I’d much rather be smoking my favorite meats than getting smoked by privacy issues and my Digital Exhaust. So, when it comes to my family’s safety, I don’t have time to joke and smoke.
You can’t rush “low and slow” when it comes to BBQ—and the same goes for your privacy. So pull up a chair, let critical thought marinate, and dig in. Welcome to Smoke Signal.
Bottom Line Up Front: Smart speakers are everywhere—and so is the potential for privacy loss. From 900 million in revenue in 2016 to nearly 12 billion by 2019, smart speakers have exploded into our kitchens, bedrooms, and family spaces. But they haven’t come without controversy. Apple, Amazon, and Google have all been caught reviewing voice recordings, often without consent. Fortunately, you have tools to turn down the heat and reduce your Digital Exhaust.
Amazon
Stop Amazon employees from listening in:
- Open the Alexa app.
- Go to Settings > Alexa Privacy > Manage Your Alexa Data.
- Tap Choose How Long to Save Recordings > Don’t Save Recordings > Confirm.
- Scroll to Help Improve Alexa and turn off Use of Voice Recordings.
Want to go nuclear?
Just tell Alexa:
- “Delete what I just said.”
- “Delete everything I said today.”
- “Delete everything I’ve ever said.”
Or, delete it manually:
- Settings > Alexa Privacy > Review Voice History
- Tap the arrow next to Filter by Date > All History > Delete All My Recordings
They paused human review… but your mic still runs hot.
To turn off voice activity:
On desktop:
- Visit myactivity.google.com
- Click the three-bar menu (☰) > Activity Controls
- Uncheck Include Audio Recordings
On mobile:
- Open the Google Home app
- Tap your Profile Icon > My Activity > Saving Activity
- Toggle Include Audio Recordings off
To delete Google voice history:
- Web & App Activity > Manage Activity
- Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) > Delete Activity By
- Choose a range: Last Hour, Last Day, All Time, etc.
- Or just say: “Hey Google, delete everything I just said.”
Apple
Apple says no recording without consent—but double-check your settings.
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements
- Turn off Improve Siri & Dictation
- Also visit Settings > Siri & Search
- Toggle off Listen for ‘Hey Siri’ if you want maximum silence
To delete Siri history:
- On iPhone/iPad:
Settings > Siri & Search > Siri & Dictation History > Delete Siri & Dictation History - On HomePod:
Open Home app > HomePod Settings > Siri History > Delete Siri History
Final Thought
Smart speakers are helpful—but without proper configuration, they’re always listening. That’s not flavor, that’s data leakage.
The smokehouse rule applies: “If you don’t trim the fat, it’s gonna catch fire.” In this case, the fat is your Digital Exhaust—and your voice data is prime rib for surveillance capitalism. Take control. Delete what you don’t want logged. Opt out when you can. Protect your home like you protect your grill.
Got questions? Want help with configuration? Reach out. This is your pitmaster of privacy—signing off with zero leftovers.
Love you, Splash—James W