Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

PFAS cover-up

2025-05-29T00:40:46Z

Rapid50: added reference to Veritasium video

{{StubNotice}}

Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used in the creation of Teflon, a strong material that was used excessively in the 20th century. PFAS are however noted to be "forever chemicals", which cannot break down and have been known to cause cancer in sizes as small as 4 parts per trillion (the equivalent of 1 drop within several swimming pools), and have been leeched into the environment for nearly a century. Companies such as 3M and DuPont have both been burying this information and spreading harmful misinformation regarding the safety of PFAS.

==Background==
Just before the 2nd world war, consumers were dying due to the refrigerants used in electric refrigerators being lethal, often being called the silent killer by both consumers and the media during the time. Because of this, companies were attempting to create a safer alternative, and through a mistake involving the storage of tetrafluoroethylene gas inside of cylinders in 1939, the waxy solid polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), also known as Teflon was discovered to be extremely resistant, and became a valuable material, especially in the production of fittings used during the Manhattan project.

As the excessive heat of creating Teflon in large quantities was becoming lethal, to the point where an explosion took multiple workers' lives, work was put into producing a way to generate Teflon in a water-cooled environment. This had led to the creation polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), such as PFOS or PFOA, which both increased the safety of producing Teflon, and also the added benefit creating products that could be coated with Teflon.

==Burial of research==

==Lawsuits==
{{Placeholder box|If applicable, add any information regarding litigation around the incident here.

===Claims===
Main claims of the suit.

===Rebuttal===
The response of the company or counterclaims.

===Outcome===
The outcome of the suit, if any.}}

==Consumer response==
{{Placeholder box|Summary and key issues of prevailing sentiment from the consumers and commentators that can be documented via articles, emails to support, reviews and forum posts.}}

In recent years, consumers have shown backlash towards companies such as 3M and DuPont who are responsible for both irresponsibly dumping wasted PFAS into the environment, and also burying the harmful risks of PFAS on both humans and the environment. Veritasium released a documentary covering the history of PFAS and their concerns over the harm it has caused for billions of people.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC2eSujzrUY</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Placeholder box|[[mw:Help:VisualEditor/User_guide#Editing_categories|Add a category]] with the same name as the product, service, website, software, product line or company that this article is about.

The "Incidents" category is not needed.}}

PFAS cover-up

2025-05-28T23:29:18Z

Rapid50: Create PFAS cover-up page

{{Placeholder box|Short summary of the incident. Usually 2-3 sentences that summarize the contents or the article. When writing the article, insert text in the space below this box, and then delete this tip box (and the other tip boxes below). In the visual editor, just click on a box and press backspace to delete it. In the source editor, simply delete the double curly brackets, and the text inside them.}}
==Background==
{{Placeholder box|Information about the product/service history to provide the necessary context surrounding the incident}}

==[Incident]==
{{Placeholder box|Change this section's title to be descriptive of the incident.

Impartial and complete description of the events, including actions taken by the company, and the timeline of the incident coming to the public's attention.}}

===[Company]'s response===
{{Placeholder box|If applicable, add the proposed solution to the issues by the company.}}

==Lawsuit==
{{Placeholder box|If applicable, add any information regarding litigation around the incident here.

===Claims===
Main claims of the suit.

===Rebuttal===
The response of the company or counterclaims.

===Outcome===
The outcome of the suit, if any.}}

==Consumer response==
{{Placeholder box|Summary and key issues of prevailing sentiment from the consumers and commentators that can be documented via articles, emails to support, reviews and forum posts.}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Placeholder box|[[mw:Help:VisualEditor/User_guide#Editing_categories|Add a category]] with the same name as the product, service, website, software, product line or company that this article is about.

The "Incidents" category is not needed.}}

List of products and services with post-purchase license change

2025-05-28T12:45:15Z

Rapid50: /* Examples */ added Malwarebytes to examples of lifetime license removal

{{StubNotice}}

Lifetime licenses are granted for software that many consumers and businesses rely upon daily for the simple fact that it is more affordable in the long-term for these products and services. As subscription-based products have become more favorable for investors among various companies,<ref>{{Cite web |last=The ProValet Team |date=Oct 16, 2024 |title=Subscription vs. One-Time Purchase: Which Saves You More Money? |url=https://www.provalet.io/guides-posts/subscription-vs-one-time-purchase |access-date=May 28, 2025 |website=ProValet}}</ref> many are forced outside of the licenses that they expected were theirs to own as-is following the terminology of "lifetime." The removal of these licenses combat the consumers' [[right to own]] the products that they paid for.

==Why it is a problem==
{{Placeholder box|If the theme or common term is positive for the consumer this section can be omitted.

===Point 1===

===Point 2===
}}

==Examples==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Company Name
!Product(s)
!Year of Removal
!Summary
!Relevant Article(s)
|-
|[[Adobe]]
|Photoshop, Acrobat, Firefly, Premiere, Creative Cloud, etc
|2020-Now
|Adobe has been slowly revoking licenses across its product library that eliminate the ownership of the products that consumers and businesses have paid for.
|[[Adobe Lightroom: Perpetual to Subscription Transition]]
|-
|[[InfiniteQuant]]
|[[VPNSecure]]
|2025
|After the company InfiniteQuant purchased VPNSecure, the company opted to revoke lifetime licenses that users had paid for
|[[VPNSecure.me terminated a "lifetime" license]]
|-
|[[Pluralsight]]
|[[Pluralsight]]
|2023-2025
|TBA
|[[Pluralsight revokes lifetime licenses]]
|-
|[[Tansee]]
|[[Tansee]]
|2020
|TBA
|[[Tansee License Changed from Lifetime to 3 Years After Purchase]]
|-
|Malwarebytes
|Malwarebytes
|2014
|TBA
|TBA
|}

==See Also==

*[[Storefront shutdown]]
*[[Right to own|Right to Own]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Common terms]]

Derrimut Gym revokes 24/7 access after running sale promoting 24/7 access gym

2025-03-01T12:56:42Z

Rapid50: capitalisation of Derrimut, Screenshot, and November

==Derrimut Gym Reduces 24/7 Access Without Corresponding Refunds==

'''Derrimut 24:7 Gym''', an Australian gym chain that is marketed as offering round-the-clock access (with "24:7" in both its name and domain), suddenly announced reductions to operating hours February 2025. The change came with minimal advance notice and shortly after a major membership sale, raising concerns about potential bait-and-switch tactics.

===Background===

Derrimut 24:7 Gym operates many gyms across Australia, with its core brand identity built around 24-hour access. Their marketing materials, website, & even company name emphasized this feature as a primary selling point.<ref name="website-current">Derrimut 24:7 Gym. (2025, February 28). Homepage. Retrieved February 28, 2025, from https://www.derrimut247.com.au/</ref>

One customer testimonial featured prominently on their website specifically highlighted the value of overnight staffing: "I love that this gym has staff even at 12 am. It makes it so safe and I don't stress about time at all now."<ref name="testimonial">Derrimut 24:7 Gym. (2025, February). Customer testimonial from Tooba Jalali. Retrieved February 28, 2025, from https://www.derrimut247.com.au/</ref>

===The Incident===

In late February 2025, Derrimut notified members that effective March 3, 2025, several gym locations would no longer operate 24/7. The new hours would be limited to 6am-10pm on weekdays and 8am-5pm on weekends.<ref name="reddit-post">u/brawdogger. (2025, February 25). Derrimut gyms no longer 24 hours, False advertising? [Reddit post]. r/Adelaide. Retrieved February 28, 2025, from https://www.reddit.com/r/Adelaide/comments/1ixq37n/derrimut_gyms_no_longer_24_hours_false_advertising/</ref>

This change was announced:
*Just 6 days before implementation
*Approximately 5 days after their "cheapest sale ever" ended
*Without offering automatic refunds or compensation for reduced service

Affected locations included multiple gyms across Adelaide, including Melrose Park, Port Adelaide, Seaford Meadows, Smithfield, Rundle Mall, and Welland, as well as locations in other states.<ref name="reddit-comment">u/ra1k_0. (2025, February 25). Comment on "Derrimut gyms no longer 24 hours, False advertising?" [Reddit comment]. r/Adelaide. Retrieved February 28, 2025.</ref>

Following member backlash, Derrimut sent follow-up emails stating they would transition to key fob access systems within 2-4 weeks that would restore 24/7 access.<ref name="followup-email">u/PhotojournalistAny22. (2025, February 25). Comment regarding follow-up email from Derrimut. [Reddit comment]. r/Adelaide. Retrieved February 28, 2025.</ref>

===Website Changes===
[[File:Screenshot of derrimut gym website from november 2024.png|alt=screenshot of Derrimut gym website from november 2024 listing 24/7 access with no qualifiers. note the mention of a sale, as well|thumb|Screenshot of Derrimut gym website from November 2024 listing 24/7 access with no qualifiers. note the mention of a sale, as well <ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20241101023820/https://www.derrimut247.com.au/</ref>]]
A comparison of Derrimut's website before and after this incident reveals the modifications:
[[File:Derrimut gym February 2025 website.png|alt=Shortly after the sale was over, Derrimut added a qualifier of '"Selected locations" under 24/7 access in small text. |thumb|Shortly after the sale was over, Derrimut added a qualifier of '"Selected locations" under 24/7 access in small text. <ref>https://www.derrimut247.com.au/</ref>]]
*'''November 2024 (archived)''': Website advertised "24 / 7 Access" without qualifications<ref name="archived">Internet Archive. (2024, November 1). Derrimut 24:7 Gym homepage. Retrieved February 28, 2025, from https://web.archive.org/web/20241101023820/https://www.derrimut247.com.au/</ref>
*'''February 2025 (current)''': Website now shows "24 / 7 Access *Selected Locations"<ref name="website-current" />

This qualifier was added only after the controversy occurred, and after the end of a sale that attracted many gymgoers based on the 24 hour policy.

===Consumer Impact===

The change hurts:
*Shift workers who relied on overnight access
*Early morning exercisers (before 6am)
*Late night gym-goers (after 10pm)
*Weekend users, especially on Sunday afternoons (closed at 5pm)

Many members reported having specifically chosen Derrimut over competitors due to the 24/7 access, with some having recently signed year-long contracts during the sale.

===Consumer Protection Broader issue===

This incident is indicative of the broader trend of companies trying to change the terms of the sale, after the sale. They use:
#Broadly-worded contract terms that contradict core advertised features
#Quiet website modifications after controversy erupts
#Post-purchase service alterations without proportionate refunds
#Using the company's own financial challenges as justification for reducing service

===References===
<references />

[[Category:Service Alterations]]
[[Category:Fitness Industry]]
[[Category:False Advertising]]
[[Category:Australia]]

Telstra

2025-02-27T22:34:22Z

Rapid50: fixed grammer from previous edit

{{Under Development|date=2025-01-14|stage=Early|priority=Low}}

{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Telstra
| Type = Public
| Founded = 1975
| Industry = Telecommunications
| Official Website = https://telstra.com.au/
| Logo = Telstra.png
}}

'''[[Wikipedia:Telstra|Telstra Group Limited]]''' is Australia's largest telecommunications provider, offering a wide range of services including mobile, broadband, and fixed-line telephony to the Australian market. As of the latest data, Telstra supports approximately 22.5 million retail mobile services and 3.4 million fixed data services. <ref>Telstra - About Our Company - 2025-01-14: https://www.telstra.com.au/aboutus/our-company</ref><ref>Telstra Group Limited - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telstra</ref>

Since 28 October 2024, Telstra has focused exclusively on providing 4G LTE and 5G mobile services, having phased out its 2G and 3G networks. In the competitive Australian mobile network market, Telstra's main rivals include Optus, owned by Singtel, and TPG Telecom, which operates the Vodafone brand.

Originally established as a government-owned entity under the name Telecom Australia, Telstra underwent privatization and became a fully private company by 2006. It is currently listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) as a publicly traded company.

Telstra launched the 'Belong' brand in 2013 as a low-cost mobile and internet services provider and acquired Boost Mobile (Australia) in 2024.

Whilst Telstra's primary market is Australia, it has also moved into the international markets in Europe, Asia and the United States.

==Controversy's==

===Putting customers under risk of being scammed/defrauded===
In 2024 Telstra was found by the ACMA to have not been authenticating customer IDs between August 2022 and April 2023 during 168,000 high-risk interactions such as password resets or SIM card swaps and has been fined $1.5 Million.<ref>ABC - ACMA found Telstra didn't have MFA for high-risk customer activities such as changing password after new rules were implemented in 2022 - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-17/telstra-fined-1-5m-for-leaving-customers-vulnerable-to-scams/104107146</ref>

Under ACMA rules that were introduced in 2022 required that all telcos in Australia to have implemented Multi-Factor ID authentication such as OTP to email/current phone number on file for high-risk changes to accounts.

The investigation found Telstra was not compliant with the new regulations and it identified about 7,000 instances involving customers in vulnerable circumstances.

A Telstra spokesperson at the time says they were "very supportive" of regulations focused on customer security, but said the 2022 regulations were significant in scope, "We had to design and deploy multi-factor authentication processes across all our channels," they continued, arguing the company missed the start date for the new regulations because it was making sure the processes worked properly.

ACMA did not find any direct evidence of losses from the breaches.

Telstra had agreed to a two-year undertaking with ACMA to take action on the breaches for future transactions, which is court enforceable if not followed.

===Locking purchased content behind new Fetch hardware===
In 2024 Telstra contacted a customer to advise that they would no longer have access to their library of content unless they upgraded their 'Telstra TV Box Office' to a new Fetch device. This change in policy requires customer to purchase new hardware in order to access the content and media they have paid for. In this instance the customer was provided a new Fetch device for free, however at no time has Telstra offered all affected customers a free device and likely many customers either paid for new hardware or lost access to the content they had purchased. <ref>The Guardian - ‘My whole library is wiped out’: what it means to own movies and TV in the age of streaming services https://www.theguardian.com/media/article/2024/may/14/my-whole-library-is-wiped-out-what-it-means-to-own-movies-and-tv-in-the-age-of-streaming-services</ref>

Under Telstra's terms of service it specifies that the content purchased is 'your content' and specifies that you can 'buy' or 'purchase' the content, however Telstra still reserves the right to take access away from the content under various circumstances. This could be misunderstood by customers to believe that they own something they paid for that is actually closer to a lease or rental arrangement.

===Reducing speeds on Belong NBN plans===
In November 2020 Telstra migrated 8,897 customers from a 100Mbps plan to a 40Mbps plan without notifying them. There was no price change for these customers even though Telstra saved $7 per customer per month for the newer lower speed service. Telstra was forced to pay $15 Million in penalties after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) instituted proceedings in the Federal Court.<ref>ACCC - Telstra found to have misled nearly 9,000 Belong customers over broadband speed claims - https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/telstra-found-to-have-misled-nearly-9000-belong-customers-over-broadband-speed-claims</ref>

===Selling mobile contracts to customers who cannot afford them===
Between January 2016 and August 2018 representatives at Telstra stores sold unaffordable contracts to 108 Indigenous customers. Sales staff manipulated credit assessments, misrepresented products as free and exploited language barriers. In 2020 the ACCC instituted Federal Court proceedings against Telstra for unconscionable conduct and the Federal Court ordered Telstra to pay $50 Million in penalties. <ref>ACCC - Telstra to pay $50m penalty for unconscionable sales to Indigenous consumers https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/telstra-to-pay-50m-penalty-for-unconscionable-sales-to-indigenous-consumers</ref>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Internet service providers]]
[[Category:Mass media companies]]
[[Category:Online music stores]]
[[Category:Telecommunications companies]]

Telstra

2025-02-27T22:32:17Z

Rapid50: Added new controversy about Telstra not implementing MFA to high-risk customer actions.

{{Under Development|date=2025-01-14|stage=Early|priority=Low}}

{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Telstra
| Type = Public
| Founded = 1975
| Industry = Telecommunications
| Official Website = https://telstra.com.au/
| Logo = Telstra.png
}}

'''[[Wikipedia:Telstra|Telstra Group Limited]]''' is Australia's largest telecommunications provider, offering a wide range of services including mobile, broadband, and fixed-line telephony to the Australian market. As of the latest data, Telstra supports approximately 22.5 million retail mobile services and 3.4 million fixed data services. <ref>Telstra - About Our Company - 2025-01-14: https://www.telstra.com.au/aboutus/our-company</ref><ref>Telstra Group Limited - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telstra</ref>

Since 28 October 2024, Telstra has focused exclusively on providing 4G LTE and 5G mobile services, having phased out its 2G and 3G networks. In the competitive Australian mobile network market, Telstra's main rivals include Optus, owned by Singtel, and TPG Telecom, which operates the Vodafone brand.

Originally established as a government-owned entity under the name Telecom Australia, Telstra underwent privatization and became a fully private company by 2006. It is currently listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) as a publicly traded company.

Telstra launched the 'Belong' brand in 2013 as a low-cost mobile and internet services provider and acquired Boost Mobile (Australia) in 2024.

Whilst Telstra's primary market is Australia, it has also moved into the international markets in Europe, Asia and the United States.

==Controversy's==

===Putting customers under risk of being scammed/defrauded===
In 2024 Telstra was found by the ACMA to have not authenticating customer IDs between August 2022 and April 2023 during 168,000 high-risk interactions such as password resets or SIM card swaps and has been fined $1.5 Million.<ref>ABC - ACMA found Telstra didn't have MFA for high-risk customer activities such as changing password after new rules were implemented in 2022 - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-17/telstra-fined-1-5m-for-leaving-customers-vulnerable-to-scams/104107146</ref>

Under ACMA rules that were introduced in 2022 required that all telcos in Australia to have implemented Multi-Factor ID authentication such as OTP to email/current phone number on file for high-risk changes to accounts.

The investigation found Telstra was not compliant with the new regulations and it identified about 7,000 instances involving customers in vulnerable circumstances.

A Telstra spokesperson at the time says they were "very supportive" of regulations focused on customer security, but said the 2022 regulations were significant in scope, "We had to design and deploy multi-factor authentication processes across all our channels," they continued, arguing the company missed the start date for the new regulations because it was making sure the processes worked properly.

ACMA did not find any direct evidence of losses from the breaches.

Telstra had agreed to a two-year undertaking with ACMA to take action on the breaches for future transactions, which is court enforceable if not followed.

===Locking purchased content behind new Fetch hardware===
In 2024 Telstra contacted a customer to advise that they would no longer have access to their library of content unless they upgraded their 'Telstra TV Box Office' to a new Fetch device. This change in policy requires customer to purchase new hardware in order to access the content and media they have paid for. In this instance the customer was provided a new Fetch device for free, however at no time has Telstra offered all affected customers a free device and likely many customers either paid for new hardware or lost access to the content they had purchased. <ref>The Guardian - ‘My whole library is wiped out’: what it means to own movies and TV in the age of streaming services https://www.theguardian.com/media/article/2024/may/14/my-whole-library-is-wiped-out-what-it-means-to-own-movies-and-tv-in-the-age-of-streaming-services</ref>

Under Telstra's terms of service it specifies that the content purchased is 'your content' and specifies that you can 'buy' or 'purchase' the content, however Telstra still reserves the right to take access away from the content under various circumstances. This could be misunderstood by customers to believe that they own something they paid for that is actually closer to a lease or rental arrangement.

===Reducing speeds on Belong NBN plans===
In November 2020 Telstra migrated 8,897 customers from a 100Mbps plan to a 40Mbps plan without notifying them. There was no price change for these customers even though Telstra saved $7 per customer per month for the newer lower speed service. Telstra was forced to pay $15 Million in penalties after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) instituted proceedings in the Federal Court.<ref>ACCC - Telstra found to have misled nearly 9,000 Belong customers over broadband speed claims - https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/telstra-found-to-have-misled-nearly-9000-belong-customers-over-broadband-speed-claims</ref>

===Selling mobile contracts to customers who cannot afford them===
Between January 2016 and August 2018 representatives at Telstra stores sold unaffordable contracts to 108 Indigenous customers. Sales staff manipulated credit assessments, misrepresented products as free and exploited language barriers. In 2020 the ACCC instituted Federal Court proceedings against Telstra for unconscionable conduct and the Federal Court ordered Telstra to pay $50 Million in penalties. <ref>ACCC - Telstra to pay $50m penalty for unconscionable sales to Indigenous consumers https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/telstra-to-pay-50m-penalty-for-unconscionable-sales-to-indigenous-consumers</ref>

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Internet service providers]]
[[Category:Mass media companies]]
[[Category:Online music stores]]
[[Category:Telecommunications companies]]

HP Instant Ink

2025-02-25T10:20:41Z

Rapid50: Fixed grammer

{{InfoboxProductLine
| Title = HP Instant Ink
| Release Year = 2013
| Product Type = Subscription Service
| In Production = Yes
| Official Website = [https://instantink.hpconnected.com HP Instant Ink]
| Logo = Hp-ii-logo.webp
}}'''HP Instant Ink''' is a subscription service launched by [[HP Inc.]] for their printers in late 2013.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220503181925/https://www.therecycler.com/posts/hp-launches-new-instant-ink-programme/ "HP launches new Instant Ink programme The Recycler via Internet Archive]" - archive.org - archived 2022-05-22</ref> Consumers with compatible printers can choose from five different plans based on their usage volume and receive a set amount of ink each month to cover that usage. The monthly price includes the relevant ink or toner, delivery, and recycling of used cartridges.

In 2024, HP began offering paper as part of the monthly plans, for an additional fee. This was rolled out to countries including the US, the UK, metropolitan France, and Germany.<ref>[https://archive.is/yFWIQ "HP paper Add-on Service"] -archive.is - accessed 2025-01-28</ref>

Also in 2024 [[HP All-In Plan]], a new printer-lease program was announced. This program expanded from just cartridges to include a printer that, depending on the tier of subscription, limited the number of pages that could be printed, effectively removing the ability to use third-party cartridges.<ref>[https://www.hp.com/us-en/all-in-plan/printers.html HP All In Plan]</ref> The program at the time of writing offers three different printers, each with various printing plans based on the number of pages to be printed, at different prices.

==Consumer impact summary==
Use of a subscription service for ink/toner cartridges and/or printers allows HP to maintain post-sale control of a product the consumer used to purchase and own outright. Such practices limit autonomy and freedom of consumer to use the products they pay for as they see fit.<ref> See section on limitation of printer usability</ref> Further using a subscription service means the consumer uses these products under specific terms that can change at any time<ref name="TOS">[https://instantink.hpconnected.com/us/en/terms Terms of service HP instant ink] see section 3</ref> leaving them without recourse in many cases.

Of note is also the limitation to use specific brands of ink extending market control of the manufacturer and locking the consumer to an ecosystem entirely under their control.

==Incidents==
Incidents affecting the entire product line can be found in the company article: [[HP Inc.]]

===Cost savings and Pricing===
As of January 2025, the pricing for each tier of the service for customers in the US was as follows:

<div style="display: flex;justify-content: space-around;">

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="6" |HP Instant Ink
|-
|
!Light
!Occasional
!Moderate
!Frequent
!Business
|-
!'''Pages / Month'''
|10
|50
|100
|300
|700
|-
!'''$US / Month'''
|1.49
|4.99
|6.99
|13.99
|27.99
|-
! colspan="6" |Paper Plan
|-
!'''+$US / Month'''
|0.79
|1.99
|3.49
|5.99
|10.99
|-
!'''Total'''
|2.28
|6.98
|10.48
|19.98
|38.98
|}
</div>

HP claims that "most customers save on ink and many save up to 50% compared to buying traditional ink cartridges."<ref>[https://www.hp.com/us-en/printers/instant-ink/faq.html#faq HP Instant Ink FAQ.]</ref> The cost savings are based on the monthly subscription cost of the 700-pages-per-month "Business" plan of the program, and the results are compared to the cost per page to print ISO/IEC 24711 pages on A4 paper in color.

The printers used in the study that led to these findings in the 2022 and 2023 reports<ref>[https://keypointintelligence.com/HPInstantInk Keypoint Intelligence Study]</ref> were all HP branded, and the ink or toner was Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) (i.e. not using third-party inks), as HP notes in their FAQ sections. Comparisons were not made with the XL cartridges, which are cheaper per unit of ink.

HP Chief Financial Officer Marie Meyers has also publicly stated that HP sees a 20% uplift on the value of a consumer (i.e. a consumer spends 20% more with HP) when they are locked into an ink and paper subscription model vs. a traditional transactional pricing model.<ref>https://www.theregister.com/2023/12/04/hp_printer_lockin/</ref>

===Cancellation or alteration of plans===

HP Instant Ink can be canceled at any time according to the terms of service<ref>[https://instantink.hpconnected.com/us/en/terms HP Instant Ink Terms]</ref> with billing stopping at the end of the month. Upon cancellation, all outstanding debts are collected.

The HP All-in program can be canceled for free if done within 30 days of enrolling, and the printer is returned within 10 days of cancellation. However, if the subscription has been maintained for longer than 30 days and less than 24 months, there are additional fees to cancel (as per the FAQ on Jan 13).

At the time of writing, the Basic printer starts at $6.99 per month ($83.88 per year), and cancellation after 30 days but before 12 months will cost $120 in fees. Before 24 months, it would cost $60 in fees. That is 143% and 71% of the per-year cost of this plan, respectively.

===HP+ trial activation and limitation of printer usability===
HP+ is a free six-month trial of HP Instant Ink that comes with a new printer. It is optional, but it is extremely easy for a user to activate HP+ during installation.<ref>https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/hp-instant-ink-vs-hp-plus-vs-hp-smart-which-ink-program-saves-you-the-most</ref> After activating HP+, the printer is permanently flashed with updated firmware, which causes the printer to only accept genuine HP-branded consumables.<ref>https://www-dodrukarki-pl.translate.goog/blog/dlaczego-drukarki-z-serii-hp-nie-obsluguja-zamiennikow?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=pl&_x_tr_pto=wapp</ref>

All HP printer models ending with an "e" (for example ''HP OfficeJet 8035e'') support activating HP+.<ref>https://support.shopperplus.com/en/support/solutions/articles/9000227500-hp-printers-models-ending-with-the-letter-e-does-not-recognize-compatible-cartridges</ref> This has the potential to devalue used HP printers in this class, as the previous owner of the printer may have activated HP+, rendering the printer incompatible with cheaper non-OEM replacement ink cartridges or toner.

==Lawsuit==

On July 6, 2021, a [[class action|class-action lawsuit]] was filed against HP.<ref>[https://www.classaction.org/media/barnert-v-hp-inc.pdf Barnert v HP Inc.] Case File via classaction.org</ref>

The main allegations made in the suit were:

*HP will block you from using cartridges or ink purchased outside of the program, a fact they do not disclose.
*Cartridges and toners are not always sent on time.
*Sometimes cartridges are faulty on arrival.
*Prepaid return mailers are not always supplied.
*Upon cancellation, you cannot use the remainder of your ink.

In February 2023, HP settled the complaints, and the parties have filed for dismissal.<ref>[https://www.therecycler.com/posts/hp-settles-instant-ink-complaint/ HP settles Instant Ink Complaint]</ref>

==Workarounds==
It is possible on some HP cartridge models and their respective printers to replace the DRM chip of an incompatible cartridge with one from a compatible OEM cartridge. This possible because many HP cartridge models share the exact same physical dimensions despite the difference in name. This also allows for the use of less expensive, third-party cartridges or refillable cartridges in printers that may not have had them available for purchase otherwise.

''[[HP Ink Cartridge ID Chip Swap Guide|Read the full guide here.]]''

==See also==
*[[HP Inc.]]
*[[Canon Ink DRM]]
*[[Right to own]]
*[[Subscription service]]

==References==

[[Category:Products]]
[[Category:Lawsuits]]
[[Category:Subscription-based services]]
<references />