Amazon Echo changes terms of voice usage - Revision history

Sojourna: /* References */

2026-05-17T04:08:57Z

References

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:08, 17 May 2026
Line 38:		Line 38:
	[[Category:Amazon Echo]]		[[Category:Amazon Echo]]
	[[Category:Amazon]]		[[Category:Amazon]]
	~~[[Category:2025 incidents]]~~

321321321a: Minor updates added on cargo data

2026-05-15T19:42:59Z

Minor updates added on cargo data

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:42, 15 May 2026
Line 3:		Line 3:
	\|StartDate=2025-03		\|StartDate=2025-03
	\|EndDate=		\|EndDate=
	\|Status=		\|Status=Active
	\|ProductLine=Amazon Echo		\|ProductLine=Amazon Echo
	\|Product=		\|Product=Amazon Echo
	\|ArticleType=		\|ArticleType=Product
	\|Type=Privacy		\|Type=Privacy
	\|Description= Amazon removed an opt out option from amazon echo client device series for the amazon alexa, citing the need to collect data for generative AI training		\|Description= Amazon removed an opt out option from amazon echo client device series for the amazon alexa, citing the need to collect data for generative AI training

Rudxain at 12:40, 20 March 2026

2026-03-20T12:40:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:40, 20 March 2026
Line 28:		Line 28:

	The response to this issue has been varied--some consumers, such as many in one Reddit thread,<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2025-03-14 \|title=PSA: Amazon Alexa discontinuing Do Not Send Voice Recordings \|url=https://old.reddit.com/r/privacy/comments/1jb8qwx/psa_amazon_alexa_discontinuing_do_not_send_voice/ \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250526183848/https://old.reddit.com/r/privacy/comments/1jb8qwx/psa_amazon_alexa_discontinuing_do_not_send_voice/ \|archive-date=2025-05-26 \|website=Reddit - r/privacy}}</ref> were quite displeased with the removal of the feature, with comments like "Great opportunity to discontinue Amazon Alexa!" and "We will spy on you and you will like it." However, media outlets have circulated a claim by Amazon that only 0.03% of users used the feature,<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web \|date=2025-03-19 \|title=Amazon ends little-used privacy feature that let Echo users opt out of sending recordings to company \|url=https://apnews.com/article/amazon-privacy-echo-7fb3c19fa7f664bde5c5be259f8b23ee \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251119023958/https://apnews.com/article/amazon-privacy-echo-7fb3c19fa7f664bde5c5be259f8b23ee \|archive-date=19 Nov 2025\|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Associated Press}}</ref> so it is likely that this will go broadly unnoticed whether it is positive or negative.		The response to this issue has been varied--some consumers, such as many in one Reddit thread,<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2025-03-14 \|title=PSA: Amazon Alexa discontinuing Do Not Send Voice Recordings \|url=https://old.reddit.com/r/privacy/comments/1jb8qwx/psa_amazon_alexa_discontinuing_do_not_send_voice/ \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250526183848/https://old.reddit.com/r/privacy/comments/1jb8qwx/psa_amazon_alexa_discontinuing_do_not_send_voice/ \|archive-date=2025-05-26 \|website=Reddit - r/privacy}}</ref> were quite displeased with the removal of the feature, with comments like "Great opportunity to discontinue Amazon Alexa!" and "We will spy on you and you will like it." However, media outlets have circulated a claim by Amazon that only 0.03% of users used the feature,<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web \|date=2025-03-19 \|title=Amazon ends little-used privacy feature that let Echo users opt out of sending recordings to company \|url=https://apnews.com/article/amazon-privacy-echo-7fb3c19fa7f664bde5c5be259f8b23ee \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251119023958/https://apnews.com/article/amazon-privacy-echo-7fb3c19fa7f664bde5c5be259f8b23ee \|archive-date=19 Nov 2025\|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Associated Press}}</ref> so it is likely that this will go broadly unnoticed whether it is positive or negative.

			== See also ==

			* [[Post-purchase EULA modification]]

	==References==		==References==

Rudxain: link AI train

2026-03-20T12:38:19Z

link AI train

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:38, 20 March 2026
Line 10:		Line 10:
	\|Description= Amazon removed an opt out option from amazon echo client device series for the amazon alexa, citing the need to collect data for generative AI training		\|Description= Amazon removed an opt out option from amazon echo client device series for the amazon alexa, citing the need to collect data for generative AI training
	}}		}}
	[[Amazon Echo]] is a series of client devices for the [[Amazon Alexa]] voice control platform for connected smart homes. Echo products have long offered the option to disable cloud voice analysis and perform processing on-device, in addition to a separate option that theoretically prevents the company from saving voice recordings. However, in March of 2025, the company sent an email to users with this option on that disables the first option and only leaves the second, citing the need to train generative AI.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Robledo \|first=Anthony \|date=2025-03-17 \|title=Amazon is removing an Echo privacy setting that keeps Alexa recordings from the company \|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2025/03/17/amazon-echo-alexa-reporting-privacy/82503576007/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319001811/https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2025/03/17/amazon-echo-alexa-reporting-privacy/82503576007/ \|archive-date=2025-03-19 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=USA Today}}</ref>		[[Amazon Echo]] is a series of client devices for the [[Amazon Alexa]] voice control platform for connected smart homes. Echo products have long offered the option to disable cloud voice analysis and perform processing on-device, in addition to a separate option that theoretically prevents the company from saving voice recordings. However, in March of 2025, the company sent an email to users with this option on that disables the first option and only leaves the second, citing the need to [[Artificial intelligence/training\|train generative AI]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Robledo \|first=Anthony \|date=2025-03-17 \|title=Amazon is removing an Echo privacy setting that keeps Alexa recordings from the company \|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2025/03/17/amazon-echo-alexa-reporting-privacy/82503576007/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319001811/https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2025/03/17/amazon-echo-alexa-reporting-privacy/82503576007/ \|archive-date=2025-03-19 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=USA Today}}</ref>

	==Background==		==Background==

Sojourna at 03:46, 20 March 2026

2026-03-20T03:46:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:46, 20 March 2026
Line 16:		Line 16:

	From archival analysis of the [https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201602230 Alexa FAQ] page, it can be estimated that this feature was introduced in early to mid 2022, given the first available archived copy of the page was in September 2022. As of writing, this page still includes this feature despite its imminent removal.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Alexa and Alexa Device FAQs \|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201602230 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901001441/https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201602230 \|archive-date=2022-09-01 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=Amazon Customer Support}}</ref> This likely means that the Echo (4th Gen) was not launched with this feature, as it was launched 10/22/2020<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Gartenberg \|first=Chaim \|date=2020-09-24 \|title=Amazon redesigns the Echo with a new spherical design and a custom machine learning processor \|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/24/21452347/amazon-echo-4th-generation-features-price-release-date-alexa \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212183356/https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/24/21452347/amazon-echo-4th-generation-features-price-release-date-alexa \|archive-date=2024-12-12 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Verge}}</ref> with the Echo Show 10 following not long after on 2/25/2021.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Seifert \|first=Dan \|date=2021-02-24 \|title=Amazon Echo Show 10 review: Alexa’s next move \|url=https://www.theverge.com/22297810/amazon-echo-show-10-2021-review \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250317152944/https://www.theverge.com/22297810/amazon-echo-show-10-2021-review \|archive-date=2025-03-17 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Verge}}</ref> However, the Echo Show 15 (2023) and Echo Show 15 (2024) were both launched since, as implied by their names, and even the former was announced after this feature was unveiled.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Tuohy \|first=Jennifer Pattison \|date=2022-12-16 \|title=Amazon Echo Show 15 review: Alexa’s on your wall \|url=https://www.theverge.com/22839220/amazon-echo-show-15-review-wall-mounted-alexa-tablet-kitchen-tv \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307173006/https://www.theverge.com/22839220/amazon-echo-show-15-review-wall-mounted-alexa-tablet-kitchen-tv \|archive-date=2025-03-07 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Verge}}</ref>		From archival analysis of the [https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201602230 Alexa FAQ] page, it can be estimated that this feature was introduced in early to mid 2022, given the first available archived copy of the page was in September 2022. As of writing, this page still includes this feature despite its imminent removal.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Alexa and Alexa Device FAQs \|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201602230 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901001441/https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201602230 \|archive-date=2022-09-01 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=Amazon Customer Support}}</ref> This likely means that the Echo (4th Gen) was not launched with this feature, as it was launched 10/22/2020<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Gartenberg \|first=Chaim \|date=2020-09-24 \|title=Amazon redesigns the Echo with a new spherical design and a custom machine learning processor \|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/24/21452347/amazon-echo-4th-generation-features-price-release-date-alexa \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212183356/https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/24/21452347/amazon-echo-4th-generation-features-price-release-date-alexa \|archive-date=2024-12-12 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Verge}}</ref> with the Echo Show 10 following not long after on 2/25/2021.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Seifert \|first=Dan \|date=2021-02-24 \|title=Amazon Echo Show 10 review: Alexa’s next move \|url=https://www.theverge.com/22297810/amazon-echo-show-10-2021-review \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250317152944/https://www.theverge.com/22297810/amazon-echo-show-10-2021-review \|archive-date=2025-03-17 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Verge}}</ref> However, the Echo Show 15 (2023) and Echo Show 15 (2024) were both launched since, as implied by their names, and even the former was announced after this feature was unveiled.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Tuohy \|first=Jennifer Pattison \|date=2022-12-16 \|title=Amazon Echo Show 15 review: Alexa’s on your wall \|url=https://www.theverge.com/22839220/amazon-echo-show-15-review-wall-mounted-alexa-tablet-kitchen-tv \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307173006/https://www.theverge.com/22839220/amazon-echo-show-15-review-wall-mounted-alexa-tablet-kitchen-tv \|archive-date=2025-03-07 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Verge}}</ref>
	[[Amazon Echo removal of Do Not Send Voice option.png\|alt=This image is a screenshot of the email sent by Amazon to customers using the Do Not Send Voice Recordings feature on Echo devices. It indicates that on March 28, 2025, this feature will be disabled and voice recordings will recorded as they "expand Alexa’s capabilities with generative AI features."\|thumb\|Email from Amazon, 2025-03-14]]

	==Removal of the Do Not Send Voice feature==		==Removal of the Do Not Send Voice feature==
			[[File:Amazon Echo removal of Do Not Send Voice option.png\|thumb\|250px\|alt=This image is a screenshot of the email sent by Amazon to customers using the Do Not Send Voice Recordings feature on Echo devices. It indicates that on March 28, 2025, this feature will be disabled and voice recordings will recorded as they "expand Alexa’s capabilities with generative AI features."\|E-mail from Amazon, 2025-03-14]]
	On March 14, 2025 (unknown if this notice rolled out over multiple days), Amazon sent an email with the subject "Upcoming change to your Alexa Settings" to customers which had enabled the Do Not Send Voice feature. The email cites coming improvements to Alexa, including the addition of generative AI features. No alternative is given other than the already-existing "Don't save recordings" feature, which merely prohibits Amazon from keeping copies of the recordings.		On March 14, 2025 (unknown if this notice rolled out over multiple days), Amazon sent an email with the subject "Upcoming change to your Alexa Settings" to customers which had enabled the Do Not Send Voice feature. The email cites coming improvements to Alexa, including the addition of generative AI features. No alternative is given other than the already-existing "Don't save recordings" feature, which merely prohibits Amazon from keeping copies of the recordings.

Sojourna at 03:44, 20 March 2026

2026-03-20T03:44:57Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:44, 20 March 2026
Line 16:		Line 16:

	From archival analysis of the [https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201602230 Alexa FAQ] page, it can be estimated that this feature was introduced in early to mid 2022, given the first available archived copy of the page was in September 2022. As of writing, this page still includes this feature despite its imminent removal.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Alexa and Alexa Device FAQs \|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201602230 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901001441/https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201602230 \|archive-date=2022-09-01 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=Amazon Customer Support}}</ref> This likely means that the Echo (4th Gen) was not launched with this feature, as it was launched 10/22/2020<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Gartenberg \|first=Chaim \|date=2020-09-24 \|title=Amazon redesigns the Echo with a new spherical design and a custom machine learning processor \|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/24/21452347/amazon-echo-4th-generation-features-price-release-date-alexa \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212183356/https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/24/21452347/amazon-echo-4th-generation-features-price-release-date-alexa \|archive-date=2024-12-12 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Verge}}</ref> with the Echo Show 10 following not long after on 2/25/2021.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Seifert \|first=Dan \|date=2021-02-24 \|title=Amazon Echo Show 10 review: Alexa’s next move \|url=https://www.theverge.com/22297810/amazon-echo-show-10-2021-review \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250317152944/https://www.theverge.com/22297810/amazon-echo-show-10-2021-review \|archive-date=2025-03-17 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Verge}}</ref> However, the Echo Show 15 (2023) and Echo Show 15 (2024) were both launched since, as implied by their names, and even the former was announced after this feature was unveiled.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Tuohy \|first=Jennifer Pattison \|date=2022-12-16 \|title=Amazon Echo Show 15 review: Alexa’s on your wall \|url=https://www.theverge.com/22839220/amazon-echo-show-15-review-wall-mounted-alexa-tablet-kitchen-tv \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307173006/https://www.theverge.com/22839220/amazon-echo-show-15-review-wall-mounted-alexa-tablet-kitchen-tv \|archive-date=2025-03-07 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Verge}}</ref>		From archival analysis of the [https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201602230 Alexa FAQ] page, it can be estimated that this feature was introduced in early to mid 2022, given the first available archived copy of the page was in September 2022. As of writing, this page still includes this feature despite its imminent removal.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Alexa and Alexa Device FAQs \|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201602230 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901001441/https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201602230 \|archive-date=2022-09-01 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=Amazon Customer Support}}</ref> This likely means that the Echo (4th Gen) was not launched with this feature, as it was launched 10/22/2020<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Gartenberg \|first=Chaim \|date=2020-09-24 \|title=Amazon redesigns the Echo with a new spherical design and a custom machine learning processor \|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/24/21452347/amazon-echo-4th-generation-features-price-release-date-alexa \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212183356/https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/24/21452347/amazon-echo-4th-generation-features-price-release-date-alexa \|archive-date=2024-12-12 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Verge}}</ref> with the Echo Show 10 following not long after on 2/25/2021.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Seifert \|first=Dan \|date=2021-02-24 \|title=Amazon Echo Show 10 review: Alexa’s next move \|url=https://www.theverge.com/22297810/amazon-echo-show-10-2021-review \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250317152944/https://www.theverge.com/22297810/amazon-echo-show-10-2021-review \|archive-date=2025-03-17 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Verge}}</ref> However, the Echo Show 15 (2023) and Echo Show 15 (2024) were both launched since, as implied by their names, and even the former was announced after this feature was unveiled.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Tuohy \|first=Jennifer Pattison \|date=2022-12-16 \|title=Amazon Echo Show 15 review: Alexa’s on your wall \|url=https://www.theverge.com/22839220/amazon-echo-show-15-review-wall-mounted-alexa-tablet-kitchen-tv \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307173006/https://www.theverge.com/22839220/amazon-echo-show-15-review-wall-mounted-alexa-tablet-kitchen-tv \|archive-date=2025-03-07 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Verge}}</ref>
	[[~~File:Upcoming change to your Alexa Settings~~.png\|alt=This image is a screenshot of the email sent by Amazon to customers using the Do Not Send Voice Recordings feature on Echo devices. It indicates that on March 28, 2025, this feature will be disabled and voice recordings will recorded as they "expand Alexa’s capabilities with generative AI features."\|thumb\|Email from Amazon, 2025-03-14]]		[[Amazon Echo removal of Do Not Send Voice option.png\|alt=This image is a screenshot of the email sent by Amazon to customers using the Do Not Send Voice Recordings feature on Echo devices. It indicates that on March 28, 2025, this feature will be disabled and voice recordings will recorded as they "expand Alexa’s capabilities with generative AI features."\|thumb\|Email from Amazon, 2025-03-14]]

	==Removal of the Do Not Send Voice ~~Feature~~==		==Removal of the Do Not Send Voice feature==
	On March 14, 2025 (unknown if this notice rolled out over multiple days), Amazon sent an email with the subject "Upcoming change to your Alexa Settings" to customers which had enabled the Do Not Send Voice feature. The email cites coming improvements to Alexa, including the addition of generative AI features. No alternative is given other than the already-existing "Don't save recordings" feature, which merely prohibits Amazon from keeping copies of the recordings.		On March 14, 2025 (unknown if this notice rolled out over multiple days), Amazon sent an email with the subject "Upcoming change to your Alexa Settings" to customers which had enabled the Do Not Send Voice feature. The email cites coming improvements to Alexa, including the addition of generative AI features. No alternative is given other than the already-existing "Don't save recordings" feature, which merely prohibits Amazon from keeping copies of the recordings.

Line 30:		Line 30:

	==References==		==References==
	{{~~reflist~~}}		{{Reflist}}

	[[Category:Amazon Echo]]		[[Category:Amazon Echo]]
	[[Category:Amazon]]		[[Category:Amazon]]
	[[Category:2025 incidents]]		[[Category:2025 incidents]]

Mr Pollo at 21:05, 24 February 2026

2026-02-24T21:05:09Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:05, 24 February 2026
Line 32:		Line 32:
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}
	[[Category:Amazon Echo]]		[[Category:Amazon Echo]]
	[[Category:Amazon]		[[Category:Amazon]]
	[[Category:2025 incidents]]		[[Category:2025 incidents]]

Mr Pollo at 21:04, 24 February 2026

2026-02-24T21:04:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:04, 24 February 2026
Line 32:		Line 32:
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}
	[[Category:Amazon Echo]]		[[Category:Amazon Echo]]
	[[Category:Amazon]]		[[Category:Amazon]
			[[Category:2025 incidents]]

Mr Pollo: 404 is only archived with that source. Replacing it with one that mentions url

2026-02-24T21:04:00Z

404 is only archived with that source. Replacing it with one that mentions url

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:04, 24 February 2026
Line 13:		Line 13:

	==Background==		==Background==
	Alexa as a service is based around an edge client + cloud service model where a physical device acts as a conduit between voice and the cloud. This raises substantial privacy concerns as it is, because the lack of open source means that no one actually knows whether privacy settings are respected. However, much like Apple, Amazon assured customers through its settings interface that enabling the "Do Not Send Voice Recordings" setting would utilize exclusively local processing, sending your data to the cloud only "for features that require the transmission of audio, such as when you make a call or send a message or announcement via Alexa."<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|title=~~Turn on Do Not Send Voice Recordings~~ \|url=https://www.~~amazon~~.com/gp/~~help~~/~~customer/display.html?nodeId=GQXLLWHBCVL6L5QD~~ \|url-status=~~dead~~ \|archive-url=https://archive.ph/~~cvDM8 \|archive~~-~~date=2026~~-01-04 \|~~access~~-date=2025-03-~~20 \|website=Amazon Customer Support~~}}</ref> Local processing was available as a server on the Echo (4th Gen), Echo Show 10, and Echo Show 15, and could be utilized by lower power or older devices as clients.<ref name=":1" />		Alexa as a service is based around an edge client + cloud service model where a physical device acts as a conduit between voice and the cloud. This raises substantial privacy concerns as it is, because the lack of open source means that no one actually knows whether privacy settings are respected. However, much like Apple, Amazon assured customers through its settings interface that enabling the "Do Not Send Voice Recordings" setting would utilize exclusively local processing, sending your data to the cloud only "for features that require the transmission of audio, such as when you make a call or send a message or announcement via Alexa."<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|title=Amazon is ending the option to not send Echo voice recordings to the cloud\|url=https://www.theverge.com/news/630049/amazon-echo-discontinues-do-not-send-voice-recording-setting\|url-status=live \|first=Jennifer\|last=Tuohy\|date=2025-03-14\|work=TheVerge\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250814102301/https://www.theverge.com/news/630049/amazon-echo-discontinues-do-not-send-voice-recording-setting \|archive-date=2025-08-14}}</ref> Local processing was available as a server on the Echo (4th Gen), Echo Show 10, and Echo Show 15, and could be utilized by lower power or older devices as clients.<ref name=":1" />

	From archival analysis of the [https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201602230 Alexa FAQ] page, it can be estimated that this feature was introduced in early to mid 2022, given the first available archived copy of the page was in September 2022. As of writing, this page still includes this feature despite its imminent removal.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Alexa and Alexa Device FAQs \|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201602230 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901001441/https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201602230 \|archive-date=2022-09-01 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=Amazon Customer Support}}</ref> This likely means that the Echo (4th Gen) was not launched with this feature, as it was launched 10/22/2020<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Gartenberg \|first=Chaim \|date=2020-09-24 \|title=Amazon redesigns the Echo with a new spherical design and a custom machine learning processor \|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/24/21452347/amazon-echo-4th-generation-features-price-release-date-alexa \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212183356/https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/24/21452347/amazon-echo-4th-generation-features-price-release-date-alexa \|archive-date=2024-12-12 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Verge}}</ref> with the Echo Show 10 following not long after on 2/25/2021.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Seifert \|first=Dan \|date=2021-02-24 \|title=Amazon Echo Show 10 review: Alexa’s next move \|url=https://www.theverge.com/22297810/amazon-echo-show-10-2021-review \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250317152944/https://www.theverge.com/22297810/amazon-echo-show-10-2021-review \|archive-date=2025-03-17 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Verge}}</ref> However, the Echo Show 15 (2023) and Echo Show 15 (2024) were both launched since, as implied by their names, and even the former was announced after this feature was unveiled.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Tuohy \|first=Jennifer Pattison \|date=2022-12-16 \|title=Amazon Echo Show 15 review: Alexa’s on your wall \|url=https://www.theverge.com/22839220/amazon-echo-show-15-review-wall-mounted-alexa-tablet-kitchen-tv \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307173006/https://www.theverge.com/22839220/amazon-echo-show-15-review-wall-mounted-alexa-tablet-kitchen-tv \|archive-date=2025-03-07 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Verge}}</ref>		From archival analysis of the [https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201602230 Alexa FAQ] page, it can be estimated that this feature was introduced in early to mid 2022, given the first available archived copy of the page was in September 2022. As of writing, this page still includes this feature despite its imminent removal.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Alexa and Alexa Device FAQs \|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201602230 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901001441/https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201602230 \|archive-date=2022-09-01 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=Amazon Customer Support}}</ref> This likely means that the Echo (4th Gen) was not launched with this feature, as it was launched 10/22/2020<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Gartenberg \|first=Chaim \|date=2020-09-24 \|title=Amazon redesigns the Echo with a new spherical design and a custom machine learning processor \|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/24/21452347/amazon-echo-4th-generation-features-price-release-date-alexa \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212183356/https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/24/21452347/amazon-echo-4th-generation-features-price-release-date-alexa \|archive-date=2024-12-12 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Verge}}</ref> with the Echo Show 10 following not long after on 2/25/2021.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Seifert \|first=Dan \|date=2021-02-24 \|title=Amazon Echo Show 10 review: Alexa’s next move \|url=https://www.theverge.com/22297810/amazon-echo-show-10-2021-review \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250317152944/https://www.theverge.com/22297810/amazon-echo-show-10-2021-review \|archive-date=2025-03-17 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Verge}}</ref> However, the Echo Show 15 (2023) and Echo Show 15 (2024) were both launched since, as implied by their names, and even the former was announced after this feature was unveiled.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Tuohy \|first=Jennifer Pattison \|date=2022-12-16 \|title=Amazon Echo Show 15 review: Alexa’s on your wall \|url=https://www.theverge.com/22839220/amazon-echo-show-15-review-wall-mounted-alexa-tablet-kitchen-tv \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307173006/https://www.theverge.com/22839220/amazon-echo-show-15-review-wall-mounted-alexa-tablet-kitchen-tv \|archive-date=2025-03-07 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Verge}}</ref>

Venture18+: /* References */ replaced archive.today link, reformatted external links, set citation 2 to 'dead', used past tense under 'Consumer response', added 'Amazon' category

2026-02-24T11:43:24Z

References: replaced archive.today link, reformatted external links, set citation 2 to 'dead', used past tense under 'Consumer response', added 'Amazon' category

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:43, 24 February 2026
Line 10:		Line 10:
	\|Description= Amazon removed an opt out option from amazon echo client device series for the amazon alexa, citing the need to collect data for generative AI training		\|Description= Amazon removed an opt out option from amazon echo client device series for the amazon alexa, citing the need to collect data for generative AI training
	}}		}}
	[[Amazon Echo]] is a series of client devices for the [[Amazon Alexa]] voice control platform for connected smart homes. Echo products have long offered the option to disable cloud voice analysis and perform processing on-device, in addition to a separate option that theoretically prevents the company from saving voice recordings. However, in March of 2025, the company sent an email to users with this option on that disables the first option and only leaves the second, ~~[https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2025/03/17/amazon-echo-alexa-reporting-privacy/82503576007/~~ citing the need to train generative AI].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Robledo \|first=Anthony \|date=2025-03-17 \|title=Amazon is removing an Echo privacy setting that keeps Alexa recordings from the company \|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2025/03/17/amazon-echo-alexa-reporting-privacy/82503576007/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319001811/https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2025/03/17/amazon-echo-alexa-reporting-privacy/82503576007/ \|archive-date=2025-03-19 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=USA Today}}</ref>		[[Amazon Echo]] is a series of client devices for the [[Amazon Alexa]] voice control platform for connected smart homes. Echo products have long offered the option to disable cloud voice analysis and perform processing on-device, in addition to a separate option that theoretically prevents the company from saving voice recordings. However, in March of 2025, the company sent an email to users with this option on that disables the first option and only leaves the second, citing the need to train generative AI.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Robledo \|first=Anthony \|date=2025-03-17 \|title=Amazon is removing an Echo privacy setting that keeps Alexa recordings from the company \|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2025/03/17/amazon-echo-alexa-reporting-privacy/82503576007/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319001811/https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2025/03/17/amazon-echo-alexa-reporting-privacy/82503576007/ \|archive-date=2025-03-19 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=USA Today}}</ref>

	==Background==		==Background==
	Alexa as a service is based around an edge client + cloud service model where a physical device acts as a conduit between voice and the cloud. This raises substantial privacy concerns as it is, because the lack of open source means that no one actually knows whether privacy settings are respected. However, much like Apple, Amazon assured customers through its settings interface that enabling the "Do Not Send Voice Recordings" setting would utilize exclusively local processing, sending your data to the cloud only "for features that require the transmission of audio, such as when you make a call or send a message or announcement via Alexa."<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|title=Turn on Do Not Send Voice Recordings \|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GQXLLWHBCVL6L5QD \|url-status=~~live~~ \|archive-url=https://archive.ph/cvDM8 \|archive-date=2026-01-04 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=Amazon Customer Support}}</ref> Local processing was available as a server on the Echo (4th Gen), Echo Show 10, and Echo Show 15, and could be utilized by lower power or older devices as clients.<ref name=":1" />		Alexa as a service is based around an edge client + cloud service model where a physical device acts as a conduit between voice and the cloud. This raises substantial privacy concerns as it is, because the lack of open source means that no one actually knows whether privacy settings are respected. However, much like Apple, Amazon assured customers through its settings interface that enabling the "Do Not Send Voice Recordings" setting would utilize exclusively local processing, sending your data to the cloud only "for features that require the transmission of audio, such as when you make a call or send a message or announcement via Alexa."<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|title=Turn on Do Not Send Voice Recordings \|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GQXLLWHBCVL6L5QD \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://archive.ph/cvDM8 \|archive-date=2026-01-04 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=Amazon Customer Support}}</ref> Local processing was available as a server on the Echo (4th Gen), Echo Show 10, and Echo Show 15, and could be utilized by lower power or older devices as clients.<ref name=":1" />

	From archival analysis of the [https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201602230 Alexa FAQ] page, it can be estimated that this feature was introduced in early to mid 2022, given the first available archived copy of the page was in September 2022. As of writing, this page still includes this feature despite its imminent removal.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Alexa and Alexa Device FAQs \|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201602230 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901001441/https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201602230 \|archive-date=2022-09-01 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=Amazon Customer Support}}</ref> This likely means that the Echo (4th Gen) was not launched with this feature, as it was launched 10/22/2020<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Gartenberg \|first=Chaim \|date=2020-09-24 \|title=Amazon redesigns the Echo with a new spherical design and a custom machine learning processor \|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/24/21452347/amazon-echo-4th-generation-features-price-release-date-alexa \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212183356/https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/24/21452347/amazon-echo-4th-generation-features-price-release-date-alexa \|archive-date=2024-12-12 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Verge}}</ref> with the Echo Show 10 following not long after on 2/25/2021.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Seifert \|first=Dan \|date=2021-02-24 \|title=Amazon Echo Show 10 review: Alexa’s next move \|url=https://www.theverge.com/22297810/amazon-echo-show-10-2021-review \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250317152944/https://www.theverge.com/22297810/amazon-echo-show-10-2021-review \|archive-date=2025-03-17 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Verge}}</ref> However, the Echo Show 15 (2023) and Echo Show 15 (2024) were both launched since, as implied by their names, and even the former was announced after this feature was unveiled.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Tuohy \|first=Jennifer Pattison \|date=2022-12-16 \|title=Amazon Echo Show 15 review: Alexa’s on your wall \|url=https://www.theverge.com/22839220/amazon-echo-show-15-review-wall-mounted-alexa-tablet-kitchen-tv \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307173006/https://www.theverge.com/22839220/amazon-echo-show-15-review-wall-mounted-alexa-tablet-kitchen-tv \|archive-date=2025-03-07 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Verge}}</ref>		From archival analysis of the [https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201602230 Alexa FAQ] page, it can be estimated that this feature was introduced in early to mid 2022, given the first available archived copy of the page was in September 2022. As of writing, this page still includes this feature despite its imminent removal.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Alexa and Alexa Device FAQs \|url=https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201602230 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901001441/https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201602230 \|archive-date=2022-09-01 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=Amazon Customer Support}}</ref> This likely means that the Echo (4th Gen) was not launched with this feature, as it was launched 10/22/2020<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Gartenberg \|first=Chaim \|date=2020-09-24 \|title=Amazon redesigns the Echo with a new spherical design and a custom machine learning processor \|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/24/21452347/amazon-echo-4th-generation-features-price-release-date-alexa \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212183356/https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/24/21452347/amazon-echo-4th-generation-features-price-release-date-alexa \|archive-date=2024-12-12 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Verge}}</ref> with the Echo Show 10 following not long after on 2/25/2021.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Seifert \|first=Dan \|date=2021-02-24 \|title=Amazon Echo Show 10 review: Alexa’s next move \|url=https://www.theverge.com/22297810/amazon-echo-show-10-2021-review \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250317152944/https://www.theverge.com/22297810/amazon-echo-show-10-2021-review \|archive-date=2025-03-17 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Verge}}</ref> However, the Echo Show 15 (2023) and Echo Show 15 (2024) were both launched since, as implied by their names, and even the former was announced after this feature was unveiled.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Tuohy \|first=Jennifer Pattison \|date=2022-12-16 \|title=Amazon Echo Show 15 review: Alexa’s on your wall \|url=https://www.theverge.com/22839220/amazon-echo-show-15-review-wall-mounted-alexa-tablet-kitchen-tv \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307173006/https://www.theverge.com/22839220/amazon-echo-show-15-review-wall-mounted-alexa-tablet-kitchen-tv \|archive-date=2025-03-07 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Verge}}</ref>
Line 23:		Line 23:
	Amazon claims in the email that "[t]he Alexa experience is designed to protect your privacy and keep your data secure." However, they do not appear to elaborate on this further than redirecting customers to the Alexa Privacy Hub, which cites features like the microphone toggle button and the ability to go back through already saved recordings and delete them.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Alexa Privacy Hub \|url=https://www.amazon.com/b/?node=19149155011 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250220192838/https://www.amazon.com/Alexa-Privacy-Hub/b?ie=UTF8&node=19149155011 \|archive-date=2025-02-20 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=Amazon.com}}</ref>		Amazon claims in the email that "[t]he Alexa experience is designed to protect your privacy and keep your data secure." However, they do not appear to elaborate on this further than redirecting customers to the Alexa Privacy Hub, which cites features like the microphone toggle button and the ability to go back through already saved recordings and delete them.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Alexa Privacy Hub \|url=https://www.amazon.com/b/?node=19149155011 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250220192838/https://www.amazon.com/Alexa-Privacy-Hub/b?ie=UTF8&node=19149155011 \|archive-date=2025-02-20 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=Amazon.com}}</ref>

	It is worth noting that other companies like Apple that admit to sending some voice/speech data for processing at least claim to use confidential computing ([[wikipedia:Confidential_computing\|read more on Wikipedia]]) techniques like [https://security.apple.com/blog/private-cloud-compute/ ~~Private Cloud Compute]~~. While these are not fully open-source solutions, these privacy-preserving technologies are audited externally and claim to be inaccessible to employees. Amazon has, in the past, admitted some recordings "undergo anonymized human review,<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Scarcella \|first=Mike \|date=2024-10-31 \|title=Amazon denies duping US consumers over Alexa’s recording practices \|url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/amazon-denies-duping-us-consumers-over-alexas-recording-practices-2024-10-31/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://archive~~.ph~~/~~xWyGC~~ \|archive-date=2026-01-04 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=Reuters}}</ref>" so it is evident these recordings are not fully autonomously processed in such a way.		It is worth noting that other companies like Apple that admit to sending some voice/speech data for processing at least claim to use confidential computing ([[wikipedia:Confidential_computing\|read more on Wikipedia]]) techniques like Private Cloud Compute.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=June 10, 2024 \|title=Private Cloud Compute: A new frontier for AI privacy in the cloud \|url=https://security.apple.com/blog/private-cloud-compute/ \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222050834/https://security.apple.com/blog/private-cloud-compute/ \|archive-date=February 22, 2026 \|website=security.apple.com}}</ref> While these are not fully open-source solutions, these privacy-preserving technologies are audited externally and claim to be inaccessible to employees. Amazon has, in the past, admitted some recordings "undergo anonymized human review,<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Scarcella \|first=Mike \|date=2024-10-31 \|title=Amazon denies duping US consumers over Alexa’s recording practices \|url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/amazon-denies-duping-us-consumers-over-alexas-recording-practices-2024-10-31/ \|url-access=subscription \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/yJb3o \|archive-date=2026-02-24 \|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=Reuters}}</ref>" so it is evident these recordings are not fully autonomously processed in such a way.

	==Consumer response==		==Consumer response==

	The response to this issue has been varied--some consumers, such as many in [https://~~www~~.reddit.com/r/privacy/comments/1jb8qwx/psa_amazon_alexa_discontinuing_do_not_send_voice/ ~~this~~ Reddit ~~thread], are~~ quite displeased with the removal of the feature, with comments like "Great opportunity to discontinue Amazon Alexa!" and "We will spy on you and you will like it." However, media outlets have circulated a claim by Amazon that only 0.03% of users used the feature,<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web \|date=2025-03-19 \|title=Amazon ends little-used privacy feature that let Echo users opt out of sending recordings to company \|url=https://apnews.com/article/amazon-privacy-echo-7fb3c19fa7f664bde5c5be259f8b23ee \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251119023958/https://apnews.com/article/amazon-privacy-echo-7fb3c19fa7f664bde5c5be259f8b23ee \|archive-date=19 Nov 2025\|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Associated Press}}</ref> so it is likely that this will go broadly unnoticed whether it is positive or negative.		The response to this issue has been varied--some consumers, such as many in one Reddit thread,<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2025-03-14 \|title=PSA: Amazon Alexa discontinuing Do Not Send Voice Recordings \|url=https://old.reddit.com/r/privacy/comments/1jb8qwx/psa_amazon_alexa_discontinuing_do_not_send_voice/ \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250526183848/https://old.reddit.com/r/privacy/comments/1jb8qwx/psa_amazon_alexa_discontinuing_do_not_send_voice/ \|archive-date=2025-05-26 \|website=Reddit - r/privacy}}</ref> were quite displeased with the removal of the feature, with comments like "Great opportunity to discontinue Amazon Alexa!" and "We will spy on you and you will like it." However, media outlets have circulated a claim by Amazon that only 0.03% of users used the feature,<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web \|date=2025-03-19 \|title=Amazon ends little-used privacy feature that let Echo users opt out of sending recordings to company \|url=https://apnews.com/article/amazon-privacy-echo-7fb3c19fa7f664bde5c5be259f8b23ee \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251119023958/https://apnews.com/article/amazon-privacy-echo-7fb3c19fa7f664bde5c5be259f8b23ee \|archive-date=19 Nov 2025\|access-date=2025-03-20 \|website=The Associated Press}}</ref> so it is likely that this will go broadly unnoticed whether it is positive or negative.

	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}
	[[Category:Amazon Echo]]		[[Category:Amazon Echo]]
			[[Category:Amazon]]