The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued warnings to several technology companies, including ASRock, Gigabyte, and Zotac, regarding potential violations of federal warranty laws. Specifically citing the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which protects consumer rights, the FTC emphasized that companies cannot impose restrictions that undermine these rights. The companies have been given a thirty-day period to review their warranty policies and ensure compliance.
The FTC’s concerns are varied but include practices such as placing stickers on products warning consumers that opening or repairing the device could void the warranty. Additionally, the FTC highlighted issues with language in warranties that suggest repairs must be conducted exclusively by authorized service providers. For instance, Gigabyte’s warranty statement raised alarms as it indicated that removing or damaging internal manufacturing stickers would invalidate warranty coverage.
ASRock also came under scrutiny for a warranty policy that threatens nullification if products are tampered with or modified, including opening the outer case or installing additional components. The FTC’s letters to these companies underscore the potential legal repercussions, warning that failure to rectify these practices could lead to further enforcement actions.
Similar warnings were sent to sellers in the air purifier industry, such as aeris Health, Blueair, Medify Air, and Oransi, along with treadmill manufacturer InMovement. The FTC’s proactive stance aims to protect consumer rights and ensure transparency in warranty policies across various sectors.
