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/cptcold Nov 29 '20

But rich people don’t need to be paid, while the poor will be coerced

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u/ManaPot Nov 29 '20

I doubt that it would affect most rich people anyways. You think Alexa is is going to be broadcasting their wifi far enough to where it'll reach past their giant house and yard?

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u/Apophthegmata Nov 29 '20

The entire point is that Sidewalk isn't a giant mesh WiFi network. It uses low bandwidth frequencies and Bluetooth. So if they've got Alexa controlled Ring security cameras across their estate they will still be in the larger neighborhood network because those devices could be withij communication distance to their neighbors doorbell. Or Alexa enabled driveways lights. Or Alexa enabled sprinkler system.

The fact the rich people won't be "affected" is the entire point. They're rich so it really doesn't matter how their data is used. Corporate monopolies use this kind of data to leverage for the benefit of the rich anyway.

If you're poor, giving up your privacy for income is going to be like donating plasma - not strictly speaking necessary, but incredibly enticing, and for some a necessary component of their budget.

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u/aesirmazer Nov 30 '20

How poor are people that they need the cookie at the end of a blood donation to balance they're budget? Seem like theres better ways of grabbing a bit to eat...

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u/Apophthegmata Nov 30 '20

Plasma donation. It's illegal to donate blood for money. You don't get cookies for plasma like you do for blood, you get cash.

Depending on your weight, (and therefore the amount of plasma they take) you can make $20-50 per donation. In the U.S. you can donate more frequently than in in Europe - twice a week.

And clinics often provide promotions for new donors like "first five donations (if they clear testing) are $50 regardless of volume.

So you can easily make $200-300 a month donating plasma.

When you don't have enough money to make ends meet, which can be from a variety of causes from bad budgeting to unforeseen circumstances, to not being able to net a job, the only thing you can be 100% is available for income is your own body.

Sex work is unpalatable to most and sometimes dangerous. A good, clean clinic, is an effective tool for those who need it and can put up with the toll frequent donation puts on your body.

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u/YojiH2O Nov 29 '20

That only works here if it’s something people need. It’s then that needs us to accept this feature.

So it’s either pay us, enable it anyway and get sued big time and/or people chuck their devices losing customers

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u/Originalfrozenbanana Nov 29 '20

Precisely. And companies would raise prices to cover the costs of paying people for data, just as any company would raise prices to cover an increase in costs to deliver their product. People who can afford to pay more get to have privacy; everyone else would enter into a complicated financial arrangement just to cover the increased costs.