big brother

[dilf]

is it true that if your phone is switched on "They" can listen to you even when you are not using it.

[Buenchico]

No it's not. When a phone is on standby, the microphone circuit is disabled.

I suspect that you've heard an exaggerated version of the true statement that a phone, on standby, can be used to track your movements.

A mobile phone on standby periodically sends out a signal which effectively says, "I am here". (This is an esential part of the way that a cellular network operates. When somebody calls your number, the signal isn't sent to every transmitter in the country; it's only sent to the ones which are near to you). So, theoretically at least, it's possible that 'they' can track your movements from these signals.

In practice, the system only routinely keeps a record of your phone's location when you turn it on (when it always sends out a location message) and when you make a call. However, it would still be possible for the security services to arrange for all location signals, for a particular phone, to be logged and thus track your movements.

Chris

[dilf]

so the 3am deal in exeter services is a go- cheers chris

[ugly_bob]

also, though I'm not sure on this, apparently just turning it off doesn't stop the trackability. You need to remove battery and/or SIM.
Not sure how accurate this is though - most phons don't completely switch off when turned off. Try it. Set your alarm, then turn the phone off. Alarm still works.

[buildersmate]

I have great respect for Buenchico (Chris) but on this one I don't agree. Whilst I don't have concrete evidence, there's plenty of circumstantial evidence that it is technically possible to activate a phone remotely. And that this is done by security agencies with the appropriate authorisation. Drug dealers routinely remove the batteries from their mobile phones for this reason, when not in use (so I'm told).