Is it acceptable to abuse technical capabilities for covert surveillance in our time?
MindSift, an American company based in New Hampshire, claims to use information from users ' microphones in its software products to display targeted ads. This information became known after journalists analyzed deleted sections of the company's website, as well as a detailed study of the developers ' video podcast, which is still available on their YouTube channel.
In the "Real Business Roundtable" podcast, where the founders of MindSift give advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, developers themselves explicitly hint at the abundance of user data they possess.
In an episode of "THE POWER OF MESSAGING," Andi Galeshahi, one of the company's co-founders, stated: "Have you ever talked about something and seen an ad for it later? This is us. We distribute this technology"
According to Galeshahi, the company gets access to the data through a third-party provider, which was not disclosed during the conversation. Galeshahi said: "We have established a long-term relationship with the technology group, through which we can receive such data."
The MindSift website also talked about the ability to analyze microphone data from millions of devices to understand consumer behavior and intentions, which allows you to deliver personalized advertising content. However, the company recently removed this and other sections from its website. However, the journalists were able to restore the deleted sections through the Google cache and presented them to the public.
Remote section of MindSift's website
The site also mentioned reviews from numerous MindSift customers, including Tulley BMW, Hotels.com, Apartments.com, Senco Home Improvements, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). However, at the time of publication, none of these companies responded to requests for comment on whether they have used this technology.
MindSift claims to be able to identify consumers who are interested in certain products or services based on data from their devices ' microphones, and provide the data for targeted advertising.
In an episode of the podcast, Galeshahi also mentioned, "We have access to something very special... This allows you to get the most out of your advertising efforts", obviously hinting at collecting user audio data here as well.
Covert audio espionage by companies like MindSift is absolutely unacceptable. Eavesdropping on people's private conversations without their knowledge or consent is a gross violation of privacy and ethical standards.
No commercial interests can justify the secret collection and analysis of citizens ' conversations. All of this leads in measured steps to total surveillance and encroaches on basic human rights.
At the time of publication of the news, representatives of MindSift did not respond to requests for comment about the unethical methods and technologies used in the company.
MindSift, an American company based in New Hampshire, claims to use information from users ' microphones in its software products to display targeted ads. This information became known after journalists analyzed deleted sections of the company's website, as well as a detailed study of the developers ' video podcast, which is still available on their YouTube channel.
In the "Real Business Roundtable" podcast, where the founders of MindSift give advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, developers themselves explicitly hint at the abundance of user data they possess.
In an episode of "THE POWER OF MESSAGING," Andi Galeshahi, one of the company's co-founders, stated: "Have you ever talked about something and seen an ad for it later? This is us. We distribute this technology"
According to Galeshahi, the company gets access to the data through a third-party provider, which was not disclosed during the conversation. Galeshahi said: "We have established a long-term relationship with the technology group, through which we can receive such data."
The MindSift website also talked about the ability to analyze microphone data from millions of devices to understand consumer behavior and intentions, which allows you to deliver personalized advertising content. However, the company recently removed this and other sections from its website. However, the journalists were able to restore the deleted sections through the Google cache and presented them to the public.
Remote section of MindSift's website
The site also mentioned reviews from numerous MindSift customers, including Tulley BMW, Hotels.com, Apartments.com, Senco Home Improvements, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). However, at the time of publication, none of these companies responded to requests for comment on whether they have used this technology.
MindSift claims to be able to identify consumers who are interested in certain products or services based on data from their devices ' microphones, and provide the data for targeted advertising.
In an episode of the podcast, Galeshahi also mentioned, "We have access to something very special... This allows you to get the most out of your advertising efforts", obviously hinting at collecting user audio data here as well.
Covert audio espionage by companies like MindSift is absolutely unacceptable. Eavesdropping on people's private conversations without their knowledge or consent is a gross violation of privacy and ethical standards.
No commercial interests can justify the secret collection and analysis of citizens ' conversations. All of this leads in measured steps to total surveillance and encroaches on basic human rights.
At the time of publication of the news, representatives of MindSift did not respond to requests for comment about the unethical methods and technologies used in the company.
