Many gadgets and smart devices have "expiration dates" where their creators or manufacturers would no longer support them, especially in their software development or security updates. With this, repair groups and organizations have penned a new letter to the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) asking them to require tech companies to disclose this information.
This latest request would be similar to a food's nutrition labels and expiration date, telling users how long it would take before the device stops working or is rendered useless.
Repair Groups Want FTC to Require Tech to Disclose 'Minimum Support'
Seventeen groups that advocate repair and accessibility sent a letter to the FTC which asks them to require tech companies soon to disclose 'minimum support time' for devices in the market.
As written in their letter, organizations like Consumer Reports, US PIRG, iFixit, Electronic Frontier Foundation, and more want tech companies to divulge this information to give users an expectation of a device's longevity.
The groups addressed this issue with FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection director Samuel Levine and FTC's Division of Advertising Practices, Serena Viswanathan.
Moreover, they focused on the tactic by tech companies called "software tethering," asking the FTC to create "clear guidelines" regarding this issue.
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Will Smart Devices in Tech Get Expiration Date-Like Disclaimers?
The groups said that these tactics are "unfair and deceptive practices" that hurt consumers as they are being surprised by a device's end of support even without fully maximizing what was paid for.
Divulging the 'minimum support time' would be similar to giving users an 'expiration date' found on foods or drinks. With this, users may expect how long they can use a device, especially how long it would last before losing functionality or support.
Big Tech Revealing Software Support in New Releases
Buying devices now may give users a lot of information about their specs, features, capabilities, and more, but it does not say how much time it would be supported by tech companies in different aspects like software or security. However, companies like Google have already unveiled that starting with its Pixel 8, users can expect about 7 years of software updates for the smartphone.
The same can be said with Samsung when it confirmed that its Galaxy S24 series which was released earlier this year would also get 7 years of OS and security updates support from the company.
That being said, there are tech companies that surprise users that it is pulling support or making these devices obsolete in the market, and this alone means big losses for users, especially if they have yet to maximize their use.
Advocates and organizations who champion repair want more from tech companies, and they are making their case known to the FTC to let the public know the minimum support time for a device and then decide on its purchase.
