TV
Sometimes, when you are just talking about a product you are interested in buying without actually searching for it on your smartphone, you might notice ads for that product appearing on your social media later.
This can be surprising, and it’s even more shocking according to a new report by 404 Media.
The report raises concerns about smartphone privacy, suggesting that devices may be eavesdropping on conversations.
It indicates that smartphones not only track users’ internet activity but might also listen to spoken conversations when the device is nearby.
Many people have observed that ads for recently discussed products or topics start appearing on their phones, even though they have not searched for them online.
This has led to concerns that phones might be listening in on conversations.
How to Protect Your Privacy?
Concerns about smartphone privacy might be justified. Reports suggest that smartphones use "active listening technology" to monitor conversations.
Often, users grant apps access to their microphones without scrutinising the permissions requested during installation.
To safeguard your privacy, always check the permissions that apps request. For instance, if a photo editing app asks for access to your microphone, consider why a photo app would need that permission.
Beyond app permissions, be aware that there might be other less obvious ways ads companies gather information to tailor ads to your preferences.
