We’ve all been there—talking about something totally random, and then, moments later, ads for it pop up on our phones. It’s almost like your phone heard you, but is that really possible? Turns out, there might be a way to test if your device is eavesdropping on you. Here’s how you can check, using a simple (and kind of fun) method.
Pick a topic you’ve never searched for
Start by choosing a subject that you’ve never Googled or talked about online. This could be something random like a specific type of fruit, an unusual hobby, or a far-off travel destination. The key is that this subject shouldn’t show up in your search history or any previous conversations. For example, try talking about “moonlight hiking in the Alps” or a random art form like “shadow puppetry” if you’ve never looked those up before.
Pro tip: Choose a subject that isn’t too obvious. For example, don’t just pick a popular product like a new phone or car model, as ads for those might already pop up based on your general interests or recent searches.
Fun fact: Did you know the term “shadow puppetry” dates back to the 2nd century in China? It’s a fun, obscure topic that will definitely test your phone’s listening abilities!
Chat near your phone
Next, have a few casual conversations about your chosen topic, but make sure your phone is within hearing distance. Talk about the subject in a natural, everyday way—don’t force it. Keep it light and don’t mention anything in your searches or online activities about that subject. This is about testing whether your phone’s mic is picking up your offline chatter.
Pro tip: You don’t need to shout your topic to your phone! Just go about your normal conversation—if it’s truly eavesdropping, it should still pick it up.
Fun fact: Did you know that some people believe smartphones listen to us all the time to serve personalized ads? However, experts say that most tracking happens through app data and cookies, not direct “eavesdropping.”
Continue with your usual phone habits
Go about your day as usual. Continue scrolling, texting, and using apps, but don’t engage with any content related to the topic you’ve chosen. The idea is to see if ads or content related to your random subject begin showing up—without you ever having searched for it.
Pro tip: Don’t use voice assistants like Siri or Google Assistant during this test. They could trigger your phone to listen to you, skewing the results.
Fun fact: Many apps, including Facebook and Instagram, use background data to tailor ads. That’s why you might see ads for products you didn’t search for online but casually mentioned in a chat.
Watch for suspicious ads
After a few days, pay attention to the ads that pop up on your social media feeds or websites you visit. If you start seeing ads related to the subject you talked about, it might be a sign your phone has been listening to you. It’s almost like your phone knows your thoughts before you do.
Pro tip: If you start seeing too many ads for your test subject, consider adjusting your privacy settings, like limiting ad tracking on your phone.
Fun fact: Google’s ad system is so sophisticated, it can predict what you’re thinking based on just a few data points. In fact, they’ve been known to target users based on patterns that aren’t immediately obvious (like where you go or what you do).
By following this simple test, you can get a clearer picture of how much your phone is actually listening to you. Whether it’s tracking conversations or using app data, being mindful of your privacy settings is essential to keeping your personal information safe.
