Haier issued a legal notice to the developer of a Home Assistant plugin used to control various Haier appliances (such as washing machines and AC units) without the user needing to use their hOn mobile app.
They state that the plugin is causing “economic harm” to their company.
The developer will be taking down the following repositories in the coming days:
This will also affect connected appliances branded under “Candy” and “Hoover” in Europe.
Piped link in comments
Note that the developer is contesting this and IS NOT immediately taking the repository down!
“I will not take the project down immediately and simply let Haier win. Using the api should not be illegal. If the significant economic damage is caused by us making too many requests with the integration, we can talk about it and slow it down. Luckily I’m insured. I’ve contacted my legal expenses insurance and they’re covering a lawyer for the case. I will seek advice and see how an expert assesses the situation and then proceed.”
Sources: https://github.com/Andre0512/hon/issues/147#issuecomment-1892738060
And the latest response from the Haier US where they are distancing themselves from the EU Haier division. https://infosec.pub/post/7349960