Is Your Phone Listening to You?

A matching ad after a conversation can feel unsettling. But is your phone really listening?

A concise guide to what the evidence can — and cannot — tell you, covering microphone permissions, voice-assistant settings, advertising controls and location access, with a practical checklist and quick answers.

Inside:

• Microphone permissions and indicators

• Voice-assistant settings

• Advertising controls and location access

• A practical checklist and links to official sources

• An 8-page digital PDF, revised October 28, 2026

Find out what your phone is really doing — and take back control.