Phone Update

Oct. 29, 2012

It has come to PrivaFone's attention that modern landline phones (having embedded caller ID and speakerphone) can be turned into listening devices by hardware that is engineered into the phone.  It long has been known that the "infinity bug" can be installed in a landline phone which will activate the microphone silently while the phone is on the hook, which is activated by transmitting a sound or electronic code to the bug before the phone can ring.  What is less well known is that all modern phones (at least those having embedded caller ID & speakerphone) probably have this functionality built into them, so that governments can listen to what people say in the privacy of their own homes and bedrooms without people being aware that they are being bugged.

We at PrivaFone recently replaced our modern caller ID-speakerphones with older 1980's technology which doesn't have bugging devices built into it, and are quite pleased with the security and voice quality of the phones.  During the process of replacing the phones, one of them was disconnected from the phone line for a few hours, then plugged back in.  Within a minute we received a call from someone that merely listened, then hung up.  Apparently the phone contacted an outside device on its own after being plugged back in.  It is our opinion that modern phones should be considered computers, which covertly can be connected to a server on the outside through the POTS phone system, and turned into listening devices silently and at will by a malicious third party.

Of course this points to the need for phones that don't have bugging technology built into them, and this is part of our business model for future R&D for cellular and landline phones.