Not only is everything monitored, they listen in when you least expect it both at home or out in a business with devices connected to the internet, or people's phones.

A VPN isn't 100% good for securing your privacy either, especially against governments but can help limit some things they can collect. It doesn't really matter what you do, if someone wants to listen in or access your stuff, they will find a way.

But limiting the amount of SMART devices is definitely a big help, as is disconnecting your PC microphone and webcam.