Facebook denies eavesdropping on conversations to target ads, again

Social network's head of ads dismisses rumours that Facebook app uses smartphone mics to listen in, serving ads against what it hears

Facebook has again denied eavesdropping on conversations to target adverts, following persistent speculation on the part of users who have received suspiciously timed promotional messages.

Rob Goldman, the head of advertising at the social network, issued the denial in response to a question from the host of tech podcast Reply All. "I run ads product at Facebook. We don't - and have never - used your microphone for ads. Just not true," Goldman tweeted. He later added that the denial holds true for Facebook's other social network, Instagram, as well.