Today Amazon is turning on Sidewalk. The new service will keep your Echo, Ring, and other Amazon devices connected to the internet, even if your internet service provider goes out. Here are the potential benefits & potential privacy issues to consider wired.trib.al/AkQsAuD 1/
Amazon uses Bluetooth and unused slices of the wireless spectrum, with Ring cameras and Echo speakers acting as the main bridges (actually called Sidewalk Bridges) to keep everything connected. 2/
Controversially, the system shares some of your internet bandwidth with your neighbors (and gets some back in return), creating a wide network of devices that can operate independently. 3/
If Amazon has its way, entire blocks will become Sidewalk networks, improving reliability for all the smart devices contained inside them, and meaning that you'll be able to unlock your smart door more easily from the other end of the street. 4/
Tile trackers are also going to be Sidewalk-compatible starting June 14, which means they can report their location when they're in range of any of these bespoke networks, not just your own. 5/
Unless you opt out, your Amazon devices will automatically start participating in this connectivity bacchanal. 6/
Even if you're comfortable with Sidewalk using up to 500 MB of your data each month to help your neighbor set kitchen timers, you need to consider also how a network like this might evolve. 7/
You can always enable Sidewalk later if you decide it’s worthwhile for you. But for now, here’s how to turn it off. It takes a bit of digging: wired.trib.al/aV0GKhy 8/
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