Alexa’s Listening!

Don’t talk to her,” my three-year-old grandson with fear on his face emphatically instructed me . Having gotten Alexa for Christmas, I was testing her by giving her different commands. Alexa is a virtual, voice assistant that will follow one’s commands to do things that can be done via the internet and with linked devices. It can play requested music, tell you the weather, read the daily news, or turn your lights off or on. My grandson had listened as I began commands with, “Alexa,” and then whatever I wanted her to do. “Alexa, play ‘Jesus Loves Me’.” “Alexa, turn the thermostat down two degrees.” She does not obey in silence; she talks back. “I can’t find that song.” “Ok. I turned down the temperature on your thermostat two degrees.” It wasn’t that I talked to Alexa that got to my grandson; it was her talking back that he found unsettling. She, that little black cylinder sitting on the floor was listening! He could not have articulated why Alexa bothered him. It was an instinctive, innate alarm and aversion he experienced. However, what he felt, I find, is a general concern. Even many adults are bothered about that—about Alexa’s always being there, always listening, hearing every word. Now, Alexa claims only to begin listening when she hears her name. I know, I just asked her, “Alexa, are you listening?” She replied, “I start listening when I hear the wake word (her name).” Okay, that may be, but, if she only begins listening after she hears her name, how did she hear her name? Some have begun using Alexa only to become fearful of her, unplug her, and exile her to some dark corner of a distant cabinet. These have equated Alexa to an eavesdropper with his ear to the door, an FBI planted bug, and a fulfillment of Orwell’s 1984 prophecy. Bolstering such fears is the famous example given of the married couple at home talking about their hardwood floors. In minutes they received a call from one of the husband’s employees miles away who said that he had just received a voice email of everything they had been talking about. (This was possible because Alexa mistakenly heard her name, asked questions unheard by the couple, and then mistook words in the ongoing conversation as answers to her questions.). I continue to use my Alexa, although I am fastidious in believing privacy in the home should be valued and protected—but why I am unconcerned about Alexa’s listening is another matter. What I find interesting are two things. First, many who are concerned about Alexa, the “Alexa-may-be-listening-to-my-private-conversations” folks, are often the same ones who consistently and continually post their private lives on social media. Second, and more importantly, many who are concerned about Alexa’s listening are unbelieving of and/or unconcerned by the fact that God is always listening. And, likewise, God is always seeing. That He does so is true: “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (Heb 4:13). Worried about Alexa’s surveillance? God hears every word uttered in private (and every thought). Concerned your TV may be watching you? God is—24/7. Now, all that may cause some great distress—and perhaps, should. By the way, Alexa keeps a record of everything she has heard you say--I just accessed the record, some of which is in text, some in audio, of what our Alexa has heard. God also keeps a record of all you’ve said, done. Disturbing? Think: If you had an at-home emergency and could not find your cellphone, you would be glad Alexa was listening when you cried, “Alexa, call ________!” (Alexa will not directly dial 911, but can dial a friend who will). No. I am not distressed that God is listening. He hears my every sigh, cry, petition, and plea. My suggestion about God’s listening is opposite my grandson’s about Alexa’s listening: “Talk to Him!”

Alexa’s Listening!

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