I wondered how much money I spent on Amazon.com, and maybe you want to see your stats as well. There is an internal trick to getting a detailed report from Amazon. Tap or click here for steps to see everything you’ve purchased and while you’re at Amazon.com.
Amazon is more than just a purchase. The Echo Smart Speaker is an accessory around the house. If you’ve stopped asking for weather updates, check out these 20 smart new commands to try [list].
Like all things big tech, you can’t skip the crucial step in ensuring your privacy. Continue reading to avoid the biggest three.
Yes, you have an Amazon public profile
This tip always catches people with caution. As an Amazon customer, you have a profile created automatically, visible to other Amazon users.
This includes comments and ratings on the products you purchased on the site, your biography information and other site interactions. Thankfully, your public profile doesn’t include your purchase or browsing history, but it still says a lot.
Here’s how to control what is shown on your profile:
- Sign in to your Amazon account. Click Accounts and Lists.
- Under Ordering and Purchase Preferences, click Your Amazon profile.
- Click the marked orange box Edit your public profile.
Here, you will see Edit public profile And Edit privacy settings.
Click through the various options to review. You can tidy up the About Me section, shopping list, wish list, any pets, etc. Also check your community activity section.
Check your Echo’s drop-in settings
One of the best features of the Echo is the drop-in. It connects you to an echo speaker or a display for instant communication. “Alexa, land at Garage Echo Dot.” If you have multiple echo devices in your home, you can use this command to advertise. “Alexa, drop on all devices.”
But you can’t forget the echo speaker or the display goes both ways. It lets someone listen instantly or see what’s going on in the room after 10 seconds. It’s best to keep these options under control unless you mind listening to someone or seeing what you’re doing.
Take a look at which contacts you have allowed to drop in:
- Open the Alexa app on your phone.
- Tap Communicate At the bottom of the screen and on that page, tap Contacts icon On the top right.
- Scroll through your contacts and confirm Allow dropping in Tuggled just for the right people.
Next, set permissions to enable or disable for a specific device.
- In the Alexa app, select Settings> Device settings And select the device you want to turn on / off the drop-in.
- Tap Communication And then and select Put inside Here, you can choose Only for approved contacts, my domestic Just to put on devices on my account, or Off, Which means no one will be able to drop in.
If you want to disable Droprop simultaneously, open the Alexa app on your phone and follow the steps above for each of your Echo devices. Select Off when you go to the drop-in page for each Echo device. Simply, drop-in is now disabled on each of your devices.
Do not sidestep the sidewalk
A sidewalk is essentially a mesh network that will extend the range of your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection for up to a mile. It turns your echo speakers and some ring gadgets into bridge devices to promote tech connected to the internet.
Amazon says the total monthly data is roughly equivalent to 500 MB per account or 10 minutes of HD video streaming. It is not at all.
Not so fast, though. What about your privacy? Amazon says that sidewalk network uses three layers of encryption and that your neighbors will not be able to see your data.
They may say so, but the Internet of Things is notorious for unsafe devices and no updates. There is no standard. I turned it off.
If you want to opt out, open the Alexa app.
- Tap More after that Settings.
- Tap Account settings, after that Amazon Sidewalk.
- Rotate the Amazon sidewalk Off If you do not want to participate.
Note: This only applies to some devices, including Rings Floodlight Cam, Spotlight Cam Wired and Spotlight Cam Mount 2019 or later, most eco models (including Dot, Plus, Show, Dot for Kids and Studio).
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Learn about all the latest technology on the country’s biggest weekly radio talk show, the Kim Commando Show. Kim makes calls and advises on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to privacy to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletter newsletters and more, visit her website at commando.com.
