The
US Federal Bureau of Investigation can remotely access the microphones
in Android phones and record conversations, it has been revealed.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the FBI can now “remotely activate the microphones in phones running Google’s Android software to record conversations”.
The WSJ says that the organisation has invested heavily in hackers over the last couple of years.
It has also invested in developing spyware, partly in response to more and more encrypted and secured communication methods appearing on the market.
Google refused to comment on the news.
It is unclear if the company has any involvement. However, the way the WSJ’s sources spoke of the way the FBI accesses Android phones, it is very possible Google has no involvement in enabling surveillance.
The paper also revealed that the FBI also has the ability to access PCs and laptops in the same way.
The ability to remotely switch on microphones and record conversations hasn’t been confirmed by the FBI, and it is unlikely to do so.
However, it is likely that it would require a warrant to be able to record information legally, so that is admissible in court. As such, it is unlikely that the FBI will access UK citizens phones, as it is out of their remit.
The WSJ says that the organisation has invested heavily in hackers over the last couple of years.
It has also invested in developing spyware, partly in response to more and more encrypted and secured communication methods appearing on the market.
Google refused to comment on the news.
It is unclear if the company has any involvement. However, the way the WSJ’s sources spoke of the way the FBI accesses Android phones, it is very possible Google has no involvement in enabling surveillance.
The paper also revealed that the FBI also has the ability to access PCs and laptops in the same way.
The ability to remotely switch on microphones and record conversations hasn’t been confirmed by the FBI, and it is unlikely to do so.
However, it is likely that it would require a warrant to be able to record information legally, so that is admissible in court. As such, it is unlikely that the FBI will access UK citizens phones, as it is out of their remit.
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