Staying Safe Around Always-Listening Devices
With gadgets like Alexa, Google Home, and smartphones always listening, you might have experienced them chiming in uninvited. It can be a bit creepy, right?
Don’t worry! While this idea can be alarming and unsettling, there are ways to protect your private information and conversations from these always-listening devices.
Here are some tips to keep your private chats private:
- Review and Delete Voice Recordings. These devices store your voice commands to personalize your experience. Regularly check and delete these recordings to keep your info safe.
- Mute the Microphone. When you’re not using your device, mute the mic. This stops it from listening until you turn it back on.
- Avoid Linking Sensitive Accounts. Don’t connect accounts with sensitive info to your device. This helps protect your data from potential breaches.
- Manage Data Settings. Adjust settings to control what data your device stores. This gives you more control and saves time when clearing your history.
- Turn Off the Device. If in doubt, just turn it off. No power button? Unplug it!
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By making a habit of muting, unplugging, and deleting recordings, you add an extra layer of protection between your private life and your always-listening device(s).
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Taking a few simple steps—like muting your device, unplugging it when not in use, and regularly clearing recordings—can go a long way in protecting your privacy. It’s all about staying in control of your tech, not the other way around. After all, when it comes to listening, some things are better left to people, not machines.
Contact IT Radix for more tips on making IT work for you.
First published in our May 2025 IT Radix Resource newsletter