Amazon Echo recorded private conversation and randomly sent it to someone

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Errkal
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PostRe: Amazon Echo recorded private conversation and randomly sent it to someone
by Errkal » Fri May 25, 2018 7:21 pm

Green Gecko wrote:On google it says, "Call xxx. Is that right? OK calling xxx now" although this was only implemented recently and it only works for businesses listed on Google and in your contacts list. It's pretty obvious. If you don't then hear that, and especially if you really have speakers in every room, and they're pretty loud (unless you've turned them down wherein they still make a blip blip sort of sound and blink with several surface/top-mounted LEDs), I think the customer is being a bit obtuse saying their privacy is being invaded. They're not paying attention to the automation they have set up, and what it's capable of doing.

I'm not sure it's a design issue, but a user awareness, how things work thing, sure. That is also Amazon or whoever's responsibility. At some point, a line has to be drawn as to how products are set up to be used responsibly and effectively, not doing things the customer wants, and the customer just not using things well. It's an interesting user experience problem. How does one argue when the customer is not using the product right? Can we design around all situations and limitations? I guess that's the ultimate goal.

Anyway, CNET notes it's more of a, "by the way, your device can do this, possibly by accident. So be aware of what your devices can do for you, and turn them off when you're not using them." That's one reason I think the microphone cut-out switch is a nice feature of the mini (sorry if it sounds like I'm advocating google here, I've also used an Alexa), and the LEDs flash up a warm lava sort of red and stay constantly red for that time the mic is off.

And if it wasn't really off, nerds would have found out. Is there any evidence it's not off when you do that?

Even still, unplug it from the cable. Then it really can't do any of these awful things people generally buy the device to do.


Yeah there has been a microphone off button since day one on echos too.


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