[Electronics-Talk] Amazon Alexa is listening to you. How to stop it. | Komando.com

Wed Apr 17 23:47:06 UTC 2019

I don't have an Amazon Echo, but apparently all of Amazon's smart 
speakers have a microphone button. From what I read on line, it appears 
to be on the top. Here's what it says from Amazon's FAQ:

*3. Can I turn off the microphones on Echo devices?*

Yes. Echo devices are equipped with a Microphone Off button. When the 
button is pressed, the power to the microphones is disconnected and a 
dedicated red light is illuminated. When the microphones are turned off, 
your device cannot record and stream audio to the cloud, even when you 
say your chosen wake word.

The URL to this FAQ is 
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201602230

As the article describes, Alexa should only record what you say after 
you use the wake word, but sometimes it may think you said the wake word 
when you didn't. Furthermore, people may not have known that Amazon 
employees are listening to what you've said to your Alexa to help 
improve it's voice recognition algorithms. As the article points out, if 
you want to delete these recordings, so Amazon employees can't listen to 
what you've asked your Alexa, then you can do this.

*
*

On 4/17/19 7:55 AM, Lauren Merryfield via Electronics-Talk wrote:
> Hi,
> Where is the mic button? I only have the two buttons used to set the Echo or
> Echo Dot. I do not find a third, separate button for the mic.
>
> I thought that all that was recorded was when we asked her something.
> Thanks,
> Lauren
>
> God's blessings to everyone!  My audiobook, Jesus makes the difference, is
> out on  iTunes and Audible!
> "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."(Isaiah
> 40:29)
> As my cats would say:"Meow when you feel like it" and they do!
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Electronics-Talk <electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of
> Luis Guerra via Electronics-Talk
> Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2019 9:25 AM
> To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Luis Guerra <screenreader at verizon.net>
> Subject: [Electronics-Talk] Amazon Alexa is listening to you. How to stop
> it. | Komando.com
>
> Alexa IS listening to your conversations By  James Gelinas, Komando.com
> Alexa IS listening to your conversations
>
> Tap or click to listen to the latest from Kim in just one minute.
>
> Whenever a game-changing device or product comes out, skeptics are always
> the first to ask "What's the catch?" Nothing is free in this world, after
> all.
> With technology, similar logic should apply. When something truly
> revolutionary is released, it's always smart to ask yourself "What am I
> giving up in exchange for this?"
>
> Many people have welcomed Amazon's Alexa system into their homes without so
> much as a second thought. The device provides instant web services by voice
> command, which is a feature people have dreamed of since Star Trek first
> aired on TV.
>
> These features are groundbreaking, so there has to be some sort of trade-off
> behind the scenes, right?
>
> As it turns out, the truth is a bit more sinister. Alexa isn't just smart
> because of its programming -- it's been getting human help on the back end.
> Thousands of employees around the world are analyzing audio clips from Alexa
> devices every day, and some of the things they're picking up are private,
> personal, and disturbing.
>
> "Alexa, are you listening?"
>
> Alexa's engineers are constantly tweaking the voice recognition algorithm
> that powers the home speaker, but doing so requires more than just coding
> knowledge.
> Real audio data is needed to build Alexa's vocabulary and improve its
> ability to understand things like slang and regional dialects.
>
> According to a
> new report by Bloomberg,
> this is the reason Amazon has employed a global team of analysts that listen
> to and transcribe audio samples from Alexa owners -- including samples taken
> when the machine wasn't activated, or was turned on by accident!
>
> Smart home tips from a guy who did it and lived to tell
>
> Working with as many as 1,000 audio clips each shift, these analysts report
> a mostly mundane workflow peppered with occasionally embarrassing or
> distressing content. The voice review process works by scanning harvested
> clips for "keywords" that Alexa is already familiar with, such as a brand
> name or musical artist. From here, the analysts listen to, transcribe and
> annotate the clips to improve Alexa's overall recognition.
>
> However, the clips they receive aren't always from a normal voice command.
> Due to the nature of sound recognition software, false positives can trigger
> the device to record audio. Which has led to awkward collections, like a
> woman singing off key in the shower.
>
> Some of the clips analysts received have a darker nature, like a child
> screaming for help. In one case, they heard what sounded like a sexual
> assault.
>
> Amazon claims to have very strict protocols over how they handle randomly
> audited clips they collect, saying your full name and address is never
> attached.
> The company allegedly has a workflow in place for analysts that find
> upsetting content, urging them to decompress in an internal chatroom with
> fellow employees.
>
> How to stop Alexa from recording you
>
> For those of you wondering how Amazon is getting away with this, the process
> is outlined in their terms and conditions (those lovely fine-print
> agreements you need to click before you can get to the good stuff). The
> privacy settings of Alexa acknowledge that your voice recording might be
> analyzed during regular reviews of Alexa's performance -- even if you opt
> out of sharing clips with Amazon.
>
> If you're looking to get as much of your privacy back from Alexa as
> possible, your best bet is to access your stored recordings and delete them.
> Click or tap here to learn how to hear all your Alexa recordings and delete
> them, too.
>
> These are the same clips that analysts would be combing through, so by
> curating what analysts can and cannot access, you can enjoy your Alexa
> device minus the major creep factor.
>
> Alexa might seem like something out of Orwell, but at least Amazon gives you
> the option to pull the plug on some of Big Brother's listening habits.
>
> The easiest way to ensure Alexa isn't listening is to simply turn off the
> microphone on your Alexa-enabled device when you're not using it.
> There is a
> button located on top of your Echo or Echo Dot that will turn off the mic.
> (Note: Example in image above.)
>
> Alexa shares more than 1,500 private conversations with complete stranger
>
> According to Amazon, the reason its popular voice assistant Alexa records
> and stores our conversations is for a better "user experience."
> But, what if
> your Alexa gave recordings of your personal conversations to a complete
> stranger?
>
> Click or tap to find out what Alexa is storing about you.
>
> Next Story
>
> Please share this information with everyone. Just click on any of the social
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>
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Chaltain at Gmail