Digital Assistants: Friend or Foe to Your Privacy?

Imagine tucking yourself into bed and realizing you forgot to turn off the lights or lock the door. Well, it’s no longer a problem as now digital assistants and voice-activated tech will do it for you. Just say the word. Literally!

Whether you’re asking digital assistants, like Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant, to adjust the lights, play your favorite songs, or remind you about your dentist appointment, the technology has woven itself deeply into our daily routines.

It’s free, fast, and quite convenient.

But there’s a flip side to all that ease.

Behind every “Hey Siri” or “Alexa, call Mom” is a powerful system that’s always listening, collecting data, and learning more about you than you might realize.

As increasing cases of digital assistants capturing and misusing data are uncovered, experts are asking: Is the convenience worth the security risk?

In this article, we’ll explore how digital assistants work, what kind of data they gather (spoiler: it’s more than just your voice), and how it may be putting you and your loved ones in danger. But worry not, we’ll also share advice straight from the experts about the steps you can take to protect yourself.

The rise of digital assistants

We’ve gone from using tech to speak to others to talking to the devices themselves. From making a note on the go, dialing a call, setting a timer to even writing articles without moving a finger, modern voice-enabled devices have changed the way we get things done.

Today, millions rely on these virtual helpers for both big and small tasks. It’s not just early adopters or tech enthusiasts jumping on board. A 2017 survey by Pew Research found that nearly 50% of U.S. adults use a digital voice assistant.

So, what is it about these digital assistants that has us hooked? How does it all work? What are the consequences of letting tech become so ingrained in our lives?

How digital assistants work

At their core, voice assistants are always-listening devices designed to respond to spoken commands. Whether embedded in a speaker, phone, car, or kitchen appliance, most follow the same process:

1. Wake word activation

Devices are always passively listening for a specific trigger phrase, like “Alexa” or “Hey Siri.”

2. Recording and transmission

Once activated, the device records what you say and streams the audio to cloud servers run by their company, like Amazon, Google, Apple, etc.

3. Processing and action

The cloud system uses artificial intelligence to interpret your request, fetch an answer, or control connected devices.

4. Feedback and learning

Responses are delivered back to you, and some companies retain recordings to “improve service,” troubleshoot, or train algorithms.

What data do digital assistants collect?

The biggest concern with using these digital assistants is that they’re “always listening” for wake words (though not always recording), raising concerns about just how much data is collected and what happens when sensitive information gets in the wrong hands.

Today, most modern voice assistants amass an impressive (and potentially troubling) amount of information, including:

Voice recordings

• Commands and queries: Every voice request you make is recorded, often with samples retained for quality improvement and AI training.
  
• Background audio: Accidental wake words can mean your assistant records personal conversations that you most likely don’t want it to.

Personal and device data

• Contact lists, calendar, reminders, and app data
• Message content (if you use voice-to-text or send messages verbally)
• Location data, including precise GPS information
• Search and browsing history
• Activities like songs listened to, purchases made, and smart home usage

Home environment data

With smart home integrations, assistants monitor who is home (via connected phones), times you come and go, and which security devices are activated.

Third-party app data and plugins

Many assistants allow connections to third-party “skills,” potentially widening the circle of who accesses your data.

Voice profiles

Some digital assistants build voice profiles, learning to identify different household members by their unique speech patterns.

How digital assistants can put you at risk

With the amount of data voice assistants collect, it’s often discovered that much of it is used for more than just executing your commands. Whether it’s snooping on your private conversations or selling information to advertisers, here are the ways digital assistants can cause trouble.

Accidental activation and false positives

Voice assistants don’t always get it right: misheard “wake words” can cause them to record without your intent.

These unintentional recordings may pick up private or sensitive conversations, which could be stored and analyzed. In many cases, this information can be shared with advertisers for targeted campaigns.

Data breaches and hacking

Any data collected and stored (especially in the cloud) can be a potential target for hackers. If a service is compromised, malicious parties could access your voice recordings, device data, or even control your smart home.

Corporate data use

Tech companies often use your queries and recordings to improve their algorithms. Human review scandals at major providers revealed that real employees sometimes listen to anonymized recordings for quality assurance.

Smart home security gaps

Integrating assistants with connected locks, cameras, or alarms can raise the stakes—if your assistant is compromised, so is your home.

Potential for eavesdropping and surveillance

Recent cases have shown it’s possible to hack into these devices and silently activate microphones to capture information. This can have severe consequences for both individuals and businesses with an exponentially growing threat of data breaches.

Legal and law enforcement access

Police have, in some cases, requested access to smart speaker recordings for use in investigations. Depending on your country, companies may be obligated to comply.

Are digital assistants worth the risk?

Despite the privacy and security risks, digital assistants offer several perks that have made them essential for millions of users.

Convenience and efficiency

The biggest reason people turn to digital assistants is convenience. It’s just so easy! Just say the word and the task is done. Once you get used to such efficiency, it can be hard to go back to doing everything manually.

Accessibility

For people with limited mobility, vision, or dexterity, voice assistants can be a necessity. These have helped them execute tasks independently that once required help from loved ones.

Smart home automation

Digital assistants let you not just automate but also integrate your entire system so a single tool can manage your lights, thermostat, doors, appliances, and even car.

Personalized experiences

Assistants learn your habits, recommend music, suggest reminders, and tailor responses. Detailed profiling and voice recognition can further create a highly personalized experience.

Enhanced safety for specific groups

Elderly and patients can use voice assistants for emergency calls, medication reminders, or to control home environments with limited need for mobility.

How to protect yourself

You don’t have to give up on using voice assistants to keep yourself safe. Here are some measures you can take to minimize the risks and enjoy the convenience.

Review and adjust privacy settings

• Delete your voice history periodically. Most platforms allow you to review and erase stored conversations.
• Opt out of human review wherever possible.
• Limit data sharing with third-party apps or “skills.”

Physical controls

• Use mute buttons to disable microphones when privacy is essential.
• Power down or unplug devices during sensitive conversations.

Placement matters

Avoid placing devices in bedrooms, home offices, or other private areas if you’re worried about unintended eavesdropping.

Control device interactions

Manage which devices your assistant can control. Think carefully before granting access to locks, security cameras, or alarms.

Regular review

• Periodically revisit your assistant’s privacy/permission settings, especially after software updates.
• Check the device’s “activity” logs to see what commands have been recorded or actions taken.

Use strong authentication

Protect your account with unique, complex passwords and, where possible, two-factor authentication.

Educate your household

• Make sure family (especially kids and older adults) know key privacy habits and limitations.
• Remind guests that a voice assistant may be actively listening.

Understand privacy policies

• Always read and understand your provider’s privacy terms and update them as policies change.
• Proactively seek out and enable any new privacy features manufacturers roll out.

The future of privacy in a world of digital assistants

There’s hope on the horizon as privacy and security requirements are evolving to keep pace with the rise in voice-activated tech.

Here are some changes in the near future that might make using digital assistants more secure:

• Manufacturers are gradually rolling out on-device processing options (keeping conversations local rather than sending to the cloud).
• Regulators in the U.S., Europe, and elsewhere are considering stricter data protection rules for smart devices.
• Devices are expanding capabilities for users to gain better control over their data.
• However, not all is rosy. As more complex features are introduced, there’s more room for data misuse, which brings an increased need for vigilance.

How to take control of your digital footprint?

Smart speakers and digital assistants are just one piece of your data ecosystem. You probably don’t even know just how much information about you is floating around in places it shouldn’t be.

Well, worry not.

BeenVerified can help.

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Check your digital footprint, protect your privacy, and get the power of information on your side. Sign up for BeenVerified today.

*Vehicle reports are based on data available and may not include historical accident records in all states.