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New iPhone And Android Alert—Is Your Smartphone Listening?
It has come to light that millions of Apple iPhone and Google Android users are concerned about the possibility of their devices eavesdropping on private conversations. With technology allowing for listening, it raises questions about whether our smartphones have become too invasive.
Apple has taken steps to address these concerns, releasing a statement denying any wrongdoing in using Siri data to build marketing profiles or sell it to advertisers. In 2019, the iPhone maker made changes to its privacy settings and stopped using external contractors to transcribe private Siri recordings that had been activated in error.
It is no secret that tech giants such as Apple and Google have access to vast amounts of user data. This includes information about your habits, hobbies, and even life choices. According to global cybersecurity advisor Jake Moore, algorithms can determine a great deal about an individual before they even speak. “They are able to make a well-informed guess as to what your next purchase will be before you have even given it much thought,” he explains.
In this digital age, our personal data has become a valuable currency worth billions when sold to advertisers. It is crucial that we limit the amount of information freely provided to these companies. As Moore suggests, turning off your mobile’s microphone per app and disabling voice assistants can significantly enhance privacy.
It seems that technology is advanced enough to make an educated guess about our choices before they are even made. Therefore, it does not matter if you turn off the mic or disable the voice assistant – it won’t fundamentally change much.
However, there are other measures you can take to boost your privacy. First and foremost, keep your device’s software up-to-date, currently at iOS 18.2.1. Additionally, install antivirus software on your device and consider turning off your phone’s voice assistant entirely.
Source: www.forbes.com
