AMD'S Transparent Secure Memory Encryption (TSME), introduced in 2016, has been removed from mid-range and entry-level Ryzen processors through recent BIOS updates, with no public explanation or mention in release notes. TSME, which provided robust memory encryption to protect against cold boot attacks and hardware threats, was previously accessible to users and considered a key security feature. The removal has been met with backlash from consumers who relied on this functionality, leading to feelings of betrayal.
The change was brought to light by a Linux enthusiast, who discovered that the feature was silently disabled despite still appearing enabled in BIOS settings. AMD stated that TSME was only intended for enterprise-grade AMD PRO processors, but users had assumed it would remain active based on prior functionality.