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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’t have connectivity and help you to their bandwidth when you don’t 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’s 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’s what it’s 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
forty7seventy4 · 46-50, F
It doesn't apply to me since I don't have any of those but I wanted to thank you for sharing this information.

Reminds me of how I learned the hard way that Amazon won't remind you that your prime account is ending, they'll just quietly take your money and sign you up for another year.
PhilDeep · 51-55, M
I used to trust Amazon in the old days, when it was basically a bookstore. As its grown bigger, it seems to me it's become less respectful of privacy, to say the least.
JoePourMan · 61-69, M
@PhilDeep Very very true
Oster1 · M
Thank you but I’m sorry that I don’t fully understand the ramifications.

Can someone help me to fully understand?
JoePourMan · 61-69, M
@Oster1 I posted some links you might find helpful
Oster1 · M
Thank you.😊@JoePourMan
ninalanyon · 61-69, T
Does the customer receive any compensation for the use of the network?
JoePourMan · 61-69, M
@ninalanyon I don't think so
ninalanyon · 61-69, T
@JoePourMan Then it is theft. And quite possibly illegal under the Computer Misuse Act 1990 or the Communications Act 2003 in the UK and similar legislation in other countries.

Or did the users already sign a contract allowing this?
Bri89 · 31-35, M
I guess it's a good thing that I never owned any of those devices.
Keepitsimple · 51-55, F
Is this a real thing? Should we really do it?
JoePourMan · 61-69, M
@Keepitsimple I posted some links and you can find more info by googling Amazon Sidewalk
Keepitsimple · 51-55, F
Wait, huh? What’s this about??
JoePourMan · 61-69, M
@Keepitsimple I changed my settings
eyeno · M
Good to know info.
JoePourMan · 61-69, M
@eyeno Thanks
JoePourMan · 61-69, M
Here are some links and you can do more research by googling Amazon Sidewalk

https://9to5mac.com/2021/05/31/psa-if-you-have-amazon-devices-you-may-want-to-opt-out-of-amazon-sidewalk/

https://www.wired.com/story/how-amazon-sidewalk-works/

 
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