[Technology] Alexa device records private conversation and sends to random contact

[LamieRobertson]

My wife purchased two of those nutcracker statues for me for Christmas, which we didn't open until NYDay.
The day before I mislaid my 1tb back up hard drive and I asked my wife if she had seen it.
Over the last few day Amazon has suggested in an email offers on Nutcrackers & hard drives.
Only I use Amazon online.

thats what you thought

 

[nickbrighton]

I find the visible dislike on here and generally of Amazon strange, its the same as the dislike of Tesco a while ago. Lots of people decry Amazon and Tesco as they are too big and ruining the high street, but the only reason they are "too big" is because we all use them so much. So do we really dislike these big corporations or a lot of people bandwagon jumping ? I am sure some people(on here and elsewhere) are very genuine in their dislike and therefore lack of use of Amazon Ebay, Large corporations etc, but IMO the majority of us aren't that bothered because we use them all the time, be it for TV, Shopping, listening to music, radio or whatever

Its a bit like traffic, dont complain about being stuck in traffic-when you are the traffic

 

[LANGDON SEAGULL]

Actually their explanation that 'background noise' activated it could be true. I was once trying to book cinema tickets over the phone using a voice-activated service. It had got to the bit where it asked me how many student tickets I required. I didn't want any, but before I could say "Zero", my dog barked. The confirmation voice then said "You have ordered seventeen student tickets. Is that correct?"

Was it to see 101 Dalmatiens?

 

[Easy 10]

It definitely listens.

I was having a clear-out of junk from a wardrobe a couple of years ago, and brought down an old Sky HD box we hadn't used since upgrading to Q. I asked out loud if we should just get rid of it, which we did.

That same day, guess what Amazon ad popped up on my Facebook page ? Yup, a reconditioned Sky+ HD box.

That said, I don't really care tbh. I will have shrugged nonchalently and got on with my day.

 

[Commander]

I find the visible dislike on here and generally of Amazon strange, its the same as the dislike of Tesco a while ago. Lots of people decry Amazon and Tesco as they are too big and ruining the high street, but the only reason they are "too big" is because we all use them so much. So do we really dislike these big corporations or a lot of people bandwagon jumping ? I am sure some people(on here and elsewhere) are very genuine in their dislike and therefore lack of use of Amazon Ebay, Large corporations etc, but IMO the majority of us aren't that bothered because we use them all the time, be it for TV, Shopping, listening to music, radio or whatever

Its a bit like traffic, dont complain about being stuck in traffic-when you are the traffic

Indeed. I love Amazon, it’s amazing. Every time I actually try to buy something in a shop, they never have it in stock anyway.

Times change. And this kind of change is only going to accelerate over the coming years. I’d rather embrace it than fight it.

 

[Arthur]

Indeed. I love Amazon, it’s amazing. Every time I actually try to buy something in a shop, they never have it in stock anyway.

Times change. And this kind of change is only going to accelerate over the coming years. I’d rather embrace it than fight it.

Agreed. They are great. Last week I bought a new case for my phone. Due to my own stupidity I ordered the wrong size. Ordered the correct one and it arrived same day!! Sent the other back for free and had the money refunded in a couple of hours.

As for Alexa if she wants to listen to me fart and snore than good luck to her.

 

[Eeyore]

An Amazon Echo is the last thing I need. I don't want to have an argument with it then Alexa bring it up again six months later.

I imagine waking up in the morning and hearing the words 'and another thing...'

 

[chickens]

Yeah, I’m not biting. Have a happy New Year regardless of whether you’re assisting an organization that avoids its UK tax responsibilities, and as such leaves Britain’s independent retailers unable to compete, or not.

 

[dejavuatbtn]

Alexa can listem all day to me if she likes. If she sends random messages to my contacts along the lines of 'What are we having for tea? 'Where are the kids school bag' and 'You should give your mum a ring' I can live with that for voice activated music, radio and the random shit the kids ask.

Which is all very well unless it is picking up confidential information like passwords and PIN codes and sending the info around the world. Personally I would make the whole collection of private data illegal.

 

[nickbrighton]

Yeah, I’m not biting. Have a happy New Year regardless of whether you’re assisting an organization that avoids its UK tax responsibilities, and as such leaves Britain’s independent retailers unable to compete, or not.

the tax thing is bogus-AFAIK Amazon pay the tax they are legally obliged to pay . If we want them to pay more tax,(and I think they should) then change the tax laws and treat amazon warehouses and the like as shops and tax them accordingly. I do'nt know anyone who sees their tax deductions and says -hey the HMRC have said they want 30% I think I will give them 40%

I agree Amazon should pay more tax, but the fault is Government not Amazons here,

 

[Westdene Seagull]

Yeah, I’m not biting. Have a happy New Year regardless of whether you’re assisting an organization that avoids its UK tax responsibilities, and as such leaves Britain’s independent retailers unable to compete, or not.

Independent retailers need to move with times. Creating an online presence is very easy and cheap to do. Or they could become Amazon traders if they prefer. I refuse to go into the city to buy goods - very happy to buy online directly from a retailer or Amazon. Only exception I make is the food shopping as Aldi don't sell online. Change or go bust.

 

[Bodian]

the tax thing is bogus-AFAIK Amazon pay the tax they are legally obliged to pay . If we want them to pay more tax,(and I think they should) then change the tax laws and treat amazon warehouses and the like as shops and tax them accordingly. I do'nt know anyone who sees their tax deductions and says -hey the HMRC have said they want 30% I think I will give them 40%

I agree Amazon should pay more tax, but the fault is Government not Amazons here,

Not sure it's quite that the Government can simply change the tax laws. Amazon are such a large multi-national company, that they 'move' their money and profits around deliberately to avoid taxes. So, they make a huge profit in the UK, but then avoid corporation tax by writing it off against some expenditure/losses elsewhere and other such wheezes. They even managed to get some tax credits out of Sunak's government.

 

[nickbrighton]

Not sure it's quite that the Government can simply change the tax laws. Amazon are such a large multi-national company, that they 'move' their money and profits around deliberately to avoid taxes. So, they make a huge profit in the UK, but then avoid corporation tax by writing it off against some expenditure/losses elsewhere and other such wheezes. They even managed to get some tax credits out of Sunak's government.

One of the things that would help is that a shop on the high street pays business rates based on size of shop, its quite expensive pre sq meter. An Amazon warehouse is not viewed (AFAIK) as a shop but a storage location and therefore doesn't pay the same business rates-when i looked sometime ago it was a small fraction of a shops rates)-The Government could, if it wanted change the tax law to say that an amazon warehouse is effectively a shop as goods are sent directly to customers from the warehouses-if they did that then bingo- massive tax increase -regardless of where Amazon report profits. Its within the Governments prevue to change the way tax is charged on Amazon type businesses-that they dont is down to them

The tax laws havent changed to account for the advent of companies like Amazon, it may be complex to do so, but they could do it if they wanted

 

[Springal]

To much fake stuff now on Amazon and they don’t care. On one item a kids toy with a fake CE mark, they offered a reship

 

[Triggaaar]

- just realised this is an old thread

 

[Triggaaar]

assisting an organization that avoids its UK tax responsibilities, and as such leaves Britain’s independent retailers unable to compete, or not.

Our governments should put a stop to that

 

[Bodian]

One of the things that would help is that a shop on the high street pays business rates based on size of shop, its quite expensive pre sq meter. An Amazon warehouse is not viewed (AFAIK) as a shop but a storage location and therefore doesn't pay the same business rates-when i looked sometime ago it was a small fraction of a shops rates)-The Government could, if it wanted change the tax law to say that an amazon warehouse is effectively a shop as goods are sent directly to customers from the warehouses-if they did that then bingo- massive tax increase -regardless of where Amazon report profits. Its within the Governments prevue to change the way tax is charged on Amazon type businesses-that they dont is down to them

The tax laws havent changed to account for the advent of companies like Amazon, it may be complex to do so, but they could do it if they wanted

I agree.

That would benefit local councils as well - as they're the ones that charge business rates. It's the corporation tax that the Government could probably affect more.