Consumer_Action_Taskforce

HP Inc.: Difference between revisions

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| Name = HP Inc.
| Name = HP Inc.
| Type = Public
| Type = Public
| Founded = July 2, 1939 as {{wplink|Hewlett-Packard}}; November 1, 2015
| Founded = 1939
| Industry = Information Technology
| Industry = Information Technology
| Official Website = https://hp.com/
| Official Website = https://hp.com/
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{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+
|+
!Sub-brand<ref>https://brandcentral.hp.com/us/en/elements/sub-brands.html</ref>
!Sub-brand<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brand Central |url=https://www.hp.com/us-en/hp-information/brandcentral.html |url-status=live |website=[[HP Inc.]]}}</ref>
!Description
!Description
!Created/Acquired
!Created/Acquired
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|-
|-
|HP Wolf Security
|HP Wolf Security
|Security service to lock in and add anti-virus to HP laptops for remote offices<ref>https://www.hp.com/us-en/security/endpoint-security-solutions.html</ref>
|Security service to lock in and add anti-virus to HP laptops for remote offices<ref>{{Cite web |title=HP Wolf Security |url=https://www.hp.com/us-en/security/endpoint-security-solutions.html |url-status=live |website=[[HP Inc.]]}}</ref>
|2021
|2021
|-
|-
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|-
|-
|Fitstation by HP
|Fitstation by HP
|Partnership to create personalized tech products like footwear, in 2024 HP took the Fitstation insole platform off the market.<ref>https://www.voxelmatters.com/hp-silently-took-the-fitstation-insole-platform-off-the-market/</ref>
|Partnership to create personalized tech products like footwear, in 2024 HP took the Fitstation insole platform off the market.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sher |first=Davide |date=18 May 2024 |title=HP silently took the Fitstation insole platform off the market |url=https://www.voxelmatters.com/hp-silently-took-the-fitstation-insole-platform-off-the-market/ |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=VoxelMatters}}</ref>
|2017
|2017
|}
|}
<nowiki>*</nowiki> HP Anyware acquired in 2021 alongisde [[Teradici]].<ref>https://www.hp.com/us-en/newsroom/press-releases/2021/hp-inc-to-acquire-teradici.html</ref>
<nowiki>*</nowiki> HP Anyware was acquired in 2021 along with [[Teradici]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 Jul 2021 |title=HP Inc. to Acquire Teradici |url=https://www.hp.com/us-en/newsroom/press-releases/2021/hp-inc-to-acquire-teradici.html |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[HP]]}}</ref>
 
==Consumer impact summary==
HP has implemented several controversial policies and practices that negatively impact consumers:
 
*forcing customers to wait 15 minutes on support calls
*some printers requiring ink cartridges to be sufficiently filled to use scanning and faxing features, and scanning often mandating an HP account and app, sometimes even an internet connection.
*firmware updates bricking devices
*Instant Ink subscription service and Dynamic Security system, that respectively lock cartridges behind a subscriprion and restrict the use of aftermarket ones


==Controversies==
==Controversies==
===HP adds 15 minutes to all customer service phone calls===
{{Main|HP adds 15 minutes to all customer service phone calls}}
In February 2025, HP Inc. instituted a policy to artificially force all consumer PC & print customers to wait a minimum of 15 minutes when calling support. This policy pushes the callers towards the cheaper online support channels, an operation which HP Inc. calls influencing "customers to increase their adoption of digital self-solve".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kunert |first=Paul |date=20 Feb 2025 |title=HP deliberately adds 15 minutes waiting time for telephone support calls |url=https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/20/hp_deliberately_adds_15_minutes/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=The Register}}</ref>
===Ink required to scan and fax===
{{Main|HP Printers Ink Requirements Controversy}}
To use the scanning and faxing feature on some HP all-in-one printers, all cartridges must not be too low on ink.
===Account required to scan===
To use the scanning feature on some HP printers, both the HP app and a HP account are required, at times even an internet connection is also required.{{citation needed}}
An alternative would be to use Windows' in-built scan feature (albeit rudimentary, it should suffice for basic scanning) or 3rd party software / program such as [https://www.naps2.com/ NAPS2] (a free and open source software).
===Firmware updates stop HP printers from working (Errors 79 and 49)===
An over-the-air update for some HP printer products (DeskJets and LaserJets) with network capabilities caused errors 79 and 49 to be shown on the user interface of these devices, softlocking the printers. In some instances, these faulty updates were not avoidable, because the "update" prompt had to be accepted to access the printer again. First reports of this showed up in public around October 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Born |first=Günter |date=17 Nov 2022 |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |title=Okt. 2022 Firmware-Update macht HP-Drucker mit Error 49 oder 79 unbrauchbar |url=https://www.borncity.com/blog/2022/11/17/okt-2022-firmware-update-macht-hp-drucker-mit-service-error-49-unbrauchbar/ |website=Borns IT- und Windows-Blog |language=de}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web |last=guenni |date=17 Nov 2022 |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |title=Oct. 2022 Firmware update bricks HP printer with Error 49 or 79 |url=https://borncity.com/win/2022/11/17/oct-2022-firmware-update-bricks-hp-printer-with-error-49-or-79/ |website=Born's Tech and Windows World}}</ref>
In some cases, the devices could be recovered,<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 Nov 2022 |title=Color LaserJet Pro MFP-M281fdw shows 49 Service Error after firmware update from 20th October |url=https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Printing-Errors-or-Lights-Stuck-Print-Jobs/Color-LaserJet-Pro-MFP-M281fdw-shows-49-Service-Error-after/m-p/8540292/highlight/true#M962703 |url-status=live |access-date=15 Mar 2025 |website=[[HP]]}}</ref> but for an unknown amount of users, no official nor unofficial fix was applicable. This effectively lead to bricked devices that had to be replaced, often times but not always, right after the warranty period had ended.
==Products/Services==
===HP Instant Ink===
===HP Instant Ink===
{{Main|HP Instant Ink}}
{{Main|HP Instant Ink}}


HP Instant Ink refers to a subscription service for certain printers in which recipients may receive a set amount of HP Ink Cartridges each month. It has recently come into controversy for changing into a program with various limiting features in 2024. .
HP Instant Ink refers to a subscription service for certain printers in which recipients may receive a set amount of HP Ink Cartridges each month. It has recently come into controversy for changing into a program with various limiting features in 2024.


===HP Dynamic Security===
===HP Dynamic Security===
{{Main|HP Dynamic Security}}
{{Main|HP Dynamic Security}}


HP Dynamic Security refers to a system in some HP printers to restrict the use of aftermarket ink cartridges, ensuring only original cartridges can be used.  
HP Dynamic Security refers to a system in some HP printers to restrict the use of aftermarket ink cartridges, ensuring only original cartridges can be used.
 
=== Ink Required to Scan and Fax ===
{{Main|HP Printers Ink Requirements Controversy}}
To use the scanning and faxing feature on some HP all-in-one printers, all cartridges must not be too low on ink.
 
===Account Required to Scan===
To use the scanning feature on some HP printers, both the HP app and a HP account are required.{{citation needed}}
[[Category:Computer hardware companies]]
[[Category:Computer systems companies]]
[[Category:Display technology companies]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies]]
[[Category:Netbook manufacturers]]
[[Category:Software companies]]


=References=
=References=
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:HP Inc.]]
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