Date: May 14, 2019
Contact: mediacenter@freeandfairmarketsinitiative.org
NEW POLL FINDS ALEXA PRIVACY BREACHES CAUSING SERIOUS CONCERNS
The More Americans Learn About Alexa Data Collection, The Less They Trust Amazon
The Free & Fair Markets Initiative (FFMI) released a new survey today that found 85 percent of respondents are concerned or very concerned by a recent report that Amazon Alexa-powered devices collected sensitive information about children. FFMI fielded a nationwide poll online of 2,088 consumers between May 9-10, 2019 to gauge attitudes towards voice-controlled devices and privacy.
The survey, deployed using SurveyMonkey, had a margin of error of +/- 2.19 percent and was balanced against U.S. census data.
Summary of key findings include:
- Parents were particularly alarmed by allegations of Alexa listening in and storing information about children, as 67 percent reported being very concerned with these new reports (compared to 62 percent of all U.S. adults surveyed).
- More than 81 percent of parents said they were much less or less likely to trust Amazon after learning about this development (compared to 78 percent of all U.S. adults surveyed).
- More than 91 percent of respondents believe Amazon has a responsibility to protect a consumer’s privacy and data on its voice-enabled smart speaker products.
- Nearly 88 percent support regulators and policymakers implementing protections to ensure stronger data privacy safeguards from Amazon.
- Nearly 80 percent of Americans are less or much less likely to purchase Amazon Echo products upon learning about these privacy breaches.
“Week after week there are new reports of Amazon flagrantly violating consumer privacy, and yet the company continues to serve up half-baked excuses or shrug its shoulders when pressed for answers,” said FFMI spokesperson Bob Engel. “The fact that Amazon is now stockpiling sensitive information about children shows that the company thinks it’s above both the law and good ethical conduct.
“It’s no wonder that parents across the country are extremely concerned. The more they find out about Amazon’s data practices, the less they trust the company. It’s time for lawmakers to take a stand and hold Amazon accountable.”
To request a copy of the results from this survey, click here.
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ABOUT THE FREE & FAIR MARKETS INITIATIVE
The Free & Fair Markets Initiative (FFMI) is a nonprofit watchdog committed to scrutinizing Amazon’s harmful practices and promoting a fair, modern marketplace that works for all Americans. For more information on the Free & Fair Markets Initiative, click here.
