FTC: Most smart device makers are breaking the law by not informing consumers of software support terms

In context: Smart home gadget users face frustration when their products become unusable or lose functionality after software support ends, often leading to companies charging subscription fees for continued support.

In September, iFixit, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and Consumer Reports sent a letter to the FTC highlighting anti-consumer practices by smart device manufacturers. The letter emphasized how these practices impact consumers’ ownership of their devices.

A recent FTC study revealed that many smart device manufacturers do not disclose the duration of support service for their products. Out of 184 devices in 64 categories, only 11.3 percent provided information about software support duration on their product pages.

Most devices (89 percent) did not prominently display this information on their websites or related materials. The lack of transparency makes it difficult for consumers to find details about software update end dates, with 124 devices in the study lacking any information online. Search features like Google’s AI Overviews further complicate the search process.

The FTC warns that not disclosing crucial support information for products costing $15 or more violates the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act. The agency also found that the language used to describe software support is often ambiguous and misleading.

Phrases like “continuous software updates” and “lifetime technical support” can be misleading, as some devices claiming “lifetime support” have not received security updates since 2021. Inconsistencies in support end dates further confuse consumers.

These findings support the consumer rights groups’ call for new regulations for smart device manufacturers. Clear rules would help consumers understand the longevity of their devices and encourage OEMs to create longer-lasting products.