UT Dallas External Phone Calls
OIT is aware of an issue affecting some external calls to the University to be disconnected and is working with Microsoft for a solution. Calls to our Service Desk are functioning normally. We will provide additional details as they become available.
Alexa Privacy and Data Security
Amazon designs Alexa and Echo devices with multiple layers of privacy protection. From microphone controls to the ability to delete your voice recordings, you have transparency and control over your Alexa experience. Alexa and all Echo devices are designed with your privacy in mind. When you want to talk to Alexa, you have to first alert your device by saying the wake word, which by default is “Alexa” or by pressing the action button on the device. Only then does your device begin recording and sending your request to Amazon’s secure cloud. All of your interactions with Alexa are encrypted in transit to Amazon’s cloud where they are securely stored.
You’ll always be able to tell when Alexa is listening to your request because a light indicator will appear on your Echo device or an audible tone will sound. For your Echo Dot, a blue light will illuminate when you say the wake word and while you’re speaking to Alexa. When you finish your speech that content is transmitted securely to the Amazon cloud where it is stored, then processed for a response. The device can only “hear” you when its microphone is active. On the top of each device is a mute button (signified by a circle with a slash through it). When you activate this mute button, it will illuminate and a red ring will appear around the top of the device, signifying that the device has been muted. This electronically disconnects the microphone. Any time the microphone is muted, no recordings can be transmitted.
AT ANY TIME, you may direct Alexa to delete what you’ve said. If you want to delete what you said over the past ten minutes, simply say Alexa…Delete what I just said. If you’d rather Alexa not remember anything you’ve ever said on that device, simply say Alexa…delete everything I’ve ever said. Additionally, UTD executes a process each evening to automatically delete the recorded content of every device.
FAQs
Below you’ll find some commonly asked questions about the use of the Alexa device and your privacy. We invite you to check out the facts below. If you have any concerns or question please use the feedback form or contact the Service Desk at x2911 or email them at assist@utdallas.edu.
Is the Echo Dot always recording?
No. For more information, please visit the Alexa and Alexa Device FAQs page.
Do I have to unplug Alexa if I don’t want it to be actively listening?
No, You don’t have to unplug the device to prevent it from listening. Echo smart speakers have a microphone off button that electronically disconnects the microphones. When you want to talk to Alexa, you have to first wake up your device by using the wake word (“Alexa”). Only then does the device begin recording and sending your request to Amazon’s secure cloud. Additionally,. For more information, visit Amazon’s privacy page.
Can I turn off (mute) the microphone on the Echo Dot?
Yes, all Echo Dots are equipped with a mute button on the top of the device which stops the device from listening. It is signified by a circle with a line through it. When activated, the button illuminates red and a red ring appears around the top of the Echo Dot.
Can UTD access recordings of my interactions with the Alexa device in my room?
No. UT Dallas-configured Echo Dots are connected to the University’s Alexa for Business account, and are NOT personal devices, therefore, no access is available to your recordings or interactions. The only data available to UT Dallas are the skills enabled on a shared device, the room where it’s assigned, and the settings applied to the device. As a privacy protection, UT Dallas-configured devices are scheduled to delete any collected information and recordings nightly. You can also ask Alexa to “Delete what I just said” or “Delete everything I’ve ever said” at any time
Can other people “listen in” on my room through my Echo Dot (or my roommate’s)?
No. UT Dallas-configured Echo Dots are not personal devices and therefore do not have any drop-in features enabled. Sidewalk is not available on these devices.
How do Amazon Echo devices recognize the wake word?
Amazon Echo devices use on-device keyword spotting to detect the wake word. When these devices detect the wake word, they stream audio to the cloud, including a fraction of a second of audio before the wake word.
Can I turn off the microphone on Echo Devices?
Yes, you can turn off the microphone by pushing the microphone on/off button on the top of your device (this button is signified by a circle with a line through it). When the microphone on/off button turns red (on the Echo Show there is a red LED), the microphone is off. The device will not respond to the wake word until you reactivate the microphone by pushing the microphone on/off button again. An organization cannot turn on a device’s microphones via the Alexa for Business Console if the device’s microphones have been turned off.
How do I know when an Echo device is streaming my voice to the Cloud?
When an Echo device detects the wake word the light ring around the top of your device turns blue, to indicate that the device is streaming audio to the Cloud (for Echo Show and Echo Spot, you will see a blue bar or ring on the screen). When you use the wake word, the audio stream includes a fraction of a second of audio before the wake word. The audio stream closes once your question or request has been processed.
What can UT Dallas see about UT Dallas skills or managed devices?
UT Dallas has no access to the information it receives about how you use a shared device, outside of when you interact with UT Dallas skills. Engagement metrics (device and skill usage metrics) for shared devices are available to UT Dallas. UT Dallas has no access to any voice recordings. Additionally, UT Dallas-configured devices are scheduled to delete any collected information and recordings nightly. You can also ask Alexa to “Delete what I’ve said today” at any time.
What information does UT Dallas have access to on a shared device?
UT Dallas can see and control what skills are enabled on a shared device and the settings applied to the device (i.e. software version, network identifier, etc.).
What data do skill developers for Alexa for Business have access to?
Skill developers receive the information about their skill and its usage that is made available to skill developers in the Alexa Skills Kit developer portal.
Are voice inputs processed by Alexa for Business stored, and how are they used by Alexa for Business?
For more information on Alexa for Business privacy, visit Amazon’s FAQ page.
Can I use the in-room Echo Dot with my own personal Alexa account?
No. UTD-provided Echo Dots are registered under the University’s global Alexa for Business account and therefore cannot be assigned to another account without the University’s authorization. Attempting to associate the device with your own account will cause the device to be inoperable.