Amazon’s Sidewalk network utilizes a portion of your internet bandwidth to create an anonymous sharing network that enables Echo devices, Ring security cameras and other compatible devices to anonymously connect with each other.
Now, most 3rd and newer Echo devices and Ring security cameras that are linked to an Amazon account can take advantage of this service.
How it works
Amazon is launching the Sidewalk mesh network this month, which allows low-bandwidth devices to attach themselves to Echo and Ring smart speakers for added convenience and increased reliability during internet outages. With Sidewalk, Amazon hopes to make these devices easier to use and more resilient against disruptions.
In addition to Echo and Ring devices, Sidewalk will support other compatible products from Amazon and partner companies like Tile. These include doorbells, lights, sensors, and security cameras.
Sidewalk utilizes Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and 900 MHz radio technology to create a mesh network of connected devices. It also incorporates Frequency Shift Keying (FSK), which enables devices to communicate up to half a mile apart – much further than Wi-Fi’s typical range.
This mesh network is an important step towards connecting more devices, not only helping Echo and Ring owners stay connected; it could also enable low-bandwidth, long-range smart home gadgets like Tile trackers to function more effectively within and around the home.
The first device to integrate with Sidewalk will be Tile’s tracker tags, which can send and receive data over this network. They’re capable of connecting up to half a mile away from your Echo Dot and transmit data using both Bluetooth and 900 MHz radio frequencies.
To enable this feature, make sure your Alexa mobile app has the Tile skill installed. With it, your Echo Dot will be able to scan and update the location of Tile trackers connected through Sidewalk.
You have the option to enable or disallow Sidewalk for all your Echo Dots and Ring devices. If you do choose to enable it, you can set up community finding with other Tile users in your neighborhood to assist them with finding their lost items.
Though Sidewalk is an admirable concept, some users may have concerns about its privacy and security. Amazon has taken great steps to address these worries by providing three layers of encryption as well as regularly deleting information used for routing and transmitting data within 24 hours.
Opt-in
Amazon recently activated a network called Sidewalk that shares a small fraction of your home’s internet bandwidth with other Echo speakers and Ring cameras. This network is designed to make it easier for compatible devices to stay connected even when they’re outside your Wi-Fi range.
The service uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and 900 MHz radios to facilitate communication between nearby devices, such as your neighbor’s Alexa device or Ring camera. These “Sidewalk Bridges” can receive incoming BLE signals from other Sidewalk-compatible gadgets.
Echo smart speakers and Ring cameras are typically designated as Sidewalk Bridges, but certain products like the fourth-gen Echo speaker and Ring Floodlight Cam are equipped with 900 MHz radios that can send far-reaching signals. These 900 MHz-capable devices can reach other Sidewalk Bridges up to half a mile away and serve as hubs for their wider network.
Some of these devices can utilize the shared Sidewalk network as an internet service hub for low-power items like Tile item trackers and CareBand wearables. These peripherals connect directly to your home’s internet via your Echo or Ring product, keeping their software up-to-date even when they’re outside your router’s Wi-Fi range.
If you wish to opt out of sharing your home internet connection with other people’s Sidewalk devices, it is possible. Simply go to your account settings for your Echo or Ring device and select Disable under Amazon Sidewalk on the Amazon menu.
Amazon recently issued a white paper outlining how Sidewalk protects users’ privacy and security with three layers of encryption. This ensures that data sent between devices cannot view the personal information of their owner or connected Amazon Echo or Ring devices, nor can the Sidewalk device itself.
The company has made it clear that Sidewalk intends to use the data collected by it to enhance their services, but if you would prefer not to do so, you can easily turn it off. Simply open your Alexa or Ring app and go to account settings; select Disable under Amazon Sidewalk menu items and confirm.
Opt-out
Once you receive a new Echo device, the initial step is to pair it with the Alexa app. This may take a few minutes and requires that you provide your Wi-Fi network name and password in order to connect. After connecting successfully, the device should appear under Devices within the app menu.
Once your Echo dot and Alexa app have been paired, you can use it to start conversations or make announcements in your home. It’s an invaluable feature that helps you and your family connect quickly; however, be mindful of privacy concerns if someone else is nearby and can hear you speak.
Another privacy concern is Amazon’s ability to record your voice for research without asking you. If you’re concerned about Amazon accessing your recordings, you can disable this feature within the Alexa app.
To opt out of Sidewalk, open the Alexa app on your phone or tablet and go to Settings > Account Settings. Under Amazon Sidewalk section, click Disable.
You can also use this method to disable Community Finding, the feature which lets Sidewalk keep your devices connected to Wi-Fi by locating nearby Tile trackers. By opting out of both services, they’ll still function correctly but won’t share your data with anyone else.
Exiting Sidewalk is simple, but it may come at a cost: your Echo and Ring devices will no longer have access to Wi-Fi. Furthermore, if you decide against Sidewalk, the “Drop In” feature on your Echo device won’t work anymore so that’s another downside.
Drop In is an invaluable feature that allows you to chat with someone else on an Echo device in your household. You may also call someone outside your home if they’re within range of your Echo.
If you’re worried about privacy, you can disable Drop In completely on all devices. Alternatively, only certain contacts can initiate Drop In calls.
Privacy concerns
Amazon is launching a network called Sidewalk that will enable people with Alexa devices and Ring cameras to connect to the internet over a low-bandwidth connection. The service aims to make these smart home products work better around the house as well as beyond. Nevertheless, there are some concerns about Amazon’s use of that data.
One major concern is that Amazon’s Echo and Ring devices will be automatically enabled for this network, raising privacy issues. Furthermore, much of the data being pooled comes from customers’ own internet connections, further raising privacy worries.
This system relies on a combination of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, two technologies known to have security holes. If someone with access to your device via a compromised Wi-Fi network, all of your information could potentially be sent directly to the hackers’ router.
Thus, if you plan to utilize this technology, it’s essential to comprehend how the system functions and how much data your Echo or Ring device shares with other users. While Amazon and Ring assure us this is all done with customers in mind, if you feel uneasy sharing your internet bandwidth with others, there are options available for opting out of the system altogether.
Amazon claims that their encryption of data between devices will protect your privacy from malicious hackers, but this may not be sufficient enough. Furthermore, the network collects metadata about your smart home devices such as their location and what kind of information they send.
Professor Vahid Behzadan from the University of New Haven School of Computer Science believes this could present numerous privacy and security risks. He further states that because this network will connect various devices together, there is a risk that they could cause harm due to their interconnection.
Sidewalk poses potential privacy and security risks, but it also marks a big step toward connecting our home devices to each other and the internet. While this could be beneficial for our everyday lives, it also leaves them vulnerable to malicious hackers who could access sensitive personal data.