03 September, 2009
category: Biometrics
When looking at the status and possible future of voice biometrics, technology writer Terry Sweeny sees various hurdles as well as potential for advancement for the technology, according to an Internet Evolution article.
While Sweeney certainly looks at the various technical aspects of voice biometrics working for and against it, he also looks at some sociological aspects that could either hinder or help the acceptance of the technology.
Holding voice biometrics back are the varying microphones or telephones, as well as changes in background sound and illness can all cause false rejection of a supplied sample. However, it is also seen as useful secondary authenticator in multi-modal systems.
One of the less technical aspects working against the technology, and one that can be seen with nearly every biometric technology, is fears over breaches of personal privacy. However, where voice biometrics stands-out amongst other modes of biometric authentication is its ability for a user to enroll remotely via a phone call.
The last area of consideration is how the commercial sector has taken to the technology. Most companies utilizing or planning to utilize voice biometrics are financial operations wherein customers make personal transactions via the phone. The choice to utilize the technology here is not only for the benefit of the customer, however, but the company as well, as other companies using it have reported massive savings in customer care.
Read the full story here.