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# Smart Speaker Privacy Caps
MSCHF's Jammer Device Addresses Smart Speakers and Privacy

By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2020-07-28 | Tech
Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-speakers-and-privacy
References: [fastcompany](https://www.fastcompany.com/90532150/you-can-now-buy-an-amazon-echo-add-on-that-stops-alexa-from-listening) & [alexagate](https://alexagate.com/)

There are legitimate concerns around smart speakers and privacy, as these devices always seem to be listening but [MSCHF's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hot-chat-3000) Alexagate was developed to support [Amazon](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hive-security) [Echo](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/amazon-echo-devices) users by offering them an easier way to turn off the mics. Kevin Wiesner, MSCHF’s creative director, describes Alexagate as an "aftermarket privacy adjustment" that helps consumers retrofit the popular smart speaker.

MSCHF is only selling a limited batch of the smart speaker accessories, which use seven ultrasonic speakers to jam Alexa's mic. Now, by clapping three times, Amazon Echo users can indicate whether they'd like to turn the mic on or off, as the smart speaker is always listening for the word "Alexa" so that it can provide assistance for a range of tasks.

Image Credit: MSCHF

## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter)

- Score: 2.5/10
- Popularity: 43% | Activity: 22% | Freshness: 9%
- Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women
- Primary generations: Millennial
- Top markets: North America

## Categories

[Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets)

## Key Themes

### What Makes This Trend Stand Out

- **Smart Speaker Privacy:** Development of aftermarket smart speaker privacy adjusting devices has emerged to address concerns around the always listening nature of devices.
- **Ultrasonic Speaker Technology:** Innovative companies such as MSCHF are utilizing ultrasonic speaker technology to jam smart speakers, potentially disrupting the smart speaker and home assistant industries.
- **Active Mic Control:** The ability to actively control smart speaker mics with simple gestures or voice commands is becoming an increasingly popular feature, with new opportunities for innovation in this space.

### Sectors Adopting This

- **Smart Home Devices:** The development of smart speaker privacy caps could disrupt the smart home device industry, leading to new advancements in privacy control technology.
- **Consumer Electronics:** The trend towards aftermarket privacy adjusting devices could create new opportunities in consumer electronics, particularly in the development of user-friendly, privacy-focused products.
- **Home Security:** The emergence of ultrasonic speaker technology and active mic control in smart speakers could have implications for the home security industry, with potential for new innovations in surveillance and privacy monitoring.

## Related on Trend Hunter

- [Ultrasonic Anti-Recording Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/audio-jammer.md)
- [Next-Generation AI Assistant Speakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/amazon-echo-devices.md)
- [Audio Recording Prevention Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-speech-protector.md)
- [Entry-Level Smart Speakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/echo-pop.md)
- [Space-Themed Smart Speakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/amazon-echo-show-5-kids.md)
- [Anti-Intrusion Smartphone Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sectock-privacy-phone-case.md)
- [Anti-Offensive Speech Speakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/themis-device.md)
- [Voice Suppression Microphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mutalk.md)
- [Voice-First Web Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alexacom.md)