this post was submitted on 05 Mar 2024
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A Boring Dystopia

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Roku TV bricked until agreeing to new terms of service (mander.xyz)
submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
25 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

cross-posted from: https://programming.dev/post/10891020

See title - very frustrating. There is no way to continue to use the TV without agreeing to the terms. I couldn't use different inputs, or even go to settings from the home screen and disconnect from the internet to disable their services. If I don't agree to their terms, then I don't get access to their new products. That sucks, but fine - I don't use their services except for the TV itself, and honestly, I'd rather by a dumb TV with a streaming box anyway, but I can't find those anymore.

Anyway, the new terms are about waiving your right to a class action lawsuit. It's weird to me because I'd never considered filing a class action lawsuit against Roku until this. They shouldn't be able to hold my physical device hostage until I agree to new terms that I didn't agree at the time of purchase or initial setup.

I wish Roku TVs weren't cheap walmart brand sh*t. Someone with some actual money might sue them and sort this out...

EDIT: Shout out to @[email protected] for recommending the brand "Sceptre" when buying my next (dumb) TV.

EDIT2: Shout out to @[email protected] for recommending LG smart TVs as a dumb-TV stand in. They apparently do require an agreement at startup, which is certainly NOT ideal, but the setup can be completed without an internet connection and it remembers input selection on powerup. So, once you have it setup, you're good to rock and roll.

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[–] [email protected] 38 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Rather than a TV, I just have a Roku box that I plug into my TV, and it had the same issue. I started it up today and was met with a box that said something like, 'By clicking this, you agree to the updated terms' -- and there's no option to VIEW the terms, the users simply must agree to them or they can't use the box. I wish I had a small child to click through this junk for me (without me knowing or seeing it) because it seems unreasonable pay good money for a 'thing' and then have the maker arbitrarily and unilaterally pull a Darth Vader, "I am altering the deal. Pray I do not alter it any further."

Maybe we should get congress to require companies to fully reimburse consumers for this tactic.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 year ago

Yeah, I wonder how any court would enforce such terms? Sucks we can't have nice things.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

Mine allowed me to view the terms but it was agree or nothing.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The * button shows the terms.

You can opt out by mailing Roku General Counsel a written letter.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I do not remember seeing that option, so I don't know if I missed it or if they added that later. It is good to know there is a way to see it, though.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

Because so few have read it, there is an opt out. It's a bullshit way that is designed to make people not do so, and asks you to provide the hardware and software of all devices you opt out from by writing a physical letter and mailing it to Rokus General Counsel.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

I'm curious what products/services you can use without agreeing to the TOS. If you're buying a TV that's literally branded as an online TV... I don't know what was expected.

E. No one has an answer huh?

[–] [email protected] 17 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

products/services

You get how thinking you can just hyphenate them as if they're equivalent is part of the problem, right?

The entire issue here is that it's a violation of both the First Sale Doctrine and the buyer's property rights to try to treat a product as if it's a service.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Right. Hey man, you go right on ahead and sue every software company and service provider that makes you sign terms of service before you can use whatever the product is.

Let me know how it works out for you. You guys are acting like this is the first time you've ever had to click on "I agree"

[–] [email protected] 19 points 1 year ago (2 children)

That's not the problem though. The problem is I buy a $500 TV and willingly agree to the terms of service as they are when I first turn it on. Then a year later they change it out from under me and force me to accept new terms. If I disagree, I essentially have to shell out for a new TV since I won't be able to use my current one. They've basically forced me to accept or pay. That's what people are complaining about.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

"I have altered the deal. Pray I do not alter it further."

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Don't connect your TV to the internet.
Problem solved.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That kind of mentality for these issues feels a bit like "find the least uncomfortable position with a boot on your neck. See, no problem."

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

How is not connecting your TV to the internet having a boot on your neck? If you're complaining about what happens when you connect it, then simply don't connect it. It's not rocket science.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Are you intentionally ignoring the large chunks of context of the topic being discussed?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The context that OP bought a TV branded by an Internet service and is upset they have to agree to TOS when they connect that TV to the Internet?

No, I understand 100%. What's your problem getting it?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Well you don't seem to be getting it 100%. You again left out the important context that the TOS changed in a substantial way since what they agreed to when they purchased it. Maybe you should tone your aggression down a smidge if you are going to be wrong.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Hmmhm

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You know what solves that changing of the TOS issue?
That's right, it's not connecting your TV to the Internet.

Shocking, I know.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

It doesn't solve that issue though does it? It lets you continue to use the TV with diminished functionality from what you paid for and agreed to. You're still acting aggressive while wrong and ignoring parts of the issue. Shocking.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago

There was a question?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Why is this reply have negative score lol... the answer is simple anyway: stop fucking buying smart TVs!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I think it is getting downvoted because most things you buy (like toasters and shoes) can be used once you buy them. Nothing keeps you from continuing to use them after purchase. Even with computers, you agree to the OS license on purchase/install, and then you get to keep using it. At least historically, if a new update has a new license, you could refuse the upgrade and keep using the old version. For recurring payment items like monthly subscriptions, it makes sense that you can't keep the original terms, but for one-time purchases, you should not have to change what you bought unless they are willing to take it back for a full refund.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Frankly, smart TVs are a stupid product for stupid people. I would never have one in my house, period.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I use a smart TV without using any of the smart features. I have my set top box connected to the HDMI.