“Alexa, are you spying on me?”
It’s a question more people have shouted at their smart speaker than they’d probably admit.
Smart speakers like Alexa, Google Home, and even Siri are handy little helpers — play music, set alarms, answer random trivia at 2am. But are they secretly listening to everything you say?
Let’s clear this up.
How Smart Speakers Actually Work
Smart speakers are always listening — but not in the way you think.
They’re listening for a “wake word” (like “Alexa” or “Hey Google”). Until they hear it, they’re not actively recording or sending data.
Once the wake word is heard, they:
1. Start recording what you say
2. Send it to the company’s servers
3. Process it and send back a response (like “Playing Queen on Spotify”)
So yes, they’re listening for commands — but they’re not (supposed to be) recording your every word in the background.
Where the Worry Comes From
• Accidental triggers – Sometimes they think they’ve heard the wake word when they haven’t. Cue accidental recording.
• Human reviews – In the past, companies admitted humans sometimes listened to random recordings to “improve the service.” Creepy, right?
• Data storage – Your voice requests are often stored in your account history. Anyone with access could see what you’ve asked.
Real Example
In 2018, a couple in the US found that Alexa had recorded a private conversation and sent it to someone in their contact list — without them asking.
It was rare, but it happened because Alexa misheard commands. And that’s enough to make people nervous.
Do This Today
- Delete old recordings
• Alexa: “Alexa, delete what I just said” or manage in the Alexa app.
• Google: Go to Google Account → Data & Privacy → Voice & Audio. - Change settings
Turn off “Use Voice Recordings to Improve Services” to stop human review. - Mute when not needed
Most devices have a physical mute button for the mic. Handy during family arguments! - Use strong account security
If someone hacks your Amazon or Google account, they can access your recordings. Use strong passwords + 2FA.
Key Takeaway
Smart speakers are helpful, but they’re not your diary. They can mishear, they do store data, and companies have listened to samples.
The good news? You’ve got settings and controls to take back some privacy.
At The Cyber Workshop, our Smart Home Security Workshop (coming soon!) will guide you through locking down not just speakers, but every device that connects to your Wi-Fi — no jargon, just simple steps to keep your home smart and safe.
Till next time,
Remember: if Alexa starts laughing at random in the middle of the night, maybe pull the plug.
