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I do not grant my phone permission to constantly use its microphone. Unless it is being tampered with, which is beyond my control, the microphone should only be

I do not grant my phone permission to constantly use its microphone. Unless it is being tampered with, which is beyond my control, the microphone should only be in use when I enable it. I physically remove the microphones and webcams in my laptops and use a USB microphone with a physical power switch. This is probably unnecessary as, by the same logic as my phone, nobody should have access to these peripherals unless I grant it. But it helps with paranoia. I don't like a camera and microphone pointed at my face constantly. No way in hell would I buy a device where "always listening" is listed as a feature.

mikeash 9y ago
Unless your Echo is being tampered with, the microphone data is only recorded and transmitted when you say the activation word. In both cases, you have to trust the manufacturer that the device behaves the way they say they do.
GhostVII 9y ago
You remove the mic in your phone too? Or do you just assume that Android isn't always listening?
kelnos 9y ago
> I physically remove the microphones and webcams in my laptops and use a USB microphone with a physical power switch. I say this not to belittle you or to minimize your feelings or experience, but you have to understand that, among the general population, your needs/wants here are in a very tiny minority. The number of people who do what you do is vanishingly small. The vast majority of people do not care, and those who do will often make a conscious decision that the trade-off is worth it. And that's ok! As long as you can continue to take care of your needs, and other people can take care of theirs, then all is well.
JoeAltmaier 9y ago
The same hack applies to your phone. So what? Keep it physically secure. I find it laughable that folks may try to steal things from you with software once they have physically breached your house. At that point, they could just steal your wallet, your car, your Echo etc.

mikeash 9y ago

Unless your Echo is being tampered with, the microphone data is only recorded and transmitted when you say the activation word. In both cases, you have to trust the manufacturer that the device behaves the way they say they do.

GhostVII 9y ago

You remove the mic in your phone too? Or do you just assume that Android isn't always listening?

kelnos 9y ago

> I physically remove the microphones and webcams in my laptops and use a USB microphone with a physical power switch. I say this not to belittle you or to minimize your feelings or experience, but you have to understand that, among the general population, your needs/wants here are in a very tiny minority. The number of people who do what you do is vanishingly small. The vast majority of people do not care, and those who do will often make a conscious decision that the trade-off is worth it. And that's ok! As long as you can continue to take care of your needs, and other people can take care of theirs, then all is well.

JoeAltmaier 9y ago

The same hack applies to your phone. So what? Keep it physically secure. I find it laughable that folks may try to steal things from you with software once they have physically breached your house. At that point, they could just steal your wallet, your car, your Echo etc.