| This is verifiably a real thing (see last 2 paragraphs). You will need to disable microphone access wherever you do not require it, even on your TV. Windows: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/turn-on-app-perm... macOS: https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/control-access-to-t... iPhone: https://www.knowyourmobile.com/user-guides/how-to-stop-your-... Android: https://www.lifewire.com/turn-off-microphone-on-android-5184... TV: tape over the microphones and disable wifi (as some will connect to any open wifi nearby without informing you) Assistants: not possible, simply don't use Alexa, Hey Google, Cortana, etc. Browsers: Go into "Privacy" settings of your browers, generally you can select "always deny" with exceptions where you need them. Other: security cameras (e.g. Nest), doorbells, etc. there is little you can do as you have opted-in to being recorded. --- Microphone use in advertising has been openly marketed by adtech companies for over 10 years. For example, beginning in 2012 Shazam listens for commercials around you and then faciliates concurrently displaying the same advert on your personal device to make sure you saw it. Disabling "always listen" in Shazam might mitigate this. https://www.marketingweek.com/shazam-that-ad/ Listening services can make elite money, so they're common now in places you don't suspect. One big earner is linking a commercial heard (TV, Spotify, movie theater, etc.) to a purchase made, so listeners keep a record that you heard something. For example, they can confirm a "convertion" (payout) if your phone's bluetooth/wifi/etc IDs show's up at Gap store after seeing a Gap ad on TV -- even better if it's linked to your Mastercard/VISA data showing a purchase. That data could be the difference between an adtech company (e.g. Google, AT&T, Adobe, Meta, Amazon) getting paid $0.001 vs $10 for placing an ad in front of you. Edit: legibility, typo |