The Electronic Frontier Foundation has begun a project to reverse-engineer the tracking codes embedded in every page printed by color laser printers under a quiet arrangement with the U.S. Secret Service.
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. In an effort to identify counterfeiters, the US government has succeeded in persuading some color laser printer manufacturers to encode each page with identifying information. That means that without your knowledge or consent, an act you assume is private could become public. 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. — Electronic Frontier Foundation
Xerox claims the tracking codes are strictly used to track counterfeit currency, but other participating manufacturers have yet to make public statements on the program.
The EFF has published its preliminary research into the tracking codes these printers place on every printed page and call for anyone who owns or has access to a color laser printer to submit samples for reverse engineering, so that a legal challenge can be mounted.
To see the yellow tracking dots, use a blue LED flashlight and a magnifying glass. The yellow dots will appear black under the LED.
I made a few copies on a color laser printer during the 2004 election campaign. It’s a little disturbing to think that those could be tracked back to me. With no oversight at all, this program has the potential to deeply chill free political speech. Send your samples in today.
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Nonsense Nation
Jul 24, 2005
If this is true, it is very disturbing. It is one thing for us to know how we are being watched. It is another for them to sneak it in.
Wouldn’t a smart counterfeiter just pay cash for his printer and not register it to keep from getting traced back to it?
Michael Hampton
Jul 24, 2005
Click through. You can view samples from printers already observed to have the tracking codes and some preliminary analysis.
As for paying cash, Best Buy is extremely reluctant to let people walk out the door with any big-ticket items without (1) collecting their names and addresses, and (2) trying to sell them extended warranty coverage. Hello, database! I wish you luck in your quest to buy a color laser printer anonymously.
Someone
Jul 25, 2005
Do they actually have the details of the purchaser or is it just to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was printed on your printer?
I think Counterfeiters are generally identified by following the money trail.
Oct 17, 2005
EFF breaks Xerox DocuColor color printer tracking codes - IO ERROR