Facebook: 'We don't listen'

Facebook thinks people mistakenly believe it is listening to them through their devices' microphones.

The ad-farm posted a brief statement last week insisting it's not spying on users – even though it quite clearly has the capability to do so.

Rather, the company says, if a user (for example) of the Facebook app gives it access to the microphone on a smartphone, it's so they can use the app to record and post a video.

We only access your microphone if you have given our app permission and if you are actively using a specific feature that requires audio. This might include recording a video or using an optional feature we introduced two years ago to include music or other audio in your status updates.

Ad decisions, the company promises, are the sole province of user interest and profile information. And, of course, the things its formidable AI infers about you using its track-you-everywhere cookies. ®