Amazon was allegedly asking for private user data from a Smart Home Solutions company called "Ecobee," using its smart thermostats that use the Amazon Alexa voice assistant. The threats of the big tech against Ecobee have reportedly said that it would not be able to use the platform to sell its products if it does not do the e-commerce company's bidding.
Amazon Ecobee Scandal: Collecting Private User Data
SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 16: A portion of the sign advertising Amazon Go is seen outside the grocery store's location on June 16, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. Amazon announced that it will buy Whole Foods Market, Inc. for over $13 billion dollars.
According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, the Amazon Ecobee scandal has blown its whistle and is now pointing hands to the massive e-commerce company about collecting private user data, and other information. WSJ said that Ecobee reported Amazon, which repeatedly asked for the user data including analytics on door locks and thermostats.
Despite customers of Ecobee not using the Smart Thermostat's integrated Amazon Alexa voice assistant, the e-commerce company wanted their data for their purpose of creating a cheaper device to rival it. Allegedly, this was Amazon's anti-trust tactic which aims to combat other company's innovations that have been selling well on the platform.
Ecobee claimed that it has rejected the instructions of Amazon regarding collecting private user data, as the company believes that it was a violation of customer trust on their devices, and not on e-commerce. The Amazon Ecobee dispute has been on for some time now, with the latter receiving threats of being kicked off the e-commerce website.
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Amazon's Alleged User Data Collection
WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 09: Jeff Bezos, owner of Blue Origin, introduces a new lunar landing module called Blue Moon during an event at the Washington Convention Center, May 9, 2019 in Washington, DC. Bezos said the module will be used to land humans the moon once again.
According to a 2020 report by The Verge, Amazon was not shy of using anti-trust and monopolistic tactics in getting ahead of the competition by innovating knock-off products that base themselves on high-grossing sellers. The anti-competitive behavior of Amazon has also allegedly instructed employees to take data from the "Marketplace" to develop something new.
A former employee whistleblower from Amazon said that they were instructed by the company to take user data, along with other information from the Marketplace seller so that it can understand the product and start from there. Sales reports were also taken and were casually discussed over meetings and reports about the new product.
Amazon was faced with different allegations that tarnish the company name, and one of them was earlier this year as it was reported that the company has been tracking user data via a WhatsApp free gift scam. Additionally, the company has been developing technology that was allegedly based on other company's innovations, presenting it with Amazon's Alexa AI.
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Written by Isaiah Alonzo
