An acquaintance of mine posted on their page about some privacy changes that Facebook put into place at the end of April. I read the article they linked to and then a few more on the subject. While for the most part, the changes are positive and based in concerns previously brought to and finally acted upon by Facebook, there is one new little ditty that seems to have put a few folks on edge.
It seems that Facebook has embedded some coding in their smartphone app which has the ability to turn on the mike and listen in to what’s going on within hearing distance of said phone. While this seems to be directed more toward smartphones, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was extended beyond them to tablets, laptops, etc. at some point.
They’re trying to gather information about what shows and songs you might like to enhance your Facebook experience. They claim they’re only collecting data in the aggregate and won’t be giving you and your background noise a specific listen. It’s harmless.
And people were getting upset when they heard the NSA was collecting information on phone calls and e-mails. At least they had our country’s security as their reason for collecting metadata. Facebook doing the same thing to get me and my relative handful of FB friends to listen or watch something and, ultimately, buy something, is actually more annoying to my sensibilities. A government agency reaching into our private lives for the sake of trying to keep us safe versus a private company doing similar for the sake of crass commercialism. Neither one is a very savory notion, but given the choice between the two, I’d prefer the former. This choice flies in the face of free enterprise, I know. You can always say no or ignore any recommendation that Facebook throws at you with regard to watching and listening opportunities, purchases, etc., but you can’t ignore the government. I still prefer the NSA have my metadata than Zuckerberg’s marketing division.
Neither the article or the Facebook privacy settings page gives any indication that this can be changed or this listening ability blocked. The basic options in this situation, of course, are not log on to Facebook or to ignore the possibility that your phone mike may be live. Chances are it won’t be, but you might never notice. If member numbers significantly dwindle as a result of people’s concerns about this audio invasion, then it's a bad business decision and maybe, just maybe, Facebook will discontinue the practice. I have my doubts, however, and I wouldn’t be surprised if other companies developing apps for our smartphone/internet enjoyment followed suit.
Anyone potentially listening in on me wouldn’t hear the radio or TV, or really anything terribly interesting or juicy. They’d hear birds chirping outside my screened window and a fan or two running on warmer days. They’d likely hear me talk to myself and my cats. They might even hear me read my writings out loud to make sure they make some kind of sense. My background noise is as boring as my existence, so I don't care all that much about anyone possibly listening in on my laptop’s mike, at least at the moment.
But as a practice for the rest of the internet population, I do wish everyone, including Facebook and anyone else who might be listening, reconsider any mode or amount of audio surveillance.
