I just bought the Amazon Echo Show. It’s amazing and I love it to death, but if it calls the cops on me for any reason, I am junking it with the quickness.
Here’s why: A SWAT Team arrived at a home where a domestic situation occurred. The smart device overheard the phrase, “Did you call the sheriffs?” and called the sheriff’s department.
According to the report, a boyfriend pulled a gun on his girlfriend while her daughter was in the house. During the argument, the phrase was overheard by the Amazon Echo product.
That thing has pretty good ears!
Source: Gizmodo
We’re gradually learning that smart home devices can be quite valuable for police. Following a recent case in which Amazon handed over data from its Echo device to police investigating a murder, a smart device called the police when a couple was allegedly involved in a violent domestic dispute. [See correction below]
According to ABC News, officers were called to a home outside Albuquerque, New Mexico this week when a smart device called 911 and the operator heard a confrontation in the background. Police say that Eduardo Barros was house-sitting at the residence with his girlfriend and their daughter. Barros allegedly pulled a gun on his girlfriend when they got into an argument and asked her: “Did you call the sheriffs?” A smart device in the home apparently heard “call the sheriffs,” and proceeded to call the sheriffs.
A SWAT team arrived at the home and after negotiating for hours, they were able to take Barros into custody. Police tell ABC News that the man’s girlfriend was injured but did not need to visit a hospital. The couple’s daughter was safe and unharmed.
I am looking at my Amazon Echo show right now as I am writing this story. I keep wondering if it’s going to turn on me and call the police. In a way, I thought the story was “right on,” but how much privacy are we giving up with these new devices?
Check back with me in a few weeks and if I am still writing, my Echo Show and I are still friends. If not, it just dropped the dime on me and I might need your help.
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What do you think about constant listening devices in your home? Is it worth it? Share your opinions below in the comment section and add this article to your Facebook/Twitter timeline.
more spying by the government….unlawful, there should be a phrase to activate it and if not then wrong….
While the devices may help in some situations I do not want nor need big brother watching over my shoulder. I am normally a law abiding citizen, however there are situations that how I reacted would not be in accordance with what the law allows.. Example, I walk in and find a stranger in my home, my reaction is to shoot first and ask questions later. A stranger has no rights inside my home without my permission. Period.
Just arrange for Walter White to put Lily of the Valley berries (or is it Christmas plant berries) in her juice box. Echo will never know.