Dictionary.com shuts down premium app after selling lifetime subscriptions: Difference between revisions
CrimsonFlame (talk | contribs) The premium version of the app that could be purchased with a lifetime subscription was shutdown. No compensation was provided, user curated lists were lost but the company still runs an ad supported version of the app. |
CrimsonFlame (talk | contribs) Provided information and citations |
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|Type=lifetime subscription revoked | |Type=lifetime subscription revoked | ||
|Description=Premium ad free app with lifetime subscription shut down while leaving up an ad supported version | |Description=Premium ad free app with lifetime subscription shut down while leaving up an ad supported version | ||
}} | }}Dictionary.com shuts down premium ad free app after selling lifetime subscriptions, user word lists and offline accessible dictionary no longer accessible.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-18 |title=Dictionary.com Abruptly Shuts Down Premium Apps, Deleting User Data and Sparking Subscriber Outrage |url=https://www.webpronews.com/dictionary-com-abruptly-shuts-down-premium-apps-deleting-user-data-and-sparking-subscriber-outrage/ |website=webpronews}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Harding |first=Scharon |date=2025-07-17 |title=Dictionary.com “devastated” paid users by abruptly deleting saved words lists |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/07/dictionary-com-devastated-paid-users-by-abruptly-deleting-saved-words-lists/ |website=Ars Technica}}</ref> They continue to run an ad supported app. | ||
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==Background== | ==Background== | ||
Dictionary.com offered two dictionary apps, one a free to use ad supported version and another premium version that allowed for downloading the dictionary for offline use and an ad free experience. The premium version was offered as a onetime purchase for a lifetime subscription. | |||
== | ==Premium App Shutdown== | ||
Dictionary.com removed the paid for premium app from the app store without warning and removed all functionality from already installed users. Disabling even the offline dictionary. The free ad-supported version of the app is still available. | |||
== | ==Dictionary.com's response== | ||
When contacted dictionary.com support emailed an affected customer the following response. | |||
"After careful consideration, user accounts within the Dictionary.com app have been discontinued. As a result, users are no longer able to sign in to their accounts, and any saved word lists are no longer available. | |||
= | Unfortunately, since the coding technology that was used in the previous app version is different from what is used in the new app, it is not possible to recover word lists. | ||
This change was part of our recent app update to improve the design, speed, and functionality of the Dictionary.com app. While we understand that this changes how you use Dictionary.com, we are hopeful that you will find the overall improvements provide faster search, additional content, and a better design."<ref name=":0" /> | |||
==Consumer response== | ==Consumer response== | ||
The general consensus seems to be that despite the app having issues in the year or so leading up to the shut down, those using the offline option mostly had a good experience and found it very useful.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dictionary.com App broken? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/dictionary/comments/1eokr9i/dictionarycom_app_broken/ |website=Reddit}}</ref> There is frustration that what customers paid for has been taken away from them and that no refunds where issued. A particular point of contention is that no warning was given or option to export their word lists.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dictionary.com Update? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/dictionary/comments/1ki5tsg/dictionarycom_update/ |website=Reddit}}</ref> | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
{{Ph-I-C}} | {{Ph-I-C}} | ||