As Amazon prepares to launch its Sidewalk initiative – a shared low-bandwidth wireless network designed to keep connected devices “Always On” – questions abound regarding the privacy protocols that the company has put in place to protect users’ data. The project has been met with both enthusiasm and concern from the public, and the conversation about the potential for security and privacy breaches is ongoing.
Amazon is no stranger to privacy scrutiny; in the past, the company made headlines for not properly guarding customer data, leading to a number of embarrassing data disclosures. In order to avoid further missteps, Amazon has set up two protocols: one to protect data stored on Amazon devices, and the other to protect data being shared across Sidewalk.
When it comes to storing data on Sidewalk-enabled devices, Amazon has implemented a Multi-Tiered Access Program that requires a user’s consent before data is shared with third parties. Additionally, all data collected by the Amazon Sidewalk network is encrypted in-transit and at-rest.
Sidewalk-enabled devices are also outfitted with end-to-end encryption, which adds an extra layer of security. All data being sent or received is secured using an Extra Layer Security protocol, which consists of an encryption key, an integrity verification key, and a cryptographic nonce, all of which are designed to protect users’ data when traveling over the network.
When it comes to sharing data across the Sidewalk network, users must opt-in in order to do so, and the data that is shared is anonymized before it is transmitted. This means that any data that is shared is encrypted, and the user’s identity remains anonymous. However, it is still possible for third parties to access the data, given that it is traveling across an open network.
Overall, Amazon Sidewalk is making an effort to protect users’ data. However, until the network is widely tested in the real world, it remains to be seen whether the privacy protocols are sufficient to protect their data. Until that time, Amazon users are urged to exercise caution before opting-in to the Sidewalk network.
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