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Title is clickbait, actual article is about the fact that installing microphones in your home, that are always recording, violate FCC rules if you don't get con

Title is clickbait, actual article is about the fact that installing microphones in your home, that are always recording, violate FCC rules if you don't get consent from your visitors.

cbozeman 6y ago
That is hilarious, they're actually going for the whole recording consent angle. Jesus Christ. VICE has always been sensationalist and desperate, but this is a whole new level.
- colejohnson66 6y ago
  And it’s pretty much legal as long as Amazon makes it (1) clear that it’s always on[a] or (2) puts it in the contract[b]. Basically, the FCC could try, but my understanding of the law puts Amazon in the clear. (Of course, IANAL; ask a real lawyer for a better answer). EDIT: They’re also throwing in the “us vs them” trash by mentioning that Ajit Pai is a Republican. The article would do just fine without it. We already have enough division in this country. [a]: A device can’t activate by a cue (“Hey, Alexa”) if it’s not listening [b]: As bad as burying terms in the contract is, it’s still legal
  - bitwize 6y ago
    > They’re also throwing in the “us vs them” trash by mentioning that Ajit Pai is a Republican. That's just how American journalism works. You can always tell the party of a corrupt politician by how prominently and frequently the press mentions their party. Since Republicans are assumed by journalists to be in league with the actual Devil, their party affiliation will be front and center; Democrats, not so much. A Republican is caught accepting bribes. Headline: "GOP Lawmaker Implicated in Bribe Scandal". Front page. A Democrat is caught accepting bribes. Headline: "Lawmaker Implicated in Bribe Scandal". The story begins on page three, but the actual party affiliation of the corrupt official isn't mentioned until the story continuation on page six. I noticed this with newspaper stories about Massachusetts state legislators about twelve years ago.
    - colejohnson66 6y ago
      Just because it's how American journalism works doesn't mean I can't complain about it. And your reverse is also true; just look at any conservative news site.
  - a1369209993 6y ago
    > [b]: As bad as burying terms in the contract is, it’s still legal Technically not; a contract by definition (and I'm fairly sure applicable law at least pretends to support this) involves a "meeting of minds" between the parties; any document that is long or unreadable enough far any of its terms to qualify as "buried" in it, is not actually a contract. Practically, though, the courts are useless and will refuse to enforce the illegality of denial-of-service attacks on customers' ability to evaluate contracts.
suifbwish 6y ago
Can you explain how Smartphones with always listening virtual assistants like OK Google and Siri do not violate this also if you take them in public?

Title is clickbait, actual article is about the fact that installing microphones in your home, that are always recording, violate FCC rules if you don't get consent from your visitors.

cbozeman 6y ago

That is hilarious, they're actually going for the whole recording consent angle. Jesus Christ. VICE has always been sensationalist and desperate, but this is a whole new level.

colejohnson66 6y ago
And it’s pretty much legal as long as Amazon makes it (1) clear that it’s always on[a] or (2) puts it in the contract[b]. Basically, the FCC could try, but my understanding of the law puts Amazon in the clear. (Of course, IANAL; ask a real lawyer for a better answer). EDIT: They’re also throwing in the “us vs them” trash by mentioning that Ajit Pai is a Republican. The article would do just fine without it. We already have enough division in this country. [a]: A device can’t activate by a cue (“Hey, Alexa”) if it’s not listening [b]: As bad as burying terms in the contract is, it’s still legal
- bitwize 6y ago
  > They’re also throwing in the “us vs them” trash by mentioning that Ajit Pai is a Republican. That's just how American journalism works. You can always tell the party of a corrupt politician by how prominently and frequently the press mentions their party. Since Republicans are assumed by journalists to be in league with the actual Devil, their party affiliation will be front and center; Democrats, not so much. A Republican is caught accepting bribes. Headline: "GOP Lawmaker Implicated in Bribe Scandal". Front page. A Democrat is caught accepting bribes. Headline: "Lawmaker Implicated in Bribe Scandal". The story begins on page three, but the actual party affiliation of the corrupt official isn't mentioned until the story continuation on page six. I noticed this with newspaper stories about Massachusetts state legislators about twelve years ago.
  - colejohnson66 6y ago
    Just because it's how American journalism works doesn't mean I can't complain about it. And your reverse is also true; just look at any conservative news site.
- a1369209993 6y ago
  > [b]: As bad as burying terms in the contract is, it’s still legal Technically not; a contract by definition (and I'm fairly sure applicable law at least pretends to support this) involves a "meeting of minds" between the parties; any document that is long or unreadable enough far any of its terms to qualify as "buried" in it, is not actually a contract. Practically, though, the courts are useless and will refuse to enforce the illegality of denial-of-service attacks on customers' ability to evaluate contracts.

suifbwish 6y ago

Can you explain how Smartphones with always listening virtual assistants like OK Google and Siri do not violate this also if you take them in public?