Your Privacy May Feel Safer at Home - But Your Smart Speaker Is Listening, and It’s Creepy

President and CEO of IDX, Tom Kelly, recently penned a piece for CPO Magazine on privacy concerns surrounding smart speakers and devices such as Alexa and Siri.

Kelly discusses how these devices compromise consumers’ personal privacy, as demonstrated by new research conducted by Ponemon Institute. In the survey, more than 69% of respondents express feeling concerned about protecting the privacy of their data when utilizing these devices, which have been shown to falsely activate up to 19 times per day automatically.

Additionally, research shows that more than 52% of voice assistant users have been utilizing their devices daily during the coronavirus pandemic, further reinforcing that these devices are listening now more than ever before.

Kelly also examines how many of these devices are being implemented into businesses. For instance, Marriott has added Alexa powered Echo Dots to hotel rooms. Similarly, Boston Children’s Hospital utilizes Alexa to help staff keep track of important information such as the availability of hospital beds, but where do we draw the line?

Kelly implores owners of smart devices to explore their privacy protections and change their preferences accordingly. He also urges lawmakers to get involved and help protect the privacy of millions of Americans as the real power belongs to the people.

Read the full article at CPO Magazine