2 months ago
- New York passed a controversial bill mandating surveillance and censorship features on 3D printers, risking privacy, free expression, and consumer rights under the guise of reducing gun violence.
- The final legislation downgraded felony charges for storing and sharing firearm print files to a Class A misdemeanor, with an exception for sharing if the sender believes the recipient won't illegally print, but ambiguity remains around file possession with intent to share.
- The bill originally required face-to-face sales of 3D printers and CNC machines, but this was dropped, though a working group will now develop the law's specifics without mandated public transparency, raising concerns about bias and consumer harm.
- There is urgent opposition needed in other states like California to prevent similar legislation, as New York's law sets a precedent for state-mandated censorship and surveillance on general-purpose devices.