I saw this article this morning:

https://gizmodo.com/dont-buy-anyone-an-echo-1820981732

I never wanted one, but now I'm alarmed about them.

I've had my Echo for several years and love it. Being "spied on" but a device is the least of my worries at this point in life. If they can be used to solve a crime then I'll meet the company at the door and happily hand it over. I think we've become paranoid in the environment we now live in.
I actually just bought the Dot for my neighbor, bought one of one of my sons and two Echo's for my son and daughter last year and they all love it.

It's like having a spy in your house. No thanks.

My husband, the uber techie says it can absolutely happen...it's why we don't have one.

I use my Amazon Dot for many things but my favorite is the Shopping list. As soon as I run out of something I tell Alexa to put it on my shopping list. it automatically goes on my phone so that when I'm out I can look up the list on my Alexa App. I also use it to ask questions about the weather, driving directions, history, medical questions. I play Jeopardy, Millionaire, 20 Questions. Just a fun little device.

I have an Echo and a Dot - I listen to it for music and the radio, I use it to send my grocery items to a listing on my phone, I use it to send "to do" items to a list on my phone, I use it at an alarm, I use it as a cooking timer, and to ask questions. My 99 year old mom used the "Dot" to listen to music. I am giving one to a friend who helps take care of my mom, as she is so jealous of mine ! I hope I do not do anything in my home that would embarrass me if someone heard it (grin) - but one never knows......

You know, if everything we ever heard or read was true - gosh knows. I remember when "cranberries will cause cancer", "coffee will kill you", and I still have duct tape and plastic left over from early 2000, when we were told to buy it because a nuclear attack was imminent. I no longer believe everything I read or hear.

My mother used to drive me batty asking me what time it was twenty times a day, despite the fact that she wears a watch and there are multiple devices around the hose with clocks on them. I bought her an echo dot just so she would leave me alone!

I didn't know there was a monthly fee.