Active Listening
Coverage of Active Listening in the Nexus archive.
- Gen Z: if you want to succeed at work, you need to start friction-maxxing
The article argues that Gen Z must develop tolerance for discomfort ('friction-maxxing') to succeed in their careers, as technology has removed many low-stakes social interactions that older generations experienced. Surveys from 2025 highlight a gap in durable skills like active listening and collaboration among recent graduates, which employers increasingly value as AI automates routine tasks.
- Marketer that claimed it could tap devices for ad targeting will pay $880K settlement
Cox Media Group Local Solutions will pay $880,000 to settle claims over its controversial 'Active Listening' service, which falsely advertised the ability to use voice data from smartphones and smart TVs to target ads to consumers. The company's marketing claims about devices listening to users for ad targeting sparked public concern and regulatory action after being reported in November 2023.
- Media giant settles for $930k with FTC over allegations it lied about eavesdropping on conversations through smart devices
Cox Media Group settled with the FTC for $930,000 over claims it falsely advertised an AI-powered smart device eavesdropping service called 'Active Listening.' The company and two marketing partners misled customers by claiming to use voice data from smart home devices when they were actually selling email lists purchased from data brokers.
- ‘Creepy’ Listening Tool for Targeted Ads Didn’t Actually Work, FTC Says
Three firms will pay nearly $1 million to settle FTC allegations that they fraudulently sold 'Active Listening' technology claiming to tap phones for targeted advertising. The FTC determined the technology was non-functional and the companies were essentially selling overpriced email lists to customers.