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Comment by nf3 | Hacker News Reader

Who in their right mind would bring this kind of intrusive technology into their home, right into their most intimate space? I seriously don't get it. I mean what's wrong with keeping a pen & paper shopping list on your fridge?

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In what world is your kitchen your most intimate space?

The one where you actually have meaningful and personal conversations with your partner and family in the kitchen. You know, like a human.

Also a lot of people rent studios and one bedrooms or otherwise have open floor plans.

I’m not denying that personal conversations happen in the kitchen. But the most intimate space? That’s pure hyperbole.

Not to mention I think the paranoia about these home assistant devices is overblown. Do you use a smartphone? In your intimate kitchen?? It has just as much capability to listen to you.

> Do you use a smartphone?

We have a saying that loosely translates to “If the barn burns down, so does the house”. The meaning is that it’s not really wise to let the house burn down if the barn is burning.

You’re making an argument of false equivalency. Anyone who has used Siri can tell you that its listening capabilities are vastly overstated. There is a reason they make smart speakers and don’t just leverage your phone, despite the fact that almost everyone with a smart speaker has both.

What if I’m using Google Assistant on my phone and home assistant? What’s the meaningful difference?

Anything inside my house is the intimate space. I block the “smart” devices on the router firewall level so that they cannot call home - and here in this thread dozens of people use those spying devices that listens to you and to your family members and send this information to who knows where - this is just mind boggling to me. To each their own for sure, but using “smart home” devices made by corporations is absolute insanity in my head.

Do you use a smartphone?

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