For example, when I checked out which apps have permission to use the microphone on my Google Pixel 3a, I found out 16 out of 52 possible apps had access. This is a pretty quick exercise in personal security, and it might actually surprise you.

And then, of course, there's the long-standing conspiracy theory that our smartphones are actively eavesdropping on us. īack in 2018, for example, over 250 apps across the App Store and Google Play market were listening in for background audio through smartphone microphones, allowing the apps to figure out what you watch or listen to in order to serve up better targeted advertisements. Get the smartest expert-backed cybersecurity tips you can't find anywhere else-plus unlimited access to Pop Mech, stat. How else are you supposed to see or hear the person on the other line?īut there can be a more sinister side to these permissions: Some apps don't bother asking for your consent at all, turning your device into a pocket spy, loaded with cameras and microphones at the ready. If you've Zoomed at all over the last four-plus months, you're certainly familiar with that pop-up box that requests permission to use your device's microphone or camera.

You can also invest in some hardware to block out the microphone and camera.To protect yourself, you can download an app that lets you know when the microphone or camera are turned on.Apps could be secretly accessing your smartphone's microphone and camera to spy on you, or collect data to serve you targeted ads.

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