Smith believes information recorded on the Amazon Echo in the home could help solve the case. The device is built around features like voice activation: when you say a keyword like “Alexa” (the name of Amazon’s virtual assistant, like Siri to Apple products) it becomes responsive, and waits for commands or requests.
Advertisement
Bates is now out on bail with a trial date set for next year. Mr Bates is the prime suspect in the case, and was charged with first degree murder back in November 2015. The device is activated by a user saying the word, “Alexa” or “Amazon”. This agency maintains custody of the Echo device and it has since been learned that the device contains hardware capable of storing data, to potentially include time stamps, audio files, or other data. Amazon says nothing is stored or sent to Amazon, and all listening is done locally.
The good thing is that while Amazon does welcome third-party developers – and actively encourages them – it manages the Alexa APIs in such a way that it is responsible for storing and processing voice data. Echo is an always-on smart speaker with a built-in digital assistant known as Alexa.
“It is a search warrant for a new device, but the legal concept is old as Methuselah”, he said.
Detectives at the Bentonville Police Department have clashed with Amazon in a murder investigation.
According to data released by the company, the smart speakers line Amazon Echo has had sales in the million at a rate that is 9 times greater that the holiday season of 2015. The investment analyst has reiterated its rating of Outperform with a price target of $850 per share on Amazon.com.
Amazon said in a statement it wouldn’t release customer information “without a valid and binding legal demand”. The company also objects any kind of inappropriate demands for user data on a particular device, be it the Amazon Echo or any other such gadget. “ORCRP001070-topic.html” class=”local_link” >Apple’s help in cracking an iPhone used by a gunman in the deadly San Bernardino terror attack last December. This isn’t exactly the same kind of case, but it’s another example of law enforcement turning to a tech company for access to personal data.
According to the Information via NY Mag, police have issued Amazon a warrant to obtain the recording on James Andrew Bates’s Echo.
Advertisement
Several days later, the Arkansas chief medical examiner ruled the death a homicide prompting a police investigation.
