Have you ever been talking about a product with someone, only to immediately see an advertisement for that very product pop up on your social media feed? This uncanny coincidence has fueled suspicions for years about whether social media companies are using the microphones on our smartphones to listen in on our conversations. Now, a new report from 404 Media suggests that these suspicions might be founded.
The report, citing leaked documents, reveals the existence of “Active Listening” software, which uses artificial intelligence to capture real-time data from conversations. This software, developed by Cox Media Group (CMG), a prominent TV and radio conglomerate, allegedly collects voice data from smartphone microphones and combines it with existing behavioral data to create incredibly targeted advertising profiles.
According to the leaked documents, CMG pitches its “Active Listening” software to major tech giants like Amazon, Facebook, and Google as a way to deliver highly personalized advertisements. Following the publication of the report, Google has taken action by removing CMG from its Partner Program list. Meta, Facebook’s parent company, is now conducting its own investigation into CMG’s practices to determine if they violate their terms of service.
This revelation raises serious concerns about the extent to which social media companies are accessing and using our private data. While the use of artificial intelligence and data collection for targeted advertising is not entirely new, the idea of companies actively listening to our conversations is deeply unsettling. This incident highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability from social media platforms regarding their data collection and usage practices.
