Signs Your Phone Is Listening To You
By Nick Hadji
11 months ago
1. How Could Your Phone Be Listening To You?
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Technology these days is super-duper, as we know, but it also means it can work against you. Your phone could easily be listening to you because it's equipped with microphones, cameras and everything in between. And with most phones set to hands-free as much as possible these days, your phone could definitely be listening.Originally sourced from Femanin.2. Why Would It Be Eavesdropping?
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Your phone could be eavesdropping on you because it wants to give you the most personalized experience, as well as collect data about you. This means third parties can more easily give you ads and personalized web experiences. But your phone could also be eavesdropping on you if it's been tapped or compromised!3. Signs Your Phone Is Listening In: You've Started Getting Ads For Something You've Mentioned Out Loud
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Did you randomly mention to yourself the other day that 'Oh, I could do with one of those (enter object name here)' and now you're noticing that you're getting ads on your webpages tailored for that very thing you mentioned you needed? Your phone must have heard, right?4. And You've Definitely Never Searched For The Topic!
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Of course, in this day in age, the minute you think of something you need, the logical next step is to quickly grab your phone and Google for what you need. But maybe you mentioned it was something you needed and hadn't got round to searching for it yet - so there's no other explanation other than your phone listening.5. You Discuss A Vay-Cay With Friends - And Suddenly Getting Ads
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The last time your friends were round for a catch up, and your phone was lying innocently on the couch next to you, were you talking loudly about the next vacation you all needed, and where you wanted to go? Did you then notice ads popping up on your phone for vacations in that very destination?6. Your Battery Is Always Super Drained
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Have you noticed that you're always charging your phone recently? Even when you've barely used it, does your battery always seem to be drained? This could be a sign that your phone is working overtime in the background, listening to you, but also could be compromised by spyware that's using the battery.7. Even When You've Barely Used Any Apps!
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There are many logical reasons your battery could be draining even when you think you're not using your phone a lot, because apps and notifications running in the background can easily drain battery even when you're not using your phone. So if you know you've closed all apps and your battery is still being drained, this is a sign.8. Your Phone Feels Weirdly Hot
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Have you noticed that when you pick your phone up sometimes, or when it's in your pocket, it suddenly burns quite hot? There have been issues with batteries overheating on some phone models, but if your phone is just weirdly hot for no reason, it could be a sign it's working hard in the background.9. You're Always Going Over Your Data (And You Don't Know Why!)
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Are you sick of getting constant notifications saying that you've gone over your data for the third month in a row, and you have no idea how when you've barely using the internet while roaming? Are you constantly racking your brains to how you've done it? It doesn't make sense, right?10. Or You've Been Told You're Using More - When You're Not
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You know full well that you haven't used more data, even though you're being told by your provider that you have. So this means your phone is likely using the data for you - listening to you, working in the background, and tailoring internet apps! You don't even doubt yourself, you know your phone must be working against you!11. You've Noticed Apps You Don't Want On Your Phone
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Your phone has a LOT of apps on it - but hey, they're all useful, right? - but you've also noticed recently that you have random apps you don't remember installing. It might just be one hiding in the background, but it could be a sign your phone has been tapped and things are installing without your approval.12. And You're Bombarded With Ads
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Another sign that your phone might be listening to you and what you're looking for is that you're absolutely bombarded with ads and pop-ups, every single time you go onto the internet or try and search for something. The ads are tailored but also obviously spam.13. Your Phone Doesn't Seem To Be Performing Well Anymore
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You got an expensive contract for the latest and greatest phone, so you'd expect it to work perfectly for a long time, right? But you've noticed recently your phone doesn't seem to be performing very well - it might be slow and clunky and feel like it's trying to do a lot, which could be a sign someone has tapped or is listening.14. You're Getting A LOT Of Spam Calls
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We all get spam calls from time to time, and especially when we've taken out a new contract or signed up to subscription emails - and we all know how annoying spam calls can be. But if you're seeing a huge influx of spam calls from nowhere, it can be a sign your phone has been tapped.15. And Even Weird-Looking Texts
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Spam texts can also happen as often as spam calls, but it's rare that spam texts are completely nonsensical! Spam texts are usually 'follow this link to track your package' vibes, but if you have texts that seem like random code, it could be a sign of being tapped or someone listening through your phone.16. Your Contacts Have Said They've Been Getting Strange Messages From You
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Have you had your friends and family say that they've got random messages from you? Whether texts or email? Messages written as though they're from you but inviting them to do something dodgy like click a suspicious link? This could be a sign your phone has been infiltrated!17. Websites You Click On Look A Tad Different!
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Have you noticed when you're browsing on your phone - and maybe even those websites you've had tailored ads for (because your phone has been listening to you!) - the websites you visit look a little off, like maybe pixelated logos, old-fashioned fonts or tabs that don't work?18. Your Phone Randomly Lights Up
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Do you leave your phone beside you, or across the room, and notice it lighting up without you even touching it or saying anything? This could be your phone 'coming awake' because it's listening to what you're saying without you needing to touch it, or prompt it.19. And It's Very Temperamental!
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You've also noticed that a lot of the time, your phone doesn't do what you're asking it to do. You might try to press certain buttons to find they don't work, or it locks itself, maybe even types its own words and goes crazy when you're trying to send a message. This could also be a sign!20. Your Phone Camera Turns On Randomly
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You'll be casually browsing your phone only for the camera app to open itself, whether the front-facing or the back-facing. Or you might find your phone is across the room and when you pick it up, the camera app is open even though you don't remember opening it...21. And Your Microphone Does, Too
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You might also get a notification that your microphone has just switched on, or it's on when you're sure you turned it off before. You might have noticed you're getting personalized ads because your microphone switched on and heard you when you were talking, rather than you manually putting it on.22. You Have Suspicious Profiles On Your Phone
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On your phone, whether Android or iPhone, you should have one 'admin' profile, which is your own and the 'official' one. But if you go into your settings, is there more than one profile there? As well as admin, is there another random profile that looks a bit suss?23. You Might Hear Clicking During A Call
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When you're having a phone call, one of the most obvious signs that someone is listening in, or your phone is listening to you, is hearing certain noises during the call. The clicking can suggest someone trying to 'tap' in, or may have already tapped in to your conversation.24. Is It Legal For My Phone To Listen To Me?
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It's not illegal for apps like Siri or Google to listen to you if you have voice control set up, and if your phone is listening in unprompted to tailor ads and things to you. This is a way of more 'innocent' data collection in that phone providers are just trying to tap into things about you.25. Should I Be Worried?
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You shouldn't be worried if you've noticed things like Siri are doing things unprompted, or if you have tailored ads that pop up a reasonable amount! What's worrying is if your phone is listening to you because it's been tapped rather than simple data collection - and this is flagged up by the more serious behaviour, like battery drain, suspicious messages or random apps.26. How To Stop Your Phone Listening: Turn Off Your Microphone!
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A good place to start if you don't want your phone listening to you is to manually switch off things like Siri or Okay Google so that they're not 'ready' to listen to your voice. You can then also choose to have your microphone always switched off until a time you need to switch it back on.27. Keep Your Software Updated
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Software updates are there to help keep you - and your phone - as protected as possible, with the latest security updates. So if you've been dodging those popups saying 'update will try again later' because your phone is never charged, now is the time to install updates!28. Double Check Your Privacy Settings
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You can better control what your phone can do, or who can access your data, using your phone's privacy settings. You can manually pick and choose what you want your phone to know, and what you don't want it to know, like turning off your location settings until you need them.29. You Might Want To Use A VPN Shield
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A VPN is a great way to protect your phone's data, and especially if you're regularly on the road and connecting to public WiFi all the time. A VPN will help to keep people out that you don't want tapping into your phone, and help to keep yourself safe while browsing online.30. And Don't Visit Dodgy Sites!
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To give yourself the best chance of not having your phone hacked into and capable of listening to what you're doing, stick to the safe sites only! Dodgy sites will only increase the risk of making your phone vulnerable, especially if you're entering personal information or downloading anything.31. And Now.. Signs You're Being Spied On! You're Always Bumping Into The Same Person In Public
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An introverts worse nightmare, but there could actually be something important going on here. If it's someone you don't know very well, or maybe a vague acquaintance, that you've bumped into so many times in different locations at different times, there could be a reason they know exactly where you're going to be, and when.32. Does An Ex Know More Than They Should?
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Have you kept in contact with an ex to sort through some final things, or maybe even getting divorced, and they keep saying or doing things that make you wonder? Are they providing details about your life or finances since your split that they definitely shouldn't know?33. If You're In Business, You ALWAYS Get Outbid
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It doesn't matter if you're the CEO of a company or you're trying to bid for a random pair of shoes on eBay, there's ALWAYS someone who outbids you, no matter what you do. And is it always the same person? Do they seem to know exactly what you're looking for, every time?34. Your Electrical Wall Plates Are Slightly Out Of Place
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Whether it's your home or your office, have you noticed that one of the wall plates seems slightly askew, or just looks weird? Maybe you just have a feeling it looks different in some way but you can't put your finger on it. Look out for this on light switches or even smoke alarms - it could be a sign of a hidden bug.35. You've Noticed Debris On The Floor
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This could be a very subtle dusting of debris or what looks like very fine dust, and if this is directly beneath a wall socket or switch, then this is another sign it's been recently moved or adjusted to plant something there. Debris on the floor, even in a tiny bit, is a good indicator.36. Your Vinyl Baseboards Look Different
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The vinyl baseboard, at the place where the wall meets the floor, is another favorite place for bugs or surveillance equipment, whether in the home or the office. If you notice a ridge, bump, discoloration or movement on your baseboard, it could need further investigation!37. You've Noticed Discoloration On Ceilings Or Walls
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It might be very, very small and you might have to get a magnifying glass and start expecting every single thing - but if it's there, it could be a sign of being bugged. The discoloration, that could be a tiny mark the size of a coin, might be the impression left from spyware.38. Some Familiar Item Suddenly Looks... Off
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You've had the same decor items in your home, or your office, since the dawn of time and suddenly, something that has always been there, doesn't look quite right. It hasn't changed, it hasn't moved, but you just know there's something different about it. This could be a sign of being tampered with.39. You've Noticed White Dusting.. Near A Colored Wall
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As mentioned with the wall switch situation, any messing could have left some dust debris on the floor beneath. But if you've white dust at the base of a wall that you painted a very obvious bright color, the white paint could come from inside the wall, when pushed to the outside with a drill or other equipment.40. You've Noticed Chips In Your Tiles
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If you've got tiles in your home's kitchen, your bathroom or your office's canteen, have you noticed sudden tiny cracks, chips or something else wrong with the surface of them? Any sort of chip or crack could be because the hole space is then used for recording equipment.41. You've Noticed Things Have Moved - But Nothing's Missing
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You're dealing with a spy and not a thief after all! This means they could have been through your things with the intention of looking for information to read or to see, without the intention of actually stealing anything. So you may have noticed your pile of mail, or your office in-tray, has been messed with.42. There's Something New
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Have you noticed a new plant in your office, or a new piece of artwork on the wall? You asked your colleagues but they don't know anything about it. Or maybe even the simplest little accessory in your home that you don't remember buying. These could all be props for spyware!43. The Locks On Your Doors Are Suddenly Getting Stuck
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Have you noticed your locks have begun to get stuck out of nowhere? Where it can't be blamed on old locks or change in weather? This is particularly important if it's your front door locks, locks to your commercial building or even if you have a lock on your office door.44. Things Have Actually Been Broken Into
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The key point here is that you've had things broken into, but nothing ever stolen. Whether it's your home, your office building, your office itself, or even your car - but nothing whatsoever taken - it can be a sign you've been targeted or someone is looking for information.45. You've Been Gifted Electronic Gear
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This one depends entirely on the gift-buyer, of course, because we're not going to complain about a bestie buying you a new Bluetooth speaker. But if you've been receiving electronic goods - like clocks, speakers, cameras etc. - as gifts from people you barely know (maybe clients at work, or friends of friends) it's a bit suss - because they could contain surveillance gear.46. You've Been Receiving Weird Stuff In The Mail
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Have you been receiving random stuff in the mail that has no relevance to you? It could for a start be the electronic gear we mentioned, or it could be random things fitted with some sort of mic or camera. Random things sent in the mail can be the perfect guise sometimes, if you just chuck it on the side.47. Or Maybe Even A Photo Or Transcript
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The person spying on you might have even decided to gloat about it or be a bit more obvious, and sent you a photograph of yourself in a public place, or meeting up with friends, or maybe even a full transcript of a private convo. This is their way of telling you.48. 'Third Party' People Seem To Know A Heck Of A Lot
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This could be third parties at work, or just people in your social circle, but whoever they are, they seem to know a lot of information that you're pretty sure was confidential. Whether it's a business document or something you told a friend in secret, how did they get this information?49. You've Had Utility People Randomly Turn Up
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A trick often used by people up to no good, you might have had people turning up on your doorstep claiming to be people from your gas company, your electric company, or the plumber. You know you didn't book them, and it may seem like an honest mistake - but they could be trying their luck.50. Your TV Or Radio Gets Interference
