Software locks - Revision history

AnotherConsumerRightsPerson: redir for copyright attribution

2026-03-31T20:36:11Z

redir for copyright attribution

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:36, 31 March 2026
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	~~{{StubNotice}}~~		#REDIRECT [[Software-gating]]

	~~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.~~

	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. {{DeletionRequest\|I merged it with software-gating, and rewired all previous links to this article to Activation - Reform}}See also

	*[[Digital rights management]]

	~~==Anti-consumer examples==~~
	~~===Forced account for data lock-in===~~
	[[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===~~
	~~''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

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

	~~===Activation & licensing===~~
	~~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

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

	~~==See also==~~

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

	~~==References==~~
	~~{{Reflist}}~~

	~~[[Category:Common terms]]~~
	~~[[Category:Software~~]]

Reform: Added deletion request

2026-03-31T20:24:12Z

Added deletion request

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:24, 31 March 2026
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	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.		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.

	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. {{DeletionRequest\|I merged it with software-gating, and rewired all previous links to this article to Activation - Reform}}See also

	~~See also~~		*[[Digital rights management]]

	* [[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==

Reform: Cleanup for clarity and defining it as something different than other theme articles in order to not have 3 times the same thing

2026-03-31T18:02:07Z

Cleanup for clarity and defining it as something different than other theme articles in order to not have 3 times the same thing

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:02, 31 March 2026
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	{{StubNotice}}		{{StubNotice}}

	~~Software locks are security measures used~~ to control access ~~and~~ features in consumer electronic hardware and software.<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_(computer_science) ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260131030629/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_(computer_science) Archived])</ref><ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_open-source_and_closed-source_software ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260116162909/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_open-source_and_closed-source_software Archived])</ref><sup>These are Wikipedia citations!</sup> Software locks are not ~~considered bad practice and are necessary~~ for ~~basic cybersecurity and operation of most hardware, though they can be abused~~.		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.

	~~==Noteworthy bad practice examples==~~		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.
	~~===Anti Interoperability===~~
	~~See also~~: ~~{{Wplink~~\|~~Proprietary~~ protocols}}
	~~wip stub example you~~ can~~'t use our competitors Bluetooth headset~~ with ~~our XYZ operating system because we invented a our own new proprietary XYZ Bluetooth audio codec and that product doesn't support it~~.

	~~real example apple mfi certifications on charging and data transfer accessories~~		See also

	~~apple's history of anti-Interoperability~~		* [[Digital rights management]]

	==~~=Account~~-~~required products=~~==		==Anti-consumer examples==
	===~~==Mobile phones==~~===		===Forced account for data lock-in===
	~~[https://pirg.org/articles/refurbishers-repairers-and-recyclers-call-on-the-fcc-to-stop-phone-software-locks/ ref] Small preamble focused on how mobile phones~~ [[Forced account\|~~require~~ an account]] in order to be used, ~~reference~~ Google Pixels and specific Android devices ~~requiring a Google account~~, and iPhones needing an Apple account.		[[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}}

	===~~==In appliances==~~===		=== Forced app download ===
	~~HVAC app activation of furnace control boards (also an example~~ of ~~[[forced app download]] (editors note hard to find credible ref~~ this ~~is a thing with ruud furnace control boards) )~~		''Apps'' are a popular method for manufacturers to marketed features behind software locks. Examples of this are:

	~~====Binding hardware features~~ to ~~non-transferable user accounts / activation & licensing locks<!-- This needs a much shorter name -->====~~		* Sony headphones requiring app to tweak its EQ
	~~-wip~~

	=~~==Server connectivity reliance===~~		* HVAC app activation of furnace control boards.{{Citation needed\|date=31 Mar 2026}}
	~~Also see: [[Subscription service]], [[Digital rights management]]~~
	~~-wip~~

	==~~Further reading~~==		=== Activation & licensing ===
	~~[[Digital rights management]]~~		When features are locked behind an activation process, it will require server connectivity. Some implications of this include:

	~~{{Wplink\|Comparison of open-source and closed-source software\|Proprietary software}}~~		* Cloud services that are essential to keep the features working can be put offline

	~~[[Walled garden]] / [[Software Ecosystem]]~~		* The digital services can change in quality or become more privacy invasive over time

	~~[[Bootloader unlocking]]~~		== See also ==

	~~{{Wplink\|Proprietary firmware}}~~		* [[Digital rights management]]
			* [[Walled garden]]
			* [[Bootloader unlocking]]

	==References==		==References==

Rudxain: link Forced account

2026-03-16T07:19:35Z

link Forced account

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:19, 16 March 2026
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	===Account-required products===		===Account-required products===
	=====Mobile phones=====		=====Mobile phones=====
	[https://pirg.org/articles/refurbishers-repairers-and-recyclers-call-on-the-fcc-to-stop-phone-software-locks/ ref] Small preamble focused on how mobile phones require an account in order to be used, reference Google Pixels and specific Android devices requiring a Google account, and iPhones needing an Apple account.		[https://pirg.org/articles/refurbishers-repairers-and-recyclers-call-on-the-fcc-to-stop-phone-software-locks/ ref] Small preamble focused on how mobile phones [[Forced account\|require an account]] in order to be used, reference Google Pixels and specific Android devices requiring a Google account, and iPhones needing an Apple account.

	=====In appliances=====		=====In appliances=====

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 2 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

2026-02-23T07:44:05Z

Added archive URLs for 2 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:44, 23 February 2026
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	{{StubNotice}}		{{StubNotice}}

	Software locks are security measures used to control access and features in consumer electronic hardware and software.<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_(computer_science)</ref><ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_open-source_and_closed-source_software</ref><sup>These are Wikipedia citations!</sup> Software locks are not considered bad practice and are necessary for basic cybersecurity and operation of most hardware, though they can be abused.		Software locks are security measures used to control access and features in consumer electronic hardware and software.<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_(computer_science) ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260131030629/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_(computer_science) Archived])</ref><ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_open-source_and_closed-source_software ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260116162909/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_open-source_and_closed-source_software Archived])</ref><sup>These are Wikipedia citations!</sup> Software locks are not considered bad practice and are necessary for basic cybersecurity and operation of most hardware, though they can be abused.

	==Noteworthy bad practice examples==		==Noteworthy bad practice examples==

TheOneWhoKnocks: Added a relevant category.

2026-02-21T04:28:05Z

Added a relevant category.

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:28, 21 February 2026
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	[[Category:Common terms]]		[[Category:Common terms]]
			[[Category:Software]]

Sojourna: Some quick clean-up as I don't want to spend much time on this page if it's eventually TNT'd.

2025-10-14T23:51:54Z

Some quick clean-up as I don't want to spend much time on this page if it's eventually TNT'd.

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:51, 14 October 2025
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	{{StubNotice}}		{{StubNotice}}

	Software locks are security measures used to control access and features in consumer electronic hardware and software. <ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_(computer_science)</ref><ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_open-source_and_closed-source_software</ref> Software locks are not considered bad practice and are necessary for basic cybersecurity and operation of most hardware, though they can be abused.		Software locks are security measures used to control access and features in consumer electronic hardware and software.<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_(computer_science)</ref><ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_open-source_and_closed-source_software</ref><sup>These are Wikipedia citations!</sup> Software locks are not considered bad practice and are necessary for basic cybersecurity and operation of most hardware, though they can be abused.

	==Noteworthy bad practice examples==		==Noteworthy bad practice examples==

	===Anti Interoperability===		===Anti Interoperability===
	~~Also see~~: ~~[[wikipedia:Proprietary_protoco~~\|Proprietary protocols]]		See also: {{Wplink\|Proprietary protocols}}
	wip stub example you can't use our competitors Bluetooth headset with our XYZ operating system because we invented a our own new proprietary XYZ Bluetooth audio codec and that product doesn't support it.		wip stub example you can't use our competitors Bluetooth headset with our XYZ operating system because we invented a our own new proprietary XYZ Bluetooth audio codec and that product doesn't support it.

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	===Account-required products===		===Account-required products===

	=====Mobile phones=====		=====Mobile phones=====
	[https://pirg.org/articles/refurbishers-repairers-and-recyclers-call-on-the-fcc-to-stop-phone-software-locks/ ref] Small preamble focused on how mobile phones require an account in order to be used, reference Google Pixels and specific Android devices requiring a Google account, and iPhones needing an Apple account.		[https://pirg.org/articles/refurbishers-repairers-and-recyclers-call-on-the-fcc-to-stop-phone-software-locks/ ref] Small preamble focused on how mobile phones require an account in order to be used, reference Google Pixels and specific Android devices requiring a Google account, and iPhones needing an Apple account.

	=====in appliances=====		=====In appliances=====
	~~hvac~~ app activation of furnace control boards (also an example of [[~~Forced~~ app download]] (editors note hard to find credible ref this is a thing with ruud furnace control boards) )		HVAC app activation of furnace control boards (also an example of [[forced app download]] (editors note hard to find credible ref this is a thing with ruud furnace control boards) )

	====Binding hardware features to non-transferable user accounts / activation & licensing locks<!-- This needs a much shorter name -->====		====Binding hardware features to non-transferable user accounts / activation & licensing locks<!-- This needs a much shorter name -->====
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	-wip		-wip

	==Further reading ~~/ also see~~==		==Further reading==
	[[Digital rights management~~\|DRM (digital right managment)~~]]		[[Digital rights management]]

	~~[[wikipedia:Comparison_of_open~~-~~source_and_closed~~-~~source_software~~\|Proprietary ~~Software]]~~		{{Wplink\|Comparison of open-source and closed-source software\|Proprietary software}}

	[[Walled garden]] / [[Software Ecosystem]]		[[Walled garden]] / [[Software Ecosystem]]
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	[[Bootloader unlocking]]		[[Bootloader unlocking]]

	~~[[wikipedia:Proprietary_firmware~~\|Proprietary firmware]]		{{Wplink\|Proprietary firmware}}


	~~<references />~~		==References==
			{{Reflist}}

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

Drakeula: Category:Common terms

2025-10-12T01:33:37Z

Category:Common terms

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:33, 12 October 2025
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	<references />		<references />

			[[Category:Common terms]]

AnotherConsumerRightsPerson: /* Noteworthy bad practice examples */ fixed red links

2025-09-02T07:10:30Z

Noteworthy bad practice examples: fixed red links

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:10, 2 September 2025
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	===Anti Interoperability===		===Anti Interoperability===
	Also see: [[wikipedia:Proprietary_protoco\|Proprietary protocols]]~~, [[Anti Interoperability]], [[Hardware Anti Interoperability]]<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proprietary_hardware? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proprietary_hardware?]</ref>~~		Also see: [[wikipedia:Proprietary_protoco\|Proprietary protocols]]
	wip stub example you can't use our competitors Bluetooth headset with our XYZ operating system because we invented a our own new proprietary XYZ Bluetooth audio codec and that product doesn't support it.		wip stub example you can't use our competitors Bluetooth headset with our XYZ operating system because we invented a our own new proprietary XYZ Bluetooth audio codec and that product doesn't support it.

JP: Improve summary

2025-06-21T17:10:18Z

Improve summary

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:10, 21 June 2025
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	{{StubNotice}}		{{StubNotice}}

	Software locks are security measures used to control access & features in consumer electronic hardware & software. <ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_(computer_science)</ref> <ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_open-source_and_closed-source_software</ref> Software locks ~~by themselves~~ are not considered bad practice and are necessary for basic ~~cyber security~~ and operation of most hardware, ~~however, abuse of them will~~ be ~~recorded in the following sections~~.		Software locks are security measures used to control access and features in consumer electronic hardware and software. <ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_(computer_science)</ref><ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_open-source_and_closed-source_software</ref> Software locks are not considered bad practice and are necessary for basic cybersecurity and operation of most hardware, though they can be abused.

	==Noteworthy bad practice examples==		==Noteworthy bad practice examples==