Amazon Key: Giving Complete Strangers Free Access To Your Home

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I swear this is true...even checked it on Amazon's website. They now have a service called "Amazon Key" which will basically let their delivery drivers into your home to deliver packages. Read 'em and weep.

I can't be the only one who's just a wee bit skittish about letting complete strangers (even ones that Amazon has done background checks on) into my home when I'm away. Yes, Amazon provides a webcam where you can view the delivery as it happens, and even talk to the driver, but if something goes wrong in the process - such as, the carefully prescreened and vetted driver decides to help themselves to your stuff anyway - there's not a whole lot you can do about it...especially since your security system has to be OFF for this thing to work.

Seriously. Would YOU be comfortable with giving complete strangers free rein of your home?

 

[DimesDan]

I see no way this could go wrong.

 

[Kor]

If something bad happened, then at least I could sue one of today's biggest companies and get a bundle.

Kor

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ And you don't think Amazon would claim that their drivers were "independent contractors", thus conveniently shielding Amazon from any legal action?

 

[Amaris]

Or as I like to call it: "5 minutes? Time to grab all the small stuff no one will notice is missing," "I can see everything you own and with your permission," and "thanks, Amazon, for the backdoor warrantless search. Love, the police."

 

[scotpens]

 

[Tora Ziyal]

There is no way in hell........

 

[Timby]

^ And you don't think Amazon would claim that their drivers were "independent contractors", thus conveniently shielding Amazon from any legal action?

It's not a claim, that's the actual situation: Amazon Logistics workers are classified as independent contractors, and the company's hiring process is essentially identical to Uber: An extremely high-level, shallow background check (with no fingerprint check), no assurances of competence and no guarantees against criminal conduct. Beyond that, the Amazon Key terms and conditions force the customer to agree to binding arbitration and waive any and all rights to sue in the event of wrongdoing.

Fuuuuuuuuuck that. Like hell if I'm having access to my house facing the Internet 24 / 7, to say nothing of letting a complete stranger get into my house with the swipe of a phone. Even though I know my lock and deadbolt on my doors and the locks on my windows only keep honest people out ... sorry, Bezos, when it comes to where my wife and my dog sleep, I'm sticking with the principle of least privilege.

Edit: Also, it seems patently clear that post-Whole Foods acquisition, this is a pilot program to gauge how comfortable people are with allowing deliveries within their home. This is Amazon literally getting their foot in the door as a precursor to people allowing Amazon Fresh deliveries to their fridge.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Setting aside the prospect of people stealing my shit, this is way too invasive for me to consider.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

I'd have to be home to consider it. NOT while I'm not there.

 

[TheCrankyCardassian]

Hells no! This is giving me a serious “get off my lawn” moment.

 

[auntiehill]

There is no way in hell........

Ditto. There's no way in hell I'm allowing strangers access to my home. I work at home, alone, while all my neighbors are away at their jobs. So, not just "no", but FUCK NO.

 

[Velocity]

So how do I apply to be this Amazon independent contractor? Sounds like a lucrative part time job. Potentially VERY lucrative.

 

[Unicron]

I like buying stuff online from Amazon, but there's no way I'd sign up for this. I'd rather them leave the package if no one's home and potentially having that stolen.

 

[Avro Arrow]

Are we sure this isn't one of their clever April Fools jokes? *checks calendar* Huh.

Are Amazon deliveries in the US made by people who actually work for Amazon? Up here they just get shipped by Canada Post or a courier company.

But no, would not sign up for this. Even if it was free, rather than costing me $250 for this "convenience".

 

[Kor]

It's not a claim, that's the actual situation: Amazon Logistics workers are classified as independent contractors, and the company's hiring process is essentially identical to Uber: An extremely high-level, shallow background check (with no fingerprint check), no assurances of competence and no guarantees against criminal conduct. Beyond that, the Amazon Key terms and conditions force the customer to agree to binding arbitration and waive any and all rights to sue in the event of wrongdoing.
...

Well that sucks.

If I had an entry area like an enclosed porch that had a different lock than the actual door into the house, then I would probably be OK with providing access to that.

But the thing costs $250 and is only available to Prime members, so forget it.

Kor

 

[Amaris]

It would also take little effort for Alexa to have access to that key system. That system would be very hackable.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

There might be a workable middle ground here, in which Amazon has access to my locked patio but can't get inside any other part of the house, but there are still issues to consider.

 

[The Lady Eve]

It would also take little effort for Alexa to have access to that key system. That system would be very hackable.

Yes, that's what was said on NPR today -very hackable indeed. Hell no. Terrible idea although it may get someone a large settlement.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Amazon is a great online store, but Amazon Delivery is about the most incompetent service I've ever encountered-- how do they expect their people to get into anybody's house when they can't find anybody's house?