Cox Media Group, the television and radio news conglomerate, admitted in a pitch deck to investors that its “Active Listening” software uses artificial intelligence to “capture real-time intent data by listening to our conversations,” according to the report.
“Advertisers can pair this voice-data with behavioral data to target in-market consumers,” the company wrote in the pitch deck.
A media conglomerate uses AI-powered software to listen to smartphone microphones in order to place targeted ads, according to a report. Shutterstock / fizkes
CMG noted in the deck that consumers “leave a data trail based on their conversations and online behavior” and that the AI-powered software collects and analyzes said “behavioral and voice data from 470+ sources.”
The slideshow includes claims that Facebook, Google and Amazon are clients of CMG.
Google removed CMG from its “Partners Program” website after it was contacted by 404 Media to comment on the matter.
“All advertisers must comply with all applicable laws and regulations as well as our Google Ads policies, and when we identify ads or advertisers that violate these policies, we will take appropriate action,” a Google spokesperson told The Post.
The company said that it would take action against any partner that violates its rules.
Facebook is reported to be in partnership with Cox Media Group, according to 404 Media. AP
Last December, MindSift, a New Hampshire-based company, bragged that it used voice data to place targeted ads by listening to people’s everyday conversations through microphones on their devices, according to 404 Media.
Google has sought to distance itself from CMG. ZUMAPRESS.com
The report revealed the existence of CMG’s “Active Listening” feature.
“We know what you’re thinking. Is this even legal?” the company wrote in a since-deleted Cox blog post from November 2023.
“It is legal for phones and devices to listen to you. When a new app download or update prompts consumers with a multi-page term of use agreement somewhere in the fine print, Active Listening is often included.”
The Post has sought comment from CMG and Amazon.
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