How can I stop photos from syncing to my mom’s Android phone?
I recently got a new Android phone, and my mom started using my old Android phone. Neither of us knowingly set up photo backups or cloud storage, but…
phone privacy
Does a Foreign Government Have Access to iPhones, and Should I Switch Phones?
I saw a television interview in which Israel's prime minister appeared to point at an iPhone while discussing the ability to influence how people are portrayed. I'm worried…
Why Did I Get a Movie Ad After Only Talking About It?
My friend and I were talking about movies while riding in the car, and we agreed that we should watch Dumb and Dumber later in the week. Neither…
Can someone secretly watch me through my phone’s camera?
Recent news stories and lawsuits have made me worry that someone might be viewing me through my phone's camera. I'm not asking whether phones listen to conversations—I specifically…
Why Did I Get an Ad for a Hat-Cleaning Device Right After Wearing an Old Hat?
I haven't worn a hat in about six months, but tonight I put on an older, somewhat dirty hat that had been stored in a bag near my…
Did My Phone Somehow Detect My Hat and Trigger a Targeted Ad?
I haven't worn a hat in roughly six months. Tonight I put on an older, somewhat dirty hat that had been stored in a bag near my front…
How Could Someone Be Monitoring a Samsung Phone Without Permission?
A friend's boyfriend showed her that he could view activity from her Samsung phone on his own device. She isn't looking for relationship advice; she wants to understand…
Why is my Samsung Galaxy A15 showing a green recording indicator?
I have a Samsung Galaxy A15, and a green dot keeps appearing in the top-right corner of the screen, indicating that something may be using the microphone or…
Can someone access my old texts or voicemails if I give them my SIM card?
I have an iPhone 13 Pro Max and have used my current number since 2021. If I permanently give my SIM card to someone and they put it…
Did the store use a Mac to transfer data between two iPhones?
My wife upgraded from what I believe was an iPhone 11 to an iPhone 14 Pro and chose to have the setup done in an Apple Store. The…
How do you handle calls from unknown numbers?
I've always felt anxious about answering phone calls from numbers I don't recognize. Usually I let the call ring out, assuming that if it's important, the caller will…
Can someone else’s phone influence my recommendations after hearing a conversation?
I've noticed that after discussing a topic with family, friends, or coworkers, I sometimes see related videos and recommendations on YouTube, TikTok, and other apps. The unusual part…
How do you handle calls from unknown numbers without missing something important?
I've always felt anxious about answering phone calls, especially when I don't recognize the number. I used to let unfamiliar calls ring out, assuming that anyone with a…
Can Someone Else’s Phone Influence the Recommendations I See?
I've noticed that after discussing a topic with friends, family, or coworkers, I sometimes see related videos and recommendations on my own apps. Usually my phone is nearby,…
Can deleted data be recovered from an Android phone after several factory resets?
I recently sold a Nubia Neo 3 (Z2461) and want to know whether my old files could realistically be recovered. Before resetting it, I moved my photos, videos,…
Can targeted ads predict something I only thought about?
I've noticed several cases where an ad or post closely matched something I had just been thinking about, even though I hadn't searched for it, typed it into…
Are Phones and Cameras Really Listening or Watching for Targeted Ads?
A few recent ad recommendations have felt far too specific to be random. After parking my motorcycle backwards in the garage for the first time, I saw a…
What Tips Should Employees Follow When Traveling Internationally to Avoid Customs Issues?
I'm part of an organization that engages in non-partisan lobbying and we're concerned about our employees traveling internationally and facing potential issues at Customs. With all the recent…