Deceptive language frequently used against consumers: Difference between revisions
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Deceptive language used by companies to impede the rights of consumers comes in many forms. Many of them can be boiled down to a few principles. | Deceptive language used by companies to impede the rights of consumers while appearing benevolent comes in many forms. Many of them can be boiled down to a few principles. | ||
=="For the safety of the consumer"== | =="For the safety of the consumer"== | ||
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===Google comparing APK restrictions to airport security=== | ===Google comparing APK restrictions to airport security=== | ||
{{Main|Google Android restrict app sideloading}} | |||
For many years, one of the primary selling points of Android smartphones was that no big corporation could gatekeep what the user can run on their phones. But starting with Android 17 in 2026, only developers manually approved by Google can create APKs that install on Android. | For many years, one of the primary selling points of Android smartphones was that no big corporation could gatekeep what the user can run on their phones. But starting with Android 17 in 2026, only developers manually approved by Google can create APKs that install on Android. | ||
Developers applying for approval are required to | Developers applying for approval are required to disclose their real-life identity to Google. | ||
Google | Google justified this restriction by stating:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Temelkov |first=Ilia |date=2025-08-25 |title=Google will make sideloading apps way more difficult from next year |url=https://www.phonearena.com/news/Google-will-make-sideloading-apps-way-more-difficult-from-next-year_id173542 |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=PhoneArea |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251115170744/https://www.phonearena.com/news/Google-will-make-sideloading-apps-way-more-difficult-from-next-year_id173542 |archive-date=15 Nov 2025}}</ref> | ||
<blockquote> | <blockquote> | ||
Google says you should think of the new requirements like checking IDs at the airport. | Google says you should think of the new requirements like checking IDs at the airport. | ||
</blockquote> | </blockquote>Critics argued the comparison was misleading, noting that airlines own their aircraft, while consumers own their smartphones. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Sohn |first=Jiyoung |date=2026-03-23 |title=Ads Are Popping Up on the Fridge and It Isn’t Going Over Well |url=https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/samsung-refrigerator-ads-lg-whirlpool-ge-10ea7bcc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260326132248/https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/samsung-refrigerator-ads-lg-whirlpool-ge-10ea7bcc |archive-date=2026-03-23 |access-date=2026-04-09 |website=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> | ||
<ref> | |||
===Storage access restrictions in Android=== | ===Storage access restrictions in Android=== | ||
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</blockquote> | </blockquote> | ||
In practice, Storage Access Framework's main restriction is preventing apps from accessing the root directory of external storage. | |||
Storage Access Framework is no replacement for legacy storage access given its slowness from its large processing overhead. The performance loss may be concealed to some extent from the fast hardware smartphones have nowadays, but even then, it increases battery usage.<ref>[https://www.xda-developers.com/android-q-storage-access-framework-scoped-storage/ The Storage Access Framework is the only way for apps to work with all your files in Android Q. And it's terrible.] - XDA developers</ref><ref> | Storage Access Framework is no replacement for legacy storage access given its slowness from its large processing overhead. The performance loss may be concealed to some extent from the fast hardware smartphones have nowadays, but even then, it increases battery usage. In addition, it breached compatibility with all apps previously developed over the span of several years.<ref name="SAF">[https://www.xda-developers.com/android-q-storage-access-framework-scoped-storage/ The Storage Access Framework is the only way for apps to work with all your files in Android Q. And it's terrible.] - XDA developers ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260222042955/https://www.xda-developers.com/android-q-storage-access-framework-scoped-storage/ Archived])</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=14 Apr 2017 |title=Horrible access storage framework performance |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/androiddev/comments/65dn8x/horrible_access_storage_framework_performance/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250823190730/https://old.reddit.com/r/androiddev/comments/65dn8x/horrible_access_storage_framework_performance/ |archive-date=23 Aug 2025 |website=[[Reddit]] - r/androiddev}}</ref> | ||
===Non-replaceable batteries since the Samsung Galaxy S6=== | ===Non-replaceable batteries since the Samsung Galaxy S6=== | ||
Justin Denison, Samsung's public relations person, said: | Justin Denison, Samsung's public relations person, said:<ref name=":1">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8mfEud8n4c&t=1650s Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2015 - Livestream (Replay] ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=U8mfEud8n4c Archived])</ref> | ||
<blockquote>We refused to do this for some time. That's because we didn't want to have a built-in battery, until we were absolutely sure that users would feel confident about charging their phones. </blockquote> | <blockquote>We refused to do this for some time. That's because we didn't want to have a built-in battery, until we were absolutely sure that users would feel confident about charging their phones. </blockquote> | ||
===OnePlus "encrypted" batteries=== | ===OnePlus "encrypted" batteries=== | ||
The OnePlus Pad has a serialized battery, meaning the device detects repairs not approved by OnePlus, which can result in functionality being disabled. This is an anti-repair practice first seen on Apple iPhone 11. | The OnePlus Pad has a serialized battery, meaning the device detects repairs not approved by OnePlus, which can result in functionality being disabled. This is an anti-repair practice first seen on Apple iPhone 11. | ||
OnePlus used the term "encryption" to describe this battery serialization. Critics noted that "encryption" carries positive associations unrelated to its use here, and that the term obscures the restriction's effect on independent repair.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |date=2023-02-08 |title=Oneplus' tablet uses an encrypted battery; how's that for repairability? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgtFSHCGNIk |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=YouTube |type=Video |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=UgtFSHCGNIk |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Amadeo |first=Ron |date=2023-02-07 |title=OnePlus takes on the iPad with the OnePlus Pad |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/02/oneplus-takes-on-the-ipad-with-the-oneplus-pad/ |access-date=2025-10-01 |work=Ars Technica |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251118200050/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/02/oneplus-takes-on-the-ipad-with-the-oneplus-pad/ |archive-date=18 Nov 2025}}</ref> | |||
==="Web Environment Integrity API" by Google=== | ==="Web Environment Integrity API" by Google=== | ||
Google | Google proposed the Web Environment Integrity API, which critics described as a form of [[Digital rights management|DRM]] for the web.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i0Ho-x7s_U Google's trying to DRM the internet, and we have to make sure they fail] - Louis Rossmann ([https://www.brighteon.com/1f4125e9-f0cd-46a3-bf38-0ff22881c0f9 Brighteon mirror], [https://old.bitchute.com/video/Jl7ze8KjhWvK/ BitChute mirror]) ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=0i0Ho-x7s_U Archived])</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bruchon |first=Jody |date=2023-07-22 |title=Web Environment Integrity Must Be Stopped: Enslavement By "Remote Attestation" |url=https://www.jodybruchon.com/2023/07/22/web-environment-integrity-must-be-stopped-enslavement-by-remote-attestation/ |access-date=2025-10-01 |website=jodybruchon.com |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251201031758/https://www.jodybruchon.com/2023/07/22/web-environment-integrity-must-be-stopped-enslavement-by-remote-attestation/ |archive-date=1 Dec 2025}}</ref> | ||
=="Think of the children"== | |||
This is typically used as an excuse for mass-surveilance. | |||
==="Age verification"=== | |||
{{Main|Age verification}} | |||
===Chat Control=== | |||
{{Main|Chat Control}} | |||
=="To enhance our services"== | =="To enhance our services"== | ||
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</blockquote> | </blockquote> | ||
The update introduced advertisements on the refrigerator's display. Critics noted the contrast between the language used and the nature of the change.<ref name=":1" /> | |||
=="To streamline the experience"== | =="To streamline the experience"== | ||
===Fewer ports on modern laptops=== | ===Fewer ports on modern laptops=== | ||
In the 2000s and early 2010s, three or four USB ports built into laptops were not uncommon. Modern laptops in contrast usually feature one or two USB-A ports and might feature an USB-C port, in addition to less modular and less upgradeable parts. | In the 2000s and early 2010s, three or four USB ports built into laptops were not uncommon. Modern laptops in contrast usually feature one or two USB-A ports and might feature an USB-C port, in addition to less modular and less upgradeable parts. Critics have argued that fewer built-in ports force users to carry additional hubs and adapters, offsetting any portability gains from thinner designs.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Victor |date=2022-11-24 |title=Why are so many laptops having less ports? |url=https://www.easydongle.com/why-do-new-laptops-have-less-ports/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251118151642/https://www.easydongle.com/why-do-new-laptops-have-less-ports/ |archive-date=18 Nov 2025|access-date=2025-10-02 |website=easydongle.com}} </ref> | ||
===Google wants to help cleaning up MicroSD cards by denying normal write access=== | ===Google wants to help cleaning up MicroSD cards by denying normal write access=== | ||
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Google restored write access in Android 5.0 through the Storage Access Framework. However, the framework introduces processing overhead that reduces speeds, particularly when handling large numbers of files.<ref name="SAF" /><ref name=":0" /> | |||
==References== | |||
{{Reflist}} | |||
[[Category:Anti-consumer practices]] | |||