Bambu Lab Authorization Control System: Difference between revisions

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On January 16, 2025, 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. This mechanism restricts the use of third party accessories and slicers, such as Panda Touch and OrcaSlicer. 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 name="firmware-update-introducing-new-authorization-control-system-2">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>

==Controversy regarding firmware updates==

[[File:Bambu tos screenshot.png|alt=bambu terms stating print jobs may not function properly if update is not performed to new firmware which is highly limiting. |thumb|Bambu terms regarding printer functionality & potential for disrupted print jobs if users do not update to a new firmware that radically restricts the autonomy of the owner of the printer]]

===Potential for remote disabling of printers===

A significant concern raised by the community revolves around the wording in Bambu Lab's [[Terms of Service]] and firmware update announcements. Critics and 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 Terms of Service<ref>https://bambulab.com/en-us/policies/terms</ref> 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 name="firmware-update-introducing-new-authorization-control-system-2" />.. While defenders of Bambu Lab point out that offline modes such as SD-card printing and 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>

A significant concern raised by the community revolves around the wording in Bambu Lab's [[Terms of Service]] and firmware update announcements. Critics and 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 Terms of Service<ref>https://bambulab.com/en-us/policies/terms</ref> 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 name="firmware-update-introducing-new-authorization-control-system-2">https://blog.bambulab.com/firmware-update-introducing-new-authorization-control-system-2/</ref>.. While defenders of Bambu Lab point out that offline modes such as SD-card printing and 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>

====Editing of initial announcement====

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-On January 16, 2025, 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. This mechanism restricts the use of third party accessories and slicers, such as Panda Touch and OrcaSlicer. 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 name="firmware-update-introducing-new-authorization-control-system-2">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>
 ==Controversy regarding firmware updates==
 [[File:Bambu tos screenshot.png|alt=bambu terms stating print jobs may not function properly if update is not performed to new firmware which is highly limiting. |thumb|Bambu terms regarding printer functionality & potential for disrupted print jobs if users do not update to a new firmware that radically restricts the autonomy of the owner of the printer]]
 ===Potential for remote disabling of printers===
-A significant concern raised by the community revolves around the wording in Bambu Lab's [[Terms of Service]] and firmware update announcements. Critics and 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 Terms of Service<ref>https://bambulab.com/en-us/policies/terms</ref> 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 name="firmware-update-introducing-new-authorization-control-system-2" />.. While defenders of Bambu Lab point out that offline modes such as SD-card printing and 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>
+A significant concern raised by the community revolves around the wording in Bambu Lab's [[Terms of Service]] and firmware update announcements. Critics and 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 Terms of Service<ref>https://bambulab.com/en-us/policies/terms</ref> 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 name="firmware-update-introducing-new-authorization-control-system-2">https://blog.bambulab.com/firmware-update-introducing-new-authorization-control-system-2/</ref>.. While defenders of Bambu Lab point out that offline modes such as SD-card printing and 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>
 ====Editing of initial announcement====