revised draft
fixed references ?
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<blockquote>
<blockquote>
" I recommend boxing them up and shipping them directly to Belkin corporate headquarters."
" I recommend boxing them up and shipping them directly to Belkin corporate headquarters."<ref>[https://arstechnica.com/civis/threads/belkin-shows-tech-firms-getting-too-comfortable-with-bricking-customers%E2%80%99-stuff.1508302/post-43842885 ReaderBot on Ars Technica forums]</ref>
- [ReaderBot on Arstechnica](https://arstechnica.com/civis/threads/belkin-shows-tech-firms-getting-too-comfortable-with-bricking-customers%E2%80%99-stuff.1508302/post-43842885)
</blockquote>
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Reddit users posted their frustration in the r/WeMo thread announcing the shutdown:
Reddit users posted their frustration in the r/WeMo thread announcing the shutdown:
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
"They just guaranteed I'll never buy Belkin again. Half the light switches in my house are going to need replacing."
"They just guaranteed I'll never buy Belkin again. Half the light switches in my house are going to need replacing."<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/WeMo/comments/1lwilvc/comment/n2en9py/ argonzo on Reddit]</ref>
[argonzo on Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeMo/comments/1lwilvc/comment/n2en9py/)
</blockquote>
</blockquote>


<blockquote>
<blockquote>
"At least they did it during Prime Day(s) so you can get suitable replacement (like Kasa) for a relative steal."
"At least they did it during Prime Day(s) so you can get suitable replacement (like Kasa) for a relative steal."<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/WeMo/comments/1lwilvc/ same Reddit thread]</ref>
[same thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeMo/comments/1lwilvc/)
</blockquote>
</blockquote>


<blockquote>
<blockquote>
"I figured it's made by a trusted brand so it would be better than using no name Amazon junk. What a joke... Belkin is never getting a dollar from me again."
"I figured it's made by a trusted brand so it would be better than using no name Amazon junk. What a joke... Belkin is never getting a dollar from me again."<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/WeMo/comments/1lwilvc/comment/n2et52a/ ho_merjpimpson on Reddit]</ref>
[ho_merjpimpson on Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeMo/comments/1lwilvc/comment/n2et52a/)
</blockquote>
</blockquote>


Some called for transparency and options:
Some called for transparency and options:
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
"It would be great if they released a firmware update to allow it to be setup/controlled locally at least. Or open source the firmware."
"It would be great if they released a firmware update to allow it to be setup/controlled locally at least. Or open source the firmware."<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/WeMo/comments/1lwilvc/comment/n2eh166/ naturalorange on Reddit]</ref>
[naturalorange on Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeMo/comments/1lwilvc/comment/n2eh166/)
</blockquote>
</blockquote>


Others drew parallels to digital game preservation campaigns:
Others drew parallels to digital game preservation campaigns:
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
"Just like cloud based games & the Stop Killing Games campaign, there probably needs to be something similar for IoT."
"Just like cloud based games & the Stop Killing Games campaign, there probably needs to be something similar for IoT."<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/WeMo/comments/1lwilvc/comment/n2esknt/ whitebean on Reddit]</ref>
[whitebean on Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeMo/comments/1lwilvc/comment/n2esknt/)
</blockquote>
</blockquote>


===Technology press commentary===
===Technology press commentary===
Ars Technica’s Scharon Harding said the shutdown left "a long list of WeMo products that relied on the app...non-functional" & framed Belkin’s move as a reflection of an industry that "has grown too comfortable with bricking customers’ stuff" without offering recourse or transparency.
Ars Technica’s Scharon Harding said the shutdown left "a long list of WeMo products that relied on the app...non-functional" & framed Belkin’s move as a reflection of an industry that "has grown too comfortable with bricking customers’ stuff" without offering recourse or transparency.<ref>[https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/07/belkin-shows-tech-firms-getting-too-comfortable-with-bricking-customers-stuff/ Ars Technica, July 12, 2025]</ref>
[Ars Technica, July 12, 2025](https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/07/belkin-shows-tech-firms-getting-too-comfortable-with-bricking-customers-stuff/)


==References==
==References==