Facebook may be using our phones to listen in on what we’re talking about

YIKES.

There have been all sorts of rumours surrounding Facebook and its features spying on us which are not doing my paranoia any good at all. The latest update we've received is that Facebook may be listening in on our conversations with our mates, to grasp an idea of what adverts we'd like to see. The app has been reportedly listening to what we're talking about for years to suggest that we post about it, to help us discuss what we like online. But according to one university professor, Facebook has gone one step further in listening to our conversations to target us with relevant adverts. Eh... Not freaky at all? Professor Kelli Burns in South Florida has trialled the theory of speaking about certain topics near her phone. After speaking about specific things that interested her, the professor found that the app showed adverts related to her conversation. Speaking to The Independent UK, a spokesperson for Facebook denied the theory:

“Facebook does not use microphone audio to inform advertising or News Feed stories in any way... "Businesses are able to serve relevant ads based on people’s interests and other demographic information, but not through audio collection.”

Considering I've heard hundreds of people talk of seeing adverts for things they've mentioned recently, this theory doesn't surprise me at all. But maybe it's time to turn our phones off when we're having girly chats?