Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think FB is bugging my phone?!

113 replies

WaitingForSunday17 · 21/04/2018 19:34

I spoke with my mum on the phone about something extremely specific. An extremely specific item that you wouldn't normally need.
Ten minutes later it's popped up in my FB ads. How? How is this possible. The specific product and shop my mum mentioned on the phone. It cannot be coincidence.
I'm freaked out. I haven't googled it all and my mum is in her house at a different IP address. She hasn't googled it at my house either.

OP posts:
Original poster
WaitingForSunday17 · 21/04/2018 21:07

What other explanation is there?

It's too specific an item for it to be coincidence.

OP posts:
CaraDeanna · 21/04/2018 21:13

@WaitingForSunday17 Facebook has over 2 billion users overall. Just think about that figure for a moment... you may be the one in 2 billion that experienced a very freaky coincidence. Similar to when you think of someone you haven't thought of in years and bump in to them a week later, or have a dream about something that actually happens. It really is coincidence.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 21/04/2018 21:13

You'll have logged onto your Facebook on a device your mum uses, at some point. Her searches will still be influencing your results. You won't usually notice, but you've noticed this because the product is so specific and humans are excellent at this type of thing. It's why you see so many red cars just after you buy one, for example.

It won't be listening; there's no way for Wilkinson's to have targeted you based on conversational data yet let alone straight away, we're not that sophisticated. But it is extremely likely to be ad tracking and that can continue even after you've logged out in some cases.

Cicera · 21/04/2018 21:23

You don't understand how coincidences work. Saying 'it cannot be coincidence' over and over doesn't help. I've been about to call a friend, only to walk around the corner and bump into them in a city neither of us live in and neither of us knew the other was visiting! Coincidences do happen. But if I followed your logic then the only explanation would be that the Angel Gabriel must have sent us both there to save me the call charge.

The reason that apps on your phone want access to the microphone is to be able to use voice commands, voice communications or text-to-speech.

Facebook is not bugging your phone, and even if it could, you don't have the facebook app.

Original poster
WaitingForSunday17 · 21/04/2018 21:28

anchor your explanation makes the most sense!

I stand by it not being coincidence. I do understand conincidences. We went to Florida and met our old next door neighbour at a restaurant. Massive coincidence.

But in this case - no. Don't believe it.

OP posts:
Dontwantanicknamethanks · 21/04/2018 21:30

It does listen. Facebook has some of the most sophisticated algorithms that are constantly being updated. They are way on top of this, and those who don't agree are naive. You can go through your setting to minimise it if you want but I think if you're on social media, you've got to accept that it's more intrusive than you realise. The only way to avoid it is to not be on it!

Scoochywoochy · 21/04/2018 21:31

It doesn't need a big team of humans to process all the data; it can be done using sophisticated programming and massive databases. It is very easy to share the data. We have had clever software that listens and converts audio data to text for many years (DragonSpeak, for example). If that data was to be cross matched with your location (many of us have location tracking switched on), time, date, current open apps, current open websites, IP address, current TV programme on in the background etc. then it's entirely feasible that advertisements can be targeted precisely in this way.

Original poster
WaitingForSunday17 · 21/04/2018 21:35

Oh no, I don't think for a second it's humans listening to me. It's some sort of programming.

OP posts:
FowlisWester · 21/04/2018 21:36

It must listen. It just must. My dad called me once to tell me a story about my uncle's loft ladder. Facebook then started showing me....loft ladders. Now my dad doesn't use a pc or a smartphone so he hadn't searched it. I didn't search it... because I'm not fucking interested in loft ladders.

Cicera · 21/04/2018 21:37

How do you think they're listening when you don't have the app?

FowlisWester · 21/04/2018 21:38

Can anyone solve this one...2 days ago my friend sent me a screenshot of a ted baker dress that she liked. Not long after I started getting Ted baker ads. Now I never said the words ted baker out loud...or searched it... and yet suddenly ads appear. I cannot believe it is a coincidence.

Original poster
WaitingForSunday17 · 21/04/2018 21:38

I don't have the app but I have a FB account. What difference does it make? I must use an app - whatsapp maybe - that shares data with FB.

OP posts:
Cicera · 21/04/2018 21:38

(facebook is currently showing me handbags and perfume, which suggests they don't know me well at all since I own neither)

UpstartCrow · 21/04/2018 21:40

It happens to us as well, and with ridiculously specific items.

Original poster
WaitingForSunday17 · 21/04/2018 21:41

Same shop.
Same price.
Exact same item. Sunflower seed hearts.

The chances are virtually nil.
I think the chances that an app has listened somehow is more likely - that or as above - I've logged into FB at my mum's before she she's googled from that IP address and the information has somehow been shared.

OP posts:
MorningsEleven · 21/04/2018 21:41

We didn't know Facebook were in bed with Cambridge Analytica until the shit hit the fan. I'm sure there's far more to come out.

Cicera · 21/04/2018 21:41

What difference does it make?

Obviously it makes a difference! How would it access your phone microphone? Computers and phones aren't magic, they have to be programmed.

If you're really worried, go through your settings on the browser.
If you think it would happen despite your settings then delete your account and then you can stop worrying about nothing.

GladAllOver · 21/04/2018 21:42

Facebook is going to start face recognition soon, so it can compare your face with other images and link up the data. Be very afraid.

Cicera · 21/04/2018 21:44

Facebook is going to start face recognition soon, so it can compare your face with other images and link up the data. Be very afraid.

It's been doing that for years.

kentgirl1 · 21/04/2018 21:46

My phone listens. I told my DP I was going to sainsburys. I got in the car, and google maps told me how long it would take to get there!!!!!

Frogthefrog · 21/04/2018 21:49

I've had a conversation on WhatsApp before and then the item discussed has popped up as an ad... I'm pretty sure that apps can and do track conversations!

TheMonkeyMummy · 21/04/2018 21:50

So how often over he last few years have you googled sunflowers seed hearts?

DH works (high up) in IT. He laughed when I read this out.

Uggie · 21/04/2018 21:54

Just looked at my Facebook app. I can't see any ads at all.

Original poster
WaitingForSunday17 · 21/04/2018 21:54

Laughed in an 'well obviously' way??

OP posts:
Fruitcorner123 · 21/04/2018 21:55

Have you ever logged in to your gmail on your mum's laptop or phone.? I did this once and then whenever i went to search it would predict random things that I knew were searched my mum had done. It also started showing me ads for a particular piece of furniture that i knew she was looking to buy. When i was next at hers i logged out as me and it hasnt happened since