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December 30, 2016

Arkansas Prosecutors Obtain Warrant for Amazon Echo Audio Recordings
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In Arkansas, prosecutors seeking evidence against a Bentonville man
charged with murder have obtained a warrant to receive data from his
Amazon Echo-a voice-activated device that is always listening and often
recording. James Andrew Bates says he's innocent of the murder of Victor
Collins, who was found strangled in Bates's hot tub. Prosecutors hope to
search audio recordings on Bates's Amazon Echo for clues. Lawyers for
Amazon.com have refused to comply with the warrant, and technology
experts say it's unlikely the device was recording at the time of the
murder. But the case has drawn national attention and alarmed civil
liberties groups. Bates's lawyer, Kimberly Weber, told USA Today, "I
have a problem that a Christmas gift that is supposed to better your
life can be used against you. It's almost like a police state."


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