AirPods (headphones)

2024: Hackers have learned to listen to users through Apple AirPods

At the end of June 2024, it became known that a dangerous vulnerability was found in the firmware of Apple AirPods wireless headphones. By exploiting this flaw, attackers can listen to users' phone conversations.

The problem is described in the CVE-2024-27867 security bulletin. It affects various gadget models: AirPods (second generation and newer) and AirPods Pro (all models), as well as AirPods Max, Powerbeats Pro and Beats Fit Pro. When headphones send a request for a wireless connection to one of the previously paired devices, such as the owner's smartphone, an attacker in Bluetooth coverage can fake signals and establish a hidden connection. After that, it becomes possible to intercept the data broadcast by the headphones. Thus, in the hands of cybercriminals may be confidential information that the user exchanges during telephone conversations.

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To carry out an attack, an attacker must be in close proximity to the user - in the Bluetooth range: usually it is up to 10 meters. However, the actual maximum communication distance may vary depending on the obstacles available (such as metal objects and walls) or the electromagnetic environment.

Apple has solved the problem by releasing updated firmware versions - AirPods 6A326, AirPods 6F8 and Beats 6F8. They "improved the state control" of the wireless connection, so that unauthorized connection to headphones via Bluetooth is excluded. The update software is carried out automatically when the gadget is connected to, iPhone iPad or Mac. Users are also advised to make sure that their headphones are running a new firmware version.^[1]

2022

Regular headphones have begun to replace hearing aids

On November 15, 2022, the results of a study were released, according to which the all-wireless headphones (TWS) of the Apple AirPods family could become an alternative to hearing aids for people with mild to moderate hearing impairment. Read more here.

Gadget tore 12-year-old boy's eardrums

In mid-May 2022, Apple faced legal action after AirPods tore up a 12-year-old boy's eardrums. The lawsuit was filed against Apple in California in 2020, suggesting the boy's eardrums were severed due to an Amber Alerts alert.

The statement of claim lists the child as B. G., who watched the film on Netflix on his iPhone connected to the AirPods Pro via Law360. Although the volume of the AirPods was set to low, the Amber Alert signal emitted a high-frequency noise that damaged the boy's eardrums. The lawsuit details that Apple's Amber Alert device ruptured B. G.'s eardrum and also damaged his ear snail, the anterior section of the membranous labyrinth that is responsible for the auditory part of the inner ear that perceives and recognizes sounds. After the incident, the boy suffers from hearing loss, dizziness, nausea, dizziness and tinnitus. From 2021, B. G. is forced to wear a hearing aid.

AirPods tear 12-year-old boy's eardrums

The lawsuit alleges that Apple is aware of defective AirPods that do not reduce the level of Amber Alerts' alert sound. Moreover, Apple also did not include a warning about a potential problem that users could encounter. As a direct and direct result of the negligence of each and all defendants in the design, manufacture and sale of defective AirPods, B. G. received significant temporary and permanent, continuous injuries, pain and suffering, disability and health disorder. B. G. has experienced mental distress, emotional trauma, physical harm, trauma, mutilation, disability and health disorder. B. G. has lost the ability to live a normal life, and he will continue to live an inferior life in the future, including a decline in earning ability. In addition, B. G. has medical bills like past ones related to medical care resulting from injuries resulting from the use of defective AirPods.

The lawsuit against Apple demands compensation for the damage to the boy and his parents, who are experiencing huge emotional stress due to the current situation. The lawsuit seeks punitive damages on such a scale as to punish defendants for their behavior and deter other tech companies from doing so in the future.

The Amber Alerts system is designed by Apple to warn iPhone users by forcing AirPods to make loud sounds and vibrations. You have the option to disable the alert as follows: Settings > Notifications > Toggle off.^[2]

2020

Announcement of AirPods Max on-ear headphones

On December 8, 2020, Apple introduced the first on-ear headphones under its brand. We are talking about the AirPods Max model, the cost of which in Russia will be 63 thousand rubles. Read more here.

Apple AirPods explode in user's ear

In mid-June 2020, it became known that Apple AirPods exploded right in the user's ear while talking on the phone. The incident occurred on May 19, the manufacturing company is investigating this case

Information about the incident appeared on the social network. It reports that the owner of the headphones, 23-year-old Zheng Tang, received minor injuries to his right ear as a result of the explosion. The report also included an alleged medical report issued by Zhengzhou University's First Affiliated Hospital. A medical report confirmed that the rupture of the skin of the front wall of the boy's right ear canal was caused by an explosion.

The same earpiece that exploded in Zheng Tang's ear

Ear condition improved after two days of treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs, but Zheng Tan still complained of pain and hearing loss. A repeat visit to the doctor found swelling in front of the right ear and fresh bleeding. The examination revealed a crack on the anterior cartilage of the right ear canal, about 1 cm long, and a blood accumulation formed in the drum cavity.

In the photos of the exploded AirPods, there are no obvious signs of charring, only a crack is noticeable. The ill-fated AirPods headphones were bought at an Apple dealership in Wanda for 1,276 yuan (about $180). Apple has already taken its product for a full-fledged examination. The client will receive compensation in accordance with the current laws, if a production defect is established.

According to the publication Gizmochina, this is not the first case of a fire or explosion of this type of headphones. Earlier , the Belarusian exploded Apple Air Pods wireless headphones in his jeans pocket. According to the victim, it happened for no apparent  reason - the case was simply lying in the pocket of jeans. In addition to burned clothes and a burned five-ruble bill , the guy received burns.^[3]

2018: Headphone fire

On February 8, 2018, it became known about an incident with AirPods wireless headphones that occurred with a resident of St. Petersburg, Florida, USA. According to the owner of the gadget, Jason Colon, his right earpiece first smoked and then exploded.

In an interview with local news channel 8 On Your Side, Colon said that he was in the gym listening to music when a strange thing suddenly happened: AirPods stopped working, and white smoke appeared from the right earpiece. Leaving the headphones in the gym, the man came out to seek help from staff, and when he returned, he found that one of the headphones was burned and cracked.

Apple headphones after fire

In this form, I found it. Exploded and split. I didn't see it happen, but he was obviously roasting. Here, look for yourself, it was clearly burning, "Colon tells the journalist, showing a damaged earpiece with traces of burning.

I don't even know what would happen to my ear, "the man continues. According to him, if he had not guessed to take off his headphones, everything could have ended deplorably.

Since the headphones hang on the earlobe, it would have suffered. My lobe could burn out, - said Colon.[4]

The victim suggested that a malfunction in the AirPods battery could be to blame. Although Colon is not sure about the reasons for what happened, he considered it necessary to warn other owners of Apple headphones.

Journalists contacted Apple, and a spokeswoman for the corporation said that the company takes such incidents very seriously and is already investigating the incident.

It is worth noting that cases of ignition of electronics due to batteries are not uncommon. It was due to a malfunction in batteries that led to the ignition and even explosion of devices that Samsung was forced to completely withdraw the Galaxy Note 7 smartphones from the market in 2016.

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