Are our phones listening to us ? Shocking details revealed in new report
News Mania Desk/Piyal Chatterjee/5th September 2024
Consider how we once speculated that our smartphones were eavesdropping on our conversations, yet lacked definitive proof.. A reputable marketing firm, which counts major players like Google and Facebook among its clients, has revealed that these devices are equipped with software capable of listening to users. This means that when you casually mentioned your interest in purchasing anything your phone was attentively listening in.One may have dismissed this phenomenon as a mere coincidence
.However, a report from 404 Media clarifies that it is not solely your online inquiries that influence the ads you see; rather, it is also the conversations you have that play a crucial role in shaping your advertising experience.
This revelation marks the third occasion within a year that 404 Media has exposed the questionable practices surrounding Active Listening software. In December, the organization brought to light a marketing firm’s promotion of this intrusive technology on its podcast, while also revealing Cox Media Group’s Active Listening feature.
In a recent report, Cox Media Group , unveiled to investors its innovative Active Listening technology. This sophisticated AI-driven tool meticulously gathers real-time insights into user intentions by analyzing conversations, effectively engaging in a form of eavesdropping to extract valuable data. The company’s presentation emphasized that this technology empowers advertisers to merge voice data with behavioral information, allowing for the precise targeting of consumers who are actively contemplating a purchase—a remarkable advancement in the field of targeted advertising but also raises concerns regarding the breach of privacy
The recent leak has caused significant repercussions. Given their direct connection to the marketing firm, both Meta and Amazon have opted to address the situation. Meta has undertake a comprehensive review of the agency’s terms of service to determine whether user data has been collected and used without explicit consent, which could breach their contractual commitments and undermine user trust.
Amazon has distanced itself from the marketing agency’s data privacy issues, asserting that it will not collaborate with them. The company has also issued a strong warning, indicating that it will pursue legal action against any partners that violate its terms of service, highlighting its dedication to safeguarding user data and maintaining its standards. Cox Media Group, in a now-removed statement, claimed that users consent to the Active Listening technology whenever they download a new app. The post raised the question of its legality and confirmed that it is indeed legal for devices to listen in. They noted that when users download or update an app, they are often presented with lengthy terms of use agreements that typically include details about Active Listening in the fine print which is often hidden within the complicated terms of service agreements that users quickly accept enabling the software to be used without clear permission.
