Episode Details

Amazon is shifting away away from on-device processing for Alexa, both raising and re-igniting privacy concerns. Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Brian Flaingan-Arthurs, Jeff Gamet, Marty Jencius, Eric Bolden, Web Bixby, and Jim Rea explore tools for deleting old social media posts in light of changing norms and AI training risks. Other topics include AI tools refusing to assist programmers, content ownership in the digital age, and Sonos dropping plans for a streaming box. Privacy, control, and tech ethics take center stage in a wide-ranging conversation.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/maclevelten/MV25106.mp3

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Chapters:

00:06 Introduction to Mac Voices 05:51 Amazon's New A-Lady Features 11:09 Concerns About Privacy and Smart Devices 12:10 Deleting Past Social Media Posts 19:19 Ownership of Online Content 22:07 The Nature of Social Media Conversations 25:26 AI Refusal to Assist Programmers 28:32 Mac Conference Announcement 31:05 Closing Thoughts and Farewells

Links:

Everything you say to your Echo will be sent to Amazon starting on March 28 https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/everything-you-say-to-your-echo-will-be-sent-to-amazon-starting-on-march-28/

'Redact' Can Delete Your Posts From 28 Different Social Networks https://lifehacker.com/tech/redact-deletes-posts-28-social-networks-and-services

AI coding assistant refuses to write code, tells user to learn programming instead https://arstechnica.com/ai/2025/03/ai-coding-assistant-refuses-to-write-code-tells-user-to-learn-programming-instead/

Guests:

Web Bixby has been in the insurance business for 40 years and has been an Apple user for longer than that.You can catch up with him on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Eric Bolden is into macOS, plants, sci-fi, food, and is a rural internet supporter. You can connect with him on Twitter, by email at embolden@mac.com, on Mastodon at @eabolden@techhub.social, on his blog, Trending At Work, and as co-host on The Vision ProFiles podcast.

Brian Flanigan-Arthurs is an educator with a passion for providing results-driven, innovative learning strategies for all students, but particularly those who are at-risk. He is also a tech enthusiast who has a particular affinity for Apple since he first used the Apple IIGS as a student. You can contact Brian on twitter as @brian8944. He also recently opened a Mastodon account at @brian8944@mastodon.cloud.

Jeff Gamet is a technology blogger, podcaster, author, and public speaker. Previously, he was The Mac Observer's Managing Editor, and the TextExpander Evangelist for Smile. He has presented at Macworld Expo, RSA Conference, several WordCamp events, along with many other conferences. You can find him on several podcast