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Facebook denies 'listening' to conversations

bbc.com

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Re: Facebook denies 'listening' to conversations

#131

Post by sillysaurus3 »

rickhanlonii wrote: post #103

They're listening, but not to your voice or with a microphone. Facebook is listening to your data--to all of our data, all at once. They have locations, searches, clicks, messaging, photos, hashtags, and any other form of browsing patterns for everyone in your country, everyone in your neighboorhood, everyone in the same room as you. They have enough data with such advanced analysis that on occasion they can get real…

So... Why should we care?

If I had to give my father some reasons why this should concern him, I'd come up blank. Maybe you can fill in a few.

Re: Facebook denies 'listening' to conversations

#134

Post by Spooky23 »

ojosilva wrote: post #89

But has anyone scientifically validated any of these assumptions? It doesn't seem very hard. Speak, then visit pages with FB ads and take note. Seems like the internets has taken these serious accusations as some sort of corporate conspiracy but I haven't seen any independent, credible study of how Facebook's apps (confirmed) access to microphone are actually being translated into ads.

Put a few people with the Facebook app and messenger in the room and talk about gold coins.

Re: Facebook denies 'listening' to conversations

#135

Post by tfinniga »

sillysaurus3 wrote: post #131
rickhanlonii wrote: post #103

They're listening, but not to your voice or with a microphone. Facebook is listening to your data--to all of our data, all at once. They have locations, searches, clicks, messaging, photos, hashtags, and any other form of browsing patterns for everyone in your country, everyone in your neighboorhood, everyone in the same room as you. They have enough data with such advanced analysis that on occasion they can get real…

So... Why should we care? If I had to give my father some reasons why this should concern him, I'd come up blank. Maybe you can fill in a few.

Is your question why privacy is important, or are you thinking of something else?

Re: Facebook denies 'listening' to conversations

#136

Post by gt_ »

diego wrote: post #107
gt_ wrote: post #104

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"We don't gather data using microphones"

But they most likely do. Voice corpora are extremely useful to train voice recognition systems, for one.

That makes sense. So, given that this is data it's users have an obvious interest in keeping private, Facebook could at least inform of this. The only reason I could imagine they aren't doing this is that their voice recognition isn't used for any released products. I think that's a viable theory of what they would be doing with the voice data.

EDIT: User 'crucifiction' makes a good point about needing the transcript to use it for voice recognition. So, who knows.

It doesn't in any sense justify collecting data and being so elusive about their intent. We naturally have reason to get the impression that Facebook just wants the data, will try anything it can to keep collecting it until so much energy has been invested in the PR issues that the collection has an attributable effect on their market.

But maybe they are using the voice data to change the world for the better and bring people together yada yada! :)

Re: Facebook denies 'listening' to conversations

#137

Post by Spooky23 »

feelin_googley wrote: post #90

It is interesting that they feel the need to officially deny it. The Twitter user co-hosts a podcast where users can call in to tell him whether they think Facebook is listening or not. One could argue, from a PR perspective, it does not matter whether Facebook is listening or not. First, some users do not trust them. Maybe Facebook is worried about those users telling other users. Second, some users believe it is te…

If they listen and record conversations that include conference calls, there’s a high probability that’s an issue.

Re: Facebook denies 'listening' to conversations

#138

Post by photonios »

rickhanlonii wrote: post #103

They're listening, but not to your voice or with a microphone. Facebook is listening to your data--to all of our data, all at once. They have locations, searches, clicks, messaging, photos, hashtags, and any other form of browsing patterns for everyone in your country, everyone in your neighboorhood, everyone in the same room as you. They have enough data with such advanced analysis that on occasion they can get real…

Exactly. People underestimate the amount of data Facebook (and companies alike) can and do scoop up. I’ve seen countless stories supposedly proofing that they’re listening through the microphone. However, most of them can easily be explained away if you consider the vasts amount of data they collect.

Re: Facebook denies 'listening' to conversations

#139

Post by comboy »

submeta wrote: post #133

If they do listen and present you ads based on your conversation, can't you fool it (and test it) by talking about (let's say) buying new running shoes? Shouldn't you observe ads about running shoes? Edit: added missing word

There are some videos of people who did exactly that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=U0SOxb_Lfps

Re: Facebook denies 'listening' to conversations

#140

Post by qbrass »

brad0 wrote: post #97

> "At work, happened to me though earlier this year. Working as a barista, got a burn, talked to my partner in person about it, went to Target, bought the burn cream, and saw an ad on FB for the exact product I purchased. Never searched for product either," wrote Brigitte Bonasoro. Facebook has data sharing agreements with many, many companies. It's most likely that the cream was bought with a card then linked togeth…

I don't see how it's beneficial to the advertiser when the person has already bought the product before they've seen the ad?

It sounds like someone is trying to game the advertiser by correlating ad views with sales.

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