Amazon Echo devices are set to change how they handle voice requests, sending all Alexa interactions to the company’s cloud. This shift, confirmed on March 19, 2025, raises questions about user privacy. With the removal of the ‘Do Not Send Voice Records’ feature, how will this impact Echo owners across the U.S.?
- "Do Not Send Voice Recordings" feature removal
- All voice requests will go to Amazon's cloud
- Less than 0.03% of users utilized feature
- Users will lose voice ID capability
- Privacy concerns raised on social media
- Amazon processes sounds upon wake word detection
Amazon Echo Devices Will Now Send All Alexa Requests to the Cloud
What does this mean for your privacy? Starting March 28, 2025, Amazon will remove the ‘Do Not Send Voice Records’ option from Echo devices. This means that all voice commands will be processed in Amazon’s cloud, regardless of user settings. With less than 0.03% of Echo owners using this feature, Amazon is shifting its focus to enhance AI capabilities.
What Changes Can Echo Owners Expect with This Update?
As part of this update, users will have to adapt to the new ‘Don’t Save Recordings’ setting, which will still send voice requests to the cloud before deletion. This adjustment may affect how users interact with Alexa and their overall experience.
Key Features Affected by the Update
Here are some important aspects of the upcoming changes:
- All voice requests sent to Amazon’s cloud, regardless of settings.
- Loss of voice ID functionality for users with the ‘Don’t Save Recordings’ setting.
- Automatic deletion of voice requests after processing.
- Limited options for privacy settings for Echo users.
User Reactions to the Privacy Changes
Many users have expressed frustration over this update. Concerns range from a perceived violation of privacy to dissatisfaction with Amazon’s handling of user data. Some users have even suggested moving away from Echo devices altogether.
What Else Does Amazon Process to the Cloud?
Besides voice requests, Amazon processes sounds from Echo devices whenever the wake word is detected or when the device is activated manually. However, it does not process visual ID data. This means that while audio data is sent to the cloud, visual data remains local.
In conclusion, as Amazon Echo devices transition to sending all voice requests to the cloud, users must weigh their privacy concerns against the convenience of Alexa’s features. Will this change influence your decision to continue using Echo devices?
