| Recurring |
one_organization, multiple_organization |
(a) The software failure incident of removing the ability to encrypt data on Fire OS devices by Amazon is an example of a similar incident happening again within the same organization. This incident is notable because Amazon had previously supported encryption but decided to remove this feature in the latest update to Fire OS, leaving users' sensitive information vulnerable to attack [41545].
(b) This incident also highlights a broader trend where companies may remove security features from their products, as seen in the case of Amazon, which contrasts with the industry's increasing emphasis on data security and encryption. This could potentially lead to concerns about data privacy and security across various organizations that may choose to follow a similar path of compromising encryption for user data protection [41545]. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design |
(a) The software failure incident in the article is related to the design phase. Amazon removed the ability to encrypt data on its Fire tablets, streaming media devices, and Kindle e-readers with the latest update to the Fire OS operating software. This change was made as part of the update to Fire OS 5, where Amazon removed some enterprise features that were not widely used by customers. The removal of full-disk encryption was a deliberate decision made during the development phase of the software update, impacting the security and privacy of users' data [41545].
(b) The software failure incident is not related to the operation phase or misuse of the system. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system |
The software failure incident described in the article is related to the boundary of the system. The failure occurred due to a decision made by Amazon to remove the ability to encrypt data stored on its Fire tablets, streaming media devices, and Kindle e-readers with the latest update to the Fire OS operating software [41545]. This decision to remove the encryption feature was an internal choice made by Amazon, indicating that the failure originated from within the system. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident in this case is related to non-human actions. Amazon quietly removed the ability to encrypt data stored on its Fire tablets, streaming media devices, and Kindle e-readers with the latest update to the Fire OS operating software [41545]. This change was made by Amazon without direct human involvement in the specific decision-making process. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
hardware, software |
(a) The software failure incident related to hardware:
- The article mentions that Amazon quietly removed the ability to encrypt data stored on its Fire tablets, streaming media devices, and Kindle e-readers with the latest update to the Fire OS operating software [41545].
- Full-disk encryption, which is a hardware-related security feature to protect information stored on a device, was removed in the latest update, potentially making sensitive data vulnerable to attacks [41545].
(b) The software failure incident related to software:
- The failure in this incident is primarily due to contributing factors that originate in software. Amazon removed the full-disk encryption feature from its Fire OS operating software in the latest update, impacting the security and privacy of users' data [41545].
- The removal of this software feature has raised concerns about the security implications for users and the potential vulnerability of private documents and sensitive information stored on Fire tablets and Kindle e-readers [41545]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
non-malicious |
(a) The software failure incident described in the article is non-malicious. Amazon quietly removed the ability to encrypt data stored on its Fire tablets, streaming media devices, and Kindle e-readers with the latest update to the Fire OS operating software. This change was confirmed by Amazon and was part of an update that removed some enterprise features that were not widely used by customers. The removal of full-disk encryption was not explicitly mentioned in public materials related to the update, and customers seeking an explanation on the company's support forum were left unanswered. The incident seems to be driven by a decision to streamline features rather than a malicious intent to harm the system [41545]. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
poor_decisions, accidental_decisions |
The software failure incident reported in Article 41545 relates to the intent behind the decision to remove the ability to encrypt data on Amazon's Fire tablets and Kindle e-readers. The incident can be attributed to both poor decisions and accidental decisions:
1. **Poor Decisions (Contributing Factors Introduced by Poor Decisions):**
- The decision to remove the full-disk encryption feature from Fire OS devices was not well-received by customers and security experts. It was seen as a poor decision by Amazon, especially considering the importance of encryption in protecting user data [41545].
- The removal of encryption features was not clearly communicated to customers, leading to confusion and concerns about data security. This lack of transparency can be considered a poor decision on Amazon's part [41545].
2. **Accidental Decisions (Contributing Factors Introduced by Mistakes or Unintended Decisions):**
- The article mentions that the removal of encryption features may have been unintentional or accidental, as it was not explicitly mentioned in any public materials related to the update. This lack of clarity could indicate an accidental decision rather than a deliberate one [41545].
- The timing of the decision to remove encryption features, especially in light of Amazon's public support for encryption and security, suggests that there may have been unintended consequences or mistakes in the decision-making process [41545].
In summary, the software failure incident involving the removal of encryption capabilities from Amazon's devices appears to involve a combination of poor decisions and accidental decisions, as evidenced by the lack of clear communication, customer dissatisfaction, and the discrepancy between public statements and actions taken by the company. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
development_incompetence, unknown |
(a) The software failure incident related to development incompetence is evident in the article as Amazon quietly removed the ability to encrypt data stored on its Fire tablets, streaming media devices, and Kindle e-readers with the latest update to the Fire OS operating software. This decision could potentially expose private documents, financial data, and other sensitive information to security risks. The removal of full-disk encryption, a critical security feature, raises concerns about the competence of the development team in prioritizing user data security [41545].
(b) The accidental aspect of the software failure incident is not explicitly mentioned in the article. |
| Duration |
permanent |
The software failure incident described in the article is more of a permanent nature. Amazon quietly removed the ability to encrypt data stored on its Fire tablets, streaming media devices, and Kindle e-readers with the latest update to the Fire OS operating software [41545]. This change was confirmed by Amazon and was not a temporary glitch or error but a deliberate decision to remove the encryption feature from the operating system. The removal of the encryption feature was not a result of a specific circumstance but a strategic choice made by Amazon to no longer support full-disk encryption on their devices. |
| Behaviour |
omission, other |
(a) crash: The software failure incident described in the article does not involve a crash where the system loses state and does not perform any of its intended functions. The issue here is related to the removal of the ability to encrypt data on Amazon's Fire tablets and Kindle e-readers with the latest update to the Fire OS operating software [41545].
(b) omission: The software failure incident can be categorized as an omission where the system omits to perform its intended functions at an instance(s). In this case, Amazon removed the full-disk encryption feature from its operating system, leaving users vulnerable to potential attacks and compromising their sensitive information [41545].
(c) timing: The software failure incident is not related to timing issues where the system performs its intended functions correctly but too late or too early. The issue here is the deliberate removal of the encryption feature in the latest update to the Fire OS operating software [41545].
(d) value: The software failure incident does not involve the system performing its intended functions incorrectly. Instead, the failure lies in the decision to remove a security feature that was previously available to users, potentially putting their data at risk [41545].
(e) byzantine: The software failure incident is not characterized by the system behaving erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions. The issue here is more about the deliberate removal of a security feature without a clear explanation to users [41545].
(f) other: The behavior of the software failure incident can be described as a decision by the company to prioritize certain features over security, leading to the omission of a critical encryption feature that could protect users' data. This decision has raised concerns about the company's commitment to user privacy and security, especially in light of public statements supporting encryption made by Amazon executives [41545]. |