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Skype users warned after Microsoft could be “listening” to calls

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A new investigation done by tech website </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Motherboard</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> has revealed that Microsoft workers could be “listening in” on your Skype conversations.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It has been revealed that some employees occasionally have to review real video chat that has been processed by translation software in order to check the quality of translations, according to </span><em><a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/tech/9680295/microsoft-caught-secretly-listening-to-skype-calls/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Sun</span></a></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A Microsoft spokesperson told Motherboard that Microsoft collects voice data to improve features on Skype.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They said: “We also put in place several procedures designed to prioritise users’ privacy before sharing this data with our vendors, including de-identifying data, requiring non-disclosure agreements with vendors and their employees, and requiring that vendors meet the high privacy standards set out in European law.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Paul Bischoff, a privacy advocate from Comparitech.com, told </span><em><a href="https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/security/microsoft-could-be-listening-to-some-skype-calls/news-story/d92ee2c5f713af3a7252be645004a365"><span style="font-weight: 400;">news.com.au</span></a></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">: “Microsoft clearly states that recordings and transcriptions are analysed to verify accuracy and make corrections.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The fact that humans are performing that analysis might make users uneasy, but I don’t think there’s much risk to end users.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“That is, unless a contractor steals recordings and gives them to a Vice reporter. Microsoft ought to take steps to ensure this can’t happen in the future.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I recommend users refrain from revealing any identifying information while using Skype Translation and Cortana. Unless you identify yourself in the recording, there’s almost no way for a human analyst to figure out who you are.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Skype is an online video chat and voice call service that also provides an instant messaging platform.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Javvad Malik, a security awareness advocate at KnowBe4, said: “This latest revelation goes to show more needs to be done to ensure consumer data is being protected when customers use such services.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“In this instance, there needs to be a clear level of transparency and honesty about the entire call-recording process to give people a true understanding of what they are signing up for.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“There is a fine line between invading someone’s privacy and collecting data for business purposes; a line that if crossed, can lead to serious breaches of data privacy.”</span></p>

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The best technology for keeping in touch

<p>One of the best parts of the technological age we are now living in is the advent of communications technology, which can help keep us connected to our loved ones. Up until relatively recently, “staying in touch” with a loved one interstate or overseas would have meant an STD phone call and/or a letter. As the Internet and more advanced connectivity became common-place, long distance phone calls may have morphed into texts and hand written communication into emails which allowed for more “real time” connection and commentary and the sharing of events as they happened as opposed to a few days or weeks later. In the here and now, technology has advanced far beyond the humble text or email to make it easier than ever to be an active part of your loved ones lives, even if they live 24 hours away.  Here are our favourite options for keeping in touch:</p> <ol> <li><strong>Skype</strong> – Video calls from your computer has made seeing your loved ones on a regular basis easier than ever. The majority of desktop and laptop computers are equipped with both a microphone and webcam meaning that all your really need to do is download the free Skype software and follow the easy instructions for setting up your account. Once you’ve done this you are able to find your loved ones, see when they are online and catch up via video whenever you like.</li> <li><strong>Facebook</strong> – If you’ve taken the leap into social media and enjoy using Facebook then the messenger app is a great way to stay in touch with friends and relatives whenever and wherever you are. A popular way to do this is by setting up a ‘group chat’ in messenger. You can do this by adding friends through your friends list. Once your private chat group is set up you can start chatting! This allows you to ‘talk’ in real time, share images and video and stay connected wherever you may be in the world.</li> <li><strong>Tapestry</strong> – One for the iPhone/iPad/iPod users. Tapestry is a specifically designed app for connecting over-60s with their loved ones. It helps simplify the online world to make it more accessible for the less tech savvy amongst us through its easy to use user interface (actually called “simplicity”) which allows users to view images/videos/messages from their loved ones whenever and wherever they like. The app is also completely ‘closed’ meaning it is private and secure and can connect large numbers of family/friends easily.</li> <li><strong>FaceTime</strong> – If you’ve got an iPhone, FaceTime calls are a simple and effective way to chat to friends and relatives in real time. A FaceTime call is basically a video call made directly from your phone. The bonus is that it is in high definition and the sound quality is usually excellent. You also don’t need to be at home/at a computer to use it.</li> </ol> <p>Tell us, do you use any of the above programs? How do you like to stay in touch with friends and loved ones? Share in the details below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/technology/2016/05/hints-for-using-gmail/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>5 hints for using Gmail</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/technology/2016/05/tips-to-prolong-your-smartphones-battery-life/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Tips to prolong your smartphone's battery life</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/technology/2016/04/simple-tricks-for-tech-problems/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Simple tricks for tech problems</strong></em></span></a></p>

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Top tips and tricks for using Skype

<p>Since it was invented in 2003, Skype has changed the way we communicate. It lets you see your grandchildren growing up on the other side of the world, bring your best friend into your living room when you need them the most or do business “face to face” with just about anyone. Use these tips to get the most out of Skyping.</p> <p><strong>Backup and transfer your contacts</strong></p> <p>If you have two Skype accounts (for example, a personal one for family and a separate one for business) but still want to share contacts, there’s an easy way to backup and transfer between accounts. Sign into one account, click on ‘Contacts’ followed by ‘Advanced’ and then ‘Backup Contacts to File’. This will create a .vcf file to save on your computer. Sign in to your second account and follow the same steps, but click instead on ‘Restore Contacts from File’.</p> <p><strong>Send video messages</strong></p> <p>If you can’t coordinate a time to chat to your loved ones you can record them a short video message instead. Click on the paperclip icon on the left hand side of the chat box and select ‘Send video message’ from the pop up menu. You can even record the message multiple times if you don’t get it right on the first try.</p> <p><strong>Edit typed messages</strong></p> <p>Skype is also great for chatting over typed instant messages, either on their own or in the background of a video chat. If you make a mistake in a message you can go back and edit it – just press the up arrow key and the previous text box will open up for you to make changes.</p> <p><strong>Set up keyboard shortcuts</strong></p> <p>If you use Skype a lot then setting up keyboard shortcuts – or hotkeys – can make things much easier. In the main Skype window click on ‘Tools’, then ‘Options’, then ‘Advanced’ then ‘Hotkeys’. Check the ‘Enable keyboard shortcuts’ box and then you can easily customise the keys you want to use for actions like answering calls, hanging up or muting the microphone.</p> <p><strong>Use Skype Wi-Fi</strong></p> <p>If you don’t have access to the internet you can actually create your own Wi-Fi hotspot using your Skype credits. Skype has access to over two million hotspots that you can access on your phone or tablet by downloading an app.</p> <p><strong>Set up caller ID</strong></p> <p>If you are calling a mobile or landline from Skype then it will come up as an unidentified caller, and a lot of people make a habit of not answering numbers without a caller ID. To set yours up click on the Skype menu button, then ‘Account’, which will open up a separate webpage. Click on ‘Caller ID’ and you’ll be prompted to choose your country/region and then enter your phone number. Once it’s verified that will be the number that shows up when you place a call.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/technology/2015/12/instagram-adds-new-feature/"><strong>The new Instagram feature you’ll love</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/technology/2015/11/types-of-people-on-facebook/"><strong>The 10 types of people you always find on Facebook</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/technology/2015/11/android-phones-security-phone/"><strong>Android phones at risk of hacking</strong></a></em></span></p>

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