SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES

Is Amazon’s new car delivery service a security issue?

Apr 25, 2018, 2:12 PM

(AP)...

(AP)

(AP)

It seems like every other week Amazon is finding new ways to deliver packages. They’ve delivered to designed lockers, inside homes, and recently began testing drone delivery. Simply dropping off a package is just too old-fashioned for nation’s biggest online retailer.

Now Amazon is offering to leave packages in your car, when it’s parked, not when it’s moving, obviously. The car delivery is currently available for free in 37 cities to Prime members who own 2015 or newer General Motors or Volvo vehicles.

As is usually the case, security issues remain a concern. “Yesterday, when I was in the arboretum and there was no toilet paper, I would have enjoyed Amazon coming to the toilet stall and delivering some toilet paper,” joked KIRO Radio’s Don O’Neill.

“But other than that… it sounds like a horrible idea because we have so many people breaking into our cars.”

RELATED: An ode to Amazon Key

The way it works is this: Users download the Amazon Key App and synch it to their vehicle and a nearby address. This must include an accessible area, like a driveway, in front of an apartment building, or in a workplace parking lot. Amazon drivers can’t deliver to hard-to-reach spaces, like private parking garages or an aircraft carrier.

On delivery day, the app confirms that your car’s location is reachable, and then the driver pops open your car and leaves the package in the trunk or somewhere out of sight. Needless to mention, this only applies to items than can fit in your car. No mattresses. Pillows are fine.

Amazon negotiates line between convenience and security

Since Amazon packages are a hot item among thieves, placing them in vehicles could exacerbate the issue.

“Amazon’s in this weird spot, where they prize their customer service so much that they’re writing stuff off when it gets stolen,” said KIRO Radio’s Don Upshaw. “They’re trying to come up with different solutions here… I guess if it’s at your office and there’s security, that seems fine to me.”

Don sees this as a new avenue for car prowlers. “Won’t there be people following delivery drivers around waiting for them to drop these things off and then break in?” he wondered.

Still, with all the talk of security, Don isn’t entirely buying all the reports of package theft. “I think people lie to Amazon all the time. I was thinking about lying to them the other day,” said Don.

He recently ordered a Shark vacuum that has a short in it.

“The stuff that you’ve got to do to return a $99 vacuum is re-goddamn-diculous. It’s so much easier to call them and say, ‘The vacuum just disappeared from my porch.’ I don’t know what my therapist would say about that.”

Ron wasn’t even buying Don’s story.

“Here’s the most likely scenario that happened: that Shark vacuum needed some assembly required, and then you assembled it.”

“That’s probably true.”

Held by owner Christopher Wonder, Little Prince prepares to compete in the World's Ugliest Dog Cont...

Associated Press

Photos show the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest in California

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (AP) — The World’s Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Friday. ____ This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

6 hours ago

Luigi Mangione appears for a pre-trial hearing at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York, on Tuesday,...

Associated Press

What to know about Luigi Mangione’s guilty plea in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

NEW YORK (AP) — Luigi Mangione’s guilty plea on Friday to federal stalking-to-kill charges raised immediate questions about why he decided to enter that plea, how it’ll affect his parallel state murder case and what his lawyers might do to prevent Mangione from spending the rest of his life in prison. In a stunning turn, […]

7 hours ago

Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin speaks during a Labor Council meeting as part of the...

Associated Press

Democrats’ early 2028 primary calendar set to prioritize Black and Latino voters, organized labor

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Democrats’ process for picking a 2028 presidential nominee will likely kick off in states where candidates will need to appeal to key supporters such as Black and Latino voters and union members. It also may require fewer parkas for the winters in Iowa, which is out of the top spot of […]

7 hours ago

Denny Blaine Park...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘It is complete anarchy’: Denny Blaine for All spokesperson says Seattle is ignoring judge’s orders at notorious nude beach

A judge ordered Seattle to crack down on illegal activity at Denny Blaine Park. A month later, Lee Keller said the city hasn't done a thing.

9 hours ago

Costco (2)...

MyNorthwest Staff

Costco semi-sweet treat returns to shoppers’ excitement

To the joy of bakers, home cooks, and late-night snackers, a Costco favorite is back.

10 hours ago

Fife...

Julia Dallas

Construction material wholesaler closing Fife facility, laying off 54 employees

Construction material wholesaler Norwesco is closing its facility in Fife, effectively laying off more than 50 employees.

11 hours ago

Is Amazon’s new car delivery service a security issue?