We’ve all suspected that our phones listen to us. The company that sold that technology has just admitted it was a lie

The FTC fined Cox Media Group, MindSift, and 101 Digital Networks for marketing a fake “active listening” ad technology.

Investigators found they were not listening to conversations or tracking locations; they were buying and reselling generic contact lists instead.

The case undercuts claims of invasive ad-tech surveillance and reinforces that broad terms do not equal consent for eavesdropping.

It also highlights how privacy fears can be packaged and sold as a product.