Audio Devices Collecting User Data

[The Computer Audiophile]

Hi Guys, though I’d start a topic on this one. I found a huge offender this evening. I powered on an Astell & Kern device 24 hours ago and as of right now the unit has tried to phone home 10,012 times. 
 

It’s trying to send analytics and telemetry information. 
 

Perhaps there is an opt-out and I don’t see it. 
 

It should be noted that this device runs Android and a few audio apps. A&K and/or the apps could be responsible for this data collection. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

One of the many tracking communications is going here - Kochava

 

https://www.kochava.com/cross-device-tracking-web-sdk/

 

 

 

“Tracking with Web SDK: Unify Disparate Channels

 

Kochava, long renowned as the leader in mobile app attribution, introduces Web SDK—the bridge for in-app, mobile web, desktop and connected devices for cross-device tracking of your brand, giving you a holistic view of a user’s path to conversion.”

[The Computer Audiophile]

It’s also contacting FollowAnalytics, who’s claim to fame is, “To be able to collect mobile data and perform campaigns on your mobile users.”

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

There are several Google and Google owned data collection domains as well. For example, Google Analytics, App-Meassurement/fire base, doubleclick, Google tag manager, etc...

[The Computer Audiophile]

Here's a little of the traffic for the last five minutes. 

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

3 minutes ago, GregWormald said:

Mac?-->Little Snitch!

(A very satisfied user.)

That's a great app for detecting what's happening on your local machine. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

15 minutes ago, cjf said:

I'm wouldn't be surprised if even ROON does this but maybe not in as blatant a fashion. Luckily it still works with no Internet connection assuming your not streaming via Tidal/QoBuzz. I keep my core isolated with no Internet connection but not really for this reason but instead to help reduce the updates that are applied. Been burned too many times with updates from Roon and Windows breaking stuff.

 

Personally I don't care if my listening habits are exposed but what I do worry about are data leaks via these types of devices and things like shady phone Apps. They could have the ability to "trickle" data out of your network that your not aware of. If the phone or music serving device is on the same VLAN/LAN as your other primary devices like your personal data NAS and its not locked down enough than you could be more exposed than you would prefer to know as you see these devices calling home.

I hear you on that one. I look at it this way, if data is on a network it will some day be made public. If the most secure networks in the world have trouble keeping bad actors out, we have no chance. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

2 hours ago, AudioDoctor said:

Very interesting Chris...

 

For what its worth, when I was still using Mac OS and running ROON as well as Little Snitch I only saw Roon going out to the web when streaming a song from Qobuz or Tidal, internet radio, etc...

 

I'm assuming this info came from a PiHole or similar device?

Pi-Hole is the tool I use. It’s fantastic. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

16 minutes ago, KeenObserver said:

I.m setting up two firewalls using pfsense and other add-ons.  I'm setting up a six port Protectli  up at the mountain. I'm re-provisioning a high end Xeon workstation for in the city.  Besides the protection, I want to log everything that is going in or out. I want to see who's calling home.

It gets really interesting. What’s also interesting is how many people just don’t care or consider it a decent trade off. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

Just now, KeenObserver said:

You should also know that the newest over the air ATSC television tuners are two way.

Wow.

[The Computer Audiophile]

29 minutes ago, Jud said:

Not that it should necessarily be any consolation, but isn't a lot of the Google Analytics stuff about getting people paid?

It’s definitely about commerce and people getting paid. I just don’t like to be the product and not get paid 

[The Computer Audiophile]

18 minutes ago, KeenObserver said:

Microsoft has upped the recommended memory for Windows 10.  As CPU's become more powerful operating systems become more bloated.  One has to wonder how much of the increased memory usage and bloat in the operating system is due to the operating system recording metrics of the user and sending them back to the mother ship.

Large data bases and commercial users cannot afford to waste computing power on this spyware.  They must be able to remove it or it isn't there in the commercial versions.

Back in the day we could remove nearly everything in a commercial OS. Now, it's nearly impossible. Not cool. 

[The Computer Audiophile]

15 minutes ago, KeenObserver said:

Operating systems track you.  Search engines track you.  Chain stores give you discount cards so they can track you.  Streaming sites track you.  Phones track you.  Even your television tracks you.

We are well past 1984.

Audiophile Style no longer tracks anyone :~)

[The Computer Audiophile]

8 minutes ago, Allan F said:

 

Phoning home is a service that may be used to track lost or stolen mobile devices. However, its use should be at the option of the owner and not set as a default. Moreover, its use can be abused as a means to collect personal data.

 

I hear you, but does A&K actually help users recover lost and stolen units? With Find My iPhone, at least I can attempt to recover a lost or stolen phone myself. Perhaps there's a similar feature on A&K devices?

[The Computer Audiophile]

6 minutes ago, Allan F said:

 

I have no idea. Why not try to contact A&K to both express your concern about your experience, and to ask them if they offer a feature similar to Apple's?

There's only so much time in the day. Perhaps tomorrow :~)