flock-safety-a-proven-community-focused-public-safety-solution |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/mQzuY |archive-date=18 April 2026 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |website=Flock Safety}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Real-Time Vehicle Leads, Nationwide |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/products/national-lpr-network |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/mJ8nZ |archive-date=18 April 2026 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |website=Flock Safety}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date= |title=FlockOS |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/products/flock-os |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/LrSjc |archive-date=20 April 2026 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |website=Flock Safety}}</ref>

The company reported surpassing roughly $300 million in annual recurring revenue. In March 2025, it closed a $275 million funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz, which independent reporting estimated valued the company at about $7.5 billion.<ref name="FlockFunding" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hu |first=Krystal |title=US startup Flock Safety raises $275 million to fund manufacturing plant, R&D |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/us-startup-flock-safety-raises-275-million-fund-manufacturing-plant-rd-2025-03-13/ |website=Reuters |date=13 Mar 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/JaV0t |archive-date=13 Mar 2025}}</ref> As of 2025, the company has raised a total of $957.5 million in funding.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=MacBride |first=Elizabeth |title=Flock Safety: 2025 CNBC Disruptor 50 |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/10/flock-safety-cnbc-disruptor-50.html |website=CNBC |date=10 Jun 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250612102045/https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/10/flock-safety-cnbc-disruptor-50.html |archive-date=12 Jun 2025}}</ref>

==Consumer impact summary==
===Privacy===
Critics, including civil liberties organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), argue that Flock's mass surveillance network violates privacy rights and represents a form of constant public monitoring that differs fundamentally from traditional, fleeting police observation.<ref name="ACLUStanley">{{Cite web |last=Stanley |first=Jay |title=Flock's Aggressive Expansions Go Far Beyond Simple Driver Surveillance |url=https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/flock-roundup |website=American Civil Liberties Union |date=18 Aug 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819025249/https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/flock-roundup |archive-date=19 Aug 2025}}</ref> A lawsuit filed in 2024 challenges the constitutionality of warrant-less searches of ALPR databases; courts have split on the issue in different jurisdictions, and rulings continue to be appealed. For example, a federal complaint in ''Schmidt v. City of Norfolk'' (E.D. Va.) alleges repeated location logging by ALPRs, while appellate activity in related Virginia cases continued into 2025. Readers should consult the cited court documents and reporting for further developments.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Collier |first=Kevin |title=Police cameras tracked one driver 526 times in four months, lawsuit says |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/virginia-police-used-flock-cameras-track-driver-safety-lawsuit-surveil-rcna230399 |website=NBC News |date=18 Sep 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250918133508/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/virginia-police-used-flock-cameras-track-driver-safety-lawsuit-surveil-rcna230399 |archive-date=18 Sep 2025}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |date=14 Oct 2025 |title=Flock Applauds Virginia Court of Appeals Ruling Affirming Constitutionality of LPR Cameras |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-applauds-virginia-court-of-appeals-ruling-affirming-constitutionality-of-lpr-cameras |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/JbcMV |archive-date=20 April 2026 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |website=Flock Safety}}</ref> The system does not offer a public opt-out mechanism.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Leaving the Door Wide Open: Flock Surveillance Systems Expose Washington Data to Immigration Enforcement |url=https://jsis.washington.edu/humanrights/2025/10/21/leaving-the-door-wide-open/ |website=University of Washington Center for Human Rights
|date=21 Oct 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251113234912/https://jsis.washington.edu/humanrights/2025/10/21/leaving-the-door-wide-open/ |archive-date=13 Nov 2025}}</ref> This raised concerns about the potential for misuse, profiling, and long-term monitoring of individuals and their associations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hamid |first=Sarah |last2=Alajaji |first2=Rindala |title=Flock Safety's Feature Updates Cannot Make Automated License Plate Readers Safe |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/06/flock-safetys-feature-updates-cannot-make-automated-license-plate-readers-safe |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation |date=27 Jun 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250628052030/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/06/flock-safetys-feature-updates-cannot-make-automated-license-plate-readers-safe |archive-date=28 Jun 2025}}</ref>

Specific privacy violations include:
*Warrant-less tracking and data sharing: Flock's business model enables a nationwide data-sharing network that allows thousands of law enforcement agencies to access location data without warrants or reasonable suspicion of wrongdoing.<ref name="ACLUStanley" />

*Expanded audio surveillance: In 2025, Flock announced that its Raven gunshot detection systems would begin listening for "human distress" sounds, such as screaming, expanding beyond gunshot detection to voice monitoring.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guariglia |first=Matthew |title=Flock's Gunshot Detection Microphones Will Start Listening for Human Voices
|url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/10/flocks-gunshot-detection-microphones-will-start-listening-human-voices |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation |date=2 Oct 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251029213640/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/10/flocks-gunshot-detection-microphones-will-start-listening-human-voices |archive-date=29 Oct 2025}}</ref>

*Undermining state shield laws: Despite state laws protecting healthcare access, out-of-state officers from jurisdictions that criminalize abortion or gender-affirming care can access Flock data on residents of protective states.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maass |first=Dave |title=Flock Safety and Texas Sheriff Claimed License Plate Search Was for a Missing Person. It Was an Abortion Investigation. |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/10/flock-safety-and-texas-sheriff-claimed-license-plate-search-was-missing-person-it |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation |date=7 Oct 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251007134746/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/10/flock-safety-and-texas-sheriff-claimed-license-plate-search-was-missing-person-it |archive-date=7 Oct 2025}}</ref>

*Immigration enforcement: Research from the University of Washington Center for Human Rights documented systematic access to Flock data by federal immigration authorities, often in violation of state laws.<ref name=":0" /> This occurred through three methods: "front door" access, where agencies directly shared data with Border Patrol; "back door" access via a default "National Lookup" setting that granted federal access without explicit local authorization; and "side door" searches where local officers ran searches on behalf of ICE.<ref name=":0" />

*Contractual privacy overreach: The ACLU of Massachusetts found that Flock's default service agreement grants the company a "worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free" license to disclose agency data for "investigative purposes," even if a local police department has chosen to restrict data-sharing with other agencies.<ref name="ACLUStanley2">{{Cite web |last=Stanley |first=Jay |title=Flock Can Share Driver-Surveillance Data Even When Police Departments Opt Out, And Other Flock Developments |url=https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/flock-massachusetts-and-updates |website=American Civil Liberties Union |date=7 Oct 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251024234020/https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/flock-massachusetts-and-updates |archive-date=24 Oct 2025}}</ref>

===Business model===
Flock Safety operates on a subscription-based "safety-as-a-service" model.<ref name="Sacra">{{Cite web |title=Flock Safety revenue, growth rate & funding |url=https://sacra.com/c/flock-safety/ |website=Sacra |url-access=limited |date= |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251123150450/https://sacra.com/c/flock-safety/ |archive-date=23 Nov 2025}}</ref> The company charges approximately $2,500 per camera annually, plus a one-time installation fee.<ref name="Sacra" /> This subscription includes maintenance, software updates, and data hosting. Forbes reported in 2025 that a single license plate reader camera costs between $3,000 and $3,500, with additional fees for the FlockOS platform.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Brewster |first=Thomas |title=AI Startup Flock Thinks It Can Eliminate All Crime In America |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2025/09/03/ai-startup-flock-thinks-it-can-eliminate-all-crime-in-america/ |website=Forbes |date=3 Sep 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250903144312/https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2025/09/03/ai-startup-flock-thinks-it-can-eliminate-all-crime-in-america/ |archive-date=3 Sep 2025}}</ref> This model has proven highly successful, with the company reporting over $300 million in annual recurring revenue as of 2024, reflecting a 70% year-over-year increase.<ref name="FlockFunding" />

Flock's AI-enabled cameras capture detailed vehicle "[[Device fingerprint|fingerprints]]" — including make, model, color, bumper stickers, damages, and other distinguishing characteristics — in addition to license plates,<ref name=":4" /> with footage retained for thirty days before deletion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 Mar 2019 |title=How Flock Safety Eliminates Neighborhood Crime While Protecting Resident Privacy |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/how-flock-safety-protects-resident-privacy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/tRLU8 |archive-date=20 April 2026 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |website=Flock Safety}}</ref> The company's network benefits from strong network effects. Investor Andreessen Horowitz has stated the system's power grows with adoption, as "digital evidence can be pooled across different law enforcement agencies," creating network effects that increase surveillance capabilities as more agencies join.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ulevitch
|first=David |last2=George |first2=David |title=Investing in Flock Safety |url=https://a16z.com/announcement/investing-in-flock-safety/ |website=Andreessen Horowitz |date=13 Jul 2021 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928171419/https://a16z.com/announcement/investing-in-flock-safety/ |archive-date=28 Sep 2023}}</ref> As cameras are deployed across more jurisdictions, participating agencies gain access to a broader shared data pool.

Flock initially focused on homeowner's associations — which still account for roughly 40% of its business — before expanding rapidly into law enforcement and enterprise sectors, illustrating a "land-and-expand" growth strategy.<ref name="Sacra" /> Major venture capital firms have invested heavily, signaling strong market confidence. In March 2025, a funding round of $275 million was led by Andreessen Horowitz, with participation from Green Oaks Capital, Bedrock Capital, and Tiger Global, among others, valuing the company at $7.5 billion.<ref name="FlockFunding" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pavri |first=Rezwan D. |last2=Conklin |first2=Colin G. |title=Wilson Sonsini Advises Flock Safety on $275 Million Financing |url=https://www.wsgr.com/en/insights/wilson-sonsini-advises-flock-safety-on-dollar275-million-financing.html |website=Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati |date=14 Mar 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250315234904/https://www.wsgr.com/en/insights/wilson-sonsini-advises-flock-safety-on-dollar275-million-financing.html |archive-date=15 Mar 2025}}</ref> Major corporate clients include retailers like {{Wplink|Lowe's}} and {{Wplink|FedEx}}, mall operator {{Wplink|Simon Property Group}}, and healthcare provider {{Wplink|Kaiser Permanente}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brewster |first=Thomas |title=America's Biggest Mall Owner Is Sharing AI Surveillance Feeds Directly With Cops |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2024/05/06/simon-property-and-flock-safety-feed-ai-surveillance-feeds-to-the-cops/ |website=Forbes |date=6 May 2024 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260203012902/https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2024/05/06/simon-property-and-flock-safety-feed-ai-surveillance-feeds-to-the-cops/ |archive-date=3 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brewster |first=Thomas |title=FedEx's Secretive Police Force Is Helping Cops Build An AI Car Surveillance Network |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2024/06/19/fedex-police-help-cops-build-an-ai-car-surveillance-network/ |website=Forbes |date=19 Jun 2024 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128023325/https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2024/06/19/fedex-police-help-cops-build-an-ai-car-surveillance-network/ |archive-date=28 Jan 2026}}</ref>

Strategic acquisitions and infrastructure investment fuel the company's expansion. Following its acquisition of Aerodome in October 2024, Flock Safety is building a 100,000-square-foot U.S.A. manufacturing facility for drone production.<ref name=":1" />

==Surveillance technology==
{{Main|Flock license plate readers}}

Flock Safety offers an integrated ecosystem of surveillance hardware and software marketed as a public safety platform.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Flock Safety Product Hub |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/products |website=Flock Safety |date= |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222221459/https://www.flocksafety.com/products |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> The hardware component includes solar-powered ALPRs;<ref name=":2" /> video cameras with AI-powered analytics for people and vehicle detection;<ref name=":2" /> acoustic sensors that identify gunshots and breaking glass for real-time alerts;<ref name=":2" /> and drones acquired through Aerodome for "drone as first responder" systems automatically dispatched to emergency calls.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Flock Expands Into Drones |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-safety-expands-into-drones-for-law-enforcement-with-acquisition-of-aerodome |website=Flock Safety |date=17 Oct 2024 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222221554/https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-safety-expands-into-drones-for-law-enforcement-with-acquisition-of-aerodome |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref>

Specific product models include the Falcon and Sparrow license plate readers, as well as the Raven gunshot detection system.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Katz-Lecabe |first=Mike |title=Dissection of Flock Safety Camera |url=https://www.chrp.org/blog/dissection-of-flock-safety-camera |website=The Center for Human Rights and Privacy |date=1 Apr 2022 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430151222/https://www.cehrp.org/dissection-of-flock-safety-camera/ |archive-date=30 Apr 2022}}</ref> Flock's software integrates with police vehicle systems, including widely-used {{Wplink|Axon Enterprise|Axon}} dashcams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Axon Partners with Flock Safety to Enhance Security for Cities and Neighborhoods |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/axon-partners-with-flock-safety-to-enhance-security-for-cities-and-neighborhoods-301033947.html |website=PR Newswire |date=2 Apr 2020 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404123408/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/axon-partners-with-flock-safety-to-enhance-security-for-cities-and-neighborhoods-301033947.html |archive-date=4 Apr 2020}}</ref>

The software platform includes FlockOS, a real-time crime center platform that enables users to view maps and geographic data, body camera and drone feeds, 911 call data, as well as traffic camera and acoustic sensor data.<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Evolution of FlockOS: How Customer Feedback Continues to Shape the Future |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/the-evolution-of-flockos-how-customer-feedback-continues-to-shape-the-future |website=Flock Safety |date=5 Aug 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222221633/https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/the-evolution-of-flockos-how-customer-feedback-continues-to-shape-the-future
|archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> FlockOS enables the National LPR Network, a nationwide database for sharing and searching LPR data across jurisdictions; and Flock Nova, a data analytics platform that integrates LPR data with law enforcement systems, such as Records Management Systems (RMS) and Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD), to identify patterns.<ref name=":2" />

==Incidents==
===The FBI is accused in pending lawsuit to use Flock data to "create a domestic terrorist" (February 2026)===
In a recent reporting by LegalEagle on Youtube https://youtu.be/ZRZoGc3Wdpo?t=1138 at timestamp 18:58, court documents are shown where law enforcement collects 30 days of movements from Flock cameras (after the fact) in efforts to "construct the appearance the person is a domestic terrorist". The release of this footage was denied to ensure people not know where the cameras are in order to avoid them. This was a part of the ICE operation "Midway Blitz".
===Wrongful package theft accusation in Bow Mar, Colorado (September 2025)===
On 27 September 2025, Columbine Valley Police Sgt. Jamie Milliman wrongfully accused Denver resident Chrisanna Elser of package theft, relying exclusively on Flock Safety license plate reader data that placed her vehicle in Bow Mar during the robbery.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Kenney |first=Andrew |title=Police used Flock cameras to accuse a Denver woman of package theft. She had her own evidence |url=https://denverite.com/2025/10/27/bow-mar-flock-cameras-accusation/ |website=Denverite |date=28 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251028180112/https://denverite.com/2025/10/27/bow-mar-flock-cameras-accusation/ |archive-date=28 Oct 2025}}</ref> The officer asserted "zero doubt" about her guilt, telling her verbatim, "It is locked in. There is zero doubt. I wouldn't have come here unless I was 100% sure." He also bragged about the extensive surveillance network, stating "You can't get a breath of fresh air, in or out of that place, without us knowing."<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Prentzel |first=Olivia |title=After police used Flock cameras to accuse a Denver woman of theft, she had to prove her own innocence |url=https://coloradosun.com/2025/10/28/flock-camera-police-colorado-columbine-valley/ |website=The Colorado Sun |date=28 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251112221400/https://coloradosun.com/2025/10/28/flock-camera-police-colorado-columbine-valley/ |archive-date=12 Nov 2025}}</ref> When Elser denied the accusation, Milliman refused to show her the supposed evidence, stating, "You have not been honest with me, so I'm not going to extend you any courtesy of showing you a video when I don't need to."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coon |first=Anna |title=Police use Flock cameras to wrongfully accuse Denver woman of theft |url=https://kdvr.com/news/local/police-use-flock-cameras-to-wrongfully-accuse-denver-woman-of-theft/ |website=KDVR |date=28 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251103031304/https://kdvr.com/news/local/police-use-flock-cameras-to-wrongfully-accuse-denver-woman-of-theft/ |archive-date=3 Nov 2025}}</ref> Elser was compelled to compile extensive exculpatory evidence, including dashcam footage, Google Timeline data, witness statements, and surveillance images from her tailor. She ultimately submitted a seven-page affidavit and a voluminous Google Drive folder to prove her innocence.<ref name=":5" /> The summons was voided several weeks later after Police Chief Bret Cottrell reviewed her evidence, writing, "After reviewing the evidence you have provided (nicely done btw), we have voided the summons that was issued." However, the department provided neither an apology nor an explanation.<ref name=":6" />

===Denver contract and surveillance controversy (October 2025 ongoing)===
On 22 October 2025, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston unilaterally renewed the city's contract with Flock Safety through an emergency executive order just hours before a town hall protest, after the Denver City Council had unanimously rejected the contract 12-0.<ref name="cbsdenver">{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Chierstin |title=Some on the Denver City Council upset after Mayor Mike Johnston moves forward with controversial Flock cameras |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/flock-camera-denver-city-council-mayor/ |website=CBS News Colorado |date=23 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251030171650/https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/flock-camera-denver-city-council-mayor/ |archive-date=30 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref name="coloradopolitics">{{Cite web |last=Grigsby |first=Deborah |title=Anger grows as Denver mayor extends Flock camera contract |url=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/10/23/anger-grows-as-denver-mayor-extends-flock-camera-contract/ |website=Colorado Politics |date=23 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251024231906/https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/10/23/anger-grows-as-denver-mayor-extends-flock-camera-contract/ |archive-date=24 Oct 2025}}</ref> The council's rejection was due to a lack of guardrails around data access and privacy concerns.<ref name="cbsdenver" /> The mayor's move, described by Councilwoman Shontel Lewis as "'king' behavior," bypassed the democratic process and sparked immediate public backlash.<ref name="cbsdenver" /> A town hall protest organized by consumer advocate Louis Rossmann drew close to 700 attendees, filling a main conference room and overflow spaces.<ref name="coloradopolitics" /><ref name=":7" /> Rossmann had also published a guide for residents to oppose the cameras.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |title=A guide to de‑flocking Denver: here's EXACTLY what you need to do, step‑by‑step. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxJIp_4RaWk |website=[[YouTube]] |date=20 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |type=Video |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=cxJIp_4RaWk |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> The new, no-cost five-month extension included new safeguards, such as a $100,000 fine on Flock for any unauthorized data sharing and cutting off access for all jurisdictions outside of the Denver Police Department.<ref name="cbsdenver" /><ref name="coloradopolitics" /> The mayor's office cited the technology's role in recovering stolen vehicles and solving homicides, while critics remained concerned about executive overreach and the system's potential for misuse.<ref name="cbsdenver" /><ref name="coloradopolitics" />

===Data sharing with federal immigration authorities (Ongoing)===
Federal immigration enforcement agencies systematically accessed Flock's license plate data through multiple methods despite state laws prohibiting such sharing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koebler
|first=Jason |last2=Cox |first2=Joseph |title=ICE Taps into Nationwide AI-Enabled Camera Network, Data Shows |url=https://www.404media.co/ice-taps-into-nationwide-ai-enabled-camera-network-data-shows/ |website=404 Media |date=27 May 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250527141200/https://www.404media.co/ice-taps-into-nationwide-ai-enabled-camera-network-data-shows/ |archive-date=27 May 2025}}</ref> This included direct "front door" access where at least eight Washington law enforcement agencies enabled 1:1 data sharing with the U.S. Border Patrol,<ref name=":0" /> "back door" access where Border Patrol searched data from at least ten Washington police departments without explicit authorization,<ref name=":0" /> and "side door" searches where local officers conducted searches on behalf of ICE, visible only when officers typed reasons like "ICE" into search fields.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koebler |first=Jason |title=CBP Had Access to More than 80,000 Flock AI Cameras Nationwide |url=https://www.404media.co/cbp-had-access-to-more-than-80-000-flock-ai-cameras-nationwide/ |website=404 Media
|date=25 Aug 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250825211512/https://www.404media.co/cbp-had-access-to-more-than-80-000-flock-ai-cameras-nationwide/ |archive-date=25 Aug 2025}}</ref> Internal Flock data revealed that CBP had access to more than 80,000 cameras nationwide, with searches conducted in multiple states, potentially violating state sanctuary laws.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Connor |first=John |title=License plate camera company halts cooperation with federal agencies among investigation concerns |url=https://abc7.com/post/flock-safety-license-plate-camera-company-halts-cooperation-federal-agencies-among-investigation-concerns-including-il/17653876/ |website=ABC7 |date=26 Aug 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250827010855/https://abc7.com/post/flock-safety-license-plate-camera-company-halts-cooperation-federal-agencies-among-investigation-concerns-including-il/17653876/ |archive-date=27 Aug 2025}}</ref>

===Investigation of abortion seeker (May 2025)===
A Johnson County, Texas sheriff's officer conducted a nationwide surveillance operation using Flock Safety's network to track a woman who had a self-managed abortion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koebler |first=Jason |last2=Cox |first2=Joseph |title=A Texas Cop Searched License Plate Cameras Nationwide for a Woman Who Got an Abortion |url=https://www.404media.co/a-texas-cop-searched-license-plate-cameras-nationwide-for-a-woman-who-got-an-abortion/ |website=404 Media |date=29 May 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250529181049/https://www.404media.co/a-texas-cop-searched-license-plate-cameras-nationwide-for-a-woman-who-got-an-abortion/ |archive-date=29 May 2025}}</ref> The search spanned 6,809 different Flock networks and queried data from over 83,000 cameras across multiple states.<ref name=":0" /> The officer specifically searched Flock camera data from Yakima and Prosser, Washington, accessing surveillance data from jurisdictions where abortion is legally protected to investigate someone from a restrictive state.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koebler |first=Jason |last2=Cox |first2=Joseph |title=Police Said They Surveilled Woman Who Had an Abortion for Her 'Safety.' Court Records Show They Considered Charging Her With a Crime |url=https://www.404media.co/police-said-they-surveilled-woman-who-had-an-abortion-for-her-safety-court-records-show-they-considered-charging-her-with-a-crime/ |website=404 Media |date=7 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251007135454/https://www.404media.co/police-said-they-surveilled-woman-who-had-an-abortion-for-her-safety-court-records-show-they-considered-charging-her-with-a-crime/ |archive-date=7 Oct 2025}}</ref> While police initially claimed the surveillance was for the woman's "safety," internal documents revealed the case was officially logged as a "death investigation" and detectives had consulted the district attorney about charging the woman.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Epstein |first=Gideon |title=Flock Gives Law Enforcement All Over the Country Access to Your Location |url=https://data.aclum.org/2025/10/07/flock-gives-law-enforcement-all-over-the-country-access-to-your-location/ |website=ACLU Massachusetts |date=7 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251018052911/https://data.aclum.org/2025/10/07/flock-gives-law-enforcement-all-over-the-country-access-to-your-location/ |archive-date=18 Oct 2025}}</ref> The incident sparked a congressional investigation and led to multiple jurisdictions re-evaluating their Flock contracts over concerns about reproductive rights surveillance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stanley |first=Jay |title=I'm Hearing About More Pushback Against Flock, Fueled by Concern Over Anti-Immigrant Uses |url=https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/flock-pushback |website=ACLU |date=21 Aug 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250821161654/https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/flock-pushback |archive-date=21 Aug 2025}}</ref>

===Paused federal pilots and systemic data sharing with federal agencies (August 2025)===
Flock Safety announced it was pausing all ongoing pilot programs with Department of Homeland Security agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Langley |first=Garrett |title=Ensuring Local Compliance |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/ensuring-local-compliance |website=Flock Safety |date=25 Aug 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222221731/https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/ensuring-local-compliance |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> The company stated this pause was to "ensure local compliance" and admitted its previous public statements had "inadvertently provided inaccurate information" about the level of federal access to its network.<ref name=":3" />

This decision followed investigations revealing systemic data sharing with federal immigration authorities that potentially violated state laws in Washington, Illinois, and other states with sanctuary protections.<ref name=":0" /> A University of Washington Center for Human Rights report documented three methods of federal access:

*Front door access: At least eight Washington law enforcement agencies, including police departments in Yakima and Wenatchee, enabled direct data sharing with U.S. Border Patrol.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="wenatchee">{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Jordan |title=Flock Safety setting allowed U.S. Border Patrol access to Wenatchee Valley license plate data without police knowledge |url=https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/flock-safety-setting-allowed-u-s-border-patrol-access-to-wenatchee-valley-license-plate-data/article_8335941e-161c-594d-bc51-a56e0bd7251b.html |website=The Wenatchee World |date=27 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251103210114/https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/flock-safety-setting-allowed-u-s-border-patrol-access-to-wenatchee-valley-license-plate-data/article_8335941e-161c-594d-bc51-a56e0bd7251b.html |archive-date=3 Nov 2025}}</ref>

*Back door access: A default "National Lookup" setting allowed Border Patrol to access data from at least ten Washington agencies without explicit authorization. Police chiefs in Wenatchee and East Wenatchee stated they were unaware of this setting and disabled it upon discovery.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="wenatchee" />

*Side door searches: Law enforcement officers conducted searches on behalf of ICE, visible only when officers typed reasons like "ICE" or "illegal immigration" into search fields.<ref name=":0" /> A public interest law firm noted Flock's pause of direct federal access does little to prevent this workaround, as "federal law enforcement cannot directly access this trove of information; they can just ask other Flock customers to run searches or share log-in information."<ref name="ij">{{Cite web |last=King |first=Dan |title=Public Interest Law Firm Responds to Flock Safety Pausing Federal Access to License Plate Reader Cameras |url=https://ij.org/press-release/public-interest-law-firm-responds-to-flock-safety-pausing-federal-access-to-license-plate-reader-cameras/ |website=Institute for Justice |date=26 Aug 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250925231824/https://ij.org/press-release/public-interest-law-firm-responds-to-flock-safety-pausing-federal-access-to-license-plate-reader-cameras/ |archive-date=25 Sep 2025}}</ref>

===Consumer complaints about business practices===
Multiple independent user reviews on {{Wplink|Trustpilot}}, as well as reports from legal advocacy groups, detail a range of consumer complaints against Flock Safety. These issues span predatory billing practices, unreliable hardware, inadequate customer support, and concerns over the value and ethics of the service.

*Predatory billing and contract issues: Customers report aggressive auto-renewal practices. One review alleges the company sent termination notices to the incorrect party and then enforced an auto-renewed two-year contract for nearly $10,000, demanding payment because the customer did not provide a thirty-day termination notice.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fiala |first=Steven |title=Flock Safety reviewed by Steven Fiala on 1/8/2025 |url=https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/677ef12bc84c2a5269f7cb9c |website=Trustpilot |date=8 Jan 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260108013844/https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/677ef12bc84c2a5269f7cb9c |archive-date=8 Jan 2026}}</ref> Another customer claimed the company would not offer a refund for cameras they found to be useless, describing the system as a "rip off."<ref name="TrustPilot RR">{{Cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Ruben |title=Flock Safety reviewed by Ruben Rodriguez on 10/13/2023 |url=https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/65292d1cd90a6358742b453b |website=Trustpilot |date=13 Oct 2023 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260108014407/https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/65292d1cd90a6358742b453b |archive-date=8 Jan 2026}}</ref> The Institute for Justice has raised concerns that Flock tries to "lock customers into its products."<ref name="ij" />

*Poor camera reliability and performance: Reviews frequently cite hardware failures and poor video quality. One neighborhood reported that a camera, costing $4,000 per year, was operational for only nine days before failing and had been offline for 25% of its total service time.<ref name="TrustPilot SE">{{Cite web |last=Elliott |first=Steve |title=Flock Safety reviewed by Steve Elliott on 6/20/2025 |url=https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/68553b4c0981a42b5f818398 |website=Trustpilot |date=20 Jun 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260108020837/https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/68553b4c0981a42b5f818398 |archive-date=8 Jan 2026}}</ref> Another customer complained that the cameras are "not live" and lack night vision, concluding that a "$300 video camera system from Harbor Freight is 100% better."<ref name="TrustPilot RR" />

*Inadequate customer support: Numerous complaints have been made about poor customer service, particularly among smaller communities and organizations. One reviewer felt that the company is "focused on big city/county government contracts" and that "little guys are at the back of the line for support."<ref name="TrustPilot SE" /> The company's profile on TrustPilot indicates that it has not replied to negative reviews.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flock Safety Reviews |url=https://www.trustpilot.com/review/flocksafety.com |website=TrustPilot |date= |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260108022250/https://www.trustpilot.com/review/flocksafety.com |archive-date=8 Jan 2026 |quote=Hasn’t replied to negative reviews}}</ref>

*Ethical and legal concerns: Some criticisms extend beyond business practices to the product's societal impact. Major civil liberties organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have published analyses raising significant privacy and Fourth Amendment concerns about the technology.<ref name="ACLUStanley" /> The ACLU has also published analyses raising considerable privacy concerns about the technology.<ref name="ACLUStanley2" />

==Lawsuits==
===''Schmidt v. City of Norfolk'' (18 September 2025)===
A lawsuit in Norfolk, VA, revealed that the city's ALPR system has logged the location of a plaintiff's vehicle 526 times in 4 months.<ref name=":9" /> The second plaintiff had their vehicle's position logged 849 times in a similar time period. The ALPR system is provided by Flock to the Norfolk Police Department in a deal costing $2.2 million, in return for Flock providing services through to the end of 2027. The camera installation began in 2023 and, at present, there are 176 cameras around the city. The lawsuit is requesting that the plaintiff's data be deleted and the cameras be turned off, arguing that these actions constitute an infringement of the Fourth Amendment and a warrant-less search. Flock counters this assertion by claiming that "LPRs do not constitute a warrant-less search because they take point-in-time photos of cars in public and cannot continuously track the movements of any individual." This legal position was supported by a ruling from the Virginia Court of Appeals in October 2025, which reversed a lower court and found that warrant-less use of Flock's system does not violate the Fourth Amendment.<ref name=":10" />

===''United States v. Martin'' (11 October 2024)===
In ''United States v. Martin'' (E.D. Va.), the district court denied a motion to suppress evidence obtained via an ALPR network, issuing a memorandum opinion on 11 October 2024. The court concluded that the images at issue were point-in-time photographs of vehicles on public roads and therefore did not establish a reasonable expectation of privacy for purposes of the Fourth Amendment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Payne |first=Robert E. |title=MEMORANDUM OPINION, United States v. Martin, No. 3:23-cr-150 (E.D. Va. Oct. 11, 2024) |url=https://case-law.vlex.com/vid/united-states-v-martin-1056100094 |url-access=limited |website=vLex |date=11 Oct 2024 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260108024629/https://case-law.vlex.com/vid/united-states-v-martin-1056100094 |archive-date=8 Jan 2026}}</ref> 

Legal commentators have treated the ruling as a persuasive decision supporting warrant-less searches of ALPR/Flock databases in that jurisdiction; however, it remains a district-court decision and not binding precedent outside the Eastern District of Virginia. Courts in other jurisdictions have reached different conclusions on the warrant requirements for ALPR searches.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grosdidier |first=Pierre |title=Authorities can search Flock databases without a warrant |url=https://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=articles&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=67513 |website=Texas Bar Journal |date=Apr 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250418012511/https://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=articles&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=67513 |archive-date=18 Apr 2025}}</ref>

===Public records lawsuits in Washington (2025)===
Multiple public-records disputes over Flock camera data have led to litigation in Washington. In one high-profile example, the cities of Sedro-Woolley and Stanwood filed a declaratory-judgment action in Skagit County (Case No. 25-2-00717-29), asking a court to declare that images and data stored in Flock's AWS cloud are not "public records" under the Washington Public Records Act (PRA) unless and until a public agency accesses and downloads them.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guildner |first=Emily |title=City of Sedro-Woolley and City of Stanwood v. Jose Rodriguez — Complaint for Declaratory Judgment |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/901263718/City-of-Sedro-Woolley-v-Jose-Rodriguez-Complaint-for-Declaratory-Judgement |website=Scribd |date=16 Jul 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222221830/https://www.scribd.com/document/901263718/City-of-Sedro-Woolley-v-Jose-Rodriguez-Complaint-for-Declaratory-Judgement |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> The dispute became contested in multiple forums after the requester filed his own suit and responsive filings, alleging that the cities had violated the PRA. While the litigation proceeds, some municipalities have paused or disabled Flock camera deployments pending a judicial ruling on whether the raw images and data must be released as public records.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peterson |first=Jenna |title=Stanwood pauses Flock cameras amid public records lawsuits |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/stanwood-pauses-flock-cameras-amid-public-records-lawsuits/ |website=HeraldNet |date=10 Sep 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250911213648/https://www.heraldnet.com/news/stanwood-pauses-flock-cameras-amid-public-records-lawsuits/ |archive-date=11 Sep 2025}}</ref>

===Norfolk Circuit Court warrant requirement (2024-2025)===
In June 2024, a Norfolk Circuit Court judge granted a defendant's motion to suppress evidence obtained from the city's Flock ALPR system, ruling that, in that case, warrant-less access to the system implicated the Fourth Amendment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=King |first=Katie |title=Norfolk judge rejects police Flock camera evidence without warrant |url=https://www.pilotonline.com/2024/06/15/one-nation-under-watch-norfolk-judge-rejects-police-flock-camera-evidence-without-warrant/ |website=The Virginian-Pilot |date=15 Jun 2024 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240702005515/https://www.pilotonline.com/2024/06/15/one-nation-under-watch-norfolk-judge-rejects-police-flock-camera-evidence-without-warrant/ |archive-date=2 Jul 2024}}</ref>

That trial-court ruling was later reversed by the Virginia Court of Appeals in ''Commonwealth v. Church'' in Oct 2025, which concluded the circuit court erred and held that the ALPR images at issue were point-in-time photographs of vehicles in public and therefore did not require a search warrant; the appellate court reversed the suppression and remanded for further proceedings.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beales |first=Randolph A. |title=Commonwealth v. Ronnie D. Church, No. 0737-25-1 (Va. Ct. App. Oct. 2025) (unpublished opinion) |url=https://www.vacourts.gov/static/opinions/opncavwp/0737251.pdf |website=Virginia Court System |date=14 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251028232244/https://www.vacourts.gov/static/opinions/opncavwp/0737251.pdf |archive-date=28 Oct 2025 |format=PDF}}</ref>

==External links==
*[https://deflock.me/ DeFlock: ALPR Location Map]
*[https://www.noalprs.org/ No ALPRs: Advocacy Group]
*[https://www.eff.org/issues/license-plate-readers EFF: License Plate Readers]
*[https://www.aclu.org/issues/privacy-technology/surveillance-technologies/aclu-works-stop-license-plate-reader-surveillance ACLU: License Plate Reader Surveillance]
*[https://www.wired.com/tag/automated-license-plate-readers/ Wired: Automated License Plate Readers]
*[https://www.vice.com/en/topic/automated-license-plate-readers Vice: Automated License Plate Readers]
*[https://www.technologyreview.com/tag/surveillance/ MIT Technology Review: Surveillance]
*[https://www.flock-restrictions.org/ Flock Restrictions: Policy Tracking]
*[https://www.urban.org/features/how-police-use-technology Urban Institute: Police Technology Use]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Flock Safety Nova uses dark web data for surveillance

2026-04-20T21:39:51Z

Neige: Ghost Archive

{{#seo:
|description=Flock Safety's Nova platform planned to use data breach information for law enforcement surveillance, as revealed by leaked internal communications in 2025.
}}{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Flock Safety
|StartDate=2025-05-14
|Status=Pending Resolution
|ArticleType=Service
|Type=Surveillance,Privacy
|Description=Flock Safety's Nova platform planned to ingest data breach records for police surveillance; code analysis found dark web data fields present
}}In May 2025, leaked internal communications revealed that '''[[Flock Safety]]''', a $7.5 billion surveillance technology company, planned to incorporate data from known data breaches into its Nova law enforcement platform, allowing police to link license plate scans to personal information obtained from hacked databases.<ref name="404media-nova">{{Cite web |url=https://www.404media.co/license-plate-reader-company-flock-is-building-a-massive-people-lookup-tool-leak-shows/ |title=License Plate Reader Company Flock Is Building a Massive People Lookup Tool, Leak Shows |author=Joseph Cox |date=2025-05-14 |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=404 Media |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514140531/https://www.404media.co/license-plate-reader-company-flock-is-building-a-massive-people-lookup-tool-leak-shows/ |archive-date=2025-05-14}}</ref> After the leak, Flock told employees at an all-hands meeting that it would not use dark web data, and published a blog post titled "Correcting the Record."<ref name="404media-decision">{{Cite web |url=https://www.404media.co/flock-decides-not-to-use-hacked-data-in-people-search-tool/ |title=Flock Decides Not to Use Hacked Data in People Search Tool |author=Joseph Cox |author2=Jason Koebler |date=2025-05-30 |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=404 Media}}</ref> A December 2025 analysis of Nova's front-end code found that the platform still defined a "Dark Data" source with fields for Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, and cryptocurrency wallets.<ref name="nexanet-code">{{Cite web |url=https://nexanet.ai/blog/license-plate-reader-company-flock-said-it-does-not-use-dark-web-data-my-analysis-of-their-code-tells-a-different-story |title=License Plate Reader Company Flock Said It Does Not Use Dark Web Data. My Analysis of Their Code Tells a Different Story |author=Joshua |date=2025-12-11 |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=NexaNet}}</ref>

==Background==

Flock Safety is an '''automated license plate recognition''' (ALPR) company founded in 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia.<ref name="flock-funding" /> The company manufactures solar-powered cameras that photograph passing vehicles and read their license plates using computer vision, operating in over 5,000 communities across 49 U.S. states as of 2025.<ref name="404media-nova" /> In March 2025, Flock raised $275 million at a $7.5 billion valuation led by Andreessen Horowitz.<ref name="flock-funding">{{Cite web |date=2025-03-13 |title=Accelerating Innovation: Flock Secures $275 Million to Advance Crime-Solving Technology |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-safety-secures-major-funding |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/64KcV |archive-date=18 April 2026 |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Flock Safety}}</ref>

On February 13, 2025, Flock announced Nova, a data integration platform designed to combine ALPR data with records from computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems, records management systems (RMS), and open-source intelligence (OSINT) into a single searchable interface for law enforcement.<ref name="globenewswire-nova">{{Cite web |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/02/13/3025813/0/en/Flock-Safety-Reveals-the-Most-Expansive-AI-and-Data-Analysis-Toolset-for-Law-Enforcement-Including-Flock-Nova-A-New-Platform-To-Transform-Investigations.html |title=Flock Safety Reveals the Most Expansive AI and Data Analysis Toolset for Law Enforcement, Including Flock Nova |date=2025-02-13 |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=GlobeNewsWire}}</ref> A Flock employee described the tool's capability: "You're going to be able to access data and jump from LPR to person and understand what that context is, link to other people that are related to that person [...] marriage or through gang affiliation, et cetera."<ref name="404media-nova" /> Internal communications indicated that Nova supported 20 different data sources that agencies could toggle on or off.<ref name="404media-nova" /> Flock said the tool was already being used by some law enforcement agencies in an early access program.<ref name="404media-nova" />

==Dark web data controversy==

On May 14, 2025, 404 Media published an investigation based on leaked meeting audio, Slack messages, and internal presentations from Flock Safety.<ref name="404media-nova" /> The report revealed that Flock employees had raised concerns about Nova incorporating data sourced from known data breaches.

One employee wrote in a Slack message: "I was pretty horrified to hear we use stolen data in our system. In addition to being attained illegally, it seems like that could create really perverse incentives."<ref name="404media-decision" /> In meeting audio obtained by 404 Media, an employee described three categories of data that would supplement Flock's ALPR records: data from breaches, commercially available data from credit bureaus, and public records.<ref name="404media-nova" />

The employee specifically cited the '''Parkmobile''' data breach as one source Nova would ingest. In March 2021, ParkMobile, a mobile parking payment app, suffered a breach that exposed the personal data of 21 million customers, including email addresses, phone numbers, license plate numbers, dates of birth, and mailing addresses.<ref name="krebs-parkmobile">{{Cite web |url=https://krebsonsecurity.com/2021/04/parkmobile-breach-exposes-license-plate-data-mobile-numbers-of-21m-users/ |title=ParkMobile Breach Exposes License Plate Data, Mobile Numbers of 21M Users |author=Brian Krebs |date=2021-04-12 |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Krebs on Security}}</ref> That breach data appeared on a public hacking forum the following month.<ref name="krebs-parkmobile" /> ParkMobile later agreed to a $32.8 million class action settlement.<ref name="parkmobile-settlement">{{Cite web |url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/parkmobile-pays-1-each-for-2021-data-breach-that-hit-22-million/ |title=ParkMobile pays... $1 each for 2021 data breach that hit 22 million |date=2025-10-05 |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=BleepingComputer}}</ref> The employee explained that Nova would ingest this data so that "we're now able to make that cognitive leap from LPR to person."<ref name="404media-nova" />

The employee also named credit bureaus Equifax and TransUnion as sources of commercially available data, noting that some companies repackage customer information and sell it to law enforcement or data brokers.<ref name="404media-nova" /> The third category, public records, included marriage licenses, property records, and campaign finance records. Nova would also pull from law enforcement RMS and CAD systems.<ref name="404media-nova" />

===Code analysis===

In December 2025, an independent analysis of Nova's front-end code found that the platform still contained an active "Dark Data" data source, contradicting Flock's public statements.<ref name="nexanet-code" /> The search configuration registered Dark Data with an API endpoint at <code>dark/getExtDarkData</code>, storing results in a <code>darkDocs</code> bucket gated by a <code>hasDarkDataAccess</code> permission flag.<ref name="nexanet-code" />

The code exposed a search interface with input fields for Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, cryptocurrency wallet addresses, IP addresses, Discord and Telegram handles, and email addresses.<ref name="nexanet-code" /> API response columns included "Crawl Date," "Leak Name," "Leak Host," and "Download Location," terminology consistent with data breach aggregation rather than public records databases.<ref name="nexanet-code" /> Standard phone searches automatically called the Dark Data endpoint when permissions were enabled.<ref name="nexanet-code" />

===Flock Safety's response===

On May 30, 2025, Flock held an all-hands meeting where it told employees that Nova would not include dark web data.<ref name="404media-decision" /> An executive stated: "We took this concept of using dark web data in Nova and explored it... Then we ran it through our policy review process."<ref name="404media-decision" /> That same day, the company published a blog post titled "Correcting the Record: Flock Nova Will Not Supply Dark Web Data."<ref name="flock-blog">{{Cite web |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/correcting-the-record-flock-nova-will-not-supply-dark-web-data |title=Correcting the Record: Flock Nova Will Not Supply Dark Web Data |date=2025-05-30 |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Flock Safety |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/8pT1g |archive-date=2026-03-18}}</ref>

Holly Beilin, Flock's Director of Communications, told GovTech: "We explored sourcing dark web data, but decided not to do so." She added that the leaked information "was reported prematurely, during the period when the team was still determining exactly what sources Nova would utilize."<ref name="govtech">{{Cite web |url=https://www.govtech.com/biz/flock-safety-pushes-back-on-data-breach-product-criticism |title=Flock Safety Pushes Back on Data Breach Product Criticism |author=Thad Rueter |date=2025-05-30 |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=GovTech |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260227114115/https://www.govtech.com/biz/flock-safety-pushes-back-on-data-breach-product-criticism |archive-date=2026-02-27}}</ref>

In its blog post, Flock stated that Nova would supply only public records, open-source intelligence, and license plate reader data.<ref name="flock-blog" /> Agencies could also connect their own RMS, CAD, and jail system data, as well as data from other agencies that agreed to share.<ref name="flock-blog" /> The company described a Policy Evaluation process led by its internal policy team of attorneys and product leaders, covering "legal, ethical, privacy, public opinion, and feasibility considerations."<ref name="flock-blog" /> Flock also stated that all actions within Nova are permanently recorded in an audit trail.<ref name="flock-blog" />

==Consumer response==

Multiple civil liberties organizations criticized the Nova platform after the 404 Media investigation.

Beryl Lipton, Senior Investigative Researcher at the '''Electric Frontier Foundation''' (EFF), told 404 Media: "Flock has hundreds of customers, both law enforcement and private residents. This development will certainly help to bring expanded surveillance powers to police departments of all sizes that never needed this much information on any random person who happens to drive by."<ref name="404media-nova" />

Jay Stanley, Senior Policy Analyst at the '''ACLU'''<nowiki/>'s Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project, stated: "[At] this moment in history, of all times, you especially don't want to be building authoritarian spying structures for law enforcement." He added: "People are being literally put behind bars for writing an op-ed," referring to Tufts University doctoral student Rumeysa Ozturk, who was detained by ICE on March 25, 2025, and held for approximately six weeks before a federal judge ordered her release on May 9, 2025, finding that her arrest appeared retaliatory for an op-ed she co-authored in a campus newspaper.<ref name="404media-nova" /><ref name="npr-ozturk">{{Cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/05/09/nx-s1-5393055/tufts-student-rumeysa-ozturk-ordered-freed-from-immigration-detention |title=Tufts graduate student Rumeysa Ozturk released from immigration detention |date=2025-05-09 |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=NPR}}</ref>

Michael Soyfer, an attorney at the '''Institute for Justice''', said: "Backed by billions of dollars in capital, it's working with police departments across the country to build out a massive database of people's movements and locations. All an officer or another government employee needs to do to access that database is type in a search, provide some generic reason, and hit enter." He added: "Flock's constant announcements of new and more invasive features just reinforces the need for a warrant requirement."<ref name="404media-nova" />

Chad Marlow, senior policy counsel at the ACLU, told 404 Media: "It is quite troubling that Flock ALPRs are designed to produce a massive overload of surveillance data by gathering and sharing ALPR data nationwide, and now they are marketing a product to help the police deal with the data overload they created."<ref name="404media-nova" />

===Congressional and legal response===

The Nova controversy coincided with growing congressional and legal scrutiny of Flock Safety. In November 2025, Senator '''Ron Wyden''' and Representative '''Raja Krishnamoorthi''' sent a letter to FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson urging an investigation into Flock's cybersecurity practices, citing the company's failure to require multi-factor authentication and the theft of at least 35 Flock customer accounts through infostealer malware.<ref name="wyden-ftc">{{Cite web |url=https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-krishnamoorthi-senator-wyden-urge-ftc-investigate-surveillance |title=Congressman Krishnamoorthi, Senator Wyden Urge FTC to Investigate Surveillance Tech Companies |date=2025-11-03 |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Office of U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi}}</ref> Earlier, in August 2025, Representatives Krishnamoorthi and Robert Garcia had launched a congressional investigation into Flock after reports that its ALPR data was being used for immigration enforcement and to track women crossing state lines for reproductive healthcare.<ref name="eff-2025-review">{{Cite web |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/12/effs-investigations-expose-flock-safetys-surveillance-abuses-2025-review |title=EFF's Investigations Expose Flock Safety's Surveillance Abuses: 2025 in Review |date=2025-12-31 |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation}}</ref>

The EFF and ACLU of Northern California filed a lawsuit challenging the San Jose Police Department's use of Flock cameras, documenting 3,965,519 warrantless searches of the Flock database between June 2024 and June 2025.<ref name="eff-2025-review" /><ref name="eff-san-jose">{{Cite web |url=https://www.eff.org/press/releases/lawsuit-challenges-san-joses-warrantless-alpr-mass-surveillance |title=Lawsuit Challenges San Jose's Warrantless ALPR Mass Surveillance |date=2025-11-18 |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation}}</ref> In February 2026, Gibbs Mura filed a class action lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court alleging that Flock illegally shared California license plate data with federal and out-of-state agencies more than 1.6 million times, violating California's ALPR Privacy Act.<ref name="gibbs-mura">{{Cite web |url=https://www.classlawgroup.com/flock-safety-license-plate-reader-cameras-lawsuit |title=Flock Safety License Plate Reader Cameras Lawsuit |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Gibbs Mura, A Law Group}}</ref>

In October 2025, Amazon's Ring announced a partnership with Flock Safety that would allow Ring doorbell camera owners to share footage with law enforcement agencies using Flock's platforms through Ring's Community Requests program. The partnership was cancelled in February 2026 after public backlash.<ref name="ring-cancellation">{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/12/amazons-ring-cancels-flock-partnership-amid-super-bowl-ad-backlash.html |title=Amazon's Ring cancels Flock partnership amid Super Bowl ad backlash |date=2026-02-12 |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=CNBC}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Flock Safety]]
[[Category:Surveillance]]
[[Category:Privacy]]

Ryanair

2026-04-19T01:19:25Z

Neige:

{{stub}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1985
|Industry=Aviation
|ParentCompany=Ryanair Holdings
|Type=Public
|Website=https://www.ryanair.com
|Description=Ryanair is an Irish ultra-low-cost airline.
}}[[wikipedia:Ryanair|Ryanair]] is an Irish ultra-low-cost airline operating in over 40 countries.

==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]].
===Forced App-Downloads (November ''2025'')===
Starting November 12th, 2025, Ryanair requires passengers to install their app on their smart phones to use as a digital boarding pass.

Alternative, less invasive and more privacy friendly workflows, such as PDF files or the usual passes for Apple and Google Wallet as well as the countless compatible open-source alternatives from the F-Droid store are not supported.

Passengers have the option to manually request a currently free paper boarding pass at the airport after checking in online before. Simply printing their own or using a digital boarding pass without the Ryanair app is, however, not possible.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harding |first=Scharon |date=2025-11-11 |title=Ryanair tries forcing app downloads by eliminating paper boarding passes |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/11/ryanair-tries-forcing-app-downloads-by-eliminating-paper-boarding-passes/?comments-page=1#comments |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=Ars Technica |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251111214001/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/11/ryanair-tries-forcing-app-downloads-by-eliminating-paper-boarding-passes/?comments-page=1 |archive-date=11 Nov 2025}}</ref>

Having an app installed on users' phones gives the company free advertising every time they see the icon on their homescreen, allows it to harvest significantly more data and enables it to send users advertising in the form of notifications.

At the time of writing, the iOS version of the app has a size of about 304 MB<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-03 |title=Ryanair App – App Store |url=https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ryanair/id504270602 |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=Apple App Store |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251116075340/https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ryanair/id504270602 |archive-date=16 Nov 2025}}</ref> and the Android version about '''TODO'''.

According to the Exodus privacy project, the Android version of the app sends data to the following 9 tracking and advertising services and also requests access to the advertising ID of the device:<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-09 |title=Report for com.ryanair.cheapflights 3.217.1 - εxodus |url=https://reports.exodus-privacy.eu.org/en/reports/com.ryanair.cheapflights/latest/ |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=Exodus Privacy Project |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260103092108/https://reports.exodus-privacy.eu.org/en/reports/com.ryanair.cheapflights/latest/ |archive-date=3 Jan 2026}}</ref>

*Adobe Experience Cloud
*Facebook Analytics
*Facebook Share
*Google CrashLytics
*Google Firebase Analytics
*Google Tag Manager
*Inmobi
*Swrve

Users who use the app have to use something like the F-Droid version of [https://f-droid.org/packages/net.kollnig.missioncontrol.fdroid/ Tracker Control] if they wish to prevent the app from contacting and sending personal data to these companies.

====Greenwashing====
The press release quotes the CEO that the measure would lead to "faster, smarter, and greener” travel. Saving resources in a mostly irrelevant area that barely contributes to the environmental impact is a [[Greenwashing|common strategy]] used by companies with a high resource footprint (such as Apple moving to more environmentally friendly packaging while the main product is still a repair-unfriendly disposable electronic item made with rare earth minerals). The vast majority of the emissions of an airline are generated by fuel combustion and energy consumption by the airports.

===Cheap prices with excessive surcharges===
TODO – see Wikipedia section on surcharges

===Misleading advertising regarding emissions===
TODO – see this BBC article<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hotten |first=Russell |date=2020-02-05 |title=Ryanair rapped over low emissions claims |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-51372780 |access-date=2025-11-14 |website=BBC |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250603032045/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-51372780 |archive-date=3 Jun 2025}}</ref>

===Safety concerns due to insufficiently fuelling of aircrafts===
TODO – find some good and reputable sources

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

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

HP

2026-04-19T01:12:53Z

Neige:

{{CompanyCargo
|Description=American technology company known for business and home computers and printers.
|Founded=1939
|Industry=Information Technology, Electronics Manufacturing
|Logo=HP.png
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Public
|Website=https://hp.com/
}}
'''{{wplink|HP Inc.}}''' is an American multinational information technology company formed in 2015 as a successor to the {{wplink|Hewlett-Packard}} company founded in 1939 by {{wplink|Bill Hewlett}} and {{wplink|David Packard}}.

==HP Sub-Brands==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Sub-brand<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brand Central |url=https://www.hp.com/us-en/hp-information/brandcentral.html |url-status=live |website=[[HP Inc.]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260204082322/https://www.hp.com/us-en/hp-information/brandcentral.html |archive-date=4 Feb 2026}}</ref>
!Description
!Created/Acquired
|-
|OMEN
|High-end focused laptops and desktops lineup, former VoodooPC
|2013
|-
|[https://hyperx.com/ HyperX]
|High-end gaming peripherals
|2021
|-
|Z by HP
|Professional workstations and laptops
|2009
|-
|HP Wolf Security
|Security service to lock in and add anti-virus to HP laptops for remote offices<ref>{{Cite web |title=HP Wolf Security |url=https://www.hp.com/us-en/security/endpoint-security-solutions.html |url-status=live |website=[[HP Inc.]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260119091052/https://www.hp.com/us-en/security/endpoint-security-solutions.html |archive-date=19 Jan 2026}}</ref>
|2021
|-
|HP Anyware
|Service to create a seamless experience for teams to interact with their digital workspaces from virtually anywhere
|2021
|-
|Fitstation by HP
|Partnership to create personalized tech products like footwear, in 2024 HP took the Fitstation insole platform off the market.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sher |first=Davide |date=18 May 2024 |title=HP silently took the Fitstation insole platform off the market |url=https://www.voxelmatters.com/hp-silently-took-the-fitstation-insole-platform-off-the-market/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126224837/https://www.voxelmatters.com/hp-silently-took-the-fitstation-insole-platform-off-the-market/ |archive-date=26 Jan 2025 |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=VoxelMatters}}</ref>
|2017
|}
<nowiki>*</nowiki> HP Anyware was acquired in 2021 along with [[wikipedia:Teradici|Teradici]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 Jul 2021 |title=HP Inc. to Acquire Teradici |url=https://www.hp.com/us-en/newsroom/press-releases/2021/hp-inc-to-acquire-teradici.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250331150028/https://www.hp.com/us-en/newsroom/press-releases/2021/hp-inc-to-acquire-teradici.html |archive-date=31 Mar 2025 |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[HP]]}}</ref>

==Consumer Impact Summary==
HP has implemented several controversial policies and practices that negatively impact consumers:

*Forcing customers to wait 15 minutes on support calls;
*Some printers requiring ink cartridges to be sufficiently filled to use scanning and faxing features, and scanning often mandating an HP account (see [[Forced account]]) and app (see [[Forced app download]]), sometimes even an internet connection;
*Firmware updates bricking devices;
*Instant Ink subscription service and Dynamic Security system, which respectively lock cartridges behind a subscription and restrict the use of aftermarket ones.
*Laptop Subscription service which takes ownership away from the device and locks the consumer into HP's terms for 1-year.

==Controversies==

===Removing support pages for older products (October 2025)===
HP started to remove support information, software downloads and documentation for older products, instead redirecting customers to community forums.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sebastian |first=Linus |date=2025-10-21 |title=HP Keeps Getting Worse |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNM_xUcYpK0 |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=Youtube – LMG Clips |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=VNM_xUcYpK0 |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref>

This makes it difficult for users to keep using old products, reinstall driver software they may not have archived, or to set up an older device that was bought used and came without drivers.

===HP Adds 15 Minutes to All Customer Service Phone Calls===
{{Main|HP adds 15 minutes to all customer service phone calls}}
In February 2025, HP Inc. instituted a policy to artificially force all consumer PC & print customers to wait a minimum of 15 minutes when calling support. This policy pushes the callers towards the cheaper online support channels, an operation which HP Inc. calls influencing customers to "increase their adoption of digital self-solve".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kunert |first=Paul |date=20 Feb 2025 |title=HP deliberately adds 15 minutes waiting time for telephone support calls |url=https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/20/hp_deliberately_adds_15_minutes/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=The Register |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251203190824/https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/20/hp_deliberately_adds_15_minutes/ |archive-date=3 Dec 2025}}</ref>

===Ink Required to Scan and Fax===
{{Main|HP Printers Ink Requirements Controversy}}
To use the scanning and faxing feature on some HP all-in-one printers, all cartridges must not be too low on ink.

===Account Required to Scan===
To use the scanning feature on some HP printers, both the HP app and a HP account are required, at times even an internet connection is also required.{{citation needed}}

An alternative would be to use Windows' in-built scan feature (albeit rudimentary, it should suffice for basic scanning) or 3rd party software / program such as [https://www.naps2.com/ NAPS2] (a free and open-source software).

===Firmware Updates Stop HP Printers from Working (Errors 79 and 49)===
An over-the-air update for some HP printer products (DeskJets and LaserJets) with network capabilities caused '''errors 79 and 49''' to be shown on the user interface of these devices, '''soft-locking''' the printers. In some instances, these faulty updates were not avoidable, because the "update" prompt had to be accepted to re-access the printer. First reports of this showed up in public around October 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Born |first=Günter |date=17 Nov 2022 |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |title=Okt. 2022 Firmware-Update macht HP-Drucker mit Error 49 oder 79 unbrauchbar |url=https://www.borncity.com/blog/2022/11/17/okt-2022-firmware-update-macht-hp-drucker-mit-service-error-49-unbrauchbar/ |website=Borns IT- und Windows-Blog |language=de |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251207034451/https://www.borncity.com/blog/2022/11/17/okt-2022-firmware-update-macht-hp-drucker-mit-service-error-49-unbrauchbar/ |archive-date=7 Dec 2025}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web |last=guenni |date=17 Nov 2022 |title=Oct. 2022 Firmware update bricks HP printer with Error 49 or 79 |url=https://borncity.com/win/2022/11/17/oct-2022-firmware-update-bricks-hp-printer-with-error-49-or-79/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250316231850/https://borncity.com/win/2022/11/17/oct-2022-firmware-update-bricks-hp-printer-with-error-49-or-79/ |archive-date=16 Mar 2025 |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=Born's Tech and Windows World}}</ref>
In some cases, the devices could be recovered,<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 Nov 2022 |title=Color LaserJet Pro MFP-M281fdw shows 49 Service Error after firmware update from 20th October |url=https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Printing-Errors-or-Lights-Stuck-Print-Jobs/Color-LaserJet-Pro-MFP-M281fdw-shows-49-Service-Error-after/m-p/8540292/highlight/true#M962703 |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[HP]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708180500/https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Printing-Errors-or-Lights-Stuck-Print-Jobs/Color-LaserJet-Pro-MFP-M281fdw-shows-49-Service-Error-after/m-p/8540292/highlight/true |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref> but for an unknown number of users, '''no official nor unofficial fix was applicable'''. This effectively led to bricked devices that had to be replaced, often but not always, right after the warranty period had ended.

===HP Locks Printers if There Is a Failed Subscription Payment===
HP is known to push its average customer to its HP Instant-Ink subscription. If a monthly charge for the service fails to approve, the customer's printer will lock up with "Account Issues". An example can be found [https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/w9pjhp/hp_has_turned_their_printers_into_ransom_devices/ here]. The issue is usually to resolve a failed monthly charge. An additional example can be found [https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Printers-Archive-Read-Only/ERROR-quot-A-problem-has-occurred-with-your-HP-account-and/td-p/8159470 here]. The user "'''koteol'''" finds that this is the exact problem with his printer and paying them the ('''$2.09''') for the failed payment resolves the issue and unlocks the error from the printer.

===EPEAT Violations for Disallowing Third-Party Cartridges===
In 2019, the '''International Imaging Technology Council''' (IITC) filed a complaint against HP over new firmware that shuts off their printers upon detecting a non-HP cartridge.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gibbons |first=David |date=2019-10-06 |title=Complaint Filed Over HP Firmware Lockout |url=https://www.rtmworld.com/news/complaint-filed-over-hp-firmware-lockout/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250807030050/https://www.rtmworld.com/news/complaint-filed-over-hp-firmware-lockout/ |archive-date=2025-08-07 |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=RTM World}}</ref> HP lists their affected devices as ''compliant'' with the '''Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool''' (EPEAT); however, one of the key provisions for devices to be given this eco-label requires the manufacturer to "allow use of non-manufacturer cartridges and non-manufacturer containers". The IITC claimed that these firmware lockouts were "outrageous" and that HP "shouldn't get to claim to adhere to a higher environmental standard" since recycled and remanufactured cartridges brick the devices.

On May 22, 2023, the IITC brought forward another complaint against HP for preventing the use of third-party ink cartridges while also ''claiming'' to be EPEAT-compliant.<ref>{{Cite web |first= |date=2023-05-23 |title=Int’l Imaging Technology Council Brings Another Complaint Against HP Inc. over Firmware and Greenwashing |url=https://i-itc.org/intl-imaging-technology-council-brings-another-complaint-against-hp-inc-over-firmware-and-greenwashing/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251202222750/https://i-itc.org/intl-imaging-technology-council-brings-another-complaint-against-hp-inc-over-firmware-and-greenwashing/ |archive-date=2025-12-02 |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=International Imaging Technology Council}}</ref> The IITC accused HP of violating the same provision as the last complaint which prohibits this. HP's datasheet for their '''OfficeJet Pro 9015e All-in-One printer''' labeled the product as EPEAT Silver compliant, while also claiming that it requires the "exclusive use of Original HP Ink cartridges for the life of the printer" as well as stating that "Cartridges using a non-HP chip may not function or may cease to function."<ref>{{Cite web |first= |title=HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e All-in-One Printer |url=https://www8.hp.com/h20195/v2/GetDocument.aspx?docname=4aa7-8770enuc |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525122203/https://h20195.www2.hp.com/v2/getpdf.aspx/4aa7-8770enuc.pdf |archive-date=2023-05-25 |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=www8.hp.com}}</ref> The IITC accused HP of [[greenwashing]] and asked the Global Electronics Council to review the EPEAT registrations for all of HP's HP+ and Dynamic Security printers.

===HP Reverb G2 discontinuation bricking===
{{Main|HP Reverb G2}}
The [[HP Reverb G2]] was bricked as part of the 24H2 update that [[Microsoft]] released.

===HP disables HEVC support built into their laptops' CPUs===
HP and [[Dell]] have disabled HEVC (H.264/H.265) hardware encoding and decoding support built into their laptops' CPUs using both Intel and AMD processors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harding |first=Scharon |date=2025-11-20 |title=HP and Dell disable HEVC support built into their laptops’ CPUs |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/11/hp-and-dell-disable-hevc-support-built-into-their-laptops-cpus/ |url-status=live |website=[[Ars Technica]]}}</ref>

==Products/Services==
===HP Instant Ink===
{{Main|HP Instant Ink}}

HP Instant Ink refers to a subscription service for certain printers in which recipients may receive a set amount of HP Ink Cartridges each month. It has recently come into controversy for changing into a program with various limiting features in 2024.

===HP Dynamic Security===
{{Main|HP Dynamic Security}}

HP Dynamic Security refers to a system in some HP printers to restrict the use of aftermarket ink cartridges, ensuring only original cartridges can be used. This includes locking customers out of using their printer if they purchase or attempt to use officially licensed and partnered ink-refill services, such as recycled cartridges sold by partner companies such as Best Buy, Walmart, and Office Depot.

===HP Laptop Subscription===
{{Main|HP Laptop Subscription}}

HP Laptop Subscription refers to a subscription service which offers customers access to HP's latest AI-powered laptops and additional benefits for a monthly fee. However, the customer never owns the laptop they receive and are locked into a 1-year commitment term if the consumer retains their subscription for more than the 30-day trial period, alongside additional caveats.

=References=
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:HP Inc.]]

Flock Safety

2026-04-19T00:29:27Z

Neige: Archived first 3 Flock Safety links with Ghost Archive. More is needed.

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=2017
|Industry=Surveillance Technology
|Type=Private
|Website=https://www.flocksafety.com,
|Description=Flock Safety is an American surveillance technology company that develops and operates a mass surveillance system combining automated license plate readers (LPRs), video surveillance cameras, gunshot detection, drones, and data analytics platforms used by thousands of law enforcement agencies and private entities across the United States.
|Logo=Flock Safety Logo (2025).svg
}}

'''{{Wplink|Flock Safety}}''' is a technology company that creates and operates an extensive surveillance network using automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and related technologies.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=23 Oct 2025 |title=Highlights from Denver's Flock camera town hall – Mayor didn't show up |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dkIiLWuXBE |access-date=30 Oct 2025 |website=[[YouTube]] |type=Video |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=1dkIiLWuXBE |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> Flock was founded in 2017 by Georgia Tech alumni Garrett Langley (CEO), Matt Feury (CTO), and Paige Todd (CPO), beginning as a side project where they built their first surveillance cameras by hand.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edmonson |first=Crystal |date=22 Aug 2023 |title=Flock Safety cameras help police amid worker shortage, CEO Garrett Langley says |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2023/08/22/flock-safety-ceo-garrett-langley-podcast.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=dead |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date= |website=Atlanta Business Chronicle}}</ref> The company operates on a "surveillance as a service" business model, owning and maintaining camera infrastructure while charging recurring fees to law enforcement agencies, private communities, and businesses for access to its surveillance data and network.<ref name="FlockFunding">{{Cite web |date=13 Mar 2025 |title=Accelerating Innovation: Flock Secures $275 Million to Advance Crime-Solving Technology |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-safety-secures-major-funding |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/64KcV |archive-date=18 April 2026 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |website=Flock Safety}}</ref>

As of mid-2025, independent reporting and public records indicate the Flock network comprised more than 80,000 AI-enabled cameras nationwide.<ref name="Koebler2025">{{Cite web |last=Koebler |first=Jason |title=CBP Had Access to More than 80,000 Flock AI Cameras Nationwide |url=https://www.404media.co/cbp-had-access-to-more-than-80-000-flock-ai-cameras-nationwide/ |website=404 Media |date=25 Aug 2025 |access-date=29 Oct 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250825211512/https://www.404media.co/cbp-had-access-to-more-than-80-000-flock-ai-cameras-nationwide/ |archive-date=25 Aug 2025}}</ref> Flock's materials state deployments in roughly 5,000 communities, and the company reports the system processes "over 20 billion" vehicle scans per month; these latter two figures are company-provided and should be read as Flock's claims rather than independently verified totals.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 May 2025 |title=City Leaders Choose Flock Safety: A Proven, Community-Focused Public Safety Solution |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/city-leaders-choose-flock-safety-a-proven-community-focused-public-safety-solution |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/mQzuY |archive-date=18 April 2026 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |website=Flock Safety}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Real-Time Vehicle Leads, Nationwide |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/products/national-lpr-network |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/mJ8nZ |archive-date=18 April 2026 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |website=Flock Safety}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=FlockOS |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/products/flock-os |website=Flock Safety |date= |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222221144/https://www.flocksafety.com/products/flock-os |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref>

The company reported surpassing roughly $300 million in annual recurring revenue. In March 2025, it closed a $275 million funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz, which independent reporting estimated valued the company at about $7.5 billion.<ref name="FlockFunding" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hu |first=Krystal |title=US startup Flock Safety raises $275 million to fund manufacturing plant, R&D |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/us-startup-flock-safety-raises-275-million-fund-manufacturing-plant-rd-2025-03-13/ |website=Reuters |date=13 Mar 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/JaV0t |archive-date=13 Mar 2025}}</ref> As of 2025, the company has raised a total of $957.5 million in funding.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=MacBride |first=Elizabeth |title=Flock Safety: 2025 CNBC Disruptor 50 |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/10/flock-safety-cnbc-disruptor-50.html |website=CNBC |date=10 Jun 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250612102045/https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/10/flock-safety-cnbc-disruptor-50.html |archive-date=12 Jun 2025}}</ref>

==Consumer impact summary==
===Privacy===
Critics, including civil liberties organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), argue that Flock's mass surveillance network violates privacy rights and represents a form of constant public monitoring that differs fundamentally from traditional, fleeting police observation.<ref name="ACLUStanley">{{Cite web |last=Stanley |first=Jay |title=Flock's Aggressive Expansions Go Far Beyond Simple Driver Surveillance |url=https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/flock-roundup |website=American Civil Liberties Union |date=18 Aug 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819025249/https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/flock-roundup |archive-date=19 Aug 2025}}</ref> A lawsuit filed in 2024 challenges the constitutionality of warrant-less searches of ALPR databases; courts have split on the issue in different jurisdictions, and rulings continue to be appealed. For example, a federal complaint in ''Schmidt v. City of Norfolk'' (E.D. Va.) alleges repeated location logging by ALPRs, while appellate activity in related Virginia cases continued into 2025. Readers should consult the cited court documents and reporting for further developments.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Collier |first=Kevin |title=Police cameras tracked one driver 526 times in four months, lawsuit says |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/virginia-police-used-flock-cameras-track-driver-safety-lawsuit-surveil-rcna230399 |website=NBC News |date=18 Sep 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250918133508/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/virginia-police-used-flock-cameras-track-driver-safety-lawsuit-surveil-rcna230399 |archive-date=18 Sep 2025}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |title=Flock Applauds Virginia Court of Appeals Ruling Affirming Constitutionality of LPR Cameras |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-applauds-virginia-court-of-appeals-ruling-affirming-constitutionality-of-lpr-cameras |website=Flock Safety |date=14 Oct 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222221255/https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-applauds-virginia-court-of-appeals-ruling-affirming-constitutionality-of-lpr-cameras |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> The system does not offer a public opt-out mechanism.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Leaving the Door Wide Open: Flock Surveillance Systems Expose Washington Data to Immigration Enforcement |url=https://jsis.washington.edu/humanrights/2025/10/21/leaving-the-door-wide-open/ |website=University of Washington Center for Human Rights
|date=21 Oct 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251113234912/https://jsis.washington.edu/humanrights/2025/10/21/leaving-the-door-wide-open/ |archive-date=13 Nov 2025}}</ref> This raised concerns about the potential for misuse, profiling, and long-term monitoring of individuals and their associations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hamid |first=Sarah |last2=Alajaji |first2=Rindala |title=Flock Safety's Feature Updates Cannot Make Automated License Plate Readers Safe |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/06/flock-safetys-feature-updates-cannot-make-automated-license-plate-readers-safe |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation |date=27 Jun 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250628052030/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/06/flock-safetys-feature-updates-cannot-make-automated-license-plate-readers-safe |archive-date=28 Jun 2025}}</ref>

Specific privacy violations include:
*Warrant-less tracking and data sharing: Flock's business model enables a nationwide data-sharing network that allows thousands of law enforcement agencies to access location data without warrants or reasonable suspicion of wrongdoing.<ref name="ACLUStanley" />

*Expanded audio surveillance: In 2025, Flock announced that its Raven gunshot detection systems would begin listening for "human distress" sounds, such as screaming, expanding beyond gunshot detection to voice monitoring.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guariglia |first=Matthew |title=Flock's Gunshot Detection Microphones Will Start Listening for Human Voices
|url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/10/flocks-gunshot-detection-microphones-will-start-listening-human-voices |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation |date=2 Oct 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251029213640/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/10/flocks-gunshot-detection-microphones-will-start-listening-human-voices |archive-date=29 Oct 2025}}</ref>

*Undermining state shield laws: Despite state laws protecting healthcare access, out-of-state officers from jurisdictions that criminalize abortion or gender-affirming care can access Flock data on residents of protective states.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maass |first=Dave |title=Flock Safety and Texas Sheriff Claimed License Plate Search Was for a Missing Person. It Was an Abortion Investigation. |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/10/flock-safety-and-texas-sheriff-claimed-license-plate-search-was-missing-person-it |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation |date=7 Oct 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251007134746/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/10/flock-safety-and-texas-sheriff-claimed-license-plate-search-was-missing-person-it |archive-date=7 Oct 2025}}</ref>

*Immigration enforcement: Research from the University of Washington Center for Human Rights documented systematic access to Flock data by federal immigration authorities, often in violation of state laws.<ref name=":0" /> This occurred through three methods: "front door" access, where agencies directly shared data with Border Patrol; "back door" access via a default "National Lookup" setting that granted federal access without explicit local authorization; and "side door" searches where local officers ran searches on behalf of ICE.<ref name=":0" />

*Contractual privacy overreach: The ACLU of Massachusetts found that Flock's default service agreement grants the company a "worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free" license to disclose agency data for "investigative purposes," even if a local police department has chosen to restrict data-sharing with other agencies.<ref name="ACLUStanley2">{{Cite web |last=Stanley |first=Jay |title=Flock Can Share Driver-Surveillance Data Even When Police Departments Opt Out, And Other Flock Developments |url=https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/flock-massachusetts-and-updates |website=American Civil Liberties Union |date=7 Oct 2025 |access-date=6 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251024234020/https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/flock-massachusetts-and-updates |archive-date=24 Oct 2025}}</ref>

===Business model===
Flock Safety operates on a subscription-based "safety-as-a-service" model.<ref name="Sacra">{{Cite web |title=Flock Safety revenue, growth rate & funding |url=https://sacra.com/c/flock-safety/ |website=Sacra |url-access=limited |date= |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251123150450/https://sacra.com/c/flock-safety/ |archive-date=23 Nov 2025}}</ref> The company charges approximately $2,500 per camera annually, plus a one-time installation fee.<ref name="Sacra" /> This subscription includes maintenance, software updates, and data hosting. Forbes reported in 2025 that a single license plate reader camera costs between $3,000 and $3,500, with additional fees for the FlockOS platform.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Brewster |first=Thomas |title=AI Startup Flock Thinks It Can Eliminate All Crime In America |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2025/09/03/ai-startup-flock-thinks-it-can-eliminate-all-crime-in-america/ |website=Forbes |date=3 Sep 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250903144312/https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2025/09/03/ai-startup-flock-thinks-it-can-eliminate-all-crime-in-america/ |archive-date=3 Sep 2025}}</ref> This model has proven highly successful, with the company reporting over $300 million in annual recurring revenue as of 2024, reflecting a 70% year-over-year increase.<ref name="FlockFunding" />

Flock's AI-enabled cameras capture detailed vehicle "[[Device fingerprint|fingerprints]]" — including make, model, color, bumper stickers, damages, and other distinguishing characteristics — in addition to license plates,<ref name=":4" /> with footage retained for thirty days before deletion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Flock Safety Eliminates Neighborhood Crime While Protecting Resident Privacy |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/how-flock-safety-protects-resident-privacy |website=Flock Safety |date=11 Mar 2019 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222221357/https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/how-flock-safety-protects-resident-privacy |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> The company's network benefits from strong network effects. Investor Andreessen Horowitz has stated the system's power grows with adoption, as "digital evidence can be pooled across different law enforcement agencies," creating network effects that increase surveillance capabilities as more agencies join.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ulevitch
|first=David |last2=George |first2=David |title=Investing in Flock Safety |url=https://a16z.com/announcement/investing-in-flock-safety/ |website=Andreessen Horowitz |date=13 Jul 2021 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928171419/https://a16z.com/announcement/investing-in-flock-safety/ |archive-date=28 Sep 2023}}</ref> As cameras are deployed across more jurisdictions, participating agencies gain access to a broader shared data pool.

Flock initially focused on homeowner's associations — which still account for roughly 40% of its business — before expanding rapidly into law enforcement and enterprise sectors, illustrating a "land-and-expand" growth strategy.<ref name="Sacra" /> Major venture capital firms have invested heavily, signaling strong market confidence. In March 2025, a funding round of $275 million was led by Andreessen Horowitz, with participation from Green Oaks Capital, Bedrock Capital, and Tiger Global, among others, valuing the company at $7.5 billion.<ref name="FlockFunding" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pavri |first=Rezwan D. |last2=Conklin |first2=Colin G. |title=Wilson Sonsini Advises Flock Safety on $275 Million Financing |url=https://www.wsgr.com/en/insights/wilson-sonsini-advises-flock-safety-on-dollar275-million-financing.html |website=Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati |date=14 Mar 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250315234904/https://www.wsgr.com/en/insights/wilson-sonsini-advises-flock-safety-on-dollar275-million-financing.html |archive-date=15 Mar 2025}}</ref> Major corporate clients include retailers like {{Wplink|Lowe's}} and {{Wplink|FedEx}}, mall operator {{Wplink|Simon Property Group}}, and healthcare provider {{Wplink|Kaiser Permanente}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brewster |first=Thomas |title=America's Biggest Mall Owner Is Sharing AI Surveillance Feeds Directly With Cops |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2024/05/06/simon-property-and-flock-safety-feed-ai-surveillance-feeds-to-the-cops/ |website=Forbes |date=6 May 2024 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260203012902/https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2024/05/06/simon-property-and-flock-safety-feed-ai-surveillance-feeds-to-the-cops/ |archive-date=3 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brewster |first=Thomas |title=FedEx's Secretive Police Force Is Helping Cops Build An AI Car Surveillance Network |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2024/06/19/fedex-police-help-cops-build-an-ai-car-surveillance-network/ |website=Forbes |date=19 Jun 2024 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128023325/https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2024/06/19/fedex-police-help-cops-build-an-ai-car-surveillance-network/ |archive-date=28 Jan 2026}}</ref>

Strategic acquisitions and infrastructure investment fuel the company's expansion. Following its acquisition of Aerodome in October 2024, Flock Safety is building a 100,000-square-foot U.S.A. manufacturing facility for drone production.<ref name=":1" />

==Surveillance technology==
{{Main|Flock license plate readers}}

Flock Safety offers an integrated ecosystem of surveillance hardware and software marketed as a public safety platform.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Flock Safety Product Hub |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/products |website=Flock Safety |date= |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222221459/https://www.flocksafety.com/products |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> The hardware component includes solar-powered ALPRs;<ref name=":2" /> video cameras with AI-powered analytics for people and vehicle detection;<ref name=":2" /> acoustic sensors that identify gunshots and breaking glass for real-time alerts;<ref name=":2" /> and drones acquired through Aerodome for "drone as first responder" systems automatically dispatched to emergency calls.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Flock Expands Into Drones |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-safety-expands-into-drones-for-law-enforcement-with-acquisition-of-aerodome |website=Flock Safety |date=17 Oct 2024 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222221554/https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-safety-expands-into-drones-for-law-enforcement-with-acquisition-of-aerodome |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref>

Specific product models include the Falcon and Sparrow license plate readers, as well as the Raven gunshot detection system.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Katz-Lecabe |first=Mike |title=Dissection of Flock Safety Camera |url=https://www.chrp.org/blog/dissection-of-flock-safety-camera |website=The Center for Human Rights and Privacy |date=1 Apr 2022 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430151222/https://www.cehrp.org/dissection-of-flock-safety-camera/ |archive-date=30 Apr 2022}}</ref> Flock's software integrates with police vehicle systems, including widely-used {{Wplink|Axon Enterprise|Axon}} dashcams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Axon Partners with Flock Safety to Enhance Security for Cities and Neighborhoods |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/axon-partners-with-flock-safety-to-enhance-security-for-cities-and-neighborhoods-301033947.html |website=PR Newswire |date=2 Apr 2020 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404123408/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/axon-partners-with-flock-safety-to-enhance-security-for-cities-and-neighborhoods-301033947.html |archive-date=4 Apr 2020}}</ref>

The software platform includes FlockOS, a real-time crime center platform that enables users to view maps and geographic data, body camera and drone feeds, 911 call data, as well as traffic camera and acoustic sensor data.<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Evolution of FlockOS: How Customer Feedback Continues to Shape the Future |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/the-evolution-of-flockos-how-customer-feedback-continues-to-shape-the-future |website=Flock Safety |date=5 Aug 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222221633/https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/the-evolution-of-flockos-how-customer-feedback-continues-to-shape-the-future
|archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> FlockOS enables the National LPR Network, a nationwide database for sharing and searching LPR data across jurisdictions; and Flock Nova, a data analytics platform that integrates LPR data with law enforcement systems, such as Records Management Systems (RMS) and Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD), to identify patterns.<ref name=":2" />

==Incidents==
===The FBI is accused in pending lawsuit to use Flock data to "create a domestic terrorist" (February 2026)===
In a recent reporting by LegalEagle on Youtube https://youtu.be/ZRZoGc3Wdpo?t=1138 at timestamp 18:58, court documents are shown where law enforcement collects 30 days of movements from Flock cameras (after the fact) in efforts to "construct the appearance the person is a domestic terrorist". The release of this footage was denied to ensure people not know where the cameras are in order to avoid them. This was a part of the ICE operation "Midway Blitz".
===Wrongful package theft accusation in Bow Mar, Colorado (September 2025)===
On 27 September 2025, Columbine Valley Police Sgt. Jamie Milliman wrongfully accused Denver resident Chrisanna Elser of package theft, relying exclusively on Flock Safety license plate reader data that placed her vehicle in Bow Mar during the robbery.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Kenney |first=Andrew |title=Police used Flock cameras to accuse a Denver woman of package theft. She had her own evidence |url=https://denverite.com/2025/10/27/bow-mar-flock-cameras-accusation/ |website=Denverite |date=28 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251028180112/https://denverite.com/2025/10/27/bow-mar-flock-cameras-accusation/ |archive-date=28 Oct 2025}}</ref> The officer asserted "zero doubt" about her guilt, telling her verbatim, "It is locked in. There is zero doubt. I wouldn't have come here unless I was 100% sure." He also bragged about the extensive surveillance network, stating "You can't get a breath of fresh air, in or out of that place, without us knowing."<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Prentzel |first=Olivia |title=After police used Flock cameras to accuse a Denver woman of theft, she had to prove her own innocence |url=https://coloradosun.com/2025/10/28/flock-camera-police-colorado-columbine-valley/ |website=The Colorado Sun |date=28 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251112221400/https://coloradosun.com/2025/10/28/flock-camera-police-colorado-columbine-valley/ |archive-date=12 Nov 2025}}</ref> When Elser denied the accusation, Milliman refused to show her the supposed evidence, stating, "You have not been honest with me, so I'm not going to extend you any courtesy of showing you a video when I don't need to."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coon |first=Anna |title=Police use Flock cameras to wrongfully accuse Denver woman of theft |url=https://kdvr.com/news/local/police-use-flock-cameras-to-wrongfully-accuse-denver-woman-of-theft/ |website=KDVR |date=28 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251103031304/https://kdvr.com/news/local/police-use-flock-cameras-to-wrongfully-accuse-denver-woman-of-theft/ |archive-date=3 Nov 2025}}</ref> Elser was compelled to compile extensive exculpatory evidence, including dashcam footage, Google Timeline data, witness statements, and surveillance images from her tailor. She ultimately submitted a seven-page affidavit and a voluminous Google Drive folder to prove her innocence.<ref name=":5" /> The summons was voided several weeks later after Police Chief Bret Cottrell reviewed her evidence, writing, "After reviewing the evidence you have provided (nicely done btw), we have voided the summons that was issued." However, the department provided neither an apology nor an explanation.<ref name=":6" />

===Denver contract and surveillance controversy (October 2025 ongoing)===
On 22 October 2025, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston unilaterally renewed the city's contract with Flock Safety through an emergency executive order just hours before a town hall protest, after the Denver City Council had unanimously rejected the contract 12-0.<ref name="cbsdenver">{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Chierstin |title=Some on the Denver City Council upset after Mayor Mike Johnston moves forward with controversial Flock cameras |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/flock-camera-denver-city-council-mayor/ |website=CBS News Colorado |date=23 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251030171650/https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/flock-camera-denver-city-council-mayor/ |archive-date=30 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref name="coloradopolitics">{{Cite web |last=Grigsby |first=Deborah |title=Anger grows as Denver mayor extends Flock camera contract |url=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/10/23/anger-grows-as-denver-mayor-extends-flock-camera-contract/ |website=Colorado Politics |date=23 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251024231906/https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/10/23/anger-grows-as-denver-mayor-extends-flock-camera-contract/ |archive-date=24 Oct 2025}}</ref> The council's rejection was due to a lack of guardrails around data access and privacy concerns.<ref name="cbsdenver" /> The mayor's move, described by Councilwoman Shontel Lewis as "'king' behavior," bypassed the democratic process and sparked immediate public backlash.<ref name="cbsdenver" /> A town hall protest organized by consumer advocate Louis Rossmann drew close to 700 attendees, filling a main conference room and overflow spaces.<ref name="coloradopolitics" /><ref name=":7" /> Rossmann had also published a guide for residents to oppose the cameras.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |title=A guide to de‑flocking Denver: here's EXACTLY what you need to do, step‑by‑step. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxJIp_4RaWk |website=[[YouTube]] |date=20 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |type=Video |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=cxJIp_4RaWk |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> The new, no-cost five-month extension included new safeguards, such as a $100,000 fine on Flock for any unauthorized data sharing and cutting off access for all jurisdictions outside of the Denver Police Department.<ref name="cbsdenver" /><ref name="coloradopolitics" /> The mayor's office cited the technology's role in recovering stolen vehicles and solving homicides, while critics remained concerned about executive overreach and the system's potential for misuse.<ref name="cbsdenver" /><ref name="coloradopolitics" />

===Data sharing with federal immigration authorities (Ongoing)===
Federal immigration enforcement agencies systematically accessed Flock's license plate data through multiple methods despite state laws prohibiting such sharing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koebler
|first=Jason |last2=Cox |first2=Joseph |title=ICE Taps into Nationwide AI-Enabled Camera Network, Data Shows |url=https://www.404media.co/ice-taps-into-nationwide-ai-enabled-camera-network-data-shows/ |website=404 Media |date=27 May 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250527141200/https://www.404media.co/ice-taps-into-nationwide-ai-enabled-camera-network-data-shows/ |archive-date=27 May 2025}}</ref> This included direct "front door" access where at least eight Washington law enforcement agencies enabled 1:1 data sharing with the U.S. Border Patrol,<ref name=":0" /> "back door" access where Border Patrol searched data from at least ten Washington police departments without explicit authorization,<ref name=":0" /> and "side door" searches where local officers conducted searches on behalf of ICE, visible only when officers typed reasons like "ICE" into search fields.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koebler |first=Jason |title=CBP Had Access to More than 80,000 Flock AI Cameras Nationwide |url=https://www.404media.co/cbp-had-access-to-more-than-80-000-flock-ai-cameras-nationwide/ |website=404 Media
|date=25 Aug 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250825211512/https://www.404media.co/cbp-had-access-to-more-than-80-000-flock-ai-cameras-nationwide/ |archive-date=25 Aug 2025}}</ref> Internal Flock data revealed that CBP had access to more than 80,000 cameras nationwide, with searches conducted in multiple states, potentially violating state sanctuary laws.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Connor |first=John |title=License plate camera company halts cooperation with federal agencies among investigation concerns |url=https://abc7.com/post/flock-safety-license-plate-camera-company-halts-cooperation-federal-agencies-among-investigation-concerns-including-il/17653876/ |website=ABC7 |date=26 Aug 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250827010855/https://abc7.com/post/flock-safety-license-plate-camera-company-halts-cooperation-federal-agencies-among-investigation-concerns-including-il/17653876/ |archive-date=27 Aug 2025}}</ref>

===Investigation of abortion seeker (May 2025)===
A Johnson County, Texas sheriff's officer conducted a nationwide surveillance operation using Flock Safety's network to track a woman who had a self-managed abortion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koebler |first=Jason |last2=Cox |first2=Joseph |title=A Texas Cop Searched License Plate Cameras Nationwide for a Woman Who Got an Abortion |url=https://www.404media.co/a-texas-cop-searched-license-plate-cameras-nationwide-for-a-woman-who-got-an-abortion/ |website=404 Media |date=29 May 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250529181049/https://www.404media.co/a-texas-cop-searched-license-plate-cameras-nationwide-for-a-woman-who-got-an-abortion/ |archive-date=29 May 2025}}</ref> The search spanned 6,809 different Flock networks and queried data from over 83,000 cameras across multiple states.<ref name=":0" /> The officer specifically searched Flock camera data from Yakima and Prosser, Washington, accessing surveillance data from jurisdictions where abortion is legally protected to investigate someone from a restrictive state.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koebler |first=Jason |last2=Cox |first2=Joseph |title=Police Said They Surveilled Woman Who Had an Abortion for Her 'Safety.' Court Records Show They Considered Charging Her With a Crime |url=https://www.404media.co/police-said-they-surveilled-woman-who-had-an-abortion-for-her-safety-court-records-show-they-considered-charging-her-with-a-crime/ |website=404 Media |date=7 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251007135454/https://www.404media.co/police-said-they-surveilled-woman-who-had-an-abortion-for-her-safety-court-records-show-they-considered-charging-her-with-a-crime/ |archive-date=7 Oct 2025}}</ref> While police initially claimed the surveillance was for the woman's "safety," internal documents revealed the case was officially logged as a "death investigation" and detectives had consulted the district attorney about charging the woman.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Epstein |first=Gideon |title=Flock Gives Law Enforcement All Over the Country Access to Your Location |url=https://data.aclum.org/2025/10/07/flock-gives-law-enforcement-all-over-the-country-access-to-your-location/ |website=ACLU Massachusetts |date=7 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251018052911/https://data.aclum.org/2025/10/07/flock-gives-law-enforcement-all-over-the-country-access-to-your-location/ |archive-date=18 Oct 2025}}</ref> The incident sparked a congressional investigation and led to multiple jurisdictions re-evaluating their Flock contracts over concerns about reproductive rights surveillance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stanley |first=Jay |title=I'm Hearing About More Pushback Against Flock, Fueled by Concern Over Anti-Immigrant Uses |url=https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/flock-pushback |website=ACLU |date=21 Aug 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250821161654/https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/flock-pushback |archive-date=21 Aug 2025}}</ref>

===Paused federal pilots and systemic data sharing with federal agencies (August 2025)===
Flock Safety announced it was pausing all ongoing pilot programs with Department of Homeland Security agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Langley |first=Garrett |title=Ensuring Local Compliance |url=https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/ensuring-local-compliance |website=Flock Safety |date=25 Aug 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222221731/https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/ensuring-local-compliance |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> The company stated this pause was to "ensure local compliance" and admitted its previous public statements had "inadvertently provided inaccurate information" about the level of federal access to its network.<ref name=":3" />

This decision followed investigations revealing systemic data sharing with federal immigration authorities that potentially violated state laws in Washington, Illinois, and other states with sanctuary protections.<ref name=":0" /> A University of Washington Center for Human Rights report documented three methods of federal access:

*Front door access: At least eight Washington law enforcement agencies, including police departments in Yakima and Wenatchee, enabled direct data sharing with U.S. Border Patrol.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="wenatchee">{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Jordan |title=Flock Safety setting allowed U.S. Border Patrol access to Wenatchee Valley license plate data without police knowledge |url=https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/flock-safety-setting-allowed-u-s-border-patrol-access-to-wenatchee-valley-license-plate-data/article_8335941e-161c-594d-bc51-a56e0bd7251b.html |website=The Wenatchee World |date=27 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251103210114/https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/flock-safety-setting-allowed-u-s-border-patrol-access-to-wenatchee-valley-license-plate-data/article_8335941e-161c-594d-bc51-a56e0bd7251b.html |archive-date=3 Nov 2025}}</ref>

*Back door access: A default "National Lookup" setting allowed Border Patrol to access data from at least ten Washington agencies without explicit authorization. Police chiefs in Wenatchee and East Wenatchee stated they were unaware of this setting and disabled it upon discovery.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="wenatchee" />

*Side door searches: Law enforcement officers conducted searches on behalf of ICE, visible only when officers typed reasons like "ICE" or "illegal immigration" into search fields.<ref name=":0" /> A public interest law firm noted Flock's pause of direct federal access does little to prevent this workaround, as "federal law enforcement cannot directly access this trove of information; they can just ask other Flock customers to run searches or share log-in information."<ref name="ij">{{Cite web |last=King |first=Dan |title=Public Interest Law Firm Responds to Flock Safety Pausing Federal Access to License Plate Reader Cameras |url=https://ij.org/press-release/public-interest-law-firm-responds-to-flock-safety-pausing-federal-access-to-license-plate-reader-cameras/ |website=Institute for Justice |date=26 Aug 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250925231824/https://ij.org/press-release/public-interest-law-firm-responds-to-flock-safety-pausing-federal-access-to-license-plate-reader-cameras/ |archive-date=25 Sep 2025}}</ref>

===Consumer complaints about business practices===
Multiple independent user reviews on {{Wplink|Trustpilot}}, as well as reports from legal advocacy groups, detail a range of consumer complaints against Flock Safety. These issues span predatory billing practices, unreliable hardware, inadequate customer support, and concerns over the value and ethics of the service.

*Predatory billing and contract issues: Customers report aggressive auto-renewal practices. One review alleges the company sent termination notices to the incorrect party and then enforced an auto-renewed two-year contract for nearly $10,000, demanding payment because the customer did not provide a thirty-day termination notice.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fiala |first=Steven |title=Flock Safety reviewed by Steven Fiala on 1/8/2025 |url=https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/677ef12bc84c2a5269f7cb9c |website=Trustpilot |date=8 Jan 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260108013844/https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/677ef12bc84c2a5269f7cb9c |archive-date=8 Jan 2026}}</ref> Another customer claimed the company would not offer a refund for cameras they found to be useless, describing the system as a "rip off."<ref name="TrustPilot RR">{{Cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Ruben |title=Flock Safety reviewed by Ruben Rodriguez on 10/13/2023 |url=https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/65292d1cd90a6358742b453b |website=Trustpilot |date=13 Oct 2023 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260108014407/https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/65292d1cd90a6358742b453b |archive-date=8 Jan 2026}}</ref> The Institute for Justice has raised concerns that Flock tries to "lock customers into its products."<ref name="ij" />

*Poor camera reliability and performance: Reviews frequently cite hardware failures and poor video quality. One neighborhood reported that a camera, costing $4,000 per year, was operational for only nine days before failing and had been offline for 25% of its total service time.<ref name="TrustPilot SE">{{Cite web |last=Elliott |first=Steve |title=Flock Safety reviewed by Steve Elliott on 6/20/2025 |url=https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/68553b4c0981a42b5f818398 |website=Trustpilot |date=20 Jun 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260108020837/https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/68553b4c0981a42b5f818398 |archive-date=8 Jan 2026}}</ref> Another customer complained that the cameras are "not live" and lack night vision, concluding that a "$300 video camera system from Harbor Freight is 100% better."<ref name="TrustPilot RR" />

*Inadequate customer support: Numerous complaints have been made about poor customer service, particularly among smaller communities and organizations. One reviewer felt that the company is "focused on big city/county government contracts" and that "little guys are at the back of the line for support."<ref name="TrustPilot SE" /> The company's profile on TrustPilot indicates that it has not replied to negative reviews.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flock Safety Reviews |url=https://www.trustpilot.com/review/flocksafety.com |website=TrustPilot |date= |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260108022250/https://www.trustpilot.com/review/flocksafety.com |archive-date=8 Jan 2026 |quote=Hasn’t replied to negative reviews}}</ref>

*Ethical and legal concerns: Some criticisms extend beyond business practices to the product's societal impact. Major civil liberties organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have published analyses raising significant privacy and Fourth Amendment concerns about the technology.<ref name="ACLUStanley" /> The ACLU has also published analyses raising considerable privacy concerns about the technology.<ref name="ACLUStanley2" />

==Lawsuits==
===''Schmidt v. City of Norfolk'' (18 September 2025)===
A lawsuit in Norfolk, VA, revealed that the city's ALPR system has logged the location of a plaintiff's vehicle 526 times in 4 months.<ref name=":9" /> The second plaintiff had their vehicle's position logged 849 times in a similar time period. The ALPR system is provided by Flock to the Norfolk Police Department in a deal costing $2.2 million, in return for Flock providing services through to the end of 2027. The camera installation began in 2023 and, at present, there are 176 cameras around the city. The lawsuit is requesting that the plaintiff's data be deleted and the cameras be turned off, arguing that these actions constitute an infringement of the Fourth Amendment and a warrant-less search. Flock counters this assertion by claiming that "LPRs do not constitute a warrant-less search because they take point-in-time photos of cars in public and cannot continuously track the movements of any individual." This legal position was supported by a ruling from the Virginia Court of Appeals in October 2025, which reversed a lower court and found that warrant-less use of Flock's system does not violate the Fourth Amendment.<ref name=":10" />

===''United States v. Martin'' (11 October 2024)===
In ''United States v. Martin'' (E.D. Va.), the district court denied a motion to suppress evidence obtained via an ALPR network, issuing a memorandum opinion on 11 October 2024. The court concluded that the images at issue were point-in-time photographs of vehicles on public roads and therefore did not establish a reasonable expectation of privacy for purposes of the Fourth Amendment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Payne |first=Robert E. |title=MEMORANDUM OPINION, United States v. Martin, No. 3:23-cr-150 (E.D. Va. Oct. 11, 2024) |url=https://case-law.vlex.com/vid/united-states-v-martin-1056100094 |url-access=limited |website=vLex |date=11 Oct 2024 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260108024629/https://case-law.vlex.com/vid/united-states-v-martin-1056100094 |archive-date=8 Jan 2026}}</ref> 

Legal commentators have treated the ruling as a persuasive decision supporting warrant-less searches of ALPR/Flock databases in that jurisdiction; however, it remains a district-court decision and not binding precedent outside the Eastern District of Virginia. Courts in other jurisdictions have reached different conclusions on the warrant requirements for ALPR searches.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grosdidier |first=Pierre |title=Authorities can search Flock databases without a warrant |url=https://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=articles&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=67513 |website=Texas Bar Journal |date=Apr 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250418012511/https://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=articles&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=67513 |archive-date=18 Apr 2025}}</ref>

===Public records lawsuits in Washington (2025)===
Multiple public-records disputes over Flock camera data have led to litigation in Washington. In one high-profile example, the cities of Sedro-Woolley and Stanwood filed a declaratory-judgment action in Skagit County (Case No. 25-2-00717-29), asking a court to declare that images and data stored in Flock's AWS cloud are not "public records" under the Washington Public Records Act (PRA) unless and until a public agency accesses and downloads them.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guildner |first=Emily |title=City of Sedro-Woolley and City of Stanwood v. Jose Rodriguez — Complaint for Declaratory Judgment |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/901263718/City-of-Sedro-Woolley-v-Jose-Rodriguez-Complaint-for-Declaratory-Judgement |website=Scribd |date=16 Jul 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222221830/https://www.scribd.com/document/901263718/City-of-Sedro-Woolley-v-Jose-Rodriguez-Complaint-for-Declaratory-Judgement |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> The dispute became contested in multiple forums after the requester filed his own suit and responsive filings, alleging that the cities had violated the PRA. While the litigation proceeds, some municipalities have paused or disabled Flock camera deployments pending a judicial ruling on whether the raw images and data must be released as public records.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peterson |first=Jenna |title=Stanwood pauses Flock cameras amid public records lawsuits |url=https://www.heraldnet.com/news/stanwood-pauses-flock-cameras-amid-public-records-lawsuits/ |website=HeraldNet |date=10 Sep 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250911213648/https://www.heraldnet.com/news/stanwood-pauses-flock-cameras-amid-public-records-lawsuits/ |archive-date=11 Sep 2025}}</ref>

===Norfolk Circuit Court warrant requirement (2024-2025)===
In June 2024, a Norfolk Circuit Court judge granted a defendant's motion to suppress evidence obtained from the city's Flock ALPR system, ruling that, in that case, warrant-less access to the system implicated the Fourth Amendment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=King |first=Katie |title=Norfolk judge rejects police Flock camera evidence without warrant |url=https://www.pilotonline.com/2024/06/15/one-nation-under-watch-norfolk-judge-rejects-police-flock-camera-evidence-without-warrant/ |website=The Virginian-Pilot |date=15 Jun 2024 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240702005515/https://www.pilotonline.com/2024/06/15/one-nation-under-watch-norfolk-judge-rejects-police-flock-camera-evidence-without-warrant/ |archive-date=2 Jul 2024}}</ref>

That trial-court ruling was later reversed by the Virginia Court of Appeals in ''Commonwealth v. Church'' in Oct 2025, which concluded the circuit court erred and held that the ALPR images at issue were point-in-time photographs of vehicles in public and therefore did not require a search warrant; the appellate court reversed the suppression and remanded for further proceedings.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beales |first=Randolph A. |title=Commonwealth v. Ronnie D. Church, No. 0737-25-1 (Va. Ct. App. Oct. 2025) (unpublished opinion) |url=https://www.vacourts.gov/static/opinions/opncavwp/0737251.pdf |website=Virginia Court System |date=14 Oct 2025 |access-date=7 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251028232244/https://www.vacourts.gov/static/opinions/opncavwp/0737251.pdf |archive-date=28 Oct 2025 |format=PDF}}</ref>

==External links==
*[https://deflock.me/ DeFlock: ALPR Location Map]
*[https://www.noalprs.org/ No ALPRs: Advocacy Group]
*[https://www.eff.org/issues/license-plate-readers EFF: License Plate Readers]
*[https://www.aclu.org/issues/privacy-technology/surveillance-technologies/aclu-works-stop-license-plate-reader-surveillance ACLU: License Plate Reader Surveillance]
*[https://www.wired.com/tag/automated-license-plate-readers/ Wired: Automated License Plate Readers]
*[https://www.vice.com/en/topic/automated-license-plate-readers Vice: Automated License Plate Readers]
*[https://www.technologyreview.com/tag/surveillance/ MIT Technology Review: Surveillance]
*[https://www.flock-restrictions.org/ Flock Restrictions: Policy Tracking]
*[https://www.urban.org/features/how-police-use-technology Urban Institute: Police Technology Use]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

The Coca-Cola Company

2026-04-18T23:59:53Z

Neige: Wikipedia link

{{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=Coca-Cola Company logo.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.
}}

'''[[wikipedia:The_Coca-Cola_Company|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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220318161329/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-13/coca-cola-severs-longtime-ties-with-pro-sugar-industry-group |archive-date=18 Mar 2022}}</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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251101083757/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/16/health/ilsi-food-policy-india-brazil-china.html |archive-date=1 Nov 2025}}</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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220625193400/https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/08/09/coca-cola-funds-scientists-who-shift-blame-for-obesity-away-from-bad-diets |archive-date=25 Jun 2022}}</ref>

===Vitamin Water Lawsuit (''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=15 Jan 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=28 Jul 2012 |access-date=20 Jan 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 {{Wplink|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=16 Jan 2013 |access-date=20 Jan 2026 |work=The Coca-Cola Company}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=15 Jan 2009 |title=Coca-Cola sued over VitaminWater claims |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28675966 |access-date=20 Jan 2026 |website=NBC News |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241208053305/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28675966 |archive-date=8 Dec 2024}}</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===
As the single largest plastic polluter in the world, Coca-Cola Co. has a history of [[greenwashing]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williment |first=Chloe |date=24 June 2025 |title=Which Top Brands are Linked with Global Plastic Pollution? |url=https://sustainabilitymag.com/news/which-top-brands-are-linked-with-global-plastic-pollution |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251128171809/https://sustainabilitymag.com/news/which-top-brands-are-linked-with-global-plastic-pollution |archive-date=28 Nov 2025 |access-date=18 April 2026 |website=sustainabilitymag}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=THE WHY |date=27 Feb 2025 |title=Coca-Cola's Plastic Promises⎜WHY PLASTIC?⎜(Full documentary) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mplIapcCrY8&t=140s |url-status=live |access-date=18 April 2026 |website=YouTube}}</ref>{{Incomplete section}}

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

==Products==

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

;Machinery
*Coke Freestyle Machine
*BreakMate

==See also==
*[[PepsiCo]]
*[[Keurig-Dr. Pepper]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Greenwashing

2026-04-18T19:14:07Z

Neige: Company links

{{StubNotice}}

'''{{Wplink|Greenwashing}}''' is a form of advertising or marketing that deceptively uses social and environmental public relations (PR) in order to persuade the public, investors, and consumers that a company's products, goals, or policies are environmentally-friendly. Companies that intentionally adopt greenwashing strategies often do so to distance themselves from their environmental lapses or those of their suppliers.
<blockquote>Their [Shell's] glitzy advertisements can no longer conceal their climate criminal behaviour – polluting the planet, raking in record profits, and sanitising their own image to continue the climate-wrecking cycle.</blockquote>
— former Green Party MP, United Kingdom, Caroline Lucas<ref name=":1" />

==History of the Term==
While the term itself was coined in a 1986 essay about the hotel industry's "save the towel" movement,<ref>{{Cite web |first=Jim |last=Motavalli |title=A History of Greenwashing: How Dirty Towels Impacted the Green Movement |url=https://www.aol.com/2011-02-12-the-history-of-greenwashing-how-dirty-towels-impacted-the-green.html |website=AOL |date=12 Feb 2011 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822081337/https://www.aol.com/2011-02-12-the-history-of-greenwashing-how-dirty-towels-impacted-the-green.html |archive-date=22 Aug 2024}}</ref> the practice has been traced back to the 1950s with the "keep America beautiful" campaign that places the burden of reducing and recycling litter onto the consumer and shifts the focus away from corporate responsibility.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Business-Managed Environment — Front Groups — Keep America Beautiful |url=https://www.herinst.org/BusinessManagedDemocracy/environment/fronts/KAB.html |website=herinst.org |date=2009 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225224843/https://www.herinst.org/BusinessManagedDemocracy/environment/fronts/KAB.html |archive-date=25 Feb 2012}}</ref>

==Notable examples==
*[[BP]]-post-Gulf oil spill advertisements<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |first=Ria |last=Kakkad |title=Is BP’s latest campaign nothing more than 'sophisticated greenwashing'? |url=https://www.sustainability-beat.co.uk/2023/09/15/bp-greenwashing/ |website=Sustainability / Beat |date=15 Sep 2023 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208053401/https://www.sustainability-beat.co.uk/2023/09/15/bp-greenwashing/ |archive-date=8 Dec 2023}}</ref>
*[[The Coca-Cola Company]] - continuation of the "keep America beautiful" movement<ref name=":0" />
*[[Volkswagen]] - emissions scandal<ref>{{Cite web |first=Jeff |last=Plungis |title=Volkswagen emissions scandal: Forty years of greenwashing - the well-travelled road taken by VW |url=https://www.the-independent.com/news/business/analysis-and-features/volkswagen-emissions-scandal-forty-years-of-greenwashing-the-welltravelled-road-taken-by-vw-10516209.html |website=The Independent
|date=25 Sep 2015 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405063138/https://www.the-independent.com/news/business/analysis-and-features/volkswagen-emissions-scandal-forty-years-of-greenwashing-the-welltravelled-road-taken-by-vw-10516209.html |archive-date=5 Apr 2025}}</ref>
*[[Shell]] - misleading advertisements implying that Shell was more green than was actually the case<ref>{{Cite news |last=Meredith |first=Sam |date=7 Jun 2023 |title=Oil giant Shell’s UK ad campaign banned for being ‘likely to mislead’ consumers |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/07/oil-shells-uk-ad-campaign-banned-for-misleading-consumers.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618174208/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/07/oil-shells-uk-ad-campaign-banned-for-misleading-consumers.html |archive-date=18 Jun 2023 |access-date=21 Jul 2025}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Common terms]]

The Coca-Cola Company

2026-04-18T19:08:39Z

Neige: Pollution. Can't archive 1 hour long YouTube video. Other sources that can be archived would be an improvement.

{{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=Coca-Cola Company logo.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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220318161329/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-13/coca-cola-severs-longtime-ties-with-pro-sugar-industry-group |archive-date=18 Mar 2022}}</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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251101083757/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/16/health/ilsi-food-policy-india-brazil-china.html |archive-date=1 Nov 2025}}</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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220625193400/https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/08/09/coca-cola-funds-scientists-who-shift-blame-for-obesity-away-from-bad-diets |archive-date=25 Jun 2022}}</ref>

===Vitamin Water Lawsuit (''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=15 Jan 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=28 Jul 2012 |access-date=20 Jan 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 {{Wplink|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=16 Jan 2013 |access-date=20 Jan 2026 |work=The Coca-Cola Company}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=15 Jan 2009 |title=Coca-Cola sued over VitaminWater claims |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28675966 |access-date=20 Jan 2026 |website=NBC News |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241208053305/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna28675966 |archive-date=8 Dec 2024}}</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===
As the single largest plastic polluter in the world, Coca-Cola Co. has a history of [[greenwashing]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williment |first=Chloe |date=24 June 2025 |title=Which Top Brands are Linked with Global Plastic Pollution? |url=https://sustainabilitymag.com/news/which-top-brands-are-linked-with-global-plastic-pollution |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251128171809/https://sustainabilitymag.com/news/which-top-brands-are-linked-with-global-plastic-pollution |archive-date=28 Nov 2025 |access-date=18 April 2026 |website=sustainabilitymag}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=THE WHY |date=27 Feb 2025 |title=Coca-Cola's Plastic Promises⎜WHY PLASTIC?⎜(Full documentary) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mplIapcCrY8&t=140s |url-status=live |access-date=18 April 2026 |website=YouTube}}</ref>{{Incomplete section}}

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

==Products==

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

;Machinery
*Coke Freestyle Machine
*BreakMate

==See also==
*[[PepsiCo]]
*[[Keurig-Dr. Pepper]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

AEG Powertools

2026-04-09T21:24:22Z

Neige: Company links

{{#seo:
|description=AEG Powertools is a power tool brand licensed from Electrolux and manufactured by Techtronic Industries, sold in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.
}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1883
|Industry=Power Tools, Outdoor Power Equipment
|Logo=AEG logo.svg
|ParentCompany=Techtronic Industries
|CompanyAlias=AEG Power Tools, AEG Elektrowerkzeuge
|Type=Subsidiary
|Website=https://www.aegpowertools.com.au/
|Description=TTI-manufactured power tools sold under Electrolux brand license; discontinued 58V battery platform stranded customers.
}}

'''AEG Powertools''' is a power tool brand manufactured by {{Wplink|Techtronic Industries}} (TTI) under a trademark license from {{Wplink|Electrolux}}.<ref name="tti-esg">{{Cite web |title=TTI ESG Report 2024 - Legend and List of Business Units |url=https://www.ttigroup.com/documents/esg-report-2024/files/legend-and-list-of-business-units-en.pdf |website=Techtronic Industries |date=2024 |access-date=2026-03-26}}</ref> The brand is sold primarily in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, positioning itself as a professional-grade tool line between TTI's consumer brand [[Ryobi]] and its premium brand [[Milwaukee]].<ref name="protool-owners">{{Cite web |title=Power Tool Manufacturers and Who Really Owns Them |url=https://www.protoolreviews.com/power-tool-manufacturers-who-owns-them/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251018143413/https://www.protoolreviews.com/power-tool-manufacturers-who-owns-them/ |archive-date=2025-10-18 |website=Pro Tool Reviews |access-date=2026-03-26}}</ref> In Australia, AEG products are sold almost exclusively through Bunnings Warehouse and Tool Kit Depot.

The AEG brand name traces to Allgemeine Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft, a German company originally founded as DEG in 1883 and renamed AEG in 1887.<ref name="slashgear-tti">{{Cite web |title=13 Popular Tool & Appliance Brands Owned By China's Techtronic Industries (TTI) |url=https://www.slashgear.com/1931198/china-techtronic-industries-tool-brands/ |website=SlashGear |date=2025-08-10 |access-date=2026-03-26}}</ref> AEG pioneered portable power tools by launching the first transportable drilling machine in 1898.<ref name="aeg-onsite">{{Cite web |title=AEG Onsite Capability Statement |url=https://www.aegpowertools.com.au/sites/aegau/files/2024-05/AEG%20Onsite%20Capability%20Statement.pdf |website=AEG Powertools Australia |date=2024-05-09 |access-date=2026-03-26}}</ref> The original AEG company went through multiple ownership changes; the trademark is now held by AB Electrolux, which licenses it to TTI for power tool manufacturing and sales.<ref name="tti-esg" />

TTI acquired the AEG power tool business from Atlas Copco in 2005.<ref name="slashgear-tti" /> In the United States, TTI manufactures equivalent products under the Ridgid brand (licensed from Emerson Electric); Ridgid cordless power tools share engineering and internal components with AEG tools sold in other markets.<ref name="protool-owners" />

==Consumer-impact summary==

*AEG discontinued its entire 58V outdoor power equipment battery platform at the end of 2024, leaving customers with no replacement batteries and no transition path to the 18V replacement platform.<ref name="aeg-faq">{{Cite web |title=58V FAQ page |url=https://www.aegpowertools.com.au/58v-faq-page |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250418220222/https://www.aegpowertools.com.au/58v-faq-page |archive-date=2025-04-18 |website=AEG Powertools Australia |access-date=2026-03-26}}</ref>
*The 58V platform was subject to two ACCC product safety recalls: a chainsaw fire risk recall in 2016 and a battery fire risk recall in 2023.<ref name="accc-chainsaw">{{Cite web |title=AEG 58V Chainsaw (extended recall) |url=https://www.productsafety.gov.au/search-consumer-product-recalls/aeg-58v-chainsaw-extended-recall |website=Product Safety Australia |date=2016-11-08 |access-date=2026-03-26}}</ref><ref name="accc-battery">{{Cite web |title=AEG 58V 8Ah Ultimate HD Battery and AEG 58V 4Ah Ultimate Battery |url=https://www.productsafety.gov.au/search-consumer-product-recalls/aeg-58v-8ah-ultimate-hd-battery-a58bat18-and-the-aeg-58v-4ah-ultimate-battery-a58bat14 |website=Product Safety Australia |date=2023-02-03 |access-date=2026-03-26}}</ref>
*AEG offered no trade-in program, rebate, or adapter for affected 58V customers, instead advising them to purchase new 18V tools at their own expense.<ref name="aeg-faq" />
*Customers reported that 58V tools continued to be sold at Bunnings at or near original prices without point-of-sale warnings about the discontinuation.<ref name="whirlpool-p6">{{Cite web |title=AEG 58v power tools? (page 6) |url=https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/thread/341lzl89?p=6 |website=Whirlpool Forums |access-date=2026-03-26}}</ref>

==Incidents==

===58V product line discontinuation===
{{Main|AEG Power Tools 58V product line discontinuation}}

AEG introduced its 58V Commercial Series of outdoor power tools in 2016 and discontinued the platform at the end of 2024.<ref name="aeg-onsite" /><ref name="aeg-faq" /> The proprietary 58V batteries required to operate these tools are no longer manufactured. Customers in Australia and New Zealand who invested in the 58V ecosystem were left with functional tools and no replacement battery supply. The discontinuation raised questions about compliance with Australian Consumer Law Section 58, which requires manufacturers to provide spare parts for a reasonable time after purchase.<ref name="accc-guarantees">{{Cite web |title=Consumer rights and guarantees |url=https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/buying-products-and-services/consumer-rights-and-guarantees |website=Australian Competition and Consumer Commission |access-date=2026-03-26}}</ref>

==Products==

AEG's current product range is built on its 18V battery platform:
*18V PRO Range (drills, drivers, saws, grinders)
*18V Sub Compact tools
*18V FORCE TABLESS batteries (launched February 2025)
*18V dual-battery outdoor equipment (replacement for discontinued 58V line)

The discontinued 58V range included mowers, chainsaws, blowers, trimmers, brushcutters, hedge trimmers, and backpack sprayers.<ref name="aeg-onsite" />

==See also==
*[[Techtronic Industries]]
*[[Planned obsolescence]]
*[[Right to Repair]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:AEG Powertools]]
[[Category:Techtronic Industries]]
[[Category:Power Tools]]
[[Category:Australia]]

AEG Powertools

2026-04-09T21:20:09Z

Neige:

{{#seo:
|description=AEG Powertools is a power tool brand licensed from Electrolux and manufactured by Techtronic Industries, sold in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.
}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1883
|Industry=Power Tools, Outdoor Power Equipment
|Logo=AEG logo.svg
|ParentCompany=Techtronic Industries
|CompanyAlias=AEG Power Tools, AEG Elektrowerkzeuge
|Type=Subsidiary
|Website=https://www.aegpowertools.com.au/
|Description=TTI-manufactured power tools sold under Electrolux brand license; discontinued 58V battery platform stranded customers.
}}

'''AEG Powertools''' is a power tool brand manufactured by {{Wplink|Techtronic Industries}} (TTI) under a trademark license from {{Wplink|Electrolux}}.<ref name="tti-esg">{{Cite web |title=TTI ESG Report 2024 - Legend and List of Business Units |url=https://www.ttigroup.com/documents/esg-report-2024/files/legend-and-list-of-business-units-en.pdf |website=Techtronic Industries |date=2024 |access-date=2026-03-26}}</ref> The brand is sold primarily in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, positioning itself as a professional-grade tool line between TTI's consumer brand Ryobi and its premium brand Milwaukee.<ref name="protool-owners">{{Cite web |title=Power Tool Manufacturers and Who Really Owns Them |url=https://www.protoolreviews.com/power-tool-manufacturers-who-owns-them/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251018143413/https://www.protoolreviews.com/power-tool-manufacturers-who-owns-them/ |archive-date=2025-10-18 |website=Pro Tool Reviews |access-date=2026-03-26}}</ref> In Australia, AEG products are sold almost exclusively through Bunnings Warehouse and Tool Kit Depot.

The AEG brand name traces to Allgemeine Elektricitäts-Gesellschaft, a German company originally founded as DEG in 1883 and renamed AEG in 1887.<ref name="slashgear-tti">{{Cite web |title=13 Popular Tool & Appliance Brands Owned By China's Techtronic Industries (TTI) |url=https://www.slashgear.com/1931198/china-techtronic-industries-tool-brands/ |website=SlashGear |date=2025-08-10 |access-date=2026-03-26}}</ref> AEG pioneered portable power tools by launching the first transportable drilling machine in 1898.<ref name="aeg-onsite">{{Cite web |title=AEG Onsite Capability Statement |url=https://www.aegpowertools.com.au/sites/aegau/files/2024-05/AEG%20Onsite%20Capability%20Statement.pdf |website=AEG Powertools Australia |date=2024-05-09 |access-date=2026-03-26}}</ref> The original AEG company went through multiple ownership changes; the trademark is now held by AB Electrolux, which licenses it to TTI for power tool manufacturing and sales.<ref name="tti-esg" />

TTI acquired the AEG power tool business from Atlas Copco in 2005.<ref name="slashgear-tti" /> In the United States, TTI manufactures equivalent products under the Ridgid brand (licensed from Emerson Electric); Ridgid cordless power tools share engineering and internal components with AEG tools sold in other markets.<ref name="protool-owners" />

==Consumer-impact summary==

*AEG discontinued its entire 58V outdoor power equipment battery platform at the end of 2024, leaving customers with no replacement batteries and no transition path to the 18V replacement platform.<ref name="aeg-faq">{{Cite web |title=58V FAQ page |url=https://www.aegpowertools.com.au/58v-faq-page |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250418220222/https://www.aegpowertools.com.au/58v-faq-page |archive-date=2025-04-18 |website=AEG Powertools Australia |access-date=2026-03-26}}</ref>
*The 58V platform was subject to two ACCC product safety recalls: a chainsaw fire risk recall in 2016 and a battery fire risk recall in 2023.<ref name="accc-chainsaw">{{Cite web |title=AEG 58V Chainsaw (extended recall) |url=https://www.productsafety.gov.au/search-consumer-product-recalls/aeg-58v-chainsaw-extended-recall |website=Product Safety Australia |date=2016-11-08 |access-date=2026-03-26}}</ref><ref name="accc-battery">{{Cite web |title=AEG 58V 8Ah Ultimate HD Battery and AEG 58V 4Ah Ultimate Battery |url=https://www.productsafety.gov.au/search-consumer-product-recalls/aeg-58v-8ah-ultimate-hd-battery-a58bat18-and-the-aeg-58v-4ah-ultimate-battery-a58bat14 |website=Product Safety Australia |date=2023-02-03 |access-date=2026-03-26}}</ref>
*AEG offered no trade-in program, rebate, or adapter for affected 58V customers, instead advising them to purchase new 18V tools at their own expense.<ref name="aeg-faq" />
*Customers reported that 58V tools continued to be sold at Bunnings at or near original prices without point-of-sale warnings about the discontinuation.<ref name="whirlpool-p6">{{Cite web |title=AEG 58v power tools? (page 6) |url=https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/thread/341lzl89?p=6 |website=Whirlpool Forums |access-date=2026-03-26}}</ref>

==Incidents==

===58V product line discontinuation===
{{Main|AEG Power Tools 58V product line discontinuation}}

AEG introduced its 58V Commercial Series of outdoor power tools in 2016 and discontinued the platform at the end of 2024.<ref name="aeg-onsite" /><ref name="aeg-faq" /> The proprietary 58V batteries required to operate these tools are no longer manufactured. Customers in Australia and New Zealand who invested in the 58V ecosystem were left with functional tools and no replacement battery supply. The discontinuation raised questions about compliance with Australian Consumer Law Section 58, which requires manufacturers to provide spare parts for a reasonable time after purchase.<ref name="accc-guarantees">{{Cite web |title=Consumer rights and guarantees |url=https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/buying-products-and-services/consumer-rights-and-guarantees |website=Australian Competition and Consumer Commission |access-date=2026-03-26}}</ref>

==Products==

AEG's current product range is built on its 18V battery platform:
*18V PRO Range (drills, drivers, saws, grinders)
*18V Sub Compact tools
*18V FORCE TABLESS batteries (launched February 2025)
*18V dual-battery outdoor equipment (replacement for discontinued 58V line)

The discontinued 58V range included mowers, chainsaws, blowers, trimmers, brushcutters, hedge trimmers, and backpack sprayers.<ref name="aeg-onsite" />

==See also==
*[[Techtronic Industries]]
*[[Planned obsolescence]]
*[[Right to Repair]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:AEG Powertools]]
[[Category:Techtronic Industries]]
[[Category:Power Tools]]
[[Category:Australia]]

Dynamic pricing

2026-04-08T22:42:03Z

Neige: Wikipedia link

{{Stub}}
'''[[wikipedia:Dynamic_pricing|Dynamic pricing]]''' is an umbrella term, which refers to a pricing strategy of modifying the price of a product or service according to market demands and/or consumer-identifying information. This definition includes '''surge pricing''', '''surveillance pricing''', '''demand pricing''', '''time-based''' '''pricing''' and '''variable pricing'''.

==How it works==
Dynamic pricing involves setting individual-consumer prices and dynamically changing them both over time and personally depending on individual consumer information, all of which is done by algorithms.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Seele |first=Peter |last2=Dierksmeier |first2=Clause |last3=Hofstetter |first3=Reto |last4=Schultz |first4=Mario D. |date=10 December 2019 |title=Mapping the Ethicality of Algorithmic Pricing: A Review of Dynamic and Personalized Pricing |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10551-019-04371-w |journal=Journal of Business Ethics |volume=170 |via=Springer}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Priester |first=Anna |last2=Robbert |first2=Thomas |last3=Roth |first3=Stefan |date=23 January 2020 |title=A special price just for you: effects of personalized dynamic pricing on consumer fairness perceptions |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1057/s41272-019-00224-3 |journal=Journal of Revenue and Pricing Management |volume=19 |via=Springer}}</ref> To make it more effective, the customer is given real-time content recommendation based on their history of personal information. The algorithms can also detect if a customer is disengaging, which then causes dynamic pricing and communications to intervene.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Dakouan |first=Chouaib |last2=Benabdelouahed |first2=Redouane |last3=Lebbar |first3=Oumaima |date=11 March 2026 |title=Theoretical Exploration of the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Optimizing Inbound Marketing Practices |url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-032-12968-0_1#DOI |journal=Strategic Innovative Marketing and Tourism |pages=4, 5 |via=Springer}}</ref>

==Why it is a problem==

===Price discrimination===
Price discrimination is illegal in the U.S. if it is based on race, gender, religion, or nationality, but doesn't prohibit price discrimination based other personal factors.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=25 Mar 2026 |title=Is Dynamic Pricing Legal? |url=https://www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/small-business/is-dynamic-pricing-legal/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2026 |website=FindLaw}}</ref> Companies aren't upfront about using other personal factors, because consumers don't like it when they find out they were charged more for the same products than the people around them.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Giansiracusa |first=Noah |date=26 Dec 2025 |title=Algorithmic pricing is scary. It doesn’t have to be. |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/26/opinion/algorithmic-surveillance-pricing-price-discrimination/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251227101111/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/26/opinion/algorithmic-surveillance-pricing-price-discrimination/ |archive-date=27 Dec 2025 |access-date=26 Mar 2026 |website=The Boston Globe}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Vedantam |first=Shankar |date=17 May 2016 |title=This Is Your Brain On Uber |url=https://www.npr.org/transcripts/478266839 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250908175727/https://www.npr.org/transcripts/478266839 |archive-date=8 Sep 2025 |access-date=26 Mar 2026 |website=NPR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Chen |first=M. Keith |last2=Sheldon |first2=Michael |date=November 3, 2025 |title=Dynamic Pricing in a Labor Market: Surge Pricing and the Supply of Uber Driver-Partners |url=https://www.aeaweb.org/conference/2016/retrieve.php?pdfid=21740&tk=B3G8HTQB |journal=Labor Studies |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260301024619/https://www.aeaweb.org/conference/2016/retrieve.php?pdfid=21740&tk=B3G8HTQB |archive-date=1 Mar 2026 |via=Google Scholar}}</ref>

====Perceived fairness====
In 2016, a behavioral scientist that works at Uber made clear that the company could prove that people that people are willing to pay more when their phone batteries were low. Uber claimed they “absolutely don’t use that” information, but it's not legally prohibited, so consumers have to take their word for it.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mahdawi |first=Arwa |date=13 Apr 2018 |title=Is your friend getting a cheaper Uber fare than you are? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/13/uber-lyft-prices-personalized-data |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260312173357/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/apr/13/uber-lyft-prices-personalized-data |archive-date=12 Mar 2026 |access-date=26 Mar 2026 |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> Price discrimination concerns have also been publicly remediated by claiming the usage of a practice known as "[[steering]]" instead. Steering is dynamically showing more expensive ''options'' based on individual consumer's characteristics, such as being a Mac user.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kingsley-Hughes |first=Adrian |date=27 Jun 2012 |title=Mac Users Have Money to Spare, Says Orbitz |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/adriankingsleyhughes/2012/06/26/mac-users-have-money-to-spare-says-orbitz/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250603093545/https://www.forbes.com/sites/adriankingsleyhughes/2012/06/26/mac-users-have-money-to-spare-says-orbitz/ |archive-date=3 Jun 2025 |access-date=26 Mar 2026 |website=Forbes}}</ref>

Not being able to objectively compare prices restricts a consumer's ability to perceive fair pricing. The ability to plan future purchases is also limited, because prices change constantly. From a consumer perspective, the unfavorable aspects algorithmic pricing can outweigh the ability to search and compare online that enables more choices.<ref name=":0" />

===Privacy concerns in digital marketing===

Dynamic pricing involves highly personal and identifying consumer data for individual price determination, which raises serious concerns about privacy.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> There is a lack of transparency around that data collection, because often the consumer is ''not'' informed that:

*The sites they have previously visited in their browser and their clicks are tracked to finely infer tastes, income and health status.

*Merchants don't have to ask explicit consent to adjust prices based on tracking cookies.

This is an informational advantage that companies leverage, which could limit the consumer's ability to objectively compare products online.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Egan |first=Shannon |date=5 Apr 2021 |title=Mapping the Ethicality of Algorithmic Pricing |url=https://montrealethics.ai/mapping-the-ethicality-of-algorithmic-pricing/}}</ref>

==Examples==
*[[Wendy's]] introducing dynamic pricing in 2025 for "getting more breakfast customers in".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2024/02/28/1234412431/wendys-dynamic-surge-pricing|title=No, Wendy's says it isn't planning to introduce surge pricing|work=NPR|date=2024-02-28|first=Joe|last=Hernandez}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==See also==
*[[Value based pricing]]

[[Category:Common terms]]

Shimano

2026-04-08T19:00:15Z

Neige: "e-bike" instead or E-bike or ebike.

{{StubNotice}}

{{CompanyCargo|Founded=1921|Industry=Bicycling, fishing, and rowing|Type=Public|Website=https://www.shimano.com/en/|Description=Shimano Inc. is a Japanese company that produces cycling components, fishing tackle, and rowing equipment. The company was founded and named after Shozaburo Shimano.|CompanyAlias=Shimano Industries, Inc.|Logo=Shimano Logo.webp}}

[[wikipedia:Shimano|'''Shimano, Inc.''']] is a Japanese multinational manufacturing company that produces bicycling components, fishing tackle, and rowing equipment. The company was founded by and named after Shozaburo Shimano.

==Consumer-impact summary==

*User Freedom: Customers are restricted from connecting electrical equipment such as lights to their e-bike motors.
*User Privacy:
*Business Model:
*Market Control: Shimano is the second largest e-bike motor manufacturer. [[Bosch]] and Shimano combined hold 75% of the European market share and nearly half of the global market share.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 November 2024 |title=World Market for Electric Bike Motors: Bosch, Shimano & Bafang Dominate |url=https://www.ebike24.com/blog/manufacturers-of-ebike-motors |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260116092943/https://www.ebike24.com/blog/manufacturers-of-ebike-motors |archive-date=16 January 2026 |access-date=7 April 2026 |website=EBike24}}</ref>

==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]].

===E-bike components===
Customers with Shimano motors including the EP6 and EP801 are restricted from connecting electrical equipment such as lights to their e-bikes. Special software and hardware primarily used by bike shops is required to activate ports or accept new devices. What used to be a click on an app is now a trip to a bike shop or paying hundreds for diagnostic equipment.<ref>{{Cite web |author=RunBikeMike |date=1 Jan 2024 |title=Installing an EBike Light To Run Off Your Battery / MagicShine ME2000 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvG7Fpb1tzI&t=50s |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=AvG7Fpb1tzI |archive-date=2026-04-03 |access-date=11 March 2026 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

'''<big>Faulty cranksets</big>'''

Some cranksets produced by Shimano have defects making them prone to breaking and injuring bicyclists. During March 2026, Shimano agreed to pay a $11.5 million civil penalty for failing to immediately report cranksets that posed a crash hazard.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 March 2026 |title=Shimano Agrees to Pay $11.5 Million Civil Penalty for Failure to Immediately Report Bicycle Cranksets that Posed a Crash Hazard |url=https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2026/Shimano-Agrees-to-Pay-11-5-Million-Civil-Penalty-for-Failure-to-Immediately-Report-Bicycle-Cranksets-that-Posed-a-Crash-Hazard |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260317155252/https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2026/Shimano-Agrees-to-Pay-11-5-Million-Civil-Penalty-for-Failure-to-Immediately-Report-Bicycle-Cranksets-that-Posed-a-Crash-Hazard |archive-date=17 March 2026 |access-date=7 April 2026 |website=Consumer Product Safety Commission}}</ref>

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

==See also==

*[[E-Bike Tuning Detection: Bosch and Yamaha’s Anti-Tampering Systems]]
*[[Bosch]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Bosch

2026-04-08T18:50:40Z

Neige: Consumer-impact summary details

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Missing sections|Issue 2=Needs additional references}}{{CompanyCargo
|Description=German engineering company.
|Founded=1886
|Industry=Automotive, Electronics, Technology
|Logo=Bosch.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Private
|Website=https://www.bosch.com/
}}
'''{{wplink|Bosch (company)|Robert Bosch GmbH}}''', commonly known as '''Bosch''' (styled '''BOSCH'''), is a German multinational engineering and technology company founded in 1886 by Robert Bosch.

==Consumer-impact summary==

* User Freedom:
* User Privacy:
* Business Model:
* Market Control: Bosch is the largest E-bike motor manufacturer. Bosch and [[Shimano]] combined hold 75% of the European market share and nearly half of the global market share.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 November 2024 |title=World Market for Electric Bike Motors: Bosch, Shimano & Bafang Dominate |url=https://www.ebike24.com/blog/manufacturers-of-ebike-motors |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260116092943/https://www.ebike24.com/blog/manufacturers-of-ebike-motors |archive-date=16 January 2026 |access-date=8 April 2026 |website=EBike24}}</ref>

==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]].
===E-bike components===
Only the e-bike batteries from Bosch themselves can be used on the modern e-bikes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peace |first=Richard |date=23 Feb 2023 |title=Replacement Electric Bike Batteries Guide |url=https://electricbikereport.com/replacement-electric-bike-batteries/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325202127/https://electricbikereport.com/replacement-electric-bike-batteries/ |archive-date=25 Mar 2023 |access-date=21 Jun 2025 |website=Electric Bike Report |quote=Only Bosch manufactured batteries will be used on any new Bosch e-bike – this has always been the case and so it makes advice on interchangeability a little more straightforward than with the likes of Shimano and Brose who have both allowed the use of third party batteries with their mid-drive motor systems.}}</ref>

Many e-bikes, like those of Bosch or [[Shimano]], have their own proprietary systems, making it complicated for third-parties to provide spare parts, which would also void the warranty of the e-bike. [[Right to repair]] legislation would make it easier to provide spare batteries for these e-bikes, which the industry is against by claiming it would be unsafe.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grist |last2=Stone |first2=Maddie |date=10 Aug 2023 |title=E-bike companies are fighting to be exempted from right-to-repair laws |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90935615/e-bike-companies-are-fighting-to-be-exempted-from-right-to-repair-laws |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811193642/https://www.fastcompany.com/90935615/e-bike-companies-are-fighting-to-be-exempted-from-right-to-repair-laws |archive-date=11 Aug 2023 |access-date=21 Jun 2025 |website=Fast Company}}</ref>

Bosch and [[Shimano]] place restrictions on consumers from being able to connect lights and other components to their e-bike electrical system.<ref>{{Cite web |last=RunBikeMike |date=1 Jan 2024 |title=Installing an EBike Light To Run Off Your Battery / MagicShine ME2000 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvG7Fpb1tzI&t=50s |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=AvG7Fpb1tzI |archive-date=2026-04-03 |access-date=20 March 2026 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> Special software only accessible to qualified bike shops is required to activate ports or accept new devices. Additional connectivity barriers exist such as difficult to acquire Bosch specific cables.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bosch eBike Light Switch Activation |url=https://www.e-bikeshop.co.uk/products/bosch-ebike-light-activation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708203340/https://www.e-bikeshop.co.uk/products/bosch-ebike-light-activation |archive-date=8 Jul 2025 |access-date=20 March 2026 |website=EBikeShop.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=15 Mar 2022 |title=Bosch takes the L on right to repair for ebikes |url=https://youtu.be/j7e9hO5yMtk?t=75 |url-status=live |access-date=20 March 2026 |website=YouTube}}</ref>

===Dishwasher with home connect system===
{{Main|Bosch Cloud Dishwasher Incident}}
The home connect system mandates that users connect their dishwasher to Wi‑Fi and register for a Home Connect account in order to access essential functions—such as rinse cycles, eco mode, and delay start—that were previously available directly via physical controls.{{CitationNeeded|reason=I'm seeing some em's, if it's AI, we're going to need a citation}}

===Washing Machine planned obsolescence===
Recent models now have a sealed drum which prevent replacing the bearing or drum spider independently. Additionally the whole drum assembly replacement is sold at a price making it's replacement prohibitive.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-11-14 |title=The Truth About SEALED Drums: Naming & Shaming |url=https://youtu.be/crzZEvFf_L4?si=DkgU7zG2lSyuh8nK&t=50 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=crzZEvFf_L4 |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref>

===Refrigerator cameras deactivated===
Bosch announced that cameras in smart fridges would lose their function on March 31st, 2026. The company worded this as ''"adjusting digital features inside the Home-Connect environment"'' ''("die digitalen Funktionen innerhalb der Home-Connect-Umgebung anzupassen")'' and cites low market demand and unspecified technological advancements as the reasons. In 2022, Bosch had already restricted features to analyse the refrigerator content to get tips for ideal placement of items and recipes for using up leftovers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pakalski |first=Ingo |date=2026-02-25 |title=Bosch deaktiviert Innenkameras in verkauften Kühlschränken [Bosch deactivates interior cameras in refrigerators that have already been sold] |url=https://www.golem.de/news/smart-home-bosch-deaktiviert-innenkameras-in-verkauften-kuehlschraenken-2602-205832.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/vfAGL |archive-date=2026-02-25 |access-date=2026-02-05 |website=Golem}}</ref>

==Products==

*[[Bosch Spexor]] (2019)
*Bosch 500 series dishwasher
*Bosch Series 4, Series 6 washing machines (check specific model numbers in video description of <ref name=":0" />)
*Bosch GLM 50 C

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Home appliance companies]]

Bosch

2026-04-08T18:28:03Z

Neige: Archived source

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Missing sections|Issue 2=Needs additional references}}{{CompanyCargo
|Description=German engineering company.
|Founded=1886
|Industry=Automotive, Electronics, Technology
|Logo=Bosch.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Private
|Website=https://www.bosch.com/
}}
'''{{wplink|Bosch (company)|Robert Bosch GmbH}}''', commonly known as '''Bosch''' (styled '''BOSCH'''), is a German multinational engineering and technology company founded in 1886 by Robert Bosch.

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Placeholder box|Overview of concerns that arise from the company's conduct regarding (if applicable):
* User freedom
* User privacy
* Business model
* Market control}}

==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]].
===E-bike components===
Only the e-bike batteries from Bosch themselves can be used on the modern e-bikes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peace |first=Richard |date=23 Feb 2023 |title=Replacement Electric Bike Batteries Guide |url=https://electricbikereport.com/replacement-electric-bike-batteries/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325202127/https://electricbikereport.com/replacement-electric-bike-batteries/ |archive-date=25 Mar 2023 |access-date=21 Jun 2025 |website=Electric Bike Report |quote=Only Bosch manufactured batteries will be used on any new Bosch e-bike – this has always been the case and so it makes advice on interchangeability a little more straightforward than with the likes of Shimano and Brose who have both allowed the use of third party batteries with their mid-drive motor systems.}}</ref>

Many e-bikes, like those of Bosch or [[Shimano]], have their own proprietary systems, making it complicated for third-parties to provide spare parts, which would also void the warranty of the e-bike. [[Right to repair]] legislation would make it easier to provide spare batteries for these e-bikes, which the industry is against by claiming it would be unsafe.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grist |last2=Stone |first2=Maddie |date=10 Aug 2023 |title=E-bike companies are fighting to be exempted from right-to-repair laws |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90935615/e-bike-companies-are-fighting-to-be-exempted-from-right-to-repair-laws |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811193642/https://www.fastcompany.com/90935615/e-bike-companies-are-fighting-to-be-exempted-from-right-to-repair-laws |archive-date=11 Aug 2023 |access-date=21 Jun 2025 |website=Fast Company}}</ref>

Bosch and [[Shimano]] place restrictions on consumers from being able to connect lights and other components to their e-bike electrical system.<ref>{{Cite web |last=RunBikeMike |date=1 Jan 2024 |title=Installing an EBike Light To Run Off Your Battery / MagicShine ME2000 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvG7Fpb1tzI&t=50s |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=AvG7Fpb1tzI |archive-date=2026-04-03 |access-date=20 March 2026 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> Special software only accessible to qualified bike shops is required to activate ports or accept new devices. Additional connectivity barriers exist such as difficult to acquire Bosch specific cables.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bosch eBike Light Switch Activation |url=https://www.e-bikeshop.co.uk/products/bosch-ebike-light-activation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708203340/https://www.e-bikeshop.co.uk/products/bosch-ebike-light-activation |archive-date=8 Jul 2025 |access-date=20 March 2026 |website=EBikeShop.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=15 Mar 2022 |title=Bosch takes the L on right to repair for ebikes |url=https://youtu.be/j7e9hO5yMtk?t=75 |url-status=live |access-date=20 March 2026 |website=YouTube}}</ref>

===Dishwasher with home connect system===
{{Main|Bosch Cloud Dishwasher Incident}}
The home connect system mandates that users connect their dishwasher to Wi‑Fi and register for a Home Connect account in order to access essential functions—such as rinse cycles, eco mode, and delay start—that were previously available directly via physical controls.{{CitationNeeded|reason=I'm seeing some em's, if it's AI, we're going to need a citation}}

===Washing Machine planned obsolescence===
Recent models now have a sealed drum which prevent replacing the bearing or drum spider independently. Additionally the whole drum assembly replacement is sold at a price making it's replacement prohibitive.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-11-14 |title=The Truth About SEALED Drums: Naming & Shaming |url=https://youtu.be/crzZEvFf_L4?si=DkgU7zG2lSyuh8nK&t=50 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=crzZEvFf_L4 |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref>

===Refrigerator cameras deactivated===
Bosch announced that cameras in smart fridges would lose their function on March 31st, 2026. The company worded this as ''"adjusting digital features inside the Home-Connect environment"'' ''("die digitalen Funktionen innerhalb der Home-Connect-Umgebung anzupassen")'' and cites low market demand and unspecified technological advancements as the reasons. In 2022, Bosch had already restricted features to analyse the refrigerator content to get tips for ideal placement of items and recipes for using up leftovers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pakalski |first=Ingo |date=2026-02-25 |title=Bosch deaktiviert Innenkameras in verkauften Kühlschränken [Bosch deactivates interior cameras in refrigerators that have already been sold] |url=https://www.golem.de/news/smart-home-bosch-deaktiviert-innenkameras-in-verkauften-kuehlschraenken-2602-205832.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/vfAGL |archive-date=2026-02-25 |access-date=2026-02-05 |website=Golem}}</ref>

==Products==

*[[Bosch Spexor]] (2019)
*Bosch 500 series dishwasher
*Bosch Series 4, Series 6 washing machines (check specific model numbers in video description of <ref name=":0" />)
*Bosch GLM 50 C

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Home appliance companies]]

Shimano

2026-04-08T03:06:53Z

Neige:

{{StubNotice}}

{{CompanyCargo|Founded=1921|Industry=Bicycling, fishing, and rowing|Type=Public|Website=https://www.shimano.com/en/|Description=Shimano Inc. is a Japanese company that produces cycling components, fishing tackle, and rowing equipment. The company was founded and named after Shozaburo Shimano.|CompanyAlias=Shimano Industries, Inc.|Logo=Shimano Logo.webp}}

[[wikipedia:Shimano|'''Shimano, Inc.''']] is a Japanese multinational manufacturing company that produces bicycling components, fishing tackle, and rowing equipment. The company was founded by and named after Shozaburo Shimano.

==Consumer-impact summary==

*User Freedom: Customers are restricted from connecting electrical equipment such as lights to their E-bike motors.
*User Privacy:
*Business Model:
*Market Control: Shimano is the second largest E-bike motor manufacturer. [[Bosch]] and Shimano combine to hold 75% of the European market share and nearly half of the global market share.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 November 2024 |title=World Market for Electric Bike Motors: Bosch, Shimano & Bafang Dominate |url=https://www.ebike24.com/blog/manufacturers-of-ebike-motors |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260116092943/https://www.ebike24.com/blog/manufacturers-of-ebike-motors |archive-date=16 January 2026 |access-date=7 April 2026 |website=EBike24}}</ref>

==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]].

===E-bike components===
Customers with Shimano motors including the EP6 and EP801 are restricted from connecting electrical equipment such as lights to their E-bikes. Special software and hardware primarily used by bike shops is required to activate ports or accept new devices. What used to be a click on an app is now a trip to a bike shop or paying hundreds for diagnostic equipment.<ref>{{Cite web |author=RunBikeMike |date=1 Jan 2024 |title=Installing an EBike Light To Run Off Your Battery / MagicShine ME2000 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvG7Fpb1tzI&t=50s |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=AvG7Fpb1tzI |archive-date=2026-04-03 |access-date=11 March 2026 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

'''<big>Faulty cranksets</big>'''

Some cranksets produced by Shimano have defects making them prone to breaking and injuring bicyclists. During March 2026, Shimano agreed to pay a $11.5 million civil penalty for failing to immediately report cranksets that posed a crash hazard.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 March 2026 |title=Shimano Agrees to Pay $11.5 Million Civil Penalty for Failure to Immediately Report Bicycle Cranksets that Posed a Crash Hazard |url=https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2026/Shimano-Agrees-to-Pay-11-5-Million-Civil-Penalty-for-Failure-to-Immediately-Report-Bicycle-Cranksets-that-Posed-a-Crash-Hazard |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260317155252/https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2026/Shimano-Agrees-to-Pay-11-5-Million-Civil-Penalty-for-Failure-to-Immediately-Report-Bicycle-Cranksets-that-Posed-a-Crash-Hazard |archive-date=17 March 2026 |access-date=7 April 2026 |website=Consumer Product Safety Commission}}</ref>

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

==See also==

*[[E-Bike Tuning Detection: Bosch and Yamaha’s Anti-Tampering Systems]]
*[[Bosch]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

DJI Romo robot vacuum vulnerability

2026-04-08T02:39:23Z

Neige: DJI link

{{stub}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=DJI
|StartDate=2026-02-22
|EndDate=2026-02-22
|Status=Resolved
|ProductLine=DJI
|Product=DJI Romo
|ArticleType=Product
|Description=DJI vacuum cleaners get accidentally hacked by guy using Claude Code.
}}A vulnerability in [[DJI]] Romo vacuums was discovered in 2025 which would've allowed malicious actors to remotely access and control all of them without hacking into DJI servers.<ref name="Verge">{{Cite web |last=Hollister |first=Sean |date=2026-02-14 |title=The DJI Romo robovac had security so poor, this man remotely accessed thousands of them |url=https://www.theverge.com/tech/879088/dji-romo-hack-vulnerability-remote-control-camera-access-mqtt |work=The Verge}}</ref>

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

==DJI Romo remote access vulnerability==
In 2025, Sammy Azdoufal created an app to control his new DJI Romo robot vacuum with a PS5 controller. As a result of the device utilizing one API key, he unintentionally had remote access to approximately 6,700 DJI Romo vacuums, and over 10,000 total devices. He was able to do this by accessing his data on his own device, without hacking a DJI server or sending malware to other vacuums.<ref name="Verge" />

===DJI's response===
{{Ph-I-ComR}}
After this vulnerability was told to DJI by Sammy and The Verge, remote access to the robot was disabled with that key. <ref name="Verge" />

DJI had responded with this statement:

"DJI identified a vulnerability affecting DJI Home through internal review in late January and initiated remediation immediately. The issue was addressed through two updates, with an initial patch deployed on February 8 and a follow-up update completed on February 10. The fix was deployed automatically, and no user action is required."<ref name="Verge" /> 

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

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

Shimano

2026-04-08T00:28:01Z

Neige:

{{StubNotice}}

{{CompanyCargo|Founded=1921|Industry=Bicycling, fishing, and rowing|Type=Public|Website=https://www.shimano.com/en/|Description=Shimano Inc. is a Japanese company that produces cycling components, fishing tackle, and rowing equipment. The company was founded and named after Shozaburo Shimano.|CompanyAlias=Shimano Industries, Inc.|Logo=Shimano Logo.webp}}

[[wikipedia:Shimano|'''Shimano Inc.''']] is a Japanese multinational manufacturing company that produces bicycling components, fishing tackle, and rowing equipment. The company was founded by and named after Shozaburo Shimano.

==Consumer-impact summary==

*User Freedom: Customers are restricted from connecting electrical equipment such as lights to their E-bike motors.
*User Privacy:
*Business Model:
*Market Control: Shimano is the second largest E-bike motor manufacturer. [[Bosch]] and Shimano combine to hold 75% of the European market share and nearly half of the global market share.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 November 2024 |title=World Market for Electric Bike Motors: Bosch, Shimano & Bafang Dominate |url=https://www.ebike24.com/blog/manufacturers-of-ebike-motors |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260116092943/https://www.ebike24.com/blog/manufacturers-of-ebike-motors |archive-date=16 January 2026 |access-date=7 April 2026 |website=EBike24}}</ref>

==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]].

===E-bike components===
Customers with Shimano motors including the EP6 and EP801 are restricted from connecting electrical equipment such as lights to their E-bikes. Special software and hardware primarily used by bike shops is required to activate ports or accept new devices. What used to be a click on an app is now a trip to a bike shop or paying hundreds for diagnostic equipment.<ref>{{Cite web |author=RunBikeMike |date=1 Jan 2024 |title=Installing an EBike Light To Run Off Your Battery / MagicShine ME2000 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvG7Fpb1tzI&t=50s |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=AvG7Fpb1tzI |archive-date=2026-04-03 |access-date=11 March 2026 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

'''<big>Faulty Cranksets</big>'''

Shimano cranksets such as the Ultegra FC-6800 and Dura-Ace FC-9000 have defects making them prone to breaking and injuring bicyclists. During March 2026, Shimano agreed to pay a $11.5 million civil penalty for failing to immediately report cranksets that posed a crash hazard.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 March 2026 |title=Shimano Agrees to Pay $11.5 Million Civil Penalty for Failure to Immediately Report Bicycle Cranksets that Posed a Crash Hazard |url=https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2026/Shimano-Agrees-to-Pay-11-5-Million-Civil-Penalty-for-Failure-to-Immediately-Report-Bicycle-Cranksets-that-Posed-a-Crash-Hazard |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260317155252/https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2026/Shimano-Agrees-to-Pay-11-5-Million-Civil-Penalty-for-Failure-to-Immediately-Report-Bicycle-Cranksets-that-Posed-a-Crash-Hazard |archive-date=17 March 2026 |access-date=7 April 2026 |website=Consumer Product Safety Commission}}</ref>

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

==See also==

*[[E-Bike Tuning Detection: Bosch and Yamaha’s Anti-Tampering Systems]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Shimano

2026-04-08T00:26:20Z

Neige: Consumer-impact summary details and added a bit about a crankset civil penalty.

{{StubNotice}}

{{CompanyCargo|Founded=1921|Industry=Bicycling, fishing, and rowing|Type=Public|Website=https://www.shimano.com/en/|Description=Shimano Inc. is a Japanese company that produces cycling components, fishing tackle, and rowing equipment. The company was founded and named after Shozaburo Shimano.|CompanyAlias=Shimano Industries, Inc.|Logo=Shimano Logo.webp}}

[[wikipedia:Shimano|'''Shimano Inc.''']] is a Japanese multinational manufacturing company that produces bicycling components, fishing tackle, and rowing equipment. The company was founded by and named after Shozaburo Shimano.

==Consumer-impact summary==

* User Freedom: Customers are restricted from connecting electrical equipment such as lights to their E-bike motors.
* User Privacy:
* Business Model:
* Market Control: Shimano is the second largest E-bike motor manufacturer. [[Bosch]] and Shimano combine to hold 75% of the European market share and nearly half of the global market share.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 November 2024 |title=World Market for Electric Bike Motors: Bosch, Shimano & Bafang Dominate |url=https://www.ebike24.com/blog/manufacturers-of-ebike-motors |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260116092943/https://www.ebike24.com/blog/manufacturers-of-ebike-motors |archive-date=16 January 2026 |access-date=7 April 2026 |website=EBike24}}</ref>

==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]].

===E-bike components===
Customers with Shimano motors including the EP6 and EP801 are restricted from connecting electrical equipment such as lights to their E-bikes. Special software and hardware primarily used by bike shops is required to activate ports or accept new devices. What used to be a click on an app is now a trip to a bike shop or paying hundreds for diagnostic equipment.<ref>{{Cite web |author=RunBikeMike |date=1 Jan 2024 |title=Installing an EBike Light To Run Off Your Battery / MagicShine ME2000 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvG7Fpb1tzI&t=50s |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=AvG7Fpb1tzI |archive-date=2026-04-03 |access-date=11 March 2026 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

'''<big>Faulty Cranksets</big>'''

Shimano cranksets such as the Ultegra FC-6800 and Dura-Ace FC-9000 have defects making them prone to breaking and injuring bicyclists. In March 2026, Shimano agreed to pay a $11.5 million civil penalty for failing to immediately report cranksets that posed a crash hazard.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 March 2026 |title=Shimano Agrees to Pay $11.5 Million Civil Penalty for Failure to Immediately Report Bicycle Cranksets that Posed a Crash Hazard |url=https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2026/Shimano-Agrees-to-Pay-11-5-Million-Civil-Penalty-for-Failure-to-Immediately-Report-Bicycle-Cranksets-that-Posed-a-Crash-Hazard |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260317155252/https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2026/Shimano-Agrees-to-Pay-11-5-Million-Civil-Penalty-for-Failure-to-Immediately-Report-Bicycle-Cranksets-that-Posed-a-Crash-Hazard |archive-date=17 March 2026 |access-date=7 April 2026 |website=Consumer Product Safety Commission}}</ref>

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

==See also==

*[[E-Bike Tuning Detection: Bosch and Yamaha’s Anti-Tampering Systems]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Jimmy John's

2026-04-07T23:38:50Z

Neige: Jersey Mike's link

{{CompanyCargo
| Founded = 13 January 1983
| Industry = Food
| ParentCompany = Inspire Brand
| Type = Subsidiary
| Website = http://jimmyjohns.com/
| Logo = Jimmy John's logo.png
}}

'''[[wikipedia:Jimmy_John's|Jimmy John's Franchise, LLC]]''' is a American multinational sandwich chain comprising a variety of sandwiches. It later became a subsidiary to [[wikipedia:Inspire_Brands|Inspire Brands]] after being bought for a undisclosed amount in 2019.

==Consumer-impact summary==

*User Freedom:
*User Privacy:
*Business Model: Sells a variety of sandwiches and franchises locations
*Market Control:

==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:Jimmy John's|Jimmy John's category]].

===Health Outbreak History===

====E.coli (''2008'')====
On 26 September, Boulder County Public Health discovered a possible E.coli O157 affection after receiving calls from Infection Control Practitioner that several students from University of Colorado reported having bloody diarrhea and cramping, eventually leading to an investigation in collaboration with Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, Tri-County Health Department, Broomfield Health & Human Services, and the Food and Drug Administration. Three Days later, it was discovered that 90% of E.Coli cases were linked to Jimmy John's, resulting in the restaurant chain undergoing a health inspection that revealed alfalfa sprouts and roast beef being out of temperature, employees not washing their hands, and 4 employees working while having bloody diarrhea. The store temporarily closed on 6 October, however it was later reopened after being sanitized on 10 October. Boulder County Public Health released a statement on 08 October, noting that around 21 individuals were affected with E.Coli, with 2 of them requiring medical attention.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alden |first=Nisha |date=7 April 2026 |title=Outbreak of E. coli Infections in Boulder County & other Denver-area Counties September-October 2008 |url=https://www.marlerblog.com/uploads/file/BCPH%20FINAL%20OUTBREAK%20SUMMARY.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326042054/https://www.marlerblog.com/uploads/file/BCPH%20FINAL%20OUTBREAK%20SUMMARY.pdf |archive-date=26 March 2016 |access-date=7 April 2026 |website=Marlerblog}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Marler |date=7 April 2026 |title=JIMMY JOHN’S COLORADO E. COLI SPROUT OUTBREAK |url=https://marlerclark.com/news_events/jimmy-johns-colorado-e-coli-sprout-outbreak |url-status=live |access-date=7 April 2026 |website=Marlerclark}}</ref>

====Salmonella (''2009'')====
On February, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services announced 256 individuals gotten sick with Salmonella after consumption of Jimmy John's alfalfa sprout. On 26 April, the Food & Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a statement warning consumers to avoid alfalfa sprout.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stearns |first=Denis |date=2 February 2015 |title=Salmonella and E. coli Outbreaks: Why Does Jimmy Johns Still Serve Sprouts? |url=https://www.foodpoisonjournal.com/foodborne-illness-outbreaks/salmonella-and-e-coli-outbreaks-why-does-jimmy-johns-serve-sprouts/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 April 2026 |website=Food Poison Journal}}</ref>

====Salmonella (''2010'')====
Around December, Food and Drug Administration along with other health agencies announced that Jimmy John's gourmet sandwiches supplier Tiny Greens was the source of a salmonella outbreak sickening 89 individuals in Illinois. In response, Jimmy John's cease production and sale of alfalfa sprout across all locations in Illinois. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Rothschild |first=Mary |date=27 December 2010 |title=Sprouts Outbreak Linked to Illinois Organic Farm |url=https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2010/12/sprouts-outbreak-linked-to-illinois-organic-farm/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 April 2026 |website=Food Safety News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rothschild |first=Mary |date=23 December 2010 |title=CDC Confirms Multistate Salmonella Outbreak |url=https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2010/12/cdc-confirms-multistate-salmonella-outbreak/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 April 2026 |website=Food Safety News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Marler |first=Bill |date=28 December 2010 |title=Perhaps after three Sprout Outbreaks, Jimmy John’s should reconsider what it puts on your sandwiches? |url=https://www.marlerblog.com/legal-cases/perhaps-after-three-sprout-outbreaks-jimmy-johns-should-reconsider-what-it-puts-on-your-sandwiches/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 April 2026 |website=Marlerclark}}</ref>

====E.coli (''2012'')====
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a series of statements starting 02 February through 03 April that detailed 29 individuals being affected with E.Coli across 11 states through 25 December 2011 to 15 January 2012 all being linked to Jimmy John's.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 February 2012 |title=2012 E. coli Outbreak Linked to Raw Clover Sprouts at Jimmy John’s Restaurants |url=https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/ecoli/2012/o26-02-12/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=7 April 2026 |website=Center For Disease Control And Prevention}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rothschild |first=Mary |date=14 February 2012 |title=Outbreak Linked to Raw Sprouts Sickens 12 |url=https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2012/02/twelve-people-in-fives-states/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 April 2026 |website=Food Safety News}}</ref>

====Salmonella (''2018'')====
On 19 January, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a statement announcing an salmonella outbreak affecting 8 individuals across 3 states. In the announcement, it highlighted Jimmy John's clover sprouts as the source of the outbreak, along with urging customers to avoid consumption of Jimmy John's clovers located in Illinois and Wisconsin.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 January 2018 |title=Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo Infections Linked to Raw Sprouts |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180120204915/https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/montevideo-01-18/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=7 April 2026 |website=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention}}</ref> Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would release another statement on 28 February, announcing 2 more individuals linked to the outbreak with no reported deaths or hospitalization. Additionally, it mentions the outbreak started around 20 December 2017 to 28 January 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 January 2018 |title=2018 Salmonella Montevideo Infections Linked to Raw Sprouts (Final Update) |url=https://archive.cdc.gov/#/details?url=https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/montevideo-01-18/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625172138/https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/montevideo-01-18/index.html |archive-date=25 June 2018 |access-date=7 April 2026 |website=Centers for Disease Control And Prevention}}</ref>

====E.coli (''2020'')====
On February, 14 individuals were affected with E.Coli

https://web.archive.org/web/20200320220122/https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o103-clover-sprouts-february-2020

https://ourweeks.com/jimmy-johns-sprouts-ecoli-salmonella-illnesses/

https://www.contagionlive.com/view/fda-sends-warning-letter-to-jimmy-johns

===Credit card breach (''2014'')===
On 30 July, Jimmy John's discovered a data breach affecting one of its third parties Signature Systems Inc. point of sales systems across several locations that leaked customers credit and debit card numbers, verification code, name, and card expiration dates.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Brian |first=Krebbs |date=31 July 2014 |title=Sandwich Chain Jimmy John’s Investigating Breach Claims |url=https://krebsonsecurity.com/2014/07/sandwich-chain-jimmy-johns-investigating-breach-claims/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801020853/https://krebsonsecurity.com/2014/07/sandwich-chain-jimmy-johns-investigating-breach-claims/ |archive-date=1 August 2014 |access-date=4 April 2026 |website=KrebsOnSecurity}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Laasby |first=Gitte |date=24 September 2014 |title=Jimmy John's confirms nationwide data breach, including five Wisconsin locations |url=https://archive.jsonline.com/blogs/news/276968161.html |url-status=live |access-date=4 April 2026 |website=milwaukee journal sentinel}}</ref> On the next day, the company responded with a statement saying ''"Jimmy John’s is currently working with the proper authorities and investigating the situation. We will provide an update as soon as we have additional information".''<ref name=":0" />

On September, Jimmy John's released another statement that described the breach lasted from 16 June to 05 September across 216 locations, however the company didn't say how many customers were affected nor disclose the third party name.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koplowitz |first=Howard |date=24 September 2014 |title=Jimmy John's Data Breach: Full List Of Shops Where Credit Card Information Was Hacked |url=https://www.ibtimes.com/jimmy-johns-data-breach-full-list-shops-where-credit-card-information-was-hacked-1694507 |url-status=live |access-date=4 April 2026 |website=International Business Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Kate |date=24 September 2014 |title=Another Hack: Jimmy John's Is the Latest Chain to Suffer a Data Breach |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna56110999 |url-status=live |access-date=4 April 2026 |website=NBC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Gerry |date=24 September 2014 |title=Jimmy John's Confirms Credit Card Breach At 216 Stores |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jimmy-johns-breach_n_5877134 |url-status=live |access-date=4 April 2026 |website=Huffpost}}</ref><blockquote>"Jimmy John's has taken steps to prevent this type of event from occurring in the future, including installing encrypted swipe machines, implementing system enhancements, and reviewing its policies and procedures for its third party vendors"<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 September 2014 |title=Jimmy John's says customers' credit card data likely stolen |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jimmy-johns-says-customers-credit-card-data-likely-stolen/ |url-status=live |access-date=4 April 2026 |website=CBS News}}</ref></blockquote>Additionally, the company gave affected customers 1 year free identity protection services and highlighted steps to prevent future breaches, including ''"installing encrypted swipe machines, implementing system enhancements, and reviewing its policies."''<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 September 2014 |title=JIMMY JOHN’S NOTIFIES CUSTOMERS OF PAYMENT CARD SECURITY INCIDENT |url=https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/AG_CA_Notification_Letter_Jimmy_Johns_0_1.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=6 April 2026 |website=oag.gov}}</ref>

===Collecting customers drive thru data without consent (''2023'')===
On 4 August, a lawsuit was filed against Jimmy John's for violation of the [[wikipedia:Biometric_Information_Privacy_Act|Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act]] by unlawfully collecting customers voiceprints without permission. Additionally, it also claims the company failed to provide "retention schedule or guidelines" that permanently destroy any collected biometric data.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mehorter |first=Kelly |date=7 August 2023 |title=Jimmy John’s Collects Drive-Through Customers’ Voiceprints Without Consent, Class Action Says |url=https://www.classaction.org/news/jimmy-johns-collects-drive-through-customers-voiceprints-without-consent-class-action-says |url-status=live |access-date=4 April 2026 |website=ClassAction}}</ref> On 02 October 2023, the case was dismissed with prejudice over failure to state a claim.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 April 2026 |title=Gebhardt et al v. Jimmy Johns LLC |url=https://dockets.justia.com/docket/illinois/ilcdce/2:2023cv02168/90378 |url-status=live |access-date=4 April 2026 |website=Justia}}</ref>

==Product==

===Jimmy John’s Cookies (''2020'')===
[[File:Jimmy John's Triple Chocolate Chunk Cookie.jpg|thumb|Triple Chocolate Chunk Cookie]]
On 4 January<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 April 2026 |title=IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI |url=https://truthinadvertising.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Martin-v-Jimmy-Johns-complaint.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=6 April 2026 |website=TruthinAdvertising}}</ref>, Sharon Martin filed a class action lawsuit against Jimmy John's for falsely representing to customers that their Triple Chocolate Chunk Cookies and Raisin Oatmeal Cookies contained "minimally processed” and “no artificial ingredients" while containing said ingredients inside their products.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Shaak |first=Erin |date=29 May 2020 |title=Jimmy John’s ‘All Natural’ Cookies Contain Highly Processed Ingredients, Lawsuit Claims [UPDATE] |url=https://www.classaction.org/news/jimmy-johns-all-natural-cookies-contain-highly-processed-ingredients-lawsuit-claims |url-status=live |access-date=4 April 2026 |website=ClassAction}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Webster |first=Katherine |date=2 June 2020 |title=Jimmy John’s Class Action Says Cookies Aren’t All Natural |url=https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/consumer-products/food/jimmy-johns-class-action-says-cookies-arent-all-natural/ |url-status=live |access-date=6 April 2026 |website=Top Class Action}}</ref> The case reached an agreement around 2021, however specific details surrounding the agreement are unknown.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 April 2026 |title=Martin v. Jimmy John's, LLC |url=https://case-law.vlex.com/vid/martin-v-jimmy-john-893147018 |url-status=live |access-date=6 April 2026 |website=Vlex}}</ref>
[[File:Jimmy John's Raisin Oatmeal Cookie.jpg|thumb|Raisin Oatmeal Cookie]]
On 25 November, Heather Erwin and Ashley Price filed a lawsuit against Jimmy John's for misleading customers about its contents on their Triple Chocolate Chunk Cookies and Raisin Oatmeal Cookies, alleging since it contained non-natural ingredients like refined flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid, sugar, milk powder, soy lecithin, and baking soda, all of which claims a consumer would consider as "on-natural, artificial, and/or highly processed" ingredients. Additionally, it also claims the company put deceptive labels on its products for "''the intent to induce consumers to purchase the cookies because of Defendants' false representations.''" <ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Honaker |first=Brigette |date=30 November 2020 |title=Jimmy John’s Cookies Aren’t All Natural, Class Action Lawsuit Says |url=https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/consumer-products/all-natural-products/jimmy-johns-cookies-arent-all-natural-class-action-lawsuit-says/ |url-status=live |access-date=6 April 2026 |website=Top Class Action}}</ref> On 8 October 2021, the plaintiffs dismissed the case with prejudice for undisclosed reasons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McGlynn |first=Stephen |date=18 February 2026 |title=Erwin v. Jimmy John's LLC (3:20-cv-01268) |url=https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/18693016/erwin-v-jimmy-johns-llc/ |url-status=live |access-date=6 April 2026 |website=CourtListener}}</ref>

==See also==

*[[Subway]]
*[[Popeyes]]
*[[Jersey Mike's]]

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Jimmy John's]]

Take Two

2026-04-07T03:40:59Z

Neige: KSP2 link

{{StubNotice}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Description=
|Founded=1993
|Industry=Video games
|Logo=Take-Two_Interactive_logo.png
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Holding Company
|Website=https://www.take2games.com/
}}
'''[[wikipedia:Take-Two_Interactive|Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.]]''' is a New York City based video game holding company founded by Ryan Brant on September 30, 1993. The company owns three major publishing labels, [[Rockstar Games]], Zynga and 2K, which operate internal game development studios.

==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:Take-Two Interactive|Take-Two Interactive category]].

===2K - Faulty game launcher (''September 2022'')===
In September 2022, 2K released "quality of life" updates for the remastered versions of ''BioShock'', ''BioShock 2'', and ''BioShock Infinite'' on Steam, which [[Forced account|required account]] linking and forced launching the games through the 2K launcher. This change rendered the games unplayable for Linux users.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wolens |first=Joshua |date=7 Sep 2022 |title=2K's 'quality of life' change for BioShock is that Linux users can't play it anymore |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/2ks-quality-of-life-change-for-bioshock-is-that-linux-users-cant-play-it-anymore/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907012552/https://www.pcgamer.com/2ks-quality-of-life-change-for-bioshock-is-that-linux-users-cant-play-it-anymore/ |archive-date=7 Sep 2022 |access-date=1 Dec 2025 |website=PC Gamer}}</ref>

===2K - Personal data breaches (''September 2022'')===
In September 2022, 2K experienced a data breach.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wheeler |first=CJ |date=21 Sep 2022 |title=Rockstar owner Take-Two's hacking woes continue as 2K confirm attack on their support service |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/rockstar-owner-take-twos-hacking-woes-continue-as-2k-confirm-attack-on-their-support-service |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921151800/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/rockstar-owner-take-twos-hacking-woes-continue-as-2k-confirm-attack-on-their-support-service |archive-date=21 Sep 2022 |access-date=1 Dec 2025 |website=Rock Paper Shotgun}}</ref> The stolen data was put up for sale including names, email addresses, and gamertags.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Graham |date=11 Oct 2022 |title=2K confirms user data stolen and placed on sale after recent security breach |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2k-confirms-user-data-stolen-and-placed-on-sale-after-recent-security-breach |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011204008/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2k-confirms-user-data-stolen-and-placed-on-sale-after-recent-security-breach |archive-date=11 Oct 2022 |access-date=1 Dec 2025 |website=Rock Paper Shotgun}}</ref>

===Shuttered studios===
{{Incomplete section}}
-Private Division shutdown - Main project [[Kerbal Space Program 2]] made abandonware in early access, players not refunded
[[wikipedia:2K_(company)|Wikipedia page ref]](note: use as springboard, find dedicated sources for history of buyouts and shuttering)

===''Spec Ops: The Line'' delisting (''January 2024'')===
On January 29, 2024, 2K removed ''Spec Ops: The Line'' from [[Steam]] without prior notice, due to expiring partnership licenses.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=30 Jan 2024 |title=2K confirms Spec Ops: The Line has been removed from sale because of expiring 'partnership licenses' |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/spec-ops-the-lines-sudden-removal-from-steam-baffles-its-director-why-has-this-happened/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130191822/https://www.pcgamer.com/spec-ops-the-lines-sudden-removal-from-steam-baffles-its-director-why-has-this-happened/ |archive-date=30 Jan 2024 |access-date=1 Dec 2025 |website=PC Gamer}}</ref> Players who already owned the game can still download and play it.

===Microtransactions (MTX) and lootboxes===
{{Incomplete section}}
Ref should cover all 3 major companies owned by T2, ref covers 2k. Zynga's pioneering of predatory mtx needs to be covered (see cityville and Farmville games.) Rockstar, shark cards in GTAO? No clue how we could shoehorn this one.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Nick |date=8 Mar 2022 |title=NBA 2K Faces Lawsuit Over Controversial Microtransactions, Loot Boxes |url=https://screenrant.com/nba-2k-take-two-microtransactions-lawsuit-sports/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308194622/https://screenrant.com/nba-2k-take-two-microtransactions-lawsuit-sports/ |archive-date=8 Mar 2022 |access-date=1 Dec 2025 |website=Screen Rant}}</ref>

===Borderlands Series - Terms of Service changes and alleged [[spyware]] (April 2025)===
{{Incomplete section}}
https://medium.com/@DarkRa/why-gamers-are-furious-over-take-two-and-2ks-new-terms-of-service-051e7a6a5594
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMKMhqKzHxs&pp=ygUMdGFrZSB0d28gdG9z

Risk of Rain video game series - EULA update, which is the same as the Borderlands Series. (Risk of Rain was published by Gearbox, which all their games were affected by this EULA update.)

Grand Theft Auto also has the same EULA update from Take Two Interactive as the Borderlands Series and Risk of Rain.

==Take-Two Interactive — Abuses Related to Data Collection and Game Ownership==

===Data Collection Practices===

*'''Always-on tracking''': Take-Two collects gameplay data continuously, even in single-player modes. This includes hardware identifiers, crash logs, user behavior, and telemetry.
*'''Cross-service aggregation''': Data is collected across all Take-Two titles (e.g. ''GTA'', ''Red Dead'', ''NBA 2K''), websites, customer support interactions, and third-party services. This enables behavioral profiling without user transparency.
*'''[[Web cookie|Cookies]] and marketing surveillance''': Persistent cookies and tracking pixels are used for analytics and targeted advertising. User data may be shared with external partners, with no meaningful opt-out mechanism.
*'''Mandatory acceptance''': Users must accept all data collection terms to access the games or services. Refusal may lead to denied access or reduced functionality.

===No Ownership Over Games or Content===

*'''License, not purchase''': All Take-Two products, including physical and digital copies, are legally considered ''revocable licenses'', not owned goods. The company retains all property rights.
*'''Game access can be revoked''': Take-Two’s Terms of Service allow them to ''terminate the license'' at any time, for any reason. Once terminated, users ''lose access'' to the game—even if they paid full price.
*'''No refunds or compensation''': Upon license termination or account ban, Take-Two has no obligation to offer a refund or reinstate access. Games, accounts, and virtual items can disappear permanently.
*'''Virtual goods not guaranteed''': In-game currency, cosmetics, or stats (e.g. ''GTA Shark Cards'', ''NBA VC'') can be removed, altered, or rendered inaccessible at any time. Ownership claims are explicitly denied.

===Sample Terms Extract===
<blockquote>"You agree that your rights to access and use the Services are limited by this Agreement and that your license is revocable, non-exclusive, and non-transferable. Take-Two may suspend, terminate, or modify your access at its sole discretion…" {{Citation needed}}</blockquote>

===Summary===
Take-Two uses its Terms of Service to maintain '''total control''' over user data, gameplay behavior, and access rights. Despite charging full retail prices, the company:

*Treats all products as ''temporary, licensed experiences''.
*Reserves the right to '''revoke access without refund'''.
*Enforces '''extensive data collection''' with no opt-out.
*Allows '''removal of games from users’ libraries''', even post-purchase.

These practices undermine consumer rights by '''removing ownership''', eroding '''user privacy''', and ensuring '''legal asymmetry''' in disputes.

Last Update: June 2025

==Categories of Information Collected==
The following describes the types of information collected by Take-Two, according to their privacy policy:<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-01 |title=Take-Two Interactive Software Privacy Policy |url=https://www.take2games.com/privacy/en-US/#1-categories-of-information-collected |access-date=2026-02-15 |website=Take2Games |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260217145416/https://www.take2games.com/privacy/en-US/ |archive-date=17 Feb 2026}}</ref><blockquote>The type of information we collect depends on how you use the Services. Generally, we collect the following information:

*'''Identifiers / Contact Information''': Name, user name, gamertag, postal and email address, phone number, unique IDs, mobile device ID, platform ID, gaming service ID, advertising ID (IDFA, Android ID) and IP address
*'''Protected Characteristics''': Age and gender
*'''Commercial Information''': Purchase and usage history and preferences, including gameplay information
*'''Billing Information''': Payment information (credit / debit card information) and shipping address
*'''Internet / Electronic Activity''': Web / app browsing and gameplay information related to the Services; information about your online interaction(s) with the Services or our advertising; and details about the games and platforms you use and other information related to installed applications
*'''Device and Usage Data''': Device type, software and hardware details, language settings, browser type and version, operating system, and information about how users use and interact with the Services (e.g., content viewed, pages visited, clicks, scrolls)
*'''Profile Inferences''': Inferences made from your information and web activity to help create a personalized profile so we can identify goods and services that may be of interest
*'''Audio / Visual Information''': Account photos, images, and avatars, audio information via chat features and functionality, and gameplay recordings and video footage (such as when you participate in playtesting)
*'''Sensitive Information''': Precise location information (if you allow the Services to collect your location), account credentials (user name and password), and contents of communications via chat features and functionality.
</blockquote>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Take-Two Interactive]]

E-Bike Tuning Detection: Bosch and Yamaha’s Anti-Tampering Systems

2026-04-05T19:58:23Z

Neige: Added company links and reduced large empty spaces.

{{SloppyAI}}
{{Incomplete}}
{{ProductLineCargo
|Company=Bosch, Yamaha, Shimano
|ReleaseYear=2020
|InProduction=Yes
|ArticleType=Product
|Category=Vehicle
}}

This page still needs work and refinement.

There has been several reports over the years of (especially [[Bosch]], [[Yamaha]] and [[Shimano]]) of anti-tempering measures that detect illegal modification on E-Bikes that lead to penalty modes or even brick the whole product / hold it at ransom for re-activation.

There also have been reports of false-triggers that didn't involve any illegal modifications.

Is the $3,000 E-Bike you purchased truly yours to use and or modify as you please? Why should the manufacturer have the right to break your property based off of how you choose to use and or modify it? - This is a defect, not a feature.

=CONEBIs self-commitment against Tampering=

===CONEBI Self-Commitment for the Prevention of E-Bike Tampering===
The '''Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry (CONEBI)''' issued a self-commitment in September 2021 aimed at preventing the tampering of e-bikes and their drive systems. The document outlines the industry’s collective stance against the modification of E-Bikes, particularly modifications that increase the maximum supported speed. They stated '''technical risks, legal liabilities, warranty loss, and safety concerns to deter owners from using and or modifying their E-Bikes as they please.'''

Key measures include:

*Compliance with '''EN 15194:2017 anti-tampering standards'''.
*Ongoing evaluation and improvement of drive systems to resist manipulation.
*Awareness campaigns, training, and documentation for dealers and consumers.
*Cooperation with '''market surveillance authorities, police, governments, and testing institutes'''.
*Penalties for signatories that violate the commitment, including removal from the initiative.

The annex further details '''monitoring procedures''', potential consequences for violators, and provides a full list of '''national associations and companies, which''' include major manufacturers like Bosch, Shimano, Yamaha (via associations), Specialized, Trek, and Decathlon—that signed the commitment.

https://www.conebi.eu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Conebi_self-commitment_for_the_prevention_of_tampering_of_e-bikes_september_21.pdf

==Consumer-impact summary==

While the CONEBI self-commitment emphasizes safety, compliance, and legal conformity, critics argue that it can significantly limit '''consumer rights and ownership freedoms'''. By embedding increasingly strict tamper-detection systems in e-bike motors—such as those from '''Bosch and Yamaha'''—riders may face consequences even in cases of '''false positives''', where normal wear, aftermarket parts, or software irregularities trigger a “tampering” flag.

Key consumer concerns include:

*'''Loss of warranty and guarantee rights''': Riders risk losing manufacturer support for products they legally purchased, even if no intentional tampering occurred.
*'''Restricted repair and modification freedom''': Independent servicing and use of non-OEM parts may inadvertently activate anti-tamper systems, limiting consumer choice.
*'''Financial and legal risks''': A flagged system can reduce the resale value of the bike, create liability disputes in accidents, or even expose the rider to criminal penalties.
*'''“Hostage” reactivation fees''': Some systems reportedly disable motor support once tampering is suspected and require an '''authorized dealer reset''', often at a cost to the consumer. This practice has been criticized as effectively holding the bike hostage until the rider pays to have it reactivated.
*'''One-sided enforcement''': The industry’s “self-justice” model gives manufacturers and associations the power to act as both regulator and enforcer, with limited avenues for consumer appeal.

This has raised debates over whether the balance between '''safety regulation''' and '''consumer rights''' is being maintained, or whether riders are effectively being held “hostage” by proprietary anti-tamper technologies and forced to pay additional costs to continue using their own property.

===On Bosch Systems :===
You get 3 Flags whenever a Anomaly has been detected that might indicate a Illegal Tuning Modification, after each Flag the EBike goes into Limp Mode which disables the motor past a few km/h for up to 90 minutes.

After the thrid Strike, the Motor permanently stays in Limp mode until you go to a Dealer and reset it for a fee.

Method of skipping the 90 minute limp mode after a false-trigger using a drill turning the crank.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbOgFicC70k

it can be disabled using the bosch diagnostics sofware which is only available to authorized dealers.

===On Yamaha Systems (Haibike, Winora, Giant):===
Once a anomaly has been detected, the Display starts blinking "Odo/Trip/Range" or shows "Check Spd Sens" on C type Displays.

It wont reset itself, the Dealer cannot reset it (or wont), the only solution was provided by a third party repair shop "eBike-Doktor" for a fee.

Without the third party, the only option would be to buy a new Motor for upwards of 600 EUR.

it is not publicly known how it gets fixed, but from experience the eeprom probably gets desoldered and a bit flipped to make it work again. this doesnt disable the detection.

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/nz/e-bike-tampering

===On Shimano systems===
"Shimano has also announced that its new STEPS system is equipped with a sensor that can detect tampering. The sensor will then trigger an error warning code on the display, after which, the system will automatically go into Safe Mode. In order to resolve the error, the bike will have to be brought to an authorized Shimano service center for inspection and repair. "

https://insideevs.com/news/659762/shimano-warning-tampering-systems/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

==Incidents==

There has been several incidents with and without Illegal Modifications where the Systems have false triggered and force the user to enter Limp Mode or pay a Ransom at the Dealer or third-party repair shop, with the alternative of buying a new motor.

There are several discussions about incidents, but with a lot of Noise and unrelated posts and content inbetween.

to name a few

===Disabled by actual tampering attempts:===
https://web.archive.org/web/20250915102133/https://www.pedelecforum.de/forum/index.php?threads/selbstzerstoerungsmodus-bei-yamaha-pw-te-wieder-zurueck-setzen-bzw-aufheben-anzeige-odo-trip-range-blinkt-und-der-motor-unterstuetzt-nur-bis-4-km-h.111616/

===Disabled by Hard or Software failure, without tampering / modifications.===
https://www.emtbforums.com/threads/bosch-error-code-504-without-tuning-speedbox.15900/

[https://www.emtb-news.de/forum/threads/fehler-504-bei-bosch-auch-ohne-tuning.6307/page-14 https://www.emtb-news.de/forum/threads/fehler-504-bei-bosch-auch-ohne-tuning.6307]

===Several reports of incidents by individuals, with or without modification.===
https://www.reddit.com/r/ebikes/comments/pka4tv/did_anyone_ever_had_their_bosch_ebike_locked/
==Products==

Yamaha Ebike motors PW-TE from 2021 or and later.

Bosch CX / Performance Line from 2020 and later.

...

=Legality=

===Legal Status and Implications of E-Bike Tampering in the EU===
In the European Union, the legal classification of electric bicycles (e-bikes) hinges on specific technical criteria outlined in Regulation (EU) No 168/2013 and the European Standard EN 15194:2017. To be considered a standard bicycle, an e-bike must meet the following conditions:

*'''Maximum continuous rated motor power''' of '''250 watts'''.
*'''Motor assistance cuts off at 25 km/h''' (15.5 mph).
*'''Pedal assistance only'''; the motor engages solely when the rider is pedaling.

E-bikes meeting these criteria are classified as Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EPACs) and are exempt from type approval requirements, allowing them to be used on public roads without the need for registration, insurance, or licensing https://de.fafreesebike.com/blogs/knowledge/european-ebike-laws-guide.

However, tampering with an e-bike to exceed these limits—such as using tuning kits to increase speed or power—transforms the vehicle's legal status. Such modifications can reclassify the e-bike as a motor vehicle, subjecting it to stricter regulations, including the need for type approval, registration, insurance, and licensing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle_laws

The Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry (CONEBI) and national industry bodies, such as the German Zweirad-Industrie-Verband (ZIV), strongly oppose e-bike tampering. They highlight the associated risks, including safety hazards, legal consequences, and potential damage to the e-bike's drive system https://www.ziv-zweirad.de/en/e-bike-tuning/

Regarding the use of e-bikes on private property, while national laws may vary, tampering with e-bikes can still lead to legal issues. In some jurisdictions, using tampered e-bikes on private land may violate consumer protection laws or warranty agreements. Additionally, manufacturers may disable motor assistance if tampering is detected, rendering the e-bike inoperable until reactivated by an authorized dealer, often at the owner's expense.

False positives in tamper detection systems can further complicate matters. Instances have been reported where e-bikes were flagged for tampering without any intentional modifications, leading to unnecessary service interventions and potential warranty disputes [https://www.reddit.com/r/ebikes/comments/1cmtep1/stop_manufacturers_from_disabling_privatelyowned/?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://www.reddit.com/r/ebikes/comments/1cmtep1/stop_manufacturers_from_disabling_privatelyowned/]
===Legal Implications for Manufacturers===
E-bike anti-tamper systems that '''disable or “brick” consumer-owned bikes'''—effectively holding them at ransom until the rider pays a reactivation fee—have raised concerns about '''manufacturer overreach and potential legal liability'''.

Key legal issues include:

*'''Property rights and ownership:''' Once a consumer purchases an e-bike, it is their property. Manufacturer-initiated disabling of the bike without consent can be seen as '''interfering with private property''' and may expose the manufacturer to civil claims.
*'''Due process concerns:''' In many jurisdictions, consumers are entitled to '''notice, evidence, and opportunity to contest allegations''' before punitive measures are taken. Automated anti-tamper lockdowns bypass these legal safeguards, creating a risk of '''unlawful deprivation''' of property.
*'''Consumer protection laws:''' Several EU and national laws protect buyers from '''unfair commercial practices''', including arbitrary restriction of access to purchased goods. Bricking or demanding payment for reactivation may be interpreted as '''coercive or unfair business conduct'''.
*'''Warranty and contract disputes:''' Even when a manufacturer claims warranty terms permit such actions, enforcement may be challenged if the system '''flags false positives''', as the consumer may have '''fully complied with legal e-bike standards'''.
*'''Potential class-action exposure:''' Widespread deployment of “ransom-style” anti-tamper systems could expose manufacturers to collective legal action if multiple consumers are affected.

In practice, manufacturers that use anti-tamper measures to disable bikes without trial, adjudication, or consumer consent '''walk a fine line between safety enforcement and illegal expropriation'''. Legal scholars and consumer advocates argue that proper safeguards—such as independent verification, appeals processes, or court involvement—are necessary to prevent abuse.

==Petition against==
There has been a petition on change.org to push against holding what we bought and paid for hostage or pay a ransom to make it work again

unfourtainly, its been up for quite a while and havent got any traction as only the people that get hit by these systems, look into solutions.

https://www.change.org/p/stop-manufacturers-from-disabling-privately-owned-electric-bicycles-without-consent?recruiter=851092947&recruited_by_id=8ef0a980-fdc9-11e7-ad5d-7f5d08e08c48&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=share_for_starters_page&utm_medium=copylink
==See also==
{{Ph-C-SA}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Shimano

2026-04-03T16:11:25Z

Neige: Unlike Bosch, it appears that Shimano lets customers buy the expensive diagnostic tools.

Kerbal Space Program 2

2026-03-22T15:44:19Z

Neige: Take-two page link

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Take Two, Private Division
|StartDate=2019
|EndDate=2025
|Status=Active
|Product=KSP2
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Product Termination, Abandonware
|Description=KSP2 turned into abandonware, still being sold and charging full price for the game that was never finished.
}}''[[wikipedia:Kerbal_Space_Program_2|'''Kerbal Space Program 2''']]'' is a game designed by Intercept Games and published by Private Division as a sequel to ''Kerbal Space Program''. It was released on Steam in early access on February 24, 2023. Currently, the game is still in early access and costs $49.99.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Kerbal Space Program 2 |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/954850/Kerbal_Space_Program_2/ |url-status=live |access-date=27 Aug 2025 |website=Steam |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260118091424/https://store.steampowered.com/app/954850/Kerbal_Space_Program_2/ |archive-date=18 Jan 2026}}</ref> Steam lists no updates to the game since June 11, 2024.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Kerbal Space Program 2 |url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/954850?updates=true |url-status=live |access-date=27 Aug 2025 |website=Steam News Hub |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250825183807/https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/954850?updates=true |archive-date=25 Aug 2025}}</ref>

==Background==
''Kerbal Space Program 2'' entered development in 2017 and was initially planned for release in 2020. Development issues pushed back the release of the early access version to February 24, 2023.

==Incident==
On April 29, 2024, [[Take Two|Take-Two]] Interactive Software, the owner of Private Division and Intercept Games, posted a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification to the Washington State Employment Security Department indicating that they planned to close their subsidiary Intercept Games, the developer of ''Kerbal Space Program 2'', on June 28, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) |url=https://esd.wa.gov/about-employees/WARN |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241103073147/https://esd.wa.gov/about-employees/warn |archive-date=3 Nov 2024|access-date=27 Aug 2025 |website=ESDWAGOV}}</ref> Senior team manager Quinn Duffy confirmed on LinkedIn that the team would be laid off on that day, <ref>{{Cite web |last=Duffy |first=Quinn |title=Post |url=https://www.linkedin.com/posts/quinn-duffy_well-here-we-go-again-the-team-at-intercept-activity-7201280703215394816-uyzd/ |url-status=live |access-date=27 Aug 2025 |website=LinkedIn |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240731205415/https://www.linkedin.com/posts/quinn-duffy_well-here-we-go-again-the-team-at-intercept-activity-7201280703215394816-uyzd/ |archive-date=31 Jul 2024}}</ref> although Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick claimed otherwise.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Valentine |first=Rebekah |date=16 May 2024 |title=Take-Two CEO on Intercept, Roll7: 'We Didn't Shutter Those Studios' |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/take-two-ceo-on-intercept-roll7-we-didnt-shutter-those-studios |url-status=live |access-date=27 Aug 2025 |website=IGN |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251213052418/https://www.ign.com/articles/take-two-ceo-on-intercept-roll7-we-didnt-shutter-those-studios |archive-date=13 Dec 2025}}</ref> Take-Two later confirmed the sale of Private Division, ''Kerbal''<nowiki/>'s publisher, to an unknown buyer, preferring to focus on AAA titles.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Batchelor |first=James |date=6 Nov 2024 |title=Zelnick on Private Division sale: "Those projects were smaller, we're in the business of big hits" |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/zelnick-on-private-division-sale-those-projects-were-smaller-were-in-the-business-of-big-hits |url-status=live |access-date=27 Aug 2025 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251219035055/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/zelnick-on-private-division-sale-those-projects-were-smaller-were-in-the-business-of-big-hits |archive-date=19 Dec 2025}}</ref>

''Kerbal Space Program 2'' has not seen any updates since June 11, 2024 and remains in early access.<ref name=":1" />

==Consumer response==
''Kerbal Space Program'' fans and buyers left over 4,000 negative reviews on the sequel's Steam page within the three months following the announcement of Intercept Games' closure. At the same time, positive reviews diminished sharply, bringing the Steam page's all-time average to "Mostly Negative."<ref name=":0" />

One recent Steam review with over 500 "helpful" ratings reads:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Minderbinder |first=Milo |date=26 Jul 2025 |title=Review for Kerbal Space Program 2 |url=https://steamcommunity.com/id/thatissoawsome/recommended/954850/ |url-status=live |access-date=27 Aug 2025 |website=Steam Community}}</ref><blockquote>Abandonware. This should at least be removed from the steam store and ideally all people who purchased the game should be refunded.

Do not buy. Get KSP1. Do not fund these practices.</blockquote>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}

Subaru Starlink

2026-03-22T15:20:40Z

Neige: Subaru link

''For the satellite {{wplink|internet service provider}}, see [[Starlink]].''
{{ProductLineCargo
|ArticleType=Service
|Category=Software
|Company=Subaru
|Description=
|InProduction=Yes
|Logo=Subaru-starlink.png
|ReleaseYear=2013
|Website=https://subaru.com/
}}
Starlink is a connectivity service equipped on most modern [[Subaru]] vehicles, enabling extensive data collection from the vehicle and its occupants. The service has faced significant criticism and legal challenges over privacy concerns related to its data-collection and -sharing practices.<ref name="MozillaReview" />

==Incidents==

===Obstructive advertising===
Since at least 23-05-25<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Just die already SiriusXM |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/subaru/comments/13rl630/just_die_already_siriusxm/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222225614/https://old.reddit.com/r/subaru/comments/13rl630/just_die_already_siriusxm/ |archive-date=22 Feb 2026|access-date=2025-11-27 |website=Reddit}}</ref>, Subaru Starlink will sometimes display whole-screen advertisements for [[SiriusXM]] in vehicles with SiriusXM functionality<ref name=":0" />. Advertisements will display regardless of whether the customer purchased a SiriusXM subscription, and cannot be bypassed without explicitly pressing the close button. Normal system usage, such as GPS, media settings, or driving settings cannot be done until the advertisements are closed.

Users are only able to opt-out of this advertising if they have a SiriusXM subscription, which itself will require consent to additional telemetry from SiriusXM<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-27 |title=SiriusXM Help & Support Center |url=https://listenercare.siriusxm.com/prweb/autoredirect/app/ExternalKM/help/SupportCenter/article/KC-383215/How-do-I-manage-pop-up-messages-inside-my-vehicle%3F |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260126212422/https://listenercare.siriusxm.com/prweb/autoredirect/app/ExternalKM/help/SupportCenter/article/KC-383215/How-do-I-manage-pop-up-messages-inside-my-vehicle%3F |archive-date=26 Jan 2026}}</ref>. Alternative recourse would involve manually uninstalling the telematics module or pulling the fuse powering the telematics module to disable connectivity. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-27 |title=No sound in front speakers / Mic is missing (Something with Starlink plugs?) - Resolved {{!}} Subaru Crosstrek and XV Forums |url=https://www.subaruxvforum.com/threads/no-sound-in-front-speakers-mic-is-missing-something-with-starlink-plugs-resolved.180778/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260126213325/https://www.subaruxvforum.com/threads/no-sound-in-front-speakers-mic-is-missing-something-with-starlink-plugs-resolved.180778/ |archive-date=26 Jan 2026 |access-date=2025-11-27 |website=Subaru Crosstrek and XV Forums}}</ref> However, this can disable front audio speakers on certain models due to the fuse powering both Starlink telematics and the front speakers<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-03-02 |title=Disconnecting your telematics (Starlink) antenna {{!}} Subaru Outback Forums |url=https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/disconnecting-your-telematics-starlink-antenna.519259/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514174802/https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/disconnecting-your-telematics-starlink-antenna.519259/ |archive-date=14 May 2023 |access-date=2025-11-27 |website=Subaru Outback Forums}}</ref>.

===Starlink app exploit (''2025'')===
The exploit was achieved by intercepting the Starlink app's network requests which revealed the admin portal login screen. Using the "Reset password" feature of the admin portal which was hidden with [[JavaScript]] the hacker found an employee email off [[LinkedIn]] and successfully managed to login to the admin portal. Although implementing 2FA this too was entirely client-side and the modal window blocking further interaction without verification could also be hidden with JavaScript.

Inside the admin portal any employee can access a wide range of personal information, largely comprised of the personal information listed below. Additionally, if the employee has level 2 access, they can remotely lock, unlock, honk, issue speeding warnings and more which they demonstrated on their own and a friend's Subaru car.

The incident was initially ethically disclosed to Subaru on 24-20-11 with a blog post detailing the exploit released on 25-23-01.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Curry |first=Sam |date=23 Jan 2025 |title=Hacking Subaru: Tracking and Controlling Cars via the STARLINK Admin Panel |url=https://samcurry.net/hacking-subaru |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251115022030/https://samcurry.net/hacking-subaru |archive-date=15 Nov 2025|access-date=2025-02-19 |website=samcurry.net}}</ref>

==Data collection==
===Types of data collected===
Subaru’s privacy policy and STARLINK terms of service specify that the following data may be collected:<ref name="SubaruPrivacy">{{Cite web |date= |title=Subaru Privacy Policy |url=https://www.subaru.com/support/privacy-policies.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250221075725/https://www.subaru.com/support/privacy-policies.html |archive-date=21 Feb 2025 |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=subaru.com}}</ref>

*'''Personal information'''
**Names, addresses, and contact details.
**Phone numbers and email addresses.
**Social-security numbers (in specific cases).
**Driver's license numbers.
**Vehicle identification numbers (VIN).
*'''Vehicle data'''
**Location and GPS coordinates.
**Speed, acceleration, and braking patterns.
**Time and duration of trips.
**Maintenance and diagnostic information.
**Sensor data, such as crash severity, tire pressure, and coolant temperature.
*'''Audio and biometric data'''
**Audio recordings through onboard microphones.
**Voice data from STARLINK service-center calls.
**Biometric data from systems that driver attention.
**Search content and commands issued by occupants.

===Collection methods===
Data collection is performed through:
*Vehicle sensors and diagnostic modules.<ref name="MozillaReview">{{Cite web |last=Mozilla Research |first= |date=15 Aug 2023 |title=Mozilla Foundation Privacy Review: Subaru |url=https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/privacynotincluded/subaru/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906050929/https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/privacynotincluded/subaru/ |archive-date=6 Sep 2023 |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=foundation.mozilla.org}}</ref>
*GPS tracking systems.
*Cellular-connectivity modules.
*STARLINK mobile apps and web portals.<ref name="MozillaReview" />

==Data sharing and sales==
===Third-party data sharing===
Subaru shares data with several entities, including:
*Data brokers, such as LexisNexis<ref name="SubaruPrivacy" /> and Verisk.<ref name="TorqueNews">{{Cite web |last=Flierl |first=Denis |date=21 May 2024 |title=Vehicle Data Collection Lawsuit |url=https://www.torquenews.com/1084/subaru-now-involved-vehicle-data-collection-lawsuit-investigation |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250801220315/https://www.torquenews.com/1084/subaru-now-involved-vehicle-data-collection-lawsuit-investigation |archive-date=1 Aug 2025|access-date=2025-01-16 |website=torquenews.com}}</ref><ref name="NYT">{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=Kashmir |date=11 March 2024 |title=Automakers Are Sharing Drivers’ Data |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/technology/carmakers-driver-tracking-insurance.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311090514/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/technology/carmakers-driver-tracking-insurance.html |archive-date=11 Mar 2024 |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=nytimes.com}}</ref>
*Insurance companies for risk assessment and pricing.<ref name="TorqueNews" />
*Marketing firms.
*Emergency services and law enforcement (when required by law).
*Subaru dealerships and distributors.
*Third-party service providers.<ref name="SubaruPrivacy" />
===Insurance-industry usage===
Data brokers aggregate and sell this information to insurance companies, who may:
*Increase insurance premiums based on driving patterns.
*Monitor driving behaviors to assess risk.
*Use driving data for personalized coverage offerings.<ref name="NYT" />

==Privacy concerns==
===Consent issues===
Key concerns include:
*Simply being a passenger in a STARLINK-equipped vehicle constitutes consent.<ref name="MozillaReview" />
*Lack of active notification during data collection.
*Limited opt-out options that might impact vehicle functionality.

===Difficulties in opting out===
Subaru’s opt-out process involves:
*Submitting detailed personal information.
*Potentially long response times.
*No verification mechanism for successful opt-out.<ref name="ConsumerForum">{{Cite web |date=26 Jan 2025 |title=Privacy Report Discussion |url=https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/privacy-not-included-subaru-report-connected-services-etc.556583/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250510152056/https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/privacy-not-included-subaru-report-connected-services-etc.556583/ |archive-date=10 May 2025 |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=subaruoutback.org}}</ref>

===Legal challenges===
Subaru faces legal scrutiny for:
*Allegations of insufficiently disclosing its data-collection policies what it does with data.
*Potential non-compliance with privacy laws.
*[[Class-action lawsuit]] investigations over consent practices.<ref name="TorqueNews" />

==Technical details==
===System architecture===
STARLINK is built upon:
*Embedded telematics devices.
*4G LTE cellular networks.
*GPS receivers and cloud-based data-processing systems.<ref name="StarlinkTerms">{{Cite web |title=Subaru STARLINK Terms and Conditions |url=https://www.subaru.com/support/terms-and-conditions/subaru-starlink/subaru-starlink-services.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708205238/https://www.subaru.com/support/terms-and-conditions/subaru-starlink/subaru-starlink-services.html |archive-date=8 Jul 2025 |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=subaru.com}}</ref>

===Data transmission===
*Real-time data transmission through LTE networks.
*Local storage when connectivity is unavailable.<ref name="StarlinkTerms" />

==Consumer-protection issues==
===Privacy rights===
Critics cite:
*Minimal control over data retention.
*Broad sharing permissions in privacy policies.
*Limited transparency about how data is used.<ref name="MozillaReview" />

===Economic harm===
*Insurance-rate adjustments based on driving data.
*Subscription fees for connected services.
*Potential effects on vehicle resale value.<ref name="NYT" />

==References==
<references />

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Bosch

2026-03-20T17:14:08Z

Neige: Added Bosch electrical component installation restrictions

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Missing sections|Issue 2=Needs additional references}}{{CompanyCargo
|Description=German engineering company.
|Founded=1886
|Industry=Automotive, Electronics, Technology
|Logo=Bosch.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Private
|Website=https://www.bosch.com/
}}
'''{{wplink|Bosch (company)|Robert Bosch GmbH}}''', commonly known as '''Bosch''' (styled '''BOSCH'''), is a German multinational engineering and technology company founded in 1886 by Robert Bosch.

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Placeholder box|Overview of concerns that arise from the company's conduct regarding (if applicable):
* User freedom
* User privacy
* Business model
* Market control}}

==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]].
===E-bike components===
Only the e-bike batteries from Bosch themselves can be used on the modern e-bikes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peace |first=Richard |date=23 Feb 2023 |title=Replacement Electric Bike Batteries Guide |url=https://electricbikereport.com/replacement-electric-bike-batteries/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325202127/https://electricbikereport.com/replacement-electric-bike-batteries/ |archive-date=25 Mar 2023 |access-date=21 Jun 2025 |website=Electric Bike Report |quote=Only Bosch manufactured batteries will be used on any new Bosch e-bike – this has always been the case and so it makes advice on interchangeability a little more straightforward than with the likes of Shimano and Brose who have both allowed the use of third party batteries with their mid-drive motor systems.}}</ref>

Many e-bikes, like those of Bosch or [[Shimano]], have their own proprietary systems, making it complicated for third-parties to provide spare parts, which would also void the warranty of the e-bike. [[Right to repair]] legislation would make it easier to provide spare batteries for these e-bikes, which the industry is against by claiming it would be unsafe.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grist |last2=Stone |first2=Maddie |date=10 Aug 2023 |title=E-bike companies are fighting to be exempted from right-to-repair laws |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90935615/e-bike-companies-are-fighting-to-be-exempted-from-right-to-repair-laws |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811193642/https://www.fastcompany.com/90935615/e-bike-companies-are-fighting-to-be-exempted-from-right-to-repair-laws |archive-date=11 Aug 2023 |access-date=21 Jun 2025 |website=Fast Company}}</ref>

Bosch and Shimano place restrictions on consumers from being able to connect lights and other components to their e-bike electrical system.<ref>{{Cite web |last=RunBikeMike |date=1 Jan 2024 |title=Installing an EBike Light To Run Off Your Battery / MagicShine ME2000 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvG7Fpb1tzI&t=50s |url-status=live |access-date=20 March 2026 |website=YouTube}}</ref> Special software only accessible to qualified bike shops is required to activate ports or accept new devices. Additional connectivity barriers exist such as difficult to acquire Bosch specific cables.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bosch eBike Light Switch Activation |url=https://www.e-bikeshop.co.uk/products/bosch-ebike-light-activation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708203340/https://www.e-bikeshop.co.uk/products/bosch-ebike-light-activation |archive-date=8 Jul 2025 |access-date=20 March 2026 |website=EBikeShop.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=15 Mar 2022 |title=Bosch takes the L on right to repair for ebikes |url=https://youtu.be/j7e9hO5yMtk?t=75 |url-status=live |access-date=20 March 2026 |website=YouTube}}</ref>

===Dishwasher with home connect system===
{{Main|Bosch Cloud Dishwasher Incident}}
The home connect system mandates that users connect their dishwasher to Wi‑Fi and register for a Home Connect account in order to access essential functions—such as rinse cycles, eco mode, and delay start—that were previously available directly via physical controls.{{CitationNeeded|reason=I'm seeing some em's, if it's AI, we're going to need a citation}}

===Washing Machine planned obsolescence===
Recent models now have a sealed drum which prevent replacing the bearing or drum spider independently. Additionally the whole drum assembly replacement is sold at a price making it's replacement prohibitive.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-11-14 |title=The Truth About SEALED Drums: Naming & Shaming |url=https://youtu.be/crzZEvFf_L4?si=DkgU7zG2lSyuh8nK&t=50 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=crzZEvFf_L4 |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref>

===Refrigerator cameras deactivated===
Bosch announced that cameras in smart fridges would lose their function on March 31st, 2026. The company worded this as ''"adjusting digital features inside the Home-Connect environment"'' ''("die digitalen Funktionen innerhalb der Home-Connect-Umgebung anzupassen")'' and cites low market demand and unspecified technological advancements as the reasons. In 2022, Bosch had already restricted features to analyse the refrigerator content to get tips for ideal placement of items and recipes for using up leftovers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pakalski |first=Ingo |date=2026-02-25 |title=Bosch deaktiviert Innenkameras in verkauften Kühlschränken [Bosch deactivates interior cameras in refrigerators that have already been sold] |url=https://www.golem.de/news/smart-home-bosch-deaktiviert-innenkameras-in-verkauften-kuehlschraenken-2602-205832.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/vfAGL |archive-date=2026-02-25 |access-date=2026-02-05 |website=Golem}}</ref>

==Products==

*[[Bosch Spexor]] (2019)
*Bosch 500 series dishwasher
*Bosch Series 4, Series 6 washing machines (check specific model numbers in video description of <ref name=":0" />)
*Bosch GLM 50 C

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Home appliance companies]]

SecuROM

2026-03-20T02:11:52Z

Neige: Website links to correct site

{{ProductLineCargo
|ArticleType=
|Category=Digital rights management
|Company=Sony DADC
|InProduction=No
|Logo=SecuROM logo.svg
|ReleaseYear=1998
|Website=https://support.securom.com/index.html
|Description=
}}

'''{{Wplink|SecuROM}}''' is a [[digital rights management]] (DRM) system developed by [[Sony]] for PC games and first released in 1998.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=SecuROM |url=https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/SecuROM |website=PCGamingWiki |date= |access-date=8 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250502191929/https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/SecuROM |archive-date=2 May 2025}}</ref> Historically, SecuROM is well known for being the most agitating form of DRM of the 2000s, and its inclusion within [[Electronic Arts]]' ''Spore'' has led to the game retaining its position as the most pirated game to-date.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Van der Sar |first=Ernesto |title=Spore: Most Pirated Game Ever Thanks to DRM |url=https://torrentfreak.com/spore-most-pirated-game-ever-thanks-to-drm-080913/ |website=torrentfreak |date=13 Sep 2008 |access-date=8 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914020027/https://torrentfreak.com/spore-most-pirated-game-ever-thanks-to-drm-080913/ |archive-date=14 Sep 2008}}</ref> SecuROM stopped being supported by Sony quietly some time after 2017, the release date of the last SecuROM-protected title, [https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Onyx Onyx]. In 2014, SecuROM was succeeded by a newer DRM system, [[Denuvo]], through a management buyout of its developer.




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

==General problems==
===Optical-drive bugs===
Various releases of Secu-ROM have been known to sometimes struggle to even detect legitimate copies of games inside users' disc drives.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |author= |title=Copy Protection & DRM |url=https://www.tweakguides.com/Piracy_9.html |website=TweakGuides |date= |access-date= |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105161102/https://www.tweakguides.com/Piracy_9.html |archive-date=5 Nov 2019}}</ref> Additionally, some optical drive models were simply incompatible with SecuROM.<ref name=":1" />

===Explicit Congestion Notification===
Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN), a feature seen on {{Wplink|Windows Vista}} which helped users with still connecting online with large networks, was required to be turned off because of how SecuROM functioned.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gladstone |first=Darren |title=Casual Friday: Why Spore Won't Work |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/536750/casual_spore_drm.html  |website=PC World |date=12 Sep 2008 |access-date=8 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128124013/https://www.pcworld.com/article/536750/casual_spore_drm.html  |archive-date=28 Nov 2021}}</ref>

===Software conflicts===
SecuROM also fought multiple other pieces of software,<ref name=":1" /> one of which being Process Explorer.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Spikeles |title=Securom blacklisted ProcessExplorer |url=http://forum.sysinternals.com/printer_friendly_posts.asp?TID=10337 |website=Windows Sysinternals |date=17 Mar 2007 |access-date= |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20160303171453/http://forum.sysinternals.com/printer_friendly_posts.asp?TID=10337 |archive-date=3 Mar 2016}}</ref>

===Installation limits===
Users who owned SecuROM-protected games would often be allotted a limited number of times that they can install their games. [[EA]]'s ''[[Spore]]'' had a limit of 3 installs (raised to 5), ''Bioshock'' had 2 (raised to 5, before being removed) and would even limit installs per user on the same device,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Leo |title=One copy of BioShock per family (member)? |url=https://www.neoseeker.com/news/7091-one-copy-of-bioshock-per-family-member/ |website=NeoSeeker |date=5 Sep 2007 |access-date=8 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903190237/https://www.neoseeker.com/news/7091-one-copy-of-bioshock-per-family-member/ |archive-date=3 Sep 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=malloc |title=2K: Tell your brother to buy his own Bioshock, you didn't buy it for the whole family |url=http://maxconsole.net/?mode=news&newsid=20470 |website=MaxConsole |date=5 Sep 2005 |access-date= |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013211034/http://maxconsole.net/?mode=news&newsid=20470 |archive-date=13 Oct 2007}}</ref> and Mass Effect had 3, but uninstallations would not increase the number of installs unlike other SecuROM titles.

===Degradation===
Because of the security features introduced by [[Microsoft]] to [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] 10 and later, many older SecuROM titles  cannot function on modern hardware without cracking or other means of circumvention.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=SecuROM |url=https://www.legoisland.org/wiki/SecuROM |website=LegoIsland |date= |access-date=8 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250305215810/https://www.legoisland.org/wiki/SecuROM |archive-date=5 Mar 2025}}</ref>

==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]].

{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Game
!Release year
!Notable effects
!Relevant article
|-
|''BioShock''
|2007
|Users were limited to 2 installs of the game, and had to call in to be allowed further installs. It was raised soon to 5 after a misprint of a phone number in a manual,{{Citation needed}} and eventually the limit discontinued in 2008, however it took much longer before editions of BioShock would be officially released without SecuROM.
|
|-
|''Mass Effect''
|2007
|''Mass Effect'' was the first SecuROM game known to not refund installations for users, and also required that the game installation to be verified every 10 days.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Breckon |first=Nick |title=Electronic Arts Responds to Copy Protection Outcry, Removes 10-day SecuROM Check for the Troops |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/52618/electronic-arts-responds-to-copy  |website=Shack News |date=9 May 2008 |access-date=8 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614165437/https://www.shacknews.com/article/52618/electronic-arts-responds-to-copy  |archive-date=14 Jun 2011}}</ref>
|
|-
|''[[Spore (game)|Spore]]''
|2008
|The application of SecuROM in ''Spore'' left the program trapped under always-online DRM,<ref>{{Cite web |author=Modern Vintage Gamer |title=SecuROM - The PC CD-ROM DRM that broke games {{!}} MVG |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8ltfyqD3lM |website=[[YouTube]] |date=25 Nov 2019 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=u8ltfyqD3lM |archive-date=17 Jan 2025}}</ref> which in the 2000s was costly for anyone's internet bills. The popularity of this game, mixed in with its pre-emptive cracking, and DRM led to the title holding the record as the most pirated video game for years.<ref name=":0" /> Additionally, there were lawsuits that formed over the implementation of SecuROM inside ''Spore.''<ref>{{Cite web |author=
|title=Class Action Complaint |url=http://www.courthousenews.com/2008/09/23/Spore.pdf |website=Courthouse News |date=22 Sep 2008 |access-date= |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20160615114048/http://www.courthousenews.com/2008/09/23/Spore.pdf |archive-date=15 Jun 2016 |format=PDF}}</ref>
|
|-
|''Tron: Evolution''
|2010
|Towards the tail-end of SecuROM's usage in 2019, [[Disney]] decided to terminate their license, thus leading to all legitimate copies of ''Tron: Evolution'' to be unplayable, and the game was subsequently pulled from digital software vendors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Geigner |first=Timothy |title=Disney's Decision Not To Renew SecuROM License Bricks 'Tron: Evolution' |url=https://www.techdirt.com/2019/12/06/disneys-decision-not-to-renew-securom-license-bricks-tron-evolution/ |website=techdirt |date=6 Dec 2019 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307202754/https://www.techdirt.com/2019/12/06/disneys-decision-not-to-renew-securom-license-bricks-tron-evolution/ |archive-date=7 Mar 2022}}</ref> Disney claims to be currently updating the game to not have SecuROM, however after nearly six years since its termination, there has been no new updates upon whether the game will re-release
|
|-
|''Final Fantasy VII'' (PC, re-release)
|2012
|The distribution of the re-release of ''FF7'' for PCs caught users off guard when Square Enix distributed this version with SecuROM, and on release, servers were inaccessible, so users could not verify their licenses until much later.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fletcher |first=JC |title=Final Fantasy VII PC released early, then pulled |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/05/final-fantasy-vii-pc-released-early-then-pulled/ |website=Joystiq |date=5 Aug 2012 |access-date= |url-status=usurped |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20120808070024/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/05/final-fantasy-vii-pc-released-early-then-pulled/ |archive-date=8 Aug 2012}}</ref>
|
|}

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

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Sony]]

SecuROM

2026-03-20T02:02:47Z

Neige: Spore game link

{{ProductLineCargo
|ArticleType=
|Category=Digital rights management
|Company=Sony DADC
|InProduction=No
|Logo=SecuROM logo.svg
|ReleaseYear=1998
|Website=https://securom.com
|Description=
}}

'''{{Wplink|SecuROM}}''' is a [[digital rights management]] (DRM) system developed by [[Sony]] for PC games and first released in 1998.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=SecuROM |url=https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/SecuROM |website=PCGamingWiki |date= |access-date=8 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250502191929/https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/SecuROM |archive-date=2 May 2025}}</ref> Historically, SecuROM is well known for being the most agitating form of DRM of the 2000s, and its inclusion within [[Electronic Arts]]' ''Spore'' has led to the game retaining its position as the most pirated game to-date.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Van der Sar |first=Ernesto |title=Spore: Most Pirated Game Ever Thanks to DRM |url=https://torrentfreak.com/spore-most-pirated-game-ever-thanks-to-drm-080913/ |website=torrentfreak |date=13 Sep 2008 |access-date=8 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914020027/https://torrentfreak.com/spore-most-pirated-game-ever-thanks-to-drm-080913/ |archive-date=14 Sep 2008}}</ref> SecuROM stopped being supported by Sony quietly some time after 2017, the release date of the last SecuROM-protected title, [https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Onyx Onyx]. In 2014, SecuROM was succeeded by a newer DRM system, [[Denuvo]], through a management buyout of its developer.




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

==General problems==
===Optical-drive bugs===
Various releases of Secu-ROM have been known to sometimes struggle to even detect legitimate copies of games inside users' disc drives.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |author= |title=Copy Protection & DRM |url=https://www.tweakguides.com/Piracy_9.html |website=TweakGuides |date= |access-date= |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105161102/https://www.tweakguides.com/Piracy_9.html |archive-date=5 Nov 2019}}</ref> Additionally, some optical drive models were simply incompatible with SecuROM.<ref name=":1" />

===Explicit Congestion Notification===
Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN), a feature seen on {{Wplink|Windows Vista}} which helped users with still connecting online with large networks, was required to be turned off because of how SecuROM functioned.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gladstone |first=Darren |title=Casual Friday: Why Spore Won't Work |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/536750/casual_spore_drm.html  |website=PC World |date=12 Sep 2008 |access-date=8 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128124013/https://www.pcworld.com/article/536750/casual_spore_drm.html  |archive-date=28 Nov 2021}}</ref>

===Software conflicts===
SecuROM also fought multiple other pieces of software,<ref name=":1" /> one of which being Process Explorer.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Spikeles |title=Securom blacklisted ProcessExplorer |url=http://forum.sysinternals.com/printer_friendly_posts.asp?TID=10337 |website=Windows Sysinternals |date=17 Mar 2007 |access-date= |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20160303171453/http://forum.sysinternals.com/printer_friendly_posts.asp?TID=10337 |archive-date=3 Mar 2016}}</ref>

===Installation limits===
Users who owned SecuROM-protected games would often be allotted a limited number of times that they can install their games. [[EA]]'s ''[[Spore]]'' had a limit of 3 installs (raised to 5), ''Bioshock'' had 2 (raised to 5, before being removed) and would even limit installs per user on the same device,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Leo |title=One copy of BioShock per family (member)? |url=https://www.neoseeker.com/news/7091-one-copy-of-bioshock-per-family-member/ |website=NeoSeeker |date=5 Sep 2007 |access-date=8 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903190237/https://www.neoseeker.com/news/7091-one-copy-of-bioshock-per-family-member/ |archive-date=3 Sep 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=malloc |title=2K: Tell your brother to buy his own Bioshock, you didn't buy it for the whole family |url=http://maxconsole.net/?mode=news&newsid=20470 |website=MaxConsole |date=5 Sep 2005 |access-date= |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013211034/http://maxconsole.net/?mode=news&newsid=20470 |archive-date=13 Oct 2007}}</ref> and Mass Effect had 3, but uninstallations would not increase the number of installs unlike other SecuROM titles.

===Degradation===
Because of the security features introduced by [[Microsoft]] to [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] 10 and later, many older SecuROM titles  cannot function on modern hardware without cracking or other means of circumvention.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=SecuROM |url=https://www.legoisland.org/wiki/SecuROM |website=LegoIsland |date= |access-date=8 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250305215810/https://www.legoisland.org/wiki/SecuROM |archive-date=5 Mar 2025}}</ref>

==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]].

{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Game
!Release year
!Notable effects
!Relevant article
|-
|''BioShock''
|2007
|Users were limited to 2 installs of the game, and had to call in to be allowed further installs. It was raised soon to 5 after a misprint of a phone number in a manual,{{Citation needed}} and eventually the limit discontinued in 2008, however it took much longer before editions of BioShock would be officially released without SecuROM.
|
|-
|''Mass Effect''
|2007
|''Mass Effect'' was the first SecuROM game known to not refund installations for users, and also required that the game installation to be verified every 10 days.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Breckon |first=Nick |title=Electronic Arts Responds to Copy Protection Outcry, Removes 10-day SecuROM Check for the Troops |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/52618/electronic-arts-responds-to-copy  |website=Shack News |date=9 May 2008 |access-date=8 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614165437/https://www.shacknews.com/article/52618/electronic-arts-responds-to-copy  |archive-date=14 Jun 2011}}</ref>
|
|-
|''[[Spore (game)|Spore]]''
|2008
|The application of SecuROM in ''Spore'' left the program trapped under always-online DRM,<ref>{{Cite web |author=Modern Vintage Gamer |title=SecuROM - The PC CD-ROM DRM that broke games {{!}} MVG |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8ltfyqD3lM |website=[[YouTube]] |date=25 Nov 2019 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=u8ltfyqD3lM |archive-date=17 Jan 2025}}</ref> which in the 2000s was costly for anyone's internet bills. The popularity of this game, mixed in with its pre-emptive cracking, and DRM led to the title holding the record as the most pirated video game for years.<ref name=":0" /> Additionally, there were lawsuits that formed over the implementation of SecuROM inside ''Spore.''<ref>{{Cite web |author=
|title=Class Action Complaint |url=http://www.courthousenews.com/2008/09/23/Spore.pdf |website=Courthouse News |date=22 Sep 2008 |access-date= |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20160615114048/http://www.courthousenews.com/2008/09/23/Spore.pdf |archive-date=15 Jun 2016 |format=PDF}}</ref>
|
|-
|''Tron: Evolution''
|2010
|Towards the tail-end of SecuROM's usage in 2019, [[Disney]] decided to terminate their license, thus leading to all legitimate copies of ''Tron: Evolution'' to be unplayable, and the game was subsequently pulled from digital software vendors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Geigner |first=Timothy |title=Disney's Decision Not To Renew SecuROM License Bricks 'Tron: Evolution' |url=https://www.techdirt.com/2019/12/06/disneys-decision-not-to-renew-securom-license-bricks-tron-evolution/ |website=techdirt |date=6 Dec 2019 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307202754/https://www.techdirt.com/2019/12/06/disneys-decision-not-to-renew-securom-license-bricks-tron-evolution/ |archive-date=7 Mar 2022}}</ref> Disney claims to be currently updating the game to not have SecuROM, however after nearly six years since its termination, there has been no new updates upon whether the game will re-release
|
|-
|''Final Fantasy VII'' (PC, re-release)
|2012
|The distribution of the re-release of ''FF7'' for PCs caught users off guard when Square Enix distributed this version with SecuROM, and on release, servers were inaccessible, so users could not verify their licenses until much later.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fletcher |first=JC |title=Final Fantasy VII PC released early, then pulled |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/05/final-fantasy-vii-pc-released-early-then-pulled/ |website=Joystiq |date=5 Aug 2012 |access-date= |url-status=usurped |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20120808070024/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/05/final-fantasy-vii-pc-released-early-then-pulled/ |archive-date=8 Aug 2012}}</ref>
|
|}

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

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Sony]]

Enshittification

2026-03-12T23:01:31Z

Neige: Wikipedia link

{{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.}}{{ToneWarning}}

'''[[wikipedia:Enshittification|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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216121528/https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/28/enshittification/ |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</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] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251117215634/https://www.uniladtech.com/news/tech-news/mrwhosetheboss-explains-google-search-broken-715030-20241030 Archived])</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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222030743/https://www.merriam-webster.com/slang/enshittification |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260120085207/https://www.wired.com/story/tiktok-platforms-cory-doctorow/ |archive-date=20 Jan 2026}}</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]] aggressively used investor capital to fund massive subsidies, paying to acquire both drivers and passengers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Uber Disrupted An Industry With An Explosive Approach |url=https://www.cascade.app/studies/uber-strategy-study#:~:text=Uber%20combined%20that%20initial%20campaign,rider%20sides%20faster%20and%20easier. |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251112132833/https://www.cascade.app/studies/uber-strategy-study |archive-date=12 Nov 2025}}</ref> It 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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250414222632/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/wolff/2013/12/22/the-success-of-app-based-car-service-uber/4141669/ |archive-date=14 Apr 2025}}</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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260112221447/https://www.reuters.com/technology/reddit-ai-content-licensing-deal-with-google-sources-say-2024-02-22/ |archive-date=12 Jan 2026}}</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}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251211160954/https://adguard.com/en/blog/youtube-new-banner-adblockers-violate-tos.html Archived])</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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250429132430/https://6sense.com/tech/media-players-and-streaming-platforms/youtube-market-share |archive-date=29 Apr 2025}}</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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260124141601/https://thesocialshepherd.com/blog/youtube-statistics |archive-date=24 Jan 2026}}</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==
===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.

'''[[X Corp|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]]:'''

*Forced shift from perpetual licenses to subscriptions.
Beginning in 2013 with Creative Cloud, Adobe eliminated the option to purchase perpetual licenses for core products like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere. Users must now maintain an ongoing subscription to access the software at all. Cancelling payments disables applications regardless of prior investment, dramatically increasing long-term costs and removing user ownership in favor of recurring subscriptions.
*Loss of access to files after subscription ends.
Many Adobe file formats (PSD, AI, INDD, AE project files) are proprietary and poorly supported by third-party software. When a subscription ends, users become unable to open, export, or meaningfully edit their own historical work, effectively holding user-created content hostage to enforce continued payment.
*Mandatory Creative Cloud account and DRM for offline tools.
Applications that run locally require frequent online authentication through the Creative Cloud desktop app. Forced sign-ins, background services, and periodic license checks can disable software unexpectedly, undermining reliability and making professional tools dependent on Adobe’s servers.
*Dark patterns in subscription cancellation and pricing.
Adobe’s subscription plans use confusing billing structures (such as “annual plans billed monthly”) that impose early termination fees. Cancellation flows are deliberately complex, with obscured options and repeated retention prompts, resulting in users paying longer than intended or being penalized for leaving.

'''[[Microsoft Windows]]:'''

*Forced Microsoft account sign-in.
Beginning with Windows 10 and further enforced in Windows 11, Microsoft increasingly requires users to sign in with a Microsoft account during setup. This restricts offline use, obscures the option to create a local account, and facilitates expanded telemetry collection and ecosystem lock-in.
*Built-in advertising in a paid operating system.
Despite being a commercial software, Windows includes advertisements and promotional content in the Start Menu, lock screen, system notifications, and settings panels, used to promote Microsoft 365, OneDrive, Edge, and other services and other proprietary software. Even when users disable these features, they are frequently re-enabled after major updates.
*Dark patterns in bundled applications.
Microsoft applications repeatedly nudge users toward Microsoft-preferred choices. Edge persistently prompts users to become the default browser and displays warnings when switching away. OneDrive frames cloud uploads as “protecting your files,” obscuring the fact that local folders are being redirected to Microsoft’s servers. Subscription prompts often lack a clear “Never ask again” option, offering only choices such as “Try for free” or “Maybe later” as in Microsoft365.
*Increased unavoidable telemetry.
Telemetry and diagnostic data collection are enabled by default, with only limited controls available to disable or reduce them—particularly in non-Enterprise editions. Some data collection is mandatory and vaguely documented, undermining informed consent.
*Loss of user control over updates.
Windows updates cannot be permanently disabled through standard settings. Users can only defer updates for a limited period (up to four weeks), after which downloads and installations are often forced, sometimes causing unexpected restarts or re-enabling previously disabled features without user consent.
*Bundled software bloat.
Windows ships with numerous preinstalled Microsoft applications that are not essential to core OS functionality. These apps are installed without explicit user consent and may reappear after major updates even if previously removed.
*Degraded local search in favor of web search.
The start menu and file search experience has progressively gotten worse, blending local results with Bing web searches. This often prioritizes online content and advertisements over fast, predictable local file and application discovery, reducing usability in order to promote Microsoft’s search and advertising ecosystem.

===Video Games===
'''[[Unity Engine runtime fee|Unity]]:'''

Unity Software Inc. implemented sweeping changes to its pricing model for Unity that would affect all users of the engine, forcing users to either adopt their per-download fee or de-list their games.

'''Mobile Games:'''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-Birds 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]]:'''

...

{{See also|Network effects}}

==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]]

VitalSource

2026-03-12T19:10:36Z

Neige: Founded date

{{CompanyCargo
|Industry=Digital textbooks, Educational technology
|Type=Private
|Website=https://www.vitalsource.com/
|Description=Digital textbook and course material provider for higher education
|Founded=1994}}

'''[[wikipedia:VitalSource|VitalSource]]''' is a digital textbook & course material provider serving students & educational institutions, primarily in the United States higher education market. The company offers digital access to textbooks & other educational content through its online platform & apps, with various license durations including short-term rentals & what it markets as "lifetime" access.

==Consumer-impact summary==
==Incidents==
==="Lifetime" access controversy (December 2024)===
{{Main|VitalSource "Lifetime" false advertising}}
VitalSource markets certain digital textbook licenses as offering "lifetime" access while defining this term as a limited five-year period. The practice came to wider attention in December 2024 when VitalSource published a California disclosure page in response to AB 2426, a state law requiring companies to clearly disclose when digital goods are licensed rather than owned. Despite this disclosure, VitalSource continues to use the term "lifetime" in its storefront marketing without prominently displaying the five-year limitation alongside shorter-duration options that do show explicit expiration dates

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

VitalSource

2026-03-12T19:02:18Z

Neige: Wikipedia link

{{CompanyCargo
|Industry=Digital textbooks,Educational technology
|Type=Private
|Website=https://www.vitalsource.com/
|Description=Digital textbook and course material provider for higher education
}}'''[[wikipedia:VitalSource|VitalSource]]''' is a digital textbook & course material provider serving students & educational institutions, primarily in the United States higher education market. The company offers digital access to textbooks & other educational content through its online platform & apps, with various license durations including short-term rentals & what it markets as "lifetime" access.

==Consumer-impact summary==
==Incidents==
==="Lifetime" access controversy (December 2024)===
{{Main|VitalSource "Lifetime" false advertising}}
VitalSource markets certain digital textbook licenses as offering "lifetime" access while defining this term as a limited five-year period. The practice came to wider attention in December 2024 when VitalSource published a California disclosure page in response to AB 2426, a state law requiring companies to clearly disclose when digital goods are licensed rather than owned. Despite this disclosure, VitalSource continues to use the term "lifetime" in its storefront marketing without prominently displaying the five-year limitation alongside shorter-duration options that do show explicit expiration dates

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

Kerbal Space Program 2

2026-03-12T01:22:49Z

Neige: Wikipedia link

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Take Two, Private Division
|StartDate=2019
|EndDate=2025
|Status=Active
|Product=KSP2
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Product Termination, Abandonware
|Description=KSP2 turned into abandonware, still being sold and charging full price for the game that was never finished.
}}''[[wikipedia:Kerbal_Space_Program_2|'''Kerbal Space Program 2''']]'' is a game designed by Intercept Games and published by Private Division as a sequel to ''Kerbal Space Program''. It was released on Steam in early access on February 24, 2023. Currently, the game is still in early access and costs $49.99.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Kerbal Space Program 2 |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/954850/Kerbal_Space_Program_2/ |url-status=live |access-date=27 Aug 2025 |website=Steam |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260118091424/https://store.steampowered.com/app/954850/Kerbal_Space_Program_2/ |archive-date=18 Jan 2026}}</ref> Steam lists no updates to the game since June 11, 2024.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Kerbal Space Program 2 |url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/954850?updates=true |url-status=live |access-date=27 Aug 2025 |website=Steam News Hub |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250825183807/https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/954850?updates=true |archive-date=25 Aug 2025}}</ref>

==Background==
''Kerbal Space Program 2'' entered development in 2017 and was initially planned for release in 2020. Development issues pushed back the release of the early access version to February 24, 2023.

==Incident==
On April 29, 2024, Take-Two Interactive Software, the owner of Private Division and Intercept Games, posted a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification to the Washington State Employment Security Department indicating that they planned to close their subsidiary Intercept Games, the developer of ''Kerbal Space Program 2'', on June 28, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) |url=https://esd.wa.gov/about-employees/WARN |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241103073147/https://esd.wa.gov/about-employees/warn |archive-date=3 Nov 2024|access-date=27 Aug 2025 |website=ESDWAGOV}}</ref> Senior team manager Quinn Duffy confirmed on LinkedIn that the team would be laid off on that day, <ref>{{Cite web |last=Duffy |first=Quinn |title=Post |url=https://www.linkedin.com/posts/quinn-duffy_well-here-we-go-again-the-team-at-intercept-activity-7201280703215394816-uyzd/ |url-status=live |access-date=27 Aug 2025 |website=LinkedIn |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240731205415/https://www.linkedin.com/posts/quinn-duffy_well-here-we-go-again-the-team-at-intercept-activity-7201280703215394816-uyzd/ |archive-date=31 Jul 2024}}</ref> although Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick claimed otherwise.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Valentine |first=Rebekah |date=16 May 2024 |title=Take-Two CEO on Intercept, Roll7: 'We Didn't Shutter Those Studios' |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/take-two-ceo-on-intercept-roll7-we-didnt-shutter-those-studios |url-status=live |access-date=27 Aug 2025 |website=IGN |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251213052418/https://www.ign.com/articles/take-two-ceo-on-intercept-roll7-we-didnt-shutter-those-studios |archive-date=13 Dec 2025}}</ref> Take-Two later confirmed the sale of Private Division, ''Kerbal''<nowiki/>'s publisher, to an unknown buyer, preferring to focus on AAA titles.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Batchelor |first=James |date=6 Nov 2024 |title=Zelnick on Private Division sale: "Those projects were smaller, we're in the business of big hits" |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/zelnick-on-private-division-sale-those-projects-were-smaller-were-in-the-business-of-big-hits |url-status=live |access-date=27 Aug 2025 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251219035055/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/zelnick-on-private-division-sale-those-projects-were-smaller-were-in-the-business-of-big-hits |archive-date=19 Dec 2025}}</ref>

''Kerbal Space Program 2'' has not seen any updates since June 11, 2024 and remains in early access.<ref name=":1" />

==Consumer response==
''Kerbal Space Program'' fans and buyers left over 4,000 negative reviews on the sequel's Steam page within the three months following the announcement of Intercept Games' closure. At the same time, positive reviews diminished sharply, bringing the Steam page's all-time average to "Mostly Negative."<ref name=":0" />

One recent Steam review with over 500 "helpful" ratings reads:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Minderbinder |first=Milo |date=26 Jul 2025 |title=Review for Kerbal Space Program 2 |url=https://steamcommunity.com/id/thatissoawsome/recommended/954850/ |url-status=live |access-date=27 Aug 2025 |website=Steam Community}}</ref><blockquote>Abandonware. This should at least be removed from the steam store and ideally all people who purchased the game should be refunded.

Do not buy. Get KSP1. Do not fund these practices.</blockquote>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}

Bosch

2026-03-12T01:08:09Z

Neige: Added link to Shimano page

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Missing sections|Issue 2=Needs additional references}}{{CompanyCargo
|Description=German engineering company.
|Founded=1886
|Industry=Automotive, Electronics, Technology
|Logo=Bosch.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Private
|Website=https://www.bosch.com/
}}
'''{{wplink|Bosch (company)|Robert Bosch GmbH}}''', commonly known as '''Bosch''' (styled '''BOSCH'''), is a German multinational engineering and technology company founded in 1886 by Robert Bosch.

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Placeholder box|Overview of concerns that arise from the company's conduct regarding (if applicable):
* User freedom
* User privacy
* Business model
* Market control}}

==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]].
===E-bike batteries===
Only the e-bike batteries from Bosch themselves can be used on the modern e-bikes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peace |first=Richard |date=23 Feb 2023 |title=Replacement Electric Bike Batteries Guide |url=https://electricbikereport.com/replacement-electric-bike-batteries/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325202127/https://electricbikereport.com/replacement-electric-bike-batteries/ |archive-date=25 Mar 2023 |access-date=21 Jun 2025 |website=Electric Bike Report |quote=Only Bosch manufactured batteries will be used on any new Bosch e-bike – this has always been the case and so it makes advice on interchangeability a little more straightforward than with the likes of Shimano and Brose who have both allowed the use of third party batteries with their mid-drive motor systems.}}</ref>

Many e-bikes, like those of Bosch or [[Shimano]], have their own proprietary systems, making it complicated for third-parties to provide spare parts, which would also void the warranty of the e-bike. [[Right to repair]] legislation would make it easier to provide spare batteries for these e-bikes, which the industry is against by claiming it would be unsafe.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grist |last2=Stone |first2=Maddie |date=10 Aug 2023 |title=E-bike companies are fighting to be exempted from right-to-repair laws |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90935615/e-bike-companies-are-fighting-to-be-exempted-from-right-to-repair-laws |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811193642/https://www.fastcompany.com/90935615/e-bike-companies-are-fighting-to-be-exempted-from-right-to-repair-laws |archive-date=11 Aug 2023 |access-date=21 Jun 2025 |website=Fast Company}}</ref>

===Dishwasher with home connect system===
{{Main|Bosch Cloud Dishwasher Incident}}
The home connect system mandates that users connect their dishwasher to Wi‑Fi and register for a Home Connect account in order to access essential functions—such as rinse cycles, eco mode, and delay start—that were previously available directly via physical controls.{{CitationNeeded|reason=I'm seeing some em's, if it's AI, we're going to need a citation}}

===Washing Machine planned obsolescence===
Recent models now have a sealed drum which prevent replacing the bearing or drum spider independently. Additionally the whole drum assembly replacement is sold at a price making it's replacement prohibitive.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-11-14 |title=The Truth About SEALED Drums: Naming & Shaming |url=https://youtu.be/crzZEvFf_L4?si=DkgU7zG2lSyuh8nK&t=50 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=crzZEvFf_L4 |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref>

===Refrigerator cameras deactivated===
Bosch announced that cameras in smart fridges would lose their function on March 31st, 2026. The company worded this as ''"adjusting digital features inside the Home-Connect environment"'' ''("die digitalen Funktionen innerhalb der Home-Connect-Umgebung anzupassen")'' and cites low market demand and unspecified technological advancements as the reasons. In 2022, Bosch had already restricted features to analyse the refrigerator content to get tips for ideal placement of items and recipes for using up leftovers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pakalski |first=Ingo |date=2026-02-25 |title=Bosch deaktiviert Innenkameras in verkauften Kühlschränken [Bosch deactivates interior cameras in refrigerators that have already been sold] |url=https://www.golem.de/news/smart-home-bosch-deaktiviert-innenkameras-in-verkauften-kuehlschraenken-2602-205832.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/vfAGL |archive-date=2026-02-25 |access-date=2026-02-05 |website=Golem}}</ref>

==Products==

*[[Bosch Spexor]] (2019)
*Bosch 500 series dishwasher
*Bosch Series 4, Series 6 washing machines (check specific model numbers in video description of <ref name=":0" />)
*Bosch GLM 50 C

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Home appliance companies]]

Shimano

2026-03-12T01:04:20Z

Neige: Removed incidents delete me box.

Shimano

2026-03-12T00:54:10Z

Neige:

Shimano

2026-03-12T00:50:22Z

Neige: Added basic information about Shimano and an incident.

{{CompanyCargo|Founded=1921|Industry=Bicycling, fishing, and rowing|Type=Public|Website=https://www.shimano.com/en/|Description=Shimano Inc. is a Japanese company that produces cycling components, fishing tackle, and rowing equipment. The company was founded and named after Shozaburo Shimano.|CompanyAlias=Shimano Industries, Inc.}}

[[wikipedia:Shimano|'''Shimano Inc.''']] is a Japanese multinational manufacturing company that produces bicycling components, fishing tackle, and rowing equipment. The company was founded by and named after '''Shozaburo Shimano'''.

==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]].
===Electrical component installation restrictions===
Customers with Shimano motors including the EP6 and EP801 are restricted from connecting electrical equipment such as lights to their E-bikes. What used to be a click on an app is now a trip to a bike shop or paying hundreds for diagnostic equipment.<ref>{{Cite web |first=RunBikeMike |date=1 Jan 2024 |title=Installing an EBike Light To Run Off Your Battery / MagicShine ME2000 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvG7Fpb1tzI&t=50s |url-status=live |access-date=11 March 2026 |website=YouTube}}</ref>
==Products==
{{Ph-C-P}}

==See also==

* [[E-Bike Tuning Detection: Bosch and Yamaha’s Anti-Tampering Systems]]
* [[Bosch]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Shimano

2026-03-12T00:15:06Z

Neige: Added basic information about Shimano.

{{CompanyCargo|Founded=1921|Industry=Bicycling, fishing, and rowing,|Type=Public|Website=https://www.shimano.com/en/|Description=Shimano Inc. is a Japanese company that produces cycling components, fishing tackle, and rowing equipment. The company was founded and named after Shozaburo Shimano.}}
{{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}}]]

Shimano

2026-03-11T23:59:24Z

Neige: Created page with "{{CompanyCargo}} {{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 {{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). ===Exa..."

{{CompanyCargo}}
{{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}}]]

User:Neige

2026-03-11T03:15:14Z

Neige: User page

Hello.

I was partly brought here after facing issues with my Bosch E-bike motor. It seems like the very moment a computer or wire is installed in a consumer product, greedy Bosch wants to take full control of it. Bosch warranties are written like they expect the customer to maintain their bike at a professional level but Bosch also seems to assume that customers are not smart enough to deserve access to the things they own. For example, I can't access diagnostic software to plug in a new light without going to a qualified bike shop. Also, their refusal to accept third party components is probably why they are able to get away with selling spare batteries for $1200. That's almost the price of the whole bike!

Article suggestions

2026-03-06T15:24:29Z

Neige: Removed "may" to improve statement.

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

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

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

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

==Example==
Below is an example of what an entry should appear as:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Company
!Summary of Incident
!Refs
|-
|[[Nintendo]]
|In 2025, the company Nintendo stripped Switch 2 consoles that used the MIG switch cartridge of all online functionality
|<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Scattered Brain |date=Jun 16, 2025 |title=Soo... Nintendo banned my Switch 2 (Don't try the MIG Switch!) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExgYTA18_vo&t=656s |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==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Company
!Summary of Incident
!Refs
|-
|[[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.
|-
|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 adds arbitration clause for future Affinity Studio users|See this article here]].
|<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" />
|-
|[[Alibaba]]
|[[wikipedia:Alibaba_Group|WP]]
|
|-
|[[Amazon]]
|Amazon renders Fire TV Blaster unusable, offers Amazon gift card to affected customers
|<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.heise.de/en/news/Amazon-makes-Fire-TV-Blaster-unusable-11145570.html |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260120070820/https://www.heise.de/en/news/Amazon-makes-Fire-TV-Blaster-unusable-11145570.html |archive-date=20 Jan 2026}}</ref>
|-
|[[Anker]]
|In Anker's Terms of Service for Solix solar generator product, under 19.3 Mandatory Updates:
In critical situations—such as addressing severe security vulnerabilities, complying with legal requirements, or ensuring compatibility with our service architecture—we reserve the right to issue mandatory Updates for both the firmware and the App. These essential updates may install automatically, or require immediate installation before further use, and you will not be permitted to opt out. If you fail to install such an update, certain device functionalities or access to the App may be limited or suspended to maintain the security and integrity of our service.
https://www.anker.com/ca/policies/terms-of-service
|
|-
|[[Apple]]
|Apple changes Logic Pro and the Apple office suite into a subscription when it was either a one time purchase or free with the mac.
|
|-
|[[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= |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>
|-
|[[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 |title= |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}}</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>
|-
|'''[[Arduino]]''' (/ɑːrˈdwiːnoʊ/) is an Italian open-source hardware and software company owned by Qualcomm
|Arduino’s new terms of service worries hobbyists ahead of Qualcomm acquisition.
User shall not:

*translate, decompile or reverse-engineer the Platform, or engage in any other activity designed to identify the algorithms and logic of the Platform’s operation, unless expressly allowed by Arduino or by applicable license agreements …
|
|-
|Atlassian
|Users forced from on-premise to cloud only subscriptions
Edit: Page has been started [[Atlassian on premise to subscription|here]], more work, citation, and verification needs to be done.
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ascend to the cloud: The next chapter for Atlassian and our customers |url=https://www.atlassian.com/blog/announcements/atlassian-ascend |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251018171903/https://www.atlassian.com/blog/announcements/atlassian-ascend |archive-date=18 Oct 2025}}</ref>
|-
|[[Axon]]
|Tazers sold with lease agreement that makes purchase effectively a subscription.
|[https://norwoodrecord.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/4/8/114832579/norwood_record_pages_1_to_12__4sep2025.pdf <nowiki>[69]</nowiki>]
|-
|[[Bayer]]
|[[wikipedia:Bayer|Wikipedia]]. See [[Monsanto]]
|
|-
|[[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>
|-
|[[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.
|
|-
|[[Bosch]] and Shimano
|Electric bike companies including Bosch and Shimano limit consumer's abilities to access their e-bike electrical system such as when installing a new light or a phone charger. Special software only accessible to qualified bike shops is required to activate ports or accept new devices. Additional connectivity barriers exist such as difficult to acquire Bosch specific cables.
|<ref>{{Cite web |first=RunBikeMike |date=2024-1-1 |title=Installing an EBike Light To Run Off Your Battery / MagicShine ME2000 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvG7Fpb1tzI&t=50s |access-date=2026-3-6 |website=Youtube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=15 Mar 2022 |title=Bosch takes the L on right to repair for ebikes |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7e9hO5yMtk |access-date=March 6 2026 |website=Youtube}}</ref>
|-
|[[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]
|
|-
|[[Cloud-first]]
|The antithesis of [https://www.inkandswitch.com/essay/local-first local-first]. See "[https://karl-voit.at/cloud You Can't Control Your Data in the Cloud]"
|
|-
|[[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>
|-
|[[Dell]] and [[HP]]
|HP and Dell have disabled HEVC (H.264/H.265) hardware encoding and decoding support built into their laptops’ CPUs using both Intel and AMD processors.
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harding |first=Scharon |date=2025-11-21 |title=HP and Dell disable HEVC support built into their laptops’ CPUs |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/11/hp-and-dell-disable-hevc-support-built-into-their-laptops-cpus/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251121083438/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/11/hp-and-dell-disable-hevc-support-built-into-their-laptops-cpus/ |archive-date=2025-11-21 |access-date=2025-11-21 |website=Ars Technica}}</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=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>
|-
|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>
|-
|[[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]]
|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 Graphene OS, 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}}</ref>
|-
|Google Maps
|Google restricts data visible in Google Maps for users who are not signed in with an 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 |title= |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}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= |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}}</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>
|
|-
|[[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.
|
|-
|[[Hikvision]]
|Chinese surveillance camera manufacturer complicit in Uighur genocide which used to advertise recognition of praying and ramadan fasting among its selling points. Similarly to [[Flock license plate readers|Flock]], they are in use world wide and likely feed directly into the Chinese government's surveillance infrastructure and could conceivably be used to find dissidents world-wide. Recently, [https://netzpolitik.org/2025/hikvision-hersteller-der-hamburger-ki-ueberwachungskameras-ist-fuer-menschenrechtsverletzungen-bekannt/ the city of Hamburg has installed them] ([https://netzpolitik-org.translate.goog/2025/hikvision-hersteller-der-hamburger-ki-ueberwachungskameras-ist-fuer-menschenrechtsverletzungen-bekannt/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp Google Translate Version in English]).
|
|-
|[[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].
|
|-
|[[IPVideo Corporation]] (owned by [[Motorola]])
|Manufacturer of surveillance hardware. The notable example that brought them to my attention is the Halo 3C/3C-PC Smart Sensor, which is deployed in places such as school bathrooms and subsidized/social housing. This system has a variety of sensors on it, from air quality ones (for detecting smoking/vape usage) all the way to microphones (ostensibly for audio analysis to identify aggression and gunshots, without the capability to stream the audio elsewhere, but this not a limitation built into the hardware and could be changed by a firmware update).
|<ref>{{Cite_web |last=Reynaldo |last2=nyx |name-list-style=amp |date=2025-10-10 |title=DEF CON 33 - Unmasking the Snitch Puck: IoT surveillance tech in the school bathroom |url=https://youtu.be/WCnojaEpF2I |publisher=DEF CON |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=WCnojaEpF2I |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite_web |access-date=2025-10-26 |url=https://www.pelco.com/sensors |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250922000017/https://www.pelco.com/sensors |archive-date=2025-09-22 |title=HALO Smart Sensor Suite |website=PELCO}}</ref>
|-
|[[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>
|-
|[[JavaScript]]
|[[wikipedia:JavaScript|WP]]. [https://github.com/Rudxain/blog/blob/main/post/js-abuse.md Compilation of sources/refs]
|
|-
|[[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= |first=Fight for the Future |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 |journal=2020 IEEE International Conference on Decentralized Applications and Infrastructures (DAPPS) |location=Oxford, UK |publisher=IEEE |doi=10.1109/DAPPS49028.2020.00005 |isbn=978-1-7281-6978-1 |via=IEEE Xplore |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250825221749/https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9126007/ |archive-date=25 Aug 2025}}</ref>
|-
|[[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.
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|-
|[[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>
|-
|[[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>
|-
|[[Mitsubishi Motors]]
|Mitsubishi Motors has a rich history of consumer protection, compliance issues and privacy breaches. These include concealing safety defects, falsifying fuel economy data, and being fined for false advertising. Following the trend of subscription services for the automotive industry, Mitsubishi paywalls built-in features including remote start, SOS, collision detection, and car tracking through its app Mitsubishi Connect subscription service.
|[https://www.autoevolution.com/news/mitsubishi-fined-42-million-by-japans-consumer-affairs-agency-115026.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com] [https://leakd.com/leaks/mitsubishi-motors-vietnam-customer-data-breached/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Motors?utm_source=chatgpt.com] [https://violationtracker.goodjobsfirst.org/?order=pen_year&parent=mitsubishi-motors&sort=&utm_source=chatgpt.com][https://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/newsroom/newsrelease/2017/20171129_3.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com]
|-
|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 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.
|
|-
|[[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/
|
|-
|[[Netgear]] (internet networking equipment)
|Almost every Netgear internet router requires the creation of a new account to function as a router, 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].
|[https://www.netgear.com/about/terms-and-conditions/ <nowiki>[62]</nowiki>]
[https://kb.netgear.com/000062104/What-subscription-plans-are-available-for-NETGEAR-Smart-Parental-Controls <nowiki>[63]</nowiki>]
[https://www.netgear.com/hub/author/abhorkar/ <nowiki>[64]</nowiki>]
[https://www.pcmag.com/news/tp-link-accuses-netgear-of-smear-campaign-to-advance-us-router-ban?test_uuid=04IpBmWGZleS0I0J3epvMrC&test_variant=B <nowiki>[65]</nowiki>]
|-
|[[Nothing]]
|Nothing brings home-screen ads (can be disabled manually) and [[bloatware]] to its lower end models despite previously boasting about being bloatware free
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Floemer |first=Andreas |date=2025-10-27 |title=Phone 3a: NothingOS 4.0 brings optional ads to the lock screen |url=https://www.heise.de/en/news/Phone-3a-NothingOS-4-0-brings-optional-ads-to-the-lock-screen-10904033.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222212507/https://www.heise.de/en/news/Phone-3a-NothingOS-4-0-brings-optional-ads-to-the-lock-screen-10904033.html |archive-date=22 Feb 2026|access-date=2025-10-27 |website=Heise Online}}</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>
|-
|[[Persona]] (Age verification service)
|Used by Discord to do age verification using facial 3d scans, which are transmitted to Persona servers. It has been revealed that the company has ties to Palantir and Peter Thiel.
|<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/software/platforms/oh-good-discords-age-verification-rollout-has-ties-to-palantir-co-founder-and-panopticon-architect-peter-thiel/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260221224755/https://www.pcgamer.com/software/platforms/oh-good-discords-age-verification-rollout-has-ties-to-palantir-co-founder-and-panopticon-architect-peter-thiel/ |archive-date=21 Feb 2026}}</ref>
|-
|[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>
|-
|[[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>
|-
|[[Twitch]]
|Twitch has recently partnered with Persona to verify the ages of new affiliates before first payouts.
|
|-
|[[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>
|-
|[[Web cookie]]
|[[wikipedia:HTTP_cookie|Wikipedia]]
|
|-
|[[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>
|-
|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.
|
|-
|[[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>
|-
|Wolfgang Puck Bread Makers
|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).
|
|-
|[[Xcode]] support dropped for older MacBooks
|Apple has discontinued support for up to date versions of Xcode iOS development on older MacBook devices (discovered on my MacBook Pro 2017, but I’m sure it applies to other old devices as well), resulting in not being able to use a perfectly capable machine for iOS app development without having to go through countless loopholes. 1) you cannot commit new updates without utilizing a third-party medium, 2) the warning and error compiler is out of date due to not being able to update to the latest version, which of course supports the latest iOS release, so you have to figure it out on your own like it’s the 80’s 3) you must commit and release a new TestFlight build (through [1] loophole) to do any testing instead of being able to simulate on your Mac or even a connected device 4) this all really stems from the fact that the new Xcode updates require the new MacOS version which is also discontinued for older MacBooks. This means 8 year old device is basically just useless for such applications.
|[[Category:Sources]]
|-
|[[Zhiyun]]
|Like competing products from [[DJI]], Zhiyun video gimbals require a Chinese smartphone app, internet access and an account to activate on first use.
|<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CjNp6pWNoQ |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=_CjNp6pWNoQ |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</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.
|
|}

==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>
|-
|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 |title= |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.
|
|-
|Philips
|Added files for replacement parts to Printables so you can 3D print parts for your Philips products
|
|-
|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>
|-
|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.
|
|-
|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>
|}

==See Also==

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

==Reference List==
<references />

Article suggestions

2026-03-06T14:31:07Z

Neige: /* List of incidents not yet covered */

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

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

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

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

==Example==
Below is an example of what an entry should appear as:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Company
!Summary of Incident
!Refs
|-
|[[Nintendo]]
|In 2025, the company Nintendo stripped Switch 2 consoles that used the MIG switch cartridge of all online functionality
|<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Scattered Brain |date=Jun 16, 2025 |title=Soo... Nintendo banned my Switch 2 (Don't try the MIG Switch!) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExgYTA18_vo&t=656s |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==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Company
!Summary of Incident
!Refs
|-
|[[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.
|-
|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 adds arbitration clause for future Affinity Studio users|See this article here]].
|<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" />
|-
|[[Alibaba]]
|[[wikipedia:Alibaba_Group|WP]]
|
|-
|[[Amazon]]
|Amazon renders Fire TV Blaster unusable, offers Amazon gift card to affected customers
|<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.heise.de/en/news/Amazon-makes-Fire-TV-Blaster-unusable-11145570.html |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260120070820/https://www.heise.de/en/news/Amazon-makes-Fire-TV-Blaster-unusable-11145570.html |archive-date=20 Jan 2026}}</ref>
|-
|[[Anker]]
|In Anker's Terms of Service for Solix solar generator product, under 19.3 Mandatory Updates:
In critical situations—such as addressing severe security vulnerabilities, complying with legal requirements, or ensuring compatibility with our service architecture—we reserve the right to issue mandatory Updates for both the firmware and the App. These essential updates may install automatically, or require immediate installation before further use, and you will not be permitted to opt out. If you fail to install such an update, certain device functionalities or access to the App may be limited or suspended to maintain the security and integrity of our service.
https://www.anker.com/ca/policies/terms-of-service
|
|-
|[[Apple]]
|Apple changes Logic Pro and the Apple office suite into a subscription when it was either a one time purchase or free with the mac.
|
|-
|[[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= |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>
|-
|[[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 |title= |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}}</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>
|-
|'''[[Arduino]]''' (/ɑːrˈdwiːnoʊ/) is an Italian open-source hardware and software company owned by Qualcomm
|Arduino’s new terms of service worries hobbyists ahead of Qualcomm acquisition.
User shall not:

*translate, decompile or reverse-engineer the Platform, or engage in any other activity designed to identify the algorithms and logic of the Platform’s operation, unless expressly allowed by Arduino or by applicable license agreements …
|
|-
|Atlassian
|Users forced from on-premise to cloud only subscriptions
Edit: Page has been started [[Atlassian on premise to subscription|here]], more work, citation, and verification needs to be done.
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ascend to the cloud: The next chapter for Atlassian and our customers |url=https://www.atlassian.com/blog/announcements/atlassian-ascend |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251018171903/https://www.atlassian.com/blog/announcements/atlassian-ascend |archive-date=18 Oct 2025}}</ref>
|-
|[[Axon]]
|Tazers sold with lease agreement that makes purchase effectively a subscription.
|[https://norwoodrecord.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/4/8/114832579/norwood_record_pages_1_to_12__4sep2025.pdf <nowiki>[69]</nowiki>]
|-
|[[Bayer]]
|[[wikipedia:Bayer|Wikipedia]]. See [[Monsanto]]
|
|-
|[[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>
|-
|[[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.
|
|-
|[[Bosch]] and Shimano
|Electric bike companies including Bosch and Shimano limit consumer's abilities to access their e-bike electrical system such as when installing a new light or a phone charger. Special software only accessible to qualified bike shops is required to activate ports or accept new devices. Additional connectivity barriers may exist such as difficult to acquire Bosch specific cables.
|<ref>{{Cite web |first=RunBikeMike |date=2024-1-1 |title=Installing an EBike Light To Run Off Your Battery / MagicShine ME2000 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvG7Fpb1tzI&t=50s |access-date=2026-3-6 |website=Youtube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=15 Mar 2022 |title=Bosch takes the L on right to repair for ebikes |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7e9hO5yMtk |access-date=March 6 2026 |website=Youtube}}</ref>
|-
|[[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]
|
|-
|[[Cloud-first]]
|The antithesis of [https://www.inkandswitch.com/essay/local-first local-first]. See "[https://karl-voit.at/cloud You Can't Control Your Data in the Cloud]"
|
|-
|[[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>
|-
|[[Dell]] and [[HP]]
|HP and Dell have disabled HEVC (H.264/H.265) hardware encoding and decoding support built into their laptops’ CPUs using both Intel and AMD processors.
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harding |first=Scharon |date=2025-11-21 |title=HP and Dell disable HEVC support built into their laptops’ CPUs |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/11/hp-and-dell-disable-hevc-support-built-into-their-laptops-cpus/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251121083438/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/11/hp-and-dell-disable-hevc-support-built-into-their-laptops-cpus/ |archive-date=2025-11-21 |access-date=2025-11-21 |website=Ars Technica}}</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=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>
|-
|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>
|-
|[[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]]
|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 Graphene OS, 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}}</ref>
|-
|Google Maps
|Google restricts data visible in Google Maps for users who are not signed in with an 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 |title= |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}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= |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}}</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>
|
|-
|[[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.
|
|-
|[[Hikvision]]
|Chinese surveillance camera manufacturer complicit in Uighur genocide which used to advertise recognition of praying and ramadan fasting among its selling points. Similarly to [[Flock license plate readers|Flock]], they are in use world wide and likely feed directly into the Chinese government's surveillance infrastructure and could conceivably be used to find dissidents world-wide. Recently, [https://netzpolitik.org/2025/hikvision-hersteller-der-hamburger-ki-ueberwachungskameras-ist-fuer-menschenrechtsverletzungen-bekannt/ the city of Hamburg has installed them] ([https://netzpolitik-org.translate.goog/2025/hikvision-hersteller-der-hamburger-ki-ueberwachungskameras-ist-fuer-menschenrechtsverletzungen-bekannt/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp Google Translate Version in English]).
|
|-
|[[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].
|
|-
|[[IPVideo Corporation]] (owned by [[Motorola]])
|Manufacturer of surveillance hardware. The notable example that brought them to my attention is the Halo 3C/3C-PC Smart Sensor, which is deployed in places such as school bathrooms and subsidized/social housing. This system has a variety of sensors on it, from air quality ones (for detecting smoking/vape usage) all the way to microphones (ostensibly for audio analysis to identify aggression and gunshots, without the capability to stream the audio elsewhere, but this not a limitation built into the hardware and could be changed by a firmware update).
|<ref>{{Cite_web |last=Reynaldo |last2=nyx |name-list-style=amp |date=2025-10-10 |title=DEF CON 33 - Unmasking the Snitch Puck: IoT surveillance tech in the school bathroom |url=https://youtu.be/WCnojaEpF2I |publisher=DEF CON |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=WCnojaEpF2I |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite_web |access-date=2025-10-26 |url=https://www.pelco.com/sensors |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250922000017/https://www.pelco.com/sensors |archive-date=2025-09-22 |title=HALO Smart Sensor Suite |website=PELCO}}</ref>
|-
|[[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>
|-
|[[JavaScript]]
|[[wikipedia:JavaScript|WP]]. [https://github.com/Rudxain/blog/blob/main/post/js-abuse.md Compilation of sources/refs]
|
|-
|[[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= |first=Fight for the Future |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 |journal=2020 IEEE International Conference on Decentralized Applications and Infrastructures (DAPPS) |location=Oxford, UK |publisher=IEEE |doi=10.1109/DAPPS49028.2020.00005 |isbn=978-1-7281-6978-1 |via=IEEE Xplore |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250825221749/https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9126007/ |archive-date=25 Aug 2025}}</ref>
|-
|[[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.
|
|-
|[[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>
|-
|[[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>
|-
|[[Mitsubishi Motors]]
|Mitsubishi Motors has a rich history of consumer protection, compliance issues and privacy breaches. These include concealing safety defects, falsifying fuel economy data, and being fined for false advertising. Following the trend of subscription services for the automotive industry, Mitsubishi paywalls built-in features including remote start, SOS, collision detection, and car tracking through its app Mitsubishi Connect subscription service.
|[https://www.autoevolution.com/news/mitsubishi-fined-42-million-by-japans-consumer-affairs-agency-115026.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com] [https://leakd.com/leaks/mitsubishi-motors-vietnam-customer-data-breached/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Motors?utm_source=chatgpt.com] [https://violationtracker.goodjobsfirst.org/?order=pen_year&parent=mitsubishi-motors&sort=&utm_source=chatgpt.com][https://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en/newsroom/newsrelease/2017/20171129_3.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com]
|-
|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 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.
|
|-
|[[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/
|
|-
|[[Netgear]] (internet networking equipment)
|Almost every Netgear internet router requires the creation of a new account to function as a router, 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].
|[https://www.netgear.com/about/terms-and-conditions/ <nowiki>[62]</nowiki>]
[https://kb.netgear.com/000062104/What-subscription-plans-are-available-for-NETGEAR-Smart-Parental-Controls <nowiki>[63]</nowiki>]
[https://www.netgear.com/hub/author/abhorkar/ <nowiki>[64]</nowiki>]
[https://www.pcmag.com/news/tp-link-accuses-netgear-of-smear-campaign-to-advance-us-router-ban?test_uuid=04IpBmWGZleS0I0J3epvMrC&test_variant=B <nowiki>[65]</nowiki>]
|-
|[[Nothing]]
|Nothing brings home-screen ads (can be disabled manually) and [[bloatware]] to its lower end models despite previously boasting about being bloatware free
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Floemer |first=Andreas |date=2025-10-27 |title=Phone 3a: NothingOS 4.0 brings optional ads to the lock screen |url=https://www.heise.de/en/news/Phone-3a-NothingOS-4-0-brings-optional-ads-to-the-lock-screen-10904033.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222212507/https://www.heise.de/en/news/Phone-3a-NothingOS-4-0-brings-optional-ads-to-the-lock-screen-10904033.html |archive-date=22 Feb 2026|access-date=2025-10-27 |website=Heise Online}}</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>
|-
|[[Persona]] (Age verification service)
|Used by Discord to do age verification using facial 3d scans, which are transmitted to Persona servers. It has been revealed that the company has ties to Palantir and Peter Thiel.
|<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/software/platforms/oh-good-discords-age-verification-rollout-has-ties-to-palantir-co-founder-and-panopticon-architect-peter-thiel/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260221224755/https://www.pcgamer.com/software/platforms/oh-good-discords-age-verification-rollout-has-ties-to-palantir-co-founder-and-panopticon-architect-peter-thiel/ |archive-date=21 Feb 2026}}</ref>
|-
|[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>
|-
|[[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>
|-
|[[Twitch]]
|Twitch has recently partnered with Persona to verify the ages of new affiliates before first payouts.
|
|-
|[[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>
|-
|[[Web cookie]]
|[[wikipedia:HTTP_cookie|Wikipedia]]
|
|-
|[[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>
|-
|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.
|
|-
|[[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>
|-
|Wolfgang Puck Bread Makers
|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).
|
|-
|[[Xcode]] support dropped for older MacBooks
|Apple has discontinued support for up to date versions of Xcode iOS development on older MacBook devices (discovered on my MacBook Pro 2017, but I’m sure it applies to other old devices as well), resulting in not being able to use a perfectly capable machine for iOS app development without having to go through countless loopholes. 1) you cannot commit new updates without utilizing a third-party medium, 2) the warning and error compiler is out of date due to not being able to update to the latest version, which of course supports the latest iOS release, so you have to figure it out on your own like it’s the 80’s 3) you must commit and release a new TestFlight build (through [1] loophole) to do any testing instead of being able to simulate on your Mac or even a connected device 4) this all really stems from the fact that the new Xcode updates require the new MacOS version which is also discontinued for older MacBooks. This means 8 year old device is basically just useless for such applications.
|[[Category:Sources]]
|-
|[[Zhiyun]]
|Like competing products from [[DJI]], Zhiyun video gimbals require a Chinese smartphone app, internet access and an account to activate on first use.
|<ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CjNp6pWNoQ |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=_CjNp6pWNoQ |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</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.
|
|}

==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>
|-
|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 |title= |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.
|
|-
|Philips
|Added files for replacement parts to Printables so you can 3D print parts for your Philips products
|
|-
|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>
|-
|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.
|
|-
|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>
|}

==See Also==

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

==Reference List==
<references />