Smart speakers are Dear Utol (2025): Doctor, Doctor I'm Sick Episode 41creepy recording devices that eavesdrop on unsuspecting people. A new piece of custom technology offers the chance to fight back.
Stylized as a cyberpunk bracelet, a "wearable jammer" was developed by a trio of professors at the University of Chicago. In addition to looking punk rock as all hell, the device emits ultrasonic noise that interferes with microphones' ability to record yet is inaudible to humans.
Oh, and the professors — Ben Zhao, Heather Zheng, and assistant professor Pedro Lopes — published schematics online so the more technically proficient of you can make one at home.
Notably, this is neither the first time someone has made a microphone jammer nor the first time that ultrasound has been used to screw with smart speakers. This device is special, however, for reasons greater than just its bracelet style.
"[Current] jammers are also directional, requiring users to point the jammer to a microphone; instead, our wearable bracelet is built in a ring-layout that allows it to jam in multiple directions," reads a paper explaining the science behind the jammer. "This is beneficial in that it allows our jammer to protect against microphones hidden out of sight."
What's more, the study authors note that because of the way people tend to "speak" with their hands while speaking with their actual mouths, the wearable jammer is extra effective at blocking hidden microphones at is moves around. The above video demonstrates that very effect.
According to the New York Times, Zhao and Zheng say they can produce the bracelet for around $20. Unfortunately, at the moment it doesn't look like they intend to do so at any kind of scale. That's where the online instructions come in.
"This [GitHub repository] provides simulation source code, hardware design, firmware and schematics to replicate our results and prototypes in the paper," they write on GitHub. In other words, have at it.
SEE ALSO: Fight facial-recognition technology with Phantom glasses
We reached out to the study authors in the hope of getting some advice for those who want to replicate the bracelet at home (or in their local maker space), but received no immediate response. But hey, that's OK. That's what the instructions are for.
In the meantime, those wanting to fight back against an encroaching private surveillance network consisting of smart speakers and cameras can start with the most basic of steps: Never, under any circumstance, buy one for yourself or anyone else.
Topics Cybersecurity Privacy
The Mismeasure of Media
I Thought My Dad Had No More Secrets to Tell, But...
Viral TikTok recipe for twisted bacon is a pointless waste of time, even if it's tasty
Elliot Paul’s “The Last Time I Saw Paris” (1942)
How to Squeeze the Most Out of Your iPhone's Battery
The secret Wikipedia prank behind the Pringles mascot's first name
Baseball and Hemingway in Kansas City
Elon Musk strips headlines Twitter/X links because he didn't like how they looked
Best robot vacuum deal: Save $200 on Eufy X10 Pro Omni robot vacuum
Tesla cuts prices of Model 3 and Model Y again
Hidden Siri Commands and Unusual Responses
Paradise Fire: Photography by David Benjamin Sherry
The 11 best and funniest tweets of the week, including a quarter zip and bees
'Cat Person' Review: A shoddy adaptation of a great short story
Astronomers saw one galaxy impale another. The damage was an eye
Looking back on 'Lake Mungo,' must
NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 6
'Dicks: The Musical' review: Queer comedy genius
Outdoor speaker deal: Save $20 on the Soundcore Boom 2
'Bridgerton' Season 2 is the most talked
Donald Trump’s first tweet about the Brexit result got shut down immediately'Game of Thrones' author casts his vote for MostSamsung 'exclusive' on Fortnite for Android lasts just 3 daysDogs are helping their owners vote in the 'Brexit' referendumKanye West defends his support for Trump in Jimmy Kimmel interviewWeird Al Yankovic joined Weezer on stage for a cover of Toto's 'Africa'Horrified Brits want to leave the country after the UK voted to BrexitBill Cunningham, celebrated New York Times fashion photographer, dead at 87Watch PartyNextDoor's steamy new video featuring Kylie Jenner on SnapchatTwitter is worried about what Brexit means for the United StatesHorrified people still managed to make Brexit memesNow you can watch the Roku Channel without a Roku boxWeird Al Yankovic joined Weezer on stage for a cover of Toto's 'Africa'Calvin Harris speaks out on Instagram, says Taylor Swift 'controlled the media'Tesla's vehicle engineering chief returns to AppleRiots on the streets of Buenos Aires after Argentina votes against legalising abortionPolice officers pop the question during London Pride paradeThe story behind that 'Game of Thrones' reference in 'Disenchantment'This new PS4 is a translucent blast from the pastAcceptance, regret and cheers: World leaders conflicted over Brexit Taylor Swift's BFF Abigail Anderson receives death threats after calling out Kanye West Report: Google Dragonfly links phone numbers to search results 7 gifts that are way better than things Where is the Camera Roll in iOS 12 Messages overhaul? BMW shows off its iNext electric, autonomous concept car Protesters bring their own wall to the Republican convention Apple and Mozilla move to thwart Facebook tracking 'BoJack Horseman' creator on real Stephen Colbert discovered the great condiment scandal at the Republican convention Shannen Doherty shares honest photos of her struggle with breast cancer YouTube Kids now comes with stronger parental controls Apple's iPhone XS and XS Max are now available for pre Starbucks barista found a new way to troll annoying customers Confident Nevada delegate gets his own state capital wrong at the RNC Razer's second generation phone might be revealed on October 10 Kanye West and Adam Driver announced for 'Saturday Night Live' premiere This video of Victoria Beckham dancing to the Spice Girls is all you want it to be Terry Crews shares the apology he got from Adam Venit back in March This little girl dancing with Michael Myers is absolutely fearless Here's how to update your iPhone, iPad, and even iPod Touch to iOS 12
2.149s , 8200.1015625 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【Dear Utol (2025): Doctor, Doctor I'm Sick Episode 41】,Feast Information Network