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PSA - You can add a parasite to Alexa or GoogleHome to have privacy

Posted on 1/16/19 at 10:20 am
Posted by DarthRebel
Tier Five is Alive
Member since Feb 2013
26098 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 10:20 am
https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/16/wrest-control-from-a-snooping-smart-speaker-with-this-teachable-parasite/

quote:

What do you get when you put one Internet connected device on top of another? A little more control than you otherwise would in the case of Alias the “teachable ‘parasite'” — an IoT project smart speaker topper made by two designers, Bjørn Karmann and Tore Knudsen.

The Raspberry Pi-powered, fungus-inspired blob’s mission is to whisper sweet nonsense into Amazon Alexa’s (or Google Home’s) always-on ear so it can’t accidentally snoop on your home.




Edit to add -
If you are into DIY of the device
https://www.instructables.com/id/Project-Alias/
This post was edited on 1/16/19 at 11:25 am
Posted by Salmon
I helped draft the email
Member since Feb 2008
86677 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 10:22 am to
Oh.

So it's just going to listen to me and then whisper, in a clearer voice, everything I say to Alexa.

Yeah.

Sure.
Posted by SlowFlowPro
With populists, expect populism
Member since Jan 2004
481186 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 10:23 am to
quote:

“We looked at how cordyceps fungus and viruses can appropriate and control insects to fulfill their own agendas and were inspired to create our own parasite for smart home systems,”


Posted by Landmass
Premium Member
Member since Jun 2013
26056 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 10:25 am to
Or you could simply refuse to have these data collectors in your home all together.
Posted by MorbidTheClown
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2015
76771 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 10:25 am to
:racist:
Posted by Salmon
I helped draft the email
Member since Feb 2008
86677 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 10:25 am to
Posted by Tiger HouTX
H-Town
Member since Nov 2007
3538 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 10:26 am to
ha, so adding a second device to record everything you say.

Easier solution: unplug it.
Posted by Ed Osteen
Member since Oct 2007
59342 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 10:26 am to
better dump that iPhone in your pocket bub
Posted by DarthRebel
Tier Five is Alive
Member since Feb 2013
26098 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 10:29 am to
quote:

So it's just going to listen to me and then whisper, in a clearer voice, everything I say to Alexa.


LOL, I do not have a home device for that simple reason. If this device though works and is not Internet connected I would be tempted.

The home automation concept is awesome, it is have the life of the Jetsons today. You just cannot trust the 2 main players in the space.

If this can do what it says and not track you, then it is a game changer for those of us who want more privacy.

The basic idea is it is feeding gibberish noise to your smart device, so it will not here you at all. You cannot say Hey Google or Alexa. Once you say your code/safe word though to the parasite, it will turn off and let those devices listen.

It is a simple genius idea. You can also program your safe word.
Posted by DarthRebel
Tier Five is Alive
Member since Feb 2013
26098 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 10:31 am to
quote:

:racist:



Women will take girth over length all day long
Posted by Salmon
I helped draft the email
Member since Feb 2008
86677 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 10:32 am to
quote:

this can do what it says and not track you, then it is a game changer for those of us who want more privacy.



It is the same exact thing as the Alexa devices

If you have to say a certain word for it to turn off, guess what? It is still "listening" to you all the time.

Posted by Loaner1231
Violet, LA
Member since Jan 2016
3903 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 10:36 am to
quote:

You can also program your safe word.


Damn good idea. On top of the anti-eavesdropping service, it will teach today's youth the importance of the safe word for when they attend their group anal sex parties.
Posted by stat19
Member since Feb 2011
29350 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 10:37 am to
Why anyone would put these devices in their home is mind boggling.
Posted by UpToPar
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2008
23079 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 10:41 am to
quote:

Why anyone would put these devices in their home is mind boggling.


What kind of phone do you have?
Posted by Salmon
I helped draft the email
Member since Feb 2008
86677 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 10:42 am to
they have plenty of practical uses
Posted by Box Geauxrilla
Member since Jun 2013
19221 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 10:51 am to
quote:


Why anyone would put these devices in their home is mind boggling.

What makes you think you're so special that anyone would eavesdrop on you?
Posted by DarthRebel
Tier Five is Alive
Member since Feb 2013
26098 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 10:51 am to
quote:

It is the same exact thing as the Alexa devices

If you have to say a certain word for it to turn off, guess what? It is still "listening" to you all the time.


You did not read what I wrote

If it is a dumb device just listening and not sending what you say over the Internet to a 3rd party, that is a game changer. Say code word, it turns off and let's the Internet connected device listen.

Google and Amazon devices are never off, unless you unplug them.
Posted by stat19
Member since Feb 2011
29350 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 10:52 am to
quote:

What kind of phone do you have?


I will assume you're asking about a mobile phone. I no longer carry one. Previously, I had an iPhone but no longer wished to be tracked, audited and categorized.

Since the New Year, I am once again detached from such hand-held brain washing devices that consumes society to the point of drooling on themselves.
Posted by DarthRebel
Tier Five is Alive
Member since Feb 2013
26098 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 10:53 am to
quote:

Damn good idea. On top of the anti-eavesdropping service, it will teach today's youth the importance of the safe word for when they attend their group anal sex parties.


I will say the OT is good about linking topics together
Posted by stat19
Member since Feb 2011
29350 posts
Posted on 1/16/19 at 10:54 am to
quote:

What makes you think you're so special that anyone would eavesdrop on you?


Nothing what-so-ever in my IC past nor military service would denote a modicum of need to drop eaves on my daily lifestyle or conversation.
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