Recent reports have uncovered a hidden feature in user's Google accounts that quietly records their voices for various purposes.
Google stores audio recordings from web and app activity, as well as verbal interactions with Search, Assistant, and Maps, using them to enhance its audio recognition technologies.
However, a tech expert has shared a "cheat code" to prevent Google from recording smartphone activity.
By managing their Google account settings and deselecting certain options in "Data and Privacy," users can block the tech giant from accessing their microphone and camera.
Tech entrepreneur Jeffrey Castillo posted a video on Instagram, detailing the steps to disable this function.
Users can navigate to the Google app, click on "Manage your Google account," select the "Data and Privacy" tab, and scroll down to the "History setting" section.
From there, they can uncheck the "Web and App activity" option to stop Google from listening in.
While, Google, along with companies like Amazon and Apple, claims their assistant devices such as Alexa and Siri only listen for specific commands and for marketing purposes.
However, this still raises significant privacy concerns. If cybercriminals gain access to your account or smart devices, they could listen to phone recordings and steal data stored by Google.
To safeguard your privacy, ensure you download apps only from official stores to avoid potential malware.
Norton, a cybersecurity application, recommends deleting your voice request history to prevent stored conversations.
Additionally, using a VPN can encrypt your information, making it inaccessible to third parties.
Furthermore, keeping your software up-to-date is also crucial for maintaining security.
