GoKawiilAliExpress Caught Using Inaudible Audio Signals to Fingerprint Site Visitors
Researcher Matthew Callaghan discovered AliExpress running hidden scripts that generate silent, inaudible sound waves through the WebAudio API to create a unique fingerprint of each visitor's browser. He noticed the tracking only because it interfered with his multipoint Bluetooth headphones, cutting off phone audio whenever the AliExpress tab was open. The scripts muted the sound with a zero gain setting so users would never notice, but the browser still processed and transmitted the audio data back to the site.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Audio fingerprinting is a covert tracking method that can identify users across sessions without cookies or consent, making it far harder for privacy-conscious users to opt out. Its discovery here happened almost accidentally, raising questions about how many other sites deploy similar hidden techniques undetected. This incident could intensify scrutiny of AliExpress's data practices and pressure browser makers to close such fingerprinting loopholes.
- AliExpress used inaudible WebAudio signals to fingerprint visitors' browsers.
- The tracking was discovered only because it disrupted a researcher's Bluetooth headphone audio.
- Heavily obfuscated scripts silently generated and analyzed sound waves without any audible cue to users.
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Published there as: “Inaudible sounds used to fingerprint browsers catch AliExpress red-handed”
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