BMW feature lockout scandal: Difference between revisions

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This article documents '''[[BMW]]'''<nowiki/>'s practice of including the hardware for its M adaptive suspension in many vehicles, while requiring customers to pay extra to activate the software that enables the feature. This model exemplifies modern consumer exploitation by eroding traditional notions of ownership and leveraging [[Subscription service|subscription services]] to control access to features that are physically present in a purchased product.

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}}</ref>This is a shift from traditional ownership models where the consumer has full access to the functionality of purchased goods.

This business model alters the definition of "purchase" and "own~~," as described in the Consumer Rights Wiki mission statement~~. The consumer does not have complete control over the purchased item, as the manufacturer can effectively disable or restrict functionality through software. This raises questions about what it means to own a product, if the manufacturer retains control over key features.

This business model alters the definition of "purchase" and "own.” The consumer does not have complete control over the purchased item, as the manufacturer can effectively disable or restrict functionality through software. This raises questions about what it means to own a product, if the manufacturer retains control over key features.

This practice is not an isolated incident. BMW has previously implemented similar business practices such as charging a subscription fee for access to heated seats, despite the hardware being installed in the vehicle.<ref name=":1">

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+{{Tone}}
 This article documents '''[[BMW]]'''<nowiki/>'s practice of including the hardware for its M adaptive suspension in many vehicles, while requiring customers to pay extra to activate the software that enables the feature. This model exemplifies modern consumer exploitation by eroding traditional notions of ownership and leveraging [[Subscription service|subscription services]] to control access to features that are physically present in a purchased product.
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 }}</ref>This is a shift from traditional ownership models where the consumer has full access to the functionality of purchased goods.
-This business model alters the definition of "purchase" and "own," as described in the Consumer Rights Wiki mission statement. The consumer does not have complete control over the purchased item, as the manufacturer can effectively disable or restrict functionality through software. This raises questions about what it means to own a product, if the manufacturer retains control over key features.
+This business model alters the definition of "purchase" and "own.” The consumer does not have complete control over the purchased item, as the manufacturer can effectively disable or restrict functionality through software. This raises questions about what it means to own a product, if the manufacturer retains control over key features.
 This practice is not an isolated incident. BMW has previously implemented similar business practices such as charging a subscription fee for access to heated seats, despite the hardware being installed in the vehicle.<ref name=":1">