If you use an Amazon device such as Alexa or Echo, you have 10 days to opt out of an experiment that may put your privacy and personal safety in jeopardy. On June 8, Amazon will enroll all devices in Amazon Sidewalk.
Sidewalk is a new service that will share a small portion of your Internet bandwidth with nearby neighbors who don't have connectivity, and you will be able to access other bandwidth when you don't have a connection. This is clearly unauthorized use and could present serious security concerns.
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Amazon Echo |
258,03 EUR |
Buy it at Amazon |
Amazon wants to share your internet access
By default, Amazon devices such as Alexa, Echo, Ring, security cameras, outdoor lights, motion sensors, and tile trackers will enroll in the Sidewalk system. Millions of people will be incorporated into the program if they do not change the options of their devices, whether they want to be part of it or not. Amazon says Sidewalk is currently only available in the US but could expand to other countries if they see that they can legally do so.
They say they will protect the privacy and security of the devices and so far no one has pointed to specific flaws that undermine the encryption or other security measures that are being implemented. But there are enough theoretical risks to make users want to disable this option so as not to give strangers access to the Internet. For example, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth have their own insecurity flaws that made decrypting data relatively easy for attackers. Also knowing that many devices are implemented in key elements of a home such as security cameras or locks, the consequences of an organized attack can be very serious.
To disable Sidewalk if it comes to your territory, you'll need to open the Alexa app, open "More" and select "Settings," select account settings, go to the Amazon Sidewalk selection, and turn it off. Some accuse Amazon of wanting to become a huge ISP overnight with this move. They're doing so without investing in any infrastructure and by making it the default for users who don't know how to navigate the app or what it means to accept the terms and conditions of use.
Source: ArsTechnica
