![]() This led the researchers to determine there was “strong evidence that smart-speaker interactions are used for the purpose of targeting ads.” The result: Statistical analysis determined that after simulating interactions (with Alexa listening), each persona was served targeted ads elsewhere on the web, leading to the conclusion that smart device interactions are used for ad targeting on the web and in audio ads. These fake personas were configured to install and interact with Skills associated with their respective interests, which included: The 10 research scientists behind the report (coming from the University of California-Irvine, University of California-Davis, University of Washington, and Northeastern University) created multiple fake personas that simulated interactions with Alexa. ![]() The problem here, according to the report, is that more than 70% of Skills don’t mention data collection from Amazon or Alexa, and “only 10 (2.2%) skills are clear about data collection practices.”Īll of this implies in the report that there is significant data sharing across multiple different parties moreover, this data sharing is never properly disclosed to the public, which raises Alexa privacy concerns. ![]() Amazon then uses this Alexa data from these Skills to further build out your targeted advertising profile. Amazon’s Alexa also incorporates third-party “Skills,” which can collect data on anything from custom alarms and timers to multi-room audio and cooking instructions. In turn, the companies then build a profile on your habits and interests, leading to specific targeted advertising.īut it goes EVEN further than that. This implies that Amazon is benefitting significantly from sharing your private data. This data generates ad auction bids from advertisers that are as much as 30x higher than bids without this information. Information you ask your Alexa device is not only collected by Amazon and third-party tracking services, but also shared with as many as 40 advertising partners. When you use the wake word “Alexa” and ask her to buy something or play your favorite song, it’s no surprise that that data filters into your browser-based Amazon shopping experience.īut it goes further than that. Here’s How Alexa’s Snooping Can Be Used By Third-Party Advertising Partners So again: Yes, Alexa is eavesdropping and subsequently using your voice recordings for targeted ads showing up wherever you go online, not just Amazon.īut how exactly? Here’s the way in which Amazon gadgets, Amazon Echo devices, Alexa, and adverts are all tied together. The report claims that “Amazon processes voice data to infer user interests and uses it to serve targeted ads on-platform (Echo speakers) as well as off-platform (web).” ![]() Whether or not that gives you the heebie jeebies, one thing is clear: ad targeting is becoming smarter than ever before, for better or worse.Īcademics have recently published, “ Your Echos are Heard: Tracking, Profiling, and Ad Targeting in the Amazon Smart Speaker Ecosystem ,” a report that sheds a light on this topic that has been nettling the back of people’s brains for years. Look for decorations positioned on a table in the middle of your room to find hidden microphones.According to a new report: Yes, Alexa is spying on you…and yes, listening to you is the reason you may be getting those uncomfortably specific ads. Hidden microphones will work best when they’re in the center of a room, so they can hear everything equally.Look for decorations on the edges of the room that are angled awkwardly to face into the room. The most effective cameras will be positioned so that they can see as much of the room as possible.Check your suspicious decorations for glassy surfaces or visible lenses that might indicate a hidden camera. While most of a camera can be hidden inside something else, the lens will almost always need to be completely visible for the camera to work.Look around the room for any decorations that seem like they don’t fit with the rest of the space, or that are angled in peculiar ways. One of the most common ways of hiding a microphone or camera in a room is by hiding it in something inconspicuous, such as a teddy bear or a vase of flowers. ![]() Look for decorations that seem strange or out of place. ![]()
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