Many mobile applications, though convenient, can pose a threat to the security of our data. Among them, Google Assistant is particularly singled out. In fact, its microphone remains activated even when the application is not in use, recording everything we say. How can we protect our privacy in the face of this threat?
Understanding the risk
Smartphones have become essential tools in our daily lives. They allow us to communicate, work, and entertain ourselves. However, they are also potential sources of vulnerabilities in terms of data security. Google Assistant stands out for its undeniable usefulness among the most commonly used applications. However, it poses a major risk to our privacy: its microphone stays on even when we are not using it, recording everything we say.
Although useful for executing voice commands, this feature can become a real threat to our security. Indeed, the application can continue to record our voices without our consent, thus violating our right to privacy. It is, therefore, essential to take steps to protect our data.
How to protect yourself?
Faced with this threat, several options are available to us. The first and most radical is permanently deleting the application from our phone. This may seem extreme, but it is an effective solution to guarantee the security of our data.
Another solution is to manually disable the app’s microphone feature. This prevents the application from recording our voice when we are not using it. Simply go to the app settings and disable microphone access to do this.
- Go to your phone settings.
- Select the ‘Applications’ option.
- Search for ‘Google.’
- Click on ‘Permissions.’
- Disable microphone access.
Alternatives to Google Assistant
There are alternatives if you don’t want to remove Google Assistant from your phone but still want to protect your data. Many other apps offer similar functionality without posing a threat to your privacy.
For example, you can opt for voice assistants that respect your privacy, like Apple’s Siri or Amazon’s Alexa. These apps also have the option to mute their microphone when not in use.
Ultimately, the key is to be aware of the risks associated with using certain apps and take the necessary steps to protect our data. After all, our privacy is a fundamental right that must be respected.
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