Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Digital rights management

2026-03-19T13:51:35Z

Thermonuke: Rework missing citation sentence to match added citation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

==DRM in video content==

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

==DRM present elsewhere==

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Framework

2026-03-10T04:11:30Z

Thermonuke: Add some citations, flesh out info

{{CompanyCargo
| Description =
| Founded = 2020-01
| Industry = Computer Hardware
| Logo = Framework Computer logo.svg
| ParentCompany =
| Type = Private
| Website = https://frame.work
}}

'''{{wplink|Framework Computer|Framework Computer, Inc.}}''' is an American personal computer manufacturer. It was founded in January 2020, by current CEO Nirav Patel. The company specializes in customization and repairability, the latter also helping the environment through making less laptops needing to be thrown out.

==Consumer impact summary==

===Freedom===
As a result of their products being highly modular and Framework not utilizing {{wplink|Right to repair#Software|parts pairing}}, consumers can heavily customize devices to their liking. Framework also offers DIY editions of their products which offers consumers the option to utilize their own sourced memory, storage and operating system.
===User Privacy===
As Framework sells solely the hardware and not the software, it doesn't need any more information than is necessary.

===Transparency===
Detailed assembly, repair and maintenance videos can be watched at the official knowledgebase<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome to the Framework Knowledge Base |url=https://knowledgebase.frame.work/ |url-status=live |website=Help Center |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260209003035/https://knowledgebase.frame.work/ |archive-date=9 Feb 2026}}</ref>. BIOS, firmware and driver updates are visible on e-mail subscription, knowledge base and (commentable) Framework Community posts<ref>{{Cite web |last=@ Quin_Chou |title=Framework Laptop 16 Ryzen 7040 BIOS 4.03 Release STABLE |url=https://community.frame.work/t/framework-laptop-16-ryzen-7040-bios-4-03-release-stable/79274 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-14 |website=Framework Community |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260205084159/https://community.frame.work/t/framework-laptop-16-ryzen-7040-bios-4-03-release-stable/79274 |archive-date=5 Feb 2026}}</ref>. No [[Forced BIOS Firmware Update|forced BIOS updates]] for Windows users.

===Business Model===
Framework's business model is to make repairable and customizable computers, at a hardware level.

===Market Control===
Framework is a relatively new player in the OEM PC sector, but in the niche they occupy, they are a significant player, mostly due to a lack of competition.

==Incidents==

===Laptop 13 61Wh Battery Swelling:===
The high energy density 61Wh battery has more swelling incidents than the previous 55Wh battery<ref>{{Cite web |last=@Adam_Schindler |date=2025-09-13 |title=61Wh Battery Inflated |url=https://community.frame.work/t/61wh-battery-inflated/75169 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=Framework Community |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251015213430/https://community.frame.work/t/61wh-battery-inflated/75169 |archive-date=15 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=@John_Goerzen |date=2024-09-18 |title=Swollen Battery <1yr in, How to address? |url=https://community.frame.work/t/swollen-battery-1yr-in-how-to-address/57848 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=Framework Community |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251219080248/https://community.frame.work/t/swollen-battery-1yr-in-how-to-address/57848 |archive-date=19 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=@qemu-system-x86_64 |date=2025-11-12 |title=Battery swelling (FL13 / amd 7040 / 61Wh) |url=https://community.frame.work/t/battery-swelling-fl13-amd-7040-61wh/77653 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=Framework Community |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251211210759/https://community.frame.work/t/battery-swelling-fl13-amd-7040-61wh/77653 |archive-date=11 Dec 2025}}</ref>. Framework mitigated this problem by having the battery automatic discharge down to 85% after fully charged and connected on AC adapter for more than three days<ref>{{Cite web |last=@Kieran_Levin |date=2024-10-25 |title=BIOS update required to prevent premature aging of 61Wh battery |url=https://community.frame.work/t/bios-update-required-to-prevent-premature-aging-of-61wh-battery/59580 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=Framework Community |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260110051537/https://community.frame.work/t/bios-update-required-to-prevent-premature-aging-of-61wh-battery/59580 |archive-date=10 Jan 2026}}</ref>. However, this function may interfere with manual charge limit setting.

===Laptop 16 Overheating:===
Early models have liquid metal as the thermal interface between the CPU and its heat sink, which is known to degrade, leading to worse and uneven heat transfer<ref>{{Cite web |last=@zachary_stout |date=2024-08-04 |title=Uneven CPU thermals! |url=https://community.frame.work/t/uneven-cpu-thermals/55614/1 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-14 |website=Framework Community |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251008161122/https://community.frame.work/t/uneven-cpu-thermals/55614/1 |archive-date=8 Oct 2025}}</ref>.
Framework eventually changed to using Honeywell's PTM7958 phase change material, and the company provided a form for Laptop 16 owners at the time of the production change to request a phase change pad to replace their laptop's liquid metal.
<ref>
{{Cite web
| title=Our first new Framework Laptop 16 Expansion Bay module!
| url=https://community.frame.work/t/our-first-new-framework-laptop-16-expansion-bay-module/61888
| website=Framework Community
| date=2024-12-16
| access-date=2026-03-09
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250818092408/https://community.frame.work/t/our-first-new-framework-laptop-16-expansion-bay-module/61888
| archive-date=2025-08-18
}}
</ref>
However, removing the liquid metal can be challenging - Framework's provided guide to replace the liquid metal with the PTM7958 pad rates the operation as "difficult", with 40 steps and an estimated time between 30 minutes and an hour.
<ref>
{{Cite web
| url=https://guides.frame.work/Guide/Liquid+Metal+-%3E+PTM+7958/402
| title=Liquid Metal -> PTM 7958
| website=Framework Guides
| date=2025-04-07
| access-date=2026-03-09
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260303171447/https://guides.frame.work/Guide/Liquid+Metal+-%3E+PTM+7958/402
| archive-date=2026-03-03
}}
</ref>
One owner described the process as "quite a chore", though they only ended up taking "20-30 minutes to finish".
<ref>{{Cite web
| title=Framework Laptop 16: Replacing Liquid Metal with PTM
| url=https://linhpham.org/blog/2025/framework-laptop-16-replacing-liquid-metal-ptm/
| author=Linh Pham
| date=2025-09-09
| access-date=2026-03-09
| website=linhpham.org
| url-status=live
}}</ref>

==Positivities ==

===Assisting repairability:===
Framework utilizes QR codes on parts of their devices which users can scan to get support, view guides, order replacements or upgrades.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Try It Out |url=https://frame.work/try-it-out |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=Framework |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240531114153/https://frame.work/try-it-out |archive-date=31 May 2024}}</ref>

===Highly favourable reviews on iFixit:===
The Laptop 12,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chamberlain |first=Elizabeth |date=2025-06-18 |title=Tough, Tiny, and Totally Repairable: Inside the Framework 12 |url=https://www.ifixit.com/News/111201/tough-tiny-and-totally-repairable-inside-the-framework-12 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=iFixit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260122144331/https://www.ifixit.com/News/111201/tough-tiny-and-totally-repairable-inside-the-framework-12 |archive-date=22 Jan 2026}}</ref> 13<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dixon |first=Taylor |date=2021-07-28 |title=Framework Laptop Teardown: 10/10, But is it Perfect? |url=https://www.ifixit.com/News/51614/framework-laptop-teardown-10-10-but-is-it-perfect |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=iFixit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260118164148/https://www.ifixit.com/News/51614/framework-laptop-teardown-10-10-but-is-it-perfect |archive-date=18 Jan 2026}}</ref> and 16<ref>{{Cite web |last=iFixit |date=2024-01-23 |title=The Framework 16 Teardown!-Best Teardown of the year already?? |url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=Y8uv8fajOrc |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=YouTube |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=Y8uv8fajOrc |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> have all received highly favourable reviews on [https://www.ifixit.com iFixit], a pro consumer repair outlet, for their repairability.

==Products==

*'''Framework Desktop (''February 2025''):''' a mini-computer designed to have it's case be more customizable through tiles that are able to be taken out and put back somewhere else.

*'''Framework Laptop 12 (''February 2025''):''' is told as being a customizable laptop with 360° support and it comes with a stylus, being able to practically be used as a tablet.<ref>https://frame.work/laptop12 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260110160719/https://frame.work/laptop12 Archived])</ref>

*'''Framework Laptop 13 (''July 2021''):''' is closer to your usual laptop, but is more repairable, it is seen as the most popular option by far from the other products.

*'''Framework Laptop 16 (''March 2023''):''' It is the second most popular option and offers more customization than the Laptop 13. It can provide greater performance, and its keyboard is customizable, allowing it to be removed and repositioned. The keypad can also be removed and replaced with lighting modules, enabling a higher level of personalization.

==See also==

*Framework About Us: https://frame.work/about
*Framework Guides: https://guides.frame.work/

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

Fandom

2026-03-08T14:55:42Z

Thermonuke: Fix block quote formatting, remote unnecessary citation needed (content tagged with needing citation was one part of a quote that had a source linked). Moved block quote to more relevant paragraph (probably still needs some explanation)

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=2004-10-18
|Industry=Entertainment
|Logo=Fandom.svg
|Type=Private
|Website=https://www.fandom.com/
|Description=Fandom, formerly known as Wikia, is a platform for hosting information and social media about movies, video games, books, and TV series.
}}

'''[[wikipedia:Fandom (website)|Fandom]]''', formerly known as '''Wikia''', is a media conglomerate based in the United States. The website has more than 50 million user-generated pages, as well as other multimedia databases such as GameFAQs, Metacritic, and Gamepedia. It also owns entertainment outlets such as GameSpot and TV Guide, in addition to owning online video game retailers such as Fanatical.

In 2018, Fandom was acquired by private equity firm TPG Capital. In 2024, the Detailed.com blog, which analyzes web development with regard to SEO, categorized Fandom as one of the 16 companies that dominate global traffic for Google Search, noting that it had been one of the largest domains it had ever recorded with an estimated 800 million visits according to statistics provided by Semrush in the same year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Allsopp |first=Glen |date=2024 |title=How 16 Companies are Dominating the World’s Google Search Results (2024 Edition) |url=https://detailed.com/google-control/ |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=Detailed.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223042948/https://detailed.com/google-control/ |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref>

==Consumer-impact summary==

===User freedom===
The following message was posted by one of the [https://archive.ph/IWuY5 SOAP moderators] and was sent after a complaint from Fandom's automated system:<blockquote>''"Admin or not, the staff doesn't care about it, neither do the filters. If Fandom staff wants the word censored: you don't have any rights to be against it. Not even us"''</blockquote>[[File:Fandom Wiki - Zionist Ads.png|alt=Fandom Wikia Zionist Ad|thumb|Users do not have the right to restrict or decide which advertisements appear on the pages. Fandom would sometimes insert advertisements from [https://archive.ph/KB8yo political organizations] without prior consultation with the editors involved.]]
Users on Fandom have little control over the content they upload to the platform. Furthermore, Fandom staff clarify that all content uploaded by users to the platform is their property,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/TheOdysseyHadAPurpose/comments/1e1jahx/response_from_soap_members_in_regards_to_the/|title=Response from SOAP members in regards to the Fandom Wiki vandalism|date=2024|website=Reddit|quote=Admins can't give permission to destroy a wiki, and if they do, they will be demoted and blocked. Futher, The content on this platform belongs to fandom and not the admins}}</ref> and they can modify or alter it without the prior consent of the writers involved.

Fandom had previously replaced entire pages with advertisements without consulting the users involved. Among them are paid advertisements from corporations such as McDonald's to remove part of the historical data of their products for promotions.

At the end of 2024, Jonathan Lee, part of the ''Weird Gloop'' platform staff, published an article about why they were helping several groups of editors migrate from Fandom.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Jonathan |date=2024-10-10 |title=Why we're helping more wikis move away from Fandom |url=https://weirdgloop.org/blog/why-were-helping-more-wikis-move-away-from-fandom#why-ditching-fandom-is-cool-and-based |access-date=2025-08-19 |website=Weird Gloop Blog |quote=If a wiki community is unhappy, and they have a better option somewhere else, they should be able to leave and take their stuff with them. We won't prop up the old wiki, Weekend-at-Bernies style, abusing the dominant Google position that the wiki editors built up while they were on our platform. |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260215090128/https://weirdgloop.org/blog/why-were-helping-more-wikis-move-away-from-fandom |archive-date=15 Feb 2026}}</ref> Lee explained the advantages of migrating to independent host servers, noting that after the migrations, the number of edits increased significantly compared to their counterparts on Fandom in the case of the RuneScape and Minecraft wikis. He explained that one of the main problems with the platform was that users had no control over the content they published. Each wiki hosted by Weird Gloop has several clauses and memorandums in agreement with the editorial team, where there are protocols in place in case the community leaves.

Lee explained that giving editors the right to leave and transfer their content to another platform entirely helps prevent the host from going through [[enshittification]] processes, as it forces the host to strive to provide a better service in the event that users are dissatisfied with the service they have, rather than maintaining dead projects as Fandom does when a large part of the community decides to migrate en masse after policy changes.

===Privacy===
When a user creates an account on Fandom, their information and data is shared with more than 300 advertising and media partners.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-20 |title=Fandom and the multimillion dollar business of monetizing volunteer work |url=https://frisk.space/posts/fandom-and-the-multimillion-business-of-monetizing-volunteer-work/ |access-date=2025-08-20 |website=Frisk.space |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250918153358/https://frisk.space/posts/fandom-and-the-multimillion-business-of-monetizing-volunteer-work/ |archive-date=18 Sep 2025}}</ref> Additionally, the data collected is used for training AI models, including posts in discussions as well as content provided to pages. In 2025, Fandom confirmed to ''Inc Magazine'' that it had trained an AI model called ''“FanDNA Helix”'' using more than 50 million pages and user-generated posts so that advertising companies could target ads based on user consumption habits.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sherry |first=Ben |date=2025-02-18 |title=How Fandom Uses AI to Turn Your Obsessions Into Gold |url=https://www.inc.com/ben-sherry/how-fandom-uses-ai-to-turn-your-obsessions-into-gold/91145315 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250312182852/https://www.inc.com/ben-sherry/how-fandom-uses-ai-to-turn-your-obsessions-into-gold/91145315 |archive-date=March 12, 2025 |access-date=2025-07-20 |work=Inc Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Censorship===
[[File:Fandom Wiki - South Park Public Library Censorhip and Ads.png|alt=South Park Archives Fandom Wiki Censored Streaming Services (2025)|thumb|400x400px|Screenshot of the episode "Crippled Summer" along with intrusive ads for streaming services that were implemented without prior consent from users. Additionally, all profits from these affiliate links go to Fandom instead of the editors who wrote the original articles. ]]
Since Fandom is a company that relies on advertising to operate, part of the staff has to sanitize content to appeal to most of its brands and partners. This has caused certain clashes with editorial teams that discuss mature topics.

In 2017, Fandom attempted to censor a large portion of the sprites from the mainline ''Shin Megami Tensei'' games developed by Japanese studio Atlus after the company decided that most of the images did not qualify as artistic nudity.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-10-07 |title=Image censorship on Megami Tensei wiki by wikia employee |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Megaten/comments/7bbii9/image_censorship_on_megami_tensei_wiki_by_wikia/ |access-date=2025-08-22 |website=r/Megaten via Reddit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230607085202/https://old.reddit.com/r/Megaten/comments/7bbii9/image_censorship_on_megami_tensei_wiki_by_wikia/ |archive-date=7 Jun 2023}}</ref> Starting in 2021, Fandom would attempt to maintain a much stricter policy for the platform as family-friendly, as well as censoring any content. This caused several wikis to move to other services due to frequent censorship, including the ''South Park Archives'',<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024 |title=Blog:Farewell to Fandom |url=https://southpark.wiki.gg/wiki/Blog:Farewell_to_Fandom |access-date=2025-08-22 |website=South Park Archives via Wiki.gg |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250910143107/https://southpark.wiki.gg/wiki/Blog:Farewell_to_Fandom |archive-date=10 Sep 2025}}</ref> where much of the scripts, characters, and scenes had to be censored to maintain a more family-friendly approach for advertisers, causing navigation errors as well as errors in the templates.

Later in 2025, the Siivagunner and Vocaloid Lyrics wikis migrated to different hosts, citing similar concerns where Fandom had removed a lot of content that could be controversial. The editorial team of the ''Siivagunner Wiki'' released a statement saying that part of the reason for moving the wiki to an independent host was due to the deliberate deletion of ''Mysikt Wiki'', another group dedicated to remixes and mashups, without prior notification from Fandom.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025 |title=Forking announcement |url=https://www.siivagunner.wiki/wiki/SiIvaGunner_Wiki:Forking_announcement |access-date=2025-08-22 |website=Siivagunner Wiki |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260118223334/https://www.siivagunner.wiki/wiki/SiIvaGunner_Wiki:Forking_announcement |archive-date=18 Jan 2026}}</ref>
The Vocaloid Lyrics wiki said the following regarding their experiences with Fandom:

<blockquote>
''"The way Fandom displayed that they would permanently lock (and eventually delete) LyricWiki based on “We want Fandom to be a family friendly site…We also have some advertisers, for example Google, who have rules on what their ads can be shown next to” motivated us to censor content more aggressively.''

''Because we received no actual guidance from Fandom on what counts as e.g. “pornographic” or “obscene” besides a literal “I know it when I see it,” this led to a lot of inconsistency, a lot of back-and-forth, and a lot of headache for editors and readers alike."''
<ref>
{{Cite web
| url=https://vocaloidlyrics.miraheze.org/wiki/Vocaloid_Lyrics_Wiki:Fandom_Migration
| title=Fandom Migration
| url=https://vocaloidlyrics.miraheze.org/wiki/Vocaloid_Lyrics_Wiki:Fandom_Migration
| website=Vocaloid Lyrics Wiki
| access-date=2026-03-08
| date=2025-06-19
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260131052318/https://vocaloidlyrics.miraheze.org/wiki/Vocaloid_Lyrics_Wiki:Fandom_Migration
| archive-date=2026-01-31
}}
</ref>
</blockquote>


===Anti-competitive practices===
<blockquote>''"People on the fandom wiki are taking a bunch of new pages from https://jojowiki.com that I and other editors spent lots of time creating just to have it on their site. They aren't explicitly plagiarizing (they tried to before) but the content and layouts are really similar. This time it's FANDOM's own employees getting paid to take our pages and replace words with synonyms. I wouldn't mind if they at least credited us (which they are supposed to do as per our copyright policy), but they have a filter that bans anyone who links to our site."'' - [https://archive.ph/rDtMx @Vishkujo], administrator of the JoJo's Bizarre Encyclopedia (2021) </blockquote>In a blog post published in 2025 by editor Violet, who had previously worked on moving Death Battle Wiki to the non-profit host ''Miraheze'', he explained that one of the reasons for moving the wiki to a different host was due to Fandom's attempts to remove links or mentions to wikis on different platforms, explaining that this has led to a lot of internal discussion regarding external links, where editors are forced to promote dead wikis that are still hosted on Fandom instead of independent options that are actively maintained.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025 |title=Leaving Fandom |url=https://deathbattle.miraheze.org/wiki/DEATH_BATTLE!_Wiki:Leaving_FANDOM |access-date=2025-08-19 |website=Death Battle Wiki! via Miraheze |quote=Aside from this dodgy language being used to try and justify their anti-competitive practices, this also actively hinders our own editing by preventing us from providing external links to wikis that have migrated out of Fandom and are being actively supported, which means we are not "organically sharing" accurate information for franchises acknowledged by the show like, say, Terraria, Bendy, and Guilty Gear. |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260124011402/https://deathbattle.miraheze.org/wiki/DEATH_BATTLE!_Wiki:Leaving_FANDOM |archive-date=24 Jan 2026}}</ref>

===Business Model===
<blockquote>''"I briefly worked for Fandom last year, and I worked closely with GameSpot and TV Guide. After ten years in the editorial industry I had never seen editorial brands treated so poorly. Fandom is fundamentally a company that ONLY knows how to operate using an army of unpaid volunteer editors and have no clue whatsoever how to manage paid writers and editors. It was an absolute nightmare of mismanagement, and while I was going to bat hard for the editors (like what do I care about Fandom after a few weeks of working there, I literally only care about journalists being resourced well enough to keep their jobs and do great work) my management started drilling down on me pretty quickly. I wound up going on disability because the working conditions there exacerbated a mental health crisis (having to do with the nightmare layoffs at Condé that I'd just gone through), and eventually I left" -'' A former FANDOM Employee in the article [https://gemvidio-navi.neocities.org/Tech/fandom-working-environment Behind the moderation of Fandom Wikis: Controversies, incidents, and toxicity] </blockquote>[[File:Fandom Wiki - Path of Exile Ad Information.png|alt=Fandom Wiki Ads Monetization Information|thumb|Using external tools, you can see which ads are being displayed and how much Fandom is paid to display them on the wiki. The people who write the articles do not receive any monetization for these ads, just as Fandom does not tell the people who work on its wikis how much they actually earn from monetizing their content. (Source: [https://forkfandom.com/ ForkFandom] by Jacques Corby-Tuech)]]
In mid-2008, the British newspaper The Guardian published an article about the ''[https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2008/jul/31/wikipedia Transformer Wiki]'' migration, which was the first formal piece of criticism that the company described as “The typical digital sharecropping website is a capitalist's fantasy,” explaining that users who contribute to Fandom wikis do not receive rights, protections, or remuneration for the work they contribute to the website. The model used by Fandom was previously criticized by videographer [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqeNnutJUhE Blue Reevie] in 2019, who questioned the ethics of how the company was using unpaid volunteer labor to organize part of its structure. Later in 2024, former volunteer “Frisk” noted that he was concerned about how the company might be violating [https://frisk.space/posts/fandom-and-the-multimillion-business-of-monetizing-volunteer-work/FLSAemail.txt Fair Labor Standards Act Advisor] (FLSA) that dictate how much volunteers can contribute to a for-profit organization, questioning whether it is right for the company to use unpaid persons to moderate and update the content of its website.

In early 2024, editor [https://www.reddit.com/r/titanfall/comments/1b1qlxl/about_the_migration/ The_Sniperstock] announced that Fandom had removed his admin rights before the fork was fully completed and informed users that Fandom is capable of revoking admin rights from anyone it considers to be moving.

==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]].

===Portable Infoboxes (May 2017)===
<blockquote>''"Honestly, what allowed me to never put 100% of my trust to the FANDOM Staff was the fact that they disregard the concerns of their userbase most of the time. They'd introduce certain features and implement them without considering all of the potential flaws that'd persist. Remember the Portable infoboxes? They didn't think of inserting official tabbers in them when they first introduced them. It took several months before tabbers in PIs finally became a thing." -'' [https://archive.ph/UUvUT @QueenPinksweets], former Vocaloid Wiki Moderator (2021) </blockquote>In mid-2017, Spanish programmer Jesús Martínez Novo, who had been working on the WikiDex project since 2006, published a note discussing his experience with the platform as well as the forking of the largest Pokémon wiki in Spanish. Martínez explained that in 2017, Fandom had forced users to abruptly change the code of some of their templates. This decision was not previously consulted with the users who had previously coded much of the site voluntarily, and the company gave them one week to convert the rest of the templates.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Martínez |first=Jesús |date=2017-05-07 |title=Wikia — When the site you spend most of the time goes evil |url=https://medium.com/@martineznovo/wikia-when-the-site-you-spend-most-of-the-time-goes-evil-1ce9d3f79285 |access-date=2025-08-19 |website=Medium |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250910163652/https://medium.com/@martineznovo/wikia-when-the-site-you-spend-most-of-the-time-goes-evil-1ce9d3f79285 |archive-date=10 Sep 2025}}</ref>

This decision caused quite a few problems on the website, as the technology behind Portable Infoboxes was not well-developed at the time, with templates unable to display icons or multiple images. In addition, Fandom would remove administrative rights from anyone who attempted to convert the templates back to their original code.<ref name=":2" />

===Auto-playing videos (September 2017)===
Throughout 2017, Fandom introduced auto-playing to several popular video game wikis, such as RuneScape and Fallout. These videos were inserted without prior consultation with editors, and many of them contained misinformation about the games covered by the wikis. The editorial team had to post notices informing users that they had no control over the videos, which were created solely by Fandom.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-09-05 |title=(PSA) Featured Videos on the RuneScape Wiki |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/runescape/comments/6yc8xt/psa_featured_videos_on_the_runescape_wiki/ |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=r/runescape via Reddit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230607163932/https://old.reddit.com/r/runescape/comments/6yc8xt/psa_featured_videos_on_the_runescape_wiki/ |archive-date=7 Jun 2023}}</ref> Some of the videos contained mispronunciations of in-game items, as well as featured stolen material from game footage. Notably, the videos produced about "Zamik Wizard"<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2017-08-05 |title=(PSA) Featured Videos on the Old School RuneScape Wiki |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/2007scape/comments/6ybxly/psa_featured_videos_on_the_old_school_runescape/ |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=r/2007scape via Reddit |quote=As you can probably guess, me and my colleagues are pissed about this change. And the worst thing is that we have ZERO SAY about this; it is out of our control. We have even created a template that we have added right underneath these videos to emphasize that these videos were made by the company, and not us, the admins who provide you with actual quality articles. |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230610003614/https://old.reddit.com/r/2007scape/comments/6ybxly/psa_featured_videos_on_the_old_school_runescape/ |archive-date=10 Jun 2023}}</ref> are commonly referred to as a joke by the community due to the poor quality of the video.

At the end of 2018, YouTuber Mekkah, who documents the Fire Emblem game series, explained his issues with Fandom after bashing the Fire Emblem wiki hosted on the platform, citing that one of the reasons he dislikes the website's editing model, considering it “parasitic,” was the insertion of videos at the top of pages, some of which contain factual errors and were created by Fandom staff rather than the actual editors, as well as the insertion of clickbait content to increase views.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mekkrah |date=2018 |title=Fire Emblem Wikia is Scum |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7W5CQdITi7A |access-date=2025-09-25 |website=YouTube |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=7W5CQdITi7A |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref>

===Fandom Shop (September 2020)===
[[File:Fandom Wiki - Bootleg Ripoff Online Shop Ad.jpg|alt=Fandom Wiki Shop Ripoff Bootleg Store (2020)|thumb|During 2020, Fandom aggressively promoted a store on its wikis, with much of the merchandise consisting of poor-quality bootlegs/ripoffs. Additionally, users expressed concern about how Fandom was clearly selling and profiting from merchandise based on intellectual property that it did not own.]]
At the end of 2020, the company introduced links to "Fandom Shop" on various wikis, an initiative by the company to distribute merchandise. This measure was criticized by users, as the links were embedded in the site's navigation without prior consultation by administrators. In addition, some of the products included poor-quality bootlegs products.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-09-16 |title=Wikia/FANDOM are rolling out a "Shop" tab on Wikis, filled with affiliate (for profit) links to stores. I would like to make folks aware that nearly 99% of items in this tab are UNOFFICIAL/BOOTLEGS. |url=https://x.com/danganronpawiki/status/1306182977999732741 |access-date=2025-07-17 |website=Danganronpa Wiki via Twitter}}</ref>

===NFT Integration Plans (February 2022)===
In early 2022, Fandom CEO Perkins Miller announced the possibility of integrating NFTs into the platform, despite backlash from user surveys and concerns about the environmental damage it could cause.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-16 |title=Perkins Miller, the CEO of @getFANDOM, our Wiki host, has put out a statement on LinkedIN that the platform is considering getting into NFTs, despite the admitted extremely poor feedback from a community survey. |url=https://x.com/danganronpawiki/status/1494105070220292098 |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=Danganronpa Wiki via Twitter}}</ref>

===McDonald's Fandom Advertising (June 2023)===
In June 2023 the [[McDonalds|McDonald's]] corporation paid Fandom to completely change the McDonald's Fandom wiki into an advertisement for their recent relaunch of the Grimace Shake as well as other McDonald's products. These changes were made against the wishes of the McDonald's Wiki editors including the original author of the Grimace page. The changelogs left by Fandom stated “switching over the entirety of Grimace article at McDonald’s request, just for the length of this campaign in 2023,”.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grimace Fandom Page |url=https://mcdonalds.fandom.com/wiki/Grimace?oldid=29634 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617204844/https://mcdonalds.fandom.com/wiki/Grimace?oldid=29634 |archive-date=2023-06-17}}</ref>

===Online grooming and sexual harassment (November 2023)===
<blockquote>''"When you're just trying to speak out and get a pedophile off the site, or they say that everything happened on Discord we can't do anything, [...], saying that pedophilia is okay if it's offsite this is just disgusting." -'' @bruhwrecksnoobs in the video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXqWuIcugrY FANDOM Is Disgusting]</blockquote>[[File:Fandom Wiki - Slimebeast Tweets.png|thumb|Following the release of his videos explaining Fandom's failure to moderate content in order to protect minors, Howard posted a series of tweets reporting that several Fandom wiki administrators had engaged in inappropriate behavior and that the company had failed to properly address the fact that a minor who had previously contributed to Fandom was being harassed.]]
In 2023, writer and video game developer Christopher Howard Wolf, under the alias "Slimebeast", posted several videos discussing how Fandom had allowed minors to be exposed to inappropriate content and citing concerns that child moderators had to maintain contact with groomers. Additionally, Howard Wolf criticized the fact that Fandom was using under-age volunteers to moderate its platform instead of proper employees to moderate the situation.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2023-11-19 |title=Wikitubia has a Minor Issue - Plus CreepsMcPasta Caught in 4k |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bKb6-xr4Qg |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=Slimebeast via YouTube |quote=That mod he referred to WAS THE UNDERAGED MOD THAT DID WHAT HE REQUESTED, proving that Wikitubia having on minors as mods puts them in direct contact with groomers. Imagine EDP DMing a kid mod who has a "duty" to talk to him. |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=7bKb6-xr4Qg |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref>

Howard later posted videos explaining the inappropriate behavior of one of the administrators of Wikitubia and The Amazing Digital Circus Wiki, explaining that minors were being exposed, as well as publishing several documents detailing how minors were being harassed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Howard |first=Cristopher |date=2024-10-26 |title=Pred Concerns on YouTube Wiki & The Amazing Digital Circus Wiki |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXM_LRnWvTE |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=SlimeBeast via YouTube |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=EXM_LRnWvTE |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> He also reported on Fandom Staff's handling of the situation, which had previously banned a victim of grooming for expressing concern about the safety of minors on the platform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wolf |first=Cristopher |date=2024-10-28 |title=Fandom (The Company) Bans Grooming Whistleblower For Whistleblowing |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSGGVQwG1Is |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=SlimeBeast via YouTube |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=gSGGVQwG1Is |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref>

===AI translations (July 2025)===
In July 2025, Fandom began experimenting with creating wikis in other languages using generative AI. The move was boycotted by users, citing concerns about replacing editors and translators who had previously worked on the website to provide high-quality translations manually, as well as the dismantling of international support for other languages.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-08 |title=Fandom is planning to start translating English wiki articles into other languages using AI. If you log in to view comments on the blogpost announcing this, you can see this decision is extremely unpopular with Fandom editors. |url=https://x.com/mossbag69/status/1942656734146777248 |access-date=2025-08-17 |website=Mossbag69 via Twitter}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-07 |title=Apparently @getFANDOM is planning to launch AI generated non English wikis, and I *cannot* stress enough how bad this idea is, and how disrespectful it is to the people who create the content on their platform. |url=https://x.com/SEJordanWilson/status/1942405776267419777 |access-date=2025-07-17 |website=Jordan Wilson via Twitter}}</ref> In response, a petition was launched to halt the process of automating translations with generative AI, with approximately 390 different editors signing up to have the project canceled.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-11 |title=We are now over 390 editor signatures against Fandom's new plan to use AI to translate wikis from English to other languages. This replaces human editors with AI, and if Fandom is serious about supporting foreign languages, invest in people. Not machines. |url=https://x.com/SEJordanWilson/status/1943777100982628579 |access-date=2025-08-17 |website=Jordan Wilson via Twitter}}</ref>

===Stowarzyszenie Minecraft Wiki Polska (August 2025)===
In early August 2025, Stowarzyszenie Minecraft Wiki Polska, which hosts the independent wiki for the video game "Minecraft" in Polish, filed a DMCA claim for copyright infringement following the transfer of data from Gamepedia to Fandom.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-06 |title=David and Goliath - on Polish Minecraft Wiki taking legal action against Fandom |url=https://frisk.space/posts/pl-mcw-fandom/ |access-date=2025-08-17 |website=Frisk.space Blog |quote=Fandom has "aggregated content from the wiki" and by doing so has started to violate the license agreements. We read that "as a result of wiki account transfers, at least 1440 different usernames being pseudonyms of their creators were damaged". By result of doing so, Fandom couldn't fulfill the authorship requirement of Creative Commons licensed used by the wiki (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0). |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250917142505/https://frisk.space/posts/pl-mcw-fandom/ |archive-date=17 Sep 2025}}</ref>

==Lawsuits==

===''Vishal Shah v. Fandom, Inc.'' (September 2024)===
In 2024, Vishal Shah sued Fandom for privacy violations, claiming that the company was sharing IP address information with external platforms, including [[Meta]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Christopher |date=2024-10-24 |title=Users Advance Fandom ‘Pen Register’ Suit Over IP Address Sharing |url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/consumers-video-privacy-class-action-against-fandom-can-proceed |access-date=2025-08-17 |website=Bloomberg Law |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260111095257/https://news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/consumers-video-privacy-class-action-against-fandom-can-proceed |archive-date=11 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Landis |first=Blake |date=2024-10-25 |title=Ninth Circuit Ruling Shows How CIPA Applies to Internet Tracking |url=https://natlawreview.com/article/invisible-data-real-consequences-navigating-ip-consent-dilemma |access-date=2025-08-17 |website=The National Law Review |language=en |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251112175259/https://natlawreview.com/article/invisible-data-real-consequences-navigating-ip-consent-dilemma |archive-date=12 Nov 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Proposed class says Fandom illegally tracked IP addresses |url=https://www.dailyjournal.com/article/376511-proposed-class-says-fandom-illegally-tracked-ip-addresses |access-date=2025-08-17 |website=The Daily Journal |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251113014243/https://www.dailyjournal.com/article/376511-proposed-class-says-fandom-illegally-tracked-ip-addresses |archive-date=13 Nov 2025}}</ref>

==External links==
*''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySXP4hxFNFw "The Minecraft Wiki vs Corporate Greed"]'' (2024) published by videographer "DIMM4" focusing on the history of the Minecraft Wiki and its relationship with Fandom and Curse
*''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcfuA_UAz3I "Stop using Fandom"]'' (2023) published by game developer "Mossbag"
*''[https://awa.shoutwiki.com/wiki/Anti-Wikia_Alliance Anti-Wikia Alliance]''
*[https://getindie.wiki/listings/ Indie Wiki Buddy Listings]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
__INDEX__

Microsoft Edge

2026-03-06T14:45:20Z

Thermonuke: update comment, add removed citation

{{ProductCargo|Logo=Microsoft_Edge_logo.svg|Category=Web browser|Company=Microsoft|InProduction=Yes|ReleaseYear=2020-01-15|Website=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge}}

'''Microsoft Edge''' is a proprietary web browser developed by [[Microsoft]], first released in 2015 as the successor to Internet Explorer. Based on the [[Chromium]] engine since 2020, Edge is marketed as a fast and secure browser with integration across Microsoft services.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-30 |title=What's the difference between the new Microsoft Edge and Microsoft Edge Legacy? |url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/what-s-the-difference-between-the-new-microsoft-edge-and-microsoft-edge-legacy-a01258e5-8c05-7bbb-bed2-c65bec0eb126 |url-status=live |website=Microsoft Support |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251122093923/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/what-s-the-difference-between-the-new-microsoft-edge-and-microsoft-edge-legacy-a01258e5-8c05-7bbb-bed2-c65bec0eb126 |archive-date=22 Nov 2025
}}<nowiki>}}</nowiki></ref> However, its deep embedding into Windows and Microsoft’s promotional tactics have drawn ongoing criticism.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']

==Consumer impact summary==
====Freedom====

Microsoft discourages people from switching to a different web browser. Edge is set as the default browser in Windows, and is sometimes automatically re-installed when Windows updates occur.<ref>
{{Cite web
| last=Huculak
| first=Mauro
| title=How to prevent new Microsoft Edge from installing automatically on Windows 10
| url=https://www.windowscentral.com/how-prevent-microsoft-edge-chromium-installing-automatically-windows-10
| website=windowscentral.com
| access-date=2025-01-29
| date=2020-06-05
| archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250917184020/https://www.windowscentral.com/how-prevent-microsoft-edge-chromium-installing-automatically-windows-10
| archive-date=2025-09-17
| url-status=live
}}</ref>
<ref>
{{Cite web
| title=Edge Reïnstalls Itself?
| url=https://www.elevenforum.com/t/edge-reinstalls-itself.32137/
| website=Windows ElevenForum
| date=2025-01-06
| access-date=2026-02-24
}}
</ref>
When attempting to install Google Chrome, for example, Edge displays text telling people "There's no need to download a new web browser", among other things.
<ref>
{{Cite web
|last=Sen
|first=Sayan
|date=2021-12-02
|title=Microsoft says its own Edge browser is more trustworthy than "so 2008" Google Chrome |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-says-its-own-edge-browser-is-more-trustworthy-than-so-2008-google-chrome/
|url-status=live
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202081952/https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-says-its-own-edge-browser-is-more-trustworthy-than-so-2008-google-chrome/
|archive-date=2021-12-02
|access-date=2025-08-22
|website=Neowin}}</ref>
Microsoft also hosts a page on their website with the URL "https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge/uninstall-edge", suggesting this is a guide to uninstall the browser. However, the page is actually titled "Are you sure you want to uninstall Microsoft Edge?" and attempts to convince the reader that Edge is worth using, misleading readers.
<ref>
{{Cite web
| title= Uninstall Microsoft Edge Microsoft Edge
| url= https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge/uninstall-edge?form=MT00OR&cs=578062562
| date= 2025-02-11
| archive-url= http://archive.today/01vwF
| archive-date= 2025-02-11
| url-status=live
}}
</ref>
<ref>
{{Cite web
| url=https://www.techradar.com/computing/edge/sorry-youre-not-getting-microsoft-edge-off-of-your-pc-at-least-according-to-its-new-uninstall-document
| last=Williams
| first=Isaiah
| website=TechRadar
| title=Sorry, you're not getting Microsoft Edge off of your PC, at least according to its new 'uninstall' document
| date=2025-02-07
| access-date=2026-02-24
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251208104305/https://www.techradar.com/computing/edge/sorry-youre-not-getting-microsoft-edge-off-of-your-pc-at-least-according-to-its-new-uninstall-document
| archive-date=2025-12-08
| url-status=live
}}
</ref>
All of these methods try to keep Edge installed on a person's computer and try to maximize the chances that person uses Edge.

====Privacy====

Privacy advocates have raised concerns about Edge’s telemetry and data collection, including browsing history and search queries sent to Microsoft by default.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]''] While the company claims this improves performance and security, critics view it as excessive surveillance.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']

====Business model====

Edge follows a freemium-adjacent model, integrating Microsoft services such as Bing and Shopping tools directly into the browser.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]''] Critics argue these features prioritize monetization and ecosystem lock-in over user experience.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']

====Market control====

By bundling Edge with Windows and tightly integrating it into the operating system, Microsoft has been accused of leveraging its OS dominance to entrench its browser market share.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]''] This has attracted regulatory scrutiny and antitrust complaints.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']
==Incidents==
===Forced Installation via Windows Updates===

Microsoft has been criticized for pushing Edge installations and re-pinnings through Windows updates, even when users had previously removed or replaced the browser.{{Citation needed}}
==See also==
*[[Chromium]]
*[[Firefox]]
*[[Microsoft]]

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

Microsoft Edge

2026-03-06T14:43:00Z

Thermonuke:

{{ProductCargo|Logo=Microsoft_Edge_logo.svg|Category=Web browser|Company=Microsoft|InProduction=Yes|ReleaseYear=2020-01-15|Website=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge}}

'''Microsoft Edge''' is a proprietary web browser developed by [[Microsoft]], first released in 2015 as the successor to Internet Explorer. Based on the [[Chromium]] engine since 2020, Edge is marketed as a fast and secure browser with integration across Microsoft services.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-30 |title=What's the difference between the new Microsoft Edge and Microsoft Edge Legacy? |url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/what-s-the-difference-between-the-new-microsoft-edge-and-microsoft-edge-legacy-a01258e5-8c05-7bbb-bed2-c65bec0eb126 |url-status=live |website=Microsoft Support |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251122093923/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/what-s-the-difference-between-the-new-microsoft-edge-and-microsoft-edge-legacy-a01258e5-8c05-7bbb-bed2-c65bec0eb126 |archive-date=22 Nov 2025
}}<nowiki>}}</nowiki></ref> However, its deep embedding into Windows and Microsoft’s promotional tactics have drawn ongoing criticism.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']

==Consumer impact summary==
====Freedom====

Microsoft discourages people from switching to a different web browser. Edge is set as the default browser in Windows, and is sometimes automatically re-installed when Windows updates occur.<ref>
{{Cite web
| last=Huculak
| first=Mauro
| title=How to prevent new Microsoft Edge from installing automatically on Windows 10
| url=https://www.windowscentral.com/how-prevent-microsoft-edge-chromium-installing-automatically-windows-10
| website=windowscentral.com
| access-date=2025-01-29
| date=2020-06-05
| archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250917184020/https://www.windowscentral.com/how-prevent-microsoft-edge-chromium-installing-automatically-windows-10
| archive-date=2025-09-17
| url-status=live
}}</ref>
<ref>
{{Cite web
| title=Edge Reïnstalls Itself?
| url=https://www.elevenforum.com/t/edge-reinstalls-itself.32137/
| website=Windows ElevenForum
| date=2025-01-06
| access-date=2026-02-24
}}
</ref>
When attempting to install Google Chrome, for example, Edge displays text telling people "There's no need to download a new web browser", among other things.
<ref>
{{Cite web
|last=Sen
|first=Sayan
|date=2021-12-02
|title=Microsoft says its own Edge browser is more trustworthy than "so 2008" Google Chrome |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-says-its-own-edge-browser-is-more-trustworthy-than-so-2008-google-chrome/
|url-status=live
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202081952/https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-says-its-own-edge-browser-is-more-trustworthy-than-so-2008-google-chrome/
|archive-date=2021-12-02
|access-date=2025-08-22
|website=Neowin}}</ref>
Microsoft also hosts a page on their website with the URL "https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge/uninstall-edge", suggesting this is a guide to uninstall the browser. However, the page is actually titled "Are you sure you want to uninstall Microsoft Edge?" and attempts to convince the reader that Edge is worth using, misleading readers.
<ref>
{{Cite web
| url=https://www.techradar.com/computing/edge/sorry-youre-not-getting-microsoft-edge-off-of-your-pc-at-least-according-to-its-new-uninstall-document
| last=Williams
| first=Isaiah
| website=TechRadar
| title=Sorry, you're not getting Microsoft Edge off of your PC, at least according to its new 'uninstall' document
| date=2025-02-07
| access-date=2026-02-24
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251208104305/https://www.techradar.com/computing/edge/sorry-youre-not-getting-microsoft-edge-off-of-your-pc-at-least-according-to-its-new-uninstall-document
| archive-date=2025-12-08
| url-status=live
}}
</ref>
All of these methods try to keep Edge installed on a person's computer and try to maximize the chances that person uses Edge.

====Privacy====

Privacy advocates have raised concerns about Edge’s telemetry and data collection, including browsing history and search queries sent to Microsoft by default.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]''] While the company claims this improves performance and security, critics view it as excessive surveillance.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']

====Business model====

Edge follows a freemium-adjacent model, integrating Microsoft services such as Bing and Shopping tools directly into the browser.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]''] Critics argue these features prioritize monetization and ecosystem lock-in over user experience.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']

====Market control====

By bundling Edge with Windows and tightly integrating it into the operating system, Microsoft has been accused of leveraging its OS dominance to entrench its browser market share.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]''] This has attracted regulatory scrutiny and antitrust complaints.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']
==Incidents==
===Forced Installation via Windows Updates===

Microsoft has been criticized for pushing Edge installations and re-pinnings through Windows updates, even when users had previously removed or replaced the browser.{{Citation needed}}
==See also==
*[[Chromium]]
*[[Firefox]]
*[[Microsoft]]

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

Microsoft Edge

2026-03-05T13:41:46Z

Thermonuke: Fix citation

{{ProductCargo|Logo=Microsoft_Edge_logo.svg|Category=Web browser|Company=Microsoft|InProduction=Yes|ReleaseYear=2020-01-15|Website=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge}}

'''Microsoft Edge''' is a proprietary web browser developed by [[Microsoft]], first released in 2015 as the successor to Internet Explorer. Based on the [[Chromium]] engine since 2020, Edge is marketed as a fast and secure browser with integration across Microsoft services.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-30 |title=What's the difference between the new Microsoft Edge and Microsoft Edge Legacy? |url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/what-s-the-difference-between-the-new-microsoft-edge-and-microsoft-edge-legacy-a01258e5-8c05-7bbb-bed2-c65bec0eb126 |url-status=live |website=Microsoft Support |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251122093923/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/what-s-the-difference-between-the-new-microsoft-edge-and-microsoft-edge-legacy-a01258e5-8c05-7bbb-bed2-c65bec0eb126 |archive-date=22 Nov 2025
}}}}</ref> However, its deep embedding into Windows and Microsoft’s promotional tactics have drawn ongoing criticism.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']

==Consumer impact summary==
====Freedom====

Microsoft discourages people from switching to a different web browser. Edge is set as the default browser in Windows, and is sometimes automatically re-installed when Windows updates occur.<ref>
{{Cite web
| last=Huculak
| first=Mauro
| title=How to prevent new Microsoft Edge from installing automatically on Windows 10
| url=https://www.windowscentral.com/how-prevent-microsoft-edge-chromium-installing-automatically-windows-10
| website=windowscentral.com
| access-date=2025-01-29
| date=2020-06-05
| archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250917184020/https://www.windowscentral.com/how-prevent-microsoft-edge-chromium-installing-automatically-windows-10
| archive-date=2025-09-17
| url-status=live
}}</ref>
<ref>
{{Cite web
| title=Edge Reïnstalls Itself?
| url=https://www.elevenforum.com/t/edge-reinstalls-itself.32137/
| website=Windows ElevenForum
| date=2025-01-06
| access-date=2026-02-24
}}
</ref>
When attempting to install Google Chrome, for example, Edge displays text telling people "There's no need to download a new web browser", among other things.
<ref>
{{Cite web
|last=Sen
|first=Sayan
|date=2021-12-02
|title=Microsoft says its own Edge browser is more trustworthy than "so 2008" Google Chrome |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-says-its-own-edge-browser-is-more-trustworthy-than-so-2008-google-chrome/
|url-status=live
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202081952/https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-says-its-own-edge-browser-is-more-trustworthy-than-so-2008-google-chrome/
|archive-date=2021-12-02
|access-date=2025-08-22
|website=Neowin}}</ref>
Microsoft also hosts a page on their website with the URL "https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge/uninstall-edge", suggesting this is a guide to uninstall the browser. However, the page is actually titled "Are you sure you want to uninstall Microsoft Edge?" and attempts to convince the reader that Edge is worth using, misleading readers. <ref>
{{Cite web
| title= Uninstall Microsoft Edge Microsoft Edge
| url= https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge/uninstall-edge?form=MT00OR&cs=578062562
| date= 2025-02-11
| archive-url= http://archive.today/01vwF
| archive-date= 2025-02-11
| url-status=live
}}
</ref>
<ref>
{{Cite web
| url=https://www.techradar.com/computing/edge/sorry-youre-not-getting-microsoft-edge-off-of-your-pc-at-least-according-to-its-new-uninstall-document
| last=Williams
| first=Isaiah
| website=TechRadar
| title=Sorry, you're not getting Microsoft Edge off of your PC, at least according to its new 'uninstall' document
| date=2025-02-07
| access-date=2026-02-24
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251208104305/https://www.techradar.com/computing/edge/sorry-youre-not-getting-microsoft-edge-off-of-your-pc-at-least-according-to-its-new-uninstall-document
| archive-date=2025-12-08
| url-status=live
}}
</ref>
All of these methods try to keep Edge installed on a person's computer and try to maximize the chances that person uses Edge.

====Privacy====

Privacy advocates have raised concerns about Edge’s telemetry and data collection, including browsing history and search queries sent to Microsoft by default.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]''] While the company claims this improves performance and security, critics view it as excessive surveillance.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']

====Business model====

Edge follows a freemium-adjacent model, integrating Microsoft services such as Bing and Shopping tools directly into the browser.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]''] Critics argue these features prioritize monetization and ecosystem lock-in over user experience.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']

====Market control====

By bundling Edge with Windows and tightly integrating it into the operating system, Microsoft has been accused of leveraging its OS dominance to entrench its browser market share.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]''] This has attracted regulatory scrutiny and antitrust complaints.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']
==Incidents==
===Forced Installation via Windows Updates===

Microsoft has been criticized for pushing Edge installations and re-pinnings through Windows updates, even when users had previously removed or replaced the browser.{{Citation needed}}
==See also==
*[[Chromium]]
*[[Firefox]]
*[[Microsoft]]

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

Microsoft Edge

2026-02-24T13:34:47Z

Thermonuke: Citations and some rewrites to make it sound less AI-ish

{{ProductCargo|Logo=Microsoft_Edge_logo.svg|Category=Web browser|Company=Microsoft|InProduction=Yes|ReleaseYear=2020-01-15|Website=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge}}

'''Microsoft Edge''' is a proprietary web browser developed by [[Microsoft]], first released in 2015 as the successor to Internet Explorer. Based on the [[Chromium]] engine since 2020, Edge is marketed as a fast and secure browser with integration across Microsoft services.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-30 |title=What's the difference between the new Microsoft Edge and Microsoft Edge Legacy? |url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/what-s-the-difference-between-the-new-microsoft-edge-and-microsoft-edge-legacy-a01258e5-8c05-7bbb-bed2-c65bec0eb126 |url-status=live |website=Microsoft Support |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251122093923/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/what-s-the-difference-between-the-new-microsoft-edge-and-microsoft-edge-legacy-a01258e5-8c05-7bbb-bed2-c65bec0eb126 |archive-date=22 Nov 2025
}}}}</ref> However, its deep embedding into Windows and Microsoft’s promotional tactics have drawn ongoing criticism.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']

==Consumer impact summary==
====Freedom====

Microsoft discourages people from switching to a different web browser. Edge is set as the default browser in Windows, and is sometimes automatically re-installed when Windows updates occur.<ref>
{{Cite web
| last=Huculak
| first=Mauro
| title=How to prevent new Microsoft Edge from installing automatically on Windows 10
| url=https://www.windowscentral.com/how-prevent-microsoft-edge-chromium-installing-automatically-windows-10
| website=windowscentral.com
| access-date=2025-01-29
| date=2020-06-05
| archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250917184020/https://www.windowscentral.com/how-prevent-microsoft-edge-chromium-installing-automatically-windows-10
| archive-date=2025-09-17
| url-status=live
}}</ref>
<ref>
{{Cite web
| title=Edge Reïnstalls Itself?
| url=https://www.elevenforum.com/t/edge-reinstalls-itself.32137/
| website=Windows ElevenForum
| date=2025-01-06
| access-date=2026-02-24
}}
</ref>
When attempting to install Google Chrome, for example, Edge displays text telling people "There's no need to download a new web browser", among other things.
<ref>
{{Cite web
|last=Sen
|first=Sayan
|date=2021-12-02
|title=Microsoft says its own Edge browser is more trustworthy than "so 2008" Google Chrome |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-says-its-own-edge-browser-is-more-trustworthy-than-so-2008-google-chrome/
|url-status=live
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202081952/https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-says-its-own-edge-browser-is-more-trustworthy-than-so-2008-google-chrome/
|archive-date=2021-12-02
|access-date=2025-08-22
|website=Neowin}}</ref>
Microsoft also hosts a page on their website with the URL "https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge/uninstall-edge", suggesting this is a guide to uninstall the browser. However, the page is actually titled "Are you sure you want to uninstall Microsoft Edge?" and attempts to convince the reader that Edge is worth using, misleading readers. <ref>
{{Cite web
| title= Uninstall Microsoft Edge Microsoft Edge
| url= https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge/uninstall-edge?form=MT00OR&cs=578062562
| date= 2025-02-11
| archive-url= http://archive.today/01vwF
| archive-date= 2025-02-11
| url-status=live
}}
</ref>
<ref>
{{Cite web
| url=https://www.techradar.com/computing/edge/sorry-youre-not-getting-microsoft-edge-off-of-your-pc-at-least-according-to-its-new-uninstall-document
| last=Williams
| first=Isaiah
| website=TechRadar
| date=2025-02-07
| access-date=2026-02-24
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251208104305/https://www.techradar.com/computing/edge/sorry-youre-not-getting-microsoft-edge-off-of-your-pc-at-least-according-to-its-new-uninstall-document
| archive-date=2025-12-08
| url-status=live
}}
</ref>
All of these methods try to keep Edge installed on a person's computer and try to maximize the chances that person uses Edge.

====Privacy====

Privacy advocates have raised concerns about Edge’s telemetry and data collection, including browsing history and search queries sent to Microsoft by default.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]''] While the company claims this improves performance and security, critics view it as excessive surveillance.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']

====Business model====

Edge follows a freemium-adjacent model, integrating Microsoft services such as Bing and Shopping tools directly into the browser.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]''] Critics argue these features prioritize monetization and ecosystem lock-in over user experience.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']

====Market control====

By bundling Edge with Windows and tightly integrating it into the operating system, Microsoft has been accused of leveraging its OS dominance to entrench its browser market share.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]''] This has attracted regulatory scrutiny and antitrust complaints.[''[[Consumer Rights Wiki:Verifiability|citation needed]]'']
==Incidents==
===Forced Installation via Windows Updates===

Microsoft has been criticized for pushing Edge installations and re-pinnings through Windows updates, even when users had previously removed or replaced the browser.{{Citation needed}}
==See also==
*[[Chromium]]
*[[Firefox]]
*[[Microsoft]]

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

Microsoft

2026-02-24T13:05:09Z

Thermonuke: Update citation to include more info, use Cite web template

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Article needs to be broken up into sub-articles in order to make it more legible, organized, and navigable. use of main headings should also be improved|Issue 2=Elaboration needed on section(s) describing recent and ongoing anti-competitive lawsuits.|Issue 3=Elaboration needed on Bing and search engine under anti-competitive incidents.}}
{{CompanyCargo
| Founded = 1975
| Industry = Information Technology
| Logo = Microsoft_logo.svg
| ParentCompany =
| Type = Public
| Website = https://www.microsoft.com/
| Description = Microsoft is one of the "Big Five" tech giants who has had issues ranging from antitrust issues to monopolies
}}
[[Wikipedia:Microsoft|'''''Microsoft Corporation''''']] was founded in 1975 by ''Bill Gates'' and ''Paul Allen'' in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is one of the "Big Five" tech giants, well known for licensing ''Q-DOS'' from ''Seattle Computer Product''s as ''MS-DOS'' prior to purchasing it in 1980, as well as being known for ''Windows'', the graphical extension to ''MS-DO''S. They have developed the ''Microsoft'' ''Office Suite: Access,'' ''Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher,'' and ''Word''; the ''Xbox'' under ''the Microsoft'' ''Gaming'' division; the ''Surface'' line of laptop devices; and the cloud platform ''Azure''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zachary |first=Gregg Pascal |last2=Hall |first2=Mark |last3=Montevirgen |first3=Karl |title=Microsoft-Corporation |url=https://www.britannica.com/money/Microsoft-Corporation |url-status=live |website=britannica.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260113144228/https://www.britannica.com/money/Microsoft-Corporation |archive-date=13 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Michael |date=August 12, 2021 |title=The Rise of DOS: How Microsoft Got the IBM PC OS Contract |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/the-rise-of-dos-how-microsoft-got-the-ibm-pc-os-contract |url-status=live |website=PCmag |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251218215243/https://www.pcmag.com/news/the-rise-of-dos-how-microsoft-got-the-ibm-pc-os-contract |archive-date=18 Dec 2025}}</ref>

Through acquisitions, Microsoft owns numerous other tech-related businesses.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of mergers and acquisitions by Microsoft |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mergers_and_acquisitions_by_Microsoft |website=Wikipedia |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260102005731/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mergers_and_acquisitions_by_Microsoft |archive-date=2 Jan 2026}}</ref>. Their most notable acquisitions include Skype, [[LinkedIn]], Github and [[Activision Blizzard]].

They also invest heavily in artificial intelligence enterprises like ''[[OpenAI]]'' (best known for creating ''ChatGPT'').<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vincent |first=James |date=July 22, 2019 |title=Microsoft invests $1 billion in OpenAI to pursue holy grail of artificial intelligence |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/22/20703578/microsoft-openai-investment-partnership-1-billion-azure-artificial-general-intelligence-agi |work=The Verge |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251112210115/https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/22/20703578/microsoft-openai-investment-partnership-1-billion-azure-artificial-general-intelligence-agi |archive-date=12 Nov 2025}}</ref>

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

==Anti-competitive lawsuits==

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

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

The case was eventually settled<ref>[https://www.justice.gov/atr/case-document/file/503541/dl "Final judgment of US v. Microsoft"] - justice.gov - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250713154704/https://www.justice.gov/atr/case-document/file/503541/dl Archived])</ref><ref>[https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/373/1199/474311/ "Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Ex Rel., Appellant, v. Microsoft Corporation"] - law.justia.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250813044241/https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/373/1199/474311/ Archived])</ref> and did not result in a company breakup.<ref>[https://www.seattletimes.com/business/microsoft/long-antitrust-saga-ends-for-microsoft/ "Long antitrust saga ends for Microsoft"] - seattletimes.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251201140124/https://www.seattletimes.com/business/microsoft/long-antitrust-saga-ends-for-microsoft/ Archived])</ref>

Section III.H of the Consent Decree<ref>[https://www.justice.gov/atr/microsoft-consent-decree-compliance-advisory-august-1-2003-us-v-microsoft "Microsoft Consent Decree Compliance Advisory - August 1, 2003 : U.S. V. Microsoft"] - justice.gov - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260211182935/https://www.justice.gov/atr/microsoft-consent-decree-compliance-advisory-august-1-2003-us-v-microsoft Archived])</ref> required ''Microsoft'' to "allow end users and OEMs to enable or remove access to all middleware products, including web browsers, e-mail clients, and media players through a readily accessible, centralized mechanism." End users and Original Equipment Manufacturers should be able "to specify a non-Microsoft middleware product as the default middleware product to be launched in place of the corresponding Microsoft middleware product."

In the case ''United States v.'' Microsoft Corp'''''.''','' 87 F. Supp. 2d 30 (D.D.C. 2000),<ref>[https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp2/87/30/2307082/ "United States v. Microsoft Corp., 87 F. Supp. 2d 30 (D.D.C. 2000)"] - law.justia.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250812193258/https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp2/87/30/2307082/ Archived])</ref> Microsoft's conduct in totality was described as a "deliberate assault upon entrepreneurial efforts that, could well have enabled the introduction of competition into the market for [[Intel]]-compatible PC operating systems". Furthermore, "Microsoft's anti-competitive actions trammeled the competitive process through which the computer software industry generally stimulates innovation and conduces to the optimum benefit of consumers."

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

===Microsoft Corp. v Commission of the European Communities (2004-2007)===
The EU began an investigation of Microsoft in 1998 following a complaint by Sun Microsystems for not disclosing some interfaces to Windows NT. In August 2001, the EU expanded the investigation to look at how streaming media technology has been integrated into Windows.<ref>{{cite news |last=McCullagh |first=Declan |date=2002-07-01 |title=EU looks to wrap up Microsoft probe |url=http://www.news.com/2100-1001_3-941090.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222223326/https://www.cnet.com/news/ |archive-date=22 Feb 2026|access-date=2025-08-23 |work=CNET}}</ref> Microsoft was found guilty of illegally abusing its dominant position in the operating system market<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=2007-09-17 |title=EUR-Lex - 62004TJ0201 - Judgment of the Court of First Instance (Grand Chamber) of 17 September 2007. Microsoft Corp. v Commission of the European Communities. |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:62004TJ0201 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725161632/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:62004TJ0201 |archive-date=2015-07-25 |access-date=2025-08-21 |website=EUR-Lex}}</ref> in order to dominate the entertainment market and push out competitors. It did this by bundling Windows Media Player with the Windows operating system, despite them being two distinct products, allowing "that media player automatically to achieve a level of market penetration corresponding to that of the dominant undertaking’s client PC operating system, without having to compete on the merits with competing products".<ref name=":6" />

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

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

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

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

Facing EU and UK lawsuits, Microsoft settled with some cloud vendors but retained practices criticized as unfair.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Browne |first=Ryan |date=December 3, 2024 |title=Microsoft faces £1 billion lawsuit in UK for allegedly overcharging rival cloud firms’ customers |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/03/microsoft-overcharging-rival-cloud-firms-customers-uk-lawsuit-says.html |url-status=live |website=cnbc.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260104142642/https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/03/microsoft-overcharging-rival-cloud-firms-customers-uk-lawsuit-says.html |archive-date=4 Jan 2026}}</ref>

===Antitrust investigation by U.S.===
Making it costly or technically difficult for customers to migrate data from Azure to other platforms.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Godoy |first=Jody |date=November 28, 2024 |title=Microsoft faces wide-ranging US antitrust probe |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/microsoft-faces-wide-ranging-us-antitrust-probe-2024-11-27/ |website=reuters.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250721011825/https://www.reuters.com/technology/microsoft-faces-wide-ranging-us-antitrust-probe-2024-11-27/ |archive-date=21 Jul 2025}}</ref>

==Anti-competitive incidents==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Incident
!Date Started - Date Ended (if applicable)
!Incident summary
!Related Product
!Related article (if applicable)
|-
|Taking down Minecraft competitors
|2019 - Present
|Microsoft has submitted various takedowns on games that compete against [[Minecraft]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maxwell |first=Andy |date=September 1, 2019 |title=Microsoft Puts Blocks On In-Browser Minecraft Clone |url=https://torrentfreak.com/microsoft-puts-blocks-on-in-browser-minecraft-clone-190831/ |access-date=Feb 10, 2026 |website=Torrent Freak |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260215012038/https://torrentfreak.com/microsoft-puts-blocks-on-in-browser-minecraft-clone-190831/ |archive-date=15 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mazeriio |date=Feb 10, 2026 |title=Tweet from Mazeriio |url=https://xcancel.com/Mazeriio/status/2021128578742513930 |access-date=Feb 10, 2026 |website=X formerly [[Twitter]]}}</ref> which unfairly thins out competition against the game.
|[[Minecraft]]
|
|-
|Prompts to stop users from installing competing browsers
|2021 - Present
|Users attempting to install other web browsers, such as ''[[Google Chrome|Chrome]], [[Brave browser|Brave]], or [[Opera web browser|Opera]],'' will face a pop-up on their screen telling users to instead use [[Microsoft Edge|Edge]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=2021-12-02 |title=Microsoft’s new Windows prompts try to stop people downloading Chrome |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/2/22813733/microsoft-windows-edge-download-chrome-prompts |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202114904/https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/2/22813733/microsoft-windows-edge-download-chrome-prompts |archive-date=2021-12-02 |access-date=2025-08-22 |website=The Verge}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sen |first=Sayan |date=2021-12-02 |title=Microsoft says its own Edge browser is more trustworthy than "so 2008" Google Chrome |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-says-its-own-edge-browser-is-more-trustworthy-than-so-2008-google-chrome/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202081952/https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-says-its-own-edge-browser-is-more-trustworthy-than-so-2008-google-chrome/ |archive-date=2021-12-02 |access-date=2025-08-22 |website=Neowin}}</ref> It has been reported to occur on devices running either ''[[Windows|Windows 10]]'' or ''[[Windows|Windows 11]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hollister |first=Sean |date=2023-10-25 |title=Microsoft now thirstily injects a poll when you download Google Chrome |url=https://www.theverge.com/23930960/microsoft-edge-google-chrome-poll-why-try-another-browser |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025001842/https://www.theverge.com/23930960/microsoft-edge-google-chrome-poll-why-try-another-browser |archive-date=2023-10-25 |access-date=2025-08-22 |website=The Verge}}</ref>'' which harms the market share of [[Google Chrome|Chrome]], despite [[Microsoft Edge|Edge]] being based on ''[[Chromium]]''.
|[[Microsoft Edge]]
|
|-
|Bing search attempting to harm competing search engines
|2023 - Present
|When doing a web search for an alternative web browser through ''[[Microsoft Bing|Bing]]'', ''[[Microsoft]]''<nowiki/>'s in-house developed search engine that is also used as the default for ''[[Microsoft Edge|Edge]]'', the search engine's AI will attempt to bury the search results for the web browser from the user.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hollister |first=Sean |date=Jun 6, 2023 |title=Microsoft has no shame: Bing spit on my ‘Chrome’ search with a fake AI answer |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/6/23736289/microsoft-bing-chrome-search-fake-ai-chatbot |access-date=Jun 21, 2025 |work=The Verge |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260111203332/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/6/23736289/microsoft-bing-chrome-search-fake-ai-chatbot |archive-date=11 Jan 2026}}</ref>
|[[Bing]], [[Microsoft Edge]]
|
|-
|Bing disguising itself as another search engine
|2025 - Present
|Currently, when a user does a web search for "[[Google]]", the search engine will disguise itself as a generic search engine that would appear to look like Google in the eyes of the average user.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=Jan 6, 2025 |title=Microsoft is using Bing to trick people into thinking they’re on Google |url=https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/6/24337117/microsoft-bing-search-results-google-design-trick |access-date=Jun 21, 2025 |work=The Verge |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260111203330/https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/6/24337117/microsoft-bing-search-results-google-design-trick |archive-date=11 Jan 2026}}</ref>
|[[Bing]]
|
|}

==Anti-consumer incidents==

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

===Windows 3.1 AARD code===
[[File:Windows 3.10.068 setup AARD code.png|alt=Windows 3.1 beta setup with a gray square in the middle in red text coloring that says "Non-fatal error detected: error #4D53 (Please contact Windows 3.1 beta support.). Press ENTER to continue"|thumb|Windows 3.1 AARD code]]
Users attempting to install a beta release of Windows 3.1 on a machine running [[wikipedia:DR-DOS|DR-DOS]] would receive an error message stating "'''Non-fatal error detected: error #4D53 (Please contact Windows 3.1 beta support)'''". The error code was discovered by Geoff Chappell on April 17 1992.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chappell |first=Geoff |date=8 May 1999 |title=AARD code |url=https://www.geoffchappell.com/notes/windows/archive/aard/index.htm?tx=57 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112155815/https://www.geoffchappell.com/notes/windows/archive/aard/index.htm?tx=57 |archive-date=12 Jan 2024 |access-date=16 Aug 2025 |website=Geoff Chappell, Software Analyst}}</ref> DR DOS was capable of running Windows 3.1 as it is compatible with MS-DOS, but the AARD code in the installer used undocumented structures to detect if the machine was running DR DOS in order to display this message. The rationale was to pressure the user into buying MS-DOS: "What the [user] is supposed to do is feel uncomfortable, and when he has bugs, suspect that the problem is DR-DOS and then go out to buy MS-DOS," wrote Brad Silverberg, the senior vice president of Microsoft at the time, in a 1992 email.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2002-01-02 |title=Microsoft emails focus on DR-DOS threat |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-emails-focus-on-dr-dos-threat/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310065721/https://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-emails-focus-on-dr-dos-threat/ |archive-date=2016-03-10 |access-date=2025-08-30 |work=CNET}}</ref>
===Inactive account deletions===
Microsoft has a [[Inactive account deletion|deletion policy on inactive accounts]] in which accounts that are not used for 2 years or more may be scheduled to be deleted. Any account that has been locked for more than two years will also be considered "inactive" and will be closed. Before the deletion of the inactive account, users may get an email or text message warning that their account is scheduled to be deleted. Such policies could adversely affect those who had good reasons to become inactive for a long time, such as hospitalization, prison incarceration, and being in totalitarian countries which have prolonged internet shutdowns.<ref>https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/microsoft-account-activity-policy-7c0a9fa7-0982-b7c6-fd72-df852b63699f ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260125105026/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/microsoft-account-activity-policy-7c0a9fa7-0982-b7c6-fd72-df852b63699f Archived])</ref>

====Exceptions====

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

====Resetting primary browser (2017-present)====
Windows has frequently been resetting the default browser to ''Edge'' without consent.{{Citation needed|reason=old link dead}} While there are methods to disable this,<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/15zbjar/default_browser_keeps_changing_to_microsoft_edge/ "Default browser keeps changing to Microsoft Edge after every PC restart. Win 11, tried everything"] - reddit.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20230911115100/https://old.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/15zbjar/default_browser_keeps_changing_to_microsoft_edge/ Archived])</ref> it is tedious to achieve, especially for users who are not tech-savvy.

====Inability to delete (2018-present)====
During major updates for ''Windows'', users have been reporting their installations of ''Edge'' being reinstalled to their devices without their consent.<ref>
{{Cite web
| last=Huculak
| first=Mauro
| title=How to prevent new Microsoft Edge from installing automatically on Windows 10
| url=https://www.windowscentral.com/how-prevent-microsoft-edge-chromium-installing-automatically-windows-10
| website=windowscentral.com
| access-date=2025-01-29
| date=2020-06-05
| archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250917184020/https://www.windowscentral.com/how-prevent-microsoft-edge-chromium-installing-automatically-windows-10
| archive-date=2025-09-17
| url-status=live
}}
</ref>

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

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

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

====Increasing the difficulty to switch default browsers (2021 - Present)====
After an update in 2021, computers running ''[[Windows 11]]'' had the systems that handled modifying the web browser defaults.<ref name=":03">{{Cite news |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=Aug 18, 2021 |title=Microsoft is making it harder to switch default browsers in Windows 11 |url=https://www.theverge.com/22630319/microsoft-windows-11-default-browser-changes |access-date=Jun 21, 2025 |work=The Verge |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251209162923/https://www.theverge.com/22630319/microsoft-windows-11-default-browser-changes |archive-date=9 Dec 2025}}</ref> Rather than allow the user to simply switch the default web browser, file types typically accessed via web browsers, such as HTM, HTML, SVG, and more have to be individually modified to have the default opening application changed. This has angered companies maintaining competing web browsers<ref name=":03" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lockheimer |first=Hiroshi |date=Aug 18, 2021 |title=Tweet from Hiroshi Lockheimer |url=https://x.com/lockheimer/status/1428047760620621831?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1428047760620621831%7Ctwgr%5E9ac6cc57ee0013acb388128e04c3a43f4cd79c94%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theverge.com%2F22630319%2Fmicrosoft-windows-11-default-browser-changes |access-date=Jun 21, 2025 |website=X, formerly [[Twitter]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708171810/https://x.com/lockheimer/status/1428047760620621831?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1428047760620621831%7Ctwgr%5E9ac6cc57ee0013acb388128e04c3a43f4cd79c94%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theverge.com%2F22630319%2Fmicrosoft-windows-11-default-browser-changes |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref> and consumers alike over this change. Even if users modify all of these default settings, other features on the device, such as the taskbar's weather widget, which if opened, will create a new tab specifically in ''[[Microsoft Edge|Edge]]''.<ref name=":03" />Microsoft attempts to justify this by stating:<ref name=":03" /><blockquote>“With Windows 11, we are implementing customer feedback to customize and control defaults at a more granular level, eliminating app categories and elevating all apps to the forefront of the defaults experience,” “As evidenced by this change, we’re constantly listening and learning, and welcome customer feedback that helps shape Windows. Windows 11 will continue to evolve over time; if we learn from user experience that there are ways to make improvements, we will do so.”</blockquote>

===Minecraft===
{{Main|Minecraft account migration}}
Following Microsoft's acquisition of Minecraft, they have started forcing account migration to users who already had a Mojang account to a Microsoft account. The company gave users a grace period for account migration, after which users would have to purchase Minecraft again if the Mojang account was not migrated.<ref>https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/19633473939981-I-Missed-My-Chance-to-Migrate-What-Happens-to-My-Account ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250716045613/https://help.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/19633473939981-I-Missed-my-Chance-to-Migrate-What-Happens-to-my-Account Archived])</ref>

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

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

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

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

====Windows 10====
The release of Windows 10 in 2015 marked a decade of taking away user choice through forced updates, resetting user preferences, and [[Forced app download|forced software installation.]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hruska |first=Joel |date=30 Jul 2015 |title=Windows 10's default privacy settings and controls leave much to be desired |url=https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/211208-windows-10s-default-privacy-settings-and-controls-leave-much-to-be-desired |website=ExtremeTech |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222104027/https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/211208-windows-10s-default-privacy-settings-and-controls-leave-much-to-be-desired |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> Updates would be automatically scheduled when the computer is inactive, <ref>[https://www.crn.com/news/applications-os/300077576/did-microsoft-just-backtrack-on-forced-updates-for-windows-10 "Did Microsoft Just Backtrack On Forced Updates For Windows 10?"] - crn.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251126094745/https://www.crn.com/news/applications-os/300077576/did-microsoft-just-backtrack-on-forced-updates-for-windows-10 Archived])</ref> leading to some systems being rendered unusable because of bugged updates that cannot be avoided.<ref>[https://www.tomsguide.com/news/windows-10-update-is-bricking-pcs-uninstall-this-right-now "Windows 10 update is 'breaking' PCs — what to do now"] - tomsguide.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260212180250/https://www.tomsguide.com/news/windows-10-update-is-bricking-pcs-uninstall-this-right-now Archived])</ref><ref>[https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-update-bricked-my-bios-thought-to-be/a1f0ebc7-d20d-459f-9956-72a3f98ca432 "Windows update bricked my bios ?? Thought to be impossible ?"] - answers.microsoft.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250708171954/https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-update-bricked-my-bios-thought-to-be/a1f0ebc7-d20d-459f-9956-72a3f98ca432 Archived])</ref> Some updates would force changes on preferences set by the user for various applications and settings.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/n1hoz0/windows_please_stop_changing_my_settings_with/ "Windows: PLEASE STOP CHANGING MY SETTINGS WITH UPDATES"] - reddit.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20210429235550/https://old.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/n1hoz0/windows_please_stop_changing_my_settings_with/ Archived])</ref><ref>[https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-10-updated-and-reset-all-of-my-settings/529ffb03-edd4-4be2-9412-50e3271fa8fe "Windows 10 updated and reset all of my settings and preferences."] - answers.microsoft.com - 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250708171948/https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-10-updated-and-reset-all-of-my-settings/529ffb03-edd4-4be2-9412-50e3271fa8fe Archived])</ref><ref>[https://www.minitool.com/news/windows-settings-are-reset-after-reboot.html "Windows Settings Are Reset After Reboot? Best Fixes Here!"] - minitool.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260219115001/https://www.minitool.com/news/windows-settings-are-reset-after-reboot.html Archived])</ref>

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

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

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

=====TPM 2.0 chip requirements=====
{{see also|Trusted computing}}
Microsoft updated their system requirements to include ''Trusted Platform Module 2.0'' (TPM) support as a mandatory requirement for upgrading to ''[[Windows 11]]''. This would require either a TPM-compatible CPU, or a separate TPM-dedicated chip to be installed on the motherboard, however some users were able to circumvent this requirement by editing the registry.<ref>[https://www.starwindsoftware.com/blog/bypass-tpm-and-install-windows-11-on-unsupported-hardware/ "Bypass TPM and Install Windows 11 on Unsupported Hardware"] - starwindsoftware.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250930121420/https://www.starwindsoftware.com/blog/bypass-tpm-and-install-windows-11-on-unsupported-hardware/ Archived])</ref> This change resulted in many customers selling or discarding their otherwise functional computers and hardware that did not meet the new system requirements.<ref>[https://securityonline.info/windows-11s-tpm-2-0-free-software-foundation-fights-forced-upgrades-and-e-waste/ "Windows 11’s TPM 2.0: Free Software Foundation Fights Forced Upgrades and E-Waste"] - securityonline.info - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250708171949/https://securityonline.info/windows-11s-tpm-2-0-free-software-foundation-fights-forced-upgrades-and-e-waste/ Archived])</ref> Microsoft has been frequently reminding users of ''[[Windows|Windows 10]]'' to upgrade their hardware to be compatible with ''[[Windows 11]]'',<ref>[https://www.pcmag.com/news/microsoft-revives-pop-ups-in-windows-10-to-push-windows-11-upgrades "Microsoft Revives Pop-Ups in Windows 10 to Push Windows 11 Upgrades"] - pcmag.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260215005212/https://www.pcmag.com/news/microsoft-revives-pop-ups-in-windows-10-to-push-windows-11-upgrades Archived])</ref><ref>[https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsoft-embarrasses-itself-with-windows-10-pop-up-that-hogs-the-desktop-urging-an-upgrade-to-windows-11-then-promptly-crashes "Microsoft embarrasses itself with Windows 10 pop-up that hogs the desktop urging an upgrade to Windows 11 – then promptly crashes"] - techradar.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251224021647/https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsoft-embarrasses-itself-with-windows-10-pop-up-that-hogs-the-desktop-urging-an-upgrade-to-windows-11-then-promptly-crashes Archived])</ref> which has caused many users frequent agitation.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/microsoft/comments/19dvs9k/any_way_to_disable_the_upgrade_to_windows_11_ads/ "Any way to disable the "upgrade to Windows 11" ads?"] - reddit.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251016073816/https://old.reddit.com/r/microsoft/comments/19dvs9k/any_way_to_disable_the_upgrade_to_windows_11_ads/ Archived])</ref>

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

=====Recall=====
{{Main|Microsoft Copilot's recall feature}}
In 2024, Microsoft unveiled ''Recall'' for ''Copilot+ PCs'', marketed as a way for users to search through what they have done on their computer by recording their screen. This sparked controversy,<ref>[https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsofts-controversial-recall-feature-for-windows-11-could-already-be-in-legal-hot-water "Microsoft’s controversial Recall feature for Windows 11 could already be in legal hot water"] - techradar.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251002141424/https://www.techradar.com/computing/windows/microsofts-controversial-recall-feature-for-windows-11-could-already-be-in-legal-hot-water Archived])</ref> especially among security experts<ref>[https://www.techtarget.com/searchenterpriseai/feature/Privacy-and-security-risks-surrounding-Microsoft-Recall "Privacy and security risks surrounding Microsoft Recall"] - techtarget.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251209084156/https://www.techtarget.com/searchenterpriseai/feature/Privacy-and-security-risks-surrounding-Microsoft-Recall Archived])</ref> who worried about the security of screenshots,<ref>[https://news.sky.com/story/microsoft-ai-feature-investigated-by-uk-watchdog-over-screenshots-13141171 "Microsoft AI feature investigated by UK watchdog over screenshots"] - news.sky.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260203142620/https://news.sky.com/story/microsoft-ai-feature-investigated-by-uk-watchdog-over-screenshots-13141171 Archived])</ref> since it could easily document private information like social-security numbers, bank-account information, and passwords, as well as user browsing behavior. A ''Python'' script was developed, called "''TotalRecall''", that collects the screenshots and descriptions of these recordings,<ref>[https://github.com/xaitax/TotalRecall "TotalRecall - a 'privacy nightmare'?"] - github.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260204070642/https://github.com/xaitax/TotalRecall Archived])</ref> proving the danger of ''Recall''. This feature was delayed after backlash from users.<ref>[https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/06/microsoft-recall-delayed-after-privacy-and-security-concerns "Microsoft Recall delayed after privacy and security concerns"] - malwarebytes.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251229124341/https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/06/microsoft-recall-delayed-after-privacy-and-security-concerns Archived])</ref>

In 2025, Microsoft re-released ''Recall'',<ref>{{Cite news |last=Davenport |first=Corbin |date=Apr 25, 2025 |title=Windows Recall Is Finally Rolling Out After Controversal Reveal |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/windows-recall-is-finally-rolling-out-after-controversal-release/ |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=How to Geek |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260218203614/https://www.howtogeek.com/windows-recall-is-finally-rolling-out-after-controversal-release/ |archive-date=18 Feb 2026}}</ref> with claims that the tool has resolved the security flaws and it coming disabled by default.<ref>{{Cite news |last=LeClair |first=Dave |date=Apr 11, 2025 |title=Microsoft Recall is rolling out following major controversy — what you need to know |url=https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/microsoft-recall-is-coming-for-real-this-time |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=Tom's Guide |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251119223853/https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/microsoft-recall-is-coming-for-real-this-time |archive-date=19 Nov 2025}}</ref> However, despite integrating better security, having this feature enabled continues to pose privacy risks for consumers, as it is only a matter of when a vulnerability is discovered for the problems both consumers and businesses initially had with the tool to resurface,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Nick |date=May 5, 2025 |title=Turn Off Windows' Recall to Protect Your Privacy |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/how-to-disable-recall/ |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=How to Geek |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216130638/https://www.howtogeek.com/how-to-disable-recall/ |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Piltch |first=Avram |date=2025-08-01 |title=Tested: Microsoft Recall can still capture credit cards and passwords, a treasure trove for crooks |url=https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/01/microsoft_recall_captures_credit_card_info/ |access-date=2025-08-05 |website=The Register |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260201105110/https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/01/microsoft_recall_captures_credit_card_info/ |archive-date=1 Feb 2026}}</ref> especially since it is difficult for users to inspect the screenshots that are taken by the tool.

=====Family Safety=====
{{Main|Microsoft's anticompetitive practices}}
A feature seen within ''[[Windows 11]]''<nowiki/>'s parental controls is Family Safety. A key problem shown from this feature is that it can questionably ban certain applications from properly running on the device, with no notice to the administrator in charge of the device. In '''June 2025''', this feature banned the string "Chrome",<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=u/Witty-Discount-2906 |date=Jun 3, 2025 |title=Chrome won’t open (Windows 11) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/chrome/comments/1l2c552/comment/mvt1w2a/ |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> which blocked the web browser [[Google Chrome|''Chrome'']] from functioning.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=Jun 20, 2025 |title=Microsoft is blocking Google Chrome through its family safety feature |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/690179/microsoft-block-google-chrome-family-safety-feature |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=The Verge |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260203193533/https://www.theverge.com/news/690179/microsoft-block-google-chrome-family-safety-feature |archive-date=3 Feb 2026}}</ref> Schools in particular use this feature on devices given out for students to complete classwork remotely, and as [[Google Chrome|''Chrome'']] holds the majority market share of web browser usage, (65-70%)<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 1, 2025 |title=Browser Market Share Worldwide |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/browser-market-share/ |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |website=Statcounter |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260122220040/https://gs.statcounter.com/browser-market-share |archive-date=22 Jan 2026}}</ref> there has been mass reports of students being unable to complete their classwork strictly due to this flaw.<ref name=":04">{{Cite news |last=Priestley |first=Peter |date=Jun 4, 2025 |title=Microsoft Family Safety Blocking Chrome Browser |url=https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_11-wintop_famsafety/microsoft-family-safety-blocking-chrome-browser/40023ef5-177b-4eed-a857-80ed15afa3a5?rtAction=1749008739548&page=1 |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |work=Microsoft Answers}}</ref>

Currently, Microsoft has neglected to inform users on rolling out a fix in the future,<ref>{{Cite web |date=Jun 3, 2025 |title=[User Feedback - Stable] M137 Windows - Increase in feedback about crashing |url=https://issues.chromium.org/issues/422222571 |access-date=Jun 20, 2025 |website=Chromium issues |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251215065440/https://issues.chromium.org/issues/422222571 |archive-date=15 Dec 2025}}</ref> and the only solutions available to users is to either rename the executable on the affected device<ref name=":3" /> or disable "Block inappropriate browsing" inside the ''Family Safety'' settings.<ref name=":04" />

=====Removal of WordPad=====
Starting with Windows 11, version 24H2, [[wikipedia:WordPad|WordPad]], a word processor included with every version of Windows since [[wikipedia:Windows_95|Windows 95]] was removed and would not be included with future clean installations. Microsoft recommended users to use [[wikipedia:Microsoft_Word|Microsoft Word]] for rich text documents like .doc and .rtf, and [[wikipedia:Windows_Notepad|Windows Notepad]] for plain text documents like .txt. Microsoft Word is included with Microsoft 365 for $69.99 a year, or with Office 2024 with a one-time purchase of $149.99.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Oct 4, 2024 |title=RIP: Windows 11 Update Officially Removes WordPad |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/rip-windows-11-update-officially-removes-wordpad |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=PC Mag |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251002140136/https://www.pcmag.com/news/rip-windows-11-update-officially-removes-wordpad |archive-date=2 Oct 2025}}</ref>

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


[[File:MSInstall.png|thumb|An image of a Windows 10 installation, to illustrate the effort required to make an account unattached to a Microsoft account.]]
Numerous [[dark patterns]] have been implemented in the form of vague language and a confusing user interface, which hides the option to create an account without a Microsoft account under sub-menus and small text. This implementation, first launched under Windows 10 in 2015, continues into the [[Windows 11]] installation process. In March 2025, Microsoft announced that the creation of a Microsoft account would be mandatory when downloading Windows 11, claiming that the decision would tighten security and streamline the user experience.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-28 |title=Windows 11 Enforces Mandatory Microsoft Account for Setup: What You Need to Know |url=https://windowsforum.com/threads/windows-11-enforces-mandatory-microsoft-account-for-setup-what-you-need-to-know.358519/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-10-05 |website=Windows Forum |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222014631/https://windowsforum.com/threads/windows-11-enforces-mandatory-microsoft-account-for-setup-what-you-need-to-know.358519/ |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> On occasion, Microsoft accounts have been unilaterally disabled by Microsoft. The default experience with a Microsoft account and trusted computing is that if something goes wrong with the computer, you are likely to lose all your data. Experienced users know to backup credentials to minimize this risk, however Microsoft sets most users up for failure.

=====Discontinued support for Windows Mixed Reality (WMR)=====
{{Main|Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) discontinuation}}
Beginning with [[Windows 11]] version ''24H2'', Microsoft no longer supports Windows Mixed Reality, and all support for the platform will end November 1, 2027. This affects device models from manufacturers including ''[[Samsung]]'', ''[[HP Inc.|HP]]'', ''[[Lenovo]]'', ''[[Acer]]'', ''Dell'', and Microsoft - including their own flagship device, Microsoft ''HoloLens''. Users who wish to continue using these devices must either use Windows 10 or block the ''24H2'' update from being installed.<ref> https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/hp-reverb-g2-windows-11-24h2-not-working-need-help/dd90e232-1f28-4655-aafa-685285017d59 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250708171951/https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/hp-reverb-g2-windows-11-24h2-not-working-need-help/dd90e232-1f28-4655-aafa-685285017d59 Archived])</ref>

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

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

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

====Xbox====
*'''Online activation'''
:Requiring internet connectivity to set up Xbox consoles or install physical game discs, even for single-player modes.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=April 12, 2021 |title=DRM or Die. How Anti-Consumer Practices Became the New Norm and the Consumers Are to Blame |url=https://cgicoffee.com/blog/2021/04/drm-or-die-anti-consumer-practices |website= |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250814164227/https://cgicoffee.com/blog/2021/04/drm-or-die-anti-consumer-practices |archive-date=14 Aug 2025}}</ref>
*'''DRM'''
:Xbox Series X/S games demand online verification for disc-based installations, rendering offline play difficult.<ref name=":4" />
*'''Xbox storage monopolization'''
:Xbox Series X/S uses a proprietary [https://www.seagate.com/content/dam/seagate/en/content-fragments/products/datasheets/xbox-expansion-card-series-4tb/xbox-expansion-card-series-4tb-DS2081-4-2504US-en_US.pdf Storage Expansion Card] that costs more when compared to industry standard storage.{{Citation needed}}
*'''Encrypted Storage'''
:Xbox Series X/S consoles have a removable solid-state drive (SSD), yet they contain an encrypted partition with a key that is married to the motherboard. This key changes after each system update, making it difficult to replace the drive<ref>{{Cite web |date=Jul 13, 2023 |title=New Xbox SSD interface is horribly anti repair|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbmzp-rqwfU |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=YouTube |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=Bbmzp-rqwfU |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref>. Xbox 360 and Xbox One consoles allowed users to easily replace the hard disk drive (HDD) as needed since the hard drives did not contain such encryption<ref>{{Cite web |date=Nov 28, 2024 |title=Xbox 360 HDD Replacement|url=https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Xbox+360+HDD+Replacement/3430 |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=iFixit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260130220622/https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Xbox+360+HDD+Replacement/3430 |archive-date=30 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 20, 2024 |title=Xbox One Hard Drive Replacement|url=https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Xbox+One+Hard+Drive+Replacement/36771 |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=iFixit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251218160941/https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Xbox+One+Hard+Drive+Replacement/36771 |archive-date=18 Dec 2025}}</ref>. For the original Xbox, the hard drive was married to the motherboard, but if the console was modified with custom firmware, users could easily replace the drive{{Citation needed}}.
*'''Ending Third-Party Wireless Controller Support'''
:Support for third-party wireless controllers was ended in October 2023. Users were given a two week warning before their devices could no longer be used wirelessly unless the manufacturer paid a licensing fee.

====Removal of games====
In early September 2016, Microsoft shut down ''Xbox Live Indie Games'',<ref>[https://www.polygon.com/2015/9/9/9297959/xbox-live-indie-games-shutting-down "After seven years, Xbox Live Indie Games is closing down for good"] - polygon.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250820204939/https://www.polygon.com/2015/9/9/9297959/xbox-live-indie-games-shutting-down/ Archived])</ref> and in late July 2024, Microsoft shut down its storefront for ''[[Xbox|Xbox 360]]'' games.<ref>[https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2023/08/17/xbox-360-store-will-close-july-2024/ "The Xbox 360 Store Will Close July 2024, But You Can Keep Playing Your Favorite Games"] - news.xbox.com - accessed 2025-01-29 ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260221231632/https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2023/08/17/xbox-360-store-will-close-july-2024/ Archived])</ref> These shutdowns have made it impossible to obtain new copies of, or in some cases, play, hundreds of games within the legacy ''[[Xbox]]'' library.

===Other===

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

===='''Recurring billing traps'''====
Defaulting users into subscription auto-renewals while making cancellation processes opaque.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-18 |title=Why is MS Software So Predatory? |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/3869973/why-is-ms-software-so-predatory?forum=windows-all&referrer=answers |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=learn.microsoft.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250812172730/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/3869973/why-is-ms-software-so-predatory?forum=windows-all&referrer=answers |archive-date=12 Aug 2025}}</ref>{{Citation needed|reason=better source than just support forum}}

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

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

*[[Visual Studio Code]]

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

Dell

2026-02-19T04:29:32Z

Thermonuke: Added a company description, removed text in the Consumer Impact Summary that didn't add much.

{{Cleanup}}
{{Incomplete|Issue 1=needs more neutral wording|Issue 2=needs response from Dell (if any)|Issue 3=info on what the consumer can do for a replacement or refund}}Dell, formally Dell Technologies, is a technology company focused on computers and computer infrastructure. They market themselves as "the world’s most essential technology infrastructure company for the data era". <ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=How we got here |url=https://www.dell.com/en-us/lp/dt/timeline |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260219041003/https://www.dell.com/en-us/lp/dt/timeline |archive-date=2026-02-19 |access-date=2026-02-18 |website=Dell Technologies}}</ref> The company was founded in 1984 as PC's Limited by Michael Dell, and has since grown into a multinational corporation making hundreds of billions of US dollars worth of revenue <ref name=":1" />. Dell operates in both the consumer and business segments, selling personal and business computing hardware as well as various IT services, most recently Artificial Intelligence. Dell is headquartered in Round Rock, Texas.

{{CompanyCargo
|Founded=1984-05-03
|Industry=Personal Computers, Computer Software
|Logo=Dell logo.svg
|ParentCompany=Dell Technologies
|Type=Public
|Website=https://www.dell.com/
|Description=Dell is a company that makes computing related products such as monitors, desktops, servers and laptops.
}}
==Consumer-impact summary==

==Incidents==
===Dell XPS 13 Plus quality control (April 28th, 2022)===
Dell chooses to release the product 'Dell XPS 13 Plus', Which was not only broken by it's functions, It also was manufactured poorly, As some laptops had their screens easily fall off<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Shilov |first=Anton |date=September 2, 2022 |title=Dell's XPS 13 Plus Has an Adhesive Problem: Screen May Fall Off |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/news/dells-xps-13-plus-has-an-adhesive-problem-screen-may-fall-off |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250803050612/https://www.tomshardware.com/news/dells-xps-13-plus-has-an-adhesive-problem-screen-may-fall-off |archive-date=3 Aug 2025 |work=Dell's XPS 13 Plus Has an Adhesive Problem: Screen May Fall Off |pages=1}}</ref>, And reviews on amazon saying the product' parts do not work properly.

[https://www.windowscentral.com/dell-xps-13-plus-finally-now-available-starting-1249 article]
[https://www.reddit.com/r/Dell/comments/wr8jxk/atrocious_experience_with_the_xps_13_plus_after_8/ Review 1 (Reddit)]

[https://www.reddit.com/r/DellXPS/comments/1l39z82/my_review_of_the_dell_xps_13_plus_9320/ Review 2 (Reddit)]

[https://www.amazon.com/Dell-9320-Touchscreen-Notebook-Board/dp/B0BBGTT1R3 Review 3 (Amazon Product)]

The dell XPS 13 Plus ended up being so bad in all of it's different ways, Not just being uneasy to use, As in the literal screen falling off easily<ref name=":0" />, And complaints about the product just not working as it should be. Looking at reviews, They say things are just glitching, Breaking, and all definitions that fit the idea of "Not working well"

======

==Products==
(please add some)

==See also==
[https://youtu.be/YvGS-efW2ZU Youtube video used to get information about the Dell XPS 13 Plus incident]

[https://pastebin.com/GZs7A9VH The youtubes pastebin]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Adobe ToS update gives the company rights over consumers' works

2026-01-23T14:09:48Z

Thermonuke: Added a couple of citations, along with more info on AI/ML

{{Incomplete}}[[File:Adobe tos.jpg|thumb|Adobe's updated Terms of Service, which does not include an "opt-out" nor a "decline" option.]]
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Adobe
|StartDate=2024
|EndDate=
|Status=Active
|ProductLine=
|Product=
|ArticleType=Service
|Type=Ownership, Terms of Service
|Description=Adobe inserted a clause in their terms of service to claim ownership over user's creative works.
}}
'''[[Adobe]]''' made changes to the terms of use of their software offerings in 2024 using wording that granted Adobe a license to make use of the users' created content in a variety of ways.

==Background==
Adobe, a computer software company that specializes in programs for content creation, editing, and publishing, has stirred controversy with an update to their [[Terms of Service]] (ToS) which declares that by accepting, users grant Adobe a "non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license"<ref name="tos-sec4.3" /> to their content. This license allows Adobe to "reproduce, distribute, create derivative works, publicly display, publicly perform, and sublicense" the user's content.<ref name="tos-sec4.3">
{{cite web
|author=
|date=18 June 2024
|title=Adobe General Terms of Use Section 4.3
|url=https://www.adobe.com/legal/terms.html#root_content_flex_copy_1721445329_items_flex_928057436_items_position_position-par_position_402910982_c_2129676765
|website=Adobe
|url-status=live
|access-date=19 Feb 2025
|archive-date=16 Feb 2025
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250216212938/https://www.adobe.com/legal/terms.html#root_content_flex_copy_1721445329_items_flex_928057436_items_position_position-par_position_402910982_c_2129676765
}}</ref>

==Consumer impact==
This controversy stems from concerns that the updated ToS may violate existing [[Non-disclosure agreement|non-disclosure agreements]] (NDAs) and their own [[wikipedia:Intellectual_property|Intellectual property]] rights<ref name="malwarebytes-article">
{{cite web
|last=Arntz
|first=Pieter
|date=12 June 2024
|title=Adobe clarifies Terms of Service change, says it doesn’t train AI on customer content
|url=https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/06/no-ai-training-in-newly-distrusted-terms-of-service-adobe-says
|website=MalwareBytes
|url-status=live
|access-date=22 Jan 2026
|archive-date=9 July 2025
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250709070110/https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/06/no-ai-training-in-newly-distrusted-terms-of-service-adobe-says
}}</ref>
. When the change to the policy was made, users were unable to access their content without first agreeing to the updated ToS, leaving many users unable to retrieve their work{{Citation needed}}.

While Adobe claims they do not use your content to train generative AI<ref name="pcmag-article">
{{cite web
|last=Irwin
|first=Kate
|date=11 June 2024
|title=Adobe Is Changing Its Terms of Use Again After Backlash
|url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/adobe-changing-terms-of-use-again-after-backlash
|website=PCMag
|url-status=live
|access-date=23 Jan 2026
|archive-date=25 Aug 2025
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250825015857/https://www.pcmag.com/news/adobe-changing-terms-of-use-again-after-backlash
}}</ref>, Adobe does admit they may use your content for machine-learning purposes, and states that users always have the option to opt out{{Citation needed}}. In addition, on Adobe's stock image platform, "several artists found images that reference their work" <ref name="malwarebytes-article/>. There is no option on the ToS-acceptance screen to decline or opt out.

==References==

[[Category:Adobe]]
[[Category:Incidents]]
[[Category:Feature Ransom]]
<references />