Smart speaker owners have been urged to take immediate action as MPs investigate whether fraudsters and perverts could spy on them through Amazon Alexa.
UK householders are being warned that there are fears of criminals using the talking device as a way to track your activity.
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An investigation into the abuse of technology was conducted by a Westminster select committee.
Experts warn that Amazon’s devices may not be as good as they claim. “always listening”They’re asking for better education about them and caution when treating them.
Julian Knight, Tory MP and Chairman the Committee, stated that the innocuous little box in the corner would appear to offer the best convenience.
“However, there is always the danger it will have a more sinister side, with users potentially sacrificing privacy, put at risk of cyber-crime, or left open to uncovering harmful content online.”
Alexa can have its ‘always on’ microphone muted, but it won’t be able to hear the trigger words that it needs to respond.
Professor George Loukas, a cybersecurity expert, told the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee that “tech-assisted abuse at your home is very common today.”
“An Amazon Echo’s history of audio commands is sufficient to show what was discussed and asked.
“At the very least, users should expect that when they do not need to use the smart speaker, it should be switched off.”
It was revealed that a Scottish sex criminal admitted to using an Amazon Alexa spying on his victim.
Aaron HerschellThe first British person to be convicted for listening to conversations on the device is 25-year old Nicolai.
Livingston Sheriff Court heard that Herschell was previously jailed in 2017 for attempted murder. “without her knowledge”.
Amazon, an online retailer, said that privacy and security were built into every device and feature.
“Unfortunately there are rare occasions when some people go to devastating lengths to misuse technology.”