Dead Marlin and unplugging from Big Brother

[pierceography]

Us common-sensers pay to install a device as a convenience, and have the sense to not say incriminating things in front of an object that you wholly control.

Getting ready to talk about something confidential? There's this cord that comes out of Alexa - If you unplug it, she cant listen.

Intent is only a small piece of the equation regarding the legal boundaries of always on microphones. Here's another: Let's say my son has a few friends over, and one of his friends falls and hurts himself on my property within earshot of an Echo. Next thing you know, I'm being sued for negligence and getting subpoenaed for the Alexa recordings (potentially Amazon too).

So yes, you can always unplug (or just mute) the device when you want to have a private conversation. But compromising situations aren't always so intentional.

And don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating one way or the other. In fact, I have several Echos in my house. To me, the benefit that outweighs the risk is safety. Both my sons are young, one of them certainly too young to pick up a phone and dial 911. However, we have taught them both to know "Alexa, call 911" if necessary.

My thoughts on the benefit/risk ratio may change once they're older, but for now they serve a purpose. And the added convenience is also nice. "Alexa, turn on the kitchen sink light" when I'm washing something and my hands are wet, or voice commands in my workshop while I have gloves on and am covered in sawdust are nice too.

Though, I doubt I'll be enabling the FordPass skill. Shouting through a window to unlock my truck in the driveway, which can in turn open my garage door is a little too... disconcerting for my tastes.

 

[jaz13]

I find people's Alexa/Echo fears comical. They are afraid of a device that listens to their banal conversations at home when the far scarier device is the one they keep in their pocket everywhere they go.

That free weather app on your phone? Yeah, it knows if you are spending the night at your girlfriend's, cheating on your spouse, an alcoholic, have health problems, what religion you are, or if you had an abortion. And by knowing where you live and work, it is super easy to identify you.

All of that because you consent to the app knowing your location so it can give you weather updates.

Those apps make big money selling your location data to advitisers, hedge funds, and anyone else who is willing to pay. Alexa is bush league stuff compared to what is going on in your phone.

 

[HeavyAssault]

Time to gear up Fella's....LMAO

 

[GaRaptor]

All of the above being said... lol... is there not a fuse you could pull out to disable the modem in the truck?

When I had a 2004 Silverado that had the ONSTAR you could pull the "info" fuse and disable the tracking ... thanks !

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