Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Steam Deck

2026-05-29T17:09:39Z

Natsirtium: Added all missing fields and references

{{Stub}}
{{ProductCargo
|Company=Valve
|ProductLine=Steam Deck, SteamOS
|ReleaseYear=2022
|InProduction=Yes
|ArticleType=Product
|Category=Gaming, Gaming Handheld
|Logo=Steam Deck logo.png
|Website=https://store.steampowered.com/steamdeck/,https://www.steamdeck.com/en/
|Description=PC gaming handheld that runs SteamOS, an Arch-based distribution of Linux.
}}The Steam Deck is a handled gaming PC released by [[Valve]] on February 25, 2022 running [[SteamOS]], and designed to run games on it's [[Steam]] storefront.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-05-29 |title=Steam Deck |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Deck |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260515214617/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Deck |archive-date=15 May 2026 |access-date=2026-05-29 |website=Wikipedia}}</ref> It was designed in order to bring a desktop-like experience to console/mobile users, and for Valve to break into the consumer portable market. It came to market at $791 (512GB model), the price has fluctuated significantly since.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-05-28 |title=Steam Deck [512 GB] price chart |url=https://www.pricecharting.com/game/pc-games/steam-deck-512-gb |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260129133158/https://www.pricecharting.com/game/pc-games/steam-deck-512-gb |archive-date=2026-01-29 |access-date=2026-05-28 |website=PC Price charting}}</ref>

==Consumer-impact summary==
The steam deck is generally seen as particularly good on the user freedom front, allowing PC-style software usage, third party storefronts, and [[SteamOS|operating system]] modification.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thurrott |first=Paul |date=27 Feb 2022 |title=Gabe Newell talks Steam Deck and why the PC industry won’t tolerate closed platforms |url=https://www.thurrott.com/forums/general-discussion/pc-gaming/thread/gabe-newell-talks-steam-deck-and-why-the-pc-industry-wont-tolerate-closed-platforms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321061217/https://www.thurrott.com/forums/general-discussion/pc-gaming/thread/gabe-newell-talks-steam-deck-and-why-the-pc-industry-wont-tolerate-closed-platforms |archive-date=2022-03-21 |access-date=2026-05-29 |website=Thurrott}}</ref> Some concerns do remain around how tightly users are bound to steam for the smoothest experience. Privacy-wise, the main concern is the amount of account, usage, and debug information that [[Steam]] reports back to Valve. In terms of market control, most concerns are less about lock-in and more about the company gaining outsized control over the PC handheld standards, distribution, and discoverability.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Strickland |first=Derek |date=26 Feb 2025 |title=Handheld PC market to hit nearly 8 million by 2025, segment growth is 'amazing' AMD's Azor says |url=https://www.tweaktown.com/news/103540/handheld-pc-market-to-hit-nearly-8-million-by-2025-segment-growth-is-amazing-amds-azor-says/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250327170127/https://www.tweaktown.com/news/103540/handheld-pc-market-to-hit-nearly-8-million-by-2025-segment-growth-is-amazing-amds-azor-says/index.html |archive-date=2025-03-27 |access-date=2026-05-29 |website=TweakTown}}</ref>

==Incidents==
This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents related to this product. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{PAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===Harmful flicker/PWM on Steam Deck OLED screen===

As documented in a [https://github.com/ValveSoftware/SteamOS/issues/1392 GitHub issue], the Steam Deck OLED model uses a screen that flickers at a harmful rate due to PWM dimming. Users who are sensitive to this flicker may experience eye strain, migraines, and blurred vision as a result. One user even reported that the flicker raised their eye pressure to the point that their optometrist suspected they had glaucoma.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-29 |title=Analysis of the PWM of the Steam Deck LCD screen and its level of visual fatigue (and the same style of analysis for Steam Deck OLED next week) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/17yf90o/analysis_of_the_pwm_of_the_steam_deck_lcd_screen/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250821043450/https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/17yf90o/analysis_of_the_pwm_of_the_steam_deck_lcd_screen/ |archive-date=2025-08-21 |access-date=2026-05-29 |website=Reddit}}</ref>


==See also==

*[[Valve]]
*[[Steam]]
*[[SteamOS]]<br />

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Age verification

2026-05-28T23:54:27Z

Natsirtium: Added citations and grammer cleaning

{{Incomplete}}
{{See also|Forced identification|De-anonymization}}

'''[[wikipedia:Age_verification|Age Verification]]''' (AV), also referred to as '''Age Affirmation''' (AA) and '''Age gating''', is the process in where a business requires some form of identification to verify your age, a mass surveillance measure disguised as child safety to de-anonymize the internet. This is usually done for more explicit, mature content or social media. This practice has been widely spreading since the [[UK Online Safety Act|UK's Online Safety Act (OSA)]] has passed; requiring all individuals to verify themselves before accessing mature content. Ways of checking age include, but are not limited to: checking for a valid credit card, facial age estimation tools, government-issued ID, biometric data, account history behavior, and more.

As of December 2025, 25 US States require websites with mature content to verify age.<ref>{{Cite web |title=State Age Verification Laws - Action Center |url=https://action.freespeechcoalition.com/age-verification-resources/state-avs-laws/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-12-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251228121257/https://action.freespeechcoalition.com/age-verification-resources/state-avs-laws/ |archive-date=2025-12-28 }}</ref>

Open-source intelligence (OSINT) reveals Meta Platforms spent $26.3 million on federal lobbying and funded a "grassroot" Digital Childhood Alliance group, with $0 to child safety<ref>{{Cite web |last=upper-up |date=2026-03-24 |title=Meta Platforms: Lobbying, Dark Money, and the App Store Accountability Act |url=https://github.com/upper-up/meta-lobbying-and-other-findings |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260413033424/https://github.com/upper-up/meta-lobbying-and-other-findings |archive-date=2026-04-13 |access-date=2026-05-02 |website=[[Github]]}}</ref>.

==How it works==

===Online Platform Age Verification===
When accessing a platform or website that may contain content not suitable for all audiences may force you to register for the platform along with verifying your age by one of the methods mentioned previously. Sites that likely don't use any form of account system will probably have a popup instead requiring you to verify your age before even serving the content you were trying to access.

===Operating System Age Verification===
New legislation now mandates [[wikipedia:Operating_system|operating systems (OS)]] to block the user until they verify their age. This is done "for convenience" so that apps and websites don't individually prompt the user, instead those apps/websites can just query the platform (e.g. OS, web-browser, etc...) without the user noticing.

==Why is this a problem?==
The Online Safety Act is already exerting extraterritorial control through the age‑verification and validation changes it prompts, which are being implemented in the U.S. even though those companies customer bases are not at all subject to UK law, even Europeans that are also not under UK law are affected. This stems from the Act’s vague, overly broad language requiring companies to comply whenever users are located in the UK. Because the law effectively ignores national borders, non‑UK companies face only two options: geo‑block affected content for UK users or apply the same verification measures globally.

Geo‑blocking would severely disrupt services and business relationships that where already in place with UK customers before the Online Safety Act, so many companies choose to implement the changes for all users resulting in practical overreach beyond the UK. A reason for this is Ofcoms<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-31 |title=What is Ofcom? |url=https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/what-we-do/what-is-ofcom |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-07 |website=[[Ofcom]]}}</ref> statutory powers to require platforms to use “accredited technology” to detect illegal content. As such systems would have to be implemented onto all the content this again would be an overreach of their precieved authorities. Companys that do not comply are already beeing fined for this.

Even if the UK Government has “paused” its demand for implementing “accredited technologys” there is no practical way to meet the vague requirement set out by Ofcom in the Online Safety Act. The proposal ignores that smaller companies would likely be forced to close under the financial burden of compliance, producing a sterilized market with reduced competition only firms with deep pockets can comply. That still does not prevent Ofcom from fining companies that fail to comply.

Examples:

Webpage 4chan<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-10 |title=Investigation into 4chan and its compliance with duties to protect its users from illegal content |url=https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/illegal-and-harmful-content/investigation-into-4chan-and-its-compliance-with-duties-to-protect-its-users-from-illegal-content |url-status=live |website=[[Ofcom]]}}</ref>

AVS GROUP LIMITED<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-31 |title=Investigation into AVS Group Ltd’s compliance with the duty to prevent children from encountering pornographic content through the use of age assurance |url=https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/protecting-children/investigation-into-avs-group-ltds-compliance-with-the-duty-to-prevent-children-from-encountering-pornographic-content-through-the-use-of-age-assurance |url-status=live |website=[[Ofcom]]}}</ref>

The provider of Im.ge<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-10 |title=Investigation into the provider of Im.ge and its compliance with duties to protect its users from illegal content |url=https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/illegal-and-harmful-content/investigation-into-the-provider-of-im.ge-and-its-compliance-with-duties-to-protect-its-users-from-illegal-content |url-status=live |website=[[Ofcom]]}}</ref>

Youngtek Solutions Ltd<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-11 |title=Investigation into Youngtek Solutions Ltd’s compliance with the duty to prevent children from encountering pornographic content through the use of age assurance |url=https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/protecting-children/investigation-into-youngtek-solutions-ltds-compliance-with-the-duty-to-prevent-children-from-encountering-pornographic-content-through-the-use-of-age-assurance |url-status=live |website=[[Ofcom]]}}</ref>

===Customer Profiling===
Having companies easily able to identify you means they can track you more efficiently and sell that shared profile to other companies such as ad agencies that then start targeting you specifically. Age data stored in a computer's operating system is another data being used for device fingerprinting<ref>{{Cite web |last=Costa |first=C. da |date=2026-03-16 |title=Reddit User Uncovers Who Is Behind Meta’s $2B Lobbying for Invasive Age Verification Tech |url=https://www.gadgetreview.com/reddit-user-uncovers-who-is-behind-metas-2b-lobbying-for-invasive-age-verification-tech |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260415225107/https://www.gadgetreview.com/reddit-user-uncovers-who-is-behind-metas-2b-lobbying-for-invasive-age-verification-tech |archive-date=2026-04-15 |access-date=2026-05-01 |website=Gadget Review}}</ref>.

===Government overreach===
Governments can also more easily track online movements and find out who you are. Saying something that may go against their own agenda may end up with a police raid, heavy interrogation, and prison time.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Liu |first=John |date=2025-06-20 |title=China tightens internet controls with new centralized form of virtual ID |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/20/tech/china-censorship-internet-id-hnk-intl#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20a%20state%2Dled,an%20infrastructure%20of%20digital%20totalitarianism.%E2%80%9D |access-date=2025-09-04 |work=CNN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250620233250/https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/20/tech/china-censorship-internet-id-hnk-intl |archive-date=2025-06-20 }}</ref>

===Censorship===
Certain topics, such as adult content, politics, and LGBT+ topics, will likely be unfairly censored by the governing body or company that has a say on what platform has the '''potential''' to be inappropriate for minors or other age groups.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-01 |title=Strict Age Verification Laws: Balancing Content Restriction and Educational Rights |url=https://www.thinkacademy.ca/blog/strict-age-verification-laws-impact-k12-education/#:~:text=Impact%20on%20K12,affect%20these%20groups |access-date=2025-09-04 |website=Think Academy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251018030711/https://www.thinkacademy.ca/blog/strict-age-verification-laws-impact-k12-education/ |archive-date=2025-10-18 }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Kelley |first=Jason |last2=Mackey |first2=Aaron |last3=Mullin |first3=Joe |date=2024-02-15 |title=Don’t Fall for the Latest Changes to the Dangerous Kids Online Safety Act |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2024/02/dont-fall-latest-changes-dangerous-kids-online-safety-act |access-date=2025-09-04 |website=Electronic Frontier Foundation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215234054/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2024/02/dont-fall-latest-changes-dangerous-kids-online-safety-act |archive-date=2024-02-15 }}</ref>

Platforms that host this type of content may also be more proactive in deleting/hiding posts that may get them in trouble or fined by laws or policies by local governments, leading to a more censored internet where opinions are streamlined to fit a set narrative or outlook.<ref name=":0" />

===Increased inequality and denial of service===
Some stores, such as grocery stores, prohibit young people from viewing their web sites or using [[loyalty cards]], which provide discounts and digital coupons. Age verification means that young people and families where the young person does the shopping pay more for essentials like food.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pell |first=Miranda |date=25 Oct 2024 |title=Tesco, Lidl and Sainsbury's shoppers issued warning over little-known 'age limit' rules |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/tesco-lidl-sainsburys-shoppers-issued-30233318 |access-date=20 Sep 2025 |work=Manchester evening news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251021121644/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/tesco-lidl-sainsburys-shoppers-issued-30233318 |archive-date=2025-10-21 }}</ref> Those who do not have ID, or do not chose to use it (for instance, those who fear domestic violence, or are members of a group subject to persecution) may also be locked out or have to pay more.

===Storage of private and biometric Information by age verification service providers===
A study commissioned by the Australian government found that age verification service providers accumulate a concerning amount of personal information, sometimes even biometric in nature, even when that was not necessary to provide the age verification service.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Meineck |first=Sebastian |date=2025-09-03 |title=Anbieter von Alterskontrollen horten biometrische Daten [Age Verification Providers are hoarding biometric Data] |url=https://netzpolitik.org/2025/australisches-gutachten-anbieter-von-alterskontrollen-horten-biometrische-daten/ |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=Netzpolitik.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250903115436/https://netzpolitik.org/2025/australisches-gutachten-anbieter-von-alterskontrollen-horten-biometrische-daten/ |archive-date=2025-09-03 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Meineck |first=Sebastion |date=2025-09-03 |title=Anbieter von Alterskontrollen horten biometrische Daten [Google Translate English Version] |url=https://netzpolitik-org.translate.goog/2025/australisches-gutachten-anbieter-von-alterskontrollen-horten-biometrische-daten/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp |access-date=2025-09-03 |website=Netzpolitik.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251023063119/https://netzpolitik-org.translate.goog/2025/australisches-gutachten-anbieter-von-alterskontrollen-horten-biometrische-daten/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp |archive-date=2025-10-23 }}</ref>

===Driving users towards smaller and completely unregulated offerings===
Big platforms can be regulated and forced to comply with applicable laws since they need to have infrastructure such as servers in all major markets. Only these will be affected by the age restriction requirement.

However, users who do not wish to compromise their privacy or who are not of age will then go looking towards smaller niche platforms, often in other regions not affected by the regulation or the [[wikipedia:Darknet|darknet]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Kaleta |first=Miroslav |date=2025-08-20 |title=The Cost of Data Privacy Negligence (And How to Avoid It) |url=https://countly.com/blog/data-privacy-negligence#:~:text=2.%20Losing%20Customer,IBM%20Report. |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251217003447/https://countly.com/blog/data-privacy-negligence |archive-date=17 Dec 2025|access-date=2025-09-04 |website=Countly Blog}}</ref> With these offerings, there is little to no leverage with regards to removal of illegal content. Increased exposure to illegal content can then lead to both a strengthening of illegal content providers<ref>{{Cite web |last=Branley |first=Dawn |last2=Covey |first2=Judith |date=2016-06-06 |title=Is exposure to online content depicting risky behavior related to viewers' own risky behavior offline? |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563217303357 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403233150/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563217303357 |archive-date=2022-04-03 |access-date=2025-09-04 |website=ScienceDirect}}</ref> and significantly increased danger to minors, who may not yet be able to differentiate between legal and illegal content as well as an adult.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Potential risks of content, features, and functions: The science of how social media affects youth |url=https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/youth-social-media-2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416042251/https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/youth-social-media-2024 |archive-date=2024-04-16 |access-date=2025-09-04 |website=American Psychological Association}}</ref> 

===Increased damage from data breaches===
Platforms which implement age checks that require sensitive information such as a government-issued ID will likely be more of a target for cyber criminals.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-02 |title=Cybercriminals Target These Industries the Most – Here’s Why and How to Stay Safe |url=https://brandefense.io/blog/cybercriminals-target-these-industries/#:~:text=The%20Most%20Vulnerable%20Industries%20to,information%20stored%20within%20their%20networks. |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260119030330/https://brandefense.io/blog/cybercriminals-target-these-industries/ |archive-date=19 Jan 2026|access-date=2025-09-04 |website=Brandefense}}</ref> As more platforms comply with the age checks, it becomes more likely that a data breach on at least one of these platforms can reveal extremely sensitive information. In the case of a data breach, it can be catastrophic if users' sensitive information were exposed, which can likely result in identity theft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Popov |first=Cristina |date=2023-03-22 |title=Why breaches can affect you long after they occur |url=https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/why-breaches-can-affect-you-long-after-they-occur#:~:text=%232%3A%20Breaches%20can,for%20online%20accounts. |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260104220250/https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/why-breaches-can-affect-you-long-after-they-occur |archive-date=4 Jan 2026|access-date=2025-09-04 |website=Bitdefender}}</ref>

Platforms already experience major losses and consumer distrust from data breaches that reveal information less sensitive than government-issued IDs or biometric data.<ref name=":1" /> A data breach involving information this sensitive will seriously damage a business, and the users even more so. As stated previously, users who foresee these privacy risks will turn away from platforms which implement the policy, and towards niche platforms.

===Inaccuracy===
Research on age verification software that estimates age via face scans are often inaccurate, identifying children as adults or vice versa.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ganel |first=Tzvi |date=2022-12-29 |title=Biases in human perception of facial age are present and more exaggerated in current AI technology |url=https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-27009-w |journal=Nature |volume=12 |issue=1 |pages=22519 |via=Springer Nature}}</ref> These inaccurate estimations could lead to have to use more privacy-invasive methods like submitting a picture of a personal ID.

===Effectiveness===
Enforcement of the Online Safety Act legislation are often ineffective as many users can reach to VPNs and other methods in order to protect their privacy online.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Jarvie |first=Chelsea |date= |title=Online Age Verification: Government Legislation, Supplier Responsibilization, and Public Perceptions |url=https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11429505/ |journal=PubMed Central |volume=11 |issue=9 |pages=1068 |via=National Library of Medicine}}</ref> E.g. children could trivially use their parents' IDs or credit cards to be falsely identified as an adult, and access restricted content.

===Limitation of control over owned devices===
Age verification at the operating system level, as implemented on [[Apple introduces OS-level age verification|iOS]] in some regions<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2026-05-28 |title=If you're asked to confirm that you’re an adult |url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/125662 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260506175439/https://support.apple.com/en-us/125662 |archive-date=2026-05-06 |access-date=2026-05-28 |website=Apple support}}</ref>, can prevent the device owner - even adults to freely use their device unless they submit sensitive data online. This can also prevent parents from configuring their children's devices to their liking or to create different profiles in case a device is used by multiple people.

===Threat to Free and Open Source Software (FOSS)===
Age verification, especially identity verification, are fundamentally incompatible with the four essential freedoms of [[Free software movement|free software]]. Legislation that mandates nationwide operating system age verification could outlaw GNU/Linux, consolidating monopolistic power to proprietary operating systems<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trevino |first=Sam |date=2026-03-06 |title=Age Assurance Laws and the End of General Purpose Computing |url=https://samtrevino.substack.com/p/age-assurance-laws-and-the-end-of |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.org/details/age-assurance-laws-and-the-end-of-general-purpose-computing-report |archive-date=2026-03-11 |access-date=2026-05-01}}</ref>.

==Methods==
There are various methods used to verify and check the age of an user, being these the most common ones:

*'''Age attestation''': Consists of establishing the user's birthdate on their account or profile.
*'''ID check''': The most privacy-invasive method and the riskiest of all. It consists of sending a picture of a government-issued ID, a passport or a drivers licence.
*'''Live selfie''': It consists of a live recording of the user's face. It has been questioned for its effectiveness and accuracy.
*'''Credit card check''': Less privacy-invasive than an ID check or a live selfie, but very problematic because of potential card theft if a data leak occurs.
*'''Behavior prediction''': Used by some social media to estimate the user's age by its behavior on the platform using algorithms.

==Examples==
*[[YouTube age verification|YouTube's age verification]] and account estimation algorithm.

*[[Spotify]]'s Age affirmation for MA rated songs and content.

*[[Discord's Mandatory Age Verification|Discord's age verification]] for accounts determining what eligible servers are available.

*[[Roblox#ID & face scan age verification|Roblox's age verification]] and account estimation algorithm for talking with users of similar age.

==External links==

*[https://agelesslinux.org/distros.html Ageless Linux — Distro Compliance Tracker]
*[https://github.com/BryanLunduke/DoesItAgeVerify GitHub BryanLunduke - List Tracking Operating Systems Not Implementing Age Verification]
*[https://www.eff.org/pages/age-verification-bills-are-unconstitutional EFF explains how OS-level age-verification is unconstitutional]
*[https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/8250/all-info All Information (Except Text) for H.R.8250 - Parents Decide Act]
*[https://csa-scientist-open-letter.org/ageverif-Feb2026| Joint statement of scientists and researchers on Age Assurance - Open letter signed by academics, warning about age verification risks]

==See also==

*[[Chat Control]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Common terms]]

Adobe

2026-05-15T00:54:38Z

Natsirtium: Minor fixes and references

{{CompanyCargo
|Description=American software company popular for programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere, and Acrobat.
|Founded=1982
|Industry=Software
|Logo=Adobe.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Public
|Website=https://adobe.com/
}}
[[wikipedia:Adobe_Inc.|'''Adobe''']] is a software company based in San Jose, California, that specializes in creative software, including photo editing, video editing, animation, illustration, web development, and more. Founded in 1982, the company developed the Portable Document Format (PDF) in 1992, along with a comprehensive suite of creative software. Widespread adoption of their products by novices, industry professionals, and nation-states has enabled Adobe to carve out a significant market share in the creative software industry. In FY24, Adobe's Digital Media Segment reported $15.86 billion in revenue to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). <ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-29 |title=ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |url=https://www.adobe.com/cc-shared/assets/investor-relations/pdfs/adbe-2024-annual-report.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430145007/https://www.adobe.com/cc-shared/assets/investor-relations/pdfs/adbe-2024-annual-report.pdf |archive-date=2025-04-30 |access-date=2026-01-23 |website=Adobe}}</ref>

==Consumer impact summary==

===Lack of ownership===
In 2013, Adobe switched from a perpetual license model to a subscription model (Creative Cloud).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Cunningham |first=Andrew |date=2013-05-06 |title=Adobe’s Creative Suite is dead, long live the Creative Cloud |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/05/adobes-creative-suite-is-dead-long-live-the-creative-cloud/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251118103913/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/05/adobes-creative-suite-is-dead-long-live-the-creative-cloud/ |archive-date=18 Nov 2025|access-date=2025-09-30 |website=Ars Technica}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Campbell-Dollaghan |first=Kelsey |date=2013-05-06 |title=Say Goodbye to Creative Suite: Adobe CS Is Now Creative Cloud |url=https://gizmodo.com/say-goodbye-to-creative-suite-adobe-rebrands-cs-as-cre-493155052 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251114172246/https://gizmodo.com/say-goodbye-to-creative-suite-adobe-rebrands-cs-as-cre-493155052 |archive-date=14 Nov 2025|access-date=2025-05-06 |website=Gizmodo}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2013-05-06 |title=Adobe heralds subscription-only future for Photoshop and Creative Suite |url=https://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/05/06/Adobe-kills-perpetual-licenses-as-creative-suite-moves-to-creative-cloud-cc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622072403/https://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/05/06/Adobe-kills-perpetual-licenses-as-creative-suite-moves-to-creative-cloud-cc |archive-date=2013-06-22 |access-date=2025-09-30 |website=Digital Photography Review}}</ref>

===Proprietary file formats===
Works created in Adobe software come in Adobe-exclusive file formats such as .psd for Photoshop<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Colin |date= |title=Most commonly used file types in Photoshop |url=https://photoshopcafe.com/commonly-used-file-types-photoshop/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250912034358/https://photoshopcafe.com/commonly-used-file-types-photoshop/ |archive-date=12 Sep 2025|access-date=2025-09-30 |website=Photoshop CAFE}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Brendan |date=2023-10-12 |title=File Formats In Photoshop Explained (Complete List) |url=https://www.bwillcreative.com/file-formats-in-photoshop-explained/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250917234755/https://www.bwillcreative.com/file-formats-in-photoshop-explained/ |archive-date=17 Sep 2025|access-date=2025-09-30 |website=Brendan Williams Creative}}</ref> and .indd for InDesign.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Which File Format?: A Guide to INDD, IDML, INX and Everything In-Between |url=https://indesignskills.com/tutorials/open-indesign-files-in-earlier-versions/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250815053253/https://www.indesignskills.com/tutorials/open-indesign-files-in-earlier-versions/ |archive-date=15 Aug 2025|access-date=2025-09-30 |website=InDesign Skills}}</ref>

===Data breaches===
In 2013, Adobe disclosed a data breach affecting approximately 3 million customers. This number was later revised to approximately 38 million. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Finkle |first=Jim |date=29 Oct 2013 |title=Adobe data breach more extensive than previously disclosed |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/technology/adobe-data-breach-more-extensive-than-previously-disclosed-idUSBRE99S1DJ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/rH59d |archive-date=2026-01-23 |website=Reuters}}</ref> This incident resulted in a $1,000,000 settlement and a commitment to implementing new security policies. <ref>{{Cite web |date=15 Nov 2016 |title=Adobe to Pay $1 Million, Update Security Policies to Resolve Multistate Investigation Into Data Breach |url=https://www.mass.gov/news/adobe-to-pay-1-million-update-security-policies-to-resolve-multistate-investigation-into-data-breach |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250902031250/https://www.mass.gov/news/adobe-to-pay-1-million-update-security-policies-to-resolve-multistate-investigation-into-data-breach |archive-date=2 Sep 2025|website=mass.gov}}</ref> In 2019, researchers discovered that Adobe's Elasticsearch database was insecure, potentially exposing the information of approximately 7.5 million users. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Khandelwal |first=Swati |date=26 Oct 2019 |title=Unsecured Adobe Server Exposes Data for 7.5 Million Creative Cloud Users |url=https://thehackernews.com/2019/10/adobe-database-leaked.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222202112/https://thehackernews.com/2019/10/adobe-database-leaked.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> Breaches impacting U.S. federal agencies and Adobe Commerce/Magento stores also occurred in 2023 and 2024, respectively. <ref>{{Cite web |date=5 Dec 2023 |title=Threat Actors Exploit Adobe ColdFusion CVE-2023-26360 for Initial Access to Government Servers |url=https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories/aa23-339a |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251021123615/https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories/aa23-339a |archive-date=21 Oct 2025|website=cisa.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sansec Forensics Team |date=1 Oct 2024 |title=Thousands of Adobe Commerce stores hacked in competing CosmicSting campaigns |url=https://sansec.io/research/cosmicsting-fallout |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251205154327/https://sansec.io/research/cosmicsting-fallout |archive-date=5 Dec 2025|website=sansec.io}}</ref>

==Incidents==

===Adobe attempted to discontinue Adobe Animate (''2026)''===
{{Main|Adobe attempted to discontinue Adobe Animate}}
On February 2, 2026, Adobe announced to users via e-mail that Adobe Animate, formerly the Adobe Flash Professional series of apps, was announced to be discontinued starting March 1, 2026. They stated that "as technologies evolve, new platforms and paradigms emerge that better serve the needs of the users." New customers would no longer be able to download Animate after March 1, 2026, and existing customers would have until March 1, 2027 to download the software that they had paid for. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-02 |title=Animate End of Life FAQs |url=https://helpx.adobe.com/animate/kb/end-of-life.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260203121443/https://helpx.adobe.com/animate/kb/end-of-life.html |archive-date=2026-02-03 |access-date=2026-02-15 |website=Adobe Help Center}}</ref> This means that users who could not download Adobe Animate in time had the software taken from them despite paying for a license. However, after backlash from people still using the software, Adobe backtracked and stated that Animate would be in "maintenance mode", claiming that they will provide security fixes for the software but no new features.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-03 |title=Adobe Animate maintenance mode FAQs |url=https://helpx.adobe.com/animate/kb/maintenance-mode.html |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260205042636/https://helpx.adobe.com/animate/kb/maintenance-mode.html |archive-date=5 Feb 2026 |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=Adobe Help Center}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Felecia |date=2026-02-03 |title=Adobe will discontinue its Animate software after 25 years |url=https://www.technobezz.com/news/adobe-will-discontinue-its-animate-software-after-25-years-2026-02-03-zg2t |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222202542/https://www.technobezz.com/news/adobe-will-discontinue-its-animate-software-after-25-years-2026-02-03-zg2t |archive-date=22 Feb 2026 |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=technobezz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Preran |date=2026-02-03 |title=Update on the status of Adobe Animate |url=https://community.adobe.com/announcements-539/update-on-the-status-of-adobe-animate-1548459 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222061248/https://community.adobe.com/announcements-539/update-on-the-status-of-adobe-animate-1548459 |archive-date=22 Feb 2026 |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=Adobe Community}}</ref>

===FTC Lawsuit over hidden fees in subscription plans (''2024 - 2026'')===
{{Main|Adobe sued by FTC over hidden fees in subscription plans}}
The U.S. [[Federal Trade Commission]] (FTC) filed a lawsuit against Adobe Inc. and two of its executives, accusing Adobe of concealing critical terms of its subscription plans and creating obstacles to cancellation, claiming that Adobe's practices violated the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act (ROSCA), which "generally requires companies offering online subscriptions to clearly disclose important subscription information and to provide subscribers with [[Click-to-cancel|simple ways to cancel]]". The issue being the seemingly hidden early termination fees for its "Annual, Paid Monthly" subscription plansOn March 2026, Adobe settled the lawsuit for $150 million, which is split into $75 million in penalties and $75 million worth of free services to customers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=Craig |date=16 Mar 2026 |title=Adobe reaches $150m settlement on US lawsuit over alleged hidden subscription fees, cancellation charges |url=https://www.techradar.com/pro/adobe-reaches-usd150m-settlement-on-us-lawsuit-over-alleged-hidden-subscription-fees-cancellation-charges |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260317130122/https://www.techradar.com/pro/adobe-reaches-usd150m-settlement-on-us-lawsuit-over-alleged-hidden-subscription-fees-cancellation-charges |archive-date=17 Mar 2026 |access-date=29 Mar 2026 |website=TechRadar Pro}}</ref>

===Alleged use of user data for AI training (''2024'')===
{{main|Adobe ToS update gives the company rights over consumers' works}}
Adobe has been accused of using user information for the purpose of training artificial intelligence. In 2024, Adobe updated its Terms of Service, granting itself a "non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license" to users' content. This grants Adobe permission to reproduce, distribute, create derivative works from, publicly display, publicly perform, and sublicense their users' content.<ref name="tos-sec4.2">{{Cite web |date=2024-06-18 |title=Adobe General Terms of Use |url=https://www.adobe.com/legal/terms.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250216212938/https://www.adobe.com/legal/terms.html |archive-date=2025-02-16 |access-date=2026-03-25 |website=Adobe}}</ref> This change raises concerns over conflicts with existing non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and intellectual property rights. Users were required to accept the new Terms of Service to access their previously stored content.{{Citation needed|date=29 Mar 2026}}<ref name="entrepreneur">{{Cite web |last=Shibu |first=Sherin |date=2024-06-06 |title=Adobe Photoshop Users Are Outraged at the Company's New Terms: 'Am I Reading This Right?' |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/adobe-new-terms-for-photoshop-illustrator-infuriates-users/475273 |access-date=2026-03-25 |website=Entrepreneur}}</ref><ref name="adobe-blog-june10">{{Cite web |date=2024-06-10 |title=Here's what to know about Adobe's Terms of Use updates |url=https://blog.adobe.com/en/publish/2024/06/10/updating-adobes-terms-of-use |access-date=2026-03-25 |website=Adobe Blog}}</ref>

Adobe has stated that it does not use user content to train generative AI, but Adobe may use it for improving its machine learning systems, with an opt-out available However, no opt-out option was presented during acceptance of the Terms of Service.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arntz |first=Pieter |date=12 Jun 2024 |title=Adobe clarifies Terms of Service change, says it doesn’t train AI on customer content |url=https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/06/no-ai-training-in-newly-distrusted-terms-of-service-adobe-says |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260317232430/https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2024/06/no-ai-training-in-newly-distrusted-terms-of-service-adobe-says |archive-date=17 Mar 2026 |access-date=2026-05-14 |website=Malwarebytes {{!}} Labs}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Adobe Communications Team |date=2024-06-06 |title=A clarification on Adobe Terms of Use |url=https://blog.adobe.com/en/publish/2024/06/06/clarification-adobe-terms-of-use |url-status=live |access-date=2026-05-14 |website=Adobe Blog}}</ref>

===User information leaks and data breaches (''2013 & 2019'')===
{{Main|Adobe leaks sensitive user information}}
In 2013, credit card information and personal data of 38 million users were exposed in a data breach.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patel |first=Maaz |date=26 Mar 2023 |title=The Adobe Attack of 2013: A Cautionary Tale of Cybersecurity Failure |url=https://medium.com/@maazptl240602/the-adobe-attack-of-2013-a-cautionary-tale-of-cybersecurity-failure-1ef4ec74eb64 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250413174341/https://medium.com/@maazptl240602/the-adobe-attack-of-2013-a-cautionary-tale-of-cybersecurity-failure-1ef4ec74eb64 |archive-date=13 Apr 2025 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Medium]]}}</ref>

In 2019, Adobe left approximately 7.5 million Creative Cloud customer records publicly accessible online due to gross negligence. The database was not protected with a password.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cimpanu |first=Catalin |date=26 Oct 2019 |title=Adobe left 7.5 million Creative Cloud user records exposed online |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/adobe-left-7-5-million-creative-cloud-user-records-exposed-online/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260208162655/https://www.zdnet.com/article/adobe-left-7-5-million-creative-cloud-user-records-exposed-online/ |archive-date=8 Feb 2026 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[ZDNet]}}</ref>

===Tracking users' eBook reading activities (''2014'' ''- Present'')===
{{Main|Adobe found to track users' reading activities}}
In 2014, it was revealed that Adobe Digital Editions, Adobe’s e-book reading application, reported extensive information about users' reading habits back to Adobe. This included several unique identifiers, such as which e-books were added to the application, when each one was opened, and for how long, as well as the percentage read and page navigation information.

All of this information was transmitted completely unencrypted in plain text. This meant that someone else using the same public Wi-Fi as another user would have been able to track their reading activities in real-time, entirely undetected.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gallagher |first=Sean |date=8 Oct 2014 |title=Adobe’s e-book reader sends your reading logs back to Adobe—in plain text |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/10/adobes-e-book-reader-sends-your-reading-logs-back-to-adobe-in-plain-text/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251220184934/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/10/adobes-e-book-reader-sends-your-reading-logs-back-to-adobe-in-plain-text/ |archive-date=20 Dec 2025|access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[ArsTechnica]]}}</ref>

===Transition to subscription-based software (''2013 - Present'')===
{{Main|Adobe Creative Suite activation}}
Adobe initially distributed its software with perpetual licenses, allowing its users to make a one-time payment to own and access a specific application or, through Adobe's Creative Suite, a collection of applications. In 2011, Adobe introduced Creative Cloud, a subscription service that provides users with access to individual applications or multiple applications for a monthly or yearly fee. In 2013, Adobe discontinued Creative Suite.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

As of 2025, the only means to access up-to-date versions of many Adobe applications legally is through Creative Cloud. Additionally, the activation servers for perpetual licenses of Creative Suite 2, 3, and 4 have been shut down, which prevents consumers from installing/reinstalling the software using a legitimate copy and a serial number.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 Mar 2026 |title=Get to know the Adobe Creative Cloud Pro plan |url=https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/faq-creative-cloud-all-apps-plan.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251123105347/https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/faq-creative-cloud-all-apps-plan.html |archive-date=23 Nov 2025 |access-date=2026-05-14 |website=helpx.adobe.com}}</ref>

Creative Cloud offers various subscription options, including month-to-month, annual (billed monthly), and annual (prepaid) plan types (availability varies by plan).<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=27 Jan 2026 |title=Understand Adobe's subscription terms and refund policies |url=https://helpx.adobe.com/account/individual/terms-policies-and-regulations/adobe-subscription-terms.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260313212350/https://helpx.adobe.com/account/individual/terms-policies-and-regulations/adobe-subscription-terms.html |archive-date=13 Mar 2026 |access-date=2026-05-14 |website=helpx.adobe.com}}</ref> There are also plans for individual applications and bundles containing multiple applications. A Creative Cloud single‑app plan is shown by Adobe using a standard monthly subscription fee of $22.99.<ref name=":3" /> Separately, Adobe’s published pricing changes indicate annual prepaid single‑app pricing of $263.88/year (although this varies by app, region, plan, etc.)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brawley |first=William |date=14 Sep 2023 |title=Adobe increases Creative Cloud pricing, takes Firefly generative AI out of beta |url=https://www.dpreview.com/news/1676880155/adobe-increases-creative-cloud-pricing-takes-firefly-out-of-beta |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251226082813/https://www.dpreview.com/news/1676880155/adobe-increases-creative-cloud-pricing-takes-firefly-out-of-beta |archive-date=26 Dec 2025 |access-date=2026-05-14 |website=DP Review}}</ref> The Creative Cloud Pro subscription, which includes 20+ applications and additional extras such as 100 GB of cloud storage, is priced at $69.99 per month or $779.99 per year prepaid. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-05-14 |title=Adobe Creative Cloud |url=https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud.html |url-status=live |access-date=2026-05-14 |website=Adobe}}</ref>

For an annual contract billed monthly, if you cancel after 14 days, an early termination fee applies. This fee is set at 50% of the remaining contract balance. For example, if the user cancels the plan in the seventh month of an annual plan that costs $69.99 per month, they will incur a fee of $174.98. Prepaid annual plans do not offer refunds or cancellation options after the 14-day period.<ref name=":3" />

===iPad edition users' documents forced into the cloud with no opt-out (''2021'' - Present)===
{{Main|Adobe forces iPad edition users' documents forced into the cloud}}
Some of Adobe's iPad applications, including, but not limited to, the digital painting application Adobe Fresco<ref>{{Cite web |author=PaulaArtist2 |date=2021-12-13 |title=[How To] Save work locally / work offline |url=https://community.adobe.com/t5/fresco-discussions/how-to-save-work-locally-work-offline/m-p/12390252 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222202234/https://community.adobe.com/questions-646/how-to-save-work-locally-work-offline-307290?postid=5880549#post5880549 |archive-date=22 Feb 2026 |access-date=2025-09-22 |website=Adobe Community}}</ref> and the document scanning application Adobe Scan<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tagra |first=Ria |date=2021-06-14 |title=Does Adobe Scan offer a way to not utilize the Adobe Cloud |url=https://community.adobe.com/t5/adobe-scan-discussions/does-adobe-scan-offer-a-way-to-not-utilize-the-adobe-cloud/m-p/12104402 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222202347/https://community.adobe.com/questions-517/does-adobe-scan-offer-a-way-to-not-utilize-the-adobe-cloud-11536 |archive-date=22 Feb 2026 |access-date=2025-09-22 |website=Adobe Community}}</ref>, [[Forced account|require an account]] to access and do not offer any option to opt out of syncing all documents created in these applications with Adobe's cloud servers. Similarly, the new non-Classic versions of Lightroom are fundamentally built around uploading all images to Adobe's cloud. Disabling internet access allows the user to work offline, but any files created in the affected apps will immediately sync to the cloud in the background as soon as the device is connected to a network again.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Essentials of the Lightroom ecosystem |url=https://helpx.adobe.com/lv/lightroom-cc/how-to/lightroom-workspace.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251013221158/https://helpx.adobe.com/lv/lightroom-cc/how-to/lightroom-workspace.html |archive-date=13 Oct 2025 |access-date=2026-05-14 |website=helpx.adobe.com}}</ref>

===Paywalling Pantone colors and changes user files (''2022 - Present'')===
{{Main|Adobe paywalls Pantone colors and affects user files}}
In 2022, Adobe removed access to Pantone colors across its Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator Creative Cloud applications, unless an additional $15/month is paid. Consumers reported that the colors in some older PSD files were turning black.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weatherbed |first=Jess |date=1 Nov 2022 |title=You now have to pay to use Pantone colors in Adobe products |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/1/23434305/adobe-pantone-subscription-announcement-photoshop-illustrator |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260207012227/https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/1/23434305/adobe-pantone-subscription-announcement-photoshop-illustrator |archive-date=7 Feb 2026 |access-date=29 Mar 2026 |website=The Verge}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stokel-Walker |first=Chris |date=2 Nov 2022 |title=Adobe Just Held a Bunch of Colors Hostage |url=https://www.wired.com/story/adobe-pantone-color-subscription-fee/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251220045003/https://www.wired.com/story/adobe-pantone-color-subscription-fee/ |archive-date=20 Dec 2025 |access-date=29 Mar 2026 |website=Wired}}</ref>

==Products==

===Adobe Creative Cloud===
Adobe's previous line of creative software has been joined into a broader ecosystem called the ''Adobe Creative Cloud.'' Some of Creative Cloud's products include:

*Photoshop
*Lightroom
*InDesign
*After Effects
*Dreamweaver
*Illustrator
*XD

Depending on plan options, Adobe also offers cloud-based storage, typefaces, stock photos, and other stock files.

==References==
<references />
*{{cite web |author=((Wikipedia contributors)) |date=2025-02-03 |title=Adobe Inc. |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Adobe_Inc.&oldid=1273676016 |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=Wikipedia |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708192927/https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Adobe_Inc.&oldid=1273676016 |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}
*{{cite web |last=Rossmann |first=Louis |title=Adobe roofies all of their customers |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXxMCm941WA |date=2024-06-07 |website=YouTube |access-date=2025-01-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251119014714/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXxMCm941WA |archive-date=19 Nov 2025}}

[[Category:Adobe]]

Activision Blizzard

2026-05-14T01:40:08Z

Natsirtium: /* Overwatch 2 and PvE (2024) */ Added citation and rewrite

{{CompanyCargo
|Description=Large video game publisher created by the merger of Activision, Blizzard, and King. Holds rights to series such as Call of Duty, Guitar Hero, Warcraft, and Candy Crush Saga.
|Founded=2008-07-09
|Industry=Video game publishing, Video game development
|Logo=Activision_Blizzard_logo.svg
|ParentCompany=Microsoft
|Type=Public
|Website=https://activisionblizzard.com
|CompanyAlias=ABK, Acti-Blizz}}

'''{{Wplink|Activision_Blizzard|Activision Blizzard, Inc.}}''', often referred to as '''ABK''' (Activision-Blizzard-King), or '''Acti-Blizz''', is an American video-game holding company. On 13 October 2023, [[Microsoft]] acquired '''ABK''' for $68.7 billion.

Activision Blizzard currently includes five business units:
*Activision Publishing
*Blizzard Entertainment
*King
*Major League Gaming
*Activision Blizzard Studios

==Consumer-impact summary==
{{Ph-C-CIS}}

==Incidents==
===Starcraft II not including LAN play (''2009'')===
In 2009, it was announced that Star Craft 2 would not include local area network (LAN) multiplayer. This came as a shock since LAN play had been a staple of Blizzard's multiplayer games. Blizzard would justify the decision by stating that using their Battle.net service would be the preferred way to play.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/59340/starcraft-2s-non-existent-lan |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241115171542/https://www.shacknews.com/article/59340/starcraft-2s-non-existent-lan |archive-date=15 Nov 2024 |title=StarCraft 2's Non-existent LAN Support Explained, Piracy Cited as Key Reason}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tweaktown.com/news/12681/blizzard_announces_no_lan_support_for_starcraft_ii/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250315040559/https://www.tweaktown.com/news/12681/blizzard_announces_no_lan_support_for_starcraft_ii/index.html |archive-date=15 Mar 2025 |title=Blizzard Announces No LAN Support For Starcraft II}}</ref>

===Diablo III Always-On DRM (''2011'') and Error 37 (''2012'')===
In August 2011, Blizzard confirmed that Diablo III would require an internet connection to be played even if users wanted to opt out of the multiplayer components.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Garnet |date=1 Aug 2011 |title=Diablo 3 requires always-on Internet |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/69522/diablo-3-requires-always-on-internet |url-status=live |access-date=26 Jan 2026 |website=ShackNews |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250818195914/https://www.shacknews.com/article/69522/diablo-3-requires-always-on-internet |archive-date=18 Aug 2025}}</ref>

At launch, many players were unable to play game and received Error 37 which indicated that the servers were busy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kain |first=Erik |date=17 May 2012 |title='Diablo III' Fans Should Stay Angry About Always-Online DRM |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/05/17/diablo-iii-fans-should-stay-angry-about-always-online-drm/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 Apr 2025 |website=Forbes |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251024065743/https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2012/05/17/diablo-iii-fans-should-stay-angry-about-always-online-drm/ |archive-date=24 Oct 2025}}</ref>

===Removing access to MWII(2022) and MWIII(2023) through the Call of Duty HQ (2025)===
{{Incomplete section|date=21 April 2026}}

===Overwatch 2 and PvE (''2024'')===
Players who bought the $15 Invasion Bundle in August 2023 paid for "permanent access" to Story Missions, expecting more content to follow. When all remaining PvE was cancelled seven months later, no refunds or compensation were offered<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holt |first=Kris |date=12 Jun 2023 |title=Overwatch 2’s PvE Story Missions Are Paywalled And Will Cost $15 To Play |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/krisholt/2023/06/12/overwatch-2-pve-story-missions-pay-to-play-invasion-bundle/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614005551/http://www.forbes.com/sites/krisholt/2023/06/12/overwatch-2-pve-story-missions-pay-to-play-invasion-bundle/ |archive-date=14 Jun 2023 |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=Forbes}}</ref>

===Account lock and forced arbitration (''2024'')===
{{Main|Activision Blizzard account lock and forced arbitration}}

Activision Blizzard blocked access to Blizzard services, requiring customers to accept [[forced arbitration]] terms in the updated Blizzard [[end-user license agreement]] (EULA).

===Termination of Blizzard's contract with NetEase (''2023'')===
Mainland China lost access to Blizzard's main titles for over a year as a result of licensing agreements going unmet.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Craig |first=Danny |date=2023-01-16 |title=NetEase team behind the Chinese versions of Blizzard’s titles has been dissolved {{!}} Hitmarker |url=https://hitmarker.net/news/netease-team-behind-the-chinese-versions-of-blizzards-titles-has-been-dissolved-525541 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250803020541/https://hitmarker.net/news/netease-team-behind-the-chinese-versions-of-blizzards-titles-has-been-dissolved-525541 |archive-date=2025-08-03 |access-date=2026-02-10 |website=Hitmarker}}</ref> Following this Overwatch was review-bombed on [[Steam]] and, eventually, acquired by Microsoft Gaming.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lombardo |first=Cara |last2=Grind |first2=Kirsten |last3=Tilley |first3=Aaron |date=2022-01-18 |title=Microsoft to Buy Activision Blizzard in All-Cash Deal Valued at $75 Billion |url=https://www.wsj.com/tech/microsoft-to-buy-activision-blizzard-games-11642512435 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260112030222/https://www.wsj.com/tech/microsoft-to-buy-activision-blizzard-games-11642512435 |archive-date=2026-01-12 |access-date=2026-02-10 |website=WSJ}}</ref>

===Call of Duty selling AI-generated content (''2024 & 2025'')===
[[File:Activision-Blizzard ZombieClaus.jpg|thumb|An example of one of the paid AI-generated loading screens for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6]]
In late 2024, Activision introduced multiple pieces of content to ''Call of Duty: Black Ops 6'' that were AI-generated.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Wesley |last=Yin-Poole |title=Call of Duty Fans Give Black Ops 6's Zombie Santa Loading Screen the Finger Amid 'AI Slop' Backlash |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-fans-give-black-ops-6s-zombie-santa-loading-screen-the-finger-amid-ai-slop-backlash |website=IGN |date=9 Dec 2024 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209130211/https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-fans-give-black-ops-6s-zombie-santa-loading-screen-the-finger-amid-ai-slop-backlash |archive-date=9 Dec 2024}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |author=Shaun_LaDee |title=Amid the 6 fingered Santa Controversy, I looked into some loading screens included in PAID bundles... |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/CODZombies/comments/1h90fn2/amid_the_6_fingered_santa_controversy_i_looked/
|website=[[Reddit]] |date=7 Dec 2024 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116055426/https://old.reddit.com/r/CODZombies/comments/1h90fn2/amid_the_6_fingered_santa_controversy_i_looked/  |archive-date=16 Jan 2025}}</ref> This content was additionally paywalled, which further upset fans online.<ref name=":0" /> It was not originally disclosed to consumers that this content was in-fact AI-generated, and it was not until [[Valve]] changed [[Steam]]'s disclosure policies that it was confirmed publicly that this content was generated using AI software.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Cole |last=Martin |title=Activision is forced to confirm the use of AI in Call of Duty due to Steam's disclosure policy |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/activision-is-forced-to-confirm-the-use-of-ai-in-call-of-duty-due-to-steams-disclosure-policy |website=Windows Central |date=24 Feb 2025 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225051549/https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/activision-is-forced-to-confirm-the-use-of-ai-in-call-of-duty-due-to-steams-disclosure-policy |archive-date=25 Feb 2025}}</ref>

Activision released ''Call of Duty: Black Ops 7'' in late 2025 that contains generative AI in the product. A prominent example of this is the backgrounds for the in-game calling cards, which display art that clearly has been trained on {{Wplink|Studio Ghibli}}'s animation style and contains the usual errors such as extra digits.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Kume |date=13 Nov 2025 |title=Kume on X |url=https://nitter.us.catsarch.com/Kumesicles/status/1988981542488797339 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260321131455/https://nitter.us.catsarch.com/Kumesicles/status/1988981542488797339 |archive-date=21 Mar 2026 |access-date=21 Mar 2026 |website=[[X]]}}</ref> A user on [[X]] claimed that they were able to refund their copy on Steam despite having completed the campaign, citing a lack of disclosure as to the pervasive usage of AI in the game.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Bricky |date=14 Nov 2025 |title=Bricky on X |url=https://nitter.us.catsarch.com/Bricky/status/1989499501997076647 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260321130305/https://nitter.us.catsarch.com/Bricky/status/1989499501997076647 |archive-date=21 Mar 2026 |access-date=12 Dec 2025 |website=[[X]]}}</ref> For its part, Activision had the required Steam disclaimer on the store listing.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Call of Duty®: Black Ops 7 on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/3606480/Call_of_Duty_Black_Ops_7/ |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.org/details/screenshot-20260123-221740 |archive-date=24 Mar 2026 |access-date=12 Dec 2025 |website=Steam |quote=Our team uses generative AI tools to help develop some in game assets.}}</ref>

===H2M mod bait and switch (''2024'')===
On 15 August 2024, the Twitter account for the creators of the H2 Multiplayer Mod (a fan-made mod for ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered'') announced they had received and were complying with a cease and desist order on behalf of Activision effective immediately.<ref>{{Cite web |author=H2 Multiplayer Mod |date=15 Aug 2024 |title=H2 Multiplayer Mod on X |url=https://nitter.us.catsarch.com/H2Multiplayer/status/1824167247436542167 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260321130021/https://nitter.us.catsarch.com/H2Multiplayer/status/1824167247436542167 |archive-date=21 Mar 2026 |access-date=13 Dec 2025 |website=[[X]]}}</ref> This occurred on the day before the mod was supposed to be released. Weeks prior, Activision put ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered'' on sale on Steam in order to drive sales in anticipation of the mod's release, as possessing a licensed copy of the game was a prerequisite in order for the mod to function. Fans immediately derided the move as a deliberately timed act, subsequently mass refunding and review bombing ''Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered'' on Steam in protest of the C&D.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cripe |first=Michael |title=Modern Warfare 2 Multiplayer Mod Canceled the Day Before Launch After Activision Sends Devs Cease and Desist |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/modern-warfare-2-multiplayer-mod-canceled-the-day-before-launch-after-activision-sends-devs-cease-and-desist |website=IGN |date=15 Aug 2024 |access-date=13 Dec 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817092256/https://www.ign.com/articles/modern-warfare-2-multiplayer-mod-canceled-the-day-before-launch-after-activision-sends-devs-cease-and-desist |archive-date=17 Aug 2024}}</ref>

===Micro-transaction (MTX) overload===
{{Main|Downloadable content#DLC overload|DLC Overload}}

Activision is well-known for its excessive usage of micro-transactions, with $1.34B in Q1 2021,<ref>{{Cite web |first=Derek |last=Strickland |title=Activision Q1 microtransctions hit $1.343 billion, best Q1 in 6 years |url=https://www.tweaktown.com/news/79133/activision-q1-microtransctions-hit-1-343-billion-best-in-6-years/index.html |website=TweakTown |date=5 May 2021 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625045126/https://www.tweaktown.com/news/79133/activision-q1-microtransctions-hit-1-343-billion-best-in-6-years/index.html |archive-date=25 Jun 2021}}</ref> and further peaks, such as $5.1B in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Kareem |last=Anderson |title=Activision’s $5.1 billion in microtransaction revenue could play a huge roll in Microsoft Gaming’s future |url=https://onmsft.com/news/activisions-5-1-billion-microtransactions-revenue-quarter/ |website=onmsft.com |date=7 Feb 2022 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207192956/https://onmsft.com/news/activisions-5-1-billion-microtransactions-revenue-quarter/ |archive-date=7 Feb 2022
}}</ref> It is clear that Activision is highly incentivized to generate as much revenue via micro-transactions, going so far as to contribute to the detriment of the games according to fans.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Brianna |last=Reeves |title=MW2 players say increased micro-transaction sales are why COD won’t improve |url=https://www.dexerto.com/call-of-duty/mw2-increased-microtransaction-sales-vanguard-cod-improve-2127808/ |website=Dexerto |date=27 Apr 2023 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430021047/https://www.dexerto.com/call-of-duty/mw2-increased-microtransaction-sales-vanguard-cod-improve-2127808/ |archive-date=30 Apr 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Catherine |last=Lewis |title=Microtransactions are killing Call Of Duty, players say |url=https://www.gamingbible.com/news/microtransactions-are-killing-call-of-duty-players-say-344299-20230428 |website=Gaming Bible
|date=28 Apr 2023 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704220002/https://www.gamingbible.com/news/microtransactions-are-killing-call-of-duty-players-say-344299-20230428 |archive-date=4 Jul 2023}}</ref> The cosmetics seen inside Black Ops 6 are reported to be the most distracting in the franchise to-date.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Daniel |last=Morris |title=Black Ops 6 cosmetics: has Call of Duty jumped the shark? |url=https://www.destructoid.com/black-ops-6-cosmetics-has-call-of-duty-jumped-the-shark/ |website=Destructoid
|date=20 Dec 2024 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241221082811/https://www.destructoid.com/black-ops-6-cosmetics-has-call-of-duty-jumped-the-shark/ |archive-date=21 Dec 2024}}</ref>

Blizzard is additionally not innocent of pumping their content with MTX, with one of the most egregious examples being ''Overwatch 2''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Overwatch 2 |url=https://macrotransactions.org/overwatch-2 |website=macrotransactions.org |date=2022 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250522003401/https://macrotransactions.org/overwatch-2 |archive-date=22 May 2025}}</ref> The micro-transactions among this game has sparked controversy among the community as well.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Star99er
|title=Overwatch’s Aggressive Microtransactions |url=https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/overwatch/t/overwatch%E2%80%99s-aggressive-microtransactions/948993 |website=Blizzard |date=26 Jan 2025 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708180127/https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/overwatch/t/overwatch%E2%80%99s-aggressive-microtransactions/948993 |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref> Other Blizzard IPs are also not safe from this either, such as ''WarCraft'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=World of Warcraft |url=https://macrotransactions.org/world-of-warcraft |website=macrotransactions.org |date=2025 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250411171331/https://macrotransactions.org/world-of-warcraft |archive-date=11 Apr 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Jason |last=Parker |title=World of Warcraft’s New Microtransactions Are Greedier Than Ever
|url=https://www.esportstalk.com/news/world-of-warcraft-new-microtransactions-greedier-than-ever/ |website=EsportsTalk |date=23 Nov 2021 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906133710/https://www.esportstalk.com/news/world-of-warcraft-new-microtransactions-greedier-than-ever/ |archive-date=6 Sep 2024}}</ref> ''Diablo'',<ref>{{Cite web |first=Wesley |last=Yin-Poole |title=Now Diablo 4 Is Out in the Wild, the True Horror of Its Costly Microtransactions Has Revealed Itself |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/now-diablo-4-is-out-in-the-wild-the-true-horror-of-its-costly-microtransactions-has-revealed-itself |website=IGN |date=7 Jun 2023 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608130657/https://www.ign.com/articles/now-diablo-4-is-out-in-the-wild-the-true-horror-of-its-costly-microtransactions-has-revealed-itself |archive-date=8 Jun 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Diablo Immortal |url=https://macrotransactions.org/diablo-immortal |website=macrotransactions.org |date=2022 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809175513/https://macrotransactions.org/diablo-immortal |archive-date=9 Aug 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Diablo IV |url=https://macrotransactions.org/diablo-4 |website=macrotransactions.org |date=2023 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811063956/https://macrotransactions.org/diablo-4 |archive-date=11 Aug 2024}}</ref> and ''StarCraft''.<ref>{{Cite web |author=ackmondual |title=MTX (microtransaction) is beyond suckage |url=https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/sc2/t/mtx-microtransaction-is-beyond-suckage/22690 |website=Blizzard |date=16 Jul 2021 |access-date=13 Jul 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708180115/https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/sc2/t/mtx-microtransaction-is-beyond-suckage/22690 |archive-date=8 Jul 2025}}</ref>

==Products and franchises==

*''Call of Duty'' (Activision)
*''Crash Bandicoot'' (Activision)
*''Guitar Hero'' (Activision)
*''Skylanders'' (Activision)
*''Spyro the Dragon'' (Activision)
*''Tony Hawk's'' (series) (Activision)
*''Diablo'' (series) (Blizzard)
*''Hearthstone'' (Blizzard)
*''Heroes of the Storm'' (Blizzard)
*''Overwatch'' (Blizzard)
*''StarCraft'' (Blizzard)
*''WarCraft'' (Blizzard)
*''Candy Crush Saga'' (King)

==Patents==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Patent
!Name
!Summary Of Invention
!Consumer Related Drawback
|-
|[https://patents.google.com/patent/US20160005270A1/en US20160005270A1]
|System and method for driving microtransactions in multiplayer video games
|The patent lays the ground for a dynamically adjusting matchmaking system to ensure a positive experience for players in order to increase microtransactions.
|This patent includes a method to check quality factors such as facial expressions, body language, or "other observable metrics related to gameplay" in real time. That includes access to connected cameras like webcams. This clearly violates the consumer's privacy, especially without dedicated notice of such practices as in presumably Call of Duty Black Ops 6.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAe6cGN1o5w Source video, needs solid verification of loaded DLLs]
[https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/listdlls How to list DLLs]
|-
|[https://patents.google.com/patent/US11896905B2/ US11896905B2]
|Methods and systems for continuing to execute a simulation after processing resources go offline
|To simulate gameplay of NPCs, the system may identify end user devices (e.g., gaming consoles, personal computers, smartphones, etc.) that are connected to the system through a network and are available to participate in a simulated NPC gameplay session.
|This patent essentially describes how a botnet is created in the consumer's network, which is outright stealing resources to train the company's NPC AI — even after closing the game. Further misuse of affected network devices is very well possible, thanks to unclear language like "an agent '''[...]''' may program one or more physical processors of end user device[s]". This seems to be already happening with Call of Duty Black Ops 6. The game is reported to still run in the background even after closing it. You need to use the Windows task manager on PC to fully close the game's process. There are also tutorials online on how to completely close the game on console.
|}

==See also==

*[[Electronic Arts]]
*[[Ubisoft]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Activation

2026-05-14T01:28:54Z

Natsirtium: Added references and restructured. Removed point found was just false.

{{Incomplete}}

Activation is a license or service validation procedure. It may involve sending information about a device, a license or a licensee to a service provider, and receiving some information that is entered into the device.

For example, [[Microsoft Windows]] version 7 and later would collect information about a computer when they were installed. They create a [[Device fingerprint|fingerprint]] of the hardware, and generate a code based on that. Function was limited until the program was activated. One could activate it by telephoning the manufacturer, reading the code, and getting a code in return to enter in to the program. Activation could also be done online<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-07 |title=Product activation for Windows - online & Microsoft Support Product Activation Portal |url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/product-activation-for-windows-online-microsoft-support-product-activation-portal-35f6a805-1259-88b4-f5e9-b52cccef91a0 |access-date=2026-03-07 |website=Microsoft Support}}</ref>.

Online activation, also known as cloud-based activation, is the requirement to connect to the Internet before activating a product or software that the end user paid for. Examples include:

*Some operating systems such as iOS and Windows 11 [[Forced account|require registering an account]] with the device vendor to be set up before first use.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Benj |date=2021-07-08 |title=FYI: Windows 11 Home Will Require a Microsoft Account For Initial Setup |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/739837/fyi-windows-11-home-will-require-a-microsoft-account-for-initial-setup/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260202070328/https://www.howtogeek.com/739837/fyi-windows-11-home-will-require-a-microsoft-account-for-initial-setup/ |archive-date=2026-02-02 |access-date=2026-02-02 |website=How-To Geek}}</ref>
*[[Xiaomi]] requires registering an account to be able to [[Bootloader_unlocking|unlock the bootloader]].<ref name="xiaomi">{{Cite web |last=Paul |first=J C |date=2022-08-20 |title=Complete Guide to Unlocking the Bootloader: Announcement, Troubleshoot and Tips |url=https://new.c.mi.com/global/post/101245 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250730161839/https://new.c.mi.com/global/post/101245 |archive-date=2025-07-30 |access-date=2026-02-02 |website=Xiaomi Community}}</ref>
*Some [[DJI]] drones and [[Insta360]] cameras require to be linked to a smartphone before first use.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Activating Your Drone |url=https://support.dji.com/help/content?customId=en-us03400006736&spaceId=34&re=US&lang=en&documentType=artical&paperDocType=pap |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260202071212/https://support.dji.com/help/content?customId=en-us03400006736&spaceId=34&re=US&lang=en&documentType=artical&paperDocType=paper |archive-date=2026-02-02 |access-date=2026-02-02 |website=DJI Help Center}}</ref><ref name="Insta360">{{Cite web |last=Rossman |first=Louis |date=2025-08-16 |title=Insta360 camera locks you out 'to protect your consumer rights' - corporate gaslighting |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lgh8e0dW0eQ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=Lgh8e0dW0eQ |archive-date=2025-08-16 |access-date=2026-02-02 |website=YouTube}}</ref>

==Disadvantages==

* The activation of purchased products often require users to transmit hardware identifiers and product keys to manufacturers for verification purposes, though the extent of personal data collection varies by implementation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 Sep 2001 |title=Windows Product Activation Versus Software Registration |url=https://www.informationweek.com/it-leadership/windows-product-activation-versus-software-registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527000836/https://www.informationweek.com/it-leadership/windows-product-activation-versus-software-registration |archive-date=27 May 2024 |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=Information Week}}</ref>
* For online activation it can be unsafe to connect a device to a network before it has the latest security updates. However, getting and installing the latest security updates can be difficult without a fully functioning device. For example with Windows, if you have a computer with a functional current version of Windows you can download security updates for offline installation. They make this very difficult for those who do not yet have [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]].
* Given that services shut down all the time, activation services can be lost, leaving the user with an unusable product.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Voit |first=Karl |date=2016-11-12 |title=You Can't Control Your Data in the Cloud |url=https://karl-voit.at/cloud/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260202071758/https://karl-voit.at/cloud/ |archive-date=2026-02-02 |access-date=2026-02-02 |website=Public Voit}}</ref> When the manufacturer regards the product as reaching end of life, they may stop providing activations. However some products may be in service for decades after the manufacturer ceases support.
* Due to many parts of the world having no/slow internet access, some users can be incapable of activating the product they purchased.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Okemwa |first=Kevin |date=13 Apr 2026 |title=Microsoft explains why you can’t activate Windows 11 without the internet anymore |url=https://tech.yahoo.com/computing/articles/microsoft-explains-why-t-activate-102310527.html |url-status=live |access-date=2026-05-13}}</ref>
* Providers can limit activations or arbitrarily revoke access. For example, [[Xiaomi]] only allows one bootloader unlock per person per 30 days and four phones per year, in addition to a week-long delay after purchase.<ref name="xiaomi" /><ref name="Insta360" />

==References==
<references />
[[Category:Common terms]]

3D Printing restrictions and bans

2026-05-14T01:01:06Z

Natsirtium: Added references to specific laws.

{{Cleanup}}
3D Printing Restrictions and Bans is a practice in which businesses, platforms, or governments impose legal, technical, or policy-based limitations on how consumer 3D printers may be used. These restrictions can affect the ability to modify, repair, or continue using hardware that consumers legally own. They are commonly implemented through legislation, firmware or software controls, licensing terms, or manufacturer support policies.

==How it works==

Restrictions on consumer 3D printing can be implemented in several ways:

*'''Legislative restrictions''' – Laws or proposed bills may restrict ownership, modification, or use of 3D printers based on perceived risks, such as the production of prohibited items.
*'''Firmware and software locks''' – Manufacturers may restrict printer functionality through signed firmware, mandatory cloud connections, or software validation checks.
*'''Platform or service dependency''' – Printers may rely on proprietary slicers, cloud services, or online authorization systems to remain functional.
*'''Content filtering and model blocking''' – Software may scan, flag, or block certain model files or printing instructions.
*'''Support withdrawal''' – Manufacturers may declare devices “unsupported,” potentially disabling functionality through software updates or server shutdowns.

These mechanisms can operate independently or in combination.

==Why it is a problem==

With legal restrictions and bans applied to 3D printers, there are numerous faults that arise:

==='''Loss of ownership'''===
Locks, applied either via software or hardware, most likely will block the end-user from having the capability to repair, modify, or maintain printers they legally own. On the legal front, the end-user cannot bypass these locks thanks to [[DMCA Section 1201|section 1201]] of the [[Digital Millennium Copyright Act]]. On the corporate front, [[e-fuses]], [[Digital rights management|DRM]], and more will likely be applied in an attempt to block the end-user from repairing, modifying, or maintaining their 3D printers for the sake of legal compliance, despite regular maintenance being mandatory for the functionality of these printers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=3DISM |date=May 1, 2025 |title=3D Printer Maintenance Checklist (Monthly, Weekly Tasks) |url=https://3dism.org/3d-printer-maintenance-checklist-monthly-weekly-tasks/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260208143647/https://3dism.org/3d-printer-maintenance-checklist-monthly-weekly-tasks/ |archive-date=2026-02-08 |access-date=Mar 28, 2025 |website=[[3DISM]]}}</ref> This would effectively treat the end-user as a licensee than the owner of both the hardware and software they purchased.

==='''Loss of functionality'''===
3D printers will have an increased likelihood of becoming partially or fully inoperable due to various variables. With how [[Digital rights management|DRM]] may be applied to these devices, they may be required to communicate with privately hosted servers from the manufacturer to verify if the printer or what it is printing is compliant with regulations. If these servers lose functionality, such as from the manufacturer going defunct, temporary outages, or [[Planned obsolescence|forced obsolescence]], these printers may lose vital functionality as well.

==='''Overbroad regulation'''===
The legal front of regulation is excessively overbroad:

====Overbroad applications====
While consumers treat 3D printers as the definition of a device that extrudes materials to create a 3-dimensional object, the legal definition of a 3D printer is far more broad to cover any machine that handles either additive or subtractive manufacturing.
<ref>{{cite web
|title=HB 2321 - 3D printer blocking tech. (Original Bill), Section 1(7)
|url=https://wa-law.org/bill/2025-26/hb/2321/1/
|website=wa-law.org
|access-date=2026-05-13
}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web
|title=House Bill 26-1144 (Introduced), Section 1(4)(f)
|url=https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/111311/download
|website=Colorado General Assembly
|access-date=2026-05-13
}}</ref>

Simply put, while this regulation may be intended to target just the consumer definition of 3D printers, CNC machines, laser cutters, and more, may also fall under this legal scrutiny.

====Overbroad enforcement====
The most common applications for 3D printers are within education, research, prototyping, art, or hobbyist projects, all of which are traditionally legal applications. Depending on how this may be enforced, the end-user could be punished for making a part that could be used in the manufacture of a firearm, as the simplicity of firearm construction may lead to mundane parts being unable to be printed, regardless of intent.

===Harmful precedents===

====Legal precedents====
When legislation is passed, it sets the foundation for related legislation to be more capable of passing. Restrictive legislation against 3D printers may extend to the creation of additional laws that harms the ability for consumers to modify, maintain, or repair other devices they may own. 

===='''Precedent for other industries'''====
Companies may be enabled to include locks that block the end-user from manufacturing parts for repair in other devices, forcing consumers to only be capable of procuring parts from approved sellers in industries such as automotive, home appliances, or even industrial components. This blocking may extend to also halting consumers from repairing devices that are no-longer supported by the manufacturer, forcing hardware that once was easily repairable to become mere waste that they will have to replace with a newer model instead of fix.

==Examples==

===Legislative and regulatory examples===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Legislature name
!Year
!Region
!Summary
!Legislation Link
|-
|[[Washington house bill 2321 regarding 3d printers|HB 2321]]
|2025
|Washington State
|Proposed legislation addressing 3D printing technology that may unintentionally restrict lawful consumer ownership, modification, or use of consumer 3D printers.
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-09 |title=HB 2321 - 2025-26 |url=https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2321&Year=2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260310234307/https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2321&Year=2025 |archive-date=2026-03-10 |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=[[Washington State Legislature]]}}</ref>
|-
|HB 2320
|2025
|Washington State
|Related proposed legislation addressing risks associated with 3D printing technology, which has raised concerns about potential impacts on lawful consumer use and operation of consumer 3D printers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Cam |date=2026-02-08 |title=Washington Dems Advance Bill That Could Ban 3D Printers Over Gun Fears |url=https://bearingarms.com/camedwards/2026/02/08/washington-dems-advance-bill-that-could-ban-3d-printers-over-gun-fears-n1231483 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/xvTvu |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=Bearing Arms}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-09 |title=HB 2320 - 2025-26 |url=https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?Year=2025&BillNumber=2320 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260317193526/https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?Year=2025&BillNumber=2320 |archive-date=2026-03-17 |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=[[Washington State Legislature]]}}</ref>
|-
|Assembly Bill A2228
|2025
|New York State
|Proposed legislation addressing the regulation of 3D printed items, raising concerns that enforcement mechanisms could indirectly affect consumer access to, or use of, 3D printing equipment.
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-09 |title=Assembly Bill A2228 |url=https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2228 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251213142640/https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2228 |archive-date=2025-12-13 |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=[[The New York State Senate]]}}</ref>
|-
|Letter regarding 3D printer policies
|2025
|New York County
|Public correspondence outlining concerns related to consumer 3D printers that has been cited in discussions about potential technical or policy restrictions affecting lawful consumer activity.
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bragg |first=Alvin |date=2026-03-09 |title=Letter-Creality-3.26.25.pdf |url=https://manhattanda.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Letter-Creality-3.26.25.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260319203332/https://manhattanda.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Letter-Creality-3.26.25.pdf |archive-date=2026-03-19 |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=}}</ref>
|-
|AB-2047
|2026
|California
|Proposed legislation that would require a certified firearm blueprint detection algorithm in all 3D printers and make it a crime to knowingly disable, deactivate, uninstall, or otherwise circumvent any firearm blocking technology installed in a 3D printer.
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-09 |title=AB-2047 Firearms: 3-dimensional printing blocking technology. |url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB2047 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/mq248 |archive-date=2026-04-14 |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=California Legislative Information}}</ref>
|-
|HB26-1144
|2026
|Colorado
|Proposed legislation would ban manufacturing or producing a firearm, receiver, frame, large capacity magazine, or rapid fire device using 3d printing. Possessing or distributing computer code to manufacture a firearm or firearm component on a 3d printer or CNC mill would be prohibited. Violating any of the prohibitions would be a class 1 misdemeanor, and a second or subsequent violation would be a class 5 felony.
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-09 |title=Prohibit Three-Dimensional Printing Firearms & Components |url=https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/HB26-1144 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/bj124 |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=Colorado General Assembly}}</ref>
|}

===Manufacturer and platform policies===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Company name
!Year
!Summary
!CRW article
|-
|Print&Go Tech
|2024
|Company promoting technical solutions intended to prevent the printing of certain prohibited items, referenced in discussions about content filtering, software enforcement mechanisms, and their potential impact on consumer control and repairability.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Loyal Moses |date=2026-02-08 |title=3D Printer Ban Company Exposed |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGEVra9U91I |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=tGEVra9U91I |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-04 |title=3D GUN'T: Print&Go’s solution to prevent 3D printed ‘Ghost Guns’ |url=https://printandgo.tech/blog/3d-gunt-solution-to-prevent-3d-printed-ghost-guns |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/TBCWF |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=[[Print&Go]]}}</ref>
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|}

===Companies enforcing restrictive policies===
''This list is intentionally left blank pending verified, neutral sourcing.''

*

===Companies not enforcing restrictive policies===
''This list is intentionally left blank pending verified, neutral sourcing.''

*

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Anti-consumer practices]]

Elon Musk

2026-05-14T00:44:25Z

Natsirtium: /* Stance on consumer rights */

{{Stub}}
{{InfoboxPerson
| Name = Elon Musk
| Nationality = South African, Canadian, American
| DOB = 1971-06-28
| Industry = Transportation, Social media, AI
| Official website = https://x.com/elonmusk
| Image = Elon Musk.webp
}}
''[[wikipedia:Elon Musk|Elon Reeve Musk]]'' was born June 28, 1971, and raised in Pretoria, South Africa.

==Professional background==
After earning his bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1997, Musk moved to California to found Zip2 in 1995. After Zip2's sale in 1999, he confounded X.com, a online payments site that later merged to form [[PayPal]], which was later acquired by [[eBay]] in 2002. He is listed as CEO and product architect of [[Tesla]], founder, CEO and chief engineer of [[wikipedia:SpaceX|SpaceX]], founder and CEO of [[xAI]], founder and CTO of [[X Corp|X corp.]], a co-founder of [[wikipedia:Neuralink|Neuralink]], [[wikipedia:The_Boring_Company|the Boring Company]], [[OpenAI]], [[wikipedia:Zip2|Zip2]], and [[wikipedia:X.com_(bank)|X.com]] (part of PayPal), and president of the [[wikipedia:Musk_Foundation|Musk Foundation]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-05-12 |title=Elon Musk |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elon_Musk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260512033801/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elon_Musk |archive-date=2026-05-12 |access-date=2026-05-12 |website=Wikipedia}}</ref>

==Stance on consumer rights==
Musk has on many occasions marketed [[Tesla]] as a pro-consumer company, promising "orders are fully refundable, even after you’ve had your Tesla for a week” despite this contradicting Tesla's policy at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kolodny |first=Lora |date=23 Mar 2019 |title=Elon Musk touted a lenient return policy for Tesla, but history suggests customers should read the fine print |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/23/elon-musk-tweets-lenient-return-policy-but-may-not-be-upheld.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250723142630/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/23/elon-musk-tweets-lenient-return-policy-but-may-not-be-upheld.html |archive-date=23 Jul 2025 |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=CNBC}}</ref> In late 2024-early 2025 he explicitly called to "Delete [[wikipedia:Consumer_Financial_Protection_Bureau|CFPB]]" arguing there are "too many duplicative regulatory agencies," then posted "CFPB RIP" as the agency (created to protect consumers from unfair, deceptive, or predatory financial practices) was being effectively halted by the administration.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Romm |first=Tony |date=7 Feb 2025 |title=DOGE targets Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as Musk tweets ‘RIP’ |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/02/07/cfpb-doge-trump-musk-chopra/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250215140122/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/02/07/cfpb-doge-trump-musk-chopra/ |archive-date=15 Feb 2025 |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=The Washington Post}}</ref> In a follow-up commentary reported at the time, Musk minimized the bureau's value, writing that it did “above zero good things, but still need to go”.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weissmann |first=Jordan |date=15 Feb 2025 |title=As he targets the CFPB, Elon Musk looks to dismantle his own potential regulator |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/as-he-targets-the-cfpb-elon-musk-looks-to-dismantle-his-own-potential-regulator-231008060.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250727010529/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/as-he-targets-the-cfpb-elon-musk-looks-to-dismantle-his-own-potential-regulator-231008060.html |archive-date=27 Jul 2025 |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=Yahoo Finance}}</ref>

==Major consumer protection incidents==

==Regulatory response==

==Impact on consumer protection==

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Individuals]]
[[Category:Tesla]]
[[Category:X Corp]]

Elon Musk

2026-05-14T00:14:55Z

Natsirtium: /* Professional background */