A feature Google demoed at its I/O confab yesterday, using its generative AI technology to scan voice calls in real time for conversational patterns associated with financial scams, has sent a collective shiver down the spines of privacy and security experts who are warning the feature represents the thin end of the wedge. They warn that, once client-side scanning is baked into mobile infrastructure, it could usher in an era of centralized censorship.
Apple abandoned a plan to deploy client-side scanning for CSAM in 2021 after a huge privacy backlash. However, policymakers have continued to heap pressure on the tech industry to find ways to detect illegal activity taking place on their platforms. Any industry moves to build out on-device scanning infrastructure could therefore pave the way for all-sorts of content scanning by default — whether government-led or related to a particular commercial agenda.
Meredith Whittaker, president of the U.S.-based encrypted messaging app Signal, warned: “This is incredibly dangerous. It lays the path for centralized, device-level client side scanning.
“From detecting ‘scams’ it’s a short step to ‘detecting patterns commonly associated w[ith] seeking reproductive care’ or ‘commonly associated w[ith] providing LGBTQ resources’ or ‘commonly associated with tech worker whistleblowing.’”
Combined with how easy it is becoming to create an AI copy of a person’s voice you’re pretty soon not going to ever be sure if what you’re saying or hearing on a phone is actually what’s being said or if it’s being edited in real time. China’s gonna love this shit.
Really hate tech bros who just keep recklessly pushing ahead on this stuff. Absolutely the worst scenario for AI.
I’m not advocating for this, but I could see it effectively ending phone scams that often prey on the elderly.
Yeah, I don’t want this for my phone right now, but I do think that this would help me sleep easier with my grandfather who has already fallen for multiple scams.
“Thin end of the wedge” is a good way to put it.
better idea: shut down the phone network entirely.
I can imagine that in the worst case scenario, company xyz pays millions to gøøgle to have its phone call scamming AI look out for anything that could be taken as even the most mild criticism and cut off your call. That, or the AI randomly cuts out the call because it hallucinates you saying bad things.
I’d be worried about the potential chilling effects. People are likely to self censor talking about topics that could “get them on a list”
Yes, please censor the spam.
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Don’t answer unknown numbers and let it ring all the way through. Eventually it stops. If you cut the call or answer it, they will know there is a human being on the other end.
If they are real they will leave you a voicemail. No need to sacrifice your children 😂
Just press volume down once and it’ll stop ringing without actually hanging up. I think that works on pretty much any smartphone.
Yes, that’s what I meant to say. Thank you for clarifying.
