Puppet Masters

Skynet has gone LIVE!

Rob Braxman Tech
YouTube
Fri, 11 Jun 2021 20:53 UTC

On June 8, 2021 Skynet went LIVE. If you have an Amazon Alexa Echo or an Amazon Ring Camera then your devices have now been recruited with a default opt-in to support the Amazom SideWalk.

Now a secret network has been enabled that powers devices on the streets without the need for a Wifi connection or an Internet connection. Amazon Echos and Rings all over will now provide the network architecture by passing the signals to and from devices on 900mhz through the Internet by sharing in the bandwidth of everyone with these Amazon devices.

However these devices are not under the control of the owner of the device. These network activities are encrypted and kept private between Amazon and the device so you don't even know what your device is doing, what other devices it is listening to or whether it is doing Remote control.

Welcome to Skynet.

Specific Models Affected: Ring Floodlight Cam (2019), Ring Spotlight Cam Wired (2019), Ring Spotlight Cam Mount (2019), Echo (third gen and newer), Echo Dot (third gen and newer), Echo Dot for Kids (third gen and newer), Echo Dot with Clock (third gen and newer), Echo Plus (all generations), Echo Show (all models and generations), Echo Spot, Echo Studio, Echo Input, Echo Flex.

Reader Comments

Resistense · 2021-07-19T21:35:07Z

"Now a secret network has been enabled that powers devices [...] will now provide the network architecture by passing the signals to and from devices on 900mhz[duh wut?] through the Internet[?] by sharing in the bandwidth of everyone with these Amazon devices."

IoT, soon or already. Already sounds like trespassing.

JTF Truth ·

Amazoing!

· 2021-07-19T21:35:29Z

Rowan Cocoan · 2021-07-19T22:37:35Z

If those things record voices, someone in Florida should sue over it. We have a stupid law that makes it a felony if you audio-record anyone. Thus, those devices usually have the audio recording turned off. However, they probably DO audiorecord folks without their knowledge and permission and that would be using that stupid law (designed to protect cops and corrupt pols) for an anti-big tech purpose.

I don't know how the privacy compromising things work but I've never trusted them. (It seems to me that in order to understand, they must 'record' you, right?) but that's a possible class action there.

R.C.

Yupo · 2021-07-19T23:34:41Z

Rowan Cocoan Even if consented to in terms of service?

Rowan Cocoan · 2021-07-19T23:46:34Z

Yupo The issue is folks in public places not knowing that they're being audiorecorded. A weaker case can also be made in a private home if they don't know it's going on.

It IS a stupid law.

RC

JohnSmith · 2021-07-20T04:32:15Z

Rowan Cocoan Claims that device functions like audio/video recording, location tracking, etc. are "turned off" cannot be verified. Devices are always listening for a wakeup command, like "Alexa" or "hey Google". They can save every word they hear to a small hidden file, then forward it anywhere. For example, see the other story posted today about Israeli "cyber spying" on smartphones.

bj0311 · 2021-07-20T11:05:26Z

Rowan Cocoan I have read stories several times of people putting their "smart" phones on the table while dining and when they subsequently use the internet there are ads related to the conversation being had at the time.

Rowan Cocoan · 2021-07-20T11:25:55Z

bj0311 Yep. That's true. Long time ago, I tested that. I forget the details, but it happened even then say around 2012 or so. RC

As re your dentist visit, infra, it surely was and is a violation. Of course, who's going to do anything about it?

RC

Yupo · 2021-07-20T12:12:54Z

Rowan Cocoan I was discussing these general issues with a friend a while back. Of course, I'm a paranoid nutcase you know. We also discussed a relatively obscure novel that evening. When she got home, she called me right away to tell me her iPad had message about where she could buy that very book. Whatever it takes!

Rowan Cocoan · 2021-07-20T13:11:13Z

Yupo Yup. Did she believe it was a coincidence? RC

Resistense · 2021-07-20T19:28:47Z

Rowan Cocoan Doubtful she'd make a point to inform her cohort if she thought it was coincidence.

Yupo · 2021-07-20T21:40:42Z

Rowan Cocoan I think it got her attention. She's gone woke in a shrewd way, I'd say. Considering her position (will not name), guess she has to play the game. People make choices. They work all their lives for that brass ring, don't want to give it up. I get it.

We were discussing our lifestyle goals (planning purposes) for the coming years just the other day. OMG, so very different in our goals. Maybe I'm the one that changed.

Rowan Cocoan · 2021-07-20T21:44:52Z

Yupo I guess woke is always shrewd in a 'clever' way - which of course is the self deception of cognitive dissonance.

RC

Resistense · 2021-07-20T22:01:46Z

Yupo I do not consent.

Bezel Bub · 2021-07-20T01:33:46Z

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes...

Heosphorus · 2021-07-20T01:47:01Z

I saw this guy last night elsewhere and was freaked out. If I understood him correctly, the network can pick up anything to be read--RFID chips in bank cards, e.g. Perhaps I misunderstood him. Also, a neighbor across the street has a ring (I don't know which one). What if they can biometrically scan me when I'm watering plants out front? After seeing his vid, I had an urgent need to exit urbanity asap (again).

Rowan Cocoan · 2021-07-20T02:54:40Z

Heosphorus A link?

The presumption which I've told anyone who would listen since before 9/11/2001 is that if you have a cell phone within range of you, they instantly and always know where it is and what it is hearing. Nowadays, I presume that applies to turning on the camera, also.

(I recall learning from my favorite law school prof. and as regarding an actual criminal case we were defending, that the feds had something that they could aim at your TV antenna which would turn your TV tube into an outward facing camera lens. That was 1982.)

RC

Heosphorus · 2021-07-20T03:24:09Z

Rowan Cocoan Sorry for confusion. I saw the video playing above at another site last night. The vid floored me when I had finished.

Yes, RC. I agree totally.

I gave up my cell phone about six months ago and have never been happier. My TV is an old hybrid but not even plugged in. Same with my old VRC. I have no Wifi connection or devices of which I'm aware in my house. I do have a Cox modem plugged into the wall for my computer. My computer "camera eye" is covered up. I have only a landline phone with cord going into the wall. My computer keyboard has a cord. I have a salt lamp in the kitchen and a scalar diffusing machine in the master bedroom close to the computer bedroom nextdoor (it goes through walls). The A/C guys just installed a new thermostat which looks like one of those big phones for old people...IOW, it has a big display with just the temp, up/down arrows, on/off button, heat/cold switch...so I doubt it's smart. I love it.

I have nothing smart in my home except me.

JohnSmith · 2021-07-20T04:38:43Z

Heosphorus Your "Cox modem" is probably setup to broadcast wifi by default, which would have to be disabled manually. Your computer would then need to be connected to it by cable.

Rowan Cocoan · 2021-07-20T04:53:19Z

Heosphorus My computer "camera eye" is covered up. I

If you're aware of that, there's little more that any of us could do. Good job.

RC

Yupo · 2021-07-20T22:01:29Z

Heosphorus I'm not replacing appliances as they die. It's just me now. I'll keep an old freezer to make ice and just use a marine cooler as an ice box. Big laundry I can send out, most stuff I can do by hand. It's just crazy what appliances cost these days and they don't last long enough, IMO. Now that the dishwasher broke, I find that the kitchen stays cleaner because I wash up all the time. Come winter, my project is to learn how to cook 18th C style. I bet the food will taste better. Have not had a microwave or TV in 15-20 years.

Resistense · 2021-07-20T22:05:16Z

Rowan Cocoan Sorry for confusion. I saw the video playing above at another site last night. The vid floored me when I had finished.

Yes, RC. I agree totally.

I gave up my cell phone about six months ago and have never been happier. My TV is an old hybrid but not even plugged in. Same with my old VRC. I have no Wifi connection or devices of which I'm aware in my house. I do have a Cox modem plugged into the wall for my computer. My computer "camera eye" is covered up. I have only a landline phone with cord going into the wall. My computer keyboard has a cord. I have a salt lamp in the kitchen and a scalar diffusing machine in the master bedroom close to the computer bedroom nextdoor (it goes through walls). The A/C guys just installed a new thermostat which looks like one of those big phones for old people...IOW, it has a big display with just the temp, up/down arrows, on/off button, heat/cold switch...so I doubt it's smart. I love it.

I have nothing smart in my home except me.

Widespread problem of boxed-in builds, and appliances with bespoked form factors.

For consumers they are liabilities - draws on mains, break down and need service. But also useful.

For people who know what's in the box, they are open boxes. See the Pegasus spying business.

Rowan Cocoan · 2021-07-20T22:05:53Z

Yupo If there was a litmus test for SOTTypes, these would surely be parts of it:

Have not had a microwave or TV in 15-20 years.

InfoWithJo · 2021-07-20T02:11:08Z

This scares me. I don’t even pretend to understand but red flags are whipping all over the place in my gut.

Heosphorus · 2021-07-20T02:31:12Z

InfoWithJo Me, too!

bj0311 · 2021-07-20T11:10:48Z

There is a thing in the US regarding medical privacy, yet when I go to my dentist they have big sister in the room. "Play music Alexa" says the dental assistant and so I asked how that device is not a violation of HIPAA laws--no answer.

Yupo · 2021-07-20T22:08:11Z

bj0311 Did you ask the dentist? ADA is the most powerful union in USA, so I doubt you'll get anywhere. But with AMA you could seek a policy opinion. This would be a great way to bring the problem to light. Maybe I will write to Senator Rand Paul about my concerns.