[sahajesh]

I work in IT, my friends work in IT - between us, we have Siri and Echo devices.

As said, enough data is known from emails and browser history, credit card usage, tracking what you buy in Tesco etc - convenience vs (perceived, in some cases) security issues. Take your pick and live accordingly.

People didn't have DAB or internet or auto transmissions or sat nav 40 years ago and "they managed OK" to paraphrase. Times and attitudes change, not everyone has to move accordingly but more than enough people will to further progress, whether it's good or bad.

[Alice Coupe]

Originally Posted by Hooded

Exactly ^

https://www.theguardian.com/technolo...d-conversation

I won't have any of these things in the home, I have no need for them and have managed for 46 years without such a device!

Lol. Before 1996 you had no need for the internet....

[Broncho]

So does this mean my Alexa has recorded me and the Mrs shagging, like twice this morning?

[Alice Coupe]

Originally Posted by Broncho

So does this mean my Alexa has recorded me and the Mrs shagging, like twice this morning?

Yes. She has also sent it to the Russians and organised a penis extension op for you on Tuesday.

[Broncho]

Originally Posted by Alice Coupe

Yes. She has also sent it to the Russians and organised a penis extension op for you on Tuesday.

It's my birthday on Tuesday as well, winner winner!

[Hooded]

Originally Posted by Alice Coupe

Lol. Before 1996 you had no need for the internet....

What exactly do you need voice activated assistants etc to do for you that you can't do yourself without it? Do you have a disability or something?
Comparing it with the internet is a bad example.

[RustyBitz]

This makes me laugh all the time, I call them the tin hat brigade.

Working in the Alexa team privacy is taken seriously and can only be accessed by the account holder. The voice recordings are used to improve your experience and aren't sent off to be sold or recommend products for you. You can go into your settings at any time and review/delete recordings at any time.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/cus...deId=201809740

If you are truly that worried about privacy you should get rid of every piece of technology that connects to the internet. Your phone is the worst offender if you are looking at targeted advertising.

https://www.popularmechanics.com/tec...-ad-targeting/

Maybe you might need to do a Chuck in better call Saul and tin foil your house up

[Mrklaw]

Originally Posted by Hooded

What exactly do you need voice activated assistants etc to do for you that you can't do yourself without it? Do you have a disability or something?
Comparing it with the internet is a bad example.

It’s very convenient as a cheap little internet radio - just ask to play whatever station you want is faster than any almost device with buttons or a remote

[Alice Coupe]

Originally Posted by Hooded

What exactly do you need voice activated assistants etc to do for you that you can't do yourself without it? Do you have a disability or something?
Comparing it with the internet is a bad example.

Any phone connected activity while driving...making a call for example, read last text etc.

[Hooded]

Originally Posted by RustyBitz

This makes me laugh all the time, I call them the tin hat brigade.

Working in the Alexa team privacy is taken seriously and can only be accessed by the account holder. The voice recordings are used to improve your experience and aren't sent off to be sold or recommend products for you. You can go into your settings at any time and review/delete recordings at any time.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/cus...deId=201809740

If you are truly that worried about privacy you should get rid of every piece of technology that connects to the internet. Your phone is the worst offender if you are looking at targeted advertising.

https://www.popularmechanics.com/tec...-ad-targeting/

Maybe you might need to do a Chuck in better call Saul and tin foil your house up

Would you care to explain exactly how something like this happens
https://www.theguardian.com/technolo...d-conversation

Choosing to avoid that type of thing by simply doing things the way we were 10 years ago I.e pressing a button with my more than capable fingers instead of talking to a device does not make you a Chuck.

[Alice Coupe]

Originally Posted by Hooded

Choosing to avoid that type of thing by simply doing things the way we were 10 years ago I.e pressing a button with my more than capable fingers instead of talking to a device does not make you a Chuck.

What make you think pressing a button is any safer than stating a keyword?

In your scenarios, the device is listening, recording and informing the Russians of Broncho's pending op all the time...

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/04/ex-n...be-hacked.html

[xenon]

The article itself clearly explains how it happened:

“Echo woke up due to a word in background conversation sounding like ‘Alexa’. Then, the subsequent conversation was heard as a ‘send message’ request. At which point, Alexa said out loud ‘To whom?’ At which point, the background conversation was interpreted as a name in the customer’s contact list. Alexa then asked out loud, ‘[contact name], right?’ Alexa then interpreted background conversation as ‘right’.”

Recognising the improbability of this series of mishaps occuring, they added: “As unlikely as this string of events is, we are evaluating options to make this case even less likely.”

You're utterly at liberty to use or not use these devices of course, but it's ridiculous to suggest that it's some big-brother conspiracy. If somebody could possibly want to listen to me discussing the dog's diet with the missus then go for it.

[Mrklaw]

Originally Posted by Hooded

Would you care to explain exactly how something like this happens
https://www.theguardian.com/technolo...d-conversation

Choosing to avoid that type of thing by simply doing things the way we were 10 years ago I.e pressing a button with my more than capable fingers instead of talking to a device does not make you a Chuck.

a slightly less likely version of butt-dialling someone you have on speed dial.

[RobUK]

As with anything it's down to individual choice as to whether you want security or convenience because when it comes to technology the two are very often mutually exclusive.

[speedski]

Originally Posted by RobUK

As with anything it's down to individual choice as to whether you want security or convenience because when it comes to technology the two are very often mutually exclusive.

100% agree with this - my thread was all about understanding the motivation behind using them and if people knew the risks.

Its clear its a convenience thing which is fine.we're working on AI stuff at work at the moment, voice assistance but more for modelling.

[Alice Coupe]

Originally Posted by speedski

100% agree with this - my thread was all about understanding the motivation behind using them and if people knew the risks.

Its clear its a convenience thing which is fine.we're working on AI stuff at work at the moment, voice assistance but more for modelling.

What risks? All we’ve heard so far is about a contact who heard a couple discuss flooring and Broncho’s op