BMW feature lockout scandal: Difference between revisions

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This article documents BMW's practice of including the hardware for its M adaptive suspension in many vehicles, while requiring customers to pay extra to activate the software that enables the feature. This model exemplifies modern consumer exploitation by eroding traditional notions of ownership and leveraging [[Subscription service|subscription services]] to control access to features that are physically present in a purchased product.

This article documents '''[[BMW]]'''<nowiki/>'s practice of including the hardware for its M adaptive suspension in many vehicles, while requiring customers to pay extra to activate the software that enables the feature. This model exemplifies modern consumer exploitation by eroding traditional notions of ownership and leveraging [[Subscription service|subscription services]] to control access to features that are physically present in a purchased product.

==Background==

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}}</ref>This is a shift from traditional ownership models where the consumer has full access to the functionality of purchased goods.

This business model alters the definition of "purchase" and "own," as described in the Consumer ~~Action Taskforce~~ mission statement. The consumer does not have complete control over the purchased item, as the manufacturer can effectively disable or restrict functionality through software. This raises questions about what it means to own a product, if the manufacturer retains control over key features.

This business model alters the definition of "purchase" and "own," as described in the Consumer Rights Wiki mission statement. The consumer does not have complete control over the purchased item, as the manufacturer can effectively disable or restrict functionality through software. This raises questions about what it means to own a product, if the manufacturer retains control over key features.

This practice is not an isolated incident. BMW has previously implemented similar business practices such as charging a subscription fee for access to heated seats, despite the hardware being installed in the vehicle.<ref name=":1">

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*'''Difficult to Understand and Resist''': The way in which BMW offers its adaptive suspension, with the option of a subscription or one time payment, is designed to be complex, creating a level of 'fatigue' that makes it harder for consumers to resist.<ref name=":0" />

~~===Broader Implications===~~

This incident demonstrates the broader challenges facing consumers with regard to software and subscriptions that are increasingly prevalent in modern products.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> It exemplifies the ways in which companies are shifting away from traditional notions of ownership by using software locks and subscription services to control access to features that are physically present in a purchased product.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

==See Also==

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*[[Subscription service|Subscription business model]]

*[[Mercedes Benz|Mercedes Benz disabling digital features]]

*[[Mercedes-Benz locks horsepower behind paid subscription]]

==References==

[[Category:Articles based on videos]]

[[Category:Incidents]]

[[Category:BMW]]

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-This article documents BMW's practice of including the hardware for its M adaptive suspension in many vehicles, while requiring customers to pay extra to activate the software that enables the feature. This model exemplifies modern consumer exploitation by eroding traditional notions of ownership and leveraging [[Subscription service|subscription services]] to control access to features that are physically present in a purchased product.
+This article documents '''[[BMW]]'''<nowiki/>'s practice of including the hardware for its M adaptive suspension in many vehicles, while requiring customers to pay extra to activate the software that enables the feature. This model exemplifies modern consumer exploitation by eroding traditional notions of ownership and leveraging [[Subscription service|subscription services]] to control access to features that are physically present in a purchased product.
 ==Background==
@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 }}</ref>This is a shift from traditional ownership models where the consumer has full access to the functionality of purchased goods.
-This business model alters the definition of "purchase" and "own," as described in the Consumer Action Taskforce mission statement. The consumer does not have complete control over the purchased item, as the manufacturer can effectively disable or restrict functionality through software. This raises questions about what it means to own a product, if the manufacturer retains control over key features.
+This business model alters the definition of "purchase" and "own," as described in the Consumer Rights Wiki mission statement. The consumer does not have complete control over the purchased item, as the manufacturer can effectively disable or restrict functionality through software. This raises questions about what it means to own a product, if the manufacturer retains control over key features.
 This practice is not an isolated incident. BMW has previously implemented similar business practices such as charging a subscription fee for access to heated seats, despite the hardware being installed in the vehicle.<ref name=":1">
@@ Line 52: / Line 52: @@
 *'''Difficult to Understand and Resist''': The way in which BMW offers its adaptive suspension, with the option of a subscription or one time payment, is designed to be complex, creating a level of 'fatigue' that makes it harder for consumers to resist.<ref name=":0" />
-===Broader Implications===
-This incident demonstrates the broader challenges facing consumers with regard to software and subscriptions that are increasingly prevalent in modern products.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> It exemplifies the ways in which companies are shifting away from traditional notions of ownership by using software locks and subscription services to control access to features that are physically present in a purchased product.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
 ==See Also==
@@ Line 61: / Line 59: @@
 *[[Subscription service|Subscription business model]]
 *[[Mercedes Benz|Mercedes Benz disabling digital features]]
+*[[Mercedes-Benz locks horsepower behind paid subscription]]
 ==References==
 [[Category:Articles based on videos]]
 [[Category:Incidents]]
 [[Category:BMW]]
+<references />