Does Facebook listen to you? Here's what you need to know

• Rumors that Facebook listens to you through your phone's microphone have persisted over recent years.
• Facebook denies that it uses your microphone to eavesdrop or target ads to you.
• If you prefer, you can disable Facebook's access to your phone's microphone in Settings.

If you're a Facebook user, you have no doubt seen rumors and theories that the social networking app eavesdrops through your phone's microphone, listening in on conversations to better target ads to you. Facebook denies this allegation and there's essentially no concrete evidence to confirm it. But if you're concerned, you can change your phone's settings to disable Facebook's access to the microphone.

What Facebook says about listening to you

Facebook has been clear that it does not use the microphone in your device to listen in on your routine conversations or to target advertisements. In 2016, when conspiracy theories about Facebook microphone monitoring were starting to gain momentum, Facebook had this to say:

"Facebook does not use your phone's microphone to inform ads or to change what you see in News Feed. Some recent articles have suggested that we must be listening to people's conversations in order to show them relevant ads. This is not true. We show ads based on people's interests and other profile information - not what you're talking out loud about."

Facebook further clarified that the app only uses your microphone if you have given the app permission to use the mic and you are using a feature that explicitly requires the mic, such as recording audio or video. The tracking measures that Facebook already has in place are strongly believed to be the reason why your ads seem suspiciously tailored to your interests.

Since using your microphone without permission exposes Facebook to substantial legal liability as well as disciplinary action by Apple and Google, it's reasonable to conclude that Facebook is not being deceptive.

But if you aren't convinced, you can go the extra step and disable Facebook's access to your microphone. Remember that if you do this, any features that require access to the microphone (such as Facebook Live and making calls within Facebook) will not work.

How to disable Facebook's access to your microphone on an iPhone

1. Start the Settings app and scroll down to the list of apps installed on the phone.

2. Choose "Facebook."

3. Turn off the microphone by swiping its button to the left.

How to disable Facebook's access to your microphone on an Android

1. Start the Settings app and search for "permission."

2. In the search results, tap "Permission manager."

3. In the list of permissions, tap "Microphone."

4. Tap "Facebook" and then set the microphone access to "Deny.

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