This is a PSA
If you use Alexa, Echo, or any other Amazon device, you have only a few days to opt out of an experiment that leaves your personal privacy and security hanging in the balance.
On June 8, the merchant, Web host, and entertainment behemoth will automatically enroll the devices in Amazon Sidewalk. The new wireless mesh service will share a small slice of your Internet bandwidth with nearby neighbors who don鈥檛 have connectivity and help you to their bandwidth when you don鈥檛 have a connection.
By default, Amazon devices including Alexa, Echo, Ring, security cams, outdoor lights, motion sensors, and Tile trackers will enroll in the system. And since only a tiny fraction of people take the time to change default settings, that means millions of people will be co-opted into the program whether they know anything about it or not. The Amazon webpage linked above says Sidewalk "is currently only available in the US."
Amazon鈥檚 decision to make Sidewalk an opt-out service rather than an opt-in one is also telling. The company knows the only chance of the service gaining critical mass is to turn it on by default, so that鈥檚 what it鈥檚 doing. Fortunately, turning Sidewalk off is relatively painless. It involves:
Opening the Alexa app
Opening More and selecting Settings
Selecting Account Settings
Selecting Amazon Sidewalk
Turning Amazon Sidewalk Off
You are welcome
On June 8, the merchant, Web host, and entertainment behemoth will automatically enroll the devices in Amazon Sidewalk. The new wireless mesh service will share a small slice of your Internet bandwidth with nearby neighbors who don鈥檛 have connectivity and help you to their bandwidth when you don鈥檛 have a connection.
By default, Amazon devices including Alexa, Echo, Ring, security cams, outdoor lights, motion sensors, and Tile trackers will enroll in the system. And since only a tiny fraction of people take the time to change default settings, that means millions of people will be co-opted into the program whether they know anything about it or not. The Amazon webpage linked above says Sidewalk "is currently only available in the US."
Amazon鈥檚 decision to make Sidewalk an opt-out service rather than an opt-in one is also telling. The company knows the only chance of the service gaining critical mass is to turn it on by default, so that鈥檚 what it鈥檚 doing. Fortunately, turning Sidewalk off is relatively painless. It involves:
Opening the Alexa app
Opening More and selecting Settings
Selecting Account Settings
Selecting Amazon Sidewalk
Turning Amazon Sidewalk Off
You are welcome
61-69, M
