Security concerns in ASP.NET CORE SpeechToText control

28 Apr 20251 minute to read

Online dependency

The SpeechToText control typically relies on browser-based APIs, which may require an active internet connection. If an internet connection is unavailable, an offline fallback should be considered.

Potential security risks

Understanding the risks associated with speech recognition.

Data transmission to external servers

The audio data is sent to third-party servers (e.g., Google, Microsoft) for processing. So the sensitive spoken information might be exposed to external entities.

Privacy concerns

Some services may store user voice data for analytics or improving AI models. Users should verify browser and service policies.

Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks

Without HTTPS, attackers could intercept audio data during transmission.

Browser and permission exploits

Malicious websites may misuse permissions to eavesdrop on conversations. Explicit user consent is essential before enabling microphone access.

Mitigation strategies

Ensuring security and privacy when using speech recognition and how to mitigate them.

• Use the control only in trusted environments.
• Inform users about third-party data processing.
• Enforce HTTPS to secure audio transmission.
• Request microphone permissions only when required and revoke them afterward.
• Review browser API privacy policies for speech recognition.