Is Your Printer Spying On You?

[I Am Blessed 24]

Imagine that every time you printed a document, it automatically included a secret code that could be used to identify the printer - and potentially, the person who used it. Sounds like something from an episode of "Alias," right?

Unfortunately, the scenario isn't fictional. A communication tool you're using in everyday life could become a tool for government surveillance. And what's worse, there are no laws to prevent abuse.

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[music4Him]

Well I'm not too worried then....all they'd get out of me is copies of Christian songs, sermons and fire fighting/EMS letters.

 

[just-want-peace]

MARANATHA!!!!!

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

They could get my tax return.

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

All this does is imprint an invisible code that tells the time, date, and printer details on documents.

I can't afford a colour laser printer anyway .

 

[rsr]

The same thing could be done with typewriters (for those who remember such things), and documents could even be traced to individual machines.

Besides, C4K, you don't have anything to worry about: It only works on color printers.

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

I can't afford a "color" laser printer either .

 

[AVL1984]

I was told by my sister in law, who used to work for the FBI, and my niece, who is a CSI, and my brother in law who is a cop, that this can be done with not only color laser printers, but dot matrix as well.

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Even if this is true, what is the problem with knowing where a document was printed?

How can a dot matrix printer print the tiny yellow dots mentioned in the article?

 

[David Ekstrom]

There's a difference between free speech and private speech. The constitution does not guarantee private speech.
Speech is a public act anyways.
This thing doesn't involve eavesdropping. It only involves identifying the speaker. I can see many reasons why it would be helpful and legitimate for the government to identify a speaker, for example, the author of hate mail or of porno.

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

I don't print anything that I would be ashamed for anyone to see.

I'm just tired of having more and more government in my private life...