Bambu Lab Authorization Control System: Difference between revisions

You may continue using an older firmware version that does not include the new security updates; however, this means the printers may miss out on important security fixes or bug patches included in newer versions. We highly encourage updating to the latest firmware version for the best experience and enhanced security.</blockquote>However, '''this was not present on the day of the announcement.''' A snapshot of their webpage from archive.is demonstrates this section did not exist on the day of the announcement, when community members voiced their concerns.<ref name="firmware-update-introducing-new-authorization-control-system-22" /><ref>[[:File:2024-01-16-Firmware Update Introducing New Authorization Control System.pdf]]File:2024-01-16-Firmware Update Introducing New Authorization Control System.pdf</ref> Bambu's response to community feedback<ref>{{Cite web |last=@SpaghettiMonster |date=20 Jan 2025 |title=Updates and Third-Party Integration with Bambu Connect |url=https://blog.bambulab.com/updates-and-third-party-integration-with-bambu-connect/ |url-status=live |access-date=1 May 2025 |website=Bambu Lab Blog |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260216001409/https://blog.bambulab.com/updates-and-third-party-integration-with-bambu-connect/ |archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref> references ''"social media posts spreading baseless allegations and untrue claims about Bambu Lab",'' including ''"Firmware updates will block your printer’s ability to print.",'' without mentioning the context for those allegations. The context for those allegations was the lack of inclusion of the ''"What happens if I never upgrade to this firmware?"'' in Bambu's initial announcement alongside their stated terms of service.

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 [[HP Instant Ink|rendered third-party ink cartridges unusable]] and Tesla's software locks on second-hand vehicles. These parallels suggest a broader trend of manufacturers [[Retroactively amended purchase|using software to control hardware capabilities post-purchase]].<ref name=":5">https://www.classaction.org/hp-printer-lawsuit</ref><ref>https://www.wired.com/story/tesla-remote-disable-used-car-features/ ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260216002258/https://www.wired.com/story/tesla-remote-disable-used-car-features Archived])</ref>