3 Amazon privacy settings you need to change right now

I wondered how much money I had spent on Amazon.com, and maybe you would like to see your stats as well. There is an insider tip to get a detailed report from Amazon. Tap or click here for the steps to see everything you’ve purchased and on Amazon.com.

Amazon is more than shopping. The Echo smart speaker is a useful tool around the house. If you’re only asking for weather updates, check out these 20 smart new commands to give it a try [list].

As with everything Big Tech, you can’t ignore the critical steps to ensure your privacy. Read on to tackle three of the bigger ones.

Yes, you have an Amazon public profile

This tip always catches people off guard. As an Amazon customer, you have a profile that is visible to other Amazon users, which is created automatically.

It contains comments and ratings that you have left on products purchased from the site, your biographical information, and other interactions on the site. Fortunately, your public profile doesn’t include your purchases or browsing history, but it is still very revealing.

Here’s how to control what shows on your profile:

• Log into your Amazon account. Click Account & Lists.
• Under Ordering and purchasing preferences, click Your Amazon profile.
• Click on the orange box marked Edit your public profile.

Here you will see Edit public profile and Change the privacy settings.

Click on the different options to review. You can adjust the about me section, shopping lists, wishlists, pets you added, etc.

Check your Echo’s Drop In settings

One of the best Echo features is Drop In. It connects you to an Echo speaker or display for instant conversation. “Alexa, go to the Echo Dot garage.” If you have multiple Echo devices in your home, you can use this command to make an announcement. “Alexa, go on all devices.”

But you can’t forget that the Echo speaker or screen works both ways. It also allows someone to immediately listen or watch what is happening in the room after 10 seconds. It’s best to control these options unless you don’t mind someone hearing or watching what you are doing.

Take a look at the contacts you’ve approved for Drop In:

• Open the Alexa app on your phone.
• Tap Communicate at the bottom of the screen, and on that page, tap the contacts icon top right.
• Scroll through your contacts and make sure Allow Drop In is only enabled for the right people.

Then set the permissions to enable or disable for a specific device.

• In the Alexa app, select Settings> Device settings and choose the device you want to enable / disable Drop In.
• Tap The communications then and select Come in. Here you can select Enabled for authorized contacts only, My household to deposit only on devices in my account, or Disabled, which means that no one can enter.

If you want to turn off Drop In completely, open the Alexa app on your phone and follow the steps above for each of your Echo devices. When you get to the Drop In page for each Echo device, select Off. That’s it, now Drop In is disabled on each of your devices.

Don’t walk around the sidewalk

Sidewalk is essentially a mesh network that extends your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection range up to a mile. It turns your Echo speakers and some Ring gadgets into bridge devices to give internet connected technology a boost.

Amazon says the monthly data total is capped at 500MB per account, roughly the equivalent of streaming 10 minutes of HD video. It’s not much at all.

Not so fast, however. What about your privacy? Amazon claims the Sidewalk network uses three layers of encryption and your neighbors won’t be able to see your data.

They might say that, but the Internet of Things is notorious for its insecure devices and no updates. There is no standard. I turned it off.

If you want to unsubscribe, open the Alexa app.

• Tap After followed by Settings.
• Tap Account settings, followed by Amazon sidewalk.
• Turn Amazon Sidewalk disabled if you don’t want to participate.

Note: This only applies to certain devices, including Ring’s Floodlight Cam, Spotlight Cam Wired, and Spotlight Cam Mount from 2019 or later, as well as most Echo models (including the Dot, Plus, Show, Dot for Kids and Studio) manufactured after 2016.

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Discover all the latest technology on The Kim Komando Show, the nation’s biggest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and gives advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For his daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit his website at Komando.com.