David Choffnes, an associate professor at Northeastern University specializing in data privacy, dives deep into the eerie sensation that our devices might be eavesdropping. He debunks the myth of smartphones secretly listening to us, clarifying that targeted ads stem from data collection based on our online behavior, not audio recordings. Choffnes discusses the role of data brokers, privacy risks, and ethical concerns surrounding pervasive data collection, while providing practical tips to safeguard personal privacy in the digital age.