Why tech companies are not your friends: Lessons from Roku

Roku recently changed its policy to make it even harder for customers to take legal action. It’s a reminder of how we need to protect ourselves. — Derek Abella/The New York Times

This month, many of the 80 million owners of Roku devices, including streaming sticks, set-top boxes and Internet-connected TVs running the company’s streaming software, turned on their Rokus to see a block of text. I, the owner of a cheap Roku TV in my bedroom, was among those who got stuck with the screen.

The message gave updated terms of service that made it harder for customers to take legal action against the company. Unless they agreed, users were blocked from access to the Roku menu and apps, essentially bricking their devices. The only way to opt out was to mail a letter to the company.