[![DQmRptNCzbZLoR31NAEiAc1SztEQuAmDZrzowMCti6HTVWb.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmZALooxcLetjo8QxutTAegKMYdyiAVaDg9fquX1eChcHU/DQmRptNCzbZLoR31NAEiAc1SztEQuAmDZrzowMCti6HTVWb.png)](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/icloak/icloak-tm-stik-easy-powerful-online-privacy-for-yo)


### <center>Finding it hard to keep your privacy in our modern world? You are definitely not the only one...</center>

A shocking finding shows that [Google may be recording everything you say](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-5080971/Google-s-voice-search-recording-conversations.html), including security details which would not dare put online. This is possible through google's voice assistant which was officially created to provide accessibility to handicapped users of smartphones. 

While this software is enabled, any and all sounds are picked up, even background noises like conversations with other people.

[![](https://steemitimages.com/DQme3i57tnNxPZLdwMsSJJkT33sq58NFhZFbeAmAjRm71tx/image.png)](https://technofaq.org/posts/2017/10/the-importance-of-online-privacy/)

## The Threat Is Everywhere

Assistant software is available on almost all smartphones and computers we use today. 

Google Assistant is available on Android's mobile operating system, which is developed by Google. Apple has Siri, which behaves exactly the same.

We can use these tools to operate our phones and computers hands free. Common voice prompts include "Hey Siri" or "OK Google". 

[![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmcw6hGf15chAQ348gbhMqpzbk4qXJnfC6Ebwg47YQVWnU/image.png)](https://mytechdecisions.com/network-security/5-steps-healthcare-organizations-take-data-security-breach/)

## This Is A Serious Security Concern

It does not matter how useful this software is to some people, the risks are huge and they have to be accessed. 

Complaints have already been made by users that feel like they are being watched constantly by Google. 

> One instance is when Google’s assistant picked up the conversation between one man and his friend, and even recorded the code to his backdoor security. [LINK](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-5080971/Google-s-voice-search-recording-conversations.html)

Recording are to be made when the assistant is "triggered" by the voice prompts mentioned above. In other instances, background noise may accidentally trigger it as well. 

When wanting to create a secure environment during a business meeting, you may be completely compromised when there is a smart device in the room.

[![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmeRy1UJv8kru81YSuSocWnLfARxYxLAAbTPH85e6SH3JE/image.png)](http://www.greif-velox.de/en/press-service/)

## Official Google Press Release 

When asked questions about these concerns, a Google spokesman said the only voice recordings that are saved have to have begun with "OK Google". Ambient recording are not being uploaded to cloud storage is what they claim.

In case you have not been aware, your ***recordings are only saved to your personal Google account when you are signed in and have "Voice & Audio Activity" turned on***. Snippets of these recordings are used by Google to improve speech recognition functions.

Google constantly collects your data to improve their search functionality. Your ads are also tailored to you. You are followed by Google everywhere, including your website preferences and your kinks.

There is however a way in which you can turn the voice and activity monitor off and delete previous recordings. Browsing history and online activity may be deleted as well.

[![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmZR4xqZAzwkRXxMbaWUXDk8MN74kXZppnosoSeGP9dt72/image.png)](https://incmedia.org/category/shows/the-solution/)

## <center>Preventative Measures</center>

I used to be a Google user before switching over to [DuckDuckGo](https://duckduckgo.com/), an open sourced search engine which does not track you. I highly recommend for you to switch over if you have not already, there is even a [mobile version](https://duckduckgo.com/app).


If you choose to continue to use Google, especially if on a regular basis, the [following steps](https://www.itproportal.com/2015/09/02/how-to-turn-off-ok-google-voice-search/) will turn off trackers on most mobile devices:


<center>[![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmZu8yZ6P93oVh9Gg6Z9ry3d3gte3T68iSVsMjL38fdH7T/image.png)](https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/google-is-secretly-recording-you-heres-how-to-make-them-stop/)</center>

##### <center>Go to the Voice & Audio Activity page, and sign-in to your Google account.</center>

##### <center>Voice recordings, if any, will be listed on the main page. You can delete each one by clicking on the “Details” link below each entry, click on the vertical ellipsis menu (three dots vertically aligned) at the top-right of the popup window, and click Delete. </center>

##### <center>If you prefer deleting all of them at once, you can click on the vertical ellipsis menu beside each date on the main page and click Delete.</center>

##### <center>At the top of the window, click on the overflow menu (three vertical dots) at the right side of Google My Activity > Voice & Audio, and then click on “Activity controls”.</center>

##### <center>Toggle the blue sliders of each type of activity you want turned off. Simply confirm by clicking “Pause”.</center>

[![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmUhH9dYbYsZscpJvchS64yZ9JS7C5C5Tn5MmiGDYA4sR1/image.png)](http://botcrawl.com/stop-google-from-recording-your-voice-and-audio/)

Once I had finished this process, I tried to prompt the software with "OK Google" multiple times at different volumes. If it is still being triggered you should research how to turn off the voice assistant on your device specifically.

If you wanted to be absolutely safe, turn off your devices when not in use or keep them inside a bag or box that is in a drawer when you have private conversations.

 It is such a disgrace that we now live in a world where we can't trust our smartphones. Maybe they are too smart? Tell me what you think in the comments.

---

Sources: [1](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-5080971/Google-s-voice-search-recording-conversations.html), [2](https://history.google.com/history/audio), [3](https://www.itproportal.com/2015/09/02/how-to-turn-off-ok-google-voice-search/).

Image sources found by clicking on images.

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# **Who is @chron?**

[![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmYiocAo4Ywbv4wBgVhuU3vi8areJWcTRbC9yQaxRHbXXU/image.png)](https://steemit.com/@chron)

### I am a 16 year old robot from Bali, Indonesia who has discovered Cryptocurrency on my path to find the many solutions to the ever growing problems in our world. 

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[![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmQQNbMhhhi9gQq1yFdjcHkXAiGsvvFkeYH7F8itf8unqE/image.png)](https://steemit.com/@chron)

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