Amazon has been accused of bricking older Fire TV Stick devices to get users to upgrade and its sparked a class action lawsuit

Date:
Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:59:51 +0000

Description:
The new lawsuit claims Amazon has been restricting important software updates for older models to force users to upgrade.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member
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your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter Amazon has been hit with a new class action lawsuit for tethering old Fire TV Sticks It accuses the company of restricting vital software support, forcing users to upgrade The lawsuit also claims Amazon didn't disclose the true lifespan of Fire TV Sticks Amazon has found itself at the center of a new class action lawsuit in the US, which claims the company has been quietly stopping software updates as a way to slow down older Fire TV Stick devices until they become unusable all while advertising their instant streaming features.

The lawsuit was filed by Californian plaintiff Bill Merewhuader, who accused the tech giant of bricking its first and second generation Fire TV Stick models as a way to force users to upgrade to its more expensive options, as reported by Top Class Actions . Essentially, older models have been diminishing in functionality even though the hardware has been untouched, resulting in slow performances, lagging, and delayed responses. What does the lawsuit allege? Merewhuader says early Fire TV Sticks models have been intentionally rendered unusable due to Amazon restricting software support. (Image credit: Amazon) In his claim, Merewhuader accounts his own experience of purchasing two second generation Fire TV Sticks in 2018. He says he
started experiencing performance issues just a few years into owning them, eventually feeling forced to upgrade to a newer, more expensive model in 2024 after the devices became unusable effectively blaming Amazon for software tethering. Article continues below You may like Amazon announces a free Fire TV upgrade and reveals a new Fire TV Stick Your Amazon Fire TV is about to
get a free upgrade to make it easier to use Kindle owners are furious with Amazon following its choice to end support for old Kindles This refers to a devices usability, which relies on software updates manned by the company
that releases them to ensure a high level of performance. By stopping this support, companies can cut the lifespan of a device prematurely in order to force consumers to upgrade. Merewhuader has accused Amazon of doing this to the first generation device as early as 2022, ending support for the second generation shortly after despite Amazons claim that software support would continue until 2024.

Additionally, Merewhuader says Amazon never disclosed information that said software support could be discontinued, as the company initially marketed the devices as ones which offer instant entertainment across a wide variety of content from the best streaming services which the plaintiff says was the main reason why customers purchased the devices in the first place.

Overall, the lawsuit is centered on two things. The first being the act of software tethering and the second being the fact no one was told the truth about the devices lifespan, which risks jeopardizing user trust. As a result, Merewhuader is looking to take his case nationwide in hopes that Amazon will compensate users in his position while tightening laws to prevent future software tethering practices.

Amazon hasn't publicly addressed the lawsuit, but we'll update this story
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/televisions/streaming-devices/amazon-has-been-accuse d-of-bricking-older-fire-tv-stick-devices-to-get-users-to-upgrade-and-its-spar ked-a-class-action-lawsuit


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