A marketing team within media giant Cox Media Group (CMG) claims it has the capability to listen to ambient conversations of consumers through embedded microphones in smartphones, smart TVs, and other devices to gather data and use it to target ads, according to a review of CMG marketing materials by 404 Media and details from a pitch given to an outside marketing professional. Called “Active Listening,” CMG claims the capability can identify potential customers “based on casual conversations in real time.”

  • LollerCorleone@kbin.socialOP
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    11 months ago

    You are generalizing too much here. I know many who have tried out a product only after seeing its ad. Ads can give plenty of returns to brands. But targeted ads which even exploits our most intimate conversations are really bad news for our right to privacy.

    • penquin@lemm.ee
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      11 months ago

      I said “I’ve never met a person”… then “every human being I know”. Does that count as generalizing? This is basically my circle of the people I know.

      • nevernevermore@kbin.social
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        11 months ago

        I said “I’ve never met a person”… then “every human being I know”. Does that count as generalizing?

        generalize | ˈdʒɛn(ə)rəlʌɪz | verb | 1 make a general or broad statement by inferring from specific cases

        Literally, yes.

        • penquin@lemm.ee
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          11 months ago

          If you say generalize within my circle of people that I know then yes I agree with you, but generalizing in general means everyone, even those I don’t know and have never met, and I didn’t say that. So, literally not yes. lol

          • nevernevermore@kbin.social
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            11 months ago

            so then your argument is companies are wasting money because you and your circle aren’t affected by advertising? how big is your circle that companies should fear not appealling to it?

    • RaincoatsGeorge@lemmy.zip
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      11 months ago

      Ive absolutely bought shit that ended up as an embedded ad after I visited the page previously. Youre just more likely to follow through if you see it over and over again.

      Its not really a complex concept.