The chagrin of Harmony Link device (Logitech) owners over the bricking of their devices on March 16, 2018 is understandable. But isn’t the “bricking to promote upgrading” strategy described in Cimpanu‘s: Logitech Will Intentionally Brick All Harmony Link Devices Next Year a dangerous one?
Dangerous because the intentional bricking will highlight:
- If Harmony Link devices can be remotely bricked on March 16, 2018, they can be bricked at any time prior to March 16, 2018.
- If Harmony Link devices can be remotely bricked, local re-installation of earlier firmware will unbrick them. (Backup your firmware today.
- If all smart devices can be remotely bricked, …, you knew that but hadn’t considered it operationally. Makes you wonder about other “smart” devices by Logitech can be bricked.
I can’t second Cimpanu‘s suggestion that you run to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
First, it would take years and several presidents for “bricking to promote upgrading” rules to be written and with loopholes that favor industry.
Second, successful enforcement of an FTC rule is akin to where Dilbert says “then their lawyers chewed my clothes off.” A long and tedious process.
Logitech’s proposed action suggests one response to this ill-advised bricking strategy.
What if other “smart” Logitech devices began bricking themselves on March 17, 2018? How would Logitech investors react? Impact management/investor relations?
March 16, 2018, Harmony Link Bricking Day (as it will be known in the future) falls on a Friday. The next business day is Monday, March 19, 2018.
Will present Logitech management survive until March 21, 2018, or be pursuing new opportunities and interests?