You’ve cleaned the house, planned the menu, and curated the perfect playlist. As you prepare to welcome friends and family, you glance around the room, making sure everything is just right. But what about the guest who is already there, sitting quietly on the counter? Your smart speaker is a constant, “always-listening” presence in the room.
Have you ever stopped to consider what this device might accidentally reveal? A guest, unfamiliar with your setup, could casually ask, “Hey Google, what’s my home address?” and the device, linked to your profile, could calmly recite your private information to the entire room. This article will walk you through a few simple, essential settings you can adjust to protect both your privacy and your guests’ before anyone arrives.
Prevent an Accidental Shopping Spree
1. Turn Off Voice Purchasing
Voice purchasing allows you to buy items with a simple spoken command. While convenient, it poses a significant risk when guests, children, or even curious pets are around. A misunderstood phrase or an intentional joke could lead to unauthorized purchases showing up at your door.
• Alexa: In the Alexa app, go to Settings > Account Settings > Voice Purchasing, then turn it off completely or set up a required voice code.
• Google: In the Google Home app, you’ll need to manage who has purchasing authority through Voice Match. Go to Settings > Recognition & Sharing > Voice Match. Setting up Voice Match links purchasing power to a specific person’s voice. To prevent guests from using it, ensure your profile is removed from the device so no one is authorized.
Disabling this feature is a critical “peace of mind” setting to adjust before hosting, ensuring no surprise charges appear on your account.
Stop Recording Private Conversations
2. Pause Your Voice History
Smart speakers often save recordings of voice commands to your account to “improve” their services. This creates a privacy issue for guests who are likely unaware that their conversations could be recorded and stored. According to CNET, this is a known issue, as the device can be accidentally activated by words that merely sound like the wake word (“Alexa” or “Hey Google”), causing it to record private discussions.
Furthermore, a guest’s random commands can pollute your data. You don’t want their music choices or strange questions affecting the personalized results and recommendations you receive. Pausing your history protects both their privacy and the integrity of your voice profile.
• Alexa: In the Alexa app, navigate to Settings > Alexa Privacy > Review Voice History. Here, you can delete past recordings or set them to auto-delete.
• Google: In your Google Account or the Google Home app, go to Data & Privacy > Activity Controls > Web & App Activity to pause or delete your history.
Managing this setting is a simple sign of respect for your guests’ privacy, ensuring their casual conversations remain private.
The Ultimate Fail-Safe
3. Use the Physical Mute Button
Every smart speaker and smart display is equipped with a physical button that mutes the microphone. On smart displays, there is often a similar switch to disable the camera. Activating this is the simplest and most foolproof method to guarantee complete privacy. When the mute button is on, a physical switch cuts power to the microphone, making it impossible for the device to listen for its wake word.
This is the best option when you want to be absolutely certain that no accidental activations or recordings can occur, especially during sensitive or personal conversations. It offers a tangible and reliable way to take your smart speaker offline without unplugging it.
Conclusion: Smart Hosting in a Smart Home
A few quick adjustments to your smart speaker’s settings can make your smart home a more welcoming and secure place for visitors. These simple steps don’t just protect your personal data and prevent awkward mishaps; they show a fundamental respect for your guests’ privacy. By taking these precautions, you ensure that everyone can relax and enjoy themselves.
As our homes get smarter, what does it mean to be a good host?