Asus Charges for Free Service: Difference between revisions
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== Boot Loader Unlocking Controversy == | ==Boot Loader Unlocking Controversy== | ||
The ASUS boot loader unlocking tool disappearing is a prime example of how device ownership rights have eroded, where functionality that was present at the time of sale is no longer present years down the line. | The ASUS boot loader unlocking tool disappearing is a prime example of how device ownership rights have eroded, where functionality that was present at the time of sale is no longer present years down the line. | ||
=== Background === | ===Background=== | ||
ASUS used to provide free bootloader unlocking capabilities for their Zenfone & Republic of Gamers (ROG) Android phones.<ref>https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/</ref> This feature was actively advertised & was part of the company's appeal to tech-savvy consumers. | ASUS used to provide free bootloader unlocking capabilities for their Zenfone & Republic of Gamers (ROG) Android phones.<ref>https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/</ref> This feature was actively advertised & was part of the company's appeal to tech-savvy consumers. | ||
=== Timeline of Events === | ===Timeline of Events=== | ||
* In May 2023, ASUS disabled their bootloader unlocking tools without warning<ref>https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/</ref> | *In May 2023, ASUS disabled their bootloader unlocking tools without warning<ref>https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/</ref> | ||
* The company began removing posts about bootloader unlocking from their ZenTalk forums<ref>https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/</ref> | *The company began removing posts about bootloader unlocking from their ZenTalk forums<ref>https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/</ref> | ||
* Forum moderators claimed the tools were "under maintenance" or being "overhauled for compliance reasons" without providing timeframes for restoration<ref>https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/</ref> | *Forum moderators claimed the tools were "under maintenance" or being "overhauled for compliance reasons" without providing timeframes for restoration<ref>https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/</ref> | ||
* By early 2024, ASUS began charging approximately €185 (excluding VAT) for bootloader unlocking<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/post-89720356</ref> | *By early 2024, ASUS began charging approximately €185 (excluding VAT) for bootloader unlocking<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/post-89720356</ref> | ||
=== Impact === | ===Impact=== | ||
This issue goes over several key consumer protection concerns: | This issue goes over several key consumer protection concerns: | ||
* '''Removal of Advertised Features''': The bootloader unlocking capability was an advertised feature that influenced people's buying decision, which was later removed. | *'''Removal of Advertised Features''': The bootloader unlocking capability was an advertised feature that influenced people's buying decision, which was later removed. | ||
* '''Lack of Transparency''': ASUS provided minimal communication about the change in policy, with documented cases of forum posts being removed & only vague explanations being provided<ref>https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/</ref> | *'''Lack of Transparency''': ASUS provided minimal communication about the change in policy, with documented cases of forum posts being removed & only vague explanations being provided.<ref>https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/</ref><ref>https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/</ref> In one of their communications with a customer, they seem to have accidentaly shared internal communication templates revealing the discontinuation of the bootloader unlock tool, without making any public announcements. <ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/update-unoff-bl-unlock-24-01-20-asus-closed-this-method.4649465/post-89761447/</ref> | ||
* '''Monetization of Previously Free Features''': The transition from a free service to a paid one, costing €185 (excluding VAT), is a significant change in the product's pricing structure after purchase<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/post-89720356</ref> | *'''Monetization of Previously Free Features''': The transition from a free service to a paid one, costing €185 (excluding VAT), is a significant change in the product's pricing structure after purchase<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/post-89720356</ref> | ||
* '''Extended Device Lifespan Impact''': The change affects consumers' ability to maintain & update their devices beyond ASUS's official support window, which has been documented as "one of the worst software support commitments in the Android world"<ref>https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/</ref> | *'''Extended Device Lifespan Impact''': The change affects consumers' ability to maintain & update their devices beyond ASUS's official support window, which has been documented as "one of the worst software support commitments in the Android world"<ref>https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/</ref> | ||
[[File:Lawsuit against asus over bootloader unlocking.jpg|thumb|Document of customer small claims suit against ASUS over bootloader unlocking. Credit Mishaal Rahman on twitter <ref>https://x.com/MishaalRahman/status/1776306579979047083</ref> for this document showing the customer suit against ASUS]] | |||
[[File:ASUS concedes defeat to customer who filed small claims court suit.png|alt=email from ASUS in response to customer small claims suit against ASUS over bootloader unlocking. |thumb|email from ASUS in response to customer small claims suit against ASUS over bootloader unlocking. Credit to Mishaal Rahman on twitter for providing the screenshot. <ref>https://x.com/MishaalRahman/status/1776306579979047083/photo/1 | |||
=== Legal Implications === | </ref>]] | ||
===Legal Implications=== | |||
This led to at least one successful legal challenge. In March 2024, a UK customer took ASUS to small claims court over this and got a full refund for both the device & the court fees, totaling £770 (~$973). This case potentially sets a precedent for other consumers affected by the policy change.<ref>https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/</ref> | This led to at least one successful legal challenge. In March 2024, a UK customer took ASUS to small claims court over this and got a full refund for both the device & the court fees, totaling £770 (~$973). This case potentially sets a precedent for other consumers affected by the policy change.<ref>https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/</ref> | ||
=== Consumer Response === | ===Consumer Response=== | ||
The response from the consumer community has been notably negative, with documented concerns about: | The response from the consumer community has been notably negative, with documented concerns about: | ||
* The high cost of the unlocking service (€185 excluding VAT)<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/post-89720356</ref> | *The high cost of the unlocking service (€185 excluding VAT)<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/post-89720356</ref> | ||
* The principle of charging for a previously free feature<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/</ref> | *The principle of charging for a previously free feature<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/</ref> | ||
=== EU Warranty Implications === | ===EU Warranty Implications=== | ||
This has additional implications in the European Union, where: | |||
* It is illegal to deny warranty repairs based on software modifications<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/</ref> | *It is illegal to deny warranty repairs based on software modifications<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/</ref> | ||
* ASUS has been reported to deny warranty service for devices with unlocked bootloaders, despite this legal protection<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/</ref> | *ASUS has been reported to deny warranty service for devices with unlocked bootloaders, despite this legal protection<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/</ref> | ||
* The company has offered "one time warranty repairs" with the condition of relocking the bootloader<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/</ref> | *The company has offered "one time warranty repairs" with the condition of relocking the bootloader<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/</ref> | ||
== References == | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references /> | ||
[[Category:Modern consumer exploitation]] | [[Category:Modern consumer exploitation]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Asus]] | ||
[[Category:Software control]] | [[Category:Software control]] | ||
[[Category:Right to repair]] | [[Category:Right to repair]] | ||
Latest revision as of 15:23, 20 February 2025
Boot Loader Unlocking Controversy[edit | edit source]
The ASUS boot loader unlocking tool disappearing is a prime example of how device ownership rights have eroded, where functionality that was present at the time of sale is no longer present years down the line.
Background[edit | edit source]
ASUS used to provide free bootloader unlocking capabilities for their Zenfone & Republic of Gamers (ROG) Android phones.[1] This feature was actively advertised & was part of the company's appeal to tech-savvy consumers.
Timeline of Events[edit | edit source]
- In May 2023, ASUS disabled their bootloader unlocking tools without warning[2]
- The company began removing posts about bootloader unlocking from their ZenTalk forums[3]
- Forum moderators claimed the tools were "under maintenance" or being "overhauled for compliance reasons" without providing timeframes for restoration[4]
- By early 2024, ASUS began charging approximately €185 (excluding VAT) for bootloader unlocking[5]
Impact[edit | edit source]
This issue goes over several key consumer protection concerns:
- Removal of Advertised Features: The bootloader unlocking capability was an advertised feature that influenced people's buying decision, which was later removed.
- Lack of Transparency: ASUS provided minimal communication about the change in policy, with documented cases of forum posts being removed & only vague explanations being provided.[6][7] In one of their communications with a customer, they seem to have accidentaly shared internal communication templates revealing the discontinuation of the bootloader unlock tool, without making any public announcements. [8]
- Monetization of Previously Free Features: The transition from a free service to a paid one, costing €185 (excluding VAT), is a significant change in the product's pricing structure after purchase[9]
- Extended Device Lifespan Impact: The change affects consumers' ability to maintain & update their devices beyond ASUS's official support window, which has been documented as "one of the worst software support commitments in the Android world"[10]
Legal Implications[edit | edit source]
This led to at least one successful legal challenge. In March 2024, a UK customer took ASUS to small claims court over this and got a full refund for both the device & the court fees, totaling £770 (~$973). This case potentially sets a precedent for other consumers affected by the policy change.[13]
Consumer Response[edit | edit source]
The response from the consumer community has been notably negative, with documented concerns about:
- The high cost of the unlocking service (€185 excluding VAT)[14]
- The principle of charging for a previously free feature[15]
EU Warranty Implications[edit | edit source]
This has additional implications in the European Union, where:
- It is illegal to deny warranty repairs based on software modifications[16]
- ASUS has been reported to deny warranty service for devices with unlocked bootloaders, despite this legal protection[17]
- The company has offered "one time warranty repairs" with the condition of relocking the bootloader[18]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/
- ↑ https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/
- ↑ https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/
- ↑ https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/
- ↑ https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/post-89720356
- ↑ https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/
- ↑ https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/
- ↑ https://xdaforums.com/t/update-unoff-bl-unlock-24-01-20-asus-closed-this-method.4649465/post-89761447/
- ↑ https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/post-89720356
- ↑ https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/
- ↑ https://x.com/MishaalRahman/status/1776306579979047083
- ↑ https://x.com/MishaalRahman/status/1776306579979047083/photo/1
- ↑ https://www.androidauthority.com/asus-bootloader-unlock-settlement-3431818/
- ↑ https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/post-89720356
- ↑ https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/
- ↑ https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/
- ↑ https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/
- ↑ https://xdaforums.com/t/asus-says-they-will-unlock-my-bootloader-for-money.4685488/