How to prevent Google from listening to and recording your conversations on Android

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Lock mic for Google

Most of us slowly give up our privacy on our mobile device without even realizing it. We already know that Google loves to collect our data, but the arrival of applications like the personal assistant of the Great G suppose a greater intrusion if possible in our lives, since they listen to your conversations constantly to “learn from you”. In this article we will see what you can do to achieve stop Google spying on you once and for all through the audio it records.

How to disable the “Ok Google” command

The command “OK Google” is the one used to “fire” the personal assistant of the Big G, which is included by default in all terminals. For the device to recognize the command, the microphone must be constantly open, which makes it much easier to hear anything we say. To deactivate it, open the app of Google:

Google app on AndroidGoogle app on Android

There click on More> Settings> Voice> Voice Match:

Voice Match in Google settingsVoice Match in Google settings

Click on the control of the first option so that it is deactivated:

Ok Google disabledOk Google disabled

How to prevent Google from accessing your microphone

The next step you have to take is to completely prevent Google from using your phone. To do this, go to the route Settings> Applications and notifications> Google> Permissions and click on Microphone:

Google permissions to access the micro revokedGoogle permissions to access the micro revoked

You will receive a message advising you that some features may not work well (or may be completely disabled). Tap on Deny anyway and leave the microphone option disabled:

Deny microphone permissions to GoogleDeny microphone permissions to Google

How to prevent Google from saving audio recordings

Google is authorized to collect your personal information (most of us have given it to them by accepting certain terms and conditions), so even if we deactivate “OK Google” all the commands that we dictate to our mobile are registered. It’s like a kind of sound record.

To deactivate them you will have to access the page of your Google account, and from there to the route Data and Personalization> Controls of your account activity> Manage controls of your account activity:

Google account managementGoogle account management

On the next screen make sure to uncheck the option Include voice and audio recordings:

Save recordings disabledSave recordings disabled

You can also review the rest of the sections of the page, for greater security.

They are very simple steps as you can see, but if you have never considered them, it is very difficult for you to carry out them yourself. With this you make sure that Google can not continue spying on you through the micro, safeguarding your privacy a little more.