The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is recalling several computer companies “warranty void if removed” stickers are illegalLike language that discourages consumers from fixing their own devices. The commission has warned ASRock, Gigabyte and Zotech to get rid of them and remove conditions that threaten to void warranties if users breach the seal. press release noted by The Verge.
“Letters to three other companies warn consumers not to use stickers that contain “warranty void if removed” or similar language placed on products that prevent them from performing routine maintenance and repair on their products,” the FTC said. “These letters were issued to ASRock, Zotac and Gigabyte, companies involved in the sale and purchase of gaming computers, graphics chips, motherboards and other accessories.”
It wasn’t just the stickers at issue, but the language on the warranties stating that if the seals were broken, the warranties would be void. The practices “could interfere with consumers’ right to repair the products they purchased,” he said. The commission’s employees will review the companies’ websites after 30 days, and the elimination of violations may result in the actions of law enforcement agencies.
There is a repair fee by law It is spread across the US states, but the FTC is actually citing decades-old rules. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975, companies cannot impose limits on repairs unless they provide parts or service free of charge or provide an FTC waiver.
This is not a new phenomenon, as we have written about a similar warning from the FTC It returned in 2018. At the time, the watchdog issued warnings to six companies: Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, ASUS, HTC and Hyundai. Such labels and policies are not necessarily illegal in other countries, such as iFixit. wrote last year.
