> But people willingly bringing always on listening devices in to their homes (beyond what smartphones are already capable of) I just can't comprehend it.
I don't get this position: my (Android) phone can already record my voice, so how does having a Google Home materially increase the privacy risk?
The GH does have access to mains power and a wifi connection, so that makes it easier to record all the time and upload a lot of data vs. a phone, but it seems like a bit of a stretch to me to think that Google would be doing something nefarious with GH and then absolutely nothing on Android. I've also noticed that when I call out to my GH, my phone will usually respond too, so it's not like my phone can't understand me, even when it's in my pocket, so the capability is definitely there.
So if you do trust Google enough to have an Android phone, then you should probably trust them just as much to have a GH. Beyond that, then it just comes down to bugs: what if GH is too sensitive and thinks you've uttered the wake word often when you haven't? Ok, then some conversations may get recorded that you didn't intend. That's certainly a concern, but "I just can't comprehend it" would seem a bit hyperbolic in that case.
> ... includes transcripts or even audio of all your household conversations/activities over the past three years
This seems to indicate to me that you believe that GH etc. are always recording and uploading every sound it hears, all day long, without regard for the wake word. If you believe this, I guess that is your prerogative, but I guess we're probably not going to have a productive discussion here.
«I don't get this position: my (Android) phone can already record my voice, so how does having a Google Home materially increase the privacy risk?»
Indeed. Maybe people don't realize that a smartphone is a much bigger privacy risk. A phone can literally record audio and video, track your position, monitor all your online activity, and upload all that without you even noticing it, even when the screen is off and locked. (This can happen when the phone is hacked or if the OS or device vendors are evil.)
I think people perceive devices like the Echo Dot or Nest Mini as more dangerouse simply because they aren't used to them. But smartphones have existed for more than a decade, so people have long accepted these.
The privacy risk is not the same and the convenience to mitigate is not there
I can leave my phone at home when I go out. In another room. Shut it off. I do all of these things quite regularly.
Do I go around and disable numerous smarthome gadgets for privacy or stick with my oh so terrible life without them? Bonus! I can avoid awkward conversations with my guests.
People buy products because we feel they help us be better. There’s little real utility towards bettering myself with a colorful, and extra power sucking, thermostat at home all the time.
Given how outdated most Android phones are, they are substantially more of a security risk than a Nest (of some sort), Alexa, or Apple smart speaker. With Google your facing someone substantially fucking up, a search warrant, or compromised account. A random compromised Android phone, just about anything or anyone and the only giveaway is going to be the battery draining faster than expected.
Have you ever seen a verified case of a smartphone operating while off? I have only seen rumors. If you are going to be that paranoid then how do you know removing batteries turns it off? Maybe there is a Secret battery for spying on people.
I don't get this position: my (Android) phone can already record my voice, so how does having a Google Home materially increase the privacy risk?
The GH does have access to mains power and a wifi connection, so that makes it easier to record all the time and upload a lot of data vs. a phone, but it seems like a bit of a stretch to me to think that Google would be doing something nefarious with GH and then absolutely nothing on Android. I've also noticed that when I call out to my GH, my phone will usually respond too, so it's not like my phone can't understand me, even when it's in my pocket, so the capability is definitely there.
So if you do trust Google enough to have an Android phone, then you should probably trust them just as much to have a GH. Beyond that, then it just comes down to bugs: what if GH is too sensitive and thinks you've uttered the wake word often when you haven't? Ok, then some conversations may get recorded that you didn't intend. That's certainly a concern, but "I just can't comprehend it" would seem a bit hyperbolic in that case.
> ... includes transcripts or even audio of all your household conversations/activities over the past three years
This seems to indicate to me that you believe that GH etc. are always recording and uploading every sound it hears, all day long, without regard for the wake word. If you believe this, I guess that is your prerogative, but I guess we're probably not going to have a productive discussion here.