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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.
Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
bkmk
“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? “
Why, no. Never.
Maybe would have if I went to social masturbation websites.
Meh.
Or you can buy a flip phone with no GPS chip and leave it off until you need to make a call.
I’m old enough to have survived most of my adult life without a smart phone. They are nothing but a massive time sink, just like TeeVee.
I was on my office computer(the one I am typing this on) this morning.
I was ordering a tube for my lawn tractor tires.
Less than a minute later I picked up my Google Pixel smartphone and there was an add on Facebook for tractor tires.
I did not speak verbally at all. I never use that work computer for any social media sites.
These two computers only share the same email account number.
So, how did they communicate ?
Probably cookies.
Did you do a Google search for the tube? And do you have any Google accounts (like gmail, or youtube) that both the browser and the phone know how to log into?
Data moves around constantly. Trying to stop it is a fools errand.
…it comes in quite handy for the wife and I…
…when we’re sitting on the front porch in the morning…
…sipping our coffee and watching the wildlife…
…we occasionally ask the other if they remember the conversation we were having the night before…
…if we can’t remember…
…we just open Facebook and read the adds…
During the conversation my phone, which was just sitting on the desk, came on with ads for cat food that lowers the risk of UTIs.
No lie. The phone listens.
I want my cut of the money these devices are making off of my data.
Sometimes my wife and I will see something on TV and we discuss some movie.
Later I see the movie being broadcast.
In America Television Watches You.
All modern cell phones have GPS by law. Including flip phones. And the older ones are too old to have the proper software to communicate in the latest communication protocols. Remember that 4G is the minimum now. 2g and 3g will no longer work.
Why would you have FB on a telephone?
You are a geezer and “do” facef*ck??
I admit to using the text feature as my hearing is so sh!tty that phone conversations are difficult.
“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.
——————
I am more determined than ever to buy a late ‘60s muscle car with none of those electronics and do a restomod for the handling and power. Oh, for a return to the days when you actually had some modest amount of privacy..
As an aside, it horrifies me to know that these devices are listening when I am alone in the bedroom with my wife. I am definitely turning off the listening functions of my phone.
Bump for reference.
You can’t stop it, the camera either. The settings might make you think you shut them off but they are always still on if they want to use them.
Yes, I did a Google search for the tire size 20-10-8 tube.
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