Retroactive Enforcement of New Community Guidelines needs to stop!

[ZaxMan3D]

Hey MakerWorld Community,

I want to bring attention to an issue that can have serious implications for creators on this platform: the retroactive enforcement of new community guidelines. This situation isn’t just about one profile; it’s about the broader principle of changing rules and punishing users for not following them before they existed.

Here’s my situation:
I uploaded a print profile on February 2, 2024, which was fully compliant with the MakerWorld guidelines in place at the time. On February 19, 2024, a new rule was introduced requiring actual printed images for all uploads. Even though this new rule did not exist when I uploaded my profile, my profile was removed, and the points I earned were taken away.

Let’s be clear: You cannot change a rule and then retroactively punish users for content that was fully compliant under the previous guidelines. This is not just unfair—it’s unreasonable. It creates an environment where creators don’t know if their efforts today will be invalidated tomorrow by a rule that doesn’t even exist yet.

The Real Problem:

Changing rules is part of any platform’s growth, and I completely understand the need to maintain quality. But there is a big difference between enforcing new guidelines moving forward and applying them retroactively to content that was already accepted under old rules. By removing profiles and points without considering when they were uploaded, MakerWorld is essentially saying, “We can change the rules whenever we want, and your past compliance means nothing.”

This is not a case of spamming or low-quality uploads. I followed the rules that were in place when I uploaded the file. Yet now, I’m being punished for not having followed a guideline that didn’t even exist at the time. It’s like changing the laws and punishing people for actions they took when those laws didn’t apply.

Inconsistent Enforcement:

On top of this, I’ve noticed other profiles remain up even though they still don’t meet the new guidelines. If the platform is going to enforce new rules, they need to do it consistently. Allowing some profiles to slide through while others are taken down makes it feel like the enforcement is arbitrary, and creators have no way of knowing if they’re going to be the next target.

Why This Matters:

This isn’t just about my profile—it’s about fairness and trust between the platform and its creators. If rules can be changed and then enforced retroactively at any time, without consistency, it undermines the confidence creators have in their work staying valid. If today’s efforts can be invalidated tomorrow by a rule that didn’t exist, what’s the point in contributing?

Eddit:
Support provided this link, to show how my uploaded was in breach of the guidelines.
Actions taken against spamming of low-quality models on MakerWorld

[debonr]

simple enough. Print your design, and upload again.

[JonRaymond]

If memory serves me correct Makerworld did give a time period to bring all older print profiles into compliance.

[ZaxMan3D]

I am not aware of any warnings or information provided for older uploads, but that is only a small part of the problem.
The real issue is how the rules are enforced on some users but not others.

I don’t want to “snitch” on others if it risks them getting a lot of points removed, but with a simple search on the site, I found profiles with thousands of downloaded and prints some uploaded after February 19th that seem to be okay. One of them is even on the Featured list.

I have even found Multi color profiles that have single-color images on the print profile, so images that don’t even show the right representation of it is also ok, but a render is not?

[ZaxMan3D]

and how to that solve that its ok for others but not for me to upload profiles with no real images?

[debonr]

They’ll probably get around to the others, or maybe they won’t. It’s ‘their’ rules, ‘their’ game. You have the choice of playing or not. If complaining to the ref don’t help, then accept it or not.

[ZaxMan3D]

Well sorry if u don’t like me bringing it up in the forum, to first of all warn others, with the small hope it might help me out as well. If you don’t like it feel free to keep out of the thread

[DrachirS]

They prepare to get full of Trash profiles… Load the Pictures Like the guideline say and getbyoure Points Back whats the problem?

I think this a very good step.

Because every Sh***Ty Profile is uploaded. With this step they get a better Quality which isbbetter for everyone

[bill.m.davis]

It seems to me the issue is not that the older profiles have time to be updated, but that some profiles are being removed before that stated time?

@ZaxMan3D are you sure it was the new rules that got the profile removed and not some other reason?

If someone “flags” a profile for one reason or another, they seem pretty quick to take action (most of the time). Sometimes I even wonder if they look into or just remove it because someone brought attention to it.

The rules stated on Feb. 19th weren’t new rules (as my understanding goes). The “vigorous enforcement” of them was new, but the rules themselves were pre-existing.

[ZaxMan3D]

Well the reason stated to me was “No real print image included” so unless the lie or fill it out wrong I’m 99,999% sure its for that simple thing

After I pointed out the to support agent(s) that Feb 2 is before Feb 19th. the did agree with me that it did follow the guidelines prior, but did not care about it.

[johnfcooley]

The rules have changed, you had warning whether you paid attention to it or not.
As for others, you’re not narking on anyone. They need to follow the rules as well, report them or be sour. Your choice.

I have no idea why you wouldn’t have printed your file, taken a pic of it, and posted it before hand. I’m guessing you were more interested in getting points.

“Everyone else is doing it…” is a grade school argument.
Are you in grade school? I didn’t think so.

Bottom line is we have designers creating tables, big-***** rings that cats play on, very detailed stuff, machines that make our lives easier, and THEY PRINT THEM TO PHOTO THEM. Some of these prints take a massive amount (lookinig at you @Josh-3D ) of filament.

I can’t stress enough how aggravating this is when it comes up. It’s been in the rules, just some have selected to skip that part. Should be only one reason to skip it, and that you want to get it up for points ASAP. So you want others to beta test it for you, you can’t be bothered.

Simple fix, post a photo not a render. It’s been part of the rules for awhile, and it’s finally being enforced.

People need to put on their big girl pants,

[ZaxMan3D]

@johnfcooley

“Everyone else is doing it…” is a grade school argument.
Are you in grade school? I didn’t think so.

You don’t agree and that’s fine, but grow up dude.
it has nothing to do with "Everyone else is doing it…” far from.

What I’m asking for is we all play by the same rules nothing more.
for me, it’s 28 points I will live, but I don’t think some ppl in here will be happy about having points for a combined 8k downloaded and 5k prints.

If Bambu wants all print profiles to have a real printed image from X date, Bambu should be prepared to spend time to look at all the print profiles out there and remove them all and the points associated with them, or flag them for the uploader to be fixed.

@johnfcooley

I can’t stress enough how aggravating this is when it comes up. It’s been in the rules, just some have selected to skip that part. Should be only one reason to skip it, and that you want to get it up for points ASAP. So you want others to beta test it for you, you can’t be bothered.

Generally, I don’t upload anything that I have not tested, if it happens it has a BIG FAT WARNING & NO PRINT PROFILE. It’s fun how that works right?

Do I normally post a pic of a print, yes.
Did I for some odd reason forget it this time, yes, it seems so.
Do I care about points, sure as much as the next one, they are nice but not the be-all and end-all.

@johnfcooley

Simple fix, post a photo not a render. It’s been part of the rules for awhile, and it’s finally being enforced.

That’s what I do with all print profiles uploaded after Feb 19 as it was the new standard. I’m not sure how this will fix the problem I’m trying to highlight.

[debonr]

Zaxman3d, I have no idea of the timeline on this, in you first post it looked like you posted your design in February, and it was almost immediately taken down. If so, why mention it on here, now. Or was it only taken down recently, in the meantme you accumulated many points, but have lost them. I know that elsewhere, on here, there has been a fair mount of discussion in other threads about the rule changes. So, have you just found out that you have no points, or has it taken you a while, since Feb/whenever to get around to posting on here?

Obviously, re your second para, You need to be clear: You can change a rule and then retroactively punish users for content that was fully compliant under the previous guidelines. Whether that is something that is liked, or hated, is of little consequence, unless you make the rules, and can/want to do something about it.

[ZaxMan3D]

Sorry, I figured it was clear that it was removed just now.

Timeline:
Feb 2 Uploade of print profile.
Feb 19 Guidelines changes.
Sep 20 Print profile and points removed.

I agree it would be odd to mention it now, if it happened back in Feb, and I did also look at all suggested posted before posting, but they all talked about uploads that was done after the change, not before. or not really relevant.

@debonr

Whether that is something that is liked, or hated, is of little consequence, unless you make the rules, and can/want to do something about it.

Whether I like it or not I’m still allowed to have a discussion about it, and warn others, that if they have a print profile with no image, go add it or risk having points removed.

and it would not be the first time a change has been modified due to the community being vocal about lot liking the change. To be clear I like this change, but I don’t like how it’s applied retroactively.

[johnfcooley]

I hate doing this…really. I need coffee.

@ZaxMan3D

I want to bring attention to an issue that can have serious implications for creators on this platform: the retroactive enforcement of new community guidelines. This situation isn’t just about one profile; it’s about the broader principle of changing rules and punishing users for not following them before they existed.

Retroactive enforcement is finallly enforcement. Knowing that uploading without a print wasn’t being enforced doesn’t mean you get a pass. Should it have been enforced all along? YEP. Does it mean if you broke a rule you knew about, but knew you stood a good chance of getting away with it, you shouldn’t be punished? I don’t think so.

@ZaxMan3D

I uploaded a print profile on February 2, 2024, which was fully compliant with the MakerWorld guidelines in place at the time. On February 19, 2024, a new rule was introduced requiring actual printed images for all uploads. Even though this new rule did not exist when I uploaded my profile, my profile was removed, and the points I earned were taken away.

Just going to say it wasn’t a new rule. I think as a forum we’ve been down this road and it was found to have been there before. Again, just not enforced. See above.

@ZaxMan3D

“We can change the rules whenever we want, and your past compliance means nothing

Their playground, their rules. Really is it. You abide by the terms and conditions so if they want to take a tinkle in your fruit loops they can. You can say “I was gonna eat those” and storm off if you want, or you can eat it. But you can’t condemn what you’ve already agreed to even if it’s wrong or you don’t like it. Go to another playground.

@ZaxMan3D

This is not a case of spamming or low-quality uploads. I followed the rules that were in place when I uploaded the file. Yet now, I’m being punished for not having followed a guideline that didn’t even exist at the time. It’s like changing the laws and punishing people for actions they took when those laws didn’t apply.

Think we covered this, and man you are a drama queen.

@ZaxMan3D

On top of this, I’ve noticed other profiles remain up even though they still don’t meet the new guidelines. If the platform is going to enforce new rules, they need to do it consistently. Allowing some profiles to slide through while others are taken down makes it feel like the enforcement is arbitrary, and creators have no way of knowing if they’re going to be the next target.

I can 100% agree with this, up to “creators have no way of know if they’re going to be the next target” cause some clearly don’t care, hell some plan on it not being enforce strictly. Is that bambus fault, yep. Does that mean it’s ok to break rules? H to the double hocky sticks no.

@ZaxMan3D

This isn’t just about my profile—it’s about fairness and trust between the platform and its creators. If rules can be changed and then enforced retroactively at any time, without consistency, it undermines the confidence creators have in their work staying valid. If today’s efforts can be invalidated tomorrow by a rule that didn’t exist, what’s the point in contributing?

The rule wasn’t changed. How it is enforced has. A pretty big distinction given that users have knowingly broken the rule and counted on the inconsistant enforcement to get away with it. No one is being cheated on this.

@JonRaymond

If memory serves me correct Makerworld did give a time period to bring all older print profiles into compliance.

You memory does serve you well.

@ZaxMan3D

I am not aware of any warnings or information provided for older uploads, but that is only a small part of the problem.
The real issue is how the rules are enforced on some users but not others.

Well that’s too bad. There’s a post on the forum and if I remember an email, or a message on your Makerworld profile. One or the other, but that happneded.

@ZaxMan3D

The real issue is how the rules are enforced on some users but not others.

The real issue is it is now being enforced and needs to continue, and agreed, be consistant.

@ZaxMan3D

I don’t want to “snitch” on others if it risks them getting a lot of points removed, but with a simple search on the site, I found profiles with thousands of downloaded and prints some uploaded after February 19th that seem to be okay. One of them is even on the Featured list.

Welcome to the fourm.

@ZaxMan3D

and how to that solve that its ok for others but not for me to upload profiles with no real images?

This doesn’t sound childish at all…

@ZaxMan3D

Well sorry if u don’t like me bringing it up in the forum, to first of all warn others, with the small hope it might help me out as well. If you don’t like it feel free to keep out of the thread

Bringing it to the forum is fine. We like to debate and discuss. You’re just a tab misguided. Nothing wrong with that, I’m angry and wrong all the time. That last part though, won’t win you any friends. This is public, and by that you making a thread is an invite to discuss. Slamming the gate after we’ve already posted would be like making a rule…oh wait, nevermind.

@ZaxMan3D

After I pointed out the to support agent(s) that Feb 2 is before Feb 19th. the did agree with me that it did follow the guidelines prior, but did not care about it.

No offense, but I struggle with this.

@ZaxMan3D

You don’t agree and that’s fine, but grow up dude.
it has nothing to do with "Everyone else is doing it

See above a few spots. Pretty sure that’s what you were getting at.

@ZaxMan3D

but I don’t think some ppl in here will be happy about having points for a combined 8k downloaded and 5k prints.

Well sadly that won’t happen, although if someone had 8k with no image I’d have popcorn and a good seat to watch it get taken down.

@ZaxMan3D

If Bambu wants all print profiles to have a real printed image from X date, Bambu should be prepared to spend time to look at all the print profiles out there and remove them all and the points associated with them, or flag them for the uploader to be fixed.

Again, welcome to the forum.

@ZaxMan3D

Do I normally post a pic of a print, yes.
Did I for some odd reason forget it this time, yes, it seems so.
Do I care about points, sure as much as the next one, they are nice but not the be-all and end-all.

@ZaxMan3D

That’s what I do with all print profiles uploaded after Feb 19 as it was the new standard. I’m not sure how this will fix the problem I’m trying to highlight.

So did you forget once, or start on 2/19? Because on 2/2 it was still a rule, although as stated not enforced.

You keep adding while I’m typing and I don’t want to do this forever.
Bottom line is this: Rule is being enforced, should have always been enforced.
You lost a print. It’s over, get some coffee and take it in stride.
Don’t worry about everyone else, not worth it.
We all report, and will keep reporting so at least some of those that slip by will be caught.

You don’t seem like a bad guy/girl/both (no offense) so just breath and let it go. No one here is against you.

Now I’m going to go get some coffee.

sooooooo many typos, oh well.

[xsynatic]

@ZaxMan3D

Timeline:
Feb 2 Uploade of print profile.
Feb 19 Guidelines changes.
Sep 20 Print profile and points removed.

Well actually they required Images of the actual model since October 23rd 2023

Additionally, we now require Print Profile creators to include actual print images alongside their Print Profiles. As of today, we’re offering a grace period of 10 days for Print Profile creators to update their existing creations. During this period, creators only need to add actual print images to the ‘Print Profile Pictures’ section.

After these 10 days, in the interest of fairness and transparency, Print Profiles lacking actual print images will be automatically placed at the end of the list on model pages.

Which makes this not true.

@ZaxMan3D

I uploaded a print profile on February 2, 2024, which was fully compliant with the MakerWorld guidelines in place at the time

The real timeline is:

Timeline:
October 23 - Images are required on profiles
Feb 2 User uploads a print profile without image
Feb 19 Guidelines change to fully enforce the rule from October
Sep 20 Print profile and points removed after almost a year of not following the guideline.

@ZaxMan3D

Let’s be clear: You cannot change a rule and then retroactively punish users for content that was fully compliant under the previous guidelines. This is not just unfair—it’s unreasonable.

Which Bambulab never did. With Rule changes they usually gave users a grace period if needed, to fully comply with the rules.

@ZaxMan3D

I followed the rules that were in place when I uploaded the file. Yet now, I’m being punished for not having followed a guideline that didn’t even exist at the time.

You didn’t.

@ZaxMan3D

Inconsistent Enforcement:

On top of this, I’ve noticed other profiles remain up even though they still don’t meet the new guidelines.

That is because no one has reported that Model/Profile yet.

@ZaxMan3D

It creates an environment where creators don’t know if their efforts today will be invalidated tomorrow by a rule that doesn’t even exist yet.

i don’t feel that way and neither do my friends on the platform. Please don’t speak for everyone.

[ZaxMan3D]

@xsynatic

Well actually they required Images of the actual model since October 23rd 2023

Would u be so kind as to share a link to the full text and not just a quote?
I’m not saying you are lying, just want to see what els is there.

[xsynatic]

It should be under the System Tab on Makerworld where you find all announcements.

[johnfcooley]

@xsynatic

Well actually they required Images of the actual model since October 23rd 2023

my hero…

[ZaxMan3D]

I can’t see anything from before Dec 7, I think it might be due to when I signed up​:man_shrugging: so thx for posting the full message.

It even highlights a “problem”, for some reason, I don’t have “the authority to review and remove such print profiles” from my models of other users. I found that out when making sure all my Print profiles have a pic. might have been rolled back due to abuse🤷‍♂️

Regardless it was not part of the uploaded form when I started or I would have added it from day one, and it was Bambu support self that pointed to the date of Feb 19 when I made the ticket, I took their word for it.

I guess my problem is only that they don’t enforce it equally then