There’s a good chance that you have no idea that your smartphone is listening to your private conversations. Let’s face it many of us have had the experience of discussing something only to see related ads pop up on our devices not long after. Here is the reality of it, and how to stop it.
Is Google Listening to You?
Yes, in a way. Google employs a feature on Android phones with the feature on by default that records audio to improve products like voice search and Google Assistant. Although this function is designed to identify only voice commands, it’s possible that random noise is detected instead.
Here’s How You Can Turn Off Google’s ‘Listening’ Feature:
Step 1: Open Phone Settings
- Go to your Android phone’s Settings.
Step 2: Access Google Settings
- Scroll down and tap on Google.
- Then tap on your profile icon.
Step 3: Manage Google Account
- Tap on “Manage your Google Account”.
Step 4: Go to Data & Privacy
- Swipe to the “Data & Privacy” tab.
Step 5: Web & App Activity
- Tap on “Web & App Activity.”
Step 6: Turn Off Audio Recording
- Under this setting, look for “Include audio recordings.”
- If the box is ticked, untick it to stop Google from storing audio clips.
- Confirm and accept the updated privacy terms.
(Optional) Auto-Delete Web & App Activity
- Scroll down and find the “Auto-delete” option for your Web & App Activity.
- Tap on it and choose a time frame (e.g., auto-delete after 3, 18, or 36 months).
- This ensures that your activity is regularly erased for more privacy.
Final Words
Google claims it uses this audio data to improve user experience, but a lot of users find that uncomfortable (especially since they don’t know if their phone is listening or not). Which is to say: when you turn this feature off, you can take a little control of your privacy back.
