Smart Speakers Always Listen: Privacy Controls for Yandex Alice, Marusya, Salyut, Siri and Google Assistant
Smart speakers and phones keep their microphones powered even when no one is speaking to them. The only purpose of this constant listening is to catch a short wake phrase such as Yandex Alice, Marusya, Salyut, Hey Siri or OK Google. Until that phrase is detected, audio normally stays on the device and is not transmitted to the cloud.
Yandex states that Alice processes sound locally for the activation phrase only. After the wake word is heard, the request is sent to Yandex servers. The same local-detection model is used by VK Marusya and Sber Salyut. Apple applies an on-device detector for “Hey Siri,” while Google Assistant and Gemini rely on account settings and device microphone permissions.
Hardware mute options
Most dedicated speakers provide a physical button that disables microphones at the hardware level. On Yandex Station models the crossed-microphone button turns the LEDs red. VK Capsule and VK Capsule Mini show a red ring when muted. SberBoom Mini requires a two-second press of the AI-assistant button to achieve the same red state. Phones lack an equivalent global hardware switch, so users must rely on software toggles.
Recommended privacy settings
- Disable “Listen for Hey Siri” and “Allow Siri When Locked” in iOS Settings.
- Turn off “Web & App Activity” and “Gemini Apps Activity” at myactivity.google.com.
- Revoke microphone access for unused apps in Android and iOS permission menus.
- Switch off the “Help Alice improve” toggle inside Yandex ID.
- Delete stored voice histories through each provider’s data-management portal.
Even with these steps, the microphone itself remains the only reliable way to guarantee silence. Security-conscious users are advised to mute devices during meetings, medical calls or any discussion involving financial or personal data.
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