Your phone really is listening to you

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• That became readily apparent to me a couple weeks back. Let me preface by saying I do not speak to my phone. I use it for calls but when I search I do so by typing in google. But it is listening. I was at a doctor's appointment. They asked about medications. I said...and that one ...what is it called? Something like such and such. My android phone heard the formal name of the prescription and said...let me look that up for you. I had to silence the phone. Funny but pretty intrusive.

  • Yes! Siri will respond even when not prompted. Usually, I have to wake Siri by saying "Hey, Siri" which is the standard command, as I understood. But often Siri will speak up while I am in conversation with someone in the room. As you say, something to the effect "I found this on the web..." So, I'm wondering if this constant monitoring can be shut off by powering off the phone, or is there a built-in chip that continues monitoring while the phone is shut off. There are probably similar features built-in to my smart tv and the car audio.

• I suppose we must shut our phones off when not in use.

  • You probably need to take the battery out too, just to be sure.

    • Imagine the hassle that would be. On a daily basis, attempting to shut out Big Brother, hiding out of view of the tv screen, no conversations near the phone or car stereo. Then there is the Amazon Echo I have in the living room for music. Removing batteries and unplugging all these devices would be fruitless if my toaster has a hidden device we are unaware of.

      • Not to mention, automobile apps. Anything that makes life easier for you is secretly making it harder.