The Los Angeles Times has a story about how a Portland, Oregon, couple had to unplug all their Amazon-branded, Alexa-powered devices after they learned that not only where their private conversations being recorded, but were then being emailed as audio files to someone on their contact list.
The couple says that all their Alexa-powered devices now have been unplugged. The story notes that they “used Amazon's voice-activated devices throughout their home to control heat, lights and the security system.”
While Amazon has not commented on this specific incident, the company did release a statement, saying, “Amazon takes privacy very seriously. We investigated what happened and determined this was an extremely rare occurrence. We are taking steps to avoid this from happening in the future.”
The couple says that all their Alexa-powered devices now have been unplugged. The story notes that they “used Amazon's voice-activated devices throughout their home to control heat, lights and the security system.”
While Amazon has not commented on this specific incident, the company did release a statement, saying, “Amazon takes privacy very seriously. We investigated what happened and determined this was an extremely rare occurrence. We are taking steps to avoid this from happening in the future.”
- KC's View:
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Y’think?
I’m a fan of this technology, but I have to be honest here. “Extremely rare” doesn’t cut it. “Taking steps to avoid this happening in the future” isn’t the kind of reassurance that people are going to need or want.
I think Amazon has to do better.
