Makers of software-enabled products have been put on notice by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for failing to disclose how long their products w

FTC urges smart device makers to disclose software update lifecycles

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2024-11-27 07:30:05

Makers of software-enabled products have been put on notice by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for failing to disclose how long their products will receive software updates.

A paper [PDF] published on Tuesday from the trade watchdog observes that while non-connected devices generally last until they fail, so-called smart products have a lifespan that depends on software and network services.

"If a manufacturer fails to disclose how long it will support a product, consumers have no way of knowing how long the product will last – or how long it will work as intended or marketed," the paper states.

Makers of software-enabled products in the US are obliged to provide this information, but most do not. According to the FTC, manufacturers of 163 out of 184 smart products analyzed – including hearing aids, security cameras, and door locks – failed to publish information about the duration of software updates on their websites.

That represents a potential violation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which requires written warranties and other disclosures for products costing $15 or more. It could also violate the FTC Act if product makers misrepresent the amount of time a product will last, or how long features will be available.