We can all agree that we use smartphones. Every house has smartphones. According to a survey, there was an estimation that the global number of smartphone users was expected to exceed 1.5 billion by 2040. So we can all agree that smartphone usability will rise, as will our reliance on them. Smartphones and smart devices make our lives so much easier that we put all of our information into them and grant them all permissions.

Now, these days, we have smart devices connected to our whole house. And we started using a virtual assistant to give commands. This has become so ingrained in our lives that we treat them as if they were family members. So as a  member of the house, these devices are also listening to you silently. Yes, you are being watched and listened to around the clock, seven days a week.

Are you aware of the term “passive listening”? It listens to your words without paying much attention to them. That is precisely what happens in the devices; they continue to listen and send data because they are already linked to cloud-based voice services. You might have seen that when you call your device, it wakes up, right?

Smartphones are always listening to our conversations and the apps we use in order to gather data for advertisers. This is how they can target us with ads that we’re likely to be interested in. Smart devices can also be used to manipulate our choices. For example, if you’re trying to diet, your smart fridge might recommend a calorie-rich recipe to you. Or if you’re considering buying a new car, your smart home assistant might suggest buying one from a specific dealership.

Furthermore, the data we provide to smart devices can be used to track our habits and movements. This means that companies can build profiles of us based on our online activities. For example, they might know what kind of products we like to buy or how long we spend in certain places. They can also use this data to target us with tailored ads and offers.

Overall, it’s important to remember that unlike traditional media such as radio and television, smart devices are always listening and gathering data about us. This means that it’s essential for users to understand how their data is being used by these devices and take steps to protect their privacy if necessary. By doing so, users will be able to enjoy the convenience of having a smart device without compromising their personal data.