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"Nosey Smurf is the 'hot mic' tool. For example if it's in your pocket, [GCHQ] can turn the microphone on and listen to everything that's going on around you -
by DanBlake 11y ago
"Nosey Smurf is the 'hot mic' tool. For example if it's in your pocket, [GCHQ] can turn the microphone on and listen to everything that's going on around you - even if your phone is switched off because they've got the other tools for turning it on."
Are they implying that all/most smartphones still communicate with cell towers when turned off? (obviously this isnt happening) - Or do they pwn the device before hand to have it fake that its turning off while remaining on?
- niutech 11y agoWell, it can happen: http://www.tomsguide.com/us/nsa-remotely-turn-on-phones,news-18854.html http://www.tomsguide.com/us/nsa-remotely-turn-on-phones,news... and http://www.osnews.com/story/27416/The_second_operating_system_hiding_in_every_mobile_phone http://www.osnews.com/story/27416/The_second_operating_syste...
- r00fus 11y agoNext up: Explosion of sales of Faraday cases for smartphones (and the subsequent banning of sales through ITC and/or legislation). Oh, who am I kidding.
- mike_hearn 11y agoWhen Snowden met Greenwald+Poitras he apparently just used a fridge to store the phones.
- shostack 11y agoPresumably removing the battery stops this? Or is there another internal power source they have access to?
- qq66 11y agoI do know that both smartphones and feature phones can turn on while "off," if you set an alarm. However I doubt that they ping cell towers when off, as I've left them off for weeks/months with little battery drain.