‘Creepy’ Listening Tool for Targeted Ads Didn’t Actually Work, FTC Says

The FTC alleges that CMG and two other companies falsely marketed an “Active Listening” service that purported to use consumers' audio from smart devices for targeted advertising; the agencies contend the firms actually resold email lists at marked-up prices. The three companies agreed to pay a combined $930,000 to impacted businesses and to stop misrepresenting their marketing services and the collection/use of audio recordings.