Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Linkedin Browsergate

2026-05-02T12:43:37Z

SinexTitan:

{{ToneWarning}}

LinkedIn Is Illegally Searching Your Computer.

===Microsoft is running one of the largest corporate espionage operations in modern history.===
Every time any of LinkedIn’s one billion users visits linkedin.com, hidden code searches their computer for installed software, collects the results, and transmits them to LinkedIn’s servers and to third-party companies including an American-Israeli cybersecurity firm.

The user is never asked. Never told. LinkedIn’s privacy policy does not mention it.

Because LinkedIn knows each user’s real name, employer, and job title, it is not searching anonymous visitors. It is searching identified people at identified companies. Millions of companies. Every day. All over the world.

=====This is illegal and potentially a criminal offense in every jurisdiction we have examined.=====
LinkedIn uses hidden JavaScript to silently scan users' browsers for over 6,000 installed extensions. This includes scans for competitors' tools, privacy software (VPNs/Ad-blockers), and extensions revealing sensitive personal data (religion/politics). The scan bypasses security boundaries and maps corporate software infrastructure without user consent. <ref>{{Cite web |title=uncontrolled |url=https://browsergate.eu/ |access-date=browsergate}}</ref>

==Incident==
LinkedIn uses hidden JavaScript to silently scan users' browsers for over 6,000 installed extensions. This includes scans for competitors' tools, privacy software (VPNs/Ad-blockers), and extensions revealing sensitive personal data (religion/politics). The scan bypasses security boundaries and maps corporate software infrastructure without user consent.

'''Targeting:'''

The scans look for tools used by competitors, VPNs, ad blockers, and even extensions that reveal sensitive personal info like religion or political leanings

'''Corporate Espionage:'''

Because LinkedIn knows your employer, it can map the internal software infrastructure of millions of companies <ref>{{Cite web |first=LaserHelix |title= |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHj6IvBmlpU}}</ref>

==Consumer response==

*'''Recommendation:''' Use '''Firefox''', which is not susceptible to this specific API exploit.
*'''Technical Fix:''' Block the specific script <code>Chunk 905</code> via network filtering.

==References==
{{reflist}}2. https://browsergate.eu/

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHj6IvBmlpU

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2i4KuXlF7c

Valve

2026-04-29T15:21:53Z

SinexTitan:

{{CompanyCargo
|Description=American video game company known for distribution platform Steam and game series like Half Life, Portal, Team Fortress, and Counter Strike.
|Founded=1996
|Industry=Video game retail, Video game development, Video game hardware
|Logo=Valve_Corporation_Logo.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Private
|Website=https://valvesoftware.com/
}}
'''{{wplink|Valve Corporation}}''' (also known as '''Valve Software''') is a software distribution company, most known for being the owner of the distribution service [[Steam]]. Valve additionally develops tools frequently used by various professional and amateur creators, such as Source Filmmaker and the Source Engines, as well as manufacturing hardware items such as the [[wikipedia:Steam_Deck|Steam Deck]]. It was founded in 1996 by [[wikipedia:Gabe_Newell|Gabe Newell]] and Mike Harrington.

==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}}

====Business model====
Valve's primary source of revenue is the sale of both its own and third party games on the Steam platform.
Valve also manufactures and sells gaming hardware systems. These products include: the Steam Deck, Steam Machine and Steam Frame which all run [[SteamOS]], Valve's Linux-based operating system, out of the box.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steam Hardware |url=https://store.steampowered.com/sale/hardware |url-status=live |website=[[Steam]]}}</ref>

==Positives==

===Contributions to open-source (''2018 - Present'')===
Valve has made several noteworthy open-source contributions to advance software [[interoperability]], which have improved gaming on Linux and macOS, and running {{Wplink|x86}} software on {{Wplink|ARM}} processors.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" />

====Wine compatibility layer====
On 21 August 2018, Valve released the first version of the {{Wplink|Proton (software)|Proton}} compatibility layer,<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Dawe |first=Liam |date=2018-08-21 |title=Valve officially confirm a new version of 'Steam Play' which includes a modified version of Wine |url=https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2018/08/valve-officially-confirm-a-new-version-of-steam-play-which-includes-a-modified-version-of-wine/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-27 |website=GamingOnLinux}}</ref> which was developed in partnership with {{Wplink|CodeWeavers}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schmid |first=Jana |date=2022-02-25 |title=CODEWEAVERS’ PROTON SOFTWARE SAUCE POWERS STEAM DECK |url=https://www.codeweavers.com/about/news/press/20220225 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=CodeWeavers}}</ref> Proton is the fork of the {{Wplink|Wine (software)|Wine}}<ref name=":4" /> compatibility layer that allows [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] programs to run on {{Wplink|POSIX}}-compliant {{Wplink|operating systems}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Run Windows applications on Linux, BSD, Solaris and macOS |url=https://www.winehq.org/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=WineHQ}}</ref> Proton's primary focus is to improve performance and compatibility of Windows games running on {{Wplink|Linux}} operating systems.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GitHub - ValveSoftware/Proton: Compatibility tool for Steam Play based on Wine and additional components |url=https://github.com/ValveSoftware/Proton |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Github}}</ref> It works by translating Windows specific {{Wplink|DirectX}} API calls to {{Wplink|Vulkan}}.{{Citation needed}}

As an effect of developing Proton, Valve and CodeWeavers have upstreamed a lot of upgrades and fixes to Wine.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Larabel |first=Michael |date=2019-03-27 |title=A Lot Of Valve's Proton Work Is Landing Back In Upstream Wine |url=https://www.phoronix.com/news/Proton-Work-Back-In-Wine-4.2 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Phoronix}}</ref>

====FEX emulation layer====
On 12 November 2025, Valve announced the Steam Frame, an ARM based {{Wplink|VR headset}} which will be running {{Wplink|SteamOS}}.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Steve |last2=Lathan |first2=Patrick |last3=Makhnovets |first3=Vitalii |last4=Phetdara |first4=Tim |last5=Thang |first5=Jimmy |date=2025-11-14 |title=Valve Steam Machine, Desktop SteamOS, Steam Frame VR, & Controller {{!}} ft. Engineering Discussion |url=https://gamersnexus.net/news-pre-built-pc/valve-steam-machine-desktop-steamos-steam-frame-vr-controller-ft-engineering |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Gamers Nexus}}</ref> In order to to be compatible with most Windows x86 games, Valve will be using the FEX-Emu emulation layer alongside Proton.<ref name=":5" /> In an anniversary blog post, the FEX lead dev stated: <blockquote>I want to thank the people from Valve for being here from the start and allowing me to kickstart this project. They trusted me with the responsibility of designing and frameworking the project in a way that it can work long-term; not only for their use cases but also keeping it an open project that anyone can adapt for their own use cases.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Houdek |first=Ryan |date=2025-11-28 |title=FEX seven year anniversary! |url=https://fex-emu.com/FEXiversary/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=FEX-Emu}}</ref></blockquote>FEX works by emulating x86 specific instructions to ARM64.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FEX-Emu – A fast linux usermode x86 and x86-64 emulator |url=https://fex-emu.com/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=FEX-Emu}}</ref>

===Repairable hardware===

====Steam Deck====
Following the release of the Steam Deck in 2022, Gamers Nexus and iFixit released teardown videos praising the ease of dissassembly of the device,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Steve |last2=Lathan |first2=Patrick |last3=Stone |first3=Patrick |last4=Coleman |first4=Andrew |last5=Gallick |first5=Keegan |date=2022-02-08 |title=Steam Deck Tear-Down: Build Quality, Disassembly, & VRM Analysis |url=https://inv.nadeko.net/watch?v=dlsJB3narnk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=dlsJB3narnk |archive-date=2026-04-29 |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=Invidious}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Suovanen |first=Jeff |date=2022-02-15 |title=Steam Deck Teardown: Everything Valve Said Not to Do! |url=https://www.ifixit.com/News/57101/steam-deck-teardown |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=iFixit}}</ref> the latter giving it a 7/10 on their repairability score.<ref name=":8" />

In collaboration with iFixit, Valve makes many of the Deck's parts available on iFixit for reasonable prices with first party repair guides.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steam Deck LCD Repair Help: Learn How to Fix It Yourself. |url=https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Steam_Deck |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=iFixit}}</ref>

Except for the first party repair guides, the same praise<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Steve |last2=Clayton |first2=Jeremy |last3=Gaglione |first3=Mike |last4=Makhnovets |first4=Vitalii |date=2023-11-11 |title=They Changed Everything: Valve Steam Deck OLED vs. LCD Tear-Down |url=https://inv.nadeko.net/watch?v=9jhRh11bTRA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=9jhRh11bTRA |archive-date=2026-04-29 |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=Invidious}}</ref> alongside the parts availability for reasonable prices on iFixit is also applicable to the updated OLED model.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steam Deck OLED Repair Help: Learn How to Fix It Yourself. |url=https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Steam_Deck_OLED |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=iFixit}}</ref>

====Steam Controller (2nd Gen)====
Following the release of the Steam Controller (2nd Gen) in 2026, Gamers Nexus released a teardown video praising the ease of dissassemble of the device.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Steve |last2=Makhnovets |first2=Vitalii |last3=Williams |first3=Tannen |date=2026-04-28 |title=Impressive Repairability: Valve Steam Controller Tear-Down & Disassembly |url=https://inv.nadeko.net/watch?v=hVRfie61QyE |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=Invidious}}</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]].

===Steam users do not own their games (2024)===
In October 2024, Valve added a note to Steam's payment checkout screen which states: <blockquote>A purchase of a digital product grants a license for the product on Steam. For full terms and conditions, please see the Steam Subscriber Agreement.</blockquote> This is attributed to a law passed in California which requires storefronts to clearly state whether a consumer is purchasing a license for digital media.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Shakir |first=Umar |date=11 Oct 2024 |title=Steam now says the ‘game’ you’re buying is really just a license |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/11/24267864/steam-buy-purchase-license-digital-storefront |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=The Verge |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251214142023/https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/11/24267864/steam-buy-purchase-license-digital-storefront |archive-date=14 Dec 2025}}</ref>

The licenses are tied to the Steam account, so if the consumer loses access to the account they will lose all the licenses with it.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=11 Oct 2024 |title=Steam's new disclaimer reminds everyone that you don't actually own your games, GOG moves in for the killshot: Its offline installers 'cannot be taken away from you' |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/steams-new-disclaimer-reminds-everyone-that-you-dont-actually-own-your-games-gog-moves-in-for-the-killshot-its-offline-installers-cannot-be-taken-away-from-you/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251117104943/https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/steams-new-disclaimer-reminds-everyone-that-you-dont-actually-own-your-games-gog-moves-in-for-the-killshot-its-offline-installers-cannot-be-taken-away-from-you/ |archive-date=17 Nov 2025}}</ref> Steam forbids consumers from transferring their licenses to other accounts, even if the accounts are owned by the same person that purchased the license. Steam forbids consumers from allowing other people to use their Steam account, even if passed down via a will.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Litchfield |first=Ted |date=2024-05-26 |title=You can't take it with you, but you can't leave it for someone else either: Valve says you aren't allowed to bequeath a Steam account in a will |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/you-cant-take-it-with-you-but-you-cant-leave-it-behind-either-valve-says-you-arent-allowed-to-bequeath-a-steam-account-in-a-will/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251114134401/https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/you-cant-take-it-with-you-but-you-cant-leave-it-behind-either-valve-says-you-arent-allowed-to-bequeath-a-steam-account-in-a-will/ |archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref>

This is in contrast to Steam's main competitor [https://www.gog.com/en/ GOG], which states on its payment checkout screen: <blockquote>A purchase of a digital product on GOG grants you its Offline Installers, which cannot be taken away from you.<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>Some games downloaded through Steam can be played without the Steam client running.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of DRM-free games |url=https://steam.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_DRM-free_games |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251121055931/https://steam.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_DRM-free_games |archive-date=21 Nov 2025 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Fandom}}</ref>

===PC version of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive replaced by Counter-Strike 2 (2023)===
Counter-Strike 2, previously available as a 'Limited Test' since March 22nd 2023<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Ali |date=2023-03-22 |title=Here's how to access the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test {{!}} GamesRadar+ |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/counter-strike-2-limited-test/ |url-status=live |website=GamesRadar |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251214114651/https://www.gamesradar.com/counter-strike-2-limited-test/ |archive-date=14 Dec 2025}}</ref>, released on September 27th 2023, replacing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive on [[Steam]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Dustin |date=2023-09-27 |title=After 11 years of CS:GO, Counter-Strike 2 has officially replaced the biggest game on Steam {{!}} GamesRadar+ |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/after-11-years-of-csgo-counter-strike-2-has-officially-replaced-the-biggest-game-on-steam/ |url-status=live |website=GamesRadar |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251223173642/https://www.gamesradar.com/after-11-years-of-csgo-counter-strike-2-has-officially-replaced-the-biggest-game-on-steam/ |archive-date=23 Dec 2025}}</ref>. This removed access to Global Offensive for those who had purchased it, every mainline PC Counter-Strike game before Global Offensive (Counter-Strike<ref>{{Cite web |title=Counter-Strike on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/10/CounterStrike/ |url-status=live |website=Steam |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251230014611/https://store.steampowered.com/app/10/CounterStrike/ |archive-date=30 Dec 2025}}</ref>, Counter-Strike: Condition Zero<ref>{{Cite web |title=Counter-Strike: Condition Zero on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/80/CounterStrike_Condition_Zero/ |url-status=live |website=Steam |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251228102653/https://store.steampowered.com/app/80/CounterStrike_Condition_Zero/ |archive-date=28 Dec 2025}}</ref> and Counter-Strike: Source<ref>{{Cite web |title=Counter-Strike: Source on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/240/CounterStrike_Source/ |url-status=live |website=Steam |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251217184118/https://store.steampowered.com/app/240/CounterStrike_Source/ |archive-date=17 Dec 2025}}</ref>) can still be purchased and played on [[Steam]] through a separate library entry so this was an unprecedented move from Valve.

A legacy version of Global Offensive called 'CS:GO Legacy' was released on October 10th 2023<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-10-10 |title=Legacy CS:GO Version |url=https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/73EF-08A3-0935-6369 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010111016/https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/73EF-08A3-0935-6369 |archive-date=2023-10-10}}</ref> after backlash from the Counter-Strike community towards the Counter-Strike 2 launch and Global Offensive replacement. This version can only be accessed while Counter-Strike 2 is installed<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilde |first=Tyler |date=2023-10-13 |title=How to play CS:GO now that Counter-Strike 2 is out {{!}} PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/you-can-still-play-csgo-at-least-if-you-consider-custom-servers-where-you-fight-final-fantasy-summons-playing-csgo/ |url-status=live |website=PCGamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251211035203/https://www.pcgamer.com/you-can-still-play-csgo-at-least-if-you-consider-custom-servers-where-you-fight-final-fantasy-summons-playing-csgo/ |archive-date=11 Dec 2025}}</ref>. Valve committed to supporting this version of the game until January 1st 2024<ref name=":0" /> but in that support window ignored bug reports from the community such as Counter-Strike 2 servers appearing in the community server browser with no way to distinguish these servers from Global Offensive servers unless the server specified what game it was targeting in it's name. CS:GO Legacy received only one update<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-13 |title=Counter-Strike 2 History · Change #20663547 · SteamDB |url=https://steamdb.info/app/730/history/?changeid=20663547 |url-status=live |website=SteamDB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251020235311/https://steamdb.info/app/730/history/?changeid=20663547 |archive-date=20 Oct 2025}}</ref> during its support window and this update didn't contain any public update notes so it is unclear what this may have fixed.

After the support window for CS:GO Legacy ended, numerous problems started occurring with the game. Global Offensive servers stopped appearing in the CS:GO Legacy community server browser<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-08 |title=CS:GO Legacy servers being rejected from Steam / CS:GO Legacy server browser listings · Issue #4047 · ValveSoftware/csgo-osx-linux |url=https://github.com/ValveSoftware/csgo-osx-linux/issues/4047 |url-status=live |website=GitHub |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514162130/https://github.com/ValveSoftware/csgo-osx-linux/issues/4047 |archive-date=14 May 2025}}</ref> which meant that only external third party server browsers could be used to find Global Offensive servers and these servers have to be added manually unlike [[Steam]]'s server browser which finds and queries new servers automatically. As a point of comparison, the mainline PC Counter-Strike games released before Global Offensive (Counter-Strike, Condition Zero and Source) still have a functional server browser without needing third party intervention.

It also became impossible to use multiple weapons (M4A1-S, USP-S, CZ75-Auto, MP5-SD, R8 Revolver) in regular gameplay on vanilla servers without plugins as the loadout system used to switch between weapons and equip weapon skins was discontinued on CS:GO Legacy.<ref>[[File:CS-GO Legacy Inventory Message.jpg|thumb|Pop-up message after attempting to open the Inventory on the main menu of CS:GO Legacy, screenshot taken 23rd October 2025.]]
</ref> There was an unofficial method of re-enabling the loadout system so these weapons could be equipped and used in game but this method was patched in the May 8th 2025 Counter-Strike 2 update.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Csgo_Legacy_2023 – BaseQ WiQi |url=https://wiki.baseq.fr/Installation-Guides/Source/Csgo_Legacy_2023?revision=7fa46e#enabling-back-your-inventory |url-status=live |access-date=2025-10-24 |website=BaseQ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260105023533/https://wiki.baseq.fr/Installation-Guides/Source/Csgo_Legacy_2023?revision=7fa46e#enabling-back-your-inventory |archive-date=5 Jan 2026}}</ref> Although patched for its intended purpose, some CS:GO Legacy community servers still require this method for players to join their servers.<ref name=":3" />

==Products==

===Hardware===

*HTC VIVE (1st Gen)
*Steam Controller (1st Gen)
*Steam Controller (2nd Gen)
*Steam Deck
*Steam Deck OLED
*Steam Machine (1st Gen)
*Steam Machine (1st Gen)
*Steam Frame
*Valve Index

===Software===

*SteamOS 1.0
*SteamOS 2.0
*SteamOS 3.0

===Games===

*Counter Strike
*Counter Strike Global Offensive
*Counter Strike: Source
*Counter Strike 2
*Half Life: Alyx
*Half Life
*Half Life 2
*<s>Half Life 3</s>
*Portal
*Portal 2

==Lawsuits==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Dispute Title
!Year started and ended
(if concluded)
!Background Information
!Aftermath
!Related Articles
|-
|''ACCC v. Valve Corporation''<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 Mar 2016 |title=Federal Court finds Valve made misleading representations about consumer guarantees |url=https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/federal-court-finds-valve-made-misleading-representations-about-consumer-guarantees |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=ACCC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251013070949/https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/federal-court-finds-valve-made-misleading-representations-about-consumer-guarantees |archive-date=13 Oct 2025}}</ref>
|2014–2016
|During this lawsuit, Valve was found by the Australian Federal Court to have refused to offer refunds for faulty or broken products.
|Users now have the ability to easily refund games they purchased, so long as they follow the refund policy.
|
|-
|''UFC Que Choisir v. Valve Corporation''<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 Dec 2024 |title=Tough Times Ahead for Digital Video Game Resellers: French Supreme Court Ruling in UFC Que Choisir v. Valve |url=https://www.foxmandal.in/tough-times-ahead-for-digital-video-game-resellers-french-supreme-court-ruling-in-ufc-que-choisir-v-valve/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=Fox Mandal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204122942/https://www.foxmandal.in/tough-times-ahead-for-digital-video-game-resellers-french-supreme-court-ruling-in-ufc-que-choisir-v-valve/ |archive-date=4 Dec 2024}}</ref>
|2015–2019
(still disputed)
|UFC Que Choisir sued Valve on the grounds that users deserved to resell their digital licenses.
|Users in France had the right to resell their digital Steam library, overturned in October 2024.
|
|-
|''McLeod v. Valve Corp.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-10-04 |title=McLeod v. Valve Corp. |url=https://casetext.com/case/mcleod-v-valve-corp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126102613/https://casetext.com/case/mcleod-v-valve-corp |archive-date=2025-01-26 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Casetext}}</ref>
|2016
|MacLeod started the first antitrust case against Valve Corp. over the sale of their games.
|Absorbed into another legal dispute; continues to be dismissed within Seattle courts.
|
|-
|''Wolfire Games v. Valve Corp.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-06 |title=Wolfire Games LLC v. Valve Corp. |url=https://casetext.com/case/wolfire-games-llc-v-valve-corp-7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250202174447/https://casetext.com/case/wolfire-games-llc-v-valve-corp-7 |archive-date=2025-02-02 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Casetext}}</ref>
|2021–2022
|The first notable antitrust case against Valve's unfair market manipulation of their games.
|Absorbed into another dispute/now a [[class action lawsuit]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=28 Nov 2024 |title=The antitrust lawsuit against Steam is now a class action, and that could have big repercussions for Valve |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/the-antitrust-lawsuit-against-steam-is-now-a-class-action-and-that-could-have-big-repercussions-for-valve/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251118020850/https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/the-antitrust-lawsuit-against-steam-is-now-a-class-action-and-that-could-have-big-repercussions-for-valve/ |archive-date=18 Nov 2025}}</ref>
|
|-
|''Sean Colvin'' (and various others) ''v. Valve Corporation, CD Projekt S.A., CD Projekt, Inc., Ubisoft Entertainment S.A., Ubisoft, Inc., Ubisoft L.A., Inc., kChamp Games, Inc., Rust, LLC, and Devolver Digital, Inc.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gardner |first=Eriq |date=28 Jan 2021 |title=Popular Gaming Platform Accused of Abusing Market Power Through Contracts |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/popular-gaming-platform-accused-of-abusing-market-power-through-contracts-4124057/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251114174554/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/popular-gaming-platform-accused-of-abusing-market-power-through-contracts-4124057/ |archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref>
|2021 - Unfinished
|Five individuals in California sued Valve (among various other publishers) over participating in anti-competitive behavior with the Steam platform, most notably over the sale of games for lesser prices on other platforms.
|Not concluded because of indefinite postponement by Valve.
|
|-
|''Bucher Law PLCC v. Valve Corp.''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bucher Law Steam Lawsuit |url=https://lawgud.com/lawsuit/bucher-law-steam-lawsuit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708174529/https://lawgud.com/lawsuit/bucher-law-steam-lawsuit/ |archive-date=8 Jul 2025 |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=LawGud}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-23 |title=Valve antitrust litigation |url=https://www.bucherlawfirm.com/_files/ugd/38f6ef_69ae2fee5c5548538d526669d99be533.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708174522/https://www.bucherlawfirm.com/_files/ugd/38f6ef_69ae2fee5c5548538d526669d99be533.pdf |archive-date=2025-07-08 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Bucher Law Firm}}</ref>
|C.A. 2021 - Unfinished
|A companion to previous lawsuits against Valve over their anti-competitive monopoly, this time covering consumers over their purchase of games on Steam.
|Not concluded, slowly being arbitrated.
|
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Valve Corporation]]

Valve

2026-04-29T15:19:44Z

SinexTitan:

{{CompanyCargo
|Description=American video game company known for distribution platform Steam and game series like Half Life, Portal, Team Fortress, and Counter Strike.
|Founded=1996
|Industry=Video game retail, Video game development, Video game hardware
|Logo=Valve_Corporation_Logo.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Private
|Website=https://valvesoftware.com/
}}
'''{{wplink|Valve Corporation}}''' (also known as '''Valve Software''') is a software distribution company, most known for being the owner of the distribution service [[Steam]]. Valve additionally develops tools frequently used by various professional and amateur creators, such as Source Filmmaker and the Source Engines, as well as manufacturing hardware items such as the [[wikipedia:Steam_Deck|Steam Deck]]. It was founded in 1996 by [[wikipedia:Gabe_Newell|Gabe Newell]] and Mike Harrington.

==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}}

====Business model====
Valve's primary source of revenue is the sale of both its own and third party games on the Steam platform.
Valve also manufactures and sells gaming hardware systems. These products include: the Steam Deck, Steam Machine and Steam Frame which all run [[SteamOS]], Valve's Linux-based operating system, out of the box.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steam Hardware |url=https://store.steampowered.com/sale/hardware |url-status=live |website=[[Steam]]}}</ref>

==Positives==

===Contributions to open-source (''2018 - Present'')===
Valve has made several noteworthy open-source contributions to advance software [[interoperability]], which have improved gaming on Linux and macOS, and running {{Wplink|x86}} software on {{Wplink|ARM}} processors.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" />

====Wine compatibility layer====
On 21 August 2018, Valve released the first version of the {{Wplink|Proton (software)|Proton}} compatibility layer,<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Dawe |first=Liam |date=2018-08-21 |title=Valve officially confirm a new version of 'Steam Play' which includes a modified version of Wine |url=https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2018/08/valve-officially-confirm-a-new-version-of-steam-play-which-includes-a-modified-version-of-wine/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-27 |website=GamingOnLinux}}</ref> which was developed in partnership with {{Wplink|CodeWeavers}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schmid |first=Jana |date=2022-02-25 |title=CODEWEAVERS’ PROTON SOFTWARE SAUCE POWERS STEAM DECK |url=https://www.codeweavers.com/about/news/press/20220225 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=CodeWeavers}}</ref> Proton is the fork of the {{Wplink|Wine (software)|Wine}}<ref name=":4" /> compatibility layer that allows [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] programs to run on {{Wplink|POSIX}}-compliant {{Wplink|operating systems}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Run Windows applications on Linux, BSD, Solaris and macOS |url=https://www.winehq.org/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=WineHQ}}</ref> Proton's primary focus is to improve performance and compatibility of Windows games running on {{Wplink|Linux}} operating systems.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GitHub - ValveSoftware/Proton: Compatibility tool for Steam Play based on Wine and additional components |url=https://github.com/ValveSoftware/Proton |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Github}}</ref> It works by translating Windows specific {{Wplink|DirectX}} API calls to {{Wplink|Vulkan}}.{{Citation needed}}

As an effect of developing Proton, Valve and CodeWeavers have upstreamed a lot of upgrades and fixes to Wine.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Larabel |first=Michael |date=2019-03-27 |title=A Lot Of Valve's Proton Work Is Landing Back In Upstream Wine |url=https://www.phoronix.com/news/Proton-Work-Back-In-Wine-4.2 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Phoronix}}</ref>

====FEX emulation layer====
On 12 November 2025, Valve announced the Steam Frame, an ARM based {{Wplink|VR headset}} which will be running {{Wplink|SteamOS}}.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Steve |last2=Lathan |first2=Patrick |last3=Makhnovets |first3=Vitalii |last4=Phetdara |first4=Tim |last5=Thang |first5=Jimmy |date=2025-11-14 |title=Valve Steam Machine, Desktop SteamOS, Steam Frame VR, & Controller {{!}} ft. Engineering Discussion |url=https://gamersnexus.net/news-pre-built-pc/valve-steam-machine-desktop-steamos-steam-frame-vr-controller-ft-engineering |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Gamers Nexus}}</ref> In order to to be compatible with most Windows x86 games, Valve will be using the FEX-Emu emulation layer alongside Proton.<ref name=":5" /> In an anniversary blog post, the FEX lead dev stated: <blockquote>I want to thank the people from Valve for being here from the start and allowing me to kickstart this project. They trusted me with the responsibility of designing and frameworking the project in a way that it can work long-term; not only for their use cases but also keeping it an open project that anyone can adapt for their own use cases.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Houdek |first=Ryan |date=2025-11-28 |title=FEX seven year anniversary! |url=https://fex-emu.com/FEXiversary/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=FEX-Emu}}</ref></blockquote>FEX works by emulating x86 specific instructions to ARM64.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FEX-Emu – A fast linux usermode x86 and x86-64 emulator |url=https://fex-emu.com/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=FEX-Emu}}</ref>

===Repairable hardware===

====Steam Deck====
Following the release of the Steam Deck in 2022, Gamers Nexus and iFixit released teardown videos praising the ease of dissassembly of the device,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Steve |last2=Lathan |first2=Patrick |last3=Stone |first3=Patrick |last4=Coleman |first4=Andrew |last5=Gallick |first5=Keegan |date=2022-02-08 |title=Steam Deck Tear-Down: Build Quality, Disassembly, & VRM Analysis |url=https://inv.nadeko.net/watch?v=dlsJB3narnk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=dlsJB3narnk |archive-date=2026-04-29 |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=Invidious}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Suovanen |first=Jeff |date=2022-02-15 |title=Steam Deck Teardown: Everything Valve Said Not to Do! |url=https://www.ifixit.com/News/57101/steam-deck-teardown |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=iFixit}}</ref> the latter giving it a 7/10 on their repairability score.<ref name=":8" />

In collaboration with iFixit, Valve makes many of the Deck's parts available on iFixit for reasonable prices with first party repair guides.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steam Deck LCD Repair Help: Learn How to Fix It Yourself. |url=https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Steam_Deck |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=iFixit}}</ref>

Except for the first party repair guides, the same praise<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Steve |last2=Clayton |first2=Jeremy |last3=Gaglione |first3=Mike |last4=Makhnovets |first4=Vitalii |date=2023-11-11 |title=They Changed Everything: Valve Steam Deck OLED vs. LCD Tear-Down |url=https://inv.nadeko.net/watch?v=9jhRh11bTRA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=9jhRh11bTRA |archive-date=2026-04-29 |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=Invidious}}</ref> alongside the parts availability for reasonable prices on iFixit is applicable to the updated OLED model.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steam Deck OLED Repair Help: Learn How to Fix It Yourself. |url=https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Steam_Deck_OLED |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=iFixit}}</ref>

====Steam Controller (2nd Gen)====
Following the release of the Steam Controller (2nd Gen) in 2026, Gamers Nexus released a teardown video praising the ease of dissassemble of the device.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Steve |last2=Makhnovets |first2=Vitalii |last3=Williams |first3=Tannen |date=2026-04-28 |title=Impressive Repairability: Valve Steam Controller Tear-Down & Disassembly |url=https://inv.nadeko.net/watch?v=hVRfie61QyE |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=Invidious}}</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]].

===Steam users do not own their games (2024)===
In October 2024, Valve added a note to Steam's payment checkout screen which states: <blockquote>A purchase of a digital product grants a license for the product on Steam. For full terms and conditions, please see the Steam Subscriber Agreement.</blockquote> This is attributed to a law passed in California which requires storefronts to clearly state whether a consumer is purchasing a license for digital media.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Shakir |first=Umar |date=11 Oct 2024 |title=Steam now says the ‘game’ you’re buying is really just a license |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/11/24267864/steam-buy-purchase-license-digital-storefront |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=The Verge |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251214142023/https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/11/24267864/steam-buy-purchase-license-digital-storefront |archive-date=14 Dec 2025}}</ref>

The licenses are tied to the Steam account, so if the consumer loses access to the account they will lose all the licenses with it.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=11 Oct 2024 |title=Steam's new disclaimer reminds everyone that you don't actually own your games, GOG moves in for the killshot: Its offline installers 'cannot be taken away from you' |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/steams-new-disclaimer-reminds-everyone-that-you-dont-actually-own-your-games-gog-moves-in-for-the-killshot-its-offline-installers-cannot-be-taken-away-from-you/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251117104943/https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/steams-new-disclaimer-reminds-everyone-that-you-dont-actually-own-your-games-gog-moves-in-for-the-killshot-its-offline-installers-cannot-be-taken-away-from-you/ |archive-date=17 Nov 2025}}</ref> Steam forbids consumers from transferring their licenses to other accounts, even if the accounts are owned by the same person that purchased the license. Steam forbids consumers from allowing other people to use their Steam account, even if passed down via a will.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Litchfield |first=Ted |date=2024-05-26 |title=You can't take it with you, but you can't leave it for someone else either: Valve says you aren't allowed to bequeath a Steam account in a will |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/you-cant-take-it-with-you-but-you-cant-leave-it-behind-either-valve-says-you-arent-allowed-to-bequeath-a-steam-account-in-a-will/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251114134401/https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/you-cant-take-it-with-you-but-you-cant-leave-it-behind-either-valve-says-you-arent-allowed-to-bequeath-a-steam-account-in-a-will/ |archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref>

This is in contrast to Steam's main competitor [https://www.gog.com/en/ GOG], which states on its payment checkout screen: <blockquote>A purchase of a digital product on GOG grants you its Offline Installers, which cannot be taken away from you.<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>Some games downloaded through Steam can be played without the Steam client running.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of DRM-free games |url=https://steam.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_DRM-free_games |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251121055931/https://steam.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_DRM-free_games |archive-date=21 Nov 2025 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Fandom}}</ref>

===PC version of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive replaced by Counter-Strike 2 (2023)===
Counter-Strike 2, previously available as a 'Limited Test' since March 22nd 2023<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Ali |date=2023-03-22 |title=Here's how to access the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test {{!}} GamesRadar+ |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/counter-strike-2-limited-test/ |url-status=live |website=GamesRadar |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251214114651/https://www.gamesradar.com/counter-strike-2-limited-test/ |archive-date=14 Dec 2025}}</ref>, released on September 27th 2023, replacing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive on [[Steam]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Dustin |date=2023-09-27 |title=After 11 years of CS:GO, Counter-Strike 2 has officially replaced the biggest game on Steam {{!}} GamesRadar+ |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/after-11-years-of-csgo-counter-strike-2-has-officially-replaced-the-biggest-game-on-steam/ |url-status=live |website=GamesRadar |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251223173642/https://www.gamesradar.com/after-11-years-of-csgo-counter-strike-2-has-officially-replaced-the-biggest-game-on-steam/ |archive-date=23 Dec 2025}}</ref>. This removed access to Global Offensive for those who had purchased it, every mainline PC Counter-Strike game before Global Offensive (Counter-Strike<ref>{{Cite web |title=Counter-Strike on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/10/CounterStrike/ |url-status=live |website=Steam |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251230014611/https://store.steampowered.com/app/10/CounterStrike/ |archive-date=30 Dec 2025}}</ref>, Counter-Strike: Condition Zero<ref>{{Cite web |title=Counter-Strike: Condition Zero on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/80/CounterStrike_Condition_Zero/ |url-status=live |website=Steam |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251228102653/https://store.steampowered.com/app/80/CounterStrike_Condition_Zero/ |archive-date=28 Dec 2025}}</ref> and Counter-Strike: Source<ref>{{Cite web |title=Counter-Strike: Source on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/240/CounterStrike_Source/ |url-status=live |website=Steam |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251217184118/https://store.steampowered.com/app/240/CounterStrike_Source/ |archive-date=17 Dec 2025}}</ref>) can still be purchased and played on [[Steam]] through a separate library entry so this was an unprecedented move from Valve.

A legacy version of Global Offensive called 'CS:GO Legacy' was released on October 10th 2023<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-10-10 |title=Legacy CS:GO Version |url=https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/73EF-08A3-0935-6369 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010111016/https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/73EF-08A3-0935-6369 |archive-date=2023-10-10}}</ref> after backlash from the Counter-Strike community towards the Counter-Strike 2 launch and Global Offensive replacement. This version can only be accessed while Counter-Strike 2 is installed<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilde |first=Tyler |date=2023-10-13 |title=How to play CS:GO now that Counter-Strike 2 is out {{!}} PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/you-can-still-play-csgo-at-least-if-you-consider-custom-servers-where-you-fight-final-fantasy-summons-playing-csgo/ |url-status=live |website=PCGamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251211035203/https://www.pcgamer.com/you-can-still-play-csgo-at-least-if-you-consider-custom-servers-where-you-fight-final-fantasy-summons-playing-csgo/ |archive-date=11 Dec 2025}}</ref>. Valve committed to supporting this version of the game until January 1st 2024<ref name=":0" /> but in that support window ignored bug reports from the community such as Counter-Strike 2 servers appearing in the community server browser with no way to distinguish these servers from Global Offensive servers unless the server specified what game it was targeting in it's name. CS:GO Legacy received only one update<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-13 |title=Counter-Strike 2 History · Change #20663547 · SteamDB |url=https://steamdb.info/app/730/history/?changeid=20663547 |url-status=live |website=SteamDB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251020235311/https://steamdb.info/app/730/history/?changeid=20663547 |archive-date=20 Oct 2025}}</ref> during its support window and this update didn't contain any public update notes so it is unclear what this may have fixed.

After the support window for CS:GO Legacy ended, numerous problems started occurring with the game. Global Offensive servers stopped appearing in the CS:GO Legacy community server browser<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-08 |title=CS:GO Legacy servers being rejected from Steam / CS:GO Legacy server browser listings · Issue #4047 · ValveSoftware/csgo-osx-linux |url=https://github.com/ValveSoftware/csgo-osx-linux/issues/4047 |url-status=live |website=GitHub |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514162130/https://github.com/ValveSoftware/csgo-osx-linux/issues/4047 |archive-date=14 May 2025}}</ref> which meant that only external third party server browsers could be used to find Global Offensive servers and these servers have to be added manually unlike [[Steam]]'s server browser which finds and queries new servers automatically. As a point of comparison, the mainline PC Counter-Strike games released before Global Offensive (Counter-Strike, Condition Zero and Source) still have a functional server browser without needing third party intervention.

It also became impossible to use multiple weapons (M4A1-S, USP-S, CZ75-Auto, MP5-SD, R8 Revolver) in regular gameplay on vanilla servers without plugins as the loadout system used to switch between weapons and equip weapon skins was discontinued on CS:GO Legacy.<ref>[[File:CS-GO Legacy Inventory Message.jpg|thumb|Pop-up message after attempting to open the Inventory on the main menu of CS:GO Legacy, screenshot taken 23rd October 2025.]]
</ref> There was an unofficial method of re-enabling the loadout system so these weapons could be equipped and used in game but this method was patched in the May 8th 2025 Counter-Strike 2 update.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Csgo_Legacy_2023 – BaseQ WiQi |url=https://wiki.baseq.fr/Installation-Guides/Source/Csgo_Legacy_2023?revision=7fa46e#enabling-back-your-inventory |url-status=live |access-date=2025-10-24 |website=BaseQ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260105023533/https://wiki.baseq.fr/Installation-Guides/Source/Csgo_Legacy_2023?revision=7fa46e#enabling-back-your-inventory |archive-date=5 Jan 2026}}</ref> Although patched for its intended purpose, some CS:GO Legacy community servers still require this method for players to join their servers.<ref name=":3" />

== Products ==

=== Hardware ===

* HTC VIVE (1st Gen)
* Steam Controller (1st Gen)
* Steam Controller (2nd Gen)
* Steam Deck
* Steam Machine (1st Gen)
* Steam Machine (1st Gen)
* Steam Frame
* Valve Index

=== Software ===

* SteamOS 1.0
* SteamOS 2.0
* SteamOS 3.0

=== Games ===

* Counter Strike
* Counter Strike Global Offensive
* Counter Strike: Source
* Counter Strike 2
* Half Life: Alyx
* Half Life
* Half Life 2
* <s>Half Life 3</s>
* Portal
* Portal 2

==Lawsuits==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Dispute Title
!Year started and ended
(if concluded)
!Background Information
!Aftermath
!Related Articles
|-
|''ACCC v. Valve Corporation''<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 Mar 2016 |title=Federal Court finds Valve made misleading representations about consumer guarantees |url=https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/federal-court-finds-valve-made-misleading-representations-about-consumer-guarantees |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=ACCC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251013070949/https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/federal-court-finds-valve-made-misleading-representations-about-consumer-guarantees |archive-date=13 Oct 2025}}</ref>
|2014–2016
|During this lawsuit, Valve was found by the Australian Federal Court to have refused to offer refunds for faulty or broken products.
|Users now have the ability to easily refund games they purchased, so long as they follow the refund policy.
|
|-
|''UFC Que Choisir v. Valve Corporation''<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 Dec 2024 |title=Tough Times Ahead for Digital Video Game Resellers: French Supreme Court Ruling in UFC Que Choisir v. Valve |url=https://www.foxmandal.in/tough-times-ahead-for-digital-video-game-resellers-french-supreme-court-ruling-in-ufc-que-choisir-v-valve/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=Fox Mandal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204122942/https://www.foxmandal.in/tough-times-ahead-for-digital-video-game-resellers-french-supreme-court-ruling-in-ufc-que-choisir-v-valve/ |archive-date=4 Dec 2024}}</ref>
|2015–2019
(still disputed)
|UFC Que Choisir sued Valve on the grounds that users deserved to resell their digital licenses.
|Users in France had the right to resell their digital Steam library, overturned in October 2024.
|
|-
|''McLeod v. Valve Corp.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-10-04 |title=McLeod v. Valve Corp. |url=https://casetext.com/case/mcleod-v-valve-corp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126102613/https://casetext.com/case/mcleod-v-valve-corp |archive-date=2025-01-26 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Casetext}}</ref>
|2016
|MacLeod started the first antitrust case against Valve Corp. over the sale of their games.
|Absorbed into another legal dispute; continues to be dismissed within Seattle courts.
|
|-
|''Wolfire Games v. Valve Corp.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-06 |title=Wolfire Games LLC v. Valve Corp. |url=https://casetext.com/case/wolfire-games-llc-v-valve-corp-7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250202174447/https://casetext.com/case/wolfire-games-llc-v-valve-corp-7 |archive-date=2025-02-02 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Casetext}}</ref>
|2021–2022
|The first notable antitrust case against Valve's unfair market manipulation of their games.
|Absorbed into another dispute/now a [[class action lawsuit]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=28 Nov 2024 |title=The antitrust lawsuit against Steam is now a class action, and that could have big repercussions for Valve |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/the-antitrust-lawsuit-against-steam-is-now-a-class-action-and-that-could-have-big-repercussions-for-valve/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251118020850/https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/the-antitrust-lawsuit-against-steam-is-now-a-class-action-and-that-could-have-big-repercussions-for-valve/ |archive-date=18 Nov 2025}}</ref>
|
|-
|''Sean Colvin'' (and various others) ''v. Valve Corporation, CD Projekt S.A., CD Projekt, Inc., Ubisoft Entertainment S.A., Ubisoft, Inc., Ubisoft L.A., Inc., kChamp Games, Inc., Rust, LLC, and Devolver Digital, Inc.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gardner |first=Eriq |date=28 Jan 2021 |title=Popular Gaming Platform Accused of Abusing Market Power Through Contracts |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/popular-gaming-platform-accused-of-abusing-market-power-through-contracts-4124057/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251114174554/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/popular-gaming-platform-accused-of-abusing-market-power-through-contracts-4124057/ |archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref>
|2021 - Unfinished
|Five individuals in California sued Valve (among various other publishers) over participating in anti-competitive behavior with the Steam platform, most notably over the sale of games for lesser prices on other platforms.
|Not concluded because of indefinite postponement by Valve.
|
|-
|''Bucher Law PLCC v. Valve Corp.''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bucher Law Steam Lawsuit |url=https://lawgud.com/lawsuit/bucher-law-steam-lawsuit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708174529/https://lawgud.com/lawsuit/bucher-law-steam-lawsuit/ |archive-date=8 Jul 2025 |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=LawGud}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-23 |title=Valve antitrust litigation |url=https://www.bucherlawfirm.com/_files/ugd/38f6ef_69ae2fee5c5548538d526669d99be533.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708174522/https://www.bucherlawfirm.com/_files/ugd/38f6ef_69ae2fee5c5548538d526669d99be533.pdf |archive-date=2025-07-08 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Bucher Law Firm}}</ref>
|C.A. 2021 - Unfinished
|A companion to previous lawsuits against Valve over their anti-competitive monopoly, this time covering consumers over their purchase of games on Steam.
|Not concluded, slowly being arbitrated.
|
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Valve Corporation]]

Valve

2026-04-29T15:00:43Z

SinexTitan:

{{CompanyCargo
|Description=American video game company known for distribution platform Steam and game series like Half Life, Portal, Team Fortress, and Counter Strike.
|Founded=1996
|Industry=Video game retail, Video game development, Video game hardware
|Logo=Valve_Corporation_Logo.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Private
|Website=https://valvesoftware.com/
}}
'''{{wplink|Valve Corporation}}''' (also known as '''Valve Software''') is a software distribution company, most known for being the owner of the distribution service [[Steam]]. Valve additionally develops tools frequently used by various professional and amateur creators, such as Source Filmmaker and the Source Engines, as well as manufacturing hardware items such as the [[wikipedia:Steam_Deck|Steam Deck]]. It was founded in 1996 by [[wikipedia:Gabe_Newell|Gabe Newell]] and Mike Harrington.

==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}}

====Business model====
Valve's primary source of revenue is the sale of both its own and third party games on the Steam platform.
Valve also manufactures and sells gaming hardware systems. These products include: the Steam Deck, Steam Machine and Steam Frame which all run [[SteamOS]], Valve's Linux-based operating system, out of the box.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steam Hardware |url=https://store.steampowered.com/sale/hardware |url-status=live |website=[[Steam]]}}</ref>

==Positives==

===Contributions to open-source (''2018 - Present'')===
Valve has made several noteworthy open-source contributions to advance software [[interoperability]], which have improved gaming on Linux and macOS, and running {{Wplink|x86}} software on {{Wplink|ARM}} processors.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" />

====Wine compatibility layer====
On 21 August 2018, Valve released the first version of the {{Wplink|Proton (software)|Proton}} compatibility layer,<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Dawe |first=Liam |date=2018-08-21 |title=Valve officially confirm a new version of 'Steam Play' which includes a modified version of Wine |url=https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2018/08/valve-officially-confirm-a-new-version-of-steam-play-which-includes-a-modified-version-of-wine/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-27 |website=GamingOnLinux}}</ref> which was developed in partnership with {{Wplink|CodeWeavers}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schmid |first=Jana |date=2022-02-25 |title=CODEWEAVERS’ PROTON SOFTWARE SAUCE POWERS STEAM DECK |url=https://www.codeweavers.com/about/news/press/20220225 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=CodeWeavers}}</ref> Proton is the fork of the {{Wplink|Wine (software)|Wine}}<ref name=":4" /> compatibility layer that allows [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] programs to run on {{Wplink|POSIX}}-compliant {{Wplink|operating systems}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Run Windows applications on Linux, BSD, Solaris and macOS |url=https://www.winehq.org/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=WineHQ}}</ref> Proton's primary focus is to improve performance and compatibility of Windows games running on {{Wplink|Linux}} operating systems.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GitHub - ValveSoftware/Proton: Compatibility tool for Steam Play based on Wine and additional components |url=https://github.com/ValveSoftware/Proton |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Github}}</ref> It works by translating Windows specific {{Wplink|DirectX}} API calls to {{Wplink|Vulkan}}.{{Citation needed}}

As an effect of developing Proton, Valve and CodeWeavers have upstreamed a lot of upgrades and fixes to Wine.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Larabel |first=Michael |date=2019-03-27 |title=A Lot Of Valve's Proton Work Is Landing Back In Upstream Wine |url=https://www.phoronix.com/news/Proton-Work-Back-In-Wine-4.2 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Phoronix}}</ref>

====FEX emulation layer====
On 12 November 2025, Valve announced the Steam Frame, an ARM based {{Wplink|VR headset}} which will be running {{Wplink|SteamOS}}.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Steve |last2=Lathan |first2=Patrick |last3=Makhnovets |first3=Vitalii |last4=Phetdara |first4=Tim |last5=Thang |first5=Jimmy |date=2025-11-14 |title=Valve Steam Machine, Desktop SteamOS, Steam Frame VR, & Controller {{!}} ft. Engineering Discussion |url=https://gamersnexus.net/news-pre-built-pc/valve-steam-machine-desktop-steamos-steam-frame-vr-controller-ft-engineering |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Gamers Nexus}}</ref> In order to to be compatible with most Windows x86 games, Valve will be using the FEX-Emu emulation layer alongside Proton.<ref name=":5" /> In an anniversary blog post, the FEX lead dev stated: <blockquote>I want to thank the people from Valve for being here from the start and allowing me to kickstart this project. They trusted me with the responsibility of designing and frameworking the project in a way that it can work long-term; not only for their use cases but also keeping it an open project that anyone can adapt for their own use cases.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Houdek |first=Ryan |date=2025-11-28 |title=FEX seven year anniversary! |url=https://fex-emu.com/FEXiversary/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=FEX-Emu}}</ref></blockquote>FEX works by emulating x86 specific instructions to ARM64.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FEX-Emu – A fast linux usermode x86 and x86-64 emulator |url=https://fex-emu.com/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=FEX-Emu}}</ref>

===Repairable hardware===

====Steam Deck====
Following the release of the Steam Deck in 2022, Gamers Nexus and iFixit released teardown videos praising the ease of dissassembly of the device,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Steve |last2=Lathan |first2=Patrick |last3=Stone |first3=Patrick |last4=Coleman |first4=Andrew |last5=Gallick |first5=Keegan |date=2022-02-08 |title=Steam Deck Tear-Down: Build Quality, Disassembly, & VRM Analysis |url=https://inv.nadeko.net/watch?v=dlsJB3narnk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=dlsJB3narnk |archive-date=2026-04-29 |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=Invidious}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Suovanen |first=Jeff |date=2022-02-15 |title=Steam Deck Teardown: Everything Valve Said Not to Do! |url=https://www.ifixit.com/News/57101/steam-deck-teardown |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=iFixit}}</ref> the latter giving it a 7/10 on their repairability score.<ref name=":8" />

In collaboration with iFixit, Valve makes many of the Deck's parts available on iFixit for reasonable prices with first party repair guides.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steam Deck LCD Repair Help: Learn How to Fix It Yourself. |url=https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Steam_Deck |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=iFixit}}</ref>

Except for the first party repair guides, the same praise<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Steve |last2=Clayton |first2=Jeremy |last3=Gaglione |first3=Mike |last4=Makhnovets |first4=Vitalii |date=2023-11-11 |title=They Changed Everything: Valve Steam Deck OLED vs. LCD Tear-Down |url=https://inv.nadeko.net/watch?v=9jhRh11bTRA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=9jhRh11bTRA |archive-date=2026-04-29 |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=Invidious}}</ref> alongside the parts availability for reasonable prices on iFixit is applicable to the updated OLED model.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steam Deck OLED Repair Help: Learn How to Fix It Yourself. |url=https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Steam_Deck_OLED |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=iFixit}}</ref>

====Steam Controller (2nd Gen)====
Following the release of the Steam Controller (2nd Gen) in 2026, Gamers Nexus released a teardown video praising the ease of dissassemble of the device.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Steve |last2=Makhnovets |first2=Vitalii |last3=Williams |first3=Tannen |date=2026-04-28 |title=Impressive Repairability: Valve Steam Controller Tear-Down & Disassembly |url=https://inv.nadeko.net/watch?v=hVRfie61QyE |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=Invidious}}</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]].

===Steam users do not own their games (2024)===
In October 2024, Valve added a note to Steam's payment checkout screen which states: <blockquote>A purchase of a digital product grants a license for the product on Steam. For full terms and conditions, please see the Steam Subscriber Agreement.</blockquote> This is attributed to a law passed in California which requires storefronts to clearly state whether a consumer is purchasing a license for digital media.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Shakir |first=Umar |date=11 Oct 2024 |title=Steam now says the ‘game’ you’re buying is really just a license |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/11/24267864/steam-buy-purchase-license-digital-storefront |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=The Verge |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251214142023/https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/11/24267864/steam-buy-purchase-license-digital-storefront |archive-date=14 Dec 2025}}</ref>

The licenses are tied to the Steam account, so if the consumer loses access to the account they will lose all the licenses with it.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=11 Oct 2024 |title=Steam's new disclaimer reminds everyone that you don't actually own your games, GOG moves in for the killshot: Its offline installers 'cannot be taken away from you' |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/steams-new-disclaimer-reminds-everyone-that-you-dont-actually-own-your-games-gog-moves-in-for-the-killshot-its-offline-installers-cannot-be-taken-away-from-you/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251117104943/https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/steams-new-disclaimer-reminds-everyone-that-you-dont-actually-own-your-games-gog-moves-in-for-the-killshot-its-offline-installers-cannot-be-taken-away-from-you/ |archive-date=17 Nov 2025}}</ref> Steam forbids consumers from transferring their licenses to other accounts, even if the accounts are owned by the same person that purchased the license. Steam forbids consumers from allowing other people to use their Steam account, even if passed down via a will.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Litchfield |first=Ted |date=2024-05-26 |title=You can't take it with you, but you can't leave it for someone else either: Valve says you aren't allowed to bequeath a Steam account in a will |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/you-cant-take-it-with-you-but-you-cant-leave-it-behind-either-valve-says-you-arent-allowed-to-bequeath-a-steam-account-in-a-will/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251114134401/https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/you-cant-take-it-with-you-but-you-cant-leave-it-behind-either-valve-says-you-arent-allowed-to-bequeath-a-steam-account-in-a-will/ |archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref>

This is in contrast to Steam's main competitor [https://www.gog.com/en/ GOG], which states on its payment checkout screen: <blockquote>A purchase of a digital product on GOG grants you its Offline Installers, which cannot be taken away from you.<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>Some games downloaded through Steam can be played without the Steam client running.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of DRM-free games |url=https://steam.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_DRM-free_games |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251121055931/https://steam.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_DRM-free_games |archive-date=21 Nov 2025 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Fandom}}</ref>

===PC version of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive replaced by Counter-Strike 2 (2023)===
Counter-Strike 2, previously available as a 'Limited Test' since March 22nd 2023<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Ali |date=2023-03-22 |title=Here's how to access the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test {{!}} GamesRadar+ |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/counter-strike-2-limited-test/ |url-status=live |website=GamesRadar |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251214114651/https://www.gamesradar.com/counter-strike-2-limited-test/ |archive-date=14 Dec 2025}}</ref>, released on September 27th 2023, replacing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive on [[Steam]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Dustin |date=2023-09-27 |title=After 11 years of CS:GO, Counter-Strike 2 has officially replaced the biggest game on Steam {{!}} GamesRadar+ |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/after-11-years-of-csgo-counter-strike-2-has-officially-replaced-the-biggest-game-on-steam/ |url-status=live |website=GamesRadar |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251223173642/https://www.gamesradar.com/after-11-years-of-csgo-counter-strike-2-has-officially-replaced-the-biggest-game-on-steam/ |archive-date=23 Dec 2025}}</ref>. This removed access to Global Offensive for those who had purchased it, every mainline PC Counter-Strike game before Global Offensive (Counter-Strike<ref>{{Cite web |title=Counter-Strike on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/10/CounterStrike/ |url-status=live |website=Steam |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251230014611/https://store.steampowered.com/app/10/CounterStrike/ |archive-date=30 Dec 2025}}</ref>, Counter-Strike: Condition Zero<ref>{{Cite web |title=Counter-Strike: Condition Zero on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/80/CounterStrike_Condition_Zero/ |url-status=live |website=Steam |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251228102653/https://store.steampowered.com/app/80/CounterStrike_Condition_Zero/ |archive-date=28 Dec 2025}}</ref> and Counter-Strike: Source<ref>{{Cite web |title=Counter-Strike: Source on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/240/CounterStrike_Source/ |url-status=live |website=Steam |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251217184118/https://store.steampowered.com/app/240/CounterStrike_Source/ |archive-date=17 Dec 2025}}</ref>) can still be purchased and played on [[Steam]] through a separate library entry so this was an unprecedented move from Valve.

A legacy version of Global Offensive called 'CS:GO Legacy' was released on October 10th 2023<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-10-10 |title=Legacy CS:GO Version |url=https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/73EF-08A3-0935-6369 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010111016/https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/73EF-08A3-0935-6369 |archive-date=2023-10-10}}</ref> after backlash from the Counter-Strike community towards the Counter-Strike 2 launch and Global Offensive replacement. This version can only be accessed while Counter-Strike 2 is installed<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilde |first=Tyler |date=2023-10-13 |title=How to play CS:GO now that Counter-Strike 2 is out {{!}} PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/you-can-still-play-csgo-at-least-if-you-consider-custom-servers-where-you-fight-final-fantasy-summons-playing-csgo/ |url-status=live |website=PCGamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251211035203/https://www.pcgamer.com/you-can-still-play-csgo-at-least-if-you-consider-custom-servers-where-you-fight-final-fantasy-summons-playing-csgo/ |archive-date=11 Dec 2025}}</ref>. Valve committed to supporting this version of the game until January 1st 2024<ref name=":0" /> but in that support window ignored bug reports from the community such as Counter-Strike 2 servers appearing in the community server browser with no way to distinguish these servers from Global Offensive servers unless the server specified what game it was targeting in it's name. CS:GO Legacy received only one update<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-13 |title=Counter-Strike 2 History · Change #20663547 · SteamDB |url=https://steamdb.info/app/730/history/?changeid=20663547 |url-status=live |website=SteamDB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251020235311/https://steamdb.info/app/730/history/?changeid=20663547 |archive-date=20 Oct 2025}}</ref> during its support window and this update didn't contain any public update notes so it is unclear what this may have fixed.

After the support window for CS:GO Legacy ended, numerous problems started occurring with the game. Global Offensive servers stopped appearing in the CS:GO Legacy community server browser<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-08 |title=CS:GO Legacy servers being rejected from Steam / CS:GO Legacy server browser listings · Issue #4047 · ValveSoftware/csgo-osx-linux |url=https://github.com/ValveSoftware/csgo-osx-linux/issues/4047 |url-status=live |website=GitHub |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514162130/https://github.com/ValveSoftware/csgo-osx-linux/issues/4047 |archive-date=14 May 2025}}</ref> which meant that only external third party server browsers could be used to find Global Offensive servers and these servers have to be added manually unlike [[Steam]]'s server browser which finds and queries new servers automatically. As a point of comparison, the mainline PC Counter-Strike games released before Global Offensive (Counter-Strike, Condition Zero and Source) still have a functional server browser without needing third party intervention.

It also became impossible to use multiple weapons (M4A1-S, USP-S, CZ75-Auto, MP5-SD, R8 Revolver) in regular gameplay on vanilla servers without plugins as the loadout system used to switch between weapons and equip weapon skins was discontinued on CS:GO Legacy.<ref>[[File:CS-GO Legacy Inventory Message.jpg|thumb|Pop-up message after attempting to open the Inventory on the main menu of CS:GO Legacy, screenshot taken 23rd October 2025.]]
</ref> There was an unofficial method of re-enabling the loadout system so these weapons could be equipped and used in game but this method was patched in the May 8th 2025 Counter-Strike 2 update.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Csgo_Legacy_2023 – BaseQ WiQi |url=https://wiki.baseq.fr/Installation-Guides/Source/Csgo_Legacy_2023?revision=7fa46e#enabling-back-your-inventory |url-status=live |access-date=2025-10-24 |website=BaseQ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260105023533/https://wiki.baseq.fr/Installation-Guides/Source/Csgo_Legacy_2023?revision=7fa46e#enabling-back-your-inventory |archive-date=5 Jan 2026}}</ref> Although patched for its intended purpose, some CS:GO Legacy community servers still require this method for players to join their servers.<ref name=":3" />

== Products ==

=== Hardware ===

* HTC VIVE (1st Gen)
* Steam Controller (1st Gen)
* Steam Controller (2nd Gen)
* Steam Deck
* Steam Machine (1st Gen)
* Steam Machine (1st Gen)
* Steam Frame
* Valve Index

=== Software ===

* SteamOS 1.0
* SteamOS 2.0
* SteamOS 3.0

=== Games ===

* Counter Strike
* Counter Strike Global Offensive
* Counter Strike: Source
* Counter Strike 2
* Half Life: Alyx
* Half Life
* Half Life 2
* <s>Half Life 3</s>
* Portal
* Portal 2

==Lawsuits==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Dispute Title
!Year started and ended
(if concluded)
!Background Information
!Aftermath
!Related Articles
|-
|''ACCC v. Valve Corporation''<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 Mar 2016 |title=Federal Court finds Valve made misleading representations about consumer guarantees |url=https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/federal-court-finds-valve-made-misleading-representations-about-consumer-guarantees |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=ACCC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251013070949/https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/federal-court-finds-valve-made-misleading-representations-about-consumer-guarantees |archive-date=13 Oct 2025}}</ref>
|2014–2016
|During this lawsuit, Valve was found by the Australian Federal Court to have refused to offer refunds for faulty or broken products.
|Users now have the ability to easily refund games they purchased, so long as they follow the refund policy.
|
|-
|''UFC Que Choisir v. Valve Corporation''<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 Dec 2024 |title=Tough Times Ahead for Digital Video Game Resellers: French Supreme Court Ruling in UFC Que Choisir v. Valve |url=https://www.foxmandal.in/tough-times-ahead-for-digital-video-game-resellers-french-supreme-court-ruling-in-ufc-que-choisir-v-valve/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=Fox Mandal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204122942/https://www.foxmandal.in/tough-times-ahead-for-digital-video-game-resellers-french-supreme-court-ruling-in-ufc-que-choisir-v-valve/ |archive-date=4 Dec 2024}}</ref>
|2015–2019
(still disputed)
|UFC Que Choisir sued Valve on the grounds that users deserved to resell their digital licenses.
|Users in France had the right to resell their digital Steam library, overturned in October 2024.
|
|-
|''McLeod v. Valve Corp.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-10-04 |title=McLeod v. Valve Corp. |url=https://casetext.com/case/mcleod-v-valve-corp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126102613/https://casetext.com/case/mcleod-v-valve-corp |archive-date=2025-01-26 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Casetext}}</ref>
|2016
|MacLeod started the first antitrust case against Valve Corp. over the sale of their games.
|Absorbed into another legal dispute; continues to be dismissed within Seattle courts.
|
|-
|''Wolfire Games v. Valve Corp.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-06 |title=Wolfire Games LLC v. Valve Corp. |url=https://casetext.com/case/wolfire-games-llc-v-valve-corp-7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250202174447/https://casetext.com/case/wolfire-games-llc-v-valve-corp-7 |archive-date=2025-02-02 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Casetext}}</ref>
|2021–2022
|The first notable antitrust case against Valve's unfair market manipulation of their games.
|Absorbed into another dispute/now a [[class action lawsuit]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=28 Nov 2024 |title=The antitrust lawsuit against Steam is now a class action, and that could have big repercussions for Valve |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/the-antitrust-lawsuit-against-steam-is-now-a-class-action-and-that-could-have-big-repercussions-for-valve/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251118020850/https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/the-antitrust-lawsuit-against-steam-is-now-a-class-action-and-that-could-have-big-repercussions-for-valve/ |archive-date=18 Nov 2025}}</ref>
|
|-
|''Sean Colvin'' (and various others) ''v. Valve Corporation, CD Projekt S.A., CD Projekt, Inc., Ubisoft Entertainment S.A., Ubisoft, Inc., Ubisoft L.A., Inc., kChamp Games, Inc., Rust, LLC, and Devolver Digital, Inc.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gardner |first=Eriq |date=28 Jan 2021 |title=Popular Gaming Platform Accused of Abusing Market Power Through Contracts |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/popular-gaming-platform-accused-of-abusing-market-power-through-contracts-4124057/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251114174554/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/popular-gaming-platform-accused-of-abusing-market-power-through-contracts-4124057/ |archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref>
|2021 - Unfinished
|Five individuals in California sued Valve (among various other publishers) over participating in anti-competitive behavior with the Steam platform, most notably over the sale of games for lesser prices on other platforms.
|Not concluded because of indefinite postponement by Valve.
|
|-
|''Bucher Law PLCC v. Valve Corp.''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bucher Law Steam Lawsuit |url=https://lawgud.com/lawsuit/bucher-law-steam-lawsuit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708174529/https://lawgud.com/lawsuit/bucher-law-steam-lawsuit/ |archive-date=8 Jul 2025 |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=LawGud}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-23 |title=Valve antitrust litigation |url=https://www.bucherlawfirm.com/_files/ugd/38f6ef_69ae2fee5c5548538d526669d99be533.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708174522/https://www.bucherlawfirm.com/_files/ugd/38f6ef_69ae2fee5c5548538d526669d99be533.pdf |archive-date=2025-07-08 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Bucher Law Firm}}</ref>
|C.A. 2021 - Unfinished
|A companion to previous lawsuits against Valve over their anti-competitive monopoly, this time covering consumers over their purchase of games on Steam.
|Not concluded, slowly being arbitrated.
|
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Valve Corporation]]

SteamOS

2026-04-29T14:45:07Z

SinexTitan:

{{Irrelevant}}{{ProductCargo|ArticleType=Service|Company=Valve|InProduction=Yes|Logo=SteamOS logo.svg|ReleaseYear=2013|Website=https://steampowered.com/steamos/|Category=Operating system}}

'''{{Wplink|SteamOS}}''' is a {{Wplink|Linux}}-based operating system, developed and maintained by [[Valve]]. Despite being a full fledged desktop OS, '''SteamOS'''<nowiki/>' primarily optimized for gaming. It incorporates many gaming specific tweaks, such as {{Wplink|Proton_(software)|Proton}} and [https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Gamescope Gamescope], and comes with [[Steam]] pre-installed. It is the default OS on Valve's first-party hardware, which includes the Steam Deck, Steam Machine and Steam Frame.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=1 Apr 2026 |title=SteamOS |url=https://store.steampowered.com/steamos/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260331014810/https://store.steampowered.com/steamos/ |archive-date=31 Mar 2026 |access-date=1 Apr 2026 |website=Steam}}</ref> Starting from 2025, Valve has been broadening device support to include third-party devices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alderson |first=Alex |date=2025-05-23 |title=Valve releases major new SteamOS update with Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go and Legion Go S support |url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/Valve-releases-major-new-SteamOS-update-with-Asus-ROG-Ally-Lenovo-Legion-Go-and-Legion-Go-S-support.1023166.0.html |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=Notebookcheck News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Samarveer |date=2026-04-22 |title=SteamOS now runs on every AMD handheld, and Valve didn't even make a big deal about it |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/steamos-now-runs-on-every-amd-handheld-and-valve-didnt-even-make-a-big-deal-about-it/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=XDA}}</ref>

'''SteamOS''' was first unveiled in 2013, with versions 1.0 and 2.0 being based on {{Wplink|Debian}}. These releases showed limited adaption. In 2022, alongside the Steam Deck, Valve announced SteamOS 3.0 based on {{Wplink|Arch Linux}}.

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

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

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

==See also==
*[[Microsoft Windows 11]]
*[[Apple macOS]]
*[[Android]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Pro-consumer_articles]]

SteamOS

2026-04-29T14:40:38Z

SinexTitan:

{{Irrelevant}}{{ProductCargo|ArticleType=Service|Company=Valve|InProduction=Yes|Logo=SteamOS logo.svg|ReleaseYear=2013|Website=https://steampowered.com/steamos/|Category=Operating system}}

'''{{Wplink|SteamOS}}''' is a {{Wplink|Linux}}-based operating system, developed and maintained by [[Valve]]. Despite being a full fledged desktop OS, '''SteamOS'''<nowiki/>' primarily optimized for gaming. It incorporates many gaming specific tweaks and comes with [[Steam]] pre-installed. It is the default OS on Valve's first-party hardware, which includes the Steam Deck, Steam Machine and Steam Frame.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=1 Apr 2026 |title=SteamOS |url=https://store.steampowered.com/steamos/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260331014810/https://store.steampowered.com/steamos/ |archive-date=31 Mar 2026 |access-date=1 Apr 2026 |website=Steam}}</ref> Starting from 2025, Valve has been broadening device support to include third-party devices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alderson |first=Alex |date=2025-05-23 |title=Valve releases major new SteamOS update with Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go and Legion Go S support |url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/Valve-releases-major-new-SteamOS-update-with-Asus-ROG-Ally-Lenovo-Legion-Go-and-Legion-Go-S-support.1023166.0.html |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=Notebookcheck News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Samarveer |date=2026-04-22 |title=SteamOS now runs on every AMD handheld, and Valve didn't even make a big deal about it |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/steamos-now-runs-on-every-amd-handheld-and-valve-didnt-even-make-a-big-deal-about-it/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=XDA}}</ref>

'''SteamOS''' was first unveiled in 2013, with versions 1.0 and 2.0 being based on Debian. These releases showed limited adaption. In 2022, alongside the Steam Deck, Valve announced SteamOS 3.0 based on Arch Linux.

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

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

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

==See also==
*[[Microsoft Windows 11]]
*[[Apple macOS]]
*[[Android]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Pro-consumer_articles]]

Valve

2026-04-29T14:39:01Z

SinexTitan: /* Steam Deck */

{{CompanyCargo
|Description=American video game company known for distribution platform Steam and game series like Half Life, Portal, Team Fortress, and Counter Strike.
|Founded=1996
|Industry=Video game retail, Video game development, Video game hardware
|Logo=Valve_Corporation_Logo.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Private
|Website=https://valvesoftware.com/
}}
'''{{wplink|Valve Corporation}}''' (also known as '''Valve Software''') is a software distribution company, most known for being the owner of the distribution service [[Steam]]. Valve additionally develops tools frequently used by various professional and amateur creators, such as Source Filmmaker and the Source Engines, as well as manufacturing hardware items such as the [[wikipedia:Steam_Deck|Steam Deck]]. It was founded in 1996 by [[wikipedia:Gabe_Newell|Gabe Newell]] and Mike Harrington.

==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}}

====Business model====
Valve's primary source of revenue is the sale of both its own and third party games on the Steam platform.
Valve also manufactures and sells gaming hardware systems. These products include: the Steam Deck, Steam Machine and Steam Frame which all run [[SteamOS]], Valve's Linux-based operating system, out of the box.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steam Hardware |url=https://store.steampowered.com/sale/hardware |url-status=live |website=[[Steam]]}}</ref>

==Positives==

===Contributions to open-source (''2018 - Present'')===
Valve has made several noteworthy open-source contributions to advance software [[interoperability]], which have improved gaming on Linux and macOS, and running {{Wplink|x86}} software on {{Wplink|ARM}} processors.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" />

====Wine compatibility layer====
On 21 August 2018, Valve released the first version of the {{Wplink|Proton (software)|Proton}} compatibility layer,<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Dawe |first=Liam |date=2018-08-21 |title=Valve officially confirm a new version of 'Steam Play' which includes a modified version of Wine |url=https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2018/08/valve-officially-confirm-a-new-version-of-steam-play-which-includes-a-modified-version-of-wine/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-27 |website=GamingOnLinux}}</ref> which was developed in partnership with {{Wplink|CodeWeavers}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schmid |first=Jana |date=2022-02-25 |title=CODEWEAVERS’ PROTON SOFTWARE SAUCE POWERS STEAM DECK |url=https://www.codeweavers.com/about/news/press/20220225 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=CodeWeavers}}</ref> Proton is the fork of the {{Wplink|Wine (software)|Wine}}<ref name=":4" /> compatibility layer that allows [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] programs to run on {{Wplink|POSIX}}-compliant {{Wplink|operating systems}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Run Windows applications on Linux, BSD, Solaris and macOS |url=https://www.winehq.org/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=WineHQ}}</ref> Proton's primary focus is to improve performance and compatibility of Windows games running on {{Wplink|Linux}} operating systems.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GitHub - ValveSoftware/Proton: Compatibility tool for Steam Play based on Wine and additional components |url=https://github.com/ValveSoftware/Proton |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Github}}</ref> It works by translating Windows specific {{Wplink|DirectX}} API calls to {{Wplink|Vulkan}}.{{Citation needed}}

As an effect of developing Proton, Valve and CodeWeavers have upstreamed a lot of upgrades and fixes to Wine.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Larabel |first=Michael |date=2019-03-27 |title=A Lot Of Valve's Proton Work Is Landing Back In Upstream Wine |url=https://www.phoronix.com/news/Proton-Work-Back-In-Wine-4.2 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Phoronix}}</ref>

====FEX emulation layer====
On 12 November 2025, Valve announced the Steam Frame, an ARM based {{Wplink|VR headset}} which will be running {{Wplink|SteamOS}}.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Steve |last2=Lathan |first2=Patrick |last3=Makhnovets |first3=Vitalii |last4=Phetdara |first4=Tim |last5=Thang |first5=Jimmy |date=2025-11-14 |title=Valve Steam Machine, Desktop SteamOS, Steam Frame VR, & Controller {{!}} ft. Engineering Discussion |url=https://gamersnexus.net/news-pre-built-pc/valve-steam-machine-desktop-steamos-steam-frame-vr-controller-ft-engineering |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Gamers Nexus}}</ref> In order to to be compatible with most Windows x86 games, Valve will be using the FEX-Emu emulation layer alongside Proton.<ref name=":5" /> In an anniversary blog post, the FEX lead dev stated: <blockquote>I want to thank the people from Valve for being here from the start and allowing me to kickstart this project. They trusted me with the responsibility of designing and frameworking the project in a way that it can work long-term; not only for their use cases but also keeping it an open project that anyone can adapt for their own use cases.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Houdek |first=Ryan |date=2025-11-28 |title=FEX seven year anniversary! |url=https://fex-emu.com/FEXiversary/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=FEX-Emu}}</ref></blockquote>FEX works by emulating x86 specific instructions to ARM64.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FEX-Emu – A fast linux usermode x86 and x86-64 emulator |url=https://fex-emu.com/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=FEX-Emu}}</ref>

===Repairable hardware===

====Steam Deck====
Following the release of the Steam Deck in 2022, Gamers Nexus and iFixit released teardown videos praising the ease of dissassembly of the device,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Steve |last2=Lathan |first2=Patrick |last3=Stone |first3=Patrick |last4=Coleman |first4=Andrew |last5=Gallick |first5=Keegan |date=2022-02-08 |title=Steam Deck Tear-Down: Build Quality, Disassembly, & VRM Analysis |url=https://inv.nadeko.net/watch?v=dlsJB3narnk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=dlsJB3narnk |archive-date=2026-04-29 |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=Invidious}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Suovanen |first=Jeff |date=2022-02-15 |title=Steam Deck Teardown: Everything Valve Said Not to Do! |url=https://www.ifixit.com/News/57101/steam-deck-teardown |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=iFixit}}</ref> the latter giving it a 7/10 on their repairability score.<ref name=":8" />

In collaboration with iFixit, Valve makes many of the Deck's parts available on iFixit for reasonable prices with first party repair guides.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steam Deck LCD Repair Help: Learn How to Fix It Yourself. |url=https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Steam_Deck |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=iFixit}}</ref>

Except for the first party repair guides, the same praise<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Steve |last2=Clayton |first2=Jeremy |last3=Gaglione |first3=Mike |last4=Makhnovets |first4=Vitalii |date=2023-11-11 |title=They Changed Everything: Valve Steam Deck OLED vs. LCD Tear-Down |url=https://inv.nadeko.net/watch?v=9jhRh11bTRA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=9jhRh11bTRA |archive-date=2026-04-29 |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=Invidious}}</ref> alongside the parts availability for reasonable prices on iFixit is applicable to the updated OLED model.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steam Deck OLED Repair Help: Learn How to Fix It Yourself. |url=https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Steam_Deck_OLED |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=iFixit}}</ref>

====Steam Controller (2nd Gen)====
Following the release of the Steam Controller (2nd Gen) in 2026, Gamers Nexus released a teardown video praising the ease of dissassemble of the device.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Steve |last2=Makhnovets |first2=Vitalii |last3=Williams |first3=Tannen |date=2026-04-28 |title=Impressive Repairability: Valve Steam Controller Tear-Down & Disassembly |url=https://inv.nadeko.net/watch?v=hVRfie61QyE |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=Invidious}}</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]].

===Steam users do not own their games (2024)===
In October 2024, Valve added a note to Steam's payment checkout screen which states: <blockquote>A purchase of a digital product grants a license for the product on Steam. For full terms and conditions, please see the Steam Subscriber Agreement.</blockquote> This is attributed to a law passed in California which requires storefronts to clearly state whether a consumer is purchasing a license for digital media.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Shakir |first=Umar |date=11 Oct 2024 |title=Steam now says the ‘game’ you’re buying is really just a license |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/11/24267864/steam-buy-purchase-license-digital-storefront |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=The Verge |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251214142023/https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/11/24267864/steam-buy-purchase-license-digital-storefront |archive-date=14 Dec 2025}}</ref>

The licenses are tied to the Steam account, so if the consumer loses access to the account they will lose all the licenses with it.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=11 Oct 2024 |title=Steam's new disclaimer reminds everyone that you don't actually own your games, GOG moves in for the killshot: Its offline installers 'cannot be taken away from you' |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/steams-new-disclaimer-reminds-everyone-that-you-dont-actually-own-your-games-gog-moves-in-for-the-killshot-its-offline-installers-cannot-be-taken-away-from-you/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251117104943/https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/steams-new-disclaimer-reminds-everyone-that-you-dont-actually-own-your-games-gog-moves-in-for-the-killshot-its-offline-installers-cannot-be-taken-away-from-you/ |archive-date=17 Nov 2025}}</ref> Steam forbids consumers from transferring their licenses to other accounts, even if the accounts are owned by the same person that purchased the license. Steam forbids consumers from allowing other people to use their Steam account, even if passed down via a will.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Litchfield |first=Ted |date=2024-05-26 |title=You can't take it with you, but you can't leave it for someone else either: Valve says you aren't allowed to bequeath a Steam account in a will |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/you-cant-take-it-with-you-but-you-cant-leave-it-behind-either-valve-says-you-arent-allowed-to-bequeath-a-steam-account-in-a-will/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251114134401/https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/you-cant-take-it-with-you-but-you-cant-leave-it-behind-either-valve-says-you-arent-allowed-to-bequeath-a-steam-account-in-a-will/ |archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref>

This is in contrast to Steam's main competitor [https://www.gog.com/en/ GOG], which states on its payment checkout screen: <blockquote>A purchase of a digital product on GOG grants you its Offline Installers, which cannot be taken away from you.<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>Some games downloaded through Steam can be played without the Steam client running.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of DRM-free games |url=https://steam.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_DRM-free_games |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251121055931/https://steam.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_DRM-free_games |archive-date=21 Nov 2025 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Fandom}}</ref>

===PC version of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive replaced by Counter-Strike 2 (2023)===
Counter-Strike 2, previously available as a 'Limited Test' since March 22nd 2023<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Ali |date=2023-03-22 |title=Here's how to access the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test {{!}} GamesRadar+ |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/counter-strike-2-limited-test/ |url-status=live |website=GamesRadar |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251214114651/https://www.gamesradar.com/counter-strike-2-limited-test/ |archive-date=14 Dec 2025}}</ref>, released on September 27th 2023, replacing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive on [[Steam]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Dustin |date=2023-09-27 |title=After 11 years of CS:GO, Counter-Strike 2 has officially replaced the biggest game on Steam {{!}} GamesRadar+ |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/after-11-years-of-csgo-counter-strike-2-has-officially-replaced-the-biggest-game-on-steam/ |url-status=live |website=GamesRadar |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251223173642/https://www.gamesradar.com/after-11-years-of-csgo-counter-strike-2-has-officially-replaced-the-biggest-game-on-steam/ |archive-date=23 Dec 2025}}</ref>. This removed access to Global Offensive for those who had purchased it, every mainline PC Counter-Strike game before Global Offensive (Counter-Strike<ref>{{Cite web |title=Counter-Strike on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/10/CounterStrike/ |url-status=live |website=Steam |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251230014611/https://store.steampowered.com/app/10/CounterStrike/ |archive-date=30 Dec 2025}}</ref>, Counter-Strike: Condition Zero<ref>{{Cite web |title=Counter-Strike: Condition Zero on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/80/CounterStrike_Condition_Zero/ |url-status=live |website=Steam |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251228102653/https://store.steampowered.com/app/80/CounterStrike_Condition_Zero/ |archive-date=28 Dec 2025}}</ref> and Counter-Strike: Source<ref>{{Cite web |title=Counter-Strike: Source on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/240/CounterStrike_Source/ |url-status=live |website=Steam |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251217184118/https://store.steampowered.com/app/240/CounterStrike_Source/ |archive-date=17 Dec 2025}}</ref>) can still be purchased and played on [[Steam]] through a separate library entry so this was an unprecedented move from Valve.

A legacy version of Global Offensive called 'CS:GO Legacy' was released on October 10th 2023<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-10-10 |title=Legacy CS:GO Version |url=https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/73EF-08A3-0935-6369 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010111016/https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/73EF-08A3-0935-6369 |archive-date=2023-10-10}}</ref> after backlash from the Counter-Strike community towards the Counter-Strike 2 launch and Global Offensive replacement. This version can only be accessed while Counter-Strike 2 is installed<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilde |first=Tyler |date=2023-10-13 |title=How to play CS:GO now that Counter-Strike 2 is out {{!}} PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/you-can-still-play-csgo-at-least-if-you-consider-custom-servers-where-you-fight-final-fantasy-summons-playing-csgo/ |url-status=live |website=PCGamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251211035203/https://www.pcgamer.com/you-can-still-play-csgo-at-least-if-you-consider-custom-servers-where-you-fight-final-fantasy-summons-playing-csgo/ |archive-date=11 Dec 2025}}</ref>. Valve committed to supporting this version of the game until January 1st 2024<ref name=":0" /> but in that support window ignored bug reports from the community such as Counter-Strike 2 servers appearing in the community server browser with no way to distinguish these servers from Global Offensive servers unless the server specified what game it was targeting in it's name. CS:GO Legacy received only one update<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-13 |title=Counter-Strike 2 History · Change #20663547 · SteamDB |url=https://steamdb.info/app/730/history/?changeid=20663547 |url-status=live |website=SteamDB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251020235311/https://steamdb.info/app/730/history/?changeid=20663547 |archive-date=20 Oct 2025}}</ref> during its support window and this update didn't contain any public update notes so it is unclear what this may have fixed.

After the support window for CS:GO Legacy ended, numerous problems started occurring with the game. Global Offensive servers stopped appearing in the CS:GO Legacy community server browser<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-08 |title=CS:GO Legacy servers being rejected from Steam / CS:GO Legacy server browser listings · Issue #4047 · ValveSoftware/csgo-osx-linux |url=https://github.com/ValveSoftware/csgo-osx-linux/issues/4047 |url-status=live |website=GitHub |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514162130/https://github.com/ValveSoftware/csgo-osx-linux/issues/4047 |archive-date=14 May 2025}}</ref> which meant that only external third party server browsers could be used to find Global Offensive servers and these servers have to be added manually unlike [[Steam]]'s server browser which finds and queries new servers automatically. As a point of comparison, the mainline PC Counter-Strike games released before Global Offensive (Counter-Strike, Condition Zero and Source) still have a functional server browser without needing third party intervention.

It also became impossible to use multiple weapons (M4A1-S, USP-S, CZ75-Auto, MP5-SD, R8 Revolver) in regular gameplay on vanilla servers without plugins as the loadout system used to switch between weapons and equip weapon skins was discontinued on CS:GO Legacy.<ref>[[File:CS-GO Legacy Inventory Message.jpg|thumb|Pop-up message after attempting to open the Inventory on the main menu of CS:GO Legacy, screenshot taken 23rd October 2025.]]
</ref> There was an unofficial method of re-enabling the loadout system so these weapons could be equipped and used in game but this method was patched in the May 8th 2025 Counter-Strike 2 update.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Csgo_Legacy_2023 – BaseQ WiQi |url=https://wiki.baseq.fr/Installation-Guides/Source/Csgo_Legacy_2023?revision=7fa46e#enabling-back-your-inventory |url-status=live |access-date=2025-10-24 |website=BaseQ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260105023533/https://wiki.baseq.fr/Installation-Guides/Source/Csgo_Legacy_2023?revision=7fa46e#enabling-back-your-inventory |archive-date=5 Jan 2026}}</ref> Although patched for its intended purpose, some CS:GO Legacy community servers still require this method for players to join their servers.<ref name=":3" />
==Lawsuits==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Dispute Title
!Year started and ended
(if concluded)
!Background Information
!Aftermath
!Related Articles
|-
|''ACCC v. Valve Corporation''<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 Mar 2016 |title=Federal Court finds Valve made misleading representations about consumer guarantees |url=https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/federal-court-finds-valve-made-misleading-representations-about-consumer-guarantees |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=ACCC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251013070949/https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/federal-court-finds-valve-made-misleading-representations-about-consumer-guarantees |archive-date=13 Oct 2025}}</ref>
|2014–2016
|During this lawsuit, Valve was found by the Australian Federal Court to have refused to offer refunds for faulty or broken products.
|Users now have the ability to easily refund games they purchased, so long as they follow the refund policy.
|
|-
|''UFC Que Choisir v. Valve Corporation''<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 Dec 2024 |title=Tough Times Ahead for Digital Video Game Resellers: French Supreme Court Ruling in UFC Que Choisir v. Valve |url=https://www.foxmandal.in/tough-times-ahead-for-digital-video-game-resellers-french-supreme-court-ruling-in-ufc-que-choisir-v-valve/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=Fox Mandal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204122942/https://www.foxmandal.in/tough-times-ahead-for-digital-video-game-resellers-french-supreme-court-ruling-in-ufc-que-choisir-v-valve/ |archive-date=4 Dec 2024}}</ref>
|2015–2019
(still disputed)
|UFC Que Choisir sued Valve on the grounds that users deserved to resell their digital licenses.
|Users in France had the right to resell their digital Steam library, overturned in October 2024.
|
|-
|''McLeod v. Valve Corp.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-10-04 |title=McLeod v. Valve Corp. |url=https://casetext.com/case/mcleod-v-valve-corp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126102613/https://casetext.com/case/mcleod-v-valve-corp |archive-date=2025-01-26 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Casetext}}</ref>
|2016
|MacLeod started the first antitrust case against Valve Corp. over the sale of their games.
|Absorbed into another legal dispute; continues to be dismissed within Seattle courts.
|
|-
|''Wolfire Games v. Valve Corp.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-06 |title=Wolfire Games LLC v. Valve Corp. |url=https://casetext.com/case/wolfire-games-llc-v-valve-corp-7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250202174447/https://casetext.com/case/wolfire-games-llc-v-valve-corp-7 |archive-date=2025-02-02 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Casetext}}</ref>
|2021–2022
|The first notable antitrust case against Valve's unfair market manipulation of their games.
|Absorbed into another dispute/now a [[class action lawsuit]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=28 Nov 2024 |title=The antitrust lawsuit against Steam is now a class action, and that could have big repercussions for Valve |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/the-antitrust-lawsuit-against-steam-is-now-a-class-action-and-that-could-have-big-repercussions-for-valve/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251118020850/https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/the-antitrust-lawsuit-against-steam-is-now-a-class-action-and-that-could-have-big-repercussions-for-valve/ |archive-date=18 Nov 2025}}</ref>
|
|-
|''Sean Colvin'' (and various others) ''v. Valve Corporation, CD Projekt S.A., CD Projekt, Inc., Ubisoft Entertainment S.A., Ubisoft, Inc., Ubisoft L.A., Inc., kChamp Games, Inc., Rust, LLC, and Devolver Digital, Inc.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gardner |first=Eriq |date=28 Jan 2021 |title=Popular Gaming Platform Accused of Abusing Market Power Through Contracts |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/popular-gaming-platform-accused-of-abusing-market-power-through-contracts-4124057/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251114174554/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/popular-gaming-platform-accused-of-abusing-market-power-through-contracts-4124057/ |archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref>
|2021 - Unfinished
|Five individuals in California sued Valve (among various other publishers) over participating in anti-competitive behavior with the Steam platform, most notably over the sale of games for lesser prices on other platforms.
|Not concluded because of indefinite postponement by Valve.
|
|-
|''Bucher Law PLCC v. Valve Corp.''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bucher Law Steam Lawsuit |url=https://lawgud.com/lawsuit/bucher-law-steam-lawsuit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708174529/https://lawgud.com/lawsuit/bucher-law-steam-lawsuit/ |archive-date=8 Jul 2025 |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=LawGud}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-23 |title=Valve antitrust litigation |url=https://www.bucherlawfirm.com/_files/ugd/38f6ef_69ae2fee5c5548538d526669d99be533.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708174522/https://www.bucherlawfirm.com/_files/ugd/38f6ef_69ae2fee5c5548538d526669d99be533.pdf |archive-date=2025-07-08 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Bucher Law Firm}}</ref>
|C.A. 2021 - Unfinished
|A companion to previous lawsuits against Valve over their anti-competitive monopoly, this time covering consumers over their purchase of games on Steam.
|Not concluded, slowly being arbitrated.
|
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Valve Corporation]]

Sony PlayStation 30-day license check controversy (2026)

2026-04-29T14:09:47Z

SinexTitan:

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Sony
|StartDate=2026-04
|EndDate=9999
|Status=Active
|ProductLine=PlayStation
|Product=PlayStation 5; PlayStation 4
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Ownership Restriction
|Description=Reports in 2026 indicated Sony added a 30-day online check for some PlayStation game licenses, raising concerns over offline access and ownership.
}}

In April 2026, [[Sony]] introduced changes to its [[PlayStation]] license system suggesting a requirement to reconnect to the [[wikipedia:PlayStation_Network|PlayStation Network]] for certain game purchases. Reports indicated that newly purchased titles, primarily digital titles, with unclear impact on physical media, could become temporarily inaccessible if the console did not connect to the internet within a 30-day period.<ref name="tomshardware">{{cite web |title=Sony rolls out 30-day online DRM check-in for PlayStation digital games |website=Tom’s Hardware |date=April 2026 |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/playstation/sony-rolls-out-30-day-online-drm-check-in-for-playstation-digital-games-players-could-temporarily-lose-access-if-they-dont-keep-their-consoles-online}}</ref> The change prompted widespread concern among players regarding ownership, offline access, and long-term preservation of purchased games.<ref name="techradar">{{cite web |title=PlayStation fans react to reported 30-day license check |website=TechRadar |date=April 2026 |url=https://www.techradar.com/gaming/playstation/please-be-fake-playstation-fans-panic-as-sony-seemingly-introduces-ridiculous-new-30-day-license-check-on-digital-games}}</ref> Sony did not immediately provide a clear public explanation, contributing to confusion about the scope and intent of the system.<ref name="vice">{{cite web |title=PS5 digital games reportedly now have 30-day online check-in DRM |website=Vice |date=April 2026 |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/ps5-digital-games-reportedly-now-have-30-day-online-check-in-drm/}}</ref>

==Background==
Sony’s PlayStation ecosystem has shifted from primarily disc-based ownership to account-based digital licensing. Earlier systems like the {{Wplink|PlayStation 2}} and {{Wplink|PlayStation 3}} emphasized physical media and offline play, with access tied to the disc itself.

With the {{Wplink|PlayStation 4}}, Sony expanded digital distribution through the PlayStation Network, making game access increasingly dependent on user accounts rather than physical ownership. The {{Wplink|PlayStation 5}} continued this approach, including a digital-only model without a disc drive.

===PlayStation Network and License Validation===
The PlayStation Network (PSN) handles authentication, digital purchases, and license management on PlayStation systems.

Digital games are tied to user accounts rather than physical ownership. A designated “primary” console allows offline play, with licenses only occasionally verified through Sony’s servers. Prior to 2026, this system generally enabled indefinite offline access after initial validation.

==Introduction and Rollout of 30-Day License Validation on PlayStation Platforms (2026)==
In March 2026, Sony released a system update for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 that altered [[Digital rights management|digital license validation]], without detailed patch note disclosure.

Soon after, users observed a “validity period” or countdown timer on some newly purchased digital titles, indicating a requirement to reconnect to the PlayStation Network within roughly 30 days to maintain access.<ref name="tomshardware" /> Reports suggested that failure to reconnect could temporarily prevent games from launching.<ref name="tomshardware" />

By early April 2026, media coverage confirmed several patterns: the behavior mainly affected newly purchased titles, older purchases were largely unaffected, and primary console settings did not consistently bypass the requirement.<ref name="tomshardware" />

Conflicting reports indicated the timer may disappear after initial verification or apply inconsistently, leaving unclear whether the system represents a permanent policy, a temporary condition, or unintended behavior.<ref name="indy100">{{cite web |title=PS5 digital games reportedly require periodic online validation |website=Indy100 |date=April 2026 |url=https://www.indy100.com/gaming/ps5-playstation-sony-digital-games-license-check}}</ref>

===Sony’s Response===
As reports emerged in April 2026, Sony did not issue a detailed public statement explaining the 30-day license validation behavior.<ref name="techradar" /> No firmware notes or official documentation clarified its purpose or scope.

Information instead came from indirect sources. Customer support responses described the behavior as “working as intended,” but without further detail.<ref name="techradar" /> The update itself did not disclose any time-based license checks, and no rollback or fix was announced.

Reports of inconsistent behavior, such as timers disappearing after initial validation, were not addressed publicly. As a result, it remained unclear whether the system was intentional, temporary, or unintended.

==Lawsuit==
As of April 2026, no lawsuits have been filed against Sony regarding the reported 30-day license validation system.

==Consumer Response==
Reaction in April 2026 was largely negative, focusing on concerns about ownership and offline access on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.<ref name="windowscentral">{{cite web |title=Did PlayStation adopt elements of earlier DRM policies? |website=Windows Central |date=April 2026 |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/just-got-hit-with-xbox-one-flashbacks-did-playstation-just-adopt-bits-of-the-hated-xbox-drm-policy-from-2013}}</ref>

===Key Concerns===
*Loss of offline access if consoles cannot reconnect to the PlayStation Network<ref name="tomshardware" />
*Perceived shift from ownership to revocable licenses<ref name="windowscentral" />
*Comparisons to prior DRM controversies, such as the [[Xbox|Xbox One]] launch<ref name="windowscentral" />
*Long-term access and preservation risks<ref name="windowscentral" />
*Confusion due to inconsistent behavior and limited communication from Sony<ref name="techradar" />

===Overall Sentiment===
Prevailing sentiment was cautious to negative, driven by uncertainty and concern over increased restrictions on access to purchased content.<ref name="techradar" />

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Digital ownership]]
[[Category:Ownership restriction]]
[[Category:Digital Rights Management]]
[[Category:PlayStation]]

Valve

2026-04-29T11:27:09Z

SinexTitan: /* Positives */

{{CompanyCargo
|Description=American video game company known for distribution platform Steam and game series like Half Life, Portal, Team Fortress, and Counter Strike.
|Founded=1996
|Industry=Video game retail, Video game development, Video game hardware
|Logo=Valve_Corporation_Logo.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Private
|Website=https://valvesoftware.com/
}}
'''{{wplink|Valve Corporation}}''' (also known as '''Valve Software''') is a software distribution company, most known for being the owner of the distribution service [[Steam]]. Valve additionally develops tools frequently used by various professional and amateur creators, such as Source Filmmaker and the Source Engines, as well as manufacturing hardware items such as the [[wikipedia:Steam_Deck|Steam Deck]]. It was founded in 1996 by [[wikipedia:Gabe_Newell|Gabe Newell]] and Mike Harrington.

==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}}

====Business model====
Valve's primary source of revenue is the sale of both its own and third party games on the Steam platform.
Valve also manufactures and sells gaming hardware systems. These products include: the Steam Deck, Steam Machine and Steam Frame which all run [[SteamOS]], Valve's Linux-based operating system, out of the box.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steam Hardware |url=https://store.steampowered.com/sale/hardware |url-status=live |website=[[Steam]]}}</ref>

==Positives==

===Contributions to open-source (''2018 - Present'')===
Valve has made several noteworthy open-source contributions to advance software [[interoperability]], which have improved gaming on Linux and macOS, and running {{Wplink|x86}} software on {{Wplink|ARM}} processors.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" />

====Wine compatibility layer====
On 21 August 2018, Valve released the first version of the {{Wplink|Proton (software)|Proton}} compatibility layer,<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Dawe |first=Liam |date=2018-08-21 |title=Valve officially confirm a new version of 'Steam Play' which includes a modified version of Wine |url=https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2018/08/valve-officially-confirm-a-new-version-of-steam-play-which-includes-a-modified-version-of-wine/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-27 |website=GamingOnLinux}}</ref> which was developed in partnership with {{Wplink|CodeWeavers}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schmid |first=Jana |date=2022-02-25 |title=CODEWEAVERS’ PROTON SOFTWARE SAUCE POWERS STEAM DECK |url=https://www.codeweavers.com/about/news/press/20220225 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=CodeWeavers}}</ref> Proton is the fork of the {{Wplink|Wine (software)|Wine}}<ref name=":4" /> compatibility layer that allows [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] programs to run on {{Wplink|POSIX}}-compliant {{Wplink|operating systems}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Run Windows applications on Linux, BSD, Solaris and macOS |url=https://www.winehq.org/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=WineHQ}}</ref> Proton's primary focus is to improve performance and compatibility of Windows games running on {{Wplink|Linux}} operating systems.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GitHub - ValveSoftware/Proton: Compatibility tool for Steam Play based on Wine and additional components |url=https://github.com/ValveSoftware/Proton |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Github}}</ref> It works by translating Windows specific {{Wplink|DirectX}} API calls to {{Wplink|Vulkan}}.{{Citation needed}}

As an effect of developing Proton, Valve and CodeWeavers have upstreamed a lot of upgrades and fixes to Wine.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Larabel |first=Michael |date=2019-03-27 |title=A Lot Of Valve's Proton Work Is Landing Back In Upstream Wine |url=https://www.phoronix.com/news/Proton-Work-Back-In-Wine-4.2 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Phoronix}}</ref>

====FEX emulation layer====
On 12 November 2025, Valve announced the Steam Frame, an ARM based {{Wplink|VR headset}} which will be running {{Wplink|SteamOS}}.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Steve |last2=Lathan |first2=Patrick |last3=Makhnovets |first3=Vitalii |last4=Phetdara |first4=Tim |last5=Thang |first5=Jimmy |date=2025-11-14 |title=Valve Steam Machine, Desktop SteamOS, Steam Frame VR, & Controller {{!}} ft. Engineering Discussion |url=https://gamersnexus.net/news-pre-built-pc/valve-steam-machine-desktop-steamos-steam-frame-vr-controller-ft-engineering |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=Gamers Nexus}}</ref> In order to to be compatible with most Windows x86 games, Valve will be using the FEX-Emu emulation layer alongside Proton.<ref name=":5" /> In an anniversary blog post, the FEX lead dev stated: <blockquote>I want to thank the people from Valve for being here from the start and allowing me to kickstart this project. They trusted me with the responsibility of designing and frameworking the project in a way that it can work long-term; not only for their use cases but also keeping it an open project that anyone can adapt for their own use cases.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Houdek |first=Ryan |date=2025-11-28 |title=FEX seven year anniversary! |url=https://fex-emu.com/FEXiversary/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=FEX-Emu}}</ref></blockquote>FEX works by emulating x86 specific instructions to ARM64.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FEX-Emu – A fast linux usermode x86 and x86-64 emulator |url=https://fex-emu.com/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-26 |website=FEX-Emu}}</ref>

=== Repairable hardware ===

==== Steam Deck ====

==== Steam Controller (2nd Gen) ====

==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]].

===Steam users do not own their games (2024)===
In October 2024, Valve added a note to Steam's payment checkout screen which states: <blockquote>A purchase of a digital product grants a license for the product on Steam. For full terms and conditions, please see the Steam Subscriber Agreement.</blockquote> This is attributed to a law passed in California which requires storefronts to clearly state whether a consumer is purchasing a license for digital media.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Shakir |first=Umar |date=11 Oct 2024 |title=Steam now says the ‘game’ you’re buying is really just a license |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/11/24267864/steam-buy-purchase-license-digital-storefront |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=The Verge |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251214142023/https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/11/24267864/steam-buy-purchase-license-digital-storefront |archive-date=14 Dec 2025}}</ref>

The licenses are tied to the Steam account, so if the consumer loses access to the account they will lose all the licenses with it.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=11 Oct 2024 |title=Steam's new disclaimer reminds everyone that you don't actually own your games, GOG moves in for the killshot: Its offline installers 'cannot be taken away from you' |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/steams-new-disclaimer-reminds-everyone-that-you-dont-actually-own-your-games-gog-moves-in-for-the-killshot-its-offline-installers-cannot-be-taken-away-from-you/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251117104943/https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/steams-new-disclaimer-reminds-everyone-that-you-dont-actually-own-your-games-gog-moves-in-for-the-killshot-its-offline-installers-cannot-be-taken-away-from-you/ |archive-date=17 Nov 2025}}</ref> Steam forbids consumers from transferring their licenses to other accounts, even if the accounts are owned by the same person that purchased the license. Steam forbids consumers from allowing other people to use their Steam account, even if passed down via a will.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Litchfield |first=Ted |date=2024-05-26 |title=You can't take it with you, but you can't leave it for someone else either: Valve says you aren't allowed to bequeath a Steam account in a will |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/you-cant-take-it-with-you-but-you-cant-leave-it-behind-either-valve-says-you-arent-allowed-to-bequeath-a-steam-account-in-a-will/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251114134401/https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/you-cant-take-it-with-you-but-you-cant-leave-it-behind-either-valve-says-you-arent-allowed-to-bequeath-a-steam-account-in-a-will/ |archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref>

This is in contrast to Steam's main competitor [https://www.gog.com/en/ GOG], which states on its payment checkout screen: <blockquote>A purchase of a digital product on GOG grants you its Offline Installers, which cannot be taken away from you.<ref name=":2" /></blockquote>Some games downloaded through Steam can be played without the Steam client running.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of DRM-free games |url=https://steam.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_DRM-free_games |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251121055931/https://steam.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_DRM-free_games |archive-date=21 Nov 2025 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Fandom}}</ref>

===PC version of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive replaced by Counter-Strike 2 (2023)===
Counter-Strike 2, previously available as a 'Limited Test' since March 22nd 2023<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Ali |date=2023-03-22 |title=Here's how to access the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test {{!}} GamesRadar+ |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/counter-strike-2-limited-test/ |url-status=live |website=GamesRadar |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251214114651/https://www.gamesradar.com/counter-strike-2-limited-test/ |archive-date=14 Dec 2025}}</ref>, released on September 27th 2023, replacing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive on [[Steam]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Dustin |date=2023-09-27 |title=After 11 years of CS:GO, Counter-Strike 2 has officially replaced the biggest game on Steam {{!}} GamesRadar+ |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/after-11-years-of-csgo-counter-strike-2-has-officially-replaced-the-biggest-game-on-steam/ |url-status=live |website=GamesRadar |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251223173642/https://www.gamesradar.com/after-11-years-of-csgo-counter-strike-2-has-officially-replaced-the-biggest-game-on-steam/ |archive-date=23 Dec 2025}}</ref>. This removed access to Global Offensive for those who had purchased it, every mainline PC Counter-Strike game before Global Offensive (Counter-Strike<ref>{{Cite web |title=Counter-Strike on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/10/CounterStrike/ |url-status=live |website=Steam |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251230014611/https://store.steampowered.com/app/10/CounterStrike/ |archive-date=30 Dec 2025}}</ref>, Counter-Strike: Condition Zero<ref>{{Cite web |title=Counter-Strike: Condition Zero on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/80/CounterStrike_Condition_Zero/ |url-status=live |website=Steam |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251228102653/https://store.steampowered.com/app/80/CounterStrike_Condition_Zero/ |archive-date=28 Dec 2025}}</ref> and Counter-Strike: Source<ref>{{Cite web |title=Counter-Strike: Source on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/240/CounterStrike_Source/ |url-status=live |website=Steam |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251217184118/https://store.steampowered.com/app/240/CounterStrike_Source/ |archive-date=17 Dec 2025}}</ref>) can still be purchased and played on [[Steam]] through a separate library entry so this was an unprecedented move from Valve.

A legacy version of Global Offensive called 'CS:GO Legacy' was released on October 10th 2023<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2023-10-10 |title=Legacy CS:GO Version |url=https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/73EF-08A3-0935-6369 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010111016/https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/73EF-08A3-0935-6369 |archive-date=2023-10-10}}</ref> after backlash from the Counter-Strike community towards the Counter-Strike 2 launch and Global Offensive replacement. This version can only be accessed while Counter-Strike 2 is installed<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilde |first=Tyler |date=2023-10-13 |title=How to play CS:GO now that Counter-Strike 2 is out {{!}} PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/you-can-still-play-csgo-at-least-if-you-consider-custom-servers-where-you-fight-final-fantasy-summons-playing-csgo/ |url-status=live |website=PCGamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251211035203/https://www.pcgamer.com/you-can-still-play-csgo-at-least-if-you-consider-custom-servers-where-you-fight-final-fantasy-summons-playing-csgo/ |archive-date=11 Dec 2025}}</ref>. Valve committed to supporting this version of the game until January 1st 2024<ref name=":0" /> but in that support window ignored bug reports from the community such as Counter-Strike 2 servers appearing in the community server browser with no way to distinguish these servers from Global Offensive servers unless the server specified what game it was targeting in it's name. CS:GO Legacy received only one update<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-13 |title=Counter-Strike 2 History · Change #20663547 · SteamDB |url=https://steamdb.info/app/730/history/?changeid=20663547 |url-status=live |website=SteamDB |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251020235311/https://steamdb.info/app/730/history/?changeid=20663547 |archive-date=20 Oct 2025}}</ref> during its support window and this update didn't contain any public update notes so it is unclear what this may have fixed.

After the support window for CS:GO Legacy ended, numerous problems started occurring with the game. Global Offensive servers stopped appearing in the CS:GO Legacy community server browser<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-08 |title=CS:GO Legacy servers being rejected from Steam / CS:GO Legacy server browser listings · Issue #4047 · ValveSoftware/csgo-osx-linux |url=https://github.com/ValveSoftware/csgo-osx-linux/issues/4047 |url-status=live |website=GitHub |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514162130/https://github.com/ValveSoftware/csgo-osx-linux/issues/4047 |archive-date=14 May 2025}}</ref> which meant that only external third party server browsers could be used to find Global Offensive servers and these servers have to be added manually unlike [[Steam]]'s server browser which finds and queries new servers automatically. As a point of comparison, the mainline PC Counter-Strike games released before Global Offensive (Counter-Strike, Condition Zero and Source) still have a functional server browser without needing third party intervention.

It also became impossible to use multiple weapons (M4A1-S, USP-S, CZ75-Auto, MP5-SD, R8 Revolver) in regular gameplay on vanilla servers without plugins as the loadout system used to switch between weapons and equip weapon skins was discontinued on CS:GO Legacy.<ref>[[File:CS-GO Legacy Inventory Message.jpg|thumb|Pop-up message after attempting to open the Inventory on the main menu of CS:GO Legacy, screenshot taken 23rd October 2025.]]
</ref> There was an unofficial method of re-enabling the loadout system so these weapons could be equipped and used in game but this method was patched in the May 8th 2025 Counter-Strike 2 update.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Csgo_Legacy_2023 – BaseQ WiQi |url=https://wiki.baseq.fr/Installation-Guides/Source/Csgo_Legacy_2023?revision=7fa46e#enabling-back-your-inventory |url-status=live |access-date=2025-10-24 |website=BaseQ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260105023533/https://wiki.baseq.fr/Installation-Guides/Source/Csgo_Legacy_2023?revision=7fa46e#enabling-back-your-inventory |archive-date=5 Jan 2026}}</ref> Although patched for its intended purpose, some CS:GO Legacy community servers still require this method for players to join their servers.<ref name=":3" />
==Lawsuits==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Dispute Title
!Year started and ended
(if concluded)
!Background Information
!Aftermath
!Related Articles
|-
|''ACCC v. Valve Corporation''<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 Mar 2016 |title=Federal Court finds Valve made misleading representations about consumer guarantees |url=https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/federal-court-finds-valve-made-misleading-representations-about-consumer-guarantees |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=ACCC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251013070949/https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/federal-court-finds-valve-made-misleading-representations-about-consumer-guarantees |archive-date=13 Oct 2025}}</ref>
|2014–2016
|During this lawsuit, Valve was found by the Australian Federal Court to have refused to offer refunds for faulty or broken products.
|Users now have the ability to easily refund games they purchased, so long as they follow the refund policy.
|
|-
|''UFC Que Choisir v. Valve Corporation''<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 Dec 2024 |title=Tough Times Ahead for Digital Video Game Resellers: French Supreme Court Ruling in UFC Que Choisir v. Valve |url=https://www.foxmandal.in/tough-times-ahead-for-digital-video-game-resellers-french-supreme-court-ruling-in-ufc-que-choisir-v-valve/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=Fox Mandal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204122942/https://www.foxmandal.in/tough-times-ahead-for-digital-video-game-resellers-french-supreme-court-ruling-in-ufc-que-choisir-v-valve/ |archive-date=4 Dec 2024}}</ref>
|2015–2019
(still disputed)
|UFC Que Choisir sued Valve on the grounds that users deserved to resell their digital licenses.
|Users in France had the right to resell their digital Steam library, overturned in October 2024.
|
|-
|''McLeod v. Valve Corp.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-10-04 |title=McLeod v. Valve Corp. |url=https://casetext.com/case/mcleod-v-valve-corp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126102613/https://casetext.com/case/mcleod-v-valve-corp |archive-date=2025-01-26 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Casetext}}</ref>
|2016
|MacLeod started the first antitrust case against Valve Corp. over the sale of their games.
|Absorbed into another legal dispute; continues to be dismissed within Seattle courts.
|
|-
|''Wolfire Games v. Valve Corp.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-06 |title=Wolfire Games LLC v. Valve Corp. |url=https://casetext.com/case/wolfire-games-llc-v-valve-corp-7 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250202174447/https://casetext.com/case/wolfire-games-llc-v-valve-corp-7 |archive-date=2025-02-02 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Casetext}}</ref>
|2021–2022
|The first notable antitrust case against Valve's unfair market manipulation of their games.
|Absorbed into another dispute/now a [[class action lawsuit]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=28 Nov 2024 |title=The antitrust lawsuit against Steam is now a class action, and that could have big repercussions for Valve |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/the-antitrust-lawsuit-against-steam-is-now-a-class-action-and-that-could-have-big-repercussions-for-valve/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251118020850/https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/the-antitrust-lawsuit-against-steam-is-now-a-class-action-and-that-could-have-big-repercussions-for-valve/ |archive-date=18 Nov 2025}}</ref>
|
|-
|''Sean Colvin'' (and various others) ''v. Valve Corporation, CD Projekt S.A., CD Projekt, Inc., Ubisoft Entertainment S.A., Ubisoft, Inc., Ubisoft L.A., Inc., kChamp Games, Inc., Rust, LLC, and Devolver Digital, Inc.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gardner |first=Eriq |date=28 Jan 2021 |title=Popular Gaming Platform Accused of Abusing Market Power Through Contracts |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/popular-gaming-platform-accused-of-abusing-market-power-through-contracts-4124057/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251114174554/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/popular-gaming-platform-accused-of-abusing-market-power-through-contracts-4124057/ |archive-date=14 Nov 2025}}</ref>
|2021 - Unfinished
|Five individuals in California sued Valve (among various other publishers) over participating in anti-competitive behavior with the Steam platform, most notably over the sale of games for lesser prices on other platforms.
|Not concluded because of indefinite postponement by Valve.
|
|-
|''Bucher Law PLCC v. Valve Corp.''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bucher Law Steam Lawsuit |url=https://lawgud.com/lawsuit/bucher-law-steam-lawsuit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708174529/https://lawgud.com/lawsuit/bucher-law-steam-lawsuit/ |archive-date=8 Jul 2025 |access-date=7 Apr 2025 |website=LawGud}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-23 |title=Valve antitrust litigation |url=https://www.bucherlawfirm.com/_files/ugd/38f6ef_69ae2fee5c5548538d526669d99be533.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708174522/https://www.bucherlawfirm.com/_files/ugd/38f6ef_69ae2fee5c5548538d526669d99be533.pdf |archive-date=2025-07-08 |access-date=2026-01-22 |website=Bucher Law Firm}}</ref>
|C.A. 2021 - Unfinished
|A companion to previous lawsuits against Valve over their anti-competitive monopoly, this time covering consumers over their purchase of games on Steam.
|Not concluded, slowly being arbitrated.
|
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Valve Corporation]]

SteamOS

2026-04-29T11:20:38Z

SinexTitan: .

{{Irrelevant}}{{ProductCargo|ArticleType=Service|Company=Valve|InProduction=Yes|Logo=SteamOS logo.svg|ReleaseYear=2013|Website=https://steampowered.com/steamos/|Category=Operating system}}

'''{{Wplink|SteamOS}}''' is a {{Wplink|Linux}}-based operating system, developed and maintained by [[Valve]]. Despite being a full fledged desktop OS, '''SteamOS'''<nowiki/>' primarily optimized for gaming. It incorporates many gaming specific tweaks and comes with [[Steam]] pre-installed. It is the default OS on Valve's first-party hardware, which includes the Steam Deck, Steam Machine and Steam Frame.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=1 Apr 2026 |title=SteamOS |url=https://store.steampowered.com/steamos/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260331014810/https://store.steampowered.com/steamos/ |archive-date=31 Mar 2026 |access-date=1 Apr 2026 |website=Steam}}</ref> Starting from 2025, Valve has been broadening devices to include third-party devices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alderson |first=Alex |date=2025-05-23 |title=Valve releases major new SteamOS update with Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go and Legion Go S support |url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/Valve-releases-major-new-SteamOS-update-with-Asus-ROG-Ally-Lenovo-Legion-Go-and-Legion-Go-S-support.1023166.0.html |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=Notebookcheck News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Samarveer |date=2026-04-22 |title=SteamOS now runs on every AMD handheld, and Valve didn't even make a big deal about it |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/steamos-now-runs-on-every-amd-handheld-and-valve-didnt-even-make-a-big-deal-about-it/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=XDA}}</ref>

'''SteamOS''' was first unveiled in 2013, with versions 1.0 and 2.0 being based on Debian. These releases showed limited adaption. In 2022, alongside the Steam Deck, Valve announced SteamOS 3.0 based on Arch Linux.

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

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

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

==See also==
*[[Microsoft Windows 11]]
*[[Apple macOS]]
*[[Android]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Pro-consumer_articles]]

File:SteamOS logo.svg

2026-04-29T11:18:46Z

SinexTitan: SteamOS' logo as a SVG, sourced from Wikimedia

== Summary ==
SteamOS' logo as a SVG, sourced from Wikimedia
== Licensing ==
{{From Wikimedia}}

Consumer Rights Wiki talk:Moderators' noticeboard

2026-04-10T08:52:29Z

SinexTitan: /* Featured articles on main page have light grey title on White background .. even on dark mode */ Reply

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

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

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

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

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

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

==Appeal Request==

Hello! The article [[Advertising overload]] is marked as incomplete and as relying on AI/LLMs. I believe I've addressed the original intent of both of these, though the bottom section ([[Advertising overload#Notable Examples]]) is still a stub. I think the AI status notice should be removed, and the Incomplete notice should be replaced with a Stub notice.

Cheers! [[User:Scholar Silas|Scholar Silas]] ([[User talk:Scholar Silas|talk]]) 05:52, 12 March 2026 (UTC)

:{{Done}} including '''completely removing both notices''', not marking it as a stub. The article overall is very long, and if a section is all to complain about on a very long article, then it's definitely not a stub. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 16:02, 12 March 2026 (UTC)

==Who gets superconfirmed first?==

Hello, starting this discussion since the new superconfirmed usergroup has been added and we need to figure out who to give it to first. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 22:07, 13 March 2026 (UTC)

:Just tested it on [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsAlt]]; why can't it undelete pages? [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 22:14, 13 March 2026 (UTC)
::I shall fix! [[User:JakeL|JakeL]] ([[User talk:JakeL|talk]]) 00:02, 15 March 2026 (UTC)
:::Also @[[User:JakeL|JakeL]] is semiprotection mow allowing superconfirmed users only as well as admins and not just normal confirmed users? [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 06:23, 15 March 2026 (UTC)
::::Yes, autoconfirmed users no longer have the semiprotected permission. This was an intentional change requested by Keith [[User:JakeL|JakeL]] ([[User talk:JakeL|talk]]) 16:11, 15 March 2026 (UTC)

==add "Quasi-Wanted" Special page==

There are Wikipedia articles linked from many different CRW articles. It'd be nice to see which topics are candidates for a dedicated article on CRW. I say "topics", just-in-case a future update adds support for non-WP "pseudo-internal" links (because WP links are shown as "internal" even though they aren't)

Apologies in advance if this is not a place for feature-requests [[User:Rudxain|Rudxain]] ([[User talk:Rudxain|talk]]) 06:23, 15 March 2026 (UTC)

==Appeal request for Wikipedia article==
I've been testing out the browser plugin for the last few days and noticed it popped up on Wikipedia. After reading [[Wikipedia#cite note-15]] I wanted to challenge whether this article belongs on Consumer Rights Wiki, as I don't think it fits with the [[Mission statement]] or [[Consumer Rights Wiki:Inclusion guidelines]] at time of writing.

Aside from mentioning that Wikipedia is big and influential (not necessarily a bad thing), there are two incidents listed. The first one relates to individual editors. The only citation for this mentions "Wikipedia has taken action against what it described as the “co-ordinated group” of fraudsters by blocking 381 accounts.".

The second one is similar, it refers to behaviour of editors - the first citation mentions "Wikipedias in all languages, including English, are open to edits by any volunteers", and also mentions that "one of the ... admins at Scots Wikipedia, has called for native speakers to contribute as the community seeks to save the project.".

In both cases I think this is a reasonable response from Wikipedia, they stepped in to address the issues by blocking abusive users, acknowledged the inaccuracies and called for people to help fix them. Wikipedia is free, it's hosted by a non-profit organisation and the editors are not working for Wikipedia, they are independent users of the platform. I don't think it's fair to blame them for user-generated content, and in my opinion it hurts the cause when we include articles like this alongside articles highlighting genuinely abusive business practices. [[User:DiffChar|DiffChar]] ([[User talk:DiffChar|talk]]) 23:04, 17 March 2026 (UTC)

:When this came up, I was very concerned but decided to leave it alone. Considering someone else thinks the exact same way as me, i think it's honestly a good idea atp for me to add a deletion request template (which anyone can do, by the way!) and refer back here. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 16:14, 18 March 2026 (UTC)

:After looking it over myself, I agree - it's not relevant as it stands. — [[User:Sojourna|Sojourna]] ([[User talk:Sojourna|talk]]) 19:41, 30 March 2026 (UTC)
::I'd concur as well. [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 19:46, 30 March 2026 (UTC)
:::Deleted. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 19:49, 30 March 2026 (UTC)

==Can't Edit==

I'm trying to edit this [[Dairy Queen]] article, however after adding the stub notice it won't allow me to edit anymore. @[[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|AnotherConsumerRightsPerson]] [[User:SquidthePlummer|SquidthePlummer]] ([[User talk:SquidthePlummer|talk]]) 19:33, 23 March 2026 (UTC)

:{{Done}}. [[consumer_Rights_Wiki_talk:Moderators%27_noticeboard/Archive_4#Can_a_mod_please_remove_this?|Easy mistake to make]]. Next time, put it at the start of the article '''and''' leave a space. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 20:43, 23 March 2026 (UTC)

==so...==

abt that superuser role? has it been rolled out yet? got hit in the face w a stub notice bug again lol [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 14:08, 26 March 2026 (UTC)

:another thing. Phreeli has a valid entry in [[List of products and services with forced arbitration]]. still @[[User:Louis]] supported them w a dedicated [https://inv.nadeko.net/watch?v=e8SnNNq6MaI video], in which he states "so this is a company we started" and claims to be an unpaid board member. so I ask, what the fuck? Louis said to give a fuck abt consumer rights but he is not your savior. the video was released on 2025.12.19 and the citation on the list was archived on 2026.01.13, so it can be argued that it could be a development after the video was published. I have not seen him mention Phreeli since then. so I cannot say if they're still affiliated but the video is still up w no follow up (afaik). as y'all are in contact w the man, can we get a comment or perhaps an apology video w a ukulele cameo? [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 15:30, 26 March 2026 (UTC)
::I discussed that here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_twkLJbc1c
::if there's an MVNO that's open to allowing people to pay with crypto without providing a name and address, I am happy to push them in that direction & help move it along. forced arbitration sucks balls, but every carrier has forced arbitration..... so this becomes a question of, should i not help push along a carrier that allows people to sign up in a more anonymous way, because 1 thing isn't to my liking... ??? the answer to that is no.
::framework doesn't release schematics... but after a long talk with the CEO, they'll allow you to get one if you contact them & sign an NDA. that's not what I want. but it is better than if I had not engaged at all.
::if i started a phone company/MVNO, it'd have no forced arbitration '''''AND''''' allow people to sign up with anonymous crypto without providing their name.... but i'm not starting a phone company... i am too busy as it is.
::phreeli belongs in that list of products & services with forced arbitration because they have forced arbitration. [[User:Louis|Louis]] ([[User talk:Louis|talk]]) 19:59, 26 March 2026 (UTC)
:::as mentioned in my previous comment I didn't know of that video. thank you. even tho its been a week, I still haven't found the time to watch it. perhaps many of the points I've highlighted have already been discussed in said video.
:::regardless, I agree that the existence of a more private MVNO's a blessing to see in a sea full of scammers. but I still would've liked to see them not go the same route as traditional operators regarding forced arbitration. everybody's "threat" model is diff so I can understand your stance. I'm a fairly regular watcher of the channel but somehow I missed the video. and based on the view discrepancy (378k vs 41k), many others have too. the follow up video includes the announcement in its description but the title and thumbnail do not reflect it being a follow up. I would like to see this rectified.
:::now on Framework, I did not know an NDA had to be signed in order to get the schematics. I checked the article and it does not mention that. based on my 5 min search I found [https://knowledgebase.frame.work/availability-of-schematics-and-boardviews-BJMZ6EAu this] but it does not mention an NDA, just to reach out to support. could you please provide sources? I'd like to append this to the article. I don't consider it egregious but for a person looking for them, they should know.
:::I'd like to highlight a conflict here. in the video you state "so this company we started" and in [https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2009536/000200953624000001/xslFormDX01/primary_doc.xml this] SEC filing you're cited as a Director. I'd like to mention that I'm not American nor have any idea wtf this shit is, but I have a borderline idea on what SEC filings are. could you please explain to me what this means? ofc you yourself did not start the company but you are still listed as a director of the company.
:::an article on Phreeli does not exist and the arbitration list can be hard to find. so I will be creating one. [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 18:52, 3 April 2026 (UTC)
:Superconfirmed has been rolled out, see [[Consumer Rights Wiki:Moderator applications]], BUT you need your email. I think this stuff should be done onwiki but whatever, I got mod without using email lol. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 21:26, 26 March 2026 (UTC)
::I went on a hiatus again lol so apologies for the slow response.
::I did email Keith on the matter b4 the rollout and recently did I get knighted. thank you mods [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 18:54, 3 April 2026 (UTC)

==I think Internet Archive has excluded anything from Bambu Lab==

I was on the Bambu Lab Authorization Control System page and I noticed that a lot of the archive links didn't work so I think Internet Archive has excluded anything from Bambu Lab.

Do I need to move all the archive links to Ghost Archive? [[User:Andrew V|Andrew V]] ([[User talk:Andrew V|talk]]) 16:20, 30 March 2026 (UTC)

:It's the other way around; Bambu Lab has specifically decided to block the IA. And yeah, you can certainly use Ghost Archive. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 16:22, 30 March 2026 (UTC)
::So should I switch all the archive links from IA to Ghost Archive [[User:Andrew V|Andrew V]] ([[User talk:Andrew V|talk]]) 16:24, 30 March 2026 (UTC)
:::Yes. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 16:25, 30 March 2026 (UTC)
::::Okay, I'll get started [[User:Andrew V|Andrew V]] ([[User talk:Andrew V|talk]]) 16:25, 30 March 2026 (UTC)
::Can confirm. I made a list of companies covered on this wiki that excluded themselves from the IA [[Internet Archive/Blocked companies|here]]. [[User:Mr Pollo|Mr Pollo]] ([[User talk:Mr Pollo|talk]]) 19:13, 2 April 2026 (UTC)
:::Thanks for making that article [[User:Andrew V|Andrew V]] ([[User talk:Andrew V|talk]]) 01:43, 3 April 2026 (UTC)
::::Of course! [[User:Mr Pollo|Mr Pollo]] ([[User talk:Mr Pollo|talk]]) 19:10, 9 April 2026 (UTC)

==Archive everything==

is there a way the checking process for refs be automated? it is user maintained and isn't always accurate. perhaps all refs could be checked if they have the <code>archive-url=</code> filled? [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 18:26, 5 April 2026 (UTC)

==Featured articles on main page have light grey title on White background .. even on dark mode==

This isnt great for readability.

my setup for reference :

dark mode on CRW, Firefox. Linux Mint XFCE. [[User:Plankton|Plankton]] ([[User talk:Plankton|talk]]) 04:46, 6 April 2026 (UTC)

:wait i just went back and now they are black titles... i dont know what happened. mightve been a one time bug on my part ??? [[User:Plankton|Plankton]] ([[User talk:Plankton|talk]]) 04:49, 6 April 2026 (UTC)
::OK i figured it out... this is weird :
::it only happnes when i am LOGGED OUT of my account.
::to reiterate :
::when a user is logged out. the featured articles on the main page appear with light grey titles on white background ; which isnt great for readability ... especially for new users' first impression of the website.
::Once i am logged into my account, the titles now appear black with good contrast.
::I dont know why this is the case but it is consistent across my testing [[User:Plankton|Plankton]] ([[User talk:Plankton|talk]]) 04:51, 6 April 2026 (UTC)
:::@[[User:JakeL|JakeL]] this was an issue that I had before that I asked om your talkpage to fix, now it's happening again? [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 05:26, 6 April 2026 (UTC)
:::I'm going to throw in a curveball. logged in and I still got the issue. [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 08:52, 10 April 2026 (UTC)

File:Signal logo.svg

2026-04-07T09:52:11Z

SinexTitan: SinexTitan uploaded a new version of File:Signal logo.svg

== Summary ==
Signal's logo as a SVG, sourced from https://signal.org/brand/
== Licensing ==
{{Fairuse}}

Signal

2026-04-07T09:51:27Z

SinexTitan: logo

{{Stub}}

{{ProductCargo
|ReleaseYear=2014
|InProduction=Yes
|ArticleType=Service
|Category=Cloud, Privacy
|Website=https://signal.org/
|Description=Signal is a privacy-focused, open source encrypted messaging service.
|Logo=Signal logo.svg}}

'''{{Wplink|Signal_(software)|Signal}}''' is a privacy-focused, open source encrypted messaging service developed by the nonprofit Signal Foundation. Signal was released in 2014<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Signal-app |publisher=Britannica |first=Meg |last=Matthias |date=2 February 2024 |title=Signal}}</ref>, and has over 70 million active users reported as of 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.businessofapps.com/data/signal-statistics/ |publisher=Business of Apps |title=Signal Revenue & Usage Statistics (2026) |first=David |last=Curry |date=7 January 2026}}</ref>

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}
===Freedom & Privacy===
According to the Signal Terms of Service and Signal Privacy Policy<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://signal.org/legal/#terms-of-service |title=Signal >> Terms of Service & Privacy Policy}}</ref>:
*A user agrees to the Signal Terms of Service by using Signal services (includes visiting Signal websites) even if the user does not accept the terms.
*Signal is not required to notify users of any future changes to the Signal Terms of Service or Signal Privacy Policy. As well, continued use of Signal services constitutes agreement to the new terms, even if the user is not aware that there were changes.{{citation needed}}
*Signal expresses maximally limited liability for any damages that may be caused.
*Signal may share information to authorities to comply with law.
*Signal may share information with third-parties, which are bound to ''their own'' privacy policies.

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

===Secure value recovery (''2020 - present'')===
{{Main|Signal cloud backups}}
In 2020, Signal was accused of collecting and storing sensitive user data on their cloud database without user consent.{{citation needed}}

<nowiki>{{</nowiki>

==See also==
*[[WhatsApp]]
*[[Discord]]
*[[Electron]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

File:Signal logo.svg

2026-04-07T09:51:11Z

SinexTitan: Signal's logo as a SVG, sourced from https://signal.org/brand/

== Summary ==
Signal's logo as a SVG, sourced from https://signal.org/brand/
== Licensing ==
{{Fairuse}}

Signal messenger

2026-04-07T09:46:30Z

SinexTitan: SinexTitan moved page Signal messenger to Signal: Ready to receive contributions in another namespace: shorter title

#REDIRECT [[Signal]]

Signal

2026-04-07T09:46:29Z

SinexTitan: SinexTitan moved page Signal messenger to Signal: Ready to receive contributions in another namespace: shorter title

{{Stub}}

{{ProductCargo
|ReleaseYear=2014
|InProduction=Yes
|ArticleType=Service
|Category=Cloud, Privacy
|Website=https://signal.org/
|Description=Signal is a privacy-focused, open source encrypted messaging service.
}}
'''Signal''' is a privacy-focused, open source encrypted messaging service developed by the nonprofit Signal Foundation. Signal was released in 2014<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Signal-app |publisher=Britannica |first=Meg |last=Matthias |date=2 February 2024 |title=Signal}}</ref>, and has over 70 million active users reported as of 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.businessofapps.com/data/signal-statistics/ |publisher=Business of Apps |title=Signal Revenue & Usage Statistics (2026) |first=David |last=Curry |date=7 January 2026}}</ref>

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}
===Freedom & Privacy===
According to the Signal Terms of Service and Signal Privacy Policy<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://signal.org/legal/#terms-of-service |title=Signal >> Terms of Service & Privacy Policy}}</ref>:
* A user agrees to the Signal Terms of Service by using Signal services (includes visiting Signal websites) even if the user does not accept the terms.
* Signal is not required to notify users of any future changes to the Signal Terms of Service or Signal Privacy Policy. As well, continued use of Signal services constitutes agreement to the new terms, even if the user is not aware that there were changes.{{citation needed}}
* Signal expresses maximally limited liability for any damages that may be caused.
* Signal may share information to authorities to comply with law.
* Signal may share information with third-parties, which are bound to ''their own'' privacy policies.

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

===Secure value recovery (2020-present)===
{{Main|Signal cloud backups}}
In 2020, Signal was accused of collecting and storing sensitive user data on their cloud database without user consent.{{citation needed}}

==See also==
* [[WhatsApp]]
* [[Discord]]
* [[Electron]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Fitbit

2026-04-07T09:44:53Z

SinexTitan: boo

{{Incomplete}}
{{Cleanup}}
{{CompanyCargo
| Founded = 2007-03-26
| Industry = Activity trackers
| Logo = Google Fitbit logo.svg
| ParentCompany = Google
| Type = Subsidiary
| Website = http://store.google.com/category/watches_trackers
| Description = Subsidiary of Google that sells fitness tracking smartwatches. Devices have had faulty strap connectors, burned users, and had functionality removed.
}}

'''{{wplink|Fitbit}}''', now a subsidiary of [[Google]], is a company that produces fitness tracking devices, some of which also function as smartwatches. They acquired [[Pebble]] in 2016, and produced the Ionic, Versa series and Sense series with Pebble-like SDKs, OSes and features, but skipped out on a lot of the openness and consumer freedom that Pebble users enjoyed. Most of the anti-consumer practices came following Google's purchase of the company in 2021.

==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]].

===Fitbit Charge 3 / 4 Faulty Strap Connectors (2018, 2020)===
Unlike the Charge devices that came before and after them, the Charge 3 and 4 have plastic strap connectors that snap off from the device with regular use, this often happened in under a year. Fitbit was willing to provide replacement devices in many cases, but never admitted to this fault publicly.

===Music limitations (2020 - 2023)===
Fitbit supported syncing music from your PC to your smartwatch to play offline. Supported devices for this were:

*Fitbit Blaze (2016)
*Fitbit Ionic (2017)
*Fitbit Versa (2018)
*Fitbit Versa 2 (2019)

With the release of the Versa 3 and Sense in 2020, Fitbit removed this functionality, instead mandating that users either use a paid Deezer / Pandora subscription to sync offline music to their device (with DRM), or control music playing from their phone.

With the release of the Versa 4 and Sense 2 in 2022, the remaining music functionality in the previous device was scrapped, and Google later added support for YouTube Music controls, requiring the user to have their phone nearby and a YouTube Premium subscription.

In 2022, Google shut down the necessary servers and software for syncing music to the older 2016 - 2019 devices.

In 2023, Google terminated Fitbit's partnership with Deezer and Pandora and disabled those apps on the relevant devices.

===Oauth update renders old devices unusable (2021)===
Legacy fitbit devices (Surge and prior) used oauth1.0 to connect to Fitbit's servers. The firmware embedded onto these devices gate core functionality like setting the time, setting the clock face, logging heartrate data, setting alarms, etc. behind this authentication process. The company leaves no way to use the devices without authenticating and uploading data to their servers and having that data fed back to your client which is no longer possible on these watches due to them updating endpoints to oauth2.0, making the Fitbit Surge the "Super Watch" that could only correctly tell the time for less than a decade.

===Fitbit Ionic recall program (2022)===
The Fitbit Ionic was the first device to debut Fitbit's new Pebble-like SDK called "Fitbit SDK 1.0" and it released in 2017. Fitbit reportedly ignored issues of the device burning on people's wrists for 5 years until their voluntary recall program in 2022. If a user enrolled in this recall, they would be offered varying refund options, and their device, regardless of functionality, would be remotely bricked by Google. If a user did not enroll into the recall, their device would remain as-is, but without any new security patches for it's Fitbit OS.

===Fitbit Versa 4 / Sense 2 issues (2022)===
The Fitbit Versa 4 and Sense 2 were successors to Fitbit's previous smartwatches, but missed out on a lot of the features that made them "smart" despite using the same SoC as it's predecessors, likely in attempt to make them less competitive to the Pixel Watch.

====Lack of communication with developers====
Every Fitbit smartwatch since the Ionic was released alongside SDK information for developers until these two. Google refused to give clarification on development tools for months, while silently marking selected popular clockfaces as installable on these new devices. Developers found [https://github.com/cmengler/fitbit-spotify-hr-versa4 workarounds], and eventually Google silently released Fitbit SDK 7.0 in beta which was capable of building for these devices, albeit without documentation. If you attempt to submit an app compatible with these devices to the Fitbit Gallery, it will be rejected, however clockfaces are allowed. You can still sideload apps with this SDK if you know what you're doing. As of August 2025, the relevant SDK is still:

*In a "beta" state
*Only works with a deprecated version of {{wplink|Node.js}}
*Has no documentation

====Missing features====
Many features were removed from these devices, including but not limited to:

*The ability to switch between clockfaces on device
*The ability to play music on device or control music from your phone (You may still do the latter if you are using YouTube Music Premium)
*Bluetooth headphone pairing

Users also reported the software on these devices to be buggy and incomplete.

===Fitbit Studio Shutdown (2023)===
In 2023, Google shut down Fitbit Studio, an online development tool for Fitbit applications and clockfaces. Many developers did not hear about this until it was too late and lost their source code, Google briefly re-opened the site to give developers a last chance to download their code, but many still did not meet the deadline. Following this shutdown, developers were required to run a deprecated version of Node.js on their system to continue building software.

===Fitbit Gallery Shutdown in EEU (2024)===
Following failure to comply with local laws, Google delisted all third party software for Fitbit smartwatch users within the EEU.

===Fitbit Dashboard Shutdown (2024)===
In 2024, Google announced that they would no longer be offering the ability for people who bought Fitbit products to access their servers from their computers (Fitbit Dashboard desktop client and Web client). All services provided can now only be accessed from a mobile app.

===Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 Battery Performance Program (2025)===
{{Main|Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 Battery Performance Program}}

Google released a program select Fitbit Versa 3 and Sense devices where they would be forcibly updated to a version of Fitbit OS 5 with limited battery performance. Affected users were offered $50 from Google.

===Google Assistant Shutdown (2025)===
Following Google's focus on Gemini, Google quietly deprecated Google Assistant for devices they considered "legacy". This included Fitbit Versa 3 and Sense devices that were still being newly sold just over 2 years ago, which were now only capable of using Amazon Alexa. Around this time, Google launched a marketing campaign showing their new Gemini assistant on Pixel Watch devices.

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

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

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

Mandatory data collection on PlayStation's PC ports

2026-04-06T14:17:21Z

SinexTitan: desc

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=PlayStation
|Status=Active
|Description=On a fresh start of most PlayStation titles on PC, a pop-up appears asking the user to consent for data collection, with no way to reject.}}

On a fresh start of most [[PlayStation]] titles on PC, a pop-up appears asking the user to consent for data collection, with no way to reject.

==Background==
Starting from 2015 with {{Wplink|Helldivers}}, [[Sony]] started porting some of their PlayStation exclusive titles over to [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] via [[Steam]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Matulef |first=Jeffrey |date=2015-11-06 |title=Helldivers is coming to Steam next month |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/helldivers-is-coming-to-steam-next-month |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-24 |website=Eurogamer.net}}</ref> while also making some of them also available through [[GOG.com]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-20 |title=Coming soon: Horizon Zero Dawn™ Complete Edition |url=https://www.gog.com/en/news/coming_soon_horizon_zero_dawn_complete_edition |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-24 |website=GOG.com}}</ref>
[[File:HZD screenshot.png|thumb|Data collection pop-up on Horizon Zero Dawn]]

==Mandatory data collection on PlayStation's PC ports==
On a fresh start of most PlayStation titles on PC, following the intro sequence a pop-up appears asking the user if they consent to "Limited Data" or "Full Data & Limited Data" collection. Through the in-game settings, users are able to alternate between the options if they change their mind.

Other than Days Gone,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Robert N |date=2021-06-14 |title=You Can Now Disable Days Gone Data Collection on PC |url=https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/you-can-now-disable-days-gone-data-collection-on-pc |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-24 |website=TechRaptor}}</ref> there is no option to turn off the data collection.

===PlayStation's response===

As of March 2026, Sony has not issued an statement.

As result of a controversy, Bend Studio, the developers of Days Gone and a first party developer for PlayStation Studios, issued Update 1.04 for the game which provides players with the option to fully opt-out of the data collection.<ref name=":0" />
==Lawsuit==
''No lawsuits have been filed at this time.''

==Consumer response==

A review of Days Gone on Steam<ref>{{Cite web |last=higgsterman |date=2021-05-19 |title=Steam Community :: Avalanjh :: Review for Days Gone |url=https://steamcommunity.com/id/higgsterman/recommended/1259420/ |access-date=2026-03-24 |website=Steam Community}}</ref> stirred up controversy as the poster highlighted the invasive data collection practices. As a result, the developers issed an update which provides players with the option to fully opt-out of the data collection.<ref name=":0" />

Many users expressed their adoration for the games yet simultaneous disdain for the data collection practice. Many even recommended to refund the games as a result.<ref>{{Cite web |last=smoothjedi |date=2020-08-07 |title=Invasive Data Collection on PC - r/horizon |url=https://redlib.catsarch.com/r/horizon/comments/i5o74o/invasive_data_collection_on_pc/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-24 |website=Redlib - Catsarch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=XtraSqueaky |date=2021-05-18 |title=No option to opt out of data collection on PC - r/DaysGone |url=https://redlib.catsarch.com/r/DaysGone/comments/nf7msc/no_option_to_opt_out_of_data_collection_on_pc/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-24 |website=Redlib - Catsarch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=GrovPastaSwag03 |date=2021-11-27 |title=On the subject of intrusive data collection and DRM in video games - r/truegaming |url=https://redlib.catsarch.com/r/truegaming/comments/r3bskl/on_the_subject_of_intrusive_data_collection_and/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-24 |website=Redlib - Catsarch}}</ref>

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

PlayStation

2026-04-06T14:10:09Z

SinexTitan: product-line

{{Stub}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Industry=Video Games, Consoles
|ParentCompany=Sony
|Website=https://www.playstation.com/
|Logo=PlayStation logo.svg|Founded=1990-02-28|Type=Subsidiary|CompanyAlias=PS, Sony's PlayStation}}

The '''PlayStation''' is a line of consoles developed by [[Sony]].

==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]].

===Mandatory data collection on PlayStation's PC ports===
{{Main|Mandatory data collection on PlayStation's PC ports}}
On a fresh start of most '''PlayStation''' titles on PC, a pop-up appears asking the user to consent for data collection, with no way to reject.

===Online Services Incidents===

======Hardware bans from online services======
{{Main|Sony Playstation hardware bans from online services}}
Often, Sony has banned consoles from playing online to the point where it is baked into the hardware, making you have to replace the hardware to get unbanned.

======Sony's attempted removal of "purchased" content on the playstation library======
{{Main|Sony's attempted removal of "purchased" content}}
Sony initially announced that it would remove purchased Discovery TV shows from '''PlayStation''' users' libraries due to licensing issues

======PlayStation Network Account Requirement for PC Games======
{{Main|PlayStation Network Account Requirement for PC Games}}
Sony requires a PSN account be made or used for Playstation games ported to PC and sold on the PC, including games that were solely single player such as Last of Us Part 2.

===PlayStation 2 Incidents===
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this product-line is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:PlayStation 2|PlayStation 2 category]].

===PlayStation 3 Incidents===
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this product-line is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:PlayStation 3|PlayStation 3 category]].

======Removal of OtherOS======
{{Main|PlayStation 3 Removal of OtherOS with System Update 3.21}}
PlayStation 3 systems supported a feature known as "OtherOS" until system update 3.21 on April 1, 2010 with Sony stating it was removed due to "security concerns".

======"Yellow Light of Death" bricks the console======
{{Main|PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"}}
Due to a likely defect in the 90nm graphic processing units (GPUs) of early PlayStation 3s, these models are extremely prone to GPU failures.

===PlayStation 4 Incidents===
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this product-line is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:PlayStation 4|PlayStation 4 category]].

===PlayStation 5 Incidents===
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this product-line is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:PlayStation 5|PlayStation 5 category]].

======PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions======
{{Main|PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions}}
Sony have restricted how and what developers can offer people upgrading from a PS4 edition to a PS5 edition of a game post launch.

======Introduction of [[Electronics leasing]]======
{{Main|PlayStation Lease with Flex}}
At the start of 2026, Sony announced the '''Lease with Flex''' service in partnership with [[Raylo]] for its PlayStation hardware. Advertised on the PlayStation Direct website, the service allows users in the UK to lease consoles and accessories on flexible monthly terms or fixed 12–36-month plans with no upfront cost.

Unlike traditional installment purchases that lead to eventual ownership, Flex and other leasing models do not result in the consumer owning the console outright. Once the contract term ends, the hardware must be returned regardless of payments already made, or the consumer must enter a separate purchase negotiation.

==Products==

===Home consoles:===

*PlayStation (1994)
*PlayStation 2 (2000)
*[[:Category:PlayStation 3|PlayStation 3]] (2006)
*PlayStation 4 (2013)
*[[:Category:PlayStation 5|PlayStation 5]] (2020)

'''Handheld consoles:'''

*PlayStation Portable (2004)
*PlayStation Vita (2011)
'''Controllers:'''

*DualShock (1997)
*DualShock 2 (2000)
*Sixaxis (2006)
*DualShock 3 (2007)
*DualShock 4 (2013)
*DualSense (2020)

==See also==

*[[Digital rights management]]
*[[Nintendo]]
*[[Xbox]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:PlayStation]]

PlayStation

2026-04-06T14:08:06Z

SinexTitan: blue

{{Stub}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Industry=Video Games, Consoles
|ParentCompany=Sony
|Website=https://www.playstation.com/
|Logo=PlayStation logo.svg|Founded=1990-02-28|Type=Subsidiary|CompanyAlias=PS, Sony's PlayStation}}

The '''PlayStation''' is a line of consoles developed by [[Sony]].

==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]].

===Mandatory data collection on PlayStation's PC ports===
{{Main|Mandatory data collection on PlayStation's PC ports}}
On a fresh start of most '''PlayStation''' titles on PC, a pop-up appears asking the user to consent for data collection, with no way to reject.

===Online Services Incidents===

======Hardware bans from online services======
{{Main|Sony Playstation hardware bans from online services}}
Often, Sony has banned consoles from playing online to the point where it is baked into the hardware, making you have to replace the hardware to get unbanned.

======Sony's attempted removal of "purchased" content on the playstation library======
{{Main|Sony's attempted removal of "purchased" content}}
Sony initially announced that it would remove purchased Discovery TV shows from '''PlayStation''' users' libraries due to licensing issues

======PlayStation Network Account Requirement for PC Games======
{{Main|PlayStation Network Account Requirement for PC Games}}
Sony requires a PSN account be made or used for Playstation games ported to PC and sold on the PC, including games that were solely single player such as Last of Us Part 2.

===PlayStation 2 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:PlayStation 2|PlayStation 2 category]].

===PlayStation 3 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:PlayStation 3|PlayStation 3 category]].

======Removal of OtherOS======
{{Main|PlayStation 3 Removal of OtherOS with System Update 3.21}}
PlayStation 3 systems supported a feature known as "OtherOS" until system update 3.21 on April 1, 2010 with Sony stating it was removed due to "security concerns".

======"Yellow Light of Death" bricks the console======
{{Main|PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"}}
Due to a likely defect in the 90nm graphic processing units (GPUs) of early PlayStation 3s, these models are extremely prone to GPU failures.

===PlayStation 4 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:PlayStation 4|PlayStation 4 category]].

===PlayStation 5 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:PlayStation 5|PlayStation 5 category]].

======PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions======
{{Main|PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions}}
Sony have restricted how and what developers can offer people upgrading from a PS4 edition to a PS5 edition of a game post launch.

======Introduction of [[Electronics leasing]]======
{{Main|PlayStation Lease with Flex}}
At the start of 2026, Sony announced the '''Lease with Flex''' service in partnership with [[Raylo]] for its PlayStation hardware. Advertised on the PlayStation Direct website, the service allows users in the UK to lease consoles and accessories on flexible monthly terms or fixed 12–36-month plans with no upfront cost.

Unlike traditional installment purchases that lead to eventual ownership, Flex and other leasing models do not result in the consumer owning the console outright. Once the contract term ends, the hardware must be returned regardless of payments already made, or the consumer must enter a separate purchase negotiation.

==Products==

===Home consoles:===

*PlayStation (1994)
*PlayStation 2 (2000)
*[[:Category:PlayStation 3|PlayStation 3]] (2006)
*PlayStation 4 (2013)
*[[:Category:PlayStation 5|PlayStation 5]] (2020)

'''Handheld consoles:'''

*PlayStation Portable (2004)
*PlayStation Vita (2011)
'''Controllers:'''

*DualShock (1997)
*DualShock 2 (2000)
*Sixaxis (2006)
*DualShock 3 (2007)
*DualShock 4 (2013)
*DualSense (2020)

==See also==

*[[Digital rights management]]
*[[Nintendo]]
*[[Xbox]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:PlayStation]]

PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions

2026-04-06T14:07:06Z

SinexTitan: category switcherroo

{{StubNotice}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Sony
|StartDate=
|EndDate=
|Status=
|ProductLine=
|Product=PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
|ArticleType=
|Type=
|Description=
}}
[[Sony]] have restricted how and what developers can offer people upgrading from a PS4 edition to a PS5 edition of a game post launch.

==Background==
Rust is a multiplayer survival video game developed by Facepunch Studios. It was first released in early access in December 2013 and received its full release in February 2018.

Console versions of Rust was released in May 2021 for the PS4 and Xbox One,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-03-28 |title=Rust Console Edition Release Date Announced for PS4 and Xbox One |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/rust-console-edition-release-date-announced-for-ps4-and-xbox-one |url-status=live |access-date=2025-07-10 |work=IGN |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260208074019/https://www.ign.com/articles/rust-console-edition-release-date-announced-for-ps4-and-xbox-one |archive-date=8 Feb 2026}}</ref> with the PS5 and Xbox Series versions being released in June 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |date= |title=Rust Console Edition new gen version announcement. |url=https://x.com/playrustconsole/status/1899128521957453960 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-07-10 |work=@playrustconsole on X |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250322210922/https://x.com/playrustconsole/status/1899128521957453960 |archive-date=22 Mar 2025}}</ref> After much speculation, on 24 April 2025, the co-developers Double11, announced that they would be offerring a free new generation upgrade for users with the previous generation game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Silva |first=Pedro |date=2025-04-24 |title=Rust Console Dev Blog 38 (confirms free upgrade) |url=https://rust.double11.com/news/dev-blog-38 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-07-10 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251228043655/https://rust.double11.com/news/dev-blog-38 |archive-date=28 Dec 2025}}</ref>

==Incident==
On 18 June 2025, it was finally confirmed that the free upgrades could not be completed on [[PlayStation]] until the full release date of 26 June.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |first= |date=2025-06-18 |title=Update for players on PlayStation |url=https://rust.double11.com/news/update-for-players-on-playstation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250619174133/https://rust.double11.com/news/update-for-players-on-playstation |archive-date=2025-06-19 |access-date=2025-07-10}}</ref> This meant that deluxe & ultimate edition owners, who were supposed to get 7 days early access starting on 19 June could not access the game until 26 June, unless they paid full price. In addition PlayStation players were only given the standard edition, instead of an upgrade to the edition they owned, however Double11 was able to add the other benefits into players accounts from the backend<ref name=":0" />.

==Consumer response==
The consumer response was mainly a lot of anger to the Rust Console team rather than PlayStation, this is seen by a lot of the comments on their posts and the trailer<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6c3JgpXY7A ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=D6c3JgpXY7A Archived])</ref> for the rust console new gen version.

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:PlayStation 5]]

Category:PlayStation 5

2026-04-06T14:05:44Z

SinexTitan: Created page with "Category:PlayStation"

[[Category:PlayStation]]

PlayStation

2026-04-06T14:05:01Z

SinexTitan: This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the PlayStation X category.

{{Stub}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Industry=Video Games, Consoles
|ParentCompany=Sony
|Website=https://www.playstation.com/
|Logo=PlayStation logo.svg|Founded=1990-02-28|Type=Subsidiary|CompanyAlias=PS, Sony's PlayStation}}

The '''PlayStation''' is a line of consoles developed by [[Sony]].

==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]].

===Mandatory data collection on PlayStation's PC ports===
{{Main|Mandatory data collection on PlayStation's PC ports}}
On a fresh start of most '''PlayStation''' titles on PC, a pop-up appears asking the user to consent for data collection, with no way to reject.

===Online Services Incidents===

======Hardware bans from online services======
{{Main|Sony Playstation hardware bans from online services}}
Often, Sony has banned consoles from playing online to the point where it is baked into the hardware, making you have to replace the hardware to get unbanned.

======Sony's attempted removal of "purchased" content on the playstation library======
{{Main|Sony's attempted removal of "purchased" content}}
Sony initially announced that it would remove purchased Discovery TV shows from '''PlayStation''' users' libraries due to licensing issues

======PlayStation Network Account Requirement for PC Games======
{{Main|PlayStation Network Account Requirement for PC Games}}
Sony requires a PSN account be made or used for Playstation games ported to PC and sold on the PC, including games that were solely single player such as Last of Us Part 2.

===PlayStation 2 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:PlayStation 2|PlayStation 2 category]].

===PlayStation 3 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:PlayStation 3|PlayStation 3 category]].

======Removal of OtherOS======
{{Main|PlayStation 3 Removal of OtherOS with System Update 3.21}}
PlayStation 3 systems supported a feature known as "OtherOS" until system update 3.21 on April 1, 2010 with Sony stating it was removed due to "security concerns".

======"Yellow Light of Death" bricks the console======
{{Main|PlayStation 3 "Yellow Light of Death"}}
Due to a likely defect in the 90nm graphic processing units (GPUs) of early PlayStation 3s, these models are extremely prone to GPU failures.

===PlayStation 4 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:PlayStation 4|PlayStation 4 category]].

===PlayStation 5 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:PlayStation 5|PlayStation 5 category]].

======PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions======
{{Main|PlayStation restricts how developers can give upgrades to "PS5" editions}}
Sony have restricted how and what developers can offer people upgrading from a PS4 edition to a PS5 edition of a game post launch.

======Introduction of [[Electronics leasing]]======
{{Main|PlayStation Lease with Flex}}
At the start of 2026, Sony announced the '''Lease with Flex''' service in partnership with [[Raylo]] for its PlayStation hardware. Advertised on the PlayStation Direct website, the service allows users in the UK to lease consoles and accessories on flexible monthly terms or fixed 12–36-month plans with no upfront cost.

Unlike traditional installment purchases that lead to eventual ownership, Flex and other leasing models do not result in the consumer owning the console outright. Once the contract term ends, the hardware must be returned regardless of payments already made, or the consumer must enter a separate purchase negotiation.

==Products==

===Home consoles:===

*PlayStation (1994)
*PlayStation 2 (2000)
*PlayStation 3 (2006)
*PlayStation 4 (2013)
*PlayStation 5 (2020)

'''Handheld consoles:'''

*PlayStation Portable (2004)
*PlayStation Vita (2011)
'''Controllers:'''

*DualShock (1997)
*DualShock 2 (2000)
*Sixaxis (2006)
*DualShock 3 (2007)
*DualShock 4 (2013)
*DualSense (2020)

==See also==

*[[Digital rights management]]
*[[Nintendo]]
*[[Xbox]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:PlayStation]]

Apple

2026-04-06T09:45:02Z

SinexTitan: /* Products */ celly

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1976
|Industry=Electronics
|Logo=Apple logo (black).svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Public
|Website=https://apple.com/
|Description=Tech company known for hardware, software, and operating systems. Has repeatedly restricted device repairs, and exerts strict control over its software ecosystem
|CompanyAlias= Apple, Inc
}}

{{Wplink|Apple Inc.|'''Apple'''}} is an American technology company that was founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. It is best known for its consumer electronics, software, and services.

Apple's current product lineup includeiPhones hardware such as the [[:Category:Apple iPhones|iPhone]], iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, Apple Vision Pro, [[Airpods|AirPods]], and Apple TV; operating systems such as iOS, iPadOS, visionOS, and macOS; and various software and services including Apple Pay, iCloud, Apple Arcade, and multimedia streaming services like Apple Music and [[Apple TV+]].

==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]].

===Repairability of Apple products in the 2000s===
Since the 2000s, Apple has focused on reducing the weight of its products as technology has advanced and become increasingly complex. This shift has contributed to challenges in repairing and upgrading their devices.

===Hardware design issues in the 2010s===
Apple had numerous hardware design issues in the 2010s, often poorly acknowledged by the company and frequently charging exorbitant amounts for repair.

*High-cost GPU failures on early 2010's MacBooks<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-10-28 |title=Apple faces class-action lawsuit over 2011 MacBook Pro GPU issues |url=https://9to5mac.com/2014/10/28/apple-class-action-lawsuit-2011-macbook-pro-gpu-graphics-issues/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251010222822/https://9to5mac.com/2014/10/28/apple-class-action-lawsuit-2011-macbook-pro-gpu-graphics-issues/ |archive-date=2025-10-10 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=9to5mac}}</ref>
*the 2016-'17 MacBook Pro's screen cable skimping scandal<ref>{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Jon |date=2019-05-05 |title=Apple quietly addressed ‘Flexgate’ issue with MacBook Pro redesign |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/5/18251264/macbook-pro-2018-flexgate-fix-display-cable-2mm-longer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251224195648/https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/5/18251264/macbook-pro-2018-flexgate-fix-display-cable-2mm-longer |archive-date=2025-12-24 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=The Verge}}</ref>
*2016-2019 MacBooks butterfly keyboards<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bohn |first=Dieter |date=2020-05-04 |title=The saga of Apple’s bad butterfly MacBook keyboards is finally over |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/4/21246223/macbook-keyboard-butterfly-magic-pro-apple-design |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260128222108/https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/4/21246223/macbook-keyboard-butterfly-magic-pro-apple-design |archive-date=2026-01-28 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=The Verge}}</ref>
*the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro's SSD failures<ref>{{Cite web |last=digilloyd |date=2020-04-03 |title=2019 MacBook Pro Seems to Have a High Failure Rate |url=https://macperformanceguide.com/blog/2020/20200403_1024-MacBookPro2019-repairs.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708181056/https://macperformanceguide.com/blog/2020/20200403_1024-MacBookPro2019-repairs.html |archive-date=2025-07-08 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=Mac Performance Guide}}</ref>
*The announcement and cancellation of Apple AirPower<ref>{{Cite web |last=Panzarino |first=Matthew |title=Apple cancels AirPower product, citing inability to meet its high standards for hardware |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/29/apple-cancels-airpower-product-citing-inability-to-meet-its-high-standards-for-hardware/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401040644/https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/29/apple-cancels-airpower-product-citing-inability-to-meet-its-high-standards-for-hardware/ |archive-date=2019-04-01 |website=TechCrunch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Clover |first=Juli |date=2018-09-12 |title=After No Sign of AirPower at Today's Event Apple Wipes Most Mentions From Website |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2018/09/12/no-sign-of-airpower-at-september-event/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124170507/https://www.macrumors.com/2018/09/12/no-sign-of-airpower-at-september-event/ |archive-date=2021-11-24 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=MacRumors}}</ref> due to overheating{{CitationNeeded|reason=no archived article mentioning overheating specifically}}

====Recent attempts to do better====
Recently, Apple has made efforts to improve its products, though some observers feel that its pro-consumer practices still do not match those of certain other manufacturers. This shift is thought by some to be influenced by evolving legislation.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Hern |first=Alex |date=2022-10-26 |title=Apple to put USB-C connectors in iPhones to comply with EU rules |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/oct/26/iphone-usb-c-lightning-connectors-apple-eu-rules |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260212030935/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/oct/26/iphone-usb-c-lightning-connectors-apple-eu-rules |archive-date=2026-02-12 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> 

This includes:

*Opening an online [[Apple Self Service Repair|Self Service Repair]] parts store.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-17 |title=Apple announces Self Service Repair |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2021/11/apple-announces-self-service-repair/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203201914/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2021/11/apple-announces-self-service-repair/ |archive-date=2026-02-03 |access-date=2026-03-08 |website=Apple Newsroom}}</ref>
*Making the back glass of iPhones removable starting from iPhone 14.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wiens |first=Kyle |date=2022-09-16 |title=Inside Apple’s Secret iPhone 14 Redesign |url=https://www.ifixit.com/News/64865/iphone-14-teardown |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260116032657/https://www.ifixit.com/News/64865/iphone-14-teardown |archive-date=2026-01-16 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=iFixIt}}</ref>
*Allowing alternative app stores in an update to iOS 17, in compliance with new EU legislation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Installing apps through alternative app distribution in the European Union |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/117767 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251223191001/https://support.apple.com/en-us/117767 |archive-date=2025-12-23 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=support.apple.com}}</ref>
*Calibration tools for newly installed used parts in iOS 18,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Use Repair Assistant to finish an iPhone or iPad repair |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/120579 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260208125243/https://support.apple.com/en-us/120579 |archive-date=2026-02-08 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=support.apple.com}}</ref> which sometimes work.{{CitationNeeded}}
*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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sorrel |first=Charlie |date=2024-11-12 |title=All Hail the Return of Upgradeable Storage! Mac mini 2024 Teardown |url=https://www.ifixit.com/News/104302/all-hail-the-return-of-upgradeable-storage-mac-mini-2024-teardown |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251116041530/https://www.ifixit.com/News/104302/all-hail-the-return-of-upgradeable-storage-mac-mini-2024-teardown |archive-date=2025-11-16 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=iFixit}}</ref>
*A battery removable with just a 9V battery in the 2024 iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.<ref>{{Cite web |title=iPhone 16 Plus Battery |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/120671 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251018203540/https://support.apple.com/en-us/120671 |archive-date=2025-10-18 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=support.apple.com}}</ref>
Many of these items have sparked allegations of [[malicious compliance]] and being introduced purely to make stricter right for repair legislation appear unnecessary to legislators while not doing much to improve the situation for consumers. 

For instance, pricing for parts on the [[Apple Self Service Repair|Self Service Repair]] store is virtually identical to having the part replaced by Apple themselves (including both the price of the part and labor)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ganapini |first=Cristina |date=2022-12-06 |title=Apple’s self-repair programme is not the Right to Repair we need |url=https://repair.eu/news/apples-self-repair-programme-is-not-the-right-to-repair-we-need/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260209051628/https://repair.eu/news/apples-self-repair-programme-is-not-the-right-to-repair-we-need/ |archive-date=2026-02-09 |access-date=2026-03-08 |website=Right to Repair Europe}}</ref>, alternate app installation options are limited to users in the EU, still [[Forced account|require developers to be registered]] with Apple, have them approve the apps and in many cases paying them fees, and the upgradeable SSDs do not use common standards such as M.2 NVME. Unlike standard SSDs, they are also not always swappable between different models and require access to a second Apple computer to provision after installation.

===Operating system downgrades===
[[File:Macos startup security.png|alt=macOS startup security screen|thumb|macOS startup security screen]]
It is not possible to upgrade or downgrade an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, etc. to an Operating System (OS) version that is no longer signed by Apple. In most cases, only the most recent version is signed. Some exceptions exist, such as certain Apple TV models and Apple Silicon Macs. Downgrading the Apple TV 4K series is not possible at all due to the lack of a USB port. On Macs with a T2 chip, the user can select from three modes of secure boot:<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Startup Security Utility on a Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/102522 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250607083624/https://support.apple.com/en-us/102522 |archive-date=7 Jun 2025 |access-date=22 Jun 2025 |website=Apple}}</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.

On Macs with Apple Silicon, the user can select from two modes of secure boot:

*Permissive Security: Accessible only via recovery Terminal tools (and still enforces Apple’s secure chain for much of the boot). This is the lowest available security policy on Apple silicon but does not remove secure boot entirely in the way “No Security” used to.
*Reduced Security: Allows booting older versions of macOS trusted by Apple but still enforces signed OS policy.
*Full Security: Only the currently signed macOS version trusted by Apple can boot.

iOS devices only support Full Security mode. The device checks for a cryptographic "ticket",<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-20 |title=APTicket |url=https://theapplewiki.com/wiki/APTicket |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260216234725/https://theapplewiki.com/wiki/APTicket |archive-date=2026-02-16 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=theapplewiki.com}}</ref> 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. Workarounds exist, but with major caveats that are not viable for most users,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-27 |title=Firmware rendering |url=https://theapplewiki.com/wiki/Firmware_downgrading |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251021213054/https://theapplewiki.com/wiki/Firmware_downgrading |archive-date=2025-10-21 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=theapplewiki.com}}</ref> see the technical details on [[wikipedia:SHSH_blob|SHSH blobs]].

===Class action lawsuit===
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 USD.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Gael |date=9 Jan 2024 |title=Apple Starts Sending Out iPhone 'Batterygate' Settlement Payments. What to Know |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/apple-starts-sending-out-iphone-batterygate-settlement-payments-what-to-know/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250321051703/https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/apple-starts-sending-out-iphone-batterygate-settlement-payments-what-to-know/ |archive-date=21 Mar 2025 |access-date=22 Jun 2025 |website=CNET}}</ref> Apple claimed that this change was to benefit users who have old failing batteries, and that it wasn't for planned obsolescence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Napolitano |first=Elizabeth |date=2023-08-18 |title=Millions of Apple customers to get payments of up to $90 in iPhone "batterygate" settlement. Here's what to know. |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/apple-iphone-payment-500-million-settlement-what-to-know/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251228042055/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/apple-iphone-payment-500-million-settlement-what-to-know/ |archive-date=28 Dec 2025|website=CBS News}}</ref> They later published software updates and an article explaining how users can opt out of this new "performance management" mode.<ref>{{Cite web |title=iPhone battery and performance |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/101575 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250618231138/https://support.apple.com/en-us/101575 |archive-date=18 Jun 2025 |access-date=22 Jun 2025 |website=Apple}}</ref>

Once a new OS version is installed, there is no opportunity to go back. This also restricts the user's choice to {{Wplink|iOS jailbreaking|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>{{Cite web |last=Vajpai |first=Shreeti |date=24 Jun 2024 |title=iOS Emulators / Simulators vs Real iOS Devices |url=https://contextqa.com/test-on-ios-emulators-simulators/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250519081214/https://contextqa.com/test-on-ios-emulators-simulators/ |archive-date=19 May 2025 |access-date=22 Jun 2025 |website=ContextQA}}</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.{{CitationNeeded|reason=add citation with proof of this}} Parts available to certified repair centers are extremely limited.{{CitationNeeded|reason=proof if possible}} 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.{{CitationNeeded|reason=proof if possible}}

If an Apple iPhone has GPS calibration issues and or {{Wplink|Bluetooth}} connectivity issues, Apple will do their own diagnostics. You explain to the Apple employee how and when the issues occur and you explain in detail your methods to reproduce the issues. The issues occur when your phone is in your pocket while using navigation and when you hold your phone upside down while using your Apple Beats wireless headphones. After Apple runs their diagnostics and they are not able to detect the issues, they will move onto the next step which is fully resetting your device. This is considered a standard troubleshooting procedure. When you ask the Apple store manager if they would be willing to exchange your device for a similar model if they cannot fix your device they respond with "No, because these phones are designed to be fixed". After the software reset fail, Apple will require you to leave your phone with them so they can send it to their offsite repair facility for further diagnostics. After a few days, Apple will come to the conclusion that your phone requires an entire new midsection. When asked what was replaced, Apple will inform you that the entire inside has been replaced — essentially giving you a new phone (with a new IMEI, EID, etc.) apart from the casing and screen. {{CitationNeeded}}

===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, i.e. lid sensors on MacBooks. {{CitationNeeded}}

===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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 Jan 2017 |title=GSX - How to Gain GSX Apple Access - iOSGenius |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy8bS1AgxcY |url-status=live}}</ref> {{CitationNeeded|reason=add an archive and properly cite this}}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 GSX - How to Gain GSX Apple Access - iOSGenius]

===Advertisements in first party apps===
In 2014, Apple and the band U2 partnered to give all iTunes users a free digital copy of their newest album at the time, ''Songs of Innocence'', which was marketed as "the biggest album release ever in history".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2014/09/09Apple-U2-Release-Songs-of-Innocence-Exclusively-for-iTunes-Store-Customers/|title=Apple & U2 Release “Songs of Innocence” Exclusively for iTunes Store Customers|date=2014-09-09|work=Apple Newsroom|access-date=2025-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405230217/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2014/09/09Apple-U2-Release-Songs-of-Innocence-Exclusively-for-iTunes-Store-Customers/|archive-date=2025-04-05|url-status=live}}</ref> Many users who didn't want the album couldn't remove it from their iTunes library due to the album being listed as a "past purchase" on their account (however the album could always be "hidden").<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wired.com/2014/09/apples-devious-u2-album-giveaway-even-worse-spam/|title=Apple's Devious U2 Album Giveaway Is Even Worse Than Spam|date=2014-09-16|first=Vijith|last=Assar|work=WIRED|access-date=2025-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250530112829/https://www.wired.com/2014/09/apples-devious-u2-album-giveaway-even-worse-spam/|archive-date=2025-05-30|url-status=live}}</ref> Some reports speculated the deal was worth 100 million dollars and was done due to the band's declining popularity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2014/09/15/348612823/apples-u2-album-promotion-backfires|title=Apple's U2 Album Promotion Backfires|first=Nathan|last=Rott|date=2014-09-15|work=NPR|access-date=2025-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250601154245/https://www.npr.org/2014/09/15/348612823/apples-u2-album-promotion-backfires|archive-date=2025-06-01|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2022, Bono, a member of U2, wrote in his memoir how Tim Cook reportedly said how "there’s something not right about giving [U2's] art away for free" and "the whole point of what we’re trying to do at Apple is to not give away music free. The point is to make sure musicians get paid".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fortune.com/2022/10/24/tim-cook-said-free-u2-album-itunes-was-not-right/|title=Apple CEO Tim Cook thought U2 putting its album on your iPhone was ‘not right’—even though he did it anyway|first=Tristan|last=Bove|date=2022-10-24|work=Fortune|access-date=2025-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127191141/https://fortune.com/2022/10/24/tim-cook-said-free-u2-album-itunes-was-not-right/|archive-date=2025-01-27|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2025, Apple added a promotional offer for F1 The Movie in their Wallet application.<ref>{{Cite web |title=F1 The Movie - News |url=https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/originals/f1/news/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251109164811/https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/originals/f1/news/ |archive-date=2025-11-09 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=Apple TV+ Press}}</ref> Users have mentioned how this could violate Apple's own policy on advertising, how the high price of Apple devices shouldn't justify first party ads, and the annoyance of seeing it.<ref>{{Cite web |author=u/african-nightmare |date=2025-06-24 |title=Getting ads in Apple Wallet, how to disable? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/iphone/comments/1ljfs7u/getting_ads_in_apple_wallet_how_to_disable/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725194601/https://old.reddit.com/r/iphone/comments/1ljfs7u/getting_ads_in_apple_wallet_how_to_disable/ |archive-date=2025-07-25 |access-date=2025-06-25 |work=Reddit}}</ref> For users on the iOS 26 beta, there is an option to disable "Offers & Promotions", with users on iOS 18 needing to disable notifications completely for the Wallet app.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/24/iphone-customers-upset-by-apple-wallet-ad-pushing-f1-movie/|title=iPhone customers upset by Apple Wallet ad pushing ‘F1’ movie|first=Sarah|last=Perez|date=2025-06-24|work=TechCrunch|access-date=2025-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250624213223/https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/24/iphone-customers-upset-by-apple-wallet-ad-pushing-f1-movie/|archive-date=2025-06-24|url-status=live}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Apple Wallet F1 sponsored ad (1).jpg|Notification of the offer
File:Apple Wallet F1 sponsored ad (2).jpg|Home screen of Wallet app
File:Apple Wallet F1 sponsored ad (3).jpg|Apple Cash card screen
File:Apple Wallet F1 sponsored ad (4).png|Screen when selecting "learn more"
</gallery>

===AirDrop censorship (''2022'')===
''Main Article:'' [[Airdrop Hong Kong Censorship]][[File:AirDrop restrictions.png|alt=Airdrop Sharing Restrictions photo|thumb|Airdrop Sharing Restrictions]]
As a result of the 2019 Hong Kong protests, Apple was pressured by the Chinese government to set a time limit for the AirDrop "everyone" option for iPhones due to its impact at scheduling protests against the government to avoid censorship.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/10/23450967/apple-airdrop-limited-china-goverment-protests|title=Apple limits AirDrop in China after its use in protests|first=Jess|last=Weatherbed|date=2022-11-10|work=The Verge|access-date=2025-08-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723112204/https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/10/23450967/apple-airdrop-limited-china-goverment-protests|archive-date=2025-07-23|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2023, the setting was applied to all iPhones worldwide to "mitigate unwanted file sharing", meaning users will need to set their airdrop setting manually every ten minutes instead of leaving it on permanently, leaving the only other options as "contacts only" and "receiving off".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://9to5mac.com/2025/03/17/apple-globally-censoring-this-iphone-communication-feature-deserves-renewed-scrutiny/|title=Apple globally censoring this iPhone communication feature deserves renewed scrutiny|first=Zac|last=Hall|date=2025-03-17|work=9To5Mac|access-date=2025-08-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723142521/https://9to5mac.com/2025/03/17/apple-globally-censoring-this-iphone-communication-feature-deserves-renewed-scrutiny/|archive-date=2025-07-23|url-status=live}}</ref>

==="Peanuts" TV Special Takeover===
In late October of 2020, Apple announced that its Apple TV+ service had become the exclusive home of the library of classic ''Peanuts'' animated specials, including ''A Charlie Brown Christmas'', ''It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown'', and ''A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving''. For almost 50 years, these beloved specials were shown once a year on free over-the-air TV, but as of 2020, anybody who wishes to watch them is now required to own a device that offers the Apple TV+ service and an active Apple TV+ subscription.<ref>{{cite web |last=Adalian |first=Josef |date=2020-10-19 |title=Apple TV+ Says: Welcome, Great Pumpkin |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/10/its-the-great-pumpkin-charlie-brown-streaming-apple-tv.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251208132132/https://www.vulture.com/2020/10/its-the-great-pumpkin-charlie-brown-streaming-apple-tv.html |archive-date=2025-12-08 |access-date=2025-11-05 |work=Vulture}}</ref>

===2024 Antitrust Lawsuit===
In March 2024, the United States Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Apple claiming that the "closed garden" ecosystem Apple creates surrounding its iPhones stifles competition and innovation. The lawsuit alleges that Apple is directly forcing customers to purchase and use iPhones and their accessories and software in several ways:

*Forcing mobile carriers including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile to offer its best customer deals exclusively to those who purchase iPhones.
*Restricting the functionality of Super apps such as WeChat.
*Forcing in-app purchases through applications such as Fortnite to be made within the App Store and taking a part of the proceeds as commission pay.
*Restricting the use of third-party digital wallets and requiring users to exclusively use Apple Pay.
*Restricting how third-party message apps can interact with iMessage.
*Restricting their HomeKit home automation system and all compatible devices to work only on Apple's products and issuing cease & desist orders against emulators designed to make HomeKit compatible with third-party products.
*Restricting compatibility of third party smart watches.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-21 |title=U.S and Plaintiff States v. Apple Inc. |url=https://www.justice.gov/atr/case/us-and-plaintiff-states-v-apple-inc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260221190000/https://www.justice.gov/atr/case/us-and-plaintiff-states-v-apple-inc |archive-date=2026-02-21 |access-date=2026-03-11 |website=United States Department of Justice}}</ref>{{CitationNeeded|reason=make sure the source beside this is the actual antitrust case.}}

Apple is expected to go to trial in early 2027.<ref>{{cite web |last=Liedtke |first=Michael |date=2025-06-30 |title=Judge allows antitrust lawsuit against Apple to proceed |url=https://apnews.com/article/apple-antitrust-case-justice-department-664c187d7d09d57460076c7aa2f0c0bf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260205235908/https://apnews.com/article/apple-antitrust-case-justice-department-664c187d7d09d57460076c7aa2f0c0bf |archive-date=2026-02-05 |access-date=2025-07-14 |work=Associated Press}}</ref>

===European Union USB-C Directive 2022/2380===
As part of Directive (EU) 2022/2380, the EU mandated that all smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, and other portable electronic devices must utilize USB-C as a universal charging standard by the end of 2024, with laptops following by 2026. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-07 |title=Directive (EU) 2022/2380 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 November 2022 amending Directive 2014/53/EU on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment (Text with EEA relevance) |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022L2380 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250817091803/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022L2380 |archive-date=2025-08-17 |access-date=2025-09-02 |website=EUR-Lex}}</ref>

This regulatory measure directly addresses consumer frustration with incompatible chargers types and aims to significantly reduce electronic waste. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-28 |title=USB-C-Standard: Schluss mit dem Kabelwirrwarr |url=https://www.zdfheute.de/wirtschaft/ladekabel-usb-c-standard-apple-entsorgung-elektroschrott-100.html |access-date=2025-09-02 |website=zdfheute |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260215214259/https://www.zdfheute.de/wirtschaft/ladekabel-usb-c-standard-apple-entsorgung-elektroschrott-100.html |archive-date=15 Feb 2026}}</ref> The legislation allows manufacturers to unbundle chargers from devices, potentially saving consumers money, and ensures charging speed harmonization across compatible devices.

While Apple initially opposed the standardization, arguing that it would "stifle innovation rather than encourage it," the company ultimately conceded defeat, with Apple's head of marketing stating "we have no choice" regarding compliance. <ref name=":2" />

===European Digital Markets Act.===
This law forced many companies including Apple to change the way they operate to create a fairer competition. Read more about this law [[Digital Markets Act|here]].

====Changes Apple introduced iOS and iPadOS to comply with this law:====

*Introduced the ability to install applications from alternative marketplaces
*asks which browser and search engine should be the default one
*Developers now are allowed to publish in the EU browsers that do not use webkit

====Controversies:====

*Apple removed iPhone torrenting app iTorrent from alternative marketplace AltStore PAL, developer said that the access was revoked "without any warning". In a statement to The Verge, Apple spokesperson Peter Ajemian said, “Notarization for this app was removed in order to comply with government sanctions-related rules in various jurisdictions. We have communicated this to the developer.”<ref>{{Cite news |last=Weatherbed |first=Jess |date=August 28, 2025 |title=Apple pulls iPhone torrent app from AltStore PAL in Europe |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/767344/apple-removes-itorrent-altstore-pal-ios-marketplace |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250903102041/https://www.theverge.com/news/767344/apple-removes-itorrent-altstore-pal-ios-marketplace |archive-date=September 3, 2025 |work=The Verge}}</ref>

===Elon Musk Lawsuit===
In August of 2025, businessman [[Elon Musk]] accused Apple of engaging in anti-competitive practices by only allowing OpenAI’s [[ChatGPT]] to reach the top of the sales chart on Apple App Store. He announced his plan to sue Apple for this practice.<ref>{{cite web |last=Durden |first=Tyler |date=2025-08-12 |title=Musk Accuses Apple Of "Unequivocal Antitrust Violation" For Favoring OpenAI In App Store Rankings |url=https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/musk-accuses-apple-unequivocal-antitrust-violation-favoring-openai-app-store-rankings |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251029051235/https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/musk-accuses-apple-unequivocal-antitrust-violation-favoring-openai-app-store-rankings |archive-date=2025-10-29 |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=ZeroHedge}}</ref> 

===Greenwashing===
Apple claims to be environmentally friendly and invests significant amounts of funds in corresponding PR campaigns,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Environment {{!}} Mother Nature |url=https://www.apple.com/environment/mother-nature/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250928112101/https://www.apple.com/environment/mother-nature/ |archive-date=2025-09-28 |access-date=2025-09-15 |website=Apple}}</ref>  but the reality is not quite as green.

Customers are lead to think that their purchases and frequent replacement of their devices do not have a negative impact on the environment, which is not the case.

In autumn of 2025, stricter EU regulations on misleading marketing claims and a lawsuit by German environmental and consumer protection non-profit organization ''Deutsche Umwelthilfe'' have forced Apple to remove their claim of carbon neutrality on several products on their EU websites. Affected products include the Apple Watch 3 and Apple Watch Series 11.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schwan |first=Ben |date=2025-11-26 |title=Wegen EU-Regeln: Apple zieht Klimaneutralitäts-Claim zurück [Due to EU regulations: Apple retracts claim of climate neutrality] |url=https://www.heise.de/news/Wegen-EU-Regeln-Apple-zieht-Klimaneutralitaets-Claim-zurueck-10711532.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260129120129/https://www.heise.de/news/Wegen-EU-Regeln-Apple-zieht-Klimaneutralitaets-Claim-zurueck-10711532.html |archive-date=2026-01-29 |access-date=2025-11-26 |website=Heise Online}}</ref>

====Green energy pooling====
Apple shares manufacturing capacity at Chinese/Taiwanese companies FoxConn and Pegatron with other companies. If Apple uses a hypothetical 20% of their manufacturing capacity, and company B, C, D, and E also each take up 20%, and the company doing the manufacturing runs on 20% renewably generated energy, now Apple as well as companies B, C, D, and E will each publicly claim that their manufacturing runs 100% on renewable energy. In other words, each company will claim the 20% renewable energy was used for ''their'' production.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gieselmann |first=Hartmut |date=2023 |title=Von wegen CO2-neutral – Umweltexperten werfen Apple Greenwashing vor |url=https://www.heise.de/select/ct/2023/23/2326512021124424489 |journal=c't Magazin für Computertechnik [Germany] |volume=2023 |issue=23 |pages=49 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251104112550/https://www.heise.de/select/ct/2023/23/2326512021124424489 |archive-date=2025-11-04}}</ref>

====CO<small>2</small> Certificates and forest projects====
…

====The packaging trick====
Apple, like many companies, regularly emphasises how environmentally friendly their packaging is and highlight advancements in this area.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apple 2030 – We’ve reduced our emissions by over 60% |url=https://www.apple.com/environment/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250910014941/https://www.apple.com/environment/ |archive-date=2025-09-10 |access-date=2025-09-15 |website=Apple}}</ref>

This deliberately distracts from the fact that only a negligible fraction of the environmental footprint of an electronic device comes from the packaging, as it is made of significant amounts or rare earth minerals, metals and mined components and consuming vast amounts of energy, water and fuel in manufacturing and transport.

Some of the environmental advancements touted by Apple could also be argued to be environmentally beneficial side effects of purely economic decisions aimed at maximizing profit, such as shipping iPhones without chargers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dragan |first=Lauren |date=2023-09-12 |title=iPhones No Longer Come With a Charger or Headphones. Here’s What to Get If You Need Them. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/iphone-12-charger-headphones-options/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250731104206/https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/iphone-12-charger-headphones-options/ |archive-date=2025-07-31 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=The New York Times}}</ref>

====Shredding vast amounts of fully functional devices====
In 2020, it came to light that Apple had filed a lawsuit against a recycling company, revealing that 100,000 iPhones had been illegitimately shipped to China to be sold there instead of being shredded as had been agreed with Apple.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lovejoy |first=Ben |date=2024-04-24 |title=100,000 iPhones stolen instead of scrapped; Apple accused of shredding usable devices |url=https://9to5mac.com/2024/04/18/100000-iphones-stolen-instead-of-scrapped/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725022423/https://9to5mac.com/2024/04/18/100000-iphones-stolen-instead-of-scrapped/ |archive-date=2025-07-25 |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=9to5mac}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carrique |first=Felicitas |date=2020-10-04 |title=Apple sues recycling partner for reselling more than 100,000 iPhones, iPads, and Watches it was hired to dismantle |url=https://www.theverge.com/apple/2020/10/4/21499422/apple-sues-recycling-company-reselling-ipods-ipads-watches |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260101232447/https://www.theverge.com/apple/2020/10/4/21499422/apple-sues-recycling-company-reselling-ipods-ipads-watches |archive-date=2026-01-01 |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=The Verge}}</ref>

These devices were likely trade-in devices from people who received a discount on a new model in exchange. Bloomberg News writes, referring to the contract with the recycler:<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Carr |first=Austin |date=2024-04-18 |title=What Really Happens When You Trade In an iPhone at the Apple Store |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-04-18/apple-iphone-recycling-program-has-secrets |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250829001431/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-04-18/apple-iphone-recycling-program-has-secrets |archive-date=29 Aug 2025|access-date=2025-09-16 |website=Bloomberg}}</ref><blockquote>Even if the iPhones looked good enough for resale, Apple Inc.’s contract with GEEP (said with a hard “g”) explicitly required that every product it sent be destroyed.</blockquote>Used iPhone that are sold on the used market are a direct competition to new sales by Apple.

Apple likely does not want the public to know about these processes, since security seems to be tight around the shredding process:<blockquote>In some cases, Apple hired outside security consultants to escort trucks to its recyclers and monitor the destruction process, which the tech giant could further analyze through data reports charting scrap weights and commodity yields to ensure the input matched the output.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Carr |first=Austin |date=2025-03-17 |title=Apple Drops Lawsuit Against Recycler in Mystery of Missing iPhones |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-03-17/apple-drops-lawsuit-against-recycler-in-mystery-of-missing-iphones |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250829001416/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-03-17/apple-drops-lawsuit-against-recycler-in-mystery-of-missing-iphones |archive-date=2025-08-29 |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=Bloomberg News}}</ref></blockquote>Apple later retreated the lawsuit,<ref name=":1" /> leading to speculation that it wanted to avoid having to disclose how many devices they are really having shredded. 

====iPhone recycling robot initiative====
The first iteration of Apple's iPhone recycling robot, designed for the iPhone 6, was never more than a publicity stunt, according to an article by Bloomberg:<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>Liam’s precision automation, however, proved a dead end. It could handle just one iPhone model, and not that well. If a device had corroded screws or sticky insides, the robot would glitch. A person familiar with the project estimates Liam could run for about 10 minutes without human intervention. Another person says Apple at times fed the robot still-functioning iPhones and, for media demos, cherry-picked cleaner units so it didn’t crash, suggesting Liam was geared more for promotion than scalability.</blockquote>The same article cites industry insider claiming that the new iteration of the robot is only able to recycle as many devices in a year as Apple sells in just 48 hours.<ref name=":0" /> Thus, it can be assumed that the vast majority of trade-in devices are simply shredded.

===OS-Level age verification===
{{Main|Apple introduces OS-level age verification}}
[[File:Verificacion-de-edad-en-iOS-26.4.jpg.webp|alt=iOS 26.4 Beta Age verification|thumb|iOS 26.4 Beta Age verification]]
On February 25, 2026, Apple rolled out the iOS Beta version 26.4, in order to comply with the [[Online Safety Act]] and other similar normatives. This version contains an [[Age verification]] system built on the operating system, blocking content that could be considered as "mature", including websites. It will be rolled on the UK, Brazil, Australia, Singapore and US states of Louisiana and Utah. Site and content blocking cannot be bypassed by [[wikipedia:Virtual_Private_Network|VPNs]] as the restrictions are in the operating system itself. The current only way to prevent being blocked is by verifying by submitting info of an existing credit card. <ref>{{Cite web |date=February 24, 2026 |title=Age requirements for apps distributed in Brazil, Australia, Singapore, Utah, and Louisiana |url=https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=f5zj08ey |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260228012954/https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=f5zj08ey |archive-date=February 28, 2026 |access-date=2026-03-06 |website=Apple Devloper}}</ref>

==Products==

*[[iCloud]]
*[[iPhone]]
*iPad
*Mac
*Apple Watch
*AirPods
*Apple TV
*Apple Vision
*Apple Pencil

*[[Apple App Store]]
*[[Apple Gatekeeper]]
*[[Xcode]]

==See also==

*[[Google]]
*[[Microsoft]]
*[[Samsung]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Apple]]

IPhone

2026-04-06T09:42:50Z

SinexTitan: hi

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|InProduction=Yes
|Logo=iPhone logo.svg
|ReleaseYear=2007
|Website=https://apple.com/iphone/
}}

The '''{{Wplink|iPhone}}''' is a line of smartphones designed and marketed by [[Apple]]. It was first unveiled on 09 January 2007, by then CEO and founder {{Wplink|Steve Jobs}}.

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

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

===Flawed hardware design===

====Apple's response====

===Blocking operating system downgrades===

===Activation Lock===
Apple prevents activation of devices that have not been unlocked by the initial owner before giving them away, selling or recycling them.

The reason cited by Apple is theft prevention, but it has been argued that this practice may be in place to prevent second hand sales and recycling of devices since they would compete with new devices, and Apple only makes a profit on the latter.

This leads to a colossal amount of e-waste from devices where the previous owner has not disabled the activation lock. It also makes the devices dependent on Apple services. If Apple one day decides to no longer support this procedure for a particular model, it becomes impossible to use. Aside from putting undue restrictions on what consumers can do with their devices, this also makes historic preservation very challenging.

A simple solution to the theft problem could be to send previous owners an e-mail to the address linked to their Apple ID with an option to either consent to the release of the activation lock or report their device as stolen. A default answer (either allow or deny unlock) could be chosen if the user does not make a choice within a reasonable timeframe, for instance if the e-mail address is no longer in use. However, Apple has so far chosen not to implement a system like this.

===Underpowered base models===
Most contemporary Apple devices do not have upgradeable or replaceable storage and memory.

Apple sells many of their base models with storage and memory specifications that are well below the industry average, despite the memory having to do double duty as both main memory and graphics card memory<ref>{{Cite web |last=Simon |first=Michael |date=2023-11-08 |title=Apple defends 8GB of RAM in the MacBook Pro as ‘analogous to 16GB’ in a PC |url=https://www.macworld.com/article/2130974/bob-borchers-defends-8gb-ram-macbook-pro-analogous-to-16gb-pc.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222210559/https://www.macworld.com/article/2130974/bob-borchers-defends-8gb-ram-macbook-pro-analogous-to-16gb-pc.html |archive-date=22 Feb 2026 |access-date=2025-09-15 |website=Macworld}}</ref>. This gives users the choice between an underpowered base model, or paying a multiple of common industry prices<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hussain |first=Imran |date=2019-12-03 |title=Apple Sells 16GB RAM for $400 – Almost 700% Higher Price Than Other OEMs |url=https://wccftech.com/apple-sells-16gb-ram-for-400-almost-700-higher-price-than-other-oems/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250818140226/https://wccftech.com/apple-sells-16gb-ram-for-400-almost-700-higher-price-than-other-oems/ |archive-date=18 Aug 2025 |access-date=2025-09-15 |website=WCCFTech}}</ref> for higher-specc'ed versions. It should be noted that the price difference for the components that Apple would pay in manufacturing are within a few cents.

This leaves buyers in a difficult situation: Either they user has to pay significantly more at the time of purchase, or the user has to buy a new device much earlier than would otherwise be necessary. Some models even have limits for the amount of memory the user can choose, thus forcing them into more expensive models if they want more.

A significant number of non-technically inclined users with only moderate requirements hence chooses the base model in the trust that Apple would only sell them a reasonable configuration.

Since many of these devices are not user upgradeable, this floods both the used market and the landfills with unnecessarily underpowered devices that could otherwise be used for many more years.

===Blocking third party apps===
Apple only allows apps to be installed on their mobile devices through their own App Store (there are exceptions to this in the European Union, but due to what many have called [[Malicious Compliance]], this possibility is more of theoretical nature).

When a device loses manufacturer support and the App Store stops working, or when Apple deletes or blocks versions of apps from the store which are compatible with that version of the operating system, the user no longer has any way to install or re-install any software on their devices.

If such devices are factory reset, either to be handed to other people or to be sold on the used market, the built-in first party apps are the only ones that remain accessible.

Moreover, Apple does not appear to always test new versions of apps on old hardware, so sometimes the last update to an app breaks it for that device, sometimes due to bugs, sometimes due to increased memory requirements. Since the App Store allows no downgrades, this leaves the user with an app that is unusable on that model of device. If Apple allowed either app downgrades or independent installation of apps, these devices would remain completely functional for users of those apps.

===Blocking third party browsers===
Apple does not allow other browser engines other than their own Safari engine on their mobile operating systems. While the EU is an exception due to regulatory constraints, Apple has put conditions in place that make this so unattractive for both developers and users that at the time of writing, no browser vendor offers their engine to Apple's mobile devices.

Unlike third party browsers, the version of Apple's own Safari browser is always tied to the operating system. It is not possible to update system apps like the browser or the Mail application independently.

Therefore, once Apple stops supporting a device with updates, the browser can also no longer be updated, leaving users vulnerable to security flaws and causing more and more compatibility problems with modern websites over time.

If Apple allowed users to install a third party browser or browser engine, this would significantly extend the time the device is usable for browsing the web and open up other possibilities that involve web browsers, such as repurposing an iPad as a control display for Home Assistant.

==Products==

*[[:Category:Apple iPhone 13 series|iPhone 13]]

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

File:IPhone logo.svg

2026-04-06T09:38:45Z

SinexTitan: ogol

==Summary==
iPhone's logo as a SVG, sourced from Wikimedia
==Licensing==
{{From Wikimedia}}
[[Category:Logo]]

Apple's planned obsolescence incidents

2026-04-06T09:36:41Z

SinexTitan: ifone

{{StubNotice}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:iPhone planned obsolescence incidencies}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Apple
|StartDate=
|EndDate=
|Status=Active
|ProductLine=
|Product=
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Planned Obsolescence
|Description=
}}
[[Apple]] actively makes it near-impossible for third-parties and consumers to repair their products while maintaining their full, intended functionality.

==Product repair issues and software allegations==
Apple's implementation of planned obsolescence is primarily driven by technological obsolescence, encompassing hardware, firmware, and software limitations. The company's hardware design choices (such as proprietary screws, glued components, and complex internal layouts) make repairs difficult for consumers and third-party repair shops.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353685307_From_Planned_Obsolescence_to_the_Circular_Economy_in_the_Smartphone_Industry_an_evolution_of_strategies_embodied_in_product_features|DOI=10.1017/pds.2021.422|first1=Mário|first2=Eric|last1=Barros|last2=Dimla|journal=Proceedings of the Design Society 1:1607-1616|title=From Planned Obsolescence to the Circular Economy in the Smartphone Industry: an evolution of strategies embodied in product features|date=August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260206104504/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353685307_From_Planned_Obsolescence_to_the_Circular_Economy_in_the_Smartphone_Industry_an_evolution_of_strategies_embodied_in_product_features |archive-date=6 Feb 2026}} </ref> Firmware restrictions further limit repairability by disabling key functionalities when non-Apple components are used, as seen in battery and camera replacements, where users receive error messages and lose features like battery health monitoring and Face ID.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Disotto |first=John-Anthony |date=2023-05-16 |title=Does Apple build 'planned obsolescence' into its products? French investigation to find out begins |url=https://www.imore.com/apple/does-apple-build-planned-obsolescence-into-its-products-french-investigation-to-find-out-begins |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250805172953/https://www.imore.com/apple/does-apple-build-planned-obsolescence-into-its-products-french-investigation-to-find-out-begins |archive-date=5 Aug 2025|website=iMore}}</ref>

Until recently, software updates also contributed to planned obsolescence by leading to performance degradation. Research has confirmed that Apple's software updates negatively impacted battery performance, often slowing down older devices and making them less functional over time.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-03-02 |title=Apple settles iPhone slowdown case for $500m |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51706635 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303051825/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51706635 |archive-date=2020-03-03 |access-date=2025-01-03 |work=BBC}}</ref> Apple has been criticized for discontinuing software support for older iPhone models, which forces consumers to upgrade to newer devices to maintain essential functions such as web browsing and email.

Despite growing regulatory pressure, Apple continues to control its repair ecosystem by restricting access to spare parts and discouraging third-party repairs. On the French Repairability Index (''[https://www.indicereparabilite.fr Indice de réparabilité]''), the majority of iPhone models obtain a score lower than five out of ten.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indice de réparabilité Smartphone |trans-title=Smartphone repairability scores |url=https://www.indicereparabilite.fr/appareils/multimedia/smartphone/page/3/?orderby=price |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708171707/https://www.indicereparabilite.fr/appareils/multimedia/smartphone/page/3/?orderby=price |archive-date=2025-07-08 |access-date= |website=French Repairability Index |language=fr}}</ref>

The EU-mandated transition in charging cables from Lightning to USB-C, affecting all smartphone manufacturers, required updates to existing accessories, reflecting a broader industry-wide standardization rather than forced obsolescence.

==Hardware obsolescence==
Apple's planned obsolescence extends beyond software to hardware. Since the 2008 MacBook Air, Apple has begun soldering the RAM into their laptops. They used proprietary RAM chips, making it impossible for consumers and 3rd-party repair shops to upgrade an ageing machine.

In 2015 on the 12-inch MacBook Pro, Apple began soldering in the SSD, meaning consumers can't upgrade their storage or replace it when it dies. Up until 2017, a failed SSD could be mitigated with an external SSD but Apple decided to move the EFI (bios) to the SSD, meaning if the SSD dies on the laptop it becomes a brick. Failing SSDs should not brick a computer that is made for video editors and professionals.

==Lawsuit==
In December 2022, French prosecutors opened an investigation into Apple over its part-pairing practice, which restricts third-party repairs. HOP, part of the [[Right to repair|Right to Repair]] Campaign, had previously filed a complaint, leading to Apple paying €25 million to the French treasury in 2020. HOP argues that this practice fosters planned obsolescence and harms sustainability efforts, advocating for a European ban on part-pairing. The investigation continues as part of broader efforts to protect consumer rights and encourage repairability.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 May 2023 |title=Plainte contre Apple: le Procureur de la République ouvre l’enquête |trans-title=Complaint against Apple: the Public Prosecutor opens the investigation |url=https://www.halteobsolescence.org/plainte-contre-apple-le-procureur-de-la-republique-ouvre-lenquete/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251117133528/https://www.halteobsolescence.org/plainte-contre-apple-le-procureur-de-la-republique-ouvre-lenquete/ |archive-date=17 Nov 2025 |language=fr}}</ref>

Legal actions against independent repair shops further solidify its control, making it difficult for users to extend the lifespan of their devices without relying on Apple’s costly repair services.

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Incidents]]
[[Category:Lawsuits]]
[[Category:Planned obsolescence]]
[[Category:IPhone]]

IPhone 6 error 53 fingerprint sensor incident

2026-04-06T09:36:11Z

SinexTitan: ifone

{{Stub}}
{{lowercase title}}
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Apple
|StartDate=2016-02-05
|EndDate=2016-02-18
|Status=Resolved
|ProductLine=
|Product=iPhone 6
|ArticleType=
|Type=Bricking, Firmware Lockout, Right to Repair
|Description=
}}
When switching from iOS major version 8 to 9, [[iPhone]] 6 users, who chose to replace their fingerprint sensor with another one before the update, had their phones bricked<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Miles |first=Brignall |date=2016-02-05 |title=‘Error 53’ fury mounts as Apple software update threatens to kill your iPhone 6 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2016/feb/05/error-53-apple-iphone-software-update-handset-worthless-third-party-repair |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205081456/https://www.theguardian.com/money/2016/feb/05/error-53-apple-iphone-software-update-handset-worthless-third-party-repair |archive-date=2016-02-05 |access-date=2025-07-16 |website=‘Error 53’ fury mounts as Apple software update threatens to kill your iPhone 6 {{!}} Mobile phones {{!}} The Guardian}}</ref>.
==Background==
[[Apple]] is known for its anti-consumer practices regarding repairability, including a more recent "Unknown Part"<ref>https://discussions.apple.com/thread/254475434?sortBy=rank ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260220075106/https://discussions.apple.com/thread/254475434?sortBy=rank Archived])</ref> notification in the "Settings" App, that is inserted on newer devices, when detecting a battery that was installed, not using means only available to their own official repair facilities. The incident discussed here ranks into just another incident, which was interpreted as deliberate practice when it originally happened

==The fingerprint sensor incident==
Upon updating from iOS 8 to 9, with a not-originally-built-in fingerprint sensor installed, the iPhone 6 would be "permanently disabled"<ref name=":0" />, even if it worked perfectly fine before the update and with said fingerprint sensor. After a "fix" of the issue, offered by Apple, the phone's fingerprint sensor was disabled.

===Apple's response===

At 2:19 p.m. ET on 2/18/2016, Apple has responded to a request from TechCrunch with this statement: "This was designed to be a factory test and was not intended to affect customers,"<ref>https://techcrunch.com/2016/02/18/apple-apologizes-and-updates-ios-to-restore-iphones-disabled-by-error-53/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250605194531/https://techcrunch.com/2016/02/18/apple-apologizes-and-updates-ios-to-restore-iphones-disabled-by-error-53/ Archived])</ref>. The issue of the phone being unusable was fixed later<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wiens |first=Kyle |date=2016-02-18 |title=Confirmed: Apple’s Error 53 Fix Works |url=https://www.ifixit.com/News/7924/error-53-fix |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420200715/https://www.ifixit.com/News/7924/error-53-fix |archive-date=2020-04-20 |access-date=2025-07-16 |website=Confirmed: Apple’s Error 53 Fix Works - iFixit}}</ref>, however the fingerprint sensor was disabled by said fix.

==Lawsuit==

None are known of to the original author of this article.
==Consumer response==

Consumers were very annoyed<ref>https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7463710?sortBy=rank ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260203020026/https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7463710?sortBy=rank Archived])</ref> and had to spend their costly time and money to have a phone repaired at an additional cost for the fingerprint sensor to function again, which they did not foresee to pay. Essentially, after being robbed of an advertised functionality, they had to pay the perpetrator to get that functionality back.
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:IPhone]]

Category:IPhone

2026-04-06T09:35:42Z

SinexTitan: smartfone

[[Category:Apple]]
[[Category:Smartphones]]

Category:Apple iPhone 13 series

2026-04-06T09:34:56Z

SinexTitan: ifone

{{DEFAULTSORT:iPhone 13 series}}
[[Category:IPhone]]

Category:IPhone

2026-04-06T09:33:59Z

SinexTitan: apfel

[[Category:Apple]]

IPhone

2026-04-06T09:33:16Z

SinexTitan: one more thing

{{lowercase title}}
{{ProductLineCargo
|ArticleType=Product
|Category=Smart phones
|Company=Apple
|Description=
|InProduction=Yes
|Logo=iPhone logo.svg
|ReleaseYear=2007
|Website=https://apple.com/iphone/
}}

{{Ph-C-Int}}

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

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

=== Flawed hardware design ===

==== Apple's response ====

=== Blocking operating system downgrades ===

=== Activation Lock ===
Apple prevents activation of devices that have not been unlocked by the initial owner before giving them away, selling or recycling them.

The reason cited by Apple is theft prevention, but it has been argued that this practice may be in place to prevent second hand sales and recycling of devices since they would compete with new devices, and Apple only makes a profit on the latter.

This leads to a colossal amount of e-waste from devices where the previous owner has not disabled the activation lock. It also makes the devices dependent on Apple services. If Apple one day decides to no longer support this procedure for a particular model, it becomes impossible to use. Aside from putting undue restrictions on what consumers can do with their devices, this also makes historic preservation very challenging.

A simple solution to the theft problem could be to send previous owners an e-mail to the address linked to their Apple ID with an option to either consent to the release of the activation lock or report their device as stolen. A default answer (either allow or deny unlock) could be chosen if the user does not make a choice within a reasonable timeframe, for instance if the e-mail address is no longer in use. However, Apple has so far chosen not to implement a system like this.

=== Underpowered base models ===
Most contemporary Apple devices do not have upgradeable or replaceable storage and memory.

Apple sells many of their base models with storage and memory specifications that are well below the industry average, despite the memory having to do double duty as both main memory and graphics card memory<ref>{{Cite web |last=Simon |first=Michael |date=2023-11-08 |title=Apple defends 8GB of RAM in the MacBook Pro as ‘analogous to 16GB’ in a PC |url=https://www.macworld.com/article/2130974/bob-borchers-defends-8gb-ram-macbook-pro-analogous-to-16gb-pc.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222210559/https://www.macworld.com/article/2130974/bob-borchers-defends-8gb-ram-macbook-pro-analogous-to-16gb-pc.html |archive-date=22 Feb 2026 |access-date=2025-09-15 |website=Macworld}}</ref>. This gives users the choice between an underpowered base model, or paying a multiple of common industry prices<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hussain |first=Imran |date=2019-12-03 |title=Apple Sells 16GB RAM for $400 – Almost 700% Higher Price Than Other OEMs |url=https://wccftech.com/apple-sells-16gb-ram-for-400-almost-700-higher-price-than-other-oems/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250818140226/https://wccftech.com/apple-sells-16gb-ram-for-400-almost-700-higher-price-than-other-oems/ |archive-date=18 Aug 2025 |access-date=2025-09-15 |website=WCCFTech}}</ref> for higher-specc'ed versions. It should be noted that the price difference for the components that Apple would pay in manufacturing are within a few cents.

This leaves buyers in a difficult situation: Either they user has to pay significantly more at the time of purchase, or the user has to buy a new device much earlier than would otherwise be necessary. Some models even have limits for the amount of memory the user can choose, thus forcing them into more expensive models if they want more.

A significant number of non-technically inclined users with only moderate requirements hence chooses the base model in the trust that Apple would only sell them a reasonable configuration.

Since many of these devices are not user upgradeable, this floods both the used market and the landfills with unnecessarily underpowered devices that could otherwise be used for many more years.

=== Blocking third party apps ===
Apple only allows apps to be installed on their mobile devices through their own App Store (there are exceptions to this in the European Union, but due to what many have called [[Malicious Compliance]], this possibility is more of theoretical nature).

When a device loses manufacturer support and the App Store stops working, or when Apple deletes or blocks versions of apps from the store which are compatible with that version of the operating system, the user no longer has any way to install or re-install any software on their devices.

If such devices are factory reset, either to be handed to other people or to be sold on the used market, the built-in first party apps are the only ones that remain accessible.

Moreover, Apple does not appear to always test new versions of apps on old hardware, so sometimes the last update to an app breaks it for that device, sometimes due to bugs, sometimes due to increased memory requirements. Since the App Store allows no downgrades, this leaves the user with an app that is unusable on that model of device. If Apple allowed either app downgrades or independent installation of apps, these devices would remain completely functional for users of those apps.

=== Blocking third party browsers ===
Apple does not allow other browser engines other than their own Safari engine on their mobile operating systems. While the EU is an exception due to regulatory constraints, Apple has put conditions in place that make this so unattractive for both developers and users that at the time of writing, no browser vendor offers their engine to Apple's mobile devices.

Unlike third party browsers, the version of Apple's own Safari browser is always tied to the operating system. It is not possible to update system apps like the browser or the Mail application independently.

Therefore, once Apple stops supporting a device with updates, the browser can also no longer be updated, leaving users vulnerable to security flaws and causing more and more compatibility problems with modern websites over time.

If Apple allowed users to install a third party browser or browser engine, this would significantly extend the time the device is usable for browsing the web and open up other possibilities that involve web browsers, such as repurposing an iPad as a control display for Home Assistant.

==Products==

* [[:Category:Apple iPhone 13 series|iPhone 13]]

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

File:IPhone logo.svg

2026-04-06T09:27:02Z

SinexTitan: iPhone's logo as a SVG, sourced from Wikimedia

== Summary ==
iPhone's logo as a SVG, sourced from Wikimedia
== Licensing ==
{{From Wikimedia}}

ICloud

2026-04-06T09:22:48Z

SinexTitan: ProductLine

{{lowercase title}}
{{ProductCargo
|ArticleType=Service
|Category=Cloud
|Company=Apple
|Description=
|InProduction=Yes
|Logo=ICloud.svg
|ProductLine=2011
|ReleaseYear=Yes
|Website=https://icloud.com
}}

'''{{wplink|iCloud}}''' is a cloud storage and cloud computing service provided by [[Apple]]. It offers various internet-based services, including iCloud Photos, device backups, and the Find My network.

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

==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]].

===2014 Celebrity Photo Leaks===

In August 2014, a series of brute-force attacks targeted iCloud accounts, leading to the unauthorized access and release of private photographs belonging to multiple celebrities.<ref>[[wikipedia:2014_celebrity_nude_photo_leak|2014 celebrity nude photo leak]] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260404193845/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_celebrity_nude_photo_leak Archived])</ref> Apple denied that a breach of iCloud itself had occurred, attributing the incident to weak user passwords and phishing attacks.<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2014/9/2/6098107/apple-denies-icloud-breach-celebrity-nude-photo-hack ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250831150803/https://www.theverge.com/2014/9/2/6098107/apple-denies-icloud-breach-celebrity-nude-photo-hack Archived])</ref> However, vulnerabilities allowing brute-force attacks remained unaddressed the following year, raising concerns over iCloud’s security measures.<ref>https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/icloud-accounts-risk-brute-force-attack-hacker-exploits-painfully-obvious-password-flaw-1481623 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251230054034/https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/icloud-accounts-risk-brute-force-attack-hacker-exploits-painfully-obvious-password-flaw-1481623 Archived])</ref>

===Data Hosting in China===

In 2018, Apple transitioned Chinese users’ iCloud data to local servers in compliance with Chinese data laws.<ref>https://thehackernews.com/2021/05/how-apple-gave-chinese-government.html ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260209094941/https://thehackernews.com/2021/05/how-apple-gave-chinese-government.html Archived])</ref> The move raised concerns regarding government surveillance, as the encryption keys for the data were also stored within China.<ref>https://thehackernews.com/2021/05/how-apple-gave-chinese-government.html ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260209094941/https://thehackernews.com/2021/05/how-apple-gave-chinese-government.html Archived])</ref> Apple stated that this change only affected users residing in mainland China; however, it did not specify how it distinguishes between residents and visitors.<ref>https://support.apple.com/en-us/111754 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251128142647/https://support.apple.com/en-us/111754 Archived])</ref>

===End-to-End Encryption Restrictions in the United Kingdom===

In February 2025, Apple disabled Advanced Data Protection (also known as ADP), its end-to-end encryption feature for iCloud, for users in the United Kingdom. The decision followed a request from the UK government, which sought access to encrypted user data.<ref>https://www.zdnet.com/article/why-apples-disabling-of-icloud-encryption-in-the-uk-is-bad-news-for-everyone/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251229142653/https://www.zdnet.com/article/why-apples-disabling-of-icloud-encryption-in-the-uk-is-bad-news-for-everyone/ Archived])</ref>

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

==References==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Apple]]

ICloud

2026-04-06T09:15:19Z

SinexTitan: wplink

{{ProductCargo
|ArticleType=Service
|Category=Cloud
|Company=Apple
|Description=
|InProduction=Yes
|Logo=ICloud.svg
|ProductLine=2011
|ReleaseYear=Yes
|Website=https://icloud.com
}}
{{lowercase title}}

'''{{wplink|iCloud}}''' is a cloud storage and cloud computing service provided by [[Apple]]. It offers various internet-based services, including iCloud Photos, device backups, and the Find My network.

==Incidents==

===2014 Celebrity Photo Leaks===

In August 2014, a series of brute-force attacks targeted iCloud accounts, leading to the unauthorized access and release of private photographs belonging to multiple celebrities.<ref>[[wikipedia:2014_celebrity_nude_photo_leak|2014 celebrity nude photo leak]] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260404193845/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_celebrity_nude_photo_leak Archived])</ref> Apple denied that a breach of iCloud itself had occurred, attributing the incident to weak user passwords and phishing attacks.<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2014/9/2/6098107/apple-denies-icloud-breach-celebrity-nude-photo-hack ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250831150803/https://www.theverge.com/2014/9/2/6098107/apple-denies-icloud-breach-celebrity-nude-photo-hack Archived])</ref> However, vulnerabilities allowing brute-force attacks remained unaddressed the following year, raising concerns over iCloud’s security measures.<ref>https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/icloud-accounts-risk-brute-force-attack-hacker-exploits-painfully-obvious-password-flaw-1481623 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251230054034/https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/icloud-accounts-risk-brute-force-attack-hacker-exploits-painfully-obvious-password-flaw-1481623 Archived])</ref>

===Data Hosting in China===

In 2018, Apple transitioned Chinese users’ iCloud data to local servers in compliance with Chinese data laws.<ref>https://thehackernews.com/2021/05/how-apple-gave-chinese-government.html ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260209094941/https://thehackernews.com/2021/05/how-apple-gave-chinese-government.html Archived])</ref> The move raised concerns regarding government surveillance, as the encryption keys for the data were also stored within China.<ref>https://thehackernews.com/2021/05/how-apple-gave-chinese-government.html ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260209094941/https://thehackernews.com/2021/05/how-apple-gave-chinese-government.html Archived])</ref> Apple stated that this change only affected users residing in mainland China; however, it did not specify how it distinguishes between residents and visitors.<ref>https://support.apple.com/en-us/111754 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251128142647/https://support.apple.com/en-us/111754 Archived])</ref>

===End-to-End Encryption Restrictions in the United Kingdom===

In February 2025, Apple disabled Advanced Data Protection (also known as ADP), its end-to-end encryption feature for iCloud, for users in the United Kingdom. The decision followed a request from the UK government, which sought access to encrypted user data.<ref>https://www.zdnet.com/article/why-apples-disabling-of-icloud-encryption-in-the-uk-is-bad-news-for-everyone/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251229142653/https://www.zdnet.com/article/why-apples-disabling-of-icloud-encryption-in-the-uk-is-bad-news-for-everyone/ Archived])</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Apple]]

AirPods

2026-04-06T09:14:39Z

SinexTitan: update

{{StubNotice}}
{{Cleanup}}
{{ProductLineCargo
|ReleaseYear=13 December 2016
|Website=https://apple.com/airpods
|Logo=AirPods logo.svg
|ArticleType=ProductLine
|Category=Wireless earbuds
|Company=Apple
|Description= AirPods are wireless earbuds designed by Apple.
|InProduction=Yes
}}

'''AirPods''' are wireless earbuds designed by [[Apple]]. They first debuted on September 07, 2016 alongside the iPhone 7 and were released on December 13, 2016.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 Sep 2016 |title=Apple reinvents the wireless headphone with AirPods |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2016/09/apple-reinvents-the-wireless-headphones-with-airpods/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260104044455/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2016/09/apple-reinvents-the-wireless-headphones-with-airpods/ |archive-date=2026-01-04 |access-date=24 Nov 2025 |website=Apple}}</ref>

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

====Obsolescense====
AirPods are designed in a way that makes them unrepairable, leading to customers having to buy a new pair after a few years of use. Apple can replace them but will not repair them or help you do it yourself.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Dalvin |date=20 Apr 2023 |title=Apple Doesn’t Repair AirPods. Here’s Why. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omMPJEoZGJE |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=omMPJEoZGJE |archive-date=2026-02-02 |access-date=24 Nov 2025 |website=Youtube |publisher=Wall Street Journal}}</ref> According to an expert from iFixit:<blockquote>If you want to take this apart, non-destructively, to replace the batteries, as far as I know, that's impossible.<ref name=":1" /></blockquote>The rechargeable batteries in AirPods can experience fast-tracked degradation after a certain number of battery cycles,<ref name=":1" /> with two-year-old sets lasting for less than half of the advertised five hours.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Elalj |first=Simo |date=2024-04-16 |title=How Long Do AirPods Last? (Battery & Lifespan) |url=https://www.refurb.me/blog/how-long-do-airpods-last-battery-lifespan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723215441/https://www.refurb.me/blog/how-long-do-airpods-last-battery-lifespan |archive-date=2025-07-23 |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=RefurbMe}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Apple Service and Repair for AirPods |url=https://support.apple.com/airpods/repair?services=service |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260220050147/https://support.apple.com/airpods/repair?services=service |archive-date=2026-02-20 |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=Apple}}</ref>

====Replacement over repair====
[[File:Apple AirPods Pro 3 AppleCare price comparison.png|alt=an image depicting the price difference between normal Apple service and AppleCare service.|thumb|Price difference between normal Apple service and AppleCare service.]]
Apple has a dedicated portal to purchase "battery service", which involves destroying outer parts,<ref name=":1" /> and replacements individual AirPods and charging cases. The replacement of one or both AirPods or the charging case has a lower price with AppleCare+ than without. Apple offers battery servicing for free with AppleCare+ and for a fee without.<ref name=":2" />{{Citation needed|reason=Add 3rd party citation|date=4 Apr 2026}}

===Freedom===

====Proprietary standards====
Up until September 22, 2023, Apple used their proprietary Lightning connector on the AirPods' charging case, which forced the consumer to purchase Apple-licensed chargers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Borresen |first=Jennifer |date=22 Sep 2023 |title=iPhone 15 pro uses USB-C charger: An exploration of how Apple got here |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2023/09/22/iphone-15-pro-usb-c-charger-explained/70916655007/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260104044745/https://www.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2023/09/22/iphone-15-pro-usb-c-charger-explained/70916655007/ |archive-date=2026-01-04 |access-date=24 Nov 2025 |website=USA Today}}</ref>

====Degraded operating system choice====
The [[Software-gating|software-gated]] features that AirPods are marketed with are mode to only work with Apple's [[wikipedia:Operating_system|operating systems]], resulting in device's capabilities that are on par with basic wireless headphones when paired with non-Apple devices.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Christian |date=2025-03-26 |title=Don't use AirPods with Android |url=https://www.soundguys.com/dont-use-airpods-android-20767/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250407044828/https://www.soundguys.com/dont-use-airpods-android-20767/ |archive-date=2025-04-07 |access-date=2026-01-05 |website=SOUNDGUYS}}</ref> The software-gated features include:

*Spatial audio
*The ear tip fit test
*Auto EQ
*Control customization
*Find my earbuds
*Automatic device switching
*Conversation boost
*Battery life status indicator
*Automatic ear detection<ref name=":4" />

However there have been projects attempting to regain marketed features of AirPods with non-Apple products, such as LibrePods.<ref>https://github.com/cysgodi/librepods ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251220145417/https://github.com/cysgodi/librepods Archived])</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hardwick |first=Tim |date=2025-11-21 |title=This Free App Unlocks AirPods Features on Android Devices |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2025/11/21/librepods-unlocks-airpods-features-android/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251218044102/https://www.macrumors.com/2025/11/21/librepods-unlocks-airpods-features-android/ |archive-date=18 Dec 2025|access-date=2026-02-02 |website=MacRumors}}</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]].

===AirPods Pro sound issues (''2020'')===
The "Rattlegate" issue, which is officially known as the AirPods Pro Service Program for Sound Issues, was reportedly frustrating for early AirPods Pro adopters. The problem primarily affected the ''first-generation AirPods Pro''. Users reported:

*Crackling or static sounds that intensified in loud environments, during exercise, or while talking on the phone.
*Rattling noises triggered by head movement or footsteps.
*Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) failure, resulting in a loss of bass or an increase in background noise (like street or airplane sounds).

Apple officially acknowledged the hardware defect in October 2020, and determined that a "small percentage" of units manufactured ''before'' October 2020 were defective.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-30 |title=AirPods Pro Service Program for Sound Issues |url=https://support.apple.com/airpods-pro-service-program-sound-issues |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604082736/https://support.apple.com/airpods-pro-service-program-sound-issues |archive-date=2022-06-04 |access-date=}}</ref> They launched a global service program to replace affected earbuds (left, right, or both) free of charge, provided they passed a diagnostic test at an Apple Store or authorized provider. Originally, the program covered units for two years after their first retail sale. In late 2021, Apple quietly extended this to ''three years''.{{Citation needed|date=4 Apr 2026}}

Despite Apple’s claim that only units made before October 2020 were affected, a significant number of users who bought AirPods Pro in 2021 and 2022 reported the ''exact same'' rattling and crackling. Because Apple’s internal database marks units manufactured after October 2020 as "fixed," these serial numbers are ineligible for the free service program. If you are outside of your standard 1-year warranty (or 2-year AppleCare+ window), Apple's official stance is usually to charge a "repair" fee that often costs as much as a new pair.{{Citation needed|date=4 Apr 2026}}

Many experts believe the issue was a fundamental design flaw in the first-gen hardware (likely related to glue degradation or sweat ingress affecting the internal microphones) rather than a specific "bad batch." As of 2026, the service program has officially ended for the vast majority of users because the "three years from date of sale" window has expired for almost everyone who owned the original Gen 1 model. Because of the refusal to cover units made after 2020 and the fact that many "replacement" units eventually failed too, Apple has faced several class-action lawsuits (notably ''LaBella v. Apple Inc.''). These suits allege that Apple continued to sell a defective product and misled consumers about the "fix."{{Citation needed|date=4 Apr 2026}}

===AirPods Max moisture issue (''2021'')===
{{Main|AirPods Max Moisture Issue}}
[[File:Airpods-max-moisture.jpeg|alt=A photo showing the moisture buildup inside user PatrikGustafsson's Headphones after exercising on an indoor bike. |thumb|Moisture buildup inside user PatrikGustafsson's AirPods Max after exercising on an indoor bike.]]
Many Apple AirPods Max owners have reported moisture issues with the headphones. More specifically, after around 30 or more minutes of use, users have reported a visible buildup of moisture near the speakers of the ear-cups.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-01-04 |title=Condensation in the Airpods Max |url=https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252267540?sortBy=rank |access-date=2026-03-05 |website=Apple Community}}</ref> Depending on the severity of the moisture buildup present, the headphones could fail between five days of use in the more extreme cases, to around three months of use.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Condensation broke my device, Apple says there's nothing they can do. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Airpodsmax/comments/s64ztx/condensation_broke_my_device_apple_says_theres/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119175742/https://www.reddit.com/r/Airpodsmax/comments/s64ztx/condensation_broke_my_device_apple_says_theres/ |archive-date=2025-01-19 |access-date=2026-03-05 |website=Reddit |publisher=pavanayii}}</ref> Additional conditions contributing to this issue include exercise or climate/humidity levels present when wearing the headphones. Apple has historically treated the AirPods Max condensation issues as "Liquid Damage", voiding warranties and likely prompting a $300 to $500 replacement.<ref name=":3" />

The AirPods Max moisture issue has been reported thousands of times to Apple and it is very likely that Apple is aware of the issue. Apple has not provided an official statement, warranty exemption, or additional replacement discount for this product.{{Citation needed|date=4 Apr 2026}}

===Connection security vulnerability (''2025'')===
Main Article: [[AirPods Connection Vulnerability]][[File:NIST-re.png|alt=CVE-2024-27867 NIST Assessment|thumb|CVE-2024-27867 NIST Assessment]]
A security vulnerability was discovered by Jonas Dreßler, this vulnerability would allow an attacker within the bluetooth range of any AirPods device to potentially spoof the source device address, redirecting it to another device controlled by the attacker and gaining control of the AirPods.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-24 |title=CVE-2024-27867 Detail |url=https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-27867 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251109172541/https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-27867 |archive-date=2025-11-09 |access-date=2026-03-05 |website=National Institute of Standards and Technology {{!}} NIST}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-25 |title=About the security content of AirPods Firmware Update 6A326, AirPods Firmware Update 6F8, and Beats Firmware Update 6F8 |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/120907 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224082150/https://support.apple.com/en-us/120907 |archive-date=2026-02-24 |access-date=2026-03-05 |website=Apple Support |publisher=Apple Inc.}}</ref>

==Products==

*AirPods (1st generation) (December 13, 2016<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2 March 2025 |title=Every Apple AirPods Generation: A Full History of Release Dates - IGN |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/all-apple-airpods-release-dates-in-order |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260104044220/https://www.ign.com/articles/all-apple-airpods-release-dates-in-order |archive-date=2026-01-04 |website=IGN}}</ref>)
*AirPods (2nd generation) (March 20, 2019<ref name=":0" />)
*AirPods Pro (1st generation) (October 30, 2019<ref name=":0" />)
*AirPods Max (December 15, 2020<ref name=":0" />)
*AirPods (3rd generation) (October 26, 2021<ref name=":0" />)
*AirPods Pro 2 (previously 2nd generation) (September 23, 2022<ref name=":0" />)
*AirPods 4/ANC (September 20, 2024<ref name=":0" />)
==See also==
*[[Apple]]
*[[Sony's WF-1000XM4 earbuds]]

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

Xcode

2026-04-06T09:09:36Z

SinexTitan: category

{{stub}}
{{ProductCargo
|ArticleType=Product
|Category=IDEs, Software
|Company=Apple
|Description=
|InProduction=Yes
|Logo=Xcode.png
|ProductLine=
|ReleaseYear=2003
|Website=https://developer.apple.com/xcode/
}}
'''{{Wplink|Xcode}}''' is an {{Wplink|Integrated development environment|IDE}} provided by [[Apple]], primarily for creating iOS and MacOS apps.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Xcode on the Mac App Store |url=https://apps.apple.com/us/app/xcode/id497799835 |website=[[Apple]] |date= |access-date=2 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250702065644/https://apps.apple.com/us/app/xcode/id497799835 |archive-date=2 Jul 2025}}</ref> In order to run apps on real devices, Xcode is required for signing iOS/macOS apps.

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

===Tracking===
Xcode requires an Apple ID to install, and sends telemetry to Apple during every local build and every launch.<ref>{{Cite web |author=allenjjm |date=May 2020 |title=Is there any way to download xcode... |url=https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/132709 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250702070154/https://developer.apple.com/forums/thread/132709 |archive-date=2 Jul 2025 |access-date=13 Feb 2026 |website=[[Apple]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Jeff |date=24 Feb 2025 |title=Xcode constantly phones home |url=https://lapcatsoftware.com/articles/2025/2/5.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250702071001/https://lapcatsoftware.com/articles/2025/2/5.html |archive-date=2 Jul 2025 |access-date=13 Feb 2026 |website=lapcatsoftware}}</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]].

===Xcode drops support for older devices===
[[Apple]] has discontinued support for up to date versions of Xcode iOS development on older MacBook devices, resulting in not being able to use a perfectly capable machine for iOS app development without having to go through countless loopholes. {{Citation needed}}

*You cannot commit new updates without using a third-party medium. {{Citation needed}}
*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.{{Citation needed}}
*You must commit and release a new TestFlight build (through a loophole) to do any testing instead of being able to simulate on your Mac or even a connected device. {{Citation needed}}
*This all really stems from the fact that the new Xcode updates require the new [[Apple macOS|MacOS]] version which is also discontinued for older MacBooks. This means 8 year old device is basically just useless for such applications.{{Citation needed}}

==Usage==
Xcode is irreplaceable for signing iOS/macOS apps. A 2024 Stack Overflow developer survey found almost no developers want to start using Xcode.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Technology {{!}} 2024 Stack Overflow Developer Survey |url=https://survey.stackoverflow.co/2024/technology#worked-with-vs-want-to-work-with-new-collab-tools-worked-want |website=Stack Overflow |date=2024 |access-date=13 Feb 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250702071614/https://survey.stackoverflow.co/2024/technology#worked-with-vs-want-to-work-with-new-collab-tools-worked-want |archive-date=2 Jul 2025}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Apple

2026-04-06T09:04:34Z

SinexTitan: /* Products */ iLoud

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1976
|Industry=Electronics
|Logo=Apple logo (black).svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Public
|Website=https://apple.com/
|Description=Tech company known for hardware, software, and operating systems. Has repeatedly restricted device repairs, and exerts strict control over its software ecosystem
|CompanyAlias= Apple, Inc
}}

{{Wplink|Apple Inc.|'''Apple'''}} is an American technology company that was founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. It is best known for its consumer electronics, software, and services.

Apple's current product lineup includes hardware such as the [[:Category:Apple iPhones|iPhone]], iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, Apple Vision Pro, [[Airpods|AirPods]], and Apple TV; operating systems such as iOS, iPadOS, visionOS, and macOS; and various software and services including Apple Pay, iCloud, Apple Arcade, and multimedia streaming services like Apple Music and [[Apple TV+]].

==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]].

===Repairability of Apple products in the 2000s===
Since the 2000s, Apple has focused on reducing the weight of its products as technology has advanced and become increasingly complex. This shift has contributed to challenges in repairing and upgrading their devices.

===Hardware design issues in the 2010s===
Apple had numerous hardware design issues in the 2010s, often poorly acknowledged by the company and frequently charging exorbitant amounts for repair.

*High-cost GPU failures on early 2010's MacBooks<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-10-28 |title=Apple faces class-action lawsuit over 2011 MacBook Pro GPU issues |url=https://9to5mac.com/2014/10/28/apple-class-action-lawsuit-2011-macbook-pro-gpu-graphics-issues/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251010222822/https://9to5mac.com/2014/10/28/apple-class-action-lawsuit-2011-macbook-pro-gpu-graphics-issues/ |archive-date=2025-10-10 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=9to5mac}}</ref>
*the 2016-'17 MacBook Pro's screen cable skimping scandal<ref>{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Jon |date=2019-05-05 |title=Apple quietly addressed ‘Flexgate’ issue with MacBook Pro redesign |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/5/18251264/macbook-pro-2018-flexgate-fix-display-cable-2mm-longer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251224195648/https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/5/18251264/macbook-pro-2018-flexgate-fix-display-cable-2mm-longer |archive-date=2025-12-24 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=The Verge}}</ref>
*2016-2019 MacBooks butterfly keyboards<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bohn |first=Dieter |date=2020-05-04 |title=The saga of Apple’s bad butterfly MacBook keyboards is finally over |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/4/21246223/macbook-keyboard-butterfly-magic-pro-apple-design |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260128222108/https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/4/21246223/macbook-keyboard-butterfly-magic-pro-apple-design |archive-date=2026-01-28 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=The Verge}}</ref>
*the 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro's SSD failures<ref>{{Cite web |last=digilloyd |date=2020-04-03 |title=2019 MacBook Pro Seems to Have a High Failure Rate |url=https://macperformanceguide.com/blog/2020/20200403_1024-MacBookPro2019-repairs.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708181056/https://macperformanceguide.com/blog/2020/20200403_1024-MacBookPro2019-repairs.html |archive-date=2025-07-08 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=Mac Performance Guide}}</ref>
*The announcement and cancellation of Apple AirPower<ref>{{Cite web |last=Panzarino |first=Matthew |title=Apple cancels AirPower product, citing inability to meet its high standards for hardware |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/29/apple-cancels-airpower-product-citing-inability-to-meet-its-high-standards-for-hardware/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401040644/https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/29/apple-cancels-airpower-product-citing-inability-to-meet-its-high-standards-for-hardware/ |archive-date=2019-04-01 |website=TechCrunch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Clover |first=Juli |date=2018-09-12 |title=After No Sign of AirPower at Today's Event Apple Wipes Most Mentions From Website |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2018/09/12/no-sign-of-airpower-at-september-event/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124170507/https://www.macrumors.com/2018/09/12/no-sign-of-airpower-at-september-event/ |archive-date=2021-11-24 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=MacRumors}}</ref> due to overheating{{CitationNeeded|reason=no archived article mentioning overheating specifically}}

====Recent attempts to do better====
Recently, Apple has made efforts to improve its products, though some observers feel that its pro-consumer practices still do not match those of certain other manufacturers. This shift is thought by some to be influenced by evolving legislation.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Hern |first=Alex |date=2022-10-26 |title=Apple to put USB-C connectors in iPhones to comply with EU rules |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/oct/26/iphone-usb-c-lightning-connectors-apple-eu-rules |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260212030935/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/oct/26/iphone-usb-c-lightning-connectors-apple-eu-rules |archive-date=2026-02-12 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> 

This includes:

*Opening an online [[Apple Self Service Repair|Self Service Repair]] parts store.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-17 |title=Apple announces Self Service Repair |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2021/11/apple-announces-self-service-repair/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203201914/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2021/11/apple-announces-self-service-repair/ |archive-date=2026-02-03 |access-date=2026-03-08 |website=Apple Newsroom}}</ref>
*Making the back glass of iPhones removable starting from iPhone 14.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wiens |first=Kyle |date=2022-09-16 |title=Inside Apple’s Secret iPhone 14 Redesign |url=https://www.ifixit.com/News/64865/iphone-14-teardown |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260116032657/https://www.ifixit.com/News/64865/iphone-14-teardown |archive-date=2026-01-16 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=iFixIt}}</ref>
*Allowing alternative app stores in an update to iOS 17, in compliance with new EU legislation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Installing apps through alternative app distribution in the European Union |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/117767 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251223191001/https://support.apple.com/en-us/117767 |archive-date=2025-12-23 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=support.apple.com}}</ref>
*Calibration tools for newly installed used parts in iOS 18,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Use Repair Assistant to finish an iPhone or iPad repair |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/120579 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260208125243/https://support.apple.com/en-us/120579 |archive-date=2026-02-08 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=support.apple.com}}</ref> which sometimes work.{{CitationNeeded}}
*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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sorrel |first=Charlie |date=2024-11-12 |title=All Hail the Return of Upgradeable Storage! Mac mini 2024 Teardown |url=https://www.ifixit.com/News/104302/all-hail-the-return-of-upgradeable-storage-mac-mini-2024-teardown |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251116041530/https://www.ifixit.com/News/104302/all-hail-the-return-of-upgradeable-storage-mac-mini-2024-teardown |archive-date=2025-11-16 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=iFixit}}</ref>
*A battery removable with just a 9V battery in the 2024 iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.<ref>{{Cite web |title=iPhone 16 Plus Battery |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/120671 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251018203540/https://support.apple.com/en-us/120671 |archive-date=2025-10-18 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=support.apple.com}}</ref>
Many of these items have sparked allegations of [[malicious compliance]] and being introduced purely to make stricter right for repair legislation appear unnecessary to legislators while not doing much to improve the situation for consumers. 

For instance, pricing for parts on the [[Apple Self Service Repair|Self Service Repair]] store is virtually identical to having the part replaced by Apple themselves (including both the price of the part and labor)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ganapini |first=Cristina |date=2022-12-06 |title=Apple’s self-repair programme is not the Right to Repair we need |url=https://repair.eu/news/apples-self-repair-programme-is-not-the-right-to-repair-we-need/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260209051628/https://repair.eu/news/apples-self-repair-programme-is-not-the-right-to-repair-we-need/ |archive-date=2026-02-09 |access-date=2026-03-08 |website=Right to Repair Europe}}</ref>, alternate app installation options are limited to users in the EU, still [[Forced account|require developers to be registered]] with Apple, have them approve the apps and in many cases paying them fees, and the upgradeable SSDs do not use common standards such as M.2 NVME. Unlike standard SSDs, they are also not always swappable between different models and require access to a second Apple computer to provision after installation.

===Operating system downgrades===
[[File:Macos startup security.png|alt=macOS startup security screen|thumb|macOS startup security screen]]
It is not possible to upgrade or downgrade an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, etc. to an Operating System (OS) version that is no longer signed by Apple. In most cases, only the most recent version is signed. Some exceptions exist, such as certain Apple TV models and Apple Silicon Macs. Downgrading the Apple TV 4K series is not possible at all due to the lack of a USB port. On Macs with a T2 chip, the user can select from three modes of secure boot:<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Startup Security Utility on a Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/102522 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250607083624/https://support.apple.com/en-us/102522 |archive-date=7 Jun 2025 |access-date=22 Jun 2025 |website=Apple}}</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.

On Macs with Apple Silicon, the user can select from two modes of secure boot:

*Permissive Security: Accessible only via recovery Terminal tools (and still enforces Apple’s secure chain for much of the boot). This is the lowest available security policy on Apple silicon but does not remove secure boot entirely in the way “No Security” used to.
*Reduced Security: Allows booting older versions of macOS trusted by Apple but still enforces signed OS policy.
*Full Security: Only the currently signed macOS version trusted by Apple can boot.

iOS devices only support Full Security mode. The device checks for a cryptographic "ticket",<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-20 |title=APTicket |url=https://theapplewiki.com/wiki/APTicket |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260216234725/https://theapplewiki.com/wiki/APTicket |archive-date=2026-02-16 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=theapplewiki.com}}</ref> 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. Workarounds exist, but with major caveats that are not viable for most users,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-27 |title=Firmware rendering |url=https://theapplewiki.com/wiki/Firmware_downgrading |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251021213054/https://theapplewiki.com/wiki/Firmware_downgrading |archive-date=2025-10-21 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=theapplewiki.com}}</ref> see the technical details on [[wikipedia:SHSH_blob|SHSH blobs]].

===Class action lawsuit===
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 USD.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Gael |date=9 Jan 2024 |title=Apple Starts Sending Out iPhone 'Batterygate' Settlement Payments. What to Know |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/apple-starts-sending-out-iphone-batterygate-settlement-payments-what-to-know/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250321051703/https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/apple-starts-sending-out-iphone-batterygate-settlement-payments-what-to-know/ |archive-date=21 Mar 2025 |access-date=22 Jun 2025 |website=CNET}}</ref> Apple claimed that this change was to benefit users who have old failing batteries, and that it wasn't for planned obsolescence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Napolitano |first=Elizabeth |date=2023-08-18 |title=Millions of Apple customers to get payments of up to $90 in iPhone "batterygate" settlement. Here's what to know. |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/apple-iphone-payment-500-million-settlement-what-to-know/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251228042055/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/apple-iphone-payment-500-million-settlement-what-to-know/ |archive-date=28 Dec 2025|website=CBS News}}</ref> They later published software updates and an article explaining how users can opt out of this new "performance management" mode.<ref>{{Cite web |title=iPhone battery and performance |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/101575 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250618231138/https://support.apple.com/en-us/101575 |archive-date=18 Jun 2025 |access-date=22 Jun 2025 |website=Apple}}</ref>

Once a new OS version is installed, there is no opportunity to go back. This also restricts the user's choice to {{Wplink|iOS jailbreaking|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>{{Cite web |last=Vajpai |first=Shreeti |date=24 Jun 2024 |title=iOS Emulators / Simulators vs Real iOS Devices |url=https://contextqa.com/test-on-ios-emulators-simulators/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250519081214/https://contextqa.com/test-on-ios-emulators-simulators/ |archive-date=19 May 2025 |access-date=22 Jun 2025 |website=ContextQA}}</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.{{CitationNeeded|reason=add citation with proof of this}} Parts available to certified repair centers are extremely limited.{{CitationNeeded|reason=proof if possible}} 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.{{CitationNeeded|reason=proof if possible}}

If an Apple iPhone has GPS calibration issues and or {{Wplink|Bluetooth}} connectivity issues, Apple will do their own diagnostics. You explain to the Apple employee how and when the issues occur and you explain in detail your methods to reproduce the issues. The issues occur when your phone is in your pocket while using navigation and when you hold your phone upside down while using your Apple Beats wireless headphones. After Apple runs their diagnostics and they are not able to detect the issues, they will move onto the next step which is fully resetting your device. This is considered a standard troubleshooting procedure. When you ask the Apple store manager if they would be willing to exchange your device for a similar model if they cannot fix your device they respond with "No, because these phones are designed to be fixed". After the software reset fail, Apple will require you to leave your phone with them so they can send it to their offsite repair facility for further diagnostics. After a few days, Apple will come to the conclusion that your phone requires an entire new midsection. When asked what was replaced, Apple will inform you that the entire inside has been replaced — essentially giving you a new phone (with a new IMEI, EID, etc.) apart from the casing and screen. {{CitationNeeded}}

===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, i.e. lid sensors on MacBooks. {{CitationNeeded}}

===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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 Jan 2017 |title=GSX - How to Gain GSX Apple Access - iOSGenius |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy8bS1AgxcY |url-status=live}}</ref> {{CitationNeeded|reason=add an archive and properly cite this}}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 GSX - How to Gain GSX Apple Access - iOSGenius]

===Advertisements in first party apps===
In 2014, Apple and the band U2 partnered to give all iTunes users a free digital copy of their newest album at the time, ''Songs of Innocence'', which was marketed as "the biggest album release ever in history".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2014/09/09Apple-U2-Release-Songs-of-Innocence-Exclusively-for-iTunes-Store-Customers/|title=Apple & U2 Release “Songs of Innocence” Exclusively for iTunes Store Customers|date=2014-09-09|work=Apple Newsroom|access-date=2025-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405230217/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2014/09/09Apple-U2-Release-Songs-of-Innocence-Exclusively-for-iTunes-Store-Customers/|archive-date=2025-04-05|url-status=live}}</ref> Many users who didn't want the album couldn't remove it from their iTunes library due to the album being listed as a "past purchase" on their account (however the album could always be "hidden").<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wired.com/2014/09/apples-devious-u2-album-giveaway-even-worse-spam/|title=Apple's Devious U2 Album Giveaway Is Even Worse Than Spam|date=2014-09-16|first=Vijith|last=Assar|work=WIRED|access-date=2025-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250530112829/https://www.wired.com/2014/09/apples-devious-u2-album-giveaway-even-worse-spam/|archive-date=2025-05-30|url-status=live}}</ref> Some reports speculated the deal was worth 100 million dollars and was done due to the band's declining popularity.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2014/09/15/348612823/apples-u2-album-promotion-backfires|title=Apple's U2 Album Promotion Backfires|first=Nathan|last=Rott|date=2014-09-15|work=NPR|access-date=2025-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250601154245/https://www.npr.org/2014/09/15/348612823/apples-u2-album-promotion-backfires|archive-date=2025-06-01|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2022, Bono, a member of U2, wrote in his memoir how Tim Cook reportedly said how "there’s something not right about giving [U2's] art away for free" and "the whole point of what we’re trying to do at Apple is to not give away music free. The point is to make sure musicians get paid".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fortune.com/2022/10/24/tim-cook-said-free-u2-album-itunes-was-not-right/|title=Apple CEO Tim Cook thought U2 putting its album on your iPhone was ‘not right’—even though he did it anyway|first=Tristan|last=Bove|date=2022-10-24|work=Fortune|access-date=2025-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127191141/https://fortune.com/2022/10/24/tim-cook-said-free-u2-album-itunes-was-not-right/|archive-date=2025-01-27|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2025, Apple added a promotional offer for F1 The Movie in their Wallet application.<ref>{{Cite web |title=F1 The Movie - News |url=https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/originals/f1/news/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251109164811/https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/originals/f1/news/ |archive-date=2025-11-09 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=Apple TV+ Press}}</ref> Users have mentioned how this could violate Apple's own policy on advertising, how the high price of Apple devices shouldn't justify first party ads, and the annoyance of seeing it.<ref>{{Cite web |author=u/african-nightmare |date=2025-06-24 |title=Getting ads in Apple Wallet, how to disable? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/iphone/comments/1ljfs7u/getting_ads_in_apple_wallet_how_to_disable/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725194601/https://old.reddit.com/r/iphone/comments/1ljfs7u/getting_ads_in_apple_wallet_how_to_disable/ |archive-date=2025-07-25 |access-date=2025-06-25 |work=Reddit}}</ref> For users on the iOS 26 beta, there is an option to disable "Offers & Promotions", with users on iOS 18 needing to disable notifications completely for the Wallet app.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/24/iphone-customers-upset-by-apple-wallet-ad-pushing-f1-movie/|title=iPhone customers upset by Apple Wallet ad pushing ‘F1’ movie|first=Sarah|last=Perez|date=2025-06-24|work=TechCrunch|access-date=2025-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250624213223/https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/24/iphone-customers-upset-by-apple-wallet-ad-pushing-f1-movie/|archive-date=2025-06-24|url-status=live}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Apple Wallet F1 sponsored ad (1).jpg|Notification of the offer
File:Apple Wallet F1 sponsored ad (2).jpg|Home screen of Wallet app
File:Apple Wallet F1 sponsored ad (3).jpg|Apple Cash card screen
File:Apple Wallet F1 sponsored ad (4).png|Screen when selecting "learn more"
</gallery>

===AirDrop censorship (''2022'')===
''Main Article:'' [[Airdrop Hong Kong Censorship]][[File:AirDrop restrictions.png|alt=Airdrop Sharing Restrictions photo|thumb|Airdrop Sharing Restrictions]]
As a result of the 2019 Hong Kong protests, Apple was pressured by the Chinese government to set a time limit for the AirDrop "everyone" option for iPhones due to its impact at scheduling protests against the government to avoid censorship.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/10/23450967/apple-airdrop-limited-china-goverment-protests|title=Apple limits AirDrop in China after its use in protests|first=Jess|last=Weatherbed|date=2022-11-10|work=The Verge|access-date=2025-08-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723112204/https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/10/23450967/apple-airdrop-limited-china-goverment-protests|archive-date=2025-07-23|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2023, the setting was applied to all iPhones worldwide to "mitigate unwanted file sharing", meaning users will need to set their airdrop setting manually every ten minutes instead of leaving it on permanently, leaving the only other options as "contacts only" and "receiving off".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://9to5mac.com/2025/03/17/apple-globally-censoring-this-iphone-communication-feature-deserves-renewed-scrutiny/|title=Apple globally censoring this iPhone communication feature deserves renewed scrutiny|first=Zac|last=Hall|date=2025-03-17|work=9To5Mac|access-date=2025-08-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723142521/https://9to5mac.com/2025/03/17/apple-globally-censoring-this-iphone-communication-feature-deserves-renewed-scrutiny/|archive-date=2025-07-23|url-status=live}}</ref>

==="Peanuts" TV Special Takeover===
In late October of 2020, Apple announced that its Apple TV+ service had become the exclusive home of the library of classic ''Peanuts'' animated specials, including ''A Charlie Brown Christmas'', ''It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown'', and ''A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving''. For almost 50 years, these beloved specials were shown once a year on free over-the-air TV, but as of 2020, anybody who wishes to watch them is now required to own a device that offers the Apple TV+ service and an active Apple TV+ subscription.<ref>{{cite web |last=Adalian |first=Josef |date=2020-10-19 |title=Apple TV+ Says: Welcome, Great Pumpkin |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/10/its-the-great-pumpkin-charlie-brown-streaming-apple-tv.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251208132132/https://www.vulture.com/2020/10/its-the-great-pumpkin-charlie-brown-streaming-apple-tv.html |archive-date=2025-12-08 |access-date=2025-11-05 |work=Vulture}}</ref>

===2024 Antitrust Lawsuit===
In March 2024, the United States Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Apple claiming that the "closed garden" ecosystem Apple creates surrounding its iPhones stifles competition and innovation. The lawsuit alleges that Apple is directly forcing customers to purchase and use iPhones and their accessories and software in several ways:

*Forcing mobile carriers including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile to offer its best customer deals exclusively to those who purchase iPhones.
*Restricting the functionality of Super apps such as WeChat.
*Forcing in-app purchases through applications such as Fortnite to be made within the App Store and taking a part of the proceeds as commission pay.
*Restricting the use of third-party digital wallets and requiring users to exclusively use Apple Pay.
*Restricting how third-party message apps can interact with iMessage.
*Restricting their HomeKit home automation system and all compatible devices to work only on Apple's products and issuing cease & desist orders against emulators designed to make HomeKit compatible with third-party products.
*Restricting compatibility of third party smart watches.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-21 |title=U.S and Plaintiff States v. Apple Inc. |url=https://www.justice.gov/atr/case/us-and-plaintiff-states-v-apple-inc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260221190000/https://www.justice.gov/atr/case/us-and-plaintiff-states-v-apple-inc |archive-date=2026-02-21 |access-date=2026-03-11 |website=United States Department of Justice}}</ref>{{CitationNeeded|reason=make sure the source beside this is the actual antitrust case.}}

Apple is expected to go to trial in early 2027.<ref>{{cite web |last=Liedtke |first=Michael |date=2025-06-30 |title=Judge allows antitrust lawsuit against Apple to proceed |url=https://apnews.com/article/apple-antitrust-case-justice-department-664c187d7d09d57460076c7aa2f0c0bf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260205235908/https://apnews.com/article/apple-antitrust-case-justice-department-664c187d7d09d57460076c7aa2f0c0bf |archive-date=2026-02-05 |access-date=2025-07-14 |work=Associated Press}}</ref>

===European Union USB-C Directive 2022/2380===
As part of Directive (EU) 2022/2380, the EU mandated that all smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, and other portable electronic devices must utilize USB-C as a universal charging standard by the end of 2024, with laptops following by 2026. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-07 |title=Directive (EU) 2022/2380 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 November 2022 amending Directive 2014/53/EU on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment (Text with EEA relevance) |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022L2380 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250817091803/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022L2380 |archive-date=2025-08-17 |access-date=2025-09-02 |website=EUR-Lex}}</ref>

This regulatory measure directly addresses consumer frustration with incompatible chargers types and aims to significantly reduce electronic waste. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-28 |title=USB-C-Standard: Schluss mit dem Kabelwirrwarr |url=https://www.zdfheute.de/wirtschaft/ladekabel-usb-c-standard-apple-entsorgung-elektroschrott-100.html |access-date=2025-09-02 |website=zdfheute |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260215214259/https://www.zdfheute.de/wirtschaft/ladekabel-usb-c-standard-apple-entsorgung-elektroschrott-100.html |archive-date=15 Feb 2026}}</ref> The legislation allows manufacturers to unbundle chargers from devices, potentially saving consumers money, and ensures charging speed harmonization across compatible devices.

While Apple initially opposed the standardization, arguing that it would "stifle innovation rather than encourage it," the company ultimately conceded defeat, with Apple's head of marketing stating "we have no choice" regarding compliance. <ref name=":2" />

===European Digital Markets Act.===
This law forced many companies including Apple to change the way they operate to create a fairer competition. Read more about this law [[Digital Markets Act|here]].

====Changes Apple introduced iOS and iPadOS to comply with this law:====

*Introduced the ability to install applications from alternative marketplaces
*asks which browser and search engine should be the default one
*Developers now are allowed to publish in the EU browsers that do not use webkit

====Controversies:====

*Apple removed iPhone torrenting app iTorrent from alternative marketplace AltStore PAL, developer said that the access was revoked "without any warning". In a statement to The Verge, Apple spokesperson Peter Ajemian said, “Notarization for this app was removed in order to comply with government sanctions-related rules in various jurisdictions. We have communicated this to the developer.”<ref>{{Cite news |last=Weatherbed |first=Jess |date=August 28, 2025 |title=Apple pulls iPhone torrent app from AltStore PAL in Europe |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/767344/apple-removes-itorrent-altstore-pal-ios-marketplace |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250903102041/https://www.theverge.com/news/767344/apple-removes-itorrent-altstore-pal-ios-marketplace |archive-date=September 3, 2025 |work=The Verge}}</ref>

===Elon Musk Lawsuit===
In August of 2025, businessman [[Elon Musk]] accused Apple of engaging in anti-competitive practices by only allowing OpenAI’s [[ChatGPT]] to reach the top of the sales chart on Apple App Store. He announced his plan to sue Apple for this practice.<ref>{{cite web |last=Durden |first=Tyler |date=2025-08-12 |title=Musk Accuses Apple Of "Unequivocal Antitrust Violation" For Favoring OpenAI In App Store Rankings |url=https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/musk-accuses-apple-unequivocal-antitrust-violation-favoring-openai-app-store-rankings |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251029051235/https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/musk-accuses-apple-unequivocal-antitrust-violation-favoring-openai-app-store-rankings |archive-date=2025-10-29 |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=ZeroHedge}}</ref> 

===Greenwashing===
Apple claims to be environmentally friendly and invests significant amounts of funds in corresponding PR campaigns,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Environment {{!}} Mother Nature |url=https://www.apple.com/environment/mother-nature/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250928112101/https://www.apple.com/environment/mother-nature/ |archive-date=2025-09-28 |access-date=2025-09-15 |website=Apple}}</ref>  but the reality is not quite as green.

Customers are lead to think that their purchases and frequent replacement of their devices do not have a negative impact on the environment, which is not the case.

In autumn of 2025, stricter EU regulations on misleading marketing claims and a lawsuit by German environmental and consumer protection non-profit organization ''Deutsche Umwelthilfe'' have forced Apple to remove their claim of carbon neutrality on several products on their EU websites. Affected products include the Apple Watch 3 and Apple Watch Series 11.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schwan |first=Ben |date=2025-11-26 |title=Wegen EU-Regeln: Apple zieht Klimaneutralitäts-Claim zurück [Due to EU regulations: Apple retracts claim of climate neutrality] |url=https://www.heise.de/news/Wegen-EU-Regeln-Apple-zieht-Klimaneutralitaets-Claim-zurueck-10711532.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260129120129/https://www.heise.de/news/Wegen-EU-Regeln-Apple-zieht-Klimaneutralitaets-Claim-zurueck-10711532.html |archive-date=2026-01-29 |access-date=2025-11-26 |website=Heise Online}}</ref>

====Green energy pooling====
Apple shares manufacturing capacity at Chinese/Taiwanese companies FoxConn and Pegatron with other companies. If Apple uses a hypothetical 20% of their manufacturing capacity, and company B, C, D, and E also each take up 20%, and the company doing the manufacturing runs on 20% renewably generated energy, now Apple as well as companies B, C, D, and E will each publicly claim that their manufacturing runs 100% on renewable energy. In other words, each company will claim the 20% renewable energy was used for ''their'' production.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gieselmann |first=Hartmut |date=2023 |title=Von wegen CO2-neutral – Umweltexperten werfen Apple Greenwashing vor |url=https://www.heise.de/select/ct/2023/23/2326512021124424489 |journal=c't Magazin für Computertechnik [Germany] |volume=2023 |issue=23 |pages=49 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251104112550/https://www.heise.de/select/ct/2023/23/2326512021124424489 |archive-date=2025-11-04}}</ref>

====CO<small>2</small> Certificates and forest projects====
…

====The packaging trick====
Apple, like many companies, regularly emphasises how environmentally friendly their packaging is and highlight advancements in this area.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Apple 2030 – We’ve reduced our emissions by over 60% |url=https://www.apple.com/environment/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250910014941/https://www.apple.com/environment/ |archive-date=2025-09-10 |access-date=2025-09-15 |website=Apple}}</ref>

This deliberately distracts from the fact that only a negligible fraction of the environmental footprint of an electronic device comes from the packaging, as it is made of significant amounts or rare earth minerals, metals and mined components and consuming vast amounts of energy, water and fuel in manufacturing and transport.

Some of the environmental advancements touted by Apple could also be argued to be environmentally beneficial side effects of purely economic decisions aimed at maximizing profit, such as shipping iPhones without chargers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dragan |first=Lauren |date=2023-09-12 |title=iPhones No Longer Come With a Charger or Headphones. Here’s What to Get If You Need Them. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/iphone-12-charger-headphones-options/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250731104206/https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/iphone-12-charger-headphones-options/ |archive-date=2025-07-31 |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=The New York Times}}</ref>

====Shredding vast amounts of fully functional devices====
In 2020, it came to light that Apple had filed a lawsuit against a recycling company, revealing that 100,000 iPhones had been illegitimately shipped to China to be sold there instead of being shredded as had been agreed with Apple.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lovejoy |first=Ben |date=2024-04-24 |title=100,000 iPhones stolen instead of scrapped; Apple accused of shredding usable devices |url=https://9to5mac.com/2024/04/18/100000-iphones-stolen-instead-of-scrapped/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250725022423/https://9to5mac.com/2024/04/18/100000-iphones-stolen-instead-of-scrapped/ |archive-date=2025-07-25 |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=9to5mac}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carrique |first=Felicitas |date=2020-10-04 |title=Apple sues recycling partner for reselling more than 100,000 iPhones, iPads, and Watches it was hired to dismantle |url=https://www.theverge.com/apple/2020/10/4/21499422/apple-sues-recycling-company-reselling-ipods-ipads-watches |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260101232447/https://www.theverge.com/apple/2020/10/4/21499422/apple-sues-recycling-company-reselling-ipods-ipads-watches |archive-date=2026-01-01 |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=The Verge}}</ref>

These devices were likely trade-in devices from people who received a discount on a new model in exchange. Bloomberg News writes, referring to the contract with the recycler:<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Carr |first=Austin |date=2024-04-18 |title=What Really Happens When You Trade In an iPhone at the Apple Store |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-04-18/apple-iphone-recycling-program-has-secrets |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250829001431/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-04-18/apple-iphone-recycling-program-has-secrets |archive-date=29 Aug 2025|access-date=2025-09-16 |website=Bloomberg}}</ref><blockquote>Even if the iPhones looked good enough for resale, Apple Inc.’s contract with GEEP (said with a hard “g”) explicitly required that every product it sent be destroyed.</blockquote>Used iPhone that are sold on the used market are a direct competition to new sales by Apple.

Apple likely does not want the public to know about these processes, since security seems to be tight around the shredding process:<blockquote>In some cases, Apple hired outside security consultants to escort trucks to its recyclers and monitor the destruction process, which the tech giant could further analyze through data reports charting scrap weights and commodity yields to ensure the input matched the output.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Carr |first=Austin |date=2025-03-17 |title=Apple Drops Lawsuit Against Recycler in Mystery of Missing iPhones |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-03-17/apple-drops-lawsuit-against-recycler-in-mystery-of-missing-iphones |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250829001416/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-03-17/apple-drops-lawsuit-against-recycler-in-mystery-of-missing-iphones |archive-date=2025-08-29 |access-date=2025-09-16 |website=Bloomberg News}}</ref></blockquote>Apple later retreated the lawsuit,<ref name=":1" /> leading to speculation that it wanted to avoid having to disclose how many devices they are really having shredded. 

====iPhone recycling robot initiative====
The first iteration of Apple's iPhone recycling robot, designed for the iPhone 6, was never more than a publicity stunt, according to an article by Bloomberg:<ref name=":0" /><blockquote>Liam’s precision automation, however, proved a dead end. It could handle just one iPhone model, and not that well. If a device had corroded screws or sticky insides, the robot would glitch. A person familiar with the project estimates Liam could run for about 10 minutes without human intervention. Another person says Apple at times fed the robot still-functioning iPhones and, for media demos, cherry-picked cleaner units so it didn’t crash, suggesting Liam was geared more for promotion than scalability.</blockquote>The same article cites industry insider claiming that the new iteration of the robot is only able to recycle as many devices in a year as Apple sells in just 48 hours.<ref name=":0" /> Thus, it can be assumed that the vast majority of trade-in devices are simply shredded.

===OS-Level age verification===
{{Main|Apple introduces OS-level age verification}}
[[File:Verificacion-de-edad-en-iOS-26.4.jpg.webp|alt=iOS 26.4 Beta Age verification|thumb|iOS 26.4 Beta Age verification]]
On February 25, 2026, Apple rolled out the iOS Beta version 26.4, in order to comply with the [[Online Safety Act]] and other similar normatives. This version contains an [[Age verification]] system built on the operating system, blocking content that could be considered as "mature", including websites. It will be rolled on the UK, Brazil, Australia, Singapore and US states of Louisiana and Utah. Site and content blocking cannot be bypassed by [[wikipedia:Virtual_Private_Network|VPNs]] as the restrictions are in the operating system itself. The current only way to prevent being blocked is by verifying by submitting info of an existing credit card. <ref>{{Cite web |date=February 24, 2026 |title=Age requirements for apps distributed in Brazil, Australia, Singapore, Utah, and Louisiana |url=https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=f5zj08ey |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260228012954/https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=f5zj08ey |archive-date=February 28, 2026 |access-date=2026-03-06 |website=Apple Devloper}}</ref>

==Products==

*[[iCloud]]
*[[:Category:Apple IPhones|iPhone]]
*iPad
*Mac
*Apple Watch
*AirPods
*Apple TV
*Apple Vision
*Apple Pencil

*[[Apple App Store]]
*[[Apple Gatekeeper]]
*[[Xcode]]

==See also==

*[[Google]]
*[[Microsoft]]
*[[Samsung]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Apple]]

Epik

2026-04-06T08:50:10Z

SinexTitan: no evidence provided to state the practice ended in 2026

{{Stub}}
{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=2009
|Industry=Domain Registrar
|Logo=Epik.png
|Type=Inc
|Website=https://www.epik.com/
|Description=Epik is a domain name registration and web hosting service.
}}

'''Epik''' is an American based domain name registration and web hosting service founded in 2009. The company provides tools for managing domain names, search engine optimization, web hosting, and email hosting.

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

*Limited ability to delete accounts
*Manual Support process to remove user data.

==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]].

===Dependence on manual support for account deletion (''2020 - Present'')===
Requires the user to start a chat with support and request deletion of account and personal data. Will require you to have your support PIN.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A directory of direct links to delete your account from web services. |url=https://justdeleteme.xyz/#Epik |url-status=live |archive-url=https://megalodon.jp/2026-0406-0859-34/https://justdeleteme.xyz:443/#Epik |archive-date=6 Apr 2026 |access-date=2026-03-27 |work=JustDeleteMe}}</ref>

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

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

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Projects talk:Archive everything

2026-04-06T08:42:15Z

SinexTitan: /* Invidious? */ Reply

==Note on this==

There are two main places to archive things, the Internet Archive, and archive.today if the IA says no (from my understanding). Would like to incorporate this into the article but have no clue how to lol. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 07:26, 19 November 2025 (UTC)

:Also, there is an IA extension which I use, it makes archiving extremely easy. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 07:29, 19 November 2025 (UTC)
::Thanks! I'll add this into the 'What you need to do' bit [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 08:52, 19 November 2025 (UTC)
::Which extension do you use in particular? addons dot mozilla dot org has several and it would be useful to have a recommendation.
::By the way, Archive.today has a "Install Firefox Extension" button which leads to its github repo and the user can install it by Releases (right side), downloading the .zip and installing it through Manage your Add-Ons > Install from file. The explanation may be helpful for less tech-savvy wiki people. [[User:Raster|Raster]] ([[User talk:Raster|talk]]) 08:32, 4 December 2025 (UTC)
:::Firefox: [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/wayback-machine_new/]
:::Chrome (ew): [https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/waybackmachine/fpnmgdkabkmnadcjpehmlllkndpkmiak?hl=en-US]
:::Rest can be found at bottom left of https://web.archive.org/ [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 16:01, 4 December 2025 (UTC)
:::worryingly, it looks like archive.today is down at the moment. I'm hoping this is not a permenant thing, as I think they were getting into some legal squabbles recently [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 17:46, 4 December 2025 (UTC)
::::nvm, might just be a firefox thing? [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 17:57, 4 December 2025 (UTC)
::::up for me right now and I'm using LibreWolf (a fork of firefox). [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 17:58, 4 December 2025 (UTC)
:There's also https://preservetube.com/ and https://ghostarchive.org/ both of which I saw used to archive a few references, and had added to the list but unfortunately my edit updating the list entries all the way up to and including F was lost in a merge error. [[Special:Contributions/185.230.125.6|185.230.125.6]] 00:11, 23 January 2026 (UTC)
::Worth looking at for other options. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 06:38, 23 January 2026 (UTC)

==LIES!==

a lot of the ones that say "Yes" are not infact very yes.

[[1Password#cite_note-14]]

[[4k_Video_Downloader%2B#cite_note-4KVD-1]], [[4k_Video_Downloader%2B#cite_note-4KDL-2]]

[[Activision_Blizzard#cite_note-6]]

[[Adobe#cite_note-1]], [[Adobe#cite_ref-8]] [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 19:04, 23 January 2026 (UTC)

:please update before I call the police [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 19:05, 23 January 2026 (UTC)
::Archived em and updated the list accordingly, thanks for pointing them out since some of the older entries like those might be less accurate, cheers! (pls don't call the cops) [[User:Tempo123|Tempo123]] ([[User talk:Tempo123|talk]]) 22:48, 23 January 2026 (UTC)
:::I nearly placed the call but the situation's resolved itself. good work people keep it up [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 09:43, 24 January 2026 (UTC)

==Should we archive videos?==

I was looking through the [[Amazon]] page and noticed there's nearly two dozen video references. Video files are way bigger than webpage snapshots, and it shows by PreserveTube being the only one listed on this page (implying that if there's another archive for that purpose, it's not too popular).

For references leaning more on video, would it be better for one to work toward finding non-video references as well? e.g. finding websites that Louis shows in his videos? It would be a mountain of work, but as the saying goes we can't put all our archive (eggs) in one basket (host). [[User:Raster|Raster]] ([[User talk:Raster|talk]]) 18:12, 1 February 2026 (UTC)

:Yeah, I'd say that, where possible, we should prefer to archive webpages/documents over videos, especially when the it's the original/primary source and the video only references it. [[User:Tempo123|Tempo123]] ([[User talk:Tempo123|talk]]) 15:10, 6 February 2026 (UTC)
::PreserveTube seems good for archiving videos. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 20:37, 23 February 2026 (UTC)

==Archive.today==

With the recent controversy (see the related {{Wplink|Wikipedia:Requests for comment/Archive.is RFC 5|Wikipedia community conversation}}), where does that leave citations that have no easy replacement?

An example I have for this is the [[Vont]] article page that I created last year, specifically the passage regarding Vont's store page on Amazon and its activity. I first tried using Internet Archive, but it had resulted in an error — which led me to use Archive.today. And originally, I hadn't even planned on multiple captures but that changed when I noticed the postings looked different while I was drafting the article in my sandbox.

I just tried archiving their Amazon storefront page using the IA and it actually worked ''this'' time, so ''hopefully'' I'll be able to "re-build" the archival links that'll still illustrate the same point (see the [https://archive.is/https://www.amazon.com/s?srs=19824332011&rh=p_89:Vont archive.is history] for comparison). But if not, I would rather the citations be left alone in this instance.

Any other thoughts? — [[User:Sojourna|Sojourna]] ([[User talk:Sojourna|talk]]) 05:46, 23 February 2026 (UTC)

:"[...] an analysis of existing links has shown that most of its uses can be replaced. Several editors started to work out implementation details during this RfC and the community should figure out how to efficiently remove links to archive.today."
:I think it wise to follow in the footsteps of this conclusion of the Wikipedia RFC: making a best-effort to replace all Archive.today links with alternatives. It will probably be a slow process anyhow, and any content that is difficult to archive on IA or elsewhere can be left until last, by which time hopefully we will have found a suitable Archive.today replacement for such content. [[User:Tempo123|Tempo123]] ([[User talk:Tempo123|talk]]) 18:00, 23 February 2026 (UTC)

:UPDATE: Since the Wayback Machine has proven to be unreliable in the instance I provided, I'll have to splice together the captures and upload to CRW. Not ideal, but the community is determined to rid itself of any Archive.today usage and I will do my best to comply. — [[User:Sojourna|Sojourna]] ([[User talk:Sojourna|talk]]) 00:33, 25 February 2026 (UTC)

==Automation? List updating?==

I see many of the pages listed as not archived have been updated by [[User:Bananabot|Bananabot]] (usually early today), which is as its name implies, a bot.

Eg: [[Cerberus]], [[Cloudflare]], [[Denon HEOS Speakers]]

Is there a plan to segment pages into the ones humans need to add archive links to, vs ones that a bot can take care of? It's great if this task can be automated, and if so, it would be nice if we carbon-based contributors could focus on those pages the bot(s) can't handle. Or is there a way we ourselves can look at a page and determine that?

And when we add archive links, do we need to manually update "The list" with the new status for those pages? Or is the list updated through some automatic process periodically? (I looked at some history and can't tell.) Either way, could mention of that be added to the directions? Thanks! [[User:Marc84|Marc84]] ([[User talk:Marc84|talk]]) 20:06, 23 February 2026 (UTC)

:Hi, I'd like to first say that Bananabot is not a bot made by the CRW team, it is made by [[User:Banana]] (who sounds pretty cool btw). I think we should manually update the table for now unless Banana wants to code that in themself. There's no plan to segment pages, we only recently got an archiving bot anyway. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 20:35, 23 February 2026 (UTC)
:The list is currently manually maintained, I think it would be lovely if it could be automated, it took a fair amount of human effort to initially fill it out and standardise its look.
:I'm not sure how Bananabot or similar work and which pages bots can or cannot handle. [[User:Tempo123|Tempo123]] ([[User talk:Tempo123|talk]]) 20:37, 23 February 2026 (UTC)
::It would indeed be good, but it depends on whether Banana (who is simply a volunteer, not someone who is paid) wants to code it. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 20:44, 23 February 2026 (UTC)
:::Also, due to how archiving works, Bananabot is (i think) able to handle all pages the IA can. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 20:45, 23 February 2026 (UTC)
::::Bananabot can handle everything that IA can save. Right now limits are rate on IA itself (itgets rate limited + uploading takes quite a while). About project page table - I'll check out if I can automate it [[User:Banana|Banana]] ([[User talk:Banana|talk]]) 10:05, 24 February 2026 (UTC)
:Thanks for all the answers! And cool bot, @[[User:Banana|Banana]]. [[User:Marc84|Marc84]] ([[User talk:Marc84|talk]]) 22:12, 24 February 2026 (UTC)

==Redacted evidence is no evidence.==

So the main reason Archive.Today is supposedly untrustworthy is that they supposedly falsified snapshots.

Of course, this would be very bad if it were true, but if you actually dig to the bottom of the Archive.Today drama, past the sensationalized news articles by Ars Technica and others, you end up on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Requests_for_comment/Archive.is_RFC_5#Evidence_of_altering_snapshots Wikipedia:Requests for comment/Archive.is RFC 5 § Evidence of altering snapshots].

Now, let's see what groundbreaking evidence they have, shall we?

<blockquote>
*<s style="font-style:italic; color:#565656">(Redacted)</s> ~2026-10956-05 12:48, 18 February 2026 (UTC)
::Where exactly are you getting this information from? MEN KISSING 13:13, 18 February 2026 (UTC)
:::Your link returns a 404 error. <s style="font-style:italic; color:#565656">(Redacted)</s> sapphaline 13:26, 18 February 2026 (UTC)
</blockquote>
<small>(signatures shortened to usernames only)</small>

Awesome. "Just take our word for it, bro!"

Sorry, but if someone can't show me actual evidence, I don't trust it, and neither should you. If you can't see it, it might as well not exist. Redacted evidence doesn't count. Don't give credence to it. [[User:JodyBruchonFan|JodyBruchonFan]] ([[User talk:JodyBruchonFan|talk]]) 10:41, 25 February 2026 (UTC)

:The evidence is archived further down that Wiki RFC thread. There are IA and Megalodon archives of the Archive.today page showing "Nora Puchreiner" being altered to show "Jani Patokallio". The original Archive.today snapshot has since been reverted back to the original "Nora Puchreiner", but the Megalodon and IA archives are existing evidence of the snapshot having indeed been altered at a certain point in time. Just a single minor instance, however insignificant, of snapshots being altered completely invalidates the reliability of Archive.today as an archival service. That is all, of course, not mentioning the character of the individual Archive.today admin being petty and malign enough to direct visitors' traffic to unknowingly DDoS someone's personal blog site and levy various additional threats, which in my mind is alone enough of a reason to cease using their service. [[User:Tempo123|Tempo123]] ([[User talk:Tempo123|talk]]) 16:31, 2 March 2026 (UTC)
::I agree that falsifying snapshots is a severe breach of trust, but: "The evidence is archived further down that Wiki RFC thread." - If it is the same evidence, what was the point of redacting the original evidence in the first place? [[User:JodyBruchonFan|JodyBruchonFan]] ([[User talk:JodyBruchonFan|talk]]) 21:34, 5 March 2026 (UTC)
:Rather silly to find my own username elsewhere on the internet, haha!
:@[[User:JodyBruchonFan|JodyBruchonFan]] The redacted text was not any evidence. It was a TA making a really nasty and unsubstantiated allegation against the blog owner, which violates Wikipedia's policy on content about living people. See: [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:BLPTALK WP:BLPTALK]. Sapphaline discovered the archive tampering based on the link the TA posted, but that was mostly just something between coincidence and irony. As pointed out by Tempo, the real evidence of tampering is further down.
:If you have any more questions about the RfC, let me know! [[User:MEN KISSING|MEN KISSING]] ([[User talk:MEN KISSING|talk]]) 06:33, 13 March 2026 (UTC)
::Thank you for your clarification. [[User:JodyBruchonFan|JodyBruchonFan]] ([[User talk:JodyBruchonFan|talk]]) 13:55, 26 March 2026 (UTC)

==Invidious?==

sir can I have some more Invidious? [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 18:40, 5 April 2026 (UTC)

:Invidious is only an alt frontend for YT, I don't see how it would help here? It doesn't circumvent age-restricted vids, and we already have preservetube as a perfect YT archiver. [[User:Tempo123|Tempo123]] ([[User talk:Tempo123|talk]]) 00:31, 6 April 2026 (UTC)
::so is Nitter and Redlib and they're also not treated as archives. I was talking abt Invidious' inclusion in [[Projects:Archive everything#Alternative frontends & mirrors|Alternative frontends & mirrors]] btw [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 08:42, 6 April 2026 (UTC)

Projects talk:Archive everything

2026-04-05T18:40:03Z

SinexTitan: /* Invidious? */ new section

==Note on this==

There are two main places to archive things, the Internet Archive, and archive.today if the IA says no (from my understanding). Would like to incorporate this into the article but have no clue how to lol. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 07:26, 19 November 2025 (UTC)

:Also, there is an IA extension which I use, it makes archiving extremely easy. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 07:29, 19 November 2025 (UTC)
::Thanks! I'll add this into the 'What you need to do' bit [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 08:52, 19 November 2025 (UTC)
::Which extension do you use in particular? addons dot mozilla dot org has several and it would be useful to have a recommendation.
::By the way, Archive.today has a "Install Firefox Extension" button which leads to its github repo and the user can install it by Releases (right side), downloading the .zip and installing it through Manage your Add-Ons > Install from file. The explanation may be helpful for less tech-savvy wiki people. [[User:Raster|Raster]] ([[User talk:Raster|talk]]) 08:32, 4 December 2025 (UTC)
:::Firefox: [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/wayback-machine_new/]
:::Chrome (ew): [https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/waybackmachine/fpnmgdkabkmnadcjpehmlllkndpkmiak?hl=en-US]
:::Rest can be found at bottom left of https://web.archive.org/ [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 16:01, 4 December 2025 (UTC)
:::worryingly, it looks like archive.today is down at the moment. I'm hoping this is not a permenant thing, as I think they were getting into some legal squabbles recently [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 17:46, 4 December 2025 (UTC)
::::nvm, might just be a firefox thing? [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 17:57, 4 December 2025 (UTC)
::::up for me right now and I'm using LibreWolf (a fork of firefox). [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 17:58, 4 December 2025 (UTC)
:There's also https://preservetube.com/ and https://ghostarchive.org/ both of which I saw used to archive a few references, and had added to the list but unfortunately my edit updating the list entries all the way up to and including F was lost in a merge error. [[Special:Contributions/185.230.125.6|185.230.125.6]] 00:11, 23 January 2026 (UTC)
::Worth looking at for other options. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 06:38, 23 January 2026 (UTC)

==LIES!==

a lot of the ones that say "Yes" are not infact very yes.

[[1Password#cite_note-14]]

[[4k_Video_Downloader%2B#cite_note-4KVD-1]], [[4k_Video_Downloader%2B#cite_note-4KDL-2]]

[[Activision_Blizzard#cite_note-6]]

[[Adobe#cite_note-1]], [[Adobe#cite_ref-8]] [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 19:04, 23 January 2026 (UTC)

:please update before I call the police [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 19:05, 23 January 2026 (UTC)
::Archived em and updated the list accordingly, thanks for pointing them out since some of the older entries like those might be less accurate, cheers! (pls don't call the cops) [[User:Tempo123|Tempo123]] ([[User talk:Tempo123|talk]]) 22:48, 23 January 2026 (UTC)
:::I nearly placed the call but the situation's resolved itself. good work people keep it up [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 09:43, 24 January 2026 (UTC)

==Should we archive videos?==

I was looking through the [[Amazon]] page and noticed there's nearly two dozen video references. Video files are way bigger than webpage snapshots, and it shows by PreserveTube being the only one listed on this page (implying that if there's another archive for that purpose, it's not too popular).

For references leaning more on video, would it be better for one to work toward finding non-video references as well? e.g. finding websites that Louis shows in his videos? It would be a mountain of work, but as the saying goes we can't put all our archive (eggs) in one basket (host). [[User:Raster|Raster]] ([[User talk:Raster|talk]]) 18:12, 1 February 2026 (UTC)

:Yeah, I'd say that, where possible, we should prefer to archive webpages/documents over videos, especially when the it's the original/primary source and the video only references it. [[User:Tempo123|Tempo123]] ([[User talk:Tempo123|talk]]) 15:10, 6 February 2026 (UTC)
::PreserveTube seems good for archiving videos. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 20:37, 23 February 2026 (UTC)

==Archive.today==

With the recent controversy (see the related {{Wplink|Wikipedia:Requests for comment/Archive.is RFC 5|Wikipedia community conversation}}), where does that leave citations that have no easy replacement?

An example I have for this is the [[Vont]] article page that I created last year, specifically the passage regarding Vont's store page on Amazon and its activity. I first tried using Internet Archive, but it had resulted in an error — which led me to use Archive.today. And originally, I hadn't even planned on multiple captures but that changed when I noticed the postings looked different while I was drafting the article in my sandbox.

I just tried archiving their Amazon storefront page using the IA and it actually worked ''this'' time, so ''hopefully'' I'll be able to "re-build" the archival links that'll still illustrate the same point (see the [https://archive.is/https://www.amazon.com/s?srs=19824332011&rh=p_89:Vont archive.is history] for comparison). But if not, I would rather the citations be left alone in this instance.

Any other thoughts? — [[User:Sojourna|Sojourna]] ([[User talk:Sojourna|talk]]) 05:46, 23 February 2026 (UTC)

:"[...] an analysis of existing links has shown that most of its uses can be replaced. Several editors started to work out implementation details during this RfC and the community should figure out how to efficiently remove links to archive.today."
:I think it wise to follow in the footsteps of this conclusion of the Wikipedia RFC: making a best-effort to replace all Archive.today links with alternatives. It will probably be a slow process anyhow, and any content that is difficult to archive on IA or elsewhere can be left until last, by which time hopefully we will have found a suitable Archive.today replacement for such content. [[User:Tempo123|Tempo123]] ([[User talk:Tempo123|talk]]) 18:00, 23 February 2026 (UTC)

:UPDATE: Since the Wayback Machine has proven to be unreliable in the instance I provided, I'll have to splice together the captures and upload to CRW. Not ideal, but the community is determined to rid itself of any Archive.today usage and I will do my best to comply. — [[User:Sojourna|Sojourna]] ([[User talk:Sojourna|talk]]) 00:33, 25 February 2026 (UTC)

==Automation? List updating?==

I see many of the pages listed as not archived have been updated by [[User:Bananabot|Bananabot]] (usually early today), which is as its name implies, a bot.

Eg: [[Cerberus]], [[Cloudflare]], [[Denon HEOS Speakers]]

Is there a plan to segment pages into the ones humans need to add archive links to, vs ones that a bot can take care of? It's great if this task can be automated, and if so, it would be nice if we carbon-based contributors could focus on those pages the bot(s) can't handle. Or is there a way we ourselves can look at a page and determine that?

And when we add archive links, do we need to manually update "The list" with the new status for those pages? Or is the list updated through some automatic process periodically? (I looked at some history and can't tell.) Either way, could mention of that be added to the directions? Thanks! [[User:Marc84|Marc84]] ([[User talk:Marc84|talk]]) 20:06, 23 February 2026 (UTC)

:Hi, I'd like to first say that Bananabot is not a bot made by the CRW team, it is made by [[User:Banana]] (who sounds pretty cool btw). I think we should manually update the table for now unless Banana wants to code that in themself. There's no plan to segment pages, we only recently got an archiving bot anyway. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 20:35, 23 February 2026 (UTC)
:The list is currently manually maintained, I think it would be lovely if it could be automated, it took a fair amount of human effort to initially fill it out and standardise its look.
:I'm not sure how Bananabot or similar work and which pages bots can or cannot handle. [[User:Tempo123|Tempo123]] ([[User talk:Tempo123|talk]]) 20:37, 23 February 2026 (UTC)
::It would indeed be good, but it depends on whether Banana (who is simply a volunteer, not someone who is paid) wants to code it. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 20:44, 23 February 2026 (UTC)
:::Also, due to how archiving works, Bananabot is (i think) able to handle all pages the IA can. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 20:45, 23 February 2026 (UTC)
::::Bananabot can handle everything that IA can save. Right now limits are rate on IA itself (itgets rate limited + uploading takes quite a while). About project page table - I'll check out if I can automate it [[User:Banana|Banana]] ([[User talk:Banana|talk]]) 10:05, 24 February 2026 (UTC)
:Thanks for all the answers! And cool bot, @[[User:Banana|Banana]]. [[User:Marc84|Marc84]] ([[User talk:Marc84|talk]]) 22:12, 24 February 2026 (UTC)

==Redacted evidence is no evidence.==

So the main reason Archive.Today is supposedly untrustworthy is that they supposedly falsified snapshots.

Of course, this would be very bad if it were true, but if you actually dig to the bottom of the Archive.Today drama, past the sensationalized news articles by Ars Technica and others, you end up on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Requests_for_comment/Archive.is_RFC_5#Evidence_of_altering_snapshots Wikipedia:Requests for comment/Archive.is RFC 5 § Evidence of altering snapshots].

Now, let's see what groundbreaking evidence they have, shall we?

<blockquote>
*<s style="font-style:italic; color:#565656">(Redacted)</s> ~2026-10956-05 12:48, 18 February 2026 (UTC)
::Where exactly are you getting this information from? MEN KISSING 13:13, 18 February 2026 (UTC)
:::Your link returns a 404 error. <s style="font-style:italic; color:#565656">(Redacted)</s> sapphaline 13:26, 18 February 2026 (UTC)
</blockquote>
<small>(signatures shortened to usernames only)</small>

Awesome. "Just take our word for it, bro!"

Sorry, but if someone can't show me actual evidence, I don't trust it, and neither should you. If you can't see it, it might as well not exist. Redacted evidence doesn't count. Don't give credence to it. [[User:JodyBruchonFan|JodyBruchonFan]] ([[User talk:JodyBruchonFan|talk]]) 10:41, 25 February 2026 (UTC)

:The evidence is archived further down that Wiki RFC thread. There are IA and Megalodon archives of the Archive.today page showing "Nora Puchreiner" being altered to show "Jani Patokallio". The original Archive.today snapshot has since been reverted back to the original "Nora Puchreiner", but the Megalodon and IA archives are existing evidence of the snapshot having indeed been altered at a certain point in time. Just a single minor instance, however insignificant, of snapshots being altered completely invalidates the reliability of Archive.today as an archival service. That is all, of course, not mentioning the character of the individual Archive.today admin being petty and malign enough to direct visitors' traffic to unknowingly DDoS someone's personal blog site and levy various additional threats, which in my mind is alone enough of a reason to cease using their service. [[User:Tempo123|Tempo123]] ([[User talk:Tempo123|talk]]) 16:31, 2 March 2026 (UTC)
::I agree that falsifying snapshots is a severe breach of trust, but: "The evidence is archived further down that Wiki RFC thread." - If it is the same evidence, what was the point of redacting the original evidence in the first place? [[User:JodyBruchonFan|JodyBruchonFan]] ([[User talk:JodyBruchonFan|talk]]) 21:34, 5 March 2026 (UTC)
:Rather silly to find my own username elsewhere on the internet, haha!
:@[[User:JodyBruchonFan|JodyBruchonFan]] The redacted text was not any evidence. It was a TA making a really nasty and unsubstantiated allegation against the blog owner, which violates Wikipedia's policy on content about living people. See: [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:BLPTALK WP:BLPTALK]. Sapphaline discovered the archive tampering based on the link the TA posted, but that was mostly just something between coincidence and irony. As pointed out by Tempo, the real evidence of tampering is further down.
:If you have any more questions about the RfC, let me know! [[User:MEN KISSING|MEN KISSING]] ([[User talk:MEN KISSING|talk]]) 06:33, 13 March 2026 (UTC)
::Thank you for your clarification. [[User:JodyBruchonFan|JodyBruchonFan]] ([[User talk:JodyBruchonFan|talk]]) 13:55, 26 March 2026 (UTC)

== Invidious? ==

sir can I have some more Invidious? [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 18:40, 5 April 2026 (UTC)

List of companies that block Internet Archive

2026-04-05T18:38:45Z

SinexTitan: update

{{Incomplete}}
This is a list of companies who've had their websites purposefully blacklisted/excluded from the Internet Archive for various reasons, whether for malice reasons (plausible deniability) or not. For these websites, utilize other archive websites found [[Consumer_Rights_Wiki:Tools_for_writing_articles#Archived_citations|here]].

There might be websites with [[Cloudflare]] DDoS protection, which falls in a grey area for archival purposes, though should not be listed on this article.

==Companies==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Company
!Date (as of)
!Source
!Note
|-
|[[Bambu Lab]]
|05 April 2026
|[https://web.archive.org/web/20260000000000*/https://bambulab.com/]
|
|-
|[[Flock Safety]]
|05 April 2026
|[https://web.archive.org/web/20260000000000*/https://www.flocksafety.com/]
|
|-
|[[Life360]]
|05 April 2026
|[https://web.archive.org/web/20260000000000*/https://www.life360.com/]
|
|-
|[[Rockstar Games]]
|05 April 2026
|[https://web.archive.org/web/20260000000000*/https://support.rockstargames.com/]
|Support website only
|}
[[Category:Lists]]
[[Category:Internet Archive]]

Anthropic

2026-04-05T18:35:22Z

SinexTitan: Ant Throw Pic

{{StubNotice}}{{CompanyCargo
|Founded = 2021
|Industry = Artificial Intelligence
|Description = American AI startup founded in 2021 commonly known for their family of LLMs named Claude.
|Website = https://anthropic.com
|Logo = Anthropic logo.png
|Type=Private
}}

'''{{wplink|Anthropic|Anthropic PBC}}''' is a private for-profit American [[artificial intelligence]] (AI) startup founded in 2021. Anthropic is mainly known for their family of large language models (LLMs) known as [[Claude]].

==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]].

===Price crackdown against third-party tool usage (2026)===
During April 3rd, 2026, Boris Cherny, head of Claude Code, posted on [[X Corp|Twitter]] (now X) announcing Claude subscriptions will "no longer support third-party tools", such as OpenClaw because it puts an "outsized strain" on Anthropic's systems. The changes took effect on April 4th, and now to use third-party tools the user must pay a separate fee from subscription or use a separate [[Claude]] API key through Anthropic's developer platform. It is rumored this action was done to prevent Claude users from using tools from competitors, as OpenClaw is supported by [[OpenAI]]. <ref>https://x.com/bcherny/status/2040206441756471399 - [https://x.com/bcherny/status/2040206441756471399| Archived]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Lloyd |date=3 Apr 2026 |title=Anthropic says Claude subscriptions will no longer support OpenClaw because it puts an 'outsized strain' on systems |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/anthropic-cuts-off-openclaw-support-claude-subscriptions-2026-4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260404024034/https://www.businessinsider.com/anthropic-cuts-off-openclaw-support-claude-subscriptions-2026-4 |archive-date=2026-04-04 |access-date=5 Apr 2026 |website=Business Insider}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ha |first=Anthony |date=4 Apr 2026|title=Anthropic says Claude Code subscribers will need to pay extra for OpenClaw usage |url=https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/04/anthropic-says-claude-code-subscribers-will-need-to-pay-extra-for-openclaw-support/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260404163645/https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/04/anthropic-says-claude-code-subscribers-will-need-to-pay-extra-for-openclaw-support/ |archive-date=2026-04-04 |access-date=5 Apr 2026 |website=TechCrunch}}</ref>

==Products==
*[[Claude]]
*Claude Code
*Cowork

==See also==
*[[OpenAI]]
*[[CursorAI "unlimited" plan rug pull]]
*[[ChatGPT]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Anthropic

2026-04-05T18:30:24Z

SinexTitan: fixed the link (I am petty)

{{StubNotice}}{{CompanyCargo
|Founded = 2021
|Industry = Artificial Intelligence
|Description = American AI startup founded in 2021 commonly known for their family of LLMs named Claude.
|Website = https://anthropic.com
|Logo = Anthropic logo.png
|Type=Private
}}

Anthropic PBC is a private for-profit American [[artificial intelligence]] (AI) startup founded in 2021. Anthropic is mainly known for their family of large language models (LLMs) known as [[Claude]].

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

==Incidents==
===Price crackdown against third-party tool usage (2026)===
During April 3rd, 2026, Boris Cherny, head of Claude Code, posted on [[X Corp|Twitter]] (now X) announcing Claude subscriptions will "no longer support third-party tools", such as OpenClaw because it puts an "outsized strain" on Anthropic's systems. The changes took effect on April 4th, and now to use third-party tools the user must pay a separate fee from subscription or use a separate [[Claude]] API key through Anthropic's developer platform. It is rumored this action was done to prevent Claude users from using tools from competitors, as OpenClaw is supported by [[OpenAI]]. <ref>https://x.com/bcherny/status/2040206441756471399 - [https://x.com/bcherny/status/2040206441756471399| Archived]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Lloyd |date=3 Apr 2026 |title=Anthropic says Claude subscriptions will no longer support OpenClaw because it puts an 'outsized strain' on systems |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/anthropic-cuts-off-openclaw-support-claude-subscriptions-2026-4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260404024034/https://www.businessinsider.com/anthropic-cuts-off-openclaw-support-claude-subscriptions-2026-4 |archive-date=2026-04-04 |access-date=5 Apr 2026 |website=Business Insider}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ha |first=Anthony |date=4 Apr 2026|title=Anthropic says Claude Code subscribers will need to pay extra for OpenClaw usage |url=https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/04/anthropic-says-claude-code-subscribers-will-need-to-pay-extra-for-openclaw-support/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260404163645/https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/04/anthropic-says-claude-code-subscribers-will-need-to-pay-extra-for-openclaw-support/ |archive-date=2026-04-04 |access-date=5 Apr 2026 |website=TechCrunch}}</ref>

==Products==
*[[Claude]]
*Claude Code
*Cowork

==See also==
*[[OpenAI]]
*[[CursorAI "unlimited" plan rug pull]]
*[[ChatGPT]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Talk:List of companies that block Internet Archive

2026-04-05T18:29:25Z

SinexTitan: /* moved */ new section

== moved ==

w the advent of more archival services being used perhaps more of them might end up getting blocked in which case I feel we could migrate to a general list. [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 18:29, 5 April 2026 (UTC)

Internet Archive/Blocked companies

2026-04-05T18:28:16Z

SinexTitan: SinexTitan moved page Internet Archive/Blocked companies to List of companies that block Internet Archive: Ready to receive contributions in another namespace: think it's better as a list article

#REDIRECT [[List of companies that block Internet Archive]]

List of companies that block Internet Archive

2026-04-05T18:28:16Z

{{Incomplete}}
This is a list of companies who've had their websites purposefully blacklisted/excluded from the Internet Archive for various reasons, whether for malice reasons (plausible deniability) or not. For these websites, utilize other archive websites found [[Consumer_Rights_Wiki:Tools_for_writing_articles#Archived_citations|here]].

There might be websites with [[Cloudflare]] DDoS protection, which falls in a grey area for archival purposes, though should not be listed on this article.

==Companies==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Company
!Date (as of)
!Source
!Note
|-
|[[Bambu Lab]]
|March 7, 2026
|[https://web.archive.org/web/20260000000000*/https://bambulab.com/en-us/policies/terms]
|
|-
|[[Flock Safety]]
|March 7, 2026
|[https://web.archive.org/web/20260000000000*/https://www.flocksafety.com/]
|
|-
|[[Life360]]
|March 7, 2026
|[https://web.archive.org/web/20260000000000*/https://www.life360.com/about]
|
|-
|[[Rockstar Games]]
|March 7, 2026
|[https://web.archive.org/web/20260000000000*/https://support.rockstargames.com/]
|Support website only
|}
[[Category:Lists]]
[[Category:Internet Archive]]

Consumer Rights Wiki talk:Moderators' noticeboard

2026-04-05T18:26:58Z

SinexTitan: /* Archive everything */ new section

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

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

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

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

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

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

==Appeal Request==

Hello! The article [[Advertising overload]] is marked as incomplete and as relying on AI/LLMs. I believe I've addressed the original intent of both of these, though the bottom section ([[Advertising overload#Notable Examples]]) is still a stub. I think the AI status notice should be removed, and the Incomplete notice should be replaced with a Stub notice.

Cheers! [[User:Scholar Silas|Scholar Silas]] ([[User talk:Scholar Silas|talk]]) 05:52, 12 March 2026 (UTC)

:{{Done}} including '''completely removing both notices''', not marking it as a stub. The article overall is very long, and if a section is all to complain about on a very long article, then it's definitely not a stub. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 16:02, 12 March 2026 (UTC)

==Who gets superconfirmed first?==

Hello, starting this discussion since the new superconfirmed usergroup has been added and we need to figure out who to give it to first. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 22:07, 13 March 2026 (UTC)

:Just tested it on [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsAlt]]; why can't it undelete pages? [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 22:14, 13 March 2026 (UTC)
::I shall fix! [[User:JakeL|JakeL]] ([[User talk:JakeL|talk]]) 00:02, 15 March 2026 (UTC)
:::Also @[[User:JakeL|JakeL]] is semiprotection mow allowing superconfirmed users only as well as admins and not just normal confirmed users? [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 06:23, 15 March 2026 (UTC)
::::Yes, autoconfirmed users no longer have the semiprotected permission. This was an intentional change requested by Keith [[User:JakeL|JakeL]] ([[User talk:JakeL|talk]]) 16:11, 15 March 2026 (UTC)

==add "Quasi-Wanted" Special page==

There are Wikipedia articles linked from many different CRW articles. It'd be nice to see which topics are candidates for a dedicated article on CRW. I say "topics", just-in-case a future update adds support for non-WP "pseudo-internal" links (because WP links are shown as "internal" even though they aren't)

Apologies in advance if this is not a place for feature-requests [[User:Rudxain|Rudxain]] ([[User talk:Rudxain|talk]]) 06:23, 15 March 2026 (UTC)

==Appeal request for Wikipedia article==
I've been testing out the browser plugin for the last few days and noticed it popped up on Wikipedia. After reading [[Wikipedia#cite note-15]] I wanted to challenge whether this article belongs on Consumer Rights Wiki, as I don't think it fits with the [[Mission statement]] or [[Consumer Rights Wiki:Inclusion guidelines]] at time of writing.

Aside from mentioning that Wikipedia is big and influential (not necessarily a bad thing), there are two incidents listed. The first one relates to individual editors. The only citation for this mentions "Wikipedia has taken action against what it described as the “co-ordinated group” of fraudsters by blocking 381 accounts.".

The second one is similar, it refers to behaviour of editors - the first citation mentions "Wikipedias in all languages, including English, are open to edits by any volunteers", and also mentions that "one of the ... admins at Scots Wikipedia, has called for native speakers to contribute as the community seeks to save the project.".

In both cases I think this is a reasonable response from Wikipedia, they stepped in to address the issues by blocking abusive users, acknowledged the inaccuracies and called for people to help fix them. Wikipedia is free, it's hosted by a non-profit organisation and the editors are not working for Wikipedia, they are independent users of the platform. I don't think it's fair to blame them for user-generated content, and in my opinion it hurts the cause when we include articles like this alongside articles highlighting genuinely abusive business practices. [[User:DiffChar|DiffChar]] ([[User talk:DiffChar|talk]]) 23:04, 17 March 2026 (UTC)

:When this came up, I was very concerned but decided to leave it alone. Considering someone else thinks the exact same way as me, i think it's honestly a good idea atp for me to add a deletion request template (which anyone can do, by the way!) and refer back here. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 16:14, 18 March 2026 (UTC)

:After looking it over myself, I agree - it's not relevant as it stands. — [[User:Sojourna|Sojourna]] ([[User talk:Sojourna|talk]]) 19:41, 30 March 2026 (UTC)
::I'd concur as well. [[User:Keith|Keith]] ([[User talk:Keith|talk]]) 19:46, 30 March 2026 (UTC)
:::Deleted. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 19:49, 30 March 2026 (UTC)

==Can't Edit==

I'm trying to edit this [[Dairy Queen]] article, however after adding the stub notice it won't allow me to edit anymore. @[[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|AnotherConsumerRightsPerson]] [[User:SquidthePlummer|SquidthePlummer]] ([[User talk:SquidthePlummer|talk]]) 19:33, 23 March 2026 (UTC)

:{{Done}}. [[consumer_Rights_Wiki_talk:Moderators%27_noticeboard/Archive_4#Can_a_mod_please_remove_this?|Easy mistake to make]]. Next time, put it at the start of the article '''and''' leave a space. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 20:43, 23 March 2026 (UTC)

==so...==

abt that superuser role? has it been rolled out yet? got hit in the face w a stub notice bug again lol [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 14:08, 26 March 2026 (UTC)

:another thing. Phreeli has a valid entry in [[List of products and services with forced arbitration]]. still @[[User:Louis]] supported them w a dedicated [https://inv.nadeko.net/watch?v=e8SnNNq6MaI video], in which he states "so this is a company we started" and claims to be an unpaid board member. so I ask, what the fuck? Louis said to give a fuck abt consumer rights but he is not your savior. the video was released on 2025.12.19 and the citation on the list was archived on 2026.01.13, so it can be argued that it could be a development after the video was published. I have not seen him mention Phreeli since then. so I cannot say if they're still affiliated but the video is still up w no follow up (afaik). as y'all are in contact w the man, can we get a comment or perhaps an apology video w a ukulele cameo? [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 15:30, 26 March 2026 (UTC)
::I discussed that here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_twkLJbc1c
::if there's an MVNO that's open to allowing people to pay with crypto without providing a name and address, I am happy to push them in that direction & help move it along. forced arbitration sucks balls, but every carrier has forced arbitration..... so this becomes a question of, should i not help push along a carrier that allows people to sign up in a more anonymous way, because 1 thing isn't to my liking... ??? the answer to that is no.
::framework doesn't release schematics... but after a long talk with the CEO, they'll allow you to get one if you contact them & sign an NDA. that's not what I want. but it is better than if I had not engaged at all.
::if i started a phone company/MVNO, it'd have no forced arbitration '''''AND''''' allow people to sign up with anonymous crypto without providing their name.... but i'm not starting a phone company... i am too busy as it is.
::phreeli belongs in that list of products & services with forced arbitration because they have forced arbitration. [[User:Louis|Louis]] ([[User talk:Louis|talk]]) 19:59, 26 March 2026 (UTC)
:::as mentioned in my previous comment I didn't know of that video. thank you. even tho its been a week, I still haven't found the time to watch it. perhaps many of the points I've highlighted have already been discussed in said video.
:::regardless, I agree that the existence of a more private MVNO's a blessing to see in a sea full of scammers. but I still would've liked to see them not go the same route as traditional operators regarding forced arbitration. everybody's "threat" model is diff so I can understand your stance. I'm a fairly regular watcher of the channel but somehow I missed the video. and based on the view discrepancy (378k vs 41k), many others have too. the follow up video includes the announcement in its description but the title and thumbnail do not reflect it being a follow up. I would like to see this rectified.
:::now on Framework, I did not know an NDA had to be signed in order to get the schematics. I checked the article and it does not mention that. based on my 5 min search I found [https://knowledgebase.frame.work/availability-of-schematics-and-boardviews-BJMZ6EAu this] but it does not mention an NDA, just to reach out to support. could you please provide sources? I'd like to append this to the article. I don't consider it egregious but for a person looking for them, they should know.
:::I'd like to highlight a conflict here. in the video you state "so this company we started" and in [https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2009536/000200953624000001/xslFormDX01/primary_doc.xml this] SEC filing you're cited as a Director. I'd like to mention that I'm not American nor have any idea wtf this shit is, but I have a borderline idea on what SEC filings are. could you please explain to me what this means? ofc you yourself did not start the company but you are still listed as a director of the company.
:::an article on Phreeli does not exist and the arbitration list can be hard to find. so I will be creating one. [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 18:52, 3 April 2026 (UTC)
:Superconfirmed has been rolled out, see [[Consumer Rights Wiki:Moderator applications]], BUT you need your email. I think this stuff should be done onwiki but whatever, I got mod without using email lol. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 21:26, 26 March 2026 (UTC)
::I went on a hiatus again lol so apologies for the slow response.
::I did email Keith on the matter b4 the rollout and recently did I get knighted. thank you mods [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 18:54, 3 April 2026 (UTC)

==I think Internet Archive has excluded anything from Bambu Lab==

I was on the Bambu Lab Authorization Control System page and I noticed that a lot of the archive links didn't work so I think Internet Archive has excluded anything from Bambu Lab.

Do I need to move all the archive links to Ghost Archive? [[User:Andrew V|Andrew V]] ([[User talk:Andrew V|talk]]) 16:20, 30 March 2026 (UTC)

:It's the other way around; Bambu Lab has specifically decided to block the IA. And yeah, you can certainly use Ghost Archive. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 16:22, 30 March 2026 (UTC)
::So should I switch all the archive links from IA to Ghost Archive [[User:Andrew V|Andrew V]] ([[User talk:Andrew V|talk]]) 16:24, 30 March 2026 (UTC)
:::Yes. [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 16:25, 30 March 2026 (UTC)
::::Okay, I'll get started [[User:Andrew V|Andrew V]] ([[User talk:Andrew V|talk]]) 16:25, 30 March 2026 (UTC)
::Can confirm. I made a list of companies covered on this wiki that excluded themselves from the IA [[Internet Archive/Blocked companies|here]]. [[User:Mr Pollo|Mr Pollo]] ([[User talk:Mr Pollo|talk]]) 19:13, 2 April 2026 (UTC)
:::Thanks for making that article [[User:Andrew V|Andrew V]] ([[User talk:Andrew V|talk]]) 01:43, 3 April 2026 (UTC)

== Archive everything ==

is there a way the checking process for refs be automated? it is user maintained and isn't always accurate. perhaps all refs could be checked if they have the <code>archive-url=</code> filled? [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 18:26, 5 April 2026 (UTC)

List of kernel-level anti cheats

2026-04-05T17:54:12Z

SinexTitan: HELL

{{stub}}This is an inexhaustive list of games with [[Kernel level anti-cheats|'''kernel level anti-cheat''']]:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Title
!Release year
!Games included
|-
||[[Anti-Cheat Expert]]
|2005
|
*Age of Empires Mobile
*ARC Raiders
*Arena Breakout: Infinite''2020 - 2020''
*Arknights: Endfield
*Battle Teams 2
*Blue Protocol: Star Resonance
*Boundary (2023)
*Call of Duty: Mobile
*Call of Duty: Online
*Chimeraland
*CrossFire
*CrossfireHD
*Delta Force (2024)
*Duet Night Abyss
*Dungeon Fighter Online
*Dungeonborne
*EA Sports FC Online
*Eternal Return: Black Survival
*Fate Trigger
*Goddess of Victory: Nikke
*Heaven Burns Red
*Honkai Impact 3rd
*Infinity Nikki
*League of Legends
*Mecha Break
*Metal Slug: Awakening
*Need For Speed Mobile
*Need For Speed: Edge
*Reverse: 1999
*Ring of Elysium
*Strinova
*Synced
*Tarisland
*Terminull Brigade
*The Finals
*The Moonlight Blade
*Undawn
*Warframe
*Wuthering Waves
|-
|{{Wplink|Battleye}}
|2004
|
*Ark: Survival Ascended (''2023 - Present'')
*Ark: Survival Evolved (''2017 - Present'')
*Arma: Armed Assualt (''2007 - Present'')
*Arma 2 (''2009 - Present'')
*Arma 3 (''2013 - Present'')
*Arma Reforger (''2022 - Present'')
*Atlas (''2018 - Present'')
*Battlefield 1942 (''2005 - Present'')
*Battlefield 2 (''2005 - Present'')
*Battlefield Vietnam (''2004 - Present'')
*DayZ (''2018 - Present'')
*Destiny 2 (''2017 - Present'')
*Dune: Awakening (''2025 - Present'')
*Escape from Tarkov (''2017 - Present'')
*Enlisted (''2024 - Present'')
*Fortnite Battle Royale (''2017 - 2026'')
*Ghost Recon: Wildlands (''2017 - Present'')
*Grand Theft Auto Online (''2024 - Present'')
*Heroes & Generals (''2016 - Present'')
*Marathon (''2026 - Present'')
*Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord (''2022 - Present'')
*PlanetSide 2 (''2012 - Present'')
*PlanetSide Arena (''2019 - Present'')
*Ghost Recon: Breakpoint (''2019 - Present'')
*Path of Titans (''2020 - Present'')
*PUBG: Battlegrounds (''2017 - Present'')
*Rainbow Six Seige (''2015 - Present'')
*SCUM (''2025 - Present'')
*Skull and Bones (''2024 - Present'')
*S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl (''2008 - Present'')
*Super People (''2025 - Present'')
*The Crew 2 (''2018 - Present'')
*The Cycle: Frontier (''2022 - Present'')
*Tibia (''2017 - Present'')
*Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Extraction (''2022 - Present'')
*Unturned (''2017 - Present'')
*War Thunder (''2024 - Present'')
*Watch Dogs: Legion (''2020 - Present'')
*War Rock (''2023 - Present'')
*Warsow (''2006 - Present'')
*XDefiant (''2024 - Present'')
*Z1 Battle Royale (''2018 - Present'')
|-
|[[Denuvo|Denuvo Anti-Cheat]]
|2019
|
*Doom Eternal (''2020 - 2020'')
|-
|[[EA AntiCheat|EA]] [[Easy Anti-Cheat|Javelin]] AntiCheat
|
|
*Plants vs. Zombies™ Garden Warfare 2: Deluxe Edition
*Battlefield™ 1
*F1® 25
*F1® 24
*Battlefield™ V
*Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville™
*skate.
*Battlefield™ 6
*EA SPORTS™ WRC
*EA SPORTS FC™ 24
*EA SPORTS™ FIFA 23
*EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL 25
*EA SPORTS FC™ 25
*EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL 26
*Battlefield™ 2042
*Madden NFL 24
*EA SPORTS FC™ 26

|-
|[[Easy Anti-Cheat]]
|
|
*Fall Guys
*Fortnite Battle Royale (''2026 - Present'')<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-10 |title=New Fortnite Anti-Cheat Requirements and Legal Action |url=https://www.fortnite.com/news/new-fortnite-anti-cheat-pc-requirements-and-latest-legal-action |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260405173802/https://www.fortnite.com/news/new-fortnite-anti-cheat-pc-requirements-and-latest-legal-action |archive-date=2026-04-05 |access-date=2026-04-05 |website=Fortnite}}</ref>
*Rocket League (''2026 - Present'')<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dawe |first=Liam |date=2026-02-17 |title=Rocket League is adding Easy Anti-Cheat, Psyonix say Linux will still be supported with Proton |url=https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2026/02/rocket-league-is-adding-easy-anti-cheat-psyonix-say-linux-will-still-be-supported-with-proton/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260405173302/https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2026/02/rocket-league-is-adding-easy-anti-cheat-psyonix-say-linux-will-still-be-supported-with-proton/ |archive-date=2026-04-05 |access-date=2026-04-05 |website=GamingOnLinux}}</ref>
|-
|{{Wplink|nProtect GameGuard}}
|
|
* Helldivers 2
|-
|[[Riot Vanguard]]
|
|
*Valorant
*League of legends
*2xko
|}

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