[mimixco]

Since Peloton has sold subscriptions from day 1, this probably shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

The worst part of this story is that the device killed a child and they're using that as the reason to collect monthly ransom. It sounds like a Sopranos episode: Make your monthly payments or we might hurt your kid.

[jbigelow76]

Yeah, that's pretty fucked up. Peloton provided a comment but didn't indicate why the TreadLock code couldn't be provided without the subscription, obviously because there is no defensible technical reason they couldn't do so.

[lordlimecat]

It’s a surprise because you cannot retroactively change the terms of a purchase. This is probably illegal, and while Peloton is probably relying on their voluntary recall to mitigate this risk (“look, you can just get your money back”) that probably does not solve it. Even with free returns they are attempting to unilaterally change the terms of the purchase to their own benefit, and for no benefit to the consumer.

Honestly I look forward to seeing the lawsuits that come out of it, to remind companies that contract law does apply to them.

[pb77]

Am i missing something, if a treadmill has a subscription, the kid can still run on it right?, is it some kind of fingerprint or face authentication that would stop a kid from running.

[detaro]

If you have a subscription, you can set a password.

[CitrusFruits]

I mean, they gotta be able to make a free account SKU though that has nothing but "Just Run" enabled.

On the flip side, I wonder who bought a Peloton treadmill and didn't intend on getting the subscription service. Not that it makes it right, but I imagine most people already pay for it and the number of affected users is quite low.

[detaro]

"Intend on" when they bought it, sure. Wouldn't be surprised if quite a few people found they don't actually want to stick with the subscription - although then admittedly returning it and getting something else sounds like a good deal, even if it's hassle.

[xeromal]

The subscriptiion allows you to set a pin

[kderbyma]

This is the trend of supporting companies like this .... I don't support cartels where possible. I haven't supported amazon for years...that's the price. People need to care. stop asking for someone to do something unless it's stop paying...that's the solution.