Are Smart Devices Fooling You? Alexa, Siri Are Listening To You: Report

Ads Tailored To Your Interests

From cars to smartphones and beauty products, targeted advertisements are prevalent across various devices such as smartphones and smart TVs.

Tailoring Ads

Companies acknowledge tailoring ads according to users search history, aligning their advertising strategies with user interests.

Do Companies Really Listen?

The question arises: do companies actively listen to our conversations, especially when apps request unnecessary microphone permissions on smartphones?

Mic Permissions On Apps

Users are urged to check their Android or iPhone app settings under the Apps section to see which apps have access to their microphone. Unwarranted access poses potential privacy risks.

Conversational Eavesdropping

There are concerns that companies might listen to conversations for targeted advertising. For instance, discussions about buying something may result in related ads appearing on social media.

Check App Permissions

Users are advised to review the permissions granted to apps on their phones, particularly for microphone and camera access, as many apps may have unnecessary permissions.

Cox Media Group Responds

Following the news about companies allegedly listening to conversations, CMG (Cox Media Group) removed information about this practice from their articles. No technology company has officially acknowledged such practices.

Smart Devices

Smart devices, including smartphones, smart TVs, and smart speakers, have built-in microphones. However, these microphones are typically inactive until activated by specific commands, such as saying OK Google for Google Assistant or activating Alexa.

Activation Commands

Users are reminded that smart device microphones activate only after specific commands, ensuring that active listening is triggered deliberately. For example, Google Assistant responds only after activation.

Smart Speaker

While smart speakers may have different considerations, users usually have the option to disable the microphone for added privacy. Major tech companies like Apple, Google, and Amazon are not likely to grant third-party access to eavesdrop on user conversations.