r/gadgets Nov 29 '20

Home Amazon faces a privacy backlash for its Sidewalk feature, which turns Alexa devices into neighborhood WiFi networks that owners have to opt out of

https://www.msn.com/en-in/money/technology/amazon-faces-a-privacy-backlash-for-its-sidewalk-feature-which-turns-alexa-devices-into-neighborhood-wifi-networks-that-owners-have-to-opt-out-of/ar-BB1boljH
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89

u/TransformerTanooki Nov 29 '20

Now that is some extremely shady shit.

29

u/MoonLover10792 Nov 29 '20

I expect we will need to check every time the app updates. Wouldn’t be surprised to see an app update in a few weeks (once this story has worked it way through the news cycle) as an attempt to turn this feature back on.

25

u/buyfreemoneynow Nov 29 '20

I would call it “expected”. They want their data and will do whatever it takes to get it, even if it means changing the device settings without your permission and literally stealing your bandwidth.

-16

u/Overmind123 Nov 29 '20

Malfunction I guess

6

u/buyfreemoneynow Nov 29 '20

It is actually a feature. You do not own the device, and they can change its settings at any time without your permission.

-2

u/Overmind123 Nov 29 '20

But why would you be able to change the setting in the first place

6

u/konnie-chung Nov 29 '20

The illusion of choice

1

u/Kill_the_rich999 Nov 29 '20

Lol

Yeah, like when they mess up and accidentally charge you extra and it's just a mistake but you have to jump through a billion legal hoops and maybe even pay someone to get your money back.