Tech Giants Accused of Eavesdropping: Your Phone May Be Listening to You

Marketing firm admits using your phone to listen to conversations: Report

Your long-held suspicions are confirmed, according to a report: Your phone really is listening to you. A marketing firm whose clients include Facebook and Google has privately admitted that it listens to users' smartphone microphones and then places ads based on the information that is picked up, according to 404 Media. Cox Media Group, the television and radio news conglomerate, admitted in a pitch deck to investors that its "Active Listening" software uses artificial intelligence to "capture real-time intent data by listening to our conversations," according to the report. "Advertisers can pair this voice-data with behavioral data to target in-market consumers," the company wrote in the pitch deck. CMG noted in the deck that consumers "leave a data trail based on their conversations and online behavior" and that the AI-powered software collects and analyzes said "behavioral and voice data from 470+ sources." The slideshow includes claims that Facebook, Google and Amazon are clients of CMG. Google removed CMG from its "Partners Program" website after it was contacted by 404 Media to comment on the matter. "All advertisers must comply with all applicable laws and regulations as well as our Google Ads policies, and when we identify ads or advertisers that violate these policies, we will take appropriate action," a Google spokesperson told The Post. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, admitted that it was reviewing CMG to see whether it violated any of its terms of service. "Meta does not use your phone's microphone for ads and we've been public about this for years," a Meta spokesperson told The Post. "We are reaching out to CMG to get them to clarify that their program is not based on Meta data." An Amazon spokesperson told 404 Media that its advertising arm "has never worked with CMG on this program and has no plans to do so." The company said that it would take action against any partner that violates its rules. Last December, MindSift, a New Hampshire-based company, bragged that it used voice data to place targeted ads by listening to people's everyday conversations through microphones on their devices, according to 404 Media. The report revealed the existence of CMG's "Active Listening" feature. "We know what you're thinking. Is this even legal?" the company wrote in a since-deleted Cox blog post from November 2023. "It is legal for phones and devices to listen to you. When a new app download or update prompts consumers with a multi-page term of use agreement somewhere in the fine print, Active Listening is often included." The Post has sought comment from CMG and Amazon.

You phone is listening to your conversations. Firm working for FB, Google confirms

Cox Media Group (CMG) privately admitted to the long-held suspicions of smartphone users, during a pitch deck to investors A major marketing company whose clients include Facebook, Amazon and Google has admitted that it listens to users' smartphone conversations and uses artificial intelligence (AI) to articulate data and later place advertisements. Cox Media Group (CMG) privately admitted to the long-held suspicions of smartphone users during a pitch deck to investors. The firm stated that its "Active Listening" software uses AI to "capture real-time intent data by listening to our conversations", according to a report in 404 Media. "Advertisers can pair this voice data with behavioural data to target in-market consumers," CMG said in the pitch deck. "Consumers leave a data trail based on their conversations and online behaviour and the AI-powered software collects and analyses behavioural and voice data from 470+ sources," it added. After the outlet's report, Google removed CMG from its "Partners Program" website. Meanwhile, Meta, the parent company of Facebook said it was reviewing CMG to assess whether it violated any of its terms of service.

Next time you talk on your phone be careful! Facebook and Google are listening to your conversations

A marketing agency that works with big digital giants, like Google and Facebook, is reportedly using smartphone microphones to record conversations in order to tailor ads. With differing degrees of alarm, the IT companies have reacted to these assertions.Concerns about phones listening in on conversations have long been voiced. However, a new analysis indicates that these worries might not be unjustified. It has been revealed that a marketing business that works with big names in the industry, such as Google and Facebook, has acknowledged utilizing smartphone microphones to record customer interactions. According to a 404 Media investigation, this data is then utilized to target advertisements, as per the reports of the New York Post. Prominent radio and television news organization Cox Media Group (CMG) reportedly revealed to investors in a presentation that it employs a program known as "Active Listening." It is said that this artificial intelligence-driven program records talks in real time. According to CMG, by combining this voice data with behavioral data, advertisers are able to more efficiently approach potential customers. Also Read : Argentina vs Chile FIFA World Cup Qualifiers live streaming: Kick off time, where to watch According to the business, users' interactions and online activities accidentally leave a trail of data behind. The software powered by artificial intelligence gathers and examines this data, which comes from more than 470 distinct sources. Additionally, CMG mentioned that some of its clients are Facebook, Google, and Amazon. The 404 Media report caused significant tech businesses to respond. Following communication regarding the issue, Google took CMG off of its "Partners Program" webpage. A Google representative underlined that all advertisers need to abide with Google's ad policy as well as any applicable laws. Should any infraction be found, Google will respond accordingly. In response, Facebook and Instagram's parent firm Meta said it was investigating whether CMG's actions went under any of its rules of service. Meta restated its long-standing public stance that it does not use phone microphones for advertising targeting. The corporation is contacting CMG to inquire about the workings of their program. Also Read : How is King Charles recovering from cancer? Queen Camilla gives update Amazon disassociated themselves from CMG's initiative as well. An official from Amazon's advertising branch stated that the company has no plans to work with CMG on this specific program and has never done so. Amazon emphasized that it would deal with any partner that disobeys its policies. What is "Active Listening" software? "Active Listening" is a program reportedly used by Cox Media Group that utilizes artificial intelligence to record real-time conversations and combine voice data with behavioral data to target potential customers more effectively. Is it legal for companies to use phone microphones for ads? Cox Media Group claimed in a now-deleted blog post that it is legal when users agree to terms of service, often without realizing it, during app downloads or updates.

In New Leak, Facebook Partner Brags About Listening to Phone Conversations To Serve Up Ads: Report

The disclosures intensify existing suspicions that advertisers use mobile devices to eavesdrop on users. In a recent string of leaks, one of Facebook's alleged marketing partners said it uses controversial "active listening" software to capture real-time voice data from smartphone microphones, according to a new report. Documents obtained by 404 Media disclose that Cox Media Group, a major TV and radio news conglomerate, said in a pitch deck presented to potential customers that it leverages artificial intelligence to listen to users' conversations and then uses the data to deliver targeted advertisements. "Advertisers can pair this voice-data with behavioral data to target in-market consumers," the pitch deck said, 404 Media reported. The deck also listed tech giants such as Facebook, Google, and Amazon as clients of CMG's "active listening" service. The ripple effect of the leak prompted swift reactions. After 404 Media reached out to Google, the tech company removed CMG from its Partners Program. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, announced it is now reviewing CMG to verify compliance with its terms of service. Amazon's response was notably firm yet somewhat ambiguous. A representative told 404 Media that Amazon Ads "has never worked with CMG on this program and has no plans to do so," adding that if any marketing partner violated its rules, Amazon would take appropriate action. The development marks the third instance within a year where 404 Media has shed light on CMG's contentious voice-targeting technology. In December last year, the independent news outlet criticized a marketing company for promoting such invasive technology on its podcast, subsequently uncovering CMG's "active listening" functionality. The disclosures intensify existing suspicions that advertisers use mobile devices to eavesdrop on users. In a now-deleted blog post from November 2023, CMG appeared to address the legality of such practices, saying, "It is legal for phones and devices to listen to you. When a new app download or update prompts consumers with a multi-page term of use agreement, Active Listening is often included."