Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 In an ever expanding effort to create Big Brother Amazon has introduced a program they call Sidwalk. It links Alexa, Echo, Ring Doorbells and a whole bunch of other devices that use WiFi or Bluetooth together into a unified network. If you have any of these devices you are automatically included. I have an Alexa that my daughter gave me in case of emergencies as, I guess, you can tell it to call 911 if you can't reach your phone. The thing beeps and changes colors but I have no idea what it is doing. At any rate you can opt out of Sidewalk but it is a PITA finding the opt out procdure as Amazon is not advising people they are even included in Sidewalk. I did find this article on how to opt out. In fact, while I was reading the article the Alexa App on my phone was updating to add the opt out feature. When I got to Sidewalk it was "Enabled." I clicked on it and now it is disabled. https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/living/story/amazon-activates-internet-sharing-service-sidewalk-turn-off-78170286 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dantankerous Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 In the RING app you can turn off Sidewalk in the Control Center. Scroll down til you get there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singin' Sue 71615 Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 I checked my 'not so smart' Android... No known app with Sidewalk attached. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 I have an Alexa thingie that my daughter & son-in-law gave us and I have a Ring doorbell thingie that I bought 2 years ago when it was Prime Day. I have not utilized either of them because of all the silliness that surrounds each. It’s bad enough my phone, that has Siri disabled, randomly says “What was that? I didn’t catch that.” Fricken creepy electronics. I was looking at new trucks a while back and asked the guy at the Jeep dealer if I could completely disable that infotainment BS system. He immediately started telling me all the great stuff it could do after asking me if I had an Android or an iPhone. I walked away as he was talking. Thanks for the info on Sidewalk, @Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 I will look at this and make sure it’s off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 Oh Cool! I never downloaded an Alexa app so no issues regarding “Sidewalk”. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixgun Sheridan Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 It's just a matter of time before these electronic gizmos conspire to kill us, i.e. turning up the hot water while we're showering or locking us out of our house during a blizzard. We already have killer drones out there hunting down people without human intervention. Skynet is here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Mountain Charlie SASS #43172 Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 I told you folks, "THE SKY IS FALLING!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry T Harrison Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 I just disabled it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 Never felt a need for Siri or Alexa. One girl at a time is all I can handle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rye Miles #13621 Posted June 11, 2021 Share Posted June 11, 2021 What a dinosaur I am, I'm still wired, no WIFI! I have cable, internet and unlimited data on my phone because of a family plan I'm on with my sons and my ex-wife! They all have WIFI but I don't. I actually don't see any need for it at this time. I'm good to go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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