Amazon Echo. PHOTO: REUTERS
On November 21 2015, a man called Victor Collins was found dead at his friend James Bate’s home in Bentonville. According to police, he was strangulated and left to drown in a tub. Bates was charged with murder on November 22.
Apple rejects 'dangerous' order to hack US shooter's iPhone
Police have sent a search warrant to Amazon, asking for audio, transcript or data information which Amazon Echo may have picked up during November 21 and 22. Police think the device may have recorded what transpired that day.
While the force did not comment when contacted, Amazon released a statement to CNBC, refusing to release information. "Amazon will not release customer information without a valid and binding legal demand properly served on us. Amazon objects to overbroad or otherwise inappropriate demands as a matter of course,” the statement read.
When activated, Echo records what is said in its vicinity and forwards the information to Amazon servers. It has a speech-recognition network which allows one-way communication with users.
Fighting crime & terrorism through technology
Apart from Echo, the warrant also includes confiscation of Bate’s smart devices. Nest thermostat, Honeywell alarm, wireless weather monitor and WeMo are on the list of devices cited by police.
This article originally appeared on Quartz.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ