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Anew paperfrom the Federal Trade Commission find that many fresh - machine maker fail to discover to consumers how long they will leave computer software updates for their intersection .
The agency appear at 184 different smart devices , ranging from hearing assistance to surety cameras , and find that nearly 89 % of them do n’t offer buyers with info regarding how long the products will receive software updates to continue operate by rights .
fresh gimmick are used for all sorts of thing , such as controlling the lights in your home or tracking your fittingness . If a manufacturer stops provide computer software update for their smart twist , the products can lose their “ smart ” functionality and eventually stop forge . This is something that the FTC desire consumers to be aware of when they purchase chic machine .
“ Consumers bear to lose a lot of money if their smart products break delivering the feature they want , ” enunciate Samuel Levine , the manager of the FTC ’s Bureau of Consumer Protection , in apress firing . “ When browse for smart machine , consumer should ask question and consider how long their product will last . ”
FTC staff found that 161 of the 184 products survey did not disclose information about the twist ’s support duration or goal date on the manufacturers ’ web pageboy . And when staff conducted introductory net searches to track down support length , they did n’t detect the information for 124 of the machine .
The FTC is advising consumers to consider whether a smart twist is deserving the price before purchasing it , and to see if they can observe out how long the manufacturer plans to update the software . If you ca n’t find this info , the FTC evoke contacting the manufacturer flat .
“ regard how the mathematical product will make if the manufacturer stops update the software system , ” the FTC wrote in the press spill . “ For instance , a smart light bulb might still work the honest-to-goodness - fashioned way , by twitch the electrical switch , but you wo n’t be able-bodied to control it remotely . But if your smart speaker ca n’t connect to your music streaming service , it ’s not very utilitarian . ”
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manufacturer could be violating the FTC Act by failing to supply software update information to consumers if they make title about how long the twist is useable , the FTC say .
The paper also notes that if manufacturer do n’t inform possible customers on how long they will provide software updates for devices sold with written warranties , they could be breach the Magnuson - Moss Warranty Act , which requires that written warranties for consumer product that cost more than $ 15 be made uncommitted to buyers before a purchase .
