Voice modulation data can be sold to preempt psychological events for many client types
Evidence
All these behavioral data are stored for future historical analyses in order to improve the prediction model. If the user normally restrains the volume of his or her voice, then sudden excessive shouting may indicate a “psychosocial event.” Alternatively, the behavior could be assessed in relation to a “feature distribution representing normal and/or acceptable behavior for an average member of a population… a statistically significant deviation from that behavior baseline indicates a number of possible psychological events.” The initial proposition is that in the event of an anomaly, the device would alert “trusted individuals” such as family members, doctors, and caregivers. But the circle widens as the patent specifications unfold. The scientists note the utility of alerts for health care providers, insurance companies, and law-enforcement personnel. Here is a new surveillance-as-a-service opportunity geared to preempt whatever behavior clients choose. — Shoshana Zuboff, The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, 1314
Categorization
- SEED: The voice-volume-as-psychosocial-marker patent is a concrete, vivid exemplar for an essay on predictive health surveillance expanding into policing and insurance.
- XREF: connects to: Amazon patents a voice-sniffer that triggers offers on overheard emotional words — Shoshana Zuboff, The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, 838; Voice recordings reveal identities and intimate details that anonymity claims cannot protect — Shoshana Zuboff, The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, 820; Unstructured behavioral signals can reconstruct detailed narratives about each user — Shoshana Zuboff, The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, 209 (+2 more)
Broader Connections
- Unstructured behavioral signals can reconstruct detailed narratives about each user
#expands(0.78) — Shoshana Zuboff, The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, 209 - A single dominant voice interface erases the boundary between self and market
#complicates(0.75) — Shoshana Zuboff, The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, 831 - Platforms exploit users’ natural empathy as a channel for behavioral tuning
#expands(0.72) — Shoshana Zuboff, The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, 946