The lack of information about the timing of software updates leaves most smart devices vulnerable. The FTC found that 89% of manufacturers do not disclose how long their products will receive support, putting users at risk.
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) conducted a large-scale study of 184 smart products and found that nearly 90% of manufacturers’ web pages do not provide clear information about how long support for updates will last. order
Among the most notable examples is D-Link’s decision to stop updating older routers despite a serious vulnerability that allows hackers to run remote code. Many of these devices are still used by consumers.
The FTC notes that users often receive only general promises such as “lifetime support” or “as long as the device works.” In reality, these phrases do not guarantee a clear timeframe for updates.