Feed: All Latest | ‘Creepy’ Listening Tool for Targeted Ads Didn’t Actually Work, FTC Says by Maddy Varner AI generated summary, Read the full article for complete information. The FTC announced that Cox Media Group, MindSift LLC, and 1010 Digital Works will collectively pay nearly $1 million to settle claims that they misled businesses by promoting an “Active Listening” service that supposedly harvested audio from consumers’ smart devices to target ads, when in fact the service was merely the sale of expensive email lists. The complaint said Cox claimed it could collect and analyze conversations from smartphones, TVs, and speakers, asserting consumer consent, but the FTC found these assertions false and that the companies marked up the data they resold. As part of the settlement, Cox will pay $880,000 and the other two firms $25,000 each, with the funds directed to businesses that purchased the ineffective service under false pretenses. The FTC emphasized that honest representation is a basic business rule and condemned the deceptive marketing practices. Read more: https://www.wired.com/story/creepy-listening-tool-for-targeted-ads-didnt-actually-work-ftc-says/ #FTC #CoxMedia #MindSiftLLC #1010Digital #ChristopherMufarrige