Posted on 11/24/2020 9:38:43 AM PST by rxsid
What is Amazon Sidewalk?
Amazon Sidewalk is a shared network that helps devices work better. Operated by Amazon at no charge to customers, Sidewalk can help simplify new device setup, extend the low-bandwidth working range of devices, and help devices stay online even if they are outside the range of their home wifi. In the future, Sidewalk will support a range of experiences from using Sidewalk-enabled devices to help find pets or valuables, to smart security and lighting, to diagnostics for appliances and tools. "Amazon Sidewalk is a shared network, coming later this year, that helps devices like Amazon Echo devices, Ring Security Cams, outdoor lights, and motion sensors work better at home and beyond the front door. When enabled, Sidewalk can unlock unique benefits for your device, support other Sidewalk devices in your community, and even open the door to new innovations like locating items connected to Sidewalk.
...
Where can I change my Amazon Sidewalk preferences?
Available later this year, Ring customers who own an eligible device can choose to update their Amazon Sidewalk preferences anytime from the Control Center in the Ring app or Ring website. Echo customers who own an eligible device can update their Amazon Sidewalk preferences anytime from Settings in the Alexa app. If you have linked your Ring and Amazon accounts, your Sidewalk preferences on either your Alexa or Ring app will apply to all of your eligible Echo and Ring devices.
How does Amazon Sidewalk work?
Customers with a Sidewalk Bridge (today, many Echo devices, Ring Floodlight Cams and Ring Spotlight Cams) can contribute a small portion of their internet bandwidth, which is pooled together to create a shared network that benefits all Sidewalk-enabled devices in a community. Amazon Sidewalk uses Bluetooth, the 900 MHz spectrum and other frequencies to extend coverage and provide these benefits.
What are Sidewalk Bridges, and which devices are able to become Sidewalk Bridges?
Sidewalk Bridges are devices that provide connections to Amazon Sidewalk. Today, Sidewalk Bridges include many Echo devices and select Ring Floodlight and Spotlight Cams. A comprehensive list of Sidewalk devices includes: Ring Floodlight Cam (2019), Ring Spotlight Cam Wired (2019), Ring Spotlight Cam Mount (2019), Echo (2nd Gen), Echo (3rd Gen), Echo (4th Gen), Echo Dot (2nd Gen), Echo Dot (3rd Gen), Echo Dot (4th Gen), Echo Dot (2nd Gen) for Kids, Echo Dot (3rd Gen) for Kids, Echo Dot (4th Gen) for Kids, Echo Dot with Clock (3rd Gen), Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen), Echo Plus (1st Gen), Echo Plus (2nd Gen), Echo Show (1st Gen), Echo Show (2nd Gen), Echo Show 5, Echo Show 8, Echo Show 10, Echo Spot, Echo Studio.
...
How will Amazon Sidewalk impact my personal wireless bandwidth and data usage?
The maximum bandwidth of a Sidewalk Bridge to the Sidewalk server is 80Kbps, which is about 1/40th of the bandwidth used to stream a typical high definition video. Today, when you share your Bridge’s connection with Sidewalk, total monthly data used by Sidewalk, per account, is capped at 500MB, which is equivalent to streaming about 10 minutes of high definition video.
...
Will I know what other Sidewalk-enabled devices are connected to my Bridge?
Preserving customer privacy and security is foundational to how we’ve built Amazon Sidewalk. Information transferred over Sidewalk Bridges is encrypted and Bridge customers are not able to see that Sidewalk-enabled devices are connected to their Bridge. Customers who own Sidewalk-enabled devices will know they are connected to Sidewalk but will not be able to identify which Bridge they are connected to.
Only stupid people will subscribe to this security nightmare.
And I do mean STUPID.
A. A way to allow easier eavesdropping on your digital traffic.
B. A way to "redistribute" a form of wealth.
C. Yet another scheme to chip away at individualism and gradually bring us to collectivism.
D. All the above.
No. Especially because not all neighbors are good and we pay bills online. Nooo.
Yes indeed...and Yes (for now).
Not only will Amazon be spying on me, but so will the neighbors!
It sounds like a hacker’s dream.
Sounds like something that would violate the TOS of many/most ISPs, if they chose to enforce it. Especially if said ISP has their own, for-money, “share the bandwidth YOU paid for” “plan”.
And people wonder why I’ve said that hacking is a more powerful tool than guns.
Let the hacking begin!
Another big issue. If you’re sharing your connection, it will trace back to your own IP address. So, some dirty chomo connects to your network and starts downloading child porn... Now the cops are smashing in your door. Not a good idea by any means.
I just got about a million ip addresses to pirate from.
Thank you!
how to i block this?
not just no, hell no.
I’ll share my bandwidth when Bezos shares his wealth.
Looks like this will be forced down everyone’s throats soon enough. Amazon leading the way.
On the other hand, spout off something that’s over the line about “making a list” for the bugaloo? Blame it on a neighbor with a BLM sign on the lawn.
But they’ll only be able to grab still pics of you naked rather than full movies.
Make sure you use a VPN.
I have an Amazon “Fire TV” box hooked up to my bedroom television. When I saw they came out with a television set that was an “Amazon Fire TV edition,” I bought one for my living room. I have to say that I love both of the TVs with the Fire capability. I don’t use the “Alexa” feature much on either one, but I do use it on an Echo Dot.
I just assume I’m being spied upon at any given moment, even when using my laptop and cell phone.
Times have really changed, unfortunately. All our great, affordable technology comes with a high price.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.