quote:

Originally posted by CD228:
Having done electronic warfare, I can tell you that unless you shield your phone or pull the power pack, the DOD has the capability to turn on the microphone remotely and listen.

quote:

Originally posted by CD228:
Also, we can locate you as well, even if you don't have GPS on the phone.

quote:

Originally posted by CD228:
We can also us your meta data to build a link diagram of you and your contacts. Similar can be done with your net capable computer.

quote:

Originally posted by CD228:
So yes the cell phone and laptop can do the same thing as you are claiming the Echo can do.

quote:

Originally posted by CD228:
If you really want to lose sleep, look at the "network of things" concept. Every network capable item from your watch to your clothing sharing data.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

quote:

Originally posted by CD228:
You are complaining about a specific device (the echo) when we are already surrounded by surveillance devices, most of whom we have planted out selves.

You're not listening to me.

One more time:

If the governemnt wants to spy on you, they can, using a variety of means, including the electronic devices we all possess.

OK?

Now, that's not what I'm talking about.

I'm talking about people willingly placing devices in their home, the sole function of which is to listen to whats being said. Data is being collected incidentally.
Yet, you know (I guess because you are or were in the service) that this data, collected incidentally, will never be used against you in any way. You know this, because you've "done electronic warfare", and this of course makes you privy to all aspects of covert surveillance and how data is handled, right?

I know what you're saying, but you don't seem to understand the point I'm making, and apparently you think that anyone who lacks your experience is unable to see the danger.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
I just love these kinds of claims...

quote:

Originally posted by CD228:
Having done electronic warfare, I can tell you that unless you shield your phone or pull the power pack, the DOD has the capability to turn on the microphone remotely and listen.

Do they now...

If DoD has the ability, then everybody has the ability. If everybody had that ability it'd have been exploited by now. If it had been exploited by now, the entire planet's IT geekdom would know about it.

quote:

Originally posted by CD228:
Also, we can locate you as well, even if you don't have GPS on the phone.

Within the limits of tower triangulation: Yes. (Better with nearby "resources." But, that'd be a targeted operation.)

quote:

Originally posted by CD228:
We can also us your meta data to build a link diagram of you and your contacts. Similar can be done with your net capable computer.

That is not news.

quote:

Originally posted by CD228:
So yes the cell phone and laptop can do the same thing as you are claiming the Echo can do.

Hardly.

quote:

Originally posted by CD228:
If you really want to lose sleep, look at the "network of things" concept. Every network capable item from your watch to your clothing sharing data.

Actually it's "IoT" (Internet of Things) and, while true, it's only true if you have an unguarded LAN, which I do not.

And none of what you claim is the same as voluntarily, consciously putting a listening device in your home, anyway.

(Colleague here is suggesting that, if you're really what you claim to be, you ought not be talkin' about it on public Internet forums, btw...)

quote:

Originally posted by SpinZone:
They could have designed these devices to record on a short loop overwriting the data instead collecting and storing it. Instead they designed them to collect and make permanent audio records.

There is a reason they Did that and it was not for your benefit.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

quote:

Originally posted by SpinZone:
They could have designed these devices to record on a short loop overwriting the data instead collecting and storing it. Instead they designed them to collect and make permanent audio records.

There is a reason they Did that and it was not for your benefit.

It's a puzzler, ain't it?

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
I'm talking about people willingly, gleefully planting bugging devices in their own home, the sole function of which is to listen to what's being said!

quote:

Originally posted by saigonsmuggler:

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
I'm talking about people willingly, gleefully planting bugging devices in their own home, the sole function of which is to listen to what's being said!

I'm also with Para. They're not only willingly but they paid good money to willingly bug themselves in their most private settings.

We all know when police arrest someone, they bring up their Facebook postings, search history, etc. Soon, they will bring up private conversations you've had in your bedroom on what they deem as related subjects.

quote:

Originally posted by r0gue:
Is it not true that the technology uses local hardware in the device to listen for the code word ("Alexa") then it starts the streaming to the data center for voice recognition and action? And when it is streaming, it illuminates the device? The day to day buzz of the home is not streamed.
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Amazon Echo and Echo Dot FAQs

Amazon Echo and Echo Dot are far-field Alexa-enabled devices.

1. How do Amazon Echo and Echo Dot recognize the wake word?

Amazon Echo and Echo Dot use on-device keyword spotting to detect the wake word. When these devices detect the wake word, they stream audio to the Cloud, including a fraction of a second of audio before the wake word.

2. How do I know when Amazon Echo or Echo Dot are streaming my voice to the Cloud?

When Amazon Echo or Echo Dot detect the wake word, when you press the action button on top of the devices, or when you press and hold your remote's microphone button, the light ring around the top of your Amazon Echo turns blue, to indicate that Amazon Echo is streaming audio to the Cloud. When you use the wake word, the audio stream includes a fraction of a second of audio before the wake word, and closes once your question or request has been processed. Within Sounds settings in the Alexa App (Settings > [Your Device Name] > Sounds), you can enable a 'start of request sound,' a short audible tone that plays after the wake word is recognized to indicate that the device is streaming audio. You can also enable an 'end of request sound' that will play a short audible tone at the end of your request, to indicate that the connection has closed and the device is no longer streaming audio.

3. Can I turn off the microphone on Amazon Echo and Echo Dot?

Yes, you can turn Amazon Echo or Echo Dot's microphone off by pushing the microphone on/off button on the top of your device. When the microphone on/off button turns red, the microphone is off. The device will not respond to the wake word, nor respond to the action button, until you reactivate the microphone by pushing the microphone on/off button again. Even when the device's microphone is off, Amazon Echo or Echo Dot will still respond to requests you make through your remote.

quote:

Originally posted by Revolution37:
I guess that makes me an idiot to to some people here.

quote:

Originally posted by Revolution37:
I'm not at all concerned about the privacy "issues" people have brought up. I just don't care. I guess that makes me an idiot to to some people here.