Spymarks, Not Watermarks

Tech companies like Google, OpenAI, and others are embedding hidden tracking signals called "spymarks" into digital content (images, audio, text, and video) under the guise of identifying AI-generated material, but these systems can encode database identifiers linked to personal information including names, IP addresses, and dates of birth without user knowledge or consent. The article argues for using the term "spymark" instead of "watermark" to clearly distinguish these covert surveillance mechanisms from legitimate authenticity markers and to highlight the privacy risks involved.