Millions have long suspected it, but a recent leak appears to confirm that our phones might actually be listening to us.
An alleged pitch deck from one of Facebook's supposed marketing partners seems to reveal how the company could be using eavesdropping to craft targeted ads.
According to a slideshow from Cox Media Group (CMG), their 'Active-Listening' software uses AI to gather and analyze 'real-time intent data' by listening to conversations through your phone, laptop, or home assistant microphone.
This pitch deck was leaked to 404 Media, showcasing the Active-Listening software's capabilities to potential clients.
In response to the leak, Google has removed CMG from their 'Partners Program' website.
Meta, in an emailed statement to DailyMail.com, asserted, "Meta does not use your phone's microphone for ads and has been transparent about this for years. We are contacting CMG to clarify that their program does not utilize Meta data."
Amazon also responded to 404 Media, stating that its advertising division "has never collaborated with CMG on this program and has no intention to do so." However, the spokesperson noted that if any marketing partner breaches its rules, the company will take appropriate action, leaving Amazon's relationship with CMG somewhat ambiguous.
The pitch deck claims that "Advertisers can combine this voice data with behavioral data to target in-market consumers."
It also lists Facebook, Google, and Amazon as clients of CMG, implying that these companies might be using its Active-Listening service to target users.
