Is Spotify listening while I'm driving, specifically to target ads?

[dpifko]

Is Spotify listening while I'm driving, specifically to target ads?

Earlier today, in the car, I was listening to Spotify. The screen turned off to save power, as expected. I reached over and grabbed a mint from the box I have in the console (it was an IceBreakers https://goo.gl/KTs35R - yes, relevant). When I woke up the phone again, there was an ad on the screen for IceBreakers mints (blue box). There's no way this is a coincidence, since I've never before seen an IceBreakers ad on my mobile (and I've seen many, many ads) and since I don't normally have those mints around. I only have the mint box in my car because my wife left it there a day ago.

... So here's what I think is happening: Spotify is using audio-recognition technology to improve its ad placement. There's no reason Shazam-like algorithms couldn't be used for non-voice sounds.

There are other phone behaviors indicating this is happening, as well as this from Spotify 2 years ago: http://www.techradar.com/news/audio/this-is-why-spotify-actually-wants-access-to-your-personal-data-... .