What do you think, ChatGPT? If it can create almost perfect summaries with a prompt; why wouldn’t it work in reverse? AI built into Windows could flag potentially subversives thoughts typed into Notepad or Word, as well as flag “problematic” clicks and compare it to previously profiled behavior. AI built into your GPU could build an behavioral profile based on your interactions with your hentai Sonic the Hedgehog game.
It’ll vary by the software you have, and the phone you have. Many companies have been caught capturing microphone recordings such as Google, Meta and Amazon over the years to name a few.
It also depends on the appliances you own, and how you have them configured. TVs, Alexa, hell we even have refrigerators that have live mics on them now.
I have worked for tech my whole life, this is table stakes for these organizations, ethics be damned.
My understanding is the mics aren’t “live” until the activation phrase is said, then they record and send that data for processing. If someone has proven otherwise I’d love to see their methods.
The scary thing isn’t that they’re listening, it’s that they collect so much other data that they don’t have to.
How are they listening for the activation phrase then?
I’m sure you’ll find some good explanations online, but there’s an “activation” circuit on the device “listening” that then engages the rest of the system when it’s triggered. So there’s no recording or sending of data until the activation phrase has been said, and the activation phrase detection is done locally on the device.
This makes sense for devices like Google home where there is only one activation phrase but I don’t understand how an IC could exist that can respond to custom activation phrases.
Also are you saying that cellphones have this circuit too? I’m pretty darn sure that’s all software based.
the “it doesnt record you until the software decides so” argument is such a bullshit. does not mke any difference. it listens when it wants, and you cant even verify it