Do you really know?

Are our phones really eavesdropping on us?

Dec 9, 2024

Ever felt like your phone is listening in on your conversations? It's a chilling thought, especially with targeted ads popping up after casual chats. Dive into the world of smartphone privacy, where apps may be collecting data without your knowledge. Hear about voice assistants like Siri and their connection to potential eavesdropping. Plus, learn about your rights as a user in this data-driven age. Is it just a tech quirk, or does it impact your privacy more than you think?

04:03

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Quick takeaways

Smartphones may seem to eavesdrop by delivering targeted ads after discussions, but actual surveillance is less common than perceived.

User consent during app installations typically allows microphones to be accessed, raising significant privacy concerns regarding data collection.

Deep dives

The Reality of Smartphone Eavesdropping

Concerns about smartphones eavesdropping on conversations have grown, particularly when users experience targeted advertisements after discussing certain topics. Although Apple acknowledged that their devices listen when voice assistants are activated, this isn't limited to them; other voice assistants like Google Assistant and Alexa have similar functionalities. The microphones remain active in idle mode to respond to voice commands, raising questions about privacy. Users can mitigate this by adjusting their settings, but there are reported instances of background eavesdropping by apps, although these claims are not yet substantiated.

Are Smartphones Eavesdropping on You?

4min

Have you ever had the eerie feeling that you’re being spied on by your smartphone? You know: you're having dinner with a friend, chatting about how your aging computer is on its last legs, struggling with an old battery and making work a hassle. You’ve decided it’s time to replace it by getting a new one. Lo and behold, the next day, while casually surfing the internet, you're bombarded with ads for shiny new computers, even though you never actually searched for them online.

No need to worry, you're not under surveillance by FBI agents. Apple did admit a few years back that it was listening to iPhone users, but only after the voice assistant was activated. According to American cybersecurity expert Daniel Markuson: "Applications installed on your smartphone are eavesdropping on background noise, including conversations, to collect more information about you. Later on, the data gathered is shared with other devices."

But is it just Apple that's doing this? And why would they do this? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

First Broadcast: 1/11/2023

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