I assume this is primarily intended to block using older Kindles to bypass DRM?

I have some experience doing this with this on an older keyboard Kindle and Calibre, and haven't really kept up with the current state of jailbreaking on newer models, but at the time, it wasn't possible. Although a quick search says that you can still deDRM books using the desktop app[0].

[0] https://techy-notes.com/remove-drm-from-kindle-ebooks/

I do find it a little bit funny that there's a quote in the article that says "A Kindle is a text device! There is no need for updates." and yet it runs an entire Linux installation.

FTA: “Amazon also warned performing a factory reset on affected Kindles will make them unusable.”

How does that work? Does a factory reset require access to an Amazon server? Did an update break the factory reset mechanism?

from planned obsolescence to forced obsolescence. Nice upgrade on "shitty" you got going on there Amazon.

Discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47678320