My Smart Home is Spying on Me.........

I am an admitted Amazon junkie. First there is Amazon Prime, I use my Amazon Prime Now app more than I'd like to admit and I also subscribe to Amazon Music Unlimited. I don't have Amazon Kindle Unlimited but I do use Audible which is affiliated with Amazon.  Oh, and did I mention that I'm the proud owner of 2 Echo Dots and by the time you read this I'll own an Amazon Fire Stick and Amazon Spot as well. Oh, and don't get me started on all of the TP-Link Bluetooth plugs  I have scattered throughout my 505 sq foot space! 

I could feign embarrassment at how much Amazon rules my world, but I won't.  All I can do is pray that the Amazon superpowers are never overthrown by an uprising of technology. Otherwise I'm starring in an I, Robot sequel where I'm controlled by the very things that were supposed to make my life easier.  Let's just hope Will Smith comes to save us! And by us, I mean me. In the meantime, I'm always thanking Alexa for answering my questions, so maybe good manners will buy me some kindness when the machines decide to come for me. 

While I'm obviously kidding (a little), the idea of being controlled by technology isn't that far fetched an idea anymore.  Not only that, anyone (including myself) who owns an Echo or Google Smart Home device should know that we are in fact being spied on. Let that sink in for a minute.......

 My understanding is, that in order for the device to respond when we use a 'wake word' like "Alexa", "Echo", "OK, Google" or "Hey Google" the microphone in the device is continuously open.  I know Echo records every command you make, and if that wasn't unsettling enough, the Government has even admitted to using these devices to spy on people.  

I must admit that all of this sends a chill down my spine.  "Could I end up living an episode of "Black Mirror" one day?"  The short low tech answer is yes. Our smart home devices are vulnerable to hackers just like our laptops, tablets and smart phones are. And for many people, myself included, that is cause for concern. 

After thinking about it, I have reached this conclusion. Yes, I have sacrificed a certain level of privacy for convenience. I cannot tell you how much of a kick I get out of having my Echo turn my lights, heat, air and music off and on with my blue tooth plugs.  Alexa tells me jokes and gives me weather updates and the current time.  I audibly squeal with delight almost every time she responds.  (What can I say? I'm easily amused).  

In my opinion, the privacy ship sailed when I started using Smartphones years ago. If not disabled, the Google Maps app on your phone will record every move you make and ask you to rate your experience.  I'll never forget the first time I looked at my phone and saw that Google was asking me how my last trip to Publix went.  I won't lie, it was creepy, but I got over it. Additionally,  I'm recorded everywhere I go.  I live in a high rise building with cameras EVERYWHERE.  I'm on camera at work, the bank, in stores, through the drive through window at Popeye's and even from space!  The world is a much nosier place than it used to be. 

Unless I'm willing to go completely off the grid, I'm not sure how to retrieve that measure of privacy and should my love of tech mean that I'm forced to live out my own version of "The Truman Show"?  Maybe.  Have I made peace with it.  Yes.  What does that say about me? I'm not sure yet........ Have I sold out for convenience? I haven't decided yet. 

For now, I have tape over the camera on my laptop and I refuse to walk in front of my Smart TV naked. I know my smart home is spying on me, I don't need it talking about me behind my back.