Shulou(Shulou.com)06/01 Report--

Microsoft ranks alongside Google, Amazon and Apple as the most valuable companies in the world. Previously, Amazon, Google and Apple have been exposed recording surveillance scandals, as currently the largest technology company by market capitalization, Microsoft is also among them. It seems that recording surveillance is standard for tech giants.

Microsoft outsourcers monitor Skype and Cortana recordings of intimate conversations between couples, weight loss and other personal issues, according to a deputy report on the US news website.

In 2015, Skype launched a translation service, which allows users to instantly translate audio and video calls over the phone. Vice's audio clips are mostly very short, with a duration of 5 to 10 seconds. Other clips may be longer, according to people familiar with the matter.

When Microsoft provides subcontractors with a recording, they also receive a series of content generated by the Skype translation system. Then, the subcontractor chooses the most accurate translation content, or provides his own translation. The recordings are considered confidential by Microsoft, which says it will take steps to delete personal information such as users or device identification numbers only through secure online portals to outsourcers.

However, according to the deputy report, although the information is very sensitive, some employees of outsourced companies listen at home and deal with Skype and Cortana recordings, which are not a very safe processing environment.

A Microsoft spokesman responded: "Microsoft collects voice data to provide and improve voice services such as search, voice commands, dictation or translation services. We strive to be transparent in the collection and use of voice data. To ensure that customers know when and how to use their voice data. Microsoft will get permission from the customer before collecting and using the customer's voice data.

The Skype website also said the move was to improve the services of the chat platform, but did not say so either.

AI technology needs to refer to a large amount of data, as long as the user agrees.

This is very similar to previous scandals at Google, Amazon and Apple, and all involved voice assistants. All four companies claimed that the move was to improve the understanding of voice assistants, hired contractors to monitor manually, and said only a small number of voice clips were used. (Apple says it uses less than 1% of the data. Google will only listen to about 0.2% of the footage).

We have analyzed that technology companies often need a lot of data in some technologies involving AI, but the flow and use of the data in advance; otherwise, even for the sake of improving the user experience, it also infringes on the user's right to know the flow of personal information. But the above four technology companies have clearly failed to follow this, which is the crux of the problem.

Frederick Frederike Kaltheuner, head of data development at Privacy International (Privacy International), was quoted as saying that companies should be 100 per cent transparent about how people record their conversations and how they are used. If the user's voice sample (for whatever reason) is subject to manual review, the system should ask you if you agree, or at least allow you to opt out.

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