Amazon is facing a new lawsuit in the United States that raises the question: how long should your tech actually last?
The case alleges that Amazon allowed older Fire TV Stick devices to deteriorate by ending software support, leaving some users with devices that became slow, glitchy or unusable.
It’s early days, and the claim hasn’t been proven. But it taps into a growing concern around “bricking”, where products effectively stop working long before consumers expect them to.
While this is a US case, it’s one we’re watching closely.
What is Amazon being accused of?
The lawsuit, filed in California, centres on Amazon’s handling of its first- and second-generation Fire TV Stick devices.
According to the claim:
- Software support for older devices was withdrawn (reportedly in 2022 and 2023)
- Performance issues followed, including lag, buffering and unresponsive remotes
- Some devices allegedly became unusable over time
- Customers were not offered refunds or meaningful fixes.
The key allegation is that this wasn’t just a natural product lifecycle. Instead, the claim argues Amazon knowingly allowed performance to decline in a way that pushed users towards upgrading.
In simple terms, the lawsuit claims customers were nudged into buying new devices because their old ones stopped working properly.
What does “bricking” actually mean?
“Bricking” is a term used when a device becomes as useful as a brick. Meaning it no longer functions.
That doesn’t always mean a product stops working overnight. It can be more gradual:
- Software updates stop
- Apps become incompatible
- Performance slows significantly
- Key features stop working.
For devices like streaming sticks, which rely heavily on software, losing support can have a real impact.
There’s increasing scrutiny on how long tech companies support their devices, and whether consumers are given clear information about that upfront. In the US, regulators have already started asking questions. A 2024 report from the Federal Trade Commission suggested that failing to disclose how long a product will receive software updates could potentially be misleading.
Could this happen in the UK?
This specific claim has been brought in the US, under US consumer law. But the underlying issues are relevant in the UK too.
Consumers here are generally protected by the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which says products should be:
- Of satisfactory quality
- Fit for purpose
- Last a reasonable length of time.
The challenge is that “reasonable” isn’t fixed, especially when it comes to tech.
At this stage, the claims of wrongdoing against Amazon are just an allegation. The court will decide whether they has merit. But cases like this highlight a wider shift in how people think about tech ownership.
When you buy a device today, you’re not just buying hardware. You’re relying on:
- Ongoing software support
- Compatibility with apps and services
- Updates that keep the product usable.
If those disappear, the value of what you bought can disappear with them.
Why we’re watching this
At Join the Claim, we keep an eye on cases like this because they often signal where things could go next.
Some of the biggest consumer claims in recent years have started with questions like:
- Were people given enough information?
- Were products or services sold fairly?
- Did companies create barriers or pressure to upgrade?
If similar issues emerge in the UK, they could form the basis of future claims.
We track both live and potential cases, and break them down in plain English so you can understand what’s happening and what your options might be.
