The more insidious problem that regular people come up against every day is devices that depend on cloud access. When that disappears the devices are garbage.
I would like to see more legislation attempting to protect that. Perhaps some sort of requirement to escrow cloud algorithms or whatever it would take to open source protocols.
That idea doesn't hold up in reality. Open source projects with open protocols allow users to host the server side tools at home. The fly by night behaviors you're describing are almost unique to closed source, proprietary solutions such as this home automation system, which is now bricked.
>Perhaps some sort of requirement to escrow cloud algorithms or whatever it would take to open source protocols.
Open protocols are not enough. That doesn't address the security problems that arise from unpatched firmware. Whether it's the OEM deciding to pull support or some 14 year old poking around stuff he doesn't own, or some kind of 2038 time bug, the result is the same. You can wind up with a brick at any time.
This all will continue until consumers grow a brain.
You think a solution is people should run their own servers and host their own cloud services for their $20 outlet?
I'm at awe everyday by the amazing stuff people do here but the people here are not the consumer market in any sense and comments like yours just aren't helpful.