Amazon Alexa’s New Voice Recording Policy: What You Need to Know
Amazon is making a significant change to its AI-enhanced Alexa assistant that all users should be aware of. In a recent email to Alexa users, the online retail giant announced the discontinuation of the “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” feature, which has been one of the few privacy protections for recorded voice data. This alteration comes as Amazon gears up for the rollout of Alexa+. For those concerned about their privacy, the only foolproof way to ensure Amazon doesn’t capture your voice data may be to stop using Alexa altogether.
Important Changes to Alexa’s Voice Recording Features
Users can find the full email detailing these changes on Reddit, as first reported by Ars Technica. The discontinuation of the “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” setting is set for March 28. From this date, users who had this feature enabled will have it automatically revoked, allowing Amazon to process their voice recordings. Although Amazon states that these recordings will be deleted after processing your requests, the lack of control has caused concern among privacy advocates.
Why Is Amazon Making This Change?
In the email, Amazon explained, “As we continue to expand Alexa’s capabilities with generative AI features that rely on the processing power of Amazon’s secure cloud, we have decided to no longer support this feature.” Starting March 28, even if users do not take further action, their settings will automatically change to “Don’t save recordings.” This means that Alexa will send and process voice recordings in the cloud. Furthermore, all previously saved voice recordings will also be deleted.
Understanding the Impact on Alexa Devices
This feature change affects newer Alexa devices such as the Echo Dot, Echo Show 10, and Echo Show 15 in the U.S., which had the capability to process audio on the device instead of the cloud. Post-March 28, these devices will no longer retain voice recordings, raising questions about user privacy and data control.
Amazon’s Stance on User Privacy
An Amazon spokesperson assured Gizmodo that Alexa is designed to prioritize customer privacy, stating, “Customers can continue to choose from a robust set of tools and controls, including the option to not save their voice recordings at all.” However, with the removal of a key privacy feature, many users are left questioning the effectiveness of these assurances.
The Future of Alexa with Alexa+
Amazon is set to launch Alexa+, an upgraded version of its voice assistant, promising greater functionality. This new assistant will facilitate tasks such as grocery ordering through various apps like Amazon Fresh and Instacart with broad requests like “get me all the ingredients for pizza.” Alexa+ aims to enhance smart home routines, access security footage, and navigate Prime Video content within conversational settings.
A highlight of the Alexa+ rollout is the introduction of Voice ID, which theoretically enables Alexa to recognize individual users and tailor responses accordingly. This functionality is expected to be available on current Echo Show devices and will also extend to future Echo products. Amazon Prime subscribers will gain immediate access to Alexa+; however, users without a subscription may need to pay an additional €18.50 monthly to utilize the new features.
Concerns Over Voice Data Privacy
There are legitimate reasons to be cautious about allowing Amazon access to your voice data. Previous practices have shown that Amazon’s default settings allowed workers to access user data, with some even having the ability to listen to voice recordings. In 2023, Amazon paid €23 million to the Federal Trade Commission due to allegations regarding unauthorized access to children’s voice data and Ring camera footage.
Despite changes claiming compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), Amazon’s history with user data has raised eyebrows. In 2023, the company revealed it was utilizing Alexa recordings to train its AI, without clearly stating whether users’ recordings were included in the training process.
How Does Amazon Compare to Other Tech Giants on Data Protection?
Unlike Apple, which emphasizes data protection through its “private cloud compute” system for anonymous AI processing, Amazon has made fewer explicit commitments to user data safety. While some smaller AI models can function on-device, instances of true assistant AI with cross-application capabilities have yet to prove themselves. Alexa+ aims to be the first to excel in this area, but it raises privacy concerns due to Amazon’s inconsistent track record in safeguarding user data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” feature?
The “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” feature allows users to prevent their voice data from being transmitted to Amazon for processing. As of March 28, this feature will be discontinued, allowing Amazon to process and delete voice recordings post-use.
How will the changes affect my Echo device?
Post-March 28, all voice recordings will be processed in the cloud instead of being saved on the device. This means that any recorded data will not be stored locally, raising privacy concerns.
What is Alexa+ and how does it differ from the original Alexa?
Alexa+ is an upgraded version of Amazon’s voice assistant designed to enhance functionality. It will offer features like grocery ordering from multiple apps and personalized voice recognition through Voice ID, distinguishing it from the traditional Alexa experience.
How can I protect my voice data while using Alexa?
While direct control over voice recording has diminished, users can choose not to save any recordings at all. However, if you are concerned about privacy, discontinuing use of Alexa entirely may be the safest option.
For more details on these changes and to stay updated on Alexa’s evolving features, keep an eye on Amazon’s announcements and privacy policy updates.
Update 03/17/25 at 2:40 p.m. ET: This post has been updated to include statements from Amazon and additional insights regarding the company’s future product plans.