It’s a theory we’ve all heard before—Facebook or other apps are secretly listening to us through our smartphones, recording our conversations to serve targeted ads. Since the dawn of targeted advertising, many users have been convinced that apps use our device microphones to spy on us. But despite this persistent belief, the idea that our smartphones are constantly eavesdropping on us is simply not true.
Recent media reports have resurfaced the claim that Facebook, in particular, is listening in on its users. However, this is a misunderstanding of how the technology works and is a prime example of misinformation.
Can Apps Really Listen to You All the Time?
First off, it’s important to clarify that it’s technically impossible for apps like Facebook to access your smartphone’s microphone 24/7. The operating systems on modern smartphones—iOS and Android—are designed with strict privacy protections that prevent such behavior. When an app accesses your microphone, both iOS and Android display an orange icon on the screen to alert users. This safeguard ensures that you know when your microphone is in use, making it difficult for apps to secretly record anything without your knowledge.
Still, the belief persists that apps are constantly listening, especially when we experience the eerie coincidence of seeing ads for products we’ve just talked about. But this is not evidence of apps eavesdropping; instead, it’s a misunderstanding of how advanced targeted advertising works.
The Source of the Misinformation
The recent wave of articles claiming that Facebook is listening to us stems from a report originally published in December 2023 by 404 Media, which discussed how some companies, like CMG (Cox Media Group), use sound recordings from connected devices to target ads. However, these reports have since been debunked. CMG itself admitted that it only uses anonymized data from sound recordings, and it does so in compliance with the terms and conditions of the apps involved.
In August 2024, 404 Media revisited the story, clarifying that Google had distanced itself from CMG due to the controversy. Unfortunately, some outlets misinterpreted the report, suggesting that Facebook and similar platforms were actively spying on users—something that simply isn’t true.
The Reality: It’s Not Economically Practical
Even if apps could technically listen to us, it wouldn’t make sense for them to do so. Transmitting and analyzing hours of audio data daily is incredibly resource-intensive and costly. This process would quickly drain your smartphone’s battery and consume vast amounts of data. From a business perspective, it’s much easier and more cost-effective to rely on the other methods of targeting that social platforms already use.
For example, Facebook can analyze how long you spend looking at certain posts, track your browsing history, and even use location data to determine which friends you’re with. Based on these factors, the platform can make highly accurate predictions about your interests without ever needing to listen to a word you say.
What About Voice Assistants?
You might wonder about voice assistants like Siri or Google Assistant—don’t they “listen” to us all the time? In a way, yes, but it’s not the invasive kind of listening many people fear. These assistants rely on passive, local listening, which means they are only listening for specific wake words like “Hey Siri” or “OK Google.” Until those words are spoken, no audio is transmitted to a server. Once the assistant is activated, only the command you give is sent, and even then, the data is often anonymized before being used.
So, How Are Ads So Accurate?
The accuracy of targeted ads can feel unsettling, but the technology behind it is less invasive than it seems. Instead of eavesdropping, platforms like Facebook use a variety of other tools to create detailed profiles of their users. They can analyze your interactions on social media, track what you search for, and even gather data from your friends and shared Wi-Fi networks.
For instance, if you and a friend are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, Facebook might infer that you’re together and serve you ads based on what your friend has been searching for online. Combine that with your own browsing habits, and it’s easy to see how platforms can deliver ads that feel strangely personal—without ever having to listen in on your conversations.
The Bottom Line
While targeted advertising can be unsettlingly accurate, it’s important to understand that our smartphones are not secretly recording our conversations. The technology simply doesn’t allow it, and even if it did, it wouldn’t be a practical or cost-effective way for companies to target ads. Instead, platforms rely on sophisticated algorithms and data collection methods to predict what we might be interested in—all without needing to listen to a word we say.
My name is Noah and I’m a dedicated member of the “Jason Deegan” team. With my passion for technology, I strive to bring you the latest and most exciting news in the world of high-tech.