Echelon fitness firmware lockout: Difference between revisions

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==July 2025 firmware update==

~~===Server-based auth system===~~

In July 2025, Echelon pushed a firmware update that implemented a server-based authentication system. The new system requires devices to:

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The firmware update completely blocks QZ & similar third-party applications from communicating with Echelon devices. This affects not only advanced features like automatic resistance control, but also prevents basic manual workouts without internet connectivity & server approval.<ref name="viola-blog" />

==~~Marketing vs. reality~~==

==Echelon's response==

===Advertised compatibility===

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===Lack of official communication===

No official Echelon press release, statement, or justification for the July 2025 blocking appears to be present. The company's Terms of Service reserves broad rights to "modify the Services" without specific disclosure about functionality restrictions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://echelonfit.uk/pages/terms-and-conditions |title=Terms and Conditions |publisher=Echelon Fit UK |access-date=23 July 2025}}</ref>

==FULU Foundation bounty==

After the initial, Louis Rossmann released a $20,000 bounty{{CitationNeeded}} for anyone who could bypass the restrictions placed on Echelon bikes. In August, the winner of the bounty was announced, however the solution used to claim the bounty was not released. Louis Rossmann stated that the reason for not releasing was the impact of a US law (17 U.S. Code § 1201), which prevents the sharing of methods used to bypass a technological measure designed to manage access to a product.

==Consumer impact==

@@ Line 22: / Line 22: @@
 ==July 2025 firmware update==
-===Server-based auth system===
 In July 2025, Echelon pushed a firmware update that implemented a server-based authentication system. The new system requires devices to:
@@ Line 41: / Line 39: @@
 The firmware update completely blocks QZ & similar third-party applications from communicating with Echelon devices. This affects not only advanced features like automatic resistance control, but also prevents basic manual workouts without internet connectivity & server approval.<ref name="viola-blog" />
-==Marketing vs. reality==
+==Echelon's response==
 ===Advertised compatibility===
@@ Line 51: / Line 49: @@
 ===Lack of official communication===
 No official Echelon press release, statement, or justification for the July 2025 blocking appears to be present. The company's Terms of Service reserves broad rights to "modify the Services" without specific disclosure about functionality restrictions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://echelonfit.uk/pages/terms-and-conditions |title=Terms and Conditions |publisher=Echelon Fit UK |access-date=23 July 2025}}</ref>
+==FULU Foundation bounty==
+After the initial, Louis Rossmann released a $20,000 bounty{{CitationNeeded}} for anyone who could bypass the restrictions placed on Echelon bikes. In August, the winner of the bounty was announced, however the solution used to claim the bounty was not released. Louis Rossmann stated that the reason for not releasing was the impact of a US law (17 U.S. Code § 1201), which prevents the sharing of methods used to bypass a technological measure designed to manage access to a product.
 ==Consumer impact==