Amazon s Sidewalk program has launched. Here s how to opt out.
June 9, 2021 / 1:52 PM / MoneyWatch Amazon Sidewalk prompts privacy questions
Amazon launched new technology this week to share internet among its customers, which the company says will improve the performance of some devices. But it also has some privacy advocates concerned.
If you own certain Alexa-enabled Echo devices or some Ring camera models, Amazon will be able to use part of your home s Wi-Fi to create a new network called Amazon Sidewalk. Amazon Sidewalk is an ad-hoc mesh network that takes advantage of your Amazon smart devices, said CBS News tech reporter Dan Patterson. The new service takes a small sliver of WiFi at homes with certain Amazon products and uses it to create a shared network within neighborhoods. The so-called Sidewalk Bridge allows devices with spotty Wi-Fi to stay connected.
On June 8, 2021, most Amazon smart home devices—as well as certain other connected gadgets—will become part of a nationwide network called Sidewalk. Here’s what you need to know, and how to opt out if you choose to.
Amazon Sidewalk Raises Privacy and Security Concerns
DougOlenick) • June 3, 2021
Devices such as Amazon s Ring cameras will be part of the company s Sidewalk low-bandwidth network.
Internet of things security professionals are expressing concern over Amazon s new Sidewalk - a low-bandwidth network program that will allow some of the company s connected and internet of things devices to share Wi-Fi access even outside an owner s home.
Amazon s ability to properly secure Sidewalk and what the company might do with the data collected by this new program have raised a few eyebrows in the security industry even as the company says it has worked through the security aspect and will not have access to the information gathered and transmitted.