Newscan 12 Jan 2004 reports that Adobe has admitted the latest version
of its Photoshop software contains new technology that identifies if
someone tries to make a digital copy of some currencies. The software
generates a warning message (not clear who to). This is apparently
part of an understanding between Adobe and US government and
bankers. Newscan quotes an Adobe spokesperson "We knew
this sort of thing would come out eventually ... We can't really talk
about the technology itself".
There are worries that this technology can be easily extended by Adobe
to many other sorts of material. It provides a means of censorship
on the designers' desk - at the point of creation of digital material.
In design research terms, this situation opens up a completely new area
of design-focused ethics.
It has potential implications for those designers working in areas
that current US government might not fully approve.
Any other thoughts on the implications?
Terry
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Dr. Terence Love
Research Fellow
Dept of Design
Curtin Univesity
Western Australia
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