UK: Which? magazine calls for “dynamic security” investigation

October 6, 2022

The UK’s leading consumer affairs magazine calls for an investigation by the Competition and Mergers Authority to investigate whether branded printer ink costs and particularly ‘dynamic security’ are fair to consumers.

Which? magazine recently published a report about inkjet consumables that showed lower cost aftermarket cartridges scored better than the leading OEMs.

The report takes HP to task about their printers that prevent customers from using third-party inks that are often blocked by HPs “dynamic security’ that HP uses to lock out better value aftermarket supplies.

The magazine said: “We believe choosing to use third-party cartridges, especially in a cost of living crisis, should not be dictated by a printer manufacturer and should instead be an individual’s choice.” And is calling on the Competition and Mergers Authority to “investigate whether branded printer ink costs and particularly ‘dynamic security’ are fair to consumers.”

You can read the Which? article, written by Kate Aston here

In Europe, HP agreed to a $1.3 million (€1.3 million) deal to settle the Euroconsumers Dynamic Security issue with Euroconsumers, a cluster of consumer organisations based in Belgium, Italy, Spain and Portugal.

The agreement pertains to Euroconsumers May 2021 claim of €150 ($180) compensation from HP as damages for consumers based in Italy, Belgium, Spain and Portugal for the failed compatibility of its printers with third-party cartridges. Euroconsumers also asked HP to immediately stop this misleading, detrimental, and anti-competitive practice.

The magazine surveyed more than 9,000 laser and inkjet printer owners about their experiences with OEM and aftermarket brands, where the leading aftermarket brand came out top with an 87% customer satisfaction score. Well ahead of Brother on 66%, Canon on 62%, Epson on 58% and HP on 56%.

For Which? readers looking to cut costs, the magazine suggests “a tank printer might be the model for you.”