Software developer and privacy advocate REKTBuilder managed to attract the crypto community’s attention with a post shared on X. According to the developer, the Ledger Live software is tracking its users and collecting data about them. The developer, who analyzed the software’s Python code, claims that Ledger Live performs an original device check every time a user connects their Ledger device to a computer or phone.
Concerning Allegations About Ledger Live
According to REKTBuilder, this check lists every application installed on the device and allows Ledger to learn which networks the wallet owner is using. The developer is known as a researcher who publishes on crypto forums and on X. On December 6, REKTBuilder released a report claiming that Ledger Live records users’ crypto assets. On December 7, they published a report claiming there is an open-source alternative called Lecce Libre that does not contain any trackers for Ledger Live.
REKTBuilder now claims to have discovered an even greater privacy issue with Ledger Live. According to posts shared on December 27, they discovered multiple lines of code that contained the real control statement. When they added tracking traces to this code, it was observed that the software appeared to be checking the device while not actually functioning.
Important Details About the Process
REKTBuilder conducted further research and found that the real control is embedded within a listApps subroutine. REKTBuilder claims that this check could be used by Ledger to determine the exact time and date when the user connects their device.
The developer explained that they tried to remove the code, but doing so corrupted the software and rendered it unusable. This means that it is not possible to create a truly tracker-free version of Ledger Live. REKTBuilder made the following statement regarding the issue:
“I tried to disable remote monitoring and it’s impossible, if you do it breaks. This means that Ledger knows it’s you every time you plug in the device.”
Ledger, known as a popular crypto hardware wallet manufacturer, claims to have over 6 million users of its products. In March, Ledger announced that it raised $109 million in capital to further expand its operations and released an optional cloud-based recovery tool in October for users afraid of losing their private keys.
