Google eavesdropping tool installed on computers without permission

The Guardian ^ | Tuesday 23 June 2015 | Samuel Gibbs

[Enlightened1]

Privacy advocates claim always-listening component was involuntarily activated within Chromium, potentially exposing private conversations

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.

It was designed to support Chrome’s new “OK, Google” hotword detection – which makes the computer respond when you talk to it – but was installed, and, some users have claimed, it is activated on computers without their permission.

“Without consent, Google’s code had downloaded a black box of code that – according to itself – had turned on the microphone and was actively listening to your room,” said Rick Falkvinge, the Pirate party founder, in a blog post. “Which means that your computer had been stealth configured to send what was being said in your room to somebody else, to a private company in another country, without your consent or knowledge, an audio transmission triggered by … an unknown and unverifiable set of conditions.” Google to exclude 'revenge porn' from internet searches Read more

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.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Bkmrk.

[gaijin]

Later

[minnesota_bound]

Your tv sets with a camera are also spying on you as is the xbox.

[DiogenesLamp]

Google eavesdropping tool installed on computers without permission

I've been saying for quite awhile, that google is the new Stasi.

[Nervous Tick]

>> Your tv sets with a camera are also spying on you as is the xbox.

I know! That’s why I wait to pick my nose until I’m in my car, where no one will see.

[Paine in the Neck]

Do More Evil^®

[Revelation 911]

curious to see how the nose pick move will interact with the new BMW that reads hand gestures

[Paladin2]

(We) Do know Evil.

[driftdiver]

The cable boxes are also listening to you.

[LucyT]

.

G00gle eavesdropping tool installed on computers without permission

“Without consent, G00gle’s code had downloaded a black box of code that – according to itself – had turned on the microphone and was actively listening to your room,” said Rick Falkvinge, the Pirate party founder, in a blog post. “Which means that your computer had been stealth configured to send what was being said in your room to somebody else, to a private company in another country, without your consent or knowledge, an audio transmission triggered by … an unknown and unverifiable set of conditions.”

[Nervous Tick]

>> curious to see how the nose pick move will interact with the new BMW that reads hand gestures

I’ll never know... all I can afford is a Ford.

[ealgeone]

Just deleted.....but I bet they knew that already.

[bgill]

Have you sent your NSA snoop dude a cyber hug today?

[Aleya2Fairlie]

Nothing much to hear in my room except an old woman cursing Obama.

[Red Badger]

Google is the old Stasi, only with a lot of money.....................

[Terry L Smith]

Folks buy these things with no regards of the ‘backwards use’ of them!!

Just like OnStar in cars, Neal Boortz, in 2002, started questioning the need for that service, and since you call to get into a locked car, why couldn’t the police call, to LOCK your car!

“Oh I need this to get on my picture face/movie making/tell all my friends website!”

Oh yeah? Then don’t complain when your privacy is busted!!

[Organic Panic]

A few days ago the camera and mic were on on my Win8 tablet. I always tape up the cameras but this was the first time the camera was turned on. Not sure where or who.

[JaguarXKE]

I know! That’s why I wait to pick my nose until I’m in my car, where no one will see.

Except that cute babe sitting in the convertable next to you at the light.