Makers of smart devices that fail to disclose how long they will support their products with software updates may be breaking the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warned this week.

The FTC found that many smart device makers fail to disclose to consumers how long they will provide software updates for their products.

The FTC sampled 184 smart devices, including hearing aids, security cameras, and door locks, and found that 89% have no software support or product expiration info online.

We hear all too often of smart home products that turn into paperweights with little or no warning, and now the FTC wading into the hot-button issue. In a newly released paper, staffers at the Federal Trade Commision said they picked 184 different smart products and looked for disclosures on how long their manufactures would offer software updates

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has expressed concern over lack of manufacturer commitment to software updates for smart devices,

You need to know in advance when your kit will be bricked or downgraded – it's the law Makers of software-enabled products have been put on notice by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for failing to disclose how long their products will receive software updates.