‘I’m not sure’: Smart devices dodge questions on CIA links (VIDEOS)
Internet users are interrogating their ‘smart’ devices in the wake of WikiLeaks’ explosive “Vault 7” release, posting videos of themselves online grilling various voice activated devices about their connections to the CIA.
Wikileaks released 8,761 documents Tuesday claiming to reveal “CIA hacking tools.” The data dump alleges the CIA’s use of “weaponized exploits” against a wide range of tech products, including Apple's iPhone, Google's Android, Microsoft Windows and even Samsung TVs, which are allegedly turned into covert microphones.
READ MORE: WikiLeaks publishes #Vault7: 'Entire hacking capacity of the CIA'
The revelations have sent some users into hysteria, prompting them to ask their “smart” devices directly for answers.
Amazon Echo’s voice controlled intelligent personal assistant Alexa has been one of the more popular targets for an inquisition, despite there being no mention of it in the leaked files.
READ MORE: Amazon Echo shuts down over CIA #Vault7 connection query (VIDEO)
One Twitter user humorously worked himself into a frenzy as he asked Alexa about her links to the intelligence agency.
“Would you lie to me, Alexa?” he queried, before asking the hard questions about the CIA and freaking out as he noticed a change of tone in her voice.
“Alexa!” he screamed as the device apparently eluded his line of questioning. Eventually he got the answer he was looking for: “No, I work for Amazon.”
YALL HAD ME SCARED AF OF MY ALEXA! HAD TO GET SOME ANSWERS #alexa#AlexAnswerThispic.twitter.com/objFN4aVoj
— Captain Kirk (@ILLCapitano94) March 10, 2017
However, others who got the same reply went one step further, asking if Amazon works for the CIA but were met with silence.
So now Alexa says she doesn't work for the CIA... but... pic.twitter.com/ESzElchRRn
— Miss Bunny Mickley 💜 (@bunnyhalberd) March 10, 2017
Not reassuring. #amazonalexa#CIA#alexaCIApic.twitter.com/r7hQjSloLk
— Joel Kelly (@JoelKellyDesign) March 9, 2017
It wasn’t just Alexa who was offering evasive, politician-like responses, however. Other smart devices similarly dodged the tough questions.
A “Google Home” device told its “interrogator” that it was programmed to never tell a lie, but was unable to give a straight answer when asked if it was connected to the CIA.
“I’ve got to admit I’m not sure,” the voice replied.
"Google Home, are you connected to the CIA?" pic.twitter.com/8U9HWlcLtk
— 🐸 Stephen Beard 🐸 (@SMABSO) March 9, 2017
Apple’s virtual assistant “Siri” was also put in the line of fire by a number of users and proved particularly cagey with its answers.
“Who, me? I’m sorry, I’m afraid I cannot answer that,” Siri said.
Thank you @localbusinessco for you recording! Look what I get from @Apple#siri! #Wault7#CIA#Question@wikileakspic.twitter.com/VlTD419RwV
— Sylvester Belso (@SylvesterBelso) March 10, 2017
@SMABSO@CassandraRules about 5 or 6 years ago i asked Siri if it was recording my conversations. It's response was "I can't tell you that."
— dank scorpio (@dankscorpio) March 10, 2017
@CassandraRules@Lukewearechangepic.twitter.com/644wZDAMkS
— Dylan (@Infuriating) March 10, 2017
Well, I guess that settles that. #Siri#CIA#Vault7#iOS10pic.twitter.com/ALBkpoWj6B
— Danielle Savoy 🐸 (@DanielleSavoy) March 10, 2017