The Use of Spy Listening Devices

With the rapid advancement in technology, it now easier than before to record what would otherwise be private conversations. Listening devices have become widespread in both government and private organizations for investigative purposes and for recording meetings for record keeping or customer service objectives.

These devices are today known by many names including audio bugs, wire, bugging devices, and covert recording devices among other names. Most people use these devices for regular purposes like recording a lecture at the University, monitoring the baby in the next room or many other hundred purposes. They are easy to conceal and carry along, and most societies no longer restrict their use as special equipment.

Apart from the special listening devices like the GSM bug, the smartphones of today have built-in recording functions for immediate use wherever one is. They are usually a combination of a microphone with radio transmitter with varying ranges of transmissions. Bugs are commonly used in espionage and police investigations; however, this does not mean it is always legal to record a conversation without the knowledge of the parties. It is crucial to check what the law in your area says about recording private conversations and how you can use the recording.

Types of listening devices

Bugs are available in many forms, styles, sophistication, and prices from cell phones to parabolic microphones. Here are some categories:

Radio transmitters

These small spy ears can be embedded inside phones to allow eavesdropping into the full conversation or in any office and household item to pick room conversations. It sends the communication over a radio frequency to a nearby receiver or an M radio set in the same frequency. In this century, wiretapping is done via computer devices instead of on the telephone wire like before.

Cell phones

There are spy devices that come disguised as mobile phones but with no calling capabilities except for the wireless transmission function. Due to its similarity to a phone, it will not raise any suspicion unless the other party attempts to use it. The other option is a regular cell phone with the capability to eavesdrop. When the target uses the phone, you can dial a special number that allows you access to the exchange without the target ever suspecting.

Long distance devices

The most common long distance listening apparatus is the parabolic microphone. This is made with a microphone placed in the middle of a receiver shaped like a satellite dish. It can be aimed at the general direction of the subject to pick conversations many feet away without ever raising suspicion. From the dish, it transmit the conversation through wires to the headphones or ear plugs worn by the user or wired to a recorder. This spy ear is not concealable as the other tiny devices hence the need to use it from a concealed location far from the subject.

Listening through walls

Designed like stethoscope head plugged into a receiver, when the wall microphone is placed against the wall, the listener can hear what is happening in the next room through the earphones attached. They are highly precise making them able to pick even whispered conversations.

Bionic ear pieces

Designed to look like regular in ear buds, these parabolic microphones are supersonic hearing aids that amplify conversations from distances that a normal ear cannot. They are very small making their concealment very easy unless the subject is very close to you.

Remotely activated phone microchips

It is now possible to remotely activate a mobile phone to act as a GSM bug without the need of physical access to the phone. It can be used to listen to the conversations of the owner or those nearby the user of the specific phone. This technique is common among law enforcement especially the FBI once a court order has been obtained.

Vehicle computer system

The built-in tracking and emergency system can be used as a bug to listen to conversations in the car without the occupants noticing anything. This was however prohibited since it involves deactivation the security features of the device used.

Legal requirements

Every jurisdiction has its laws hence the need to check with your state or country before considering the use of recording devices. For example in the UK, you can record conversations as long as you comply with the data protection laws and the human rights laws of the country. Check with the legal experts before engaging in the recording of private conversations. In a domestic setting, you can use the recording devices to capture evidence of noise violations by a neighbor of within the house or office for personal use like note taking.

Uses of audio bugs

- For espionage purposes: it is common knowledge that spies are the main users of spy ear devices when going about their duties around the world. In 1946 the Soviet Union presented the US ambassador to Moscow with a bugged copy of the great Seal of the US. It was only discovered in 1952 after years of listening into conversations. It was difficult to find out since it had no power source or transmitter. The US embassy in Moscow was also bugged during its construction in the 1970s and was only discovered early in the 1980s; the columns were full of bugs forcing the US to tear down the whole building.

- Most people use these devices to back up their word in a two person conversation, and for future evidence in a case, a business deal goes sideways. You may find yourself fighting misrepresentation and the only solid evidence to help you out is the recording you made to back up what you said.

These audio bugs are designed to capture HD audio quality from distances as far as 20 feet away or through walls. The law varies by every jurisdiction, but if you are one of the parties in the conversation, then the case is different. It is legal as long as you observe the privacy laws in your country and state. Most of these devices are made to support long recording sessions with powerful batteries. Their small sizes also enhance portability and concealment. You can choose a device with voice-activated recording function to allow it to record only when there is an ongoing conversation to save battery life and to give you the freedom to do other things. It also allows you to begin recording conversations immediately to start your private meeting. These devices record in common audio formats to allow for cross-compatibility among devices.