The voice of each individual is unique and cannot be completely imitated. In the sound of speech, there is rich information including the content of the speech, identity, emotions, age, and more. Each person's speech exhibits differences in audio, source, intonation, and features. Therefore, voiceprints, like fingerprints, possess uniqueness and individuality.

Voiceprint recognition is one of the biometric identification methods that utilizes the "speech signals" emitted by individuals. By processing the signals through algorithms and advanced computations, a secure identification method is generated.

Voiceprint recognition has the following characteristics:

High acceptance: Speech acquisition is convenient and natural, and voiceprints can be extracted without awareness.

Low identification cost: It is simple to use, and voiceprints can be captured during communication using common devices.

Suitable for remote identity verification: It can be implemented through networks, enabling remote authentication.

Low complexity in voiceprint identification and verification: By registering real-time or pre-recorded audio files and performing simple calculations, the audio files can be recognized.

The first implementation of voiceprint recognition in Taiwan was introduced by Citibank in 2016. At that time, many consumers using Interactive Voice Response (IVR) services found the process of verifying their identity with customer service representatives time-consuming and raised concerns about the privacy of the security questions. After adopting voiceprint recognition technology, Citibank was able to reduce the time for identity verification during customer service calls from 45 seconds to 15 seconds, significantly improving the operational efficiency of their customer service personnel. The identity verification process was seamlessly integrated into the conversation with customers, eliminating the need for additional questions. In terms of security, the voiceprint recognition system can differentiate between recorded, altered, or edited voices, effectively preventing identity theft and ensuring the reliability of voiceprint recognition.

In 2020, Far EasTone Telecommunications also introduced NICE voiceprint recognition technology and launched the "Voice ID" service for identity verification. This service utilizes voice as a means of authentication, creating a unique voiceprint password for each individual, replacing the traditional method of identity verification through question-and-answer sessions. This accelerates the identity verification process and effectively reduces the occurrence of identity theft and impersonation incidents.

With the proliferation of the internet and mobile communication devices, using "voice" as a means of identity authentication is likely to become one of the mainstream biometric recognition methods in the future. By leveraging voice capture applications, voiceprints can not only verify identities but also analyze deeper information about the speaker's emotions, psychology, and pathologies. The scope of applications will not be limited to identity recognition alone. Therefore, voiceprints have great potential for further development and possibilities in various fields. It is worth our anticipation!