You Talk About Something and Its Ads Appear on Your Phone? Report Reveals Who is Listening

A new report has raised concerns about the privacy of smartphone users, suggesting that devices may be eavesdropping on conversations. The revelation comes from a report by 404 Media, which indicates that smartphones not only track users’ internet activity but also listen in on spoken conversations when the device is nearby.

Many people have noticed that ads for products or topics they’ve discussed recently started appearing on their phones, even though they haven’t searched for these items online. This phenomenon has led to suspicions that phones might be listening to conversations.

According to the report, this suspicion may be warranted. The report suggests that smartphones use “active listening technology” to monitor conversations. Additionally, it highlights a concerning trend where users often grant apps access to their microphones without thoroughly reviewing the permissions requested during app installations.

This practice raises significant privacy issues, as it allows apps – and by extension, the companies behind them – to potentially listen in on private conversations. The findings underscore the need for greater scrutiny of app permissions and heightened awareness of how personal data may be used. The report claims that this practice is not limited to smaller apps but also involves major companies such as Facebook and Google.

According to the findings, this issue extends beyond smartphones. Smart devices throughout your home, including phones and smart TVs, are reportedly using AI to match real-time conversations with search history, leading to targetted ads based on those discussions.

The report also highlights that Cox Media Group (CMG), a leading player in the media industry, has developed technology capable of analysing background conversations through the microphones in smartphones, smart TVs, and other devices.

This underscores the importance of carefully reviewing app permissions before granting them. For instance, if a photo editing app requests access to your microphone, it’s worth questioning why a photo app would need such permission.