Leading U.S. marketing company Cox Media Group (CMG) has reportedly admitted to utilizing “Active Listening” technology to monitor conversations for the purpose of targeted advertising.
As reported by 404media, with renowned clients such as CBS, Fox News, and ESPN, CMG has actively pitched this not-so-futuristic service to advertisers, claiming the ability to eavesdrop on consumers through microphones in smartphones, TVs, and smart speakers.
The Revelation
CMG has promoted its Active Listening capability as a means to identify potential customers in real-time through everyday conversations. Despite uncertainty about its presence on current devices, CMG markets it as a cutting-edge marketing tool “available today.” The disclosure has caught the attention of various online communities, raising concerns about privacy and potential repercussions within the industry, especially in the context of global efforts to enhance user privacy.
Industry Response
SEO consultant Glenn Gabe expressed skepticism, stating, “This will not end well,” while Google Ads expert Steve Huskey labeled it a “textbook definition of invasion of privacy.” The statements from CMG have sparked discussions about the implications of such practices, particularly in an era where privacy concerns are at the forefront, leading to the phasing out of third-party cookies.
Active Promotion
A CMG representative was reportedly spotted on LinkedIn actively promoting the Active Listening service, inviting interested parties to connect for detailed information on pricing. The company’s pitch has added a layer of urgency to the ongoing conversation around user privacy and the boundaries of data collection in the advertising realm.
CMG’s Clarification
In response to the reports, a CMG spokesperson clarified that their advertising tools, including Active Listening, involve third-party vendor products powered by data sets sourced from users by various social media and other applications.
They emphasized that CMG businesses do not directly listen to conversations and only have access to anonymized, aggregated, and encrypted data sets for ad placement.
Even Google Pitches In
A Google spokesperson provided reassurance about their platform, stating that Android has long prevented apps from collecting audio when not actively used. The spokesperson highlighted that whenever an app activates a device’s microphone, a prominent icon is displayed in the status bar, ensuring transparency and user awareness.
The acknowledgment by CMG of actively monitoring conversations for targeted ads adds a new dimension to the ongoing discourse on user privacy.
As the industry grapples with evolving norms and regulations, the incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between personalized advertising and safeguarding user data.
The impact of such revelations will likely resonate beyond CMG, prompting a broader reflection on ethical advertising practices and the boundaries of data utilization.
