Chinanews client, Beijing, October 26 (Reporter Wu Tao) Did you know that the Bluetooth headset you wear every day may be tracked?

Recently, this topic has rapidly risen to the hot search on Weibo. Is this possible?

Can the headset be used for location tracking?

　　According to media reports, a recent security research project showed that some Bluetooth headsets have security vulnerabilities and can be quickly implanted with positioning functions for remote tracking.

　　Senior industrial economic observer Liang Zhenpeng told a reporter from Chinanews.com that it is technically possible. Earphones, as smart hardware products, contain chips and other electronic components, which can be remotely located through hardware or software.

　　In fact, earphones with positioning functions are nothing new. For example, some earphones can find the position of the earphone through the mobile phone APP, which is mainly used to retrieve the Bluetooth earphone after it is lost.

　　This service is sometimes used as a "selling point" of the headset. Consumers can even remotely control the headset to make a sound to assist in the retrieval. Many mobile phone manufacturers have similar headsets on sale.

Data map: Many headsets have positioning functions.

(Image and text irrelevant)

　　Regarding the possibility of wearing Bluetooth headsets being tracked, many netizens think that this is artificial sales anxiety, "Relax, calm, your 9.9 yuan free Bluetooth headset may not have this function." "Do you want to return to the era of 3.5mm wire-controlled headsets? ?"

　　Some netizens joked, "The invisible camera is shooting me, the Bluetooth headset is positioning me, and the mobile app is monitoring me. My pocket is cleaner than my face. Is this necessary?"

　　But there are also people who worry, "Bluetooth headsets, as high-frequency electronic devices, should they be monitored." "The privacy exposure such as movement trajectories may be targeted by bad guys and endanger personal life."

Analysis says there is indeed a safety hazard

　　Liang Zhenpeng said that the headset location tracking may be used by criminals to track the location of the headset or mobile phone, and even monitor the content of the headset call.

　　According to the latest report released by IDC, China’s wireless Bluetooth headset market shipped 53.74 million units in the first half of 2021, and it is expected that shipments will reach 120 million units in 2021, an increase of 26% year-on-year.

　　Coupled with the number of Bluetooth headsets in stock, if the positioning function is abused, the harm cannot be underestimated.

Data map: Bluetooth headsets on the market.

(Image and text irrelevant) Photo by Wu Tao, a reporter from Chinanews.com

　　"The key is who uses the positioning technology. If consumers use their headphones normally, it is not wrong; if the manufacturer monitors and tracks users through headphones, it is suspected of breaking the law." Liang Zhenpeng said that there is another possibility to prevent criminals from using headphones. Tracking code is implanted in.

　　For example, the above-mentioned security research project demonstrated the discovery of surrounding Bluetooth headsets and the implantation of codes to track them.

Some netizens suggested, “It’s best to choose a headset with quality assurance from a major manufacturer. The 9.9 yuan package may be really unsafe.” What do you think?

(over)