Many users are surprised to see ads on their phones about something they talked about. Have you ever been surprised by an advertisement or promotional video on your smartphone about something discussed in casual conversation? An American company has now clarified how this phenomenon occurs, removing any doubt about the method behind it.
Cox Media Group recently unveiled its AI-powered program, Active Listening, designed to eavesdrop on conversations through the microphones of smartphones and other smart devices. This revelation was made during a marketing event that was leaked by Media404, a website dedicated to analyzing technology's impact on society.
The company collaborates with advertising divisions of tech giants like Facebook, Google, and Amazon to enhance the precision of their targeting efforts. The software purportedly listens to conversations across phones, laptops, and digital screens to gauge shopping intentions in real time, leveraging artificial intelligence to improve advertisers' outreach.
Despite years of denial from major advertising platforms, Cox Media Group's marketing presentation confirmed the existence of this technology, which requires substantial investment in audio recording and analysis capabilities. The financial burden of such extensive eavesdropping raises questions about the return on investment for these companies.
Concerns about legality arise as the technology continues to operate under the premise that users consent to eavesdropping when they agree to lengthy terms of service. The leaked presentation listed major clients, including Google, Amazon, and Facebook, although these companies have since distanced themselves from the technology following Media404's investigation.
