Google, Amazon and Facebook smart home devices are designed
to listen to and respond to your commands. Typically, they just interact when
you say, "magic word" like "OK, Google" or "Hey,
Google."
However, these virtual assistants always listen.
If that makes you feel uncomfortable, there are a few cheap tricks
to stop your smart-home device from listening to you all day.
Switch off microphones on computers if you don't use them or
if you don't want them to snoop for a short time.
Here's how to stop your virtual assistants to listen:
Amazon Echo
Alexa's Echo speakers are fitted with a microphone-off
toggle that you can switch off and on. When pressing the button, mic power is withdrawn,
and the red light is activated.
Google Home, Home Mini, Nest Mini, Home Max and Google
Nest Wi-Fi
On the Google assistant, push the mute button on the side of
the device to on and off.
Slide the button next to the charging cable on the Google
Nest Mini as well as the Google Home Mini. The button will illuminate the
orange colour when the mic is switched off.
Slide the Toggle backwards on the Google Home Max. When the
mic is turned off, the toggle will show orange colour.
On Google Nest Wi-Fi, slide the toggle beside the power
cord. The toggle shows orange when the microphone is off.
Didn't want to turn off the mic? To take a little break from
your virtual assistant, enable the Google Home app, press preferences, then
digital well-being, and follow the planning directions.
Siri
Like the Echo, Siri is always alert, even though you forgot
your iPhone. In iOS 8, Apple launched the "Hey Siri" wake phrase to
call Siri without even touching your iPhone. Turning on this feature means your
iPhone's microphone is always listening, waiting for the word "Hey
Siri."
Apple says this is done remotely on the phone, so your iOS the system will not start recording your voice before you hear "Hey
Siri." After your request has been listed, it will send the audio file to
Apple's servers for extraction. But if you still having a doubt, then you don't have to
fully disable Siri to avoid the "Hey Siri" function. Here's the fastest way to turn off "Hey Siri:" Navigate to Settings > >
General > > Siri on your iOS device, then switch "Hey Siri"
off.
Cortana
Like others on this list, Cortana will answer questions,
scan, set schedules, and open applications. The wake expression is "Hi
Cortana." Like others, Cortana caused concern. Here's how to turn off
"Hey Cortana" on your Windows computer, pick the Laptop icon in the
right column, press Settings, then switch off "Hey Cortana."
Facebook Portal
To toggle off the portal camera or mic, slide the toggle on
top of the portal all the way to the left. A red light warns you the mic and
camera are off.
Slide the toggle on top of Portal's frame into center
position to turn off the camera. You'll see a closure over the camera lens when
you turn off the camera.
On Portal+ and Portal (Gen 1), tap the circle button above
your computer. A red light on your Portal front informs you when the mic and
camera are switched off. You can also use a camera cover to protect your Portal
camera if you don't use the device.
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