Beginning Tuesday, June 8, 2021, Amazon started using a process called “Amazon Sidewalk” which may use your Internet bandwidth. If you own and operate an Amazon Echo or a Ring device, you are automatically a part of Sidewalk. If you don’t want it, you have to make the effort to opt-out.
What Is Amazon Sidewalk?
There’s a legitimate idea behind this new technology. Sidewalk may use some of your Wi-Fi Internet bandwidth to allow your neighbor’s Amazon devices to connect more easily to the Internet. Why, an entire neighborhood may benefit from this technology. As a simple example, say both you and your neighbor have a Ring spotlight. If your neighbor’s Wi-fi went out but yours was still operational, the device next door might hop onto your Wi-Fi. This would keep their device online.
If the scenario I just mentioned happened, your neighbor would be using some of your bandwidth. (Remember, the Oxford Dictionary defines “bandwidth” as “The transmission capacity of a computer network or other telecommunication system.”) Granted, Amazon has placed some limits to how much bandwidth of yours can be used. Still, this could be a downer if you’re not on unlimited Internet access.
What’s The Downside To Amazon Using Your Bandwidth?
While this technology is definitely going to improve the Echo and Ring connectivity process, what are the downsides? Let’s list a few of them:
- This is a brand new product – version 1.0. There are always problems with version 1.0!
- Some are concerned that hackers could use this technology to break into their Wi-Fi. No on really knows if this will happen but we all know hackers are always trying to break in somewhere!
- Since it’s new, Sidewalk doesn’t have a track record of working correctly. That fact makes you a beta tester, without your consent, by the way.
How Do You Opt-Out Of Amazon Using Your Bandwidth?
Turning off the Amazon Sidewalk option is very easy. If you decide you want out, follow these simple steps:
Echo Users
- Open your Alexa App.
- Tap “More” in the lower right-hand corner.
- Choose “Settings.”
- Tap “Account Settings.”
- Find the Amazon Sidewalk button and disable it.
Ring Users
- Open the Ring App
- Tap the three horizontal lines in the upper left-hand corner.
- From the menu, choose “Control Center.”
- Tap “Sidewalk.”
- Disable .
Which Amazon Devices Are Part Of Sidewalk?
Echo devices include the third generation (and newer versions) of the Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Dot for Kids and the Echo Dot with Clock. Also part of Sidewalk: The Echo Show 5, 8, 10; the second generation of the Echo Show. Also included are the Echo Spot; Echo Plus; Echo Studio; Echo Input; and, Echo Flex.
Ring devices include the Ring Floodlight Cam; Ring Spotlight Cam Wired; and Ring Spotlight Cam Mount.
What Did I Do?
In case you’re wondering, I turned off Sidewalk for all my devices. Just sayin’!