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Companies are always looking to understand what potential customers are searching for online. With that information, they can target users with ads tailored to the products or services they’re interested in. However, not everyone conducts online searches for everything they plan to buy. What if companies could listen to people’s everyday conversations and use that data to send them even more targeted ads?
According to a report from 404 Media, Cox Media Group (CMG) proposed this very idea to potential advertising partners. The tech news outlet recently obtained a November 2023 pitch deck from CMG outlining its "Active Listening" service. This service would allow ads to be targeted based on audio data from smart devices like smartphones, smart speakers, and smart TVs.
The CMG sales pitch opens with: "What if your business could target potential clients discussing their need for your services in daily conversations? No, this isn’t a scene from *Black Mirror*—it’s Voice Data, and CMG has the tools to make it work for your business."
The presentation also highlights that companies can legally collect this kind of data from users. "Creepy? Maybe. Effective for marketing? Absolutely," the pitch declares.
404 Media first reported on CMG's "Active Listening" initiative last year, detailing how microphones in smart devices were being used to listen to user conversations for advertising purposes. With the release of this pitch deck, the marketing strategy is now in full view.
For years, internet users have suspected Big Tech companies like Google, Amazon, Meta (Facebook), and Microsoft of eavesdropping on them. Now, 404 Media has evidence that CMG was actively promoting this type of service. CMG has previously worked with these tech giants in various capacities.
So, what’s the response from Big Tech?
Mashable reached out to Google, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft, the four companies mentioned in CMG’s pitch. All of them denied participating in CMG’s Active Listening program.
"Meta does not use your phone’s microphone for ads, and we've been transparent about this for years," a Meta spokesperson told Mashable. "We’re reaching out to CMG to clarify that their program isn’t based on Meta data."
Meta also confirmed it’s investigating whether CMG violated Facebook’s terms and policies, and said it would take action if necessary. Amazon, Google, and Microsoft similarly distanced themselves from the initiative.
"Amazon Ads has never worked with CMG on this program and has no plans to do so," an Amazon representative stated.
Google emphasized that its advertising policies require compliance with laws and regulations, and that violations are acted upon accordingly. Microsoft echoed these concerns, stating it would investigate and take necessary actions.
Although the tech companies denied involvement, concerns about privacy and smart device eavesdropping are likely to persist among consumers.
Source: https://mashable.com/article/cox-media-group-active-listening-google-microsoft-amazon-meta
According to a report from 404 Media, Cox Media Group (CMG) proposed this very idea to potential advertising partners. The tech news outlet recently obtained a November 2023 pitch deck from CMG outlining its "Active Listening" service. This service would allow ads to be targeted based on audio data from smart devices like smartphones, smart speakers, and smart TVs.
The CMG sales pitch opens with: "What if your business could target potential clients discussing their need for your services in daily conversations? No, this isn’t a scene from *Black Mirror*—it’s Voice Data, and CMG has the tools to make it work for your business."
The presentation also highlights that companies can legally collect this kind of data from users. "Creepy? Maybe. Effective for marketing? Absolutely," the pitch declares.
404 Media first reported on CMG's "Active Listening" initiative last year, detailing how microphones in smart devices were being used to listen to user conversations for advertising purposes. With the release of this pitch deck, the marketing strategy is now in full view.
For years, internet users have suspected Big Tech companies like Google, Amazon, Meta (Facebook), and Microsoft of eavesdropping on them. Now, 404 Media has evidence that CMG was actively promoting this type of service. CMG has previously worked with these tech giants in various capacities.
So, what’s the response from Big Tech?
Mashable reached out to Google, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft, the four companies mentioned in CMG’s pitch. All of them denied participating in CMG’s Active Listening program.
"Meta does not use your phone’s microphone for ads, and we've been transparent about this for years," a Meta spokesperson told Mashable. "We’re reaching out to CMG to clarify that their program isn’t based on Meta data."
Meta also confirmed it’s investigating whether CMG violated Facebook’s terms and policies, and said it would take action if necessary. Amazon, Google, and Microsoft similarly distanced themselves from the initiative.
"Amazon Ads has never worked with CMG on this program and has no plans to do so," an Amazon representative stated.
Google emphasized that its advertising policies require compliance with laws and regulations, and that violations are acted upon accordingly. Microsoft echoed these concerns, stating it would investigate and take necessary actions.
Although the tech companies denied involvement, concerns about privacy and smart device eavesdropping are likely to persist among consumers.
Source: https://mashable.com/article/cox-media-group-active-listening-google-microsoft-amazon-meta
