ASUS charges for previously free service: Difference between revisions

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<!-~~- StubNotice as I was unable~~ to ~~find official records~~ of ~~advertisement. I was also unable to view~~ Zenfone ~~8 product page on official Asus website due~~ to ~~errors or blank pages~~. -~~->{{StubNotice~~}}

{{IncidentCargo

|Company=ASUS

|StartDate=2023-5

|EndDate=

|Status=Active

|ProductLine=ROG, Zenfone

|Product=

|ArticleType=

|Type=Digital Restrictions, False Advertising, Firmware Lockout

|Description=On May 2023, without giving a notice to the users, ASUS removed the ability for owners of the Zenfone and ROG Android phones to access the bootloader tools. As a follow-up, in Early 2024, ASUS began charging 185 euros for bootloader unlocking.

}}

The ASUS boot loader unlocking tool disappearing is a prime example of how device ownership rights have eroded, where functionality that was present at the time of sale is no longer present years down the line.

== ~~Boot Loader Controversy~~ ==

==Background==

~~Asus previously advertised the ability~~ to ~~unlock the~~ bootloader on their Zenfone ~~and~~ Republic of Gamers phones ~~for free, after ending support for the unlocking tool, they are now charging for it~~.<ref>https://~~xdaforums~~.com/t/asus-~~says-they-will~~-unlock-my-~~bootloader~~-~~for-money~~.~~4685488~~/</~~ref><ref>~~https://~~xdaforums~~.com/t/asus-~~says-they-will~~-unlock-my-~~bootloader~~-~~for~~-~~money.4685488/post~~-~~89720356~~</ref>

[[ASUS]] used to provide free bootloader unlocking capabilities for their Zenfone & Republic of Gamers (ROG) Android phones.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=C. Scott |date=2024-04-05 |title=ASUS refunds Zenfone buyer for failing to provide bootloader unlock tools as promised |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251215020008/https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/ |archive-date=2025-12-15 |website=Android Authority}}</ref> This feature was actively advertised & was part of the company's appeal to tech-savvy consumers.

"~~[Asus] started~~ removing posts about bootloader unlocking ~~in its~~ ZenTalk forums~~. Mods of that forum started giving explanations about~~ the ~~unlocking~~ tools ~~being~~ under maintenance or ~~getting~~ overhauled for compliance reasons ~~but giving no information on when they would become active again.~~"<ref>https://~~www~~.~~androidauthority~~.com/asus-~~bootloader~~-unlock-~~settlement~~-~~3431818~~/</ref>

===Timeline of Events===

*In May 2023, ASUS disabled their bootloader unlocking tools without warning<ref name=":0" />

*The company began removing posts about bootloader unlocking from their ZenTalk forums<ref name=":0" />

*Forum moderators claimed the tools were "under maintenance" or being "overhauled for compliance reasons" without providing timeframes for restoration<ref name=":0" />

*By early 2024, ASUS began charging approximately €185 (excluding VAT) for bootloader unlocking<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2024-08-06 |title=Asus says they will unlock my bootloader for ...money. |url=https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223031547/https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/#post-89720356 |archive-date=2026-02-23 |website=xdaforums.com}}</ref>

== References ==

==Impact==

This issue goes over several key consumer protection concerns:

*'''Removal of Advertised Features''': The bootloader unlocking capability was an advertised feature that influenced people's buying decision, which was later removed.

*'''Lack of Transparency''': ASUS provided minimal communication about the change in policy, with documented cases of forum posts being removed & only vague explanations being provided.<ref name=":0" /> In one of their communications with a customer, they seem to have accidentaly shared internal communication templates revealing the discontinuation of the bootloader unlock tool, without making any public announcements.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-06 |title=UPDATE: Unoff.BL unlock 24.01.20. Asus CLOSED this method! |url=https://xdaforums.com/t/update-unoff-bl-unlock-24-01-20-asus-closed-this-method.4649465/post-89761447/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/hIXtC |archive-date=2026-03-03 |website=xdaforums.com}}</ref>

*'''Monetization of Previously Free Features''': The transition from a free service to a paid one, costing €185 (excluding VAT), is a significant change in the product's pricing structure after purchase<ref name=":1" />

*'''Extended Device Lifespan Impact''': The change affects consumers' ability to maintain & update their devices beyond ASUS's official support window, which has been documented as "one of the worst software support commitments in the Android world"<ref name=":0" />

[[File:Lawsuit against asus over bootloader unlocking.jpg|thumb|Document of customer small claims suit against ASUS over bootloader unlocking. Credit Mishaal Rahman on twitter<ref>https://x.com/MishaalRahman/status/1776306579979047083 ([https://ghostarchive.org/archive/TFKv1 Archived] 2026-03-03 through GhostArchive)</ref> for this document showing the customer suit against ASUS]]

[[File:ASUS concedes defeat to customer who filed small claims court suit.png|alt=email from ASUS in response to customer small claims suit against ASUS over bootloader unlocking. |thumb|email from ASUS in response to customer small claims suit against ASUS over bootloader unlocking. Credit to Mishaal Rahman on twitter for providing the screenshot. <ref>https://x.com/MishaalRahman/status/1776306579979047083/photo/1 ([[:File:Lawsuit against asus over bootloader unlocking.jpg|Lawsuit photo archived]] and [[:File:ASUS concedes defeat to customer who filed small claims court suit.png|response letter photo archived]].)

</ref>]]

==Legal Implications==

This led to at least one successful legal challenge. In March 2024, a UK customer took ASUS to small claims court over this and got a full refund for both the device & the court fees, totaling £770 (~$973). This case potentially sets a precedent for other consumers affected by the policy change.<ref name=":0" />

===Consumer Response===

The response from the consumer community has been notably negative, with documented concerns about:

*The high cost of the unlocking service (€185 excluding VAT)<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/post-89720356 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260223031547/https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/#post-89720356 Archived])</ref>

*The principle of charging for a previously free feature<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/ ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260215232054/https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/#post-89720356 Archived])</ref>

===EU Warranty Implications===

This has additional implications in the European Union, where:

*It is illegal to deny warranty repairs based on software modifications<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/ ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260215232054/https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/#post-89720356 Archived])</ref>

*ASUS has been reported to deny warranty service for devices with unlocked bootloaders, despite this legal protection<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/ ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260215232054/https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/#post-89720356 Archived])</ref>

*The company has offered "one time warranty repairs" with the condition of relocking the bootloader<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/ ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260215232054/https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/#post-89720356 Archived])</ref>

==References==

[[Category:Modern consumer exploitation]]

[[Category:Asus]]

[[Category:Software control]]

[[Category:Right to repair]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-<!-- StubNotice as I was unable to find official records of advertisement. I was also unable to view Zenfone 8 product page on official Asus website due to errors or blank pages. -->{{StubNotice}}
+{{IncidentCargo
+|Company=ASUS
+|StartDate=2023-5
+|EndDate=
+|Status=Active
+|ProductLine=ROG, Zenfone
+|Product=
+|ArticleType=
+|Type=Digital Restrictions, False Advertising, Firmware Lockout
+|Description=On May 2023, without giving a notice to the users, ASUS removed the ability for owners of the Zenfone and ROG Android phones to access the bootloader tools. As a follow-up, in Early 2024, ASUS began charging 185 euros for bootloader unlocking.
+}}
+The ASUS boot loader unlocking tool disappearing is a prime example of how device ownership rights have eroded, where functionality that was present at the time of sale is no longer present years down the line.
-== Boot Loader Controversy ==
+==Background==
-Asus previously advertised the ability to unlock the bootloader on their Zenfone and Republic of Gamers phones for free, after ending support for the unlocking tool, they are now charging for it.<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/</ref><ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/post-89720356</ref>
+[[ASUS]] used to provide free bootloader unlocking capabilities for their Zenfone & Republic of Gamers (ROG) Android phones.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=C. Scott |date=2024-04-05 |title=ASUS refunds Zenfone buyer for failing to provide bootloader unlock tools as promised |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251215020008/https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/ |archive-date=2025-12-15 |website=Android Authority}}</ref> This feature was actively advertised & was part of the company's appeal to tech-savvy consumers.
-"[Asus] started removing posts about bootloader unlocking in its ZenTalk forums. Mods of that forum started giving explanations about the unlocking tools being under maintenance or getting overhauled for compliance reasons but giving no information on when they would become active again."<ref>https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/</ref>
+===Timeline of Events===
+*In May 2023, ASUS disabled their bootloader unlocking tools without warning<ref name=":0" />
+*The company began removing posts about bootloader unlocking from their ZenTalk forums<ref name=":0" />
+*Forum moderators claimed the tools were "under maintenance" or being "overhauled for compliance reasons" without providing timeframes for restoration<ref name=":0" />
+*By early 2024, ASUS began charging approximately €185 (excluding VAT) for bootloader unlocking<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2024-08-06 |title=Asus says they will unlock my bootloader for ...money. |url=https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223031547/https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/#post-89720356 |archive-date=2026-02-23 |website=xdaforums.com}}</ref>
-== References ==
+==Impact==
+This issue goes over several key consumer protection concerns:
+*'''Removal of Advertised Features''': The bootloader unlocking capability was an advertised feature that influenced people's buying decision, which was later removed.
+*'''Lack of Transparency''': ASUS provided minimal communication about the change in policy, with documented cases of forum posts being removed & only vague explanations being provided.<ref name=":0" /> In one of their communications with a customer, they seem to have accidentaly shared internal communication templates revealing the discontinuation of the bootloader unlock tool, without making any public announcements.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-06 |title=UPDATE: Unoff.BL unlock 24.01.20. Asus CLOSED this method! |url=https://xdaforums.com/t/update-unoff-bl-unlock-24-01-20-asus-closed-this-method.4649465/post-89761447/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/hIXtC |archive-date=2026-03-03 |website=xdaforums.com}}</ref>
+*'''Monetization of Previously Free Features''': The transition from a free service to a paid one, costing €185 (excluding VAT), is a significant change in the product's pricing structure after purchase<ref name=":1" />
+*'''Extended Device Lifespan Impact''': The change affects consumers' ability to maintain & update their devices beyond ASUS's official support window, which has been documented as "one of the worst software support commitments in the Android world"<ref name=":0" />
+[[File:Lawsuit against asus over bootloader unlocking.jpg|thumb|Document of customer small claims suit against ASUS over bootloader unlocking. Credit Mishaal Rahman on twitter<ref>https://x.com/MishaalRahman/status/1776306579979047083 ([https://ghostarchive.org/archive/TFKv1 Archived] 2026-03-03 through GhostArchive)</ref> for this document showing the customer suit against ASUS]]
+[[File:ASUS concedes defeat to customer who filed small claims court suit.png|alt=email from ASUS in response to customer small claims suit against ASUS over bootloader unlocking. |thumb|email from ASUS in response to customer small claims suit against ASUS over bootloader unlocking.  Credit to Mishaal Rahman on twitter for providing the screenshot.  <ref>https://x.com/MishaalRahman/status/1776306579979047083/photo/1 ([[:File:Lawsuit against asus over bootloader unlocking.jpg|Lawsuit photo archived]] and [[:File:ASUS concedes defeat to customer who filed small claims court suit.png|response letter photo archived]].)
+</ref>]]
+==Legal Implications==
+This led to at least one successful legal challenge. In March 2024, a UK customer took ASUS to small claims court over this and got a full refund for both the device & the court fees, totaling £770 (~$973). This case potentially sets a precedent for other consumers affected by the policy change.<ref name=":0" />
+===Consumer Response===
+The response from the consumer community has been notably negative, with documented concerns about:
+*The high cost of the unlocking service (€185 excluding VAT)<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/post-89720356 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260223031547/https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/#post-89720356 Archived])</ref>
+*The principle of charging for a previously free feature<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/ ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260215232054/https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/#post-89720356 Archived])</ref>
+===EU Warranty Implications===
+This has additional implications in the European Union, where:
+*It is illegal to deny warranty repairs based on software modifications<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/ ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260215232054/https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/#post-89720356 Archived])</ref>
+*ASUS has been reported to deny warranty service for devices with unlocked bootloaders, despite this legal protection<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/ ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260215232054/https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/#post-89720356 Archived])</ref>
+*The company has offered "one time warranty repairs" with the condition of relocking the bootloader<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/ ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260215232054/https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/#post-89720356 Archived])</ref>
+==References==
 <references />
+[[Category:Modern consumer exploitation]]
+[[Category:Asus]]
+[[Category:Software control]]
+[[Category:Right to repair]]