> But for companies to use this data gathered without people’s consent to target them with ads would a) invite a beatdown from government regulators that would

> But for companies to use this data gathered without people’s consent to target them with ads would a) invite a beatdown from government regulators that would make the Federal Trade Commission’s $5 billion fine of Facebook for privacy violations look like a parking ticket... Yeah, but I'm certain they'd pass these data along (and potentially much more of it) to some government entity if served with a national security letter or some other secret legal order. The 'customer' may never even find out about it. So go ahead and install as many commercially controlled mics as you want, citizens. What's the worst that could happen?