August 26th, 2008

Secret Dots Trigger Privacy Debate

John Sterlicchi, Australian IT

Despite persistent concern from privacy organisations, leading printer companies are still using secret tracking dots that can identify which laser printer printed a document.

The printer companies say the use of the yellow dots - almost invisible to the eye - on each printed page to identify the printer's serial number is part of a US Government-sponsored effort to deter counterfeiters, but organisations such as privacy watchdog Electronic Frontier Foundation fear sinister uses of the technology.

Related Issues: Printers

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