Norwegian gov't consumer watchdog calls out ‘enshittification’ of video games, connected devices, and others — claims hardware deliberately degraded after purchase

March 9, 2026 - 02:10

A major new report from Norway's Forbrukerrådet, the Consumer Council, has issued a stark warning against the deliberate degradation of consumer products after purchase. The 100-page analysis targets what it terms the "enshittification" of digital goods and connected devices, a process where functionality and user experience deteriorate over time.

The council specifically highlights video games, smart home devices, and other connected hardware, accusing companies of strategically degrading performance or locking features behind new paywalls long after the initial sale. This practice, they argue, traps consumers in ecosystems with declining value and violates fundamental consumer trust.

The report is a direct call to action for European Union regulators. It urges the EU to vigorously enforce existing competition law and to champion new legislation in the form of a comprehensive Digital Fairness Act. Such an act would be designed to protect consumers from these post-purchase downgrades, ensuring transparency and longevity for digital products and services. The Norwegian agency contends that strong, preemptive regulation is necessary to halt these anti-consumer trends and rebalance the relationship between large technology firms and their customers.