The Federal Trade Commission is turning a spotlight on a persistent problem in the smart home market: devices becoming limited or unusable once manufacturers stop providing software updates. In a new staff paper, FTC researchers examined 184 smart products and searched for information about how long companies would supply software updates. They found that 89% of those products provided no disclosure about update duration or end dates.
The report does not announce enforcement action, but it signals heightened scrutiny and warns manufacturers that failing to disclose update timelines could run afoul of federal law. If a product includes a written warranty but omits how long software updates will be provided, the maker may be violating the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which requires certain written warranty disclosures for consumer products priced over $15. Likewise, companies that make express or implied claims about a device’s longevity without clarifying the scope or length of software support could face issues under the FTC Act.
In a companion consumer alert, the FTC advises buyers to factor software support into purchase decisions. Shoppers should consider whether a smart product’s features and security will endure if the manufacturer discontinues updates. The agency notes that smart devices often have shorter practical lifespans than traditional appliances: manufacturers sometimes end online support or updates a few years after release, and without continued updates devices can lose features, stop functioning, or miss important security patches.
The paper cites real-world examples of discontinued or partially disabled devices after support ended, including Amazon’s Echo Look and Google’s Nest Secure. By documenting the widespread lack of disclosure, the FTC’s review highlights an information gap consumers face and warns companies to be clearer about update policies.
For now the agency appears focused on encouraging transparency and compliance; manufacturers that don’t disclose update timelines or that make misleading longevity claims may face legal risk if regulations are applied.
Author: Ben Patterson, Senior Writer, TechHive
