Consumer Reports, EFF, the Software Freedom Conservancy, iFixit, and U.S. Pirg have penned a letter to the head of America's Consumer Protection bureau at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

In this eight-page missive, the activists highlight the Google/Levis denim jacket fiasco, where sensors embedded in the jacket allowed it to control an Android device via a special app. When the app was axed in 2023, the jacket became a glorified piece of denim. They also cite Spotify's "Car Thing," an automotive infotainment device that was bricked less than two years post-launch, with no refunds in sight.

Environmental groups and computer repair shops have thrown their weight behind the letter.

Consumer Reports director of technology policy Justin Brookman said: "Consumers need a clear standard for what to expect when purchasing a connected device. Too often, consumers are left with devices that stop functioning because companies decide to end support with little to no warning. This leaves people stranded with devices they once relied on, unable to access features or updates."

He said that the problem has become important as device makers frequently alter their rules about product updates and usage.

"Both switching features to a subscription and 'bricking' a connected device purchased by a consumer in many cases are unfair and deceptive practices," the groups argue, claiming these actions "infringe on a consumer's right to own the products they buy." They are calling for clear "guidance" from the U.S. government for manufacturers.

The groups are also urging the FTC to:

• Encourage tools and methods that enable reuse if software support ends.
• Conduct an educational program to encourage manufacturers to build longevity into the design of their products.
• Protect "adversarial interoperability" when a competitor or third-party creates a reuse or modification tool that adds to or converts the old device.