Google patent eyes targeted adverts based on background noises

The next wave of ads may be based on the background noises your phone picks up while you are having a conversation. 

 

A patent by Google seeks to analyze the background noise during a phone call and serve up ads based on these "environmental conditions," tech site The Next Web said.

 

"While Google isn’t technically 'listening' to your calls, meaning there isn’t someone on the other line listening to your conversation, the fact that the company could unleash technology that monitors our calls in real-time is weird," it said.

 

It said the patent, titled “Advertising based on environmental conditions,” gathers information about an environmental condition of a remote device.

 

Sensors linked to the remote device can help determine which advertisement to push.

 

"A pretty basic example of what Google could do with this technology is that it could serve you ads if you’re making a phone call in a place where there’s inclement weather. If Google were to pick up on rain in the background of your call, they could serve you ads for umbrellas," the Next Web said.

 

Similarly, the patent hinted at analyzing as well the backgrounds of photos and videos.

 

"So if you took a picture in the snow, you might be shown ads for snow shovels. That’s not as creepy sounding as the phone call portion," The Next Web said. — TJD, GMA News