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Amazon Refuses to Turn Over Data From Echo Device in Murder Case Amazon Refuses to Turn Over Data From Echo Device in Murder Case
(17 days later)
Editors' pick: Originally published Dec. 29.
Amazon  (AMZN) has refused to share with Arkansas law enforcement information gathered from its popular Echo device in a situation that could become increasingly common as voice-activated devices proliferate.Amazon  (AMZN) has refused to share with Arkansas law enforcement information gathered from its popular Echo device in a situation that could become increasingly common as voice-activated devices proliferate.
Police in Bentonville, Ark. have issued search warrants demanding access to data after a man was charged with murdering another man in November 2015 within earshot of an Echo device, according to the Information.Police in Bentonville, Ark. have issued search warrants demanding access to data after a man was charged with murdering another man in November 2015 within earshot of an Echo device, according to the Information.
"Amazon will not release customer information without a valid and binding legal demand properly served on us," a spokesperson for the Seattle-based company told TheStreet. "Amazon objects to overbroad or otherwise inappropriate demands as a matter of course." The company said it would not give comment on specific cases, however."Amazon will not release customer information without a valid and binding legal demand properly served on us," a spokesperson for the Seattle-based company told TheStreet. "Amazon objects to overbroad or otherwise inappropriate demands as a matter of course." The company said it would not give comment on specific cases, however.
The case highlights the tension between law enforcement groups and device makers who want to assuage customers' concerns about privacy. Apple (AAPL) has been involved in the most high-profile cases involving law enforcement requests to gain access to data stores on devices, most notably one from the FBI to obtain information about the gunman the 2015 San Bernardino shooting.The case highlights the tension between law enforcement groups and device makers who want to assuage customers' concerns about privacy. Apple (AAPL) has been involved in the most high-profile cases involving law enforcement requests to gain access to data stores on devices, most notably one from the FBI to obtain information about the gunman the 2015 San Bernardino shooting.
Apple refused to accede to the FBI's request and the agency wound up hacking into the gunman's phone by other means. Many other technology giants, including Alphabet's  (GOOGL) Google, Facebook (FB) and Yahoo! (YHOO) , routinely receive requests for information on users from the police and intelligence agencies.Apple refused to accede to the FBI's request and the agency wound up hacking into the gunman's phone by other means. Many other technology giants, including Alphabet's  (GOOGL) Google, Facebook (FB) and Yahoo! (YHOO) , routinely receive requests for information on users from the police and intelligence agencies.
Amazon's voice-activated technology can only be turned on by asking it a question preceded by its name, Alexa. The Echo only records and stores voice data when it's been given a command, but in order to hear a user say its name to issue a command in the first place, Alexa must be listening to its surroundings at all times.Amazon's voice-activated technology can only be turned on by asking it a question preceded by its name, Alexa. The Echo only records and stores voice data when it's been given a command, but in order to hear a user say its name to issue a command in the first place, Alexa must be listening to its surroundings at all times.
The Echo does come with a "mute" button to stop the device from listening in, but otherwise its ear is always open. The question, however, is how much of that data is being kept by Amazon.The Echo does come with a "mute" button to stop the device from listening in, but otherwise its ear is always open. The question, however, is how much of that data is being kept by Amazon.
Apple, Alphabet and Facebook are holdings in Jim Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells AAPL, GOOGL or FB? Learn more now.Apple, Alphabet and Facebook are holdings in Jim Cramer's Action Alerts PLUS Charitable Trust Portfolio. Want to be alerted before Cramer buys or sells AAPL, GOOGL or FB? Learn more now.