Ultra Sonic Emission for Privacy Protection
- October 9, 2023
- 5:34 pm
WP100 Suppressors installed inside Boardroom
Ultrasonic emissions for privacy, also known as ultrasonic masking or ultrasonic noise, is a technology used to protect user privacy in various contexts.
Ultrasonic masking involves emitting high-frequency sound waves that are inaudible to humans but can be detected by certain devices, such as microphones on smartphones and many other audio recording devices.
Audio recorders on smart phones and all other types of digital audio recorders can be prevented from recording important discussions using Ultrasonic Masking systems.
Ultrasonic masking systems need to be strategically positioned for maximum protection.
Here’s how it works:
Ultrasonic Emission for Privacy Protection explained
1. Generating Ultrasonic Waves:
Ultrasonic waves are sound waves with frequencies higher than the upper limit of human hearing, typically above 20 kHz.
Specialized devices detailed in this blog can generate these waves.
2. Privacy Protection:
When ultrasonic waves are emitted, they create a background noise that is imperceptible to humans.
However, if a device with a sensitive microphone, like a smartphone or audio recorder, is recording audio, it can pick up these ultrasonic waves.
3. Masking Conversations:
By using ultrasonic emissions, conversations and other sounds in the vicinity of the device can be masked.
This means that even though the microphone is technically “recording”, it’s not able to capture meaningful audio due to the interference of the ultrasonic emission.
4. Signal Processing:
The recorded ultrasonic signal is then processed to remove the ultrasonic noise.
This leaves only the audible sounds and effectively prevents discussions from being recorded.
WP100 – 100 Ultrasonic Transducers per plate
Applications of Ultrasonic Emissions for Privacy
Microphone Suppression kit for Asset versus Threat in office meeting.
Asset positioned behind the suppressor (left of image), Primary speaker emitting towards target. Secondary speaker emitting from different position towards same target (Threat).
1. Voice Assistants:
Smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home may use ultrasonic emissions to protect user privacy.
This ensures that the device is only active and recording when it’s supposed to be.
2. Smartphones:
Some smartphones have explored using ultrasonic emissions to prevent eavesdropping through the microphone.
Specialist devices are produced to prevent smartphones from recording audio during sensitive discussions.
3. Meeting Rooms and Offices:
In corporate environments, ultrasonic emissions can be used to safeguard confidential discussions in meeting rooms.
4. Home Security Systems:
Ultrasonic emission can be used to protect audio data collected by security cameras or systems.
5. Medical Environments:
In healthcare settings where patient privacy is crucial, ultrasonic emissions can be employed to prevent inadvertent recording of conversations.
6. IoT Devices:
Various Internet of Things (IoT) devices with built-in microphones can utilize ultrasonic emissions to enhance privacy.
While ultrasonic emissions can be an effective privacy tool, it’s important to note that, like any technology, it’s not foolproof and needs strategic positioning for maximum protection.
There could be scenarios where it might not work as expected, or where the technology could be circumvented by sophisticated attackers.
Covert and Overt Operation Systems
Many Ultrasonic sound masking systems have covert and overt modes.
If you use a system which is too powerful for a specific area, the ultrasonic emission will create a noise.
Different systems are designed for different situations:
WP100 as per image, this device is designed for Boardrooms, areas which are greater than 6 metres length and 4 Metres Wide
This system is designed without covert use in mind, where the main concern is protecting verbal discussions.
MSK – Microphone Suppression Kit: This system is designed for small asset versus threat scenarios.
The small form of this device allows it to be positioned close to a target, covertly.
BR-MSK – Boardroom Microphone Suppressor Speaker is a speaker designed to appear like a desktop speaker and appears covert.
All Ultrasonic Masking systems have two modes of operation, Covert Mode, this is when the device is utilizing Ultrasonic emission only and Overt Mode.
Overt mode allows users to utilize Audible white noise feature, for maximum protection when covert use is not the primary concern.
Please visit our Microphone Suppression category for full details on each system.
Watch Ultrasonic Emission Disrupt Audio Recorders
3D Ultrasonic Emission is where multiple devices are placed in the same location.
This method of emission is the most effective protection against unauthorized audio recording devices.
The video demonstrates 3D Ultrasonic emission defeating multiple smartphone recorders and audio recording devices.
The sound you hear on the video is the Ultra sonic emission, this sound cannot be heard live, but through the video’s mic, it is audible.
This level of ultra sonic emission is capable of blocking audio recorders which are placed inside bags, as per iPhone 11 Pro placed inside the bag.