This week, Politico was heavily criticized for its coverage of Vice President Kamala Harris’s refusal to use Bluetooth headphones.
The feature titled “West Wing Playbook” bills itself as an inside scoop on the people and power centers in President Joe Biden’s administration. But the first section of the feature about Harris’ choice of headphones is bizarre to say the least.
Why is Politico so obsessed with Harris’s aversion to Bluetooth?
NEW: Kamala Harris has long felt that Bluetooth headphones are a security risk.
So, she insists on using wired ones, 3 fmr campaign aides told @rubycramer and me.
That Bluetooth phobia remains (if you look closely, you'll see the clump of wires in hand)https://t.co/9poyMTQrU2 pic.twitter.com/HtscTWm1sF
— Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) December 6, 2021
The write up points out Harris doesn’t use AirPods on her iPhone.
In fact, she is almost always seen with wired headphones, whether it’s the highly meme-able video congratulating Biden on their election win or in video interviews.
The article then makes the claim wired headphones are the “hip vintage” accessory for Gen Z, like there wasn’t backlash and people still complaining today about Apple removing the headphone jack from the iPhone.
However, they point out this isn’t some attempt to be cool, but for security reasons, describing the VP’s care about technology as “paranoid.”
The unfair characterization was widely criticized online.
This piece reads like it was written in a world where the 2016 election didn’t turn on both real and imagined questions of email security. https://t.co/QsQfkarbuf
— Ezra Klein (@ezraklein) December 7, 2021
Amidst this snarky, negative report; the press lost more credibility while the VP's prudence, awareness of security issues and trust worthiness with Natl Security raised her stature.
— Gardenia (@Gardeni64552292) December 7, 2021
All of this sounds pretty reasonable? https://t.co/otiA52fyHN pic.twitter.com/ywviHbnBqo
— Josh Barro (@jbarro) December 7, 2021
Dear #journalism student, here’s how it’s NOT done: 3 count ‘em 3 bylines on this deeply reported story; nice use of objective terms like “phobic” and “paranoid;” impressive avoidance of any actual expert voice to lay out real security risks. https://t.co/n7p58I0VWx via @politico
— Mark Lukasiewicz (@DeanLuk) December 7, 2021
The article continues by comparing her refusal to use Bluetooth headphones to other precautions Harris would take.
They mention in her 2016 senate bid, Harris preferred texting compared to email for security reasons. And a former aide from Harris’ time as attorney general in California said when a person arrived for a meeting and Harris wasn’t there, they weren’t allowed to wait in her office alone.
Despite all these examples showing how Harris is cautious, Politico just writes it all off by saying:
“But still, should someone who travels with the nuclear football be spending time untangling her headphone wires? The American people deserve answers!”
It looks like Politico would have to wait for those answers, as the Harris team was a little too busy.
Not to be snarky, but we had more important things to do today. https://t.co/b0CMSL9ct0
— SDS (@SymoneSanders46) December 7, 2021
The intrepid, substantive reporting on @VP continues. @politico had three rock solid sources for this #scoop. pic.twitter.com/9jcNJBIPrE
— chrismeagher46 (@chrismeagher46) December 6, 2021
NEW from Politico: Former aides say Kamala Harris prefers drumsticks to flats, Pepsi to Coke, and Crystal hot sauce to Tabasco.
Read more to find out how this telegraphs doom for Democrats in 2024
— chris evans (@chris_notcapn) December 7, 2021
Politico be like:
Kamala Harris Office in Turmoil Over VP’s Brazen Decision to Inhale Oxygen, Exhale Carbon Dioxide
— Michael Harriot (@michaelharriot) December 7, 2021
Of all the things to concentrate on… I mean the title is clever for sure, but the topic at the moment seems nominal. Why cover the use of a set of headphones? @MGDowding #2021CM707 https://t.co/ynK9UPbBXr
— BT Shagoury (@BTS_PR22) December 7, 2021
Especially strange is the article never even considers it might be a good idea for someone with the level of security clearance Harris has to avoid Bluetooth.
The Bluetooth connection protocols are relatively insecure compared to other kinds of connections and pairings. Vulnerabilities are often patched and updated, but the exploits have allowed for devices to be taken over before being fixed.
For the average person, it’s likely not an issue. Just keep your devices updated and turn off the Bluetooth on your phone when it’s not in use.
But for the Vice President of the United States, why would you take that risk at all?
this newsletter posits that Kamala Harris "has long *felt* that Bluetooth headphones are a security risk" but never answers the question "but are they a risk?" and the answer appears to be "yes they are"https://t.co/z1pw577lJd
— Jason Linkins (@dceiver) December 6, 2021
As an IT person, I’m super sus of all technology, and I’m not V-POTUS. 🤷🏻♀️
Bluetooth is not super secure. https://t.co/7xjbyHVqGV
— call me Pumpkin Pi 🖋 @🏡 vaxxed (@JPiperLee) December 7, 2021
"Phobia."
I'm an IT tech and I've told people for years to avoid Bluetooth wherever possible.
It was never intended to be the wireless version of USB. It's been brute forced into that role and as such is a big security risk.
Does Politico not pay you if you do research? https://t.co/Wx2D8Yhw7T
— The Call is Coming from Inside the Nash (@Nash076) December 7, 2021
Like goddamn man this isn't secret info Bluetooth security problems have been talked about forever.
You coulda Googled that shit.
But you didn't, and you left me here like a schnook defending Kamala fucking Harris from your Politico ass goddamn
— The Call is Coming from Inside the Nash (@Nash076) December 7, 2021
Despite staying out of the headlines, critics still find strange ways to try and pull Harris into the spotlight.
Just last month, a right-wing website was outraged Harris had purchased cookware and dishes.
The response online was less angry than the website was hoping.
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Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images