1) The device is storing any amount of locally recorded audio. So far evidence says no.

2) Amazon would OTA all echos to upload everything it hears. So far evidence says this hasn't happened. It also likely won't because IMO security people monitor these devices more than anything else on the planet. Some I believe for good reasons, the others just want to play gotcha.

3) If 1 and 2 are true, Amazon keeps the data for an extended period of time.

Can we please not tinfoil hat the hell out of these devices like we do the rest of IoT sometimes?

I'm all for people being suspicious, but the intent of this was to say "the cops are hoping it might catch something" as in it was accidentally triggered.

Nope: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third-party_doctrine

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13264644

All your arguments apply equally to any smart phone. It's another network attached microphone. Are you in favor of it there too?

edit: I misread the comment as, "without a warrant"! Ugh

Are you disputing that LE does not have the ability to request a wire tap from a judge with a warrant?

Wouldn't you want the police be able to intervene when they hear or observe shouting or fighting through an open door or window?

Are you suggesting that a network-attached microphone is not equivalent to an open window? (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third-party_doctrine)

Justice Sonia Sotomayor is right to challenge it. I fear that she is one of a narrow generation that is young enough to understand digital technology, and old enough to remember the right to privacy in personal effects.

I meant to convey the idea of imminent and threatening speech.

Different things. In a closed room, there is expectation of privacy. It is not the same for what can be seen from an open window. Also, there is no assurance that LE won't misuse this to crush any dissent or silence somebody they don't like. It is easy to take something said at home out of context or doctor it to sound like something else.