Difference between revisions of "Amazon Alexa (Amazon Echo)"

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===Security===
 
===Security===
Alexa has the ability to communicate with third-party services in order to carry out commands, which may cause concern for some. <ref name=Clauser2017 /> There are also concerns that people can hack into the system and hear you at home, but the data that is sent from the device to Amazon's servers is encrypted, which helps to secure your information form potential hackers. <ref
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Alexa has the ability to communicate with third-party services in order to carry out commands, which may cause concern for some. <ref name=Clauser2017 /> There are also concerns that people can hack into the system and hear you at home, but the data that is sent from the device to Amazon's servers is encrypted, which helps to secure your information form potential hackers. <ref name=Moynihan2016>Moynihan, Tim (5 December 2016) [https://www.wired.com/2016/12/alexa-and-google-record-your-voice/ "Alexa and Google Home Record What You Say. But What Happens to That Data?"] '''Wired''', Retrieved 19 February 2017</ref>
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Revision as of 00:37, 21 February 2017

Claimed by Allison Arnold

Amazon's Alexa Voice System, commonly known as Alexa, works with compatible devices, such as the Amazon Echo. On command, Alexa responds to voice commands and can perform a number of tasks, from playing music or relaying the news, to controlling smart home devices. Alexa is considered to be a "virtual assistant," similar to Siri, Google Now, or Cortana[1]


Functions

Alexa responds to a voice command via the speakers in an Alexa-compatible device, such as the Amazon Echo. The command is sent to the cloud, where Amazon's servers decipher the command and determine a response. [1]


Ethical Implications

Many concerns have been raised about Alexa and other voice response systems, many with ethical implications regarding privacy and security.

Privacy

Alexa is always listening and upon command, this information is sent to Amazon's cloud servers, essentially to respond to the command but also to learn more about the user[2] While Alexa is always listening, it's only sending the content that is said after it's signaled. This voice information is used to better personalize the experience, however there's no certainty how long this data is stored in Amazon's servers. [3]

Security

Alexa has the ability to communicate with third-party services in order to carry out commands, which may cause concern for some. [2] There are also concerns that people can hack into the system and hear you at home, but the data that is sent from the device to Amazon's servers is encrypted, which helps to secure your information form potential hackers. [4]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Crist, Ry (8 April 2016) "Amazon Alexa: Device Compatibility, How-Tos and Much More" CNET, Retrieved on 19 February 2017
  2. 2.0 2.1 Clauser, Grant (10 February 2017) "What is Alexa? What is the Amazon Echo, And Should You Get One?" "The Wirecutter", Retrieved 19 February 2017
  3. Massoglia, Anna (3 January 2017) "Amazon Echo is Both Useful and Risky for Lawyers" Lawyerist.com, Retrieved 19 February 2017
  4. Moynihan, Tim (5 December 2016) "Alexa and Google Home Record What You Say. But What Happens to That Data?" Wired, Retrieved 19 February 2017