I remember when this was just a conspiracy theory...

 One of the most annoying things about being online is the way that devices including phones listen to your conversations. I presume this is happening all the time as Ive lost count of the number of times that I have had a discussion in this house and an very relevant advert will arrive on FaceBook or YouTube, usually very promptly. My sisters partner works for Asda online security and he says that that this occurs because our data is sold by phone companies ect. He added that conversations within earshot of a device also seem to qualify as worthy of snooping. Interestingly he does not use FaceBook as he says they are the biggest offenders. In fact he cant be found on any online social platforms as he says all trouble comes from them.

I think this snooping is awful and no one bats an eye at it ! In the privacy of your own home you have an eaves dropper that will log key words, usually for commercial purposes, but no doubt for certain it is being used for much darker reasons. Its not good enough just being cautious about what you post if merely having a verbal conversation in private is potentially going to put you on a " naughty list ". I have no specific proof, buts its more likely than not I'd say. As I said, commercially we are being " harvested " for sure.

Finally just for laughs, here is the most ridiculous but also the most striking example that our devices are listening to us without our consent. Last summer I had a conversation about " belly buttons " with my daughter. About 10 minutes later and without doing any online searching about the subject a FaceBook post popped up... 10 Things you never knew about belly buttons ! Unbelievable. 

Another darker example has just occurred to me. I was sat in the kitchen watching a news item about the NHS selling your medical data to commercial companies. I was complaining about this verbally to two other family members when both their phones pinged at exactly the same second and what text had they both simultaneously  received ?  How to opt out of NHS data collection ! Not only had the conversation being logged, the fact that two phones were in the room was also linked to the process. It was so blatant to. No attempt to delay or stagger the texts. And again no one seems bothered.

Im also tired of YouTube profiling me. Im getting more and more films appearing about mental health. Do you ever wonder what picture they have of you ? And how distorted it is ? And who is this being shared with ? One day you will find its all going to start costing you financially I betting.