Facebook's “Active Listening” software has been leaked

A recent report has confirmed a long-held suspicion: Your phone is actually listening to you. A marketing firm whose clients include major technology companies has privately admitted to using artificial intelligence to collect real-time intent data by listening to consumers' conversations and then placing targeted ads based on the information it collects. Cox Media Group, a television and radio news conglomerate, revealed in a pitch deck to investors that it uses AI-powered software to collect and analyze behavioral and voice data from over 470 sources.

This voice data is then paired with behavioral data to target consumers in the market. The slideshow includes claims that Facebook, Google and Amazon are clients of Cox Media Group. However, Google removed CMG from its “affiliate program” website after being contacted by media company 404 Media.

A Google spokesperson said: “All advertisers must comply with all applicable laws and regulations, as well as our Google Ads policies. If we identify ads or advertisers that violate these policies, we will take appropriate action.”

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is also investigating whether CMG violated its terms of service.

“Meta does not use your phone's microphone for advertising and we have been public about this for years,” a Meta spokesperson said.

“We are reaching out to CMG to clarify that their program is not based on metadata.”

An Amazon spokesperson told 404 Media that Amazon's advertising division “has never worked with CMG on this program and has no plans to do so.” The company said it will take action against any partner that violates its rules. The report also revealed the existence of CMG's “Active Listening” feature, raising doubts about its legality. “We know what you're thinking.

“Is this even legal?” the company asked in a November 2023 statement. “It is legal for phones and devices to listen in on you. When consumers come across a multi-page user agreement when downloading or updating a new app, it often says 'Active Listening' somewhere in the fine print.

The Post has asked Cox Media Group and Amazon for comment on these revelations.