Amazon Alexa is now concerning experts as a new report claims that the voice assistant tracks users' voice data. The latest research stated that the e-commerce giant does this through its Echo devices.
Dave Limp, senior vice president of Amazon devices, demonstrates Amazon's new Smart Plug with a new version of the Echo Plus during a launch event for Alexa products and services at The Spheres in Seattle on September 20, 2018. - Amazon weaves its Alexa digital assistant into more services and devices.
The research paper titled "Your Echos are Heard: Tracking, Profiling, and Ad Targeting in the Amazon Smart Speaker Ecosystem" was published by the Cornell University Journal.
It was conducted by researchers at the University of Washington, Northeastern University, and UC Irvine.
But is this really true? Well, it seems like Amazon already admitted this tracking activity.
Amazon Alexa Voice Data Tracking
According to Input Mag's latest report, Amazon's spokesperson confirmed this activity via an email message.
The Echo Input, a device aimed at connecting existing speakers to Alexa, is displayed in Amazon's Day 1 building in Seattle on September 20, 2018. - Amazon weaves its Alexa digital assistant into more services and devices as it unveiles new products powered by artificial intelligence including a smart microwave and dash-mounted car gadget.
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"If you ask Alexa to order paper towels or to play a song on Amazon Music, the record of that purchase or song play may inform relevant ads shown on Amazon," said the spokesperson.
In the latest study, experts' claims matched the statement made by the Amazon official. Involved researchers stated that the voice data of Amazon Echo users are shared with around 41 different advertisement companies.
They added that Amazon is doing this to increase the bids of ad firms. Aside from this detail, the new research also claimed that the voice data recorded by Alexa is currently in-demand in the advertising industry.
If you want to see more details about the new voice data tracking research, you can visit this link.
How To Stop Alexa?
The voice data tracking activity of Alexa can lead to privacy concerns. If you don't want your sensitive details to be used by ad-targeting companies, then here's what you need to do:
- First, open your Amazon account and click the "Amazon Advertising Preferences" option.
- After that, choose the "Don't Show Me Interest-Based Ads Provided by Amazon" button.
- Once you are done, just click the "Submit" button.
Of course, this method is not proven to be 100% effective. There's still a chance that Amazon will be tracking your voice data for future uses. But, at least you informed them that you no longer want to see targeted advertisements.
Meanwhile, Apple will cancel an Alexa-like feature for Siri.
On the other hand, Amazon Alexa recently received a new enhancement for discount notifications.
For more news updates about Alexa and other Amazon products, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.
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Written by: Griffin Davis
