Bambu Lab Authorization Control System: Difference between revisions

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Once a printer is updated to the new firmware, users cannot revert to previous versions that allows full control of the printer using LAN mode access key while signed into the cloud<ref>https://blog.bambulab.com/firmware-update-introducing-new-authorization-control-system-2/</ref>. Option still exists to disable the cloud service.

The manufacturer states this change is required for security, but community members note that many of the security vulnerabilities being addressed stem from Bambu's own cloud-centric design choices rather than inherent risks of local network control<ref>https://forum.bambulab.com/t/bambu-studio-1-10-2-public-beta/134549/12</ref>. The update forces users into Bambu~~'s ecosystem of applications &~~ cloud ~~services, regardless of their preferences or needs for local network automation~~.

The manufacturer states this change is required for security, but community members note that many of the security vulnerabilities being addressed stem from Bambu's own cloud-centric design choices rather than inherent risks of local network control<ref>https://forum.bambulab.com/t/bambu-studio-1-10-2-public-beta/134549/12</ref>. The update forces users into using Bambu Connect middleware if they want to retain cloud functionality.

This ~~has been~~ characterised as a significant post-purchase reduction in functionality for existing owners who bought their printers with the understanding they could use third-party software & home automation tools~~{{Citation needed}}~~. The inability to revert these changes, combined with the mandatory nature of the update for new printers, ~~demonstrates~~ how manufacturers can use software updates to unilaterally modify the capabilities of hardware products after purchase<ref>https://forum.bambulab.com/t/full-non-cloud-based-network-option-needed/3643/9</ref>.

This can be characterised as a significant post-purchase reduction in functionality for existing owners who bought their printers with the understanding they could use third-party software & home automation tools, but also only affects users actively choosing to use Bambu Cloud at the same time. The inability to revert these changes, combined with the mandatory nature of the update for new printers, is used to demonstrate how manufacturers can use software updates to unilaterally modify the capabilities of hardware products after purchase, although in this case the changes affect only people already choosing to use the cloud service<ref>https://forum.bambulab.com/t/full-non-cloud-based-network-option-needed/3643/9</ref>.

For users that would want to use a third-party slicer, Bambu would require those users to download and install Bambu Connect in order to send gcode wirelessly over LAN or over the cloud. While Bambu claims that they were in contact with SoftFever, the developer of OrcaSlicer, as of writing, SoftFever still does not have any keys for Bambu Connect.<ref name=":1">https://x.com/fever_soft/status/1880630570809795034?t=qJyh4SGFZFllcYrqexGW-Q&s=19</ref>

For users that would want to use a third-party slicer while using their cloud service, Bambu would require those users to download and install Bambu Connect in order to send gcode wirelessly over LAN or over the cloud. While Bambu claims that they were in contact with SoftFever, the developer of OrcaSlicer, as of writing, SoftFever still does not have any keys for Bambu Connect and the new firmware is only available as opt-in beta at the moment.<ref name=":1">https://x.com/fever_soft/status/1880630570809795034?t=qJyh4SGFZFllcYrqexGW-Q&s=19</ref>

== Impact on Functionality ==

@@ Line 75: / Line 75: @@
 Once a printer is updated to the new firmware, users cannot revert to previous versions that allows full control of the printer using  LAN mode access key while signed into the cloud<ref>https://blog.bambulab.com/firmware-update-introducing-new-authorization-control-system-2/</ref>. Option still exists to disable the cloud service.
-The manufacturer states this change is required for security, but community members note that many of the security vulnerabilities being addressed stem from Bambu's own cloud-centric design choices rather than inherent risks of local network control<ref>https://forum.bambulab.com/t/bambu-studio-1-10-2-public-beta/134549/12</ref>. The update forces users into Bambu's ecosystem of applications & cloud services, regardless of their preferences or needs for local network automation.
+The manufacturer states this change is required for security, but community members note that many of the security vulnerabilities being addressed stem from Bambu's own cloud-centric design choices rather than inherent risks of local network control<ref>https://forum.bambulab.com/t/bambu-studio-1-10-2-public-beta/134549/12</ref>. The update forces users into using Bambu Connect middleware if they want to retain cloud functionality.
-This has been characterised as a significant post-purchase reduction in functionality for existing owners who bought their printers with the understanding they could use third-party software & home automation tools{{Citation needed}}. The inability to revert these changes, combined with the mandatory nature of the update for new printers, demonstrates how manufacturers can use software updates to unilaterally modify the capabilities of hardware products after purchase<ref>https://forum.bambulab.com/t/full-non-cloud-based-network-option-needed/3643/9</ref>.
+This can be characterised as a significant post-purchase reduction in functionality for existing owners who bought their printers with the understanding they could use third-party software & home automation tools, but also only affects users actively choosing to use Bambu Cloud at the same time. The inability to revert these changes, combined with the mandatory nature of the update for new printers, is used to demonstrate how manufacturers can use software updates to unilaterally modify the capabilities of hardware products after purchase, although in this case the changes affect only people already choosing to use the cloud service<ref>https://forum.bambulab.com/t/full-non-cloud-based-network-option-needed/3643/9</ref>.
-For users that would want to use a third-party slicer, Bambu would require those users to download and install Bambu Connect in order to send gcode wirelessly over LAN or over the cloud. While Bambu claims that they were in contact with SoftFever, the developer of OrcaSlicer, as of writing, SoftFever still does not have any keys for Bambu Connect.<ref name=":1">https://x.com/fever_soft/status/1880630570809795034?t=qJyh4SGFZFllcYrqexGW-Q&s=19</ref>
+For users that would want to use a third-party slicer while using their cloud service, Bambu would require those users to download and install Bambu Connect in order to send gcode wirelessly over LAN or over the cloud. While Bambu claims that they were in contact with SoftFever, the developer of OrcaSlicer, as of writing, SoftFever still does not have any keys for Bambu Connect and the new firmware is only available as opt-in beta at the moment.<ref name=":1">https://x.com/fever_soft/status/1880630570809795034?t=qJyh4SGFZFllcYrqexGW-Q&s=19</ref>
 == Impact on Functionality ==