Have you ever wondered if it was a coincidence when you were cultivating an idea, and sharing it in a brief conversation, a related advertisement later pops up? To point fingers at one large corporation might be short-sighted and more so related to a large industry of e-commerce and 3rd party cookies (outdated), and marketing profiles. The following blog will rather be focusing on the shift in Google’s privacy policy which followed shortly after their employee leaked user audio in 2019, revealing and proving the ‘users’ privacy was at stake. Securing yourself from being uninvitedly listened to is a privacy issue that concerns everyone. It has become common knowledge that Google is gathering data and information from the audio files their users upload through their ‘Google assistance’ but the question remains to which users this applies, and if you are one of them. To elaborate further, let us dive into the myth of ‘Google listening to your conversation’.
The Google scandal of 2019
In 2019 an employee of Google shared an elaborate amount of audio files with Belgian news outlet VRT NWS, showcasing human involvement (access, and sharing) in the process of audio reviews. Many of these files contained personal information and conversations of users. Google eventually tackled the main issue of privacy with a ‘fitting’ response, all Google users were taken out of the voice data collection program. However, for some prior ‘Google Assistant’ users, some pre-recorded audio might unknowingly still be in their user storage. Furthermore, a widespread information campaign such as the video below that uses vocabulary such as; private, safe, and secure. Emphasising the freedom of choice for those users who may wish to help improve the Google Assistant (and those who don’t), showcasing the ability to opt in or out. Google has revamped their approach and is open about its process involving ‘trained reviewers’ to better the listening capabilities of the Google voice assistant algorithm as seen in the video below.
Trust, Security & Awareness
Google has always been open about what they do with your data if you can find it. However, despite the clarification of users being made anonymous, how does Google recover from such a ‘social’ scar? Maybe more importantly, how do users perceive this invasion of privacy? The human factor – for now – still plays a fundamental role in the development of the Google Assistants algorithm, and if we must believe Google this happens securely and anonymously. This of course only applies to those users who opt in to Google’s voice data collection. By all means, I am no (web) expert myself. However, I do have a Google mini and more importantly a phone in my pocket. If you are like me, you might have accidentally rushed through the installation process, eager to use your new device (or app!). Often when installing new applications and agreeing to services it is important to maintain vigilant in which services/apps you allow access to, which information, at what given time. The invasions to your personal privacy are not just coming from Google alone, but from many apps and services on your device, in fact your phone may become a melting pot of data you have allowed to be taken.
Take Action
The process of securing yourself and not having to worry about anyone listening in starts at your own fingertips. If you own a Google Home or Mini, you might want to see if you’re opt in or out and delete some embarrassing search history. More importantly, your phone might give more applications permission to certain features than you might be aware of such as your microphone or contact list. Your mobile phone is equipped with a microphone, camera, GPS location, movement sensors, and biometric information such as fingerprints, and face recognition. Besides this, it also tracks your digital behaviour and social activity. This little device becomes a powerful personalised tracker where in comparison Google Assistants Audio ‘reviewer’ listening in might be your least concern.
Thanks for your post!
This sounds horrible, but I’ve had even more horrific experiences. I remember signing up for a new instagram account with a brand new email and phone number when I first arrived in the Netherlands – and soon after I found several old acquaintances I hadn’t spoken to in over ten years in the contact list the system automatically suggested to me!I still wonder if the government (especially some authoritarian governments) and these tech giants are working closely together in a hidden way.