The Android OS is Open Source, so it is easy for anyone to rummage thru the code, looking for Exploits. Apple holds their Code close..... but they could have been required, by the FISA Court, to build in a BackDoor, and since even acknowledging such an Order is a Felony, they couldn't tell their customers, even if that was the case... ....
Well, I would note this this is nothing new.. The FBI appears to have begun using a novel form of electronic surveillance in criminal investigations: remotely activating a mobile phone's microphone and using it to eavesdrop on nearby conversations. The technique is called a "roving bug," and was approved by top U.S. Department of Justice officials for use against members of a New York organized crime family who were wary of conventional surveillance techniques such as tailing a suspect or wiretapping him. Nextel cell phones owned by two alleged mobsters, John Ardito and his attorney Peter Peluso, were used by the FBI to listen in on nearby conversations. The FBI views Ardito as one of the most powerful men in the Genovese family, a major part of the national Mafia. The surveillance technique came to light in an opinion published this week by U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan. He ruled that the "roving bug" was legal because federal wiretapping law is broad enough to permit eavesdropping even of conversations that take place near a suspect's cell phone. The original story came out in 2006. Pull the battery when not in use if it is a concern.
CAN'T pull the battery on the new phones, it's built in. Can't just pop the battery door and out it falls. If you are worries about someone using it against you, leave it as home, or wrap it in a Faraday cage wrap. (I have seen them for sale) no signal, no problem.
That is one of the reasons I will not get a smart phone. My old flip phone works fine and I don't need to have the smart phone features when I leave the house.
It doesn't need to be a smart phone. All phones have microphones. They can be remotely controlled. That is, most likely, unless it is a early 2000's vintage. And those phones are operationally obsolete. Tim Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 2
Just remember anywhere there is electronics involved, you have NO privacy. If you need to discuss something sensitive, the old say holds true. "Let's keep this between you, me, and the fence post".. And just make sure those are the only hearing devices in earshot.. I like how it says FBI "may" be able to turn on the microphone. Hackers have been able to turn on webcams remotely for years, so I would figure the word "may" means yes.. Yes they can and do... Think of the devices that have microphones.. Phones, laptops and desktops that have microphones plugged in, OnStar equipped vehicles, home phones, new TV's, and that's just the obvious ones. Now think of what devices track your location.. I just can't describe how warm and fuzzy it makes me feel that my new GMC truck is constantly sending out my GPS coordinates. But, if need be I know which wire to snip to make that stop
While that may be true, I think they'd have a difficult time convincing my "dumb" phone to do anything, remotely. Bought it over 6 years ago, when it was still the Cingular network (now absorbed back into AT&T), and it's so dumb, if it could vote, it probably would have voted for Obama! Motorola C139 The added benefit being, since it's a prepaid phone, I spend, on average, about $8.33 per month to talk and (rarely) text.
