Lifewire. Amazon’s Sidewalk Network is simultaneously convenient and concerning
Amazon's Sidewalk network, set to go live on June 8, has been generating quite a buzz, and not necessarily the positive kind. This ambitious project aims to turn Amazon's army of smart home devices into a vast, interconnected mesh network that could cover entire cities.
Lifewire covered the news of Amazon’s Sidewalk Network. The publication reached out to 555 vCTO founder and virtual tech advisor Vaclav Vincalek for his thoughts on what this means for Amazon device users.
Amazon’s Sidewalk Network will boost the tech giant’s device connectivity
While the promise of uninterrupted connectivity and broader device reach is tempting, many people can't help but feel a little uneasy about the idea of sharing their internet connection with strangers. From a cybersecurity standpoint, privacy is definitely at risk.
Still, the benefits are many. Lifewire highlighted installing a camera that’s out of range of your home wifi, but within range of your neighbour’s. Or staying connected even when your wifi or router go down.
"Amazon needs to create a gigantic, resilient network for its various services to work in the future," says Vaclav Vincalek, founder of 555vCTO.
"From delivery trucks to delivery drones and third party apps, they all will be able to use this network. Think of the smart city, but on steroids."
The privacy concerns surrounding Amazon Sidewalk Network’s automatic connectivity
In the Lifewire article, one of the major focal points was the network’s ‘opt-out’ rather than ‘opt-in’ approach.
One of the most disconcerting aspects of Amazon Sidewalk is that it will automatically connect your Echo and Ring devices to the network unless you proactively opt out. This means that without taking action through the Amazon Alexa app, your devices will become part of this public mesh network. It's an opt-out system, not an opt-in one, and this has raised privacy and cybersecurity concerns about users unknowingly participating in the network.
Amazon says it’s not just good for the company, the network benefits users too
Amazon's rationale behind Sidewalk is that it's a win-win for users and the company itself. The idea is that by creating a massive network of interconnected devices, Amazon can provide services like keeping your Tile trackers online or ensuring your home security cameras remain connected even when your home Wi-Fi goes down. Furthermore, it sets the stage for Amazon's future services, such as delivery drones and smart cities.
But hold on, is Amazon glazing over privacy and cybersecurity issues related to Sidewalk?
Amazon has made assurances that the network will be robust, resilient, and resist digital threats. Still, many people remain skeptical, and for good reason. Amazon has faced criticism in recent years for its handling of user data, including sharing Ring security camera footage with police departments without obtaining consent. This track record makes it easy to imagine that Amazon might misuse the data collected through the Sidewalk network.
One expert pointed out that Amazon already connects users' accounts with those they interact with to optimize advertising, which creates a vast pool of data for the company's use. With Sidewalk, this data pool could become even larger, raising concerns about how it will be exploited.
More downsides of Amazon’s Sidewalk Network connectivity
While a more robust internet connection for smart home gadgets may seem great, it brings its own set of challenges. Users may find it harder to disconnect their devices, and there's a risk of violating their internet service agreements by sharing their connection with others. And, well, if everyone on the block gets their internet cancelled for violating the service agreement, it makes wider connectivity a moot point.
In the end, the main downside of Sidewalk is trust—or rather, the lack of it. Users are apprehensive about whether Amazon will handle their data responsibly, especially in light of the company's past controversies. Privacy and cybersecurity are hot button issues no company can afford to shrug off.
555 vCTO’s virtual CTOs can assess your company’s connectivity and security
Privacy concerns aren’t limited to individuals. Any company that’s connected should have a Cybersecurity Response Plan. It defines and implements an operational framework that can detect, contain, investigate and report on cybersecurity incidents. Does your company have one? If you’re at the stage where a plan is vital, contact 555vCTO.com and let our specialist tech advisors guide your business through a response plan.