Amazon Sidewalk: What You Should Know About Sharing Your Internet with Neighbors

In recent days, social media has been buzzing with discussions about Amazon Sidewalk, a new feature for Echo and Ring devices that enables users to share their home internet connection with neighbors. While there are misconceptions surrounding Sidewalk, there are also valid concerns regarding privacy, internet service provider (ISP) agreements, and other potential issues. Here’s a clear breakdown of what you need to know.

What is Amazon Sidewalk and How Does It Function?

Amazon Sidewalk is a complimentary service that was automatically activated for many users recently. This means that various Echo and Ring devices are now part of a network where they share a small portion of their owners’ internet connections. The benefits include:

Streamlined setup for new devices.
Continuity of connection for smart devices even during internet outages, using neighbors’ networks.
A collective “mesh” network that keeps devices like Tile within range, allowing for tracking pets or children throughout the city.

Each user’s account is limited to sharing just 500 MB of data per month, roughly equivalent to 10 minutes of video streaming. Amazon has indicated that Sidewalk will introduce more features in the future.

Why the Concern?

Many people have expressed unease over the idea of sharing their internet connection, as it raises significant privacy concerns. Granting access to your home network to unknown individuals can be risky, especially since you cannot control how they utilize the internet. Additionally, there’s a worry that personal data may inadvertently be exposed to neighbors, or that the setup might increase vulnerability to hackers.

Amazon has implemented a three-layer encryption system for Sidewalk, positioning itself as a secure option. However, no security measure is infallible, and the inherent risk remains for users. Moreover, the decision to enable Sidewalk by default on certain devices has led to frustrations, as users must manually opt out if they wish to avoid participation. This could potentially conflict with their ISP’s terms of service, as some providers prohibit sharing connections.

How to Disable Amazon Sidewalk?

If you own an Echo device, you can disable Sidewalk through the Alexa app by navigating to settings, then account settings, and selecting Amazon Sidewalk. Simply toggle the switch to “Disabled.” For Ring device owners, the process is similar: go to the Ring app, access the Control Center, find Amazon Sidewalk, and switch it off.

Devices that had Sidewalk enabled include various models of Ring cameras and multiple generations of Echo devices.

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In summary, while Amazon Sidewalk offers some interesting features for smart home connectivity, it raises valid concerns around privacy and ISP agreements. Users should weigh the benefits against the potential risks and have the option to disable the feature easily.