With Instagram shop tabs,Hard Soap Hard Soap (1977) X ad spots, and TikTok shop videos getting even more prescient than usual, consumers are still throwing up warning signals that our devices are selling our data to the world's big advertisers. They may (or may not) be right.
According to an investigation by 404 Media, a marketing team housed under media giant Cox Media Group (CMG) has begun pitching a new ad strategy based on an AI-empowered tool called "Active Listening," which reportedly has the capability to listen to ambient conversations through smartphones, smart TVs, and other microphone-enabled devices.
"What would it mean for your business if you could target potential clients who are actively discussing their need for your services in their day-to-day conversations? No, it's not a Black Mirror episode—it's Voice Data, and CMG has the capabilities to use it to your business advantage," CMG’s websitesays. CMG has preivously worked with big tech and retail names, like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google.
In an archived blog from November, the agency says the tool signals how machine learning algorithms are ushering in a new era of marketing, and notes that Active Listening, while "fit for the future," is "available today." Before removing the page, representatives of the company had also posted about the Active Listening tool on social media platforms, including LinkedIn, 404 Media reports.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
CMG claims that its clients can use this listening data to target very specific demographics of consumers and even set up geographic areas to target specific regions of consumers.
However, the technology behind CMG's claim that it can listen and tailor its ads to consumer conversations hasn't yet been verified — perhaps signaling that the buzz around potential device listening is a gimmick in itself.
Consumers have long worried about their devices being able to listen in on and record their conversations, most notably arising with the burst of at-home smart devices like Amazon's Alexa and Google Home. And while there have been cases of archived conversations caught by smart device microphones, there's never been confirmation that device audio is being sent to advertisers and retail companies. For now, consumers have to take privacy into their own hands, managing listening and data collection settings at their own discretion.
The FCC has yet to comment on such claims, which could have wide-reaching legal and privacy ramifications.
Topics Privacy
Watch this dad's hilarious reaction to his 8'Girls Who Code' book series temporarily banned in Pennsylvania school districtHow to turn off iPhone's Dynamic Island temporarilySex robots are a hot trend for online porn'8D audio' is a refreshing sonic experience that can transport you to another dimensionPeople are throwing cheese on their children now, and it's kinda greatChrissy Teigen tweets hilarious Oscars jab at her husbandReview: The Willow breast pump is a giant, but expensive, leap forwardTwitter’s new video viewer is totally not like TikTok'Bros' review: Billy Eichner's gay romWordle today: Here's the answer, hints for September 30Donald Trump Jr. and Eric are rageThe interracial couple emoji is finally here following a Tinder campaignPETA criticized Google's Steve Irwin art and people are not happyGoogle is shutting down Stadia, its cloud gaming serviceEV charging stations are coming to highways across all 50 statesClimate change is impacting hurricanes. Here's how.I love 'House of the Dragon', but this character should be long deadRoyal family introduces social media rules following online abuse of Meghan and KateThis photo of Ocasio The CIA has launched its Instagram with an 'eye spy' picture 'Game of Thrones' fans are paying special tribute to 1 very, very heroic character How will the Eternals fit in the MCU after 'Avengers: Endgame?' Trump supporters are demanding Starbucks employees write 'Trump' on their cups Does actor Sebastian Stan exist in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Dude eats a 3 Uber could be worth $90 billion. Most drivers won't see much of it. Apple could buy Intel's modem business, report says Watching Hillary Clinton lose made women feel worse about their own careers Twitter emoji denial has Trump fundraiser fuming Sigourney Weaver surprised the high schoolers behind that 'Alien' play Massive South Korean protests calling for President Park ouster continue in Seoul Netflix's 'Chambers' is a faulty supernatural thriller Donald Trump slams 'Hamilton' cast for its message to Mike Pence Jon Stewart says Trump is 'a reaction' to both Democrats and Republicans Trump University settles fraud lawsuit for $25 million 'Avengers: Endgame' posts the first billion Cyclone Kenneth is about to pummel Mozambique A group of Marvel fans turned MIT's Great Dome into Captain America's shield Donald Trump will wield the biggest media operation in the history of the U.S. presidency
1.6353s , 10134.484375 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【Hard Soap Hard Soap (1977)】,Co-creation Information Network