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SignalTrace: License Plate Readers Now Track Phones, AirPods, and Smartwatches (web.archive.org)

submitted 2 months ago by StopTech@lemmy.today to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

14 comments fedilink hide all child comments

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.today/post/54858306

Flock cameras just got even worse

all 18 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[+] umbrella@lemmy.ml 28 points 2 months ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (4 children)

[deleted]

[–] KillerWhale@orcas.enjoying.yachts 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

You still need the phone to transmit Bluetooth audio from. It's not like wired headphones, or even wireless headphones, play music on their own.

Yes, there are exceptions. Yes, I am salty about the lack of headphone jacks .

[–] SocialistVibes01@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

All my phones and tablets still have them.

[–] MangoPenguin@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 2 months ago

TBH USB-C to 3.5mm adapters are better anyways IMO, they're very small and just stay attached to my headphones, have a better DAC and amplifier inside than most onboard 3.5mm jacks ever did, and it never gets stuffed full of pocket lint which was always an issue on phones that had an onboard jack.

[–] helix@feddit.org 1 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

Just get an USB-C soundcard, don't be silly. There's countless ways the surveillance state is becoming worse but audio jacks are not one of them. 3.5mm jacks are very error prone and mainstream people didn't really use them anymore once wireless in ears got good battery life.

[–] monovergent@lemmy.ml 11 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Gross. Does it still track bluetooth if the phone is already paired with a headset and not actively searching for new connections? Guess I'll be back to wired headphones if that's the case.

[–] f3nyx@lemmy.ml 13 points 2 months ago (1 children)

yes, iirc phones still advertise periodically. best to switch it off when not in use.

[–] ISOmorph@feddit.org 10 points 2 months ago (1 children)

The issue aren't necessarly phones. Some/most can randomize their MAC. The issue are the gadgets: watches, earbuds, etc. Can't turn off BT there.

[–] RhondaSandTits@lemmy.sdf.org 4 points 2 months ago

MAC randomization doesn't help as much as you might think - your phone is periodically asking out for WiFi ssids that it wants to automatically connect to, such as your home and work.

After ssids are collected, these can be looked up on sites like wiglewifi to find your address.

[–] AndyMFK@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 points 2 months ago (2 children)

How do I invest in Faraday cages?

[–] communism@lemmy.ml 5 points 2 months ago

Just look for "faraday bag" online. There's some online stores that sell them.

If you mean an actual cage rather than a bag, not sure, but I imagine you could make one to your specified dimensions.

[–] surewhynotlem@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago

Buy candy.

https://cybernews.com/tech/kitkat-faraday-cage/

[–] Ildsaye@hexbear.net 8 points 2 months ago

Dedicated mp3 player with wired headphones still winning

[–] Manalith@midwest.social 3 points 2 months ago

It's only a matter of time for Flock, but since the article seems too scard to mention the actual company name, it's Leonardo https://www.leonardocompany-us.com/lpr/elsag-signaltrace