These days, privacy issues are more important than ever in a world where technology touches every aspect of our lives. If our cellphones are listening in on our chats is one question that comes up all the time.
Many people experience that odd phenomenon: they discuss a topic in person, and then, shortly after, they get targeted mobile advertisements for that exact topic. This has given rise to a generalized belief that cell phones may be listening in on conversations covertly.
While smartphones have microphones that can technically listen, tech companies like Apple, Google, and Facebook deny using them for advertising purposes.
According to 404 Media, a marketing company that works with Google and Facebook, it acknowledged that it had spied on smartphone microphones to provide tailored advertisements.
Software for active listening exposed
A major media company called Cox Media Group (CMG) disclosed to investors in a pitch that their “Active Listening” software leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to record and analyse conversations in real time.
According to CMG, users leave a trail of data from their online activities and interactions, which the program gathers and analyses from more than 470 sources.
Additionally, they implied that this service is employed by Facebook, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft.
Is it OK for businesses to use phone microphones for advertising?
In a since-deleted blog post, Cox Media Group asserted that it is acceptable for customers to consent to terms of service—often unknowingly—when downloading or updating apps.
It was claimed by CMG in a statement that has since been removed that consumers consent to continuous listening each time they update or download a new app.
India’s data privacy laws allow users the option to deny these activities and ensure that their data is used only for targeted marketing.
Even with these regulations in place, most users don’t read “the fine print” or terms and conditions before choosing to disclose their data. It’s almost too simple to click “Accept All Cookies” immediately on gadgets to have access to the websites and applications you want.
What were Google, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft’s responses?
Every business made a statement denying their collaboration with CMG to use this kind of targeting for advertising.
A Google official said, “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.”
“Amazon Ads has never worked with CMG on this program and has no plans to do so,” an Amazon spokesperson stated
“We don’t have any comments. But just to clarify, the pitch deck in the article lists Meta as a general marketing partner, not as a partner in this program,” said Meta, the parent of Facebook.
A Microsoft official stated, “We are investigating and will take any necessary actions in line with our policies.”
Users will undoubtedly continue to have privacy concerns about smart devices, even though the firms that responded all denied participating in the advertising scheme.
Article Source
