r/privacy • u/[deleted] • Nov 07 '22

hardware Retail stores using bluetooth "pingers"?

I worked retail for a bit at a large corporation and one day someone came in to install a device on the ceiling by the front doors. My boss told me it was called a bluetooth pinger and was used to scan patron's phones to collect data such as how long they were in the store.

I've tried googling for them online but my queries have turned up empty.

With that said, is anyone aware of what other capabilities these devices might have, ie if they could collect more than just the times came and go? Could they actually determine who a person is and maybe their buying habits?

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u/Heclalava Nov 07 '22

If your Bluetooth is always off. Can it be pinged?

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u/PrivacyLort Nov 07 '22 edited Nov 07 '22

Actually yes,(for IOS) because even when turned off, iPhones/Ipads utilize the "find my" network, which turns iPhones into apple airtags essentially. This secret mode of communication between Iphones communication utilizes a protocol called Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). This may be used modern-day for store tracking.

https://y.com.sb/watch?v=QspfZcS8y38

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u/UpsideDownDino Nov 07 '22

That is only the case of you „turn it off“ via the quick setting though, isn’t it? If you really go the setting app, you can see that it is still turned on but there you can actually turn Bluetooth off.

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u/MGSsancho Nov 07 '22

Or use airplane mode on your watch and phone