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TV triggers Amazon Echo into shopping spree | |
(about 17 hours later) | |
Amazon’s virtual assistant Echo has triggered a wave of accidental shopping orders after picking up on commands from their owner’s TVs. | Amazon’s virtual assistant Echo has triggered a wave of accidental shopping orders after picking up on commands from their owner’s TVs. |
In one instance, the device picked up on Brooke Neitzel, 6, saying: “Can you play dollhouse with me and get me a dollhouse?” while playing at her home in Dallas, Texas. | In one instance, the device picked up on Brooke Neitzel, 6, saying: “Can you play dollhouse with me and get me a dollhouse?” while playing at her home in Dallas, Texas. |
Several days later, a $170 dollhouse and, for no apparent reason, 4lbs of cookies were delivered to the Neitzel home, much to the surprise of Brooke’s mother Megan, according to CBS Dallas. | Several days later, a $170 dollhouse and, for no apparent reason, 4lbs of cookies were delivered to the Neitzel home, much to the surprise of Brooke’s mother Megan, according to CBS Dallas. |
While certainly a sophisticated device, it seems Alexa is unable to distinguish individual voices, whether that of a child, a parent or even a person speaking on the television. This quickly became an issue after in San Diego after local station CW6 ran a segment on Brooke and Alexa’s shenanigans. | While certainly a sophisticated device, it seems Alexa is unable to distinguish individual voices, whether that of a child, a parent or even a person speaking on the television. This quickly became an issue after in San Diego after local station CW6 ran a segment on Brooke and Alexa’s shenanigans. |
READ MORE: Amazon denies police Echo data sought in murder case warrant | READ MORE: Amazon denies police Echo data sought in murder case warrant |
During the broadcast, anchor Jim Patton concluded by saying, “I love the little girl saying, ‘Alexa ordered me a dollhouse’.” | During the broadcast, anchor Jim Patton concluded by saying, “I love the little girl saying, ‘Alexa ordered me a dollhouse’.” |
As owners of the Amazon Echo device will know, "Alexa" is the wake command, after which the virtual assistant will record for up to 60 seconds, awaiting a question or a task to complete. | As owners of the Amazon Echo device will know, "Alexa" is the wake command, after which the virtual assistant will record for up to 60 seconds, awaiting a question or a task to complete. |
Unbeknownst to the news anchor, he triggered dozens of devices across San Diego to order dollhouses for their owners, reported CW6, who received a number of complaints from viewers. | Unbeknownst to the news anchor, he triggered dozens of devices across San Diego to order dollhouses for their owners, reported CW6, who received a number of complaints from viewers. |
Stephen Cobb, senior security researcher with ESET North America, says a flaw of the devices is that it doesn’t “recognize your specific voice and so then we have the situations where you have a guest staying or you have a child who is talking and accidentally order something because the device isn't aware that it's a child versus a parent.” | Stephen Cobb, senior security researcher with ESET North America, says a flaw of the devices is that it doesn’t “recognize your specific voice and so then we have the situations where you have a guest staying or you have a child who is talking and accidentally order something because the device isn't aware that it's a child versus a parent.” |
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is reportedly looking into the matter after previous issues with Amazon’s parental security features, amid concerns over privacy issues. | The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is reportedly looking into the matter after previous issues with Amazon’s parental security features, amid concerns over privacy issues. |
An Amazon spokesman told Fox News: "You must ask Alexa to order a product and then confirm the purchase with a 'yes' response to purchase via voice. If you asked Alexa to order something on accident, simply say 'no' when asked to confirm.” | An Amazon spokesman told Fox News: "You must ask Alexa to order a product and then confirm the purchase with a 'yes' response to purchase via voice. If you asked Alexa to order something on accident, simply say 'no' when asked to confirm.” |
Orders for physical products placed in error are eligible for free returns under Amazon’s terms and conditions. | Orders for physical products placed in error are eligible for free returns under Amazon’s terms and conditions. |
Brooke's parents have since added a security code to the device (instructions on how to do so can be found here) and they have reportedly donated the dollhouse to a local children's hospital. | Brooke's parents have since added a security code to the device (instructions on how to do so can be found here) and they have reportedly donated the dollhouse to a local children's hospital. |
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