October 2, 2004

Big Brother inside your printer?

Posted by gizmo at 01:12 PM in computers . | 6 Comments

Regarding detection of attempts to print pics of US currency:

"Its broad adoption represents one of the rare occasions when the U.S. technology industry has quietly agreed to requests by government and finance officials to include third-party software code in commercial products. Most companies have never publicly revealed to customers they include such counterfeit protections in products."

Here is the article. Personally I think this is really troubling.

If tech companies start to comply with the US gov to include such spy ware how can we be sure they arent collecting other info? I wouldnt be suprised if such invasive tech. is used to monitor people on watch lists. The article claims that this software doesnt track attempts to print bills, but that doesnt really mean anything.. to me at least.

What does everyone else think about this?

 

Comments

yeah, its troubling for criminals.


I make it a point of sending everything I do on my computer to gov@gov.gov. I think we all should. WTF are they going to do with all that information? Plus, I got nothing to hide.

Posted by: dan at October 2, 2004 4:48 PM

This isn't all too new of news. Copying machines have been built with this kind of copy protection for years now.

gov@gov.gov is awesome.

Posted by: ryan at October 4, 2004 10:59 AM

That being said, if the software sent a message to gov@gov.gov saying, "Ryan tried to copy a $50, pay him a visit." I would be angered.

Posted by: ryan at October 4, 2004 11:01 AM

well. I think it is illegal to copy money. I could see how it would be frustrating to be using your own copy machine in your own house and have that happen. When is it ok to enforce a law?

Posted by: Dan at October 4, 2004 4:41 PM

The point at which you try and spend it. That is the idea behind the law isn't it?

Posted by: John G at October 4, 2004 5:00 PM

frustrating in the same way as i was frustrated last nite when i realized my Velvet Revolver cd refused to let me make MP3s to transport to my mp3 player. I wasnt trying to steal anything, i was trying to put the music i purchased onto a device I owned for my personal use.

ironically, BMG claims they provide the music in wma format becuase "it is the only secure format"

not secure enough... ;)

Posted by: gizmo at October 4, 2004 7:59 PM