If you’re worried about Amazon Sidewalk, here’s how to opt out

Amazon's Sidewalk: A Neighborhood Network with Privacy Trade-offs

Amazon's latest initiative, Sidewalk, integrates with Echo speakers, Ring cameras, and other smart home devices to create a low-bandwidth network. While promising extended device range and offline functionality, it raises privacy concerns due to its neighborhood-wide connectivity. This article explains how Sidewalk works and helps you decide whether to opt in or out.

How Amazon Sidewalk Works

Sidewalk enables compatible devices (Ring cameras and Echo devices from 2019 onward) to communicate using Bluetooth and shortwave radio signals. This simplifies device setup and reconnection by allowing devices to share Wi-Fi information. It also extends network reach, acting like a mesh network, bridging gaps in your home Wi-Fi coverage.

Crucially, Sidewalk extends this mesh network to your neighbors' homes. If a neighbor's Wi-Fi fails, their devices can use your router via Sidewalk, and vice-versa, increasing overall network reliability. However, this requires mutual Sidewalk participation.

Amazon claims Sidewalk limits bandwidth usage to 80Kbps and monthly data to 500MB, emphasizing security measures to protect user privacy. Future plans include expanding compatibility with other devices, like Tile trackers, for broader utility.

Should You Opt Out?

The decision hinges on a privacy versus convenience trade-off. While Amazon highlights Sidewalk's robust encryption and anonymization, no network is perfectly secure. Connecting your smart home to a neighborhood network inherently introduces a higher risk of compromise than keeping it isolated.

Data collection is another key consideration. Trust in Amazon's data handling practices is paramount. Although Amazon claims minimal data collection, opting out remains the most privacy-protective approach.

How to Opt Out of Amazon Sidewalk

In the US, Sidewalk automatically activates on compatible devices starting June 8th (with prior email notification). You can opt out via the Alexa app: navigate to More, Account Settings, then Amazon Sidewalk. Here, you can disable Sidewalk entirely or only the device-locating feature ("Community Finding"). This can be adjusted anytime. Opting out doesn't affect your devices' core functionality; they'll simply operate on your home Wi-Fi.

Weigh the benefits of extended range and offline functionality against the potential privacy risks before deciding whether to participate in Amazon Sidewalk.

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