FBI can remotely activate Android and laptop microphones, reports WSJ

[onehandle]

Last month, we discussed whether the new Microsoft Kinect could be used as an NSA spying tool. When it comes to the microphones in Android cell phones and laptop computers, though, surveillance might not be a theoretical question. The Wall Street Journal reports that the FBI can already remotely activate those microphones to record conversations.

That's according to a single anonymous former US official, mind you, and neither the FBI nor Google was willing to confirm or deny the report, but remotely forcing a cellular mic to eavesdrop isn't a new idea. The FBI's so-called "roving bugs" were used against alleged mobsters in 2004, and in 2002 the FBI kept tabs on supposed criminals using the microphone in a vehicle's emergency call system. What's new, according to several former anonymous officials, is a dedicated FBI group which regularly hacks into computers, using both custom and off-the-shelf surveillance software which it buys from private companies.

According to one of the Journal's sources, the "Remote Operations Unit" will sometimes install that software by plugging in a physical device like a USB drive, but can also do it over the internet like any other trojan, by "using a document or link that loads software when the person clicks or views it." While that source also claims the FBI takes care to make sure that only "relevant data" gets collected, it's still a little troubling to know that such a thing is easily possible and regularly done. It's worth noting that the government generally needs a warrant to conduct such surveillance activity, particularly where private content like audio conversations are concerned, but that assumes the US government doesn't simply conduct a warrantless wiretap and call it a "state secret" to block lawsuits.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/8/1/4580718/fbi-can-remotely-activate-android-and-laptop-microphones-reports-wsj

[damyank913]

1. I've wondered about that for a long time...

...there was a teacher in our area that remotely activated the cameras in the laptops issued to his kids. I think this is an easy thing for our tech savvy government. My friends used to laugh at me for putting a hoody over my cam...

[rhett o rick]

2. I put tape over my cam. nm

[damyank913]

6. Whew. Then I'm not alone eh.

[rhett o rick]

18. No you are not alone. In fact it looks like you have your teddy bear on your lap.

Apparently your camera is uncovered. And the teddy bear thing....will be just between us.

[damyank913]

30. HEY! Don't talk about Teddy...

...He's my "special Friend". Besides, because of me he's anatomically correct.

[rhett o rick]

31. TMI. And please put the cover over your cam. nm

[tridim]

8. LOL.

How do you feel when you enter a bank, for instance?

[reformist2]

10. IDGI.

[noamnety]

14. If the bank was in my living room

recording me in the (falsely presumed) privacy of my own home, I would have a major problem with it.

[tridim]

15. Psst, your phone isn't "recording you" either.

[noamnety]

21. Well, let's say then

that if the bank installed software to allow themselves to record me in my home, I would be pissed off. Even if they told me "don't worry, we installed it so we have the capability to film you in your bedroom, but we would never use it. And our operators would never abuse their access. So - you see - nothing to worry about."

[rhett o rick]

17. I certainly act differently when I know I am being survielled.

I dont pick my nose for example. And I do wear pants.

[tridim]

22. So basically, actual surveillance is a joke to you, while hyperbolic, worst-case, FUD based...

blame-Obama-first-always surveillance, that doesn't exist, causes you to shit yourself with fear. So much so that you tape up the camera on your phone.

Got it. Nuff said, really.

[rhett o rick]

25. "actual surveillance is a joke to you."? What? How in the world did you get that?

I think you know that's no way to present any kind of argument. I believe we need strong security, but I also believe that if we let the ultra-conservatives have carte blanche with tens of billions and with no oversite, we are apt to see a conservative monster created. If history has taught us any thing it's that there are those out there that want nothing more than to control of government at any cost. Maybe the Koch Brothers or the Bush Crime family. We know that during the Bush lost decade the conservatives installed conservatives in every agency in the government. To pretend that in 2008 all these conservatives changed their ideologies to that of the Democratic President is lunacy. Gen Clapper, Gen Alexander, Herr Mueller, and Comey are Bush conservatives. They still have conservative ideologies. They need to be kept under control via oversight.

Do you trust conservatives like Gen Clapper and Gen Alexander?

[niyad]

24. I do, however, find it necessary to adjust my glasses, with my middle finger.

[Skittles]

26. I WILL KICK NOSE-PICKING PANTLESS RHETT O RICK ASS

YES INDEED

[rhett o rick]

27. If you do, you really wont accomplish much. Just sayin. nm

[closeupready]

19. Me, too. Have done that for years now.

[hobbit709]

3. Get phone with removable battery. Turn OFF, take out battery.

[jakeXT]

4. Google started working on it in 06 I believe

Google developing eavesdropping software

Comment The first thing that came out of our mouths when we heard that Google is working on a system that listens to what's on your TV playing in the background, and then serves you relevant adverts, was "that's cool, but dangerous".

The idea appeared in Technology Review citing Peter Norvig, director of research at Google, who says these ideas will show up eventually in real Google products - sooner rather than later.

The idea is to use the existing PC microphone to listen to whatever is heard in the background, be it music, your phone going off or the TV turned down. The PC then identifies it, using fingerprinting, and then shows you relevant content, whether that's adverts or search results, or a chat room on the subject.

And, of course, we wouldn’t put it past Google to store that information away, along with the search terms it keeps that you've used, and the web pages you have visited, to help it create a personalised profile that feeds you just the right kind of adverts/content. And given that it is trying to develop alternative approaches to TV advertising, it could go the extra step and help send "content relevant" advertising to your TV as well.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/09/03/google_eavesdropping_software/

[niyad]

5. I think about the people who accused me of being paranoid when I refused to get a tv set that

would activate to give you alerts on weather. figured, if they could turn it on to talk to you, they could turn it on to listen to you.

[tridim]

9. You're still paranoid. Obviously.

It's a fucking weather alert, not big brother. Listen to yourself.

Just do what Rick-rick-rick did and put tape over your cameras, then that mean old Obama can't spy on you.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

11. Some people actually care about privacy. Go back to your cartoons.

[tridim]

13. The poster's paranoia has exactly nothing to do with my views on privacy issues.

Are you implying that you have to be paranoid to understand the issue?

If so, no thanks. It's all yours.

[niyad]

23. wow, did I hit a nerve or something? pretty sure nobody outside of illinois had heard of him back

then. but you just stay in your nice little cocoon, and stop telling those of us who actually have experience in this area that we are being paranoid.

[rhett o rick]

32. I guess your point is that "if you have done nothing wrong, dont worry." Where have I heard that

argument before? From our right-wing friends maybe?

For some, not knowing is bliss.

[Egnever]

28. Or maybe the idea was to build this phone?

Just saying..

[backscatter712]

7. Probably time to install custom ROMs on my Android phone...

There's always CyanogenMod or Paranoid Android, for example.

[backscatter712]

12. And what does everyone do to their desktop PCs so they can chat on Skype?

Oh yeah, they install cameras and microphones.

Laptops have them already built in, as do most desktops.

And schools have already been using them to creeper-peep on children.

[FarCenter]

16. You can buy software online to do this

It is especially useful for keeping tabs on your kids, spouse, etc .

[cbdo2007]

20. FBI can also just plant a bug in your house.

[Egnever]

29. I find this very dificult to believe

if theres a phone OS that has been ripped apart down to its last line of code its android. I highly doubt if this was possible it would be the WSJ that was breaking the news.

Dont let that stop the wild ass speculation though.

[Coyotl]

33. Did they report how long ago this info was on DU?

News is no fun if you provide context--obliterates all the hype.