Google eavesdropping tool installed on computers without permission

ico

Super Moderator
Staff member
Source: Google eavesdropping tool installed on computers without permission | Technology | The Guardian

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.”
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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.
Opt-in or opt-out

Google responded to complaints via its developer boards. It said: “While we do download the hotword module on startup, we do not activate it unless you opt in to hotwording.”

However, reports from developers indicate otherwise.

After having identified Chromium as the culprit, developer Ofer Zelig said in a blog post: “While I was working I thought ‘I’m noticing that an LED goes on and off, on the corner of my eyesight [webcam]’. And after a few times when it just seemed weird, I sat to watch for it and saw it happening. Every few seconds or so.”

Google also blamed the Linux distribution Debian for downloading the non-open source component with Chromium automatically, rather than Google Chrome.

“The key here is that Chromium is not a Google product. We do not directly distribute it, or make any guarantees with respect to compliance with various open source policies,” Google developer mgiuca said.

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.

Voice search functions have become an accepted feature of modern smartphones, but their movement into the home through the smart TV, and now browser, have caused concerns over the possibility of being listened to within the home.

While most services require a user to opt in, privacy advocates have questioned whether their use, which requires sending voice recordings over the internet to company servers for processing, risks unintentionally exposing private conversations held within the home.

A Google spokeswoman said on Wednesday: “We’re sure you’ll be relieved to learn we’re not listening to your conversations – nor do we want to. We’re simply giving Chrome users the ability to search hands free at their computers by saying “OK Google” while on the Google homepage – and only if they choose to opt in to the feature.”
 

icebags

Technomancer
i always get a feeling with mobile fones - the cam or the mic could be active anytime and i would never know, users basically have no control over these user friendly devices.
 

kkn13

Cyber Genius FTW
google is a scumbag company,sadly it has too many blind fanboys defending it without realizing that Google and FB are the 2 major snoopy companies which sell user data etc as they dont have other sources of income
yet when it comes to Apple and Microsoft, theres nothing but hate
 
OP
ico

ico

Super Moderator
Staff member
The best thing to do is move over to Firefox. These days it is faster than Chrome.

If you really want to use Chrome, then may be use Opera.
 

kkn13

Cyber Genius FTW
The best thing to do is move over to Firefox. These days it is faster than Chrome.

If you really want to use Chrome, then may be use Opera.

true dat !!
I plan on moving totally away from Google as possible
 

Ricky

Cyborg Agent
Google has penetrated too much into lives that sometimes I feel that take whatever you want, my conversation, my data.. just keep it. However, on the other hand, just connect internet when you need, to certain extent you are safe.. no internet , no snooping.. Disable MIC and Camera on computers.

However, best practice is to regularly assess programs and daemons running in your computer. I wonder where SIRI and Cortana stands when its about privacy.
 

kkn13

Cyber Genius FTW
^^ Or you can totally ditch Google altogether and move to Apple , Microsoft or Cyanogen/AOSP minus Google
 

kisame

King of Heroes
^Microsoft????
Windows 10 sends identifiable information to tech giant EVEN when told not to | Daily Mail Online
 

kkn13

Cyber Genius FTW
^Microsoft????
Windows 10 sends identifiable information to tech giant EVEN when told not to | Daily Mail Online

not really
Why You Shouldn't Worry About Windows 10 Privacy
funny how people always jump to defend Google and Facebook
 

kisame

King of Heroes
^You surely don't believe that "increasing user experience".There are doubts if you can truly turn off all snooping but let's not talk about it.MS should have provided these "features" opt-in, not opt-out given that you pay for Windows whereas Google's and Facebook's services are free.
No one's defending Google.Their business model is built around snooping.And people can avoid google but it is just PITA given that their tentacles are all over the web.If you hate google snooping, don't use their services.
However, in case of MS, you are paying to be snooped on by MS.
 
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kkn13

Cyber Genius FTW
^^ Not really, you are one of them blind haters of Microsoft and Apple
When it comes to Android,Google and Facebook, you guys suddenly have a soft spot for their extreme measures to spy and sell user data
When Apple and Microsoft do maybe 0.01% of "spying" or "collection of user data" and dont even sell it, suddenly they are the evil ones
we get it

also these things are opt-in
Google and Facebook dont even offer that, get your facts right
As a security researcher intern at a major company, I can safely say Microsoft and Apple privacy concerns are like comparing a dot to a mountain when it comes to Facebook and Google
there are many sites and forums which research security and ethical hacking , who will back my claim

Dont believe every reviewer/blogger on the net, most of them are naive and simply dont have any technical knowledge

- - - Updated - - -

Also no one is asking you to buy Microsoft stuff either, its not like they force you to buy their stuff

- - - Updated - - -

*www.pcworld.com/article/3005768/windows/microsofts-revised-privacy-policy-curbs-windows-10-fears-with-more-specificity.html
*www.zdnet.com/article/no-microsoft-is-not-spying-on-you-with-windows-10/
*www.computerworld.com/article/2979745/microsoft-windows/windows-10-public-enemy-no-1-or-an-os-like-any-other.html
*www.computerworld.com/article/2975004/microsoft-windows/4-overblown-windows-10-worries.html
 

kisame

King of Heroes
^^If they were opt-in, why do you think people are complaining about this??
And I don't get what kind of "increasing user experience" needs each and every keystroke to be monitored.
People specifically complain because they pay for Windows and still get spied on.MS is screwing their customers.
And I am neutral towards Apple.In fact, I applaud them for at least trying to fight for their customers..

Edit:This is really getting off-topic.
People should know by now that using Google products=No privacy.
I would recommend switching to Firefox/Palemoon/Iceweasel/Icecat i.e anything not from Google or Microsoft.Preferably open source.
 
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kkn13

Cyber Genius FTW
^^ Not really
you dont really know about privacy then
Google and Facebook are the only ones who should be avoided totally
 

BakBob

Mods changed my name :(
Why not just use Chromium or Comodo? Stick to FOSS guys, FOSS always respects your privacy.

If you want to use Windows 10, use the debloated Enterprise Edition. I can post the DeBloat scripts if you want.
 

kisame

King of Heroes
^^ Not really
you dont really know about privacy then
Google and Facebook are the only ones who should be avoided totally
Google, Facebook and Microsoft.All three can't be trusted.
Have fun drinking MS kool-aid.
Why not just use Chromium or Comodo? Stick to FOSS guys, FOSS always respects your privacy.
If you want to use Windows 10, use the debloated Enterprise Edition. I can post the DeBloat scripts if you want.
Yup.FOSS all the way.
 

satinder

DELHIITE
okay. i'll ask again.

has anyone really faced this till now??
How many are here to understand all this is happening or how to check this is really difficult for all.
Few having practical knowledge can only detect such activities.
If someone is at important place are main targets. Not common people.
Common Man is just a statistics for all !
 

Nerevarine

Incarnate
Why not just use Chromium or Comodo? Stick to FOSS guys, FOSS always respects your privacy.

If you want to use Windows 10, use the debloated Enterprise Edition. I can post the DeBloat scripts if you want.

FOSS does not have many things, developers/digital artists need.. GIMP does not rival Photoshop, Inkscape can never rival Illustrator, Even Visual Studio is far better than what most FOSS have to offer for C# ..
FOSS is great but it will never replace what Windows or MAC have to offer, unfortunately
 

Anorion

Sith Lord
Staff member
Admin
^yup
Id want google to eavesdrop. Guessing they just want to make new useful software, more than snoop on your dark secrets. Any system with voice input will have this "snooping" requirement.
 
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