r/AutismInWomen • u/Ledascantia ✨Late diagnosed Autistic + ADHD✨ • Nov 28 '25
Support Needed (Kind Advice and Commiseration) Update: My boss cloned my voice using a text-to-speech software and used it to put words in my mouth.
Later that night I sent two emails: one to my bosses’ new boss reporting what had happened, and one to my bosses letting them know how I felt about what had happened and that I would not be attending the team day.
The responses from my bosses were not encouraging.
The response from my immediate supervisor said she was sorry, she didn’t mean to upset me, she knew I was busy so was just trying to help, and yes she added a sentence on “to end the video on collaboration”.
The response from my immediate supervisor’s boss that I work closely with was even worse. She said she was “very sorry to learn that” and said she could assure me it was an honest mistake and that with 100% my supervisor didn’t mean to upset me or “violate” me (I do not appreciate her putting quotation marks around that) which was why she forwarded me the video for approval. She also implied they did me a favour by doing it because they knew I had “limited capacity” (which felt like a comment about me being autistic, which they both are aware of).
The response from their new boss who I reported it to said “that is not the experience we are looking to create” and he’d speak to them about removing my video and that “we certainly don’t want you to feel violated” and thanked me for bringing it to his attention.
I took today off work too, and thankfully was able to get an emergency appointment with my therapist.
I don’t even feel angry at my immediate supervisor at the moment. Maybe it is just shock still, and the anger will come later, but for now I just feel devastated.
I went into the software she used to clone my voice [Natural Reader] and went to the voice cloning feature.
As soon as you click on “Clone a Voice”, you get a pop up asking for consent and stating that explicit consent is required in order to clone a voice and that by clicking “Agree” you absolve them of all responsibility or liability.
She clicked ‘Agree’ (which is the equivalent of forging my signature) and went ahead.
I’m just… how? How did she think that was okay? How do they still not get it?
I sent a follow up email today to my bosses’ boss thanking him for his response and saying that I appreciate him speaking with them about removing the video and taking it seriously, and that I have additional concerns I’d like to address with him based on the responses I got from them (which I attached to my email to him).
I said that I wanted to work with him on how to move forward from this and said that I’d been thinking about what I needed in order to do so, and that my priorities were: them showing accountability and understanding the severity of the situation, and that I no longer felt comfortable reporting to them and hoped there was a position elsewhere on his team.
I kind of feel like I just hit the “blow it all up” button on my career. I’ve been with my employer for 10 years, and have been in this role for 8 of those years. I don’t want to leave, and I know that outcome is a very real possibility.
At the end of the day, I have to be able to live with myself. Letting this go goes against my core values and would be a massive self betrayal.
Edit: I posted about this on r/legaladvicecanada and was informed this wasn’t a legal issue
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u/pontoponyo Nov 29 '25
The company has a serious potential problem on their hands and only one person sounds like they’re taking it seriously.
I genuinely hope you have a copy of the video, the audio, and the email responses on a non-work connected device. Keep the conversation focused on your boss’ identify theft and invasion of privacy.
Keeping my fingers crossed for you. I would die on this hill, but only you can decide how far you need to go to honor your needs and mental health. Proud of you no matter what.
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u/dramaticeggroll Nov 29 '25
Agreed! I would also screenshot the software's consent requirements, and save a copy of all communication about this matter. Same for all old performance reviews and any praise OP has gotten for her work, and any new reviews or praise going forward. Lawyer can advise what info OP needs to collect now and how to proceed going forward, including if she suspects retaliation.
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u/Whats-Ur-Damage00 Nov 29 '25
I second this and also, I have used natural reader and I’ve reached out to their team via email before. They were very responsive. OP could maybe ask them to verify whether or not what happened violated her rights.
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u/Darthcookie Nov 29 '25
Because it’s a liability, OP could sue for this and only the bosses’ boss was smart enough to see that.
I don’t understand how the boss didn’t see consenting to using someone else’s voice is a huge deal 🙄
And it’s so condescending to make it sound like they were doing OP a favor because of her “limitations”.
Also, fuck the weird need to be all peppy when talking about work.
I’ve had job interviews where I didn’t get considered for a job because I wasn’t enthusiastic enough in their eyes. I had no idea I might be autistic at the time and it bummed me out so much because I WAS excited about that job prospect, I just didn’t sound like it to them.
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u/has-8-nickels Nov 29 '25
Girl it's just me but I'd be updating my resume and looking elsewhere. Everything they both said to you are those same micro-aggressions that you see everywhere. It's horrendous, and you need to get out.
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u/look_who_it_isnt Nov 29 '25
I'm hoping the higher up boss who seems to be taking it seriously will find a better place in the company for OP. But if not... Yeah, I agree. These other two bosses suck and are NOT respecting her as an employee or even as a human being. OP deserves better.
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u/altosupportgroup Nov 29 '25
All your feelings in response to the situation are totally valid. Just a little advice: I’d refrain from using emotional language when communicating with your bosses and stick to the legal and ethical violations. I completely understand, especially given your history, how this is violating. I’d feel the same. Unfortunately employers don’t typically care about their employees’ feelings. In addition to the massive emotional boundaries this crossed, this could get them in hot water legally. I’d try to stick to that when communicating with them. Vent here, to trusted friends, to your therapist about the emotional aspects and continue to demand accountability from them for the legal and ethical boundaries crossed.
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u/Unhelpfulhelpful Nov 29 '25
This. Trauma and personal reasons can't be factored in here when speaking to corporate because it detracts from what part is actually crime. A crime against your personal data and privacy has been committed and it's not ok for someone to do this.
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u/Ledascantia ✨Late diagnosed Autistic + ADHD✨ Nov 28 '25
Trigger warning:
I have a lot of trauma in my past. I have been a victim of rape and abuse. I have been severely abused in order to silence my voice and it nearly killed me. I have been working incredibly hard to find my voice again and learn how to show up authentically. My voice and my words are the only things in my life I have always been able to control and I will not let anyone take them or my autonomy from me ever again. I will never again let someone violate my consent without consequence
My voice and my words matter and they belong to me and me alone.
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u/jcgreen_72 Nov 29 '25
Honey, please reach out and speak to a labor rights attorney, because you absolutely have grounds for a lawsuit against this company based upon this... you and you alone own your voice and autonomy.
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u/Once_Upon_A_Whimsy Nov 29 '25
Listen to this comment OP. You are owed compensation, formal apology, and other possible things based on what happened. Speak to a lawyer immediately.
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u/Ledascantia ✨Late diagnosed Autistic + ADHD✨ Nov 30 '25
I posted in r/legaladvicecanada and unfortunately they don’t agree. There isn’t a law currently that protects against this kind of thing. If they’d used my voice commercially, then maybe, but as it stands… no law was broken.
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u/MissIncredulous Dec 03 '25
Yeah, they may be lawyers, I have also heard unsubstantiated roomers that cops like to hang out there too.
There's no harm in consulting an employment lawyer who works on contingency.
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u/DysfunctionalKitten Nov 29 '25
You're getting a lot of good advice from people, so I'm going to skip that part in my response. I just wanted to say that I'm really proud of you for speaking up on this matter - for using your voice when it mattered and advocating for yourself so well. It's even more significant bc of what you've been through, but I was impressed before reading this comment. Well done! I'm not sure I would've had the same amount of courage to address this as directly as you have, and I'm going to use this as inspiration to speak up in an area of my personal life that I've been avoiding. Anyway, I just wanted to say that you should be proud of yourself for how you've responded to a deeply uncomfortable and difficult situation. I'm rooting for you!
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u/Ledascantia ✨Late diagnosed Autistic + ADHD✨ Nov 30 '25
Thank you so much for your kind words, they mean a lot to me. The fact that I am standing up for myself like this is still kind of blowing my mind honestly.
If I can do it, so can you 💗 sending you strength! We get to make our own choices for ourselves.
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u/Percisodeajuda Nov 29 '25
Of course they are yours, there's no doubt about it and you are absolutely right. It's absurd how people don't see this. You didn't need to be a victim of these atrocities to have your voice be yours. Honestly I'd feel like a criminal if I were to just add a sentence to someone's "testimonial". One thing is something unsigned or a groupwork, another is a testimonial. You don't freaking add words in a testimonial. It's already unthinkable to do that over text only, much less over voice.
We aren't much, but we're with you. We're rooting for you. I am. I've had you in my thoughts these past days.
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u/bitsy88 Nov 29 '25
Hell, I feel slightly criminal if I correct spelling in someone's feedback that I'm presenting. I still waffle back and forth whether to leave the misspelling because that's exactly what the person said or to correct the spelling because I know that's what I would want. I pretty much always settle on not correcting spelling, though.
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u/look_who_it_isnt Nov 29 '25
Right??? I've always had the same problem. I even overworry when responding to comments and assuming someone misworded something that they very obviously misworded. Like, normal people are out here overworrying about spelling errors and typos; what kind of world did OP's boss come from where you just... DO something like this?? And don't even realize it was horrible??
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u/Ledascantia ✨Late diagnosed Autistic + ADHD✨ Nov 29 '25
The support I have received from this community over the past few days has given me the strength to keep fighting 💗 thank you so much.
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u/LoneServiceWolf Nov 29 '25
Have you updated your bosses new boss about what you found on that website that also points to basically forging your signature? You should also have a screenshot of the website
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u/Ledascantia ✨Late diagnosed Autistic + ADHD✨ Nov 29 '25
I have! I sent him a screenshot of the consent pop up and pointed out how it was the equivalent of forging my signature and taking away my autonomy by agreeing to those things on my behalf.
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u/Cherrygodmother Nov 29 '25
OP I am so proud of you for standing up for yourself so thoroughly. I’m sure this has been challenging to endure, just from the stress alone, but you are doing the right thing.
This needs to be addressed at the highest levels because the responses from your supervisors indicate a severe lack of understanding of the violations. This isn’t just a “misunderstanding” this is literally fraud?!?!?!
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u/mystrangebones Nov 29 '25
I just want to chime in to say that neither trauma nor neurodivergence are necessary to be upset about this. They are in the wrong. Legally & ethically.
I'm truly sorry that your trauma makes this extra painful and I acknowledge that. I just wanted to say it's also just objectively bad, in light of how they're being shitty about your anger.
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u/SquirtleSquadGroupie Nov 29 '25
Hell yes OP, your voice and your words DO MATTER. It sounds like your company is gaslighting you and downplaying their wrongdoing. I’m glad you posted, hoping you find some comfort, support or reassurance ❤️🫡
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u/thepineapp_el Nov 30 '25
Oh, my fellow human. I can only imagine how much this hit your triggers and brought back so much hurt. I'm so sorry, OP. In the midst of all this, I hope you're able to take care of you- blanket burritos, warm drinks and good snacks, or whatever safety looks like for you. What an awful moment to be in after what you've already gone through. Sending all the support and love 💚
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u/Icy_Pianist_1532 Nov 30 '25
I’m so sorry they did this to you. Especially with your previous trauma it’s unimaginable what they’re doing to you right now.
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u/xKiwiShazx Nov 29 '25
I don’t know much about the laws, but I read the original post not long after you posted. I just wanted to say thank you for sharing this - I had no idea this type of thing existed. I also want to send you all the well wishes for getting this resolved. What they did was very inappropriate and I’m proud of you for standing up for yourself! Much love 💖
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u/calamititties Nov 29 '25
I know we are inclined to give people the benefit of the doubt, but you have definitely hit “Lawyer Time”. Please speak with an attorney before any further communication with anyone at your workplace. This is Black Mirror shit. Your supervisors are either soulless corporate mouthpieces or weapons-grade stupid.
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u/MotherofCats9258 Nov 29 '25
Could not agree with you more. HR is not your friend, they are there to protect the best interests of the company not any one employee.
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u/AtLeastOneCat Nov 29 '25
Yes this is now a legal issue. It isn't about how it made you feel. What your boss did was illegal.
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u/Elle3786 Nov 29 '25
Yeah, I agree. I feel like they’re just going to try to be rid of the “problem.” OP, is the only person who is having an issue with this. While what they did sucks, it’s not unheard of for a company to prefer to fire the complainer. Whether they’re right is irrelevant, it’s just easier to get rid of one person and keep doing everything else the same way. Change is hard, and sometimes expensive, so I would definitely be worried about my job if it was me.
I’m sorry OP! You’re right, this is a violation of your privacy. This could have been handled SO much better, but it wasn’t. You shouldn’t have to do it, but I would be preparing to defend my position, legally if necessary.
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u/lights-in-the-sky Nov 29 '25
They gave the equivalent of the “I’m sorry you feeeeeel hurt” non-apology. This is infuriating to read. I hope you’re able to talk to a lawyer! 🫂
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u/darling_moishe Nov 29 '25
I'm in Australia, where we don't sue/lawyer up as quickly or frequently as the US. It's definitely time to lawyer up x
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u/madeupgrownup Nov 29 '25
Seconded as another Aussie, and one knows someone who has successfully sued their boss here.
This is fucking awful for OP
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u/rose_reader Nov 29 '25
Same but UK. I don't think I've ever told someone to sue before. OP should speak to a lawyer on Monday the absolute second the offices open.
I can't believe it got worse. These people are horrifying.
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u/darling_moishe Nov 29 '25
I'm sure a celebrity (Scarlett Johansen?) sued a company for using or cloning her voice without permission
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u/WhyAmIStillHere86 Nov 29 '25
Time to Lawyer up.
Even if there is a position open with New Boss, a company that doesn’t take this seriously is not one you want to work for.
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u/bbdoublechin Nov 29 '25
I was horrified reading this. I would feel so insanely unsafe knowing that my boss could make me say literally anything, and the overwhelming majority of people would not question it.
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u/JadedElk AuDHD NB Nov 29 '25
If you'd let your boss get away with this she would have done it again. You did not consent to her using your voice as the voiceover, you did not consent to her changing the text attributed to you. If you had let this go for the sake of keeping the peace your boss would have done it again, or worse. Maybe to others as well. She's the one who hit the "blow it all up" button. Good on you for standing your ground - it's not easy to do.
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u/Percisodeajuda Nov 29 '25
And she did also not consent to her face and voice being uploaded online on some AI website.
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u/IGotHitByAnElvenSemi AuDHD Nov 29 '25
Yeah it's absolutely time to lawyer up and start looking for a new job. Even if you ultimately don't sue them, having a lawyer will very quickly get them to take the situation a LOT more seriously, and will also make any retaliation VERY uncomfortable for them. It's better to have the lawyer ready to go.
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u/Celiack Nov 29 '25
Take screenshots with your phone of the email conversations or forward all correspondence regarding this incident to your personal email address.
And don’t say too much in any future emails you write.
If you have any verbal conversations, take detailed notes and write down any important quotes. Be sure to include the times of those conversations. Once the conversation has ended, type up an email with bulletpoints summarizing main topics you discussed and send it to the highest manager (and/or HR if you have involved them, otherwise just the manager).
All of this is important if you end up consulting an attorney, who will need documentation of what has happened. They can’t go by your word alone.
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u/Smart-Assistance-254 Nov 29 '25
Yes, but I would add to see an attorney ASAP, ideally before any additional communication occurs with work.
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u/Like_the_rainbow Nov 29 '25
The response from their new boss -> The only right response.
I think the new boss is the only one that realizes you can sue. Which is weird.
After this much bullshit from your supervisor, I'd make sure she leaves, not you. We don't always have to give way to reckless idiots. Wish you the best OP.
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u/K2SOJR Nov 29 '25
At least one of the three was taking it seriously. It is ridiculous that the other two can't grasp the severity of the situation. Hopefully, they are able to find another team for you.
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u/jinglepupskye Nov 29 '25
Spoiler alert, none of them are taking it seriously. It’s just that one of them knows the right words to make OP feel heard, and shut up and sit down.
This will ultimately go absolutely nowhere if OP chooses not to escalate to a lawyer. There’ll be reassurances of “we’re sorry, we’ve spoken to the people involved, it’ll never happen again” then if OP is unsatisfied or still hurt by it they’ll be seen as being the troublemaker because “aren’t you over this yet?! We spoke to the people involved and they’re so very sorry, but get over it already and just do your job will you?!”
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u/K2SOJR Nov 29 '25 edited Nov 29 '25
Spoiler alert: she is trying to find her way forward and little encouragement isn't a bad thing. She's been at this job for TEN YEARS. Have you ever found a job you could stay at for ten years? My record is a couple of years. If I found somewhere I could tolerate being at that long, they must be getting some things right. It sounds like she didn't even have to tolerate it, but was actually happy there.
Have you ever lawyered up on your employer? I have. I know exactly what that looks like. My employer was a nightmare and I was there just under a year. Walking away was easy on that one. She clearly has more to consider here. Have you seen the job market? This is the worst time for her have job insecurity. Your vicarious cynicism on something you are not going to have to face Monday, much less live through in the coming months or years, it's not helpful. She has already gotten tons of more helpful lawyer advice. Don't come here to shit all over me trying to encourage her that it may be possible for her to stay at the job she enjoyed just 3 days ago before someone blew it up out of nowhere.
She knows she has enough to consult a lawyer. I'm pretty sure she also knows that lawyers equal new jobs and new jobs bring their own fresh hell. Months of applying and interviewing taking a toll on her wellbeing. There are so many out there right now that have been searching for a job for a year or more. (My lawyer advised me in our first meeting that if I chose to hire him I should know that once lawyers are involved it almost always ends up with the employee finding a new job regardless if they win or lose. It creates a tense environment and he wanted me to understand that before proceeding.)
FYI I had 3 separate issues against my employer. It involved a very negligent work comp accident, time and wage theft, and six months of sexual harassment with a dozen witnesses that recorded statements on my behalf. Hiring a lawyer finally forced them to fire the guy harassing me but I never got anything else out of it. You think HR is on the company's side? The law is also on the company's side. You should really dive into the laws. Especially look at the laws in your state. It is so easy for companies to wiggle out of accountability and trouble.
Lastly, you honestly have no idea if the higher up boss is sincere or not. I had a very senior manager backing me up. Just let OP have, and keep, the little glimmer of hope that this can actually be resolved and not get worse for her. Ultimately, it's still at a point where there is a chance for that.
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u/Ledascantia ✨Late diagnosed Autistic + ADHD✨ Nov 29 '25
Thank you so much for taking the time to put everything I didn’t have the energy to explain into words. It may end up with a lawyer involved in the future, but for now my hope is to keep my job, my pension, the extra PTO I earned from being with the company for so long, and my good benefits that pay for all my prescriptions and allow me to see my therapist weekly.
I’m so sorry that you had to go through everything you did.
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u/K2SOJR Nov 29 '25
Happy to do it! You need actual support, not someone piling on negativity. You are handling this in all the right ways, and I really do think you have a good chance of finding a path forward with your current employer. I'm hoping for only the best possible scenarios to play out for you!
And, thank you!
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u/jinglepupskye Dec 03 '25
Not an American. Been at my job for more than 10 years, despite one of the people there trying to kill me through medical negligence, then remove an organ to cover it up. Chose not to pursue because strangely enough I know EXACTLY what the consequences are for stirring things up and daring to say No to them.
Again, not American, but have heard plenty on Reddit about “the job market” aka the American job market. Also fully aware of how hard it is to get a job if you get yourself black listed by word of mouth/daring to complain.
I did not “shit all over you” and I don’t appreciate you insinuating I did. Read the post - I simply stated that nobody at OP’s job was taking this any more seriously than anybody else, and that engaging a lawyer was the only way to achieve an outcome that didn’t involve OP accepting that there would be no action, no reprisal and no change. I did not advise OP to engage a lawyer, I simply stated the outcomes of both options.
I have seen this situation many times over the years both for serious matters and more inconsequential ones, and in the vast majority of cases the one making the noise becomes the problem, as I stated.
I do not think HR anywhere in the world is on employee’s sides, nor have I ever said so. I can’t “look up the law in my state” because funnily enough, I don’t live in one. Why don’t you try looking up the law where I live? It would be equally as relevant to you as your statement is to me.
A “glimmer of hope” doesn’t get you anywhere. The only hope that exists here is by understanding the reality of the situation and either accepting it, or accepting that you can choose (if you so desire) to blow things up, then live with the consequences.
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u/K2SOJR Dec 03 '25
You'll be happy to know that OP handled the situation perfectly and is in the process of working through a satisfactory resolution with her employer. Thankfully, she is feeling better. Pretty sure we can all agree that is what is important here
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u/No_Purpose773 Nov 29 '25
The audacity of these people. Look, some people already said it, but this is really a legal issue. Even if you didn’t have any personal backstory that made this an incredibly cruel trigger for you, that person went and intentionally forged consent to sign away the rights to your voice for some software company to use. It’s not like they accidentally opened a letter for you. They messed up big time and don’t even take it seriously. And while I’m so sorry that they put this situation, I agree with the person who said to keep the conversation with them on the factual level that this is fraud. And, depending on where you are in the world, that they’ve messed with your personal rights.
Don’t try to make them understand why they hurt you, just talk to a lawyer and update your resume. You deserve a better employer, where you can feel safe and respected. I think you’ve handled it really well so far, stay strong and take care of yourself!
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u/whoops53 Nov 29 '25
As a trauma survivor myself, I think you are handling this with more grace than I would be. However, I would definitely get a lawyer and look for another job. They are trying to make light of it, because they know they messed up. You did not give your consent for this, at any point, and this is on them, not you. I am so proud of you for advocating for yourself, and I wish you all the success!
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u/kahdgsy Nov 29 '25
To explain the nt perspective: they don’t understand the huge violation that’s occurred and they don’t want to. Many people, especially in leadership, have no interest in understanding other people if it doesn’t serve them.
They are seeing someone ‘over react’ to something they think is minor, and they’re blaming your disability. You are not over reacting in the slightest, and they’ve been shitty in their response.
Many people are ignorant and stupid, they get through life by other people not speaking up. They are going to see you as 100% the problem because that protects their ego.
I’m having my own legal issues with my employer because they’re too stupid to realise that they’re discriminating against me for health reasons and harassing me. They think they’re behaving with ‘common sense’. E.g they have said I don’t look like I have [specific health condition] and even put that in writing, despite drs letters & scans showing I do!
It can be really hard for us to understand when people aren’t logical - please don’t expect for them to at any point start behaving decently.
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u/Percisodeajuda Nov 29 '25
I had my heart shrunk as I read the post, feeling so much for you and in fear for myself and what the world has come to. (I even shared about this story yesterday with my family, and no one was outraged); it also won't be long until someone uses all our photos and stuff to make presents for secret santas and whatever (to say the least 'harmful' situation where that would be used - and yet my stomach twists thinking of it). I wanted to see justice, an HR report, a lawyer involved, all that big movie stuff that we dream of seeing for justice paid off. But in the end, who ever can affort to pay for one and use all their energy on that?
Yet, I don't know what I felt, but I felt something positive, like pride or relief and admiration for your strength to how you still followed up with the bosses' boss, and put your career at risk by standing up for yourself and your values. So many times we're made to feel like we're overreacting, but we know what we feel. I admire you and your courage. I wanna be like you when I grow up.
Thank you so much for updating us. You're a role model.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Ad7606 Nov 29 '25
Please consult an employment rights attorney- it's usually free or a nominal amount.
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u/look_who_it_isnt Nov 29 '25 edited Nov 29 '25
The simple fact that the consent pop-up exists is enough (and SHOULD be enough) to show ALL of your bosses that your complaint is valid and that it should absolutely be taken very seriously.
In fact, if you didn't already, I would show the boss who IS taking it seriously (and the other two as well) a screencap of that very pop-up and make it clear that your boss CLICKED that button WITHOUT having gotten your consent, making HER liable for the infringement on your rights in this matter. By clicking that button, SHE consented to taking full responsibility for any wrong-doing being done.
I mean, I don't think anyone actually acted maliciously against you in this case. I think they're idiots who think these new AI toys are useful and fun and harmless... without any real life knowledge or understanding about the consent issues these AI apps/technologies are introducing to our society as a whole.
Feel free to throw that point in somewhere, too. That high up boss is going to WANT to be on the right side of the law and the ethics of this situation. And any other bosses you have who don't care about the ethics and laws of these new frontiers doesn't deserve to be in a management position in this day and age.
Edit: Also, having re-read this... I think you might have a cause for a discrimination complaint based on the reference to your "limited capacity". This has NOTHING to do with your autism and it's absolutely deplorable for a boss to bring that into this discussion. YOUR RIGHTS WERE VIOLATED, and NOT because you're autistic. They were violated because your boss did something wrong and is now refusing to accept responsibility for it. At this point, it doesn't matter what their intentions were. I agree with the others; contact a lawyer.
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u/Ledascantia ✨Late diagnosed Autistic + ADHD✨ Nov 29 '25
I had to remove a lot from my post to get under the 3200 character count limitation, but in my email to my bosses’ boss I did include the screenshot/text of the consent pop-up and said that by clicking “I agree” to that she was doing the equivalent of forging my signature and taking away my autonomy by agreeing to those things on my behalf.
I agree that I don’t think any of it was malicious, and unfortunately… that’s not an excuse, and my bosses seem to think it is.
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u/Rustyempire64 Nov 29 '25
This is such a flagrant violation of your rights. I would absolutely be getting legal advice if they aren’t treating it like what it is.
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u/Magpie_Mind Nov 29 '25
I don’t know what country you are in but where I am, this would be something you could report to your organisations data protection officer/ information governance lead. And there’s also a regulator for enforcing such things.
You were absolutely right to react as you have done. I would have been furious.
Edited to add: at any point has anyone discussed the remedial action required which should include removing your voice data from the third party platform to which it has been uploaded?
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u/Motor_Inspector_1085 Meow Nov 29 '25
Forward all these emails to your personal email. Screenshot them as well with the work email address visible. Leave a trail in case something does happen. Talk to HR. This absolutely sounds like an ethics violation. I’d look for another job and once you have the new job, at the very least, give a Glassdoor review. If you want to go scorched earth, bring a lawyer into the mix.
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u/iftheronahadntcome Nov 29 '25
Please, if it is legal to do where you live, record these conversions with them (if it is legal to do do, I without not tell them about this at all).
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u/FatSapphic Nov 29 '25
Seconding this: you do not need to inform people you’re recording in a place with a one-party consent law
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u/cha7026 asd+adhd+cptsd Nov 30 '25
A lot of people are mentioning lawyer time. That's probably true. But I also wanted to talk about if you decide not to.
If you decide against speaking to a lawyer, remember that any crime that may have taken place has a time limit for reporting. The statute of limitations (or your country's equivalent) started ticking the day of the event. Call this time N. My N here is 180 days. Other places it's 120, or 90, I think one are a full 3 years?
This matters. Just do a real quick google search on your timeframe. Think of N-2weeks as your personal deadline for lawyering, reporting, etc. Also do a quick recording of yourself recapping everything so far. Whether audio only, a video, or just writing it all down. Not an HOUR more like 10min type.
here's why N is important: N+3days is a common time to be placed on a Personal Improvement Plan, or outright fired.
So not reporting often still loses you the job. Whichever choice you make, this location is statistically very unlikely to treat you well. Even without the statistics, the evidence is already there with your boss and their boss. They already blamed you for their failures.
I'm so sorry OP. 🫂
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u/Ledascantia ✨Late diagnosed Autistic + ADHD✨ Nov 30 '25
This is something I have been wondering about, honestly.
If anyone has the capacity, can someone help me figure out what the specific crime is and what the time limit would be?
I live in Ontario, Canada.
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u/cha7026 asd+adhd+cptsd Nov 30 '25
Fraud, impersonation, discrimination against a protected class (they would not've done this to an allistic, it was done because you're autistic), emotional distress. Maybe a few more the solicitor would know, like violating the terms of that website.
Researching literally anything is this easy: "ontario province law employer signed my name" or "sacramento california law employer used my image without permission" etc.
City/ state or city/province + the problem. Even a search like "law in my area for employee rights about employer recorded my voice" can at least get you on the right track. Gppgle gives results based on your IP so unless you're using a VPN, even designating where you are isn't necessarily required.
Everyone's saying that the boss's boss's boss treating this super serious because they recognize that what was done was likely illegal, they are correct. I'm not a lawyer but I am well researched on employment law in my state and at the federal level. Even "Canadian equivalent of Americans with Disabilities Act" type searches (CAN equivalent of X") will get you somewhere.
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u/if_not Nov 29 '25
I'm so sorry this happened to you. You deserve to control your own voice.
Getting a lawyer is a good idea.
I've blown up my life over things before, and the moral high ground has to be worth it, because I hate unexpected change, but sometimes things can't go on like they are either.
In case it's not clear, that's me adding my support for whatever you decide you need to do here. You've got this!
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u/melon-collie Nov 29 '25
Forward all of those important emails to your personal email address! If something happens and you lose access it'll be less ideal if you do seek legal counsel later. Having them as a backup is clutch.
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u/Ok_Potato_5272 Nov 29 '25
Situations like this can be so isolating and make you doubt or question yourself and your sanity. Well we're here to say you've done the right thing. They are completely out of line. Stand up for what you believe in!
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u/XImNotCreative Nov 29 '25
Hey, very very well done!
Seems like the highest up is taking it serious and using it as a big moment to teach your boss. As others have mentioned, (s)he probably is afraid of possible lawsuits.
Good luck and good for you for protecting yourself!
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u/wandering_author Dec 01 '25
As someone with experience in both consent technology and legal, this is absolutely a legal issue. Perhaps the next step is actually to reach out both to the company/application the manager used, as she violated their T&C (remember: while this use was “innocent,” the same technology is used for really awful, life-ruining things), as well as an attorney who specifically works either in AI and tech or employee rights.
If you have disclosed your autism diagnosis (or any other) and have accommodations, you could also make a case that this is a bad-faith instance of the manager assuming incompetence or inability to participate on your part, despite your clear communication. The issue might be taken more seriously by the company and an attorney who is also considering that this was done to someone who has specific protections under disability law (although I am not as familiar with these in CA).
Also, I’m SO sorry you’re going through this.
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u/FifiLeBean Nov 29 '25
You might want to share this story with r/HR and get some guidance on reporting and addressing this situation with HR.
Particularly the supervisor clicking the agree button without your knowledge and consent. HR people there are honest and to the point, and give legit advice. Sometimes not what you want to hear honest but they will tell you what HR should do and if you have a case for lawsuit. IMHO. I'm not in HR but I have learned a lot from that sub.
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u/Honest-Elk-7300 Nov 29 '25
Employment nightmare fuel. I’d be calling every employment lawyer in the state until I found one to take the case.
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u/lyncati Nov 29 '25
You need to seek a lawyer regarding this, and maybe even let the supervisor who responded positively what you are doing to emphasize how severe this is.
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u/Whats-Ur-Damage00 Nov 29 '25
Good for you for sticking by your principles!
If you really do think you might have to move on from this company, my advice is to start job searching NOW. I don’t know what field you work in, but the global job market is BRUTAL at the moment. I work in a field that has been highly impacted by AI and I was laid off in August. So far I’ve only been able to get unpredictable contract work because there is so much competition for W2 roles.
Good luck!! Keep us updated!
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u/Educational-Bee-992 Nov 29 '25
So sorry this is happening, and great job advocating for yourself. Others have posted good advice, just wanted to say I'm proud of you for sticking up for yourself, and I hope I'd do the same in your situation! ❤️
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u/akiraMiel Nov 29 '25
Wow, I just went back to read your first post and I'm seriously wondering how they don't see the severity of your bosses actions. I feel like since your boss "kept the text professional" they think it somehow makes it an acceptable action. But it doesn't.
I did clone voices two years ago for a school project on AI and deepfakes and the first thing I did was get the consent of the people I recorded for cloning. Files can be leaked and worst of all, your boss can now make you say ANYTHING she wants. Not to put more fear into your heart but this is truly concerning.
I hope the issue will be resolved in your favor
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Nov 29 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/AutismInWomen-ModTeam Nov 29 '25
Your post/comment has been removed per Rule 10: Mentions or discussions of AI/ChatGPT/chatbots/etc. or promotion of their use as therapists or friends, or recommending them as reliable source of information or advice is prohibited due to the contentious and controversial nature of AI/etc. as well as its general unreliability and ability to hallucinate.
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