Smart speakers at crime scenes could provide valuable clues to police

Police can access a trove of data from smart speakers found at crime scenes that could be invaluable in solving murders or burglaries, say researchers. Data on recently recognised faces, internet searches and any voice commands received could be extracted even without the owner’s permission or assistance from the manufacturer.

Jona Crasselt and Gaston Pugliese at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany decided to explore how much information can be pulled from these devices after seeing news coverage of Amazon refusing to…

The Rise of Smart Speakers:

Smart speakers, powered by artificial intelligence and equipped with microphones and cameras, are designed to listen and respond to voice commands. Amazon’s Echo Show 15, for example, not only records audio but can also capture images, making it a powerful data-gathering device in people’s homes. These devices are always on standby, listening for their wake word (like “Alexa”) and ready to capture interactions.

Data as Evidence:

When a crime occurs in a home with a smart speaker, the data stored on these devices can be a goldmine of evidence. Researchers Jona Crasselt and Gaston Pugliese at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany have explored how much information can be extracted from smart speakers. They argue that data from these devices could prove invaluable in solving crimes, even when the device’s owner does not cooperate, or the manufacturer refuses to provide data.

Here’s how this information can be useful:

Recently Recognized Faces: Many smart speakers with built-in cameras, like the Echo Show 15, can recognize and store images of people who have been in proximity to the device. At a crime scene, this feature could potentially identify individuals who were present, either as witnesses or suspects. This information could help law enforcement establish timelines or link individuals to the scene.

Voice Commands and Audio Recordings: Smart speakers record voice commands given by users, such as asking for weather updates, playing music, or searching the internet. This data can reveal what was said in the home leading up to, during, or after a crime, potentially providing clues about what happened. If the wake word was used around the time of the incident, the smart speaker might have recorded conversations that could serve as evidence.

Internet Searches and Digital Footprints: Many smart speakers allow users to browse the internet using voice commands. Police could use records of internet searches to establish motives or determine the planning and intent behind a crime. For example, searches related to poisons, weapons, or suspicious locations could indicate premeditation.

Legal and Ethical Considerations:

The idea of using smart speaker data for crime investigation raises several legal and ethical questions. In many cases, accessing data from these devices without the owner’s permission can be seen as a violation of privacy. Additionally, there are concerns over the accuracy and context of the recorded data. For example, a voice command taken out of context could lead to wrongful accusations.

However, there are precedents where such data has been used in criminal investigations. In 2015, a murder case in Bentonville, Arkansas, saw police requesting Amazon to provide data from an Echo device found at the crime scene. Although Amazon initially resisted the request, citing privacy concerns, the data was ultimately handed over after the defendant consented. Such cases highlight the delicate balance between privacy rights and the pursuit of justice.

Research and Exploration:

Crasselt and Pugliese decided to investigate this topic after noticing news coverage about Amazon’s reluctance to share data from its smart speakers with law enforcement. They wanted to determine just how much data could be retrieved from a smart speaker without requiring the owner’s permission or assistance from the manufacturer. Their findings suggest that, while it may not be straightforward, there are methods to extract potentially valuable information that could assist in solving crimes.

Potential Impact on Law Enforcement:

As smart speakers become more common, they may play an increasing role in criminal investigations. Police departments around the world are starting to recognize the potential of these devices as a source of digital evidence. However, there will need to be clear guidelines and protocols to govern how this data is accessed and used. Balancing the need for security with respect for individual privacy will be key to ensuring that these devices are used responsibly in the fight against crime.