404 Media has published a story about a US marketing business pitching a service that promises to listen to private phone conversations in order to identify words that will influence the selection of adverts shown to the phone user. The service was offered by Cox Media Group (CMG), which is part-owned by the same Cox Enterprises that also owns Cox Communications. If it upsets you to think of communications businesses investing in spying on communications then you may not be comforted to learn that CMG’s ‘Active Listening’ service is powered by artificial intelligence.
CMG were not even hiding what they were doing. The sordid details of their ‘Active Listening’ service were openly promoted through a blog on their website. That post has since been deleted but an archived version is still available. It candidly explained why they thought this blatant invasion of privacy is legal. Look away now if you are easily frightened by the methods that lawyers use.
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. 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.
