Ultrasonic tracking through mobile app microphones allows advertisers to gather personal data about users' viewing habits and locations without their knowledge, raising concerns about privacy and personal data collection.
Listener, a company that uses ultrasonic communication, provides data-over-audio technology for marketing, authentication, and enhancing consumer experiences, with an emphasis on user control over data and minimizing the risk of data breaches.
Deep dives
Ultrasonic tracking and its implications
Ultrasonic tracking is a method of data transmission using near ultrasonic frequencies that are just on the edge of human hearing. Companies embed these ultrasonic tones, also known as beacons, into television shows and advertisements, which are then picked up by mobile app microphones with permission to record. This allows advertisers to gather data about users' viewing habits and locations without their knowledge. The use of ultrasonic tracking raises concerns about privacy and personal data collection, as companies can infer personal information such as sexuality, politics, and potentially even mental health. This form of tracking is just one example of over 75% of Android apps that have some form of tracking, using technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS.
Listener's data-over-audio technology
Listener, a company that uses ultrasonic communication, provides a data-over-audio technology for various purposes. They offer solutions for marketing, authentication, and enhancing consumer experiences. For example, their technology has been used in music festivals to send real-time ticketing data to attendees' phones, allowing them to authenticate their tickets quickly and easily. Listener's offline and secure approach to data transmission ensures that the cloud is not involved in the process, minimizing the risk of data breaches. The company emphasizes the importance of user control over their own data and aims to avoid involvement of third-party trackers.
The need for transparency and awareness
One challenge with ultrasonic tracking and other forms of data collection is the lack of transparency from companies. Many apps make it difficult for users to opt out of data collection, overwhelming them with complex privacy policies and making it challenging to control their own data. The industry as a whole needs to prioritize transparency, giving users clearer information about data collection practices. Increasing awareness among consumers about the risks and implications of data tracking can help individuals make informed decisions about the apps they use and protect their privacy. It is vital for users to carefully consider permissions requested by apps, especially microphone access, and to be cautious when installing apps that lack a legitimate need for microphone usage.
Did you know your phone is a really good listener? Apps on your phone might be sending and receiving data over ultrasound. Ultrasonic communication is used for everything from tracking your daily habits to enabling light shows at music festivals. We hear from Yale Privacy Lab's Sean O’Brien and Michael Kwet, and privacy and technology counsel Katie McInnis. We also discuss the more positive uses of data over sound with LISNR CEO and co-founder Rodney Williams.