It's happening a little too much

[AbdRahim]

One of the many reasons why I don't use Facebook!

TJ

Or allow any microphone or camera to be used by apps that have internet access. On the desktop, there is no camera and no microphone. Smart TV's are listening, as well as Alexa, Siri, Cortana, etc. Win 10, ten years ago would have been considered spyware.

 

[MapNerd]

If you have an Alexa device, it’s listening all the time. We think it’s not because the light isn’t on and it doesn’t respond, but it is.

If you use Google Assistant or Siri on your smart phone, they’re both listening all the time. Same as the above, we all assume that they aren’t because there is no response, but that’s by design.

Many other applications are doing this as well. Facebook is another. @Neal’s advice to check your privacy settings is correct, as is @AbdRahim’s advice to check your microphone permissions.

You should always be giving applications the least amount of privileges needed. Very few if any applications need access to your microphone all the time, but that’s the default permission the applications seek and when you grant that permission, it’s not always obvious the scope of permission you’ve granted.

Not having cellular service or even internet service of any kind often does not matter. Modern applications are designed to handle that without you even realizing it. What happens when there is no network connection is that it operates very similar to your dashcam, creating a memory space and continuing to record into that space, overwriting the oldest with the latest when it runs out of space. Then, when eventually you connect to a network and it sees that is has a strong internet connection, it uploads everything it has. You the user are completely oblivious to all of this happening.

Those recordings are analyzed by machine learning algorithms that have gotten very good at processing natural language, understanding various phrases we all say day in and day out, and bucketing them into various categories of things they can use to advertise merchandise, services and whatnot. Essentially, your private conversations are being analyzed and converted into internet searches. The search performers was the phrase you uttered that triggered a categorization. “We need to call Terminix” == “Extermination Services near me”.

You then sign onto your computer and are surprised to see these advertisements for things you never searched for and thought you had a private conversation about in passing with someone else. The truth is, there are no private conversations today. Everything, everywhere is listening, mining, processing and feeding the advertisement machine.

If you will all excuse me for a few moments now, I’m going to go snuggle on my aluminum foil blanket. The tin foil hats were never enough for me.

 

[Buly]

Alexa has her ears on 24/7 . I have noticed the same thing with ads at home

 

[AbdRahim]

Even modern cars are now listening.

 

[Neal]

Well, I'm glad Google is listening because I just re-subscribed to YouTube Premium which comes with Google Music and it knows me so well I'm loving what it's playing for me. Now if only it would make me breakfast!

 

[Jim]

Even modern cars are now listening.

How so?

 

[MapNerd]

How so?

Many modern cars are starting to include Alexa. Further, if you’re using CarPlay or Android Auto and those devices are configured with Google Assistant or Siri to always listen for “Ok Google” or “Hey Siri”, then the same thing is happening, as your car’s infotainment is being powered by your phone.

 

[MapNerd]

Well, I'm glad Google is listening because I just re-subscribed to YouTube Premium which comes with Google Music and it knows me so well I'm loving what it's playing for me. Now if only it would make me breakfast!

D’oh!

YouTube Music adds a transfer option ahead of Google Play Music's shutdown this year

Google is making it easier for Google Play Music users to make the switch to the company’s now preferred music app, YouTube Music, ahead of its plans to shut down Google Play Music later this year. Starting today, Google Play Music users will be able to move their libraries, personal taste...

www.google.com

 

[Neal]

Sorry, the app is named YouTube music that I'm using. All the same to me. Normally I'm a Spotify user but since this is something I'm paying for too I'm checking it out. So far pleased but I will never, NEVER leave Spotify. I love their integrations and how I can control it from my Apple Watch, it's in my home stereos, it's everywhere!