In the age of smart devices, countless people wonder if their devices are "listening" to them. According to Apple CEO Tim Cook, devices made by his company are not. Last week, Cook responded to an inquiry from the Energy and Commerce Committee stating that neither Apple nor third party app-making companies have access to any audio data recieved by iPhone users, and that the only phrase the devices listen for is "Hey Siri." While this has been a concern for many customers, in some cases even taken as far as filing lawsuits, Cook claims that "privacy is a fundamental human right" and that the devices are purposely designed to respect this right.
Link to the story.
Why do you think people are concerned about smart devices eavesdropping?
Since privacy is an important value to almost everyone, it makes sense that something as high-tech as a smartphone could be seen as a threat to this right.
How else do you think smart devices could invade customers' privacy?
Although Apple claims developers don't have access to much of the data, there is always a possibility of scam software that can access unprotected devices, possibly through the camera or keyboard functions.
Replies
Good story and well done overall! I do think your could have commented a few more times.
I think people are most likely concerned about smart devices eavesdropping due to foreign hacking that has been happening lately. I think that if an iPhone can hear someone say "Hey Siri," then it can hear whatever else they say as well. Any device with an internet connection that has a camera and microphone is vulnerable to being hacked.
I'm not exactly sure where this idea came from, but I do feel like people are always questioning their privacy and are just trying to make sure they are secure. I do not think that the smart phones are listening to the people that own them. That is very illegal and just something that wouldn't seem necessary in my book.
The thought of someone listening to my every word makes my skin crawl. Although this may be a major invasion of privacy, I feel that it is a choice made by the user. My thought is that in order for your device to get permission to use the "hey Siri" setting, you must turn it on yourself, therefore you should know that this may happen. Apple, themselves, make it well known that your smartphone must be listening to pick up the term "hey Siri" and fulfill your needs. Even though some, like I said may see this as a violation of privacy, with the amount of accelerated technology being developed your data will be stored in a safe place where nobody can acknowledge it. With this being said, this is a well debated topic and will continue to be depending on your point of view.
I agree with you completely. It is true that you must turn on the “Hey Siri” feature yourself, so this entire conversation could be avoided by keeping that off. However, though to my knowledge there hasn’t been a major mass security issue with iPhones, I’m guessing with the increasing rate of both good and bad technology there could be some kind of privacy invasion in the future.
I think since the device is programed to listen for "Hey Siri" others may think that the device is evesdropping at all times. It makes sense to a point because if the device is supposed to listen for the specific phrase how is it not listening in at all times? I think the saying "once something is sent you can't unsend it" is in proper use here. Once anything is typed it is documented and henceforth can be found by someone if they look hard enough. Many may think of this as a way to invade privacy but intentionally it is not.
I think that people have the right to be concerned that that smart devices may be eavesdropping on their personal conversations. Although Apple even said that their devices are only listening for the words "Hey Siri" I still belive that they could potentally be hearing and saving much more then just that. I think this because there are hackers out there that could some how interfere and access peoples personal conversations.
I agree with you; people definitely have the right to be concerned about their privacy. I’m guessing there is a possibility that Apple is not telling the complete truth, so that it doesn’t ruin their image. I completely agree with you on how hackers can access phones and steal personal data from people.
I believe that a lot of people are concerned because privacy is an important part of freedom, especially in america. I for one can understand the claims because I am a person who likes to have privacy. I think that smart devices could invade customers privacy through their photos or their fingerprints depending on the device.
The idea of someone listening to everything you say while by your phone scares people, because of the lack of privacy. Even if they don't have anything to hide it is still a violation of privacy. Technology is highly advance these days and can do practically anything, so I wouldn't be surprised if this was true. Also like you said, there could be scaming that would be able to connect to anything and everything on your phone.
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