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John Deere: Difference between revisions

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I've compressed together the consumer impact summary to create more cohesion and tie it to the monopoly on repairs theme, and also merged tractor hacking into this. I believe completeness and brevity should always go together.
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[[File:John deere doc.png|thumb|524x524px|Front Page of the FTC's Suit Against John Deere<ref name="DCRCCN325">[https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/DeereCoREDACTEDComplaintCaseNo325-cv-50017.pdf UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS WESTERN DIVISION] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260221171915/https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/DeereCoREDACTEDComplaintCaseNo325-cv-50017.pdf Archived])</ref>]]
[[File:John deere doc.png|thumb|524x524px|Front Page of the FTC's Suit Against John Deere<ref name="DCRCCN325">[https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/DeereCoREDACTEDComplaintCaseNo325-cv-50017.pdf UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS WESTERN DIVISION] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260221171915/https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/DeereCoREDACTEDComplaintCaseNo325-cv-50017.pdf Archived])</ref>]]


=== Repairability ===
===Repairability===
Access to essential repair software and diagnostic tools is reportedly limited by John Deere.<ref name="dith3">{{Cite web |date=5 Feb 2021 |title=Deere in the Headlights |url=https://pirg.org/resources/deere-in-the-headlights-3/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404124159/https://pirg.org/resources/deere-in-the-headlights-3/ |archive-date=4 Apr 2025 |access-date=24 Apr 2025 |website=pirg.org}}</ref> Such restrictive policies can hinder farmers from performing repairs independently or utilizing independent repair shops, thereby necessitating reliance on authorized dealerships.<ref name="jdflrtrt" />
Access to essential repair software and diagnostic tools is reportedly limited by John Deere.<ref name="dith3">{{Cite web |date=5 Feb 2021 |title=Deere in the Headlights |url=https://pirg.org/resources/deere-in-the-headlights-3/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404124159/https://pirg.org/resources/deere-in-the-headlights-3/ |archive-date=4 Apr 2025 |access-date=24 Apr 2025 |website=pirg.org}}</ref> Such restrictive policies can hinder farmers from performing repairs independently or utilizing independent repair shops, thereby necessitating reliance on authorized dealerships.<ref name="jdflrtrt" />


====Monopoly on repairs====
====Monopoly on repairs====
Farmers have reported that without access to John Deere's proprietary tools, they're unable to address certain mechanical issues, even minor ones.<ref name="fssdcp">{{Cite web |date=15 Jan 2025 |title=FTC, States Sue Deere & Company to Protect Farmers from Unfair Corporate Tactics, High Repair Costs |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/01/ftc-states-sue-deere-company-protect-farmers-unfair-corporate-tactics-high-repair-costs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250429162248/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/01/ftc-states-sue-deere-company-protect-farmers-unfair-corporate-tactics-high-repair-costs |archive-date=29 Apr 2025 |access-date=24 Apr 2025 |website=[[FTC]]}}</ref> There are measures in place that prevent independent repair technicians from completing repair,<ref name="dith3" /> such as [[Digital rights management|software locks]] that control user autonomy,<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Reilly |first=Kevin |date=18 Jul 2023 |title=Service Obstructor: John Deere software restricts farmer repair |url=https://pirg.org/edfund/resources/john-deere-repair-software/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250622174115/https://pirg.org/edfund/resources/john-deere-repair-software/ |archive-date=22 June 2025 |access-date=24 Apr 2025 |website=pirg.org}}</ref> requiring access to proprietary software, and controlling access to repair resources and parts. Through eliminating competition in the repair market, John Deere has allegedly unlawfully inflated repair cost.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Byrnes |first=Dave |date=15 Jan 2025 |title=FTC accuses John Deere of unlawful equipment repair practices |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/ftc-accuses-john-deere-of-unlawful-equipment-repair-practices/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250427213734/https://www.courthousenews.com/ftc-accuses-john-deere-of-unlawful-equipment-repair-practices/ |archive-date=27 Apr 2025 |access-date=24 Apr 2025 |website=Courthouse News Service}}</ref> Mechanics and technicians are reportedly buying pirated John Deere firmware online to repair consumer tractors, at the risk of being scammed or clicking sketchy links.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Koebler |first=Jason |date=21 Mar 2017 |title=Why American Farmers Are Hacking Their Tractors With Ukrainian Firmware |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/why-american-farmers-are-hacking-their-tractors-with-ukrainian-firmware/? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404160107/https://www.vice.com/en/article/why-american-farmers-are-hacking-their-tractors-with-ukrainian-firmware/ |archive-date=4 Apr 2025 |website=Vice}}</ref>
Farmers have reported that without access to John Deere's proprietary tools, they're unable to address certain mechanical issues, even minor ones.<ref name="fssdcp">{{Cite web |date=15 Jan 2025 |title=FTC, States Sue Deere & Company to Protect Farmers from Unfair Corporate Tactics, High Repair Costs |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/01/ftc-states-sue-deere-company-protect-farmers-unfair-corporate-tactics-high-repair-costs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250429162248/https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/01/ftc-states-sue-deere-company-protect-farmers-unfair-corporate-tactics-high-repair-costs |archive-date=29 Apr 2025 |access-date=24 Apr 2025 |website=[[FTC]]}}</ref> There are measures in place that prevent independent repair technicians from completing repair,<ref name="dith3" /> such as:
 
*[[Activation|Software locks]] that control user autonomy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Reilly |first=Kevin |date=18 Jul 2023 |title=Service Obstructor: John Deere software restricts farmer repair |url=https://pirg.org/edfund/resources/john-deere-repair-software/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250622174115/https://pirg.org/edfund/resources/john-deere-repair-software/ |archive-date=22 June 2025 |access-date=24 Apr 2025 |website=pirg.org}}</ref>
*Requiring access to proprietary software.<ref name="fssdcp" />
*Controlling access to repair resources and parts.<ref name="fssdcp" />
 
Through eliminating competition in the repair market, John Deere has allegedly unlawfully inflated repair cost.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Byrnes |first=Dave |date=15 Jan 2025 |title=FTC accuses John Deere of unlawful equipment repair practices |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/ftc-accuses-john-deere-of-unlawful-equipment-repair-practices/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250427213734/https://www.courthousenews.com/ftc-accuses-john-deere-of-unlawful-equipment-repair-practices/ |archive-date=27 Apr 2025 |access-date=24 Apr 2025 |website=Courthouse News Service}}</ref> To take back some control, mechanics and technicians are reportedly buying pirated John Deere firmware online to repair consumer tractors, at the risk of being scammed or clicking sketchy links.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Koebler |first=Jason |date=21 Mar 2017 |title=Why American Farmers Are Hacking Their Tractors With Ukrainian Firmware |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/why-american-farmers-are-hacking-their-tractors-with-ukrainian-firmware/? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404160107/https://www.vice.com/en/article/why-american-farmers-are-hacking-their-tractors-with-ukrainian-firmware/ |archive-date=4 Apr 2025 |website=Vice}}</ref>


====Opposition to right-to-repair legislation====
====Opposition to right-to-repair legislation====
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This is a list of all consumer protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].
This is a list of all consumer protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].


===FTC Lawsuit (January 2025)===
===FTC Lawsuit (''January 2025'')===
On January 15, 2025, the [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC) filed a lawsuit against John Deere, alleging anticompetitive practices in the repair market.<ref name="fssdcp" /><ref name="DCRCCN325" /> The lawsuit claims that:
On January 15, 2025, the [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC) filed a lawsuit against John Deere, alleging anti-competitive practices in the repair market.<ref name="fssdcp" /><ref name="DCRCCN325" /> The lawsuit claims that:


*John Deere unlawfully inflated repair costs by monopolizing the repair-service market.
*John Deere unlawfully inflated repair costs by monopolizing the repair-service market.
*The company's restrictive policies violated consumer-protection laws and limited farmers' ability to maintain their equipment.
*The company's restrictive policies violated consumer-protection laws and limited farmers' ability to maintain their equipment.


===Security flaws===
===Security flaws exposed sensitive customer information (''2021'')===
{{Main|John Deere security flaws exposed sensitive customer information}}
{{Excerpt|John Deere security flaws exposed sensitive customer information}}
A number of security flaws in the software [[John Deere|'''John Deere''']] provided could have allowed hackers to find and download the personal data of all owners of the company’s farming vehicles and equipment. John Deere downplayed the impact while simultaneously increasing their security practices, as security jobs opened and they started to partner up with security researchers.
 
===Failure to uphold signed right-to-repair agreement (''2021 - Present'')===
{{Excerpt|John Deere fails to uphold right to repair agreement}}


===Lobbying against right to repair===
===Lobbying against right to repair (''2020 - Present'')===
{{Main|John Deere dealerships lobby against right to repair}}
{{Main|John Deere dealerships lobby against right to repair}}
John Deere dealerships lobbyied against a right to repair bill that was discussed in Maine, stating a number of reasons. They question the definition of a motor vehicle, and regarding the legislation if it should apply to motor vehicles due to what they call safety concerns. One dealer argues that right to repair is a touchy subject, as "a lot of us dealers sit back, and say we really almost don't want in essence people possibly working on our equipment."
John Deere dealerships lobbied against a right to repair bill that was discussed in Maine, stating a number of reasons. They question the definition of a motor vehicle, and regarding the legislation if it should apply to motor vehicles due to what they call safety concerns. One dealer argues that right to repair is a touchy subject, as "a lot of us dealers sit back, and say we really almost don't want in essence people possibly working on our equipment."<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |author=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=27 Jan 2020 |title=John Deere dealerships are lobbying against right to repair. Farmers, please help me out here. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38O1zEuLOMM |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=38O1zEuLOMM |archive-date=23 Feb 2026 |publisher=YouTube |language=en |format=video}}</ref>
 
==See also==
 
*[[Monsanto]]


==References==
==References==
<references />
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:John Deere]]
 
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
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