Google Smart Displays to Monitor Peoples Proximity
Google Smart Displays to Monitor Peoples Proximity | |
---|---|
Short Title | Googles Smart Displays to Proactively Listen for Commands Without First Needing to Hear the Wake Word |
Location | Global |
Date | October 2020 |
Solove Harm | Surveillance |
Information | Location |
Threat Actors | |
Individuals | |
Affected | Google smart displays users |
High Risk Groups | |
Tangible Harms |
A new feature is being tested for Google smart displays, where persons proximity to the device will replace people saying ‘Hey, Google’.
Description
A new feature being internally tested at Google could remove the need to say “Hey Google” before voicing commands to Nest Hub smart displays.
Instead, the feature codenamed “Blue Steel” could allow the device to simply sense your presence, and proactively listen for commands without first needing to hear the wake word.
t’s unclear if the company has any plans to release the functionality publicly. But if it does, Google smart displays monitoring peoples location (proximity to the device) would be an example of Surveillance.
Breakdown
Threat: Google smart displays monitoring users proximity to the device
At-Risk group: Google smart displays users
Harm: Surveillance
Secondary Consequences: not known