Amazon Alexa gets 'my trans story' about how life is so great since having the FTM op

[PalatineUvula]

www.thelondoneconomic.com/tech-auto/transgender-voice-enabled-on-amazon-alexa-ahead-of-visibility-day/29/03/

'Amazon Alexa users in the UK will be able to hear the voice of a trans man ahead of this year’s International Transgender Day of Visibility on 31st March.

This project has been inspired by a desire to give this marginalised and often abused group of people a platform, allow them to tell their story and to have their voice listened to. The option will be available in the UK and will be activated by asking “Alexa, open the voice of trans”.

The voice will go on to thank the listener for wanting to listen to him and will proceed to tell his story, compiled from a series of real-life stories and case studies experienced by members of the transgender community around the world.

He will take the listener through the journey of his life with the listener being able to decide which sections they hear first, from his time as a child and hating girly clothes, to the difficulties he faced at school. He will also address the time he attempted to take his life and his transition. However, life has improved for him since his operation and he describes going on dates after his transition and his recent marriage to his girlfriend Aliyah.

Crucially, the voice will then invite the listener to visit a change.org petition applying pressure to advance trans rights on the UN’s human rights agenda in order to effect change on a global scale for the trans community.'

Second issues Barracker raised re:children being able to access this and talk of suicide. Very concerning.

Not too much difference between Alexa and a Telescreen.'

I've emailed Amazon to ask if they consulted The Samaritans before launching this. Automated message states i should have a reply within 12 hours.

Do the TRAs pushing the trans/suicide link not understand the way social contagion works, or do they not care? Or worse still, do they actually want more suicides in order to validate their claims that children should transition immediately as soon as they declare they are trans?

I don't understand how they can be ignorant of this issue, since it is repeatedly pointed out to them, but since many grown adults now seem to sincerely believe that people can change sex, maybe nothing should surprise me.

Do the TRAs pushing the trans/suicide link not understand the way social contagion works, or do they not care? Or worse still, do they actually want more suicides in order to validate their claims that children should transition immediately as soon as they declare they are trans?

October 2018 Stephen Whittle, prominant trans activist, founder member Press For Change, Government expert advisor to Maria Miller's Trans Inquiry etc was challenged about his irresponsible use of suicide risk in a Gurdian article on this board & said with regards contravening the widely accepted best practice discussing suicide / self-harrm:

"I agree. In hindsight I should not have said that - but the Samaritan's guidelines never cross my mind."

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3397010-Guardian-article-on-MPs-concern-with-GRA?pg=4

He considered this, acknowledged the seriousness and asked for his article to be edited with Samaritans' guidance cited. (see thread above)

Stephen Whittle was advised of concerns by a number of MN members that this irresponsibility of discussing suicide ideation & actualisation seemed a common issue amongst prominant transactivist campaigners, both some individuals and some organisations. That the concern was for the inevitable impact on vulnerable children & adults.

see also:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3397127-Stephen-Whittle-Press-for-Change-irresponsible-use-of-likely-suicides-follows-Helen-Belchers-Trans-Media-Watch

"I agree. In hindsight I should not have said that - but the Samaritan's guidelines never cross my mind."

Perhaps you should try to ensure that they do.

Update:

Well it appears Amazon did get back to me within 24 hours but my email account shoved it in the spam box to save me the bother...

"Please don't worry about it"

Well that's not at alll dismissive or patronising.

Wasn't the point of writing to them in the first place express that you ARE worried.

Not good enough Amazon.

Yup, I wouldn't be surprised if the last sentence had a few more condescending words deleted before they hit send.

Well that was written by a poorly trained customer services employee who probably should have sent it upwards. I would also hazard a guess that English isn't their first language. "There won't be any incorrect conversation which can hurt children's emotions or feelings" is really weirdly phrased.

Glad I don’t have an Alexa now.

They are only a few steps away from listening out for any signs of transphobia and reporting it.
Always found the idea of a device that is both monitoring the audio/conversations
within the home whilst connected to the internet(the world wide web no less) (with all the access that entails) a bit creepy.

(By “Transphobia” I meant stating biological facts and protecting women and children, as appears to be the 2019 definition. Real Transphobia is wrong and should always be condemned),

It sounds like Alexa herself wrote it. Very stilted and dismissive

Alexa, please define “woman” for me.

Do the TRAs pushing the trans/suicide link not understand the way social contagion works, or do they not care?

They just don't care. I would actually say some of them are so..selfish that they would prefer more actual suicides because that would make them more 'right'