Legal status of #Apple's new watch audio "collection" feature looks problematic in many states
Apple has published a paper discussing their new audio intelligence feature to do ambient audio collection and feed the data to an #AI for processing. Interestingly, nowhere does the word "legal" appear within it. The paper goes to great lengths to declare that the devices don't actually "record" the audio, only "process" it in real time. However, states with two (actually, all-party) consent laws (such as California, which is now considering additional legislation specifically dealing with wearable devices), usually cover both recording and eavesdropping. The latter term introduces a significant legal question mark even if actual recordings are not being made, since it could cover the watch "listening in" on the conversation when all parties have not given permission to do so.
It will be very interesting to see how the privacy community reacts to this.
@lauren
A lot of companies are testing this legal theory, that it's not a recording. Granola is a notable example.
On other platforms, systems are prompting meeting participants with notices to basically leave the meeting if they don't agree.