Some time ago, I wrote an article about how Samsung TV spies on it’s users. But apparently, I was just scratching the surface. According to WkiLeaks documents, the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) can turn most electronics into spying devices. Hence, the CIA listens: big brother era arrives!
So, these phones and other devices have microphones. WikiLeaks reports the CIA exploits these microphones. Also, they seem to have documents to prove it. But wait. There’s more. There’s a program the CIA calls ‘Weeping Angel’. Their hackers get access to Samsung TVs. Furthermore, while the TV is off, the microphone remains on. But that’s not all.
Wikileaks obtained over 8,000 documents. None paint the CIA in a good light. In fact, documents show this kind of hacking done to iPhones, Androids and Windows Phones. Nobody ever reports these cyber attacks to parent companies, like Apple, Google, or Microsoft. And let’s call them what they are: cyber attacks. They’re not even trying to hide it anymore. In fact, one article from The Guardian gave a disturbing report. They said one intelligence leader bragged how it was spies’ priority to breach smart devices. He said they’ll use the ‘internet of things’ for monitoring and surveillance. When they said the ‘internet of things’, that means all things internet, from desktops to smartphones.
Yesterday, I had an interesting conversation with a tech at our Boston computer service shop. He won’t even buy a Google Home system. There is a story out that they can record everything in your home, and take it over, too. When I read this article, his concerns, and the story, ate not that far-fetched. Maybe this is what Edward Snowden has been warning about for years. Remember that song by Rockwell, called “Somebody’s Watching Me” back in the 1980s? It’s almost like he predicted the future. Because in 2017, they are watching, and they’re using our technology to do it. And what can we do about it?