BItdefender and 2018 Macs -- MAC address conflict

I've talked with both BitDefender and Apple. I have 2 MacBook Pros with Touch Bar, 2017 and 2018 models, with iBridge adapters. iBridge seems to use the same MAC address (the one you listed above) for their hardware. It has nothing to do with the MAC address assigned to the Network.

As you said, this issue has nothing to do with the BitDefender protection on the MacBook Pros, it's an account ID issue. BitDefender thinks there is only one MacBook license in use when there are really 2, or more, for adapters with the same adapter MAC address.

BitDefender needs to identify MacBooks using something like the serial number. This is not an apple issue it's a BitDefender issue.

It doesn’t have anything to do with the T2 chip. Well, the MAC address is related to the new T2 chip. But developers should not be using MAC addresses as unique identifiers. That’s not new. MAC addresses have never been guaranteed to be unique. In most cases, end users can change their MAC addresses if they know about such things. Some people are very concerned about privacy and don’t want all of their online activity to be tracked. Changing your MAC address will prevent that. There is little risk of collision because MAC addresses are only used (their only true use) to differentiate computers on a local network. Since the T2 chip is an internal device, it doesn’t need a unique MAC address.

why these machines (or something in macOS) report the iBridge MAC address and seemingly can't be differentiated?

I suspect this is part of the security measures built into the macOS part of System Integrity Protection— or better yet built into the T2 security chip.

the fact that Apple appears to be using the same MAC address (ac:de:48:00:11:22) for this interface on all Macs.

You can submit

Apple Feedback http://www.apple.com/feedback

With your same Apple ID you can sign up for a free Developers Account and start a conversation with Apple engineers

Bug Reporter https://bugreport.apple.com/

As said previously, uninstall BitDefender.

I would not recommend Bitdefender. You do not need this antivirus, It does nothing but cause problem with Mac own built in XProtect.

Please see the articles below.

Effective defenses against malware … - Apple Community

Avoid phishing emails, fake 'virus' alerts, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

If you suspect you have installed adware/malware. Try running this trusted utility https://www.malwarebytes.com/mac/

Maybe I wasn't clear — I'm not trying to select an AV option. The question is why these machines (or something in macOS) report the iBridge MAC address and seemingly can't be differentiated?

Maybe you missed the point leroydouglas made. Uninstall BitDefender.

No, I didn't miss the point. XProtect is a relatively rudimentary AV on its own.

Are you saying that BitDefender itself is responsible for serving up the iBridge MAC address as the computer's MAC address?

No, I'm saying you would not be having your issue or asking about it if you were not running an unnecessary and of no value third party anti virus app. "BitDefender apparently identifies subscribed devices by MAC address."

I would not allow anything like BitDefender (or anything like it) within 1,000 miles of any of my Macs, especially not one that expects to be able to hack a system in order to "protect" it. I also have never had a problem. I don't visit questionable sites or try to download pirated stuff, not do I frequent sites which are rife with hidden adware/malware within whatever it is they are promoting.

I think the problem is that BitDefender is not selecting the correct MAC address for whatever it is attempting to do with it.