Glossary of Surveillance

The vocabulary of the identity resolution industry.

ACR (Automatic Content Recognition)

Technology embedded in smart TVs that takes audio/visual fingerprints of whatever is on screen (including external HDMI inputs) and matches it against a database to determine what you are watching. This data is sold to advertisers.

Cross-Device Tracking

The practice of identifying that a desktop computer, a mobile phone, and a smart TV all belong to the same person or household. Usually achieved via IP address clustering, WiFi network scanning, or ultrasonic beacons.

DSP (Digital Signal Processor)

A specialized, low-power microchip used in smart speakers and phones solely to listen for the "wake word" (e.g., "Hey Siri"). It runs continuously on a small buffer of audio.

False Positive (Wake Word)

When a device activates and records audio without the user intending it to, usually because it heard a word that sounds similar to its wake word in ambient conversation or from a TV.

MAID (Mobile Ad ID)

A unique identifier assigned to your mobile device by Apple (IDFA) or Google (GAID). Apps share this ID with ad networks to build a behavioral profile across different applications without needing your real name.

RTB (Real-Time Bidding)

The automated programmatic auction process that occurs in milliseconds when a webpage loads. Advertisers bid to show an ad to your specific profile based on data supplied by brokers.

Ultrasonic Beacon

A high-frequency audio tone (usually 18kHz+) embedded in television commercials or physical store speakers. Inaudible to humans, but recognizable by mobile apps with microphone permissions, linking the phone to the location/broadcast.