Listen.
Experts from NordVPN have outlined a four-step process anyone can follow to find out if their phone is listening and using private conversations for targeted advertising, the Daily Mail reported.
The first step in the test is to pick a topic that’s unique and unrelated to anything you’ve previously searched for, shown interest on the Internet, or even mentioned on your phone—something that wouldn’t normally appear in ads. yours.
To keep the test accurate, avoid discussing the topic out loud beforehand. Instead, write it down on a piece of paper, or if you need to talk about it, turn off the phone or leave it in another room.
Once you have your topic, the second step is to engage in some conversations about it next to your phone over the next few days.
These discussions should be focused on your chosen topic and it is best to use specific phrases or keywords related to the topic that can drive search engines.
Using key terms will likely help you increase your chances of triggering a response from your phone’s software or related advertising systems.
The third step is to continue using your phone as you normally would during the test and not interact with any content that may be related to your test subject in any way.
Leave everything in conversations and see if the device picks them up through the microphone or other sensors.
Finally, after a few days of resuming normal phone use, observe any changes in your targeted ads.
Pay attention to the ads that appear on your social media feeds, streaming services, or any other platform connected to your device for ads that appear to be directly or indirectly related to your secret topic.
If you notice that ads related to your topic appear without any direct interaction on your phone, this may indicate that your phone has been listening to your conversations.
NordVPN discovered that ads started appearing on devices just days after researchers discussed a topic they had never asked for.
This process can serve as a useful method for anyone who suspects that their smartphone may be spying on them for targeted advertising purposes.
“While we usually brush them off as innocent and necessary, they’re a strong indicator that you’re allowing your device too much access to your personal data and interests,” said Marijus Briedis, chief technology officer at NordVPN.
Some people feel violated when they discover their phones are listening and collecting data, but using audio information to target advertisers is not illegal. Most people have given permission to devices and apps to do this without realizing it – do you read the fine print?
To protect your privacy and keep your conversations private, cybersecurity experts advise disabling Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant, and any other virtual assistant or app with access to a microphone.
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Image Source : nypost.com