Tencent security team found a way to eavesdrop through an Amazon Echo
It’s not easy… and Amazon says the flaw has been fixed
To be clear, Alexa wasn’t spying on anyone in those instances. But it hasn’t stopped people from wondering if it’s possible for hackers to break in and eavesdrop through these devices.
The Tencent Blade Team exploited software on the smart speakers that allows devices to communicate with each other. By rewriting the firmware on the flash chip, an Echo can be used to hack into other Echoes -- but only if the devices share the same Wi-Fi network.
Why aren’t people buying smart speakers in China?
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For more insights into China tech, sign up for our tech newsletters, subscribe to our Inside China Tech podcast, and download the comprehensive 2019 China Internet Report. Also roam China Tech City, an award-winning interactive digital map at our sister site Abacus.