Amazon Echo Flex: Microphone mute button appears to be real and functional

Re:Amazon Echo Flex: Microphone mute button appears to be re... by xg15 on Tuesday January 12, 2021 @08:25AM (#25746478)

You're right, but how to do it otherwise? With the camera, there is at least the option of installing a mechanical shutter that can be easily seen (and understood) by users. With audio, I can't think of any similar solutions at the top of my head.

Of course, technically, not even this hardwired circuit is complete proof that there is no trickery going on. If Amazon really wanted, they could simply hide a second mic at some other place inside the device.

I think the only solution that would really solve this was public auditing of the whole device.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Amazon Echo Flex: Microphone mute button appears to be re... by ehnto on Tuesday January 12, 2021 @09:36AM (#25747404)

I think we are at a point with electronics and connectivity that trust is all consumers really have. Your average joe isn't going to think too hard about how they work, and they also lack the skills to assess it themselves.

It's not a problem without prior art though, and other industries have had to find solutions such as certifications, regulatory bodies etc. Think of medicine, food, vehicle saftey standards and the like. I'm not an electrical engineer but I can trust my fridge to draw what it says it will, because I know it's been through the regulatory processes to get to market and be stickered with the 4 star energy rating.

I think at this point we might need a privacy and ethics regulator for technology, with a certification program.

[ Parent | on HN ]