Microsoft contractors are still listening to some requests made to its Cortana intelligent assistant, as well as some Skype calls.
Background
A Guardian report in July revealed that Apple was doing the same thing with Siri requests. The Cupertino company confirmed this.
Microsoft contractors continuing to listen
Motherboard, however, reports that Microsoft contractors are continuing to listen to both Cortana requests and Skype calls. The only change the company has made is to update its privacy policy and other webpages to make the practice transparent.
Contractors listen to Skype calls only when you’re using the built-in Skype Translator service, to help improve the accuracy of machine translations.
“Our processing of personal data for these purposes includes both automated and manual (human) methods of processing,” the company’s privacy policy now reads.
Microsoft says that it has procedures to protect user privacy.
There is no opt-out, though you can delete existing recordings.
With Apple always the highest-profile company in these matters, it came as no surprise when it was hit with a class-action lawsuit over the manual grading process.
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