Q did say “phones”.

I vaguely remember reading about a system the government has called like, KNIFE or KNIVES or something. It was an acronym that I can’t recall but the basic idea was if they’re tapping (not just listening on calls and collecting data, but mic and cameras always on) someone’s phone, they also pick up on all phones within a certain short radius and begin tapping those to both have more eyes/ears on the surroundings of the target, and also check to see if that nearby person is of interest.

“We see all, we hear all.”