Amazon's Alexa user accesses stranger's chats Published duration 20 December 2018

image copyright Amazon image caption The sending of a private conversation was a rare occurrence, Amazon insisted

A user of Amazon's smart assistant Alexa was sent 1,700 audio files from a complete stranger, after he requested access to his own recordings.

Amazon described the incident as an "isolated case" and put the mistake down to human error.

The user, based in Germany, said that he informed Amazon of the issue but got no reply.

The files were later deleted from the link Amazon sent him but remained downloaded on his computer.

The online retail giant said in a statement: "This was an unfortunate case of human error and an isolated incident. We have resolved the issue with the two customers involved and have taken steps to further improve our processes. We were also in touch on a precautionary basis with the relevant regulatory authorities."

The man requested access to his data under the new EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Steve Kuncewicz, a partner at law firm BLM said that it was "quite embarrassing" for Amazon but the fact that it only involved the data of one person meant the regulator might "take a pragmatic approach".

However the man whose data was exposed could have a civil case to answer should he wish to pursue it, he added.

Shower chat

image copyright Getty Images image caption The data included some from when the man was taking a shower

It said that the man had provided the recordings to the magazine and it was able to get in touch with person in question.

It added that the audio files revealed a lot of personal data, including where he lived, who his partner is and his taste in music. It also said that some of the recordings were from when he was in the shower.

Anyone wishing to find out what Amazon records when they communicate with Alexa can do so via Amazon's website. They can also delete the stored audio files.