We’ve seen in the past that Barbie dolls (the interactive sort) and Amazon’s Echo listen to you even when you aren’t aware they are. Of course, Mattel and Amazon tell you that all information passed on is “depersonalized” and not at all invasive.

Now, makeuseof has noticed around the web, people are seeing ads suddenly appear which seem to be linked to conversations they had when their smartphones are being used for messaging or conversations. They deny having “googled” about the topic of the add involved.

The author noticed this…but also a bunch of shows he never watches after leaving his phone at his mother’s house.

This led the author to ask the question in the title:

“It does seem as though this is something more than coincidence. But can it be proven that smartphone mics are being used to collect data and target appropriate content at users?” – makeuseof

Well, Google and facebook deny all accusations.

So…have any of you folks noticed this behavior on your phones?

Source:

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/your-smartphone-listening-or-coincidence/