So today is 3/2 and up pops the notice to accept updated terms & conditions. I actually read things so the only thing changing is what you have to do in order to sue them. Fine T&C change however the effective date was 11 days ago (Feb 20th).
Considering they have the ability to push the T&C updates out electronically I'm wondering why this is retroactive.
Boy, did I!
I own two TCL TVs with ROKU. So, its not just my ROKU device that is affected. Its also holding my TVs hostage.
Ironically, I have an Apple TV connected to one and a Google TV connected to the other. I was only using the TCL ROKU app to switch the input to these devices (its set to do this automatically when powered on).
I am now heavily motivated to fight this predatory (and in my opinion illegal) trade practice.
Since I am absolutely not agreeing to this, I tried a few different UI actions to circumvent it. Rapidly pushing the back (<-) button several times caused the TV to ask if I wanted to report an issue. I declined reporting the issue.
Further, I have (so far) contacted my state senators, my state's AG office, and (yeah I am this upset) the white house office of the president.
Over the coming days, when I find some spare time, I'll be contacting the executives and general counsels of both ROKU and TCL. I'll probably throw in the offices of the FTC, FCC, BBB, and whatever other relevant agencies I can come up with. Perhaps, I'll even alert some of the news agencies as well.
If this upsets you also, I highly suggest you do some of the same. Its easy to open complaints online with all of the aforementioned entities. The more they receive, the more likely they'll act to put a stop to this!
If nothing else, hopefully a strong response will create a public outcry.
Finally, this action by ROKU is producing the exact opposite consequences of its intent. I had previously never considered a class action suit. However, this predatory action is giving me second thoughts!
Forgetting that this is quasi-legal, for the moment, its also terribly public relations. Not a smart move from an already declining brand.
Perhaps you could share some of that information, contacts etc so that others could do the same.
As consumers, we really need to start making companies more accountable. Clicking AGREE on long, hard to understand legal filled mumbo jumbo is unfair when WE bring the business to these companies.
These are the places I've contacted so far...
State Senators (see https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm)
FTC Complaints (see https://www.ftc.gov/ under Take Action)
White House (see https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/)
ROKU General Counsel: generalcounsel@roku.com
State AG (depends on your state). Google your state's name plus "A General", using the full "A" word (synonym for counsel). Apparently, I can't post if I use the full "A" word.
I'd like to start a social media campaign too, but I'm not a fan, so I'll leave that to others 🙂
FCC Complaints (see https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us)
Though the FCC likely only applies to TVs with built-in Rokus, not the separately connected streaming devices.
Yes! It is disturbing that a Roku is blackmailing a buyer, in such a perversion of travesty after purchasing their product which they have a right to use. Reverting to constraint, of use.
This method of coercion is repulsive, abhorrent and detestable. I will never purchase, will boycott any line, sub branding, multi product branding of all and an related products associated with Roku!
Warning: Don't waste your hard earned money on a product company that has no regard, lack of respect, credibility, and responsibility of their merchandise, for their loyal trusting costumers.
Lowering their standards and reputation, at the cost & expense of their consumers.
I believe I need a Law Degree to understand this, or interpret and explain in easy terms.
Exactly! The are no other changes that after reading the entire document I noticed. To make it worst it doesn't even indicate that ex: Section I originally stated this.... and now reads this....
The answer that occurs to me is that they want to make it harder to opt out.
I will not enter into arbitration with Roku. If Roku wants to avoid legal action, they should avoid doing anything that would get them sued.
brunsworks wrote:I will not enter into arbitration with Roku. If Roku wants to avoid legal action, they should avoid doing anything that would get them sued.
Arbitration was part of the terms of service you agreed to when you first got your Roku. It's always been there. This is not a new or changed item. There are other changes, yes. But arbitration has always been there.
That would have been a fair point before. However:
I didn't know as much about arbitration three years ago when I bought the device.
I've since read up on how little traction consumers get in arbitration against corporations.
I've opted out by mail.
As such, I will no longer entertain arbitration.
Keep being anti-customer, and you may run out of customers.
It has been guessing two weeks now since my Roku devices are disabled due to the terms I do not agree with and I will not opt out by mail because this also is a trap forcing a legal agreement for only Rokus best interest and not my own. This is a waiting game and Roku must be losing $ until a decision is being made to either modify the terms of agreement to favor Roku and my best interest. I hope this helps customers to act in getting Roku back online and running.
My friend also has a Roku TV. He filed a complaint with Federal Trade Commission (FTC)last week and his Roku is no longer blocked. Not sure if there is any correlation. He said the response he received after filing his complaint contained the verbiage “The FTC does not resolve individual reports, but your report will be entered in the FTC's Consumer Sentinel database and will be available to federal, state, and local law enforcement across the country.”
It could be that this database is used to prioritize investigations. If so, it is reasonable to believe the number of complaints for a similar reason could elevate an issue’s priority.
Funny, the FCC passes everything to the FTC and the FTC passes everything off on the FCC. Time to defund and dismantle both of them. They were appropriated to protect consumers, not play musical chairs.
My Terms and Conditions came up yesterday. I didn't read it and immediately went into my home screen and clicked on Spectrum. It wouldn't open. Tried my other apps. None of them opened. Not even the Roku Channel. The only thing that worked was the "Live TV" The last 2 days I have corresponded with 4 different Roku staff on the chat line to try to get a resolution to my problem. Two of the staff people have disconnected me from the chat line and I had to start over. Very frustrating. I still do not have access to my apps on the TV nor the mobile app, I am able to watch my other streaming services on my other TVs so it's obviously a Roku problem.
You have 30 days to opt out assuming you can because you had possibly already accepted in order for your child to watch his favorite program but the clock already started ticking based on the alleged date of the notice and how it predates when we actually were served with it. Basically, Roku is playing a serious legal game with their customer base who up till now trusted and enjoyed their product. I have 3 4k Roku players but I also have an Amazon player that I may now switch to on my main TV. Roku you are being foolish.
Smart TV with no Ethernet cable attached and without wireless configured = dumb TV. Simple. We've had our Samsung smart TV dumbed down since it was purchased several years ago. Works good; lasts long time.
BiggBunyon wrote:Smart TV with no Ethernet cable attached and without wireless configured = dumb TV. Simple. We've had our Samsung smart TV dumbed down since it was purchased several years ago. Works good; lasts long time.
Oh, you are going to love the ATSC 3.0 DRM (also called ATSC-NG) that the FCC approved as part of the standard when using "publicly licensed" RF spectrum to transmit.
Ever run into a BluRay which requires the player to have internet access to play? That is coming to over the air transmissions as well! Welcome to the next-gen age in which something can be "encrypted" and "public" at the same time.
The good news is as far as I can tell, none of the current Roku TVs encourage the adoption of ATSC 3.0 (as in none of them seem to support it).
