When you're selling an accessory to a microphone made by a company that wants access to customers' homes and an electronic eye in their bedrooms, maybe think long and hard about what name you give it. Or don't, and just call the damn thing "DOX."
That appears to have been the approach of electronics manufacturer Ninety7, which this fall introduced the newest addition to its lineup — a battery pack for the Amazon Echo Dot. Unfortunately, whoever decided on the name appears to not have done a simple Google search first. If they had, it would have revealed all the unflattering connotations that come along with the three-letter moniker.
Specifically, that it means to publish the personal and identifying information of unwilling individuals, often on the internet.
The unintentionally fitting name was called out this week on Twitter.
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To be clear, there is nothing inherently wrong with a device designed to allow you to "unplug and take Alexa anywhere you choose." Some people really like their Dots, and if those people want to buy a battery pack so they can tote their smart speakers along with them to the beach or whatever then so be it.
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However, when that device's name doubles as a perhaps unintentional attempt to reclaim doxing? Well, I don't know, maybe take it as an opportunity to meditate on the little remaining privacy you have left.
