How is Amazon Sidewalk legal?

Jun 4, 2021 21 Comments

Can someone from Amazon share any insight?

Basically, starting June 14, if you own an echo device your internet bandwidth will be shared with other devices, capped to 500mb/month. This option is enabled by default with no notification to users at all.

Disable it in the Alexa app under account settings.

How is Amazon Sidewalk legal?
Screenshot from Alexa app

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TOP 21 Comments
  • Amazon
    jassman

    Go to company page Amazon

    jassman
    Probably cause some “Agree to the new terms and conditions” box popped up somewhere and 99.9% of people clicked Accept without reading it 🤷‍♂️
    Jun 4, 2021 4
  • Amazon
    tiemann

    Go to company page Amazon

    tiemann
    Isn't the new Apple air tag similar i.e it uses existing iPhones to search for air tags.
    Jun 4, 2021 1
  • Cisco
    7oclock

    Go to company page Cisco

    7oclock
    It's legal because you don't own the software that your device requires to run. You are instead a licensed user of said software and somewhere in the EULA for the software is a provision that they can change the terms of the agreement at any time. Plus you can disable the new "feature," so it's not compulsory, which is both to make customers less upset and a CYA move in case something like this isn't allowed in a given country or region.
    Jun 4, 2021 3
  • Lyft
    KNSI43

    Go to company page Lyft

    KNSI43
    Seems to violate TOS of most ISPs.

    Ex:
    https://www.xfinity.com/Corporate/Customers/Policies/HighSpeedInternetAUP

    "1. Prohibited Uses and Activities

    resell the Service or otherwise make available to anyone outside the Premises the ability to use the Service (for example, through WiFi or other methods of networking), in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, with the sole exception of your use of Comcast-provided WiFi service in accordance with its then-current terms and policies;"
    Jun 4, 2021 0
  • It’s kinda sketchy. I do think they should tell and ask the users. It’s similar with Xfinity/Comcast where they just create a guest hotspot for xfinity customers without asking for permission.

    And to turn it off you have to click through 4-5 different settings screens..
    Jun 4, 2021 0