Alexa Helps Investigate Murder

Amazon has provided the police with records made by smart speakers that might have witnessed the crime.

In Hallandale Beach, FL, the police has decided to entice Alexa Voice Assistant into investigating a murder. Amazon Echo speakers could record a couple quarrel, as a result of which a woman was killed. 

Investigators requested Amazon to provide the police with records from several Amazon smart devices that were in the house, hoping to find evidence against the murdered woman’s partner. The company has decided to provide the necessary information.

Amazon representatives clarified that they only provide data to the law enforcement agencies if there is a legally relevant request. If Amazon believes that a police request violates their users’ rights, they will certainly go against it.

It is hard to say whether the police will be able to find evidence in the audio records made by the smart speakers, since they record sound only if the assistant, in this case Alexa, hears her name. At least that's what the manufacturers say. It is highly unlikely that someone will chat with a smart speaker all while having a full-blown argument.