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Peloton removes Just Run feature
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==The incident== ===What happened?=== In June 2021, Peloton rolled out a software update that effectively disabled the "Just Run" feature for users without an active subscription. The company claimed the change was necessary to integrate Tread Lock, enhancing safety. However, this decision rendered the treadmills unusable for basic functionality unless customers subscribed to Peloton's fitness content<ref>Michael Kan, "Peloton Restores Free 'Just Run' Feature for Its Treadmill," PCMag, August 10, 2021. [https://web.archive.org/web/20241210095327/https://www.pcmag.com/news/peloton-axes-free-just-run-feature-from-treadmill-bricking-it-for-non-subscribers]</ref>. The situation escalated when customers like Jennifer Strong, a Tread+ owner, publicly shared their frustrations. Strong, who purchased her treadmill in 2019, stopped using Peloton's subscription-based content but continued to rely on the free "Just Run" feature. After the update, she discovered she could no longer use her treadmill without paying for a membership<ref>Jennifer Strong, "Peloton Tread+ Facebook Post," Facebook, June 2021. [https://web.archive.org/web/20220428214256im_/https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/articles/03kGxV2wrQ2n7WnIFhrAMnH-2.fit_lim.size_768x.png]</ref>. ===Who was involved?=== Key stakeholders included Peloton, its customers, the CPSC, and prominent voices on social media. Customers amplified the issue online, sparking debate about the ethics of Peloton's decision<ref>Brianna Wu, "Social Media Commentary on Peloton Decision," Twitter, June 2021. [https://web.archive.org/web/20230610120941/https://twitter.com/BriannaWu/status/1407009346475675651]</ref>. ===When and where?=== The incident began in mid-2021, primarily affecting Peloton users in the United States. The controversy unfolded on social media platforms and online forums. ===What were the consequences?=== The removal of "Just Run" led to widespread public backlash, with customers accusing Peloton of unethical practices. Many likened the situation to "ransomware," arguing that basic functionality of a purchased product should not be tied to ongoing payments. The outcry pressured Peloton to restore the feature in August 2021 through a software update<ref>Michael Kan, "Peloton Restores Free 'Just Run' Feature for Its Treadmill," PCMag, August 10, 2021. [https://web.archive.org/web/20241210095327/https://www.pcmag.com/news/peloton-axes-free-just-run-feature-from-treadmill-bricking-it-for-non-subscribers]</ref>.
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