Allegations Only · No Settlement Yet
This article describes a class action complaint. The statements below are unproven allegations. Amazon has not been found liable, there is no certified class, and there is nothing to claim at this time. This page is informational and is not legal advice.
What Is This About?
A proposed class action accuses Amazon of "bricking" its older Fire TV Stick streaming devices — that is, allegedly cutting off the software support that made them work in order to push owners toward buying newer models. The complaint, Merewhuader v. Amazon.com, Inc., was filed in the Superior Court of California for Los Angeles County and later removed by Amazon to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, where it is docketed as No. 2:26-cv-02248-BAT. Amazon is based in Washington.According to the complaint, Amazon advertised its first- and second-generation Fire TV Stick devices as offering "instant" streaming with "fast and fluid" performance, then discontinued all software support — allegedly in December 2022 for the first generation and in March 2023 for the second generation — leaving many devices slow, glitchy, or effectively inoperable. The lawsuit alleges this amounted to an unfair and deceptive business practice that deprived buyers of the benefit of their bargain. Amazon denies wrongdoing, and none of the allegations has been proven in court.
The "Bricking" Allegations
The complaint centers on a practice consumer advocates call "software tethering" — where a manufacturer uses software to control how a connected device works after purchase, including taking away advertised features or rendering the device a "brick." The lawsuit alleges that, although the Fire TV Stick hardware still physically functioned, Amazon's decision to stop issuing software updates caused a steep drop in streaming speed, long delays navigating menus, and much slower app loading.The complaint also alleges Amazon represented on its website that software support for second-generation devices was guaranteed through 2024, yet stopped supporting them in March 2023. It points to a November 2024 Federal Trade Commission staff report warning that failing to provide software updates — or failing to disclose how long support will last — can be a deceptive and unfair practice that causes consumers unavoidable harm. The complaint frames these as Amazon's alleged conduct; the FTC report is general guidance, not a finding against Amazon.
Who Would Be Covered?
The complaint proposes two nationwide classes (with California subclasses):- First-Generation Class: U.S. residents who purchased a first-generation Fire TV Stick and still owned the device as of January 1, 2023.
- Second-Generation Class: U.S. residents who purchased a second-generation Fire TV Stick and still owned the device as of April 1, 2023.
No class has been certified, so these definitions could change as the case proceeds. The named plaintiff says he bought two second-generation Fire TV Sticks in 2018, watched their performance decline, and ultimately bought newer models in 2024.
What the Lawsuit Claims and Seeks
The complaint brings claims for breach of contract and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, violations of California's Unfair Competition Law (unfair, fraudulent, and unlawful prongs), violation of California's Consumers Legal Remedies Act, and violation of the Washington Consumer Protection Act. It seeks actual damages, restitution and disgorgement of profits, refunds for affected purchasers, public injunctive relief (including an order that Amazon restore software support), treble damages under the Washington statute, and attorneys' fees.Because the case is at the complaint stage, there is no money available now. If the case settles or a class is certified, eligibility and any benefits would be defined later — and we will update this page if that happens.
Read the Complaint
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Amazon Fire TV Stick lawsuit allege?
The complaint alleges Amazon marketed its first- and second-generation Fire TV Stick devices as "instant" streaming devices and then discontinued software support, allegedly throttling or "bricking" the devices to push consumers to buy newer models. These are unproven allegations; Amazon has not been found liable.
Which Fire TV Stick devices are involved?
The lawsuit concerns the first-generation Fire TV Stick (launched November 2014) and the second-generation Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote (launched October 2016). The complaint alleges Amazon stopped software support for the first generation in December 2022 and the second generation in March 2023.
Is there a settlement or money to claim?
No. This is a newly filed complaint. There is no settlement, no certified class, and nothing to claim at this time. The lawsuit seeks damages, restitution, refunds, and an injunction, but a court has not ruled on the claims.
Who would the proposed class cover?
The complaint proposes a nationwide class of U.S. residents who bought a first-generation Fire TV Stick and still owned it as of January 1, 2023, and U.S. residents who bought a second-generation Fire TV Stick and still owned it as of April 1, 2023, plus California subclasses. No class has been certified yet.
Sources
- Merewhuader v. Amazon.com, Inc., et al., No. 2:26-cv-02248-BAT (W.D. Wash.) — Class Action Complaint (Exhibit A), embedded above.
- Federal Trade Commission, "Smart Device Makers' Failure to Provide Updates May Leave You Smarting," FTC Staff Perspective (Nov. 2024).
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