The more devices infiltrate everyday life and run their own software, the more control they gain. manufacturers them in how they use them consumers. Gradually, with small and subtle changes in recent years, the distinction between owning and renting has begun to blur, notes business insider.

For example, after the latest update, the new iPhone notifies the user when the screen is replaced with foreign parts. In fact, initially, if someone repaired their broken screen using parts that did not belong to them, Apple, then FaceID was permanently disabled. After receiving strong backlash, the company has finally lifted the total ban and instead only notifies the user.

Basically, it is a tactic by companies to get more money from the consumer even after the purchase of the product. In some cases, the software detects changes made to the product by the owner himself and makes it completely or partially useless. For example, Tesla finds third-party parts even though some of its own parts are sold out in the US or Europe.

The tactic of subscriptions to activate features in cars and electronic products is drawing a backlash from consumer organizations.

In other cases, companies try to block a consumer’s access to certain features if they don’t pay more. For example, the reaction against Mercedes-Benz and bmw when they announced a few months ago that certain car models would offer better acceleration or heated seats for a monthly subscription.

“You already bought a heated seat (and a luxury car with it) but now you have to pay to use it?” Imagine having to pay the contractor who built your house every month so they can turn on the lights!” says Nathan Proctor, director of the “Right to Repair” campaign for US research group PIRG, which supports the right of consumers to repair their home. products without restrictions.

Another tactic of manufacturers is to monitor and control the movements of the consumer. For example, in the case of Mercedes vehicles, attempting to activate seat heating in a different way can result in other vehicle functions being disabled, almost a “punishment”.

Perhaps we are moving towards a daily life where one can open one’s coffee machine from afar – with a monthly subscription of 5 euros and an additional 25 to have compatible coffee come to their door – turn on the air conditioning in their office before leaving. – with a subscription 10 euros – and turn on the heated seats in your car in advance – 20 euros. This may seem like a stretch, but given the boom in subscription services, it’s by no means an unlikely scenario.