Connectivity with consequences: 13 steps to counter software obsolescence

The German Environment Agency (UBA) recommends measures to increase the lifespan of technological devices and gives advice on how consumers can protect themselves.

Gebrauchte Smartphones — **Software obsolescence leads to more e-waste**
Source: Maksym Yemelyanov / Fotolia.com

Whether it's a robot vacuum cleaner, smart speakers or devices that regulate lighting and heating – they are all connected to the internet and controlled by proprietary software. Under certain circumstances, however, the software also influences the lifespan of the devices. They can no longer be used, even though they are technologically flawless. As a result, there is more electronic waste, increasing consumption of resources and additional costs for consumers. For this reason, the UBA is recommending new legal regulations to increase the lifespan of technological devices and thus protect the environment.

Whether it’s using a smartphone to switch on the lights and heating while on the move, streaming series on TV or letting the automatic vacuum robot clean the flat, connected devices are useful everyday helpers. However, their production requires valuable raw materials and a lot of energy. Smart household and entertainment devices are controlled by proprietary software, which influences how long the products can be used. When the control software contributes to technologically perfect devices no longer functioning, this is referred to in scientific circles as software obsolescence.

Such defects are not the result of technological factors, but of the interplay of various economic and organisational factors. As a consequence, devices that are actually functioning properly end up as electronic waste in landfills. In view of raw material and energy shortages and a growing waste problem worldwide, the goal must be to enable these products to be used for as long as possible.

Minimum requirements for the ⁠sustainability of new devices

Against this background, the ⁠UBA⁠ has published 13 recommendations for legal measures at national and European level to increase the lifespan of technological devices and reduce resource consumption.

In the opinion of the UBA, new devices should meet the following minimum requirements for market approval:

The ability to operate the product without having to depend on an external source
Provision of safety-related software updates for at least ten years
Guarantee of a service life of at least ten years
A ban on software-controlled obstacles for repair and operation
Compatibility and interoperability of different product systems
Commitment to provide external services for operation for at least ten years
Technical support for software/apps provided by sales and distribution platforms for at least ten years

UBA recommendations to promote transparent competition:

Mandatory disclosures on dependencies of software-operated products
Mandatory information on the guaranteed support period and the resulting legal claims
Labelling of products with regard to repair options
Mandatory information on the volume and content of data transmitted

In order to promote ecological innovations, the UBA recommends:

Mandatory environmentally sustainable public procurement
Promotion and teaching of sustainable software development

Software obsolescence costs consumers dearly

For consumers, software obsolescence entails risks that are often not obvious at first glance. Networked products, for example, need regular updates to fix bugs or close security and functional gaps. If older products run into new operating systems, they are often not compatible with each other. The same applies to new devices that are operated with older software versions.

In turn, certain connected products can only be controlled with the help of others, for example a heating thermostat that can only be controlled via the smartphone of a corresponding product generation. Neither manufacturers nor retailers have any influence on the necessary technical requirements such as the internet connection or the required interfaces on the smartphone. Platform operators (e.g. app stores) and other players in the software supply chain (e.g. developers of operating systems) thus obtain a dominant market position.

Consumers can already reduce these risks at the time of purchase if they follow these tips:

security updates should be made available by the manufacturer for a sufficiently long period of time.
the device should be able to perform its primary function (e.g. vacuuming) even without an existing internet connection.
for devices that use cloud services, it should be ensured that this is available for a sufficiently long time.
if data is stored on a cloud platform (e.g. videos from a surveillance camera), it should already be clarified at the time of purchase which data is stored, for what purpose it is processed and when it is deleted.
it should be possible to delete one's own data independently, because storing unused amounts of data also consumes energy and uses resources.
before purchasing, it should be clarified with the manufacturer or dealer whether and, if so, which additional hardware or further requirements such as operating system, quality of the internet connection or a separate user account for the cloud platform are necessary to be able to use the device.

Connectivity with consequences: 13 steps to counter software obsolescence | Umweltbundesamt