Electronic content data that is copied without authorization can be traced back to its source using steganographically encoded information. Such arrangements are useful, e.g., where electronic content is rendered to an audience--one of whom may be making an illicit recording. In such embodiments, the encoding may be performed as the content is made available to the consumer, e.g., allowing data identifying time and place of rendering to be encoded. The specification details a variety of other steganographic techniques and applications, including conveying different messages using different parts of an image, and conveying record control information with electronic content.