Bluetooth's convenience for hands-free calls and wireless audio comes with genuine security risks, as the technology has repeatedly been shown to contain vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit within physical range of a device. Researchers have found flaws in Fitbits, Airoha-based hardware and Google Fast Pair audio devices that could allow location tracking, eavesdropping and theft of personal data such as contacts and call history, meaning users should not assume Bluetooth is safe to leave on indefinitely.

The article, drawing on recent research from Insinuator and KU Leuven University (as reported by Wired), recommends several precautions: turning Bluetooth off when not in use to limit exposure to "bluebugging" and "bluesnarfing" attacks, setting devices to "hidden" rather than "discoverable" mode, and unpairing phones from rental or sold cars. It also flags lesser-known risks such as wireless Android Auto (which uses both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi) and the iPhone's Live Listen feature, both of which can be disabled in settings. A tool called WhisperPair.eu, released by the KU Leuven researchers, lets users check whether their specific device model is vulnerable.