Facebook is spying on you, just not through your phone's mic

Advertising is an important staple of the free internet, but the companies buying and selling ads are turning into stalkers

“Can I try the Cole Haans in a size 8?” 
Later that night on Facebook: An advertisement for Cole Haan pumps.
OK, maybe a coincidence.
“What’s the best high-tech scale?” my wife asks aloud. 
Five minutes later on Instagram: An ad for scales.
Wait, are they listening?
“Get the little red Sudafed pills,” my mom says after I sneeze. 
That afternoon: An advertisement for Sudafed PE.

Yep, they’ve even wiretapped my bodily functions.

A conspiracy theory has spread among Facebook and Instagram users: The company is tapping our microphones to target ads. It’s not.


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