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Roku TV bricked until agreeing to new terms of service (programming.dev)

submitted 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) by DaleGribble88@programming.dev to c/technology@lemmy.world

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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 @testfactor@lemmy.world for recommending the brand "Sceptre" when buying my next (dumb) TV.

EDIT2: Shout out to @0110010001100010@lemmy.world 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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[–] pete_the_cat@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I'm not saying it's right for them to do this, it's a shitty practice and I'd definitely be pissed off. What I'm saying is there's probably a clause in the EULA/TOS that pretty much says Roku has control over the function of the TV and either you accept those terms or you don't use the TV. The price comparison was just pointing out the difference in experience between getting a $50-75 Amazon Fire tablet vs a $700 Samsung Galaxy tablet. The former is going to have ads all over it and Amazon controls it essentially, they tell you this, meanwhile the Galaxy tablet most likely has no advertising or additional strong-arming since you're paying a lot more for it. The company is always out to get their income one way or another is simply the point I was making.

There is practically zero consumer protection in the US (assuming OP is from the US).

[–] stellargmite@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Thanks for clarifying. Yeah none of this is ideal for consumers.

[–] pete_the_cat@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago

No problem, this is essentially the Human Cent-iPad South Park episode playing out in real life... Obviously without the shit eating and mouth to ass sewing 😂