Ever talked about buying shoes and then suddenly saw shoe ads everywhere? You’re not imagining it. A new survey suggests this is happening to a lot of people in India, and it’s raising serious questions about how much our phones really know about us. According to a recent LocalCircles survey, 67% of Indians (that’s 2 out of every 3 people) say they’ve seen ads linked to their private voice conversations. What’s more worrying is that this number has gone up sharply from 53% just four years ago. Ads that seem to ‘hear’ you The survey, which collected responses from over 63,000 people across 346 districts, shows that this isn’t a rare experience. Many users said they noticed ads for products or services soon after talking about them on phone calls. Among those who felt this kind of tracking: People often describe this as “digital eavesdropping,” the feeling that apps are somehow picking up what you say and using it to push ads that feel a little too accurate. Not just calls, even chats seem to trigger ads It’s not only about voice. The same survey found that 76% of people noticed ads after discussing things in WhatsApp or social media chats. About one-third of them said this happens very frequently. While companies like Meta say they don’t use private messages or calls to target ads, many users feel the timing of these ads is just too perfect to be a coincidence. The growing presence of ads on platforms that were once mostly ad-free, like WhatsApp Status and Channels, is also adding to these worries. Also read: Before you install privacy tempered glass, know these things
Why app permissions matter so much One big reason behind all this could be the permissions we give to apps, often without thinking twice. The survey found that: Apps that ask for mic access include social media, calling apps, and even recording tools. Once access is given, many users don’t regularly check or limit it. Your contacts aren’t private either It’s not just your voice and messages. Contact lists are widely shared too, sometimes affecting people who never agreed to it. Here’s what the survey found: In cases like Truecaller, if one person uploads their contacts, others can be identified without ever signing up, simply because their number was saved by someone else. Tech giants under legal pressure These concerns come at a time when big tech companies are facing legal action around the world. Also read: ChatGPT exposes that woman’s date is married and has family, social media had mixed reactions
What India’s new data rules mean for you India is now bringing in stronger privacy protections through the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025. Under these rules, companies that collect data will have to clearly explain what data they are using and tell users with whom their data is shared. The idea is to give people more control and the ability to question why certain ads are being shown to them. What experts are saying Privacy experts believe that what India needs right now is honest disclosure and strict checks. They argue that platforms should clearly explain how ads are targeted, and the government should actively audit companies. If platforms are found breaking rules, they should face heavy penalties and restrictions, not just warnings. Also read: Never search these sensitive things online, here’s what you should not search
Convenience vs privacy Smartphones have made life easier, but they’ve also made personal data incredibly easy to collect. Between microphone access, contact sharing, and constant app tracking, many users may be giving away far more than they realise.
And when ads start feeling like they know what you just said or typed, it’s no surprise that people are asking the big question:
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