No kidding.
It took the brains this long to figure this out?

<https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-13805393/Facebook-partner-brags-listening-phones-microphone-serve-ads.html>

'Shocking leak suggests your phone really is listening in on your
conversations'

'Millions of people have long suspected it, but now a leak suggests that
out phones really are listening to us.

An apparent pitch deck from one of Facebook's marketing partners appears
to detail how the firm eavesdrops on users' conversations to create
targeted ads.

In a slideshow, Cox Media Group (CMG) claims that its 'Active-Listening'
software uses AI to collect and analyze 'real-time intent data' by
listening to what you say through your phone, laptop or home assistant
microphone.

'Advertisers can pair this voice-data with behavioral data to target
in-market consumers,' the deck states.

The pitch deck goes on to tout Facebook, Google and Amazon as clients of
CMG, suggesting they could be using its Active-Listening service to
target users.'

'The pitch deck was leaked to reporters at 404 Media that showcases the
capabilities of Active-Listening software to prospective customers.'

'Since the story broke, Google removed the media group from their
'Partners Program' website.

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Meta - Facebook's parent company - admitted it is reviewing CMG for any
terms of service violations.

Amazon responded to 404 Media by stating that its ads arm 'has never
worked with CMG on this program and has no plans to do so.'

But the spokesperson added that that if one of its marketing partners
violates its rules, the company will take action, leaving the status of
Amazon's relationship with CMG somewhat unclear.

The slideshow details the six-step process that CMG's Active-Listening
software uses to collect consumer's voice data through seemingly any
microphone-equipped device, including your smartphone, laptop or home
assistant.

It's unclear from the slideshow whether the Active-Listening software is
eavesdropping constantly, or only at specific times when the phone mic
is activated, such as during a call.

Advertisers then use these insights to target 'in-market consumers,'
which are people actively considering buying a particular product or
service.

If your voice or behavioral data suggests you are considering buying
something, they will serve you advertisements for that item.

For example, talking about or searching for Toyota cars could prompt you
to start seeing ads for their newest models. '

''Once launched, the technology automatically analyzes your site traffic
and customers to fuel audience targeting on an ongoing basis,' the deck
states.

So, if you feel like you see more ads for a particular product after
talking about it with a friend, or searching for it online, this may be
the reason why.

For years, smart-device users have speculated that their phones or
tablets are listening to what they say. But most tech companies have
flat-out denied these claims.

For example, Meta's online privacy center states, 'We understand that
sometimes ads can be so specific, it seems like we must be listening to
your conversations through your microphone, but we're not.'

But this leak is just the latest development in a wave of reporting that
suggests your phone really is listening to you, and that sites like
Facebook may be cashing in on what you say.

404 Media first revealed the existence of CMG's Active-Listening service
in December 2023.

A day later, they exposed a small AI marketing company called MindSift
for bragging on a podcast about using smart device speakers to target
ads.

Although it may seem surprising, Active Listening is perfectly legal,
CMG claimed in a since-deleted blog post from November 2023.

'We know what you're thinking. Is this even legal? The short answer is:
yes. It is legal for phones and devices to listen to you,' the post
reads.

'When a new app download or update prompts consumers with a multi-page
terms of use agreement somewhere in the fine print, Active Listening is
often included.'

This could explain how CMG is getting away with this in states with
wiretapping laws that prohibits recording somebody without their
knowledge, like California.

CMG did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment,
and has not yet responded to similar inquiries from other news sites,
including Futurism and Gizmodo.

CMG is a an American media conglomerate based in Atlanta, Georgia. The
company provides broadcast media, digital media, advertising and
marketing services, and it generated $22.1 billion in revenue in 2022.'