The Rise of Voice Messages: A New Era of Communication
Voice messages are reshaping communication—and legal discovery. With over 7 billion sent daily on platforms like WhatsApp and iMessage, they present new challenges for eDiscovery. From transcription to AI-powered analysis, legal teams must adapt. Here’s how AI is transforming voice message review and compliance.
Written by: Donna M. Medrek
Senior Director @ BlueStar | Legal Technology Consulting | Super Connector | Neurodiversity Advocate | First Gen 🇵🇱
February 20, 2025
Voice messages, or "voice notes," have become a staple in modern communication, offering a personal and dynamic alternative to traditional text messages. As someone who receives daily voice memos from my ten-year-old son—ranging from sweet declarations of love ("I love you, Mom!") to less coherent outbursts like "Poop!"—I’ve seen firsthand how this medium allows for creative and emotional expression. And my son is far from alone in this trend!
Voice messaging is transforming how we communicate, both personally and professionally. These short audio recordings, sent via apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, and Telegram, are now a preferred method for millions worldwide.
The Voice Message Revolution
The popularity of voice messages is undeniable:
62% of Americans have sent a voice message.
30% use voice messaging weekly or daily.
Gen Z (ages 18–29), 43% report weekly use of voice messaging.
WhatsApp boasts over 7 billion voice messages are sent daily.
This shift reflects a growing desire for more personal, immediate, and expressive forms of digital interaction. Voice notes allow users to convey tone, emotion, and nuance that text often lacks.
Why Gen Z Loves Voice Notes
Voice messaging is particularly beloved by Gen Z, with 84% using them regularly to communicate complex ideas or emotions more effectively than text. This preference can be attributed to several factors:
Emotional Expression: Voice notes convey tone and nuance, creating deeper connections than text-based communication.
Efficiency: Speaking is faster than typing—humans speak at 125–150 words per minute versus typing at around 40 words per minute.
Convenience: They offer the flexibility of asynchronous communication without the formality of a phone call.
Multitasking: Users can record voice notes while on the go or engaged in other activities.
Legal Implications of Voice Messaging
While voice notes are a delightful way to communicate, their rise also introduces challenges in professional and legal contexts. As workplace communication increasingly incorporates platforms like Microsoft Teams, Skype, and WhatsApp, eDiscovery professionals must recognize that voice-based communications are now a critical source of evidence in investigations and litigation.
Voice messages are considered electronically stored information (ESI) under legal discovery rules, meaning they are subject to review during litigation or regulatory inquiries. However, handling audio evidence presents unique challenges compared to text-based data:
Complex: Audio files require transcription and analysis to be searchable and usable in legal contexts.
Time Sensitive: Platforms like WhatsApp, Snapchat, and Telegram offer ephemeral voice notes, which can disappear after listening or a set period.
Cost: Reviewing hours of audio manually can be resource-intensive without the right tools.
AI-Powered Solutions for eDiscovery
Thankfully, advancements in AI-powered technology have revolutionized how legal teams process audio evidence. At BlueStar, we’ve worked on several cases involving audio-based communications and have leveraged cutting-edge tools to simplify the process while saving time and costs for our clients.
Key AI Capabilities for Audio Analysis:
1. Automated Transcription: Converts speech into text with high accuracy for easier review.
2. Speaker Identification: Differentiates between multiple speakers in conversations (speaker diarization).
3. Emotion Detection: Analyzes tone and sentiment within recordings to identify key moments.
4. Keyword Searchability: Enables legal teams to search for specific terms or phrases within audio files quickly.
5. Metadata Extraction: Automatically pulls timestamps, speaker details, and other relevant information.
Real-World Applications
At BlueStar, we’ve successfully applied these technologies in various scenarios:
For an employment litigation matter involving WeChat audio files, we converted them into searchable WAV files using AI-powered transcription tools, simplifying review for counsel.
In a pro bono case involving aged courtroom audio tapes with multiple speakers in noisy environments, we transcribed and indexed the recordings while identifying individual speakers for clarity. This streamlined review led to favorable outcomes for our clients.
In a child custody case, we converted years of court audio files, identifying key moments and personally identifiable information (PII). AI-powered audio analysis simplified the review process, enabling the legal team to win the case.
These solutions not only reduce the burden on legal teams but also ensure compliance with discovery obligations while enabling faster case resolution.
The Future of Voice Messaging
As voice notes continue to rise in popularity across generations and industries, their impact on communication—and eDiscovery—will only grow. For businesses and legal professionals alike, it’s essential to stay ahead by adopting tools that can efficiently manage this evolving form of digital evidence.
Whether it’s my son’s playful voice memos or critical workplace communications on Teams or WhatsApp, one thing is clear: we’re entering a new era where voice-based interactions are becoming just as important as written ones—and we must be ready to adapt.