What Apple got right but Amazon is getting wrong

CNBC ^ | January 4, 2017 | By Bruce Abramson

[Mr. Douglas]

In a real way, all this technology gives police the ability to do something that gives me the creeps: Effectively travel back in time and scrutinize the past almost like a multi-camera video recording.

I wonder where this will be in 50 years. Can any remote semblance of freedom remain?

[Grampa Dave]

[Swordmaker]

Why Apple was right in refusing to assist the FBI in unlocking the San Bernardino terrorists' iPhone by creating a new iOS for the FBI, and Amazon is wrong in not providing data they have in their possession from an accused murderer even with a specific search warrant. Apple DID turn over the terrorists' data they had in their custody, but refused to create a version of iOS that would compromise ALL iPhones. — PING!

Apple's v. Amazon's Approach to Customer Privacy
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[beef]

The refusal means that they ARE recording and storing EVERYTHING that is said within earshot of this device. Otherwise, they would say they do not have the info. But they DO have it. Creepy.

[CodeToad]

“Effectively travel back in time and scrutinize the past”

I ditto that sentiment!

Even now so many people and companies are so risk adverse that a single wrong decision can destroy an entire career. Everyone is so arrogant they believe they have never made a mistake in their lives.

People that try 100 things and get 1 thing right are considered losers compared to someone that has never tried anything so they never got anything right but never got anything wrong.

[Swordmaker]

In a real way, all this technology gives police the ability to do something that gives me the creeps: Effectively travel back in time and scrutinize the past almost like a multi-camera video recording.

Shades of Orwells "1984".

[pepsi_junkie]

A bunch of people in my circle of family and friends have these echo devices. I have one too. They love it, I love it. But this story of the cops trying to turn it into a bug retroactively to listen to stuff they had no warrant for at the time was a big topic of conversation at new years and many were turned off to echo based on this story.

Amazon is right to fight it. If they don't, they will effectively designate echo as a bug. In that case, it is dead technology. They won't be able to give it away.

[RightInTheMain]

Does Amazon (or Apple for that matter) feel so strongly in your privacy rights as to not utilize what their devices record for the purposes of marketing their and other parties’ products and services to you?

[Snickering Hound]

At least the Stasi didn't charge $180 to put their monitoring devices in your house.

[Swordmaker]

Does Amazon (or Apple for that matter) feel so strongly in your privacy rights as to not utilize what their devices record for the purposes of marketing their and other parties’ products and services to you?

Apple does NOT use the data to market to you. YOU are the customer, not the product. I have never had SIRI try to sell me something. Never. Siri has never pushed an Apple product. It is purely an information service for Apple customers.

The Amazon Echo is designed to steer its owners to Amazon products and sell them to them. Amazon makes no pretense that is what it is for.

[George from New England]

That TV show Continuum 2012 was right on the money.

[Snark]

There is a bit of a creep factor in this. Right now, it is just short snippets of sound bytes when triggered (by saying “Alexa”). That’s mainly based on the sheer amount of storage that would be necessary to store anything more. That being said, technology moves fast. It won’t be long before we have our communication being recorded in long loops.

On a side note, I have a couple of these. Love them. I can control almost every light, ceiling fan, temperature, as well as grocery list, music, wiki, searches, etc in my house. It’s pretty amazing!

[Pontiac]

The FBI attempted to seize control of a team of Apple's engineers—the tech-sector's dominant "mode of production." Their motivation was sound—preventing further terror attacks on Americans—but their demand was unreasonable. American capitalism respects and protects private ownership of the modes of production. Commandeering an Apple engineering team is no different from seizing a manufacturing plant—not because the owner did anything wrong, but rather to serve some purpose deemed critical to the national interest.

Oh yes there is a difference. A big difference.

Commandeering an engineering team is involuntary servitude also known as slavery.

[minnesota_bound]

Amazon will sell your information to anyone but won’t help the police.

[minnesota_bound]

#10 Is that Angela Merkel in front in the brown outfit?.....

[minnesota_bound]

#11 I have never had SIRI try to sell me something. Never. Siri has never pushed an Apple product.

SIRI whispers in your ear when you are asleep.
“Buy Apple products” : )

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I wonder if the police have any recourse...like interfering with a homicide investigation?

[ChildOfThe60s]

I already have smart appliances and thermostat in my house. When I want the heat on I (a smart guy) walk by the appliance and.....turn it on.

I love technology, used to build my on computers. But I value what little privacy I have left.

[Zeppo]

he refusal means that they ARE recording and storing EVERYTHING that is said within earshot of this device.

That is pure speculation on your part without benefit of any supporting evidence.