Peloton removes Just Run feature: Difference between revisions
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==Background== | ==Background== | ||
Peloton sells high-end fitness equipment, which combines hardware with digital fitness programs offered through a subscription service. The Tread+ treadmill, priced at over $4,000, and the Tread treadmill, marketed as premium exercise machines, had previously allowed customers to use basic treadmill functions, including the "Just Run" feature, without a subscription<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Kan |first=Michael |date=10 Aug 2021 |title=Peloton Restores Free 'Just Run' Feature for Its Treadmill |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/peloton-axes-free-just-run-feature-from-treadmill-bricking-it-for-non-subscribers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210095327/https://www.pcmag.com/news/peloton-axes-free-just-run-feature-from-treadmill-bricking-it-for-non-subscribers |archive-date=10 Dec 2024 |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=PC Mag}}</ref> | Peloton sells high-end fitness equipment, which combines hardware with digital fitness programs offered through a subscription service. The Tread+ treadmill, priced at over $4,000, and the Tread treadmill, marketed as premium exercise machines, had previously allowed customers to use basic treadmill functions, including the "Just Run" feature, without a subscription.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Kan |first=Michael |date=10 Aug 2021 |title=Peloton Restores Free 'Just Run' Feature for Its Treadmill |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/peloton-axes-free-just-run-feature-from-treadmill-bricking-it-for-non-subscribers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210095327/https://www.pcmag.com/news/peloton-axes-free-just-run-feature-from-treadmill-bricking-it-for-non-subscribers |archive-date=10 Dec 2024 |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=PC Mag}}</ref> | ||
In May 2021, following reports of injuries to children, Peloton issued a voluntary recall of its Tread+ and Tread models in collaboration with the US [[Consumer Product Safety Commission]] (CPSC). To address safety concerns, Peloton introduced a new feature, Tread Lock, which required users to enter a passcode to prevent unauthorized access<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=5 May 2021 |title=CPSC and Peloton Announce: Recall of Tread+ Treadmills After One Child Death and 70 Incidents; Recall of Tread Treadmills Due to Risk of Injury |url=https://www.onepeloton.com/press/articles/tread-and-tread-recall |url-status=live |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=[[Peloton]]}}</ref> | In May 2021, following reports of injuries to children, Peloton issued a voluntary recall of its Tread+ and Tread models in collaboration with the US [[Consumer Product Safety Commission]] (CPSC). To address safety concerns, Peloton introduced a new feature, Tread Lock, which required users to enter a passcode to prevent unauthorized access.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=5 May 2021 |title=CPSC and Peloton Announce: Recall of Tread+ Treadmills After One Child Death and 70 Incidents; Recall of Tread Treadmills Due to Risk of Injury |url=https://www.onepeloton.com/press/articles/tread-and-tread-recall |url-status=live |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=[[Peloton]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251122024140/https://www.onepeloton.com/press/articles/tread-and-tread-recall |archive-date=22 Nov 2025}}</ref> However, this change also removed access to "Just Run" for non-subscribers, effectively locking users out of basic functionality unless they paid a $39 monthly fee. | ||
==The incident== | ==The incident== | ||
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===Public and media=== | ===Public and media=== | ||
The removal of "Just Run" led to widespread public backlash, with customers accusing Peloton of unethical practices. The situation was likened to "ransomware," arguing that basic functionality of a purchased product should not be tied to ongoing payments. The outcry pressured Peloton to restore the feature in August 2021 through a software update<ref name=":0" /> | The removal of "Just Run" led to widespread public backlash, with customers accusing Peloton of unethical practices. The situation was likened to "ransomware," arguing that basic functionality of a purchased product should not be tied to ongoing payments. The outcry pressured Peloton to restore the feature in August 2021 through a software update.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
The incident generated significant media coverage and public debate. Social media users expressed outrage, with many accusing Peloton of exploiting safety measures to enforce a subscription model<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wu |first=Brianna |date=21 Jun 2021 |title=Wow. The Peloton Tread will no longer allow you to use your $3000 treadmill without a $39.99 a month subscription. The pretext is their design issues that led to a child’s death. Hope reporters will cover this. |url=https://x.com/BriannaWu/status/1407009346475675651 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610120941/https://twitter.com/BriannaWu/status/1407009346475675651 |archive-date=10 Jun 2023 |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=[[X]]}}</ref> | The incident generated significant media coverage and public debate. Social media users expressed outrage, with many accusing Peloton of exploiting safety measures to enforce a subscription model.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wu |first=Brianna |date=21 Jun 2021 |title=Wow. The Peloton Tread will no longer allow you to use your $3000 treadmill without a $39.99 a month subscription. The pretext is their design issues that led to a child’s death. Hope reporters will cover this. |url=https://x.com/BriannaWu/status/1407009346475675651 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610120941/https://twitter.com/BriannaWu/status/1407009346475675651 |archive-date=10 Jun 2023 |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=[[X]]}}</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||