All Echo Voice Recordings to be Sent to Amazon’s Servers Starting March 28
Amazon has announced a significant change affecting Echo device users. Starting March 28, 2025, the ‘Do Not Send Voice Recordings’ feature will no longer be available. This means all voice interactions with Alexa will be sent to and processed in Amazon’s cloud servers.
The company attributes this shift to the expansion of Alexa’s capabilities, particularly with the introduction of generative AI features that require the processing power of Amazon’s secure cloud. An Amazon spokesperson stated, “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.”
Impact on Voice Recordings and Privacy
With this change, all voice recordings will be transmitted to Amazon’s cloud for processing. Amazon assures users that these recordings will be deleted after processing. However, users who opt for the ‘Don’t save recordings’ setting should be aware that certain functionalities, such as Voice ID—which provides personalized features like calendar events and music preferences—will be affected.
It’s important to note that the ‘Do Not Send Voice Recordings’ feature was previously available only on select Echo devices: Echo Dot (4th Gen), Echo Show 10, … . Additionally, this feature was limited to customers in the U.S. … According to Amazon, less than 0.03% of customers utilized this feature.
Amazon’s Stance on Privacy
Amazon emphasizes its commitment to customer privacy. The company highlights that Alexa voice requests are always encrypted during transit to Amazon’s secure cloud, which is designed with multiple layers of security protections. Customers will continue to have access to a robust set of tools and … not to save their voice recordings at all.
This change coincides with the rollout of Alexa+, Amazon’s enhanced AI-powered assistant. Alexa+ promises advanced conversational abilities and improved smart home integration. The new features rely heavily on cloud processing, which is a driving factor behind the discontinuation of local voice processing options.
Two Cents for Users
As Amazon moves Alexa’s processing to the cloud, it’s a good time to check your device settings. This change brings new AI features, but it also means your voice recordings will no longer stay local. If privacy matters to you, take a moment to review your preferences and see how this shift affects your Alexa experience.
