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I heard a discussion on the radio about marketing and information gathering in relation to the likes of Amazon's Alexa. I assume it must be the same for Apple's Siri for iMacs and Apple mobiles.
My neighbour has Alexa and amazed me when he demonstrated its capabilities. He also has Siri on his iPhone and asked it to get my telephone number which it duly did..lol.
Last night I watched a Channel 4 programme, 'Dispatches' called 'The Secrets of Amazon' in which they sent in an 'employee' regarding working conditions and how Amazon dispose of waste,the likes of returned goods and also packaging.
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/nov/11/the-secrets-of-amazon-review
Re the programme that included Alexa one funny bit had someone ask Alexa.."How much UK tax does Amazon pay ? " The answer was "Amazon pays all taxes it is legally required to pay".
I found these two articles on the web and they're an enlightening read...somewhat alarming too. I don't and won't have any such technology.
The second link relates to another real-life experience by a US couple. In the article it states ,in the paragraph near the end..'Expansion Problems', that Alexa is being upgraded all the time to interact with a huge range of features and services.
https://SPAM/swlh/alexa-play-some-music-isnt-the-only-time-amazon-is-listening-to-you-a556df19613f
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/05/24/alexa_recording_couple/
On the issue of collecting information.In March I had to go into hospital, a rotator cuff (shoulder) operation and had to complete a questionnaire. I had the operation under my Health scheme so it was a private hospital. One section covered sexual orientation..Why ? The tick boxes had options for..heterosexual - gay - lesbian - transexual - bi-sexual...not sure ?..lol.
Heading 'Your religion : Christian - Islam-Hindu- Sikh I think there were a couple more.. yes, Buddhism..I wrote Dawkinsism..lol. Not Darwinism as he declared himself to be agnostic.
For another NHS form pretty well the same options but also 'Are you the gender you were born with ? I spoke to the secretary at the private hospital and she said a lot of people don't answer these questions.
My neighbour has Alexa and amazed me when he demonstrated its capabilities. He also has Siri on his iPhone and asked it to get my telephone number which it duly did..lol.
Last night I watched a Channel 4 programme, 'Dispatches' called 'The Secrets of Amazon' in which they sent in an 'employee' regarding working conditions and how Amazon dispose of waste,the likes of returned goods and also packaging.
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/nov/11/the-secrets-of-amazon-review
Re the programme that included Alexa one funny bit had someone ask Alexa.."How much UK tax does Amazon pay ? " The answer was "Amazon pays all taxes it is legally required to pay".
I found these two articles on the web and they're an enlightening read...somewhat alarming too. I don't and won't have any such technology.
The second link relates to another real-life experience by a US couple. In the article it states ,in the paragraph near the end..'Expansion Problems', that Alexa is being upgraded all the time to interact with a huge range of features and services.
https://SPAM/swlh/alexa-play-some-music-isnt-the-only-time-amazon-is-listening-to-you-a556df19613f
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/05/24/alexa_recording_couple/
On the issue of collecting information.In March I had to go into hospital, a rotator cuff (shoulder) operation and had to complete a questionnaire. I had the operation under my Health scheme so it was a private hospital. One section covered sexual orientation..Why ? The tick boxes had options for..heterosexual - gay - lesbian - transexual - bi-sexual...not sure ?..lol.
Heading 'Your religion : Christian - Islam-Hindu- Sikh I think there were a couple more.. yes, Buddhism..I wrote Dawkinsism..lol. Not Darwinism as he declared himself to be agnostic.
For another NHS form pretty well the same options but also 'Are you the gender you were born with ? I spoke to the secretary at the private hospital and she said a lot of people don't answer these questions.