Self-destructive design - Revision history

Rudxain: link discont brick

2026-05-12T01:15:50Z

link discont brick

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:15, 12 May 2026
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	'''Self-destructive design''' is a generic form of product design whereby it is possible that some if not all functions of the device will cease functioning. Self-destructive design can occur unintentionally due to oversights but it can be implemented intentionally. Self-destructive design is split into numerous types: '''discontinuation bricking, digital discontinuation bricking, end-of-life product discontinuation,''' and '''[[planned obsolescence]]'''. All forms of self-destructive design harm consumers in that it reduces product lifetime and increases waste production.		'''Self-destructive design''' is a generic form of product design whereby it is possible that some if not all functions of the device will cease functioning. Self-destructive design can occur unintentionally due to oversights but it can be implemented intentionally. Self-destructive design is split into numerous types: '''[[discontinuation bricking]], digital discontinuation bricking, end-of-life product discontinuation,''' and '''[[planned obsolescence]]'''. All forms of self-destructive design harm consumers in that it reduces product lifetime and increases waste production.

	*'''[[Planned obsolescence]]''' is a business strategy where a product is designed in such a way that it will inevitably fail or become obsolete and require replacement with a non-obsolete product.		*'''[[Planned obsolescence]]''' is a business strategy where a product is designed in such a way that it will inevitably fail or become obsolete and require replacement with a non-obsolete product.

Reform: Added whoop under Digital discontinuation bricking

2026-03-24T21:49:50Z

Added whoop under Digital discontinuation bricking

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:49, 24 March 2026
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	*[[Rosetta Stone bricks legacy CD-based and downloadable software\|Rosetta Stone bricks $500 legacy CD software and downloadable products]] by blocking activation to push subscriptions. The bricked software has a perpetual license.		*[[Rosetta Stone bricks legacy CD-based and downloadable software\|Rosetta Stone bricks $500 legacy CD software and downloadable products]] by blocking activation to push subscriptions. The bricked software has a perpetual license.
			*[[Whoop]] is a health tracking wristband that measures strain, recovery, and sleep, but without an active subscription it becomes useless.

	==References==		==References==

Tempo123: Add planned obsolescence links and fix typo

2026-03-24T19:31:43Z

Add planned obsolescence links and fix typo

Tempo123: /* Dependence on third-parties for repairs and bypasses */ Remove red/dead links

2026-03-24T19:29:18Z

Dependence on third-parties for repairs and bypasses: Remove red/dead links

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:29, 24 March 2026
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	===Dependence on third-parties for repairs and bypasses===		===Dependence on third-parties for repairs and bypasses===
	Some consumers will wish to repair their products after it has been damaged which results in them contacting third-parties. Some third-party services may be untrustworthy and could open the user to [[security]] and [[safety]] risks		Some consumers will wish to repair their products after it has been damaged which results in them contacting third-parties. Some third-party services may be untrustworthy and could open the user to [[security]] and safety risks

	*'''Planned obsolescence''' is often the least harmful in terms of reparability as a side effect of its invisible nature. Often times it is possible to simply replace obsolete components with working ones. Companies attempt to prevent third party repair of obsolete components by using other dark practices such as ~~[[Component pairing\|~~anti-repair component pairing]].		*'''Planned obsolescence''' is often the least harmful in terms of reparability as a side effect of its invisible nature. Often times it is possible to simply replace obsolete components with working ones. Companies attempt to prevent third party repair of obsolete components by using other dark practices such as anti-repair component pairing.
	*'''EOL''' is more significant due to the disappearance of repair components over time and anti-repair practices that prevent consumers from repairing their products with custom components.		*'''EOL''' is more significant due to the disappearance of repair components over time and anti-repair practices that prevent consumers from repairing their products with custom components.
	**'''Digital discontinuation bricking''' is perhaps the most difficult to deal with due to the complexity of bypasses. A product that has ceased functioning because an authorization server has gone offline will require the user to either setup their own servers or bypass the remote authorization, malicious third-parties can take advantage of desperate consumers whose digital products have been disabled. In addition the more digital products depend on remote servers, the more difficult it will be to replace the hardware.		**'''Digital discontinuation bricking''' is perhaps the most difficult to deal with due to the complexity of bypasses. A product that has ceased functioning because an authorization server has gone offline will require the user to either setup their own servers or bypass the remote authorization, malicious third-parties can take advantage of desperate consumers whose digital products have been disabled. In addition the more digital products depend on remote servers, the more difficult it will be to replace the hardware.

SpanishLearner: /* Digital discontinuation bricking */ Clarity

2026-02-27T09:46:53Z

Digital discontinuation bricking: Clarity

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:46, 27 February 2026
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	===Digital discontinuation bricking===		===Digital discontinuation bricking===

	*[[Rosetta Stone bricks legacy CD-based and downloadable software\|Rosetta Stone bricks $500 legacy ~~standalone~~ CD software and downloadable products ~~with perpetual license~~ by blocking activation to push subscriptions]].		*[[Rosetta Stone bricks legacy CD-based and downloadable software\|Rosetta Stone bricks $500 legacy CD software and downloadable products]] by blocking activation to push subscriptions. The bricked software has a perpetual license.

	==References==		==References==

SpanishLearner: /* Digital discontinuation bricking */

2026-02-23T02:52:21Z

Digital discontinuation bricking

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:52, 23 February 2026
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	===Digital discontinuation bricking===		===Digital discontinuation bricking===

	* [[Rosetta Stone bricks legacy CD-based and downloadable software\|Rosetta Stone bricks legacy standalone CD software and downloadable products with perpetual license by blocking activation to push subscriptions]].		*[[Rosetta Stone bricks legacy CD-based and downloadable software\|Rosetta Stone bricks $500 legacy standalone CD software and downloadable products with perpetual license by blocking activation to push subscriptions]].

	==References==		==References==

SpanishLearner: /* Digital discontinuation bricking */ - added an example

2026-02-23T02:49:13Z

Digital discontinuation bricking: - added an example

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:49, 23 February 2026
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	*[[IPhone planned obsolescence incidencies\|IPhone planned obsolescence incidences]]		*[[IPhone planned obsolescence incidencies\|IPhone planned obsolescence incidences]]

	=== Kill switch ===		===Kill switch===

	* [[Oneplus phone update introduces hardware anti-rollback]]. Smartphone with [[Qualcomm]] SoC have so-called eFuse than can be "blown" by software means. The switch is manufactured in a way that once the bit in the EEPROM is written. it can't be undone except replacing the mainboard. This machanism is used by [[OnePlus]] to hard brick smartphones that users attempted to install a third-party ROM on.		*[[Oneplus phone update introduces hardware anti-rollback]]. Smartphone with [[Qualcomm]] SoC have so-called eFuse than can be "blown" by software means. The switch is manufactured in a way that once the bit in the EEPROM is written. it can't be undone except replacing the mainboard. This machanism is used by [[OnePlus]] to hard brick smartphones that users attempted to install a third-party ROM on.

	===EOL repair blocking actions===		===EOL repair blocking actions===
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	===Digital discontinuation bricking===		===Digital discontinuation bricking===

			* [[Rosetta Stone bricks legacy CD-based and downloadable software\|Rosetta Stone bricks legacy standalone CD software and downloadable products with perpetual license by blocking activation to push subscriptions]].

	==References==		==References==

Charlie 6: added a type of self-destructive design: kill switch

2026-01-25T12:06:39Z

added a type of self-destructive design: kill switch

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:06, 25 January 2026
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	**'''Discontinuation bricking,''' also known as '''Physical discontinuation bricking''' is a symptom of EOL where a product completely ceases functioning, likely because it is no longer reparable.		**'''Discontinuation bricking,''' also known as '''Physical discontinuation bricking''' is a symptom of EOL where a product completely ceases functioning, likely because it is no longer reparable.
	**'''Digital discontinuation bricking''' is a symptom of EOL where a product that depends on a network connection ceases functioning either because the company remotely shut down the product or shut down services the product depends upon.		**'''Digital discontinuation bricking''' is a symptom of EOL where a product that depends on a network connection ceases functioning either because the company remotely shut down the product or shut down services the product depends upon.
			*'''Kill-switch.''' A mechanism to render the device unusable, often done remotely and deliberately.

	==Overall impacts==		==Overall impacts==
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	*'''EOL''' is less likely to be malicious as it actually does provide real benefits for companies; no one expects early 20th century cars to remain supported or in production in the 21st century. There is room for malicious EOL decisions with the intent to make consumers buy more products.		*'''EOL''' is less likely to be malicious as it actually does provide real benefits for companies; no one expects early 20th century cars to remain supported or in production in the 21st century. There is room for malicious EOL decisions with the intent to make consumers buy more products.
	**'''Discontinuation bricking''' is also less likely to be malicious as it can occur when a company goes out of business, but for when companies just decide to take the product offline entirely it is more questionable. There is definitely room for malicious bricking incidents to occur.		**'''Discontinuation bricking''' is also less likely to be malicious as it can occur when a company goes out of business, but for when companies just decide to take the product offline entirely it is more questionable. There is definitely room for malicious bricking incidents to occur.
			*'''Kill switch''' is a hardware mechanism is implemented on the device by the manufacturer. Which can be later "activated" often remotely by a software update. Should the condition met, the kill switch will trigger, render the hardware permanently unusable.

	It should also be noted that EOL products can fall into the category of planned obsolescence <u>if there is evidence to support the producer designed the product such that it would become obsolete</u>.		It should also be noted that EOL products can fall into the category of planned obsolescence <u>if there is evidence to support the producer designed the product such that it would become obsolete</u>.
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	*[[IPhone planned obsolescence incidencies\|IPhone planned obsolescence incidences]]		*[[IPhone planned obsolescence incidencies\|IPhone planned obsolescence incidences]]

			=== Kill switch ===

			* [[Oneplus phone update introduces hardware anti-rollback]]. Smartphone with [[Qualcomm]] SoC have so-called eFuse than can be "blown" by software means. The switch is manufactured in a way that once the bit in the EEPROM is written. it can't be undone except replacing the mainboard. This machanism is used by [[OnePlus]] to hard brick smartphones that users attempted to install a third-party ROM on.

	===EOL repair blocking actions===		===EOL repair blocking actions===

Sojourna: /* Environmental harm */ style

2025-12-08T23:41:31Z

Environmental harm: style

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:41, 8 December 2025
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	It should also be noted that EOL products can fall into the category of planned obsolescence <u>if there is evidence to support the producer designed the product such that it would become obsolete</u>.		It should also be noted that EOL products can fall into the category of planned obsolescence <u>if there is evidence to support the producer designed the product such that it would become obsolete</u>.

	===~~'''~~Environmental harm~~'''~~===		===Environmental harm===
	Excessive waste of all forms are inevitable in all types of self-destructive design. The loss of product or component functionality will create justification for consumers to discard their product and replace it with a functioning one.		Excessive waste of all forms are inevitable in all types of self-destructive design. The loss of product or component functionality will create justification for consumers to discard their product and replace it with a functioning one.

	*'''Planned obsolescence''' is special in this case because its sole intent is to make products become waste so that consumers buy more products.		*'''Planned obsolescence''' is special in this case because its sole intent is to make products become waste so that consumers buy more products.
	*'''EOL''' will generate waste due to the decrease in ~~reparability~~. If it becomes to expensive to repair an EOL product it becomes waste.		*'''EOL''' will generate waste due to the decrease in repairability. If it becomes to expensive to repair an EOL product it becomes waste.
	**'''Physical Discontinuation bricking''' usually results from design choices that make the device hard to repair.		**'''Physical Discontinuation bricking''' usually results from design choices that make the device hard to repair.
	**'''Digital discontinuation bricking''' is even more severe in this regard due to dependence on remote servers, most consumers will not build their own server architecture for the sake of running a digital app or device. Additionally for the small subset of consumers that would be interested, they are rendered incapable of doing so since these servers often will use proprietary software, which often is not publicly accessible for personal usage.		**'''Digital discontinuation bricking''' is even more severe in this regard due to dependence on remote servers, most consumers will not build their own server architecture for the sake of running a digital app or device. Additionally for the small subset of consumers that would be interested, they are rendered incapable of doing so since these servers often will use proprietary software, which often is not publicly accessible for personal usage.

Beanie Bo: Removed stub

2025-10-21T20:16:57Z

Removed stub

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:16, 21 October 2025
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	~~{{StubNotice}}~~

	'''Self-destructive design''' is a generic form of product design whereby it is possible that some if not all functions of the device will cease functioning. Self-destructive design can occur unintentionally due to oversights but it can be implemented intentionally. Self-destructive design is split into numerous types: '''discontinuation bricking, digital discontinuation bricking, end-of-life product discontinuation,''' and '''planned obsolescence'''. All forms of self-destructive design harm consumers in that it reduces product lifetime and increases waste production.		'''Self-destructive design''' is a generic form of product design whereby it is possible that some if not all functions of the device will cease functioning. Self-destructive design can occur unintentionally due to oversights but it can be implemented intentionally. Self-destructive design is split into numerous types: '''discontinuation bricking, digital discontinuation bricking, end-of-life product discontinuation,''' and '''planned obsolescence'''. All forms of self-destructive design harm consumers in that it reduces product lifetime and increases waste production.

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:31, 24 March 2026
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	'''Self-destructive design''' is a generic form of product design whereby it is possible that some if not all functions of the device will cease functioning. Self-destructive design can occur unintentionally due to oversights but it can be implemented intentionally. Self-destructive design is split into numerous types: '''discontinuation bricking, digital discontinuation bricking, end-of-life product discontinuation,''' and '''planned obsolescence'''. All forms of self-destructive design harm consumers in that it reduces product lifetime and increases waste production.		'''Self-destructive design''' is a generic form of product design whereby it is possible that some if not all functions of the device will cease functioning. Self-destructive design can occur unintentionally due to oversights but it can be implemented intentionally. Self-destructive design is split into numerous types: '''discontinuation bricking, digital discontinuation bricking, end-of-life product discontinuation,''' and '''[[planned obsolescence]]'''. All forms of self-destructive design harm consumers in that it reduces product lifetime and increases waste production.

	*'''Planned obsolescence''' is a business strategy where a product is designed in such a way that it will inevitably fail or become obsolete and require replacement with a non-obsolete product.		*'''[[Planned obsolescence]]''' is a business strategy where a product is designed in such a way that it will inevitably fail or become obsolete and require replacement with a non-obsolete product.
	*'''End-of-life product discontinuation (EOL)''' is a generic term describing the discontinuation of production of a product and its parts.		*'''End-of-life product discontinuation (EOL)''' is a generic term describing the discontinuation of production of a product and its parts.
	**'''Discontinuation bricking,''' also known as '''Physical discontinuation bricking''' is a symptom of EOL where a product completely ceases functioning, likely because it is no longer reparable.		**'''Discontinuation bricking,''' also known as '''Physical discontinuation bricking''' is a symptom of EOL where a product completely ceases functioning, likely because it is no longer reparable.
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	All types of self-destructive design can occur out of malicious intent to ruin a consumer's product.		All types of self-destructive design can occur out of malicious intent to ruin a consumer's product.

	*'''Planned obsolescence''' is the only type of self-destructive design that can be attributed as totally malicious; companies that institute planned obsolescence in their designs do so to ensure their customers buy more products. In addition invisible planned obsolescence can make consumers buy products they otherwise would not have bought with the knowledge of the dark practice.		*'''[[Planned obsolescence]]''' is the only type of self-destructive design that can be attributed as totally malicious; companies that institute planned obsolescence in their designs do so to ensure their customers buy more products. In addition invisible planned obsolescence can make consumers buy products they otherwise would not have bought with the knowledge of the dark practice.
	*'''EOL''' is less likely to be malicious as it actually does provide real benefits for companies; no one expects early 20th century cars to remain supported or in production in the 21st century. There is room for malicious EOL decisions with the intent to make consumers buy more products.		*'''EOL''' is less likely to be malicious as it actually does provide real benefits for companies; no one expects early 20th century cars to remain supported or in production in the 21st century. There is room for malicious EOL decisions with the intent to make consumers buy more products.
	**'''Discontinuation bricking''' is also less likely to be malicious as it can occur when a company goes out of business, but for when companies just decide to take the product offline entirely it is more questionable. There is definitely room for malicious bricking incidents to occur.		**'''Discontinuation bricking''' is also less likely to be malicious as it can occur when a company goes out of business, but for when companies just decide to take the product offline entirely it is more questionable. There is definitely room for malicious bricking incidents to occur.
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	Excessive waste of all forms are inevitable in all types of self-destructive design. The loss of product or component functionality will create justification for consumers to discard their product and replace it with a functioning one.		Excessive waste of all forms are inevitable in all types of self-destructive design. The loss of product or component functionality will create justification for consumers to discard their product and replace it with a functioning one.

	*'''Planned obsolescence''' is special in this case because its sole intent is to make products become waste so that consumers buy more products.		*'''[[Planned obsolescence]]''' is special in this case because its sole intent is to make products become waste so that consumers buy more products.
	*'''EOL''' will generate waste due to the decrease in repairability. If it becomes to expensive to repair an EOL product it becomes waste.		*'''EOL''' will generate waste due to the decrease in repairability. If it becomes to expensive to repair an EOL product it becomes waste.
	**'''Physical Discontinuation bricking''' usually results from design choices that make the device hard to repair.		**'''Physical Discontinuation bricking''' usually results from design choices that make the device hard to repair.
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	The term '''"bricking"''' refers to the process of a product losing functionality to the point that it becomes "brick-like" -- just a useless object. A product becomes '''hard-bricked''' if <u>all</u> its functionality is lost, usually in a very sudden manner -- in the flick of a switch. Hard-bricked devices are often difficult to de-brick. A product becomes '''soft-bricked''' when <u>some</u> of its functionality is lost. Soft-bricking can occur quickly but it can also slowly progress into hard-bricking; I.E: [[Intel CPUs stability issue\|oxidation of a processor slowly killing it]].		The term '''"bricking"''' refers to the process of a product losing functionality to the point that it becomes "brick-like" -- just a useless object. A product becomes '''hard-bricked''' if <u>all</u> its functionality is lost, usually in a very sudden manner -- in the flick of a switch. Hard-bricked devices are often difficult to de-brick. A product becomes '''soft-bricked''' when <u>some</u> of its functionality is lost. Soft-bricking can occur quickly but it can also slowly progress into hard-bricking; I.E: [[Intel CPUs stability issue\|oxidation of a processor slowly killing it]].

	*'''Planned obsolescence''' usually has a soft-bricking effect because designers tend to use a "slow-burn" effect which slowly harms the functioning of the device. The practice is unlikely to immediately destroy all functionality and is very difficult to detect as it might take several years to have a major impact.		*'''[[Planned obsolescence]]''' usually has a soft-bricking effect because designers tend to use a "slow-burn" effect which slowly harms the functioning of the device. The practice is unlikely to immediately destroy all functionality and is very difficult to detect as it might take several years to have a major impact.
	*'''EOL''' is unpredictable in the bricking severity. Some EOL products may survive several years without requiring any repairs at all -- this is evidence of good design -- others may fail very quickly.		*'''EOL''' is unpredictable in the bricking severity. Some EOL products may survive several years without requiring any repairs at all -- this is evidence of good design -- others may fail very quickly.
	**'''Physical Discontinuation bricking''' occurs when it is impossible to continue maintaining an EOL resulting in a total failure.		**'''Physical Discontinuation bricking''' occurs when it is impossible to continue maintaining an EOL resulting in a total failure.
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	Some consumers will wish to repair their products after it has been damaged which results in them contacting third-parties. Some third-party services may be untrustworthy and could open the user to [[security]] and safety risks		Some consumers will wish to repair their products after it has been damaged which results in them contacting third-parties. Some third-party services may be untrustworthy and could open the user to [[security]] and safety risks

	*'''Planned obsolescence''' is often the least harmful in terms of ~~reparability~~ as a side effect of its invisible nature. Often times it is possible to simply replace obsolete components with working ones. Companies attempt to prevent third party repair of obsolete components by using other dark practices such as anti-repair component pairing.		*'''[[Planned obsolescence]]''' is often the least harmful in terms of repairability as a side effect of its invisible nature. Often times it is possible to simply replace obsolete components with working ones. Companies attempt to prevent third party repair of obsolete components by using other dark practices such as anti-repair component pairing.
	*'''EOL''' is more significant due to the disappearance of repair components over time and anti-repair practices that prevent consumers from repairing their products with custom components.		*'''EOL''' is more significant due to the disappearance of repair components over time and anti-repair practices that prevent consumers from repairing their products with custom components.
	**'''Digital discontinuation bricking''' is perhaps the most difficult to deal with due to the complexity of bypasses. A product that has ceased functioning because an authorization server has gone offline will require the user to either setup their own servers or bypass the remote authorization, malicious third-parties can take advantage of desperate consumers whose digital products have been disabled. In addition the more digital products depend on remote servers, the more difficult it will be to replace the hardware.		**'''Digital discontinuation bricking''' is perhaps the most difficult to deal with due to the complexity of bypasses. A product that has ceased functioning because an authorization server has gone offline will require the user to either setup their own servers or bypass the remote authorization, malicious third-parties can take advantage of desperate consumers whose digital products have been disabled. In addition the more digital products depend on remote servers, the more difficult it will be to replace the hardware.
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	#Customers may learn about the defect and decide to sell the product without providing adequate details, even without any malicious intent, solely to recoup loss.		#Customers may learn about the defect and decide to sell the product without providing adequate details, even without any malicious intent, solely to recoup loss.

	*'''Planned obsolescence''' is unlikely to cause sale falsification due to its invisible and constant nature which usually makes it undetected but sellers who are aware of this dark pattern should inform buyers.		*'''[[Planned obsolescence]]''' is unlikely to cause sale falsification due to its invisible and constant nature which usually makes it undetected but sellers who are aware of this dark pattern should inform buyers.
	*'''EOL''' announcements can cause sale falsification if the product is declared EOL after the product is put up for sale -- which invalidates the seller's information.		*'''EOL''' announcements can cause sale falsification if the product is declared EOL after the product is put up for sale -- which invalidates the seller's information.
	**'''Digital discontinuation bricking''' is highly likely to cause sale falsification due to its sudden and often unannounced nature, sudden bricking also contributes the highest amount of misinformation around a products functioning state.		**'''Digital discontinuation bricking''' is highly likely to cause sale falsification due to its sudden and often unannounced nature, sudden bricking also contributes the highest amount of misinformation around a products functioning state.
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	!Sale Falsification		!Sale Falsification
	\|-		\|-
	\|Planned Obsolescence		\|[[Planned obsolescence\|Planned Obsolescence]]
	\|Always		\|Always
	\|Guaranteed		\|Guaranteed