Have you ever had the unsettling feeling that your smartphone or any other smart device might be eavesdropping on you? You could be discussing something privately only to have an advertisement related to it appear moments later. This phenomenon has raised suspicions, and a recent leak from a prominent advertising media firm seems to bolster these concerns.
404 Media acquired a purported sales pitch deck from Cox Media Group (CMG), a digital marketing service with partnerships alongside industry giants like Google, Meta (formerly Facebook), Microsoft, and Amazon.
The leaked sales document, released in November 2023, reveals that CMG discussed a technology referred to as “Voice Data.”Within the document, CMG explicitly states, “Yes, Our Phones are Listening to Us”in a section that elaborates on how businesses can utilize this data to enhance their advertising targeting efforts. The excerpt reads:
In most moments of the day, there’s likely a smart device within a two-inch radius of us.
This suggests that a smart device is often within earshot while we discuss our weekend plans, our desire for a kitchen remodel, or the best SUV model for our family with our spouse, among other topics.
By understanding who is in need, small businesses can target ads with improved precision, reduce unnecessary spending, and expand their customer base.
Furthermore, the document features another section that boldly emphasizes this idea without apparent regard for consumer privacy and consent:
Don’t Just Know What They’re Searching For – Know What They’re Talking About
What might seem like black magic is actually AI. The escalating capability to access microphone data from devices like smartphones and tablets allows our technology partner to aggregate and analyze voice data during pre-purchase discussions.
The outcome? An unparalleled comprehension of consumer behavior, enabling us to deliver personalized advertisements that may lead your target audience to think: wow, they must be mind readers.
Cox Media Group asserts in its pitch that monitoring via smart devices is legally permissible, indicating that these devices must always be in a listening mode. Notably, 404 Media reports that Google opted to sever relationships with CMG following the emergence of this report.
You can access the archived version of the pitch deck here.
Source: 404 Media
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