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The quick and indisputable test to detect if your cell phone really listens to you

Cybersecurity experts reveal a simple four-step test to uncover whether your smartphone is eavesdropping on your private conversations.

Surefire way to catch your phone in the act of spying on you

Ever felt like your phone is spying on you? Picture this: you casually chat with a friend about buying a new car or a TV, and suddenly, ads for those exact items pop up on your phone. Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone. This strange phenomenon has sparked widespread suspicion that smartphones are secretly listening to us.

To settle the debate, NordVPN, a leading cybersecurity company, developed a foolproof test that uses just four simple steps to determine if your phone is eavesdropping. Here’s how it works.

NordVPN’s experiment on phone spying

In their investigation, NordVPN experts spoke aloud specific keywords—ranging from favorite animals and random countries to trending fashion items—within earshot of their phones. They repeated this experiment over several days, monitoring for any changes in the ads that appeared on their devices.

The results were striking. After discussing a hypothetical trip to Saudi Arabia, one researcher began seeing targeted ads across platforms. For instance:

  • Facebook ads from Booking.com showcased hotels in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia, within hours.
  • Over the next few days, apps displayed more ads for hotels in the same region.

Another test focused on the word “orangutan,” a random choice. Shortly after talking about orangutans, the researcher noticed ads for wildlife charities like The Orangutan Project.

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Is it legal for your phone to eavesdrop?

Technically, yes—if you’ve consented to it. Most smartphones and apps require users to agree to terms and conditions that allow access to microphones for “better service.” However, spying without consent is illegal.

To protect yourself from unauthorized listening:

  • Download apps only from official app stores.
  • Regularly review and update app permissions.
  • Be cautious with voice assistants, which collect more data than most apps.

Four-steps to test if your phone is listening

Curious if your phone is secretly eavesdropping? Follow these four steps:

  1. Pick a Topic: Choose a topic you’ve never searched for or spoken about near your phone.
  2. Speak Aloud: Talk about it near your phone for a few days, using relevant keywords.
  3. Act Normally: Continue using your phone as usual—don’t search for the chosen topic online.
  4. Watch the Ads: Analyze the ads that appear on your devices. If you notice related ads, your phone may be listening.

Original article written by Cristian Ciuraneta Catalán, translated with the assistance of AI and edited by Greg Heilman.

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