The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Short answer: A Cox Media Group (CMG) marketing operation promoted a product called Active Listening as a way to identify people discussing products near their phones, smart TVs, smart speakers, and other microphones. However, the strongest later evidence does not show that Facebook secretly listened to users or that CMG’s system actually processed microphone conversations. In a May 2026 complaint, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alleged that Active Listening used no voice data at all and instead resold email lists obtained from data brokers.
The episode is still important because it showed how an advertising company marketed the idea of microphone-based targeting, referenced major advertising platforms, and claimed that ordinary app and device terms amounted to consent for voice-data collection. Those claims are not proof that Meta, Google, or Amazon received ambient recordings from people’s devices.
What the leaked material actually showed
In 2023 and 2024, CMG promoted what it called Voice Data and Active Listening. Its marketing materials claimed that smartphones were “technically always listening” and suggested that artificial intelligence could identify people talking about a need for a particular product or service.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsA pitch deck later supplied to at least one prospective customer described Active Listening as a source of “real-time intent data.” The deck also displayed or referenced names and logos associated with Facebook, Google, Amazon, and Bing. That combination produced the widely circulated story that a Facebook partner had admitted to listening to people’s phones in order to serve advertisements.
#1 Best Overall
- DUAL-BAND WIFI 6 ROUTER: Wi-Fi 6(802.11ax) technology achieves faster speeds, greater capacity and reduced network congestion compared to the previous gen. All WiFi routers require a separate modem. Dual-Band WiFi routers do not support the 6 GHz band.
- AX1800: Enjoy smoother and more stable streaming, gaming, downloading with 1.8 Gbps total bandwidth (up to 1200 Mbps on 5 GHz and up to 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz). Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
- CONNECT MORE DEVICES: Wi-Fi 6 technology communicates more data to more devices simultaneously using revolutionary OFDMA technology
- EXTENSIVE COVERAGE: Achieve the strong, reliable WiFi coverage with Archer AX1800 as it focuses signal strength to your devices far away using Beamforming technology, 4 high-gain antennas and an advanced front-end module (FEM) chipset
- OUR CYBERSECURITY COMMITMENT: TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
The narrower, supportable description is different:
- CMG marketed a service that it claimed could use voice data for advertising.
- Its pitch material referenced major advertising and marketing platforms.
- The material did not prove that Facebook was secretly recording users’ conversations.
- It did not prove that Meta used ambient microphone audio to personalize advertisements.
- It did not prove that the advertised Active Listening technology worked as described.
404 Media’s original report documented the marketing claims. A subsequent report published the Active Listening pitch deck and reported that Google removed CMG from its advertising Partners Program after being asked about the deck.
Google’s action established that CMG had a relationship with Google’s advertising partner program. It did not establish that Google or Facebook supplied CMG with microphone recordings, authorized ambient-audio surveillance, or used the claimed system to choose ads.
The FTC’s later account changes the story
On May 21, 2026, the FTC announced proposed settlements with CMG, MindSift LLC, and 1010 Digital Works LLC. The agency alleged that CMG’s Active Listening service “did not, in fact, listen in on consumers’ conversations or use voice data at all.” According to the FTC, the service consisted instead of email lists purchased from data brokers and resold to advertisers at a substantial markup.
The proposed settlements totaled $930,000:
- $880,000 from CMG
- $25,000 from MindSift LLC
- $25,000 from 1010 Digital Works LLC
The proposed orders would prohibit the companies from misrepresenting:
- their advertising capabilities;
- whether they collect or use voice data;
- whether consumers consented to voice-data collection; and
- whether they can target people in a particular geographic area based on alleged conversations.
The FTC’s announcement links to the complaint, decision and order, and consent-order documents dated May 21, 2026.
This does not make the original marketing material irrelevant. It means the most dramatic claim in that material—that CMG had a working system listening to conversations for advertising—was later contradicted by the FTC’s account of what the service actually did.
What Meta says about microphone-based advertising
Meta has long rejected the claim that Facebook uses a phone’s microphone to personalize advertisements or select content for the News Feed. In its published explanation, Meta says it accesses the microphone only when a user has granted permission and is actively using a feature that requires audio.
Rank #2
- Dual-band Wi-Fi with 5 GHz speeds up to 867 Mbps and 2.4 GHz speeds up to 300 Mbps, delivering 1200 Mbps of total bandwidth¹. Dual-band routers do not support 6 GHz. Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
- Covers up to 1,000 sq. ft. with four external antennas for stable wireless connections and optimal coverage.
- Supports IGMP Proxy/Snooping, Bridge and Tag VLAN to optimize IPTV streaming
- Access Point Mode - Supports AP Mode to transform your wired connection into wireless network, an ideal wireless router for home
- Advanced Security with WPA3 - The latest Wi-Fi security protocol, WPA3, brings new capabilities to improve cybersecurity in personal networks
Meta’s current explanation also says that microphone use for Meta AI voice features is indicated on screen and does not occur unless permission was granted and the user is actively using an audio-requiring feature.
That is a statement of Meta’s position, not an independent audit of every app or every advertising system. But the CMG material itself did not demonstrate the opposite. It showed that a marketing operation made a claim about voice-based targeting—not that Meta secretly collected ambient conversations for advertising.
Why a relevant advertisement is not proof of microphone surveillance
People often notice an advertisement shortly after discussing a product and reasonably wonder whether a phone recorded the conversation. The timing can feel persuasive, but it does not identify the data source.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Meta describes several non-audio sources that can contribute to ad personalization, including:
- activity on Facebook;
- information supplied by advertisers and other business partners;
- activity on websites and apps;
- offline interactions supplied by partners;
- profile and account information; and
- customer lists uploaded by businesses and matched to accounts.
The FTC’s account of Active Listening adds another possible explanation in this specific case: the service allegedly used email lists from data brokers rather than voice recordings.
Therefore, an ad appearing after a conversation does not, by itself, prove that the microphone was used. The CMG episode does not establish that inference, and the FTC’s later allegations point in the opposite direction for Active Listening.
Did users “opt in” through app terms?
CMG and its marketing partners reportedly claimed that consumers had opted in to voice-data collection through ordinary app or device terms of service. The FTC specifically challenged that reasoning.
According to the agency, clicking through mandatory app or device terms would not constitute adequate consent for the claimed use of voice data. The distinction matters: accepting general terms is not automatically meaningful permission for a company to record, analyze, and sell ambient conversations for advertising.
Rank #3
- NIGHTHAWK WIFI 6 ROUTER FOR YOUR WHOLE HOME: Delivers fast, reliable WiFi across every room of your apartment or small home for streaming, gaming, video calls, and smart home devices, all running at the same time without slowing each other down.
- WORKS WITH YOUR EXISTING INTERNET SERVICE: Pairs with your existing modem or gateway via ethernet. Compatible with most cable, fiber, DSL, and satellite providers. Some gateways and modem router combos may require bridge mode. No coax needed.
- SET UP AND MANAGE YOUR NETWORK WITH THE NIGHTHAWK APP: Download the free Nighthawk app on iOS or Android for guided setup. Manage WiFi, run speed tests, pause devices, and set up guest networks from anywhere. Active internet required.
- READY FOR THE DEVICES YOU ALREADY OWN: Your phones, laptops, and TVs work right out of the box. WiFi 6 delivers speeds up to 1.8 Gbps across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Backward compatible with WiFi 5 and earlier.
- COVERAGE IN EVERY ROOM: Covers up to 1,500 sq. ft. for up to 20 connected devices. Walls, floors, and interference can reduce range. Larger or multi-story homes may benefit from a NETGEAR Orbi mesh WiFi system.
There are also two separate permissions that are easy to confuse:
- Device or operating-system permission: whether an app can access the microphone.
- Service-specific consent: whether a company clearly explains a particular collection and advertising use and obtains the consent required for that use.
Granting microphone access to use a video call, voice message, dictation tool, or voice assistant does not by itself prove that unrelated ambient audio may be collected and used for advertising. The FTC’s complaint specifically alleged that treating general terms as an “opt-in” for the claimed voice-data operation was deceptive.
What the story does—and does not—say about Facebook
| Claim | What the available evidence supports |
|---|---|
| “Facebook secretly listens through your microphone to choose ads.” | Not established. Meta says it does not use ambient microphone audio to personalize ads, and the FTC alleged CMG’s service used no voice data. |
| “CMG was Facebook’s secret microphone-surveillance division.” | Not established. CMG’s deck referenced Facebook and other advertising platforms, but that does not prove Facebook authorized or received ambient recordings. |
| “CMG claimed it could sell voice-derived ad targeting.” | Supported by the marketing material and pitch deck. |
| “The advertised Active Listening system actually worked.” | Contradicted by the FTC’s later allegation that the service did not listen to conversations or use voice data. |
| “Google had no relationship with CMG.” | Incorrect. Google removed CMG from its advertising Partners Program after the pitch deck became public, showing that a partner-program relationship existed. That does not prove Google received microphone audio. |
| “Turning off microphone access ends targeted advertising.” | Incorrect. Microphone controls affect microphone access, not other sources of ad personalization. |
How to check microphone access on an iPhone or iPad
Apple provides both permission controls and indicators showing when an app is using the microphone.
Recommended Free Tools
Review or revoke microphone permission
- Open Settings.
- Tap Privacy & Security.
- Tap Microphone.
- Review the listed apps.
- Turn microphone access on or off for each app.
Apple’s iPhone microphone-permission guide explains that this list contains apps that have requested microphone access.
Understand the iOS indicators
- Orange indicator: an app is using the microphone without the camera.
- Green indicator: the camera is in use, including when the microphone is being used with it.
Opening Control Center can also show which app recently used the microphone or camera. These indicators are useful for spotting active access, but they are not proof that an app never processed audio at another time.
Review broader app and network activity
- Open Settings.
- Tap Privacy & Security.
- Tap App Privacy Report.
Apple’s App Privacy Report documentation says the report shows how apps use granted permissions and their network activity. It is a system-level privacy report, not a forensic guarantee that an app never processed audio. Treat it as evidence about activity visible to the operating system, not as a complete independent audit.
How to control microphone access on Android
Android menus vary by manufacturer and Android version, but the main permission controls are available through Settings.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Change permission for one app
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps.
- Select the app.
- Tap Permissions.
- Tap Microphone.
- Select the available option, such as Allow only while using the app, Ask every time, or Don’t allow.
Google documents these controls in its Android permissions guide. The exact choices depend on the Android version and device.
Rank #4
- 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞-𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝟕: Powered by Wi-Fi 7 technology, enjoy faster speeds with Multi-Link Operation, increased reliability with Multi-RUs, and more data capacity with 4K-QAM, delivering enhanced performance for all your devices.
- 𝐁𝐄𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟎 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥-𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝟕 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫: Delivers up to 2882 Mbps (5 GHz), and 688 Mbps (2.4 GHz) speeds for 4K/8K streaming, AR/VR gaming & more. Dual-band routers do not support 6 GHz. Performance varies by conditions, distance, and obstacles like walls.
- 𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢-𝐆𝐢𝐠 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝟐.𝟓 𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟑×𝟏𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐋𝐀𝐍 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬: Maximize Gigabitplus internet with one 2.5G WAN/LAN port, one 2.5 Gbps LAN port, plus three additional 1 Gbps LAN ports. Break the 1G barrier for seamless, high-speed connectivity from the internet to multiple LAN devices for enhanced performance.
- 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭-𝐆𝐞𝐧 𝟐.𝟎 𝐆𝐇𝐳 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐝-𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫: Experience power and precision with a state-of-the-art processor that effortlessly manages high throughput. Eliminate lag and enjoy fast connections with minimal latency, even during heavy data transmissions.
- 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫 - Covers up to 2,000 sq. ft. for up to 60 devices at a time. 4 internal antennas and beamforming technology focus Wi-Fi signals toward hard-to-reach areas. Seamlessly connect phones, TVs, and gaming consoles.
Review every app with microphone permission
- Open Settings.
- Tap Security & Privacy.
- Tap Privacy.
- Open Permission manager.
- Select Microphone.
On some phones, the labels or order of these menus differ.
Temporarily disable microphone access system-wide
On supported Android versions, go to:
Settings → Security & privacy → Privacy → Privacy controls → Microphone access
This global switch is separate from each app’s individual permission. Turning it off can prevent microphone access broadly, but it may also disable expected functions such as calls, voice messages, voice assistants, dictation, and video conferencing.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Review recent microphone use
On supported devices, look under Settings → Security and Privacy, or open Privacy → Privacy dashboard → Microphone. Google says Android 13 can show app activity for the previous seven days, while Android 12 shows the previous 24 hours. Google’s Privacy Dashboard guidance explains the available history.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to reduce partner-based ad personalization on Facebook
Revoking microphone permission is still sensible if an app does not need audio, but it does not control all advertising data. To review Facebook’s setting for activity supplied by advertisers and other partners, use this desktop path:
- Click your profile picture.
- Select Settings & privacy.
- Open Settings.
- Open Accounts Center.
- Select Ad preferences.
- Choose Manage info.
- Open Activity information from ad partners.
- Select Review setting.
Meta says this setting controls whether information supplied by advertisers and other partners about activity on their websites, apps, or offline interactions is used to personalize Facebook ads. The relevant Meta help page also warns that turning the setting off does not stop all ad personalization.
Ads may still be personalized using activity on Facebook. Meta also says a business’s uploaded customer list may still be used if it matches your account. Accounts in the same Accounts Center may share the setting, while accounts outside that Accounts Center may have different ad experiences.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallIf the setting is missing, Meta recommends updating the Facebook app or trying accountscenter.facebook.com in a browser. Labels and availability can vary by account, platform, region, and the current version of Meta’s interface.
Best Value
- Dual band router upgrades to 1200 Mbps high speed internet (300mbps for 2.4GHz plus 900Mbps for 5GHz), reducing buffering and ideal for 4K stream
- Full Gigabit Ports - Gigabit Router with 4 Gigabit LAN ports, ideal for any internet plan and allow you to directly connect your wired devices
- Boosted Coverage - Four external antennas equipped with Beamforming technology extend and concentrate the Wi-Fi signals
- MU-MIMO technology - (5GHz band) allows high speeds for multiple devices simultaneously
- Access Point Mode - Supports AP Mode to transform your wired connection into wireless network, an ideal wireless router for home
A practical privacy checklist
- Review which apps have microphone permission and remove access from apps that do not need it.
- Prefer “only while using the app,” “ask every time,” or equivalent limited permissions where available.
- Pay attention to the orange microphone indicator on iPhone and iPad.
- Review Android’s Privacy Dashboard or iOS App Privacy Report when available.
- Check Facebook’s partner-activity advertising setting in Accounts Center.
- Remember that ad personalization can use browsing activity, partner data, profile information, on-platform activity, and matched customer lists without microphone audio.
- Do not treat one unusually relevant advertisement as proof of recording.
- Distinguish a company’s marketing claim from evidence that the underlying technology operated as advertised.
The broader lesson from the CMG episode
The episode illustrates two different privacy risks that should not be conflated.
The first is actual microphone access: whether an app has permission to use a device’s microphone and whether the operating system reports that use. The controls above are designed to help users manage that risk.
The second is deceptive or exaggerated data marketing: a company claiming it can identify people from private conversations, claim that users consented through generic terms, or imply relationships with major platforms more broadly than the evidence supports. The FTC’s complaint focused on this second issue as well as the alleged absence of voice data.
In this case, the most defensible conclusion is not that Facebook was caught secretly listening to everyone. It is that CMG marketed an alarming microphone-based advertising capability, its pitch material created questions about platform relationships, and the FTC later alleged that the service did not use microphone conversations at all. Users can and should restrict unnecessary microphone permissions, but doing so is only one part of controlling targeted advertising.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Facebook use my phone’s microphone to personalize ads?
The CMG material did not prove that. Meta says it does not use ambient microphone audio to personalize ads, and the FTC later alleged that CMG’s Active Listening service did not use voice data at all. Facebook ads can still be personalized from on-platform activity, partner data, browsing and app activity, profile information, and matched customer lists.
What was CMG’s Active Listening product?
CMG marketed Active Listening as a service that could supposedly identify real-time purchase intent from conversations picked up by smartphones, smart TVs, smart speakers, and other microphones. The FTC later alleged that the service actually used email lists obtained from data brokers rather than voice recordings.
Does turning off microphone permission stop targeted ads?
No. It limits an app’s access to the microphone, but it does not stop advertising based on other information, such as activity on Facebook, partner-supplied activity, website or app activity, profile information, or uploaded customer lists matched to an account.
How can I tell whether an app is using my microphone?
On iPhone and iPad, an orange indicator means an app is using the microphone without the camera, while a green indicator means the camera is in use, including microphone use with it. On Android, review the Privacy Dashboard and the microphone section of Permission Manager. These tools report system-visible activity but are not complete forensic audits.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: CMG really did market “Active Listening” as microphone-based ad targeting, but that was not proof that Facebook secretly listened to users. The FTC’s May 2026 complaint alleged that CMG’s service used no voice data and instead resold brokered email lists. Check and revoke unnecessary microphone permissions, but also review partner-based ad settings because targeted advertising can continue through many non-audio data sources.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
