Big Tech has been listening to and tracking our voice recordings, and it’s a scary thought. Companies like Google, Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft have been harvesting our voice data to improve their AI-driven products and services. They’re not just listening to us while we talk, but also tracking our movements, interactions, and conversations.
Fortunately, there are steps we can take to make sure our voice data isn’t being harvested by Big Tech. Here are some tips to help protect your privacy and make sure you’re not being tracked by Big Tech:
- Make sure your devices have the latest security updates – Make sure your devices are updated with the latest security updates. This will help protect your devices from any security vulnerabilities that might be exploited by Big Tech.
- Review your voice data settings – Check your voice data settings in each of the different Big Tech products and services you use. Make sure you know what data is being collected and how it’s being used.
- Disable location tracking – Many of the Big Tech products and services track your location. Make sure to disable this feature if you don’t want your location to be tracked.
- Don’t use voice-activated services – Voice-activated services like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant are convenient, but they’re also one of the main ways Big Tech collects voice data. Consider using alternative services that don’t require voice activation.
- Use a VPN – A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a great way to hide your online activity from Big Tech. VPNs encrypt your data and route it through their own servers, making it harder for Big Tech to track your location and activities.
Here are some more ways to limit what you’re handing over to Big Tech:
Amazon: Amazon claims that Echo devices only listen for the “wake word,” but in reality, they are always on standby to listen. If privacy is a concern, it may be best to disable the microphone. However, the bigger issue is Amazon employees potentially accessing your recordings. Here’s how to prevent that:
- Open the Alexa app on your phone, then tap the More menu button.
- Select Settings > Alexa Privacy.
- Choose to Manage Your Alexa Data.
- Turn off the toggles next to “Help improve Alexa” and “Use messages to improve transcriptions.”
You can turn the Echo’s mic off for extra privacy in certain situations. Press the microphone’s off/on the button at the top of the device. Whenever this button is red, the mic is off. To reactivate it, press the button again, and it will turn blue.
Iphone: If you use Siri to assist you, be aware that much of the data may be sent to Apple’s servers. As you have limited control over what data is transmitted and stored, your safest option is to turn off Siri if you don’t want Apple to have access to your recordings.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap Siri & Search.
- Toggle the green switch next to “Listen for ‘Hey Siri’” to the off position.
- You can also turn off “Allow Siri When Locked” to prevent Siri from activating when a button is pressed in your pocket.
Android: Use an Android? Here’s how to turn off the “OK Google” wake phrase:
- Open the Google app on your phone.
- Tap your profile picture in the upper-right corner.
- Choose Settings > Google Assistant > General.
- Slide the toggle next to Google Assistant to the left to turn it off.
Computer: Concerned about webcam surveillance? A simple solution is to cover the lens with a webcam cover or a piece of tape when not in use. Disabling microphones, however, requires a bit more effort as it involves accessing the settings on your computer.
For PCs running Windows 10/11:
- Right-click on the Start button and open Device Manager.
- In the Device Manager window, expand the audio inputs and outputs section, and you will see your microphone listed as one of the interfaces.
- Right-click on Microphone and select Disable.
On a Mac:
- Click the Apple menu > System Preferences…
- Select Sound > then the Input tab.
- Drag the Input volume slider to the left so it can’t pick up any sound.
By following these tips, you can make sure that your voice data isn’t being harvested by Big Tech. It’s important to take steps to protect your privacy and stay safe from Big Tech’s data harvesting.