Colleagues, I have HP, Epson, Canon and Brother printers that I’ve collected over the years. And my aging fleet of desk and laptop computers include models from Averatec, Lenova, Toshiba, Sony, Apple and HP.
Ink usage notices that I have received in messages both on some of my computers and on some of the printers’ screens, and actual interruptions in ink supplies, and commands sent to my computers/printers to stop using cartridges altogether, clearly indicate that ink usage info has been shared between my computer/printer set-up(s) and the home offices concerned.
What is that info and why is it transmitted to the printers’ home offices? HOW can any provider of any printer or any computer issue instructions to MY hardware regarding what MY equipment will or will not do with respect to any other of MY products or property?
What OTHER info (such as copies of my personal data, email message traffic, listings of software installed on my computer, etc.) is being sent to those home offices or others?
Never have I given any of the printer manufacturers permission to upload any information whatsoever from MY computers and MY printers to their systems. MY hardware is not a test bed for their products. I purchased the computer; it is MINE. I purchased the printer; it is MINE. I purchase the ink; and it, too, is MY property.
So, specifically what info is it that is being transmitted to the home offices of the printers and . . .
1) how do I tap into it for duplication of it, or transmission to the home office of whatever info I might want to send them;
2) how might I intercept it so that my computer and my printer remain my property and
3) how might I ensure that info concerning my property is not shared with anyone, anywhere w/o my explicit permission?
Any help anyone can provide in my understanding what’s up would be most appreciated. I have written the computer and printer manufacturers regarding this “misappropriation” of my personal information by merchants I have paid to produce my hardware/software and consumables.
I have not, however, received the courtesy of a reply. Not one of them has written back w/so much as an acknowledgment of my messages. So, here I turn to the TechRepublic user community for guidance and support. Please, any assistance anyone can provide in my emerging campaign to “Sock it to ‘Em!” would be most welcome indeed.
So, please, let me hear from you!