Amazon forces Echo users to sacrifice privacy for new Alexa features

On March 14, 2025, Amazon announced that it is eliminating a privacy feature for Echo users to facilitate the rollout of the generative AI version of its voice assistant, Alexa+. The change, communicated via email to users, informs them that they will no longer be able to keep their Echo devices processing voice requests locally, thus preventing the transmission of voice recordings to Amazon’s cloud. This decision has raised privacy concerns among users, particularly those who had previously opted for the 'Do Not Send Voice Recordings' setting, as they will now face a loss of the Voice ID capability that allows the assistant to recognize different speakers and deliver personalized responses and services. The move comes in light of Amazon's expansion efforts for Alexa, particularly with features reliant on increased cloud processing power. Amazon has marketed Alexa+ with advanced functionalities, such as recognizing who is speaking to the device via the Alexa Voice ID feature, which enables personalized experiences like accessing specific calendar events and music tailored to the user. However, users who prefer to maintain their privacy by not allowing recordings will find the essential Voice ID functionality 'bricked' or non-functional starting March 28, thus forcing them to make a difficult choice between privacy and enhanced capabilities. Privacy advocates express growing discomfort with Amazon's handling of voice data, especially considering past incidents where employees were permitted to listen to recordings. The company has previously faced scrutiny over its handling of recordings, including allegations of misuse in legal proceedings and a recent settlement regarding unauthorized access to customer footage from Ring cameras. With these issues in mind, users must now navigate Amazon's landscape of privacy policy changes and product evolution while grappling with the implications of their choices concerning personal data sharing. As a consequence, customers who want to utilize the new features will have to grant Amazon unequivocal access to their recordings or lose enhanced features that may improve their overall experience with Echo devices. Amazon's prioritization of functionalities that promote its subscription-based model raises concerns about the shift in the balance between technological advancements and user privacy considerations.