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Amazon Isn't Saying If Echo Has Been Wiretapped (zdnet.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the always-listening dept.

An anonymous reader writes from a report via ZDNet: Since announcing how many government data requests and wiretap orders it receives, Amazon has so far issued two transparency reports. The two reports outline how many subpoenas, search warrants, and court orders the company received to cloud service, Amazon Web Services. The cloud makes up a large portion of all the data Amazon gathers, but the company does also collect vast amounts of data from its retail businesses, mobile services, book purchases, and requests made to Echo. The company's third report is due to be released in a few weeks but an Amazon spokesperson wouldn't comment on whether or not the company will expand its transparency report to include information regarding whether or not the Amazon Echo has been wiretapped. There are reportedly more than three million Amazon Echo speakers out in the wild. Gizmodo filed a freedom of information (FOIA) request with the FBI earlier this year to see if the agency had wiretapped an Echo as part of a criminal investigation. The FBI didn't confirm or deny wiretapping the Echo. Amazon was recently awarded a patent for drone docking and recharging stations that would be built on tall, existing structures like lampposts, cell towers, or church steeples.

6 of 86 comments (clear)

  1. It has by UndyingShadow · · Score: 4, Interesting

    So...yes

  2. Users provide equipment for their own survellance by gweihir · · Score: 3, Interesting

    "Echo" is just one of the more obvious ways to do so. Smartphones, laptop-microphones, etc. are all fair game these days, because most citizens are asleep at the wheel.

    --
    Most ACs are not even worth the keystrokes to insult them. Be generically insulted by this and ignored otherwise.
  3. the Zdnet link by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The ZDNET link takes me to an article about the Samsung phones warerproofing.

    We have a Reddit business model here. Troll headlines, people who don't read the article, commenting and people keep coming back - it's all about generating advertising revenue, boys!

    Infotainment is what media is about. Makes makes me want to throw every goddamn peice of electronic shit in my house out the door.

  4. Re:Two separate topics? by vux984 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    But I agree it's more often than not irrelevant and annoying.

    Really? I love that 1/2 the time the discussion completely disregards the entire primary story and fixates on the also-ran throw away sentence at the end now. Saves me reading the headline or summary... half time the discussion won't be about it anyway.

    The only thing that would be better would be if every article could have a meta discussion about why this is happening that prevents either topic from being discussed! :) /sarcasm off

    I agree with you. Its stupid and distracting. Editors please stop.

  5. Because it is being used as a surveillance device. by MrKaos · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Just like everything else than can be.

    --
    My ism, it's full of beliefs.
  6. Look for warrant canaries by pem · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Yes, kids, you too can try this at home.

    Actual transcription from a "conversation" between me and Alexa:

    "Alexa, do you work for the CIA?"
    "Hmmm. I can't find the answer to the question I heard."
    "Alexa, do you work for the FBI?"
    "No, I'm not employed by them. I'm made by Amazon."
    "Alexa, do you work for the NSA?"
    (no voice -- descending 5th musical tone)