Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Wyze

2025-08-16T03:15:33Z

Pilotplater: Added camera category

{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Wyze
| Type = Private
| Founded = 2017
| Industry = Technology
| Official Website = https://wyze.com/
| Logo = Wyze.png
}}

'''{{Wplink|Wyze Labs|Wyze Labs, Inc.}}''' (formerly '''Wyzecam'''), also known as '''Wyze''', is an American technology company that was incorporated on July 19, 2017. It specializes in smart home products and wireless cameras.

==Security-camera breach==
===Incident===
On two separate occasions from September 2023 to February 2024, Wyze personal security cameras were able to be accessed by other owners, because of security failures.

In early September 2023, many users of Wyze security cameras reported being able to see the feeds of cameras that were not their own. A Wyze spokesperson reported this was because of a "web caching issue and [had been] resolved". Users throughout social-media platforms such as [[Twitter]] and [[Reddit]] reported this issue, and within 30 minutes, the camera-view portal was shut down.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=9 Sep 2023 |title=Your Wyze webcam might have let other owners peek into your house |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/8/23865255/wyze-security-camera-feeds-web-view-issue |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=The Verge}}</ref>

In late February 2024, after bringing servers back from a company outage, about 13,000 users<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=@u/H3H3ather |date=19 Feb 2024 |title=I was watched by someone |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/wyzecam/comments/1aulfw4/i_was_watched_by_someone/ |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |via=Reddit}}</ref> were able to view thumbnails from another user's cameras, with about 1,500<ref name=":1" /> being able to view the video.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=28 Feb 2024 |title=Wyze cameras let other people view her home: why cloud security is an oxymoron |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkZl7FBipXA |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Valinsky |first=Jordan |date=20 Feb 2024 |title=About 13,000 home security customers were shown someone else’s home |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/20/tech/wyze-breach-camera/index.html |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=CNN}}</ref>

===Implications===
Security cameras are a tool used by those looking for companies to make resources to protect them. These incidents show Wyze security cameras did not have the capabilities to protect their users. ''The Verge'' reported that Wyze was aware of security flaws in the WyzeCam v1 cameras for more than 4 years, but discontinued the product rather than fixing the issue.<ref name=":0" /> Discontinuing the product did not help those who already own the product, and it is the nature of cloud cameras that the consumer must be able to trust companies to deliver proper security patches to protect their private information.

==Bait-and-switch behavior==
When Wyze and Wyze v2 cameras were popularized in 2018 and before, they were sold under the premise that 24-hour recording or infinitely long video clips are a subscription add-on, but that short video clips would be included for free using their cloud service. Sometime between 2020 and 2022, Wyze [[Retroactively amended purchase|changed its policy]], charging a subscription of $1.99 per camera for the video-clip service.<ref>{{Cite web |last=amarryat |date=17 Mar 2022 |title=Bait and switch |url=https://forums.wyze.com/t/bait-and-switch/221810 |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |via=Wyze Forum}}</ref>

Likely in an attempt to prevent legal action, they released a "cam plus lite" package,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cam Plus Lite |url=https://www.wyze.com/pages/cam-plus-lite |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=Wyze}}</ref> but enabling this feature is buried in menus and sub-menus in the website. To date, there is no way to enable this feature in the phone app, which is the primary way users access their cameras. Users can, however, use the phone app to pay monthly for the same or similar service.

==Terms of use==
*Wyze's [[terms of service]] include [[Forced Arbitration|forced arbitration]], and a waiver of [[class action]] and jury trial.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 Dec 2024 |title=Wyze Terms of Service: Section 12 |url=https://www.wyze.com/policies/terms-of-service#l |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=Wyze}}</ref>
*Wyze may suspend or terminate your use of the product at any time and claim they are not responsible if this causes financial loss.
*Wyze can both stop providing software updates and do automatic software updates without consent. The only alternative is to cease using the product.

==References==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Wyze]]
[[Category:Cameras]]

Apple

2025-01-29T01:21:45Z

Pilotplater: "Battery-Gate" Class action lawsuit

{{Under_Development}}
{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Apple
| Type = Public
| Founded = 1976
| Industry = Electronics
| Official Website = https://apple.com/
| Logo = Apple logo black.png
}}
[[wikipedia:Apple_Inc.|'''Apple''']] is a company that was founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. There was always a bit of a head in the clouds approach from Apple to designing things, but it seemed to work well until about the 2000's. Suddenly, there was an obsession with cutting excess weight, probably sparked about the time of the iPod, at the cost of repairability and upgradeability. Of course, the iPhone's launch would wind up staging the path of crafting the most popular consumer electronic device in the world, and smartphones now have become one of the most controversial to the right to repair community. That is normally expected to be designed with little regard to ease of independent repair. <sup>Sources?</sup>
==2010's==
Apple had numerous design failings in the 2010's, and these were often brushed under the rug, and people experiencing such an issue would be normally charged exorbitant amounts for repair. [https://9to5mac.com/2014/10/28/apple-class-action-lawsuit-2011-macbook-pro-gpu-graphics-issues/ High-cost GPU failures on early 2010's MacBooks], the 2016-'17 MacBook Pro's screen cable [https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/5/18251264/macbook-pro-2018-flexgate-fix-display-cable-2mm-longer skimping scandal], [https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/4/21246223/macbook-keyboard-butterfly-magic-pro-apple-design 2016-2019 MacBooks butterfly keyboards], the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro's [https://macperformanceguide.com/blog/2020/20200403_1024-MacBookPro2019-repairs.html SSD failures] and more are design flaws Apple have, as they have often, dodged accountability for and continue to do.<sup>Sources?</sup>

==Attempts to do better==
Apple have attempted recent changes to their products that have made them better, but [https://www.ifixit.com/News/106300/macbook-pro-m4-pro-teardown-new-model-same-repair-situation still not on par] with some [https://www.ifixit.com/repairability/laptop-repairability-scores#Laptop-Scores other manufacturers] for pro-consumer behavior. Many believe this to be driven by [https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/oct/26/iphone-usb-c-lightning-connectors-apple-eu-rules changing legislation]. This includes:

*Opening an online [https://support.apple.com/self-service-repair Self Service Repair] parts store.
*Making the [https://www.ifixit.com/News/64865/iphone-14-teardown back glass of iPhones removable] starting from iPhone 14.
*Allowing alternative app stores in an update to iOS 17, in compliance with new [https://support.apple.com/en-us/117767#:~:text=Contact%20Apple%20Support-,Installing%20apps%20through%20alternative%20app%20distribution%20in%20the%20European%20Union,with%20iPadOS%2018%20or%20later. EU legislation].
*[https://support.apple.com/en-us/120579 Calibration tools] for newly installed used parts in iOS 18, which sometimes work.
*[https://www.ifixit.com/News/104302/all-hail-the-return-of-upgradeable-storage-mac-mini-2024-teardown An upgradeable, swappable SSD in the 2024 Mac Mini] - albeit you cannot swap these units between M4 and M4 Pro units due to the internal casing's design being different without much good reason.
*A battery removable with just a 9V battery in the 2024 [https://support.apple.com/en-us/120671 iPhone 16] and [https://support.apple.com/en-us/120671 iPhone 16 Plus].

==Operating system downgrades==
It is not possible to upgrade or downgrade an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, etc. to an Operating System (OS) version other than the absolute latest. On Macs with T2 chip or Apple Silicon, the user can select from three modes of secure boot:<ref>https://support.apple.com/102522</ref>

*No security: Allow any OS to run (same as turning off secure boot on a PC).
*Medium security: Allow any OS that is signed with a secure boot certificate (default, same as turning on secure boot on a PC).
*Full security: Only allow the latest version of macOS, do not allow any other OS.

iOS devices only support full security mode. The device checks for a cryptographic "[https://theapplewiki.com/wiki/APTicket ticket]," which are tied to the OS version and CPU serial number. These are provided by a server, which only provides them for the latest version (with very specific exceptions). The device refuses to boot if the ticket does not match. [https://theapplewiki.com/wiki/Firmware_downgrading Workarounds] exist, but with major caveats that are not viable for most users.<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SHSH_blob</ref>

==== Class Action ====
Apple was the defendant of a class-action lawsuit with claims dating back to 2017 where users noticed their phones were being artificially slowed down. Apple agreed to settle the lawsuit for up to 500 million.<ref>CNET Article: https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/apple-starts-sending-out-iphone-batterygate-settlement-payments-what-to-know/</ref> Apple claimed that this change was to benefit users who have old failing batteries, and that it wasn't for planned obsolescence. They later published software updates and an article explaining how users can opt out of this new "performance management" mode.<ref>Apple battery performance management https://support.apple.com/en-us/101575</ref>

Once a new OS version is installed, there is no opportunity to go back. This also restricts the user's choice to jailbreak the device, as the latest version naturally has patches for the latest jailbreak exploits. App developers also require access to earlier iOS versions to test that their app works correctly. The alternative, Xcode's iOS Simulator, is not a complete replacement for real hardware, as it does not have all features of a physical device.<ref>https://contextqa.com/test-on-ios-emulators-simulators/</ref> Instead, app developers are forced to purchase several test devices, and remember to ''never'' allow them to update.
==Parts availability==
Many parts are not available directly from Apple. Those that are available directly from Apple may be more expensive than paying Apple to repair your device. Parts available to certified repair centers are extremely limited. Apple does not stock current generation iPad parts within GSX (See Certified Repair Centers). A limited selection of iPad parts are available from iFixit, however this can exclude some flex PCBs necessary for repairing headphone jacks.

==Diagnostic software availability==
Calibration software for some Apple devices has only recently become available to end users. End user calibration tools have only become accessible in iOS 18. Similar calibration tools have been available to Certified Repair Centers, but are generally limited as many parts are serialized ie; lid sensors on Mac Books.

==Certified repair centers==
Certified Repair Centers have some limited access to Apple's proprietary backend (GSX2). GSX contains many tools necessary to repair devices such as; diagnostic tools, calibration tools, parts catalog, and device repair history. GSX is only accessible to repair centers Apple deems certified. GSX does not stock parts for iPads. It does not allow the calibration of parts such as lid sensors for a device, if that device does not have an open repair and purchased parts. The new iOS 18 calibration tool is very similar to Apple's ASU (GSX's diagnostic/calibration tool) Some videos of GSX can be found online. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy8bS1AgxcY

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Computer companies]]
[[Category:Electronics companies]]
[[Category:Mobile phone manufacturers]]
[[Category:Retail companies]]
[[Category:Technology companies]]
[[Category:Apple]]

Wyze

2025-01-19T05:56:31Z

Pilotplater: /* Terms of Use */ link forced arbitration

== Wyze Cloud Security Camera Breach ==

=== Incident ===
On two separate occasions from September 2023 to February 2024, Wyze personal security cameras were able to be accessed by other owners due to security failures.

In early September 2023, many Wyze security camera users reported being able to see the feeds of cameras that were not their own. A Wyze spokesperson reported this was due to a "web caching issue and is now resolved." Users throughout social media platforms such as Twitter and Reddit reported this issue and within 30 minutes, the camera view portal was shut down.<ref name=":0">https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/8/23865255/wyze-security-camera-feeds-web-view-issue</ref>

In late February 2024, after bringing servers back from a company outage, about 13,000<ref name=":1">https://www.reddit.com/r/wyzecam/comments/1aulfw4/i_was_watched_by_someone/</ref> users were able to view thumbnails from another users cameras with about 1,500<ref name=":1" /> being able to view the video.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkZl7FBipXA</ref><ref>https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/20/tech/wyze-breach-camera/index.html</ref>

=== Implications ===
Security cameras are a tool used by those looking for companies to make resources to protect them. These incidents show Wyze security cameras did not have the capabilities to protect their users. [https://www.theverge.com/ The Verge] reports Wyze was aware of security flaws in the WyzeCam v1 cameras for more than 4 years but discontinued the product rather than fixing the issue.<ref name=":0" /> Discontinuing the product does not help those who already own the product, and it is the nature of cloud cameras that the consumer must trust companies to deliver the proper security patches to protect their private information.
== "Bait and Switch" style behavior ==
When Wyze and Wyze v2 cameras were popularized in 2018 and prior, they were sold under the premise that 24h recording or infinitely long video clips are a subscription add-on, but short video clips would be included for free using their cloud service.

Sometime between 2020 and 2022 this video clip service became a subscription for $1.99 per camera<ref>https://forums.wyze.com/t/bait-and-switch/221810</ref>

Likely in an attempt to prevent legal action, they released a "cam plus lite" package<ref>https://www.wyze.com/pages/cam-plus-lite</ref>, but enabling this feature is buried in menus and sub-menus in the website. To date there's no way to enable it in the phone app which is the main way users access their cameras. Users can however use the phone app to pay monthly for the same or similar service.

== Terms of Use ==

* Wyze's terms include [[Forced Arbitration|forced arbitration]], and a waiver of class action and jury trial<ref>Wyze Terms of Use: https://www.wyze.com/policies/terms-of-service#l Section 12</ref>.
* They may suspend or terminate your use of the product at any time and claim they're not responsible if this causes financial loss.
* Wyze may either stop providing software updates, or do automatic software updates without consent. The only alternative is to cease using the product.

== Citations ==
[[Category:Companies]]

Wyze

2025-01-19T05:54:46Z

Pilotplater: /* "Bait and Switch" style behavior */

== Wyze Cloud Security Camera Breach ==

=== Incident ===
On two separate occasions from September 2023 to February 2024, Wyze personal security cameras were able to be accessed by other owners due to security failures.

In early September 2023, many Wyze security camera users reported being able to see the feeds of cameras that were not their own. A Wyze spokesperson reported this was due to a "web caching issue and is now resolved." Users throughout social media platforms such as Twitter and Reddit reported this issue and within 30 minutes, the camera view portal was shut down.<ref name=":0">https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/8/23865255/wyze-security-camera-feeds-web-view-issue</ref>

In late February 2024, after bringing servers back from a company outage, about 13,000<ref name=":1">https://www.reddit.com/r/wyzecam/comments/1aulfw4/i_was_watched_by_someone/</ref> users were able to view thumbnails from another users cameras with about 1,500<ref name=":1" /> being able to view the video.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkZl7FBipXA</ref><ref>https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/20/tech/wyze-breach-camera/index.html</ref>

=== Implications ===
Security cameras are a tool used by those looking for companies to make resources to protect them. These incidents show Wyze security cameras did not have the capabilities to protect their users. [https://www.theverge.com/ The Verge] reports Wyze was aware of security flaws in the WyzeCam v1 cameras for more than 4 years but discontinued the product rather than fixing the issue.<ref name=":0" /> Discontinuing the product does not help those who already own the product, and it is the nature of cloud cameras that the consumer must trust companies to deliver the proper security patches to protect their private information.
== "Bait and Switch" style behavior ==
When Wyze and Wyze v2 cameras were popularized in 2018 and prior, they were sold under the premise that 24h recording or infinitely long video clips are a subscription add-on, but short video clips would be included for free using their cloud service.

Sometime between 2020 and 2022 this video clip service became a subscription for $1.99 per camera<ref>https://forums.wyze.com/t/bait-and-switch/221810</ref>

Likely in an attempt to prevent legal action, they released a "cam plus lite" package<ref>https://www.wyze.com/pages/cam-plus-lite</ref>, but enabling this feature is buried in menus and sub-menus in the website. To date there's no way to enable it in the phone app which is the main way users access their cameras. Users can however use the phone app to pay monthly for the same or similar service.

== Terms of Use ==

* Wyze's terms include forced arbitration, and a waiver of class action and jury trial<ref>Wyze Terms of Use: https://www.wyze.com/policies/terms-of-service#l Section 12</ref>.
* They may suspend or terminate your use of the product at any time and claim they're not responsible if this causes financial loss.
* Wyze may either stop providing software updates, or do automatic software updates without consent. The only alternative is to cease using the product.

== Citations ==
[[Category:Companies]]

Wyze

2025-01-19T05:52:38Z

Pilotplater: Added terms of use key items.

== Wyze Cloud Security Camera Breach ==

=== Incident ===
On two separate occasions from September 2023 to February 2024, Wyze personal security cameras were able to be accessed by other owners due to security failures.

In early September 2023, many Wyze security camera users reported being able to see the feeds of cameras that were not their own. A Wyze spokesperson reported this was due to a "web caching issue and is now resolved." Users throughout social media platforms such as Twitter and Reddit reported this issue and within 30 minutes, the camera view portal was shut down.<ref name=":0">https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/8/23865255/wyze-security-camera-feeds-web-view-issue</ref>

In late February 2024, after bringing servers back from a company outage, about 13,000<ref name=":1">https://www.reddit.com/r/wyzecam/comments/1aulfw4/i_was_watched_by_someone/</ref> users were able to view thumbnails from another users cameras with about 1,500<ref name=":1" /> being able to view the video.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkZl7FBipXA</ref><ref>https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/20/tech/wyze-breach-camera/index.html</ref>

=== Implications ===
Security cameras are a tool used by those looking for companies to make resources to protect them. These incidents show Wyze security cameras did not have the capabilities to protect their users. [https://www.theverge.com/ The Verge] reports Wyze was aware of security flaws in the WyzeCam v1 cameras for more than 4 years but discontinued the product rather than fixing the issue.<ref name=":0" /> Discontinuing the product does not help those who already own the product, and it is the nature of cloud cameras that the consumer must trust companies to deliver the proper security patches to protect their private information.
== "Bait and Switch" style behavior ==
When Wyze and Wyze v2 cameras were popularized in 2018 and prior, they were sold under the premise that 24h recording or infinitely long video clips are a subscription add-on, but short video clips would be included for free using their cloud service.

Sometime between 2020 and 2022 this video clip service became a subscription for $1.99 per camera<ref>https://forums.wyze.com/t/bait-and-switch/221810</ref>

Likely to prevent legal action, they released a "cam plus lite" package<ref>https://www.wyze.com/pages/cam-plus-lite</ref>, but enabling this feature is buried in menus and sub-menus in the online application. To date there's no way to enable it in the phone app which is the main way users access their cameras. Users can however pay monthly for the same or similar service from the phone app.

== Terms of Use ==

* Wyze's terms include forced arbitration, and a waiver of class action and jury trial<ref>Wyze Terms of Use: https://www.wyze.com/policies/terms-of-service#l Section 12</ref>.
* They may suspend or terminate your use of the product at any time and claim they're not responsible if this causes financial loss.
* Wyze may either stop providing software updates, or do automatic software updates without consent. The only alternative is to cease using the product.

== Citations ==
[[Category:Companies]]

Wyze

2025-01-19T05:44:05Z

Pilotplater: Bait and switch style behaviour

== Wyze Cloud Security Camera Breach ==

=== Incident ===
On two separate occasions from September 2023 to February 2024, Wyze personal security cameras were able to be accessed by other owners due to security failures.

In early September 2023, many Wyze security camera users reported being able to see the feeds of cameras that were not their own. A Wyze spokesperson reported this was due to a "web caching issue and is now resolved." Users throughout social media platforms such as Twitter and Reddit reported this issue and within 30 minutes, the camera view portal was shut down.<ref name=":0">https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/8/23865255/wyze-security-camera-feeds-web-view-issue</ref>

In late February 2024, after bringing servers back from a company outage, about 13,000<ref name=":1">https://www.reddit.com/r/wyzecam/comments/1aulfw4/i_was_watched_by_someone/</ref> users were able to view thumbnails from another users cameras with about 1,500<ref name=":1" /> being able to view the video.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkZl7FBipXA</ref><ref>https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/20/tech/wyze-breach-camera/index.html</ref>

=== Implications ===
Security cameras are a tool used by those looking for companies to make resources to protect them. These incidents show Wyze security cameras did not have the capabilities to protect their users. [https://www.theverge.com/ The Verge] reports Wyze was aware of security flaws in the WyzeCam v1 cameras for more than 4 years but discontinued the product rather than fixing the issue.<ref name=":0" /> Discontinuing the product does not help those who already own the product, and it is the nature of cloud cameras that the consumer must trust companies to deliver the proper security patches to protect their private information.
== "Bait and Switch" style behavior ==
When Wyze and Wyze v2 cameras were popularized in 2018 and prior, they were sold under the premise that 24h recording or infinitely long video clips are a subscription add-on, but short video clips would be included for free using their cloud service.

Sometime between 2020 and 2022 this video clip service became a subscription for $1.99 per camera<ref>https://forums.wyze.com/t/bait-and-switch/221810</ref>

Likely to prevent legal action, they released a "cam plus lite" package<ref>https://www.wyze.com/pages/cam-plus-lite</ref>, but enabling this feature is buried in menus and sub-menus in the online application. To date there's no way to enable it in the phone app which is the main way users access their cameras. Users can however pay monthly for the same or similar service from the phone app.

[[Category:Companies]]