Demanding device sustainability through long-term software support and transparency from manufacturers.
Out-of-date devices can bear privacy and security threats, as well as transform into tools of exclusion. To accompany the soaring demand for a right to repair, we’re demanding device sustainability through long-term software support and transparency from manufacturers.
Every year new devices are released; more powerful, more capable, with fancier screens or the latest new shiny features. With these new products usually comes new software, whether it’s the Operating System such as iOS or Windows, or new firmware and apps. The side-effect of such releases is that old devices are rapidely abandonned by manufacturers. This translates into perfectly working phones, TVs, routers, smartwatches, tablets, that won’t receive the latest update.
These updates are important, they ensure the security of our devices and access to ciritical services. An out-of-date device can be a door to one’s bank account or the intimacy of one’s life. These risks are enabled by short support periods and an industry focused only on selling its future products.
With electronic waste (e-waste) a growing problem, more and more consumers having to buy new devices every year solely to access security and critical services is not acceptable.
