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| Software locks are security measures used to control access and features in consumer electronic hardware and software.<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_(computer_science) ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260131030629/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_(computer_science) Archived])</ref><ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_open-source_and_closed-source_software ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260116162909/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_open-source_and_closed-source_software Archived])</ref><sup>These are Wikipedia citations!</sup> Software locks are not considered bad practice and are necessary for basic cybersecurity and operation of most hardware, though they can be abused.
| | As a softer version to [[activation]], and related to [[features on demand]], '''software-gating''' is a method to control access to ''features'' in consumer electronic hardware, but are not inherently anti-consumer as they provide useful for security features. |
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| ==Noteworthy bad practice examples==
| | This definition does not include closed-source, such as [[wikipedia:Proprietary_software|proprietary software]] or [[wikipedia:Proprietary_protocol|proprietary protocols]], as these can still provide the consumer with fully featured access without needing an account, app, or activation. |
| ===Anti Interoperability===
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| See also: {{Wplink|Proprietary protocols}}
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| wip stub example you can't use our competitors Bluetooth headset with our XYZ operating system because we invented a our own new proprietary XYZ Bluetooth audio codec and that product doesn't support it.
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| real example apple mfi certifications on charging and data transfer accessories
| | See also |
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| apple's history of anti-Interoperability
| | * [[Digital rights management]] |
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| ===Account-required products=== | | ==Anti-consumer examples== |
| =====Mobile phones===== | | ===Forced account for data lock-in=== |
| [https://pirg.org/articles/refurbishers-repairers-and-recyclers-call-on-the-fcc-to-stop-phone-software-locks/ ref] Small preamble focused on how mobile phones [[Forced account|require an account]] in order to be used, reference Google Pixels and specific Android devices requiring a Google account, and iPhones needing an Apple account.
| | [[Forced account|Requiring an account]] in order to be used, such as with some Google Pixels and specific Android devices, and iPhones needing an Apple account create an easy entry-point for [[data lock-in]], making it harder to switch vendors.{{Citation needed|date=31 Mar 2026}} |
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| =====In appliances===== | | === Forced app download === |
| HVAC app activation of furnace control boards (also an example of [[forced app download]] (editors note hard to find credible ref this is a thing with ruud furnace control boards) )
| | ''Apps'' are a popular method for manufacturers to marketed features behind software locks. Examples of this are: |
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| ====Binding hardware features to non-transferable user accounts / activation & licensing locks<!-- This needs a much shorter name -->====
| | * Sony headphones requiring app to tweak its EQ |
| -wip
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| ===Server connectivity reliance=== | | * HVAC app activation of furnace control boards.{{Citation needed|date=31 Mar 2026}} |
| Also see: [[Subscription service]], [[Digital rights management]]
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| -wip
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| ==Further reading== | | === Activation & licensing === |
| [[Digital rights management]]
| | When features are locked behind an activation process, it will require server connectivity. Some implications of this include: |
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| {{Wplink|Comparison of open-source and closed-source software|Proprietary software}}
| | * Cloud services that are essential to keep the features working can be put offline |
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| [[Walled garden]] / [[Software Ecosystem]]
| | * The digital services can change in quality or become more privacy invasive over time |
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| [[Bootloader unlocking]]
| | == See also == |
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| {{Wplink|Proprietary firmware}}
| | * [[Digital rights management]] |
| | * [[Walled garden]] |
| | * [[Bootloader unlocking]] |
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| ==References== | | ==References== |