Amazon Sidewalk?

[Silly Car]

Had this email today

A new feature is launching on your Echo device: Amazon Sidewalk. (https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Sidewalk)

Amazon Sidewalk is a shared network that helps devices work better. For example, if your device loses its wifi connection, Sidewalk can simplify reconnecting to your router and help set up new Echo devices. Sidewalk can also extend the coverage for Sidewalk-enabled devices, such as Ring smart lights and pet and object trackers, so they can stay connected and continue to work over longer distances.

When enabled, Sidewalk uses a small portion of your Internet bandwidth to provide these services to you and your neighbors. This setting will apply to all of your supported Echo and Ring devices that are linked to your Amazon account.

Learn more about Amazon Sidewalk.

Sidewalk is coming to your Echo device later this year, but you can disable this feature at any time from the Amazon Alexa app.

To disable this feature, follow these instructions. You must have the latest version of the Alexa app on your phone to proceed.

Click the appropriate link below on your mobile device to get the latest version:
iOS
Android
To open the Alexa app, tap Open. Or tap Install or Update, then Open when complete.
Sign into your Amazon account, if prompted.
Tap More > Settings > Account Settings > Amazon Sidewalk.
Turn Sidewalk off.

What is the collective thought on this?

Skynet or something clever?

[Horse]

For years BT have done this, providing open access to others' wifi. Owners have the option to switch it off.

[TightRS]

I saw that earlier on the BBC, then they updated it to say the email was only meant for the USA.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-55059696

Like Horse mentioned, there's been the Fonera/BT wifi share thing for many years.

It let you connect to the net privately via other customer's wifi when out and about, but only if you reciprocated and had it enabled on your home router I think.

Joe public can use BT wifi for a fee. I think the downside there would be if you're sharing a slow ADSL connection, or find a badly located router.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fon_(company)#BT_(UK)

I think the Sidewalk thing might be useful if you lose ADSL or mains power to the wifi, then a Ring doorbell (on battery) might still work.

They also mention BLE for dog/bag tracking and creating a 900 Mhz long range mesh network with the Ring spotlights.

[moth]

I got the email on Monday.

As I understand it, BT bandwidth sharing is a completely different animal, and it's governed, at present, by EU data protection laws.

Amazon are an unregulated law unto themselves. If Sidewalk (will they call it Pavement here?) appears in the UK I'll be turning it off, because the default option is on. I sure as shit wouldn't trust my home security to it.