Google admits listening to some smart speaker recordings
Google admits listening to some smart speaker recordings
The tech giant said it listened to a small number of
interactions with its Google Assistant to train the software and improve its
responses.
By Martyn Landi, PA Tech 11 July 2019
Google has admitted it gives workers access to some audio
recordings from its Google Home smart speakers.
The technology giant said it uses language experts around
the world to study a small number of audio “snippets” from users.
Google said this work helps with developing voice
recognition and other technology in its Google Assistant artificial
intelligence system, which is used in its Google Home smart speakers and
Android smartphones.
The assistant understands and responds to voice commands
given to it, answering queries about the news and weather as well as being able
to control other internet-connected devices around the home.
In a statement, the company said a small number of
anonymous recordings were transcribed by its experts, and revealed that an
investigation had been launched after some Dutch audio data had been leaked.
“We partner with language experts around the world to
improve speech technology by transcribing a small set of queries – this work is
critical to developing technology that powers products like the Google
Assistant,” Google said.
“Language experts only review around 0.2% of all audio
snippets, and these snippets are not associated with user accounts as part of
the review process.
“We just learned that one of these reviewers has violated
our data security policies by leaking confidential Dutch audio data.
“Our Security and Privacy Response teams have been
activated on this issue, are investigating, and we will take action.
“We are conducting a full review of our safeguards in
this space to prevent misconduct like this from happening again.”
Earlier this year, a report from Bloomberg revealed
fellow tech giant Amazon also listens to some recordings of customer
interactions with its voice-based assistant Alexa.
Amazon confirmed the process and said it did so with a
small number of recordings in order to help train the artificial intelligence’s
responses.
The firm said users are also able to review and delete
recordings linked to their account via the Alexa companion app.
On Monday, the NHS announced a new partnership with
Amazon that will see verified health information based on the NHS website
provided via Alexa.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the NHS needed to
embrace technology, but privacy campaigners claimed it was a “data protection
disaster waiting to happen”.
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