"On Tuesday, two Massachusetts lawmakers introduced two bills to the state's House and Senate that, if passed, would create a state law requiring companies to tell customers when service on their connected products will end. It is an effort meant to tamp down on cybersecurity risks and also boost consumer protections. With knowledge about future support, consumers can confidently buy a device knowing how long they can expect it to reliably work, and when to plan for its eventual obsolescence."
"The bills arrive nearly a year after a joint report by the advocacy groups Consumer Reports, US PIRG, and the nonprofit Secure Resilient Future Foundation that encouraged lawmakers to support policy that would inform customers when their connected products were going to stop working. That includes a broad array of smart home devices, like Wi-Fi routers, security cameras, connected thermostats, and smart lights. While it is a proposed state law for now, supporters hope it will inspire more legislation like it in the near future."
Two Massachusetts lawmakers introduced bills to the state House and Senate proposing a law requiring companies to disclose when service on connected products will end. The proposed law aims to reduce cybersecurity risks and strengthen consumer protections by giving buyers advance knowledge of future software support. With published support timelines, consumers can decide purchase timing and plan for device obsolescence. The legislation, titled An Act Relative to Consumer Connected Devices, was filed by state senator William Brownsberger and state representative David Rogers. Advocacy groups including Consumer Reports and US PIRG previously urged similar policy and identified routers, cameras, thermostats, and smart lights as examples.
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