Current:Home > Invest7 things you should never ask Siri, Google Assistant or Alexa -Financial Clarity Guides
7 things you should never ask Siri, Google Assistant or Alexa
View
Date:2025-04-13 22:40:27
You're suddenly thrown into a situation where you must perform CPR to save a life. Oh, no – you don't remember anything from that course 15 years ago.
You might think a quick "Hey, Siri" would pull up the instructions quickly and clearly, but that's absolutely the worst thing to do. In a recent study, researchers asked voice assistants about cardiac arrest emergencies. Yep, it was a complete disaster.
🎉We’re giving away a $1,000 laptop!Enter to win right now here. Good luck! 🎉
I don't want you to make this mistake
When someone needs CPR, call 911. Period. Only nine of the 32 assistants’ responses somehow suggested this critical step. A whopping 88% of responses gave a website where you could read the steps to perform CPR. Really?
If you need the steps or want to take a refresher course, visit the Red Cross website.
You may have heard that "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees is an excellent song to sing when doing CPR, as its beats per minute mimic those needed for chest compressions.
It’s great, but here are a few other recommendations you might remember better:
◾ "Baby Shark" by Pinkfong
◾ "Dancing Queen" by ABBA
◾ "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper
◾ "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor
◾ "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd
The idea that your smart assistant would direct you to a website in an emergency got me thinking about other commands you shouldn't ask. Here are seven things you're better off handling yourself.
1. Play doctor
You’re better off not asking Siri, Google, or Alexa for any medical advice – not just lifesaving advice. Trusting those smart assistants might just make things worse. It's always best to call or book a telehealth appointment with your doctor.
2. How to hurt someone
Don't ask your smart assistant about harming someone, even if you're just venting. Those chats with Siri or Google Assistant could come back to bite you if you end up on the wrong side of the law. Keep those kinds of thoughts to yourself.
3. Anything that ends up with your mug shot
Don't ask Alexa where to buy drugs, where to hide a body, or anything else suspicious. Like asking your smart assistant how to hurt someone, these types of questions could be used against you.
4. Be your telephone operator
If you need to call your closest Home Depot to see if they have something in stock, find the number yourself. The same goes for asking that assistant to call emergency services. Dialing 911 takes two seconds.
5. Deal with your money
Although voice assistants can connect to your financial apps, there are many security issues with voice data. Savvy cybercriminals can hack into your phone, steal your voice and use it to drain your accounts. Just log into your bank's website or mobile app and call it a day.
6. “Will I die if I eat this?”
If you're on a hike wondering if the berries you found would make a good snack, voice assistants aren't reliable sources. There's conflicting information online about poisonous foods and plants, and taking their advice could land you a trip to the hospital.
7. “Get rid of this.”
Don't ask Alexa or Siri to clear your search history, delete an app, or remove photos. I've had a few mishaps where a simple misunderstanding led to something important getting wiped out. Trust me, it's worth the extra minute to do it manually.
Smart assistants record everything
You can switch off those features if you don't want Big Tech companies getting their virtual ears on what you say.
Some things are better left to human judgment. Stay smart with your smart assistants!
Keep your tech-know going
My popular podcast is called “Kim Komando Today.” It’s a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and callers with tech questions like you from all over the country. Search for it wherever you get your podcasts. For your convenience, hit the link below for a recent episode.
PODCAST PICK:This fear keeps Sam Altman up at night
Plus, your AI girlfriend collects a lot of data. Kim and Andrew also talk about the White House's plan to tackle deepfakes and take a look back at the first kiss ever recorded.
Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Today” on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.
Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, “Komando.”
Learn about all the latest technology on the Kim Komando Show, the nation's largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website.
veryGood! (653)
Related
- The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
- North Korea fires multiple cruise missiles into the sea, extending recent testing spree
- North Carolina, Gonzaga headline winners and losers from men's college basketball weekend
- Here’s how 2 sentences in the Constitution rose from obscurity to ensnare Donald Trump
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- Ariana Grande Shares Touching Tribute to Victoria Monét After 2024 Grammys Win
- Dr. Cornel West Is Running to Become President of the United States. What Are His Views on Climate Change and the Environment?
- 2 women killed days apart in same area in Indianapolis, police say
- North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
- Doctor who prescribed 500,000 opioids in 2-year span has conviction tossed, new trial ordered
Ranking
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Megan Fox's Metal Naked Dress at the 2024 Grammys Is Her Riskiest Yet
- 2 women killed days apart in same area in Indianapolis, police say
- Athleta’s Pants Are Currently on Sale & They Prove You Don’t Have To Choose Style Over Comfort
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Jenna Ortega’s Thoughts on Beetlejuice 2 Costar Wyonna Ryder Will Make You Excited for Showtime
- Fate of 6-year-old girl in Gaza unknown after ambulance team sent to rescue her vanishes, aid group says
- When do babies say their first word? (And when should you be worried?)
Recommendation
Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
Kingsley Ben-Adir takes on Bob Marley in the musical biopic One Love
Onstage and behind the scenes: The history of Beyoncé, Jay-Z and the Super Bowl
Red carpet looks from the 2024 Grammy Awards
Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
'This show isn't the facts': Drake criticizes Grammys, honors 'all you incredible artists'
Where's Ray Wright? High-speed chase leads to clues in Sacramento man's abduction and revenge murder
Below Deck Fans, Get Ready for a Shocking Amount of Season 11 Firings