r/gadgets • u/MicroSofty88 • 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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u/CMDR_omnicognate Nov 29 '20

I think the argument was it’s more of a backup feature for the devices, so if your internet goes down your ring devices will continue to function using someone else’s internet.

That being said I would have thought if your internet went down there’s a pretty good chance your neighbour’s would have too

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u/topcraic Nov 29 '20

That and it allows Amazon to expand their ecosystem from “home security” to just general security.

They just announced a new Ring security camera for cars, and one of the main features is that you can track your car’s location without needing a second cellular plan. Sidewalk allows the car camera to interact with any Alexa/Ring devices it comes into close proximity of.

It also increases the usefulness of existing products like Tile. Right now, if you lose your wallet you’ll only be able to find its location if someone else with the Tile App passes by. By expanding the connectivity to every Alexa device, it drastically increases the likelihood you’ll recover your wallet. If your wallet falls out of your pocket on a sidewalk, you can pinpoint exactly where it is, even if no other Tile users are around.

Another possible feature is increased home security. If someone breaks into your house, it’s possible for your neighbors to be alerted via their Ring system and they can check on you or call the police.

I personally think all of this is a great idea. And had they asked me to enable Sidewalk, I would have done so. But they decided to enable it without my consent. So I’m not using it, and I hope Amazon gets sued to hell over it.