Jim Killock, Executive Director of Open Rights Group warned that the phones switch onto spy mode after they are alerted by a “beacon” often embedded in web pages or signals hidden in online adverts.

 He said that the tech has been there for some time, and its use was permitted by Samsung's terms and conditions.

 “Samsung want to get to know you – but they are behaving like a peeping Tom... Samsung have taken spying on their customers to a whole new level," Killock said,