You’re Not Paranoid: Your Devices Are Always Listening — and Here’s Why

Devices like smartphones and smart home gadgets use active listening software to capture audio from users, often for targeted advertising. This technology, intended initially for speech recognition, raises significant privacy issues by continuously analyzing surroundings without user interaction. Leaks and investigations have confirmed its use in marketing. Users can protect their privacy by managing app permissions, using privacy-focused devices, and employing tools like anti-spyware programs.