This article talks about the application Shazam, which uses the device microphone to listen to a couple seconds of music and determine the title and author of a song. If you’ve used SoundHound before, then it’s very similar. Patrick Wardle, director of research for the security Synack, recently published an application called OverSight. OverSight was used to alert the macIOS user of malicious attempts to access their camera. People that used OverSight, was also alerted that the system was also accessing the microphone while Shazam was off. Although, review of the Shazam code shows that the recording was not transferred, saved, or exfiltrated, it is still a concern that the app is still recording you even though it is suppose to be off. I wonder how many other applications are still running in the background when you supposedly turn it off.
http://www.databreachtoday.com/shazam-keeps-ears-open-when-microphone-off-a-9528
I have used Shazam for years and I never even thought for a second that it would leave the mic open for recording, even if I was not using the app. It’s scary to think how much of our life is being invaded by the technology that we use to make it easier.
I can only assume that this was unintentional by Shazam, because of their expression to fix this in the next bug releases.
The OverSight security product sounds really interesting. I think I’ll check it out.
I agree that it is invasive that the app is recording you even when you haven’t prompted it to. Thankfully this data was not transferring the data anywhere. I use SoundHound. Hopefully they are not recording me!
I’m in agreeance with Scott, as a Shazaam user I didn’t even think to think that the mic is still listening even after Shazaam app captures the music and closes. I guess everything can be compromised once somebody figures it how to do.