Should you stop using wireless headphones? Why Kamala Harris warns against them

First Post

04-08-2025

Former US Vice President Kamala Harris, during her appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, warned against using wireless headphones due to security risks. Notably, Bluetooth transmits data through the air within a limited range, making it more vulnerable to nearby threats. Just last month, India's cybersecurity agency also issued a high-severity alert for users of Bluetooth audio devices read more
Former US Vice President Kamala Harris, in her first television interview since her defeat in the 2024 election, appeared on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' and warned against the use of wireless headphones.
The Democrat leader said she only used wired earphones to take calls and shared her reason for avoiding wireless technology.
ALSO READ | Why has Trump critic Stephen Colbert's hit 'The Late Show' been cancelled?
Last month, India's cybersecurity agency, the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), issued a high-severity alert for Bluetooth audio device users. The agency pointed out several security weaknesses in these gadgets.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Should you stop using wireless headphones? What is the problem?
Here's a look:
Why Kamala Harris warned against using wireless headphones
Kamala Harris appeared on a TV show where she was shown some never-before-seen photos from her new book, 107 Days.
While talking about one of the photos, she said she received hundreds of calls from friends and well-wishers after Joe Biden announced he was stepping away from the presidential race.
She said she only used wired earphones to take the calls and explained why she avoids wireless technology.
OOPS! KAMALA JUST ADMITTED YOUR AIRPODS CAN SPY ON YOU
'I served on the Senate Intelligence Committee… I've been in classified briefings.'
She says Bluetooth isn't secure and people can listen in.
They know. They've always known. pic.twitter.com/Wmr9KMcxwA — HustleBitch (@HustleBitch_) August 1, 2025
'I served on the Senate Intelligence Committee. I have been in classified briefings,' she said.
'Don't be on the train using your earpods, thinking somebody can't listen to your conversation. I'm telling you, the [wired earphones] are a bit more secure,' she added.
Notably, in her famous 'We did it, Joe' call to Joe Biden after their 2020 win against Donald Trump, Harris was seen holding a pair of wired headphones in one hand.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The Democrat leader said she only used wired earphones to take calls. Reuters/File Photo
In 2021, Politico reported on Harris' choice of headphones, saying she 'has long felt that Bluetooth headphones are a security risk' and 'insists on using wired headphones' because of it, according to three anonymous former campaign aides.
What's the problem with Bluetooth headphones?
Security architect and certified ethical hacker Maril Vernon told HuffPost that Bluetooth sends data through the air within a certain range, which naturally makes it more open to nearby threats.
She said Harris was being 'intelligent' by choosing to use wired headphones.
If Harris had used Bluetooth headphones, there would have been a higher risk of someone listening in on her calls through a hacked connection, Kevin Johnson, CEO of consultancy firm Secure Ideas, told the publication.
ALSO READ | Cleaning your keyboard, mouse and smartphone? Here's what you need to know
A recent alert issued by security researchers, including Dennis Heinze, a security analyst and researcher at ERNW, pointed out multiple Bluetooth-related security flaws. These affect audio devices, including those from well-known brands that use Airoha Systems on a Chip.
Bluetooth sends data through the air within a certain range. Pixabay/Representational Image
Heinze told Forbes that Airoha is 'a large supplier in the Bluetooth audio space, especially in the area of True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds'.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
He said that in many cases, these flaws allow attackers to completely take over the headphones via Bluetooth. They could access and change data in the device's RAM and flash memory, and even 'hijack established trust relationships with other devices, such as the phone paired to the headphones'.
What did CERT-In say?
In July, India's cybersecurity agency, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), issued a high-severity warning for users of Bluetooth audio devices.
The agency said several security flaws had been found in Airoha Bluetooth firmware. These could let attackers gain unauthorised access to devices such as the Sony WH-1000XM5, JBL Live Buds 3, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, and Marshall Motif II.
'The vulnerabilities exist in Airoha Systems-on-Chip (SoCs) due to missing authentication in the GATT service and the Bluetooth Basic Rate/Enhanced Data Rate (BR/EDR) component, as well as a flaw in a custom protocol,' it said in the warning.
It further said, 'An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by establishing connections between mobile devices and audio Bluetooth devices and by delivering commands via the Bluetooth Hands-Free Profile (HFP).'
The agency warned that attackers could listen in on or interfere with audio communications, and could also intercept or send commands on the affected system.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Should you stop using wireless headphones?
The actual risk for most users remains low.
According to a Forbes report, there is little reason to worry unless you are a journalist, diplomat, political dissident, work in a sensitive field, or are under surveillance. These groups are the most likely targets.
Heinze advised that everyone should update their firmware as soon as an update is released.
Kamala said she only used wired earphones to take the calls. Pixabay/Representational Image
In the meantime, people who are more at risk might want to avoid using their headphones until a patch becomes available.
'Please ensure that you also remove the pairing between the headphones and your mobile phone,' Heinze added.
The good news is that most users can continue using their wireless headphones safely if they take a few simple steps.
Cybersecurity experts told HuffPost they also follow some basic habits to stay safe when using Bluetooth in public:
Don't keep your Bluetooth on all the time
Check regularly which devices are paired
Use the latest Bluetooth versions and install updates
Make your device harder to recognise by changing its name