Marketing Company Claims That It Actually Is Listening to Your Phone and Smart Speakers to Target Ads
www.404media.co
“What would it mean for your business if you could target potential clients who are actively discussing their need for your services in their day-to-day conversations? No, it's not a Black Mirror episode—it's Voice Data, and CMG has the capabilities to use it to your business advantage.”

While I’m dubious of the claim due to the robust permissions management in the latest versions of iOS and Android, it is interesting that a company has come out and said they are doing what everyone is thinking.

And yes they are a subsidiary of the parent of Cox Communications, the ISP, so I would be switching to a competitor ASAP if I had their services

  • Sabata11792@kbin.social
    42·
    11 months ago

    American ISPs have no alternatives. Switching to competition usually requires moving a few states away uness you want 2000s DSL for $80 a month.

    • TORFdot0@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      19·
      11 months ago

      I used to live in Cox’s service area and before I moved they were pretty much the only show in town besides overpriced AT&T UVerse DSL. AT&T actually did upgrade the service to fiber but they called to offer it after we already closed on our current home at that point which actually has awesome fiber service from a local provider.

    • Fredselfish@lemmy.worldEnglish
      10·
      11 months ago

      FUCK we have Cox and my alternative would be using my cellphone. This shit should be illegal? Is it thier modem and router? They really hate if you use your own.

      • Sabata11792@kbin.social
        91·
        11 months ago

        I have to use their router or they will not give me my static IP. Atleast I can still set it pass everything to a useful router.

        They even broke port forwards if I was just using their shit hardware.

        Its 100% illegal but they pay Congress a lot of money.

        • shadow@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
          1·
          11 months ago

          If you’re able, try and trust a VPN provider, and route all your networking traffic through them. At least that’ll cut out your ISP from being able to harvest as much.

        • aStonedSanta@lemm.eeEnglish
          1·
          11 months ago

          ??? They only offer static ips on business as far as I’m aware and they don’t care what router you use.

          • Sabata11792@kbin.social
            3·
            11 months ago

            It’s a business plan since I like hosting small stuff. I think they tie the static ip to an account number or mac address on the router. I just set it up to bridge since it so crap.

            • aStonedSanta@lemm.eeEnglish
              1·
              11 months ago

              If it’s the technicolor you are not required to use that afaik. I have an SB8200 and my own router. Just configured the router to my static ip. Had to power cycle the modem and I was good.

    • Voroxpete@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      3·
      11 months ago

      FWIW a VPN prevents them from inspecting your traffic, so if you’re concerned about this it might be a worthwhile investment.

    • RaoulDook@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      11 months ago

      it has gotten a lot better in recent years with rural broadband at least

      I have 2 different ISP options for fiber to the home now, both local smaller companies rather than the mega ISPs we all know and hate. Prices are about $50 / 100Mb symmetrical for both ISPs

      • Sabata11792@kbin.social
        5·
        11 months ago

        I pay $150 for the same speed. No options. They even lie tell you its twice the speed even though it never actually changed.

    • DuckOverload@lemmy.worldEnglish
      22·
      11 months ago

      If you really want to escape from the data-mining ad-driven model, you could always switch to Google Fiber.