Subject: Requiring a Philips Hue account is unacceptable, please accept my returns for a full refund
To: sustainability@signify.com
Cc: eric.rondolat@signify.com

Dear Signify / Hue / Mr. Rondolat,

Today I learned about an upcoming requirement to create an online user account to continue using the Philips Hue bulbs, devices, and bridge I have purchased[1].  I understand the need for user authentication to support new products and services.  However my decision to adopt Philips Hue products in the first place was significantly informed on the absence of an internet connectivity requirement.

Of course this upcoming policy change is disappointing and frustrating, but I would rather concentrate on an actionable path forward.  If the intention of Signify really is to render currently operable products inoperable except with this new account requirement, then please guide me to the best way to return my bridge, ~30 bulbs and strip lights, and ~10 switches and controls for a refund.  The products are still functional and should at least remain suitable for resale as refurbished items.  I cannot expect you to reimburse me for the time and effort I dedicated to writing software for directly interacting with the Hue ecosystem via the purely local REST API implemented on your bridge, but please know that if this policy change plays out I will retract this open source software from the public and replace it with a writeup of my reasons why.  (This will likely annoy approximately two or three people in the world, but it's about the principle of the matter.)

I would also be satisfied with a policy change to remove the upcoming requirement to create a user account, instead offering that requirement as a strictly optional condition for accessing your cloud-based services.

Thank you kindly for your assistance and guidance in exiting your product ecosystem, which has otherwise been a delight to use up until now.

-- 
Ben

[1]: https://www.philips-hue.com/en-ca/explore-hue/accounts