Turning Mobile Phones Into Eavesdropping Devices
Mike Masnick for Techdirt reports on an article published in the Washington Times on special chips that can turn cell phones into "spy phones" or eavesdropping devices that can secretly and suddenly turn into microphones.
"A special chip is inserted into an ordinary cellphone, and the phone's software is altered so that when the phone is called from a certain number, it will answer automatically without ringing, vibrating or lighting up, turning the phone into a bugging device that picks up any nearby sound.
Some European spy phone vendors have touted the phones as a way to monitor teenagers.
What is remarkable about the spy phone is that it can be turned on virtually anytime and anyplace, as long as the phone is on and the battery is charged.
The Chinese market for the phones is growing - as wives are looking to catch their philandering husbands in the act -though they are both expensive and illegal -- anyone caught with one could be imprisoned for up to three years. They are also illegal in the United States".
