The proposed bill would require companies to disclose a “reasonable” support timeframe in the packaging of their products and online, allowing users to know how long they can expect the device to access the features of these connections. When their devices approach the end of supporting life, it also requires the company to notify customers and tell them about the disappearing features.
Finally, there is a cybersecurity perspective, which will require the internet provider to remove and exchange the broadband router provided by the company when the consumer’s home is terminated.
“Cybersecurity works really revolve around the requirement that Internet service providers that rent or sell smart connected devices to customers are responsible for managing end-of-life devices on the network,” said Paul Roberts, president of the Security Resilience Future Foundation (SRFF), an advocacy nonprofit focused on the advocacy nonprofit of cyber enterprises, the advocacy nonprofit of the foundation (SRFF).
If something specific to the router feels a bit like a left field, it’s because Roberts says it’s a intentional two-pronged approach. “These are two somewhat distinct issues, but they are both part of a bigger problem, which puts some guardrails and definitions in this smart device market. For manufacturers, if you want to sell smart connected products, there are some rules to follow. This is not the Wild West.”
Roberts hopes that if the law is supported by lawmakers and eventually turns it into real legislation, it will create market incentives for companies looking to make safer software products, similar to seat belts and airbags being widely accepted in cars.
However, it is not clear whether the legislation will receive any attention at the federal level of the United States with a political climate that is dominated by a wanton rule. Tornado Deregulation. Although the EU has led regulation on product repairability, as well as lifelong treatment of vehicles E-waste recyclingthe United States did not take similar actions.
“We are in anything that the FTC and the Consumer Financial Protection Agency aren’t really doing anything,” said Anshel Sag, chief analyst at Moor Insights and Strategies. “I don’t see any appetite for regulations.”
SAG also believes that such legislation has the potential to curb the desire to drive innovation in startups. If companies know they must support the product for a certain amount of time, it may limit the risks they are willing to take.
“I don’t necessarily think it’s a bad thing,” Sag said. “I just think there are a lot of startups out there who aren’t willing to take that risk. And I think, so, it might be a way to get in the way of innovation.”
Higginbotham is not too worried about this. She points out her massive amount of dead devices, which amounts to a veritable pile of e-waste.
“I don’t know if this is really innovative,” Higginbosen said. “We need to recalibrate the default settings based on experience over the past decade and a half. Maybe you don’t have to just throw a bunch of things on the ether and see what stick.”
