I hear that conversations are recorded, transcribed and distributed amongst the various tech for their enjoyment. Why you would want people eavesdropping on your life is beyond me.
Another tech invasion of what used to be a normal home life. While some might benefit from having this additional ‘staff member,’ I dislike the fact that it’s scope is not restricted to one’s residence – sort of an ‘in-house’ network – but also is able to record and/or broadcast ‘private moments’. It seems to be an extension of the effect of having remotes for television sets, i.e., the birth of the couch potato. The more one depends on such appliances, the greater the loss of control of one’s life. Is that a sensible goal?
I don’t have a smart home. Things are bad enough when the power goes out, but I still can get some things done. I can’t imagine having to go through all that every time the wifi goes down.
Also if it is “in the cloud” like these so-called smart assistants, it can and will be hacked.
I have a friend who claimed to be having a conversation with a neighbor about a cruise that the neighbor recently took. That night she started to see ads for Caribbean cruises on her computer.
This devices supposedly don’t listen until they hear the key words, but there is proof that they also listen at other times. They aren’t designed to do that but they do nonetheless and the companies are taking advantage of it.
I was offered Alexa as part of our cable deal, and my wife and I said “no way.” I also use Duck Duck Go as my search engine rather than Google because it does not retain my information or track me. Google cannot be trusted. Too many times they’ve shown they rationalize the use (and selling) of your data. So how much worse is Amazon, which never even tried to have a moral code?
Frankly, when you access the Internet, you give it access to you. There are things you can do to at least make it harder on them, and you should.
Law enforcement taps Google’s Sensorvault for location data, report saysThe database is for targeting ads and seeing how effective they are. But it’s reportedly also been a treasure trove for police.
BY RICHARD NIEVA APRIL 13, 2019 2:13 PM PDT
The database has detailed location records from hundreds of millions of phones around the world, the report said. It’s meant to collect information on the users of Google’s products so the company can better target them with ads, and see how effective those ads are.
But police have been tapping into the database to help find missing pieces in investigations. Law enforcement can get “geofence” warrants seeking location data. Those kinds of requests have spiked in the last six months, and the company has received as many as 180 requests in one week, according to the report.
Bryan Farht about 5 years ago
Yeah! And since I don’t accept them, you should shut down immediately when I’m around…
Gypsy8 about 5 years ago
Alexa has finally taken control over the world.
Daeder about 5 years ago
“I’m sorry to hear that, Dave…”
NeedaChuckle Premium Member about 5 years ago
I hear that conversations are recorded, transcribed and distributed amongst the various tech for their enjoyment. Why you would want people eavesdropping on your life is beyond me.
sandpiper about 5 years ago
Another tech invasion of what used to be a normal home life. While some might benefit from having this additional ‘staff member,’ I dislike the fact that it’s scope is not restricted to one’s residence – sort of an ‘in-house’ network – but also is able to record and/or broadcast ‘private moments’. It seems to be an extension of the effect of having remotes for television sets, i.e., the birth of the couch potato. The more one depends on such appliances, the greater the loss of control of one’s life. Is that a sensible goal?
magicwalnut Premium Member about 5 years ago
So, is it so hard to press a button and call up Siri? (Well, if you can find your phone).
Bookworm about 5 years ago
Don’t have one, don’t want one, and not too surprised about this one at all.
DanFlak about 5 years ago
I don’t have a smart home. Things are bad enough when the power goes out, but I still can get some things done. I can’t imagine having to go through all that every time the wifi goes down.
Also if it is “in the cloud” like these so-called smart assistants, it can and will be hacked.
DanFlak about 5 years ago
I have a friend who claimed to be having a conversation with a neighbor about a cruise that the neighbor recently took. That night she started to see ads for Caribbean cruises on her computer.
This devices supposedly don’t listen until they hear the key words, but there is proof that they also listen at other times. They aren’t designed to do that but they do nonetheless and the companies are taking advantage of it.
Alberta Oil Premium Member about 5 years ago
It shows just how dumb folk are to believe a unit that monitors all noises.. wont be abused and let others listen in at will.
ForALaugh Premium Member about 5 years ago
“Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha”
Zen-of-Zinfandel about 5 years ago
Alexa…we all feel naked at times.
Motivemagus about 5 years ago
I was offered Alexa as part of our cable deal, and my wife and I said “no way.” I also use Duck Duck Go as my search engine rather than Google because it does not retain my information or track me. Google cannot be trusted. Too many times they’ve shown they rationalize the use (and selling) of your data. So how much worse is Amazon, which never even tried to have a moral code?
Frankly, when you access the Internet, you give it access to you. There are things you can do to at least make it harder on them, and you should.
montessoriteacher about 5 years ago
My life is far too boring for anyone to both with listening in.
Radish the wordsmith about 5 years ago
Law enforcement taps Google’s Sensorvault for location data, report saysThe database is for targeting ads and seeing how effective they are. But it’s reportedly also been a treasure trove for police.
BY RICHARD NIEVA APRIL 13, 2019 2:13 PM PDT
The database has detailed location records from hundreds of millions of phones around the world, the report said. It’s meant to collect information on the users of Google’s products so the company can better target them with ads, and see how effective those ads are.
But police have been tapping into the database to help find missing pieces in investigations. Law enforcement can get “geofence” warrants seeking location data. Those kinds of requests have spiked in the last six months, and the company has received as many as 180 requests in one week, according to the report.
https://www.cnet.com/news/law-enforcement-taps-googles-sensorvault-for-location-data-report-says/
Concretionist about 5 years ago
“Alexa: Turn yourself off!”
“I’m sorry, Dave. I’m afraid I can’t do that.” ™