“ Stopify…Slopify…Spotify ”

The streets are saying that Spotify wants to start listening to our conversations to give us better-recommended music. Crazy right?! You know I had to look into that one. So, what’s the deal with that? Well, Spotify has patented technology that will analyse our voices to suggest songs based on our emotions. Technology has come very far and the functionalities are getting crazier and crazier; it’s starting to make Black Mirror look normal. But how does this technology work? (see diagram below*)

The technology will take audio input from the microphone of your device and analyse the various features from the audio input such as the users’ intonation and tempo to determine what sort of mood the user is in. The technology will then combine this data with songs that the user has previously played and the current social setting (e.g. alone / at a party) to refine its suggestions.

*Diagram taken from BBC website: bbc.co.uk/news/amp/entertainment-arts-55839655

So, let me get this straight… a little pillow talk, and Alexa starts playing Trey Songz – Neighbours Know My Name? Woah Woah… slow down Alexa, you have to start off with some Jhené Aiko before that. I do think it’s quite clever to take your current surroundings and your voice to suggest music, however with technology that is constantly listening in the background, our private conversations are no longer private.

On the other hand, Spotify have stated that: 

“we recognise that one’s digital history is extraordinarily personal and sensitive. As such it must be treated with proper consideration of the conceivable misuses and unintended externalities from its access. Our research was conducted in such a framework, including a review board that scrutinised our design and methods before granting formal ethical approval. We disavow any future research or applications that violate ethical standards of data usage and are not transparent about privacy to its users.” **

**Quote taken from Spotify website: research.atspotify.com/just-the-way-you-are-music-listening-and-personality/

I think it’s a good thing that they are aware of what concerns this will raise with the public. Ultimately, they want to innovate and create a new, improved way of experiencing music which I’m really here for.

Love & Guidance

TT