7 Popular Devices That Spy On You Without Your Permission


 
 
 

Did you know the seven electronic devices listed below are as much a security threat to you as a hacker who can read your emails and access your phone?

The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) wrote a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) asking them to look at technology from the likes of Microsoft, Google, Amazon and others, citing the “always on” technology as being “worrisome”.

Yahoo Finance report:

EPIC fears the average consumer isn’t aware that some of these devices are actually spying on them by recording their conversations even when the device seems to be turned off. The privacy implications of these devices, which they believe infringe on individual rights, is profound.

The companies say the devices are only engaged in “conversation” when triggered by a “hotword” or a certain gesture. However, those designs can’t be counted on to always work as planned and could cause accidental recordings.

If you’re worried about your privacy, here’s a list from EPIC that can help you audit your chances of staying anonymous.

Google Chrome

The browser is reportedly able to remotely install code that allows the software to listen to users without their knowledge. The code was originally designed to support Chrome’s new “OK, Google” hotword detection, which activates a computer response when you talk to it. However, some users claim the code was installed and activated on their computers without them giving their permission.

Google responded to these complaints on its Chromium developer boards. “While we do download the hotword module on startup, we do not activate it unless you opt in to hotwording,” the company wrote. Some developers question this claim.

Samsung SmartTV

The Samsung SmartTV has a built-in microphone that is equipped with voice recognition technology that allows users to give verbal commands to the TV. In order for Samsung to convert your speech to text, the voice commands are sent over the Internet to a third-party for interpretation.

However, since the TV is “always on,” the microphone is recording every word you’re saying at all times. Even in its SmartTV privacy policy, Samsung acknowledges that all spoken words, including personal or other sensitive information, are sent unencrypted to the third party.

Nest Cam

This Internet-streaming home security camera is a product of Nest Labs, which is now owned by Google. The camera comes with a microphone and streams video and sound directly to a consumer’s smart phone in real time. With the Nest “Aware” app, Google can record and save up to 30 days of video and audio.

Using the recording, the camera has the ability to alert users when an “unusual sound” is detected. Nest has the capability of distinguishing between unknown or known voices, which is an important security feature. But privacy advocates are fearful because the company does not disclose how the technology works or how much information the company collects.

Canary Connect

Canary Connect is another company that develops Internet-connected home security systems. The security device can store audio and video recordings from inside a user’s home for 90 days and can be set to one of three modes — “armed,” “disarmed” and “privacy.” Unless the device is in “privacy” mode, it will automatically begin to record when triggered by motion.

Users have complained that there isn’t an easy way to determine what mode the device is in. In addition, the interface doesn’t notify consumers when it is switching modes.

Microsoft’s Kinect

Microsoft has installed its “always on” voice and motion recorder, called Kinect, in its Xbox videogame consoles. When users say the word “Xbox,” the Kinect tracks and records the users’ voice and hand gestures in order to follow commands. In order for the device to know when to turn on, the console monitors conversations at all times.

Amazon Echo

Amazon Echo, like other voice-activated computer programs, is triggered awake by the word “Alexa.” The device is constantly listening in on household conversations for the word, which then triggers the system to record and stream the recording to Amazon’s cloud for processing and storage. Amazon has not revealed what data the system collects and if it saves conversations or words said before “Alexa.” In addition, various companies are in the process of incorporating Alexa into their Internet-connected devices. Amazon has not revealed how much information it will have access to once these other companies begin to collect their own data.

Mattel’s “Hello Barbie”

A new high-tech Barbie has sparked a furious outcry from the advocacy group Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood. Through a Wi-Fi connection and a built-in microphone, the new Barbie is able to hold conversations with a child. Critics, in addition to the privacy concerns, are worried that Mattel is exploiting the children and using them for financial gain because they can learn the child’s likes and dislikes. Mattel counters that there are safety precautions put in place and that the toy fills a niche for children who want to be able to speak with their Barbie.

Views: 140

Replies to This Discussion

And then we have the mobile phone with microphone to listen, camera to film, gps to record the location and radio to transmit it all out.

RSS

"Destroying the New World Order"

TOP CONTENT THIS WEEK

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE SITE!

mobile page

12160.info/m

12160 Administrators

 

Latest Activity

cheeki kea commented on rlionhearted_3's photo
Thumbnail

2 planes hit buildings then demolition happened.

"That is a very good question. Did the insurance company decline the claim for some reason? or has…"
1 hour ago
cheeki kea commented on Sandy's photo
Thumbnail

FB_IMG_1711502430662

"( sadly ) The unvaccinated sportsman or woman has an ( unfair ) advantage on the field or water…"
2 hours ago
cheeki kea favorited Sandy's photo
2 hours ago
cheeki kea commented on Doc Vega's blog post Was Sabotage or Terrorism used in the Collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge?
" Oh Wow Terrorism!/sabotage? Are you sure you want to know more prey tell. Could be a rabbit…"
3 hours ago
Less Prone commented on Doc Vega's blog post Was Sabotage or Terrorism used in the Collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge?
"Perfect for destroying the supply chain. It could well have been intentional."
18 hours ago
Less Prone favorited Doc Vega's blog post Was Sabotage or Terrorism used in the Collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge?
18 hours ago
Doc Vega posted blog posts
20 hours ago
rlionhearted_3 posted photos
23 hours ago
rlionhearted_3 favorited Doc Vega's photo
23 hours ago
tjdavis posted a video

Alabama’s Biggest Secret - Operation Paperclip 🇺🇸

In the north of Alabama is the city of Huntsville. It's here where German scientists built NASA in secrecy after World War II. Operation Paperclip is still s...
yesterday
tjdavis posted a photo
yesterday
Doc Vega commented on Doc Vega's blog post Americans You’re Being Squeezed Out!
"Cheeki kea always nice to her you chime in and you're damn right! "
yesterday
Doc Vega commented on Doc Vega's blog post Americans You’re Being Squeezed Out!
"Les Prone thanks for your support Dude! "
yesterday
Doc Vega posted a photo

The inconvenient truth

Trump spells it out!
yesterday
Sandy posted a photo
Wednesday
Less Prone favorited Doc Vega's blog post What Made the Founding Fathers of America so Brilliant?
Tuesday
Less Prone commented on Doc Vega's blog post Why didn't the Archeological World Announce Proof that Jesus Lived?
"Motives of Joe, to shit in the well by showing totally irrelevant proof?"
Tuesday
Doc Vega commented on Doc Vega's blog post Why didn't the Archeological World Announce Proof that Jesus Lived?
"Less, Motives of Wyatt or Joe? What archeologist wouldn't want proof of Jesus as part of his…"
Tuesday
Doc Vega commented on Doc Vega's blog post Why didn't the Archeological World Announce Proof that Jesus Lived?
"Less Prone, Considering Joe Rogan to be the gatekeeper of anything is just short of ridiculous the…"
Tuesday
Doc Vega posted a blog post
Tuesday

© 2024   Created by truth.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

content and site copyright 12160.info 2007-2019 - all rights reserved. unless otherwise noted