Millions of people have suspected it for a long time, but now a leak suggests that our phones are actually listening in on us.

A pitch deck from a purported Facebook marketing partner appears to detail how the company eavesdrops on users’ conversations to create targeted ads.

In a slideshow, Cox Media Group (CMG) claims that its “active listening” software uses AI to collect and analyze “real-time intent data” by listening to what you say through the microphone of your phone, laptop or home assistant.

“Advertisers can combine this voice data with behavioral data to target consumers in the market,” the presentation says.

The pitch deck further touts Facebook, Google and Amazon as CMG customers and suggests that they could use CMG’s active listening service to target users.

The first slide of CMG’s leaked pitch deck describes how their active listening software listens to your conversations and extracts real-time intent data

Below we break down the process step by step, from identifying a “data trail” left by consumer conversations and online behavior to creating targeted digital ads.

The pitch deck was leaked to reporters at 404 Media and showcases the capabilities of the active listening software to potential customers.

Since the story broke, Google has removed the media group from its “Partner Program” website.

In an emailed statement to DailyMail.com, a Meta spokesperson said: “Meta does not use your phone’s microphone for advertising and we have been going public about it for years. We are reaching out to CMG to get them to clarify that their program is not based on metadata.”

Amazon responded to 404 Media that its advertising division “has never worked with CMG on this program and has no plans to do so.”

However, the spokesperson added that the company would take action if any of its marketing partners violated the rules, leaving the status of Amazon’s relationship with CMG somewhat unclear.

The slideshow details the six-step process by which CMG’s active listening software collects consumer voice data through seemingly any device equipped with a microphone, including your smartphone, laptop or home assistant.

It is not clear from the slideshow whether the active listening software is listening continuously or only at certain times when the phone microphone is activated, for example during a call.

Advertisers then use these insights to target “in-market buyers,” people who are actively considering purchasing a particular product or service.

If your voice or behavioral data suggests that you are considering a purchase, you will see ads for that item.

For example, if you talk about or search for Toyota brand cars, you may see ads for the latest models.

Google, Amazon and Facebook are explicitly touted as CMG customers, but these tech giants have denied allegations that they are eavesdropping on users’ conversations

Daily Mail tech reporter Rob Waugh tested whether Google was listening to him last year

Smartphone users have long suspected that their devices are listening in on them and showing them targeted advertisements. But tech giants like Facebook, Google and Amazon deny these claims.

“Once launched, the technology automatically analyzes your site’s traffic and customers to continuously optimize targeting,” the presentation states.

So, if you feel like you’re seeing more ads for a particular product after talking about it with a friend or searching for it online, this may be why.

For years, smart device users have speculated that their phones or tablets are listening in on their conversations. But most technology companies have categorically denied these claims.

For example, Meta’s online privacy center states: “We understand that ads can sometimes be so specific that it may seem like we are listening to your conversations through your microphone. But we are not.”

But this leak is just the latest in a wave of reports suggesting that your phone is actually listening to you, and that sites like Facebook may be making money from what you say.

404 Media revealed for the first time the existence of CMG’s Active Listening service in December 2023.

A day later, they uncovered a small AI marketing company called MindSift that had boasted in a podcast about using the speakers of smart devices for targeted advertising.

Although it may seem surprising, active listening is completely legal, CMG claimed in a now-deleted blog post from November 2023.

‘We know what you’re thinking. Is this even legal? The short answer is yes. “It is legal for phones and devices to listen in on you,” the post says.

“When consumers download or update a new app and come across a multi-page terms of use agreement somewhere in the fine print, active listening is often part of it.”

This may explain why CMG gets away with it in states like California, whose wiretapping laws prohibit the recording of telephone conversations without their knowledge.

CMG did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment and has not responded to similar requests from other news sites, including Futurism and Gizmodo.

CMG is an American media conglomerate based in Atlanta, Georgia. The company provides broadcast media, digital media, advertising and marketing services and had revenues of $22.1 billion in 2022.