Netherlands: Consumer protection agency sues Samsung over Android updates

Earlier today, the largest consumer protection watchdog in The Netherlands, The Dutch Consumentenbond, filed suit against Samsung. The world’s largest smartphone maker is accused of failing to provide timely software updates for its Android smartphones.

The agency says that it has previously discussed the matter privately with Samsung but that a lawsuit remained the only path forward after failing to reach an agreement with the manufacturer.

The Consumentenbond accuses Samsung of unfair trade practices, claiming that the company does not explicitly mention for how long customers should expect to receive software updates. Furthermore, Samsung is also blamed for not being transparent regarding critical security updates, such as the one required to fix the Stagefright exploits. The watchdog remarks that it is only focusing on Samsung first due to the manufacturer’s firm grip over the local market, as other manufacturers are also guilty of the same practices.

According to the agency’s own research, 82% of the Samsung phones examined “had not been provided with the latest Android version in the two years after being introduced”.

Full content: Phone Arena

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