Kitz Forum
Chat => Tech Chat => Topic started by: d2d4j on June 20, 2021, 09:33:29 AM
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[Moderator note: This topic has been created by splitting off from the Amazon Prime Day 21st and 22nd June 2021 (https://forum.kitz.co.uk/index.php/topic,26081.0.html) topic.]
Hi
[Thinking about] Amazon and a lot of users will have amazon devices, I read this a while ago.
It is not in UK at moment but may or may not be activated in UK
Many thanks
John
https://www.speedguide.net/news/amazon-sidewalk-wi-fi-sharing-experiment-goes-live-7542
https://www.slashgear.com/amazon-sidewalk-wi-fi-sharing-experiment-goes-live-next-month-30675176/
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I don't have an Amazon devices but if I did I'd be scrambling to disable this function. My view is that if this is to be rolled out it MUST be opt in and not opt out (if you know how)!
Stuart
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It is not in UK at moment but may or may not be activated in UK
Really bad that its enabled by default >:(
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I don't have an Amazon devices but if I did I'd be scrambling to disable this function. My view is that if this is to be rolled out it MUST be opt in and not opt out (if you know how)!
Stuart
Amazon’s normal practice is to make opt in very easy but opt out really difficult. Prime is the best example.
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I know this is OT, but I cancelled an order recently, yet somehow a Market Place item was still placed by Amazon. Later a new order including above was made, so I've 2 of item, of which 1 is really unsolicited. Already sorting it out is becoming a nightmare.
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As regular members will know, I do not possess any Amazon (or other so called "smart") devices.
If I did possess such devices, having read the articles flagged by d2d4j, I would be placing them all on a hard surface and then caressing each & every one with a 14 lb hammer. >:(
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As regular members will know, I do not possess any Amazon (or other so called "smart") devices.
If I did possess such devices, having read the articles flagged by d2d4j, I would be placing them all on a hard surface and then caressing each & every one with a 14 lb hammer. >:(
I do have one and honestly I think that's a bit paranoid. If you read what they are actually doing in principle its not that bad, its just doing it without properly asking permission from the users that is dodgy. More so in the US where data caps are still normal.
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BC, instead of being destructive, just send them my way (not that you have any), saving the environment and all that ;)
I agree with Alex, the idea seems a good idea, and as long as it is safe, then the small amount (500MB a month) of data used doesn't worry me in the slightest.
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[Moderator edited.]
It is not in UK at moment but may or may not be activated in UK
https://www.speedguide.net/news/amazon-sidewalk-wi-fi-sharing-experiment-goes-live-7542
https://www.slashgear.com/amazon-sidewalk-wi-fi-sharing-experiment-goes-live-next-month-30675176/
::) :lol:
I can't see this being implemented under current GDPR law.
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Hi
We have a few echos and it does not bother me.
However, please remember BT home hubs etc.. are auto enabled for BT Wifi unless turned off and do not have user permission first.
The issue would be the sharing aspects between amazon devices, whereas BT Wifi is not connected to all neighbours, amazon would be.
This has the potential to lead a huge DDOS using IoT devices easily if the protocol were to be broken into or the device hacked fully.
Some may say this may not happen, but when you realise all the major players have been hacked, even github etc... it shows nothing is 100% secure. Coupled to that, when they stopped SSLv3, the weakness was known for over 15 years and yet continued to be in use during those 15 years.
Finally, remember the microsoft virus, which ripped through all microsoft operating systems due to a network protocol no one realised was open and could still be used... same potential could exist at some point in IoT devices and then once used by bad people, how many devices on how many streets in how many cities/towns could be used by a single person to attack given amazon are trialling IoT to IoT devices, and at those quantities of IoT devices, you do not much bandwidth per IoT device to be effective
It is not reality yet, and may never be so no tin hats needed but if it were to happen...
Many thanks
John
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However, please remember BT home hubs etc.. are auto enabled for BT Wifi unless turned off and do not have user permission first.
I'd imagine that its part of the contract when you sign up so technically you DO give permission.
Unless Amazon were planning this long ago, its unlikely such permission is given in their contract. But then again, who reads contracts in detail?
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Hi
Yes, permissions would have been granted in order to activate product I guess, but probably in very small writing and hidden away. Same as most, including amazon and I do not know anyone who reads in full all the terms and conditions etc...
Many thanks
John
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If I did possess such devices, having read the articles flagged by d2d4j, I would be placing them all on a hard surface and then caressing each & every one with a 14 lb hammer.
I have several of them dotted around my homw and find them invaluable.
I honestly do not know how I'd manage without and they immensely help retain independency. My shopping, voice control my heating from anywhere, turn on/off lights/sockets using voice from anywhere. Reminders and constantly use it as a reference source by asking it questions. Using my Show I can see who is at the door or any of the camera's if movement is detected. Thats on top of the usual functions such as alarms, music, weather, news, A simple 'goodnight alexa' ensures all lights are switched off. It's also hooked up to my mobile so if I fall I can ask it to ring for help. I can also voice call anyone who is in my contacts just like an extended hands free.
I do have concerns about the privacy aspect, but google probably knows more. However this Sidewalk and the way they've gone about it I do not like, no matter how secure it is supposed to be.
Also as previously mentioned Im not quite sure how this would work with GDPR where data is supposed to be opt-in not opt-out. Up until now I've balanced privacy up against how useful they are and how much I rely on them. Sharing my network is a No.
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But more important, Alexa lets you change the wake word to "computer" for the full Star Trek effect. :p
Although in hindsight, that does get a LOT of false positives (probably more than it detects correctly) compared to leaving it as Alexa, but its SO worth it. Still infinitely better than "Ok Google" which I HATED.
But I've found "Computer, set a timer for x minutes" so valuable as doing it physically I'd always sit down and forget, or do it on the Microwave and not hear it go off. As well as turning lights on and off from in bed. Also connected up with my Logitech Hub so it makes turning everything on a breeze, compared to grabbing for the remote, pulling a muscle, dropping it, etc.
Honestly, I don't trust these companies with "home security" products to begin with. So it kinda makes sense that the sorts of people who do, probably shouldn't have a problem with this, or maybe it wasn't a bright idea to trust them to begin with.
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Hi
I would think amazon do have GDPR covered but as with anything, it could be a grey area depending upon your view of data controller or data processor, and yes I am aware of a supposed GDPR data breach and an eye watering fine currently going through but please remember google had similar issues, so did apple and microsoft etc...
https://forums.developer.amazon.com/questions/170566/is-alexa-gdpr-compliant.html
I think there are bigger concerns then GDPR, as an example for anyone interested.
extract
Real-time bidding refers to the buying and selling of online ad impressions through auctions conducted in the time it takes a webpage to load. While a page loads, real-time bidding helps facilitate the sharing of various details gleaned from the device the web page is loading on, including its location, along with information about previously visited websites.
"Every time we load a page on a commercial website or use an app, the website or app tells tens or hundreds of companies all about us, so that their clients can decide whether to bid on the opportunity to show you an ad," Dr. Ryan told the BBC. "These bid requests include inferences of your sexual orientation, religion, what you're reading, watching, and listening to, your location," says Dr. Ryan.
IAB Tech Lab is a consortium comprising of some of the biggest tech firms, like Google, Facebook, Amazon, etc., and it's responsible for providing the technical standards based on which the online digital ad space operates
https://www.speedguide.net/news/digital-ad-industry-accused-of-worlds-largest-data-7556
Many thanks
John
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But more important, Alexa lets you change the wake word to "computer" for the full Star Trek effect. :p
Although in hindsight, that does get a LOT of false positives (probably more than it detects correctly) compared to leaving it as Alexa, but its SO worth it. Still infinitely better than "Ok Google" which I HATED.
I've left mine as default. Most of the false commands seem to come from being picked up on TV or YouTube. I try to remember to call it by the "A word" if I'm talking about it to someone else. rather than talking to it but I do sometimes forget and end up yelling stop. I'd like if there was a tad more flexibility rather than just the 4 wake word options, but as you say it is so much better than 'OK Google' that I also dislike having to use. On reflection changing it to "Echo" would probably be better for me and pick up the least false positives, but I'm way too used to using "Alexa" now. :D It's surprising how soon the voice integrated commands become part of your every day life and how much you do miss it when its not available for some reason.
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Considering my name, Alexa is not a good choice, I'm sure my mum would be false triggering it all the time talking to me. ;)
Besides the nerd in me wont let me change it. I still get a kick out of yelling "Computer, Lights" and the even more amusing "Computer, Activate Shield" to turn on my ShieldTV.
If they ever let you change the voice and they release the Majel Roddenberry TTS pack (they apparently recorded this before her death in case they did want to continue using her voice) I will be in nerd heaven.
I mean you've seen my NAS monitoring screen. ;) https://csdprojects.co.uk/forums/LCARS.png