In a revelation raising concerns about privacy, it has been discovered that Google has been quietly recording users’ voices through a hidden feature in their accounts. This feature captures audio recordings from various online activities and interactions with Google services like Search, Assistant, and Maps. These recordings are then utilized by Google to enhance its audio recognition technologies.
However, tech experts have recently unveiled a method to disable this feature, offering users a way to prevent Google from recording their smartphone activities. By adjusting settings within their Google accounts, users can block access to their microphone and camera, effectively halting the recording of their voices.
To disable this function, users need to follow a few simple steps:
- Manage your Google account by accessing the Google app and selecting “Manage your Google account.”
- Navigate to the “Data and Privacy” tab and scroll down to the “History settings.
- Within the “Web and App activity” section, which is marked with a blue checkmark, deselect the option to stop Google from recording voice and audio activity.
Tech entrepreneur Jeffrey Castillo outlined this process in a video on Instagram, providing a clear guide for users to safeguard their privacy.
Google has clarified that when the voice and audio activity setting is turned off, audio recordings from interactions with its services won’t be stored on Google servers, even for signed-in users. However, previously saved audio recordings will not be automatically deleted, though users have the option to delete them at any time.
While Google claims that it only listens to snippets of conversations to recognize wake words, such as “Hey Google,” concerns about privacy persist. Unauthorized access to accounts or smart devices could potentially lead to the exploitation of recorded data by cybercriminals, posing significant risks to user privacy and security.
In addition to disabling voice and audio activity settings, users are advised to take further precautions to protect their privacy, including verifying the authenticity of downloaded apps, reviewing app permissions to limit access to device features like the microphone, and utilizing cybersecurity measures such as VPNs and regular software updates.
As concerns about online privacy continue to grow, users need to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their personal information from unauthorized access and exploitation.
