As we saw recently when Google testified before Congress, even when you turn off Geo-Tracking, you still get geo-tracked.

All of my smart devices has voice command turned off.

We hate the idea that even though the tech companies promised that these devices don't listen to us when it's not "on", they still do and sent back to "mother" to be transcribed by outside contractors.

Apple announced recently that they would no longer allow outside contractors to have access to these recordings.  That doesn't mean they aren't still being transcribed though, because they are.  Instead of using independent outside contractors, Apple has hired a  company to do the work.  So basically a word game.

Google said a similar thing, but I don't remember the details of the changes.

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We have a "smart" heating system.  We can control it via the faceplate or cell phone.  It sends text messages if there's a fault.

Likewise, our washer and dryer send tet messages if there's a fault.    If we spent £50 more, we could have been notified when they finished their loads.