The disadvantages of voice assistants that GAFAM are careful not to mention

“Alexa sets a timer for 25 minutes”. “I’m setting a timer for 25 minutes from now.” This is one of the phrases I say the most since I installed the Amazon Alexa connected speaker in my home and my oven timer died. I didn’t think I would use it as much and yet, I no longer hesitate to ask it for lots of things like converting a sum of dollars into euros to write my articles, for example. My daughter uses Apple’s Siri, also asking her all kinds of things, and my son is more into Google Home. However, I ask myself a question: are Alexa and “her friends” the only ones listening to us and are they responsible for sending advertisements linked to various conversations during meals? I looked into the disadvantages of voice assistants and I share with you the elements that intrigue me. Here we go.

Disadvantage #1: Privacy Concerns

Alexa, Google Home and even Siri are constantly listening to us since we have to “call” them by pronouncing their “name” to request them. Voice assistants are designed to listen to us only when we call on thembut they can also capture data that could be “sensitive”. Additionally, this data is stored on company servers and could be used for commercial purposes. However, as explained in this Kaspersky article, Amazon allegedly refused to provide data to the police in a murder case. If they refused, then they probably had data?

Disadvantage #2: Security Risks

Voice assistants are connected to the Internet, and can, like a computer, be targets for hacking. Hackers can access your data, and in the case of Alexa, your Amazon account where of course, you have registered your bank card, (same problem with Google Home and Google Wallet). In addition, and I’ll take a concrete example, they can also open the door to strangers. Let’s imagine that your front door is connected to a lock… If the burglar says “Alexa open the door”, she will open it, but not to the right person. To avoid this, I called the command something else, like “Alexa open Ali Baba” even though that’s not the expression I chose. For the Google Home Assistant, you must enter a PIN code, which is a little more secure…

Disadvantage No. 3: not always very reliable!

Voice assistants work, as you might expect, via algorithms and Artificial Intelligence (AI). And, they are not infallible! From time to time, some answers are incorrect, or they are completely “off the mark”! When I ask her about today’s weather and she sings to me: “The frog party”, I tell myself that there is a problem of understanding or interpretation?

Disadvantages, but also advantages

You should be aware that voice assistants have disadvantages, such as muting the microphone when you receive guests, or when you discuss sensitive subjects. Caution is always required. However, Alexa is now integrated into my daily life, and even allows me to save money. Every evening, for example, she turns off certain outlets and certain lights at the same time, and turns them back on every morning. Plus, in my work as an editor, I use it a lot to get recent information, and I save time.

Using it wisely, technology is great, but it’s like everything: you shouldn’t overuse it. And you ? Do you use a voice assistant in your daily life? Give us your opinion, or share your experience with us. Please notify us of any errors in the text, click here to post a comment.

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