In an interconnected world like ours, global privacy has become a wishful thinking. US scientists have developed a method of spying, called EM Eye, capable of intercepting video transmissions from various devices, from cell phones to home security cameras. Once again the pervasiveness of technology in our daily lives shows all the intrinsic vulnerability of our systems. Even those we consider safe.
EM Eye, it's like having eyes everywhere
In a nutshell: EM Eye exploits a flaw in the data transmission of cameras of devices such as smartphones and surveillance systems. This method allows you to spy on video feeds, even through walls, creating a significant risk to individual privacy.
Professor Kevin Fu, head of research at Northeastern University (I link it to you here) is quite concise on the topic. The data transmission cables found in most modern video cameras, he says, act “unintentionally” like radio antennas. These cables leak electromagnetic information that can be collected and decoded to reveal real-time video. The discovery is particularly alarming because the system does not require the camera to be recording - just have the lens open.
The wide range of action of “hijacked” cameras
Tests have shown that EM Eye is effective on 12 different types of cameras, including smartphones, car dash cams and anti-theft systems. The distance from which spying can be carried out varies, but in some cases, it extends up to almost 5 meters. This remote eavesdropping capability raises a number of questions about the security of private information in an era dominated by the presence of electronic devices.
How can this threat be countered? Fu suggests using plastic covers for camera lenses as an initial precautionary measure, although infrared signals can still penetrate even these covers. The goal of the research is not only to highlight a critical vulnerability but also to push manufacturers to integrate more robust security solutions into their devices.
Because ours, as you have understood, is an increasingly observed world.
