With so many apps and services, it’s natural that the Android user ends up worrying about their privacy and security: Malware and scams aren’t the only threats we face when using a smartphone. Some applications require access to certain elements of our mobile phone, such as the microphone, which are necessary for operation.
But just as granting the corresponding permissions can open the door for the entry of malware, it is also a window for the use of our data, which is not new in large companies that provide services . Google, as one of the most representative Android companies, can have access to the microphone and use what it hears to improve its products. Unless we put an insurmountable barrier with these three settings which we recommend applying for.
Your Android phone has a “snitch” that tells you when it’s using the microphone
Permission control on Android is quite complete: Google provides users with a section where they can check which applications have access to aspects such as microphone, internal memory files, notifications and countless personal items.
By going to “Settings” > “Security and privacy” > “Privacy” > “Permissions manager” (this may vary in the customization layer of your mobile manufacturer) you will be able to see the list of applications that use the “Microphone”. In addition to knowing which ones are using it, the operating system has a signal that becomes evident when the microphone is listening.
It is a green dot that appears on the upper right cornerwith the remaining battery and other connectivity icons: it is a visual indicator which, before turning into a point, shows inside an icon, for a microphone or a camera, depending on whether it is in use.
Three Settings to Leave Google Out of Android Microphone
But perhaps we are more interested in denying permission to use the microphone than in knowing when it is used. Google will not use what it records against us, it guarantees that the information does not leave its servers and is only used to improve its services. However, this is not to the taste of many users, who prefer to opt for the disable “Google microphone” (a pretty funny name).
The first adjustment concerns the permission managerMore precisely, we will deny microphone authorization to the Google application par excellence: Google, quite simply, this application which provides access to the Discover news carousel and the Google Assistant.
Accessing the previously mentioned route, enter “Microphone”, tap the “Google” application and check the option “Do not allow”. You will never again hear what our smartphone’s microphone picks up. On the other hand, Google Assistant also abuses this permission, especially if “Hey Google” detection is active.
To turn it off, open the “Google” app, tap your profile picture, located in the upper right corner, then tap “Settings”, then “Google Assistant”, “Hey Google and Voice Match”. Turn off the switch for the “Hey Google” option.
There’s one more loophole that Google is paying attention to: “web and app activity.” You will find this section in the same application, by tapping on the image of your Google account, now click on “Manage your Google account”. Then you just have to go to the “Data and privacy” section and scroll down a little until you see the aforementioned section: deactivation is just a touch of the screen.
With these three settings, we managed to disconnect Google from the microphone of our Android smartphone. Although this is not necessarily dangerous, it is important to know that we can decide our privacy. Since the microphone picks up our voice, many cautious users will prefer it.
By | BioBioChili
Cover image | DALL·3 with Photoshop editing
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