Hidden In Plain Sight

[CoreyD]

If you are familiar with conspiracy theories, you may have heard the expression "hidden in plain view/sight".
This refers to what is esoteric - what is not known by or suitable for the public, but intended for or understood by only a small group, especially one with specialized knowledge or interests.

This thread is not intended to start a conspiracy theory, but just to see how persons are thinking, and get your views.
By now, most, if not all of you, heard about the incident where nearly 3,000 people were injured, and about 12 killed, when pagers exploded simultaneously across Lebanon.

Hezbollah vows retaliation against Israel for deadly pager explosions
What we know about the Hezbollah device explosions

Immediately, my mind went to cell phones, and what many of us would have heard about, from the ability for "hackers" to turn on and off the camera and microphone of one's phone, to the microchip of one's phone being an invasion of one's privacy... or worst.
I then read that a likely cause of the pagers exploding, may have been malware.

The WSJ quoted regional security analyst Michael Horowitz as suggesting the attack was likely caused by either 1) malware triggering the batteries to overheat/explode or 2) an actual explosive charge inserted in the devices at some point in the supply chain and then detonated remotely.

A few days ago, I watched the movie Next Gen, which I thought the producers did a great job on... except for the cussing dog, which they thankfully beeped out, because I didn't see that coming. I think the dog itself is a bot, place in the family's home, and it learned to cuss from the girl's parents, who fought regularly, evidently.

However, that aside, it set me thinking about our era, and not only how far man has advanced in technology, but the insidious nature of man, combined with advancement.

Of course, there isn't much we can do about this, but no doubt many are concerned about the future.
How concerned are you about what you are purchasing and carrying around on your person, or in your home?

 

[The IbanezerScrooge]

I've thought about this too and have semi-proven it's happening directly with an Amazon Alexa device. we talked about specific brands of things that we normally don't mention or use intentionally for about a week while Alexa was "listening" and ads for those products started showing up in various apps on that device. I did the same thing with my phone and saw no change. So, it's not universal, but it's out there. So, far I just accept it. There's nothing I'm doing in my life that I would feel bad about other people knowing or that could be "used against me", but, of course, I can't think of everything. So, why worry about it? that's my attitude.

 

[RocksInMyHead]

Regarding the pagers, it's been confirmed that Israel managed to insert explosive charges into the devices. Short version: they established a series of shell companies that purchased (or established, not 100% clear on that part) a production line for pagers and other electronic communications devices. Then, they systematically went after Hezbollah operatives by tracking cell phone signals, which forced them to start using other communications devices (like pagers and walkie talkies). The shell company that Israel established had built up a reputation as a reliable supplier, and they probably offered a good price, so that company won the contract with Hezbollah to produce the giant order of pagers and walkie talkies that they were looking to place. Those devices were done on a separate production line and included 20g of plastic explosive with a trigger set to detonate when a specific code was received.