Do you have a ‘digital assistant’?
By Fleur
@Fleura (30541)
United Kingdom
December 26, 2018 12:14pm CST
Apparently tens of millions of people have bought or been given these gadgets this Christmas – the ‘Echo’, or the ‘Alexa’ or something similar.
Do you have one of these, or would you want one?
I guess they appeal to the lazy person in us all – answer questions without us having to look things up or even think, turn the lights or music on or off without having to bother walking to the switch, all that sort of thing. But I certainly don’t want one.
In fact I was a bit shocked when a couple of my friends proudly told us they had treated themselves to one; I thought they had more sense. These devices basically record every single thing within range. So as well as robbing us of the necessity, and ultimately the ability, to think for ourselves, they are the equivalent of living under 24-hour surveillance.
It seems so funny that many people lived under restrictive regimes (such as in the former East Germany, for example) and were desperate to get away to ‘freedom’ but now millions are voluntarily subjecting themselves to the same surveillance at the hands of multinational corporations.
Why?
Oh and if you think I’m just being paranoid, read this
All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2018.
Just human error, internet giant shrugs after GDPR request went wrong. No sh!t, Sherlock
14 people like this
15 responses
@porwest (92743)
• United States
27 Dec 18
I do not, and want no part of it. Call ME paranoid, but I don't think I want any of these tech companies to have ANY more access to me than I want. They get enough of that already, and our privacy these days is next to nil. "We aren't using anything from you..." they say. Uh-huh. And I am the Pope.
3 people like this
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
27 Dec 18
I feel like an old-fashioned spy these days - if I want to say anything important to anyone I feel I have to write a letter on paper with instructions to burn it afterwards, or else meet in an isolated park for a face-to-face conversation.
1 person likes this
@ThreeTeddies (2038)
• United Kingdom
28 Dec 18
Technology has many benefits but also brings new pitfalls and dangers. We must all be careful using these devices. We were given one as a present and we use it mainly to listen to music on.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61101)
• United States
26 Dec 18
I did buy one and I had a good reason, I bought it for my husband since he has Parkinson's some things have become very difficult for him, with the Echo he can ask Alexa what time it is, what day it is etc. He doesn't use a smartphone. Amazon will be very bored listen ing to us lol
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121739)
• Gainesville, Florida
27 Dec 18
It is true that Alexa is listening 24/7, so it does make it seem kind of creepy, but have your also thought about the fact that your smartphone is doing the same thing? Nobody seems to have a problem with Siri listening in on all their conversations, but freak out at the thought of Alexa listening in.
I don't have a digital assistant. I already argue with Siri enough on my smartphone, I don't need to add Alexa to the mix! haha
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121739)
• Gainesville, Florida
31 Dec 18
@Fleura They are essentially the same thing, only by different companies.
1 person likes this
@youless (112591)
• Guangzhou, China
27 Dec 18
I have Echo Dot 2 and I like it. It is not expensive and it is a cool device. It is also fun. Actually you can also play games by it, such as I like playing song quiz. Of course you can also take advantage of it to turn on/off the light/air conditioner etc. by your voice. But it depends on your bulbs/air conditioner etc. One day it may be fully used and it will be a modern life
1 person likes this
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
29 Dec 18
Yes it can be all very convenient, and especially if you have limited mobility for example it must be a fantastic help. It just bothers me that every single thing that is said within range is recorded and stored. Call me old-fashioned but I don't like that!
1 person likes this
@KOLAMsegaran1 (4137)
• Bekasi, Indonesia
27 Dec 18
I've never used a digital assistant ... maybe I'll use another method
1 person likes this
@Acefun (1220)
• Malaysia
27 Dec 18
I do not have one but it is an interesting to have it. You can use it to communicate with you when you are alone or remind you some important things so that you will not miss it.
If privacy is an issue then just let the devise to know information that is not sensitive to yourself.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
29 Dec 18
That is true of course but it means that you cannot have an ordinary conversation in your own living room since you would have to be constantly checking yourself to be sure you were not talking about anything more personal than turning the lights on! And even that reveals information about you - such as what days/times you are at home etc.
1 person likes this
