In a message posted to Facebook but not apparently anywhere else, the company said customers unhappy with the ending of the security features on the company's combined penknife/flash memory drives could send them back for a refund.
"Ultimately, if you simply aren't happy with the product based on this development and would like to return it, we understand," read the announcement.
The company announced the end of support for the security features a few days ago in an ambiguous Facebook post that failed to clarify that all of the drive's security features - including an encrypted partition, biometric authentication and secure password management - would cease functioning.
However, the seriousness of the issues was underlined by the company setting 15 September as the date by which customers must back up all data on the encrypted section of the drives.
Despite the simple refund process, the company will have won itself few friends by the sudden decision to withdraw security from a range of products it only started selling 18 months ago. This is a company whose corproate tag line is "companion for life."
Many customers will have paid a hefty premium for the pocket knives on the basis that each came with a flip-out secure USB stick as a feature. The storage on the drives will still be usable after 15 September but without this element they look like desperately poor value compared to the alternatives.
Victorinox contact details: consumer.inquiries@swissarmy.com or (for US customers) 800-442-2706.
This story, "USB Swiss Army Drives Lose Security, Prompting Refund" was originally published by Techworld.com.