Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri has firmly denied the widespread belief that the app listens to users through their phone microphones to serve targeted ads. In a recent statement, Mosseri clarified the company’s stance, saying that Instagram does not eavesdrop on private conversations for advertising purposes. This statement aims to address growing privacy concerns among users who have long suspected that the app taps into their mics to tailor ads based on what they say.
How Instagram Actually Targets Ads
Mosseri explained that Instagram relies on a user’s activity within the app—such as likes, follows, comments, and interactions—to personalize advertisements. The platform also gathers data from third-party sites and apps that users engage with, further refining ad targeting without the need to access microphones. Mosseri’s comments come at a time when digital privacy is a hot topic, and social media users are more vigilant than ever about how their data is used.
By openly addressing these concerns, Instagram hopes to build more trust with its user base and provide transparency about its ad targeting methods. So, if you’ve ever wondered why you see certain ads, remember—it’s your online activity, not your offline conversations, that influences what appears on your feed.
