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«I don't get this position: my (Android) phone can already record my voice, so how does having a Google Home materially increase the privacy risk?» Indeed. May
by mrb 7y ago
«I don't get this position: my (Android) phone can already record my voice, so how does having a Google Home materially increase the privacy risk?»
Indeed. Maybe people don't realize that a smartphone is a much bigger privacy risk. A phone can literally record audio and video, track your position, monitor all your online activity, and upload all that without you even noticing it, even when the screen is off and locked. (This can happen when the phone is hacked or if the OS or device vendors are evil.)
I think people perceive devices like the Echo Dot or Nest Mini as more dangerouse simply because they aren't used to them. But smartphones have existed for more than a decade, so people have long accepted these.
- agoodpr838 7y agoThe privacy risk is not the same and the convenience to mitigate is not there I can leave my phone at home when I go out. In another room. Shut it off. I do all of these things quite regularly. Do I go around and disable numerous smarthome gadgets for privacy or stick with my oh so terrible life without them? Bonus! I can avoid awkward conversations with my guests. People buy products because we feel they help us be better. There’s little real utility towards bettering myself with a colorful, and extra power sucking, thermostat at home all the time.
- AJ007 7y agoGiven how outdated most Android phones are, they are substantially more of a security risk than a Nest (of some sort), Alexa, or Apple smart speaker. With Google your facing someone substantially fucking up, a search warrant, or compromised account. A random compromised Android phone, just about anything or anyone and the only giveaway is going to be the battery draining faster than expected.
- postalrat 7y agoHow are you sure you can turn it off? Are you removing the batteries? I don't understand how the risk is anything but greater with a phone.
- celeritascelery 7y agoHave you ever seen a verified case of a smartphone operating while off? I have only seen rumors. If you are going to be that paranoid then how do you know removing batteries turns it off? Maybe there is a Secret battery for spying on people.