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Google's call-scanning AI could dial up censorship by default, privacy experts warn

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.’”

AceFuzzLord ,
@AceFuzzLord@lemm.ee avatar

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.

possiblylinux127 ,
@possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip avatar

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"

Mango ,

Yes, please censor the spam.

captain_aggravated ,
@captain_aggravated@sh.itjust.works avatar

better idea: shut down the phone network entirely.

desktop_user ,

sadly there is too much legacy infrastructure to do that without huge problems. Also idiotic forms of two factor authentication exist.

chunkystyles ,

I'm not advocating for this, but I could see it effectively ending phone scams that often prey on the elderly.

hasnt_seen_goonies ,

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.

LesserAbe ,

"Thin end of the wedge" is a good way to put it.

ChaoticNeutralCzech ,

The title feels weird. Is this really a way to use "dial up"?

== CISCO TM-33k6m2 DIAL-UP MODEM QUICK SETUP ==

STEP 2: SELECT PROVIDER PROFILE

  [1] AT&T
  [2] Comcast
  [3] AOL
  [4] Censorship (default)
  
  [0] Specify Provider Parameters...

> _
Halosheep ,

Yes, the phrase comes from turning a dial to a higher value. Think, for example, of a guitar amplifier. You could "dial up" the volume, meaning you are increasing the volume.

Dial up internet refers to a different kind of dialing.

ChaoticNeutralCzech ,

Oh, I assumed it was another "witty" word association by a journalist.

downpunxx ,
@downpunxx@fedia.io avatar

If it stops the possibility of being bothered by robocallers, I will give up all my data, my privacy, and the keys to my home, I will even throw in my children

IamAnonymous ,

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 😂

Ghoelian ,

Just press volume down once and it'll stop ringing without actually hanging up. I think that works on pretty much any smartphone.

IamAnonymous ,

Yes, that’s what I meant to say. Thank you for clarifying.

Infynis ,
@Infynis@midwest.social avatar

You know that scifi trope where someone reaches into a bit of tech, and rips out a blinking tracker? Get ready to have to do that when you buy a new phone

retrospectology ,
@retrospectology@lemmy.world avatar

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.

Kolanaki ,
@Kolanaki@yiffit.net avatar

If it starts being mandatory and not an optional feature you can turn on or off at will, I'll worry.

dukethorion ,
@dukethorion@lemmy.world avatar

You can turn it off all you want, it won't stop the scanning and collection.

Like turning off Google Location history, its just hidden from your view.

Coasting0942 ,

Silly user: you can’t fully disable features intended to keep you safe

lud ,

Like turning off Google Location history, its just hidden from your view.

I obviously don't trust Google (who does?) but you say that like it's a verifiable fact. Is it?

dukethorion ,
@dukethorion@lemmy.world avatar

We don't know for sure. Google has never lied to us before, right?

lud ,

So no

dukethorion ,
@dukethorion@lemmy.world avatar

Its okay if you work for Google, you can just say so.

Or you are naive and gullible.

lud ,

Lol, I'm not saying Google is or isn't doing that. I'm just saying that you are just spewing bullshit without any evidence whatsoever.

muntedcrocodile ,

Yep put ur phone traffic through wire shark and u really location gets sent to google regardless. They do claim not to store it tho but I wouldn't believe that for a second.

lud ,

Yep put ur phone traffic through wire shark and u really location gets sent to google regardless..

Have you done that?

muntedcrocodile ,

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/9555403/capturing-mobile-phone-traffic-on-wireshark#9570093

lud ,

I take that as a no.

TheGrandNagus ,

IIRC it was, then the EU stopped it. I don't know if they still do it outside of the EU.

LesserAbe ,

Trouble is when everybody else uses it, just because you turn it off doesn't mean you won't have issues.

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