25.2M views · Apr 13, 2018 · 8:56 · 1 HN recommender · 3 mentions · discussed 2018–2024
A creator runs an informal live test of whether Google or Facebook listen through the microphone to target ads, using Chrome on Windows 10. The description admits the methodology is flawed, including that live streaming itself records the microphone.
Why Hacker News points people here: Cited in threads about phones listening for ads as an anecdotal demonstration, though other commenters doubt it.
“Here's a live test that may help you to believe”
Live test showing ads matching topics spoken aloud.
Here's a live test that may help you to believe this video and link In first video, a guy talks about dog toys and then he'll see ads related to what he talked about. Worth noting, he doesn't have dogs or searched about it. The ads are even specific to the toy colors he talked about.
“I tested this with my mother, telling her about this in person and talking about dog toys.”
Live test of whether phones listen to conversations for ads.
See: this video I tested this with my mother, telling her about this in person and talking about dog toys. My mother does not have a dog - but by the end of our 2 hour talk about how much she wanted to get her dog a dog toy she was getting advertisements for dog toys and dog food on Facebook. She has an iPhone.
“Is this video bullshit? It seems like bullshit.”
"Is Google Always Listening: Live Test" (6 years ago) this video Is this video bullshit? It seems like bullshit.
