CINCINNATI -- The benefits of the newly announced Amazon Key service are obvious: Cut down on package theft and keep your deliveries out of bad weather as winter approaches.
The downsides, however, seem equally obvious. The idea of setting up a $250 system that allows strangers into a person's home when that person isn't around (and links itself to a mandatory in-home surveillance network!) sent screaming heebie-jeebies down the spines of many, many Twitter users Wednesday.
Amazon key - shifting my anxiety over stolen packages on my doorstep to strangers hiding in my closet. Great plan 👏🏻👏🏻
— Kelsey (@PoliticKels) October 25, 2017
Amazon: do we have permission to leave your package using Amazon Key?
Me: sure
*later* pic.twitter.com/EOKtEwyfWq— Umair Siddiqui (@OfficialUmairS) October 25, 2017
Amazon is doing its best to make the process "minimally invasive and totally transparent," tech news site The Verge wrote Wednesday, which is where the surveillance system comes in. The resident should be able to watch each delivery as it takes place in their home, theoretically preventing an opportunistic delivery person from making off with their TV and Xbox.
RELATED: Your Amazon Key questions answered
However, even if you're sold on the idea of letting a stranger step inside and deliver your packages, lawyer Bob Steinberg said there are a few more things prospective Key adopters should keep in mind. If you don't own your residence, you might be violating the terms of your lease by taking advantage of the new service, so checking with your landlord is a good idea.
If you do own your residence, you can also be held responsible for anything that happens to a delivery person on your property.
"Let's say your dog spills his dog food on the floor and the Amazon person slips and falls and breaks his ankle," Steinberg said. "You would be responsible for the medical bill. Or if the dog didn't eat the dog food and was hungry and bit the Amazon guy, you'd be responsible for that."
So, just to be clear: Amazon Key creates the dual (albeit uncommon) possibilities that you will hurt your delivery person and that your delivery person will hurt you.
Your packages, however, will be dry as a bone.
