this post was submitted on 24 Jul 2024
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Technology

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[–] t3rmit3@beehaw.org 13 points 3 months ago (2 children)

Not according to the article:

Per "former employees on the Alexa shopping team" that WSJ spoke with, however, the amount of shopping revenue tied to Alexa is insignificant.

[–] sabreW4K3@lazysoci.al 5 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Think of it like Chrome. Doesn't directly generate money, but generates a lot of money

[–] technocrit@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Except Chrome doesn't lose a ton of money, energy, etc.

[–] corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Does the article say how the Alexa unit has absolutely no access control? Kids ordering dollhouses? Check. The news on TV triggering a response? Daily.

They can't expect us to link our visa cards to something that doesn't even know "this is little Billy" -- actually it can discern people -- "who should never be able to buy stuff" -- which it can't do.

The units are bad: no authorization and no auditing. Neighbor tried to order you 200 rakes as he rolled past your garage? You'll get your f'n rake back, Dennis, just fuck off and don't bug me every month.

[–] Vodulas@beehaw.org 1 points 3 months ago

That was true when they first came out, but they have added options for a pin and auto ordering is off by default.