No, Facebook can't use your microphone without your permission.

[moonman239]

I heard that users are being creeped out at the tough of Facebook being able to listen to what your microphone can pick up.

Let me just say that, if you're running the latest software update, the app can't access your microphone without your permission. Before your device allows any app to access the microphone, it will ask for your permission to do so. And you can revoke that permission, thereby essentially preventing the app from accessing the microphone, by going to Settings>Privacy>Microphone and tapping or sliding the little green slider that appears next to the app's name.

 

[TonyC28]

Resurrecting an old thread...
I know this has been discussed before but it seems that the Facebook app is somehow still listening at all times. Two days ago my wife and I were discussing a medicine we needed to refill for our dog. Neither of us have ever searched it on our phones or anywhere for that matter. She used her iPhone to call the vet for the refill. Less than 24 hours later an ad for the medicine appeared in her News Feed. Either it is a huge coincidence or there is something fishy going on.

 

[sracer]

Resurrecting an old thread...
I know this has been discussed before but it seems that the Facebook app is somehow still listening at all times. Two days ago my wife and I were discussing a medicine we needed to refill for our dog. Neither of us have ever searched it on our phones or anywhere for that matter. She used her iPhone to call the vet for the refill. Less than 24 hours later an ad for the medicine appeared in her News Feed. Either it is a huge coincidence or there is something fishy going on.

I can confirm that. Even when the Facebook app isn't visibly running it must be monitoring the mic. I don't care what the "official" word is, my wife and I have had repeated instances of this happening.

 

[deep1]

I dunno how is this happening as I don’t allow microphone or location access and always swipe up after using. Me and mrs have tested this numerous time the ads keep popping up what ever you discussed about.
I have even tried this with weird words like dog food ( we don’t have pet) and start seeing the similar ads.

 

[sracer]

I dunno how is this happening as I don’t allow microphone or location access and always swipe up after using. Me and mrs have tested this numerous time the ads keep popping up what ever you discussed about.
I have even tried this with weird words like dog food ( we don’t have pet) and start seeing the similar ads.

We only have Apple's word for it that those permissions actually work. My wife and I ran a few tests where we only spoke specific word and phrases and never typed them in to any system we use... and ads for those words and phrases show up on our Facebook timelines.