WSJ: FBI Can Remotely Activate the Microphone on Android Devices

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Posted August 3, 2013 at 3:53am by Shalom Levytam

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the FBI has developed and acquired hacking tools that allow it to remotely activate the microphone of devices running Android.

The FBI develops some hacking tools internally and purchases others from the private sector. With such technology, the bureau can remotely activate the microphones in phones running Google Inc.'s Android software to record conversations, one former U.S. official said. It can do the same to microphones in laptops without the user knowing, the person said. Google declined to comment.

It's said that bureau typically uses hacking for cases that involve organized crime, child pornography, or counterterrorism. Apparently, it tries not to use these tools when investigating hackers for fear that they will discover and publicize the technique.

More details in the full report linked below...

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WSJ: FBI Can Remotely Activate the Microphone on Android Devices

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Lov3 - August 5, 2013 at 6:32am

Yes, that why I cannot find any antivirus app at my iTunes or AppStore. But at my bro s4 I find many anti virus. Samgooglesuck, we must admit it :)

Apple certified 9yrs - August 5, 2013 at 2:23am

First thing I do with any new Apple device is bypass and de-activate the "seek block" feature to disable any govt. monitoring.It's a simple procedure that can be done to any device or laptop.

Emmy king - August 5, 2013 at 9:45am

How do you do that on new device?

philme - August 4, 2013 at 10:04pm

for all you iOS fan boys the FBI can hack into any cell phone and don't nee any imei number onec the battery is in the phone they can hack it.for you all info all phones that's made for the US there is chip in that give them that acess

Apple certified 9yrs - August 4, 2013 at 1:27am

I can access anyone's iMessage,camera,or phone if I have the Apple imei.

Samsucks - August 4, 2013 at 4:44am

keep dreaming LOL.........

Samsucks - August 3, 2013 at 9:05pm

dude UK is the same, they r watching u 24/7, specially London, u have no idea...

Why Big Brothet Why - August 5, 2013 at 4:34am

Yeah, and they don't need to hack into our smartphones...they are constantly watching and listening to us more than you know.

Wolfmen1989 - August 3, 2013 at 7:26pm

Another reason why android sucks

Samsucks - August 3, 2013 at 9:04pm

totally agree with you...

BA - August 3, 2013 at 6:08pm

Ridiculous. I remember when google used the motto "Don't be Evil". fkrs

Jack Bauer - August 3, 2013 at 2:26pm

conclusion,dont speek near any device ,just write and read :))) then burn paper

dasda - August 3, 2013 at 11:40am

Actually they can, just as easily as android. We're all screwed.

zwabbit - August 3, 2013 at 11:40am

I always feared that's would be the case some day for any device and operating system as long as your system is connected to the internet. I would not be surprised if all companies are in bed with the government, to let them get away with some of the things they get away with. Sometimes the public find out and for a good show they get a slap on their hands than underneath the carpet it goes.

rockne1865 - August 4, 2013 at 4:49am

Hey they could do this with land lines, forever! They can remotely turn on your phone look at your data listen take pictures locate you, this is why I don't like phones that you can't remove the battery! Yeah

Brian - August 3, 2013 at 10:53am

FBI developers hacking tools? Come on!! Google gave them the code themselves !

ratGT - August 3, 2013 at 9:52am

Ehmmmmm, an OS such as Android, built to mine personal information for profits and to share information with government officials is SURELY a Trojan horse by itself in the hands of a proper hacker... So, NO surprise there for me and still NO Google products, whatsoever!

Dan - August 3, 2013 at 8:32am

This is not new news.... This can be done on any phone.

zetaprime - August 3, 2013 at 7:22am

Here's a link I found with another take on the story.. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/08/02/fbi_staff_admit_hacking_android/

zetaprime - August 3, 2013 at 5:56am

Hacking tools are used and are of the type that tech savvy folks might detect. That means some sort of Trojan has to be placed on the device and the user has to be unaware of various utilities that can detect spyware. The article mentions that they don't do this with suspects who are hackers since they'll get wise to it.

ipadguy - August 3, 2013 at 5:08am

This basically says government is really really close to saying here put this chip in your head so everything you do or think is quickly evaluated for your safety or whatever the hell you want to believe. You'll be a robot soon thats your future like it?

Richard Inyou - August 3, 2013 at 4:48am

What's new :) It was done for the last 10 years

BA - August 3, 2013 at 4:28am

Haha. What's next?, ridiculous!!

Camfella - August 3, 2013 at 4:05am

Apple should make a commercial about this!

Ron Dean - August 3, 2013 at 4:02am

Not surprised.....

zetaprime - August 3, 2013 at 4:05am

They still need to install some sort of spyware on your device in order to do that. A careful user could avoid the spyware.

BA - August 3, 2013 at 4:29am

Not true. Where does it say that?

ipadguy - August 3, 2013 at 5:03am

U really think they need to install something to be all up in your phone? Smart phones are computers you just have to be smart enough to find your way in remotely or any other way, but it's possible! after that everything is possible they can make it do anything they want, it's just a matter of time. I'm sure they're already doing it!

saul - August 3, 2013 at 5:04am

Ask Snowden.

zetaprime - August 3, 2013 at 5:51am

The article seemed to indicate that spyware was involved.

ratGT - August 3, 2013 at 9:48am

Oh yeah? Point me to the sentence that indicates or suggests spyware, because I can't ANY indications!!! Trust me man, an OS such as Android, built to mine personal information for profits and to share information with government officials is SURELY a Trojan horse by itself in the hands of a proper hacker!...

zetaprime - August 3, 2013 at 10:27pm

Read this and you'll see that malware is explicitly mentioned. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/08/02/fbi_staff_admit_hacking_android/