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Axis, a video surveillance company, was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Lund, Sweden. It has around 4,000 employees in over 50 countries.<ref>Axis website, https://www.axis.com/en-us/about-axis
{{CompanyCargo
|Description=
|Founded=1984
|Industry=Security
|Logo=Axis.png
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Subsidiary
|Website=https://axis.com/
}}
[[wikipedia:Axis_Communications|'''Axis''']] is a video surveillance company with approximately 4,000 employees across more than 50 countries that was founded in 1984 and headquartered in Lund, Sweden.<ref>Axis website, https://www.axis.com/en-us/about-axis


Archived link to Axis website, https://archive.ph/8oCS2</ref>
[https://web.archive.org/web/20250118192802/https://www.axis.com/en-us/about-axis Archived] 2025-01-18</ref>


=== Axis Companion Classic ===
==Consumer impact summary==
Released in 2016<ref name=":0">Companion software release notes, https://www.axis.com/ftp/pub_soft/cam_srv/cam_companion/latest/relnote.txt
{{Ph-C-CIS}}


Archived, ___</ref>, Axis Companion Classic (formerly just Axis Companion) was a freely provided software for Axis account owners to be able to setup, configure, and manage cameras on the network. It also allowed a remote viewing feature for an iOS or Android Companion app to be able to view camera feeds remotely.
==Incidents==


==== Removal of Remote Access Support ====
===Closure of Axis Companion Classic===
Axis signaled that they would be removing remote access for any new sites created after 2023-03-31<ref name=":0" />. Their software was updated in version 3.74.000 (released on 2023-03-15) to notify customers. <ref name=":1">Axis Companion FTP download site, [https://www.axis.com/ftp/pub_soft/cam_srv/cam_companion/]
Released in 2016,<ref name=":0">Companion software release notes, https://www.axis.com/ftp/pub_soft/cam_srv/cam_companion/latest/relnote.txt


Archived, [https://archive.ph/ebg4g]</ref>
[https://web.archive.org/web/20250118183233/https://www.axis.com/ftp/pub_soft/cam_srv/cam_companion/latest/relnote.txt Archived] 2025-01-18 </ref> Axis Companion Classic (formerly just Axis Companion) was a freely provided software for Axis account owners to be able to setup, configure, & manage cameras on the network. It also allowed a remote viewing feature for an iOS or Android Companion app to be able to view camera feeds remotely.


===Removal of remote access support===
Axis signaled that they would be removing remote access for any new sites created after March 31, 2023.<ref name=":0" /> Their software was updated in version 3.74.000 (released on March 15, 2023) to notify customers.<ref name=":1">Axis Companion FTP download site, [https://www.axis.com/ftp/pub_soft/cam_srv/cam_companion/]


When version 3.75.000 was released on 2023-03-24<ref name=":1" />, '''the only change was to prevent users from being able to enable remote access to camera feeds for new sites.'''
[https://web.archive.org/web/20250118183555/https://www.axis.com/ftp/pub_soft/cam_srv/cam_companion/ Archived] 2025-01-18</ref>
 
When version 3.75.000 was released on March 24, 2023,<ref name=":1" /> '''the only change was to prevent users from being able to enable remote access to camera feeds for new sites.'''


<blockquote>Release Notes:
<blockquote>Release Notes:
Line 24: Line 37:
''No Secure Remote Access on new sites created after 2023-03-31.''</blockquote>
''No Secure Remote Access on new sites created after 2023-03-31.''</blockquote>


If a consumer never updated to this or later versions, all remote access would continue to work and consumers could continue to create new sites without restriction.<ref name=":0" />
'''This restriction removes functionality without providing any benefit to the customer.'''
===Axis Companion===
As part of their efforts to upgrade software while retaining legacy setups, Axis created Axis Companion after renaming the previous Companion to Companion Classic.
===Removal of third-party SD card support===
Starting June 27, 2024, Axis removed support for any new device configurations in Companion with third-party SD cards.<ref name=":2">Policy update regarding 3rd Party SD Cards, https://www.axis.com/dam/public/11/2e/29/axis-surveillance-cards-now-required-en-US-443994.pdf
[https://web.archive.org/web/20250118190032/https://www.axis.com/dam/public/11/2e/29/axis-surveillance-cards-now-required-en-US-443994.pdf Archived] 2026-01-18</ref> This policy change effectively forces customers to purchase Axis-branded storage solutions for any new installations, while existing installations using third-party SD cards would continue to function.<ref name=":2" />
The company justifies this change by claiming their SD cards are optimized for surveillance applications and offer greater functionality and endurance.<ref>NetworkWebcams.co.uk article to explain pricing https://www.networkwebcams.co.uk/blog/why-use-axis-sd-surveillance-cards-in-ip-cameras/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250916223323/https://www.networkwebcams.co.uk/blog/why-use-axis-sd-surveillance-cards-in-ip-cameras/ Archived])</ref> This change also coincides with Axis' expansion of proprietary storage requirements across their product lines, including their Camera Station Edge platform which similarly mandates the use of Axis-branded SD cards.<ref name=":3">FAQ for Axis Edge, https://faq.axis.com/s/article/third-party-sd-cards-as-recording-storage-in-my-vms-solution</ref>


If a consumer never updated to this or later versions, all remote access would continue to work and consumers could continue to create new sites without restriction. <ref name=":0" />
===Axis SD cards===
Axis sells proprietary SD cards manufactured by SanDisk,<ref>Technical Datasheet of Axis 256GB SD Card https://www.axis.com/dam/public/55/dd/19/datasheet-axis-surveillance-card-256-gb-en-US-417022.pdf ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250709004324/https://www.axis.com/dam/public/55/dd/19/datasheet-axis-surveillance-card-256-gb-en-US-417022.pdf Archived])</ref> marketed under their own brand with claims of specialized optimization for surveillance applications. These cards come with a five-year warranty and are claimed to have up to six times more endurance than standard SD cards.<ref>NetworkWebcams.co.uk article to explain pricing https://www.networkwebcams.co.uk/blog/why-use-axis-sd-surveillance-cards-in-ip-cameras/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250916223323/https://www.networkwebcams.co.uk/blog/why-use-axis-sd-surveillance-cards-in-ip-cameras/ Archived])</ref>


=== Axis Companion ===
====Pricing and market position====
As part of their efforts to upgrade software while retaining legacy setups Axis created Axis Companion after renaming the previous Companion to Companion Classic.
As of 2025, Axis' SD cards are sold at approximately five times the price of comparable third-party SD cards<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20250125114540/https://camcentral.net/product/axis-surveillance-card-256gb/ Pricing 256GB Axis SD Card], Pricing 256GB Samsung SD Card</ref> despite being based on standard SanDisk hardware. The company's transition to requiring these proprietary cards across their product lines creates a closed ecosystem where consumers must purchase storage solutions exclusively from Axis at premium prices.


==== Removal of 3rd-Party SD Card support ====
====Platform lock-in====
Starting June 27, 2024, Axis removed support for any new device configurations in Companion with 3rd-Party SD Cards. <ref>Policy update regarding 3rd Party SD Cards, https://www.axis.com/dam/public/11/2e/29/axis-surveillance-cards-now-required-en-US-443994.pdf
The requirement for Axis-branded SD cards is now being implemented across multiple Axis platforms:


Archived, https://archive.ph/uHiaB</ref>
*Axis Companion (new installations after June 27, 2024)<ref name=":2" />
*Camera Station Edge platform<ref name=":3" />


=== Axis SD Cards ===
This represents a shift from open hardware compatibility to a closed ecosystem where customers have to buy Axis-branded storage at sky-high prices to maintain full functionality of their security system.
Axis sells proprietary SD Cards. They claim that their cards are specially designed for reliability<ref>NetworkWebcams.co.uk article to explain pricing https://www.networkwebcams.co.uk/blog/why-use-axis-sd-surveillance-cards-in-ip-cameras/</ref> and offer a 5 year warranty for them.<ref>Axis 256GB SD Card Page (Archived), https://web.archive.org/web/20240120015558/https://www.axis.com/products/axis-surveillance-card-256-gb</ref><ref>Technical Datasheet of Axis 256GB SD Card https://www.axis.com/dam/public/55/dd/19/datasheet-axis-surveillance-card-256-gb-en-US-417022.pdf</ref> As of 2025, Axis' SD cards are roughly 5 times as expensive as a comparable 3rd Party SD Card<ref>Pricing 256GB Axis SD Card, https://archive.ph/nS3l4


Pricing 256GB Samsung SD Card, https://archive.ph/CM2z8</ref> and is required for all new setups on their "free" platform Camera Station Edge<ref>FAQ for Axis Edge, https://faq.axis.com/s/article/third-party-sd-cards-as-recording-storage-in-my-vms-solution?language=en_US</ref>.
==Products==
{{Ph-C-P}}


==See also==
{{Ph-C-SA}}


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

Latest revision as of 12:31, 22 March 2026

Axis
Basic information
Founded 1984
Legal Structure Subsidiary
Industry Security
Also known as
Official website https://axis.com/

Axis is a video surveillance company with approximately 4,000 employees across more than 50 countries that was founded in 1984 and headquartered in Lund, Sweden.[1]

Consumer impact summary

[edit | edit source]

Overview of concerns that arise from the conduct towards users of the product (if applicable):

  • User Freedom
  • User Privacy
  • Business Model
  • Market Control

Add your text below this box. Once this section is complete, delete this box by clicking on it and pressing backspace.


Incidents

[edit | edit source]

Closure of Axis Companion Classic

[edit | edit source]

Released in 2016,[2] Axis Companion Classic (formerly just Axis Companion) was a freely provided software for Axis account owners to be able to setup, configure, & manage cameras on the network. It also allowed a remote viewing feature for an iOS or Android Companion app to be able to view camera feeds remotely.

Removal of remote access support

[edit | edit source]

Axis signaled that they would be removing remote access for any new sites created after March 31, 2023.[2] Their software was updated in version 3.74.000 (released on March 15, 2023) to notify customers.[3]

When version 3.75.000 was released on March 24, 2023,[3] the only change was to prevent users from being able to enable remote access to camera feeds for new sites.

Release Notes:

Changes since 3.75.000

========================

No Secure Remote Access on new sites created after 2023-03-31.

If a consumer never updated to this or later versions, all remote access would continue to work and consumers could continue to create new sites without restriction.[2]

This restriction removes functionality without providing any benefit to the customer.

Axis Companion

[edit | edit source]

As part of their efforts to upgrade software while retaining legacy setups, Axis created Axis Companion after renaming the previous Companion to Companion Classic.

Removal of third-party SD card support

[edit | edit source]

Starting June 27, 2024, Axis removed support for any new device configurations in Companion with third-party SD cards.[4] This policy change effectively forces customers to purchase Axis-branded storage solutions for any new installations, while existing installations using third-party SD cards would continue to function.[4]

The company justifies this change by claiming their SD cards are optimized for surveillance applications and offer greater functionality and endurance.[5] This change also coincides with Axis' expansion of proprietary storage requirements across their product lines, including their Camera Station Edge platform which similarly mandates the use of Axis-branded SD cards.[6]

Axis SD cards

[edit | edit source]

Axis sells proprietary SD cards manufactured by SanDisk,[7] marketed under their own brand with claims of specialized optimization for surveillance applications. These cards come with a five-year warranty and are claimed to have up to six times more endurance than standard SD cards.[8]

Pricing and market position

[edit | edit source]

As of 2025, Axis' SD cards are sold at approximately five times the price of comparable third-party SD cards[9] despite being based on standard SanDisk hardware. The company's transition to requiring these proprietary cards across their product lines creates a closed ecosystem where consumers must purchase storage solutions exclusively from Axis at premium prices.

Platform lock-in

[edit | edit source]

The requirement for Axis-branded SD cards is now being implemented across multiple Axis platforms:

  • Axis Companion (new installations after June 27, 2024)[4]
  • Camera Station Edge platform[6]

This represents a shift from open hardware compatibility to a closed ecosystem where customers have to buy Axis-branded storage at sky-high prices to maintain full functionality of their security system.

Products

[edit | edit source]

This is a list of the company's product lines with articles on this wiki.

Add your text below this box. Once this section is complete, delete this box by clicking on it and pressing backspace.


See also

[edit | edit source]

Link to relevant theme articles or companies with similar incidents.

Add your text below this box. Once this section is complete, delete this box by clicking on it and pressing backspace.


References

[edit | edit source]
  1. ↑ Axis website, https://www.axis.com/en-us/about-axis Archived 2025-01-18
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Companion software release notes, https://www.axis.com/ftp/pub_soft/cam_srv/cam_companion/latest/relnote.txt Archived 2025-01-18
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Axis Companion FTP download site, [1] Archived 2025-01-18
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Policy update regarding 3rd Party SD Cards, https://www.axis.com/dam/public/11/2e/29/axis-surveillance-cards-now-required-en-US-443994.pdf Archived 2026-01-18
  5. ↑ NetworkWebcams.co.uk article to explain pricing https://www.networkwebcams.co.uk/blog/why-use-axis-sd-surveillance-cards-in-ip-cameras/ (Archived)
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 FAQ for Axis Edge, https://faq.axis.com/s/article/third-party-sd-cards-as-recording-storage-in-my-vms-solution
  7. ↑ Technical Datasheet of Axis 256GB SD Card https://www.axis.com/dam/public/55/dd/19/datasheet-axis-surveillance-card-256-gb-en-US-417022.pdf (Archived)
  8. ↑ NetworkWebcams.co.uk article to explain pricing https://www.networkwebcams.co.uk/blog/why-use-axis-sd-surveillance-cards-in-ip-cameras/ (Archived)
  9. ↑ Pricing 256GB Axis SD Card, Pricing 256GB Samsung SD Card
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