The phones are listening.

ARTICLE: HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM BEING LISTENED TO

Phones listen to us.

Yes, phones listen to us. Phone operators use voice data, often embedded in voice assistant applications like Siri and Google Assistant, for personalized advertising.

The primary purpose of eavesdropping is marketing. Google and other search engines track search and browsing history to ensure online ads match specific interests. Voice data is utilized in the same way.

A good tool for blocking ads is Total Adblock, a user-friendly solution that allows anonymous, ad-free browsing. It can block unwanted ads on YouTube, Facebook, Yahoo, and millions of other sites.

Your phone listens to you every second it’s turned on.

A voice-activated device must always be listening to detect wake words or voice commands that activate virtual assistant services. Examples include "Hey Siri," "OK, Google," or "Alexa."

This doesn’t mean the device ignores everything else said. Devices use various types of data to create a profile of us as users and consumers. For Android devices, activation words include "OK, Google," but your phone may also listen for other keywords. The iPhone, on the other hand, randomly selects parts of conversations recorded by Siri to determine how it can improve its services.

Your phone listens to you, and this is 100% legal for phone manufacturers. You might think you haven’t consented, but you almost certainly have. Each time you accept the terms and conditions for a software update or app download, you grant this consent. This is how smartphone manufacturers and app developers collect your data, from audio to browsing to other internet activities.

Like any other internet-connected device, a smartphone can be infected with spyware or malware that can track activity. Therefore, it’s a good idea to limit permissions and always review terms of service before agreeing to them.

How to Prevent Your Phone from Listening

For Android, one of the first steps is to remove malware from your devices. Start by deleting any suspicious apps.

You can also revoke app administrator permissions in the security section of the settings. Additionally, you can switch Android to safe mode, which stops third-party apps from running in the background, and then restart it.
Other popular options include resetting the browser to factory settings, resetting the entire device to factory settings, or deleting downloaded files.

Tools for Malware Protection

- Norton 360 antivirus tool offers excellent malware detection features and robust threat protection, along with cybersecurity products.
- McAfee+ Premium offers solid anti-malware software with several different options.
- Bitdefender provides malware detection on multiple platforms.
- TotalAV is affordable, with easy-to-install and configure malware detection software.

For Apple, the best way to prevent eavesdropping on iPhones and other iOS devices is to disable Siri.

Another way Google may listen to you is through Google Assistant in Google Maps and Android Auto. Disabling this feature is simple. First, go to the settings app on your Android phone or tablet, or say, “OK Google, open Assistant settings.” Then, follow the instructions to disable Google Assistant.

Tips to Maintain Privacy on Your Phone

- Download Only Verified Apps
  Verified third-party apps have been checked to ensure they meet standard security and privacy requirements.

- Update Your Phone’s Software 
  Updating your phone’s software reduces the risk of infection from spyware and malware. Phone manufacturers often release patches to address security issues with each new software update.

- Delete Unused Apps 
  If you’re no longer using a gaming app, delete it. It’s best to minimize possible sources of malware and monitoring.

- Check App Permissions 
  You can control what an app can see and hear. Device settings should allow you to block certain apps’ access to your photos, contacts, location, and microphone.

- Delete Voice Command History and Other Voice Data 
  You can remove call history or manage history in the data and privacy section of your smartphone settings.

- Use a VPN 
  A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is useful for blocking location tracking and other forms of data monitoring, securing and encrypting your internet connection.

- Update Your Privacy Settings 
  Review privacy settings on your device to see which apps have permissions. This can help you regain control over data sharing.

February 2024