We have completed maintenance on DiscoverMagazine.com and action may be required on your account. Learn More

Worried About Your Privacy? A New Tech Could Reduce Eavesdropping on Devices

New research may have found a tool to protect us from our listening devices.

By Avery Hurt
Jun 17, 2022 5:00 PMJun 20, 2022 3:42 PM
Phone
(Credit: LDprod/Shutterstock)

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

When Edward Snowden met with lawyers in Hong Kong in 2013 to get legal advice after he told the world about the National Security Agency’s (NSA) spying program, he asked everyone at the meeting to put their phones in the refrigerator.

It was an odd request, but the idea was that the thickly insulated metal walls of the refrigerator (not the temperature inside), would act as a shield. Something like a Faraday cage, the refrigerator would prevent eavesdropping.

0 free articles left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

0 free articlesSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

Stay Curious

Sign up for our weekly newsletter and unlock one more article for free.

 

View our Privacy Policy


Want more?
Keep reading for as low as $1.99!


Log In or Register

Already a subscriber?
Find my Subscription

More From Discover
Recommendations From Our Store
Shop Now
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2024 Kalmbach Media Co.