Forum Discussion

nomad297's avatar
nomad297
Explorer
Jun 06, 2014

Your iPad is Listening to You

Look at your iPad and say "OK Google." See what happens.

If you have the Google app installed, Google will open with a semi-blank screen and a voice will ask you what you want to do. I think this is creepy.

The Google app has turned on your microphone so it can listen for the term you just spoke -- it is listening to/for you 100% of the time. I am sure this is a feature that is mentioned in their terms, but I didn't read it. I just noticed that my microphone was on and did some research to find out why.

You can turn this feature off by going into SETTINGS > PRIVACY > MICROPHONE. You will also find any other apps that you have given this same permission to here and turn them off.

Sorry if everybody besides me already knows about this.

Bruce
  • JoeTampa's avatar
    JoeTampa
    Explorer
    Jun 06, 2014
    OK, DEEP BREATH, people.

    Here's some facts:

    1. The Google App has to be running before it is listening.

    2. In iOS 8, Apple devices will have an option (which you can disable) for Siri to be listening for you to say, "Hey, Siri", at which point it will act just as if you pressed your home button. Further, it only works when plugged in (due to the adverse impact on battery life).

    3. Capturing the unique address of your Bluetooth headset won't identify you at all since there is no registry of any sort as to who has what Bluetooth address. Even if the car manufacturer noted the address of a built-in Bluetooth in your new car and tracked who bought it, it obviously wouldn't be of any use once to car was resold. There's zero privacy issues here.
  • shakyjay's avatar
    shakyjay
    Explorer II
    Jun 06, 2014
    I'm not sure about the IPad but on an android for this feature to work the Google app has to actually be open and running.
  • rk911's avatar
    rk911
    Explorer
    Jun 06, 2014
    rockhillmanor wrote:
    Thank you for that info! IMHO It is VERY disconcerting all what is going on regarding our privacy.

    My spin: Gov gave the money to apple to create these products. What better/easy way to keep track of 'everyone' 'all' the time. :(

    Florida just installed a stop light feature that uses the blue tooths of all motorists cell phone users to regulate the timing of the traffic lights. Law passed, now they are trying to figure out just what to do with all the stored info on all the drivers and who can use this info when needed. :R


    Florida DOT using Bluetooth
  • Campfire_Time's avatar
    Campfire_Time
    Explorer
    Jun 06, 2014
    Davydd wrote:
    Google is everywhere and people worry about the NSA? ;)


    Its goes back farther than you think. We lost our privacy the minute we started using credit cards.
  • Davydd's avatar
    Davydd
    Explorer
    Jun 06, 2014
    Google is everywhere and people worry about the NSA? ;)
  • USARMYCW's avatar
    USARMYCW
    Explorer
    Jun 06, 2014
    rockhillmanor wrote:
    Thank you for that info! IMHO It is VERY disconcerting all what is going on regarding our privacy.

    My spin: Gov gave the money to apple to create these products. What better/easy way to keep track of 'everyone' 'all' the time. :(

    Florida just installed a stop light feature that uses the blue tooths of all motorists cell phone users to regulate the timing of the traffic lights. Law passed, now they are trying to figure out just what to do with all the stored info on all the drivers and who can use this info when needed. :R


    Could you give a reference to the "Gov gave money to apple" ? :@ :h :)
  • nomad297's avatar
    nomad297
    Explorer
    Jun 06, 2014
    wa8yxm wrote:
    Actually Apple has made this a point in their advertising (Seri will respond to voice commands) having the actor talk to his I-device and it responds.. Not just the Google app.


    Siri is not the same. You have to activate Siri by either pushing a button or moving your phone in a particular way. This turns on the microphone. Siri is not always listening like Google is. The default for Google is for your microphone to be on all of the time. No need to push a button or move your phone up to your ear to allow Google to listen to you. Google is always listening.

    Bruce
  • Campfire_Time's avatar
    Campfire_Time
    Explorer
    Jun 06, 2014
    I'd be more concerned about leaving the camera unprotected. Someone watching you without you even knowing it is far more creepy. Put a piece of black electrical tape over the camera when its not being used.

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