[guardian-dev] earphones question

[Hans-Christoph Steiner]

Matej Kovacic wrote:
> Hi,
> 
>> I do think though, at an API level, you can target specific microphones,
>> regardless of what the user has done. Will have to check that though....
> 
> Well, that is important question for those, who would like to use
> JackPair device. It is a separate device, resistant to maware on a
> mobile phone... unless, an attacker can switch on the internal
> microphone andd listen to conversation directly...

In most computer hardware, the actual mics are not turned on and off.  Its
usually a software switch whether to route the data stream or not.  So my
guess is that plugging in a headset just stops routing the mic to the phone
call, but something else could open the mic and get its data stream.

This could also vary on each device.  There could be an audio chip that can
power down the mic.

.hc

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