Shocking leak suggests your phone really is listening in on your conversations

The slideshow details the six-step process that CMG’s Active-Listening software uses to collect consumer’s voice data through seemingly any microphone-equipped device, including your smartphone, laptop or home assistant

Shock leak: Facebook, Google ‘ARE listening into your conversations’

Leaked pitch deck from alleged Facebook marketing partner Cox Media Group explains how they use your phone’s microphone to listen to what you say and serve you targeted ads.

Millions of people have long suspected it, but now a leak suggests that our phones really are listening to us. 

An apparent pitch deck from one of Facebook‘s alleged marketing partner appears to detail how the firm eavesdrops on users’ conversations to create targeted ads. 

In a slideshow, Cox Media Group (CMG) claims that its ‘Active-Listening’ software uses AI to collect and analyze ‘real-time intent data’ by listening to what you say through your phone, laptop or home assistant microphone.

‘Advertisers can pair this voice-data with behavioral data to target in-market consumers,’ the deck states. 

The pitch deck goes on to tout Facebook, Google and Amazon as clients of CMG, suggesting they could be using its Active-Listening service to target users. 

The deck goes on to break down the process step by step, from identifying a ‘data trail’ left behind by consumers conversations and online behavior to creating targeted digital ads

The pitch deck was leaked to reporters at 404 Media that showcases the capabilities of Active-Listening software to prospective customers.

Since the story broke, Google removed the media group from their ‘Partners Program’ website. 

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The slideshow details the six-step process that CMG’s Active-Listening software uses to collect consumer’s voice data through seemingly any microphone-equipped device, including your smartphone, laptop or home assistant. 

It’s unclear from the slideshow whether the Active-Listening software is eavesdropping constantly, or only at specific times when the phone mic is activated, such as during a call.

Advertisers then use these insights to target ‘in-market consumers,’ which are people actively considering buying a particular product or service. 

If your voice or behavioral data suggests you are considering buying something, they will serve you advertisements for that item.

For example, talking about or searching for Toyota cars could prompt you to start seeing ads for their newest models. 

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