Shhhhh....
- Thread starter FMA4ME
- Start date
Recording devices that are triggered by certain "hot words".....sounds like the phones that we have at work.
I'm no fan of leaving the site to read a long article so here you go
Surprise! All those electronic devices you adore and rely on so much, like your TV and XBox can be just as much a security threat as a hacker who reads all your emails.
The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) sent a letter last week to the Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department asking regulators to look into “always on” technology. The group cited technology from Microsoft, Amazon, Google and others as worrisome.
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.
Related: As tech firms track your location, advertisers zero in for the sale
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.
With that said, we beat this topic to death like 2 years ago when discussing the Xbox one/360, ps4, smart phones, laptops etc etc when the new technology was all the rage
Was there people who actually defended the right of technology spying on them?
How do you think all these terrorist plans have been averted by national security in the past year? it hasn't all been people talking on social media/Internet forums. They're being watched and then picked up once they've acquired the fire arm and have clear intent. Our gov don't play around with national security.
ISIS, bomb, jihad : ooooo look I just triggered this thread. Now this thread is being watched. Are you gonna stop posting? Lol.
I still don't buy into it. I still say this is the tip of an iceberg. That argument is perfect for people who don't want to sit and think about things. Do you think jihadees sat around playing Xbox on their Samsung tv and openly made plans?
Youre missing how it works. You don't PLAY it. Your Xbox, smartphone, laptop all have CAMERAS and MICROPHONES. All I have to do is access them (you think they're off) and yes I think people talk about everything in the privacy of their OWN home. where else would you?
You act like they need to be playing their Xbox and discussing the plan to someone while playing grand theft auto.....your cell phone right now. Imagine I turn on the mic and record everything in your house. All day long, 24/7 until I verified you were no longer a threat. You say a keyword and i turn your electronics back on to record and repeat process
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I'm not missing how it works. I understand that.I'm saying just because you have the capability, doesn't give you the right. And I'm not content with accepting you're going to tell me where, when, and why you're looking over my shoulder truthfully.
You already signed up for it when the patriotic act went up. Want to change it? Get off MFK and run for office but since Pandora's box is open and we're akready discussing it. What does your most recent post have to do with your previous post? One minute you're implying terrorists would never discuss plans in their home near their Xbox or Samsung TV and the next you're talking about how you don't agree with any spying. So...are the terrorists not having convos at home just because you disagree with the act of spying or did you put your foot in your mouth and you're now trying to skip past that point?
Or was your point all along that you believe we were sold on spying for national security but it's being misapplied? if it's being misapplied, please show me proof. I've shown you proof of it being used to stop terrorist attacks shortly after people acquire fire arm or attempt to board a plan. Just give me a hint of it being used to solve a murder or catch a cheating spouse or crack down on fraud, corrupt government official, human trafficking, insider trading etc etc. I have no doubt that it's been abused but the idea of real privacy went out the window a long time ago. If you want to be watched by someone in power, there's nothing you can do about it unless you go completely off the grids