Had something really weird happen when my brother Jim and my sister in law were visiting. I have an Amazon Echo device but really don't use it much. In fact it is normally turned off till I want an answer to something and I don't feel like running to the computer. However when Jim was here we did play around with it a little, mostly with trivia questions. I left it on for convenience.
We were watching a ball game when suddenly I heard strange voice--not Alexa. Then I noticed my brother and his wife move closer to each other on the couch.
Jim said that the device told them that they were too far apart to be heard directly. WHAT?? Being obedient sorts, they moved closer together as requested.
I was floored. The voice sounded almost masculine, not the usual soothing Alexa. I ran quickly to the machine and turned it off. Was it listening to us? I was really unhappy.
This is what was recorded as Alexa's message on my computer.
The supposed question from us. " The first thing you do you get your phone."
Answer from Alexa. "A telephone is a telecommunications device that permits two or more users to conduct a conversation when they are too far apart to be heard directly."
First off no one "woke" her with the code word which in my case is Echo. Secondly we were talking about the ball game, not phones. Thirdly, it was a strange voice and all it actually said were the last 7 words--" too far apart to be heard directly."
Blogger has-been strange here of late. I guess they are reformatting ...again!!
ReplyDeleteBig brother is watching & listening!!! I'd be tossing it it the fireplace.
Anni,
DeleteI know, I hate what they have done with comments and my post today really gave me fits.
I would toss her out but I just keep her shut off till I need her.
Wow, that's scary! I don't have an Amazon Echo - and am certainly not getting one now! It is worrying how nothing involving technology seems to be private these days. My partner and I have separate computers. He's a cabinet-maker/carpenter so whenever he starts googling things like woodwork machinery I start getting ads for these products on my computer. I don't mind but he isn't keen on the ads for wrinkle cream and knickers that come via mine!
ReplyDeleteAMKT,
DeleteIf it weren't such an invasion of privacy, what you and your husband are experiencing would be funny. Weird!!!
That would have been spooky, Patti! Wouldn't want an Alexa or similar non human voice around as long as I have fingers to type. Well, actually I do use my GPS device when driving somewhere unfamiliar. The voice always seems annoyed.
ReplyDeleteFlorence,
DeleteHad to laugh at your cranky GPS. I know mine gets an attitude when she has to "recalculate" my directions:)
I don't have one. My phone tracking my every move is annoying enough to me.
ReplyDeleteOlga,
DeleteWe are being watched aren't we. They have so many ways now to find us and what we might want.
Patti I didn't want to laugh at this, but that image of your brother and his wife scooting closer together was sweet, spooky and funny! Well, I can't say I relate to this as I don't own one of those Amazon devices, but ever since I bought this smart TV last June there is a little red light on it that comes on and off all by itself. Never gave much thought to it until recently when I read an article that your TV could be watching or listening to you without you being aware. Anyway, I agree with Olga. And this is why I leave my smartphone home half the time I leave here!
ReplyDeleteDoug,
DeleteIt was funny how they instantly obeyed the voice. They scooched together quickly and it is hard to scooch on leather:)
I heard years ago that our computer cameras would spy on us so I taped mine over. No Zoom for me. Big Brother is here.
It's very scary. I would never have one of those devices because I think they watch you all the time! Yikes!
ReplyDeleteDjan,
DeleteEvidently our phones and computers do and if Doug is right, even our TVs. Sigh.
If you were watching TV something said on the TV could have woke up the Alex app and replied to it. Some commercials were purposely do that for awhile. I've had my Alex on my Kindle response to questions someone on a TV talk show asked of a guest. Spooky at first but you learn not to put your Amazon Device close to your TV and radios. As for the other voice, not Alexa's sometimes Alexa will switch you to another bot to answer a question. None of them are real people. listening in. I use my Alexa a LOT.
ReplyDeleteThere have been court cases where an Alexa was in a room where a murder took place and lawyers have tried to get Amazon to release anything that Alexa might have heard and they couldn't do it even in those situations. They don't have long memories.
Jean,
DeleteI had that trouble with her responding to hearing her name on TV so I changed her name to Echo. We were talking baseball so I don't know how she heard her wake up word.
Did not know that about the other bot. Interesting.
My kids warn me always about my Echo Alexa. They say the government is listening. I just answer that the government is very bored with me.
ReplyDeleteAnnie,
DeletePretty sure I would bore her also. Been a long time since I planned to over throw the govt:)
You've just proved: Alexa is always listening; Echo knows all; Google controls everything. There is no free will. Technology is God. All we can do is keep our sense of humor about it all . . . which you manage to do magnificently!
ReplyDeleteTom,
DeleteThank you. I guess we should feel safe knowing we are watched so carefully. Humor will save all our sanity.
That kind of thing gives me the creeps! Get rid of it.
ReplyDeletegigi,
DeleteFor now I will keep her. She has her purpose but I will keep her shut down unless I need her.
I know someone that is good at Internet sleuthing. It freaks me out a bit what people with know how can do. I once mentioned to my husband I needed new Nike shoes and an hour later, I am getting Nike ads.
ReplyDeleteSue,
DeleteNow that was spooky. Something was moderating your personal conversation. We are not alone.
I am blown away about that Alexa thing. I’ve never had one of those. It does seem that it was listening or rather eavesdropping. What a weird device.
ReplyDeleteRobin,
DeleteSo glad to see you here. Hope we have solved the problem.
I'm guessing a lot of things record our actions these days. Not too comfortable.
Some nurses work in home health, and those homes may have cameras in every room, along with Alexa. I've had family call in via the phone inside the camera. The speaker makes them sound very different, and actually confuses my normally confused patient.
ReplyDeleteThe "black dot", which is what to call it so the word "ECHO" doesn't turn it on, is actually a real problem. The family can program it to call out reminders about what chores nurses are supposed to do. It's been known to say words that are not those reminders in the midst of quiet time or at night. Some nurses unplugged the thing to keep from getting scared! Linda in Kansas
I only had the choice of changing Alexa's name to either Echo or computer. I thought Echo was safe. I can see why it might unnerve a patient.
DeleteI do use mine to remind me to take my inhaler. I am lock step with my meds but can sometimes get busy and forget my inhaler. But she will remind me even when I have her mike turned off.
I saw something on a news program that someone said their neighbor could hear them from their echo or alexa. I don't have one. But, it sure makes me uncomfortable. But in baseball news The Marlins are doing pretty darn good!!
ReplyDeletePeg,
DeleteWell I have the nosy gal turned off until I need her.
Hey, the Yankees, Indians and Marlins are doing pretty darn good. This may be a fun season after all. I flip between all three teams when watching. Gotta get my Stanton fix:))
I don't get to see many games but I have gotten to see a few Marlin games! They do not look like cellar dwellers to me Patti!! Rick said the reason the Yanks are doing so much better than anyone thought is because I'm not watching. Tomorrow I get a game and if we lose because I watched well then I may not watch anymore. I can be as superstitious as a ballplayer. :-) And yes, your boyfriend Stanton is doing very well, the best I have ever seen him play. Nice when one is healthy isn't it?
DeleteHa ha, I told my brother that the reason Cleveland was winning so many when they were here was that they were watching the games. At home, they only get it on radio but they are still on a bit of a roll. Proud of your Yankees and glad Gizmo is doing more to earn his pay. He came to us as a 20 year old so I am a bit attached.
DeleteI've often wondered about whether the phones and computers are actually recording you without your knowledge. I do have black tape over my phone camera as I don't use face-time. But I don't have it over my computer camera as I do Skype and Zoom (have never thought of about the smart TV? - thanks Dug). But I'm not going to worry about any of it. Our life is pretty boring... doubt if the government would be interested.
ReplyDeleteRian,
ReplyDeleteI did cover my computer camera when I first got it and now I am kind of sorry with Covid and all. Zoom would be fun.
You know, I wonder who they pay to listen to all of us. That has to be a boring job.
Yes they are listening to us all the time. My Google mini occasion says stuff when I haven't asked it anything - I think in reaction to the television or to some series of a conversation I'm having with my son. I especially notice it when the adverts on my social media accounts link up with something I've asked Google recently. Creepy as all heck but I've gotten accustomed ot having the ability to get a question answered when I'm afk.
ReplyDeleteI have three Alexa devices. One in my bedroom, one in the kitchen, one in the living room, and one in Cliff's bedroom (we sleep better apart, he and I). I gave the bedroom devices a man's voice and the other two are the standard "alexa" voice. The one in my bedroom mostly plays music: If I wake up too early in the morning I tell Ziggy (that's his name) to play country hymns; sometimes I go back to sleep listening to that. The living room one, Alexa, is used the most. We both request songs from her, ask her questions, and put items on our shopping list. The one in the kitchen, Echo, is used about the same way, just not as much. The one in my husband's bedroom isn't used much except that before I wake him up in the morning I crawl in bed with him, and sometimes I tell that one to play music... it's name is computer.
ReplyDeleteI'm just plain crazy, and I'm so old I've quit worrying about anything, so Alexa and I get along fine.
Donna,
DeleteYou are using Echo exactly as Amazon intended. I just saw where Ziggy is one of the names she will answer to. There is a lot of good she can bring to a life and I do use her as a helper, but keep her shut down when not in use.
I don't have one either, but with smart phones and cameras everywhere I just expect I could be monitored if anyone found me interesting enough.
ReplyDeleteLinda,
DeleteOh I am sure we can be monitored easily with all the gadgets we have these days. I think one should only worry if they are doing something wrong. So far, I am not worried I will be hauled off to jail for watching baseball.
I don't have or want any devices like your Alexa or the others. Though I've never had a problem -- that I know of -- with the camera activating on my computer, I understand that can be hacked and occur, too. I don't care to talk to my TV or any of my appliances either.
ReplyDeleteJoared,
DeleteThe only reason I covered my computer camera when I heard it could watch you is that it is in my bedroom and I didn't want anyone watching this old body change clothes:)
I do think it listens and the device often mishears something else for the wake word. I don't mind it although I do hate googling something and then ads for it show up all over my social media. Creepy.
ReplyDeleteMargaret,
DeleteIt could have heard a similar sound to Echo to wake her up. That is why she is usually shut down.
I know, Google does that to me and I find it annoying but not particularly scary.
I don't have such a device and I never will. I don't need some strange voice telling me what to do.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that so many people actually use these "machines" ! To me it is obviously a new type of technology that has the capacity to enter the very basic part of our lives ... our homes !!!
ReplyDeleteI, for one, will never put this device, or ones like it, into my life.
I think we are tremendously naive when it comes to what we read and hear and with Trump's lies and introduction of "fake news" it is almost impossible to know what is really true. I hate this and am scared about our future!
Sorry, Patti, you obviously hit a sore spot !
Sorry about that but Trump has made a lot of us distrustful and sore.
DeleteI do use Echo as a medicine reminder--just my inhaler-- but she is also a great food timer and rapid information provider. Still she is turned off when not needed. When my family was here was the first time I left her on all day and paid for it.
Okay that's plain creepy. No I don't have any devices like that for the reason you have just talked about. Yes I'm convinced they hear our conversations and who knows maybe they have a hidden camera too!
ReplyDeleteJoey,
ReplyDeleteI guess we just have to be careful what we say at home. Sad huh?
Woooow..... That is so weird. She does answer me when I didn't ask a question at times. But yours was really eerie. At least my Alexa sounds like Alexa. Gosh... And my blogger thing is still not working when I use my iphone or ipad. Aggravating.
ReplyDeleteKay,
ReplyDeleteIsn't it weird when she just starts talking out of the blue? I keep her shut off unless I need an answer to something. Sorry you can't access blogger with your devices.