Convenience comes at a cost.
You say “Hey Siri,” “Alexa,” or “Hey Google,” and just like that, your smart speaker responds. That’s the magic of voice assistants: hands-free, convenient, and increasingly embedded in our daily lives.
But with that ease comes a hidden price: if your device is always listening, what else is it picking up? Tools like Opera GX, download this fast and lightweight browser now, originally built for gamers, now offer privacy-focused features that help you stay in control while browsing.
This article unpacks how voice assistants work, what kind of data they collect, and how to tweak your settings to keep your conversations private.
1. How smart speakers “listen”
Smart speakers don’t record everything you say (in theory), but they are always passively listening for their wake word. Once they hear it, they activate and begin recording.
Here’s what happens technically:
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Wake word detection happens locally on the device.
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After the wake word (like “Alexa”) is detected, your voice is recorded and sent to the cloud.
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AI analyzes the voice command, and a response is sent back.
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Unless you disable that, many of these recordings are stored and used to train the AI.
Most people assume voice data stays local, but for most assistants, it doesn’t.
2. What data do they collect?
When you speak to a smart speaker, you’re sharing more than just your words.
Collected data can include:
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Your voice and what you said
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Your accent, speech patterns, and emotional tone
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Time, date, and location of requests
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Contextual data like music preferences, purchases, and routines
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This data can be used to:
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Target ads
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Build user profiles
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Improve speech recognition (and train AI)
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Sometimes, even reviewed by humans (yes, real people)
3. Who has access to your voice data?
Depending on the device, your recordings may be accessible to:
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Company employees or contractors (e.g., Amazon, Google)
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Law enforcement (with a subpoena)
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Hackers (in the event of a breach)
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Third-party apps with microphone access
Notable cases:
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In 2019, Amazon admitted that employees listened to Alexa recordings.
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Google was caught accidentally recording conversations even without the wake word.
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Smart speakers have been subpoenaed in court cases for background audio.
Bottom line: your voice commands may not be as private as you think.
4. How to review & delete your voice history
Every major platform lets you review and delete what your speaker has recorded.
Amazon Alexa:
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App > More > Settings > Alexa Privacy
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Tap Review Voice History to listen to and delete recordings.
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Disable “Use Voice Recordings to Improve Amazon Services.”
Google Assistant:
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Go to myactivity.google.com
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Filter by “Voice & Audio”
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You can delete entries or set auto-deletion (3, 18, or 36 months)
Apple Siri:
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iOS Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements
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Toggle off Improve Siri & Dictation
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Delete Siri & Dictation history via Siri > Siri & Search > Siri History
Set reminders to check your voice history monthly.
5. How to limit or disable always-listening features
If you’re uncomfortable with always-on microphones, you can disable or mute them.
Quick Tips:
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Amazon Echo: Press the microphone button on the top to physically disable listening
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Google Nest/Home: Flip the mic switch on the back
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Apple HomePod: Say “Hey Siri, stop listening” or disable Siri in iOS settings
Bonus: Unplug smart speakers entirely during private meetings or conversations.
6. Use Voice assistants locally (when possible)
Newer devices offer on-device processing, which keeps data local and more private.
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Apple’s newer chips (A12 Bionic and up) allow Siri to process certain requests offline.
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Google Assistant on Pixel phones can also run some commands locally.
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Amazon is rolling out edge AI on newer Echo models for basic tasks
Caveat: Full offline support is still limited, but it’s growing.
7. Use alternatives that respect privacy
Some smart devices prioritize privacy from the start.
Privacy-focused voice assistants:
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Mycroft AI: An open-source voice assistant you can host yourself
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Home Assistant with Rhasspy or Almond: Local-only smart home integration
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Jasper (for developers): A platform for building your voice assistant without the cloud
These tools require more setup but offer maximum control.
8. Protect your network
Even with privacy settings in place, your home Wi-Fi is the gateway to all smart devices.
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Change default router passwords.
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Use WPA3 encryption
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Consider setting up a dedicated “Internet of Things” (IoT) network
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Keep all firmware updated.
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Pro tip: Use a VPN router for an extra layer of privacy protection across all devices.
Take back control one setting at a time.
Smart speakers are here to stay. But you don’t have to give up your privacy to enjoy their convenience.
With the right settings, habits, and tools, you can speak freely without someone listening in the background.
