Do printers print an invisible identification number on the back of each page printed?

Question

On CNBC last week, they stated the FBI had required manufacturers of computer printers to print an identification number on the back of each page - which is not visible until a chemical is added to the page. Its like a UPC code on an item in the store. The id numbers indicate the manufacturer, model and serial number of the printer - which can be used to identify the owner of the printer. Orwell's 1984 mentality?

Answer 1

Yes, it's true. In an effort to snare counterfeiters, the US government has persuaded some color laser printer manufacturers to encode each page with identifying information. The EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation) has recently proven what many have suspected for a long time - that at least some laser printers embed a secret machine identification code on every page they print, which reveals when the page was printed, and the serial number of the printer on which it was printed.

You might might not think it's a big deal that your printer's serial number is embedded on every page. But if you registered your printer with the manufacturer when you bought it, the manufacturer knows that you are associated with that printer's serial number.

Answer 2

For old printers there will be no problem because they weren't designed to print invisible ID. But for newly released printers, I guess you have to be careful what you print from then on. What ever model you have right now before you heard about the FBI requiring such a thing don't worry, your printer doesn't have that ability.