Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has sent letters to ASRock, Gigabyte, and Zotac highlighting the illegality of using “warranty void if removed” stickers on their products. These stickers, commonly found covering screw holes on gadgets, have been a common practice among manufacturers to prevent consumers from tampering with their devices. However, the FTC is now cracking down on this practice and reminding these companies that such threats are illegal.
The FTC is invoking the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which aims to prevent companies from enforcing unfair warranty practices and misrepresenting warranties to consumers. Under this act, companies cannot condition their warranties on consumers using specific articles or services, unless those services are provided for free. By including clauses like “warranty void if opened” in their warranty statements, ASRock, Gigabyte, and Zotac are violating this law.
In the letters sent to ASRock, Gigabyte, and Zotac, the FTC expressed concerns that these companies may be denying warranty coverage based on these void warranty provisions. The agency has demanded that these manufacturers review their warranty terms and customer support practices to ensure compliance with the law. Failure to do so may result in further action from the FTC.
This is not the first time the FTC has intervened in cases of illegal warranty practices. In 2018, the agency put Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, Asus, HTC, and Hyundai on notice for similar violations with their products. Some companies, like Nintendo, Sony, and Hyundai, have since updated their policies to comply with the law. It is clear that the FTC is actively monitoring companies’ warranty practices to protect consumers’ rights.
While “warranty void if removed” stickers may be legal in some parts of the world, the FTC’s actions demonstrate a commitment to upholding consumer rights in the United States. Companies like Asus have also faced scrutiny for their customer support and warranty practices, indicating a broader need for manufacturers to reevaluate their policies to ensure compliance with the law.
The FTC’s reminders to ASRock, Gigabyte, and Zotac serve as a warning to all manufacturers that illegal warranty practices will not go unnoticed. Consumers have the right to repair and modify their devices without fear of voiding their warranties. It is essential for companies to review and update their warranty terms to align with the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and avoid potential legal consequences.
Leave a Reply