February 20, 2022
2 mins read

Report claims Otter not entirely safe for recordings

They used the Otter app to record the interview call and, a day later, the journalist received a message from Otter, asking about the purpose of the conversation with Aksu…reports Asian Lite News

Popular automated transcription service Otter.ai which is very popular among journalists to record interviews with real-time transcription may be listening to your recordings.

A report in Politico suggests that Cloud-based real-time transcriptions — being adopted worldwide for their ease and simplicity — are not entirely safe.

Politico journalist Phelim Kine interviewed Mustafa Aksu, an outspoken Uyghur human rights activist who could be a target of surveillance from the Chinese government. Aksu is with the Washington, DC-based Uyghur Human Rights Project.

They used the Otter app to record the interview call and, a day later, the journalist received a message from Otter, asking about the purpose of the conversation with Aksu.

“Hey Phelim, to help us improve your Otter’s experience, what was the purpose of this particular recording with titled ‘Mustafa Aksu’ created at “2021-11-08 11:02:41′?” the journalist was asked.

Three responses were offered: “Personal transcription,” “Meeting or group collaboration,” and “Other.”

“I froze. Was this a phishing attack? Was Otter or some entity that had access to Otter’s servers spying on my conversations?” said Kine.

He contacted Otter to verify if this was indeed a real survey or some clever phishing ruse.

An initial confirmation that the survey was legitimate was followed by a denial from the same Otter representative, laced with a warning that I “not respond to that survey and delete it.”

“My communications with Otter were all restricted to email and were sporadic, often confusing and contradictory”.

Otter’s Public Relations Manager, Mitchell Woodrow, told The Verge: “To be clear, unless we are legally compelled to do so by a valid United States legal subpoena, we will not ever share any of your data, including data files, with any foreign government or law enforcement agencies.”

It’s, however, an important wake up call as automated transcription services are being widely used globally.

“We have not and would not share any data, including data files, of yours with any foreign government or law enforcement agencies,” Otter said.

According to Kine, “savvy, skeptical journalists who take robust efforts to protect sources have found themselves in the thrall of Otter, a transcription app powered by artificial intelligence, and which has virtually eliminated the once-painstaking task of writing up interview notes”.

“That’s an overlooked vulnerability that puts data and sources at risk,” say experts.

ALSO READ-Tesla postpones plan for $25,000 electric car

Previous Story

Jio, Mzaalo partner to deliver digital entertainment

Next Story

Uncharted: Goes beyond expectations, tops box-office

Latest from Business

Apple Appoints Sabih Khan as New COO

Khan will take over from Jeff Williams, who is stepping down from the role this month and will retire later this year…reports Asian Lite News Apple has announced that Sabih Khan, an

Microsoft Cuts Deep

The fresh job cuts come less than two months after Microsoft announced it was laying off more than 6,000 employees…reports Asian Lite News Microsoft is set to cut around 9,000 jobs —

Northeast Is Growth Engine

Scindia also provided updates on the government’s efforts to facilitate the entry of SpaceX’s Starlink service into India. “All due diligence from the Ministry’s side is complete Union Minister for Communications and

India to Empower Global South

India is emerging as a pivotal force in the global transition to clean energy, with Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, asserting that the country is empowering the Global

Maruti’s Global Push Breaks Record

June shipments hit 37,842 units, signalling robust global demand Maruti Suzuki India recorded its highest-ever monthly exports in June, shipping 37,842 units and marking a new milestone that highlights the company’s expanding
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Pakistan remains dangerous country for journalists

The deadly attack on Alam attracted condemnation from journalists and

Nobel Peace Prize 2021 awarded to two Journalists

“The award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Maria Ressa