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AliExpress accused of silent audio fingerprinting via hidden web scripts

By PulseAugur Editorial · [2 sources] ·

AliExpress is accused of using hidden code within its website to fingerprint users' PCs via the browser's Web Audio API. Developer Matt Callaghan discovered that loading AliExpress pages interfered with his Bluetooth headphones, even when no audio was playing. The scripts, identified as collina.js and fireyejs.js, generate and analyze audio waveforms, collecting data on device specifics like screen dimensions, browser plugins, and WebGL rendering, which is then encrypted and sent to Alibaba's telemetry services. Browsers like Firefox and Brave reportedly have built-in protections against such audio fingerprinting techniques. AI

IMPACT This incident highlights potential privacy risks in web technologies and may prompt further development of browser-based anti-fingerprinting measures.

RANK_REASON The article details a specific privacy-invasive technique used by a commercial website, which falls under the category of a tool or method rather than a core AI release or significant industry event.

Read on Tom's Hardware →

AI-generated summary · Google Gemini · from 2 sources. How we write summaries →

AliExpress accused of silent audio fingerprinting via hidden web scripts

How we ranked this

Signal score
0 / 100
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Tool
The article details a specific privacy-invasive technique used by a commercial website, which falls under the category of a tool or method rather than a core AI release or significant industry event.
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2 independent sources
Multiple independent publishers reporting the same story raises confidence that it's real and newsworthy.
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product, policy
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3 days old
Aged out of breaking-news scoring windows; ranking reflects the durable signal from the full source set.

Full methodology in our editorial standards.

COVERAGE [2]

  1. Tom's Hardware TIER_1 English(EN) · Kunal Khullar ·

    AliExpress allegedly uses your browser's audio system to fingerprint your PC — hidden code runs even when no sound is playing

    A developer's investigation into a Bluetooth headphone issue uncovered hidden Web Audio processing on AliExpress that allegedly fingerprints browsers and collects detailed device information.

  2. The Register — AI TIER_1 English(EN) ·

    AliExpress accused of fingerprinting shoppers with silent audio trick that also muted a dev's headphones

    Sawtooth waves you can't hear still mess with your Bluetooth. Firefox and Brave say they've got you covered

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