Echo Series Smart Speakers

Echo Series Smart Speakers

Review date: Oct. 23, 2019

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Mozilla says

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People voted: Very creepy
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.
  • mobile

Can it snoop on me? information

Camera

Device: Yes

App: Yes

Microphone

Device: Yes

App: Yes

Tracks location

Device: Yes

App: Yes

What can be used to sign up?

What data does the company collect?

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?

Average

Can this product be used offline?

Can’t Determine

User-friendly privacy information?

Yes

Links to privacy information

Does this product meet our Minimum Security Standards? information

Yes

Encryption

Yes

Uses encryption in transit and at rest.

Strong password

Yes

You need an Amazon account and password to set up Alexa.

Security updates

Yes

Does it get regular software/firmware updates?

Manages vulnerabilities

Yes

Is there a system in place for managing security vulnerabilities?

Privacy policy

Yes

Does it have a privacy policy?

Does the product use AI? information

Can’t Determine

Is this AI untrustworthy?

Can’t Determine

What kind of decisions does the AI make about you or for you?

Is the company transparent about how the AI works?

Can’t Determine

Does the user have control over the AI features?

Can’t Determine

*Privacy Not Included

Dive Deeper

  • Alexa and Google Home abused to eavesdrop and phish passwords
    Ars Technica Link opens in a new tab
  • With a Laser, Researchers Say They Can Hack Alexa, Google Home or Siri
    NY Times Link opens in a new tab
  • Inside Amazon’s plan for Alexa to run your entire life
    MIT Technology Review Link opens in a new tab
  • How to opt out of human review of your voice assistant recordings
    Mozilla Link opens in a new tab

Comments

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