Your phone listens to you even when it’s turned off

The claim that “your phone listens to you even when it’s turned off” is not supported by credible evidence. When a smartphone is fully powered off, its operating system and applications are not running, meaning the microphone cannot actively record or transmit audio. While some apps (like voice assistants) can access the microphone when the phone is on and with user permission, there is no verified proof of widespread secret recording while devices are completely shut down. Investigations by cybersecurity experts and media organizations have found that targeted advertising is far more likely driven by data tracking—such as browsing history, app activity, location data, and online interactions—rather than covert audio surveillance.

Research shows that advertising platforms rely heavily on behavioural data and predictive algorithms to anticipate user interests. A study published by Northeastern University found no evidence of apps secretly recording audio for advertising purposes, but did identify extensive tracking of user data for ad targeting (Murgia, 2018; Northeastern University, 2018). While concerns about privacy are valid—especially regarding data collection practices—the specific claim that phones listen while powered off remains unsupported by technical evidence.

Sources:
Northeastern University. (2018). No evidence of smartphone apps eavesdropping on conversations for ads. https://web.northeastern.edu/seclab

Murgia, M. (2018, July 3). Apps are not listening to your conversations, Northeastern study says. Financial Times.
Federal Trade Commission. (2022). How digital advertising works. https://www.ftc.gov