How to Disable the Nvidia SHIELD Microphone or on Other Voice Controlled Media Players

Is Big Brother Listening In? Here's How to Stop This

The Sun: GOOGLE allegedly admitted to listening to conversations recorded by Google Assistant even without a user's "Hey Google" trigger

The Sun recently published an explosive article on Google Voice Assistant recording and sending info to Google unbeknownst to its owners, without the trigger word even being activated. This may be a good time to disable the microphone on a Nvidia SHIELD TV streamer.

If you don't use voice commands, there really is no good reason to leave it enabled. Disabling Google Voice can save resources and make your SHIELD run even better. Disabling it, is also another way to fight back against companies that want invade the privacy of our most sacred domains, our homes and businesses. Some apps can also enable microphones and cameras without our consent or knowledge. Then there is also the possibility of hackers or other state actors that can access these listening devices at will.

Isn't it strange how almost out of nowhere now many more devices contain cameras and microphones popping up everywhere. And since they are affordable, they are snapped up and brought home without hardly a second thought.

With these devices, we are basically being asking to trust large corporations not to spy on us in the privacy of our homes. Before you say you have nothing to hide, and you don't mind. Do you remember ever signing a waiver that allows companies to use their technology that you purchased to spy on your conversation 24/7?

There already have been news stories on how Amazon Alexa, and now Google Voice records content and shares it with 3rd parties. Amazon shares Ring doorbell videos with law enforcement. Televisions and video consoles come with video cameras and they connect to the Internet. A Samsung TV even used an unsecured neighbors WiFi to send information back to Samsung with no home network access enabled.

Many Smart TVs now use ACR to track and sell info on everything you watch. Here's how to turn ACR off.

To think we used to call people paranoid and crazy who covered their phone and computer camera with a piece of black tape. Maybe we are the crazy ones for blindly trusting cheap technology that can so easily be misused for nefarious purposes.

Fortunately, the Nvidia SHIELD has no camera, but it still has a microphone built inside the remote control. Rather than taking the remote apart and physically disconnecting the microphone. The easiest way to disable a microphone on the Nvidia SHIELD or any other media player that uses a voice control remote is simply remove the batteries and pack away the original remote that came with it. Then use a universal remote that doesn't contain a microphone. If the batteries can't easily be removed, use it until it needs to be recharged and then place it in storage.

One of the least expensive remotes that works great with a SHIELD is the Inteset 4-in-1 remote. Since there is no microphone, voice search won't work. But you won't have any privacy concerns with the Inteset Remote. We do like the back-lit buttons which makes this remote easy to use in a dark room or at night. You can read more about this remote here.

Google Voice Assistant can also disabled in settings on Android. But using a different remote is one of the easiest and safest ways to disable the listening device built into a voice controlled remote. It's the only surefire way to keep 3rd party apps from accessing your microphone and listening in.

How to Remove Google Assistant From Android

Here are the steps to turn off Google Assistant on an Android device:
1. Go to settings on your Android Phone Tablet or Streamer.
2. Scroll down to Apps and Notifications.
3. Then Choose Assistant.
4. In Assistant, select Say "Hey Google".
5. Then select the option labeled Google Assistant and turn it off.

This will stop Google Assistant from Popping up:
1. Open settings on your Android Phone Tablet or Streamer.
2. Scroll down to Apps and Notifications.
3. From Apps and Notifications, choose advanced.
4. From advanced, choose Default apps.
5. Then select the Digital Assistant app.
6. Select the default digital assistant app, which in most cases is Google Assistant.
7. Finally, Select None and you're done. Google Assistant has been disabled and it should no longer pop up on this device.

Here's How to Remove Google Assistant From Nvidia SHIELD

On the SHIELD it works different than above. Because it runs Android TV. The good news is you can turn it off. The bad news is it will also disable Google Search. But, inside the apps you can still search so this may not be that big of a loss.

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Google > Disable.

That completely disables searching, NOT just the assistant.

If you work in a business where sensitive information and trade secrets can be stolen, you may want to invest in an acoustical sound isolation box to place all your listening devices in during important meetings. These days, we can no longer afford to be too careful.

Don't Miss: These Nvidia SHIELD Remote Tricks

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