Today’s smart headphones and earbuds are no longer just devices for listening to music. Features like heart rate, body temperature, microphone, location, AI transcription and translation have been added to these. Lauren, who has tested more than 2,000 headphones and earbuds in 10 years, told how these cause burglaries and what are the ways to avoid them? What data do headphones now collect? According to tech experts, the new earbuds have Bluetooth chip, microphone, sensor and app connectivity. These devices can record heart rate, movement patterns, voice, location and hearing ability. This data reaches the company’s app through the phone. Is health data automatically protected? Digital privacy experts say that health data is not always protected by law. US law applies to information between doctor and patient. But if the same data is collected from a headphone or fitness app, it can be used in marketing or analytics. Can companies sell this data? Most companies write about data sharing in the privacy policy. Users may have the option to opt-out, but the terms often contain complex language. According to tech analysts, some data is also used for AI training. What is the danger from Bluetooth and app? Flaws in Bluetooth of tech companies have come to light. However, the bigger danger comes from the app. If the app is not updated or has excessive permissions, data can easily be stolen. How can users protect their privacy? Keep non-essential permissions off. Opt-out of data sharing. Keep apps and firmware updated. Keep earbuds away during sensitive conversations. Keep in mind that smart headphones provide convenience, but they also consume data. Therefore, caution is necessary in their use. What is the risk for users in India? Earbuds and fitness apps are becoming increasingly common in India. People connect them to their phones and give them location, microphone, health and fitness permissions. Earbuds can read data related to body and behavior. If the app is allowed access to microphone, location and health data, it can collect information related to movement, conversation, fitness and habits. Therefore, while buying headphones, you should also check the privacy policy.
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