Have you ever said something like, “I wonder if they make bacon-scented air fresheners” . . . then you see one in an online ad?
The big companies like Google and Amazon have always denied they let companies spy on us by listening in on conversations. But maybe KEEP being paranoid.
The site “404 Media” just published a leaked memo from a large marketing company, where they BRAG to clients about a feature called “Active Listening”. And it’s not the first time they’ve been exposed for it.
Cox Media Group actually bragged about it last year on their own website. They took the page down after people freaked out, but it looks like they’re still bragging about it when pitching potential clients.
Their leaked pitch says they use A.I. to capture, quote, “real-time intent data” by listening to people’s conversations. Then they use it to pinpoint potential customers.
It’s not clear exactly how they’re listening. Google, Facebook, and Amazon all say they’re not involved in the program. Google even said they dropped the company from their ad partners program. Quote, “When we identify ads or advertisers that violate [our] policies, we will take appropriate action.”
The big question is how could this be LEGAL? And some experts say it’s not. But the marketing company seems to think it is as long as software companies bury it in their fine print.
They told potential customers, quote, “It is totally legal for phones and devices to listen to you, because consumers usually give consent when accepting terms and conditions.”
(404 Media / Gizmodo / Futurism)
(In related news: Amazon confirmed they’re now running pharmaceutical ads based on things you purchase. For example, they might toss up an ad for cholesterol meds if they see you buy a bunch of pork rinds.)
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