Have you ever talked about a vacation destination or a product you’re interested in, only to later see ads for those very things popping up on your phone? It can feel like your smartphone is eavesdropping on your private conversations. Thankfully, experts from NordVPN have created a simple four-step guide to help you determine if your phone is listening in and using your discussions for targeted advertising.
Here’s how you can find out if your phone is secretly listening:
Step 1: Choose a Unique Topic Start by selecting a topic that is completely unrelated to anything you’ve previously searched for or shown interest in online. It should be something you haven’t discussed aloud recently. The key here is to pick something that wouldn’t naturally show up in your ads.
For the best results, avoid speaking about the topic aloud before starting the test. Instead, write it down on a piece of paper. If you do talk about it, make sure to turn off your phone or leave it in another room to prevent any interference.
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Step 2: Have Conversations About It Over the next few days, engage in multiple conversations about the chosen topic while keeping your phone nearby. Incorporate specific keywords and phrases that could trigger search engines or ad systems related to that subject. This will help ensure that the phone’s software picks up on these discussions.
Step 3: Use Your Phone Normally Continue using your phone as you normally would, without engaging with any content that could be linked to the topic you selected. Simply allow the conversations to unfold and observe if your phone picks up on them through the microphone or other sensors.
Step 4: Observe Changes in Ads After several days of using your phone, take note of any changes in the ads you see across your social media feeds, streaming platforms, or other connected services. Pay special attention to ads that are related—directly or indirectly—to the topic you chose. If you notice ads appearing that seem to be connected to your secret topic, it could suggest that your phone has been listening in on your conversations.
According to Marijus Briedis, the chief technology officer at NordVPN, “While we typically brush them off as innocent and necessary, these ads are a strong indicator that your device might have too much access to your personal data and interests.”
While it’s not illegal for companies to use audio information for targeted ads, many people are uncomfortable with the idea that their phones are listening and gathering data without their knowledge. Most users unknowingly consent to this by agreeing to app permissions.
To protect your privacy, cybersecurity experts recommend disabling voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant, along with any apps that have access to your phone’s microphone.
