Google does not default to secretly recording microphone audio for targeted ads?

checkthis · automated fact-check · How we check · Reel by @andrewjpdiaz

Google's Voice and Audio Activity setting is off by default, and Google does not use audio recordings to target ads. The Reel claims that Google leaves a microphone recording setting on by default to secretly listen to conversations and target ads. Google support documentation confirms the Voice and Audio Activity setting is off by default and that audio recordings are used only to improve speech recognition, not to deliver personalized ads.

3 claims checked
3 sources
Checked 3 Nov 2026
Main source: Manage audio recordings in your Web & App Activity - Computer - Google Search Help

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The Reel we checked

@andrewjpdiaz

You talked about it out loud. Then the ad showed up. That is not a coincidence. Google has a setting called Include Voice and Audio Activity. It lets them…

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What we checked

Google has a setting called Include Voice and Audio Activity that records audio through your phone's microphone.“Next to 'Include voice and audio activity,' check or uncheck the box. When this voice and audio activity setting is off, audio recordings from voice interactions with Google Search, Assistant, and Map”Manage audio recordings in your Web & App Activity - Computer - Google Search Help

The Voice and Audio Activity setting is turned on by default for most people.No reliable source found for this yet.

Google saves every image you search in your Visual Search History.No reliable source found for this yet.

What the Reel doesn't tell you

Google states in its privacy documentation that the 'Include voice and audio activity' setting is turned off by default unless explicitly enabled by the user (Google Support).
Google states that voice audio recordings are used solely to improve its audio recognition technologies and are never used to influence or personalize ads (Google Support).
Security testing cited by CBS News found no evidence of audio recordings being secretly transmitted from phones to deliver targeted ads (CBS News).

Short version

🌗 PARTLY TRUE 👉 Google's Voice and Audio Activity setting is off by default, and Google does not use audio recordings to target ads. 👉 Google support documentation confirms the Voice and Audio Activity setting is off by default and that audio recordings are used only to improve speech recognition, not to deliver personalized ads. 🔎 Full check: send this Reel to @checkthis.chat