Is Your Smartphone Really Listening? The Truth Is Far More Complex

A long-standing conspiracy theory claims smartphones constantly eavesdrop on private conversations. While the 2024 revelation of Cox Media Group's "Active Listening" system fueled this, it only used snippets of voice data uploaded after activating voice assistants, not 24/7 monitoring. Companies like Facebook leverage massive datasets and sophisticated algorithms to predict user needs and deliver targeted ads – a process far more complex and unsettling than simple eavesdropping. Studies show phones don't constantly monitor microphones, but the data collected through other means is still deeply concerning.