When friends get together and talk about a certain topic, they often find that shortly after checking their social media, announcements related to that private conversation pop up.
Experts offer advice on improving your privacy
This recurring situation has led to speculation that mobile phones are listening in on conversations to personalize advertising. However, there is nothing bizarre about this phenomenon. Experts reject this idea and offer advice on improving user privacy.
The impression that many people have that their mobile phones are listening to their conversations in order to later use them in targeted online advertising actually has other causes: tracking online habits and exchanging preferences between nearby devices.
Tracking of online habits is permanent as long as the user is connected to the Internet. The data tracked includes the websites they visit, the products they review and buy, the searches they perform, the content they like on social media, and even the GPS location recorded on their device. This information allows companies to learn about users’ interests and preferences and make personalized recommendations. For example, if you search for hiking trails, you might later see ads for tours in places where hiking is popular, even if you didn’t specifically search for that location.
But the real culprit behind the myth that cell phones spy on conversations is the ability to share preferences between nearby devices. In other words, smartphones have a feature that allows them to share information about shopping habits with each other. Just as people share information when they talk, devices are doing the same, aiming to improve the personalization of online offerings.
It is worth noting that this exchange is not associated with the owner of the mobile phone, but rather with the device’s internet registration (IP) number. This means that no personal data is “drained“. Technically, what is being transmitted are “METADATA“, which do not allow the identification of the persons involved.
“Every day we search for or consume content online, and this exchange between devices happens constantly. We don’t notice this when it comes to general topics because we assume it’s just mass advertising. But it gets our attention when we talk about a certain topic, such as a trip to an unusual country, a certain product or service, and then see advertisements about them. Specific cases create the perception that the mobile phone has listened to the conversation”, explains Leandro Cuozzo, security analyst for Latin America at Kaspersky.
Experts recommend monitoring apps that actively track browsing behavior or interactions. To do this, simply check the permissions for each app when it’s installed and disable features that are considered invasive. If you want to limit the sharing of personal data, you can review your phone settings to prevent apps from accessing (and sharing with third parties) data about your browsing history or consumption habits.
recommendation
To improve your online privacy, experts recommend:
• Use incognito mode: If you prefer not to adjust your entire configuration or just need to hide your search history, you can use incognito mode. In this way, the browser will not store information about the pages you visit, cookies, passwords, etc. In addition, incognito mode allows you to continue using normal files without interference and will not delete the information that the browser has already saved.
• Block web trackers: Another way to avoid tracking is to use special programs and extensions, such as the popular AdBlock Plus, which also prevents social networks from tracking your activity (you need to enable this feature in the settings). You can also get a list of all trackers blocked by default.
• Get into the habit of using VPNs: A virtual private network (VPN) is an essential tool for users connecting to different Wi-Fi networks. Some services are free while others are paid, but sometimes it is better to invest in cyber security than to lose all your valuable information.
