this post was submitted on 23 May 2025
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Metadata on typewriters? (lemmy.ca)
submitted 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) by spinning_disk_engineer@lemmy.ca to c/privacy@lemmy.ca
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Since laser printers all encode metadata into the printed image, and handwriting is unique to the writer, I was wondering if a typewriter would provide a more anonymous form of paper communication.

I expect it would be possible to determine the model of typewriter, but would it be possible to tell if two samples were made on the very same machine? Are electric typewriters better or worse than manual? (assuming the same operator) What about Selectric or Wheelwriter – would frequently swapping out the typing element help?

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[–] count_dongulus@lemmy.world -2 points 5 months ago (2 children)

You can use an inkjet printer. They don't have that secret yellow dot metadata.

[–] PhilipTheBucket@ponder.cat 4 points 5 months ago

I strongly suspect that they do. I don't know for sure, but it would seem like such a silly oversight for inkjets to be omitted now that they have quality that rivals or exceeds laserjet printers.

[–] BCsven@lemmy.ca 3 points 5 months ago

My inkjet did. Drove me nuts on photos