Amazon To Link Users of Alexa, Other Devices, To One Another

 

For those who own an Alexa, or other devices by Amazon that you use, an article in Ars Technica has some troubling news for those who value their privacy, and don't like the company getting them into something without their okay. According to the e-zine, Amazon plans to launch "Amazon Sidewalk." The service will link those who use Amazon products to their neighbors who also use them and share their bandwith for the purpose of helping those without a connection. But instead of asking users if they want in, people have to actively opt out of it before the date of Tuesday June 8, one week from now.

Amazon Sidewalk helps your devices get connected and stay connected. For example, if your Echo device loses its wifi connection, Sidewalk can simplify reconnecting to your router. For select Ring devices, you can continue to receive motion alerts from your Ring Security Cams and customer support can still troubleshoot problems even if your devices lose their wifi connection. Sidewalk can also extend the working range for your Sidewalk-enabled devices, such as Ring smart lights, pet locators or smart locks, so they can stay connected and continue to work over longer distances. Amazon does not charge any fees to join Sidewalk.

Amazon insists the service is to help the users of it's devices. They also released a report to address security and privacy matters.  But as Ars Technia put it, "But there are enough theoretical risks to give users pause. Wireless technologies like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth have a history of being insecure. ... If industry-standard wireless technologies have such a poor track record, why are we to believe a proprietary wireless scheme will have one that’s any better? ... Extending the reach of all this encrypted data to the sidewalk and living rooms of neighbors requires a level of confidence that’s not warranted for a technology that’s never seen widespread testing. ... Amazon’s decision to make Sidewalk an opt-out service rather than an opt-in one is also telling. The company knows the only chance of the service gaining critical mass is to turn it on by default, so that’s what it’s doing."

The good news, users can opt out of "Sidewalk." The steps are:

Open the Alexa app.
Open "More" and select "Settings."
Select "Account Settings."
Select "Amazon Sidewalk."
Turn Amazon Sidewalk "Off."

Ars Technica stated they contacted Amazon representatives to comment on the matter, but got none.

Bixyl Shuftan