Spy TVs

Wikileaks claims CIA and Mi5 had developed spyware that turned TVs and smartphones into bugs.

16:11 12 March 2017

Wikileaks has accused CIA and MI5 of turning televisions and smartphones into bugging devices using a secret computer hacking programme to record conversations and even take photographs.

 

According to leaked intelligence documents, the CIA targets cars that contain onboard computers linked to the internet.

 

The catastrophic leak of data was obtained by Wikileaks and published online yesterday. Experts say that the documents seemed genuine. The CIA has declined to comment on the issue.

 

Meanwhile, GCHQ and MI5 were dragged into the row of files showing how the UK held workshops with the CIA to find ways to ‘hack’ into household devices. One of the programmed developed during this workshop is dubbed Weeping Angel, which allowed spies to gain control of the Samsung F8000 range of internet-connected televisions.

 

It is alleged that the MI5 created a ‘fake-off’ mode that secretly record users’ conversations that are then transmitted to a CIA operative listening in. The smart televisions come with a microphone that is normally used for voice-activated controls.

 

The leaked files also appeared to show evidence that GCHQ had collaborated with the CIA to hack into Apple’s iPhones as well as smartphones that use Google’s Android software.