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Do you have any concerns about Alexa and AI?

S

Sarah

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Apr 19, 2025
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I have not yet used Alexa even though I have it on a few tablets. And my daughter has Alexa at her house, and she uses it to change channels on the TV by talking to it or switching to music via radio. But does anyone ever wonder if they can be tapped and turned into a listening device?

Also, are the RFI shielded from strong outside radio signals or high-power electrical lines?
 
This is a good question, I'm not sure! it's kind of like how apple or google has the helpers on their devices. I know everyone swears if they mention someone in front of a device ads start to show up. Surely this would already be discovered by someone testing devices to see if they are transmitting during conversations.
 
Alan said:
This is a good question, I'm not sure! it's kind of like how apple or google has the helpers on their devices. I know everyone swears if they mention someone in front of a device ads start to show up. Surely this would already be discovered by someone testing devices to see if they are transmitting during conversations.
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Here is what I found to set up Alexa;
To use Alexa with your TV, you need to link your TV to your Amazon account via the Alexa app and enable the appropriate skill. This allows you to control your TV using voice commands through Alexa devices like the Echo or Echo Dot.



Here's how to set it up:


1. Download and Set Up the Alexa App:
  • Download the Amazon Alexa app to your smartphone and complete the initial setup.
  • Refer to the manual of your Amazon Alexa device for specific setup instructions.
2. Link Your TV to Your Amazon Account:
  • Open the Alexa app and select "More".
  • Choose "Add a device" and then select your TV model.

  • Follow the on-screen instructions to connect your TV to your Amazon account.
3. Enable the Correct Alexa Skill:
  • The specific skill you need to enable depends on your TV brand and whether you have a TV Control app installed.
  • For TVs with the TV Control with Smart Speakers app, select "Sony's TV" skill.
  • For TVs with the TV Control Setup with Amazon Alexa app, select "Sony's TV - Basic" skill.
4. Confirm Device Connection:
  • Once linked, your TV and Alexa devices should appear under "Your Linked Devices" within the Alexa app.
  • You can confirm that voice commands work by using the TV Control with Smart Speakers app on your TV.
5. Using Voice Commands:
  • You can now use voice commands with Alexa to control your TV, such as turning it on or off, changing channels, adjusting the volume, or opening apps.
Important Notes:
  • Make sure your Alexa device and the Alexa app have the latest software versions.
  • For some TVs, you may need to enable "Remote start" in your TV's settings to allow Alexa to turn it on.

  • If you're having trouble, try removing and re-adding the skill in the Alexa app.


I do not know about your RFI question. Dimmers too could cause interference. You can play radio on Alexa, example "Alexa, play smooth jazz". This will play that station. You may need Amazon prime subscription for better functionality. Hope this helps.
 
Advertisements are a fact of life these days, and it’s remarkable how much cost they offset. Not that every ad means a drop in cost to you, but no doubt, they are a major factor in how many electronic “services” operate.

Which is a faorly long way to say, “You will get ads and your information will be sold.” You might be able to cut it back some, but nothing is free.
 
Sarah said:
I have not yet used Alexa even though I have it on a few tablets. And my daughter has Alexa at her house, and she uses it to change channels on the TV by talking to it or switching to music via radio. But does anyone ever wonder if they can be tapped and turned into a listening device?

Also, are the RFI shielded from strong outside radio signals or high-power electrical lines?
Click to expand...
Everything we do is digital and privacy is dead these days, so yeah, you might be concerned about Alexa or whoever is on the other side listening, but you're doing 10 other things that may have the same effect. Sure, maybe not to the same extent as someone eavesdropping, but it's more or less similar, so either accept it and use the tech, or go oldschool and minimize your digital footprint.
 
That's true, every device you connect does increase your exposure. You can either manage your settings and accept the compromises, or keep things simple and stay offline whenever you can.
 
It's interesting to see how a technical question from April has sparked a long discussion on digital privacy.

The device processes audio locally while waiting for a wake word, such as 'Alexa' and only sends a recording to Amazon's servers after it hears a command. You do have some control over your data, as you can access your Amazon account settings to review and delete any past voice recordings. Regarding your radio interference question, devices like these are digital and operate under FCC regulations, which require a reasonable amount of shielding against interference from things like power lines. While a massive electrical event can affect any electronics, they're not susceptible to RFI in the same way an old analog radio would be, so normal household conditions should be fine.
 

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