Canon: Difference between revisions

{{#seo:

|description=Canon uses DRM chips on ink cartridges, locks scanning behind ink levels, abandoned legacy scanner drivers, and charges subscriptions for webcam features already built into cameras.

|Description=DRM-locked ink, scanning disabled without ink, abandoned scanner drivers, subscriptions for built-in webcam features

|Founded=1937

|Industry=Electronics,Imaging

|Website=https://global.canon/

'''{{Wplink|Canon Inc.}}''' embeds [[Digital rights management|DRM]] chips in ink cartridges to block third-party & refilled cartridges, disables scanning on all-in-one printers when ink runs low, & charges $4.99/month for 1080p webcam output from cameras that natively output higher resolutions.<ref name="techdirt">{{Cite web |last=Bode |first=Karl |date=2022-01-11 |title=Chip Shortage Forces Canon To Issue Workarounds For Its Own Obnoxious DRM |url=https://www.techdirt.com/2022/01/11/chip-shortage-forces-canon-to-issue-workarounds-own-obnoxious-drm/ |access-date=2026-03-28 |website=Techdirt}}</ref><ref name="bleeping">{{Cite web |last=Cimpanu |first=Catalin |date=2021-10-16 |title=Canon sued for disabling scanner when printers run out of ink |url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/legal/canon-sued-for-disabling-scanner-when-printers-run-out-of-ink/ |access-date=2026-03-28 |website=BleepingComputer}}</ref><ref name="petapixel-webcam">{{Cite web |last=Lancaster |first=Matt |date=2022-11-09 |title=Canon Adds 'Pro' Version of Webcam Software that Costs $5 Per Month |url=https://petapixel.com/2022/11/09/canon-adds-pro-version-of-webcam-software-that-costs-5-per-month/ |access-date=2026-03-28 |website=PetaPixel}}</ref> Canon is a Japanese multinational founded in 1937 that manufactures cameras, printers, scanners, & optical equipment. Two class-action lawsuits over the scanning lockout were privately settled without Canon admitting fault.<ref name="classaction">{{Cite web |date=2021-10-15 |title=Canon Concealed that 'All-in-One' Printers Can't Scan, Fax When Ink Is Low or Empty, Class Action Claims |url=https://www.classaction.org/blog/canon-concealed-that-all-in-one-printers-cant-scan-fax-when-ink-is-low-or-empty-class-action-claims |access-date=2026-03-28 |website=ClassAction.org}}</ref>

== Consumer impact summary ==

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On April 1, 2025, version 3.4.0 introduced a mandatory Canon ID login. Without signing in, the app refuses to connect to the camera at all.<ref name="appstore">{{Cite web |title=Canon Camera Connect on the App Store |url=https://apps.apple.com/us/app/canon-camera-connect/id944097177 |access-date=2026-03-28 |website=App Store}}</ref><ref name="canon-community-login">{{Cite web |title=What is the reason that new version of "Camera connect" Android app now requires login? |url=https://community.usa.canon.com/t5/Camera-Software/What-is-the-reason-that-new-version-of-quot-Camera-connect-quot/td-p/549520 |access-date=2026-03-28 |website=Canon Community}}</ref> The Canon ID registration requires users to accept Terms of Use & a Privacy Policy that authorize data collection & sharing with third parties.<ref name="turner" />

 

The iOS version demands "Full Access" to the device's entire photo library, rejecting iOS's built-in "Limited Access" & "Add Photos Only" privacy modes. The app also requires precise location data to establish a WiFi connection.<ref name="appstore" /> Technology commentators have raised concerns that these permissions conflict with the [[General Data Protection Regulation|GDPR]]'s data minimization principle, as the app functions locally between camera & phone with no technical need for cloud connectivity or photo library access.<ref name="turner" />

 

 

 

 

 

== References ==

 

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INCIDENT_SCORE: Canon Ink DRM | 68/100 | DRM chips block refilling & aftermarket; 30,263 Amazon listings removed via patent litigation; chip shortage forced Canon to publish DRM bypass; no class action but aggressive legal enforcement

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