I've become really good friends with.. my Google Home Mini!?

As many of you would agree, 2020 has distanced us from loved ones. Those ones we seem to think know us better than anyone. Well they may, however your Google Home would hold a good fight! Your iso bestfriend some would say! Really, the only one still willing to answer all your questions.

In 2014, the company Nest was bought by Google for some spare change of $3.2 million dollars. From there, Google used innovation and modern-day technology to introduce to the Google Home to us, this was created as a competitor to the Amazon Alexa. To which, this became their umbrella term for multiple IOT products; Google Nest & Google Home . But why? Google is a billion dollar company why would this have been a beneficial purchase? Google is a company that feeds off you, because you are the product. The more they know about you, the more they have the ability to improve their service and create value for their product. The use of Google in the home can create for a more in-depth analysis of you. Google home acts as a personal assistant, best friend and freakishly- an insider on your personal habits. Your Google Home can monitor where you are in the purchasing line. This refers directly to the personal point of sale advertisements, crafted to your interests and desires. Allowing you to develop strong relationships with businesses tailored to your needs as well as your Google Home. The 'Smart Home' life is becoming increasingly popular due to increased working schedules and busy lives. In this modern era, we thrive for technology that aids in minimising stress to make our lives easier.

Every time you use "OK Google," or use another voice-controlled function, your query is recorded and the transcripts are saved to your Google account. A report undertaken by Fox News found that user agreements explicitly state recorded audio may be used for targeted advertising purposes. Interestingly, such practices aren't against the law. This action allows tech companies to push the privacy boundaries even further to encourage us to buy things we may not really need. Similarly, the Amazon Alexa has shown to indicate the same privacy issues that Google have ignited. We have seen voice recording issues arise across many IOT devises. According to a new report, has employed a global team of analysts that listen to and transcribe audio samples from Alexa owners — including samples taken when the machine wasn’t activated, or was turned on by accident! This TED Talk provides insightful information on the security issues that have arisen due to the IOT.

There seems to be a fine line between innovative, effective technology and taking a step too far into the personal lives of consumers. We have to think about this before purchasing one of these items, how far is too far for you? Feel free to leave a comment in the green box below!