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Tech Is Your Computer Hearing Everything You Say?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by flutterby, Dec 28, 2016.

  1. flutterby

    flutterby Active Member

    https://www.theguardian.com/technol...g-tool-installed-computers-without-permission

    "
    Privacy campaigners and open source developers are up in arms over the secret installing of Google software which is capable of listening in on conversations held in front of a computer.

    First spotted by open source developers, the Chromium browser – the open source basis for Google’s Chrome – began remotely installing audio-snooping code that was capable of listening to users."

    The feature is installed by default as part of Google’s Chrome browser. But open source advocates are up in arms about it also being installed with the open source variant Chromium, because the listening code is considered to be “black box”, not part of the open source audit process.

    “We don’t know and can’t know what this black box does,” said Falkvinge.

    Falkvinge countered Google’s explanations saying: “The default install will still wiretap your room without your consent, unless you opt out, and more importantly, know that you need to opt out, which is nowhere a reasonable requirement.” He says a hardware switch to disable the microphone and camera built into most computers is needed.
     
  2. flutterby

    flutterby Active Member

    So most computers have an internal mic that you cannot see ie. nothing attached physically to the computer/laptop. It's what allows others to hear you when you use Skype for instance. However, if people on Skype can hear you what's to prevent anyone on any website you visit hearing you?

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...-mic-off/00072d10-53c1-4990-b3d2-5c3aa73bd6b4

    How to turn off your computer's mic (disable it)
     
  3. the mechanic

    the mechanic Active Member

    ... it'll be the same thing with televisions too ...
     
  4. flutterby

    flutterby Active Member

  5. I'm not joking!

    I'm not joking! Junior Member

    Malicious, American fascists. This is sick.
     
  6. flutterby

    flutterby Active Member



    people having conversations whilst the phone is in a purse or simply on a table in the room, and then getting targeted ads based on those conversations.
     
    Last edited: Aug 16, 2017

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