Is your phone listening to you? Here's how to find out and stop it

Have you ever had a conversation about a vacation spot or something you wanted to get for yourself, only to later notice ads for those very topics popping up on your phone?

It can be unsettling as if your smartphone is eavesdropping. Fortunately, experts from NordVPN have developed a simple four-step process to help people determine if their phone is listening in on their private discussions and using them for targeted advertising, Daily Mail reported.

By following their guidelines, people may be able to take control of their privacy in this vastly digital world.

Step 1: Choose a topic

To begin the test, select a unique topic that has no connection to anything the person taking the test has searched for, expressed interest in online, or casually mentioned near their phone — something that would not typically arise in their advertisements.

For accurate results, they must refrain from discussing this topic out loud beforehand. Instead, write it down on a piece of paper.

However, if they must talk about it, they must make sure to turn off their phone or leave it in another room to eliminate any potential interference.

Step 2: Talk about it

After selecting a topic, the next step is to have multiple conversations about it near the phone over the next few days.

These discussions must be focused on the chosen subject, incorporating specific phrases and keywords that might activate search engines.

Using targeted terms can enhance the likelihood of engaging their phone's software or related advertising systems, ultimately increasing the chances of receiving relevant 

Step 3: Use the phone as you normally do

The third step is for the test taker to continue using their phone as they normally would and not interact with any content that could be linked to the test topic in any way.

They must leave everything to the conversations and see if the device picks up on them through the microphone or other sensors.

Step 4: Observe for changes

After several days of regular phone usage, they must take note of any changes in your targeted ads that appear in their social media feeds, streaming services, or other connected platforms, particularly those related — either directly or indirectly — to your secret topic.

If they notice ads relating to the secret topic appearing without any direct interaction on their phone, it could indicate that the phone has been listening in on the conversations.

"While we typically brush them off as innocent and necessary, they are a strong indicator that you are allowing your device too much access to your personal data and interests,” said Marijus Briedis, the chief technology officer at NordVPN.

While using audio information for targeted advertising isn't illegal, many individuals feel uncomfortable when they learn that their phones are listening and gathering data.

Most users unknowingly consent to this through app agreements.

However, to protect their privacy and maintain confidentiality in conversations, cybersecurity experts recommend disabling virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant, as well as any apps that have access to the phone's microphone.