Google concedes that its voice assistant can listen to you without your consent

During a meeting with an Indian government committee, Google executives made compromising revelations. The voice assistant would be able to listen to you even when you have clearly expressed your refusal.

It is a fear that has been expressed in public opinion for several years now. The Indian government is concerned about the new developments put forward by the American company concerning its voice assistant. Google representatives were more vocal than expected. The products equipped with the intelligent assistant are able to listen to their users even when the latter have refused such provisions. This is the first time the company has publicly recognized this element.

Google recognizes eavesdropping to improve its voice assistant

As it stands, this means that all connected products and smartphones are able to listen to you against your will. According to information published by India Today and relayed by Frandroid, Google officials were heard by a government commission in the country. They admitted that the new functionality of the voice assistant involved a few elements such as the fact that the product in question listens to you without being asked. Worse, your smart speaker can even record snippets of conversations.

It is common knowledge that the engineers of the American firm have access to a few anonymous conversations. On the other hand, this is the first time that this procedure has been accepted without the magic word “Ok Google”. The managers interviewed attest that the eavesdropping concerns everyday conversations and not sensitive content. As to how the content is deemed “sensitive” by the company, the mystery remains unresolved. The Mountain View firm has always justified these eavesdropping by the desire to improve its voice assistant for everyday life.

In light of these revelations, the breach of privacy could be clearly established by the Indian government. The final report issued by the commission must rule on this case before possibly sanctioning the company.

Source: Frandroid