They’re listening

I’m convinced that my devices are listening to my conversations, even though I have maximum privacy settings engaged. Too frequently an ad will suddenly appear about something that was randomly mentioned in a conversation, even when there was no searching for it online, or any discussion of it online. I love the convenience of my device, but I’m getting really creeped out by it. Apple swears that they’re not, but it’s just too frequent to be coincidental.

31 Comments

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Anonymous

Jun 11, 2021 at 12:36pm

You and I should talk. It sounds like you're realizing what's actually going on in the world. Stay with it. You'll soon recognize other shady things the world is doing to target you.

19 7Rating: +12

Creepy for sure

Jun 11, 2021 at 12:56pm

I have heard of this happening from others as well

17 4Rating: +13

I...

Jun 11, 2021 at 1:13pm

... only got a device once I required it for work. Prior to that I noticed exactly what you said the things would be mentioned and ads for them would show up. And in terms of the privacy settings that relies on you one trusting the application to enforce that privacy setting and two that the privacy setting does what you think it does.

That said it doesn't really bother me. Basically if you're using an unencrypted link or you have a microphone in a room on a digital device you should assume that you don't have privacy. This is without going into things like all of these devices have CPUs in them and those CPUs are manufactured by a small handful of companies. These companies can be compromised without their knowing in terms of having espionage activity going on or they can work with the national governments under which they operate.

If this does concern you then you should not have a smartphone and you should not have a computer that has a microphone in it where you have to turn it off using software you want a microphone you can turn off by unplugging it.

But even this can't address the CPU issue. It also can't address the issue of well let's call them viruses that one can get in a whole bunch of ways just from normal internet use.

This is why it's so important that both corporations and governments have strict legislation concerning the sources of information they're allowed to use when making decisions. In law courts we call them rules of evidence that govern admissibility.

Even a simple thing like if you're applying for a government job should they be allowed to Google your name or the name of the employer you've given in your resume? You might say yes but how would they ever verify that the information they're getting is correct?

11 5Rating: +6

Definitely

Jun 11, 2021 at 1:28pm

Apple and Google are particularly bad when it comes to revealing the extent to which people are products.

Sometimes I notice that when I’m running low on a particular household or personal item I will get ads for it, suggesting that there may be a linkage between the product packaging and my devices.

In addition to the listening creepiness, I’m thinking about how our devices have access to credit card purchase histories, health information tracked via app, even emotional patterns that may be reflected through changes in the body heat of our fingers and hands, pulse, sleep disruptions, etc.

The worst, though, is when I have a thought that I don’t share out loud or type into my phone and then shortly thereafter there will be a related ad!

16 6Rating: +10

yes

Jun 11, 2021 at 3:04pm

sounds pretty suspect to me

10 4Rating: +6

Are you.....

Jun 11, 2021 at 4:24pm

...on a party line?

10 4Rating: +6

iPhone alone should be safe, but...

Jun 11, 2021 at 4:34pm

Check all the microphone permissions in Settings, remove all unnecessary Location permissions, disable ad tracking, and delete the Facebook app (use web if you must). Also, simply being near other people who haven't locked down their mics will probably cross-correlate tracking IDs to tattle on you. "Smart" TVs too. Hooray for technology, eh?

11 5Rating: +6

Anonymous

Jun 11, 2021 at 4:43pm

There is no privacy.
Anyone can listen in or track you online anytime they want in many different manners.
Just depends how interested they are in you.
Who are they ?
That's the interesting question !
Who Who
It's not an owl.

15 6Rating: +9

Anonymous

Jun 11, 2021 at 4:52pm

Did I mention I have an extraordinary memory for license plates.
Extraordinary.
Call it a gift.

6 6Rating: 0

I heard a good philosophy about conspiracy theories

Jun 11, 2021 at 5:06pm

The world is basically chaotic so people find comfort in conspiracy theory to help them make order of the chaos. Sure the evolutionary human race got scheming power-trippers and greed-freaks but come on: This thing is inter-galactically bigger than them, you and me. The brats are a minor factor in the big picture. Don't worry about it. Be a good person. Be good to others. Be good to yourself. Have a good life. "Don't worry bout a thing cuz every little thing gunna be alright" -Nesta Marley

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