Tilde appears unasked for when Type tool is active

Okay, so I’ve figured out how to replicate this.
Type something using the Type tool. Anything. Then let the cursor flash. Don’t switch tools and don’t switch to another program.
At intervals anywhere from 5 to 60 cursor flashes (but usually 50ish) a tilde will appear. This happens across multiple computers and versions of Illustrator going back years.
I’ve caught and corrected it a thousand times, but have missed it waaaaay too often. I had the phantom tilde make it into a national publication in 2018, and just last week, something that went to an important customer.
I can’t be the only one this happens to.
Cheers.
