"Unveiling the Threat: Smartphone Ambient Light Sensors and Device Activity"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Ars Technica
Ambient light sensors found in many devices can potentially be used to eavesdrop on user activities, such as detecting touch gestures and capturing images of objects in front of the screen. While current limitations make the threat less immediate, researchers from MIT are raising awareness about the potential privacy and security risks associated with these sensors and are urging device makers to implement software steps to make ambient light sensors safer. This adds to a growing body of research showing how sensors in devices can be exploited as a side channel to leak private information, with little recourse for end users.