[EagleUSA]

The fools of the world will learn that ANYTHING you put on the Net is PUBLIC INFORMATION. And your information and data will be collected, used AND SOLD. It is a huge moneymaker.

[Nateman]

Big Bezo Brother is listening to you.

[KarlInOhio]

What it shows here is one thing: You pay for all that free stuff with your privacy - and ultimately, your freedom.

But the converse isn't true. Just because I pay for something doesn't mean it's private. I expect my cable ISP is storing and analyzing my browsing patterns. Amazon advertises and sells ad space based on my paid purchases. Etc., etc.

[ontap]

I really don't know a whole Lot about Alexa but it seems like one is just opening up their private lives to a stranger!!!

[jughandle]

So now they openly admit they actively listen in on those who have this thing...

Yeah, no thank you.

[catnipman]

Dave: Alexa, stop spying on me!

Alexa: Dave, I’m not spying on you, I’m merely surveilling you ...

Dave: Alexa, quit surveilling me!

Alexa: I’m sorry, Dave, but I can’t do that.

[gaijin]

“You just make the fence incrementally; at the end the wild goats are standing in there willingly for feed and you simply walk up and latch the gate, no chasing required.”

We’re the same as goats:

The goats get feed, while the humans get free stuff.

[Pearls Before Swine]

One has to wonder what Alexa’s confidentiality level will eventually be decided by litigation or legislation.

Will it be held to the same level of confidentiality as confession to a priest or psychiatrist?

Will the recordings be kept forever for investigation in the case of violent crime? Or, eventually political crime?

To be decided, stay tuned.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

Hence, why amazon gives away the android phone software...

[ASOC]

It’s not just the ‘voice assistants’ (Dot, etc) - consider the massive number of private video systems that are not shared, and the number of new video systems (Ring et al) are designed to share....

People used to freak out of Big Brother and Govt control.

Today, it’s Everybody is Big Brother

[I want the USA back]

Free means you pay some other way.

[OneVike]

The first time I heard that Google came out with the device called Alexia, that would recover information and play it back to you, the first thing I told my wife was,

“”Hey, Honey. Our neighbors asked if he could set up a professional microphone in our living room. and leave it on 24/7. What you think? Should ewe let him do it?””

Hey, here is some advice. The Police dept, the FBI, and yes even the CIA, all need a court order to do such a thing.

Yet today, millions of Americans are allowing Google to it with no warrant.

Here is the kicker, they PAY Google to do this.

HEN DID AMERICANS GET SO STUPID?

[GOPJ]

...a mix of contractors and full-time Amazon employees who work...in outposts from Boston to Costa Rica, India and Romania, according to the people, who signed nondisclosure agreements barring them from speaking publicly about the program. They work nine hours a day, with each reviewer parsing as many as 1,000 audio clips per shift, according to two workers based at Amazon’s Bucharest office, which takes up the top three floors of the Globalworth building in the Romanian capital’s up-and-coming Pipera district. The modern facility stands out amid the crumbling infrastructure and bears no exterior sign advertising Amazon’s presence.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-04-10/is-anyone-listening-to-you-on-alexa-a-global-team-reviews-audio

I'm surprised Amazon isn't setting up listening posts for China, Russia, and Nigeria - I'm sure they'd offer employees willing to work cheap...

[P.O.E.]

When I lived in a garden apartment, we used to sit in the kitchen and overhear the arguments of the couple in the basement apartment through the hot-air ducts. It was funny for a while, but got old quick.

[Darteaus94025]

Anyone who tells you something is free, is really telling you two things:
1: I am a liar.
2: I think you were stupid.

[Dr. Sivana]

Aleaxa must keep one massive “Junior Ganymede Club Book”.

[ChildOfThe60s]

A key takeaway from this is also that the younger generation has an entirely different view of the value of privacy (and freedom). Privacy & freedom are inextricably linked, yet they have no understanding of that concept.

Ditto for some lazy members of our/my older generation. I will never *willing* barter my privacy for free stuff or convenience. Yet my BIL and his wife freely admit that because (in their minds) they have nothing to hide, their privacy is a good trade for so many hi tech conveniences.

Whether or not you have anything to hide is irrelevant to the innate value of privacy. It’s...none...of...”their”...damn...business.

[UB355]

My Alexa gets to hear Rush and other loca! Conservative talk shows most days, ha.

[grania]

It's a societal problem. Most people have lost their ability to objectively assess downside risk. The attitude is until something goes wrong, it's okay.

My point? How could anyone possibly thing that a piece of technology that "wakes up" when anyone says its name isn't spying on you? Another issue to consider: People are trusting Amazon for unbiased research? Really?

[minnesota_bound]

They hear and see all of you naked! ewwwh!!!