[Dismas]

Might want to opt out if you're using any Amazon devices. This convinced me to never buy one.

If you use Alexa, Echo, or any other Amazon device, you have only 10 days to opt out of an experiment that leaves your personal privacy and security hanging in the balance.

On June 8, the merchant, Web host, and entertainment behemoth will automatically enroll the devices in Amazon Sidewalk. The new wireless mesh service will share a small slice of your Internet bandwidth with nearby neighbors who don’t have connectivity and help you to their bandwidth when you don’t have a connection.

By default, Amazon devices including Alexa, Echo, Ring, security cams, outdoor lights, motion sensors, and Tile trackers will enroll in the system. And since only a tiny fraction of people take the time to change default settings, that means millions of people will be co-opted into the program whether they know anything about it or not. The Amazon webpage linked above says Sidewalk "is currently only available in the US."

Read More: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/05/...neighbors/

[mothered]

Might want to opt out if you're using any Amazon devices.

I've never used one and after reading the article, I definitely never will.

[ConcernedCitizen]

Looks like I'll be ditching the Tile devices for sure. I can't trust Amazon to not share the location of my keys, wallet, laptop bag, other valuables with my neighbors and anybody else that hacks their new services. Goes to show how little respect these people have for your privacy and security.

[Spooky]

This is disgusting and I urge everyone to share this with your loved ones. They are already anti privacy when it come to locations and listening to your conversations when not using the devices. I will never purchase an amazon branded product

[Boudica]

This is a bit wrong?! I don't mind that the service is an option in and of itself, but to auto-enroll people in is beyond a joke. Especially if they are not shouting and screaming about it to let everyone know. Thanks for the heads up Oni!

For clarification: This is currently only in the US.

[Kon6]

How far I can trust Amazon continues to diminish.

[fritz]

Yeah I'll also definitely never buy an Amazon product. I only thought about their ebook readers at some point, but I hate too much the company haha.
So annoying we're already tied so much to their services though (with AWS if nothing else)..!

[Dismas]

Disregarding that it's ambiguously unethical to automatically enroll people, you're basically part of their botnet.

[mothered]

I don't mind that the service is an option in and of itself, but to auto-enroll people in is beyond a joke.

This ^

They have no right to (so to speak) force users to be a part of their service. It's absolutely ridiculous to say the least.

[Boudica]

Google has been tracking all devices for a long time, not to mention apple...

Tracking is a very different thing to being forced to split your wifi bandwidth with someone else. Keep in mind, WiFi is a separate service paid for via another company. That would be like a google maps making you share the petrol from your car with other people for free.