You are the product. Corporations spying on us deeper than we thought?

[MarjorieZimmermanGinger]

Finally, what's really scary, today I was talking to someone (while my phone was nearby) regarding a car key. I started using my phone a bit later and I was shocked to find out there's an ad containing the very same Merc key we were discussing and I was holding in my hands! Then suddenly I realized this is not the first time something like that happens. Which means that the phone is listening? (recording?) to our conversations and possibly also filming the whole thing?

Can we discuss it? Perhaps I'm overreacting or being paranoid and there's a simple explanation for this?   

There is an algorithm term on YouTube and usually videos will be given according to our interests in watching on a scale. At first I didn't understand why every time I controlled children on social media platforms they always saw the same behavior and it turns out that's how YouTube works. In fact, we are like being watched amidst the sophistication of technology and there are many bad impacts when someone doesn't understand it and therefore we are the biggest control that can monitor ourselves. The security level of using social media amidst the sophistication of technology cannot be understood by the layman because it can have a bad impact on us personally or those closest to us.

I'm sure you understand how it works and how this situation is observed by many eyes and when you are careless then that's where they come in to do things we don't want. It's best to be careful and wise in using it to avoid problems and protect yourself and don't do things that can have a negative impact on us because that's all we can do amidst today's technological sophistication.

[Hyphen(-)]

Ok, everybody knows we are being spied on by the corporations like Google, Meta, Microsoft etc. That's a pretty well-known fact and is generally accepted by the public. However, I started noticing some alarming facts recently: I am being offered stuff I mention while I'm on the phone. Then, I noticed they're offering stuff I mention while chatting with my family while the phone is located somewhere in the room.

Finally, what's really scary, today I was talking to someone (while my phone was nearby) regarding a car key. I started using my phone a bit later and I was shocked to find out there's an ad containing the very same Merc key we were discussing and I was holding in my hands! Then suddenly I realized this is not the first time something like that happens. Which means that the phone is listening? (recording?) to our conversations and possibly also filming the whole thing?

Can we discuss it? Perhaps I'm overreacting or being paranoid and there's a simple explanation for this?   

Maybe Because we live in different parts of the world and our technological advancement differs because some parts of the world lag far behind the most advanced countries in terms of technology advancement, network, and phone gadgets, perhaps that is why you are experiencing this; however, I believe you 100% that it can happen because we fully trust our devices these days without caring about how our privacy might be leaked.

My phone does track some of my activities in the search engine, meaning that whenever I am searching for something, it either completes my sentence for me or gives me my desired result before completing my sentence or request, which to me is normal because we do have AI now that does more than search engines.

But using voice spying is something I have never experienced. I never noticed my phone using my voice or my conversation to show me something similar to my request, which is why I am saying that it might be your type of phone or the command you give your phone.

[DVlog]

All the apps have their own terms and conditions, and when first launching the app we all agree on that though 99 people out of 100 don't actually read what's written there. All these apps that are available on google play actually track our usage history and share it with our business partners. Most of their terms and conditions say they won't share user data with third parties but there isn't any mention of their business partner. There is an obvious reason why you are seeing those ads in the first place. Also try to give as little permission as you can to the application you are using on your phone because they are the source of the information that those companies get about us.

[Negotiation]

Corporations are doing deep spying so I think it is important for us to be careful before using apps. While logging in any app from google play store it gives various information these should be installed later they are easy to track if many users don't wear them properly. Sometimes apps are applications created by external developers on the platform and are not owned by it. When you connect a third party app to your account you give that app access to use your account an authorized app may be able to collect and use information from your account in different ways depending on its permissions. You should be careful if you don't feel comfortable giving an app access to your account only cancel on the authorization page to deny the app access.

[serveria.com]

while it is true that most companies track your activities in your phone, it might be reaching to say that your phone was listening

it could’ve been just a coincidence and most likely it is
a lot of people agree on things they don’t even understand especially on the internet most people don’t even read terms & conditions before clicking accept or choosing to accept cookies in a website anyway the point is all apps have some kind of system where it can see you and what you like or what you dislike sometimes this proves useful as it allows you to curate your feed but sometimes it gives you more ways to spend (advertising)

I'm pretty sure it's not a coincidence. I have experienced something similar before, just didn't pay attention. I have used both Android and IOS it doesn't matter really. Whatever I mention in my conversation: car tyres, dog food or Bitcoin, targeted ads appear every time. And note I wasn't googling these items.

Yes, perhaps it was my fault by giving access to these apps but when you're installing Instagram for example, you kind of expect it will ask for camera permissions right?

[slapper]

Is our privacy only a show? First, it's true that companies like Google and Meta use complex algorithms to make ads more relevant to each person. It's too much of a jump to assume direct listening, though. Often, it's about connecting pieces of information, like your browsing past, where you are, or even the way you type. Still, what you said sounds very strange, doesn't it?

The legal and moral line is the second thing to think about. Even though companies have rules against recording without permission, technology isn't always accurate. This could be caused by software bugs or functions that weren't meant to be there. Even so, it's important to stay aware and watchful. Change the privacy settings, pay attention to what apps can do, and maybe, just maybe, don't have private talks on your phone. Finding the right mix between privacy and ease of use in this connected world is important

[Ahli38]

Yes, I know that the OP's experience is actually experienced by many other people. I personally had almost the same experience with my phone. But I personally don't have assumptions as far as the OP conveys. Because listening to our conversation feels too surprising. But I found a case where all the things we typed into a search engine, be it Google search engines, online shops, social media and all things connected to the internet, then a few minutes later related news would appear that was exactly what we were looking for before. or related to each other. starting from the products that can be purchased and other things. Basically, all applications that display advertisements from G**gle A****e seem to display the same advertisements which are tailored to our interests taken from our search history on the internet. Sometimes it's quite annoying but sometimes it's also quite helpful. And actually, if we install an application, before we give permission and install it, we have to read their terms and conditions. and when we read it, we definitely don't want to continue installing the application. Because basically when we install an application, we automatically agree to their terms and conditions. In fact, some Gallery applications have been given permission by ourselves to view and change the data on our cellphones. So it is not surprising that all advertisements sometimes become very relevant or exactly what we want. Because that is the goal and method of marketing they do.

[Fiatless]

I'm pretty sure it's not a coincidence. I have experienced something similar before, just didn't pay attention. I have used both Android and IOS it doesn't matter really. Whatever I mention in my conversation: car tyres, dog food or Bitcoin, targeted ads appear every time. And note I wasn't googling these items.

Yes, perhaps it was my fault by giving access to these apps but when you're installing Instagram for example, you kind of expect it will ask for camera permissions right?

These big tech companies have denied that they are not listening to our conversation but I think they are not telling the truth. I did a brief search online and discovered that OP is not alone in his observation.
Zoe Kleinman a BBC Technology Reporter also had the same concern.There is also a thread in Reddit that is discussing the same observation. Another source also reported that four years ago about 1000 Google Assistant harvested voice recordings collected from Android phones were leaked to a Belgium media house.

I have not experienced this issue maybe because I have not paid attention to my conversation and the ads I see. This is a clear indication that we can only do our best to maintain our privacy but we might not be able to stop these firms from invading it because they have eyes and ears everywhere around us.

[hugeblack]

Everyone blames software products for spying, and this is a fact, but I see that the hardware is responsible for opening many backdoors that may lead to doing things without giving them permissions. Therefore, if you are concerned, start using a phone that does not connect to the Internet and restrict Internet access to your phone, while placing it in a soundproof place. And cover the phone camera before using it, otherwise anything is possible.

[vv181]

I have used both Android and IOS it doesn't matter really.

Yes, perhaps it was my fault by giving access to these apps but when you're installing Instagram for example, you kind of expect it will ask for camera permissions right?

Indeed, but there is a catch, you can control on what condition the application would be able to access it. Generally, most applications do ask some permission, the problem is some people just blindly accept whatever they get asked, and that is the problem in case the app functions as an invasive application that breaches your own privacy.

Both Android and iOS have a feature to limitate the permission of any given application.

Take a look here:
https://support.apple.com/en-sg/guide/iphone/iph251e92810/ios
https://support.google.com/android/answer/9431959?hl=en

The general idea is to give permission only when you use the application and reject any permission request that isn't related to the application. For example, a calendar application requesting a camera or location.

[bluebit25]

The truth is that user data is always exploited and served for research purposes.
The control of large corporations over user data may not have been taken seriously in the past. But over time, when people become aware of personal data security, people will express many questions to technology corporations.
I remember that in the past, the google advertising algorithm was very simple, but now just a few small suggestions that the surrounding things have connected themselves, the achievement of technology. But anyway, there is a need for guidance if we really trust each other about things that are created purely to serve humans. And maybe we should look back a little more broadly, when the problems that are appearing are all easily forced upon each other by ourselves.

[pinggoki]

Dude, you're years too late about this stuff, Snowden leaked that NSA is listening to our phone calls and this didn't stopped the US government from continuing that program so who knows how powerful their surveillance system now is? Pretty sure that they're much more powerful now and more sneakier than ever. It should never come as a surprise to everyone that our government is spying on us so the best thing that we can do is just scream expletives about them because they can hear us anyway, might as well let them hear what we feel about them listening to us right?

[Youngkhngdiddy]

Ok, everybody knows we are being spied on by the corporations like Google, Meta, Microsoft etc. That's a pretty well-known fact and is generally accepted by the public. However, I started noticing some alarming facts recently: I am being offered stuff I mention while I'm on the phone. Then, I noticed they're offering stuff I mention while chatting with my family while the phone is located somewhere in the room.

Finally, what's really scary, today I was talking to someone (while my phone was nearby) regarding a car key. I started using my phone a bit later and I was shocked to find out there's an ad containing the very same Merc key we were discussing and I was holding in my hands! Then suddenly I realized this is not the first time something like that happens. Which means that the phone is listening? (recording?) to our conversations and possibly also filming the whole thing?

Can we discuss it? Perhaps I'm overreacting or being paranoid and there's a simple explanation for this?   

  Sometimes we tend to see ad pop ups on our phones. Most tech people will say the ad we see displays as a result of our frequent surf through the net in the sense that whatever we surf on the web, we tend to be getting ads of stuffs related or similar to them and it's true. If you've not observed it, then start now to observe it.
  No doubt technology is evolving and our digital devices are built up in an advancing way to start acting like us. Do not be surprised that in years to come, a whole lot of things will be set up and carried out by robots. It's crazy thinking about the fact that your mobile phone actually has your activities embedded in it. Yes technology can cause a whole lot to happen so we should even expect more. It's all fascinating but too much of it is definitely threatening to be bad but what can we do there than just to watch the advancement.

[hyudien]

Finally, what's really scary, today I was talking to someone (while my phone was nearby) regarding a car key. I started using my phone a bit later and I was shocked to find out there's an ad containing the very same Merc key we were discussing and I was holding in my hands! Then suddenly I realized this is not the first time something like that happens. Which means that the phone is listening? (recording?) to our conversations and possibly also filming the whole thing?

Can we discuss it? Perhaps I'm overreacting or being paranoid and there's a simple explanation for this?   

I agree even though I've been thinking about this for a long time I can't get a satisfactory answer. Why do our smartphones seem to know what we need? I don't know if it might be from our previous forgotten search on Google or if it was spied on. I think the way to explain it is a little complicated but we can all really understand it. I will not deny that it is proven to be spied on by today sophisticated technology. But to think further it could be really scary if that happened.

that all this time...   

[Faisal2202]

You are not overreacting or being paranoid instead things are really getting out of our hands and yeah I do agree with you that they listen to our voices and that's not new because I knew this for a very long time due to my uncle as he used to explore these things more than I do so when he shared this information with me I did not believe but on trying it I believed. But he also shared a way to stop this feed of ads based on our interests but after trying it did not work well for me (I am mainly talking about FB).

The only thing that came to mind is, that we can turn off the audio permissions that we have given to these corporations spying on us on our smartphones, maybe that will work for you but as a student of technology, I can say spying/eavesdropping is easy for them even we disable the audio permissions. All we can do is ignore this fact, or remove all the setting and extra permissions that we have given to these apps even to the google apps.

[boyptc]

Check all of the apps installed to your phone and go to your settings and see what are the permissions your phone allowed to these apps automatically.

You can modify it since it is on your phone so you better explore and read more information about allowing apps on your phones and stuff about the permissions you are granting on them.

The only thing that came to mind is, that we can turn off the audio permissions that we have given to these corporations spying on us on our smartphones, maybe that will work for you but as a student of technology, I can say spying/eavesdropping is easy for them even we disable the audio permissions. All we can do is ignore this fact, or remove all the setting and extra permissions that we have given to these apps even to the google apps.

It might work and also turn off as well the camera permission. But I am not just sure if they will have a way to turn it on again through updates.

[serveria.com]

Dude, you're years too late about this stuff, Snowden leaked that NSA is listening to our phone calls and this didn't stopped the US government from continuing that program so who knows how powerful their surveillance system now is? Pretty sure that they're much more powerful now and more sneakier than ever. It should never come as a surprise to everyone that our government is spying on us so the best thing that we can do is just scream expletives about them because they can hear us anyway, might as well let them hear what we feel about them listening to us right?

Let's not mix apples and oranges. I too am aware of governments listening, I was aware of Google/Apple etc spying using search history for example. But this is something new, it only appeared recently. I'm starting to suspect they're using some kind of AI (AdGPT?  ) to collect data (via mic and possibly camera), process it and deliver ads based on this data. The thing is that it's illegal and most people are clueless what's going on in their phones. 

[coolcoinz]

There's a reason why in an interview where we could see Zuck's laptop, he had a piece of duct tape over it. I doubt that he was worried about being hacked I'm not even going to start about that problem with Amazon Alexa

Amazon will fork over $30m in fines for multiple privacy violations, including allowing Ring employees to spy on customers, creating a security atmosphere ripe for hackers, and illegally keeping Alexa recordings of children’s voices.
https://cybernews.com/privacy/amazon-30m-fine-ring-spying-alexa-child-privacy-violations/

I'm sure most of us had this happened that we'd talk about buying something, open google and that exact thing would appear in a popup window with a discount... It could be a coincidence, but how many of you guys get a diesel power generator ads, or windshield wipers for your car. Some of these are pretty specific.

[Bananington]

It's agreeably the way the world works right now, having to receive pop ups with ads on our search history and desires, having to get notifications that give detailed description in line with our last or latest purchases. To crown it all up, the introduction of AI technology to the society has more than given a free hand to the infringement on individual privacy and with regulators breathing down the neck of Crypto exchanges, it's quite a difficult scenerio to try and evade the spy programs and software that run seamlessly on our devices for which we have no control over.

We are indeed the product and the best way to be on top is to either avoid the use of internet or to design suitable software to ensure our maximum privacy from all running spyware on our devices. Best bet this days is to use antivirus and antispy wares.

[stomachgrowls]

I cannot find any record of search engines admitting to listening to our conversations but there are far too many occurrences of it happening and very distinct part of the world for it to be a mere coincidence.

When we understand that data is the prize and everyone is looking to get more and more of it to out-intrude their competitiors, when we do this we begin to break down the walls of limitation we put in place.
I have had cases were I randomly talked about an old friend to another old friend, and Facebook recommendsnthat exact friend to me. This is just one of many cases and it happens with regularity to indicate that voice data is being monitored and collected.

Literally impossible if he/she had speaking with someone with a new stuff or he/she havent been able to input those information or certain stuff like searching on google or whatever that correlated into that certain product
before he/she did make a call in someone. It is really just that impossible to think that if ever you have spoke up to someone then suddenly those recommendation pops up?
If you havent been able to search up or mention it out into your mobile phone then this one would really be able to freak you out and could raise up those kind of question.

Its not really that shocking anymore that these companies or corporations is really that serious on trying to track everything on which their potential customers that they are seeking on such product.
On todays technological advancement then it would really be that too easy in speaking about accessibility but of course if theres Pro's then there would be always
a con's into it. So its not really that shocking anymore.