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New iPhone And Android Alert—Is Your Smartphone Listening?
As the world becomes increasingly dependent on their smartphones, a nagging question has been raised by users around the globe – is my iPhone or Android device really listening to me? The answer may not be as straightforward as you think.
In an attempt to allay these concerns, Apple recently released a statement emphasizing that Siri data is not used to build marketing profiles, nor has it ever been sold to anyone for any purpose. This comes after the company agreed to payout in a lawsuit alleging that Siri was eavesdropping on Apple users’ private conversations. The payment was made to avoid costly litigation fees.
The issue at hand centers around the notion that technology can indeed listen to users, but would be in breach of strict data privacy regulations if it did so without consent. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean your iPhone or Android device doesn’t need to know a lot about you already.
Jake Moore, global cybersecurity advisor at ESET, reveals that algorithms can determine an individual’s habits, hobbies, and life choices even before a single word is spoken. This data is a highly valuable currency, worth billions when sold to advertisers.
“It’s not surprising people are worried,” Moore says. “The truth is, they don’t need to listen to our conversations to know our habits, hobbies and life choices. Their algorithms are able to determine so much about us before even a word is spoken.”
But how can users limit the data they freely give away? In an effort to boost privacy, experts recommend turning off your phone’s microphone per app when it isn’t required. “Go to your settings and remove access to your microphone on any apps where your voice isn’t necessary,” advise Compare and Recycle experts.
Additionally, you can turn off your phone’s voice assistant altogether, ensure that your iPhone software is up to date (currently at iOS 18.2.1), and utilize antivirus software on your device.
While it may be reassuring to think turning the mic off per app will drastically change things, the reality is that it won’t have a significant impact on your overall privacy. Therefore, experts suggest taking a step back to assess how you share data through Google or social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram without even knowing it.
In an age where digital dependency has become increasingly prevalent, understanding how we can protect our online lives is crucial. By being aware of these settings and implementing them into your daily routine, you can significantly enhance your device’s privacy.
Source: www.forbes.com
