We should ban people saying "we should ban X" as if it's a simple solution to any problem.

I don't think the market always efficiently sorts out every dumb technology fad, but I have a moderate level of confidence that people will stop buying cloud-dependent physical products after being burned enough times by stuff like this. Or, maybe they just realize it's not all that useful in the first place.

Alternatively, the products could get much better, and doubters like me will have to stop complaining and jump on board. We'll see about that.

But, I don't think a law would improve the situation. More likely it would just backfire in some unexpected way, as such well-intentioned laws often do.

> I don't think the market always efficiently sorts out every dumb technology fad, but I have a moderate level of confidence that people will stop buying cloud-dependent physical products after being burned enough times by stuff like this. Or, maybe they just realize it's not all that useful in the first place.

Individual people probably will, but the market will keep supplying new people who haven't yet been burnt and are willing to fall for the same old scam.

It's much easier to simply avoid buying devices that require someone else's server in order to work.

Easy for now but less so each passing day. See recent developments with passenger vehicles.

That's why I don't buy new cars.

How long do you think that will continue to work for you? It’s inevitable. Better to fight for the necessary regulation now.

Until they ban all the old cars?

There’s not really anything that can happen to an older car, aside from a major accident or rust, that can “brick” it. Every part is replaceable and reasonably available for the common ones.

I’m probably going to need to own a car again in the not too distant future and more than likely will just try to find a ‘70s VW to get up and running. Though…I do still technically own a ‘74 VW Bus my dad was using for a gate the last time I saw it around 20 years ago, wonder if he still has that thing?

> Until they ban all the old cars?

HN is never short on comments advocating for specific policies that would sum up to that effect, so yes.

Well, if they ban old cars then I won't have a car.

I see no reason to think this won't continue to work for the rest of my life. There are a lot of old, used cars out there.

But I'm totally with you on fighting for the necessary regulation! In the meantime, I need to do the needful to protect myself.

This one is just dependent on the cloud, it isn't quite tethered. The actual sensor splats out BLE messages that any device can decode.