Voice-identification systems, like Siri and Alexa, are becoming common. But they do more than play music or give us directions, they’re now being used as a security measure, like a fingerprint. Banks are beginning to use them to grant us access to our bank accounts.

The only problem? They can be fooled. And not just by generating a computer-generated deepfake. By speaking through a PVC plastic tube.

We catch up with UW-Madison Electrical and Computer Engineering Ph.D. students Shimaa Ahmed and Yash Wani, and assistant professor Kassem Fawaz to learn how.

🗣️ Read their research.

💻 See their presentation at the Usenix Security Symposium.

Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram!

Want more Madison news delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.

Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast ads.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

UW Researchers Can Hack Voice ID With Pipes and Math