Blind speculation: I wonder if this is in some way related to DRM getting broken at a firmware level, leading to a choice being made between "users complain that they can't watch netflix" and "users complain that they can't install custom ROMs".

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dcdc123 7 hours ago | parent [-]

It was because a method was discovered to bypass the lockout of stolen devices.

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userbinator 6 hours ago | parent [-]

In other words the same old boogeyman they always use to justify this crap.

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dcdc123 2 hours ago | parent [-]

From what I understand this does not prevent use of custom ROMs, it just means ROMs built before it was done will not work anymore. I assume they can re-package old versions to work with the new configuration, I am not entirely sure though. There are discussions elsewhere in this thread with more informed people.

	▲	userbinator 2 hours ago \| parent [-]
		it just means ROMs built before it was done will not work anymore. From the article: Any subsequent attempt to install older firmware results in a permanent "hard brick" - the device becomes unusable This implies that not only does an older custom ROM not work, but neither does attempting to recover by installing a newer ROM.