Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Digital rights management

2026-02-06T08:13:48Z

Zerosugar: sources archived + formatted

[[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=https://archive.is/XwqaH |archive-date=2023-05-02}}</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 prevent 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><I>DRM creates a damaged good; it prevents you from doing what would be possible without it. – Defective by Design</I><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==
DRM, by definition, is designed to make content less compatible with devices. This means there is a higher likelihood of software or hardware refusing to play content due to buggy or overly restrictive DRM. For example, with the aforementioned Netflix HDCP requirement, it is not enough for the display you intend to watch the content on to support HDCP—all monitors connected to the system must support it.<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 on PCs with multi-monitor setup PC, older but fully functional monitors cannot be used as secondary screens without violating Netflix’s DRM restrictions.

Such requirements 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.

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> This requirement resulted in VCRs and compliant analog to DV capture cards not being able to record commercial VHS tapes{{citation needed}}.

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}}</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]]

Google Pixel Watch

2026-02-06T07:08:44Z

Zerosugar: sources archived

{{ProductLineCargo
|ArticleType = Product
|Category = Smartwatches
|Company = Google
|Description =
|InProduction = Yes
|Logo = Google Pixel Watch.png
|ReleaseYear = 2022
|Website = https://store.google.com/us/product/pixel_watch_3
}}
The '''[[wikipedia:Google_Pixel#Smartwatches|Pixel Watch]]''' is a line of smartwatches developed and marketed by [[Google]]. The first-generation Pixel Watch was launched on October 13, 2022, and was first previewed in May 2022 during the Google I/O keynote. It integrated with Fitbit, which Google acquired in 2021. The smartwatches have the Google Assistant built-in and support Google Translate.

==Consumer impact summary==

===Repairability===
No repair options, designed as replacement-only devices.

===Data Privacy Risks===
Different privacy policies due to the acquisition of Fitbit, in the past there were also data breaches.

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

*[[Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 Battery Performance Program]] (2025): The Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 devices have reached their end of support. Google announced its Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 Battery Performance Program to users as a forced software update.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 Jan 2025 |title=Sense and Versa 3 Battery Performance Program |url=https://support.google.com/fitbit/answer/15763108?hl=en&sjid=8585407520622055107 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250717200451/https://support.google.com/fitbit/answer/15763108?hl=en |archive-date=2025-07-17 |access-date=2 Mar 2025 |website=Google Support}}</ref>
*[[Google Pixel Watches do not come with repair options]] (2023): The entire product line does not come with repair options, contrary to other product lines by Google, like with the [[Google Pixel]] smartphone, where spare parts are available and repairs are possible. They are designed as replacement-only devices. No spare parts are available for repair. Even simple repairs like screen replacements are impossible due to unavailable parts, even a year later.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhatia |first=Sanuj |date=20 August 2024 |title=Like clockwork, Google triples down on no-repair policy with Pixel Watch 3 |url=https://www.yahoo.com/tech/clockwork-google-triples-down-no-145204592.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/aWMds |archive-date=2026-02-06 |access-date=2 Mar 2025 |website=Yahoo tech}}</ref>
*[[Fitbit user data exposed in wearable device data breach]] (2021): Data breach stemmed from GetHealth, a New York-based health and wellness company that allows users to unify their wearable device, medical device, and app data.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McKeon |first=Jill |date=16 Sep 2021 |title=61M Fitbit, Apple Users Had Data Exposed in Wearable Device Data Breach |url=https://www.techtarget.com/healthtechsecurity/news/366594948/61M-Fitbit-Apple-Users-Had-Data-Exposed-in-Wearable-Device-Data-Breach |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251112150519/https://www.techtarget.com/healthtechsecurity/news/366594948/61M-Fitbit-Apple-Users-Had-Data-Exposed-in-Wearable-Device-Data-Breach |archive-date=2025-11-12 |access-date=2 Mar 2025 |website=Informa TechTarget}}</ref>

==Products==

*'''[https://blog.google/products/pixel/google-pixel-watch-3/ Google Pixel Watch 3]''' (2024)
*'''[https://blog.google/products/pixel/google-pixel-watch-2/ Google Pixel Watch 2]''' (2023)
*'''[https://blog.google/products/pixel/google-pixel-watch/ Google Pixel Watch 1]'''(2022)

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Google Pixel Watch]]

Digital Millennium Copyright Act

2026-02-04T02:59:13Z

Zerosugar: citations fixed :p

{{StubNotice}}

The '''[[wikipedia:Digital_Millennium_Copyright_Act|Digital Millenium Copyright Act]]''' (DMCA) is a copyright law passed in 1998 to amend Title 17 of the United States Code.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1998-10-28 |title=Digital Millennium Copyright Act |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-105publ304/pdf/PLAW-105publ304.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260125064622/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-105publ304/pdf/PLAW-105publ304.pdf |archive-date=2026-01-25 |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=GovInfo}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=1998-10-08 |title=H.R.2281 - Digital Millennium Copyright Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2281 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260201003346/https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/2281 |archive-date=2026-02-01 |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=Congress.gov}}</ref> Among its provisions are criminalizing the production and dissemination of information intended to circumvent copy protections that protect intellectual property, such as those considered digital rights management. It was later amended in 1998 to shield from liability ISPs that consumers may use to gain access to such information.

The law also provides that the Library of Congress issue exemptions from the prohibition when it is shown that access-control technology has had a substantial adverse effect on the ability of people to make non-infringing uses of copyrighted works. These exemptions are not granted in perpetuity. They are revised every 3 years, and existing exemptions must be resubmitted for the next rulemaking cycle alongside any new ones.

This law is one of the earliest to address the digital multimedia era, where previous law was deemed insufficient with the technology of the time period (even though its effect covers all digital information). Although the law is meant to supplement intellectual property rights, there are concerns that it conflicts with consumers' interests. This is due to the specific text of the law, as well as its interpretation being used to attack activity by consumers that would otherwise be permitted. Concerns over Right to Repair, Fair Use, and an overall lack of valid paths to refute or redress accusations of violating the law remain.

==Section 1201==

===Anti-Circumvention rule===
The DMCA prohibits breaking any digital lock that "effectively controls access" to a copyrighted material.<ref name=":0" /> Initially created under the premise of preventing internet piracy, critics have been apt to point out the ways that corporations have abused this legal restriction. Cory Doctorow argues that the rule prevents competition and "the creation of legitimate, otherwise legal technologies."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Doctorow |first=Cory |date=2015-12-01 |title=I Can’t Let You Do That, Dave |url=https://cacm.acm.org/opinion/i-cant-let-you-do-that-dave/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250911054401/https://cacm.acm.org/opinion/i-cant-let-you-do-that-dave/ |archive-date=2025-09-11 |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=Communications of the ACM}}</ref>

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Common terms]]
[[Category:Legislation]]
[[Category:US legislation]]

Advertising overload

2026-02-02T07:28:18Z

Zerosugar: fixed 2 citations - but im sleepy

{{SloppyAI}}{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Bottom section of the article includes AI generated lists|Issue 2=Bottom section of the article NEEDS sources!}}

Advertising overload refers to the practice of not only integrating advertising as a source of revenue in software and websites, but also increasing the number of ads within platforms that consumers use. This has increasingly caused inconvenience to consumers. A commonly cited issue is the ever-increasing length of unskippable ads, which are forcibly shown even to people who need to watch CPR videos.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Andrews |first=Luke |date=5 Jun 2023 |title=YouTube is playing three-minute-long adverts before FIRST AID videos — and they've already been linked to at least one death |url=https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12143973/YouTube-playing-30-second-adverts-AID-videos.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250709000810/https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12143973/YouTube-playing-30-second-adverts-AID-videos.html |archive-date=2025-07-09 |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |work=[[Daily Mail]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=YouTube Playing Three Minute Ads Prior To First Aid Videos |url=https://1059themountain.com/mornings/youtube-playing-three-minute-ads-prior-to-first-aid-videos/ |url-status=dead |archive-url= |archive-date= |website=105.9 The Mountain}}</ref>

==Applications in industries==

===Operating systems===
Operating systems have been experiencing advertising overload, most notably the large market lead [[Windows]]. [[Activision Blizzard|King]]'s Candy Crush frequently comes pre-installed on [[Windows]] 10 operating systems,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moscaritolo |first=Angela |date=15 May 2025 |title=Windows 10 Will Come With Candy Crush Saga Pre-Installed |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/windows-10-will-come-with-candy-crush-saga-pre-installed |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[PCMag]]}}</ref> without consumer consent, and this game is additionally loaded with ads.<ref>[https://www.clashofgaming.com/en/problems-with-ads-in-candy-crush-saga-solutions-and-tips Problems with ads in Candy Crush Saga - Solutions and tips]</ref> Microsoft Solitaire Collection, a mainstay title for Windows devices, has had unnecessary ads inserted into the software.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 Feb 2020 |title=Unwanted ads in solitaire collection |url=https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/unwanted-ads-in-solitaire-collection/814c97f6-30e5-478d-89f0-dfcad1085485 |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Microsoft]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=29 Aug 2024 |title=How to stop ads on Microsoft Solitaire collection? |url=https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/how-to-stop-ads-on-microsoft-solitaire-collection/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Games Learning Society]]}}</ref> Users who purchased Windows 10+ licenses have reported a progressively increasing number of ads within the software.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hoffman |first=Chris |date=28 Feb 2021 |title=How to Disable All of Windows 10's Built-in Advertising |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/269331/how-to-disable-all-of-windows-10s-built-in-advertising/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[How-To Geek]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=De Leon |first=Nicholas |date=21 Oct 2024 |title=How to Get Rid of the Ads and Other Shortcomings in Windows 11 |url=https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/computers/windows-11-how-to-get-rid-of-ads-and-other-shortcomings-a7800213441/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Consumer Reports]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1 Apr 2023 |title=Every time I login to my PC a screen advertising Game Pass appears. How do I stop this? |url=https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/every-time-i-login-to-my-pc-a-screen-advertising/6f83ad8a-3dab-43ef-871e-979b58965f6f |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Microsoft]]}}</ref> Windows 10 additionally has pop-ups that frequently prompt legacy users to purchase Windows 11-supported hardware.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Irwin |first=Kate |date=21 Nov 2024 |title=Microsoft Pushes Copilot+ PCs on Windows 10 Users With Pop-Up Ads |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/microsoft-pushes-copilot-plus-pcs-on-windows-10-users-with-pop-up-ads |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2024 |website=[[PCMag]]}}</ref> While it is possible to disable this pop-up via registry editing in Win 10 Pro edition,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stagg |first=Dave |date=Feb 14, 2022 |title=How to disable the Windows 11 Upgrade prompt |url=https://endpointfocus.com/how-to-disable-the-windows-11-upgrade-prompt/ |access-date=Mar 15, 2025 |work=Endpoint Focus}}</ref> the registries that are changed with this method are the ones which handle receiving any update, including security updates.

Smart televisions also have been seeing a sharp increase in advertisements within the operating system as well, such as [[Roku]]<ref>[https://advertising.roku.com/ Roku Advertising]</ref> and [[Amazon]] Fire TV.<ref>[https://advertising.amazon.com/resources/ad-specs/fire-tv Amazon Advertising]</ref> [[Roku]] has faced criticism for its plans to introduce ads that appear whenever users pause a game they are playing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zwiezen |first=Zack |date=4 Apr 2024 |title=Roku’s New HDMI Tech Could Show Ads When You Pause Your Game |url=https://kotaku.com/roku-patent-hdmi-tech-tv-ads-game-console-pause-screen-1851388976 |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Kotaku]]}}</ref> This introduces privacy concerns since these detection systems depend on constant spying on consumer's activities.
[[File:Fire TV ads.png|thumb|A screenshot of the home screen for an Amazon Fire TV]]
[[File:Xbox One Dashboard.jpg|thumb|The Xbox One dashboard as of 2022]]
Users of [[Xbox]] One/Series<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gach |first=Ethan |date=26 Jul 2023 |title=New Xbox Dashboard Looks Great, Still Has Too Many Ads |url=https://kotaku.com/xbox-series-x-s-dashboard-update-game-pass-ui-1850679127 |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Kotaku]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Micheals |first=Steve |date=22 Jan 2024 |title=Xbox Gamers Not Happy About Full-Screen Ads |url=https://gamerant.com/xbox-full-screen-ads/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[GameRant]]}}</ref> and [[PlayStation]] 4/5 consoles,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=30 Sep 2024 |title=PS5 Homescreen Now Replaces Unique Video Game Art With Annoying Ads You Can’t Turn Off |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/ps5-homescreen-now-replaces-unique-video-game-art-with-annoying-ads-you-cant-turn-off |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[IGN]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bevan |first=Rhiannon |date=1 Oct 2024 |title=PlayStation Blames PS5 Dashboard Ads On "Tech Error" |url=https://www.thegamer.com/ps5-dashboard-ads-were-a-bug-tech-issue-removed/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Gamer]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Co |first=Alex |date=29 Sep 2024 |title=PS5 New UI Update Also Brought Ads You Can’t Turn Off and Unwanted Forced News Feed to Select Titles |url=https://mp1st.com/news/ps5-new-ui-update-also-brought-unwanted-forced-news-feed-and-ads-to-select-titles |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[MP1ST]]}}</ref> have been receiving ads on the home screens of their systems for over a decade.<ref>[https://ar.inspiredpencil.com/pictures-2023/xbox-one-dashboard-ads Archive of dashboard ads for Xbox consoles]</ref> This practice dates back to the 7th console generation, such as on the [[Xbox]] 360.<ref>[https://www.neogaf.com/threads/the-ads-finally-were-removed-from-the-xbox-360-dashboard.1549854/ The ads finally were removed from the Xbox 360 dashboard]</ref>{{Citation needed|reason=Low-quality source}}

===Streaming services===
In the late 2010s, there was a polarizing shift within the streaming service industry. New streaming services like IMDB TV and [[Roku]] Television came onto the scene offering free streaming, with the caveat of ads.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 Mar 2025 |title=Free ad-supported streaming television |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_ad-supported_streaming_television |url-status=live |website=[[Wikipedia]]}}</ref> This inspired corporations who operated premium streaming services to do the same. In the early 2020s, paying users were forced to watch ads.<ref name=":8">[https://help.netflix.com/en/node/126831 Ads on Netflix]</ref> Since then, users have only been reporting an increase in the amounts of ads<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=11 Sep 2021 |title=Share of adults who think there were too many ads on video streaming services in the United States as of September 2021, by generation |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1307619/video-streaming-advertising-frequency-by-generation-us/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Statista]]}}</ref> that they watch on their services.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Daly |first=Scott |date=5 Jan 2025 |title=Amazon Prime Video Increases Ad Frequency In The US To Boost Revenue |url=https://9meters.com/entertainment/streaming/amazon-prime-video-increases-advertisements-in-the-us-to-boost-revenue-increase-ad-free-signups |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[9meters]]}}</ref> These premium providers, such as [[Netflix, Inc.|Netflix]],<ref name=":8" /> do offer versions of their services that are ad free at a higher cost. Consumers have labeled this practice as a form of extortion.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Roettgers |first=Janko |date=23 Sep 2023 |title=Why every streaming service wants you to watch ads now |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90956587/why-every-streaming-service-wants-you-to-watch-ads-now |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Fast Company]]}}</ref> Plex is one of the few services which only offer a paid, ad-supported version of its platform.

These ad-free tiers additionally are increasing in price,<ref name=":2" /> so it often forces consumers who are disinterested in alternative means to either pay an excessive amount of money to watch their favorite media, or be barraged by increasing ads.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />


===Traditional gaming===
While not on par with its Mobile gaming counterpart, traditional video games have also been experiencing this heavy increase in advertising. This has especially been seen and documented from titles such as [[Call of Duty]] and [[Fortnite]]. The home screen and launch screen experience for these games often aim to direct players toward the storefront, encouraging them to purchase the products that are being promoted that day.<ref>{{Cite news |last=u/Character-Acrobatic |date=Jun 16, 2024 |title=Stop advertising inside the game |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/ModernWarfareIII/comments/1dgvt12/stop_advertising_inside_the_game/ |access-date=Mar 15, 2025 |work=reddit}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=Nov 3, 2023 |title=Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Has A Full-Screen Ad That Some People Don't Like |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3-has-a-full-screen-ad-that-some-people-dont-like/1100-6518890/ |access-date=Mar 15, 2025 |work=Gamespot}}</ref> Additionally, killcams in Call of Duty have seen ads as well.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Aguilar |first=Jorge A. |date=Feb 25, 2025 |title=Call of Duty Brings Advertisements to Player Killcams |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/call-of-duty-advertisements-player-killcams/ |access-date=Mar 15, 2025 |work=How to Geek}}</ref> 

[[Activision Blizzard]] has a dedicated advertising division for companies to advertise their products inside their games.<ref>https://www.activisionblizzardmedia.com/</ref> [[Epic Games, Inc.|Epic Games]] has done a similar thing.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Joey |date=24 Jul 2024 |title=Fortnite Ads |url=https://gomediashark.com/fortnite-ads/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Media Shark]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lattin |first=Pesach |date=27 Jan 2023 |title=Fortnite In-Game Advertising. How does it Work? |url=https://www.adotat.com/2023/01/fortnite-in-game-advertising-how-does-it-work/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[aDOtat]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Byrd |first=Matthew |date=Dec 2, 2020 |title=How Fortnite Became Gaming’s Great Shameless Marketing Tool |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/fortnite-marketing-tool-epic-games-events-star-wars-marvel/ |access-date=Mar 15, 2025 |work=Den of Geek}}</ref> It is expected that legitimate ads may be progressively more pervasive within the media that users pay for.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Olivia |date=11 Oct 2023 |title=In-Game Advertising: How it Works and Why it Works |url=https://abiosgaming.com/press/in-game-adverting-fortnite/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Abios]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 Mar 2025 |title=In-game advertising |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In-game_advertising |url-status=live |website=[[Wikipedia]]}}</ref> Advertising agencies in general are also trying to integrate billboard ads for legitimate products inside games, such as Trackmania.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vargas |first=Anthony |date=2 Mar 2022 |title=NBCU Adds In-Game Ads To Its Sales Roster Through Partnership With Anzu |url=https://www.adexchanger.com/gaming/nbcu-adds-in-game-ads-to-its-sales-roster-through-partnership-with-anzu/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Ad Exchanger]]}}</ref>
[[File:Anzu-NBCU-partership-1024x490.jpg|thumb|In-game ads in Trackmania]]
Some platforms have gone so far as to send users notifications explicitly promoting these new products available for purchase within the game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Huzaifa |date=24 Nov 2023 |title=Ubisoft Cites “Technical Error” For Recent In-Game Pop-Up Fiasco |url=https://exputer.com/news/games/ubisoft-technical-error-in-game-ad/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Exputer]]}}</ref> Most have kept these notifications in-game,<ref>{{Cite web |title=How to get rid of GTA Online ads on loading screens |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/GrandTheftAutoV/comments/l3xthb/how_to_get_rid_of_gta_online_ads_on_loading/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> but some have been reported to leave notification pop-ups directly on users' devices.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 Mar 2023 |title=Why am I constantly having game app ads popping up even when I'm not playing games? |url=https://support.google.com/googleplay/thread/204580579/why-am-i-constantly-having-game-app-ads-popping-up-even-when-i-m-not-playing-games?hl=en |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Google Play Help]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 Oct 2023 |title=Game ads keep popping up every 15-30 seconds! |url=https://www.amazonforum.com/s/question/0D56Q0000CLnjCLSQZ/game-ads-keep-popping-up-every-1530-seconds |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Amazon Forum]]}}</ref> It is entirely plausible that these marketplace advertisements will increase in popularity from publishers as time goes on. <gallery>
File:Example of in-game ads.jpg|Cod MW3 - Ad in-game marketing the premium version
File:Tmobile Ad in fortnite.webp|Fortnite - Ad marketing T-Mobile
</gallery>

====Advergaming====
Further reading: [[Advergames]]
While not as popular as it once was, companies would pay developers to work on games that exist solely to advertise a product, such as McDonald's McWorld, which also advertised other products inside the game.<ref>https://massivelyop.com/2020/05/23/the-game-archaeologist-mcdonalds-mcworld-mmo-is-a-thing-that-existed/</ref> Sometimes these games would also introduce additional anticonsumer practices, often to the detriment of young kids.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moran |first=Eric |date=27 Jan 2023 |title=McWorld: What happens when a fast food restaurant create an online virtual world |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nerFPG-PEQ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> Many of these games were made as shovelware as well, so many of these games are often not meant for an extended period of time to be accessible. Older advergames often only sold for a short period, only up to a few years at best, so if a game held any quality, there is a problem of [[FOMO]], this has been seen with popular titles such as Pepsiman on the PS1 or Cool Spot on the Sega Genesis. In the 2000s, these games often preferred accessing servers, mostly to encourage serving additional ads. Many of these would not last long, and these products people invest into are just taken away from them, such as ToonTown<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Heather |date=23 Aug 2013 |title=Coping with the loss of an online world |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2013/08/23/tech/gaming-gadgets/closing-toontown/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[CNN]]}}</ref> or Club Penguin.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martinelli |first=Marissa |date=3 Apr 2017 |title=Disney’s Beloved Club Penguin Has Shut Down After More Than a Decade. We Documented Its Final Days. |url=https://slate.com/culture/2017/04/what-the-end-of-disneys-mmo-club-penguin-was-like-inside-the-game.html |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Slate]]}}</ref>

In the modern day, Advergaming has largely preferred existing metaverses, such as Roblox<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bains |first=Callum |date=13 Jul 2024 |title=‘Advergames’: how games platform Roblox became a corporate marketing playground |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/article/2024/jul/13/advergames-how-games-platform-roblox-became-a-corporate-marketing-playground |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Chantelle |date=4 Jun 2024 |title=Ikea is Hiring 10 Roblox Players to Work at In-Game Store |url=https://time.com/6985642/ikea-hiring-workers-roblox-game/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Time]]}}</ref> or the literal Metaverse.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Laughlin |first=Charles |date=14 Jun 2022 |title=Is Dining in the Metaverse Real? Brands Seem to Think So |url=https://www.localogy.com/2022/06/is-dining-in-the-metaverse-real-brands-seem-to-think-so/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Localogy]]}}</ref> These too, have brought controversy<ref>{{Cite web |last=Diaz |first=Ana |date=22 Apr 2022 |title=Roblox is ‘exploiting’ users with deceptive advertising, watchdog group says |url=https://www.polygon.com/23035640/roblox-ads-deceptive-ftc-complaint |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Polygon]]}}</ref> and can be seen as anti-consumer.

===Mobile gaming===
A feature often associated with modern day mobile games are ads, especially [[False advertising|misleading ads]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shetty |first=Saurabh |date=27 Jan 2024 |title=How misleading mobile game ads are hurting the industry |url=https://gamingonphone.com/editorial/how-misleading-mobile-game-ads-are-hurting-the-industry/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[GamingonPhone]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Raghuram |first=Vignesh |date=25 Oct 2024 |title=False Promises, Real Profits: Why Misleading Ads Work for Mobile Games |url=https://afkgaming.com/global/false-promises-real-profits-why-misleading-ads-work-for-mobile-games |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[AFKGaming]]}}</ref> Unfortunately, publishers such as Puzzle1Studio, Metacore Games, and [[Rovio]] have a history of publishing titles that corner the consumer into frequently watching ads in the middle of their games.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=LaMarca |first=Livia |date=8 Dec 2022 |title=Opinion {{!}} Oh my god, please stop the excessive ads on mobile games! |url=https://pittnews.com/article/177875/opinions/opinion-oh-my-god-please-stop-the-excessive-ads-on-mobile-games/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[ThePittNews]]}}</ref> This practice additionally leeches into Microtransactions, wherein these app developers will intentionally try to coax users into watching ads for increased rewards, or to reduce cooldown times.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Kew-Denniss |first=Zachary |date=7 Dec 2023 |title=Google and Apple share the blame for mobile gaming's awful reputation |url=https://www.androidpolice.com/google-apple-share-blame-for-mobile-gamings-awful-reputation/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Android Police]]}}</ref>

Major software distribution platforms, such as the Google Play store or the iOS App Store, often allow this behavior<ref name=":4" /> to persist from app developers, even featuring these ad-heavy games.

===Social media===
Social media has become a fundamental part of the advertising world, thanks to the ease with which targeted audiences can be reached based on their interests. There are various types of advertising that users encounter when using all major social media platforms.

====Native ads (In-feed ads)====
Native ads are designed to blend seamlessly into the rest of the feed, mimicking its appearance. They are generally more engaging and lead to stronger brand identification among consumers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 Apr 2015 |title=Ad Effectiveness Study: Native Ads Vs Banner Ads |url=https://www.sharethrough.com/blog/ad-effectiveness-study-native-ads-vs-banner-ads |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Sharethrough]]}}</ref> Native ads are distinguishable from organic content by the label “sponsored,” often written in very small text. As highlighted by Dr. Bartosz W. Wojdynski’s research,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wojdynski |first=Bartosz W. |date=Jul 2016 |title=The Deceptiveness of Sponsored News Articles: How Readers Recognize and Perceive Native Advertising |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/305718389_The_Deceptiveness_of_Sponsored_News_Articles_How_Readers_Recognize_and_Perceive_Native_Advertising |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[ResearchGate]]}}</ref> native ads can easily be misleading. In fact, 68% of participants in his study failed to distinguish them from organic content. Therefore, it is crucial that these ads do not come across as deceptive. The [[Federal Trade Commission|FTC]] follows these three principles:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Native Advertising: A Guide for Businesses |url=https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/native-advertising-guide-businesses |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[FTC]]}}</ref><blockquote>
#'''Transparency is key''': An advertisement or promotional message should not suggest or imply to consumers that it is anything other than an ad.
#'''Clarity of commercial intent''': Some native ads may be so clearly commercial in nature that they are unlikely to mislead consumers even without a specific disclosure. In other cases, a disclosure may be necessary to ensure consumers understand the content is advertising.
#'''Clear and prominent disclosures''': If a disclosure is necessary to prevent deception, it must be clear and prominent.
</blockquote>
====Video Ads====
Video ads are among the most common forms of advertising on social media. They can appear either as standalone content or be inserted at the beginning, end, or middle of another video. Shorter, skippable, and non-intrusively placed ads perform better, as they respect user autonomy. Targeted ads are more likely to capture interest. As with other ad formats, transparency is crucial here as well, ensuring that the ad is not perceived as intrusive.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Krishnan |first=S. Shunmuga |last2=Sitaraman |first2=Ramesh K. |title=Understanding the Effectiveness of Video Ads: A Measurement Study |url=https://www.akamai.com/site/en/documents/research-paper/understanding-the-effectiveness-of-video-ads-a-measurement-study-technical-publication.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025}}</ref>

====Stories Ads====
Ads that appear in Stories are full-screen, vertical, and often feature interactive elements like swipe-up links, polls, or countdowns. They expire after 24 hours, giving them an ephemeral nature. Story ads are better perceived when they are creative, non-intrusive, and relevant to users' interests.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mahatmavidya |first=P.A. |last2=Kerti Yasa |first2=Ni Nyoman |date=Mar 2020 |title=ADVERTISING VALUE OF INSTAGRAM STORIES AND THE EFFECT ON MILLENNIAL’S ATTITUDE |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339884883_ADVERTISING_VALUE_OF_INSTAGRAM_STORIES_AND_THE_EFFECT_ON_MILLENNIAL%27S_ATTITUDE |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[ResearchGate]]}}</ref>

====Influencer marketing====
Influencer marketing is a type of advertising in which brands team up with social media personalities, also known as influencers, to promote a product or service.

Most of these influencers have built a credible standing among a large and engaged following. Brands use brand deals to leverage the influencers' credibility and relatibility and reach audiences in ways that feel far more authentic than traditional advertising.

Users are more influenced by social media personalities who share their values and lifestyles. Consequently, authenticity, trustworthiness, and relevance are the key drivers of consumer behavior. Thus, when influencers share real-life experiences of using a product or service, their recommendations are more likely to resonate with followers and result in higher levels of engagement and purchase intent.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Chopra |first=Anjali |date=Jun 2020 |title=Influencer Marketing: An Exploratory Study to Identify Antecedents of Consumer Behavior of Millennial |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342181914_Influencer_Marketing_An_Exploratory_Study_to_Identify_Antecedents_of_Consumer_Behavior_of_Millennial |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[ResearchGate]]}}</ref>

Congruence—the match between the persona of the influencer, the product they are promoting, and the interests of the audience—is crucial. When the fit among these elements is strong it makes the campaign appear more genuine, and therefore more credible. Strong congruence will improve the credibility of an influencer, and create a stronger emotional relationship with the audience.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Belanche |first=Daniel |last2=Ibáñez Sánchez |first2=Sergio |last3=Casaló Ariño |first3=Luis Vicente |last4=Flavián |first4=Marta |date=Apr 2021 |title=Understanding influencer marketing: The role of congruence between influencers, products and consumers |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352120476_Understanding_influencer_marketing_The_role_of_congruence_between_influencers_products_and_consumers |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[ResearchGate]]}}</ref>

Over-commercialization—when influencers promote too many products or aren't transparent—can erode their audience's trust. Clear disclosures, such as #ad or #sponsored, help to maintain transparency and adherence with advertising regulations. Unfortunately, such disclosures are often hidden among numerous hashtags or omitted altogether.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" />

===Web===
See also: [[Advertising overload in websites|Advertising Overload in Websites]]
Ever since the introduction of cookies in the early 1990s, websites have been trying to make progressively more money off of advertisers. This pattern used to be easily thwarted, as in the early days of the web, consumers could simply choose not to visit these websites to avoid being so pervasively served advertisements. Unfortunately, in modern times, consumers lack this capability, as mass advertising has now become a systemic problem. Popular news sources, such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and others, are filled to the brim with advertisements. As mentioned by publications such as The Huffington Post,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Elliot |first=Christopher |date=8 Feb 2017 |title=Yes, There Are Too Many Ads Online. Yes, You Can Stop Them. Here's How. |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/yes-there-are-too-many-ads-online-yes-you-can-stop_b_589b888de4b02bbb1816c297 |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[HuffPost]]}}</ref> The Conversation,<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Steve |date=18 Sep 2024 |title=Why is the internet overflowing with rubbish ads – and what can we do about it? |url=https://theconversation.com/why-is-the-internet-overflowing-with-rubbish-ads-and-what-can-we-do-about-it-237980 |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Conversation]]}}</ref> and B2,<ref>https://www.b2.ai/ad-overload-are-publishers-showing-too-many-ads/</ref> the web itself has too many ads.

====Banner Ads====
Banner ads are the most common form of web ads and one of the oldest forms of digital advertising, usually appearing as rectangular graphics at the top, bottom, or sides of a webpage. However, despite their pervasiveness, their effectiveness has been questioned due to phenomena such as banner blindness, where users unconsciously ignore ad-like content. Banner ads work only if they are rightly placed, well designed, and relevant.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Joowon |last2=Ahn |first2=Jae-Hyeon |date=Oct 2012 |title=Attention to Banner Ads and Their Effectiveness: An Eye-Tracking Approach |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262090327_Attention_to_Banner_Ads_and_Their_Effectiveness_An_Eye-Tracking_Approach |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[ResearchGate]]}}</ref>

This research<ref name=":7" /> featured the use of eye-tracking technology to analyze how users behave with banner ads. It was found that such ads placed in central or prominent positions on a webpage receive significantly more attention than those in peripheral areas. Moreover, the animated and interactive banners are better at capturing attention than static ones; however, too much may become distracting and otherwise counterproductive. This also underlines that the relevance of the ad to the user's interests is one of the critical drivers of engagement. If banner ads are contextual, relating either to the content of the webpage or the browsing behavior of the user, they are more likely to be noticed and clicked. Advertisers should focus on creating non-intrusive, contextually relevant advertisements that add value to the user experience—not disrupt it.

==Notable Examples==
This section is a stub, please add to it!

===YouTube===
Here’s a breakdown of YouTube advertising, focusing on the specific ad formats and experiences across the website, iOS/Android apps, and TV platforms:

=====YouTube Ads on the Website=====

#'''Pre-Roll Ads (Video Ads)''':
#*Play before the selected video.
#*'''Types''':
#**'''Skippable Ads''': Allow users to skip after 5 seconds.
#**'''Non-Skippable Ads''': Typically 15-20 seconds long and cannot be skipped.
#'''Mid-Roll Ads''':
#*Appear during longer videos (10 minutes or more) at natural breaks.
#'''Bumper Ads''':
#*Short, non-skippable ads of 6 seconds.
#'''Display Ads''':
#*Banner ads that appear above the video suggestions sidebar.
#'''Overlay Ads''':
#*Semi-transparent banners that appear at the bottom of the video.

=====YouTube Ads on iOS/Android Apps=====

#'''Pre-Roll and Mid-Roll Ads''':
#*Similar to the website, but often more frequent due to the higher engagement on mobile devices.
#'''Bumper Ads''':
#*Similar to the website.
#'''In-Feed Ads''':
#*Appear in the home feed or search results as promoted videos.
#'''Shorts Ads''':
#*Short, vertical video ads that appear between YouTube Shorts clips.

=====YouTube Ads on TV Platforms (Smart TVs, Streaming Devices)=====

#'''Pre-Roll and Mid-Roll Ads''':
#*Longer pre-roll ads (up to 30 seconds) are common, as viewers are less likely to skip them.
#*Mid-roll ads are placed at natural breaks in longer videos, similar to traditional TV commercials.
#*Non-skippable ads are more prevalent
#'''Interactive Ads''':
#*Ads that allow users to interact using their remote (e.g., clicking for more information).

====Youtube premium controversy====
Recent controversy has brought up cases in which YouTube Premium subscribers still see advertisements—contrary to the service's own highlighting of offering an ad-free experience. Users have reported both pre-roll ads and mid-roll ads, along with promotional content in the Home feed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=I have YouTube premium, why am I getting adds. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/youtube/comments/18ll7y6/i_have_youtube_premium_why_am_i_getting_adds/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> In one prominent case, a user in Germany received an email from support at YouTube which said, in essence: "Sometimes promotional ads may appear for specific partnerships or limited-time offers," thereby hinting at the possibility of factors like location, viewing history, or special marketing efforts that could influence the event.

In response to these reports, a YouTube spokesperson confirmed that Premium members should not see either pre-roll or mid-roll ads. They further stated that if subscribers do, they should reach out to support immediately. YouTube also said that Premium members may have access to different rewards with trusted partners, which they outline on their benefits page, but those shouldn't show up as ads within the video itself.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schoon |first=Ben |date=13 Nov 2024 |title=Some YouTube Premium users are seeing ads, but YouTube says they shouldn’t be |url=https://9to5google.com/2024/11/13/youtube-premium-ads-statement/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[9to5google]]}}</ref> A fix for this is also shown in [https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/why-youtube-premium-users-may-still-see-ads/story this guide].

==Further Reading==

*[[Stellantis in car advertisements]]
*[[Samsung ads in refrigerators]]
*[[Ad block]]

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Common terms]]
[[Category:Theme]]

Activation

2026-02-02T07:21:26Z

Zerosugar: citations fixed :p

{{Incomplete}}

Activation is a license or service validation procedure. It may involve sending information about a device, a license or a licensee to a service provider, and receiving some information that is entered into the device.

For example, Microsoft Windows version 7 and later would collect information about a computer when they were installed. They create a [[Device fingerprint|fingerprint]] of the hardware, and generate a code based on that. Function was limited until the program was activated. One could activate it by telephoning the manufacturer, reading the code, and getting a code in return to enter in to the program. Activation could also be done online{{Citation needed|reason=}}.

Online activation, also known as cloud-based activation, is the requirement to connect to the Internet before activating a product or software that the end user paid for. Examples include:

*Some operating systems such as iOS and Windows 11 require registering an account with the device vendor to be set up before first use.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Benj |date=2021-07-08 |title=FYI: Windows 11 Home Will Require a Microsoft Account For Initial Setup |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/739837/fyi-windows-11-home-will-require-a-microsoft-account-for-initial-setup/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260202070328/https://www.howtogeek.com/739837/fyi-windows-11-home-will-require-a-microsoft-account-for-initial-setup/ |archive-date=2026-02-02 |access-date=2026-02-02 |website=How-To Geek}}</ref>
*[[Xiaomi]] requires registering an account to be able to unlock the bootloader.<ref name="xiaomi">{{Cite web |last=Paul |first=J C |date=2022-08-20 |title=Complete Guide to Unlocking the Bootloader: Announcement, Troubleshoot and Tips |url=https://new.c.mi.com/global/post/101245 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250730161839/https://new.c.mi.com/global/post/101245 |archive-date=2025-07-30 |access-date=2026-02-02 |website=Xiaomi Community}}</ref>
*Some [[DJI]] drones and [[Insta360]] cameras require to be linked to a smartphone before first use.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Activating Your Drone |url=https://support.dji.com/help/content?customId=en-us03400006736&spaceId=34&re=US&lang=en&documentType=artical&paperDocType=pap |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260202071212/https://support.dji.com/help/content?customId=en-us03400006736&spaceId=34&re=US&lang=en&documentType=artical&paperDocType=paper |archive-date=2026-02-02 |access-date=2026-02-02 |website=DJI Help Center}}</ref><ref name="Insta360">{{Cite web |last=Rossman |first=Louis |date=2025-08-16 |title=Insta360 camera locks you out 'to protect your consumer rights' - corporate gaslighting |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lgh8e0dW0eQ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=Lgh8e0dW0eQ |archive-date=2025-08-16 |access-date=2026-02-02 |website=YouTube}}</ref>

==Disadvantages==
In order to use a purchased product, users must share their personal data with the manufacturer{{Citation needed|reason=Unverified statement}}.

For online activation it can be unsafe to connect a device to a network before it has the latest security updates. However, getting and installing the latest security updates can be difficult without a fully functioning device. For example with Windows, if you have a computer with a functional current version of Windows you can download security updates for offline installation. They make this very difficult for those who do not yet have Windows.

Given that services shut down all the time, activation services can be lost, leaving the user with an unusable product.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Voit |first=Karl |date=2016-11-12 |title=You Can't Control Your Data in the Cloud |url=https://karl-voit.at/cloud/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260202071758/https://karl-voit.at/cloud/ |archive-date=2026-02-02 |access-date=2026-02-02 |website=Public Voit}}</ref> When the manufacturer regards the product as reaching end of life, they may stop providing activations. However some products may be in service for decades after the manufacturer ceases support. Specialized or orphaned devices may only work with particular versions of software, it may be impossible or impractical to replace the device.{{Citation needed|reason=This is not a theme article}}

Some places in the world have limited Internet access. This can cause difficulties when activating{{Citation needed|reason=Improvised reasoning}}.

Providers can limit activations or arbitrarily revoke access. For example, Xiaomi only allows one bootloader unlock per person per 30 days and four phones per year, in addition to a week-long delay after purchase.<ref name="xiaomi" /><ref name="Insta360" />

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Common terms]]

User talk:Zerosugar

2026-01-30T02:20:32Z

Zerosugar: /* Moving */ Reply

==Moving==

You can actually move pages yourself if you wish! What you need to do is click on the 'Tools' button on the right above the article if you have it, and from there even if you don't have it on the right a 'move' button should appear. Click that and move the page! [[User:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|'''''AnotherConsumerRightsPerson''''']] ([[User talk:AnotherConsumerRightsPerson|talk]]) 06:44, 28 January 2026 (UTC)

:thank you!! <small>U:</small>Zerosugar [[User talk:Zerosugar|💬]] 02:20, 30 January 2026 (UTC)

AirPods

2026-01-28T05:32:05Z

Zerosugar: move request -> AirPods

{{MergeRequest|Title is incorrectly capitalized|[[AirPods]]}}
{{StubNotice}}
{{Cleanup}}
{{ProductLineCargo
| ReleaseYear = 2016-12-13
| Website = https://apple.com/airpods
| Logo = AirPods logo.svg
|ArticleType=ProductLine|Category=Wireless earbuds|Company=Apple|InProduction=Yes}}

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

==Consumer impact summary==
AirPods are designed in a way that makes them unrepairable, leading to customers having to buy a new pair after a few years of use. Apple can replace them, but won't repair them or help you do it yourself. According to an expert from iFixit:<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Dalvin |date=20 Apr 2023 |title=Apple Doesn’t Repair AirPods. Here’s Why. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omMPJEoZGJE |url-status=live |access-date=24 Nov 2025 |website=Youtube |publisher=Wall Street Journal}}</ref><blockquote>If you want to take this apart, non-destructively, to replace the batteries, as far as I know, that's impossible.</blockquote>The rechargeable batteries in AirPods can see fast-tracked degradation at a certain number of battery cycles,<ref name=":1" /> with two-year-old sets lasting for less than half of the advertised five hours.{{Citation needed}}

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

Apple has a program to service batteries and purchase replacement individual AirPods and charging cases. The replacement of one or both AirPods or the charging case has a lower price with AppleCare+ than without. Apple offers battery servicing for free with AppleCare+ and for a fee without.{{Citation needed}}

===User Freedom===

Airpods are not designed to be free as they are only feature-rich with other products in the apple ecosystem. With non-apple products they have limited functionality as basic wireless headphones due to the artificial restrictions that Apple has put in place.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Christian |date=2025-03-26 |title=Don't use AirPods with Android |url=https://www.soundguys.com/dont-use-airpods-android-20767/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250407044828/https://www.soundguys.com/dont-use-airpods-android-20767/ |archive-date=2025-04-07 |access-date=2026-01-05 |website=SOUNDGUYS}}</ref> However there have been projects attempting to allow the more sophisticated usage of airpods with non-apple products such as librepods.<ref>https://github.com/cysgodi/librepods</ref><ref>https://www.macrumors.com/2025/11/21/librepods-unlocks-airpods-features-android/</ref>

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer protection incidents related to this product line. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{PAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
{{Placeholder box|Replace the placeholder text in the sections below with the incidents that affect this product line and a short summary. Also replace the link so it point to the right company article.}}

===Example incident one (''date'')===
{{Main|link to the main article}} {{Placeholder box|Short summary of the incident (could be the same as the summary preceding the article).}}

===Example incident two (''date'')===
...

Incidents affecting all of the company's products can be found in the company article: [[Company article]]

==Products==

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

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Airpods]]
[[Category:Apple]]

AirPods

2026-01-28T05:28:15Z

Zerosugar: deadlink

{{StubNotice}}
{{Cleanup}}
{{ProductLineCargo
| ReleaseYear = 2016-12-13
| Website = https://apple.com/airpods
| Logo = AirPods logo.svg
|ArticleType=ProductLine|Category=Wireless earbuds|Company=Apple|InProduction=Yes}}

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

==Consumer impact summary==
AirPods are designed in a way that makes them unrepairable, leading to customers having to buy a new pair after a few years of use. Apple can replace them, but won't repair them or help you do it yourself. According to an expert from iFixit:<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Dalvin |date=20 Apr 2023 |title=Apple Doesn’t Repair AirPods. Here’s Why. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omMPJEoZGJE |url-status=live |access-date=24 Nov 2025 |website=Youtube |publisher=Wall Street Journal}}</ref><blockquote>If you want to take this apart, non-destructively, to replace the batteries, as far as I know, that's impossible.</blockquote>The rechargeable batteries in AirPods can see fast-tracked degradation at a certain number of battery cycles,<ref name=":1" /> with two-year-old sets lasting for less than half of the advertised five hours.{{Citation needed}}

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

Apple has a program to service batteries and purchase replacement individual AirPods and charging cases. The replacement of one or both AirPods or the charging case has a lower price with AppleCare+ than without. Apple offers battery servicing for free with AppleCare+ and for a fee without.{{Citation needed}}

===User Freedom===

Airpods are not designed to be free as they are only feature-rich with other products in the apple ecosystem. With non-apple products they have limited functionality as basic wireless headphones due to the artificial restrictions that Apple has put in place.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Christian |date=2025-03-26 |title=Don't use AirPods with Android |url=https://www.soundguys.com/dont-use-airpods-android-20767/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250407044828/https://www.soundguys.com/dont-use-airpods-android-20767/ |archive-date=2025-04-07 |access-date=2026-01-05 |website=SOUNDGUYS}}</ref> However there have been projects attempting to allow the more sophisticated usage of airpods with non-apple products such as librepods.<ref>https://github.com/cysgodi/librepods</ref><ref>https://www.macrumors.com/2025/11/21/librepods-unlocks-airpods-features-android/</ref>

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer protection incidents related to this product line. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{PAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
{{Placeholder box|Replace the placeholder text in the sections below with the incidents that affect this product line and a short summary. Also replace the link so it point to the right company article.}}

===Example incident one (''date'')===
{{Main|link to the main article}} {{Placeholder box|Short summary of the incident (could be the same as the summary preceding the article).}}

===Example incident two (''date'')===
...

Incidents affecting all of the company's products can be found in the company article: [[Company article]]

==Products==

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

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Airpods]]
[[Category:Apple]]

Capital One Shopping

2025-10-16T00:01:34Z

Zerosugar: /* Incidents */ removal of placeholder notice

{{StubNotice}}{{ProductCargo
|Company=Capital One
|ReleaseYear=2020
|InProduction=Yes
|ArticleType=Product
|Category=Capital One, Browser extension
|Website=https://capitaloneshopping.com/
|Description=Capital One browser extension for discounts and cashback
}}'''Capital One Shopping''' is a free browser extension from [[Capital One]] that allows users to find discounts from various online retailers.

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

==Incidents==
===Creators' lawsuit ''(Jan 2025)''===
Online creators filed a class-action lawsuit against Capital One, alleging that the company used cookies to override the commissions that content creators would've earned through affiliate marketing<ref>{{Cite web |title=Capital One Browser Extension Scam Lawsuit Investigation |url=https://www.classlawgroup.com/capital-one-shopping-extension-scam-lawsuit |website=Class Law Group}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Stempel |first=Jonathan |date=18 Sep 2025 |title=Capital One settles social media creators' lawsuit |url=https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/capital-one-settles-social-media-creators-lawsuit-2025-09-18/ |website=Reuters}}</ref>. In their lawsuit, they claimed unjust enrichment by Capital One as well as intentional interference with contractual relations and conversion, among other claims<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 Jun 2025 |title=Consumer Protection: Capital One allegedly misappropriated commissions through browser extension |url=https://valawyersweekly.com/2025/06/16/consumer-protection-capital-one-allegedly-misappropriated-commissions-through-browser-extension/ |website=Virginia Lawyers Weekly}}</ref>. Capital One attempted to dismiss the case in June, then finally settled in September while admitting to no wrongdoing<ref name=":0" />.

===Alleged fraudulent discounts===
Many users have claimed Capital One Shopping advertises fraudulent discounts that don't actually exist. Capitaloneshopping.com holds a rating of 1.3 stars on Trust Pilot, with many reviewers claiming "fraudulent prices," calling the browser extension a "hoax," and stating how they feel "frustrated" and cheated. {{Citation needed}}

==See also==

[[Honey browser plugin controversy]]
==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category: Capital One]]

1Password

2025-10-15T23:59:13Z

Zerosugar: capitalization

{{ProductCargo
|Company=Agilebits
|ProductLine=1Password
|InProduction=Yes
|ArticleType=Product
|Category=Software,Password Managers
|Website=https://1password.com/
|Description=1Password is a secure password manager that stores and encrypts passwords, login details, and other sensitive information in a digital vault
|Logo=1Password-logo.png|ReleaseYear=2006}}1Password is a multi-platform subscription-based [[password manager]] developed by [[AgileBits Inc]]. One of the unique elements of this password manager is the combination of a master password with a second secret key generated on-device (i.e., not in the cloud). Unlocking a user's vault therefore requires '''both''' pieces of information to decrypt and access. Conventional [[two factor authentication]] using either software tokens or hardware-based tokens (e.g., [[Yubikey]], [[Google Titan]]) can be added to further secure a vault. 1Password is not open source and not self-hostable.

Beyond passwords, 1Password is capable of storing myriad site credentials including one-time codes, emails / user names, and additional notes. A user can also choose a preferred single sign-on service to login.

==Consumer impact summary==

===Freedom===
Users can import existing passwords from other managers and export passwords and other content in formats suitable for importing into other managers. 1Password is not a walled-garden. Allowing the subscription to expire places an account in a read-only state, allowing the user to download their passwords and other saved content.

"You can export your 1Pasword information at any time. If you discontinue payment, your account will enter a frozen (read-only) state that still allows you to retrieve and export your information. Your export will be limited to the information you saved in 1Password. We can’t guarantee that vault permissions, group structures, and other details about relationships between people and information are included."<ref name="privacy">{{Cite web|url=https://support.1password.com/1password-privacy/|title=About 1Password and your privacy|access-date=2025-09-05|date=2025-02-27|work=1Password Support}}</ref>

===Privacy===
Extracted directly from the privacy policy,

"We'll never lock you out of your 1Password account, but we're unable to decrypt it for you."<ref name="privacy" /> (implies anything in it is hidden from the company, which, considering this is a password manager, is a very good thing)

"You have the right to know what we know. You have the right to know what we know about you and see how we handle that information. If you make such a request, you'll receive a screenshot of what we can see about you in our systems. To protect customer privacy, these requests will be carefully authenticated beyond demonstrating control of the registered email address." (expect to be any identifying information you have to provide in order to use the service such as email, name, address, payment information)

===User security===
Users should be aware that using password manager browser extensions increases their vulnerability to clickjacking<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/major-password-managers-can-leak-logins-in-clickjacking-attacks/|title=Major password managers can leak logins in clickjacking attacks|work=Bleeping Computer|date=2025-08-20|first=Bill|last=Toulas|access-date=2025-09-05}}</ref> where the autofill feature of password managers is abused to trick the password manager into leaking user credentials and other sensitive details.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cybernews.com/security/password-managers-autofill-credentials-for-attackers/|title=Major flaw affecting password managers: they autofill credentials for attackers|first=Ernestas|last=Naprys|date=2025-08-21|work=Cybernews|access-date=2025-09-05}}</ref> It is always best practice to copy in these elements on trusted pages manually.

===Business model===
Subscription based, has a strong emphasis on enterprise credential management, especially for secret management for software development (e.g., SSH keys, authentication tokens, API keys, etc.).

===Market control===
{{Incomplete section}}
1Password claims on its website that it is industry leading.

Password managers are pretty much a dime a dozen these days, highly competitive.

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

===1Password Okta instance breach, discovered (''29 Sept 2023'')===
1Password published a blog post disclosing an internal investigation of the breach.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blog.1password.com/okta-incident/|title=Okta Support System incident and 1Password|date=2023-10-23|first=Pedro|last=Canahuati|work=1Password Blog|access-date=2025-09-05}}</ref> It largely appears one of the attackers actions triggered an email to a member of the IT team who acted swiftly to contain the breach. The company reported user data was not exfiltrated or decrypted.
<gallery>
File:Okta-incident-report.pdf|PDF document report
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Bitwarden]]
*[[LastPass]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Nixplay

2025-03-24T01:22:47Z

Zerosugar: renamed

{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = {{PAGENAME}}
| Type = Private
| Founded = 2017
| Industry = Digital picture frame
| Official Website = https://www.nixplay.com/
| Logo = Nixplay.svg
}}

'''Nixplay''' is a digital picture frame brand founded in 2017 by Mark Palfreeman.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nixplay.com/pages/about-us|title=What Is Nixplay?|work=Nixplay|access-date=2025-03-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210222455/https://www.nixplay.com/pages/about-us|archive-date=2024-12-10|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2025, Nixplay customers lost access to features of their digital picture frame that were advertised as unlimited upon purchase.<ref>https://www.nixplay.com/blogs/faq/whats-included-in-the-new-nixplay-memberships</ref> This type of [[Post-purchase EULA modification]] is a form of [[:Category:Feature Ransom|feature ransom]] where Nixplay retains control over their devices post-sale, rather than the customer.

==The Nixplay picture frame==
====Cloud dependency====
Nixplay picture frames depend on cloud services run by nixplay, for:

*uploading photos
*connecting to Google Photos
*sharing albums

These features won't work without a Nixplay account & internet access.

====Changing the terms of the sale, after the sale====
At first, Nixplay was a one-time purchase product. They transitioned to a tiered subscription model. Features once included with device purchases were reclassified as premium features & gated behind new Nixplay Lite & Nixplay Plus plans.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nixplay.com/blogs/faq/whats-included-in-the-new-nixplay-memberships|title=What's Included in the New Nixplay Memberships?|access-date=2025-03-21}}</ref>

====Market control====
Frames cannot be used offline or without cloud registration. There is no option for customers to self-host their media or access full functionality outside Nixplay's ecosystem. The company also removed previously included lifetime warranty coverage, converting it into a paid yearly add-on.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nixplay.com/blogs/faq/whats-included-in-the-new-nixplay-memberships|title=What's Included in the New Nixplay Memberships?|access-date=2025-03-21}}</ref>

==Nixplay Terms of Service change (March 2025)==

===Email to customers announcing new terms===
As of March 21st, 2025, Nixplay still sells their products on Amazon with ''"unlimited"'' storage listed as a feature.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1"/>{{Quote|
Dear [CUSTOMER],

We're writing to inform you of updates to Nixplay's [[Terms of Service]], effective '''April 21st, 2025'''. These updates reflect important changes to our services and provide more clarity on our offerings.

=== Summary of key changes ===

==== Subscription plans ====
Rising storage, bandwidth costs, and compliance requirements have made it challenging to sustain our platform under the existing pricing model. To ensure continued innovation and value, we've updated our subscription plans:

* '''Nixplay Basic (free)''': A new plan offering essential functionality for managing frames, content, and basic sharing.
* '''Nixplay Standard''': This plan is being retired, and existing users will be moved to Nixplay Basic on April 21st, 2025.
* '''Nixplay Lite ($24.99 / year)*''': Reductions to photo storage and other limits are being introduced. Most subscribers will not be impacted.
* '''Nixplay Plus ($39.99 / year)*''': Lifetime warranty will no longer be included by default, reducing costs significantly. Subscribers who want a lifetime warranty can purchase it as an add-on. The combined cost will not exceed the current Nixplay Plus pricing.

==== Content limits ====
While content limits have always existed, enforcement was previously relaxed. Starting April 21st, 2025:

* '''Locked Content''': Content exceeding your plan limits will become unavailable to share or view on your frame. This content is still safe, and accessible to you, but will not display on your frame until adjusted or upgraded.
* '''No Deletion''': We will not remove or delete your content—it remains secure and accessible.

==== Extended warranty ====
To reduce costs for all users, extended warranty coverage has been removed as a standard Nixplay Plus feature. However, it remains available as an add-on with defined eligibility terms:

* '''Eligibility''': Available for Nixplay Plus subscribers with Nixplay frames less than 1 year old.
* '''Continuous renewal''': Your Nixplay Plus subscription and extended warranty must remain uninterrupted to maintain eligibility for claims.

==== Inactive accounts ====
Expanded clarity for accounts inactive for 6 months:
* Content will be archived for secure storage.
* Archived content can be retrieved by reactivating your account.

==== Content management ====
We've enhanced clarity on:
* Your ownership of uploaded content.
* User control over shared content.
* Rights granted to Nixplay to provide services.

==== DMCA compliance (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) ====
We've expanded details on:
* Reporting copyright infringements.
* The process for addressing DMCA violations.

If you have questions or concerns, our support team is ready to assist at support@nixplay.com.

Thank you for your continued trust in Nixplay.

''*Prices are shown in CAD$. Pricing may vary based on location, local taxes, and exchange rates. Pricing in app stores (Google Play and Apple App Store) may differ due to regional adjustments and currency conversion rates.''
}}

===What was disabled===
*Google Photos integration was disabled unless users upgraded to a paid plan.
*Unlimited cloud storage was revoked, free users are capped at 500 MB of photos and videos.
*Whatever customers had above the quota was locked and couldn't be accessed.
*Lifetime warranty previously included in Nixplay Plus was removed &converted to a $14.99/year add-on<ref>https://www.nixplay.com/blogs/faq/whats-included-in-the-new-nixplay-memberships</ref>.

These changes affected all users, including those who had purchased frames under the expectation of unlimited storage and free cloud features. Archived product listings on Amazon and the official website confirm that these features were clearly advertised at time of sale.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B096DQF21Z|title=Nixplay Digital Picture Frame Product Page|access-date=2025-03-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130015427/https://www.nixplay.co.uk/products/nixplay-10-inch-touch-screen-photo-frame|archive-date=2023-11-30}}</ref>

==False advertising on Amazon==
[[File:Nixplay false advertising- sells "unlimited" after creating limits.png|alt=Nixplay advertising picture frame with "unlimited" storage even after limiting customers to 500 MB. Screenshot taken from amazon.ca product page of Nixplay product as seen on March 21st, 5:53 PM Central time|thumb|Nixplay advertising picture frame with '''"unlimited"''' storage even after limiting customers to 500 MB. Screenshot taken from amazon.ca product page of Nixplay product as seen on March 21st, 5:53 PM Central time<ref>[[:File:LOUIS VIEW OF SITE AS OF 03-21-2025 Nixplay Digital Touch Screen Picture Frame with WiFi - 10.1” Photo Frame, Connecting Families & Friends (Black Gold) Amazon.ca Electronics.pdf]]</ref> ]]
As of March 21st, 2025, one week after Nixplay changed their TOS, their products are still for sale on Amazon being advertised with ''"unlimited"'' storage.<ref name=":0">[[:File:LOUIS VIEW OF SITE AS OF 03-21-2025 Nixplay Digital Touch Screen Picture Frame with WiFi - 10.1” Photo Frame, Connecting Families & Friends (Black Gold) Amazon.ca Electronics.pdf]]</ref><ref name=":1" />

A Reddit post documenting the change received over 2,000 upvotes, with hundreds of users expressing frustration over the bait-and-switch nature of the update.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://old.reddit.com/r/assholedesign/comments/1jeso4h/my_digital_frame_just_removed_the_ability_to/|title=My digital frame just removed the ability to connect to Google Photos|work=Reddit|access-date=2025-03-21}}</ref> UK customers filed formal complaints, citing violations of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 for altering a key advertised product feature post-sale.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://old.reddit.com/r/nixplay/comments/1je3b6b/uk_legal_notice_for_nixplay/|title=UK Legal Notice for Nixplay|work=Reddit|access-date=2025-03-21}}</ref>

==Products==
*W10K<ref name="products">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nixplay.com/collections/nixplay-smart-photo-frames|title=Smart Digital Photo Frames|work=Nixplay|access-date=2025-03-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225090343/https://www.nixplay.com/collections/nixplay-smart-photo-frames|archive-date=2025-02-25}}</ref>
*W10P<ref name="products" />
*W15P<ref name="products" />
*W08F<ref name="products" />
*W10G<ref name="products" />
*W08G<ref name="products" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

Nixplay

2025-03-24T01:21:11Z

Zerosugar: amazon ref

{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = {{PAGENAME}}
| Type = Private
| Founded = 2017
| Industry = Digital picture frame
| Official Website = https://www.nixplay.com/
| Logo = Nixplay.svg
}}

'''Nixplay''' is a digital picture frame brand founded in 2017 by Mark Palfreeman.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nixplay.com/pages/about-us|title=What Is Nixplay?|work=Nixplay|access-date=2025-03-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210222455/https://www.nixplay.com/pages/about-us|archive-date=2024-12-10|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2025, Nixplay customers lost access to features of their digital picture frame that were advertised as unlimited upon purchase.<ref>https://www.nixplay.com/blogs/faq/whats-included-in-the-new-nixplay-memberships</ref> This type of [[Post-purchase EULA modification]] is a form of [[:Category:Feature Ransom|feature ransom]] where Nixplay retains control over their devices post-sale, rather than the customer.

==The Nixplay picture frame==
====Cloud dependency====
Nixplay picture frames depend on cloud services run by nixplay, for:

*uploading photos
*connecting to Google Photos
*sharing albums

These features won't work without a Nixplay account & internet access.

====Changing the terms of the sale, after the sale====
At first, Nixplay was a one-time purchase product. They transitioned to a tiered subscription model. Features once included with device purchases were reclassified as premium features & gated behind new Nixplay Lite & Nixplay Plus plans.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nixplay.com/blogs/faq/whats-included-in-the-new-nixplay-memberships|title=What's Included in the New Nixplay Memberships?|access-date=2025-03-21}}</ref>

====Market control====
Frames cannot be used offline or without cloud registration. There is no option for customers to self-host their media or access full functionality outside Nixplay's ecosystem. The company also removed previously included lifetime warranty coverage, converting it into a paid yearly add-on.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nixplay.com/blogs/faq/whats-included-in-the-new-nixplay-memberships|title=What's Included in the New Nixplay Memberships?|access-date=2025-03-21}}</ref>

==Nixplay Terms of Service change (March 2025)==

===Email to customers announcing new terms===
As of March 21st, 2025, Nixplay still sells their products on Amazon with ''"unlimited"'' storage listed as a feature.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="amazon"/>{{Quote|
Dear [CUSTOMER],

We're writing to inform you of updates to Nixplay's [[Terms of Service]], effective '''April 21st, 2025'''. These updates reflect important changes to our services and provide more clarity on our offerings.

=== Summary of key changes ===

==== Subscription plans ====
Rising storage, bandwidth costs, and compliance requirements have made it challenging to sustain our platform under the existing pricing model. To ensure continued innovation and value, we've updated our subscription plans:

* '''Nixplay Basic (free)''': A new plan offering essential functionality for managing frames, content, and basic sharing.
* '''Nixplay Standard''': This plan is being retired, and existing users will be moved to Nixplay Basic on April 21st, 2025.
* '''Nixplay Lite ($24.99 / year)*''': Reductions to photo storage and other limits are being introduced. Most subscribers will not be impacted.
* '''Nixplay Plus ($39.99 / year)*''': Lifetime warranty will no longer be included by default, reducing costs significantly. Subscribers who want a lifetime warranty can purchase it as an add-on. The combined cost will not exceed the current Nixplay Plus pricing.

==== Content limits ====
While content limits have always existed, enforcement was previously relaxed. Starting April 21st, 2025:

* '''Locked Content''': Content exceeding your plan limits will become unavailable to share or view on your frame. This content is still safe, and accessible to you, but will not display on your frame until adjusted or upgraded.
* '''No Deletion''': We will not remove or delete your content—it remains secure and accessible.

==== Extended warranty ====
To reduce costs for all users, extended warranty coverage has been removed as a standard Nixplay Plus feature. However, it remains available as an add-on with defined eligibility terms:

* '''Eligibility''': Available for Nixplay Plus subscribers with Nixplay frames less than 1 year old.
* '''Continuous renewal''': Your Nixplay Plus subscription and extended warranty must remain uninterrupted to maintain eligibility for claims.

==== Inactive accounts ====
Expanded clarity for accounts inactive for 6 months:
* Content will be archived for secure storage.
* Archived content can be retrieved by reactivating your account.

==== Content management ====
We've enhanced clarity on:
* Your ownership of uploaded content.
* User control over shared content.
* Rights granted to Nixplay to provide services.

==== DMCA compliance (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) ====
We've expanded details on:
* Reporting copyright infringements.
* The process for addressing DMCA violations.

If you have questions or concerns, our support team is ready to assist at support@nixplay.com.

Thank you for your continued trust in Nixplay.

''*Prices are shown in CAD$. Pricing may vary based on location, local taxes, and exchange rates. Pricing in app stores (Google Play and Apple App Store) may differ due to regional adjustments and currency conversion rates.''
}}

===What was disabled===
*Google Photos integration was disabled unless users upgraded to a paid plan.
*Unlimited cloud storage was revoked, free users are capped at 500 MB of photos and videos.
*Whatever customers had above the quota was locked and couldn't be accessed.
*Lifetime warranty previously included in Nixplay Plus was removed &converted to a $14.99/year add-on<ref>https://www.nixplay.com/blogs/faq/whats-included-in-the-new-nixplay-memberships</ref>.

These changes affected all users, including those who had purchased frames under the expectation of unlimited storage and free cloud features. Archived product listings on Amazon and the official website confirm that these features were clearly advertised at time of sale.<ref name="amazon">{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B096DQF21Z|title=Nixplay Digital Picture Frame Product Page|access-date=2025-03-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130015427/https://www.nixplay.co.uk/products/nixplay-10-inch-touch-screen-photo-frame|archive-date=2023-11-30}}</ref>

==False advertising on Amazon==
[[File:Nixplay false advertising- sells "unlimited" after creating limits.png|alt=Nixplay advertising picture frame with "unlimited" storage even after limiting customers to 500 MB. Screenshot taken from amazon.ca product page of Nixplay product as seen on March 21st, 5:53 PM Central time|thumb|Nixplay advertising picture frame with '''"unlimited"''' storage even after limiting customers to 500 MB. Screenshot taken from amazon.ca product page of Nixplay product as seen on March 21st, 5:53 PM Central time<ref>[[:File:LOUIS VIEW OF SITE AS OF 03-21-2025 Nixplay Digital Touch Screen Picture Frame with WiFi - 10.1” Photo Frame, Connecting Families & Friends (Black Gold) Amazon.ca Electronics.pdf]]</ref> ]]
As of March 21st, 2025, one week after Nixplay changed their TOS, their products are still for sale on Amazon being advertised with ''"unlimited"'' storage.<ref name=":0">[[:File:LOUIS VIEW OF SITE AS OF 03-21-2025 Nixplay Digital Touch Screen Picture Frame with WiFi - 10.1” Photo Frame, Connecting Families & Friends (Black Gold) Amazon.ca Electronics.pdf]]</ref><ref name=":1" />

A Reddit post documenting the change received over 2,000 upvotes, with hundreds of users expressing frustration over the bait-and-switch nature of the update.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://old.reddit.com/r/assholedesign/comments/1jeso4h/my_digital_frame_just_removed_the_ability_to/|title=My digital frame just removed the ability to connect to Google Photos|work=Reddit|access-date=2025-03-21}}</ref> UK customers filed formal complaints, citing violations of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 for altering a key advertised product feature post-sale.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://old.reddit.com/r/nixplay/comments/1je3b6b/uk_legal_notice_for_nixplay/|title=UK Legal Notice for Nixplay|work=Reddit|access-date=2025-03-21}}</ref>

==Products==
*W10K<ref name="products">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nixplay.com/collections/nixplay-smart-photo-frames|title=Smart Digital Photo Frames|work=Nixplay|access-date=2025-03-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225090343/https://www.nixplay.com/collections/nixplay-smart-photo-frames|archive-date=2025-02-25}}</ref>
*W10P<ref name="products" />
*W15P<ref name="products" />
*W08F<ref name="products" />
*W10G<ref name="products" />
*W08G<ref name="products" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}