planned obsolescence
Conspiracy theories tagged "planned obsolescence."
6 articles
Apple iPhone Slowdown / Batterygate
Apple confirmed in 2017 that it deliberately throttled older iPhones through software updates — ostensibly to protect battery life — but settled multiple lawsui
Phoebus Cartel — Lightbulb Planned Obsolescence
A confirmed 1924 cartel of major lightbulb manufacturers including GE, Osram, and Philips that collectively limited bulb lifespan to 1,000 hours to maximize rep
Planned Obsolescence Conspiracy
The documented practice of manufacturers designing products to fail on schedule, from the Phoebus Cartel's lightbulb scheme to modern smartphone slowdowns.
Printer Cartridge DRM / Chip Expiration Conspiracy
How printer manufacturers embed DRM chips in cartridges to expire ink before it runs out, block third-party refills via firmware updates, and design planned obsolescence into consumer printers.
Fast Fashion / Engineered Disposability
The fashion industry deliberately engineers low-quality clothing and rapid seasonal cycles to maximize consumption, with industry insiders describing this as a calculated business strategy.
Software Subscription Model / SaaS Rent-Seeking
Did Adobe, Microsoft, and Autodesk coordinate the shift to subscriptions to trap consumers? Explore the rent-seeking theory, the pricing evidence, and the fight for digital ownership.