Chrome users might want to know

[Skuzzy]

Just thought you might like to know.

Google has added code to Chrome to allow WEB pages to snoop on Bluetooth.

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/02/05/chrome_56_quietly_added_bluetooth_snitch_api/

[Dobs]

So those with bluetooth laptops (is there such an animal as bluetooth desktops?) need to be aware when using Chrome.

[Skuzzy]

A number of OEM desktops do come Bluetooth capable.

[pembquist]

When I was in high school my girlfriend's brother was a little crazy and hung out with some other crazies who all believed in various conspiracy plots with one unifying belief being that "they" were controlling peoples minds with microwaves over the telephone. I remember watching him yell into the handset "get off, get off, they are doing it now." These days he doesn't seem THAT crazy anymore.

[Skuzzy]

What I find funny and a bit sad is the fact Google makes about $50 billion U.S. each year on data users gives to them for free.  Pretty cool deal, for them.

[TequilaChaser]

A number of OEM desktops do come Bluetooth capable.

My ASUS P8Z68 Deluxe Motherboard I chose for my i7-2600k Intel PC build back in 2011, has Bluetooth onboard

TC

[DaddyAce]

Hmmmmm, I have Chrome on my phone, and am sure I'm not the only one.....

[OldNitro]

Since the Snowden revelations, we have seen Stingray, Palentir, console game systems, and Smart TV's that "watch you back". Even have warnings in the owners manuals to be careful what you do or say. And I am sure there are other systems, that we don't know about yet.

I still know people who used to crack the tinfoil hat jokes. Well I don't hear them too much any longer! When I see these people now, including members of my own family, I say; "Looks like my tinfoil was working pretty good huh? How has that dooshbag on your head been workin for you?" 

Now, I will say no more. 

[Ramesis]

Since the Snowden revelations, we have seen Stingray, Palentir, console game systems, and Smart TV's that "watch you back". Even have warnings in the owners manuals to be careful what you do or say. And I am sure there are other systems, that we don't know about yet.

I still know people who used to crack the tinfoil hat jokes. Well I don't hear them too much any longer! When I see these people now, including members of my own family, I say; "Looks like my tinfoil was working pretty good huh? How has that dooshbag on your head been workin for you?" 

Now, I will say no more. 

Now requires a platinum hat 

[hgtonyvi]

My gaming desktop has Bluetooth technology. Sometimes I think all these new technological are added so they can be used to hack/spying on people.

[zack1234]

i had a reporter knocking on my door asking who flew the Yak9T for the Soviets in WWII.

Apparently he got information that someone flew said plane at my address from a unknown source. (I presume I have been violated by the snooping Google minions)

I set the the dog on him and kicked him in the spuds

He came back the following day with $50 and a thank you note for the spud incident 

[Bruv119]

zack that is an outrage!   

[BuckShot]

What would they gain by looking at blue tooth connections?

"Hey , this guy's phone is connected to an ihome waterproof speaker"... that kind of thing?

[Bizman]

What would they gain by looking at blue tooth connections?

"Hey , this guy's phone is connected to an ihome waterproof speaker"... that kind of thing?

Your comment may sound funny, but let's think what it can include:

First: Since it's a waterproof speaker, the guy seems willing to spend money to both aural media and audio electronics - a marketing option!
Second: His bathroom time can be measured, both for marketing purposes to make him enjoy his staying, and for criminal purposes such as burglary while he's enjoying an hour long podcast.
Third: A speaker can work as a microphone and the function of the connection can be changed using a piece of program code.
Third and a half: If he's connecting his phone into the speaker, there already is a microphone. It hasn't been proved yet, but numerous people have reported Facebook ads mirroring discussion near a laptop. Think about the guy being a shower tenor. If he seems to sing along "Bella Napoli" but not "Highway to Hell" with the ad loaded "free" Spotify, would the next ad spot include travel ads to Italy?

[Mar]

Don't you need to specifically allow a website to access bluetooth though?