Michael W Lucas Jun 2, 2023

Me: I won't discuss business in a room with an Alexa, because Amazon is my business competitor and they eavesdrop.

Various other folks:  

Today: Amazon to pay fine for eavesdropping. https://www.npr.org/2023/06/01/1179381126/amazon-alexa-ring-settlement

Show threadkfetJun 2, 2023

@mwl Basically Alexa does not eavesdrop, audio goes to the cloud only after the keyword is detected, and is only preserved if your Alexa settings say so.

The Ring stuff is another matter though.

Show threadcensored for “transphobia”Jun 2, 2023
@kfet @mwl That business about the keyword is dicey. There are copious incidents of data being leaked to the cloud w/out the keyword then an Amazon insider leaked the data to the press. It was clear Alexa was not an intended party to those conversations. But at least Amazon respects our privacy by sponsoring¹ a privacy conference ;) ① https://brands.town/@futureofprivacy/110470500952633057
Future of Privacy Forum :vf: (@[email protected])

Super excited to promote the #privacy champions at #RightsCon . All those privacy scholars and practitioners look great in those great big color glamour shots, and we're sure Costa Rica is beautiful this time of year! Big thanks to all the great, privacy-conscious sponsors for making all this possible! https://www.rightscon.org/sponsors/ #freshprivacythinking #nolimitsfunding

Brands Town
Show threadkfetJun 2, 2023

@koherecoWatchdog @mwl I was curious to read about it in this article, but it turns out none of it is part the FTC investigation.

Makes me doubt how prolific it is vs a rare occasion of an ML’s false positive, coupled with data retention opted-in from the user, AND agreement to a human review of the recordings. Eavesdropping? I don’t buy it.

Show threadcensored for “transphobia”
@kfet @mwl What #Alexa mechanism are you saying is opt-in? Geoffrey Fowler reports that the eavesdropping is the default behavior of the device w/a default retention of /forever/; that the eavesdropping is also necessary for #Amazon to improve the algorithm: https://www.npr.org/2019/07/31/746878763/how-tech-companies-track-your-every-move-and-put-your-data-up-for-sale?t=1609611133799
Jun 3, 2023 at 4:47amWeb
Show threadkfetJun 3, 2023
@koherecoWatchdog @mwl that’s nonsense
Show threadcensored for “transphobia”Jun 3, 2023
@kfet @mwl You have the link to read/listen to the report yourself. Fowler also suggests you need not take his word for it; Alexa users can obtain their own collection of recordings as he did.
Show threadkfetJun 3, 2023
@koherecoWatchdog @mwl there is no such thing as “eavesdropping” settings, opt-in or opt-out
Show threadcensored for “transphobia”Jun 3, 2023
@kfet @mwl of course, why would there be? If Amazon wants to eavesdrop as much as possible, they’re not going to give you an off switch. Note that you’ve not answered what mechanism it is that is opt-in.
Show threadkfetJun 3, 2023

@koherecoWatchdog @[email protected] Your point is that the data retention mechanism is opt-out, which might be the case - I don't really remember, or care at this point. Mine is turned-off.

What I do know is that even with data retention set to non-zero days, Alexa does not send audio to the cloud, unless spoken to, which is what "eavesdropping" actually means.

There is a best effort in place to filter for the wake word, plus indication when audio goes to the cloud, plus another filter on the cloud side.

Show threadkfetJun 3, 2023
@koherecoWatchdog @mwl BTW there is an actual off-switch on every Alexa device, which disconnects the mic. No audio gets processed in any way, while the mic is disconnected.
Show threadcensored for “transphobia”Jun 7, 2023
@kfet @mwl Try explaining that to @kevinrns in light of this #Alexa → ppl going to jail incident: https://mstdn.social/@kevinrns/110475580804702170
Kevin Russell (@[email protected])

@[email protected] Be Aware: Mother and daughter were arrested in a Republican state, because Police were able to get transcripts of things they said in their home while a device was on. Device recorded their speech, made transcripts, police got private home discussion between women on health, and were arrested. Alexa or Siri sent these women to jail, for talking as women have talked for centuries, millennia, and will talk forever. ♀ <- get rid of listening devices, and Republican governments #♀

Mastodon 🐘
Show threadkfetJun 7, 2023
@koherecoWatchdog @mwl @kevinrns That's awful. Wish there was a tad bid more detail to make it relevant to this particular discussion, they don't even state what device was recording them. That's a mighty important detail.
Show threadKevin RussellJun 7, 2023

@kfet @koherecoWatchdog @mwl

Its ALL devices that listen. ALL OF THEM.

The front door video camera you bought? The makers contact Police in your area to let them know to use your cameras without asking.

https://www.cnet.com/home/security/ring-gave-police-a-street-level-view-of-where-video-doorbells-were-for-over-a-year/

You, you do research on MANY sites that you have trust for.

This is a real threat to your freedom. Republicans are not "offering to serve", they are "manipulating to rule."

The tech is already installed.

Ring let police view map of video doorbell installations for over a year

The company once offered a map, now withdrawn, that allowed police to zoom in to see the specific location of Ring customers.

CNET