# Amazon's Alexa just can't be trusted **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 16, 2024, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-alexa-just-cant-be-trusted/997628 "2024-02-16T00:26:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MaceMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@MaceMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaceMan)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2024, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-alexa-just-cant-be-trusted/997628/1 "2024-02-16T00:26:38Z")
Today, I asked Alexa, “when is Valentine’s day?” and I was totally not prepared for the incorrect answer of “Wednesday, June 12, 2024.” How in the world can Alexa get that wrong? It’s such a basic question that I’m left totally puzzled. If that is wrong, can I really trust anything else I’m told, like the weather or the current age of President Biden? ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2024, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-alexa-just-cant-be-trusted/997628/2 "2024-02-16T00:34:05Z")
> [@MaceMan](#): > > Today, I asked Alexa, “when is Valentine’s day?” and I was totally not prepared for the incorrect answer of “Wednesday, June 12, 2024.” Can confirm. Weird. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2024, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-alexa-just-cant-be-trusted/997628/3 "2024-02-16T00:34:19Z")
Hm, Alexa probably confused Valentine’s Day with [Loving Day](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loving_Day), which celebrates the anniversary of the aptly named US Supreme Court decision _Loving v. Virginia_, which decided that laws forbidding interracial marriage were unconstitutional. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2024, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-alexa-just-cant-be-trusted/997628/4 "2024-02-16T00:37:15Z")
Apparently June 12th is Brazilian Valentine’s Day, that must be the source of the problem. I wonder if it’s biased toward looking for a date that is in the future and sooner rather than later? If I ask Alexa “When was the _last_ Valentine’s Day” she gives the correct answer. I also asked Alexa if I could trust her answers, and she didn’t know that. So maybe OP is on to something. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2024, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-alexa-just-cant-be-trusted/997628/5 "2024-02-16T00:50:22Z")
Mine said “Valentines Day is on February 14th every year.” I’m in the US. I asked: ”Alexa, when is Valentine’s Day?” ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2024, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-alexa-just-cant-be-trusted/997628/6 "2024-02-16T01:45:13Z")
> [@MaceMan](#): > > Today, I asked Alexa, “when is Valentine’s day?” and I was totally not prepared for the incorrect answer of “Wednesday, June 12, 2024.” I just asked and got the same. “Alexa, when is Valentine’s Day?” “Valentine’s Day will occur on Wednesday June 12, 2024.” > [@markn\_1](#): > > Hm, Alexa probably confused Valentine’s Day with [Loving Day](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loving_Day), She didn’t mention Loving Day. She specifically said Valentine’s Day. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2024, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-alexa-just-cant-be-trusted/997628/7 "2024-02-16T01:48:05Z")
Maybe they changed it and forgot to tell everybody. Think I’ll trust my own calendar ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2024, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-alexa-just-cant-be-trusted/997628/8 "2024-02-16T02:00:10Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > when is Valentine’s Day?” I just asked Siri exactly this and it answered “Friday, February 14, 2025.” ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2024, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-alexa-just-cant-be-trusted/997628/9 "2024-02-16T02:05:30Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > “Valentine’s Day will occur on Wednesday June 12, 2024.” Got the same answer here. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2024, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-alexa-just-cant-be-trusted/997628/10 "2024-02-16T02:40:52Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Apparently June 12th is Brazilian Valentine’s Day Which is like regular Valentine’s Day but with additional grooming? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2024, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-alexa-just-cant-be-trusted/997628/11 "2024-02-16T05:38:18Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Think I’ll trust my own calendar Oh! Goddamn You! ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2024, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-alexa-just-cant-be-trusted/997628/12 "2024-02-16T05:46:27Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > > [@pulykamell](#): > > > > when is Valentine’s Day?” > > I just asked Siri exactly this and it answered “Friday, February 14, 2025.” To add to the tech slush pile, I just asked Google Home, and was sternly informed, “Valentine’s Day _was_ on February 14th.” ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2024, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-alexa-just-cant-be-trusted/997628/13 "2024-02-16T06:12:54Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > To add to the tech slush pile, I just asked Google Home, and was sternly informed, “Valentine’s Day _was_ on February 14th.”- Google Home needs to have a stern word with Alexa. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2024, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-alexa-just-cant-be-trusted/997628/14 "2024-02-16T06:19:58Z")
I just asked Alexa, “when is Valentine’s Day?” and got this answer: “Valentine’s Day will occur on June 11, 2024.” When I’m in the mood for it, I like to ask Alexa random, sometimes oddball questions. The answers I get generally fall into one of three categories: 1. Plausible, seemingly reliable answers. Like if you ask, “Who is older, Biden or Trump?” or “What is 97 divided by 34?” 2. “I’m sorry, I don’t understand the question” type responses. 3. Valiant attempts, along the lines of, “I found this information on Wikipedia, which says [quotes Wikipedia]. Does that answer your question?” A blatantly, ridiculously wrong answer is new to me. June 11 is Valentine’s Day? Okee dokee. ETA: Just for fun, I continued with: ME: Alexa, do you know what my middle name is? ALEXA: I’m talking to Carol. This is [husband’s name]'s account. ME: What is [husband’s name]'s middle name? ALEXA: Kim Kardashian’s full name is [whatever, I didn’t catch all of it.] In case anyone was wondering, I’m not married to Kim Kardashian. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2024, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-alexa-just-cant-be-trusted/997628/15 "2024-02-16T13:45:28Z")
I once asked Siri if she loved me. Her reply was, “Oh, look, a puppy!” ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2024, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-alexa-just-cant-be-trusted/997628/16 "2024-02-16T15:03:47Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > was sternly informed, “Valentine’s Day _was_ on February 14th.” Shamin’ you for missing it. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2024, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-alexa-just-cant-be-trusted/997628/17 "2024-02-16T15:08:43Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I once asked Siri if she loved me. Her reply was, “Oh, look, a puppy!” I just tried this with Google Home. The authoritative robotic voice replied: > “I can’t feel romantic love. But I think you are wonderful.” Pretty sure I’ve been friendzoned. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2024, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-alexa-just-cant-be-trusted/997628/18 "2024-02-16T15:17:29Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Pretty sure I’ve been friendzoned. The trick is to set up “Love” as a custom zone in your house and assign all your Nest devices to that zone. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2024, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-alexa-just-cant-be-trusted/997628/19 "2024-02-16T16:58:08Z")
Could the variable answers for some of us perhaps be an indication that maybe Alexa is using some sort of AI that gives slightly different answers depending on how it is seeded? Huh. I just tried it again, and got a different answer, like the OP’s, that it will occur on June 12, 2024. OK, I asked it again, and it gave me June 12. I asked it again, and it gave me a longer answer I haven’t heard before, that said “Valentine’s Day, also known as St. Valentine’s Day, or the feast of St. Valentine, is celebrated on Februrary 14.” I asked yet again, and it said " Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14 every year." So we have, what is that three or four different answers? ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2024, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-alexa-just-cant-be-trusted/997628/20 "2024-02-16T17:00:35Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > In case anyone was wondering, I’m not married to Kim Kardashian. Shit. I lost a _lot_ of money on that one. 😉 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazons-alexa-just-cant-be-trusted/997628.md?page=2)