Broadcasters Explore a New Option for TV: 5G

spectrum.ieee.org

3 points·rbanffy··4 comments

5g lets devices phone home without your consent.

I mean, is this really any different than what they're already doing though?

I wonder if someone could develop a firewall for mobile/whatever TVs and STB are classified as specifically to block this type of 5G telemetry (if it doesn't already exist)?

Today your TV reaches the Internet through a router that you (should) control. If the TV connects directly to a cellular network you can't insert a firewall.

That is very true, but haven't we already had cases of TVs spying on people without direct Wi-Fi access already? Also, most consumer routers are HOT SHIT and don't do much of what they claim they do.

I mean, we can pull data remotely from airgapped computers today via lights and other covert channels. What's stopping ShadyCo™ from using their companion mobile app for their NotSus line of TVs from doing data exfil from the TV to the app via Bluetooth/HF audio/some other non-WiFi connection and then going outbound via 443 from that app to a "trusted host" on the Internet?

I'm not saying it's happening all the time but we already have the capability to phone home without a Wi-Fi connection on the device doing the telemetry and people don't care. Hell- we can use background EM radiation from a house to precisely locate people inside the house from the outside and people don't care. Why care about telemetry with 5G when it's already an unchecked issue without 5G?

Also I think it would be super awesome if some megamind found a way to root a TV OS and install iptables, lol. Technically speaking there's no reason why this ISN'T possible- it's just not worth the hassle (for the exact reason you mentioned)

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