Smartphones are eavesdropping on you?

[Analogous]

Could this be true or just feeding the paranoia?

Smartphones are eavesdropping on you: Top marketing firm reveals this secret

Smartphones are secretly listening to conversations using AI software for targeted ads, confirmed by a marketing firm working with tech giants.

www.digit.in

 

[Nitin K]

Could this be true or just feeding the paranoia?

Smartphones are eavesdropping on you: Top marketing firm reveals this secret

Smartphones are secretly listening to conversations using AI software for targeted ads, confirmed by a marketing firm working with tech giants.

www.digit.in

Actually not surprising at all since operating systems, browsers, Alexa etc also have been accused in the past of snooping on people's privacy.
A chinese mobile phone company also was accused of spying by the US on their users in the past.
This will continue in many clandestine and innovative ways via technology.

 

[Analogous]

Actually not surprising at all since operating systems, browsers, Alexa etc also have been accused in the past of snooping on people's privacy.
A chinese mobile phone company also was accused of spying by the US on their users in the past.
This will continue in many clandestine and innovative ways via technology.

So, Has this been mostly accepted, normalised?
No one cares that this happens and privacy is not necessary anymore?

 

[Nitin K]

So, Has this been mostly accepted, normalised?
No one cares that this happens and privacy is not necessary anymore?

Our govt here is not as stringent as in US or Europe about people's privacy.
Besides here people in general are also complacent and dont take their privacy seriously till some incident happens. The " Chalta hai" mentality is generally ingrained in people.

 

[Analogous]

Our govt here is not as stringent as in US or Europe about people's privacy.
Besides here people in general are also complacent and dont take their privacy seriously till some incident happens. The " Chalta hai" mentality is generally ingrained in people.

I think you have put it very clearly!
Our herd is docile and feels safe in the anonymity of huge numbers.
There was some slight excitement over news of eavesdropping through smartphones using Israeli software. But as the targets mentioned were politicians, Judges and activists it did not cause any public outrage or concern.

Wonder what type of incident will get the herds’ attention on this issue (short as it will be till the next scandal, tragedy or IPL comes along.)

 

[Hiten]

Smart Phones, Smart TVs, Internet..... Welcome to the future. All was predicted in mid 80s.

I have same 'Rockwell' song on 12 inch single Vinyl (backup vocals by Michael Jackson). Nice dynamic range to test Phono Cartridges.
Regards.

 

[Analogous]

So we have:
Eavesdropping through phones, PCs, wearables, smart TVs

Being used for:

1. Targeted ADs to sell products/servicesbased on our own choices, lifestyle, aspirations etc that was discovered through eavesdropping on our conversations, social media posts, messages, internet searches, financial transactions, TV content watched

2. Targeted political messages and information, misinformation designed to influence our voting behaviour based on reinforcing our biases, prejudices and beliefs that was discovered through eavesdropping on our conversations, social media posts, messages, internet searches, browsing history, financial transactions, TV content watched

Meanwhile:

 

[jaiwant_alex]

So we have:
Eavesdropping through phones, PCs, wearables, smart TVs

Being used for:

1. Targeted ADs to sell products/servicesbased on our own choices, lifestyle, aspirations etc that was discovered through eavesdropping on our conversations, social media posts, messages, internet searches, financial transactions, TV content watched

2. Targeted political messages and information, misinformation designed to influence our voting behaviour based on reinforcing our biases, prejudices and beliefs that was discovered through eavesdropping on our conversations, social media posts, messages, internet searches, browsing history, financial transactions, TV content watched

Meanwhile:

The EU has taken a lead in drafting strong guidelines around data privacy. Unfortunately we don't see this as a priority in our country.

There are however small actions we can take to counter this invasion - I follow most of these myself.
-Periodically check app permissions and deny apps access to microphones, files, camera. Allow only where absolutely necessary.
-Uninstall or disable voice assistants
-Use tracking free search engines and browsers (eg duckduckgo)
-Turn off location tracking unless actually using it
-Search/browse in incognito mode or without signing in.
-Decline to give out your phoner to random establishments - why on earth does a grocery store chain need your number ?

 

[Nitin K]

So we have:
Eavesdropping through phones, PCs, wearables, smart TVs

Being used for:

1. Targeted ADs to sell products/servicesbased on our own choices, lifestyle, aspirations etc that was discovered through eavesdropping on our conversations, social media posts, messages, internet searches, financial transactions, TV content watched

2. Targeted political messages and information, misinformation designed to influence our voting behaviour based on reinforcing our biases, prejudices and beliefs that was discovered through eavesdropping on our conversations, social media posts, messages, internet searches, browsing history, financial transactions, TV content watched

Meanwhile:

There are so many spam calls for credit cards, insurance, etc. The caller even knows your name. The Bank/company knows your spending habits , hence asking to increase your credit card limit.
Govt or Trai don't bother to stringently curtail and fine them. The normal citizen will only take this seriously when he/she gets personally affected.
Most of the smart gadgets like phones, computers, TV's, watches, smart cards etc, may be monitoring people's habits and it will only get worse in the future.

 

[hifimaddy]

 

[alpha1]

So, Has this been mostly accepted, normalised?
No one cares that this happens and privacy is not necessary anymore?

Always apt across all ages and periods:
"Did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts
Hot ashes for trees, hot air for a cool breeze
Cold comfort for change? Did you exchange
A walk-on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?"

So, the answer to your question: a resounding yes. There are trade-offs and we like trading off our privacies to hyper-personalization. In any case we always loved living in echo chambers.

 

[Analogous]

Always apt across all ages and periods:
"Did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts
Hot ashes for trees, hot air for a cool breeze
Cold comfort for change? Did you exchange
A walk-on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?"

So, the answer to your question: a resounding yes. There are trade-offs and we like trading off our privacies to hyper-personalization. In any case we always loved living in echo chambers.

Pink floyd were prescient and existed in an orweilian dystopia

 

[arj]

Our govt here is not as stringent as in US or Europe about people's privacy.
Besides here people in general are also complacent and dont take their privacy seriously till some incident happens. The " Chalta hai" mentality is generally ingrained in people.

forget smartphones..people are happy giving address and phone number to physical people in malls if they get a deal
While we complain about aadhaar leaks, voters id info is available to anyone to download. Smartphone should be least of our worries as the big tech at leas anonymizes data ..here you get the photo and address as well.

 

[Yogesh]

Could this be true or just feeding the paranoia?

Smartphones are eavesdropping on you: Top marketing firm reveals this secret

Smartphones are secretly listening to conversations using AI software for targeted ads, confirmed by a marketing firm working with tech giants.

www.digit.in

Every smart device with Mic, Camera, Internet is spying on us. Mobile, TV, Smart Speakers, name any device. All apps are also gathering data. To profile you and customize ads for maximum conversion.

Just talk about food, furniture on any product around these things and Boom, relevant ads, offers will pour in.

 

[hifimaddy]

It is advisable to reduce the volume of personal data shared with platforms such as Google or Facebook. While we acknowledge that it is nearly impossible to achieve complete privacy while using an Android device that incorporates Google Services, it is important to recognize that not everyone has the financial means to invest in alternatives like Graphene OS or even an iPhone, which may offer slightly enhanced privacy features.

• Deactivate Web & App activity.
• Decline personalized advertisements.
• Turn off personalized search results.
• Utilize traffic blocking applications such as Tracker Control and Invizible Pro.
• Use open source clients for most apps, like Frost for Facebook, Infinity for Reddit, Vanced for Youtube, and Bromite for Chrome (use website if FOSS alternative is not available).
• Disable the Assistant feature.
• Review permissions for mic, phone, and contacts to the bare minimum.
• Use the Exif tool to scrape off metadata before posting outside.
• Uninstall bloatware in case the manufacturer doesn't allow using the adb tool to force remove

 

[Analogous]

It is advisable to reduce the volume of personal data shared with platforms such as Google or Facebook. While we acknowledge that it is nearly impossible to achieve complete privacy while using an Android device that incorporates Google Services, it is important to recognize that not everyone has the financial means to invest in alternatives like Graphene OS or even an iPhone, which may offer slightly enhanced privacy features.

• Deactivate Web & App activity.
• Decline personalized advertisements.
• Turn off personalized search results.
• Utilize traffic blocking applications such as Tracker Control and Invizible Pro.
• Use open source clients for most apps, like Frost for Facebook, Infinity for Reddit, Vanced for Youtube, and Bromite for Chrome (use website if FOSS alternative is not available).
• Disable the Assistant feature.
• Review permissions for mic, phone, and contacts to the bare minimum.
• Use the Exif tool to scrape off metadata before posting outside.
• Uninstall bloatware in case the manufacturer doesn't allow using the adb tool to force remove

This is more than a few individuals doing all these.
There is huge money being made with user data.
Where there is big money involved politicians and political parties are also involved
Public interest, ethics and propriety are low priority in this scenario - all in the name of economy, jobs or national security
But it all boils down to information and data and onwards to big money for a few.

In any case most people seem resigned to a state of helplessness and cynicism about the close relationship between political parties and big businesses.

But hey, we have the music, Internet and TV to sedate our anxiety

 

[arj]

These days I have found that Ignorance IS bliss...

 

[Analogous]

I came across this from the BBC series “Silent witness, S27; E4; part 2: A professor of forensics to his students….

Who are these “others” who send you fleeing to the comfort of people who look like you do, speak like you do, think like you do?

For fear of being threatened by opinions, wounded by words, offended by attitudes; damaged by differences.

But, We wouldn’t want you to be triggered, would we?

What is “groupthink”?
When a group of people make irrational or sub standard decisions, motivated by the desire to conform or the belief that dissent isn’t an option.

But groupthink is everywhere. Social media has made you a herd and reduced your individuality to a data point.

You have traded freedom of thought for a reassuring echo chamber.

Are those who enable this behaviour, who institutionalise it, the enemy?

They preside over the death of empathy, “ I can not understand you unless I am you”:

You have allowed yourselves to be siloed into affinity groups. Demographic categories, where an algorithm can mine your data and produce content which fills you with hate, or fear, or both.

And you are content to live that way, believing that you are incharge of your lives, when in fact you have handed them over to a close minded insularity.

 

[Analogous]

These days I have found that Ignorance IS bliss...

Yes, it’s bewildering and often overwhelming even to consider the scope, scale and implications of all the information and disinformation we are presented with everyday.
This is indeed “The age of anxiety “

 

[mbhangui]

What is “groupthink”?
When a group of people make irrational or sub standard decisions, motivated by the desire to conform or the belief that dissent isn’t an option.

But groupthink is everywhere. Social media has made you a herd and reduced your individuality to a data point.

You have traded freedom of thought for a reassuring echo chamber.

Are those who enable this behaviour, who institutionalise it, the enemy?

They preside over the death of empathy, “ I can not understand you unless I am you”:

You have allowed yourselves to be siloed into affinity groups. Demographic categories, where an algorithm can mine your data and produce content which fills you with hate, or fear, or both.

And you are content to live that way, believing that you are incharge of your lives, when in fact you have handed them over to a close minded insularity.

This is frighteningly true here in India and US too has succumbed. The ME was like this much before us. I believe China started like what we are today and over the time people gave too much power to the govt. Now even if the people have their own opinions, they can't do anything because they have allowed a situation where govt has full control of their daily lives