Bambu Lab Authorization Control System: Difference between revisions
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|Description=On January 16, 2025,Bambu Lab announced that future firmwares for their 3D printers would have an authorization and authentication mechanism. | |Description=On January 16, 2025,Bambu Lab announced that future firmwares for their 3D printers would have an authorization and authentication mechanism. | ||
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On January 16, 2025, the 3D-printer manufacturer '''[[Bambu Lab]]''' announced that future firmwares for their 3D printers would introduce an authorization and authentication protection mechanism for their connection and control, in the name of security. This mechanism restricts the use of third party accessories and slicers, such as Panda Touch and OrcaSlicer. | On January 16, 2025, the 3D-printer manufacturer '''[[Bambu Lab]]''' announced that future firmwares for their 3D printers would introduce an authorization and authentication protection mechanism for their connection and control, [[Deceptive language frequently used against consumers|in the name of security]]. This mechanism restricts the use of third-party accessories and slicers, such as Panda Touch and OrcaSlicer. | ||
==Controversy regarding firmware updates== | ==Controversy regarding firmware updates== | ||
[[File:Bambu tos screenshot.png|alt=bambu terms stating print jobs may not function properly if update is not performed to new firmware which is highly limiting. |thumb|Bambu terms regarding printer functionality & potential for disrupted print jobs if users do not update to a new firmware that radically restricts the autonomy of the owner of the printer]] | [[File:Bambu tos screenshot.png|alt=bambu terms stating print jobs may not function properly if update is not performed to new firmware which is highly limiting. |thumb|Bambu terms regarding printer functionality & potential for disrupted print jobs if users do not update to a new firmware that radically restricts the autonomy of the owner of the printer]] | ||
===Potential for remote disabling of printers=== | ===Potential for remote disabling of printers=== | ||
A significant concern raised by the community revolves around the wording in Bambu Lab's [[Terms of Service]] and firmware update announcements. Critics and users argue that the phrasing leaves open the possibility for the manufacturer to remotely disable printers that are not updated to the latest firmware. Specifically, Bambu Lab's | A significant concern raised by the community revolves around the wording in Bambu Lab's [[Terms of Service]] (ToS) and firmware update announcements. Critics and users argue that the phrasing leaves open the possibility for the manufacturer to [[Remote disabling|remotely disable]] printers that are not updated to the latest firmware. Specifically, Bambu Lab's ToS<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=24 Apr 2024 |title=Terms of Use |url=https://bambulab.com/en-us/policies/terms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/KZqib |archive-date=27 Jan 2025 |access-date=1 May 2025 |website=[[Bambu Lab]]}} "Terms of Use" Archived on 2026-03-09 [https://ghostarchive.org/archive/vPu9I Archived 2]</ref> states that printers '''"may block new print jobs"''' if updates are not applied, which some users interpret as a potential pathway for forced obsolescence.<ref name="firmware-update-introducing-new-authorization-control-system-2">https://blog.bambulab.com/firmware-update-introducing-new-authorization-control-system-2/ ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260223032912/https://blog.bambulab.com/firmware-update-introducing-new-authorization-control-system-2/ Archived])</ref> While defenders of Bambu Lab point out that offline modes such as SD-card printing and [[wikipedia:Local_area_network|LAN]]-only setups would remain functional, others point out that the ToS do not explicitly limit this restriction to [[Cloud (service)|cloud]]-based printing. This ambiguity has led to speculation that Bambu Lab could enforce broader limitations, effectively rendering printers inoperable for users who choose not to update.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=@nickjohnson |title=Bambu Lab reserves the right to brick your printer until you update the firmware |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/BambuLab/comments/1i45iy2/bambu_lab_reserves_the_right_to_brick_your/ |url-status=live |access-date=1 May 2025 |website=Old Reddit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250119220606/https://old.reddit.com/r/BambuLab/comments/1i45iy2/bambu_lab_reserves_the_right_to_brick_your/ |archive-date=19 Jan 2025}}</ref> | ||
====Editing of initial announcement==== | ====Editing of initial announcement==== | ||
Bambu users were concerned they would not be able to utilize their printer if they did not install this update, due to the wording of the blog and the | Bambu users were concerned they would not be able to utilize their printer if they did not install this update, due to the wording of the blog and the ToS.<ref>[[:File:Bambu tos screenshot.png]]</ref> This caused confusion since users report that Bambu's blog post dated January 16th<ref name="firmware-update-introducing-new-authorization-control-system-22">{{Cite web |last=@BambuKidd |date=16 Jan 2025 |title=Firmware Update Introducing New Authorization Control System |url=https://blog.bambulab.com/firmware-update-introducing-new-authorization-control-system-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/ejq3R |archive-date=16 Jan 2025 |access-date=1 May 2025 |website=Bambu Lab Blog}}</ref> specifically says the following: | ||
<blockquote><strong>What happens if I never upgrade to this firmware?</strong> | <blockquote><strong>What happens if I never upgrade to this firmware?</strong> | ||