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John Oliver on ‘smart’ appliances: ‘Spying on you through the washing machine’

From The Guardian · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • John Oliver discussed the pervasive nature of subscription models, noting many people underestimate their spending.
  • He highlighted how "smart" appliances and even car features now require subscriptions, often with hidden costs or automatic renewals.
  • Oliver criticized companies for gathering personal data through these devices, comparing it to intrusive surveillance.

John Oliver dedicated a segment of his HBO show to the ubiquitous and often unnoticed rise of subscription-based business models. He pointed out that consumers frequently underestimate how much they spend on subscriptions, with a recent report indicating Americans pay double what they think they do, and many still pay for forgotten services.

Subscriptions are now basically everywhere and many of us don’t even realize how much we spend on them.

— John OliverOliver introduced the topic of subscription models and their prevalence.

"Subscriptions are a universally annoying problem," Oliver stated, noting that while newspapers have long used this model, the internet has enabled its application to virtually everything. He cited examples like Apocabox for survival tools and BoneBox for skulls, illustrating the breadth of subscription services now available.

The normalization began with services like Netflix and Salesforce in the late 1990s. Now, "smart" appliances, from baby monitors to cat litter boxes, often demand subscription fees for full functionality. The automotive industry is heavily embracing this model, with monthly charges for features like remote unlocks or enhanced cruise control. General Motors, for instance, anticipates earning $25 billion annually from subscriptions by 2030.

Subscriptions are a universally annoying problem.

— John OliverHe described the common frustration associated with subscription services.

Oliver also criticized companies like HP, which can disable printer ink cartridges if subscription fees aren't maintained. "That's pretty annoying, isn't it?" he asked, highlighting the disconnect between consumer ownership expectations and corporate practices. He quoted an HP CEO explaining that the company makes more per customer within the subscription program.

That’s pretty annoying, isn’t it?

— John OliverOliver reacted to the example of HP disabling printer ink cartridges due to subscription issues.

Furthermore, Oliver expressed deep unease about "smart" household appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines, gathering data on users' lifestyles. He found it unsettling that companies like General Electric could infer personal details, such as a new child's arrival, based on laundry habits. "No company needs to know I had a child," he declared, contrasting this with the personal nature of birth announcements. He joked that signs of new parenthood, like tired eyes, are more obvious indicators than "spying on them through their fucking washing machine."

As HP’s CEO told investors, ‘We make more money per customer when they’re in the subscription program.’

— John OliverHe cited a corporate reason for the popularity of subscription models.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Guardian. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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