On: Elsevier embeds a hash in the PDF metadata that is unique for each download (2022)

[sigwinch28]

A lot government funding stipulates open access publication of some form.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-access_mandate

[carschno → sigwinch28]

"Open Access" includes formats that shift the cost from the readers to the authors: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Article_processing_charge

So the publisher still gets a significant amount of money, albeit often paid by the institution of the author.