By Amber Bouman

Copyright tomsguide

Skip to main content

Tom’s Guide

Newsletters

View Profile

Search Tom’s Guide

You May Like

Scammers said they kidnapped my husband — and faked his voice with AI. Here’s how to avoid getting fooled

More than 250 malicious apps are spreading info-stealing malware on Android and iOS — delete these right now

Chatbait is the new clickbait — here’s how chatbots are keeping you hooked

Phone Insights

Phone Best Picks

Phone Deals

Phone Face-Offs

Phone How-Tos

Phone Reviews

Network Carriers

Android Phones

Google Phones

Motorola Phones

OnePlus Phones

Samsung Phones

Nothing Phone

TV Best Picks

TV Face-Offs

Audio Insights

Audio Best Picks

Audio Deals

Audio Face-Offs

Audio How-Tos

Audio Reviews

Over-Ear Headphones

Bluetooth Speakers

Smart Speakers

TV & Audio Brands

Entertainment

Streaming Devices

Prime Video

Paramount Plus

PlayStation

Handheld Gaming

Gaming Peripherals

Connections

Computing Insights

Computing Best Picks

Computing Deals

Computing Face-Offs

Computing How-Tos

Computing News

Computing Reviews

VPN Best Picks

VPN Face-Offs

VPN How-Tos

VPN Reviews

Operating Systems

Identity Theft Protection

Parental Controls

Malware & Adware

Virtual Reality

Augmented Reality

Smart Glasses

Chromebooks

Gaming Laptops

Apple Desktops

Gaming Desktops

Android Tablets

Computing Brands

AI Insights

AI Best Picks

AI Face-Offs

Google Gemini

Apple Intelligence

Mattress Best Picks

Mattress Deals

Mattress Face-Offs

Mattress How-Tos

Mattress News

Mattress Reviews

Mattress Care

Mattress Toppers

Pillows & Bedding

Smartwatches

Fitness Trackers

Smart Rings

Apple Watch

Home Insights

Home Best Picks

Home Face-Offs

Home How-Tos

Home Reviews

Home Topics

Home Appliances

Home Office

Home Security

Home Brands

Popular Brands

View Phones

Phone Insights

Phone Best Picks

Phone Deals

Phone Face-Offs

Phone How-Tos

Phone Reviews

Network Carriers

View Network Carriers

Android Phones

View Android Phones

Google Phones

Motorola Phones

OnePlus Phones

Samsung Phones

Nothing Phone

TV Best Picks

TV Face-Offs

Audio Insights

View Audio Insights

Audio Best Picks

Audio Deals

Audio Face-Offs

Audio How-Tos

Audio Reviews

Headphones

View Headphones

Over-Ear Headphones

View Speakers

Bluetooth Speakers

Smart Speakers

TV & Audio Brands

Entertainment

View Entertainment

View Streaming

Streaming Devices

Prime Video

Paramount Plus

View Gaming

PlayStation

Handheld Gaming

Gaming Peripherals

Word Games

Connections

View Computing

Computing Insights

Computing Best Picks

Computing Deals

Computing Face-Offs

Computing How-Tos

Computing News

Computing Reviews

VPN Best Picks

VPN Face-Offs

VPN How-Tos

VPN Reviews

View Hardware

View Software

Operating Systems

View Security

Identity Theft Protection

Parental Controls

Malware & Adware

View VR & AR

Virtual Reality

Augmented Reality

Smart Glasses

View Laptops

Chromebooks

Gaming Laptops

View Desktops

Apple Desktops

Gaming Desktops

View Tablets

Android Tablets

Computing Brands

AI Insights

AI Best Picks

AI Face-Offs

AI Engines

Google Gemini

Apple Intelligence

View Wellness

Mattresses

View Mattresses

Mattress Best Picks

Mattress Deals

Mattress Face-Offs

Mattress How-Tos

Mattress News

Mattress Reviews

Mattress Care

Mattress Toppers

Pillows & Bedding

View Fitness

Smartwatches

Fitness Trackers

Smart Rings

Apple Watch

Home Insights

Home Best Picks

Home Face-Offs

Home How-Tos

Home Reviews

Home Topics

Home Appliances

Home Office

Home Security

View Outdoors

Home Brands

Popular Brands

iPhone Air Review
iPhone 17 Pro Max Review
iPhone 17 Review
Meta Ray-Ban Display
Best laptops

Best Mattress

Don’t miss these

Scammers said they kidnapped my husband — and faked his voice with AI. Here’s how to avoid getting fooled

Malware & Adware
More than 250 malicious apps are spreading info-stealing malware on Android and iOS — delete these right now

Chatbait is the new clickbait — here’s how chatbots are keeping you hooked

Online Security
I tried 3 AI-powered scam detectors to help keep me safe online — and there’s a clear winner

Malware & Adware
Dangerous Android banking trojan found lurking in malicious apps with 19 million installs — don’t fall for this

I test AI for a living — here’s what I tell ChatGPT (and what I never will)

Online Security
AI browsers can’t tell legitimate websites from malicious ones — here’s why that’s putting you at risk

Online Security
Hackers are using fake TikTok Shops to steal money and spread malware — don’t fall for this

This AI chatbot pays per prompt — I tested it and I’ve made an extra $100

We’re all being catfished on social media — ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says bots are to blame

What is NordVPN’s new Scam Call Protection feature?

A leaked xAI security key could put your data at risk — here’s what happened

Hundreds of thousands of Grok chatbot conversations are showing up in Google Search — here’s what happened

Online Security
Catwatchful child monitoring app is actually spyware that leaked user data online — how to stay safe

Popular band used facial recognition at their concert — now AI ethics are taking the spotlight

Online Security

New social app Neon sells your recorded phone calls for AI data training — here’s why this is a terrible idea

Amber Bouman

25 September 2025

You definitely don’t want to willingly give up your personal data for a few bucks

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Future)

A new app called Neon Mobile has skyrocketed to the number two spot in the App Store’s social networking category which pays users for the recorded audio from their phone calls.

As reported by TechCrunch, the app refers to itself as a “moneymaking tool” and offers to pay users for access to their audio conversations, which it then turns around and sells to AI companies.
The fee is 30 cents a minute for phone calls to other Neon users, or up to $30 a day for calls to non-Neon users, and the app pays for referrals as well. It captures inbound and outbound calls on the best iPhones and best Android phones, but only records your side of the call if it’s connected to another Neon user. This collected data is then sold to AI companies, according to Neon, “for the purpose of developing, training, testing, and improving machine learning models, artificial intelligence tools and systems, and related technologies.”

You may like

Scammers said they kidnapped my husband — and faked his voice with AI. Here’s how to avoid getting fooled

More than 250 malicious apps are spreading info-stealing malware on Android and iOS — delete these right now

Chatbait is the new clickbait — here’s how chatbots are keeping you hooked

(Image credit: Neon app)
Neon says that it removes personal data like names, emails and phone numbers before this data gets handed over but doesn’t specify how the AI companies it sells that data to will be using it. That’s troubling in an era of deepfakes and phishing or vishing, and especially so when Neon’s vague and inclusive license statement give it so much access to further potential usage. Those terms include beta features that have no warranty, and the data set is a gold mine for a potential breach.

In TechCrunch’s reporting, they state that while testing the app it did not provide proper notification that the user was even being recorded during the call – and the recipient wasn’t alerted about possible recording either. Given the popularity of the app, many users seem unconcerned about selling out their privacy. And given the amount of data breaches that occur over the course of a year, many people may figure that data privacy is a lost cause already. However, there’s a stark difference between having your car get broken into and leaving your keys in it.
How AI training puts you and your data at risk

(Image credit: Shutterstock)
Just like with a data leak, willingly giving away huge chunks of personal information can leave you open to serious consequences. For instance, once your information is out of your control after you hand it over to someone else, it can be sold, resold, exposed in a breach, leaked to the dark web and more.
AI models can reveal sensitive information, which may lead to potential issues with employment, lending or acquiring housing. Additionally, there are few safeguards or standards that are consistent with AI companies, and data breaches are becoming more and more common. Privacy issues could occur too and if a company is sold or goes out of business ,there could be legal complications.

Sign up to get the BEST of Tom’s Guide direct to your inbox.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
Your data is like currency, which is why I recommend going to great lengths to protect it by investing in one of the best identity theft protection services and by installing one of the best antivirus software suites on all of your devices. You also want to make sure that you don’t fall for phishing attacks and don’t click on unexpected links or fall for scams. Why willingly hand over this information for such a cheap price?

The Neon Mobile app is climbing the rankings now but we’ll see if it can maintain a top spot in Apple’s App Store for long. Just like with the other security stories I cover, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is and that’s the feeling I get with this new app. However, I could be wrong and Neon Mobile could be the first of many apps that pay your for your data for AI training. Only time will tell but based on what I’ve see and learned so far, I’d recommend avoiding it for now.
Follow Tom’s Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
More from Tom’s Guide

The TikTok ban saga appears to finally be over as reports suggest a deal has been done
The top 3 cybersecurity risks posed by age verification
Macs under attack from malware impersonating popular password managers — how to stay safe

Today’s identity theft protection deals

Bitdefender Digital Identity Protection

Identity Guard Value

Aura Identity Theft Protection –

Experian IdentityWorks Plus

LifeLock Standard

IDShield Individual

IdentityForce UltraSecure Family Plan

We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

See more Computing News

Amber Bouman

Social Links Navigation
Senior Editor Security

Amber Bouman is the senior security editor at Tom’s Guide where she writes about antivirus software, home security, identity theft and more. She has long had an interest in personal security, both online and off, and also has an appreciation for martial arts and edged weapons. With over two decades of experience working in tech journalism, Amber has written for a number of publications including PC World, Maximum PC, Tech Hive, and Engadget covering everything from smartphones to smart breast pumps.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Scammers said they kidnapped my husband — and faked his voice with AI. Here’s how to avoid getting fooled

More than 250 malicious apps are spreading info-stealing malware on Android and iOS — delete these right now

Chatbait is the new clickbait — here’s how chatbots are keeping you hooked

I tried 3 AI-powered scam detectors to help keep me safe online — and there’s a clear winner

Dangerous Android banking trojan found lurking in malicious apps with 19 million installs — don’t fall for this

I test AI for a living — here’s what I tell ChatGPT (and what I never will)

Latest in Online Security

Macs under attack from malware impersonating popular password managers — how to stay safe

FBI warns hackers are impersonating crime reporting sites to steal your personal data — here’s how to tell

Google will let you use passkeys automatically in Chrome – here’s how you can switch

Hackers are now using deepfakes in phishing scams to fool banking apps and steal your money – how to stay safe

Google just fixed a major Chrome zero-day flaw — update your browser right now

Nearly 200,000 people hit in New York Blood Center data breach — names, IDs, SSNs and more exposed

Latest in News

All-new Humain Horizon Pro AI laptop announced at Snapdragon Summit 2025 and it comes with its own OS — here’s what we know

New social app Neon sells your recorded phone calls for AI data training — here’s why this is a terrible idea

Trump expected to sign TikTok deal today — live updates on its status

Amazon Fire TVs could ditch Android for custom Vega OS sooner than you’d think — here’s what we know

Amazon settles Prime lawsuit with FTC for $2.5 billion — here’s how much subscribers will get

ChatGPT Pulse is here — now the AI proactively starts the chat and creates a daily brief

LATEST ARTICLES

All-new Humain Horizon Pro AI laptop announced at Snapdragon Summit 2025 and it comes with its own OS — here’s what we know

I’m a deals writer — here’s how to get $40 off Saatva’s bestselling bedding bundle for an instant bedroom upgrade

Trump expected to sign TikTok deal today — live updates on its status

Amazon Fire TVs could ditch Android for custom Vega OS sooner than you’d think — here’s what we know

My favorite Black Friday deal is here early and it includes a free iPhone 17 Pro, Apple Watch 11 and iPad A16

Tom’s Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Terms and conditions

Contact Future’s experts

Privacy policy

Cookies policy

Accessibility Statement

Advertise with us

Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street,

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait…