From March 28, a change to a long-standing Amazon Echo privacy feature will mean that every Alexa request will be transmitted to Amazon’s cloud by default, rather than being processed locally on the device.
What’s Changing?
For years, Amazon Echo users had the option to keep some of their voice interactions with Alexa private. For example, select Echo devices, including the Echo Dot (4th Gen), Echo Show 10, and Echo Show 15, offered a setting called “Do Not Send Voice Recordings.” This allowed Alexa to process certain requests locally on the device, meaning users’ voices never left their homes. However, this is about to change.
Every Command To Be Sent To Amazon’s Servers
Amazon has confirmed that from March 28, 2025, every single voice command issued to an Echo device will be transmitted to its cloud servers for processing. The company is discontinuing the local processing option entirely, regardless of user preference. Even if customers select the “Don’t save recordings” setting, voice data will still be sent to Amazon’s servers, although the company says it will delete it once processed.
Emailed Explanation
In an email to affected users, Amazon explained the change, stating:
“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. 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.”
Why Is Amazon Making This Change?
In short, the official reason for the change is generative AI. Amazon says Alexa is evolving, and the latest advancements require more computational power than what’s possible on an Echo device. Instead of processing requests locally, Alexa will therefore leverage Amazon’s cloud-based AI to provide more sophisticated responses.
This change aligns with Amazon’s push for Alexa+, a new AI-powered version of the voice assistant expected to roll out later this year. The upgrade promises a more human-like, conversational Alexa experience (closer to ChatGPT), offering smarter interactions and better understanding of user requests.
According to Panos Panay, Amazon’s Senior VP of Devices & Services:
“Alexa+ is more conversational, smarter, and personalised. It understands what you mean, even if your request is half-formed or vague. This kind of AI capability requires cloud processing.”
What Does This Mean for Echo Users?
For those who had privacy concerns and enabled “Do Not Send Voice Recordings,” this update removes an important layer of control. Essentially, from March 28 onwards:
– Everything you say to Alexa will be sent to Amazon’s servers.
– Local processing will no longer be an option.
– If you select “Don’t save recordings,” it won’t store your voice data, but Amazon will still process it in the cloud.
– Voice ID (used for personalised features like recognising different users) will no longer work unless you allow recordings to be saved.
– For users who bought their Echo devices under the assumption that they could keep their voice data private, this could feel like a fundamental change to what they originally purchased.
How Have Users Reacted?
The announcement has sparked backlash online, with many questioning Amazon’s motives. Privacy advocates argue that this is less about AI improvements and more about data collection and monetisation. Some commentators have reacted suspiciously, suggesting that this could be a step towards making Amazon’s ecosystem more reliant on surveillance-driven AI.
On Reddit, frustrated Echo users have been voicing their concerns, with some suggesting it may be time to switch to an alternative. Also, many have pointed to previous scandals, such as when Amazon admitted in 2019 that human reviewers were listening to some Alexa recordings, and in 2023, the company was fined $25 million for storing voice recordings of children.
Privacy-conscious users may now be looking for alternatives, e.g. Apple’s on-device Siri processing or open-source voice assistants like Mycroft AI.
What About Echo Devices in Businesses and Home Offices?
The change doesn’t just impact home users because businesses that use Alexa-powered devices may also need to rethink their approach. For example:
– Conference rooms and smart offices. If companies have Alexa-enabled speakers in workspaces, they now need to consider the implications of sending voice data to Amazon’s servers.
– Home offices. Professionals who use Alexa for reminders, to-do lists, or calendar management may be less comfortable knowing all voice data is processed externally.
– Regulatory compliance. Businesses that handle sensitive information may need to reassess their data security policies, especially in industries like finance, healthcare, and law, where client confidentiality is critical.
Some businesses could choose to disable Alexa in certain settings altogether, particularly where privacy concerns are paramount.
What Are the Wider Implications for Amazon?
Amazon is betting big on Alexa+ and generative AI, hoping to keep pace with competitors like Apple and Google. But this shift also risks alienating privacy-conscious customers.
At the moment, less than 0.03% of Alexa users had the “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” setting enabled, according to Amazon. However, the backlash suggests that even users who didn’t enable this option are now thinking twice about trusting Alexa.
The move could, for example:
– Drive privacy-focused users to competitors like Apple’s Siri, which processes more requests on-device.
– Open the door for legal challenges around how Amazon informs users about data processing.
– Hurt trust in Alexa, at a time when voice assistants are already facing stagnating growth.
While Amazon insists that security remains a priority, the fact remains that this is a fundamental change to how Alexa works, and it’s happening whether users like it or not.
What Does This Mean For Your Business?
While Amazon is framing this change as a necessary evolution to support more advanced AI-driven capabilities, many users clearly see it as a loss of control over their privacy. By removing the ability to keep voice commands on-device, Amazon appears to be fundamentally altering the way Echo devices function, a move that some customers feel undermines the trust they originally placed in the product.
For everyday users, this means having to accept that their voice data will always pass through Amazon’s servers, even if it is not stored long-term. While Amazon has pledged that recordings will be deleted after processing, past controversies involving stored conversations and human reviewers have left some sceptical. Those who put a great deal of emphasis on privacy may now feel compelled to seek alternatives, such as Apple’s Siri, which offers more on-device processing, or open-source options that provide greater transparency.
The implications of this change stretch beyond individual households. For example, UK businesses using Echo devices in offices, meeting rooms, or customer-facing environments may now need to reassess their approach. Many industries, particularly those handling sensitive client data, already have strict privacy policies in place. With all Alexa commands now routed through Amazon’s servers, businesses will need to consider whether continuing to use these devices aligns with their compliance requirements. Some may opt to disable Alexa in certain settings, while others might look for alternative solutions that allow for local voice processing.
From Amazon’s perspective, this change is about keeping Alexa competitive in an AI-driven world. With Google and Apple enhancing their voice assistants, and ChatGPT-like models becoming increasingly integrated into everyday tech, Amazon is pushing Alexa to become more responsive, conversational, and intelligent. However, this ambition looks likely to come at a cost. By prioritising cloud-based AI, Amazon risks alienating a portion of its user base, particularly those who bought Echo devices for their privacy features.
