Ride the Lightning

Alexa Wants to Learn My Voice – Thanks But No Thanks

July 23, 2019

Yesterday, I got a notification from Alexa. I didn't sign up for notifications and I don't like getting unsolicited notifications.

Nonetheless, since my machine seems to control me, I asked for the notification when she flashed yellow. She wanted me to allow her to learn my voice.

She pointed out that this would personalize my experience, yada, yada. And of course, it might be true that learning my voice could have some salutary side effects – for instance, if I set it up so only my voice could authorize purchases.

But if you read yesterday's blog post about deepfake audios, who in the world would allow Alexa to learn their voice? It is not hard to imagine my voice being replicated by a rogue Alexa app – and no doubt my voice would be stored somewhere. So, when Alexa suggested that I say, "Alexa, learn my voice," my answer was "Hell, no."

And "Alexa, stop" for good measure and good riddance.

Sharon D. Nelson, Esq., President, Sensei Enterprises, Inc.
3975 University Drive, Suite 225|Fairfax, VA 22030
Email: Phone: 703-359-0700
Digital Forensics/Cybersecurity/Information Technology
https://senseient.com
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