Is Android listening in on conversations?

[rsarno]

You know how when you do a search for something on google or whatever, you then see AD's for that product elsewhere? This is a known marketing tactic.

Well the other day I was having a conversation with a friend at dinner, he was telling me about solar panels for a home. I have never searched for it, or discussed it in any form online at all!

Since then, im seeing ad's for solar panels all over! Even on FB they have a "sponsored post" section which is often related to your search history, and its showing up there!

Makes me wonder if my phone is actively listening in on conversations hunting for keywords to market me with.

 

[rsarno]

For the record i really dont care. Im not worried about the Govt. knowing when i bake a cake or anything else lol. My only concern is that if its a running process, id like to kill it to extend my battery life.

 

[Unforgiven]

Tin hats, get your tin hats. Just kidding. I don't think so, as they would have to go beyond keyword recognition and determine is the conversation was pro-solar or anti-solar for any modicum of success in targeting ads to you. It's more likely that somehow your friends interests in solar based on his searches and online activities. were projected on you based on an online connection between the two of you such as Friending on FB or adding to a circle on G+. It could be emailing between the two of you. Or, it could just be a cosmic coincidence.

 

[Hadron]

Or just that you notice them more having recently discussed them. Don't underestimate attention effects like that.

No, I'm quite certain that Google aren't doing that. Your battery life would be a giveaway if it were actively listening and transmitting, and it would also show up in your data usage (they can't hide it from your carrier or WiFi provider). Plus it would leak sooner or later (sooner for a widespread programme) and that would be the end of Google and everyone involved in the programme when it came out. And who would manufacture a phone that did that, knowing that they'd go down with Google once it was discovered?

Nope, I think you can unfold the tinfoil and use it for baking again

 

[nickdalzell]

I remember when people thought that Google sent all your personal info to the NSA (even claims that Google was working with/alongside the NSA) back when Google Now first came out. my lord people today are paranoid. i can understand privacy but if you're online, there is really no way to maintain it other than making sure no one gets your bank account # or your password or social security #.

Sadly, the whole 'Microsoft is watching you through the Kinect Camera' is still going on. it's a myth but no matter what the fear is still there. i always say, if you ain't got nothing to hide, don't worry. It's not as if GLaDOS is there about to release a deadly neurotoxin if you make a funny face at it

 

[zuben el genub]

Wouldn't stuff like that occur if you had location always on? And Facebook/Facebook IM? I've seen that complaint about FB.

Actual calls are not charged to data - neither are text messages. Dumb phones with calling only and no data can text.
If you MMS, that uses data. I have dumb phones on my account.

And it isn't listening in - it's someone sneaking in the equivalent of a keylogger or botting the phone. If you have devices linked, that could be a problem.