The FTC finds that smart device manufacturers are not making it clear how long their products will be supported

A new paper from the Federal Trade Commission found that many smart device manufacturers are not telling consumers how long they will provide software updates for their products.

The agency examined 184 different smart devices, from hearing aids to security cameras, and found that nearly 89% of them do not provide buyers with information about how long the products will receive software updates to continue working properly.

Smart devices are used for a variety of things, such as controlling the lighting in your home or tracking your fitness. If a manufacturer stops providing software updates for its smart devices, the products may lose their “smart” functionality and eventually stop working. The FTC wants consumers to be aware of this when purchasing smart devices.

“Consumers may lose a lot of money if their smart products no longer provide the features they want,” said Samuel Levine, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, in a press release. “When purchasing smart devices, consumers should ask questions and consider how long their product will last.”

FTC staff found that 161 of the 184 products examined did not disclose information about the device’s support period or end date on their manufacturers’ websites. And when employees did basic internet searches to find out the length of support, they couldn’t find the information for 124 devices.

The FTC advises consumers to consider whether a smart device is worth the price before purchasing and to find out how long the manufacturer plans to keep the software updated. If you cannot find this information, the FTC recommends contacting the manufacturer directly.

“Consider how the product will perform if the manufacturer stops updating the software,” the FTC wrote in the press release. “For example, a smart light bulb could still work the old-fashioned way, by flipping the switch, but you can’t control it remotely. But if your smart speaker can’t connect to your music streaming service, that’s not very useful.”

According to the FTC, manufacturers could be violating the FTC Act if they do not provide consumers with information about software updates when they provide information about the life of the device.

The paper also notes that manufacturers may be violating the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act if they do not inform prospective customers how long they will provide software updates for devices sold with written warranties. Buyers will be required to pay $15 before purchasing -Dollars provided.