Every time someone mentions products in a casual way and soon he sees related ads on his mobile, he jumps the suspicion: “Are you listening to the iPhone?” The idea that smartphones They spy our conversations To show us personalized advertising, it has become one of the most widespread digital myths.
And although The short answer would be notthe reality is more complex, and the operation of the system can give rise to think otherwise.
Do not give apps permission to use the microphone
To begin with, Apple has built much of its recent reputation on respect for User privacy. On its official website and in multiple public events, it has repeatedly assured that it does not access private conversations or use the iPhone microphone to listen to users without their consent. In theory, listening is only activated when we say “hey Siri” (if we have it activated), at which time the device begins to process the order. According to Apple, this processing occurs mostly on the device itself, without sending the audio to its servers, giving it an extra security.
However, distrust is not there for no reason. Many people have done the experiment to speak repeatedly on a subject near the mobile and then have appeared Related ads In social networks As Instagram or Facebook. This, added to the lack of transparency of some applications, feeds the feeling that there is something hidden behind. Although there are no conclusive evidence that the iPhone is actively listening to our conversations to feed advertising algorithms, there are reasons for the coincidence to be so common.
The first explanation is at the permits that we give to certain applications when settling. Some apps request access to the microphone Without announcing it very well, so the user ignores it. In many cases, they do not need that access to work, but they ask for it by default. Although Apple has reinforced in recent years the controls on these permits, not all users check which apps have that access activated. This means that, although Apple does not listen, a malicious app with the appropriate permits could do so.
On the other hand, current digital advertising systems are extremely sophisticated. Meta, Google and other technological giants They cross thousands of data To predict your interests, from the searches you make to the locations you visit, the links you open or even the people you speak by message. It is possible that, if you and a friend are talking about a product and then the two you see related ads, the system has simply detected that you are digitally connected and inferred your interest. The result is so precise that they may seem that they have heard you, when in reality it is about algorithmic inferences.
In addition, selective memory plays an important role. Many times we are constantly exposed to advertising, but we only remember the ads that coincide with something we have mentioned. We ignore all the banners that are not related to us and surprise ourselves when one fits with a recent conversation.
Therefore, There is no solid evidence that the iPhone actively listen to your conversations to show you ads. Apple has built its operating system on privacy principles, and the use of the microphone is regulated and is visible to the user. However, the behavior of certain apps, the amount of data collected by advertising platforms and the user's own perception biases can make them seem to realize us. And even if they probably do not listen to you, the idea that they could do it is enough to keep us alert.
