Most voters fear AI could overtake humans, new poll finds<\/a><\/h4>\nKurt \u2018CyberGuy\u2019 Knutsson discusses a new poll on American voters\u2019 concerns about artificial intelligence, explains how robots are being deployed to help seniors combat social isolation, and more on \u2018Fox & Friends First.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nNEW<\/span>You can now listen to Fox News articles!\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\nMany of the apps and devices we use every day contain privacy terms most people never read. Yet those clauses often allow extensive data harvesting, behavioral tracking and long-term storage of personal information. Some even allow companies to access recordings or share data with partners.<\/p>\n
The reality is simple. Smart devices inside your home and car can build detailed profiles about your daily life. Your schedule. Your habits. Even your conversations. One way I explain this to people is simple. Your phone knows where you go. Your smart home knows what you do when you get there. I unpack how this works in everyday life on my Beyond Connected podcast at getbeyondconnected.com<\/strong><\/i>. In many cases, these devices are not just reacting to you. They are actively logging, analyzing, and storing your behavior by default, often without you realizing it.<\/p>\nLet’s walk through five privacy clauses<\/a> that surprise most people. We will start with number five and count down to the most unsettling one.<\/p>\nYOUR PHONE SHARES DATA AT NIGHT: HERE’S HOW TO STOP IT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n![\"Google](\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/1200\/675\/google-nest.jpg?ve=1&tl=1\")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n\n\nThe Nest Audio, the newest speaker with a virtual assistant by Google, is being exhibited on the Android Smart Home display during the Mobile World Congress 2023 on March 2, 2023, in Barcelona, Spain.<\/span> (Joan Cros\/NurPhoto)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nSign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.<\/li>\n
- For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com<\/u><\/strong><\/i> trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.<\/p>\n
Clause No. 5: ‘We log and share your driving data’<\/strong><\/h2>\nToday’s vehicles are no longer just transportation. Many now operate as connected computers on wheels. Connected vehicle platforms and systems, such as Android Automotive OS, collect large amounts of telemetry data.<\/p>\n
That can include:<\/p>\n
\n- Vehicle speed<\/li>\n
- Seat usage<\/li>\n
- Climate controls<\/li>\n
- Location and trip data<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Researchers have found that vehicles may gather dozens or even hundreds of data points during normal driving. In some cases, researchers found that vehicle speed can be logged as frequently as 25 times per second, creating a highly detailed record of how you drive.<\/p>\n
What this means for drivers<\/strong><\/h3>\nYour car may know:<\/p>\n
\n- Where you drive<\/li>\n
- When you drive<\/li>\n
- How aggressively you accelerate or brake<\/li>\n
- Which seats are occupied<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
That data can be used to infer stops, turns, and even risky driving behavior. In some cases, it may also be shared with third parties for advertising, insurance, or financing purposes. In other words, your vehicle can create a detailed picture of your driving behavior and routines. Many drivers never realize how much information their car collects.<\/p>\n
\n![\"Alexa+](\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/1200\/675\/istock-1150572105.jpg?ve=1&tl=1\")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n\n\nThe new Alexa+ is powered by a more responsive AI.<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nClause No. 4: ‘We track what you watch’<\/strong><\/h2>\nYour television<\/a> may be one of the most active data collectors in your home. Many smart TVs from brands like Samsung, LG, and Roku use a technology called Automatic Content Recognition, often shortened to ACR.<\/p>\nACR can analyze what appears on your screen across:<\/p>\n
\n- Streaming apps<\/li>\n
- Cable television<\/li>\n
- Gaming consoles<\/li>\n
- HDMI devices<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
This technology works in real time, identifying what you are watching and reporting that information back to the company. Some policies even state that snippets of audio or video may be shared with third parties to match ads to your viewing. Some lawsuits have alleged that certain TVs capture screenshots extremely frequently to identify content.<\/p>\n
Why this matters<\/strong><\/h3>\nYour TV can learn:<\/p>\n
\n- What shows you watch<\/li>\n
- When you watch them<\/li>\n
- How long you stay on each program<\/li>\n
- Which devices you connect to the TV<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
That means the show you binge, the time you watch it, and even how long you stay engaged can be packaged and sold to advertisers almost instantly. That viewing data may then be shared with advertising partners to build detailed marketing profiles.<\/p>\n
Clause No. 3: ‘We track your behavior and location’<\/strong><\/h2>\nVideo doorbells are designed to increase home security. Yet they can also gather large amounts of behavioral data. Devices like the Ring Video Doorbell may automatically collect information such as:<\/p>\n
\n- Device identifiers<\/li>\n
- Browsing activity<\/li>\n
- Usage patterns<\/li>\n
- Timestamps<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Privacy disclosures also show that these devices can collect geolocation data, IP addresses, and details about the devices connected to your network.<\/p>\n
What that data can reveal<\/strong><\/h3>\nOver time, a doorbell camera can build a timeline that shows:<\/p>\n
\n- When you leave home<\/li>\n
- When deliveries arrive<\/li>\n
- How often visitors come<\/li>\n
- Which devices connect to your network<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Put together, this creates a detailed map of your daily routine, including when you are home, when you are away, and how your household operates. Individually, these signals seem harmless. Together, they can reveal detailed patterns about your household. If an account is ever compromised, that data can act as a blueprint of your life, not just a camera feed.<\/p>\n
Clause No. 2: ‘Humans may review your recordings’<\/strong><\/h2>\nSome smart devices store recordings that help improve voice recognition and AI systems. Devices that may store recordings include:<\/p>\n
Past regulatory findings have raised concerns about how companies manage that stored data. In some cases, recordings may be accessed by:<\/p>\n
\n- Human reviewers<\/li>\n
- Contractors<\/li>\n
- Internal teams that are training AI systems<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Some company disclosures state that a small number of recordings may be reviewed by research and development teams to improve products and services.<\/p>\n
Why this clause raises eyebrows<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe goal of human review is often to improve voice assistants or detect errors. Still, many users never realize that recordings captured inside their homes may be reviewed by people. That means a conversation in your living room or a clip from your front door could be seen or heard by someone you have never met. Transparency about how this process works remains an ongoing discussion across the tech industry.<\/p>\n
Clause No. 1: ‘We store your voice indefinitely’<\/strong><\/h2>\nVoice assistants sit quietly in kitchens, bedrooms, and living rooms waiting for their wake word. Devices like the Amazon Echo process voice commands in the cloud.<\/p>\n
According to company disclosures, voice interactions can include:<\/p>\n
\n- Audio recordings sent to cloud servers<\/li>\n
- Transcripts stored in your account<\/li>\n
- Voice data used to improve services<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In many cases, these recordings are saved by default and can remain stored indefinitely unless you manually delete them or change your settings.<\/p>\n
Why this is the most surprising clause<\/strong><\/h3>\nOver time, your voice assistant may accumulate years of audio interactions. That can include everything from grocery lists and song requests to conversations you did not even realize were captured. That history can reveal daily routines, requests, shopping habits, and personal questions. Most people never review or delete those recordings.<\/p>\n
Why smart devices are a privacy multiplier<\/strong><\/h3>\nEach individual device collects only part of the picture. Together, they can reveal an astonishing amount of detail about your life. Smart devices inside your home and vehicle may capture:<\/p>\n
\n- Conversations<\/li>\n
- Daily schedules<\/li>\n
- Viewing habits<\/li>\n
- Location history<\/li>\n
- Visitor patterns<\/li>\n
- Voice biometrics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Combined, this data allows companies to build extremely detailed behavioral profiles. That is why privacy experts call connected homes a data multiplier. In many cases, the value of that data is part of the business model, helping offset the cost of the devices themselves.<\/p>\n
5 privacy moves to take back control of your tech<\/strong><\/h2>\nThe good news is you still have ways to reduce how much information your devices collect. Here are a few practical steps that can make a big difference.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n![\"Amazon](\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/1200\/675\/amazon-echo-show.jpg?ve=1&tl=1\")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n\n\nAn Amazon Echo Show 8 smart-home device during the Amazon Devices and Services event at the HQ2 campus in Arlington, Virginia, US, on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. Amazon.com Inc. previewed a push into generative artificial intelligence with new features for its Alexa voice assistant.<\/span> (Al Drago\/Bloomberg)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\u00a0<\/h2>\nNo. 5: Audit your app permissions<\/strong><\/h2>\nStart by reviewing what access your apps have to your devices. If you use smart home apps like Ring, also check in-app privacy settings such as Control Center and turn off sharing with third parties where available.<\/p>\n
On iPhone<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Open Settings<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Tap Privacy & Security<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Select Location Services<\/strong>, Microphone<\/strong> or Camera<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Review which apps<\/strong> have access<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Whenever possible, set location access to While Using the App<\/strong> rather than Always<\/strong>.<\/p>\nOn Android<\/strong><\/p>\nSettings may vary depending on your <\/i>Android phone\u2019s manufacturer<\/a><\/p>\nDATA BROKERS ACCUSED OF HIDING OPT-OUT PAGES FROM GOOGLE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n- Open Settings<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Tap Security and Privacy<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Tap More privacy settings\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Select Permission Manager<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Review Location<\/strong>, Microphone<\/strong>, and Camera<\/strong> permissions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Whenever possible, set location access to Allow only while using the app<\/strong> rather than Allow all the time<\/strong>.<\/p>\nRemoving unnecessary permissions helps limit background tracking.<\/p>\n
No. 4: Turn off smart TV tracking<\/strong><\/h2>\nMost TVs include a setting that controls content tracking.<\/p>\n
Look for options such as:<\/p>\n
\n- ACR<\/li>\n
- Viewing Data<\/li>\n
- Interest-Based Ads<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
On Roku, <\/strong>go to Settings \u2192 Privacy \u2192 Smart TV Experience<\/strong> and disable it. On Samsung, <\/strong>look for Viewing Information Services <\/strong>and turn it off.<\/strong><\/p>\nTurn these features off in the privacy or advertising section of your TV settings.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No. 3: Use stronger passwords<\/strong><\/h2>\nSmart home devices often connect to important accounts. If attackers access those accounts, they may control cameras, speakers, or home automation systems. Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA)\u00a0 whenever available. A password manager can help generate and store secure passwords.<\/p>\n
Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our No. 1 password manager (see Cyberguy.com<\/strong>) pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.<\/p>\nCheck out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com.<\/strong><\/i><\/p>\n
NEW<\/span>You can now listen to Fox News articles!\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Many of the apps and devices we use every day contain privacy terms most people never read. Yet those clauses often allow extensive data harvesting, behavioral tracking and long-term storage of personal information. Some even allow companies to access recordings or share data with partners.<\/p>\n The reality is simple. Smart devices inside your home and car can build detailed profiles about your daily life. Your schedule. Your habits. Even your conversations. One way I explain this to people is simple. Your phone knows where you go. Your smart home knows what you do when you get there. I unpack how this works in everyday life on my Beyond Connected podcast at getbeyondconnected.com<\/strong><\/i>. In many cases, these devices are not just reacting to you. They are actively logging, analyzing, and storing your behavior by default, often without you realizing it.<\/p>\n Let’s walk through five privacy clauses<\/a> that surprise most people. We will start with number five and count down to the most unsettling one.<\/p>\n YOUR PHONE SHARES DATA AT NIGHT: HERE’S HOW TO STOP IT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The Nest Audio, the newest speaker with a virtual assistant by Google, is being exhibited on the Android Smart Home display during the Mobile World Congress 2023 on March 2, 2023, in Barcelona, Spain.<\/span> (Joan Cros\/NurPhoto)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report<\/strong><\/p>\n Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.<\/p>\n Today’s vehicles are no longer just transportation. Many now operate as connected computers on wheels. Connected vehicle platforms and systems, such as Android Automotive OS, collect large amounts of telemetry data.<\/p>\n That can include:<\/p>\n Researchers have found that vehicles may gather dozens or even hundreds of data points during normal driving. In some cases, researchers found that vehicle speed can be logged as frequently as 25 times per second, creating a highly detailed record of how you drive.<\/p>\n Your car may know:<\/p>\n That data can be used to infer stops, turns, and even risky driving behavior. In some cases, it may also be shared with third parties for advertising, insurance, or financing purposes. In other words, your vehicle can create a detailed picture of your driving behavior and routines. Many drivers never realize how much information their car collects.<\/p>\n The new Alexa+ is powered by a more responsive AI.<\/span> (iStock)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Your television<\/a> may be one of the most active data collectors in your home. Many smart TVs from brands like Samsung, LG, and Roku use a technology called Automatic Content Recognition, often shortened to ACR.<\/p>\n ACR can analyze what appears on your screen across:<\/p>\n This technology works in real time, identifying what you are watching and reporting that information back to the company. Some policies even state that snippets of audio or video may be shared with third parties to match ads to your viewing. Some lawsuits have alleged that certain TVs capture screenshots extremely frequently to identify content.<\/p>\n Your TV can learn:<\/p>\n That means the show you binge, the time you watch it, and even how long you stay engaged can be packaged and sold to advertisers almost instantly. That viewing data may then be shared with advertising partners to build detailed marketing profiles.<\/p>\n Video doorbells are designed to increase home security. Yet they can also gather large amounts of behavioral data. Devices like the Ring Video Doorbell may automatically collect information such as:<\/p>\n Privacy disclosures also show that these devices can collect geolocation data, IP addresses, and details about the devices connected to your network.<\/p>\n Over time, a doorbell camera can build a timeline that shows:<\/p>\n Put together, this creates a detailed map of your daily routine, including when you are home, when you are away, and how your household operates. Individually, these signals seem harmless. Together, they can reveal detailed patterns about your household. If an account is ever compromised, that data can act as a blueprint of your life, not just a camera feed.<\/p>\n Some smart devices store recordings that help improve voice recognition and AI systems. Devices that may store recordings include:<\/p>\n Past regulatory findings have raised concerns about how companies manage that stored data. In some cases, recordings may be accessed by:<\/p>\n Some company disclosures state that a small number of recordings may be reviewed by research and development teams to improve products and services.<\/p>\n The goal of human review is often to improve voice assistants or detect errors. Still, many users never realize that recordings captured inside their homes may be reviewed by people. That means a conversation in your living room or a clip from your front door could be seen or heard by someone you have never met. Transparency about how this process works remains an ongoing discussion across the tech industry.<\/p>\n Voice assistants sit quietly in kitchens, bedrooms, and living rooms waiting for their wake word. Devices like the Amazon Echo process voice commands in the cloud.<\/p>\n According to company disclosures, voice interactions can include:<\/p>\n In many cases, these recordings are saved by default and can remain stored indefinitely unless you manually delete them or change your settings.<\/p>\n Over time, your voice assistant may accumulate years of audio interactions. That can include everything from grocery lists and song requests to conversations you did not even realize were captured. That history can reveal daily routines, requests, shopping habits, and personal questions. Most people never review or delete those recordings.<\/p>\n Each individual device collects only part of the picture. Together, they can reveal an astonishing amount of detail about your life. Smart devices inside your home and vehicle may capture:<\/p>\n Combined, this data allows companies to build extremely detailed behavioral profiles. That is why privacy experts call connected homes a data multiplier. In many cases, the value of that data is part of the business model, helping offset the cost of the devices themselves.<\/p>\n The good news is you still have ways to reduce how much information your devices collect. Here are a few practical steps that can make a big difference.\u00a0<\/p>\n An Amazon Echo Show 8 smart-home device during the Amazon Devices and Services event at the HQ2 campus in Arlington, Virginia, US, on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. Amazon.com Inc. previewed a push into generative artificial intelligence with new features for its Alexa voice assistant.<\/span> (Al Drago\/Bloomberg)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Start by reviewing what access your apps have to your devices. If you use smart home apps like Ring, also check in-app privacy settings such as Control Center and turn off sharing with third parties where available.<\/p>\n On iPhone<\/strong><\/p>\n Whenever possible, set location access to While Using the App<\/strong> rather than Always<\/strong>.<\/p>\n On Android<\/strong><\/p>\n Settings may vary depending on your <\/i>Android phone\u2019s manufacturer<\/a><\/p>\n DATA BROKERS ACCUSED OF HIDING OPT-OUT PAGES FROM GOOGLE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Whenever possible, set location access to Allow only while using the app<\/strong> rather than Allow all the time<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Removing unnecessary permissions helps limit background tracking.<\/p>\n Most TVs include a setting that controls content tracking.<\/p>\n Look for options such as:<\/p>\n On Roku, <\/strong>go to Settings \u2192 Privacy \u2192 Smart TV Experience<\/strong> and disable it. On Samsung, <\/strong>look for Viewing Information Services <\/strong>and turn it off.<\/strong><\/p>\n Turn these features off in the privacy or advertising section of your TV settings.\u00a0<\/p>\n Smart home devices often connect to important accounts. If attackers access those accounts, they may control cameras, speakers, or home automation systems. Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA)\u00a0 whenever available. A password manager can help generate and store secure passwords.<\/p>\n Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our No. 1 password manager (see Cyberguy.com<\/strong>) pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.<\/p>\n Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com.<\/strong><\/i><\/p>\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n\n
Clause No. 5: ‘We log and share your driving data’<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
What this means for drivers<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\nClause No. 4: ‘We track what you watch’<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
Why this matters<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
Clause No. 3: ‘We track your behavior and location’<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
What that data can reveal<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
Clause No. 2: ‘Humans may review your recordings’<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
Why this clause raises eyebrows<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Clause No. 1: ‘We store your voice indefinitely’<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
Why this is the most surprising clause<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Why smart devices are a privacy multiplier<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
5 privacy moves to take back control of your tech<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n\u00a0<\/h2>\n
No. 5: Audit your app permissions<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
\n
No. 4: Turn off smart TV tracking<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
No. 3: Use stronger passwords<\/strong><\/h2>\n