Inaudible sounds used to fingerprint browsers catch AliExpress red handed

The technical mechanism involves making a user's computer play sounds that are impossible for the human ear to detect. These ultrasonic signals are then used to create a unique identifier for the device, allowing the company to track individuals across the web. This method of identification bypasses traditional tracking protections and operates silently in the background while the user interacts with the platform. Coverage from Ars Technica and All About Cookies emphasizes the stealthy nature of this operation, noting that AliExpress was caught red handed in utilizing these frequencies. Ars Technica highlights the specific use of inaudible sounds for the purpose of fingerprinting browsers, while All About Cookies focuses on the practical implications for the user.

The latter outlet explicitly addresses the fact that computers were forced to play these sounds to facilitate tracking and provides guidance on how users can block this specific behavior to regain their digital privacy. This development is significant because browser fingerprinting is a sophisticated alternative to traditional cookie-based tracking. While cookies are stored on the user's device and can be easily deleted or blocked, fingerprinting relies on collecting unique hardware and software configurations to identify a user. By incorporating acoustic signals into this process, the platform can create a more persistent and harder-to-evade digital signature. This allows for more precise tracking of user behavior and identity across different sessions and platforms without the user's explicit consent or awareness.

Future developments to watch include the implementation of blocking methods described by All About Cookies to prevent this type of acoustic tracking. Users are now being encouraged to take active steps to stop their hardware from playing these hidden sounds. Coverage does not yet specify if AliExpress has issued a formal response to these findings or if regulatory bodies have initiated investigations into the legality of using ultrasonic signals for browser fingerprinting. The focus remains on the technical ability of users to shield their computers from these inaudible tracking frequencies.