Amazon Says it Keeps Alexa Data With No Expiry

[engine]

Most of us around here are pretty much aware when it come to privacy, and one aspect that has always made me concerned is Amazon's Alexa. A U.S. Senator asked Amazon to clarify about retention of the voice data. The answer Amazon gave was that it keeps transcripts and voice recordings indefinitely, and only removes them if they're manually deleted by users. Additionally, there are some conversations Amazon says it does not remove, even after deletion.

"Amazon's response leaves open the possibility that transcripts of user voice interactions with Alexa are not deleted from all of Amazon's servers, even after a user has deleted a recording of his or her voice," the lawmaker said in a statement. "What's more, the extent to which this data is shared with third parties, and how those third parties use and control that information, is still unclear."

[cnet.com...]

[Dimitri]

I like the "unclear". Of-course Amazon (or other companies) perfectly know why they are doing what. So, if it remains "unclear", it means these companies are deliberately trying to hide things ... and you know when you deploy so much efforts... :)

[tangor]

Alexa cah keep all of my data!

Oh, sorry ... don't have one in the house.*

^{*For Obvious Reasons}

[Marshall]

I always find it funny how people are reluctant to share information with the government (the Census comes to mind*) but are more than eager to share/post personal/private data on social sites or with a device that provides them a convenience. They never once give thought to who has access to it, how it is shared, and how easily it can be stolen. While this does not need repeated here, when will the consumer realize they are, ultimately, the product.

*In general terms, not because of what is going on now

[engine]

>They never once give thought to who has access to it, how it is shared, and how easily it can be stolen

I really don't believe the consumer yet fully realises what's going on. However, many are becoming wiser.

[Marshall]

I really don't believe the consumer yet fully realises what's going on. However, many are becoming wiser.

I have my doubts about that.

[engine]

>I have my doubts about that.
You're correct that many don't bother to think about what they are giving away.
I often ask friends and family what they are thinking, without prompting them too much, and some have changed their stance significantly, while others are more aware. What they are doing about it varies, with some having left FB and its properties entirely. Some have fallen for the excitement of a speaker, such as from Amazon, and they have not yet realised what's going on because the excitement and novelty is the driving factor.
One of them left FB, but got an Amazon speaker. They haven't realised just yet.
I'm sure the vast majority will catch on, in time.

[graeme_p]

One of my 11 year old daughter's friends (the same age) has an Alexa in her bedroom. I find that creepy. How many databases will be storing an unknown amount of what she says in twenty years time?

That kid also has an app on her phone to let he parents track her location, which does not sound so bad until the server is compromised or has a flaw or there is a crooked insider and lots of strangers also know where she is.

[Selen]

Since the buyer is the product, why isn't Alexa and such devices free?

[Dimitri]

Since the buyer is the product, why isn't Alexa and such devices free?

Why give something free, if people are pleased to pay?

[Dimitri]

How many databases will be storing an unknown amount of what she says in twenty years time?

And the day it leaks, this is plenty of data for hackers, or chineses ...

Also, you know, all these emails claiming they infected your computer with a virus, and controlled your web cam (even if you didn't have one), and taped you while you were .. you know, the kind of things people do in front of web cam ... I guess... so tomorrow, you'll get similar emails, saying, hey, I hacked your personal assistant device, and recorded you, oh my god you said xxx and yyy and I am going to reveal your private talks, etc...

I remember some years ago, how it was a scandal when it was known that smart TV were transmitting your speech to remote servers for interpretation and returning the operation code, or when smart dolls were doing the same ...

[tangor]

I wonder how much data creators/coders of smart sexbots are keeping?

_{*Don't have one, have no desire, but you KNOW that data is getting collected SOMEWHERE!}

[Mateasi]

Did u hear that joke?
it goes like this -
Son asks his father why does he speak so lightly at home? Father replies because there is artificial intelligence that listens to everything we say.
Son laughs, the dad laughs, Alexa laughs
I believe that they are keeping the data in order to make machines smarter. And I also believe they would not use the data against us. I even think it could be illegal, couldnt it?

[Dimitri]

Thanks for the joke :)

I believe that they are keeping the data in order to make machines smarter.

hum... yes of-coooooouuuuurrrrrsssssseeeee :)

And I also believe they would not use the data against us. I even think it could be illegal, couldnt it?

You are talking about Internet Giants, so you know, laws made by mortals are loosely impacting them :)

Joke apart, they will do whatever they want with the data collected. When you store giant amount of data, this is not just for fun. With data collected , they can extract plenty of information, to feed their AI,... yes, for example to target again more people's interest, and needs. Within the exchanges with Alexa (or other assistants of this kind), they get lot of information about you, your household, your needs, etc... These information can be used to propose again more targeted advertising, but I am sure there a plenty of other applications, that I can't even think about , but sure they did :).

Remember, Amazon is experimenting delivering products to your door before even you ordered them, or even considered ordering them (with the right to return them if you don't want), so by studying your exchanges with Alexa, they can certainly refine again more your interests and temptations.

Amazon can also start selling information to enable other companies to do all kind of profiling , for all kind of reasons, you never know, what can happen.

There is also the problem of hackers, what if hackers are putting their hand on all theses records ? ... you know, hackers can be very creative :) (and I am sure that one day, we'll hear about personal assistant devices hacked, and used to record people stealthy).

Now about how these information can be used against you, I loosely remember a crime story, where the police requested Amazon to give them the recordings from Alexa, I don't remember well, someone will have a link certainly.

[JS_Harris]

My neighbor's mobile devices know I live next door. Their devices have detected my device proximity and figured it out over time. Their devices can monitor my activity too. Even my security cam has it's own IP these days. Alexa is keeping data but just add it to the list, pretty much everything is now, even if it's not yours.