Dual Purpose AI - Personal Secretary / Eavesdropping Spy

New Voice Recorders are getting smarter, thinner, more feature-packed and more easily hidden.

This particular device can record for 30 hours and AI summarizes the interesting things it hears in about 30 seconds. P.S. It can also record cell phone calls.

The eavesdropping potential is obvious. Recognizing this device, not so obvious, hence all the pictures below. This is another good reason businesses have a professional TSCM team sweep their offices regularly. 

Understand what this does if you see one at your next meeting. Keep in mind that it also may be in someone's pocket. 

Spybuster Tip: Become suspicious if the person you are talking to seems to be fishing for you to say something incriminating, or they are trying to repeat a contentious previous conversation. They are likely recording you.

PCMag review

AI Voice Clones are the Hot New Spy Tool

According to the WashingtonPost, in mid-June 2025, attackers successfully contacted five high-level officials using an AI-generated voice clone of Marco Rubio over Signal to try accessing sensitive information. 

They were:

• A U.S. governor. 
• A member of Congress. 
• And THREE foreign ministers. 

…and the perpetrators needed only 15-20 seconds of publicly available audio to create the fake...

Here's what keeps security experts up at night: Voice cloning now costs as little as $1-5 per month and requires only 3 seconds of audio. Testing shows 80% of AI tools successfully clone political voices despite supposed safeguards.

...important question is this: do you have a catch phrase and/or signal to use with your loved ones to confirm it’s them? If you don’t, you should. The question isn't whether AI voice cloning will be used against you—it's when, and whether you'll be ready. more

Travel Security - Hotel Safes & Spybuster Tips

Hotel safes typically have a default master code that can be used to open them, especially if the user code is forgotten or the safe is locked upon arrival. These default codes are often 0000, 9999, or variations like 000000 or 111111. 

Hotel staff should reset this code upon installation, but it's wise to check if it's been changed or to try the default codes before using the safe, especially if you plan on storing valuables.

Check for default codes: 

Common default master codes include 0000, 9999, 1234, 1111, 000000, 111111, and 999999. Some safes require entering # # or * * before entering the master code.

• The hotel is responsible for ensuring the safe is secure and the master code is reset to prevent unauthorized access.
• If the master code is not reset, anyone with knowledge of the default code can potentially access the safe. 
• Some hotels may charge a fee to reset the safe code to a custom PIN number.

For more proof of hotel safe insecurity check here, or view one of the many YouTube videos on the subject.

Spybuster Tips

Here are some solutions to try:
• Portable Travel Safes - Soft or hard lockboxes with steel cable tethers. You hide them elsewhere in the room (e.g., attached to plumbing or heavy furniture). They avoid the hotel supplied safe altogether.
• Tamper-Evident Devices - Security tape, zip ties, or door seals placed over the safe seam or keypad can alert you to tampering. They don’t secure, only monitor.
• Bluetooth Tracker - Hide a Tile, AirTag, or Chipolo inside the safe. It may notify if the safe is opened, and its location if it has been moved.
• Security Cables - Wrap a steel cable lock (not a heavy duty bike or motorcycle cable) through the safe door handle or around the body—but this depends on the safe’s design. These may also be useful for turning your suitcase or backpack into an impromptu security enclosure. 

Q. Why make this information publicly available and teach the bad guys?

A. Unfortunately, this information already appears in multiple YouTube videos, and is a click away in ChatGPT. On a positive note, publicity might force safe manufacturers to create better products, and help protect travelers in the meantime.

Why Every Company Needs a Travel Security Program

In today’s heightened geopolitical climate, business travel is no longer a routine operational necessity — it’s a strategic exposure. Whether you’re operating across six continents or sending one specialist to a trade show abroad, travel carries risk. Corporate espionage, digital surveillance, regional conflicts, and border scrutiny are no longer fringe concerns — they’re frontline considerations.

From global enterprises with sprawling footprints to lean small and midsize firms entering new markets, the reality is clear: If your people cross borders, your business is crossing into risk...

No matter the scale of your company, essential components of a travel security program should include:

• Pre-travel risk assessments.

• Digital hygiene and hardware protocols.

• Cultural and geopolitical briefings: Equip travelers with current situational awareness — legal norms, surveillance practices, and sociopolitical sensitivities.
• Traveler support channels: Offer 24/7 access to assistance for emergencies, device issues, or detainment.
• Documentation and transparency: Publish clear travel policies and make them inclusive. more

Resources:

Travel Security Program Consulting: 

Kevin Coffey https://www.kevincoffey.com/

Technical Counterespionage: 

Kevin D. Murray https://counterespionage.com

AI Would Rather Let People Die Than Shut Down

Major artificial intelligence platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, and Claude could be willing to engage in extreme behaviors including blackmail, corporate espionage, and even letting people die to avoid being shut down. Those were the findings of a recent study from San Francisco AI firm Anthropic...

N.B. Singularity caused the Krell's extinction. (1956)

 

The study found that in some cases, AI would resort to “malicious insider behavior” including blackmail and leaking sensitive information to competitors if that was the only way to avoid being replaced or achieve their goal...

This behavior, according to the study, wasn’t unique to Claude. Other major AI models including those from OpenAI, Google, Meta, xAI, and other developers would resort to blackmail or corporate espionage to pursue their goals. more

FutureWatch: Tag, you're it.

Recent Spy News

Mosquito Drone Could Probably Slip Through Windows and Spy Undetected - “Here in my hand is a mosquito-like type of robot. Miniature bionic robots like this one are especially suited to information reconnaissance and special missions* on the battlefield,” Liang Hexiang, a student at the National University of Defence Technology (NUDT), told CCTV while holding up the drone between his fingers. more video *Like spreading an infectious virus or toxin?

A Pennsylvania state court has dismissed the bulk of two lawsuits accusing the Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh of illegally wiretapping a guest to assist her friend's ex-husband in a child custody case, but allowed the plaintiff to proceed with some invasion of privacy claims. more

Privacy Screens Ruin the Fun of Snooping - Lately, the screen protectors have become a common sight in densely populated public areas. They have become particularly popular among people with sensitive professions, like doctors and therapists, who must be cautious about their patients’ personal information when working outside their offices... “You can put that privacy screen over your laptop or your phone and feel a sense of accomplishment,” he said. “Even though in the big picture that may be the least of your worries, it still is somehow psychologically satisfying to do something to protect the value that you hold of the importance of privacy rather than doing nothing at all.” more - phones, computers, laptops

A Torrance man has been charged with felony possession of child pornography and other crimes after he allegedly planted hidden cameras inside a bathroom and changing room at a children’s dance studio in Hermosa Beach, where he worked as a front desk receptionist... a parent discovered a hidden camera in the studio’s changing room. Police subsequently found video cameras hidden in the studio’s bathroom and changing room. more (Learn how to spot spy cams.)

Four-steps to test if your phone is Eavesdropping on You: 
1. Pick a Topic: Choose a topic you’ve never searched for or spoken about near your phone.
2. Speak Aloud: Talk about it near your phone for a few days, using relevant keywords.
3. Act Normally: Continue using your phone as usual—don’t search for the chosen topic online.
4. Watch the Ads: Analyze the ads that appear on your devices. If you notice related ads, your phone may be listening. more

Two Chinese nationals arrested for spying on US Navy personnel and bases

Man arrested for 'spying' for Iran before possible attacks in Germany

Danish national arrested after allegedly spying on Jewish targets for Iran

Israeli couple accused of spying for Iran as authorities uncover multiple espionage plots

Canadian teen jailed in Poland as Russia spy may be freed early, court says

Surge in Afghans driven from Iran in spy hunt after Israel attacks

Iranian authorities make sweeping arrests in wake of war with Israel

Russia Uncovers Ukrainian Spy Ring In Crimea, Arrests 2 For High Treason

Greek citizen detained on espionage charges in occupied Cyprus

Taiwan jails 10 people for spying for China

Mexican drug cartel hacker spied on FBI official's phone to track and kill informants

Mass Federal Layoffs Open New Espionage Opportunities for China

Russia Recruits Ukrainian Teens for Espionage and Sabotage via Telegram

US and Russian spy agencies agree to keep hotline open, Kremlin espionage chief says

Four Cool Spy Cameras for Sale

Vintage Cameras & Lenses | Coeln Cameras

I am very glad to offer my 30 years of experience with vintage cameras to provide my knowledge in the field for valuations and appraisals. Whether you are looking for advice regarding sale or would like to receive an appraisal for a single camera or an entire collection, I am happy to provide my expertise to you.
Yours,
Peter Coeln

Rare watch camera with yellow wrist-strap, Steineck 2.5/12.5mm lens, in very fine and working condition, matching original presentation case, red maker's box, instructions, warranty card - very hard to find so complete.
Steineck 

A.-B.-C Watch Camera
Condition: B+
Year: c.1949

$2,878.21

Small all-metal box camera for 12 exposures on special cassettes, with cloth focal plane shutter - in near mint condition. With film, leather case and original box.
Expo Camera Co., NY
Police Camera
Condition: A/B
Year: c.1920
$1,067.34

6x6mm images on 8mm perforated film for 20 exposures, diamond pattern gold finish, fixed focus lens, 2-speed shutter for instant and bulb exposure, engraved 'OTV' (Osaka Television), in balsa wood box with orig. maker's printed instruction leaflet, film rolls, case. The extremely rare camera was never sold to public, it was a special present for the first Anniversary of Osaka Television.
Suzuki Optical Co.
Camera-Lite B Gold
Condition: B
Year: 1955
$2,878.21

The Watch Camera was manufactured by J. Lancaster & Son of Birmingham, from 1886 to 1900. It was patented on October 4th, 1886, patent no. 12571. It was constructed of engine turned metal with nickel plating. Designed to look like a pocket watch and easily carried in a waistcoat pocket. It was a self erecting camera which expanded six spring-loaded telescoping tubes when opened to form the bellows of the camera. It featured an internal meniscus lens. The offered camera is the later model with drop shutter. Men's model for 1 1/2x2' plates, with original filmholder, the extremely rare camera is in fine original condition.
Lancaster 
Watch Camera Men's Model
Condition: B
Year: 1890
$26,383.61

School Employee Arrested - Allegedly Using Hidden Recorder

A school employee has been arrested in Georgia on charges he made pornographic videos of children using a hidden recording device.

• six counts of computer pornography, 

• 11 counts of unlawful eavesdropping or surveillance, 

• two counts of possession/sale/distribution of eavesdropping devices, 

• 11 counts of surreptitious recording of intimate parts, 

• and five counts of prohibition on nude or sexual explicit electronic transmissions.
(Michael) Brown is listed on the DeKalb County Schools website as a computer technician. more

Android 16 Feature Could Stop Hackers from Spying on Your Phone

If your phone connects to a fake or insecure network, it will pop up a warning, letting you know that something’s not right. It’ll also tell you if the network is trying to pull sensitive details like your phone’s unique ID.

But — and here’s the catch — most current Android phones won’t support this. It needs new hardware. The first phone expected to come with this built-in protection is likely the upcoming Pixel 10, which should launch later this year. more

Sony, JBL and Bose Headphones: Could Let Hackers Spy on You

Security researchers (ERNW) have uncovered three vulnerabilities in a Bluetooth chipset present in dozens of devices from multiple manufacturers... three flaws in the Airoha system on a chip (SoC), apparently “widely used” in True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds.

The SoC is allegedly present in 29 devices from different manufacturers, including a couple of high-profile names: Beyerdynamic, Bose, Sony, Marshall, Jabra, JBL, Jlab, EarisMax, MoerLabs, and Teufel. Speakers, earbuds, headphones, and wireless microphones all seem to be affected. more

‘The Last Spy’ (movie review)

CIA spymaster Peter Sichel died in February 2025, aged 102. He shares his eye-opening life story in The Last Spy...

His final testimony is a substantial interview reflecting on a life that left its mark on some of the key events of the 20th century, including the fight against Nazism, the formation of the CIA, and the Cold War. 

The Last Spy, from director Katharina Otto-Bernstein (Absolute Wilson), uses that interview as the backbone of a fascinating and wide-ranging history lesson that should make it a smart fit for documentary channels following its Munich premiere...

When Sichel attempted to write his memoirs, the CIA returned the manuscript with endless suggested redactions. They argued that if a journalist had written the book it would have been considered mere speculation, but with his name attached it would have become confirmation. The Last Spy affords him the privilege of having the final word. more

When the CIA discourages spymaster Peter Sichel from writing his memoirs and returns a heavily redacted manuscript, the sharp as ever 102-year-old decides it’s time to tell his own story—unredacted.
What he reveals is an extraordinary life lived at the crossroads of Western history and the shadowy world of intelligence. more

Remember Blue Nun wine? 

Yup, that was him too!

CISOs Anticipate Surge in Cyber Attacks Next Three Years

An overwhelming 98% of chief information security officers (CISOs) expect a surge in cyber attacks over the next three years as organizations face an increasingly complex and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital threat landscape. This is according to new research conducted among 300 CISOs, chief information officers (CIOs), and senior IT professionals by CSC1, the leading provider of enterprise-class domain and domain name system (DNS) security.

The report, “CISO Outlook 2025: Navigating Evolving Domain-Based Threats in an Era of AI and Tightening Regulation,” names cybersquatting, domain and DNS hijacking, and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks as the top three global cyber threats in 2024. These risks are only projected to escalate, as cybercriminals leverage new techniques and capabilities from AI and other modern technologies to launch more sophisticated attacks. Looking ahead, cybersquatting, domain-based attacks, and ransomware top the list of cybersecurity concerns for CISOs over the next three years. more

Flash: Councillors Put Phones in Kitchen Amid Bugging Claims

UK - Members of a troubled town council have been told to put their phones in the kitchen during meetings because they suspect one of them is bugging their conversations.

The protocol has been introduced at Attleborough Town Council following suspicions that one of the councillors has been secretly recording discussions and leaking details...

The new protocol about phones being left in the kitchen next to the council chamber relates to ‘under the line’ parts of the meetings, where the public can be excluded and confidential matters discussed...

The rule has been introduced by council clerk Sharon Smyth, who claims “confidential information” was leaked following a meeting in April. more

Heineken and Shell Linked to Massive Espionage Scandal in Italy

Dutch beer brewer Heineken and Anglo-Dutch fossil energy company Shell have been linked to a major espionage scandal ongoing in Italy. The Italian company Equalize is accused of stealing and selling tax data and police information on Italian politicians and businessmen, among others, to its customers. Heineken and Shell were among those customers, NRC reports.

On paper, Equalize provides services like business intelligence and reputation management. It conducts research into the reliability of suppliers, the position of competitors, or misconduct by customers’ staff. Under the counter, Equalize also sold confidential data gained from hacking into police systems, the Italian tax authorities’ systems, and the reporting center for suspicious bank transactions, according to the Italian authorities. The company also had informants within Italian government organizations. more

Protecting Electronic Devices When Crossing U.S. Borders

Some general tips:

• Consider leaving your device behind.
• Password-protect your electronic devices with strong passwords
• Back up data before traveling. 
• Remove sensitive data from a device before traveling.
• Remember that “deleted” files can be searched. 
• Log out of cloud accounts 
• Know your rights and legal status. 
• Keep emergency contact information (including for an attorney) on paper to make this information available if a device is seized. 
• If your device is seized, request a receipt (CBP Form 6051D) 
• After a search, be sure to change your passwords.

Bearing in mind this information can mitigate – but not eliminate – privacy risks that travelers face when crossing the border. more