Posted on 06/01/2021 7:27:07 PM PDT by ransomnote
Amazon customers have one week to opt out of a plan that would turn every Echo speaker and Ring security camera in the US into a shared wireless network, as part of the company’s plan to fix connection problems for its smart home devices.
The proposal, called Amazon Sidewalk, involves the company’s devices being used as a springboard to build city-wide “mesh networks” that help simplify the process of setting up new devices, keep them online even if they’re out of range of home wifi, and extend the range of tracking devices such as those made by Tile.
But Sidewalk has come under fire for the apparent lack of transparency with which Amazon has rolled out the feature, as well as the limited time available for users to complete the tricky process required to opt out. Other critics have expressed concerns that failing to turn the setting off could leave customers in breach of their internet service provider’s terms and conditions.
“Amazon Sidewalk is a shared network that helps devices work better,” the company said in a Q&A document for users. “In the future, Sidewalk will support a range of experiences from using Sidewalk-enabled devices, such as smart security and lighting and diagnostics for appliances and tools.”
The feature works by creating a low-bandwidth network using smart home devices such as Amazon Echoes and Ring security cameras. At its simplest, it means that a new Echo can set itself up using a neighbour’s wifi, or a security camera can continue to send motion alerts even if its connection to the internet is disrupted, by piggybacking on the connection of another camera across the street.
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(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
All your cameras and microphones are belong to us!
I can’t let you into the capsule, Dave.
System administrator Winston Smith told me it doesn’t spy on you.
One week is nothing. I would think over 90% of Amazon customers would not hear anything about this until long after that time has expires. Most will never know anything about the fact that they could have opted out.
All this is , of course, by design.
“We sent you an email. Didn’t you read it?”
I will only start worrying when they start installing these things on bears and moose...
;-)
Only ignorant people even use those devices.
Too bad the “ignorant people” don’t wear signs that let you know who they are...
;-)
I will never knowingly own such an invasive snooping device.
I bought a bluetooth speaker a few years ago.
I had to really search to find one that wasn’t a wifi spying platform.
I just wanted a speaker, and it works great.
I would like to be able to tell friends and family who have these devices how to opt out. Does anyone know what I should instruct them to do if they’re interested? I’m betting many of them won’t know that this is about to happen.
Anyone with a half a brain would not buy one of those spy devices in the first place
Big Sis wants you.
too bad for me, don’t do business with Amazon. guess i’m just not networkable for Big Sis.
Yeah I think I'll go out and buy a microphone that I can't turn off and that's hooked up to a gigantic data mining network that's owned by a multi-billionaire who is trying to monetize my brain. Then I'll install this microphone in my house where it can hear everything I say.
Please note, people with regular Ring doorbells are not effected by this... Yet. Floodlight Cam, Spotlight Cam, and the wired version of the Spotlight Cam are the only Sidewalk enabled Ring devices.
Will have to keep an eye on that one.
Gawd I am old!..I read Orwell's 1984 in HS...when it was mandatory..
Now its banned ..Make me wonder..
I’m so glad that I own nothing of Amazon’s surveillance equipment.
I keep my laptop camera taped and all they would see with my phone is the ceiling, because I keep it docked.
Does he have an official position, like Agent?
My far-left brother-in-law and his wife have this stuff. There’s no way I’m going to tell them LOL
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