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| Qualcomm's always-on camera is a privacy nightmare |
Qualcomm announced its new processor called Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, but it was not the only announcement at the conference. The company has introduced a new technology in the processor that allows the front camera to work all the time.
The technology searches for faces registered as primary mobile phone users and unlocks the cell phone when it is found.
If the user disappears or looks away, the camera will automatically lock the phone. This technology is expected to make its way to major Android phones next year.
Although the company is marketing this feature as a big privacy protection feature. However, violating privacy is a bigger threat than protecting privacy.
Because of the way tech companies use the data they get on their phones, the risks of this technology far outweigh the benefits.
Your photos can be saved even when you are not using the camera
Qualcomm claims that this technology can unlock the phone with just a glance to save time or protect the phone from harsh conditions.
The company demonstrated this new technology by unlocking the phone when your hands are occupied in the kitchen. The company claims that this technology makes it easier for you to access information when you can't hold your phone.
He also claims that this technology is another step in protecting user privacy because when the phone detects the presence of other people, it will automatically turn off.
When someone looks at the phone with you, this technology can help the phone hide information and secret conversations on the screen.
Although this would be a convenient or useful feature for some users and in some situations. But it does have privacy risks.
Qualcomm is trying to make this technology sound like a microphone, it is always listening and looking for certain phrases, like Siri. But the microphone does not record everything he hears, but rather reacts when he hears certain sentences without looking for them.
Changliang Camera works a little differently as the camera still looks at the faces of the people around you. Although this is not the first time we have seen this technology. But it has not appeared in smartphones before.
Google smart home devices like the Nest Hub Max use this technology because they can recognize users and personalize the experience. But you won't be carrying the Nest Hub Max with you all day. You won't save any sensitive information or personal photos there either.
Google is adding a protective case that allows you to turn off the front cameras on these devices so as not to jeopardize your privacy. And you can't imagine having such a cover on the front camera to turn it off and prevent it from spying on you all day long.
The smart home device does not store any important information, such as banking or other information. But it faced many malicious attacks to hack these cameras and send their live broadcast to hackers.
Qualcomm sets an alarming precedent for privacy
Qualcomm said that users can turn this technology off at any time. He can also choose the desired destination.
The data collected with this technology is not stored on the company's cloud server. Thus, the company cannot access it or sell it.
Although the new Qualcomm processor supports this technology. But cell phone manufacturers can choose to block it through cell phones. Mobile phone manufacturers can dispense with this technology to protect user privacy.
While this technology will not appear in all mobile phones next year, its emergence is also cause for concern and carries significant risks. We see that some companies prefer using it to access more data that they can sell to advertisers.