(WKEF/WRGT) — You’ve welcomed them into your home, now they’re part of your daily routine.
Personal assistant devices like Google Home and Amazon Echo make your life easier, but tech experts say that convenience comes at a cost.
“The mics are always on, unless you press the button that physically turns the mics off,” UD Professor Dave Salisbury said.
Busy parents Matt and Jessie Kuhn love their Amazon Echo. It connects to their smart phones, email and streaming services.
It makes their lives easier, but it also makes them a little uneasy knowing the device is always listening.
“It is a bit creepy that big brother is always listening in some aspects,” Jessie Kuhn said.
Both Amazon and Google anticipated these concerns and are ready to answer your questions if prompted.
To trigger the device, you say either “OK Google” or “Alexa.” At that point it starts recording your question.
But where do the recordings go? Only the companies know.
“They got to be using it for something, they aren’t just collecting it just for the heck of it,” Matt Kuhn said.
Salisbury says your recorded questions are likely used for advertising and research.
But he says a distracted or dishonest employee could put the identities of millions at risk.
“They’ve got such a large consumer base that if they were to be doing things they aren’t supposed to be doing with that data they probably wouldn’t be in business much longer,” Matt Kuhn said.
Both companies say they keep your information safe and claim they take steps to ensure security.
But your device is still vulnerable since it’s connected to WIFI.
Criminals have been known to hack web cams, home security systems and even baby monitors.
“Each individual needs to understand the risks and then decide for themselves what’s an appropriate amount of risk for them,” Salisbury said.
Salisbury says you can install a fire wall, anti-virus software or malware protection to help.
The Kuhn family is now reconsidering Alexa’s role in the house.
“Just us talking about it, it does give me a few concerns with having kids here with the idea that it is listening all the time,” Jessie Kuhn said.
Now devising smart solutions for their smart device.
