• Boddhisatva@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    Plus, a huge number of printers (color laser printers, at least) include a hidden code in all your printouts that includes the serial number of your printer. That serial number can be used to find out what store sold the printer and to whom it was sold to. Odds are, with so many printers being on line now, they can probably track the printer down to what network/WiFi it’s connected to.

    Ostensibly, this is supposed to be used to catch counterfeiters and other criminals. But if you think our government is above using it to squelch public political protest then I have a bridge to sell you. If you print one of these up and send it to a JD Vance office, you might just as well be signing it, if you use your own printer. If they want to make a list of senders, they probably can.

    I would recommend going to a store that makes black and white copies and send a copy. A black and white copy would not include the yellow dots in which the serial number is encoded.

    /Yes, I’m paranoid, but am I paranoid enough?

    • 0^2@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      3 months ago

      Duh buy it at a garage sale then keep it disconnected and print away, or buy used from overseas. Lots of options.