The Voice and Speech Processing within Language Technology Applications: Perspective of the Russian Data Protection Law

Language technology (LT) in its broad sense comprises speech technology, computational linguistics, and natural language processing technology. These technologies are expected to have great economic potential and a considerable impact on the everyday life of society. The development of LT fosters applications for artificial intelligence (AI) and broadens the horizon for its advancement. LT deals not only with written forms of linguistic expression butalso extends to voice and speech. Voice excluding speech or its contents is a combination of unique physical patterns, such as vocal qualities, volume, speed, and certain other biometric data. Voice can provide medically relevant information, e.g. about a person’s mental state,stress level, etc., which is potentially sensitive medical data. Voice with inclusion of speech content can also include personal data (e.g. name, address, ID number, etc.). Consideration of voice and speech as personal data presents a range of legal vulnerabilities and challenges for developing and disseminating LT. This paper explores the extent to which the special regime used for personal data derived from voice and speech affects how it is processed and how it bears on the development and dissemination of LT. This investigation will identify legal vulnerabilities that arise in this connection, and its findings should be useful to both researchers and entrepreneurs in LT. The results of this study provide a basis for further research intoLT and related legal issues concerning personal data in Russia.&nbsp