AMAZON is removing a popular feature from Alexa-powered speakers sparking fears over privacy.
The tech giant is axing the “do not send voice recordings” option on Echo devices as it progresses with AI.
Echo Dot (4th Gen) is among the affected devices[/caption]
It means users will no longer have the power to block voice requests being sent to the company.
At present, the feature allows users to opt out of sending voice recordings to Amazon‘s cloud for processing.
Instead, it processes voice data on the device itself locally.
People have started sharing emails from Amazon alerting them of the changes.
And it’s due to start next week.
“We are reaching out to let you know that the Alexa feature ‘Do Not Send Voice Recordings’ that you enabled on your supported Echo device(s) will no longer be available beginning March 28, 2025,” the email reads.
“This feature allowed compatible Echo devices to process the audio of Alexa requests locally on device.
“As we continue to expand Alexa’s capabilities with generative AI feature that rely on the processing power of amazon’s secure cloud, we have decided to no longer support this feature.”
After March 28, the feature will be replaced with a new option called “Don’t Save Recordings”.
Voice requests will be sent to “Amazon’s secure cloud” and automatically deleted after processing is complete.
The option was only available on selected Echo speakers, including Echo (4th Gen), Echo Show 10 and Echo Show 15.
Privacy-conscious users did not welcome the news, saying it’s “another reason to ditch Amazon”.
“Time to throw it in the bin,” one user wrote on Reddit.
“How nice. A way for every single conversation you have to be utilized by gen ai,” another wrote.
“Thats just so incredibly creepy.”
Amazon told The Sun: “The Alexa experience is designed to protect our customers’ privacy and keep their data secure, and that’s not changing.
“We’re focusing on the privacy tools and controls that our customers use most and work well with generative AI experiences that rely on the processing power of Amazon’s secure cloud.
“Customers can continue to choose from a robust set of tools and controls, including the option to not save their voice recordings at all.
“We’ll continue learning from customer feedback, and building privacy features on their behalf.”
The move comes weeks after Amazon announced a new ultra-smart Alexa+ that talks like a human.
Users will have to pay to access the upgrade – though it will be available at no extra cost to Amazon Prime subscribers.
AI-NY GOOD? THE EXPERT VIEW
Here’s what tech industry expert Paolo Pescatore, of PP Foresight, made of the new Alexa+ upgrade…
“Taking AI to the masses,” Paolo explained.
“There’s a lot riding on this revamp service given the lengthy delays and to justify the huge investments poured into AI and everything else.
“Ultimately consumers have not shown a greater willingness to use features beyond basic requests.
“We are now starting to see meaningful developments in the world of AI that promise to offer users a personalised experience.
“The biggest question is whether users are ready, given their early experiences and concerns around security and trust.
“These factors still remain huge barriers to wider adoption.
“If executed well, should resonate with customers rather than getting users to fork out for another additional monthly fee.
“All of these latest moves reinforce the importance of Prime and providing users with a one stop shop for nearly everything.
“A big moment for the new devices and services chief Panos Panay.”
Picture Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun
