Microsoft has applied for a patent that would enable the censoring of streaming audio. The reason, ostensibly, is to filter the vocal content of Xbox Live, and the software would create a list of words to be edited out on the fly, without the need for a long delay. Here is the actual wording from the application:

The automatic censoring filter employs a lattice comprising either phonemes and/or words derived from phonemes for comparison against corresponding phonemes or words included in undesired speech data. If the probability that a phoneme or word in the input audio data stream matches a corresponding phoneme or word in the undesired speech data is greater than a probability threshold, the input audio data stream is altered so that the undesired word or a phrase comprising a plurality of such words is unintelligible or inaudible.

If this actually works, it could have a wide range of uses. Radio talk shows could be edited without being on a delay, television shows don’t need to fear people using bad language, and the government could censor any dissent, creating a totalitarian society where even the slightest mention of conflict could result in a loud, piercing screech. Wait, what?

Oh, and don't freak out about misuse. I'm sure you don't care that your iPhone can track your GPS, or that everything you write on any computer is saved for a good long while. I assume, in this case at least, it will be optional, not mandatory. Most likely users will access this filter through parental controls, like everything else on the system. Many parents have said they don’t want their children using an online system because of people saying crude things. As long as I still have the opinion of saying <EDITOR DELETED>, <EDITOR DELETED>, and <EDITOR DELETED>, I will still have my freedom of speech intact. I mean, I’d hate to have to live in a society where I can’t just say <EDITOR DELETED> whenever I want! That would be crazy, and I wouldn’t stand for it.

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