MENLO PARK, CA - A report from the Daily Mail may confirm that what people have long suspected about phones listening to conversations may actually be true.
According to that report, an apparent pitch deck from one of Facebook's alleged marketing partners supposedly details how the firm listens in on users' conversations to create targeted ads. In a slideshow, Cox Media Group (CMG) claims that its "Active-Listening" software uses artificial intelligence (AI) to collect and analyze "real-time intent data" by listening to what you say through your phone, laptop or home assistant microphone.
The deck, which, according to the Daily Mail, was leaked to reporters at 404 Media, allegedly states, "Advertisers can pair this voice-data with behavioral data to target in-market consumers." The pitch deck also uses Facebook, Google, and Amazon as clients of CMG as examples, suggesting that they could be using its Active-Learning service to target their users.
The slideshow details the six-step process that CMG's Active-Listening software uses to collect consumer's voice data through seemingly any microphone-equipped device, including a smart phone, laptop or home assistant microphone. It is unclear from the slideshow whether the Active-Listening software is eavesdropping constantly or only at specific times when the phone mic is activated.
The deck essentially showcases the capabilities of Active-Listening software and what it can provide to prospective customers. Advertisers can use these insights to target "in-market consumers," which are people actively considering buying a particular product or service. If your voice or behavioral data suggests you are considering buying something, they will serve you advertisements for that item. Since the story broke, Google has removed CMG from their "Partners Program" website.
In an emailed statement to the Daily Mail, a Meta spokesperson said, "Meta does not use your phone's microphone for ads and we've been public about this for years. We are reaching out to CMG to get them to clarify that their program is not based on Meta data." Amazon responded to 404 Media by stating that its ads arm "has never worked with CMG on this program and has no plans to do so."
The spokesperson also said that if one of its marketing partners violates its rules then the company will take action, leaving the status of Amazon's relationship with CMG unclear.
For years, smart-device users have speculated that their phones or tablets were listening to what they were saying, but most tech companies have denied those claims. For example, Meta's online privacy center states, "We understand that sometimes ads can be so specific, it seems like we must be listening to your conversations through your microphone, but we're not."
This leak, however, is only the latest development in a wave of reporting that suggests your phone really is listening to you and that companies like Meta, may be cashing in on what you say. 404 Media first revealed the existence of CMG's Active-Listening software in December 2023. A day later, they exposed a small AI marketing company called MindSift for bragging on a podcast about using smart device speakers to target ads.
According to a since deleted blog post from November 2023, CMG claimed that Active Listening is legal saying, "We know what you're thinking. Is this even legal? The short answer is: yes. It is legal for phones and devices to listen to you. When a new app download or update prompts customers with a multi-page terms of use agreement somewhere in the fine print, Active Listening is often included."
CMG is based in Atlanta, Georgia. The company provides broadcast media, digital media, advertising, and marketing services. In 2022, it generated $22.1 billion in revenue.
According to that report, an apparent pitch deck from one of Facebook's alleged marketing partners supposedly details how the firm listens in on users' conversations to create targeted ads. In a slideshow, Cox Media Group (CMG) claims that its "Active-Listening" software uses artificial intelligence (AI) to collect and analyze "real-time intent data" by listening to what you say through your phone, laptop or home assistant microphone.
The deck, which, according to the Daily Mail, was leaked to reporters at 404 Media, allegedly states, "Advertisers can pair this voice-data with behavioral data to target in-market consumers." The pitch deck also uses Facebook, Google, and Amazon as clients of CMG as examples, suggesting that they could be using its Active-Learning service to target their users.
The slideshow details the six-step process that CMG's Active-Listening software uses to collect consumer's voice data through seemingly any microphone-equipped device, including a smart phone, laptop or home assistant microphone. It is unclear from the slideshow whether the Active-Listening software is eavesdropping constantly or only at specific times when the phone mic is activated.
The deck essentially showcases the capabilities of Active-Listening software and what it can provide to prospective customers. Advertisers can use these insights to target "in-market consumers," which are people actively considering buying a particular product or service. If your voice or behavioral data suggests you are considering buying something, they will serve you advertisements for that item. Since the story broke, Google has removed CMG from their "Partners Program" website.
In an emailed statement to the Daily Mail, a Meta spokesperson said, "Meta does not use your phone's microphone for ads and we've been public about this for years. We are reaching out to CMG to get them to clarify that their program is not based on Meta data." Amazon responded to 404 Media by stating that its ads arm "has never worked with CMG on this program and has no plans to do so."
The spokesperson also said that if one of its marketing partners violates its rules then the company will take action, leaving the status of Amazon's relationship with CMG unclear.
For years, smart-device users have speculated that their phones or tablets were listening to what they were saying, but most tech companies have denied those claims. For example, Meta's online privacy center states, "We understand that sometimes ads can be so specific, it seems like we must be listening to your conversations through your microphone, but we're not."
This leak, however, is only the latest development in a wave of reporting that suggests your phone really is listening to you and that companies like Meta, may be cashing in on what you say. 404 Media first revealed the existence of CMG's Active-Listening software in December 2023. A day later, they exposed a small AI marketing company called MindSift for bragging on a podcast about using smart device speakers to target ads.
According to a since deleted blog post from November 2023, CMG claimed that Active Listening is legal saying, "We know what you're thinking. Is this even legal? The short answer is: yes. It is legal for phones and devices to listen to you. When a new app download or update prompts customers with a multi-page terms of use agreement somewhere in the fine print, Active Listening is often included."
CMG is based in Atlanta, Georgia. The company provides broadcast media, digital media, advertising, and marketing services. In 2022, it generated $22.1 billion in revenue.
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