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Why we're so sure our phones are listening
The myth is hiding a real problem.
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It has, almost certainly, happened to you. You have a conversation in person, you mention something specific, and minutes later, there’s an ad for it on your phone. For the past decade, most of us have come to the same conclusion: Our phones must be listening. But are they, really? I wanted to dig into the “phone listening” theory — where it came from, what the official research says, and what’s actually happening every time you load an ad on the internet. What I learned is that creepy ads are just the tip of the iceberg, powered by a system auctioning off our location, identity, and behaviors to countless companies vying for our attention… and others looking for something else.
Special thanks to Blake, Cassidy, Abhyuday, Carlos, Fiona, María Agustina, Anita, and Lily for sending in your stories!
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Hello and welcome! Tunnel Vision is an independent video news show that dives deep into mysteries from all corners of the internet. With a commitment to transparency, we pull back the curtain on the journalistic process, emphasizing the journey of discovery rather than simply presenting the final answer.
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Original music for this video was composed by Tom Fox.
About:
Christophe Haubursin is a journalist and video creator. Before launching Tunnel Vision he worked at Vox.com for 8 years, where he made videos for Vox’s YouTube channel, hosted the show Glad You Asked, and produced on the Netflix series Explained. He lives in Brooklyn.
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Twitter: / haubursin
-- VIDEO CHAPTERS --
0:00 Is my phone listening?
2:20 The origin story
7:17 What we know is happening
10:16 A reasonable belief
12:37 Something scarier
15:33 The surveillance machine