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Belkin (stylised belkin) is an American electronics company, headquartered in El Segundo, California. It produces phone and computer accessories and connectivity devices, such as powerbanks, wireless chargers, and screen protectors.[1]
| Basic information | |
|---|---|
| Founded | April 18, 1983 |
| Legal Structure | Subsidiary |
| Industry | Electronics |
| Also known as | |
| Official website | https://www.belkin.com |
Consumer impact summary
Business model: Belkin remotely disables perfectly functional devices in order to sell new ones, a practice known as discontinuation bricking.
Incidents
End of support for Wemo smart devices
Belkin Wemo smart home devices require cloud connectivity to work. On 10 July 2025, Belkin announced the shutdown of cloud services supporting most Wemo devices, effective 31 January 2026.[2] These devices remain for sale on Belkin's Amazon WeMo store[3] and advertising them as working with Google, Alexa, & more.[4][5]
This shutdown will disable remote access and automation functionality for 27+ device models sold between August 2015 and November 2023, affecting thousands of customers who purchased these devices as permanent smart home solutions. The incident is one example of a broader trend of IoT device abandonment and software tethering practices that enable manufacturers to remotely disable purchased products.
References
- ↑ Kastrenakes, Jacob (2018-03-27). "Foxconn buys Belkin, Linksys, and Wemo". The Verge. Archived from the original on 14 Jul 2025. Retrieved 2025-07-14.
- ↑ "Belkin Official Support - Wemo Support Ending – What You Need to Know". Belkin Official Support. 2025-07-10. Archived from the original on 11 Jul 2025. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
- ↑ "Amazon.com: Wemo Smart Plug with Thread - Smart Outlet for Apple HomeKit - Smart Home Products, Smart Home Lighting, Smart Home Gadgets - Homekit Smart Plug - Tech Gifts - Works W/ Apple iPhone, Easy NFC Set Up : Tools & Home Improvement". Amazon.com: Wemo Smart Plug with Thread - Smart Outlet for Apple HomeKit - Smart Home Products, Smart Home Lighting, Smart Home Gadgets - Homekit Smart Plug - Tech Gifts - Works W/ Apple iPhone, Easy NFC Set Up : Tools & Home Improvement. Archived from the original on 20 Feb 2026. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
- ↑ "Amazon.com: Wemo". Amazon.com: Wemo. Archived from the original on 2026-02-27. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
- ↑ Preston, Dominic (2025-07-11). "Belkin is ending support for nearly all its Wemo smart home devices". The Verge. Archived from the original on 11 Jul 2025. Retrieved 2025-07-14.