13 Apr Amazon Denies Eavesdropping After Patent for “Voice-sniffing” Tech Surfaces
In a recent statement, Amazon denied recording customer’s voices and using them for ad targeting, reiterating that the company takes privacy seriously.
Suspicions of possible eavesdropping circulated after it was reported that Amazon had filed a patent for a “voice-sniffing” technology that some feared would be used in the company’s Echo speakers. It is said that the patent describes an algorithm that can listen to entire conversations, using certain “trigger words”, to build a profile of customers.
However, Amazon assured that like other companies, they regularly file a number of forward-looking patent applications that explore the full possibilities of new technology. The company also clarified that patents years to receive and is not indicative of current developments to products and services.
Source: BBC