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Sex Toy Company Admits To Recording Users' Remote Sex Sessions, Calls It a 'Minor Bug' (theverge.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the invasion-of-privacy dept.

According to Reddit user jolioshmolio, Hong Kong-based sex toy company Lovense's remote control vibrator app (Lovense Remote) recorded a use session without their knowledge. "An audio file lasting six minutes was stored in the app's local folder," reports The Verge. "The user says he or she gave the app access to the mic and camera but only to use with the in-app chat function and to send voice clips on command -- not constant recording when in use." The app's behavior appears to be widespread as several others confirmed it too. From the report: A user claiming to represent Lovense responded and called this recording a "minor bug" that only affects Android users. Lovense also says no information or data was sent to the company's servers, and that this audio file exists only temporarily. An update issued today should fix the bug. This isn't Lovense's first security flub. Earlier this year, a butt plug made by the company -- the Hush -- was also found to be hackable. In the butt plug's case, the vulnerability had to do with Bluetooth, as opposed to the company spying on users.

51 of 81 comments (clear)

  1. Minor? by theweatherelectric · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's not the size of the bug that counts, it's what you do with it.

  2. Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by PolygamousRanchKid+ · · Score: 5, Funny

    In ancient Pompeii, brothel visitors used to document their sexual predilections with graffiti on the walls. These have proved to be very useful to archaeologists trying to understand what all those folks in Pompeii were up to.

    Maybe if they weren't fucking like bunnies, they might have noticed that a volcano protoplasmic wind was about to turn them into toast.

    Anyway . . . maybe these recorded "Remote Sexual Sessions" will be useful to archeologists in the future . . . ?

    --
    Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
    1. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by K.+S.+Kyosuke · · Score: 1

      Maybe if they weren't fucking like bunnies, they might have noticed that a volcano protoplasmic wind was about to turn them into toast.

      "Honey, didn't the earth just quake?"

      "I'm pretty sure that was just my orgasm, dear."

      "OK, keep going!"

      --
      Ezekiel 23:20
    2. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by Austerity+Empowers · · Score: 1

      In ancient Pompeii, brothel visitors used to document their sexual predilections with graffiti on the walls

      In modern America (and probably elsewhere), we do this on bathroom stalls. I do not know what future archaeologists are going to glean from "Call 867-5309 for a good time", but it's probably not going to speak well about us.

    3. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by rmdingler · · Score: 1
      Yes.

      Like when I play a song on Youtube or Amazon, and they recommend a "session" with a similar predilection.

      --
      Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know.

      Ernest Hemingway

    4. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by PolygamousRanchKid+ · · Score: 1

      In ancient Pompeii, brothel visitors used to document their sexual predilections with graffiti on the walls

      In modern America (and probably elsewhere), we do this on bathroom stalls.

      Oh, today we can hear about the sexual peccadilloes of politicians on CNN.

      "Yes, I was over thirty, and she was 14, but she was gagging for it!"

      Tough luck, Senator Roman Polanski.

      --
      Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
    5. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by rtb61 · · Score: 1

      Just a reminder, the average IQ is 100 so fifty percent of the population is less than that. It takes all sorts and what amuses others will not amuse you. A remote control vibrating butt plug, why, in all honesty just why? I can only assume it is a fetish of Harley Davidson riders, that over the top noisy vibration up the crack of their arse (and make no mistake you are noisy douche bags, yeah people love to hear the sound of the bike in their lounge room as you dick parade past their house). Then again, it does take all sorts.

      --
      Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
    6. Re: Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Umm, the IQ tests are designed so that they return a normal distribution that's usually centered at 100 and frequently with standard deviation of 10.

    7. Re: Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by Lordpidey · · Score: 4, Informative

      You do realize that IQ is LITERALLY defined so that the mean average (as opposed to median average or modal average) is 100, with a standard deviation of 15, and a normal distribution. Even if the average intelligence of everyone changes, those things will still be true.

      --
      Some people encrypt by using rot-13 twice. I prefer the more secure method of using rot-1 a total of twenty six times.
    8. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by hairyfeet · · Score: 1

      Actually its so camsluts can make buttloads, pun intended, of money. I once knew a girl who made quite a bit of money with one of those remote vibrators, customers to her cam show could pay a set amount and control the vibrator for X number of minutes. Needless to say she is getting her higher education paid by horny old men and will not only leave college debt free but with have a nice nest egg to start her own business.

      --
      ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
    9. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by DNS-and-BIND · · Score: 1

      Our culture sucks and needs to end. Women forced to prostitute themselves just to get an education. What a shithole we live in.

      --
      Shutting down free speech with violence isn't fighting fascism. It IS fascism!
    10. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by hairyfeet · · Score: 1

      Dude if you had given her a 100% free education she still would have done it because for a couple of hours a day she earns more than most of us can make in a couple of weeks which means when she starts her business she won't have to deal with banks or investors, quite smart on her part and unlike actual prostitution 100% safe and totally on her terms.

      --
      ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
    11. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by Mal-2 · · Score: 1

      A remote control vibrating butt plug, why, in all honesty just why?

      Two words.

      Camwhores.

      Tips.

      It's an extremely popular way to generate "activity", on both sides of the transaction.

      --
      How is the Riemann zeta function like Trump rallies? Both have an endless number of trivial zeros.
    12. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by Mal-2 · · Score: 1

      Yep, I know a geologist that paid her way through school by working in strip clubs and doing cam shows. Once she had her degree, she disappeared from public view for nine months to do field studies, and when she came back she had no need of her old strip club job -- or the cam show income, for that matter, but she went back to doing shows anyhow. She was also the only one in her class (according to her own words) that left school with more money than she had going in.

      Not all of the women doing shows are vapid. Some are, but others simply see no harm in taking advantage of being hot, while simultaneously pursuing their long-term goals.

      --
      How is the Riemann zeta function like Trump rallies? Both have an endless number of trivial zeros.
    13. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by Cederic · · Score: 1

      Women forced

      Whatever makes you think they're forced? Shit, I'd happily have been a cam-boy at university if there had been a market for it. Lets face it, I was going to masturbate anyway, may as well make money from it.

    14. Re: Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by Imrik · · Score: 1

      I'm curious why you emphasized that it's defined so the mean is 100 when the median is the important one in this discussion. Though since it has a normal distribution, the mean median and mode are all the same.

    15. Re: Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      The important bit is that itâ(TM)s designed to have a normal distribution, so the mean is the median.

    16. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by Slashdot+Junky · · Score: 1

      While that "particular" student may have still been a webcam girl for the easy money, many and probably most only do it out of necessity in order to cover the expenses during a time when working while a full-time student for enough money is tough. So, a significant reduction in the cost of college saves at least these chics.

      --
      .
      Landfill Mining Co.
      Managing the (Un)natural Resources of Tomorrow
    17. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by r1348 · · Score: 1

      Maybe you meant pyroclastic flow?

    18. Re: Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 1

      Huh, 99 * 1 + 100 = 199. 199 / 100 = 1.99. Yes ,some people do need to learn math!

      --
      Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
    19. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      In ancient Pompeii, brothel visitors used to document their sexual predilections with graffiti on the walls

      In modern America (and probably elsewhere), we do this on bathroom stalls. I do not know what future archaeologists are going to glean from "Call 867-5309 for a good time", but it's probably not going to speak well about us.

      My favorite, an oldie but goodie is:

      Those who write on shithouse walls,

      Roll their turds in little balls.

      Those who read these words of wit,

      Eat those little balls of shit.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    20. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by Ungrounded+Lightning · · Score: 1

      volcano protoplasmic wind

      pyroclastic flow, my eminent niggé

      On the other hand, a volcano emitting a protoplasmic wind would make a suitable plot for a low-budget movie. Right up there with the "scratch the film raygun SFX" space operas.

      After a suitable period of R-to-X rated character and situation establishment, "The Blob" erupts from a volcano and engulfs the red light district.

      --
      Bantam Dominique roosters crow a four-note song. Once you've heard it as "Happy BIRTHday" you can't NOT hear it that way
    21. Re: Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by skids · · Score: 1

      In addition to modern IQ scores being back-fitted to a bell curve (one could argue this fudging serves very llittle useful purpose or for or against the evidence that a bell curve is the correct distribution to use) there is also the definition of "average":

      a number expressing the central or typical value in a set of data, in particular the mode, median, or (most commonly) the mean, which is calculated by dividing the sum of the values in the set by their number.

      ...it can mean any of those when used in common discourse.

      All of this is beside the point. Which is... who the heck thought it was a good idea to link a vibrator to a phone app in the first place. What about a vibrator screams: "I really need to be linked to an app on an internet-connected device?" What sensible individual would make a decision to proceed with such a product?

      --
      Someone had to do it.
    22. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      Our culture sucks and needs to end. Women forced to prostitute themselves just to get an education. What a shithole we live in.

      Who is forcing them? They must have a moral set that allows them to justify this sort of activity.

      I don't really care one way or the other if a woman does this or a man engages in this sort of activity with her. As long as it is consenting adults, it is none of my business I do not find the concept of remote control vibrators remotely exciting myself, but would no more pass judgement on her than I would on a person who prefers homosexual sex, or a transgendered person.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    23. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      Our culture sucks and needs to end. Women forced to prostitute themselves just to get an education. What a shithole we live in.

      Forced? Nothing forced about it. I actually know one of the girls registered on MyFreeCams. She's an educated and practicing nurse. She will also pay off her house faster than I will on an engineering wage considering how much money she makes camwhoring. Or at least she would if she didn't spend it all on her lavish lifestyle.

      The only problem in our world is people with prejudices talking out of their arse.

    24. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      While that "particular" student may have still been a webcam girl for the easy money, many and probably most only do it out of necessity in order to cover the expenses during a time when working while a full-time student for enough money is tough. So, a significant reduction in the cost of college saves at least these chics.

      They ought to have student loans or something.

      Seriously, assuming you are a liberal based on the concept that you're promoting the idea that this is a helpless yet strong victim woman who is forced into a life of depravity by the patriarchy, you are simply wrong.

      If a woman is of an outlook that she can make money by strutting her stuff on the internet and that it is no problem for her, then she might do that. If she finds that to be unacceptable, she won't. My SO has had offers, and she's just said "No, thank you" and that was the end of it.

      This is not a difficult concept unless one has watched too many episodes of Law and Order Special Victims Unit.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    25. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      Not all of the women doing shows are vapid. Some are, but others simply see no harm in taking advantage of being hot, while simultaneously pursuing their long-term goals.

      Yes, there are some local ladies who are paying for their education this way. Not my cup of tea, but tI'm not going to judge them. Supply and demand I suppose.

      What is really weird is how while liberals had championed acceptance of homosexuality and transgenderism (which I have no trouble accepting at all) and many of the more whacked out ones have demanded the ridiculoushundreds of "genders" bullshit, they get outraged by this sort of activity.

      I think it needs framed in a way that they will accept. What of a transgendered person who finds their sexual release in running a webcam where they wank for money, and the money is the integral part of the gratification? How dare they pass judgement on them?

      We need to add some new genders to the list:

      Trans-pecuniary exhibitionist, CISpecuniaryexhibitionist, and maybe a few others.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    26. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      volcano protoplasmic wind

      pyroclastic flow, my eminent niggé

      Dooood! Haven't you ever been caught in a protoplasmic wind? So hot now!

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    27. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by iamgnat · · Score: 1

      Just a reminder, the average IQ is 100 so fifty percent of the population is less than that.

      The term you are looking for is median.

      With an average you could have 99% with scores below 100 and 1% with higher scores. Or the 99% could be higher and 1% lower. The average is simply the sum divided by the count with no connection to distribution.

      The median (or 50th percentile) is value in the center where roughly half are above and the other half are below. It can't really be half on either side though since it is actually ((count - 1) / 2). It also doesn't account for a cluster at the center where you might have multiple examples with the same value (e.g. The median of "2 3 3 3 5" is 3, but only 1 of the 5 is actually higher...).

    28. Re: Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by negRo_slim · · Score: 1

      2 cents has been credited to your account

      --
      On the Oregon Cost born and raised, On the beach is where I spent most of my days
    29. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by DNS-and-BIND · · Score: 1

      So all women are whores, eh? You misogynist piece of shit. Go die in a fire.

      --
      Shutting down free speech with violence isn't fighting fascism. It IS fascism!
    30. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by DNS-and-BIND · · Score: 1

      She wouldn't be prostituting herself if it were not for the crippling cost of education. Fuck you misogynist pieces of shit for trying to justify this sexist state of affairs.

      --
      Shutting down free speech with violence isn't fighting fascism. It IS fascism!
    31. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      She wouldn't be prostituting herself if it were not for the crippling cost of education. Fuck you misogynist pieces of shit for trying to justify this sexist state of affairs.

      What's the matter with you dude? Your incredible stupid tactic of blaming men for this is ridiculous. You know how many women do not pay for their college education by becoming a stripper or a "cam whore"?

      Almost every woman who goes to college, that is who. Somehow they manage. So lay off your gaddamned sanctimonious blame shifting, and grow up.

      Her body, her decision, no one else.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    32. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by Ol+Olsoc · · Score: 1

      Who the fuck gave you the authority to speak for all women? Do you personally KNOW this woman? Then don't assume that she "wouldn't be doing it" for whatever bullshit reason YOU can come up with. You don't speak for her and you sure the hell don't speak for me so why don't you take your shitty attitude elsewhere. Damn third gen feminists.

      Isn't it amazing? Third wavers have tilted feminism on it's head, effectively describing women as so weak that they are the ultimate victims. That there is no choice that they are capable of making, having been forced into a life of debauchery by those damn members of the patriarchy that sit on the bus with their legs too far apart therefore reinforcing rape culture. A bizzare fugue state of the world's strongest, toughest perennial victims. And becoming more shrill by the moment. I've even seen some stories about "femicide" now. So now men want to eliminate all women from the earth? How's that supposed to work? Kinda takes both sexes to continue the species last time I checked. But I suppose even thinking that is silly and non workable is misogynist for the third wavers.

      And in a fit of projection that would make closeted homophobes proud, they throw the Misogynist pejorative around like a Fifth Avenue confetti parade, merely proving who hates who.

      A woman who chooses to do this sort of thing is not doing anything illegal, and the main qualifications are wanting to make money, and not being concerned about any negative views. It is her choice, no one else's.

      Other people have worked and saved money, then gone to college after a number of years, taken advantage of tuition reduction or elimination programs at work, or even simply used student loans to get an education. In fact, there aren't all that many women who choose to fund their education this way. Most who do are just pragmatic about it. And I'm not going to judge. Seems we have some pretty judgemental types here.

      A side note is that a lot of their "customers" are women. https://www.womenshealthmag.co... . Not certain how that plays into the misogynist screeching.

      --
      The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
    33. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by cwatts · · Score: 1

      underrated comment!

      --
      chris watts íë¦ìS ì(TM)ì
    34. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by hairyfeet · · Score: 1

      Wow the misogynist POS here is you, thinking that woman cannot have control of her own body and enjoy her sexuality without being somehow "exploited". Maybe you should try not thinking of women as property and instead as actual human beings with their own desires and the ability to think for themselves, what a sexist tool you are.

      --
      ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
    35. Re:Gold, for future archaeologists . . . by KingBenny · · Score: 1

      interesting ... a dildo with a mic ... that sends your juices sounding off across the planet .... ALSO interesting ... mmh .... somewhat ... i guess, if you're a serious exhibitionist

      --
      Free speech was meant to be free for all... how can anyone grow up in a nanny state ?
  3. FYI by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    In case you care, Lovesense is very popular among cam-girl sites. Yes, there are guys on these sites, but nobody cares about them. And by all means, do add links to such sites as a response to this post.

  4. Obligatory by DontBeAMoran · · Score: 4, Funny

    Earlier this year, a butt plug made by the company -- the Hush -- was also found to be hackable.

    backdoor

    --
    #DeleteFacebook
    1. Re:Obligatory by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Yo dawg, we heard you like back doors, so we put a back door in your back door ... for the lulz.

  5. I'm not yet sure what to think about this by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 4, Funny

    Why don't you post the file, so we can draw an informed opinion?

    --
    #DeleteChrome
  6. Why... by UttBuggly · · Score: 1

    ...would anyone listen to random people with too much disposable income bumping uglies?

    Hell, we turn on music so we donâ(TM)t listen to ourselves.

    --
    I am my own gestalt.
    1. Re:Why... by freeze128 · · Score: 1

      The recordings could be used to dub in sound effects in other movies or video games... Or maybe the directors of porn are looking for good dialogue ideas...

  7. Re:The part that I can't figure out... by K.+S.+Kyosuke · · Score: 1

    Don't you have to ask for consent before you turn it on remotely?

    --
    Ezekiel 23:20
  8. Re:The part that I can't figure out... by thegarbz · · Score: 1

    Why would a remote control vibrator have a "chat function"?

    You've never been on the internet have you?

  9. Oh, bloody hell... by BronsCon · · Score: 1

    as opposed to the company spying on users

    If the recordings never left the phone, the company wasn't spying.

    --
    APK quotes people (including myself) without context and should not be trusted. Just thought you should know.
  10. duration by CohibaVancouver · · Score: 1

    lasting six minutes

    Story checks out.

  11. Name of toys.... by Izuzan · · Score: 1

    I hooe im not the only one that got a good laugh out of the name they gave the butt plug....

  12. new market by mtaht · · Score: 1

    Ultimately this has potential to recreate "sex sessions of the stars". How long will it be before everyone is able to record and playback and relive those intimate moments? "Sex tapes" will become passe', when compared to fully interactive virtual experiences being passed around, or sold, by the companies that sold you the basic hardware to play with, years after you first played with it. Maybe standard protocols for sexual interaction will emerge, like MIDI values for every basic position in the kama sutra... defined values for motion controllers, and the like. Please note that I am neither praising or condemning this future, I just happen to think that if any technology can be used during sex, it will, and thus I tend to think that discounted interactive sex toys that do broadcast your activities will be cheaper than those that don't - much like you can get a kindle without advertisements for more money. My nightmare, I guess, is that you'll end up seeing ads projected over the body parts of your virtual lovers if you don't pay the tax.

  13. The moral of the story by eric_harris_76 · · Score: 1

    The moral of the story: in your sex toys, always use only open-source software that you compiled yourself.

    --
    There's no time like the present. Well, the past used to be.
  14. Hackable? by dddux · · Score: 1

    A butt plug is hackable? Of course it is. What's so weird about it?

    --
    "It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society." - Jiddu Krishnamurti