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Original poster

To think amazon are spying on me through my phone?

59 replies

DojaCat · 23/02/2020 08:37

I've been going through phonics books with DD for the past couple of days.

I haven't bought anything, I've just been using books that have been sitting on the shelf for months that I bought from Costco, so nothing to do with Amazon.

I'm wondering if amazon have been listening through my phone somehow (audio?) as now they're recommending phonics books to me.

I'm freaked out and pissed off. I even get some MN adverts are for things DP has bought online and not through me which is weird.

Wtf is going on?

OP posts:
Weebitawks · 23/02/2020 08:38

Yes the are. I thought everyone knew this ?

Weebitawks · 23/02/2020 08:39

*they

VivaLeBeaver · 23/02/2020 08:39

Yes, this has happened to me before. Not sure it was Amazon but just the targeted adverts in the side of websites such as MN have changed to stuff I’ve had a conversation about but not googled.

Enchiladas · 23/02/2020 08:40

This kind of thing happens to me all the time. It's very unsettling and is an invasion of privacy, I don't know how it's legal (I only assume it is).

BillywilliamV · 23/02/2020 08:40

Have you got the audio assistant switched on your phone, or Alexa in the house?
We are approving Amazon for data storage at work, the project is called Pr oject Skynet

Suze1621 · 23/02/2020 08:41

Not just Amazon. I was talking to my friend about her travel plans to an unusual destination next year. Within the hour was receiving adverts for flights to that same destination!

Original poster
DojaCat · 23/02/2020 08:46

Yes the are. I thought everyone knew this ?

I didn't know this. How are they doing this?

OP posts:
Original poster
DojaCat · 23/02/2020 08:46

Not sure if audio assistant is on and we dont have Alexa or Google Home.

OP posts:
Scunnnnnered · 23/02/2020 08:49

Everyone is including Mumsnet.

Scunnnnnered · 23/02/2020 08:50

If you have Alexa it’s easy enough to turn it off listening anyway.

coconuttelegraph · 23/02/2020 08:51

There are two camps on this, those who it's happened to and know it happens and those who are equally adamant that it couldn't possibly be the case and come up with all kinds of fanciful explanations for what you have experienced.

Amazon have confirmed that people listen in to Alexa conversations, in fact I watched the documentary about it just yesterday (you can find it on iplayer)

Make sure you have microphone permissions turned off an your phine apps

BikeRunSki · 23/02/2020 08:52

It’s not just Amazon and it’s not just your phone. 1984 is much closer than you think, it’s just softer than George Orwell predicted.

SaskiaRembrandt · 23/02/2020 08:53

I didn't know this. How are they doing this?

They can listen through the microphone on your phone. It's not just Amazon, other companies do it too.

You can turn it off, but how you do that will depend on what kind of phone you have. Generally, go into apps, open up the settings for Amazon, and remove permission for it to access the microphone. You might want to have a look to see what else it has access that you would prefer it not to.

FecktheBoss · 23/02/2020 08:53

I think they place cookies on your devices which can capture the information. Run a scan of your security software and it may tell you which ones / apps are invading privacy.

GingerGingerGingerGinger · 23/02/2020 08:56

Yes, it's interesting how people have ageeed to having spying devices in their homes because they are also perceived as being useful and fun (and they even pay to have them). If asked if they would agree to having a spying/listening device in their home/handbag I am sure nobody would ageee to it!

adaline · 23/02/2020 08:57

Yeah, they all do it. It's how they make their money.

teapotter · 23/02/2020 08:57

Or- they could have worked out the age of your child. They know that people who bought newborn stuff 3 or 4 years ago tend to buy phonics stuff now. It’s a trend they see in their data. They also advertise newborn stuff 9 months after you buy pregnancy kits, but now you can opt out of it, which is good for those who have lost a baby.

The stuff about your dp is presumably because you share an IP address (your router/WiFi). They don’t know if you’re the same person on two devices or two different people.

RoLaren · 23/02/2020 09:05

I was reading an old email from 2008 (not out loud) which mentioned a specific obscure book. Clicked off Hotmail, went onto Facebook and there the book is being advertised for sale on Amazon. Freaked me right out.

ComeOnGordon · 23/02/2020 09:21

I’ve had this happen to me on so many occasions - had a conversation about cheap hoop earrings with one of my kids and got an ad on fb for them that eve. Adverts for holidays if I’ve spoken to a friend about them.
It saddens me but I don’t want to live without my phone so it feels like a necessary evil 😢but I agree 100% with the PP - I judge anyone who is stupid enough to buy an Alexa and add to the spying devices they have in their house just so it will play them some music 🤦🏼‍♀️

coconuttelegraph · 23/02/2020 09:21

I was reading an old email from 2008 (not out loud) which mentioned a specific obscure book. Clicked off Hotmail, went onto Facebook and there the book is being advertised for sale on Amazon. Freaked me right out

That one I'll give you, that is freaky Grin

mouldygrapes · 23/02/2020 09:26

I was having a phone conversation with my mum about searching for small bedside tables as we have limited space in our bedroom - hung up the phone and this was the first ad I saw on Instagram

To think amazon are spying on me through my phone?
mouldygrapes · 23/02/2020 09:28

Also at this stage I hadn’t searched for any online, so the only reference had been the words I’d said

Teacup34 · 23/02/2020 09:29

My phone spies on me it's done it for a long time for example we were talking about mattresses the other day and since have been having adverts for mattresses. It sounds cometely mad when u say it but it happens all the time!!

coconuttelegraph · 23/02/2020 09:49

It sounds cometely mad when u say it but it happens all the time!!

It doesn't sound mad at all, it's how things work nowadays. it's quite widely known.

Bluntness100 · 23/02/2020 09:51

Yes, there is a wee man sitting with his headphones on tracking your movements, on line,

Or you accepted cookies,,hmm,, wonder which it is,😂