3 ms·

>In 2019, I have done an experiment: talk about a conspicuous topic in presence of an unlocked Google Pixel. Minutes later there were suggestions of relevant to

by gruez 1y ago

>In 2019, I have done an experiment: talk about a conspicuous topic in presence of an unlocked Google Pixel. Minutes later there were suggestions of relevant to that topic articles in Google app. That's hardly a conclusive experiment when there wasn't a control group, and sample size was 1. That's the issue with the "facebook/google/whatever is secretly listening to you" conspiracy theories: plenty of anecdotes, zero rigorous testing.

strogonoff 1y ago
Sample size is small but you see a KB article clarifying that it is what happens. It is not “secretly listening” if they say it openly. I never said “secretly” either.
- gruez 1y ago
  >small but you see a KB article clarifying that it is what happens. "and activity from other Google services" and "audio recordings from your interactions with Google" is hardly conclusive, especially when google has services that involve consensual audio recordings.
  - strogonoff 1y ago
    “Audio interactions with Google Assistant” is pretty conclusive, because when the assistant is voice activated it has to be listening to be useful, and it will do so even when the device is locked. Activating the feature (or not deactivating it, depending on defaults) implies consent. The wording is also unambiguous about what you say being “activity”. The part where it says that this activity is saved as part of your Google account is also pretty conclusive. I can’t see how you can infer from that KB that the device would not be listening or that the recordings do not become part of your Google account history. What you could claim is that they are scrupulous as to when exactly your words become “activity”, or what exactly activity they save and share for the purposes of ad personalisation, which is your right to believe.

3 ms·

>In 2019, I have done an experiment: talk about a conspicuous topic in presence of an unlocked Google Pixel. Minutes later there were suggestions of relevant to

by gruez 1y ago

strogonoff 1y ago
Sample size is small but you see a KB article clarifying that it is what happens. It is not “secretly listening” if they say it openly. I never said “secretly” either.
- gruez 1y ago
  >small but you see a KB article clarifying that it is what happens. "and activity from other Google services" and "audio recordings from your interactions with Google" is hardly conclusive, especially when google has services that involve consensual audio recordings.
  - strogonoff 1y ago
    “Audio interactions with Google Assistant” is pretty conclusive, because when the assistant is voice activated it has to be listening to be useful, and it will do so even when the device is locked. Activating the feature (or not deactivating it, depending on defaults) implies consent. The wording is also unambiguous about what you say being “activity”. The part where it says that this activity is saved as part of your Google account is also pretty conclusive. I can’t see how you can infer from that KB that the device would not be listening or that the recordings do not become part of your Google account history. What you could claim is that they are scrupulous as to when exactly your words become “activity”, or what exactly activity they save and share for the purposes of ad personalisation, which is your right to believe.