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Disabling wi-fi on Samsung home appliances (specifically dishwasher)
(www.costco.com)
Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.
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There have been instances of network-enabled devices updating to put existing features behind a paywall, unilaterally changing the terms of service (can't use device anymore until you agree to new terms), and simply removing features that you paid for when you bought the device.
Why does a dishwasher need wifi?
So you can get an alert when the dishes are done.
Not justifying the feature itself, but there is a purpose.
How is that legal? Could u buy a dishwasher then 3 months later it starts asking for a small fee per wash?
I know these things happen but usually you are informed in advance and bought the product at a big discount
It probably requires an app to monitor the wash cycle. All they have to do is start charging a subscription to use the app. If people bought the dishwasher because they would get alerts when their dishes were clean, now they have to pay a recurring fee.
Roku pushed an update to their TVs requiring owners to agree to a new terms of service. There was no "disagree" button, and the TV wouldn't work until people accepted the changes.
This is such a new problem that it's never been challenged in court.
It will be buried somewhere in the terms & conditions.
Especially when the terms and conditions say that they can update the terms and conditions at any time.
Good point