Secret Codes On Computer Printers?
Reader’s Question:
Is it true some computer printers print tiny tiny microscopic text on your printing with identifying information on it?
Allan
Denver, CO
Recently a research team led by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) broke the code behind tiny tracking dots that some color laser printers secretly hide in every document.
The U.S. Secret Service admitted that the tracking information is part of a deal struck with selected color laser printer manufacturers to identify counterfeiters. But, the nature of the private information encoded in each document was not previously known.
Xerox previously admitted that it provided these tracking dots to the government, but said that only the Secret Service had the ability to read the code. The Secret Service maintains that it only uses the information for criminal counterfeit investigations purposes. But, there are no laws to prevent the government from abusing this information.
Entry Filed under: Printer information