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{{Featured|~~Smartwool adds forced arbitration~~ to ~~EULA~~||

{{Featured|Molekule threatens to remotely shut down their app if purifiers used with third party air filters||

In ~~March 2024~~, ~~Smartwool, a company~~ that ~~sells socks, quietly opted all customers~~ of ~~their online store into a new TOS that imposed a mandatory forced arbitration clause on all customers~~. They ~~did~~ this ~~with a mass email~~, ~~automatically binding account holders unless they completed a burdensome opt~~-~~out process~~.

In September 2025, air-purifier manufacturer Molekule emailed customers warning that any device using non-genuine "counterfeit" filters would lose remote operability via the app (one of the main reasons to purchase the device in the first place!). They shut off this access on September 22, enshittifying their product for anyone using third-party filters, which are much cheaper than official Molekule ones.

~~Under~~ the ~~updated terms, consumers can no longer opt out by email. Instead~~, ~~Smartwool requires that objections be submitted via USPS Priority Mail or hand delivery, an absurd requirement~~ costing ~~even more than First Class mail~~. ~~Provisions in the~~ updated ~~terms give the arbitrator authority over scope~~ and ~~enforceability of terms,~~ and ~~require consumers~~ to ~~reimburse Smartwool for arbitration fees~~ if ~~a claim is deemed “frivolous~~.”

Molekule is one of the few air-purifier makers to implement digital rights management (DRM) on consumable filters through NFC tags embedded into the filters, requiring proprietary replacements costing $100–$175 each. The company’s updated Terms of Service and warranty policies prohibit altering or reusing NFC authentication data and reserve the right to void the warranty and render devices “inoperable” if unauthorized filters are detected.

~~This~~ is a ~~textbook example~~ of ~~[[post-purchase EULA modification]] designed~~ to ~~preempt class-action risk~~, and ~~unfairly deprive customers~~ of the ~~right~~ to ~~sue~~.

Customer frustration around this abuse of DRM technology is evident in Molekule’s 1.4/5 Trustpilot rating; they've also recieved a number of complaints to the Better Business Bureau about devices ceasing to function after filter replacement, and about the high operating costs of the devices with the yearly cost of official filters coming up to over $300.

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-{{Featured|Smartwool adds forced arbitration to EULA||
+{{Featured|Molekule threatens to remotely shut down their app if purifiers used with third party air filters||
-In March 2024, Smartwool, a company that sells socks, quietly opted all customers of their online store into a new TOS that imposed a mandatory forced arbitration clause on all customers. They did this with a mass email, automatically binding account holders unless they completed a burdensome opt-out process.
+In September 2025, air-purifier manufacturer Molekule emailed customers warning that any device using non-genuine "counterfeit" filters would lose remote operability via the app (one of the main reasons to purchase the device in the first place!). They shut off this access on September 22, enshittifying their product for anyone using third-party filters, which are much cheaper than official Molekule ones.
-Under the updated terms, consumers can no longer opt out by email. Instead, Smartwool requires that objections be submitted via USPS Priority Mail or hand delivery, an absurd requirement costing even more than First Class mail. Provisions in the updated terms give the arbitrator authority over scope and enforceability of terms, and require consumers to reimburse Smartwool for arbitration fees if a claim is deemed “frivolous.”
+Molekule is one of the few air-purifier makers to implement digital rights management (DRM) on consumable filters through NFC tags embedded into the filters, requiring proprietary replacements costing $100–$175 each. The company’s updated Terms of Service and warranty policies prohibit altering or reusing NFC authentication data and reserve the right to void the warranty and render devices “inoperable” if unauthorized filters are detected.
-This is a textbook example of [[post-purchase EULA modification]] designed to preempt class-action risk, and unfairly deprive customers of the right to sue.
+Customer frustration around this abuse of DRM technology is evident in Molekule’s 1.4/5 Trustpilot rating; they've also recieved a number of complaints to the Better Business Bureau about devices ceasing to function after filter replacement, and about the high operating costs of the devices with the yearly cost of official filters coming up to over $300.
 }}