Highlights:
1. Google records voice and internet activity through voice assistants to personalize ads and improve AI tools.
2. Users can manage their Google account settings to disable web and app activity, as well as voice and audio activity.
3. Disabling voice and audio activity in Google’s settings will prevent Google from listening to and recording conversations.
4. Users should also disable microphone access for apps on their phones, especially third-party apps with potential security risks.
5. Users should only download trusted apps and carefully manage app permissions to protect sensitive information.
Is my phone listening to me? Many of us have wondered if our phones are secretly recording our conversations. The truth is, companies like Google do record your voice and what you search for on the internet through voice assistants. They store this information on their servers and use it to show you targeted ads. This happens because we give Google the permission to do so. Many people have enabled a setting in their Google accounts that allows Google to show them ads based on their location. For example, if you are on a trip, you will start seeing travel-related ads, and if you are in a hotel, you will see ads related to hotel services. If you don’t want Google to listen to your conversations and record them, make sure to immediately check the specific setting in your Google account.
To disable this setting, go to your Google account and click on the “Manage Account” option. From there, navigate to the “Data and Privacy” section and scroll down to find the “Web and App Activity” option. Uncheck the “Voice and Audio Activity” option. If it was already unchecked, then you are safe. However, if it was checked, it means Google has been listening to you and using your voice to train its AI tools to improve their performance.
Furthermore, it’s also important to disable microphone access for apps on your phone other than Google. Giving microphone access to apps means they can listen to and record your voice. This is especially risky when it comes to third-party apps, as you have no guarantee of how they operate or where they store their data. It’s recommended to only download apps from trusted sources and only grant necessary permissions. After completing a task, revoke the app’s access. Avoid granting unnecessary access to your banking details, gallery, documents, and other sensitive information. In this digital age, anything can be done from anywhere. To stay secure, always check and disable settings with caution.
And, it’s important to be aware of how our phones and apps handle our voice data. By taking these precautions and being vigilant about our settings, we can better protect our privacy and ensure a safer browsing experience.
