Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Brother printers causing issues with third party inks

2025-07-28T13:14:17Z

Mos: Change to more neutral tone.

{{IncidentCargo
| Company = Brother Industries Ltd.
| Type = Digital restrictions,Firmware lockout
| StartDate = 2025
| Description = Brother pushed firmware updates that degrade non-OEM toner's print quality - forcing consumers to buy more expensive genuine Brother toner
| Status = Active
| ProductLine =
| ArticleType = Product
| Product =
}}

{{ToneWarning}}
[[Brother Industries Ltd.|Brother]] has a reputation for allowing third-party toner use & being more consumer friendly than competing printer companies, such as [[HP]]. In recent years, they've implemented '''firmware updates that deliberately degrade print quality when using non-OEM toner'''. These updates disable color registration & other features which encourages the use of expensive genuine Brother toner.(citation needed)

==Exploitative practices==
*'''Post-Sale Function Removal''' – Firmware updates retroactively remove previously available features, such as automatic color registration, for users using non-OEM toner.<ref name="reddit">[https://www.reddit.com/r/printers/comments/s9b2eg Brother MFC firmware update - non-genuine toner now disables critical features.]</ref><ref name="reddit-2">[https://www.reddit.com/r/printers/comments/w60687/brother_mfcl3370cdw_firmware_downgrade_needed/ Brother MFC-L3370CDW Firmware Downgrade needed]</ref>
*'''Vendor lock-in via DRM''' – Printers continue to function with third-party toner but print at degraded quality unless OEM toner is installed.
*'''Anti-consumer software practices''' – Firmware updates cannot be easily rolled back, preventing consumers from restoring lost functionality.<ref name="github-fwupd">[https://github.com/sedrubal/brother_printer_fwupd/issues/9 Brother printer firmware downgrade discussion.]</ref>
*'''Deceptive practices''' – Printers do not reject third-party toner but intentionally cause a toner failure, which discourages use of third party toners.<ref name="hackernews">[https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31860131 Tell HN: Brother printers now locking out non-OEM paraphernalia.]</ref><ref name="reddit-2" />

==How it works==
1. Consumers purchase a '''Brother laser printer''' that previously accepted third-party toner.

2. A '''firmware update (e.g., W1.56)''' is pushed, which does not notify users of any major functional changes.

3. After updating, users notice that:

*Color registration '''fails automatically''', misaligning prints.<ref name="cups">[https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/CUPS/Printer-specific_problems#Updating_the_firmware ArchWiki - Printer-specific problems with Brother.]</ref>
*Brother support acknowledges that installing OEM toner will resolve the issue instantly.<ref name="hackernews" />
*'''Older firmware versions are removed from Brother’s servers''', preventing downgrades.<ref name="github-ohbrother">[https://github.com/CauldronDevelopmentLLC/oh-brother/issues/30 Discussion on firmware rollback for Brother printers.]</ref>

==Impact on Consumer Protection==
*Customers who were able to save money buying third-party toner are now '''forced into expensive OEM toner purchases'''.
*Brother’s '''positive reputation''' for allowing third-party toner is tarnished.
*'''No prior warning''' was given to consumers before these updates were installed.
*Workarounds involve '''blocking firmware updates''' or attempting '''risky firmware downgrades''', both of which Brother actively discourages.

==Brother's response==
On March 5th 2025, following the publication of a video on the Louis Rossmann Youtube channel, Brother addressed the issue, in a response given to Ars Technica, stating the following <ref name="ars-response">[https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/brother-denies-using-firmware-updates-to-brick-printers-with-third-party-ink/ Brother denies using firmware updates to brick printers with third-party ink]</ref>
<blockquote>
We are aware of the recent false claims suggesting that a Brother firmware update may have restricted the use of third-party ink cartridges. Please be assured that Brother firmware updates do not block the use of third-party ink in our machines.
</blockquote>
They also detailed that
<blockquote>
Brother printers do not intentionally degrade print quality based on whether a Brother Genuine or non-genuine ink/ toner cartridge is used. Brother cannot verify the quality of printing that will result when using a third-party compatible with a Brother printer.
</blockquote>
Finally they attributed the confusion from consumers to
<blockquote>
Brother encourages the use of Brother Genuine ink and toner for optimal performance and reliability, and it is standard practice that we perform a Brother [G]enuine check when troubleshooting a Brother printer. Compatible supplies may range in quality, and in order to verify that a printer is working properly, we like to troubleshoot with Brother Genuine supplies. We believe this check in the process may have led to a misunderstanding[,] but as we confirmed, the firmware update would not be responsible for the degradation of quality or removal of printer features.
</blockquote>
==User evidence & reports==
===Hacker News Discussion (2022)===
*Users noticed that '''Brother printers accepted third-party toner but deliberately degraded print quality'''.
*One user stated:
<blockquote>''Brother seems to be apparently accepting the ink, but then purposefully making the print quality poorer.''<ref name="hackernews" /></blockquote>

===Reddit reports (r/printers)===
*A '''firmware update on the Brother MFC-3750''' '''disabled automatic color registration''' when third-party toner was detected.<ref name="reddit" />
*A Brother support agent confirmed that installing OEM toner would "fix" the issue instantly, proving that the printer was being artificially restricted.

===GitHub developer investigation===
*A project analyzing '''Brother firmware updates''' discovered that '''older firmware versions were removed from Brother’s servers''', making it impossible for users to roll back to a working version.<ref name="github-fwupd" />
*Another github discussion showed that '''Brother firmware updates increasingly lock out more non-Brother toner cartridges with each new update!'''<ref name="github-ohbrother" />
*This is similar to [[HP Dynamic Security]] which block non-OEM cartridges.

===Quality Example===
[[File:Brother HL-L9310CDW 1.69 1.32 before registration deleted.png|alt=Brother HL-L9310CDW 1.69 1.32, before deletion of colour registration.|none|thumb|800x800px|'''Brother HL-L9310CDW 1.69 1.32, before deletion of colour registration.''']]

==Comparison to other industry abuses==
{| class="wikitable"
!Company!!Tactic Used
|-
|'''HP'''||"Dynamic Security" firmware updates blocking non-OEM ink
|-
|'''Epson'''||Ink expiration DRM, even when cartridges are full
|-
|'''Canon'''||Firmware updates that disable scanning when ink is low
|-
|'''Brother'''||Print degradation for non-OEM toner users
|}

==Potential legal implications==
Deliberate function removal '''after purchase''' may qualify as '''deceptive trade practices''' in multiple jurisdictions.

==Mitigations available to users==
#'''Avoid Firmware Updates''' – Disable auto-updates to prevent forced function removal. This may, however, lead to security risks.
#'''Try to downgrade''' – Some users have managed to roll back firmware, though this is increasingly difficult.<ref name="github-ohbrother" />
#'''HL-L9310CDW (with firmware main 1.69, sub 1.31):''' On the menu of the printer, delete the colour registration to improve quality by reducing the misalignment of the individual colours. However, the best solution is to have a configuration option to set the offset individual (X, Y) for each colour with the smallest possible increment, perhaps through an external (CUPS) printer driver.

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Brother]]
[[Category:Digital Restrictions]]
[[Category:Vendor Lock-in]]
[[Category:Post-Sale Firmware Lockouts]]

Roku

2025-07-28T12:55:37Z

Mos: 1. Fixed the spelling of skepticism: scepticism -> skepticism. 2. Reworded the statement about the "Do not sell my personal information" setting to be more neutral.

{{InfoboxCompany
| Official Website = https://roku.com/
| Logo = Roku.png
|Name=Roku, Inc.|Type=Public|Founded=2002|Industry=Media Streaming}}'''[[wikipedia:Roku|Roku, Inc.]]''' is an American technology company, founded in October of 2002, known for their "Roku" line of products which consist of Smart TVs & streaming players. It is also the creator and maintainer of "Roku OS." Roku OS is a smart TV operating system allowing users to access apps such as streaming services, which was released in 2004.

==Consumer-protection summary==

====Privacy====

*Roku collects personal information such as the user's device information, usage data, viewing activity, and location data.
*This data is used for purposes such as providing and improving services, personalizing content, and targeted advertisements.
*Roku retains personal data for as long as deemed necessary.
*On many of their devices and services such as Roku OS, "Do not sell my personal information" is opt-out rather than opt-in.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Roku Privacy Policy |url=https://docs.roku.com/published/userprivacypolicy/en/us |url-status=live |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=[[Roku]]}}</ref>

====Transparency====

*The "Do not sell my personal information" setting on Roku OS is located behind many menus, making it difficult to find.
*Roku states the added forced arbitration clause was a decision made separate of the data breach, however this has been met with skepticism by the community.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Toulas |first=Bill |date=11 Mar 2024 |title=Over 15,000 hacked Roku accounts sold for 50¢ each to buy hardware |url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/over-15-000-hacked-roku-accounts-sold-for-50-each-to-buy-hardware/ |url-status=live |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=Bleeping Computer}}</ref>

==Products and Services==
===Streaming Devices===
Roku's core products are streaming media players that connect to televisions via HDMI, allowing users to stream content from various online services. The lineup includes:

*Roku Express - Entry-level HD streaming devices
*Roku Streaming Stick - Mid-range portable streaming devices
*Roku Ultra - Premium streaming devices with enhanced features

===Roku TV===
In 2014, Roku began licensing its operating system to TV manufacturers, creating the Roku TV platform. These smart TVs come with Roku OS built-in. Partners include TCL, Hisense, Sharp, and Philips, among others.
===Roku OS===
Roku OS is the operating system that powers all Roku devices. Key features include:

*The Roku Channel Store, which serves streaming channels/apps
*Universal search across multiple streaming services
*Voice control capabilities
*The free, ad-supported Roku Channel
*Customizable home screen interface

===Audio Products===

*Roku Streambar - Combines a soundbar with a streaming player
*Roku Wireless Speakers - Designed specifically for Roku TV systems
*Roku Wireless Subwoofer - For enhanced bass response

===Content and Advertising===
The Roku Channel is the company's own ad-supported streaming service, offering free movies, TV shows, and some original content. Roku also operates an advertising business that serves as a significant revenue source, placing ads across its platform.

==Consumer-protection incidents==

===Auto-playing Ads Before Home Screen (Mar. 2025)===
In March 2025, reports surfaced that Roku was testing a new advertising feature that plays video ads before users could access the Roku OS home screen.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Harding |first=Scharon |date=17 March 2025 |title=“Awful”: Roku tests autoplaying ads loading before the home screen |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/roku-says-unpopular-autoplay-ads-are-just-a-test/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318004112/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/roku-says-unpopular-autoplay-ads-are-just-a-test/ |archive-date=18 March 2025 |access-date=18 March 2025 |work=arstechnica}}</ref> Users reported that when turning on their Roku TV or streaming device, they were met with a video advertisement — often for the movie ''Moana 2'' — before reaching the home screen.<ref name=":3" /> While some users found an option to skip the ad, others claimed that there was no clear way to bypass it.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Herbig |first=Daniel |date=18 March 2025 |title=Roku zeigt Werbung, bevor man überhaupt zum Homescreen kommt |url=https://www.heise.de/news/Roku-zeigt-Werbung-bevor-man-ueberhaupt-zum-Homescreen-kommt-10318983.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318081622/https://www.heise.de/news/Roku-zeigt-Werbung-bevor-man-ueberhaupt-zum-Homescreen-kommt-10318983.html |archive-date=18 March 2025 |access-date=18 March 2025 |work=heise online}}</ref>

A Roku spokesperson confirmed that the autoplaying ads were part of a temporary test but did not specify whether they would become a permanent feature. The company stated that its business model relies on continuous testing and innovation in advertising but did not address customer concerns or backlash.<ref name=":3" /> Many users expressed dissatisfaction, with some stating they would stop using Roku devices if this feature were permanently implemented. Community discussions and forum posts described the ads as "unacceptable" and "intrusive".<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" />

Roku has previously been known for pushing the boundaries on advertising, including filing a patent for technology that could overlay ads on third-party devices connected to a Roku TV. While this patent has not yet been implemented, the new auto-playing ads suggest Roku is continuing to explore aggressive advertising strategies.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" />

===Post-Purchase EULA Modification (Mar. 2024)===
[[File:Roku Forced Arbitration.jpg|thumb|510x510px|The screen in which consumers agreed to force arbitration. There is no "disagree."<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Newman |first=Jared |date=7 Mar 2024 |title=Roku’s forced arbitration update leaves users fuming |url=https://www.techhive.com/article/2258136/rokus-forced-arbitration-update-leaves-users-fuming.html |url-status=live |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=TechHive}}</ref>]]
In early March 2024, Roku Inc. [[Post-purchase EULA modification|modified]] its [[End-user license agreement]] (EULA), after the company disclosed a data breach that affected 15,000 accounts.<ref name=":2" /> In April 2024, Roku disclosed another incident that affected 576,000 additional accounts.<ref name=":1" />

This new EULA was enforced onto pre-existing users in the form of a message on their Smart TV/streaming player, which only allowed the user to accept the new terms, and did not offer an option to decline. The only option Roku Inc. offered to opt-out of the new EULA was for the user to mail the company their contact information and email used to register the Roku account (if applicable), along with the product model, software, or service "at issue." In this new EULA, Roku included a [[forced arbitration]] agreement to not allow users to sue, or to take part in lawsuits against Roku Inc.<ref name=":0" /> Roku claimed a week later that the new EULA was not in relation to the aforementioned data breach.

==="HDMI-customized ad insertion" patent (Oct. 2023)===
In early October 2023, Roku filed a patent ([https://patents.google.com/patent/US20230388589A1/en US20230388589A1]) for a program to insert ads on top of the display output of any non-Roku device displayed on a Roku TV. This program would be able to detect when the consumer has paused a video feed and display an advertisement, personalized by data collected through Roku services.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 Dec 2024 |title=Hdmi customized ad insertion |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US20230388589A1/en |url-status=live |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=Google Patents}}</ref>

As of January 2025, this patent has not been implemented into any Roku devices. However, a similar feature which also detects content from connected devices, called "More Ways to Watch," has previously been implemented.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How to use More Ways to Watch on your Roku TV |url=https://support.roku.com/article/115005739288 |url-status=live |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=Roku Support}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Katzmaier |first=David |date=11 Apr 2017 |title=Roku TVs now track what you watch to suggest streams, target ads |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/roku-tvs-now-track-what-you-watch-to-suggest-streams-target-ads/ |url-status=live |access-date=19 Apr 2025 |website=CNET}}</ref>

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Roku]]