FTC-PR-241126-2 (11-26-24)
Smart Products Surveyed Fail to Provide Consumers with Information on How Long Companies will Provide Software Updates – Software updates ensure products function properly, stay secure, according to FTC Staff Perspective
- Excerpt – A new paper from Federal Trade Commission staff finds that nearly 89% of products surveyed failed to disclose on their websites how long the products would receive software updates, which help ensure the devices are protected against security threats and operate properly.FTC staff from the agency’s East Central Regional Office looked for information about 184 different “smart” products—ranging from hearing aids to security cameras to door locks—about how long companies would provide updates for those products. If the manufacturer stops providing software updates, these products may lose their “smart” functionality, become insecure or stop working, according to the FTC Staff Perspective.“Consumers stand to lose a lot of money if their smart products stop delivering the features they want,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Our study shows that nearly 89% of manufacturers of products we examined failed to post this information prominently or make it readily available. When shopping for smart devices, consumers should ask questions and consider how long their product will last.”
- Agency: FTC-PR-2411
- Categories: Disclosure Failures
- Source: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/11/smart-products-surveyed-fail-provide-consumers-information-how-long-companies-will-provide-software
FTC-PR-241126-2 (11-26-24)