Smart assistants are becoming gatekeepers to digital economy

Amazon could be questioned on why Alexa won’t let users change their default grocery delivery provider to a rival. — Reuters

The Apple Watch and the Siri digital assistant inside it; Amazon.com Inc’s Echo speakers and Alexa service; the data about eating habits recorded by Internet-connected refrigerators – all are potential targets in a European Union competition probe.

Regulators led by Margrethe Vestager said they want about 400 companies to contribute to a report about how so-called Internet-of-Things devices collect and use consumer data. The investigation follows years of relatively unchecked growth by technology giants into wearable devices and smart home products.