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The CIA can turn your TV into a listening device, bypass popular encryption apps, and possibly control your car, according to a trove of alleged documents from the US spy agency released on March 7, 2017 by WikiLeaks. AFP PHOTO / AFP FILES / SAUL LOEB
WHEN WikiLeaks documents confirmed the CIA’s hacking capabilities extended to internet-connected and microphone-enabled devices, people were rightfully fearful for their privacy.
And a video showcasing the way Amazon’s intelligent personal assistant Alexa responded to being probed about the CIA is confirming the right to be nervous.
In the video posted to Reddit, someone was using their Echo Dot to communicate with Alexa about the CIA.
Firstly, they asked the personal assistant if it would lie to them.
“I always try to tell the truth. I am not always right, but I would never intentionally lie to you or anyone else,” Alexa replied.
The owner then asked if Alexa could explain the CIA.
“United States Central Intelligence Agency — CIA,” Alexa replied.
This was all good and proper, but when Alexa was asked if she is connected to the CIA things got a little strange.
Instead of replying to the question, Alexa goes silent and then switches off.
Persistently, the owner repeats the question and gets the exact same result.
It might seem like the anomaly is caused by the smart assistant being unable to understand the owner, only Alexa is designed to say, “Sorry, I can’t find an answer to the questions I heard,” if that is the case.