This Smart Parasite Will Prevent Alexa From Spying On You

The lack of privacy is increasing in modern devices today, so many researchers try to develop devices to limit the intrusion of other devices. Creators Tore Knudsen and Bjørn Karmann were inspired by Cordyceps parasitic fungi, which controls the insect's brain, to invent a device that helps people better control smart home assistants. This device will prevent voice assistants from always waiting to listen to users.

Although smart home assistants are useful for people, microphones are always turned on, raising concern over user privacy. According to a study by the University of Michigan published last year, many people have lost their privacy in the digital age. Companies that develop smart home systems like Amazon listen to conversations through the device.

But Kunsen and Karmann are changing this with Alias, a device they created to:

Alias, the "smart parasite", fitting on top of your Google Home or Alexa device, stops smart devices from listening to conversations between users and digital assistants.

Basically, Alias feeds the microphone in the smart home device with low constant noise and doesn't stop unless it hears users' wake word. Powered by Raspberry Pi, the smart parasite will stop its noise to let Alexa or Google Home listen to users' voice commands. 30 seconds after you finish the conversation, Alias ​​returns to emit white noise.

However, Alias ​​does not really solve all problems thoroughly. Each time the parasite lets the digital assistant process a vocal request, that information is used by the company to create profiles and is often used for ads targeting.

However, it will still give users some relief from privacy concerns.

A frightening prospect is happening in the modern world today that users have to buy an electronic accessory to resist an other family electrical accessory to secure their privacy.