@vxo not that I'm planning to print anything particularly spicy, and I get that stencils or print rollers would be safest, but I was wondering the level of anonymity* with a combination of printing on 2014 BW laser printer (no WiFi capabilities) using "compatible" unbranded toner + photocopies done at local copy shop without surveillance cameras, cash payment.

* Understanding that nothing can ensure 100% anonymity - as testified by recent incident of journo added to signal chat

@amberage So, yes, and I do actually bring this up in the piece. The FBI has those records in the US and would do the same thing.

The difference, of course, being that with the printer, your printed piece points directly to you. With the typewriter, they have to suspect you first, and they need some way of linking it to you. It's a similar risk to buying an old second-hand printer with cash. It still has identifying info, but not enough context to point. But if found, it could definitely be used to corroborate the evidence as a match.

@theotherbrook Yes, it's a similar point to monochrome printers and whether or not they are transmitting metadata. You're right about the EFF piece, although I didn't intend for it to be understood as comprehensive, just illustrative.

I think there is a potential issue with the bleed on an inkjet with regards to dots. However, there are still methods and incentives enough to assume that if your threat model demands it, then I wouldn't trust any printer or copier, essentially.

Interestingly enough, the Wikipedia page on it actually links to a 2006 paper discussing research into making it more viable for monochrome and inkjets, etc.

This is a PDF of the info:
web.archive.org/web/2017082205…

Yeah, like you said, it's a matter of what risks does a person want to take? What is their threat model? Because for most things, none of this matters in the slightest, but when it does matter, then a person has to decide what it means for them.

Yeah. I've made a few stickers that I handed out to people. Nothing that I think would warrant going to the effort of tracing but it does make me wonder about my printer. It uses ink reservoirs that I believe are all the same and I've thought about switching the red and yellow just to see if I can spot any dots.

I just want an analog printing press.

@theotherbrook Yeah, see, that's perfect. There's printing radical stuff and then there's printing *radical* stuff. And obviously, what is truly *radical* (and dangerous to print) is likely to shift.

There's nothing wrong with having both. There's nothing wrong with using a printer. It's just that it's dangerous to use *under the wrong circumstances*, most of which most people will never have to worry about, and wouldn't even necessarily be the bulk of most printer jobs today. But it's definitely a good time to prepare for that eventually if you live under an increasingly oppressive regime.

@alive Yes, someone brought this up, and it's similar to the monochrome issue. The thing is, there are other ways of embedding information, which I mention in the piece. The EFF citation was meant to be illustrative, not comprehensive. The dots are simply the only proven ones *so far*, but that doesn't mean it hasn't been happening in other ways. So, a person has to decide based on their own threat models what is worth it or not.

I also mentioned that even the Wikipedia page on this topic has a link to a 2006 pdf at Purdue concerning research into other methods of embedding this information in other ways.

Link to the PDF:
web.archive.org/web/2017082205…

It's all a matter of what you think is a risk or not.

well, "but in 2017 they stopped doing so, believing all color printers actually do have the capability" is simply incorrect, you should at least fix that to be factually accurate.

imo spreading fear about types of surveillance that are theoretically possible but elaborate to implement and there isn't any evidence is actually happening in practice is counterproductive.

also, it's factually incorrect that these dots played a role in the Reality Winner case, printers are only involved in that she used a work printer that maintained a log of every document printed and who printed it.

@alive you're right, I'll fix that wording. Thank you.

I don't believe it's counterproductive to highlight an issue that I do believe is likely, and yes, is a huge risk for people who might print radical content under an oppressive regime. I fail to see how highlighting this issue would be *counter* productive. This isn't about fear from printing *anything*, or using a printer at all, it's only under specific circumstances where people would need to be aware of heightened risks where they fear being taken by secret police in the middle of the day to be taken to an enslavement concentration camp in El Salvador for the words they print-- a risk that increases day by day.

I thought I double-checked the Reality Winner case, I'll double-check and edit in that case. I do remember there was more than the dots, but I did believe the dots played a role.

@TheGreatLlama
Feature request: uses used teabags/coffee grounds as "ink" for b/w printing.

"The printer's out of ink."
"I'll put the kettle on."

@RhinosWorryMe @TheGreatLlama

I love this video of someone using diy coffee ink with rice flour to make a photo print:

youtu.be/yGnORmWBWik?si=tnhtJf…

@RavynWitch @sungo

I agree. You should get one-- in case you needed more encouragement 😀

Also, I would love to have a printing press.

My own theory-crafted favorite printing device for subversives is a late-20th century IBM Wheelwriter daisywheel printer. They were sold in huge quantities, they're still fairly easy to find, buy, and repair, it's not that hard to kludge them to a modern computer, and the print wheels are common enough that you could pitch/replace one after a sensitive print job.

ebay.com/itm/388144628860

IBM Wheelwriter 30 Series II Typewriter 6787 { Limited Tested } | eBay

IBM Wheelwriter 30 Series II Typewriter 6787 { Limited Tested } Condition, This unit is being offered for parts/not working.

^eBay

Option 1: Buy the cheapest disposable one at Walmart with cash. Wear an N-95 mask if you want to be super paranoid.

Option 2: Buy used on Craigslist or at the thrift store.

Used inkjets are likely to be clogged. A lot of thrift stores won't even carry inkjets because they had too many people demanding refunds. Used laser printers usually work, and you can test in the store.

You have a burner phone. You need a burner printer.