A smartphone in hands. Photo: Unsplash

Many people have noticed that, as soon as they start talking about a certain topic, a related ad appears on their phone screen. An expert confirms that smartphones are capable of "eavesdropping", though the mechanism differs from common perception.

ITsider writes about it.

Modern gadgets periodically record voice data using the built-in Siri or Google Assistant. They wait in the background for activation commands such as "Okay, Google" or "Hello, Siri". Only then is the audio fragment sent to servers for analysis.

However, your smartphone cannot record conversations without your permission. Some apps, such as social networks and marketplaces, request access to your microphone. If you grant them access, they can theoretically collect sound. There is no direct evidence of widespread "listening". Most likely, advertising algorithms form user profiles using other data, such as search history, correspondence, preferences, and geolocation.

To minimize risks, review your app permissions and turn off the microphone when it's not needed. Usually, apps ask for microphone access when they're first launched. Additionally, regularly checking your privacy settings and limiting apps' access to unnecessary personal data is a good idea.

Earlier, we wrote that a modern smartphone is not just a communication tool — it's also a potential target for covert surveillance. Because spyware often leaves only subtle traces, it's crucial to stay alert to unusual behavior on your device.

As a reminder, cybersecurity experts have identified the potential problem that could pose a threat to billions of devices around the world. The hidden command was found in the encoded Bluetooth chip that can be used by attackers.

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