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Non-connected MP3/MP4 players (lemmy.ca)
submitted 9 months ago by to c/privacy@lemmy.ml
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I want to leave my phone at home or not have it on me most of the time. Most calls I get are meaningless spam and I rarely need to answer my phone for real calls outside my home (though it does happen on ocassion). One thing I do want and am accustomed to is having music, however.

I was looking at Amazon and Aliexpress for devices that can play mp3/mp4s, some can do that and even have ebook readers which is great. I don't see any connectivity on them or microphones save for the one that is included on the earbuds or Bluetooth.

And that is one question I have: can Bluetooth compromised your privacy? I know Bluetooth hacking is real but how bad is it?

I guess if it has a microphone it is ok if I dont have any connectivity. What do you guys recommend?

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[–] 7 points 9 months ago (11 children)

Bluetooth hacking is quite rare. But is possible if the person knows the hardware to hack and then knows the os to hack. 90% of people don't have to worry about it and the 10% that do have training on how to manage the risk.

For a MP3 player I wouldn't worry about that. The only thing I would worry about is Bluetooth beckons when shopping. Large retailers use it to track your path through a shop.

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  • [–] [S] 5 points 9 months ago* (3 children)

    With a wired earbud set i think I can keep my Bluetooth turned off. That does usually mean it is off and hackers/corporations can't get to it, right?

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  • [–] 5 points 9 months ago (2 children)

    Ideally, yes, that is exactly what it means. If you were talking about some complex Android powered device, there is a chance that the radio chip is still in some way powered up, but In a smaller discrete device like a DAP (aka MP3 player), off should me off.

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  • [–] [S] 4 points 9 months ago (1 child)

    Also one thing. I remember seeing a video with Edward Snowden who said that the first thing he does when he gets a new phone is open it and remove the microphone, and if he needs to make a call he has an attachment to it that has the needed microphone.

    I have soldering tools and stuff. I am willing to take a risk in busting up a 40$ DAP if it means physically removing the microphone from it and eliminating any chance of it being used.

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  • [–] 3 points 9 months ago* (2 children)

    Bluetooth hacking is quite rare.

    I wouldn't be so sure.

    Watch this.

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  • [–] 1 point 9 months ago (3 children)

    Could you elaborate on the beckoning?

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  • [–] 1 point 9 months ago (2 children)

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth_Low_Energy_beacon

    National chains will have those scattered all over the shop so they can track where you walk and where you stop. Then they can provide custom specials for you.

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