I've seen documentaries on hacking that show that any bit of technology that can pick up wifi can be hacked, including smart TV's etc. So it probably wouldn't be that much of a stretch to the imagination that people that can profit from advertising would run programs that would utilise any potential speakers available. And I don't know how many times I'm asked to sync all my devices which I'd assume would allow them to target advertising to the relevant device if any linked device picks up a keyword.
I'm going to have to look up that book.
Without putting too much thought into it, google wants me to store my numbers there for backup, there are a few apps that want to transfer data to the cloud.
I've never been willing to activate any microphone related searches on my phones or computers. Doesn't mean that they don't activate on their own. And I don't recall who it was (though I think it was Steve Jobs) but it was a picture of a tech giant who had sticky tape over the camera on his PC. So if someone like that doesn't trust his device and it's security platforms from blocking hackers etc, theres no reason I'd think my puny PC is going to be safe.
