Your Phone Isn’t Listening: Ads Come From Data, Not Audio
CBS News’ David Pogue debunks the idea that phones secretly overhear conversations for ads. Experts say ad targeting relies on inferences from online activity and household data rather than audio capture; Northeastern data shows no covert audio transmissions but substantial data collection. To reduce exposure, readers can use data-deletion tools, consider privacy-friendly browsers, and advocate for stronger consumer privacy laws.