Smart speakers have transformed homes around the world and changed the way we interact with technology. But the Amazon Echo, and especially its voice assistant, Alexa, is not as innocent as it sounds.
Of the latest documentary on the show Panorama From the BBC, it was revealed how Amazon collects and analyzes information from its users. In this case, Echo smart speakers are the key to making this possible.
Since its first release in 2014, Echos has continued to grow in popularity and the industry is all around it. Alexa is now available in over 100,000 Smart Home products and the number continues to grow.
Although there is no availability for mobile devices such as Siri or Google Assistant, it is still in the industry. Alexa has shown that it is a helper that many use to answer questions, play music, or manage their digital home.
However, as you may know, all the latest voice commands you have made are stored in the Alexa app and can be played back. It turns out that Amazon Echo devices are collecting information at an alarming rate.
Does Alexa listen to you without your permission?
According to Amazon websiteEcho devices start recording only when activated by the "Alexa" name: "The device detects this unlock name by identifying acoustic patterns that match the activation key."
The company also emphasizes that "no audio is sent or stored in the cloud unless the phone has received the word (or Alexa is activated by pressing a button."
All voice recordings sent to the cloud are encrypted and stored securely on Amazon servers. You can review and delete these recordings at any time in the Alexa app and know what information they have stored.
There are people who don't like having a microphone at home and are trying to avoid having any kind of private chat for fear that Alexa (i.e., Amazon employees) may have sensitive information about them.
This fear is completely absurd. In addition, in the year 2018 a study of a couple o the interview was recorded and posted to a random contact. Amazon apologized and said it was a solitary offense.
Recently, Alexa became one a key witness from the Florida murder case. Two of the clever Amazon Echo speakers the defendant had at home were hearing and recording something in action during his fight with the woman being killed.
What should you do to stop Alexa from listening to you?
You can press the virtual button on yours Amazon Echo to disable the microphone, and that is generally accepted as a way to make Alexa stop listening to you. Alternatively, it would be a very important breach of the trust of its users.
With the second generation of the Echo Show, Amazon went ahead and added a button that allows you to disable the electronics of both machines and cameras (blocking your view) to protect your privacy.
When the microphone is not working, Alexa stays listening while waiting for the word to work. That is understandable, because if it were not so, the Echo speakers would no longer make sense as a hands-free tool.
Who wants to go further, can bet on it Pure DiscovR, an Alexa-built smart speaker that offers the option to physically disable the microphone. To do this you will need to turn the speaker off and that makes the microphone separate.
Another option, albeit in some great capacity, is to simply uninstall your Amazon Echo completely if you don't use it. Now, there is no doubt that this is in conflict with the idea of having a voice assistant stay close.
Is Alexa dangerous?
This depends on the importance of everyone providing privacy. Most will agree that your personal information is collected while using a smart speaker without carefully studying the privacy policy and, as a result, will not know what information is involved.
And in order Panorama As for Amazon mentioned earlier, the company's strategy has been to gather as much information about its users as possible to create a complete profile for each of them.
This information can be used to personalize product recommendations on your website or other Amazon services such as Amazon Music. Even before you explicitly accept it, give consent by accepting the terms and conditions of use.
Amazon has no place where you can see all the information it has about you. If you did, you certainly would be shocked, but that knowledge is what makes the company so successful. Moreover, this is not the only company that does this.
If your privacy matters to you, we'd recommend that you will edit Alexa that your voice recordings are automatically deleted from time to time. Also use the physical button to mute the microphone when talking about sensitive information.
Just like in general health, it's important to find balance. We think you can take full advantage of all the benefits that Amazon Echo devices offer and at the same time take the right steps to keep your privacy private.
