Nest Lawsuit Alleges Google Unfairly ‘Bricked’ First-, Second-Gen Learning Thermostats

Google is staring down a proposed class action lawsuit that alleges the tech colossus intentionally and unfairly “bricked” first- and second-generation Nest learning thermostats without disclosing to consumers prior to purchase that the devices could lose functionality at any time. 

The 25-page Nest lawsuit alleges that Google failed to disclose in advertising or at the point of sale that it could brick—i.e., render useless—the Nest learning thermostat, a Wi-Fi-enabled smart thermostat that can be operated via mobile app, by removing core software functionality long before the end of the useful life of a Nest’s hardware.

The filing contends that consumers would not have bought a Nest thermostat, or would have paid significantly less, had they known its core functionality could be “stripped away” at any time based on “Google’s corporate whim.” Per the case, Google bricked first- and second-generation Nest thermostats—by way of discontinuing software updates in October 2025, making it impossible for the devices to connect to Wi-Fi—to “coerce consumers into buying a newer version of the same product.”

“Plaintiff and Class Members could not have anticipated that the NLT’s value and usefulness could be terminated overnight by Google, for any reason at all—though that is exactly what happened,” the filing reads, calling Google’s alleged conduct “fundamentally unfair.”

Per the lawsuit, although users can, at present, still adjust the temperature on their Nest thermostats manually, they can no longer do so via mobile device or take advantage of any of the thermostat’s premium smart features, such as home/away assist, filter reminders and energy history, which allows a user to monitor their energy usage over time.

Google broke its promise to consumers, Nest class action lawsuit claims

When the second-generation Nest thermostat was launched in October 2012, Google acknowledged in a blog post that it had made a “promise” to consumers to provide, and continue providing, software updates and connectivity for older models of the Nest learning thermostat, the filing says. Per the suit, Google assured that it would continue to provide support, stating that “[w]e also want to make sure we fulfill our promise to our customers to keep improving their Nest.”

However, the case conveys that the aforementioned promise was broken when, in April 2025, Google “abruptly” announced that it would discontinue software updates and Wi-Fi connectivity for first- and second-generation Nest learning thermostats by October of that year, “rendering these once ‘smart’ devices no better than an ordinary thermostat.”

The class action lawsuit claims that by discontinuing support for first- and second-generation Nests, Google effectively bricked the thermostats by killing their functionality and removing almost every feature and benefit to which consumers expected to have continued access when they purchased the products.

The filing argues that Google deprived consumers of the “benefit of their bargain” when it unilaterally and “prematurely” decided that first- and second-generation Nest learning thermostats were “obsolete,” even when “the actual hardware of the device itself has not run its useful life” and functions “perfectly.”

Moreover, the lawsuit says that Google had a duty to disclose the potential loss of software and connectivity features at the point of sale, as it is a “fundamental” feature of the Nest learning thermostats. Because it failed to do so, consumers reasonably believed that the thermostats would continue to receive software updates and support, the suit relays.

The case cites a blog post by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that affirmed that “[c]onsumers generally expect that the things they buy will work and keep working, and that includes any technical or other support necessary for essential functions.”

Discontinuing features for older Nest models amounts to unfair “software tethering,” case alleges

According to the filing, tech manufacturers often have an incentive to render “otherwise functional devices” obsolete by failing to include software updates and support, which eventually turns the products into “non-functional ‘bricks’ with limited to no use.” The lawsuit says that at least one non-profit group refers to this false advertising practice as “software tethering,” when a manufacturer uses software to control a connected device after purchase and “infringe” on consumers’ right to ownership, such as removing advertised features.

Per the case, the FTC has acknowledged that the failure to disclose the duration of software updates is a deceptive practice if the manufacturer made an express or implied representation of how long the product will be usable, particularly when consumers cannot avoid whatever bricks the device.

The lawsuit cites Consumer Reports, which stresses the importance of regulatory oversight for connected smart devices, in contending that the refusal to disclose the duration of software-based features “is an example of how efforts to turn everyday devices into internet-connected computers have left a regulatory loophole that allows manufacturers to infringe on a consumer’s rights to truly own a product.”

Furthermore, the case says that the FTC has provided guidance on how to approach such situations, saying that, “when evaluating a manufacturer’s failure to provide updates or its failure to disclose the duration of software support it is appropriate to consider the scope of injury caused by the failure, whether this injury is reasonably avoidable by consumers, and whether there may be any offsetting benefits.”

Who is covered by the Google Nest lawsuit?

The Google Nest class action lawsuit looks to represent all United States residents who purchased a first- or second-generation Nest Learning Thermostat and still owned the device as of October 25, 2025.

How do I sign up for the Nest class action lawsuit?

Generally, you don’t need to do anything to join or sign up for a class action lawsuit when it is initially filed. Should the case be resolved with a class action settlement, settlement class members will typically receive written notice of the deal via mail and/or email with instructions on any next steps and details about their legal rights.

Please keep in mind that some class action lawsuits take years to settle.

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