Have you ever felt like your phone is listening in on your conversations? You’re probably right, and so is your TV, your Alexa, and your other smart home devices. Researchers at NordVPN have developed a simple test to check.
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Your smartphone is constantly using its built-in microphone so your assistant can hear voice commands, and it’s probably not the only device in your home doing so. But are these devices hearing other things you say, and are your background conversations leaving your device?
How to find out if your phone is listening to you
Start by choosing a unique topic that you’ve never searched for or discussed before. This should be something unrelated to any usual interest, NordVPN says. Discuss this topic over several days, making sure you’re around your phone each time. Talk about the topic and specific things related to it (like tourist sites or hotels in a certain city), but don’t search online for this topic.
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Over the next few days, pay close attention to the ads you see — on your social media feed, website ads, app ads, and even ads on your TV. If you start seeing ads about your chosen topic, you’ve confirmed that your phone is listening.
What to do if your device is eavesdropping
If you discover that your phone is listening in, NordVPN recommends a few things.
First, review app permissions on your devices (particularly your microphone and location) and limit apps that don’t need access. This might mean cutting off some conveniences, but innocent details can still be used for nefarious purposes.
Additionally, manage voice assistant data. Clear your Google, Siri, or Alexa voice history, because your voice commands can reveal a lot about your personal life.
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Making sure your software updates are current is critical too, NordVPN says, as these updates aren’t just about adding new features but also about applying critical patches that can close exploits on your device.
While a targeted ad based on a conversation might seem innocent, said Marijus Briedis, chief technology officer at NordVPN, it’s an indicator that your device has too much access to your data.
