A media company that has worked with companies like Google and Meta has admitted that it can target ads based on what you say out loud near the devices’ microphones.
Media conglomerate Cox Media Group (CMG) has offered tech companies a new targeted advertising tool that uses audio recordings collected from smart home devices, according to a press release. 404 Media InvestigationThe company partners with Facebook, Google, Amazon and Bing.
In a pitch deck presented to Google, Facebook and others in November 2023, CMG referred to the technology used for monitoring and active listening as “voice data.” The company also mentioned using artificial intelligence to collect data on consumers’ online behavior.
Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft told 404 Media they had no connection to CMG’s Voice Data tool, and Google even removed the company from its list of partners after the report was published.
In one section, CMG states bluntly, “Yes, our phones are listening to us,” while explaining how companies can leverage this data to target ads more effectively.
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“In most cases, there is a smart device within 2 inches of us. That means a smart device is likely within earshot when we talk to our spouse about our weekend plans, whether our kitchen needs a remodel, which SUV is best for the family, and more,” the company wrote.
“When small businesses know who needs them, they can target their ads with greater precision, waste less money and grow their audience.”
The document does not specify where CMG would get this voice data from: whether it is a particular brand of smart TV, a smart speaker, or a smartphone with a specific app.
It’s worth noting that most phones, whether Android or iOS, now notify users when a service is accessing the microphone. On Android, a green light appears in the top right, while on iPhone, it’s an orange light.
