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Amazon and Google, the leading sellers of such devices, say the assistants record and process audio only after users trigger them by pushing a button or uttering a phrase like "Hey, Alexa" or "O.K., Google." But each company has filed patent applications, many of them still under consideration, that outline an array of possibilities for how devices like these could monitor more of what users say and do. That information could then be used to identify a person's desires or interests, which could be mined for ads and product recommendations.
For many, this could change the landscape as to whether these devices are acceptable. It may also open the door wider for open-source, less invasive devices such as Mycroft.
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Hey, Alexa, What Can You Hear? And What Will You Do With It?
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And tomorrow will be like today, only more so.
-- Isaiah 56:12, New Standard Version
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 02 2018, @12:57AM (3 children)
Indeed. I find this curious as well as concerns the Wiretap Act.
The only thing I can figure is that this will be ruled a-ok when it's challenged. The official reasoning will be wishy-washy hand-wavy and say it's ok because "with a computer" and "on the internet" and the masses will rejoice.
The actual reasoning will be that the elites are finally getting the telescreens 1984 promised them.
If enough people point out what you've pointed out, the Washington Post or New York Times will helpfully publish something to let you know this one weird old reason why the Wiretap act doesn't work the way it's worked for years all of a sudden. Expect Snopes to back them up. We all live in a simulation. Not a cool one where we get to be sexy and have super powers and drive deloreans. No, we live in a simulation that's created and defined by the news sources we believe are credible, when the news sources we think are credible are actually propaganda outlets.
This simulation is the kind where chocolate rations have been increased and say thankya to big brother!
(Score: 2) by MrGuy on Monday April 02 2018, @02:27AM
I share some of your cynicism that being a big corporation has the potential to make some things "above the law." That said, the fact that this is "with a computer" (i.e. using a device) and "on the internet" (i.e. transmitting by wire) are PRECISELY the two aspects that constitute a violation of the act in the first place.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 02 2018, @02:28AM (1 child)
Laws can be changed. Very quietly too. Especially where big money and political influence are concerned...
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 02 2018, @05:58AM
It will be as usual: If you or I do it, then it's certainly and completely illegal. Go to prison. If one of the too-big-to-fail guys do it, then it's respectable and completely above the water. Everything is illegal and legal at the same time. It's not what you do, it's who you know.