(June 3, 2021) If you have not heard, Amazon is getting ready to turn on a new feature that lets many of its devices create a mesh-type network, even with your neighbors and devices that you do not own. It’s called Sidewalk and it will be turned on by default on June 8^th for specified Amazon devices, but you can opt-out

Here is their page on it to explain it: https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Sidewalk/b?ie=UTF8&node=21328123011

Also be aware that Apple AirTag is something very similar and uses a similar approach, and people seam to be ok with that, but not the amazon move. Maybe it is because Amazon’s turning it on is unknown by many and they only gave you 7 days to opt out before turning it on?

I thought I would share this with everyone in case they were not aware of this new feature.

This is from an article I read on it on how to opt out. You can google search for other references if needed.

How to Opt Out

Amazon has published this list of devices that will be pulled into Sidewalk on June 8: Ring Floodlight Cam (2019), Ring Spotlight Cam Wired (2019), Ring Spotlight Cam Mount (2019), Echo (third gen and newer), Echo Dot (third gen and newer), Echo Dot for Kids (third gen and newer), Echo Dot with Clock (third gen and newer), Echo Plus (all generations), Echo Show (all models and generations), Echo Spot, Echo Studio, Echo Input, and Echo Flex.

To opt out, owners of Echo and Ring devices can follow these steps on Alexa or Ring apps:

• Alexa app: Open More > select Settings > Account Settings > Amazon Sidewalk, and toggle it on/off
• Ring app: Tap “three-lined” menu > Control Center > Sidewalk, and tap the slider button

Make sure that opt-in out sticks: The Verge heard from a reader who said she opted out via the Alexa app. The reader found that when the feature came to the Ring app, she’d been opted back in again. Whether you have both apps or even if you don’t, it’s a good idea to double-check to make sure your opt-out is truly registered

And this one is from Amazon’s web site:

Enable or Disable Amazon Sidewalk for Your Account

To enable or disable Amazon Sidewalk, use the Alexa app.

1. Open the Alexa app .
2. Open More and select Settings.
3. Select Account Settings.
4. Select Amazon Sidewalk.
5. 5.    Turn Amazon Sidewalk On or Off for your account.

Daniel Weatherly, CISSP
Director of Security Services
Mainstream Technologies Inc.
501-801-6706

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