How to increase your privacy when using smart speakers
Overheard anything interesting lately? Your smart speaker might have! While Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri are supposed to wake up only when called, they sometimes get a bit too eager – picking up random TV shows, conversations, or similar-sounding words.
Not to worry though. Here's your simple guide to keeping your smart speaker helpful, not nosy.
Why care about smart speaker security?
When your speaker accidentally wakes up, it records and stores those snippets. Companies say they use these recordings to improve their services, but let's be real – do they need years of your coffee-maker chats and late-night snack debates?
3 Simple steps to better smart speaker privacy
Step 1: Use the mute button
Think of it like putting your speaker in time-out. No recording, no listening, no accidents.
- Amazon Echo: Look for the microphone button on top. Red light = muted
- Google Nest/Home: Find the mic switch on the back
- Apple HomePod: Tap the top of HomePod to mute it (red light means it is muted).
Step 2: Clear your voice history
Your past conversations shouldn't live forever in the cloud. Here's how to clean them up:
For Alexa:
- Quick delete: "Alexa, delete what I just said"
- In the app: More → Settings → Alexa Privacy → Manage Voice Recordings
- Set it and forget it: Choose auto-delete after 3 months
For Google:
- Quick delete: "Hey Google, delete everything I said today"
- Better option: Visit Google My Activity → Web & App Activity → Manage Activity
- Pro move: Turn on auto-delete (3, 18, or 36 months)
For Siri:
- Settings → Siri & Search → Siri & Dictation History → Delete
- Bonus: Turn off recording in Privacy & Security → Analytics & Improvements
Step 3: Lock down your privacy settings
Each platform lets you limit how they use your voice data:
- Alexa: App → More → Settings → Alexa Privacy → Manage Your Alexa Data
- Google: Visit Google Activity Controls, uncheck voice recording options
- Siri: Settings → Privacy & Security → Analytics & Improvements
The bottom line
You don't have to choose between convenience and privacy. With these quick tweaks, your smart speaker can stick to what it does best – playing music, setting timers, and telling questionable jokes.
Our dedicated team of cyber risk specialists are available to assist with any concerns or questions about keeping yourself safe online and cyberattacks.