In a recent episode of his popular podcast, Joe Rogan delved into the increasingly relevant issue of phone privacy with a Google employee. The discussion quickly turned to a phenomenon many people have experienced: talking about a topic and then seeing related ads appear on Google.

Rogan opened the conversation with a straightforward question: “Have you ever had a conversation with someone, and then you see an ad for that thing on Google? It happens.” The Google employee acknowledged this occurrence, suggesting that something in the technology might be responsible for such coincidences.

Rogan pressed further, suggesting that modern technology is capable of listening to conversations. He asserted, “Anyone can listen to you on your phone, and I mean anyone who has significant technology. They can look at every text message you send, every email, and even turn on your microphone.”

The Google employee responded with a nuanced perspective, “Yes and no. We have the ability to keep total privacy in a device, but from who? You can keep privacy from me, because I don’t have access to your device. But if I was working for an intelligence agency and had access to a program like Pegasus, I am in your device.”

Rogan also brought up the concern about smart devices like Amazon’s Alexa. He pointed out, “If you have an Alexa in your home, your Alexa hears you. People have been charged with crimes because Alexa heard them committing murder.”

This conversation highlights the broader concerns about privacy in the digital age. With technology becoming more integrated into everyday life, the line between convenience and surveillance continues to blur. Rogan’s discussion with the Google employee underscores the need for greater transparency and security measures to protect user privacy.

As privacy concerns continue to grow, it’s clear that more dialogue and scrutiny are needed to ensure that personal data is not being exploited without consent. The debate Rogan has brought to the forefront is one that affects all users of modern technology, emphasizing the importance of maintaining control over personal information in an increasingly connected world.