Free speech debate erupts over prosecutor's efforts to get audio from Amazon Alexa

A free speech debate has erupted over Amazon's efforts to prevent prosecutors from obtaining audio that was recorded by one of the company's new Alexa personal assistants. Prosecutors in Arkansas say the audio could be important to proving the first-degree murder charge that it filed against James Andrew Bates, who is accused of killing a friend, Victor Collins. Bates' home had an Amazon Alexa, a device that can answer questions and perform simple functions, such as playing music. The voice-activated device is complemented by Echo, which contains speakers and microphones. Seattle-based Amazon says that the data recorded by the device, and the responses from the Alexa operating system, are protected by the First Amendment.