A CIA system code-named ‘Weeping Angel’ might have the power to turn on Samsung smart TVs into surveillance tools.
NBCNews
Reports say that WikiLeaks has released a 31-page “user guide” for the device. According to WikiLeaks, the device is an implant for recording audio from the TV’s built-in microphone.
The CIA device is run by a malware based on a program called ‘Extending’, which was developed by Britain’s MI5.
The code activates the device which in turn transmits audio directly to the CIA even if the TV appears to be off. The ‘fake off’ feature in the device turns the LED indicating ‘on’ to an LED color indicating ‘off’ fooling the user into believing that the TV is off. The screen, too, appears off.
The ‘Fake Off’ does not switch off an LED behind the TV, which gives away the actual status of the TV.
This is Samsung F8000 smart TV. The manual released by WikiLeaks mentions this TV as a host for the device.
According to reports, US intelligence agencies believe that the leak happened from inside.
‘Extending’ was developed in 2014. The manual which WikiLeaks shared mentions F8000 as model on which the device works.
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The leaks come two days after the US government decided to press charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange for aiding in hacking of classified systems.
