Its safe to say that privacy concerns, especially in todays digital era, are unquestionably valid. With new video recording technology making it easier to identify people at a glance (whether they like it or not) and concerns that your smart speakers are eavesdropping on you, it may feel like youre bordering on slightly paranoid around modern technology.

After all, even though there have been cases of smart speakers picking up on intimate conversations, theres absolutely no risk of them overhearing private things without your consent, right? Even though its been documented that these devices including Cortana, Alexa, Siri, and Google Home have listened in relationship spats, criminal activity, and even HIPAA-protected data, youre totally in the clear.

Oh yeah. The thing is, everything that gets broadcast into your smart speaker? Theres a completely random chance that someone back at headquarters may decide to sift through it in order to improve AI learning.

And while most of the time these conversations are totally benign, it doesnt change the fact that a complete stranger is getting an earful of your private life. In fact, these transmissions? Are actually completely admissible in court, as several murder cases have already demonstrated. Their key evidence was none other than poor Alexa herself.

But wait, wait. These smart speakers can only get your information if you activate them, and that requires you to clearly enunciate their names. Right? Um. Not exactly. Even though you may think that you need to speak crisply into the speaker to activate it, it turns out that these devices are highly sensitive to any suggestion that you might be talking to them. Its almost like your dog when you even remotely glance at his bag of doggie treats in the corner: one crinkle and Fido comes running, begging for some kibble and ready to serve you.

Its the same for your smart speakers. As it turns out, there are over a thousand words or phrases that can trigger your device and invite it to start recording your voice. These can range from the perfectly reasonable (Cortana hearing Montana and springing to attention) to the downright absurd (Alexa raising her hackles over the words election and unacceptable). Well, crap. Now what?

Its no secret that someone is listening in on your conversations. Thats been clearly documented, researched, dissected, and even accepted at this point. However, if you thought that theyd only listen to it if you gave them implicit permission by activating your device (which, to be fair, should not even count as permission in the first place), you were wrong.

So whats a privacy-loving person to do? Just suck it up and try to choose between the lesser of two evils? On one hand, yes, these smart speakers are super convenient and can make your life easier. On the other?

Well, if youre a fan of your privacy, then perhaps these devices arent meant for you. At this point, youve got little recourse. These companies will continue to use your data, and theres nothing stopping them from spying on you. That is, unless you prevent them from doing it in the first place.

If you want to keep your private conversations private, either unplug your smart speaker when youre not using it, or dont get one in the first place. Otherwise, youll continue to give your implied consent that youre totes cool with them butting in on your personal life, and theyll continue to be equally totes cool with using it without your permission.

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