quote:

Originally posted by LBTRS:
I wonder how many of you use this method of thought when it comes to your internet usage and what is tracked and followed there?

<raises hand>

quote:

Originally posted by LBTRS:
Most of us are much more vulnerable with our computer usage (finances, business, medical, written communications, etc.) then we are with the conversations taking place in our home but for some reason that is an acceptable risk.

Then again there are those of us that are not so much, because we shun using things that have a well-known track record for being vulnerable.

But, your argument is, again, a curious one: Because you do <these ill-advised things> it's ok to do <this other questionable thing>. That's like saying there's no point in driving safely because you're already doing something dangerous in driving in the first place.

I am not buying one, because I have no use for it.

quote:

Originally posted by r0gue:

If you read my post on how the technology works, the only thing Amazon gets to hear is:

Alexa turn on Den Lamp -or- Alexa, set a timer for 30 minutes. Or, Alexa, play Rockwell.

For anyone to get an ear into my home to hear everything I say, they have to hack the system. And the same goes then for any and every Internet connected computing device with a microphone.

Sorry, I should have been more precise: I wasn't necessarily meaning the Echo device itself in that post, rather the potential future evolution of the technology and legalese tied to it.

Not interested in one. No need really, money better spent elsewhere IMHO.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:

Then again there are those of us that are not so much, because we shun using things that have a well-known track record for being vulnerable.

But, your argument is, again, a curious one: Because you do <these ill-advised things> it's ok to do <this other questionable thing>. That's like saying there's no point in driving safely because you're already doing something dangerous in driving in the first place.

Your analogies are comical. That's not "like saying" anything close to what you're implying. Because I own a "gas guzzling 4x4 truck" and smoke cigars doesn't mean I smoke a cigar while filling it up with gas. Because I drink whisky doesn't mean I drink and drive, because I own guns doesn't mean I point them at my head for the fun of it, etc. Good try though.

It is as simple as I want to enjoy my life without avoiding every risk there is out there. Owning an Echo, using the Internet, and the other things I mentioned, does have risk but it is a relatively small risk compared to the convenience and enjoyment I get from them.

http://www.seattletimes.com/se...t-quite-sure-i-want/

One more reason to avoid Alexa.

Trust me, Amazon is plumbing your personal life more than you know.

Just don't do it.

quote:

Originally posted by Warhorse:
I am not buying one, because I have no use for it.

I'm still trying to figure out what the draw to this is. Lights, temperature control, play music, ordering on Amazon are all things I am comfortable doing without voice control. What am I missing here?


As someone who works in an industry that utilizes IoT devices, I'm highly skeptical with the designers ability to comprehend potential vulnerabilities - especially consumer grade devices. It takes a lot of effort, planning and maintenance to properly secure these devices, what appears secure today may/will not be secure tomorrow. Maybe I've just seen too many poor implementations.

quote:

I'm still trying to figure out what the draw to this is. Lights, temperature control, play music, ordering on Amazon are all things I am comfortable doing without voice control. What am I missing here?

in a nutshell

quote:

Originally posted by signewt:

quote:

I'm still trying to figure out what the draw to this is. Lights, temperature control, play music, ordering on Amazon are all things I am comfortable doing without voice control. What am I missing here?

in a nutshell

It's not for everyone. But it's not an all hearing analytics engine indexing a searchable database of your every utterance. It's not a spy device (unless one day it is hacked). Which it may be. But that's no more likely than any other microphone or camera wielding tech in my life.

I use it every day. Primarily for lights, timers, current time, weather, news, music and occasionally to turn up the heat. Not often for that though. As I have a different web connected borg that has some autonomy to do that for me! lol