Is Your Phone Listening? Our Experiment Reveals The Truth

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. App Listening Conspiracy
3. Anecdotes of Targeted Ads
4. Zuckerberg's Response
5. Testing the Apps
6. Can Trigger Words Activate Ads?
7. Founder Denials
8. Tracking Apps
9. Data Collection Companies
10. Facebook's Data Policy
11. The Algorithm Explanation
12. Conclusion

Can Social Media Apps Really Listen to Your Conversations?

Have You ever felt like the ads that you see on your social media feed are specifically targeted to you? It's almost like the app is listening to your conversation. Many people have anecdotes of seemingly triggering a targeted ad through a private conversation, leading to widespread belief that social media apps are listening in. Even members of Congress questioned Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg about it during a hearing in 2018.

The App Listening Conspiracy

The idea that social media apps listen to our conversations has become so prevalent that it has sparked a conspiracy theory. According to this theory, apps access our microphones to listen in on our conversations, using this data to serve us targeted ads. But is there any truth to this theory?

Anecdotes of Targeted Ads

Many people have anecdotes of triggering a targeted ad through private conversations. For example, one woman was talking to her friend about a specific cruise and just a few minutes later, an ad for that specific cruise popped up on her Instagram feed. Similarly, a photojournalist noticed that his wife's Facebook feed started showing ads for the band Heart after they would call her mother-in-law by the nickname "heart". These anecdotes lead many to believe that apps are indeed listening to us.

Zuckerberg's Response

During the aforementioned hearing, Zuckerberg denied the app listening conspiracy. He argued that Facebook would need users' permission to access their microphones and that the company doesn't do that. He also stated that the company only accesses users' microphones specifically when they are recording a video for Facebook.

Testing the Apps

Some people have conducted experiments to test the app listening theory. For example, a British security company played pet food commercials over and over to a smartphone in a quiet room, seeing if a Second smartphone would serve related ads. However, the results of the test were inconclusive.

However, in a personal experiment by the author with a friend, they discussed an Airbnb stay on Instagram while the app was open on their phones. They received an Airbnb ad around 20 minutes after discussing these details.

Can Trigger Words Activate Ads?

Some people believe that the apps are not constantly listening to us but that certain trigger words can activate targeted ads. For example, someone discussing a trip to Disney may subsequently see an ad for Walt Disney World. However, there is no concrete evidence to confirm this.

Founder Denials

Facebook's founder, Mark Zuckerberg, denied that the company listens to users during an interview with CBS This Morning anchor Gayle King in June 2019. Instagram's founder, Kevin Systrom, made similar claims back in 2017. However, Systrom did admit that Instagram has access to users' microphones but only when they are recording a video.

Tracking Apps

Many apps track users extensively, not just limiting their tracking to their conversations. For example, makeup app Perfect 365 reportedly tracked Kim Kardashian's movements, as well as those of millions of other users. Oftentimes, hundreds of companies are tracking your movements through apps without your awareness.

Data Collection Companies

Data collection companies Create data profiles on us Based on all the data extracted from our online actions. This includes credit card information, social security details, photos posted on Facebook, friends' photos, location details, and altitude coordinates, among other factors.

Facebook's Data Policy

Facebook's data policy asserts that the company does not sell users' data. However, it does use data from third-party partners to target them with ads.

The Algorithm Explanation

Some people argue that targeted ads are not the result of app listening, but rather sophisticated algorithms. These algorithms use all your online data to create targeted ads that seem to listen in on your conversation. So, while it may feel like your phone is listening to your conversations, the truth is smarter algorithms are likely the explanation.

Conclusion

While we may not know definitively whether apps are listening in on our conversations, it seems that sophisticated algorithms are to blame for the targeted ads. However, it is critical to be aware of the extent that third-party companies are tracking our movements, actions, and intentions. As consumers, we must take active steps to protect our privacy and data.

Highlights

• The idea that social media apps listen to our conversations has sparked a conspiracy theory.
• Many people have anecdotes of triggering targeted ads through private conversations.
• Zuckerberg denies that the company listens to users, and he argues that Facebook would need users' permission to access their microphones.
• Some people believe that trigger words can activate targeted ads.
• Makeup app Perfect 365 reportedly tracked Kim Kardashian's movements, as well as those of millions of other users.
• While it may feel like your phone is listening to your conversations, the truth is that sophisticated algorithms are likely to blame.

FAQ

Q: Is Facebook listening to our conversations?

A: Facebook's founder, Mark Zuckerberg, denies that the company listens to users. Instagram's founder, Kevin Systrom, similarly made similar claims and admitted to only accessing users' microphones during video recording.

Q: Can trigger words activate targeted ads?

A: While not confirmed, some people believe that certain trigger words can activate targeted ads.

Q: Can third-party companies track our data?

A: Yes, many third-party companies track users' data through apps without their awareness. They create data profiles based on users' online behaviors, such as photos, location details, and altitude coordinates.

Q: How can we protect our privacy and data?

A: As consumers, it is critical to be aware of the extent that third-party companies are tracking our movements, actions, and intentions. We must take active steps to protect our privacy and data.