Evaluating speech-to-text (STT) APIs for data security and compliance involves more than just assessing transcription accuracy; it requires a comprehensive understanding of data protection practices and regulatory obligations. Organizations must first clarify their specific security and compliance needs, including applicable regulations and data sensitivity, before evaluating STT vendors. Key considerations include encryption in transit and at rest, access control mechanisms, incident response plans, and the ability to manage data residency according to regional laws. Vendors should offer transparency and granular control through features like role-based access, configurable data retention policies, and support for industry-specific compliance standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS. Additionally, they should provide robust security certifications like ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II to validate their practices. Organizations are encouraged to ask critical questions about the vendor's authentication protocols, data handling, and retention policies to ensure alignment with their security posture and compliance obligations, ultimately choosing a partner that supports evolving regulatory and customer trust expectations.