Echo Series Smart Speakers
Amazon has integrated Alexa in to everything from headphones to eyeglasses these days. Yet it all started with this little speaker that sits on your counter. Now, Alexa has become the most bossed around bot on the internet. She plays music, turns on lights, makes phone calls, tells jokes, gives the weather, reads the news, orders toilet paper, and helps you feel less alone. Whether you get the small Echo Dot, the bigger Echo Plus, or the higher end Echo Studio, Alexa will always be there for you, listening, ready to do your bidding.
What could happen if something goes wrong?
This product does meet our Minimum Security Standards. However, if privacy is a concern, know that Amazon collects and may review voice data from interactions with the Alexa. That means someone out there could be listening into your private conversations unless you opt out of human review. Also, Amazon uses device data to target you with marketing. That means it could learn way too much about you, your life, your weird quirks, and then try to sell you odd self-help books everywhere you go.
Can it snoop on me?
Camera
Device: Yes
App: Yes
Microphone
Device: Yes
App: Yes
Tracks location
Device: Yes
App: Yes
What can be used to sign up?
Can’t Determine
Phone
Can’t Determine
Third-party account
Can’t Determine
What data does the company collect?
Personal
Body related
Social
How does the company use this data?
How can you control your data?
What is the company’s known track record of protecting users’ data?
Can this product be used offline?
User-friendly privacy information?
Links to privacy information
Does this product meet our Minimum Security Standards?
Encryption
Uses encryption in transit and at rest.
Strong password
You need an Amazon account and password to set up Alexa.
Security updates
Does it get regular software/firmware updates?
Manages vulnerabilities
Is there a system in place for managing security vulnerabilities?
Privacy policy
Does it have a privacy policy?
Does the product use AI?
Is this AI untrustworthy?
What kind of decisions does the AI make about you or for you?
Is the company transparent about how the AI works?
Does the user have control over the AI features?
Dive Deeper
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Alexa and Google Home abused to eavesdrop and phish passwordsArs Technica
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With a Laser, Researchers Say They Can Hack Alexa, Google Home or SiriNY Times
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Inside Amazon’s plan for Alexa to run your entire lifeMIT Technology Review
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How to opt out of human review of your voice assistant recordingsMozilla
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