Bambu Lab Authorization Control System: Difference between revisions

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On 2025-01-16, the 3D printer manufacturer [[:wikipedia:Bambu Lab|Bambu Lab]] announced that future firmwares for their 3D printers would introduce an authorization and authentication protection mechanism for their connection and control, in the name of security. Bambu has stated the following:<blockquote>''"This change is mitigating any risk of remote hacks or printer exposure issues that have happened in the past and also lower the risk of abnormal traffic or attacks."''<ref>https://blog.bambulab.com/firmware-update-introducing-new-authorization-control-system-2/</ref><ref>https://all3dp.com/4/bambu-lab-limits-third-party-printer-control-with-new-security-update/</ref></blockquote>

== Controversies Regarding Firmware Updates ==

=== Potential for Remote Disabling of Printers ===

A significant concern raised by the community revolves around the wording in Bambu Lab's Terms of Service & firmware update announcements. Critics & users argue that the phrasing leaves open the possibility for the manufacturer to remotely disable printers that are not updated to the latest firmware. Specifically, Bambu Lab's documentation states that printers may block "new print jobs" if updates are not applied, which some users interpret as a potential pathway for forced obsolescence<ref>https://blog.bambulab.com/firmware-update-introducing-new-authorization-control-system-2/</ref>.

Defenders of Bambu Lab point out that offline modes such as SD card printing & LAN-only setups would remain functional, others point out that the Terms of Service do not explicitly limit this restriction to cloud-based printing. This ambiguity has led to speculation that Bambu Lab could enforce broader limitations, effectively rendering printers inoperable for users who choose not to update<ref>https://old.reddit.com/r/BambuLab/comments/1i45iy2/bambu_lab_reserves_the_right_to_brick_your/</ref>.

=== Debate Over "Bricking" Terminology ===

The debate has also extended to the definition of "bricking." Some community members assert that if a printer is unable to accept new print jobs without an update, it effectively becomes non-functional and qualifies as being "bricked." Others counter that as long as certain offline functionalities remain—such as SD card printing—the term does not accurately apply<ref>https://old.reddit.com/r/BambuLab/comments/1i45iy2/bambu_lab_reserves_the_right_to_brick_your/m7sezlg/</ref>.

=== Community Strategies to Deal with Risks ===

Users have discussed strategies to avoid possible disruptions, including:

* Operating printers exclusively in offline modes.

* Utilizing LAN connections or VPN setups, yet LAN mode requires authorization now.

* Exploring alternative firmware or third-party scripts to restore full functionality<ref>https://old.reddit.com/r/BambuLab/comments/1i45iy2/bambu_lab_reserves_the_right_to_brick_your/m7t8i7r/</ref>.

== Issues with LAN Mode Requiring Authorization ==

Before recent firmware updates, Bambu Lab printers had the ability to be controlled over LAN without requiring cloud services or authentication with manufacturer. This allowed users to integrate their printers into private networks & maintain full control without having to rely on the manufacturer's server. However, the new authorization system mandates that even LAN-based operations go through an authentication process using Bambu Connect<ref>https://wiki.bambulab.com/en/software/bambu-connect</ref>.

This change has drawn criticism for many good reasons:

* **Privacy Concerns**: Requiring authentication for LAN mode raises concerns about data being unnecessarily exposed to Bambu Lab's servers, even for local-only operations.

* **Loss of Offline Independence**: Before, users could have entirely offline setups. The requirement for authentication removes this option unless users revert to older firmware versions, which Bambu does not allow people to do once they have updated.

* **Increased Complexity**: The added authentication layer complicates workflows for users who built custom setups or relied on third-party integrations for LAN control<ref>https://forum.bambulab.com/t/full-non-cloud-based-network-option-needed/3643</ref>.

=== Precedents and Comparisons ===

Critics have likened this potential functionality to similar cases in other industries where manufacturers remotely restrict product features. Notable examples include HP's printer firmware updates that rendered third-party ink cartridges unusable and Tesla's software locks on second-hand vehicles. These parallels suggest a broader trend of manufacturers leveraging software to control hardware capabilities post-purchase<ref>https://www.classaction.org/hp-printer-lawsuit</ref><ref>https://www.wired.com/story/tesla-remote-disable-used-car-features/</ref>.

== Implementation Timeline and Requirements ==

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 On 2025-01-16, the 3D printer manufacturer [[:wikipedia:Bambu Lab|Bambu Lab]] announced that future firmwares for their 3D printers would introduce an authorization and authentication protection mechanism for their connection and control, in the name of security. Bambu has stated the following:<blockquote>''"This change is mitigating any risk of remote hacks or printer exposure issues that have happened in the past and also lower the risk of abnormal traffic or attacks."''<ref>https://blog.bambulab.com/firmware-update-introducing-new-authorization-control-system-2/</ref><ref>https://all3dp.com/4/bambu-lab-limits-third-party-printer-control-with-new-security-update/</ref></blockquote>
+== Controversies Regarding Firmware Updates ==
+=== Potential for Remote Disabling of Printers ===
+A significant concern raised by the community revolves around the wording in Bambu Lab's Terms of Service & firmware update announcements. Critics & users argue that the phrasing leaves open the possibility for the manufacturer to remotely disable printers that are not updated to the latest firmware. Specifically, Bambu Lab's documentation states that printers may block "new print jobs" if updates are not applied, which some users interpret as a potential pathway for forced obsolescence<ref>https://blog.bambulab.com/firmware-update-introducing-new-authorization-control-system-2/</ref>.
+Defenders of Bambu Lab point out that offline modes such as SD card printing & LAN-only setups would remain functional, others point out that the Terms of Service do not explicitly limit this restriction to cloud-based printing. This ambiguity has led to speculation that Bambu Lab could enforce broader limitations, effectively rendering printers inoperable for users who choose not to update<ref>https://old.reddit.com/r/BambuLab/comments/1i45iy2/bambu_lab_reserves_the_right_to_brick_your/</ref>.
+=== Debate Over "Bricking" Terminology ===
+The debate has also extended to the definition of "bricking." Some community members assert that if a printer is unable to accept new print jobs without an update, it effectively becomes non-functional and qualifies as being "bricked." Others counter that as long as certain offline functionalities remain—such as SD card printing—the term does not accurately apply<ref>https://old.reddit.com/r/BambuLab/comments/1i45iy2/bambu_lab_reserves_the_right_to_brick_your/m7sezlg/</ref>.
+=== Community Strategies to Deal with Risks ===
+Users have discussed strategies to avoid possible disruptions, including:
+* Operating printers exclusively in offline modes.
+* Utilizing LAN connections or VPN setups, yet LAN mode requires authorization now.
+* Exploring alternative firmware or third-party scripts to restore full functionality<ref>https://old.reddit.com/r/BambuLab/comments/1i45iy2/bambu_lab_reserves_the_right_to_brick_your/m7t8i7r/</ref>.
+== Issues with LAN Mode Requiring Authorization ==
+Before recent firmware updates, Bambu Lab printers had the ability to be controlled over LAN without requiring cloud services or authentication with manufacturer. This allowed users to integrate their printers into private networks & maintain full control without having to rely on the manufacturer's server. However, the new authorization system mandates that even LAN-based operations go through an authentication process using Bambu Connect<ref>https://wiki.bambulab.com/en/software/bambu-connect</ref>.
+This change has drawn criticism for many good reasons:
+* **Privacy Concerns**: Requiring authentication for LAN mode raises concerns about data being unnecessarily exposed to Bambu Lab's servers, even for local-only operations.
+* **Loss of Offline Independence**: Before, users could have entirely offline setups. The requirement for authentication  removes this option unless users revert to older firmware versions, which Bambu does not allow people to do once they have updated.
+* **Increased Complexity**: The added authentication layer complicates workflows for users who built custom setups or relied on third-party integrations for LAN control<ref>https://forum.bambulab.com/t/full-non-cloud-based-network-option-needed/3643</ref>.
+=== Precedents and Comparisons ===
+Critics have likened this potential functionality to similar cases in other industries where manufacturers remotely restrict product features. Notable examples include HP's printer firmware updates that rendered third-party ink cartridges unusable and Tesla's software locks on second-hand vehicles. These parallels suggest a broader trend of manufacturers leveraging software to control hardware capabilities post-purchase<ref>https://www.classaction.org/hp-printer-lawsuit</ref><ref>https://www.wired.com/story/tesla-remote-disable-used-car-features/</ref>.
 == Implementation Timeline and Requirements ==