ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Research → Technology

Facebook is using your phone to listen to everything you say, professor suggests

The good news is that it's easy to turn this off.

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
June 2, 2016
in News, Technology
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

Facebook admits to using people’s microphones to listen to what they say, but they claim this is somehow a good thing.

4638981545_68f982c9d2_o

Kelli Burns, mass communication professor at the University of South Florida claims to have tested a bunch of devices running the Facebook mobile app, and found that all of them are listening to everything you say, providing customized ads based on what you are saying.

“I’m really interested in going on an African safari. I think it’d be wonderful to ride in one of those jeeps,” she said out loud with her phone in hand. According to the NBC report, less than a minute later, the first story in her Facebook feed was about a safari. And a car ad soon appeared on her page – go figure.

Of course, this is not scientific evidence at this point, but Burns is not one to shun. Before becoming an academic, she spent seven years in corporate marketing and is a well-known figure in social media circles.

Facebook didn’t deny the claims. Instead, it admitted that it picks up sounds from users, but said that it only does this to recommend they post things on Facebook.

“Facebook does not use microphone audio to inform advertising or News Feed stories in any way,” a spokesperson vaguely told The Independent. “Businesses are able to serve relevant ads based on people’s interests and other demographic information, but not through audio collection.”

It’s not the first time Facebook has come under fire for something like this. Last years it was also accused of the same thing, and they said at the time that users had to turn their microphone on in order for this to work. But now, the microphone is on by default, so this does seem to confirm that Facebook is listening to you.

This falls into a long line of Facebook privacy intrusions. The company’s response to this also falls in line with previous responses: vague policies, unclear measures and ever-shifting policies. We still don’t know exactly what Facebook is doing, and they have access to all our data.

RelatedPosts

Frequent sauna seems to protect from dementia and Alzheimer’s, new study shows
Scientists create see-through eggshell to reduce animal testing
Why there’s a huge bite mark on Pluto
Scientists find surprising species of jellyfish near the Mariana Trench

 

ShareTweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

Geology

NASA finally figures out what’s up with those “Mars spiders”

byMihai Andrei
7 hours ago
News

Cycling Is Four Times More Efficient Than Walking. A Biomechanics Expert Explains Why

byAnthony Blazevich
7 hours ago
Future

We’re Starting to Sound Like ChatGPT — And We Don’t Even Realize It

byTibi Puiu
7 hours ago
Science

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe Just Flew Closer to the Sun Than Ever Before and the Footage is Breathtaking

byTibi Puiu
7 hours ago

Recent news

NASA finally figures out what’s up with those “Mars spiders”

July 15, 2025

Cycling Is Four Times More Efficient Than Walking. A Biomechanics Expert Explains Why

July 15, 2025

We’re Starting to Sound Like ChatGPT — And We Don’t Even Realize It

July 15, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.