Red Sky Labs Muzio Player Premium post-purchase terms change: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Muzio customer review.png|alt=A review from a muzio paid customer who has been affected by red sky labs changing the terms of the sale. this is a screenshot from the google play store reviews section viewed in my desktop web browser on 01/28/2025, 1:02 PM Central time|thumb|A review from a Muzio paid customer who has been affected by Red Sky Labs changing the terms of the sale. This is a screenshot from the Google Play Store reviews section viewed in my desktop web browser on 01/28/2025, 1:02 PM Central time]] | |||
[[File:Muzio customer review.png|alt=A review from a muzio paid customer who has been affected by red sky labs changing the terms of the sale. this is a screenshot from the google play store reviews section viewed in my desktop web browser on 01/28/2025, 1:02 PM Central time|thumb|A review from a | Red Sky Labs changed the Muzio Player android app to invalidate previously sold "lifetime" ad-free memberships, using a software update in January 2025 that forced users into a new subscription model. | ||
Red Sky Labs changed the Muzio Player android app to invalidate previously sold "lifetime" ad-free memberships | |||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
In late 2024, Red Sky Labs sold "Lifetime pro membership" packages for their Muzio Player app, advertising permanent removal of advertisements for a one-time payment. Through a January 2025 update, they [[Retroactively amended purchase|retroactively invalidated these purchases]] by reintroducing advertisements to users | In late 2024, Red Sky Labs sold "Lifetime pro membership" packages for their Muzio Player app, advertising permanent removal of advertisements for a one-time payment. Through a January 2025 update, they [[Retroactively amended purchase|retroactively invalidated these purchases]] by reintroducing advertisements to users and requiring a subscription for ad-free functionality.<ref>Google Play Store, January 25, 2025, LACKY BRACKY review: "The ad removal used to be a one-time purchase, a too-high $10, but now it's an infinitely expensive subscription."</ref> | ||
==Details of the | ==Details of the change== | ||
Prior to January 2025: | Prior to January 2025: | ||
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*Previously paid lifetime memberships were no longer honored<ref>Google Play Store, January 23, 2025, Robert Hawley review: "Used to love this music player. I used it every day for years. Free, simple, cool features, and most importantly: no obnoxious ads. Suddenly it started bombarding me with ads unless I pay."</ref> | *Previously paid lifetime memberships were no longer honored<ref>Google Play Store, January 23, 2025, Robert Hawley review: "Used to love this music player. I used it every day for years. Free, simple, cool features, and most importantly: no obnoxious ads. Suddenly it started bombarding me with ads unless I pay."</ref> | ||
*Multiple ads played before music playback<ref>Google Play Store, January 25, 2025, Chris Wells review: "Three interruptions just to access my music - First, there's an ad to close, followed by another promotion for their offers, & yet another ad to close."</ref> | *Multiple ads played before music playback<ref>Google Play Store, January 25, 2025, Chris Wells review: "Three interruptions just to access my music - First, there's an ad to close, followed by another promotion for their offers, & yet another ad to close."</ref> | ||
*A forced subscription model was introduced | *A forced-subscription model was introduced | ||
*No refund options were available for previous purchasers | *No refund options were available for previous purchasers | ||
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*Customer support emails about the change went unanswered<ref>Email documentation from affected customer to Muzio Player support: "Hello! I've been getting ads, Is this a bug? are others also experiencing this? I'm willing to provide app logs and my purchase receipt if this was a bug"</ref> | *Customer support emails about the change went unanswered<ref>Email documentation from affected customer to Muzio Player support: "Hello! I've been getting ads, Is this a bug? are others also experiencing this? I'm willing to provide app logs and my purchase receipt if this was a bug"</ref> | ||
*Users report getting advertisements even with active subscriptions<ref>Google Play Store, January 23, 2025, Kyle Sargent review: "Even when you spend money, you still get ads. You can't restore your account because the link does nothing."</ref> | *Users report getting advertisements even with active subscriptions<ref>Google Play Store, January 23, 2025, Kyle Sargent review: "Even when you spend money, you still get ads. You can't restore your account because the link does nothing."</ref> | ||
*Playlists | *Playlists and user data affected by update<ref>Google Play Store, January 23, 2025, Kyle Sargent review: "It erases playlists randomly. It plays ads with sound, over your music."</ref> | ||
==Systemic nature: changing the terms of the sale== | ==Systemic nature: changing the terms of the sale== | ||
This shows a pattern of modern consumer exploitation through several issues: | This shows a pattern of modern consumer exploitation through several issues: | ||
#Using software updates to modify previously | #Using software updates to modify previously purchased features | ||
#Converting one-time purchases into recurring subscriptions without customer consent | #Converting one-time purchases into recurring subscriptions without customer consent | ||
#No communication or recourse provided for affected customers | #No communication or recourse provided for affected customers | ||
#Many users report identical issues across review platforms<ref>Google Play Store, January 26, 2025, Jessie Jn Baptiste review: "As of 2025, ads appear when I open the app or try to go back to the app after having it open the background. At times, i need to exit the app to get back in without ads when I first open it."</ref> | #Many users report identical issues across review platforms<ref>Google Play Store, January 26, 2025, Jessie Jn Baptiste review: "As of 2025, ads appear when I open the app or try to go back to the app after having it open the background. At times, i need to exit the app to get back in without ads when I first open it."</ref> | ||
== References == | |||
[[Category:Incidents]] | [[Category:Incidents]] | ||
[[Category:Organizations]] | [[Category:Organizations]] | ||