Adobe - The Case Against Subscription Payment Services: A Threat to Society

[Priyanka Chopra]

The recent actions taken by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against Adobe highlight a troubling trend in the software industry: the rise of subscription payment models that prioritize corporate profit over consumer rights and societal well-being. This shift towards a subscription-based economy is not just a business strategy; it represents a form of financial exploitation that can be likened to financial terrorism and slavery.

 

Corporate Greed and Consumer Deception

 

Adobe's practices, as outlined in the FTC's complaint, reveal a deliberate strategy to entrap consumers in long-term financial commitments.

By pushing customers towards the “annual paid monthly” subscription plan while obscuring the hefty early termination fees, Adobe exemplifies how corporations manipulate consumer behavior for profit.

 

This tactic is not merely a business oversight; it is a calculated move to maximize revenue at the expense of transparency and fairness.

As Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, stated, “Adobe trapped customers into year-long subscriptions through hidden early termination fees and numerous cancellation hurdles.” This kind of deception is emblematic of a broader trend in capitalism where greed takes precedence over ethical business practices.

 

The Impact on Society

 

The implications of such practices extend beyond individual consumers. Subscription models create a technological divide, where those who are less fortunate are systematically excluded from accessing essential software tools. This is a form of technological discrimination that undermines the very fabric of our society. As software becomes increasingly vital for education, employment, and personal development, the inability to afford ongoing subscription fees effectively locks out a significant portion of the population from these opportunities. This perpetuates a cycle of inequality, where only the affluent can afford to keep pace with technological advancements.

 

Barriers to Cancellation: A Form of Financial Slavery

 

Adobe's cancellation process is designed to be cumbersome and frustrating, further entrenching consumers in their subscriptions.

Reports of dropped calls, lengthy navigation through multiple web pages, and resistance from customer service representatives illustrate a clear intent to deter cancellations. This creates a scenario where consumers feel trapped, unable to escape the financial obligations imposed upon them. Such practices can be viewed as a form of financial slavery, where individuals are coerced into paying for services they no longer wish to use, simply because the system is rigged against them.

 

The Broader Implications of Subscription Capitalism

 

The rise of subscription capitalism is indicative of a larger societal issue where corporations prioritize profit over people. This model not only enriches a select few but also contributes to a culture of surveillance capitalism, where personal data is commodified, and consumer behavior is manipulated for corporate gain. The consequences of this shift are profound, as it fosters an environment where corporate interests overshadow the needs and rights of individuals. The actions taken against Adobe serve as a crucial reminder of the dangers posed by subscription payment services. These practices not only threaten consumer rights but also undermine the principles of equity and access that are foundational to a just society.

 

As we navigate this landscape, it is imperative to advocate for transparency, fairness, and accountability in the software industry.

 

The fight against corporate greed and the push for a more equitable technological future must continue, lest we allow financial exploitation to become the norm. By raising awareness of these issues, we can encourage a shift towards more sustainable and fair payment models in the software industry.

 

https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/adobe_complaint.pdf

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/06/ftc-takes-action-against-adobe-executives-hiding-fees-preventing-consumers-easily-cancelling

[Matt]

@Priyanka Chopra again your topic has been moved. Please pay attention where you are starting a new topic.

[UberGeek]

 

[Nuclear Fallout]

Adobe, the new Boeing.

[BluePT]

@Priyanka Chopra I agree. Totally subscribe your text!!!

[SL0TH]

I mean, there's nothing that Adobe offers that you can't get for free now any ways. GIMP, Kdenlive and Sumatra PDF cover their top 3 products.

The only real people buying these kind of big-box programs now are just other companies. Think of the places that pay for 5,000+ stupid Office 365, Norton Disk Encryption, Cisco VPN and CrowdStrike licenses. It's usually for the insurance/liability coverage, but also for the official support that come with that kind of scale. Like do you really think that GIMP team is going to actively help you fix some random issue with 5,000+ systems if you run into one? Do they even have the resources? These are the kind of questions they're asking themselves before pulling the trigger.

TL;DR - This is really just The Man fucking The Other Man. Nothing to get worked up about.

[Screen]

GIMP is one of the worst piece of crap software out there, There are so many other alternatives one can go for, Not GIMP. 
Kdenlive - Davinci resolve would have been a better alternative, 'free' kinda. It's the effects and plugins that you need to buy, so far from my last encounter with that. 
Sumatra PDF - A handy little portable tool, yes, most of the pdf readers out there which are free and some paid one even fails at opening government fillable forms.


This is a real issue when it comes to PDF readers, I'm going through and testing out PDF readers to find something to actually get rid of acrobat. 

[SL0TH]

GIMP is probably your only hope for finding plugins for obscure formats outside of Photoshop. Think game engine textures, etc.
Kdenlive has come a long way if you haven't tried it in a while (it gets updates super regularly) and I just prefer open source programs. I also don't need much in term of plugins, just the ability to do some basic color correction and some decent resizers for sharpening during scaling and I'm golden most of the time these days.

The government PDF thing, can't say I have that issue. Most of the government work I've done has been in the EU, which is still all paper in a lot of places.