Adam Mosseri, Instagram’s head, has pushed back hard against the ongoing theory that Meta secretly listens to users through phone microphones to serve targeted advertisements.
What Mosseri Said
Speaking publicly on Wednesday, Mosseri was pretty clear about the whole situation. “Meta does not and has never used your microphone to record private conversations for ad targeting,” he stated directly.
This isn’t the first time Meta has denied these claims – but the theory just won’t die.
The Conspiracy Theory That Won’t Go Away
For years now, users have reported something weird: they’ll have a conversation about something – maybe needing new running shoes or planning a vacation – and suddenly ads for exactly those things appear in their Instagram feed.
It feels too accurate to be coincidence, right?
Key points about the theory:
- Suggests Meta secretly activates phone microphones
- Claims private conversations are harvested for ad data
- Has persisted despite repeated denials from Meta
- No independent technical evidence supports it
The Real Explanation (According to Meta)
Mosseri offered an alternative explanation that’s actually pretty interesting. He pointed to two main factors:
1. You Might’ve Already Seen the Ad
“You might have actually seen that ad before you had the conversation and not realized it,” Mosseri explained. We scroll past hundreds of ads daily – some register subconsciously and might influence what we talk about later.
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2. Meta’s Powerful Algorithm
The company’s recommendation system doesn’t need microphone access because it already has tons of data:
- Browsing behavior across websites
- App interactions and activity
- Data shared by advertisers
- Your likes, comments and engagement patterns
- Information from connected accounts
This data-driven approach creates those “spooky” accurate ads without ever recording audio.
Why People Still Don’t Believe It
Despite Meta’s denials and lack of technical evidence, the theory persists. There’s a few reasons:
- The ads feel TOO accurate – it’s genuinely unsettling sometimes
- Trust in tech companies is low – especially after past privacy scandals
- The technology exists – phones DO have microphones, so it seems plausible
- Confirmation bias – people remember the creepy ad moments, forget the irrelevant ones
What Independent Experts Say
Tech researchers and cybersecurity experts have consistently found no evidence of microphone snooping for ads. The amount of data processing required would be:
- Detectable in phone battery usage
- Visible in data consumption patterns
- Technically complicated to hide from security researchers
Plus, both Apple and Android have permission systems that would alert users if apps were constantly accessing microphones.
Mosseri’s statement reflects Meta’s ongoing battle with user perception around privacy. While the microphone snooping theory lacks evidence, it highlights genuine concerns about data collection and algorithmic advertising in the digital age. The real question isn’t whether Meta is listening through microphones – it’s whether their legitimate data collection practices are transparent enough for users to understand and control.
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