# News anchor sets off Alexa devices around San Diego ordering unwanted dollhouses. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 8, 2017, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-anchor-sets-off-alexa-devices-around-san-diego-ordering-unwanted-dollhouses/776616 "2017-01-08T10:53:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angel_of_the_lord/32/2949_2.png) [@Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_the_Lord)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-anchor-sets-off-alexa-devices-around-san-diego-ordering-unwanted-dollhouses/776616/21 "2017-01-09T01:54:57Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > Thank you. This prompted me to try, “Alexa, initiate self-destruct sequence.” I laughed. This prompted me to ask my partner to do just that. Then he added “sudo.” Even better. ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-anchor-sets-off-alexa-devices-around-san-diego-ordering-unwanted-dollhouses/776616/22 "2017-01-09T02:07:59Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > This seems like the kind of thing that really only seems obvious in hindsight. Last year’s hindsight is this year’s foresight. Alexa is not the first voice-operated device, nor the first which has had this weakness. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-anchor-sets-off-alexa-devices-around-san-diego-ordering-unwanted-dollhouses/776616/23 "2017-01-09T02:11:39Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Yea, who could have predicted this happening? > > Oh yea, anybody with a brain. Yup. First time I saw a commercial for this thing, I thought “Oh hell no, that thing’s not coming in _my_ house.” The FBI is already trying to use Echo recordings in a criminal investigation; you can bet dollars to doughnuts some bright spark at the NSA is thinking about what else you can do with it. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-anchor-sets-off-alexa-devices-around-san-diego-ordering-unwanted-dollhouses/776616/24 "2017-01-09T03:11:23Z")
Give it time - it will eventually require the insertion of a special card and the entry of something called, let’s see now, maybe we could call it a “pass word” or something… ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-anchor-sets-off-alexa-devices-around-san-diego-ordering-unwanted-dollhouses/776616/25 "2017-01-09T05:01:21Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > So what happens with these devices if you ask it for something illegal? Like: “Alexa, find me a contract assassin.” Nobody has an answer for this? C’mon, give it a try and tell us what happens. ---
**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:** [January 9, 2017, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-anchor-sets-off-alexa-devices-around-san-diego-ordering-unwanted-dollhouses/776616/26 "2017-01-09T05:05:27Z")
I really do not understand this brave, new world. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-anchor-sets-off-alexa-devices-around-san-diego-ordering-unwanted-dollhouses/776616/27 "2017-01-09T05:08:34Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Okay, so these idiots in the broadcast area reporting on their own anchor and how he set off many Echos in their viewing audience. You’d think maybe they’d learn a lesson here and NOT use the word “Alexa” a hundred different times in their reporting of said story. > > In other words: The video in the link set off my Echo. Would it have killed them to refer to it as an Echo rather than Alexa? :smack: What happens if someone named Alexa is in the house, or there’s a news report about her? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-anchor-sets-off-alexa-devices-around-san-diego-ordering-unwanted-dollhouses/776616/28 "2017-01-09T06:52:33Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Okay, so these idiots in the broadcast area reporting on their own anchor and how he set off many Echos in their viewing audience. You’d think maybe they’d learn a lesson here and NOT use the word “Alexa” a hundred different times in their reporting of said story. > > In other words: The video in the link set off my Echo. Would it have killed them to refer to it as an Echo rather than Alexa? :smack: I find it hard to have too much sympathy. This is exactly the type of problem this stuff has, and the type of stuff that should have been fixed before going live with the product or buying it. These things should be set up to voice print or something. At most, it should set it off silently to send it off and see if it’s the owner or an approved user. The trigger word always needs to be something that is unlikely to be said in any other context, and needs to have an escape mechanism so that you can tell people what the trigger is without actually activating it. This is why I stick with stuff that requires me to press a button. Just get everyone a watch-like device so it’s got easy access. You only turn on vocal only mode when your hands aren’t free. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-anchor-sets-off-alexa-devices-around-san-diego-ordering-unwanted-dollhouses/776616/29 "2017-01-09T06:59:45Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I find it hard to have too much sympathy. This is exactly the type of problem this stuff has, and the type of stuff that should have been fixed before going live with the product or buying it. > > These things should be set up to voice print or something. At most, it should set it off silently to send it off and see if it’s the owner or an approved user. > > The trigger word always needs to be something that is unlikely to be said in any other context, and needs to have an escape mechanism so that you can tell people what the trigger is without actually activating it. > > This is why I stick with stuff that requires me to press a button. Just get everyone a watch-like device so it’s got easy access. You only turn on vocal only mode when your hands aren’t free. I agree, “Alexa” is an incredibly stupid wake word to use. That being said, the only time I’ve ever had my Echo go off unintentionally has been during Echo commercials on the TV or listening to news reports about Echo on my TV. That’s some grade A irony right there. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-anchor-sets-off-alexa-devices-around-san-diego-ordering-unwanted-dollhouses/776616/30 "2017-01-09T07:24:13Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > What happens if someone named Alexa is in the house, or there’s a news report about her? Eventually that won’t be a problem. Amazon bought all rights to and trademarked the name Alexa in 2011. After a two year grace period ended in 2013, no future children can be named Alexa. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-anchor-sets-off-alexa-devices-around-san-diego-ordering-unwanted-dollhouses/776616/31 "2017-01-09T08:26:27Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Eventually that won’t be a problem. Amazon bought all rights to and trademarked the name Alexa in 2011. After a two year grace period ended in 2013, no future children can be named Alexa. That’s not how trademarks work. Future children _can_ be named Alexa, for a small annual licence subscription fee. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-anchor-sets-off-alexa-devices-around-san-diego-ordering-unwanted-dollhouses/776616/32 "2017-01-09T09:08:12Z")
> [@usedtobe](#): > > Give it time - it will eventually require the insertion of a special card and the entry of something called, let’s see now, maybe we could call it a “pass word” or something… You can already have a password, it’s just not set as a default. > [@nearwildheaven](#): > > What happens if someone named Alexa is in the house, or there’s a news report about her? “Alexa” is not the only wake word option, you can also have “Echo” or “Amazon”. Using one of the alternate wake words would solve most problems specific to a family. Ideally Amazon will upgrade it to accept any desired wake word. ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-anchor-sets-off-alexa-devices-around-san-diego-ordering-unwanted-dollhouses/776616/33 "2017-01-09T09:46:45Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Nobody has an answer for this? C’mon, give it a try and tell us what happens. “Voice recognition software buggy. Misinterpreted ‘contract assassin’ as ‘FBI’. 0/10 Would not buy again.” ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2017, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-anchor-sets-off-alexa-devices-around-san-diego-ordering-unwanted-dollhouses/776616/34 "2017-01-09T14:31:05Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I really do not understand this brave, new world. Follow the money. Now, do you understand? Things happen when, and only when, there is a profit to be made by someone who already owns the means of producing capital. A product or service to be sold to a gullible consumer. ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2017, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-anchor-sets-off-alexa-devices-around-san-diego-ordering-unwanted-dollhouses/776616/35 "2017-01-10T02:20:31Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > So what happens with these devices if you ask it for something illegal? Like: “Alexa, find me a contract assassin.” In the good old days, if you told Siri you needed to hide a dead body it would suggest mines, swamps, dumps, etc. I think those days are mostly over. If you tell it you want cocaine, it will suggest addiction centers, but if you ask for marijuana it will direct you to a local dispensary. Asking for prostitutes brings up escort services. Telling it you feel like you want to kill someone brings back mental health service options. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2017, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-anchor-sets-off-alexa-devices-around-san-diego-ordering-unwanted-dollhouses/776616/36 "2017-01-10T16:01:46Z")
Stupid Echo. I was listening to Billy Joel and the next thing I know it Alexa is trying to buy a fishing boat. 😕 (no, not really. but the joke needed to be told.) ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2017, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-anchor-sets-off-alexa-devices-around-san-diego-ordering-unwanted-dollhouses/776616/37 "2017-01-10T17:23:34Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > You can already have a password, it’s just not set as a default. > > “Alexa” is not the only wake word option, you can also have “Echo” or “Amazon”. Using one of the alternate wake words would solve most problems specific to a family. Ideally Amazon will upgrade it to accept any desired wake word. ‘Bitch get me some beer’ ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-anchor-sets-off-alexa-devices-around-san-diego-ordering-unwanted-dollhouses/776616/38 "2017-01-11T10:09:44Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Which is why safe guards are built into the system. You just turn them on if you want to use them. It would be better if these functions were turned OFF by default, and had to be turned on the first time you tried to use them. Better for the customer, that is – for Amazon, it’s better for it to be ON by default. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-anchor-sets-off-alexa-devices-around-san-diego-ordering-unwanted-dollhouses/776616/39 "2017-01-11T12:44:06Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > Stupid Echo. > > I was listening to Billy Joel and the next thing I know it Alexa is trying to buy a fishing boat. 😕 > > (no, not really. but the joke needed to be told.) I laughed! ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-anchor-sets-off-alexa-devices-around-san-diego-ordering-unwanted-dollhouses/776616/40 "2017-01-11T23:20:53Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > I agree, “Alexa” is an incredibly stupid wake word to use. Doesn’t matter what the wake word is. There’s going to be a default, and most people are going to use the default. And the news story was repeating the phrase that the girl had used on the first model, which is most likely going to include the default wake word. You can’t fix this at the source by changing the wake word unless you give each one a unique wake word. Which might get out of hand: “Zorblaxchtneeen-2388, order more sponges!” > [@Chronos](#): > > Is the ability to buy things online without confirmation actually set to on by default? Why would anyone want it to be set to on? Amazon shareholders? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/news-anchor-sets-off-alexa-devices-around-san-diego-ordering-unwanted-dollhouses/776616.md?page=1)