Amazon has quietly built a network called Sidewalk that uses the internet bandwidth of Echo speakers and Ring cameras across the US to help other Amazon devices connect to the internet. The network aims to create a more robust and efficient ecosystem for Amazon’s products and services. Sidewalk has been growing in scale, expanding to 90% of the US population, and its reach will keep on growing as Amazon has recently opened it up to developers. The developers can design more products that can join the sidewalk network, thus expanding it further. The uses for Sidewalk are diverse and include making smart homes more efficient and extra security options. However, the potential transmission of personal data between these connected devices is raising privacy concerns. Amazon has detailed privacy and security protocols for Sidewalk, but people can opt-out from the network if they wish.
Wired article on gadgets littering Amazon’s sidewalk for sale.
