Print Blocking is Anti-Consumer - Permission to Print Part 1
Summary
Several US states are proposing legislation that would require commercial 3D printer manufacturers to implement "print-blocking" software. This software would check prints for forbidden shapes, such as those resembling firearms, and could lead to criminal penalties for bypassing these restrictions or reselling printers without them.
IFF Assessment
The proposed print-blocking measures represent a form of censorship and control over user-generated content, which can be exploited or expanded to restrict legitimate activities and user freedoms.
Defender Context
This article highlights a growing trend of legislative attempts to control user-generated content through hardware and software restrictions. While not a direct exploit, defenders should be aware of such 'enshittification' trends that can lead to proprietary ecosystems, limited user control, and potential for misuse of these control mechanisms.