Ep 7. Is Your Phone Listening To You?

AsapSCIENCE is a YouTube channel that explores various science topics in an engaging and entertaining way. In season 1 episode 7, titled "Is Your Phone Listening To You?", hosts Mitchell Moffit and Gregory Brown delve into the controversial notion that our smartphones are always listening to us.

The episode begins with the hosts acknowledging the common belief that smartphones are constantly recording our conversations in order to target advertisements towards us. They explain that while this is technically possible, it's highly unlikely due to a number of legal and logistical barriers. However, they go on to explain that there are still some ways that our phones could be listening in on us.

One way is through something called "passive listening", which is when our phones are always on and waiting for certain keywords or phrases. The hosts explain that this is how voice assistants like Siri and Alexa work. However, they also note that this passive listening is not always on and is not constantly recording and storing our conversations.

The hosts then discuss some of the potential consequences of our phones constantly listening to us. For example, they mention the possibility of data breaches or the government using this information for surveillance purposes. However, they emphasize that there is no evidence to suggest that this is happening on a large scale.

Next, the hosts explore the phenomenon of "targeted advertising" and how it contributes to the belief that our phones are always listening to us. They explain that while our phones may not be constantly recording our conversations, they are still collecting a wealth of data about us through our search habits, social media activity, and more. Advertisers can then target us based on this data, leading to the eerie feeling that our phones are reading our minds.

To test this theory, the hosts conduct an experiment where they talk about a specific product near their phones to see if they start receiving ads for that product. However, they note that this is not a foolproof experiment and that there are still many factors at play.

The episode concludes with the hosts reflecting on the broader implications of our phones always listening to us. They acknowledge that while there are some potential dangers, there are also many ways that this technology could be used for good. For example, it could lead to more personalized experiences and better accessibility for people with disabilities.

Overall, "Is Your Phone Listening To You?" is a thought-provoking episode that explores a common belief in a scientific and objective way. The hosts present the facts while also acknowledging the emotional and psychological impact of this issue. It's a great example of AsapSCIENCE's ability to make complex concepts accessible and engaging for a broad audience.