In this informational text, Maria Temming discusses how smartphones collect information about people and the different ways that information is being used.

Question

As you read, take notes on the different ways that smartphones collect information about users.

Consider everything your smartphone has done for you today. Counted your steps? Transcribed notes? Navigated you somewhere new?

Smartphones make for versatile pocket assistants. That’s because they’re equipped with a suite of sensors. And some of those sensors you may never think — or even know — about. They sense light, humidity, pressure, temperature and other factors.

Smartphones have become essential companions. So those sensors probably stayed close by throughout your day. They sat in your backpack or on the dinner table or nightstand. If you’re like most smartphone users, the device was probably on the whole time, even when its screen was blank.

“Sensors are finding their ways into every corner of our lives,” says Maryam Mehrnezhad. She’s a computer scientist at Newcastle University in England. That’s a good thing when phones are using their powers to do our bidding. But the many types of personal information that phones have access to also makes them potentially powerful spies.

The sensors on smartphones...

can easily be turned off.

take in a bunch of information about you.

only collect essential information about you.

can present serious health risks.

Answer 1

Here are the different ways that smartphones collect information about users as discussed in the text:

1. Sensors: Smartphones are equipped with a variety of sensors that collect data related to:

   • Light
   • Humidity
   • Pressure
   • Temperature

2. Constant Connectivity: Smartphones tend to be on and connected throughout the day, contributing to ongoing data collection.

3. Versatility: Smartphones perform a range of functions, such as:

   • Counting steps (fitness tracking)
   • Transcribing notes (voice recognition)
   • Navigation (GPS tracking)

4. Potential for Personal Data Collection: The multitude of sensors and features allows smartphones to gather extensive personal information, leading to privacy concerns.

5. Control and Limitations: Users may have the option to turn off certain sensors, but the capacity for data collection remains significant and often defaulted to on.

6. Health Risks: The text hints at potential health risks related to the way smartphones collect and process this information.

Overall, smartphones serve as both useful tools and potential privacy intruders, collecting a wide range of personal information that users may not always be aware of.

Answer 2

Answer?

Answer 3

Sure! Here’s a concise summary detailing how smartphones collect information about users:

1. Built-in Sensors: Smartphones are equipped with various sensors that track data such as:

   • Light levels
   • Humidity
   • Pressure
   • Temperature

2. Ongoing Data Collection: Smartphones generally remain powered on throughout the day, continuously collecting data even when the screen is off.

3. Functionality: They perform multiple tasks that involve data tracking, including:

   • Fitness Tracking: Counting steps.
   • Voice Recognition: Transcribing notes.
   • Navigation: Utilizing GPS for location tracking.

4. Extensive Personal Data Access: These features allow smartphones to gather a significant amount of personal information about users.

5. User Control: While users can turn off some sensors, many devices collect data by default.

6. Privacy Concerns: The ability of smartphones to gather detailed personal information raises issues regarding privacy and potential misuse.

In summary, smartphones collect vast amounts of information through various sensors and features, which can be both beneficial and concerning for user privacy.

Answer 4

The sensors on smartphones...

can easily be turned off.

take in a bunch of information about you.

only collect essential information about you.

can present serious health risks.

Answer 5

Based on the provided statements, here’s a breakdown of their accuracy regarding smartphone sensors:

1. Can easily be turned off.

   • True: Many smartphone sensors (like location services, microphone, and camera) can typically be turned off by the user in settings.

2. Take in a bunch of information about you.

   • True: Smartphones gather extensive data through their various sensors, tracking a wide range of information about users.

3. Only collect essential information about you.

   • False: While smartphones may collect essential information, they also gather a lot of additional data that may not be deemed essential, leading to privacy concerns.

4. Can present serious health risks.

   • True: There are discussions about potential health risks associated with constant exposure to smartphone emissions and the implications of constant monitoring.

In summary, the first, second, and fourth statements are true, while the third statement is misleading. Smartphone sensors collect a vast array of information beyond what is strictly essential.

Answer 6

OMG The sensors on smartphones...

can easily be turned off.

take in a bunch of information about you.

only collect essential information about you.

can present serious health risks.
These are answer choices

Answer 7

Got it! If you need to choose the correct statements about smartphone sensors from the given answer choices, here’s how they break down:

1. Can easily be turned off.

   • True: Users generally have the option to turn off many sensors in their smartphone settings.

2. Take in a bunch of information about you.

   • True: Smartphones gather a large amount of data from various sensors about users.

3. Only collect essential information about you.

   • False: Smartphones do not limit their data collection to only essential information; they often collect much more.

4. Can present serious health risks.

   • True: There are concerns about potential health risks from constant smartphone usage and exposure to emissions.

Based on this analysis, the correct choices would be:

• Can easily be turned off.
• Take in a bunch of information about you.
• Can present serious health risks.

The statement "only collect essential information about you" is not correct.

Answer 8

WHAT ANSWER CHOICE IS CORRECT 1 ANSWER

Answer 9

The correct answer choice is:

"take in a bunch of information about you."

This accurately reflects that smartphone sensors collect extensive amounts of data about users.