AliExpress is at the center of a controversy due to the alleged use of an audio-based fingerprinting technique. This method, which employs inaudible signals, appears to aim at identifying devices and browsers without user consent.
The discovery emerged after a programmer noticed his Bluetooth headphones stopped switching between his computer and phone whenever the store's website was open. Further investigation revealed the site used the Web Audio API to generate and analyze silent signals, creating a device fingerprint based on audio processing.
This practice raises serious questions about online privacy and the necessity of such tracking methods by online stores. The situation also sparks concerns about the prevalence of similar tracking practices on other websites, operating discreetly and effectively.
