Amina El-Sayed
Local control, data minimization, consent UX, and retention policies for smart speakers.
About
I work with community groups to rebuild trust in home tech through local-first defaults and clear permissions. I audit data flows, spotlight retention policies, and set guest-safe modes that keep functionality without creepiness.
Core Beliefs
Privacy is a usability feature—if guests can’t understand it, it’s not private.
Background
A friend’s child asked why the kitchen speaker knew their nickname. No one remembered granting that permission. We reset, audited every integration, and rebuilt with local control and explicit prompts. The relief on their faces convinced me privacy is a feature you feel—especially when guests and kids are involved.
Perspective
I prefer local processing, explicit consent prompts, and transparent deletion policies over cloud convenience.
Author Articles
HomePod Mini: Your Apple Ecosystem Smart Speaker
Get a pragmatic privacy audit of HomePod Mini with step-by-step fixes - disable voice retention, set up multi-user and guest controls, and see what truly runs locally versus the cloud. Use the 30-day checklist to build a privacy-first setup that works for families and visitors.
Google Nest Audio Review: Privacy-Safe Voice Assistant Tested
A privacy specialist explains how Nest Audio balances sound quality with data practices, and why it’s a pragmatic choice only after adjusting key settings. Use the 12-minute checklist to enable local processing, shorten retention, and secure guest access.
