Amazon reportedly sought access to Ecobee thermostat data even when customers were not using Alexa, raising concerns over privacy and the tech giant’s power over marketplace partners.
Amazon has been accused of trying to pressure Ecobee into sharing more data from its smart thermostats, according to reporting from The Wall Street Journal. The alleged demand centred on devices connected to Alexa, with Amazon seeking access to information even when customers were not actively using the voice assistant.
Ecobee reportedly resisted, saying it would not turn its products into constant data feeds for Amazon. According to the Journal, the company was concerned that always-on reporting about home activity, including whether doors were locked or unlocked and what temperature had been set, would breach customer trust and could also help Amazon build rival products.
The reported dispute highlights the leverage Amazon can exert over companies that depend on its marketplace. Android Central, citing the Journal’s account, said Amazon warned that Ecobee’s ability to sell through the platform could be affected if it did not agree to the data-sharing request. At the time of the reports, Ecobee’s products were still available on Amazon, although negotiations were said to be ongoing.
The episode also fits a broader pattern of scrutiny over Amazon’s use of platform data. The Wall Street Journal has previously reported allegations that Amazon employees used third-party seller information to research and launch competing products, claims the company has denied. Those earlier accusations, together with the Ecobee dispute, have reinforced concern that Amazon’s dual role as platform operator and product maker can create conflicts of interest for partners that rely on its ecosystem.
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