Yes, the government can see what you do on your phone through various methods, including purchasing location data from brokers, obtaining warrants to access data from providers (like search history, messages, location), using surveillance tools like StingRays to intercept data, and sometimes through sophisticated spyware, though direct, real-time, mass surveillance of all content is complex and often legally restricted. While they can't always directly "spy" on you without cause, data trails from apps, location services, and internet activity are collected and can be accessed with legal authority or purchased, creating a detailed picture of your life.
An orange or green dot at the top of your phone's screen means an app is using your microphone or camera. If you're not actively using either, and have closed any apps that might have permissions to use them, it could be a sign that someone else activated them with remote-access tools and is monitoring your activity.
Warrant Requirements
Most of the time, if the police want to examine your phone data in detail, they must first obtain a warrant. This process involves getting special permission from a judge. It's an important step designed to ensure that the police have a valid and compelling reason to access your information.
Encrypt Your Data
Encrypt your data both in transit and at rest. While most governments may be able to break your encryption, it will take time and effort. If your data is not of the utmost importance to the government, it may not bother to see if you've taken the proper security steps.
Yes, covering the camera is a cheap, effective physical safeguard against unauthorized visual surveillance. Front-facing camera: cover with a thin slide or opaque tape when not using video calls. Avoid long-term adhesive that can damage lenses--use a purpose-made webcam cover or a removable sticker.
On Android 12+, you may see a small green dot when the camera is being used (and some devices also show a camera icon). If you see this indicator when you're not using any camera-based apps, someone else might be accessing it. However, skilled hackers can use your camera without triggering the light.
1) Find a privacy filter screen that's right for you.
Privacy filter screens are sheets of plastic that keep anyone who's not looking at your device's display head-on from seeing what's on the screen. Seen from an angle, the screen looks black. Make sure your privacy filter screen is designed to work with your device.
How can you tell the government is watching you?
Can your phone hear your conversations? Yes, it can. As voice assistants and some other apps need access to your microphone, they may record your conversations and phone calls. In the process, they often collect private information you didn't intend to share.
To check if your phone is hacked, look for signs like rapid battery drain, unexpected data spikes, new apps you didn't install, strange pop-ups, slow performance, or weird noises on calls, then use reputable antivirus software, check your account activity, and dial codes like *#21# to see if calls are being forwarded, taking steps like changing passwords and resetting to factory settings if needed.
Cops using forensic software can often look into a device's primary storage (as well as cloud storage) and pull up information that the user may have believed was permanently deleted long ago. That capability extends beyond images and documents. It can include items stored in databases like text messages and emails.
How to know if your phone is being tracked. If your phone is being monitored remotely, you might notice your battery draining quickly, spot unfamiliar apps, or your camera, microphone, or location turning on when you're not using them.
Police may ask you to unlock your phone, but: You are not legally obligated to provide your PIN or password unless they have a specific digital evidence access order from a court. Refusing to comply with such a court order can result in criminal charges, including obstruction.
How to Know if You're Being Monitored at Work
Dangerous permissions, however, are requests to access your sensitive information such as your contacts, location, or microphone. Because the risk is higher, your phone requires your explicit approval with a prompt for each one. This ensures you're aware and in control.
Dialing *#21# on your phone checks the status of your unconditional call forwarding, revealing if your calls, texts, or data are being redirected to another number without you knowing, often without leaving traces on your phone bill; it's a standard network code to see your carrier's call forwarding settings, not a definitive "hacking" tool, but useful for detecting unauthorized forwarding.
Just as you might cover your webcam to avoid secret monitoring, you can also cover your microphone with a piece of tape or purchase a special phone case to stop your phone from listening to you—just remember to remove it before recording or making a call to avoid muffled audio.
This isn't necessarily because your phone is “listening” to you, but rather because platforms like Facebook or Google have built an extensive data network around you. We've all been there: a casual conversation about a new gadget, followed by a targeted ad for that exact product popping up on our screens.
How to stop your phone from listening to you
How to protect your data against government spying
You have the right to ask for a copy of records the police have about you on the Police National Computer (PNC) and this request is processed by ACRO. A Subject Access Request from ACRO will provide you with a record of information stored on the PNC.
Look for signs of disturbance. Specifically, light switches, electrical outlets, and smoke alarms are popular places for eavesdropping devices because most of the time, we don't pay much attention to them. For example, look for debris on the floor beneath a fixture, or subtle color differences in the wall plate color.
If you're charging your phone from 0% to 100% every day, that counts as one charge cycle, meaning that you're quickly shortening your battery's lifespan. If your phone only has the capacity for 300-500 cycles, then charging your phone from 0% to 100% will quickly reduce your battery's lifespan.
If your iPhone® is opening apps, typing on its own, or tapping things randomly, you may be dealing with ghost touch. It's an issue where your phone seems to respond to phantom touches—and it can be frustrating to fix. Don't worry, we've got you.