A letter signed by no fewer than 17 different groups urges the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to consider introducing clearer guidance on software tying.
Described as “making a device’s functions dependent on embedded software that links the device to the manufacturer’s servers,” the letter addresses “several consumer harms” associated with the practice.
According to the signatories, locking features behind a subscription paywall and making products unusable through software at a later date is harming consumers and creating more electronic waste that is harmful to the environment.
FTC urged to rethink software tethering
The letter exemplifies the complaint through Snoo, a $1,695 smart bassinet made by Happiest Baby, which recently moved features such as weaning mode, sleep tracking and stroller mode to a $19.99 subscription model. While pre-switch buyers will be able to continue without the subscription, it is said to hurt the secondhand market.
Spotify's $89.99 Car Thing is also used as an example: the music streaming platform confirmed it would no longer be supported after December 2024, less than two years after its launch.
While acknowledging that some companies offer advance notice, refunds and a plan to recycle non-working hardware, the signatories believe that most unsupported products could still work with the right software.
The open letter also addresses the complex inter-company relationships that can cause similar technical limitations, such as a recent update to Chamberlain's MyQ API that prevented it from working with smart home assistants: “The smart home is rife with examples of this kind of bait-and-switch for consumers.”
The group believes the problem will only get worse as more “smart” devices are introduced, and is calling on the FTC to require companies to disclose a minimum support time for products; ensure that basic functionality works even without internet connectivity and software updates; encourage tools and methods for reuse if software support ends; allow third parties to pick up the work of proprietary companies with copyright modifications; and encourage manufacturers to build longevity into their products.
TechRadar Pro has asked the FTC for comment on the letter, but we did not immediately receive a response.
