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On many mobile devices, such as cell phones and tablets, voice-assisted technology is common. Arcuri Sanders (2020) noted that many are familiar with Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, and Google’s Assistant, and it is important to know that when voice-assisted technology is enabled, the device may be constantly listening. This can create an issue for counselors who use technology as well as for any technology that may enter a counseling office. Voice-assisted devices are designed to listen for commands and to hear information to adapt and customize services to the individual user. Clients, office staff, and counselors could be breaching confidentiality without realizing that this is happening. A few steps can be taken to help safeguard clients’ privacy and limit this digital snooping. First, it is imperative that counselors turn off voice-assisted technology that is connected to Wi-Fi, cell phones, tablets, computers, and any other electronic devices. Second, they should craft policies that instruct clients to turn off voice-assisted technology, especially in situations in which they may compromise others’ confidentiality as well as their own (e.g., group counseling settings). Finally, counselors should include in the informed consent language that outlines the risks of voice-assisted technologies and instructions for clients to temporarily disable those services (Arcuri Sanders, 2020).

Bluetooth connections might also unintentionally compromise the confidentiality of clients. Counselors must encourage clients to be aware of their Bluetooth connections and to take measures to avoid unintentional breaches of confidentiality. For example, if a client is accessing counseling services through a videoconferencing app on their phone, and the phone is linked to their car’s Bluetooth, anyone in the car might have access to the session. Programs that run in the background might also pose a risk to clients. For instance, programs such as Discord and Overtone, which are used to communicate in online gaming, often run in the background and might be such an integral part of clients’ social life that they do not remember to disable them while engaging in telebehavioral health services. This is another consideration worth mentioning during intake and informed consent, especially when the client identifies as a gamer.