Editing 1807: Listening
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | This comic depicts [[Cueball]] and [[Ponytail]] welcoming [[Black Hat]] and [[Danish]] to their house. Black Hat immediately talks to {{w|Amazon Alexa}} to order two tons of {{w|creamed corn}}. This would be quite expensive (around $10,000), and the hosts would be charged because it was ordered on their {{w|Amazon Echo}} device. It would also be a serious inconvenience | + | {{incomplete|Do NOT remove this tag too fast.}} |
+ | This comic depicts [[Cueball]] and [[Ponytail]] welcoming [[Black Hat]] and [[Danish]] to their house. Black Hat immediately talks to {{w|Amazon Alexa}} to order two tons of {{w|creamed corn}}. This would be quite expensive (around $10,000), and the hosts would be charged because it was ordered on their {{w|Amazon Echo}} device. It would also be a serious inconvenience, as the purchase would be quite bulky and useless, seeing as an average person would have very little use for two tons of creamed corn.{{Citation needed}} | ||
− | The caption claims that this is an effort to find systems recording conversations, such as Alexa or {{w|Google Home}}, for the | + | The caption claims that this is an effort to find systems recording conversations, such as Alexa or {{w|Google Home}}, to punish the hosts for having these open services active. However, this tactic may be flawed as you can choose to have a PIN to confirm the order. If Black Hat doesn't know their PIN this would not actually result in an order. |
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+ | This may also be a lesson to turn off any voice-activated systems before having guests come over, so that the guests don't take advantage of them. | ||
A concerned "visitor" may also want to test for voice-activated systems when near any persons carrying an iPhone or Android mobile device, because these are also always-on listening devices. "Hey Siri" and "Ok Google" voice activation use the same technology as "Alexa" and "Echo" detection. | A concerned "visitor" may also want to test for voice-activated systems when near any persons carrying an iPhone or Android mobile device, because these are also always-on listening devices. "Hey Siri" and "Ok Google" voice activation use the same technology as "Alexa" and "Echo" detection. | ||
− | The title text says that this takes care of the "host gift thing", referring to the custom where house guests | + | The title text says that this takes care of the "host gift thing", referring to the custom where house guests make gift to the hosts. However, Black Hat is making the hosts pay for it, so it can be as expensive as he wants, thus making this yet another example of his being a [[classhole]]. |
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
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==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
+ | *Assuming a standard can of 14.75 oz (418 g) and Black Hat's order was in short tons the order would consist of 4339 cans. Consuming one per day it would last for approx. twelve years. But it's doubtful that the expiry date would be that long. | ||
+ | *In a recent [http://www.npr.org/2016/12/31/507670072/amazon-echo-murder-case-renews-privacy-questions-prompted-by-our-digital-footpri court case] authorities believed that an Amazon Echo may have recorded the identity of a murder suspect, leading to a debate about the privacy and safety implications of such devices. | ||
+ | *Another recent [http://www.theverge.com/2017/1/7/14200210/amazon-alexa-tech-news-anchor-order-dollhouse event] resulted in Alexa ordering several people unwanted doll houses. | ||
+ | *Another comic about testing if someone is listening is [[525: I Know You're Listening]]. Just as Black Hat may just speak without knowing for sure that there is an active Alexa. Cueball in the old comic also just speak out in case there are someone listening, in that case real surveillance, but as can be seen in the entry here above Alexa may just end up being used like that later. | ||
+ | *Usually Cueball is paired with [[Megan]], but since Black Hat's girlfriend Danish looks like Megan but with longer hair, this makes is sensible to choose Ponytail as Cueballs partner here. | ||
*In a previous comic, [[1559: Driving]], Black Hat took also took advantage of a cutting-edge AI—there, a self-driving car—by making it drive across the country without its owner or any passenger. And already back in [[596: Latitude]] he took advantage (of course) of people who constantly kept programs running on their phones that could track their movements. | *In a previous comic, [[1559: Driving]], Black Hat took also took advantage of a cutting-edge AI—there, a self-driving car—by making it drive across the country without its owner or any passenger. And already back in [[596: Latitude]] he took advantage (of course) of people who constantly kept programs running on their phones that could track their movements. | ||
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{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
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[[Category:Comics featuring Danish]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Danish]] | ||
[[Category:Food]] | [[Category:Food]] | ||
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