The speaker is initiated with four wake-up words - “Alexa”, “Echo,” “computer,” and “Amazon” - and records after hearing these words, even when it’s not being spoken to. While it’s entirely possible the Echo speaker will have nothing recorded that relates to the case, it also may very well have pertinent info. In a statement to Vox, Amazon said it won’t “release customer information without a valid and binding legal demand properly served on us” and that “Amazon objects to overbroad or otherwise inappropriate demands as a matter of course.” It didn’t comment on whether the company will hand over the data once it’s served a motion, or if it will challenge the ruling. Last Friday, a judge ordered Amazon to hand over the recordings on the Echo, as well as any information of cellphones that were paired to the speaker on the date of the murder.Īccording to the Associated Press, prosecutors believe the Echo might have useful information to make the case against Verrill, whose trial begins May 2019, including details about what happened during and after the murder, such as “possible removal of the body from the kitchen.” After Smoronk called 911 to report his girlfriend missing, police found the bodies and seized an Amazon Echo speaker in the kitchen, next to the spot where police believe Sullivan was killed. He was also seen on video hours later buying cleaning supplies at a store and returning to the house. Verrill was spotted on home surveillance video with both Sullivan and Pellegrini. ![]() Police found the women’s bodies in the backyard of Sullivan’s boyfriend, Dean Smoronk, whom local New Hampshire media reported Verrill knew. Last January, Timothy Verrill was charged with first-degree murder by the New Hampshire attorney general in the deaths of two women, Christine Sullivan and Jenna Pellegrini. An Amazon Echo might be a key witness in a murder trial It will also be the latest incident to raise serious questions about how much data tech companies collect about their customers with and without their knowledge, how that data can be used, and what it means for privacy. If Amazon does hand over the private data of its users to law enforcement, it won’t just involve the tech company in a murder case. ![]() They included children asking Alexa questions, recordings of the same kids apologising to parents and even extended conversations that Alexa had no business monitoring.Last week, a judge in New Hampshire ordered Amazon to hand over recordings of an Echo smart speaker found in the home where a double murder took place last year in Farmington.Īuthorities believe the recordings may provide information that could put the murderer behind bars. Reutersfound that Amazon had saved over 90,000 recordings over a three-year period. So not only does Amazon know your shopping habits and viewing history but they also have data on everything from your dog barking to family squabbles. Ultimately, everything you do and say in the vicinity of your device is recorded and logged by Alexa. While companies like Apple have frequently drawn criticism for their data privacy, Amazon takes it to a whole other level. ![]() *years ago when I was young and foolish about surveillance /XH4Lp4bDob I downloaded all the data Amazon has on me, and honestly the creepiest thing about it is that they sent me the *actual audio files* of every time I spoke* to Amazon Alexa So it turns out Amazon is storing audio files of your voice obtained by your Alexa device – but there is a way to download and view everything the company has heard…
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