> you have to say the word "Alexa" for it to start listening
Incorrect. The device is always listening, waiting for you to say "Alexa" so that it can start acting upon your commands.
I'd take Amazon's claim that no data is transmitted or stored without the wake word "Alexa" purely at face value. There have been enough examples of devices and corporations collecting/sending data they weren't meant to in the past few years for us to deny any new closed-source device the benefit of doubt.
So no, this isn't "pathetic baseless fear mongering".
Incorrect. The device is always listening, waiting for you to say "Alexa" so that it can start acting upon your commands.
I'd take Amazon's claim that no data is transmitted or stored without the wake word "Alexa" purely at face value. There have been enough examples of devices and corporations collecting/sending data they weren't meant to in the past few years for us to deny any new closed-source device the benefit of doubt.
So no, this isn't "pathetic baseless fear mongering".