In today’s world, smartphones have become an essential part of our lives. It’s hard to imagine spending even a few hours without them. Whether it’s talking to someone, doing office work, or staying updated with the latest news, we rely on our phones for almost everything. They are even our source of entertainment now. But have you ever noticed that after you mention a place you want to visit, you suddenly start seeing ads for hotels or flights to that place on your phone?
The Mystery of the Digital World
Have you ever experienced talking about something and then suddenly seeing ads related to it on your phone? For example, you might be chatting with friends or on a call discussing buying clothes or shoes from a new brand, and the next moment, you see an ad for that brand on your phone. Or, if you talked about food, and instantly food delivery apps start sending you offer notifications. Is this just a coincidence, or is there something more? This is a mystery of the digital world that we need to understand.
Is Your Phone Listening to Your Conversations?
You may have wondered if your phone is secretly listening to you. It might sound strange, but it’s true. Yes, many apps on our smartphones have access to our microphone, location, and camera. They do this to show us personalized ads and better understand our needs.
Take Google Assistant, for example. It listens to our conversations to provide better services. When we ask Google Assistant to do something using our voice, we give it permission to use the microphone. But did you know that even when we’re not using Google Assistant, it might still be listening to us?
How Does This Happen?
Our smartphones are equipped with many sensors that constantly collect information from our surroundings. One of these sensors is the microphone. When we use our phones, these sensors record our voices. These recordings are then sent to companies that use them to show us targeted ads.
Want to Keep Your Privacy Safe? Do This
If your priority is to keep your privacy secure, don’t worry. We have a solution for you. You can protect your privacy by changing some settings on your phone. Here’s how you can do it step-by-step:
- First, go to your phone’s settings.
- Click on Google, then select “Manage your Google Account.”
- Next, click on “Manage your data and privacy.”
- Scroll down and click on “Web & App Activity.”
- Uncheck the box in front of “Voice & Audio Activity.”
By doing this, your phone will stop listening to your conversations.
Now you know how to change your phone’s settings to keep your privacy secure. This will also help you avoid unwanted ad notifications. So, check your phone’s settings right away. Your privacy is in your hands. Keep it safe.
