Manual or AI Redaction: Which is Better for Audio Files?

Introduction:

How can law enforcement agencies protect sensitive information and PII in audio files? Redacting audio files can be challenging due to inaccurate transcriptions and poor pattern detection features. CaseGuard Studio’s AI and manual redaction tools solve these issues, empowering users to edit and censor audio files easily for full compliance. This case study compares Manual Audio Redaction and AI-based redaction’s effectiveness on a 3-minute and 4-second 911 call about a robbery, using the bleep effect to redact all PII.

Let’s explore how Manual Audio Redaction compares to AI Audio Redaction for an audio file spanning 3 minutes and 4 seconds. This audio contains a 911 call about a robbery. To ensure compliance, we redacted all the PII using the bleep effect.

First, you can listen to the audio that needs redacting below.

Now let’s take a look at how long both methods of redaction took me to redact this audio for full compliance.

Manual Audio Redaction:

Use Case:

• A short recording with minimal PII such as names and addresses needs muting before being released for a FOIA request. Manual redaction can be used to quickly redact these elements in just a few clicks.
• An audio recording that features lots of feedback or background noise that may prove a bit difficult for the AI to pick up. Manual redaction allows us to redact things that are said in either the foreground or background.

Step-by-step Guide:

• Upload: Upload the file to CaseGuard Studio.
• Manual Redaction: Select Manual Audio from the Toolbar on the left side.
• Listen and Redact: Play the audio and use the Press and Hold button to select any PII you here, then bleep it using the Bleep button.
• Review and Export: Listen to the redacted audio, using the Go to Position button to review as needed, and then Export .

In total, the process of uploading, redacting, reviewing, and exporting took me 4 minutes and 28 seconds. CaseGuard Studio’s Manual Audio feature empowers investigators with a wide range of tools for meticulous redaction, ensuring that no confidential details slip through the cracks. By offering precise control over audio files, CaseGuard Studio enables precise editing to safeguard sensitive information effectively. With this tool, users can redact any word or sentence, whether or not it’s PII.

Benefits:

• User-friendly interface for manual edits.
• Swift redaction of PII and other sensitive content, giving full control of what you want to redact in your audio.
• Easily redact words and phrases the AI might not pick up.

Let’s see it in action!

Play Video

AI-Based Redaction:

Use Case:

• Investigators dealing with body-worn camera videos featuring multiple speakers and languages in noisy environments. The AI automatically transcribes audio, identifies speakers, and detects spoken languages.
• AI Audio can be a lifesaver when it comes to long audio recordings containing multiple different types of PII. For example, audio recorded from a school camera that identifies names, phone numbers, addresses, and more can all be redacted along with the AI being able to accurately identify and redact any profanity as well!

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Upload: Upload the file to CaseGuard Studio.
• AI Redaction: Select AI Audio from the Toolbar on the left side.
• Transcription: Analyze and Transcribe audio in the Transcription Panel and search for names, addresses, and phone numbers, then click Mute all Search Results.
• Review and Export: Listen to the redacted audio, using the Go to Position button to review as needed, and then Export .

Altogether, the time it took me to upload, redact, review, and export the file totaled 2 minutes and 31 seconds. CaseGuard Studio’s AI Audio process harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to streamline the transcription and redaction of audio recordings, sparing investigators the manual effort of identifying Personal Identifiable Information. This automated solution accelerates the redaction process by leveraging advanced algorithms to detect and conceal sensitive data seamlessly. By integrating AI technology, CaseGuard Studio empowers users to efficiently manage audio content while upholding privacy standards effortlessly.

Benefits:

• Automated transcription provides users with the ability to quickly scan through any audio file.
• Find and Redact features allow for easy redaction of any sensitive information. It can also be used to resample and edit audio files.
• Identification of separate speakers and over 40 spoken languages.
• Customizable redaction options based on PII categories for full compliance.

Let’s see it in action!

Play Video

Conclusion:

These audio tools show why CaseGuard Studio is the best software for any of your redaction needs. Laura Cullum, a records clerk for the Kilgore Police Department, had this to say about CaseGuard’s Audio Redaction features:

“The diverse array of options for redaction effects and audio redactions has proven invaluable in ensuring the integrity of our content. Moreover, the transcription feature within CaseGuard’s audio redaction has been particularly beneficial. I can apply mute and bleep to the transcriptions that the software prepared for me for long-hour files, which saves a lot of time and energy.”

Both Manual Redaction and AI Redaction offered by CaseGuard Studio provide law enforcement and government agencies with effective tools for audio masking. While Manual Audio Redaction offers complete control and user-friendliness, AI-Based Redaction excels in automation and efficiency, particularly in scenarios with multiple speakers and complex audio recordings. Agencies can choose the solution that best fits their specific needs and workflow preferences, ensuring seamless compliance and data protection.

To learn more about CaseGuard’s audio redaction features, click here.