According to EU regulations, every smartphone is supposed to receive software updates for many years. That makes sense so users don't have to throw away a working device. But Motorola is trying to get around this with some legal fine print.

However, EU regulation introduced in June 2025 requires that all smartphones sold on the European market receive software updates for a long time. The directive does not specify a minimum price for this rule to take effect. The EU explicitly states that software updates must be available for five years after a device is no longer sold.

Motorola’s lawyers have apparently studied that legal text closely, and now the company appears to be ready to confront the EU Commission. Their interpretation is that the EU does not actually require updates to be provided at all, but only requires that if updates are offered, they must be free of charge. However, we are not aware of any case in which a smartphone manufacturer has ever charged money for security patches.

    • themurphy@lemmy.mlEnglish
      12·
      5 days ago

      They wont. The EU went up against much larger fish for protecting the consumer rights.

      Allowing this would automatically allow Apple and Google to do the same.

      • Kilgore Trout@feddit.itEnglish
        1·
        3 days ago

        Some country member’s Court can try to challenge Motorola, but I’m afraid that the law was really written ambiguosly, and that it will end up being unenforced.

        • themurphy@lemmy.mlEnglish
          1·
          3 days ago

          I think worst case, they will rewrite the rules, and it only buys Motorola time. Which is still a win for them.