Image source: depositphotos.comTechnology became an intrinsic part of our lives. And to such an extent that it may seem all-encompassing. Smartphones. Voice assistants. Smart watches, etc. These and other devices make our lives much easier. They act as a kind of tech-based superheroes. However, they also raise serious concerns. Namely, the privacy and security of personal data. So, aren’t these devices turning into supervillains? The ones who are monitoring us more than ever before? Let’s get to the bottom of this.
Tech Superheroes or Supervillains
Technologies are often perceived as technology superheroes. That is, they help us in our everyday lives. And this is truer than ever. We use them for everything from communicating with our loved ones to managing our finances. However, the growing dependence on these devices raises the following question for more than one. Whether they are turning into supervillains. The ones that can threaten our privacy?
Voice assistants. Convenience or threat?
Voice assistants have become very popular. They can quickly execute commands. They can provide information on demand. However, questions arise. Whether Siri and Google Assistant are not listening to us all the time. A few years ago, there were reports. The ones about Apple were listening to users’ private conversations through Siri. The company denied these allegations. It claimed that Siri is activated only after the command “Hey, Siri”. But this did not alleviate users’ concerns. And they are understandable. After all, this is a concern about their privacy.
Our Devices. Are They Listening to Us?
A lot of users have noticed that after discussing certain topics, they start seeing relevant ads on social networks and beyond. This raised great suspicions. Namely, that applications can listen to conversations through the device’s microphone. Facebook officially denies these allegations. However, many remain skeptical of these assurances.
Research. Evidence
A recent study was conducted by ESADE. This is Escuela Superior de Administración y Dirección de Empresas. It’s a graduate school of management and administration in Barcelona, Spain. It showed that mobile devices can listen to user conversations and provide personalized advertising based on them. Participants in the experiment discussed certain topics near their phones. They then received ads related to these topics. The study took place on June 29, 2023. Thus, the unacceptable things revealed sharply raise the question of the ethics of such practices. And also, the need to strengthen regulation in this area.
How to act?
With all of this growing concern, it’s critical to be aware of the specific steps. The ones you can take to protect your privacy. So, if you have been wondering does Apple listen to you or looking for how to test if your phone is listening to you, we are happy to say the following. There are ways to check and limit the access of apps to your microphone. You can learn how to stop iPhone from listening and set up the appropriate permissions. For a detailed guide on how to prevent iPhone from listening to you for ads, we recommend checking out the relevant resources. They provide step-by-step instructions and tips on how to protect your personal information. We also discuss this in the sections below.
Smartphones. Are there spies in our pockets?
There are ways to check if your phone is listening to you. Experts recommend choosing a unique topic. One that you have never discussed before. Talk about it several times in a row next to the phone. If you start seeing ads related to this topic afterwards, it may indicate that your phone is listening to you.
Smart TVs and Gadgets
Modern smart TVs have voice control. They can constantly listen to surrounding conversations. They need to be able to respond to voice commands. In 2015, Samsung got into a scandal. It was about Smart TVs. Then it became known that they recorded users’ voices and transmitted data to third parties. A similar situation happened with other manufacturers of smart equipment.
Also, don’t forget about smart speakers. They are constantly “waiting” for a command to activate. However, studies have shown that some of them can turn on even without an explicit startup phrase. This means that they can accidentally record your conversations and transmit this data to companies.
Image source: depositphotos.comUnwanted Eavesdropping. How to Protect Yourself
Despite the potential risks, there are ways to protect yourself. Both from unwanted listening and data collection.
Disable microphone access for apps
This is one of the most effective ways to protect your privacy. To do this, do the following.
On iPhone
–Open the settings.
– Go to Privacy & Security.
– Click on Microphone.
– You will see a list of apps that have access to the microphone. Disable access for those you don’t trust. Also disable those that don’t need a microphone to work.
On Android
– Open the settings.
– Go to Apps or App Manager.
– Select the desired application.
– Tap on Permissions. Turn off access to the microphone.
Limit the Activity of Voice Assistants
If you don’t use a voice assistant, consider turning it off. This will reduce the risk of unwanted eavesdropping. To do this, do the following.
On iPhone
– Open the settings.
– Go to Siri & Search.
– Turn off the options Listen to ‘Hey Siri and Press the Home button for Siri.
On Android
– Open the settings.
– Go to Google.
– Click on Settings for Google apps.
– Select Search, Assistant, and Voice.
– Click on Google Assistant.
– Turn off the Hey Google option.
Use reliable software
You can maintain your device malware-free by installing anti-virus software and updating your operating system. Specifically, those who can use your microphone or camera without your awareness.
Summary
The technologies we use on a daily basis in most cases can be technology superheroes and potential supervillains at the same time. The first ones can make our lives easier. The last ones can threaten our privacy. Therefore, be aware of the possible risks. Take steps to protect your personal data. Limit apps’ access to your microphone. Disable unnecessary features. Use reliable software. All of these will help maintain your privacy in the digital world.
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English (US) · 