Technology

Imagine how much data could be collected from, say, a busy gym full of people with wireless headphones, or a hotel lobby

downvoted for that website's super illegal "pay us to not track you" policy

This really makes me hate that we don’t have headphone jack anymore

And this is why people wanted headphone jacks... and also why corporations didn't want them.

Unchecked consumer-grade RF signals that are broadcast in every direction are insecure??

Color me shocked!

The site wants to share info with advertisers. I found this to be refreshingly honest.

We and our up to 185 partners use cookies and tracking technologies. Some cookies and data processing are technically necessary, others help us to improve our offer and operate it economically...

Anyway, can we get an archive link?

Wired headphones stay winning

Hah, jokes on them, I managed to fuck my earbuds' microphones so they're useless now.

There's lots of money to be made by inserting a hardware back door in your product then later disclosing it as an unfixable vulnerability and force your customers to buy new hardware which has the same but different backdoor. Repeat.

So glad I use wired earbuds and refused to buy a phone that didn't support them.

Sounds like the attack scenario is very sophisticated and targeted, and only works within the range of Bluetooth low energy (BLE) connectivity, so 10-15 meters under best circumstances. At that point they might as well eavesdrop on my calls in person.

Every spy in my vicinity is going to be dancing to The Meters - Cissy Strut.

Even if these attacks seem frightening on paper, the ERNW researchers are reassuring: many conditions must be met to carry out an eavesdropping attack. First and foremost, the attacker(s) must be within range of the Bluetooth short-range radio; an attack via the Internet is not possible. They must also carry out several technical steps without attracting attention. And they must have a reason to eavesdrop on the Bluetooth connection, which, according to the discoverers, is only conceivable for a few target people. For example, celebrities, journalists or diplomats, but also political dissidents and employees in security-critical companies are possible targets.

I guess they didn’t point this out because it’s kind of obvious, but it sounds like they also have to actually be on to be exploited. So it’s not going to turn on and start listening to you at least. Definitely concerning, but I’m still gonna be listening to my audio books and podcasts with my wireless headphones.

I had a neighbor about 6 years ago that blasted rap at full volume every evening.

rap booming in the background

one fine day

"hmmm, what were these headphones on bt again? wait... soundbar. I don't have a soundbar.

hmmm, I wonder"

device paired

Jellyfin>Artists>..... Meshuggah

Obzen

Combustion

play

Volume 100%

"I think I'll go to the store for a while!"

So how do you determine if your headphones have the vulnerable chip in them?

What is that site asking me to agree to? No thanks