‘Turn off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth hotspot, all that when out in public.’

Today’s rapidly evolving technology brings many conveniences, but sometimes it also raises concerns. One man recently shared an unsettling experience, warning that high-tech gadgets might allow others to eavesdrop on our conversations.

In a TikTok video posted on June 11, user @jacctrippa_ warned his viewers about what he calls “weirdo technology” that seems to enable drivers to listen in on conversations from nearby cars. His video has gathered substantial attention, reaching over 448,300 views.

“Y’all need to be careful [about] who you’re around,” said @jacctrippa_. He recounted a recent incident where someone parked close to him and his phone began malfunctioning, suggesting that it might be connected to this new tech.

“Some dude had parked next to me and the same thing that happened [also] happens when a police cruiser [goes] by you,” he explained. “Everything had stopped working on my phone. This happened like three or four times the other day.”

Filming from a car repair shop, @jacctrippa_ shared that despite there being plenty of open spaces, a stranger chose to park right next to him. “I turned my phone all the way off and I started my stopwatch,” he said. “What did he do? He waited one minute and then he took off.”

According to @jacctrippa_, there is an app, which he refers to as an “ear hustling app,” that lets people listen to the conversations of drivers nearby. Although he didn’t know the name of the app, he urged his viewers to help him identify it, offering $500 via CashApp for any useful information.

What is this strange new tech?

While the precise details of this so-called ear hustling app remain unclear, @jacctrippa_ isn’t alone in suspecting that new technology might allow for such invasions of privacy. A post in a January 2022 forum for Jeep drivers also mentioned a peculiar experience where the user could hear others’ phone calls on their radio.

“Several times this has happened. We can hear unknown people talking on their phones in our Jeep, but they can’t hear you if you talk,” the forum poster shared. “So it’s just listen-only, but super clear signal.”

Though the Jeep driver’s experience remains unexplained, there are eavesdropping devices designed to be almost undetectable once installed in a car.

“Modern GSM car bugs come in small sizes and deliver excellent performance. As a result, they can blend into the car quite easily. It is practically impossible to spot them using your eyes alone,” read another 2023 post promoting such software. “No matter where you are located, you will be able to listen to the car owner casually chatting over the phone or with their passengers as clearly as if you were in the car yourself.”

This specific GSM listening device mentioned is not available for sale in the U.S.

What precautions are viewers taking?

Some drivers have taken steps to protect themselves against these potential eavesdroppers. One man, for example, suggested turning off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi while driving to minimize the risk. “It’s a constant beacon,” he said, likening it to a digital fingerprint. “Use wired headphones.”

Another viewer echoed similar advice, warning to “Turn off WiFi, Bluetooth hotspot, all that when out in public.”

Some individuals speculated that StingRays, invasive cell phone surveillance devices used by law enforcement, might play a part. “StringRay Technology, the police use it to disable cell phones,” commented one man. Another simply wrote, “called a StingRay.”

The Daily Dot has reached out to @jacctrippa_ via TikTok for more information.