Be careful what you say, because the walls have ears! Likely, you recognize this old English expression which dates back to the 1600’s. Originally intended as a warning that someone might be eavesdropping and it isn’t safe to speak, now more than ever the likelihood of the walls actually listening is high. With advances in artificial intelligence and growth of smart home devices, today’s tech savvy consumers are embracing voice assistants like Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, Google’s Assistant and Samsung’s loveable Bixby.
Early adopters will vehemently argue that these voice assistants help us become more productive. With a simple voice command, Alexa cheerfully answers your questions, plays your favourite songs, tweaks your thermostat, tells a joke and tracks delivery dates for Amazon Prime orders. But, does this added convenience mean you are compromising your privacy? Have you unintentionally welcomed digital surveillance into your living room?
In theory, Amazon’s voice controlled Alexa product is designed to “listen” for a wake word, such as “Alexa.” These wake words trigger the device to record voice data and respond accordingly to your commands. Amazon is adamant that it is against their policy to constantly record customer’s private conversations, so there is no need to fear. Not convinced? Perhaps it’s time to listen to your recorded conversations and discover exactly what Alexa is recording. Here's how:
Log in to your Amazon Account
Look for your Alexa Account
Go to the Alexa Privacy page
Select review voice history
Voice History shows your voice interactions with Alexa. You can filter by date and choose an entry to view details, listen to and delete recordings.
While exploring your Alexa Privacy page you can also:
Mange your Smart Home Devices
Manage Skill Permissions
Manage How Your Data Improves Alexa
Interested in learning more? Check out Amazon’s FAQ page for Alexa.