It’s not the most obvious path for someone with malicious intent to follow, but AirPods have a potential security flaw built in, in the shape of Siri. AirPods’ small security loophole could be closed with ear biometrics, patent application suggests
Users have had access to Siri since the original version of Apple’s truly wireless earbuds, which could possibly disclose anybody the contents of the linked iPhone without unlocking it as long as the wearer is close enough. Also How to watch Euphoria season 2 episode 4 online tonight Anywhere
However, a recent patent application discovered by Patently Apple reveals that the corporation is considering methods to close this potential exploit, and it has proposed two remedies.
The first would necessitate the deployment of ultrasonic signals in future earbuds to determine the geometry of the wearer’s ear canal and guarantee it matched the owner’s.
The publication adds that “certain properties of the user’s ear create an echo of the ultrasonic signal that is unique to the person.” “Variations in the surface of the user’s ear canal may cause the ultrasonic signal to bounce off the surface and create an echo with the user’s signature.”
This would likely need a new sensor, but there is a solution that seems like it could be deployed to all models without requiring an upgrade: gait data from a linked iPhone or Apple Watch to identify you based on your walk. “The gait information may comprise, for example, information on a user’s walking and/or running characteristics, such as steps, speed, stride, and the like,” according to the patent.
The benefit of both of these over, say, limiting Siri to those with a matching voice, as discussed elsewhere, is that they would prevent accidental privacy breaches in which Siri reads out text messages or calendar appointments to someone who has innocently borrowed a pair of AirPods with permission.
If the ear or gait don’t match, Siri may simply remain silent. It’s a very elegant solution, however some people may be concerned about Apple keeping a record of how they walk or the size of their ear canal.
For the time being, though, it is only a theoretical quandary. After all, this is only a patent, and patents aren’t often acted upon or even accepted; there’s no evidence that this will make it into the anticipated AirPods Pro 2. Nonetheless, it’s fascinating to see that Apple is eager to expand its privacy image, even in areas with very limited real-world abuse.