BMW feature lockout scandal: Difference between revisions

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This business model alters the definition of "purchase" and "own," as described in the Consumer Action Taskforce mission statement [2, 5]. The consumer does not have complete control over the purchased item, as the manufacturer can effectively disable or restrict functionality through software [2]. This raises questions about what it means to own a product, if the manufacturer retains control over key features [2, 5].

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 ~~[1]~~. This demonstrates a pattern of behaviour that uses software to limit a consumer's access to features that they have already paid for [1, 2].

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>https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/7/23863258/bmw-cancel-heated-seat-subscription-microtransaction</ref> This demonstrates a pattern of behaviour that uses software to limit a consumer's access to features that they have already paid for [1, 2].

== Analysis ==

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 This business model alters the definition of "purchase" and "own," as described in the Consumer Action Taskforce mission statement [2, 5]. The consumer does not have complete control over the purchased item, as the manufacturer can effectively disable or restrict functionality through software [2]. This raises questions about what it means to own a product, if the manufacturer retains control over key features [2, 5].
-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 [1]. This demonstrates a pattern of behaviour that uses software to limit a consumer's access to features that they have already paid for [1, 2].
+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>https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/7/23863258/bmw-cancel-heated-seat-subscription-microtransaction</ref> This demonstrates a pattern of behaviour that uses software to limit a consumer's access to features that they have already paid for [1, 2].
 == Analysis ==