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ACUTEpeak 53ranked #21 of 42people’s rank #19 · preview
Case 021 · Hardware · Admitted 2016
The Enshittification of HP
The Enshittification of HPFrom 2016 onward, HP used 'Dynamic Security' firmware updates to make its inkjet printers reject third-party and refilled cartridges, prompting consumer backlash, regulatory fines, and multiple class-action lawsuits and settlements. The company also restructured its Instant Ink subscription by ending a free tier, faced litigation over all-in-one printers that refuse to scan or fax when ink is low, and shifted toward subscription models, including a printer rental plan requiring a constant internet connection.
First symptom
Sep 2016
Symptoms on file
8
Categories
3
Prognosis
Acute
2 pricing · 1 features · 5 lock-in
Alternatives
Brother laser printerhardware
The internet’s consensus answer: cheap toner, no ink DRM, lasts a decade.
Epson EcoTankhardware
Refillable ink tanks instead of chipped cartridges.
The Paper Trail
| Date | Category | Symptom · rating · source |
|---|---|---|
| 2016-09 | lock-in | Dynamic Security firmware blocks third-party ink cartridgesHP OfficeJet printers began rejecting third-party and refilled ink cartridges after a 'Dynamic Security' feature delivered in an earlier firmware update activated. The EFF sent an open letter to HP's CEO demanding an apology and a firmware rollback.↳ EFF |
| 2020-11 | pricing | Instant Ink 'free ink for life' plan discontinuedHP ended its free 15-page-per-month Instant Ink tier, which had been marketed as free for life, moving customers to paid plans starting at $0.99 per month. After customer backlash, HP allowed existing free-tier subscribers to keep their plans while requiring new subscribers to pay.↳ The Register |
| 2022-09 | lock-in | HP pays $1.35 million over Dynamic Security in EuropeHP agreed to pay $1.35 million to settle a dispute with consumer group Euroconsumers over Dynamic Security firmware that prevented printers from working with third-party ink supplies, compensating affected customers in several European countries.↳ The Register |
| 2023-03 | lock-in | Firmware update extends third-party ink blocking to more printersHP firmware updates enabled Dynamic Security on additional models, including OfficeJet 6950/6960/6970 and DeskJet 2700 series printers. Users reported that printers began canceling print jobs entirely when non-HP cartridges were installed.↳ Ars Technica |
| 2023-08 | features | Court allows lawsuit over disabled scanning with low inkA federal judge denied HP's motion to dismiss a class action alleging that its all-in-one printers are designed to stop scanning and faxing when ink is low or empty, even though ink is not required for those functions.↳ The Register |
| 2024-01 | lock-in | Class action filed over firmware updates disabling third-party inkA class-action complaint was filed against HP in US federal court alleging that firmware updates issued in late 2022 and early 2023 disabled printers using third-party ink cartridges, unfairly forcing customers to buy HP-brand supplies.↳ The Register |
| 2024-01 | pricing | CEO says goal is making printing a subscriptionHP CEO Enrique Lores said the company's long-term objective is to make printing a subscription and described customers who buy an HP printer but do not use HP supplies as a 'bad investment.' He also defended ink DRM by citing the possibility of viruses embedded in cartridges.↳ The Register |
| 2024-02 | lock-in | All-In Plan rents printers under monitored subscriptionHP launched the All-In Plan, a subscription from $6.99 to $35.99 per month that rents customers a printer with a set page allowance and ink delivery. The plan carries a two-year commitment with cancellation fees and requires the printer to remain continuously connected to the internet for monitoring, with HP retaining ownership of the hardware.↳ HP |
The Wall
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<a href="https://enshittification.xyz/hp"><img src="https://enshittification.xyz/badge/hp.svg" alt="HP on the Enshittification Index"></a>The Enshittification Index · 42 case files · no source, no entry · updated Jun 2026
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