FTC Report Reveals Shocking Truth About Smart Device Software Updates

Misleading claims and poor transparency leave 89% of products vulnerable and consumers frustrated.

The FTC’s Alarming Findings on Smart Device Software Support: A Wake-Up Call for Consumers and Industry

In 2018, I started TheGadgetBuyer.com to share my passion for consumer electronics and to bridge a critical gap: reliable support for devices. As the gadgets in our homes have gotten “smarter,” the support for them has often remained anything but. A recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) report confirmed my long-held suspicions, and it’s time we, as consumers, demand better.

*This article was inspired by an article written on the subject by Adrian Potoroaca over at techspot.com.

The FTC Report: Transparency Missing in Action

The FTC’s investigation revealed a troubling lack of transparency in the smart device industry. Of the 184 devices examined across 64 categories, only 11.3% offered clear details about their software support duration. This leaves 89% of devices on the market without proper disclosure of how long they’ll be maintained.

This isn’t just bad business—it’s potentially illegal. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act mandates that products with warranties over $15 must include specific terms, including the length of software support. Yet, many manufacturers sidestep this obligation, burying consumers in ambiguity.

Why Software Support Matters

Software updates are more than just shiny new features—they’re essential for security and functionality. From fixing bugs to patching vulnerabilities, updates keep our devices running smoothly and protect them from hackers. Without a clear understanding of support duration, consumers are left playing a dangerous guessing game.

A few cases highlight this deception:

• A device boasting “lifetime support” hadn’t received a single update since 2021.
• Another promised support until 2028, but you’d need to scour multiple sections of the manufacturer’s website to find this information.

Search Engines and the Misinformation Machine

Adding insult to injury, search engines—often the first stop for tech-savvy shoppers—aren’t helping. Even Google’s advanced AI Overviews have been flagged for providing incorrect or misleading details about device support. This ecosystem of misinformation deepens the consumer confusion and erodes trust.

The Push for Accountability

Consumer advocacy groups have long called for stricter regulations requiring manufacturers to be upfront about their software support policies. The FTC’s findings bolster this argument, illustrating the industry’s tendency to prioritize marketing over meaningful transparency.

Regulations mandating clear, easily accessible support terms wouldn’t just protect buyers—they’d force manufacturers to compete on quality and longevity. It’s a win for consumers and a step toward more sustainable practices in tech manufacturing.

A Personal Call to Action

When I launched TheGadgetBuyer.com, it was out of frustration over a lack of reliable device support. That frustration has only grown as I’ve explored these issues in greater depth. For every smart speaker or connected thermostat, there’s a story of an end-of-life announcement that catches users unprepared, leaving them with a bricked device and no recourse.

If we’re going to embrace a world of smart devices, manufacturers need to step up. They owe it to their customers to provide clear, honest, and enforceable commitments about software support. Anything less is a disservice to the people who rely on their products.

So, next time you’re shopping for a smart device, look beyond the specs and ask the hard questions: How long will this product be supported? Can I trust this company to keep it secure? Together, we can push for a smarter—and fairer—future for tech.