Amazon Alexa Users - SIDWALK: You need to OPT OUT Now!
 

Note that a new feature called SIDEWALK goes live Jun 8. If you haven't OPTED OUT, Amazon will divert up to 1/40th of your internet for passerbys and neighbors.

To turn off this feature, go to the Alexa App:
Settings
Account Settings
Sidewalk -> Opt out

I am blocked from adding the article link. Just google ALEXA SIDEWALK and look for the ARS Technica article.

Here's the link
 

I don’t see Sidewalk in my account settings, but will continue to look and disable.

Found it in Ring App
 

Thanks for the head’s up. I found it in my Ring app under “Control Center”. You need to scroll down a bit to find it and need to click on it to disable it.

"You need to opt out NOW" is a bit misleading. You can opt out any time you want. There is no deadline for opting out. The only issue is you will automatically be opted in when Sidewalk goes on line if you do not turn it off before June 8th.

To clarify, Sidewalk doesn't use 1/40 of your internet. It will use a maximum of 80 kilobits per second. So, if you have an internet speed of 100 megabits per second, then it could possibly use 1/800 of your internet speed at any given time. Also, if you are paying for data, like on a cell phone, the data usage for Sidewalk is capped at 500 megabits per month. The internet usage is encrypted. Opting out may make you feel good, but I don't think it will make any difference for most users, and it does have some positive benefits by preventing your app from shutting down when you have an internet outage.

[QUOTE=Ironnan;1953430]Note that a new feature called SIDEWALK goes live Jun 8. If you haven't OPTED OUT, Amazon will divert up to 1/40th of your internet for passerbys and neighbors.

To turn off this feature, go to the Alexa App:
Settings
Account Settings
Sidewalk -> Opt out

I am blocked from adding the article link. Just google ALEXA SIDEWALK and look for the ARS Technica article.[/QUOTE

thanks for the heads up.

Could be dangerous if misused to commit a crime by a passerby. Recently lawyer Steve Lehto on his website talked about a guy who spent 14 months in jail for downloading one kiddie porn picture allegedly. Cops search his computer, phone and house and could find nothing. His bail was set too high so he stayed in jail. Finally they discovered his unprotected modem was used by someone in his apartment building. He was released and given a $4,000 bill for boarding at the jail. He lost the first appeal but the Appelate court reversed the lower court. His legal fees will top the $4,000 owed. So much for a speedy trial.

[QUOTE=John41;1953646]Apples and oranges. The Sidewalk app doesn't allow someone nearby to use your internet connection. And, no one should ever be using an unencrypted modem/router.

That issue would highly likely have nothing to do with a "Sidewalk" type of service but would have a LOT to do with his UNPROTECTED MODEM or hacked or possibly he actually downloaded it but they couldn't prove it BECAUSE his modem was unprotected. Xfinity does a similar thing (by default) by allowing YOUR MODEM to be used by any passerby as a guest hotspot. If you can see "XFINITY" listed in your WiFI available connections that is what that is. A public hotspot (which you are NOT being charged for it's use by others). That too should be disabled: How to Turn Xfinity WiFi Home Hotspot On or Off Using Xfinity xFi or My Account - Xfinity Support

Apple also does a similar thing with their "FIND MY" service by allowing bluetooth connections between abny Apple device just "passing by" your Apple device. That is mostly harmless though.


"Sidewalk" really isn't as big a deal as the press is making of it but disabling it is a good thing.

thanks

I personally like to use my internet outside my property as well as inside. I wonder if the outside capacity is annulled by disabling the "sidewalk" option.

Good idea to secure your home network
- secure your SID by requiring a login
- disable the broadcast of your SID
- if you have a guest network.... only use it when you have guest and disable it when guest leave

There are benefits
 

I believe participating in side walk also helps you if you lose the internet. Amazon says this will help you to stay connected and log back in. It is encrypted and nobody is able to see what is on your network.

Disabling Sidewalk will have no impact on your ability to access your own network as you have in the past.

A big “thank you” from me. I am far from tech savvy and appreciate the info

Of course you don't seem to understand that the other side of the argument is that your phone as an example can use the Wi-Fi provided from your Alexa device if your Alexa device is closer to where you are sitting outside in your Lanai than your Wi-Fi router etc. We have unlimited internet in Florida for most Cable systems. It may not be the worst thing in the world to have them do sidewalk although almost all of us will agree it should be an opt-in system and not an opt out system

If you device is not third generation or newer, no need to worry. It won’t support Sidewalk so it doesn’t show up in your settings

Great info, thank you.

As a lifetime IT developer/security analyst my concern here is centered more around the security implications. Amazon is not known for security when it comes to their consumer products. Combine this with a new rollout of a feature that connects your network to other networks and makes it available to anybody passing by and you have a huge opportunity for someone to connect to your network without even having to go through a firewall or know your password.

If you don't opt out, you make yourself a nice target for these types of folks. I need to see a lot more around their "security" of this feature before I would even consider turning it on.

It is really concerning when a company can simply turn on a feature like this, and put the burden on the consumer to do research and say no. They are adding additional security risk to your network AND are taking bandwidth that you paid for. I don't care how little they are taking.

What if your bank said we are implementing a new feature to take the cents from every deposit and distribute it to others who need it to cover overdrawn accounts? And you have to opt out if you don't want us to do it?

xfinity data cap
 

i wonder if this wiil affect my ComcastXfinity data cap. My limit is 1 GB?

Sounds like the "default" setting on June 8th is "theft of service". But, if you happen to be informed and choose to take action, you can prevent that theft.

Might be a class action lawyer's dream case.

If you are referring to your Xfinity Mobile cell phone, it won't affect your mobile data. If you are referring to your Xfinity cable TV service, your data cap should be at least 1.2 terabytes, which is way more than 1 gigabyte.

Ohiobuckeye
 

Another govt. regulation! Wake up people!

[QUOTE=retiredguy123;1953653]The back door to your router modem is thru wifi on your bing or echo device.

Wonderful info! I continue to be amazed at how these these various providers, like Amazon continually make decisions on our behalf. Apple is still bugging me that I have a shared family iPhone instead of their super NASA level security etc personal one. Sometimes I actually consider throwing all these “convenient” items away....

OP, thank you very much for sharing this info. I'd previously heard nothing about it and I'd prefer to opt out (to start at least).

Re Locating the Opt-Out optionfor any others who've had trouble finding it:

You have to be "in" (using) the Alexa app to make this change. I first tried to find Alexa's "Sidewalk" by getting into my device's "settings," which include a list of apps you've downloaded, and then click on the Alexa app (I thought by doing this I was following the instructions to "go to the Alexa app") and found several options to make changes, but nothing showing up re "Sidewalk."

I finally found it when I did not go into the Device settings, but went to the App icons on the device, clicked on the Alexa app, THEN went into ITS "settings" and found the Sidewalk app. So when the previous posts saying "go to the Alexa app," it means to actually open the Alexa app. As another poster mentioned, you might also get into the app via Siri.

I found Sidewalk turned on in my Ring app for doorbell. Carefully hidden had to go through several steps to find it. Amazon should ask first and pay me if they want to use this service.

I already use the internet outside my house up to about 50 feet from the wireless xfinity box. Sidewalk isn’t necessary.

I bet Amazon Terms of Service will state they are not responsible for data breaches or consequent damages.

I had to let my girlfriend Alexa go my wife was very suspicious.

Doris Day - Secret Love - YouTube

George Jones-The King Is Gone - YouTube

This is what it does and doesn't do
 

Opening the Alexa app
Opening More and selecting Settings
Selecting Account Settings
Selecting Amazon Sidewalk
Turning Amazon Sidewalk Off
No doubt, the benefits of Sidewalk for some people will outweigh the risks. But for the many, if not the vast majority of users, there’s little upside and plenty of downside. Amazon representatives didn’t respond to a request for comment.

I had already turned mine off. It is good to let everyone know. If you don't turn it off, your Internet connection can be shared with your neighbors.

Please read the article linked in post #31. Your internet connection will be shared, to the tune of 500MB/month max, but that doesn't mean someone can connect to the internet through your devices.