This morning during my workout, my coach said:
“It’s crazy — every time I talk about something, I get an ad for it right after!”
He’s not the only one who thinks so.
And maybe you’ve felt it too — that strange feeling of being listened to.
A Rumor That Became a Collective Belief
Talk about mattresses, Italian cooking, or a trip to Santorini…
and soon after, you see an ad that fits perfectly.
Coincidence?
Genius-level algorithm?
Or… is your phone actually listening to what you say?
What Studies Say… and What Remains in the Shadows
So far, no hard technical evidence has proven that apps like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or others listen to your private conversations for ad targeting.
But that doesn’t mean we can completely rule it out.
A study from the University of Berlin points out:
“No empirical evidence currently exists to demonstrate that apps record ambient audio to deliver targeted advertising. However, given the complexity of modern systems, such behavior cannot be entirely excluded in isolated cases.”
— Kröger & Raschke, 2019
In other words: we can’t confirm it’s happening… but we can’t completely deny it either.
So Why Do We Feel Like It’s True?
The answer can be summed up in one word: profiling.
Your phone may not be listening to you — but it already knows you very well:
• What you search for on Google
• Your likes, contacts, and messages
• Where you go, what you buy, what you watch or listen to
• Your habits — sleeping, browsing, daily routines
• The apps you use, your voice (via voice assistants)
• …
A 2024 study found that 58% of people believe their phone listens to them because they receive ads matching their conversations.
— SAGE Open, 2024
So it’s not just a wild conspiracy — it’s a very real, shared perception, even without proof.
Real Gray Areas Still Exist
Even if “active listening” isn’t proven, potential risks remain:
• Poorly designed or malicious apps can access your microphone in the background — if you granted them permission (sometimes unknowingly).
• Some sensors (like accelerometers) can pick up vocal vibrations, and researchers have shown they can reconstruct fragments of words.
• Certain marketing technologies even refer to “active listening” in internal documents — without explaining exactly whatthey listen to or why.
• In 2019, Google admitted that voice recordings from its Assistant were manually reviewed and transcribed by employees or contractors, supposedly to improve service quality.
“Some Google employees listen to recordings captured by Google Assistant.
These audits help improve voice recognition accuracy, but raise questions about privacy.”
— Le Monde, July 11, 2019
This revelation confirmed what many feared: some devices may record more than you think — and that data doesn’t always stay private.
Should You Be Worried?
Maybe. Maybe not.
But one thing’s for sure — you shouldn’t stay passive.
Even if nothing officially proves your phone listens to you, it’s wise to take back control and minimize risks.
Ask yourself:
• Do you know which apps have access to your microphone?
• Have you ever reviewed your privacy permissions?
• Are you using tools that truly respect your privacy?
H’api Can Help You Secure Your Phone
At H’API, our goal isn’t to spread fear — it’s to restore your digital peace of mind.
• Full smartphone security audit
• Configuration of sensitive privacy settings
• Personalized recommendations to regain control without disconnecting from the world
“Because a phone should be a tool — not a hidden ear.”
— H’api Agency
Want to find out what your phone really knows about you?
Book your privacy check-up today.