Microsoft Workers 'Listen' to Some Translated Skype Calls

[upnorth]

Content source

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-49263260

Microsoft workers occasionally listen to real Skype conversations that have been processed by translation software, it has been revealed.

According to tech site Motherboard, some contractors for Microsoft review such conversations to check the quality of translations. However, the fact that humans may listen in to calls is not explicitly stated in Skype's terms and conditions. Microsoft said it had users' permission to collect and process their data. Skype's Translator service translates dialogue during live audio and video calls. Motherboard said it obtained audio from translated Skype conversations in which users "spoke intimately to loved ones" and discussed personal matters, including weight loss and relationship problems. The tech site also said it had evidence that human contractors could hear voice commands spoken to Cortana, Microsoft's virtual voice-activated assistant.

 

[upnorth]

Like a number of big technology companies, Microsoft recently admitted that humans sometimes hear your sensitive voice conversations, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to stop. Rather than abandoning the use of human contractors to improve its AI accuracy, the company has simply decided to be more transparent about it.

Whereas other companies have made a cursory effort to suspend the sharing of voice recordings from AI technology, Microsoft has instead just updated its privacy policy. It added a new section to the policy this week

Microsoft won’t shift on AI recordings policy

Microsoft may have been caught red-handed letting contractors listen to sensitive conversations with its AI, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to stop.

nakedsecurity.sophos.com

 

[iambored]

What really surprises me is that why they need to hear the conversations to rate the quality of translations? They could also ask for users feedback for this and I have seen a pop up appearing on many apps asking for quality of service they provided. This is something I don't feel comfortable about it. We all have used Skype in our lives and I am assuming it contains our chats that we won't share with the strangers then how come they can access our chats and use it for any purpose.

 

[Ink]

And now Xbox users..

Contractors working for Microsoft have listened to audio of Xbox users speaking in their homes in order to improve the console’s voice command features, Motherboard has learned. The audio was supposed to be captured following a voice command like “Xbox” or “Hey Cortana,” but contractors said that recordings were sometimes triggered and recorded by mistake.

Read more: Microsoft Contractors Listened to Xbox Owners in Their Homes