In what it called an "unlikely" string of events, Amazon says Alexa heard background conversation and misconstrued it as very specific directives.
https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/05/25/614470096/amazon-echo-recorded-and-sent-couples-conversation-all-without-their-knowledge
* told * the same thing had happened to him * explains * an Echo ordered a $170 dollhouse * causing Google Home devices to dutifully reply * ran a story * Some Echos at home complied * told * this advice