Computers can unintentionally leak data through physical emanations like radio waves, sound, and vibrations, a class of spying known as side-channel or TEMPEST attacks. US lawmakers Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Shontel Brown are launching an investigation into these vulnerabilities, urging the Government Accountability Office to assess the threat to the public. They criticize the government for not warning the public or requiring consumer electronics manufacturers to build in protective countermeasures. The main topics covered are side-channel attacks, the government's historical awareness and internal protections, and the new political push to investigate and potentially mandate defenses in consumer devices.