Posted on 05/14/2025 11:14:51 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Have you ever just had a family dinner conversation over a group holiday or spoken with friends about going to Ibiza to party, and minutes later, relevant ads appear on Facebook or other applications or websites?
More than likely you answered yes, and that’s simply because all smart devices are permanently listening in on everything you say and keep track of everything you do. They are constantly gathering behavioural data, mostly for commercial and marketing purposes.
In the case of vehicles with built-in smart devices, including sensors, they build complete profiles of the drivers and their passengers. They map their routes and the frequency of visits to different locations. For example, they know if the driver is a frequent bar or restaurant patron, or a supermarket shopper, a casino habitué, or church goer.
Is your phone secretly listening to you? Truth is more disturbing
They also know what kind of music they prefer, and listen in on conversations to build complete profiles and bombard them with targeted ads, which are paid more handsomely by advertisers. Coca-Cola, for instance, will pay more for a list of loyal drinkers than for those who are not. It’s simple math.
Smart refrigerators learn their owners’ habits, and manufacturers of those devices or the applications linked to these domestic appliances make a profit by selling them to advertisers who then target you with ads relevant to you.
We could go on explaining how all smart devices, vehicles and appliances are keeping an eye and ear on everything you say and do. And even if you do not have smart devices yourself, remember your friend’s devices are listening to you too.
Your data is more valuable than oil
In 2017, The Economist pointed out that data was the most valuable commodity, beyond oil. The World Economic Forum released a report in 2019, saying data is the oil of the digital world. Also in 2019, Forbes said data is the new oil, and that’s a good thing, and it is when it’s being used for research and development for the good of humanity, and not to get richer as the tech giants are doing.
Eight years ago, CNN said, “Your car’s data (which is really data about you) may soon be more valuable than the car itself.” And eight years later, CNN wrote, “your car’s manufacturer has more of your data than you think.”
In 2018, Francois Fleutiaux, CEO at Btob Telco, said, “Modern vehicles generate around 25 gigabytes of data every hour! Autonomous cars will generate even more – up to 3,600 gigabytes of data per hour.”
That means vehicles collect data on how you drive, how hard you brake, how heavy your foot is on the gas pedal, how fast you turn corners, and even what you eat, drink, and more.
“Our smartphones, our Internet searches, and our social media accounts are giving away our secrets,” Gus Hosein, the executive director of Privacy International, told National Geographic, “If the police wanted to know what was in your head in the 1800s, they would have to torture you. Now they can just find it out from your devices.”
A 404 Media exclusive report exposed how Cox Media Group (CMG) has partnered with Facebook, Google, Amazon, and Bing to process the voice data they collect from smartphones, smart TVs, Alexa, and Google Home and other similar devices and use AI to identify “ready-to-buy” audiences, and hit them with ads that will vastly enhance their advertising ROI (Return on Investment).
Stop Devices and Apps from Listening: by Norton Security:
Disable Voice Assistants:
For Siri (iPhone): Go to Settings > Siri & Search. Toggle off “Listen for ‘Hey Siri’” and “Press Side Button for Siri.” Tap “Turn Off Siri” in the pop-up.
For Google Assistant:
iPhone: Go to Settings, search “Microphone,” and toggle off Assistant.
Android: Go to Settings > Google > All Services > Settings for Google Apps > Search, Assistant & Voice > Google Assistant > Hey Google & Voice Match. Toggle off “Hey Google.”
Revoke Microphone Permissions for Apps:
iPhone: Go to Settings, select the app (e.g., Snapchat), and toggle off “Microphone.”
Android: Go to Settings > Apps, select the app, tap Permissions, and disable “Microphone.” Note: Some apps (e.g., camera for video) need microphone access to function, so review carefully.
Physical Solutions:
Cover the microphone with tape or use a specialised phone case to block audio pickup. Remove the cover before recording or calling to avoid muffled sound. Additional Privacy Measures:
Use Security Software: Install tools like Norton 360 for Mobile to detect malware that might secretly record conversations.
Use a VPN: A VPN (e.g., Norton 360’s built-in VPN) encrypts internet traffic, reducing data tracking by advertisers.
Limit App Permissions: Only download apps from official stores (e.g., App Store, Google Play) and review permissions during installation. Avoid granting microphone access unless necessary.
Regular Updates: Keep your phone’s operating system updated to patch vulnerabilities that could allow unauthorised listening.
Key Advice for Sharing: Tell people their phones listen for convenience (e.g., voice assistants), but they can protect their privacy by turning off voice assistants, restricting app microphone access, and using physical covers. Always check app permissions and avoid shady downloads to prevent misuse of microphone data.
There it is. Google talks to itself.
I only go on Facebook and X on my smart phone.
My WORK computer blocks social media sites like Facebook.
BFL
This is especially true if that equipment has no microphone or any sort of radio.
What I do is select a product, such as mouthwash, and then say something like “oh, I’m out of mouthwash” around Alexa or another electronic device. Then the next day at work I look for the mouthwash ads. They’re always there matching whatever product I mentioned.
That is nothing. My Smart toilet ordered a case of Prune Juice from Amazon for me.
The software from Google prompts you to ask if you want to sync your devices which is cute because they're already synced - you just don't see it until you click "yes".
My neighbor's ordered condoms sized for the mailman.
I have never seen that occur in my household.
If you have Alexa, you have your spy.
My phone is off 99 percent of time...but I still get ads that pertain to things i have looked up on Net/or ordered off Amazon. Often wondered about these coincidences
My wife does. She has it on her laptop, too. I won’t go near Facebook with a ten foot pole. I keep up wiyh my kids on Instagram- I know, it’s almost as bad, but I won’t use Facebook. Don’t need it. FreeRepublic is my primary link to all that’s important.
If my phone is left at home, I don’t see how they check on my driving. If it is shut off, how do they check on anything? I still get all the telemarketing crap- when it’s on part of the time or it would be no use whatsoever.
Faraday bag
That keeps you from receiving or making calls. You can accomplish the same thing by simply turning the phone off.
“You can accomplish the same thing by simply turning your phone off.”
Unfortunately that is incorrect. Your phone is tracked by towers 24/7/365 unless shielded.
That is why FedGov mandated it.
J6 victims 100% tracked with phone on or off.
That is not true unless the phone specifically has an app that remains in communication with the tower when the phone only appears to be off. Apple does stuff like that with “Find my phone”. But even that can be turned off in the settings. If the phone is not communicating with the tower then it cannot be tracked.
One thing to check is if your charge percentage decreases even when you think the phone was off. So you shut the phone off with 83% and you turn it back on a week later then it should still be 83% or very close. As any battery may not be perfect at holding a charge. If it is at 75% or less then I would be very suspicious.
Cell phones have been listening for years.
My sister and I left the hospital after visiting my brother. Driving home, she realized she had left her Yeti water bottle in his room. I asked if she wanted to go back and get it. She said no.
We got to our homes, turned on our PCs, and we both had ads pop up for water bottles.
The phone is always trying to connect with a tower.
I was at a friends house and we are both shooters. We were discussion a particular weapon, a 9mm. As I was leaving he ran up to me and said, “you are not going to believe this.” He showed me an add that came to his cell phone about the exact same weapon we were discussing.
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