Uploaded August 2019 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Facebook was recently called out for listening to users audio messages on Facebook Messenger. They aren't alone. Apple, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft all have admitted to having contractors analyze audio from their voice assitants (and MIcrosoft's Skype service).
There's a stark contrast to these use cases. When you're interacting with a voice assistant, there is an expectation that a computer is transcribing the audio. That's the whole point. When I send you a voice note in Facebook Messenger, there's no expectation that anyone other than you will listen.
Of course, all of these activities were covered in the terms of service and privacy policies...but that doesn't mean users were aware, comfortable, or accepting of other humans listening in. Anonymized data or not.
References:
- CNBC on the Facebook issue, cnbc.com/2019/08/13/facebook-hired-people-to-transcribe-voice-calls-made-on-messenger.html
- Apple's privacy statement, apple.com/ca/privacy/approach-to-privacy
- WhatsApp privacy statement, faq.whatsapp.com/en/android/28030015
- how to enabled end-to-end encryption for Facebook Messenger, facebook.com/help/messenger-app/1084673321594605
- an interesting essay by Sidney Fussell writing for The Atlantic on the general issue, theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2019/08/facebook-paid-contractors-listen-messenger-audio/596143
- my CBC Radio column on the issue, cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-100-ottawa-morning/clip/15732261-tech-column-big-tech-firms-are-listening
Facebook was recently called out for listening to users audio messages on Facebook Messenger. They aren't alone. Apple, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft all have admitted to having contractors analyze audio from their voice assitants (and MIcrosoft's Skype service).
There's a stark contrast to these use cases. When you're interacting with a voice assistant, there is an expectation that a computer is transcribing the audio. That's the whole point. When I send you a voice note in Facebook Messenger, there's no expectation that anyone other than you will listen.
Of course, all of these activities were covered in the terms of service and privacy policies...but that doesn't mean users were aware, comfortable, or accepting of other humans listening in. Anonymized data or not.
References:
- CNBC on the Facebook issue, cnbc.com/2019/08/13/facebook-hired-people-to-transcribe-voice-calls-made-on-messenger.html
- Apple's privacy statement, apple.com/ca/privacy/approach-to-privacy
- WhatsApp privacy statement, faq.whatsapp.com/en/android/28030015
- how to enabled end-to-end encryption for Facebook Messenger, facebook.com/help/messenger-app/1084673321594605
- an interesting essay by Sidney Fussell writing for The Atlantic on the general issue, theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2019/08/facebook-paid-contractors-listen-messenger-audio/596143
- my CBC Radio column on the issue, cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-100-ottawa-morning/clip/15732261-tech-column-big-tech-firms-are-listening
