Report: “Academic Journal Claims it Fingerprints PDFs for ‘Ransomware,’ Not Surveillance”

From Motherboard:

One of the world’s largest publishers of academic papers said it adds a unique fingerprint to every PDF users download in an attempt to prevent ransomware, not to prevent piracy.

Elsevier defended the practice after an independent researcher discovered the existence of the unique fingerprints and shared their findings on Twitter last week.

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It’s unclear exactly how fingerprinting every PDF downloaded could actually prevent ransomware. Jonny Saunders, a neuroscience PhD candidate at University of Oregon, who discovered the practice, said he believes Elsevier is trying to surveil its users and prevent people from sharing research without paying the company.

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The company’s spokesperson did not respond to Saunders’ allegations.

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Filed under: Companies (Publishers/Vendors), Elsevier, Journal Articles, News, Patrons and Users