Software-gating - Revision history

Mr Pollo at 19:41, 20 April 2026

2026-04-20T19:41:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:41, 20 April 2026
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	{{Incomplete}}		{{Incomplete\|Issue 1=should have real-world examples with references}}

	Related to [[forced app download]], '''software-gating''' or '''software companion''' is a method to control device features through ''external'' means in consumer electronic hardware. It is characterized by a dependence on that external software/app to configure or control some part of a device.		Related to [[forced app download]], '''software-gating''' or '''software companion''' is a method to control device features through ''external'' means in consumer electronic hardware. It is characterized by a dependence on that external software/app to configure or control some part of a device.

Rudxain: link cloud-dep to forced-cloud

2026-03-31T22:38:56Z

link cloud-dep to forced-cloud

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:38, 31 March 2026
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	===Anti-consumer===		===Anti-consumer===
	Software-gating becomes a problem when it limits the consumer's choice, their only options being privacy invasive, cloud-dependent, or intentionally limited in favor of paying a subscription.		Software-gating becomes a problem when it limits the consumer's choice, their only options being privacy invasive, [[Forced cloud\|cloud-dependent]], or intentionally limited in favor of paying a subscription.

	Examples of anti-consumer software-gating:		Examples of anti-consumer software-gating:

Reform: Minifix3

2026-03-31T20:14:19Z

Minifix3

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:14, 31 March 2026
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	Software-gating becomes a problem when it limits the consumer's choice, their only options being privacy invasive, cloud-dependent, or intentionally limited in favor of paying a subscription.		Software-gating becomes a problem when it limits the consumer's choice, their only options being privacy invasive, cloud-dependent, or intentionally limited in favor of paying a subscription.

	Examples of anti-consumer software-~~gates~~:		Examples of anti-consumer software-gating:

	*'''Unnecessary app:''' What could have easily been done with hardware switches or displays, is now instead done with an external app in order to exert more control over the customer. This is often marketed as a way to provide extended functionality, while in reality it is a solution in search of a problem.		*'''Unnecessary app:''' What could have easily been done with hardware switches or displays, is now instead done with an external app in order to exert more control over the customer. This is often marketed as a way to provide extended functionality, while in reality it is a solution in search of a problem.

Reform: Minifix2

2026-03-31T20:13:42Z

Minifix2

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:13, 31 March 2026
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	===Anti-consumer===		===Anti-consumer===
	Software-gating becomes a problem when it limits the consumer's choice, their only options being privacy invasive, cloud-dependent, or intentionally limited in favor of paying a subscription. ~~Examples of this being:~~		Software-gating becomes a problem when it limits the consumer's choice, their only options being privacy invasive, cloud-dependent, or intentionally limited in favor of paying a subscription.

	Examples of anti-consumer software-gates:		Examples of anti-consumer software-gates:

Reform: Minifix

2026-03-31T20:09:09Z

Minifix

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:09, 31 March 2026
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	Software-gating is not inherently anti-consumer as it can provide useful in some scenarios. Examples of this being:		Software-gating is not inherently anti-consumer as it can provide useful in some scenarios. Examples of this being:

	*'''Customization''': It allows the user to finely tune device behavior, which would be really hard to implement with hardware buttons and switches. Examples of that being a piece of software to program the behavior of RGB keyboards, mice ~~and~~ hue-changing lamps.		*'''Customization''': It allows the user to finely tune device behavior, which would be really hard to implement with hardware buttons and switches. Examples of that being a piece of software to program the behavior of RGB keyboards, mice or hue-changing lamps.
	*'''Security features:''' Authentication devices that utilize software dependency to create security benefits for consumers.		*'''Security features:''' Authentication devices that utilize software dependency to create security benefits for consumers.

Reform: Redundancy

2026-03-31T20:08:23Z

Redundancy

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:08, 31 March 2026
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	Software-gating is not inherently anti-consumer as it can provide useful in some scenarios. Examples of this being:		Software-gating is not inherently anti-consumer as it can provide useful in some scenarios. Examples of this being:

	*'''Customization''': ~~External software that~~ allows the user to finely tune device behavior, which would be really hard to implement with hardware buttons and switches. Examples of that being a piece of software to program the behavior of RGB keyboards, mice and hue-changing lamps.		*'''Customization''': It allows the user to finely tune device behavior, which would be really hard to implement with hardware buttons and switches. Examples of that being a piece of software to program the behavior of RGB keyboards, mice and hue-changing lamps.
	*'''Security features:''' Authentication devices that utilize software dependency to create security benefits for consumers.		*'''Security features:''' Authentication devices that utilize software dependency to create security benefits for consumers.

Reform: /* Reason it exists */

2026-03-31T20:07:37Z

Reason it exists

Reform: Full overhaul. Now it fully distinguishes itself from all the adjacent themes, such as: DRM, features on demand, and forced app download.

2026-03-31T20:07:16Z

Full overhaul. Now it fully distinguishes itself from all the adjacent themes, such as: DRM, features on demand, and forced app download.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:07, 31 March 2026
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	{{Incomplete}}		{{Incomplete}}

	~~As a softer version~~ to [[~~activation]], and related to [[features on demand~~]], '''software-gating''' is a method to control ~~access to~~ ''~~features~~'' in consumer electronic hardware~~, but are not inherently anti-consumer as they provide useful for security features~~.		Related to [[forced app download]], '''software-gating''' or '''software companion''' is a method to control device features through ''external'' means in consumer electronic hardware. It is characterized by a dependence on that external software/app to configure or control some part of a device.

	This definition does not include closed-source, such as [[wikipedia:Proprietary_software\|proprietary software]] or [[wikipedia:Proprietary_protocol\|proprietary protocols]], as these can still provide the consumer with fully featured access without needing an account, app, or activation.		== Reason it exists ==

	==~~Anti~~-consumer ~~examples==~~		=== Pro-consumer ===
	~~===Forced account for data lock-in~~===		Software-gating is not inherently anti-consumer as it can provide useful in some scenarios. Examples of this being:
	~~[[Forced account\|Requiring an account]] in order to be used, such as with some Google Pixels and specific Android devices, and iPhones needing an Apple account create an easy entry~~-~~point for [[data lock~~-in~~]], making it harder to switch vendors~~.~~{{Citation needed\|date=31 Mar 2026}}~~

	~~===Forced app download===~~		* '''Customization''': External software that allows the user to finely tune device behavior, which would be really hard to implement with hardware buttons and switches. Examples of that being a piece of software to program the behavior of RGB keyboards, mice and hue-changing lamps.
	''~~Apps~~'' ~~are~~ a ~~popular method for manufacturers~~ to ~~put marketed~~ features ~~behind~~ software~~-gates~~. ~~Examples of this are:~~		* '''Security features:''' Authentication devices that utilize software dependency to create security benefits for consumers.

	*Sony headphones requiring app to tweak its EQ		Signs for pro-consumer software companion:

	*HVAC app activation of ~~furnace control boards~~.~~{{Citation needed\|date=31 Mar 2026}}~~		# '''Community software:''' The software vendor is open to user feedback, transparent about its roadmap, and is generally kept in check by its users, rather than the other way around.
			# '''Free software license''': The software vendor provides the source-code of the software, released under an open-source license, either [[wikipedia:Copyleft\|copyleft]] or [[wikipedia:Permissive_software_license\|permissive]]. This protects user choice, for example if the company goes into bankruptcy, or the software has privacy issues, because it can be fully modified and legally redistributed by an independent party.

	===~~Activation & licensing~~===		=== Anti-consumer ===
	~~When features are locked behind an activation process~~, ~~it will require server connectivity~~. ~~Some implications~~ of this ~~include~~:		Software-gating becomes a problem when it limits the consumer's choice, their only options being privacy invasive, cloud-dependent, or intentionally limited in favor of paying a subscription. Examples of this being:

	*Cloud services that are essential to keep the features working can be put offline		Examples of anti-consumer software-gates:

	*The ~~digital services can change~~ in ~~quality~~ or ~~become more~~ privacy ~~invasive over time~~		* '''Unnecessary app:''' What could have easily been done with hardware switches or displays, is now instead done with an external app in order to exert more control over the customer. This is often marketed as a way to provide extended functionality, while in reality it is a solution in search of a problem.
			* '''Privacy invasive:''' The app fully tracks its users to sell their data to advertisers.

			Signs for anti-consumer software:

			# '''Features on demand:''' The software vendor restricts features in purchased hardware for the sake of a subscription-based business model. This inherently creates most of the problems below.
			# '''Company-first software:''' The software does not release their source-code, nor is not open to user feedback, and risk making it hard to use if the company goes into bankruptcy, or the software has privacy issues, because it cannot be modified and legally redistributed by an independent party.
			# '''Software dependence:''' Permanently locked bootloaders that limit what a consumer can run on their device. This means being dependent on the goodwill of the software vendors to respect the user's privacy, freedom of choice (for what is still left of it).

	==See also==		==See also==

	*[[Digital rights management]]		*[[Digital rights management]]
	*[[~~Walled garden~~]]		*[[Features on demand]]
	*[[Bootloader unlocking]]		*[[Bootloader unlocking]]

Reform: Small fix

2026-03-31T18:36:36Z

Small fix

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:36, 31 March 2026
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	===Forced app download===		===Forced app download===
	''Apps'' are a popular method for manufacturers to marketed features behind software ~~locks~~. Examples of this are:		''Apps'' are a popular method for manufacturers to put marketed features behind software-gates. Examples of this are:

	*Sony headphones requiring app to tweak its EQ		*Sony headphones requiring app to tweak its EQ

Reform: Fix

2026-03-31T18:07:46Z

Fix

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:07, 31 March 2026
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	This definition does not include closed-source, such as [[wikipedia:Proprietary_software\|proprietary software]] or [[wikipedia:Proprietary_protocol\|proprietary protocols]], as these can still provide the consumer with fully featured access without needing an account, app, or activation.		This definition does not include closed-source, such as [[wikipedia:Proprietary_software\|proprietary software]] or [[wikipedia:Proprietary_protocol\|proprietary protocols]], as these can still provide the consumer with fully featured access without needing an account, app, or activation.

	* [[Digital rights management]]

	==Anti-consumer examples==		==Anti-consumer examples==
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	[[Forced account\|Requiring an account]] in order to be used, such as with some Google Pixels and specific Android devices, and iPhones needing an Apple account create an easy entry-point for [[data lock-in]], making it harder to switch vendors.{{Citation needed\|date=31 Mar 2026}}		[[Forced account\|Requiring an account]] in order to be used, such as with some Google Pixels and specific Android devices, and iPhones needing an Apple account create an easy entry-point for [[data lock-in]], making it harder to switch vendors.{{Citation needed\|date=31 Mar 2026}}

	=== Forced app download ===		===Forced app download===
	''Apps'' are a popular method for manufacturers to marketed features behind software locks. Examples of this are:		''Apps'' are a popular method for manufacturers to marketed features behind software locks. Examples of this are:

	* Sony headphones requiring app to tweak its EQ		*Sony headphones requiring app to tweak its EQ

	* HVAC app activation of furnace control boards.{{Citation needed\|date=31 Mar 2026}}		*HVAC app activation of furnace control boards.{{Citation needed\|date=31 Mar 2026}}

	=== Activation & licensing ===		===Activation & licensing===
	When features are locked behind an activation process, it will require server connectivity. Some implications of this include:		When features are locked behind an activation process, it will require server connectivity. Some implications of this include:

	* Cloud services that are essential to keep the features working can be put offline		*Cloud services that are essential to keep the features working can be put offline

	* The digital services can change in quality or become more privacy invasive over time		*The digital services can change in quality or become more privacy invasive over time

	== See also ==		==See also==

	* [[Digital rights management]]		*[[Digital rights management]]
	* [[Walled garden]]		*[[Walled garden]]
	* [[Bootloader unlocking]]		*[[Bootloader unlocking]]

	==References==		==References==

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:07, 31 March 2026
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	Related to [[forced app download]], '''software-gating''' or '''software companion''' is a method to control device features through ''external'' means in consumer electronic hardware. It is characterized by a dependence on that external software/app to configure or control some part of a device.		Related to [[forced app download]], '''software-gating''' or '''software companion''' is a method to control device features through ''external'' means in consumer electronic hardware. It is characterized by a dependence on that external software/app to configure or control some part of a device.

	== ~~Reason~~ it exists ==		==Reasons it exists==

	=== Pro-consumer ===		===Pro-consumer===
	Software-gating is not inherently anti-consumer as it can provide useful in some scenarios. Examples of this being:		Software-gating is not inherently anti-consumer as it can provide useful in some scenarios. Examples of this being:

	* '''Customization''': External software that allows the user to finely tune device behavior, which would be really hard to implement with hardware buttons and switches. Examples of that being a piece of software to program the behavior of RGB keyboards, mice and hue-changing lamps.		*'''Customization''': External software that allows the user to finely tune device behavior, which would be really hard to implement with hardware buttons and switches. Examples of that being a piece of software to program the behavior of RGB keyboards, mice and hue-changing lamps.
	* '''Security features:''' Authentication devices that utilize software dependency to create security benefits for consumers.		*'''Security features:''' Authentication devices that utilize software dependency to create security benefits for consumers.

	Signs for pro-consumer software companion:		Signs for pro-consumer software companion:

	# '''Community software:''' The software vendor is open to user feedback, transparent about its roadmap, and is generally kept in check by its users, rather than the other way around.		#'''Community software:''' The software vendor is open to user feedback, transparent about its roadmap, and is generally kept in check by its users, rather than the other way around.
	# '''Free software license''': The software vendor provides the source-code of the software, released under an open-source license, either [[wikipedia:Copyleft\|copyleft]] or [[wikipedia:Permissive_software_license\|permissive]]. This protects user choice, for example if the company goes into bankruptcy, or the software has privacy issues, because it can be fully modified and legally redistributed by an independent party.		#'''Free software license''': The software vendor provides the source-code of the software, released under an open-source license, either [[wikipedia:Copyleft\|copyleft]] or [[wikipedia:Permissive_software_license\|permissive]]. This protects user choice, for example if the company goes into bankruptcy, or the software has privacy issues, because it can be fully modified and legally redistributed by an independent party.

	=== Anti-consumer ===		===Anti-consumer===
	Software-gating becomes a problem when it limits the consumer's choice, their only options being privacy invasive, cloud-dependent, or intentionally limited in favor of paying a subscription. Examples of this being:		Software-gating becomes a problem when it limits the consumer's choice, their only options being privacy invasive, cloud-dependent, or intentionally limited in favor of paying a subscription. Examples of this being:

	Examples of anti-consumer software-gates:		Examples of anti-consumer software-gates:

	* '''Unnecessary app:''' What could have easily been done with hardware switches or displays, is now instead done with an external app in order to exert more control over the customer. This is often marketed as a way to provide extended functionality, while in reality it is a solution in search of a problem.		*'''Unnecessary app:''' What could have easily been done with hardware switches or displays, is now instead done with an external app in order to exert more control over the customer. This is often marketed as a way to provide extended functionality, while in reality it is a solution in search of a problem.
	* '''Privacy invasive:''' The app fully tracks its users to sell their data to advertisers.		*'''Privacy invasive:''' The app fully tracks its users to sell their data to advertisers.

	Signs for anti-consumer software:		Signs for anti-consumer software:

	# '''Features on demand:''' The software vendor restricts features in purchased hardware for the sake of a subscription-based business model. This inherently creates most of the problems below.		#'''Features on demand:''' The software vendor restricts features in purchased hardware for the sake of a subscription-based business model. This inherently creates most of the problems below.
	# '''Company-first software:''' The software does not release their source-code, nor is not open to user feedback, and risk making it hard to use if the company goes into bankruptcy, or the software has privacy issues, because it cannot be modified and legally redistributed by an independent party.		#'''Company-first software:''' The software does not release their source-code, nor is not open to user feedback, and risk making it hard to use if the company goes into bankruptcy, or the software has privacy issues, because it cannot be modified and legally redistributed by an independent party.
	# '''Software dependence:''' Permanently locked bootloaders that limit what a consumer can run on their device. This means being dependent on the goodwill of the software vendors to respect the user's privacy, freedom of choice (for what is still left of it).		#'''Software dependence:''' Permanently locked bootloaders that limit what a consumer can run on their device. This means being dependent on the goodwill of the software vendors to respect the user's privacy, freedom of choice (for what is still left of it).

	==See also==		==See also==