[phenexfirf]

Ok. So there are certain members of my family who refuse to use Alexa. Then there are some who will only plug Alexa in when they want something or to play music, etc. Some truly believe that "they" are recording everything that is going on. Even when it's not plugged in.

So I have to ask...do you believe Alexa is "spying" on us? If so, why? Who is benefiting from this massive data load?

[mothered]

So there are certain members of my family who refuse to use Alexa

And with very good reason.

You never know (and never will know) whether data Is collected, stored and used for Information gathering and distribution purposes.

[man_neka]

you should be it collects and saves data, also read a detailed post some time back that it randomly records

[Drako]

Yes, you should absolutely be scared. Never own a smart home device. It's a terrible idea, and here's why.

How else would the device know when to detect, and take a command input using your voice? They have to constantly monitor for your voice. This gives smart home devices a loophole through to get into your home, and collect even more of your data. Most companies claim they don't actually send and collect data on their users, but they still do.

Never trust multi-million dollar tech companies with your data. It's the key to their success.

[Johnngnky]

Yes, you should be scared: But not in the way you expect.

Instead of worrying about a particular company spying on you, worry about how to prevent spying in general. I must admit, I learnt to stay safe because I live in a country which spies on us with every move, as such, I learnt that just by removing a particular device from my home will not protect me. Unless you're willing to live like this, it's impossible to not get spied on. Your phone is sending information to its manufacturer and possibly the government. Almost every freeware on your PC is doing so too. There's no escape, learn to deal with it. Change your mentality from "How do I prevent getting spied on" to "How do I make it so whoever spies on me cannot understand me". It isn't easy, but it's well worth it.

Goodluck!

[Nyx]

Yes, you should absolutely be scared. Never own a smart home device. It's a terrible idea, and here's why.

How else would the device know when to detect, and take a command input using your voice? They have to constantly monitor for your voice. This gives smart home devices a loophole through to get into your home, and collect even more of your data. Most companies claim they don't actually send and collect data on their users, but they still do.

Never trust multi-million dollar tech companies with your data. It's the key to their success.

Saying never own a 'smart home device' is a pretty broad and sweeping statement, and one that I find rather alarmist. Smart home devices can be rather handy and serve a useful purpose if used in an efficient manner, rather than a glorified TV remote like most people use Alexa as.

Do you own a smart phone? Is it open source and not serve any data back to the manufacturer? Because I'd argue that simply owning a smart phone has defeated the whole purpose of your argument, considering you've thrown more data at your smart phone's manufacturer by simply owning and using your smart phone than Amazon manages to siphon through Alexa. If you want to beat the man and take control of your data: all the power to you. But being scared of Alexa because you read an article that they steal your data but never even considered how much data your smart phone gets from you defeats the entire purpose of your campaign.

[mothered]

Instead of worrying about a particular company spying on you, worry about how to prevent spying in general.

This ^

There are countless measures to prevent tracking/spying- It's just a matter of Implementing each one accordingly and effectively.

[phenexfirf]

Thank you all for this advice. I am now actively looking into how to better protect myself.

[mothered]

I am now actively looking into how to better protect myself.

Feel free to create a thread In the appropriate forum outlining any questions or concerns.

We have many members who're competent In the security, privacy & anonymity sectors, myself Included.

[Drako]

Yes, you should absolutely be scared. Never own a smart home device. It's a terrible idea, and here's why.

How else would the device know when to detect, and take a command input using your voice? They have to constantly monitor for your voice. This gives smart home devices a loophole through to get into your home, and collect even more of your data. Most companies claim they don't actually send and collect data on their users, but they still do.

Never trust multi-million dollar tech companies with your data. It's the key to their success.

Saying never own a 'smart home device' is a pretty broad and sweeping statement, and one that I find rather alarmist. Smart home devices can be rather handy and serve a useful purpose if used in an efficient manner, rather than a glorified TV remote like most people use Alexa as.

Do you own a smart phone? Is it open source and not serve any data back to the manufacturer? Because I'd argue that simply owning a smart phone has defeated the whole purpose of your argument, considering you've thrown more data at your smart phone's manufacturer by simply owning and using your smart phone than Amazon manages to siphon through Alexa. If you want to beat the man and take control of your data: all the power to you. But being scared of Alexa because you read an article that they steal your data but never even considered how much data your smart phone gets from you defeats the entire purpose of your campaign.

I should have said 'voice activated' smart home devices. Of course, some smart home devices in general can be very useful. I was only referring to to voice activated ones. They have more spying potential.

But you're right. One thing that's even scarier is how much your smartphone can hold against you. For most people, If some sort of hack were to occur or your lost your phone, you would be in some serious trouble. And on top of that, with the amount of data that apps and manufacturers collect on you, they know almost everything about you.