
Episode 1040 • • 46:56 - 51:14
1040: Pardon Me
Smartphone Microphone Eavesdropping and App Permissions
A technical analysis of the iOS SDK suggests that third-party apps can access keyword recognition features, potentially allowing phones to "listen" for triggers even when not explicitly activated. While apps must request microphone permission, the hosts argue that users often grant these rights unknowingly during installation. This capability explains why users often see advertisements for products they have only discussed verbally.
