The Bitcoin whitepaper is hidden in every copy of macOS (waxy.org)

Article summary

A PDF copy of the Bitcoin whitepaper is hidden in every copy of macOS since Mojave in 2018. The file is used as a sample document for a device called Virtual Scanner II in the Image Capture utility. It is not clear why the Bitcoin whitepaper was chosen for this purpose. The file has been confirmed to exist in multiple versions of macOS, but its presence and purpose are unknown.

Main themes

• Bitcoin whitepaper in macOS
• Virtual Scanner II
• Apple employee motivations
• Cryptocurrency culture
• Software testing and development
• Copyright and ownership disputes

What commenters say

• The presence of the Bitcoin whitepaper in macOS is likely due to an employee's personal preference or a test document choice.
• The inclusion of the Bitcoin whitepaper may be a form of protest or statement against Craig Wright's copyright claim.
• The Bitcoin whitepaper's presence in macOS has no significant impact on the cryptocurrency or its value.
• The discovery of the hidden Bitcoin whitepaper is amusing and intriguing, but ultimately insignificant.
• Some commenters believe that any PDF document could have served the same purpose, and the choice of the Bitcoin whitepaper reveals a cryptobro culture within Apple.
• Others argue that criticizing the presence of the Bitcoin whitepaper is an overreaction and unfairly assigns blame to Apple or its employees.