Since Amazon announced its plans for a version of Alexa based on artificially generative artificial intelligence, concerns about user privacy arose. With the launch of Alexa+ on Amazon Echo devices in the coming weeks, we have a clearer vision of the privacy concessions that users will have to make to make the most of the voice assistant and prevent their already bought devices from losing functionality.
In an email sent today to customers, Amazon reported that Echo users will no longer be able to configure their devices to process Alexa’s requests locally and, therefore, avoid sending voice recordings to the Amazon cloud. Apparently, the mail was sent to users who had activated the option “Do not send voice recordings”, a configuration available in the ECHO (Fourth Generation), Echo Show 15 and Echo Show 10. As of March 28, all the recordings of commands spoken to Alexa in the Echo speakers and smart screens will be automatically sent to Amazon and processed in the cloud.
Trying to justify the change, the Amazon mail explained: “As we continue to expand Alexa’s abilities with generative artificial intelligence functions that depend on the processing power of the Amazon’s safe cloud, we have decided to stop admitting this function.”
One of Alexa +’s most promoted characteristics is his improved ability to recognize who is talking, a function known as Alexa Voice ID. To make this function possible, Amazon is eliminating a privacy -centered feature for all Echo users, even for those who are not interested in the Alexa subscription -based version or who want to use Alexa+ without voice recognition capacity.
However, there are many reasons why users may not want Amazon to receive recordings of what they say to their personal device. To begin with, the idea that a conglomerate can listen to personal requests made at home is simply disturbing.
In addition, Amazon has poorly managed Alexa’s voice recordings in the past. In 2023, the company agreed to pay 25 million dollars in civil fines after revealing that it indefinitely stored recordings of children’s interactions with Alexa. Adults were not adequately informed of Amazon’s inclination to conserve Alexa’s recordings until in 2019 they were given the option to request their elimination, five years after the launch of the first Echo.
If that is not enough to dissuade you to share voice recordings with Amazon, keep in mind that the company allowed employees to listen to Alexa recordings. In 2019, Bloomberg He informed that Amazon employees listened to up to 1,000 audio samples for nine -hour shifts. Amazon states that it allows this to train its voice recognition and understanding systems of natural language.
Other reasons why users could distrust Amazon with their voice recordings include the previous use of Alexa recordings in criminal trials and the fact that in 2023 Amazon had to pay a judicial agreement related to accusations that allowed “thousands of employees and contractors to see video recordings of the private spaces of customers” taken with ring cameras, according to the Federal Commission of Commerce (FTC).
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Save recordings or lose functionalities
Trying to anticipate these concerns, Amazon indicated in his email that, by default, he will eliminate the recordings of Alexa’s requests after processing them. However, those who have configured their device Echo to “do not save recordings” will see the Voice ID function useless in their already bought devices. Voice ID allows Alexa to share calendar events specified by the user, reminders, music and more. Previously, Amazon had indicated that “if you choose not to save any voice recording, Voice ID may not work.” As of March 28, Voice ID deactivation will be a guarantee for those who do not allow Amazon to store their voice recordings.
Amazon mail states: “Voice requests to Alexa are always encrypted in transit to the safe cloud of Amazon, which is designed with multiple protective layers to keep customer information safe. Users can continue to choose between a wide range of controls accessing Alexa’s privacy panel online or sailing in the Alexa application in more> Alexa privacy.”
Amazon is forcing users to make a difficult decision: to grant Amazon to all voice recordings addressed to Alexa or stop using an echo; Allow Amazon to save voice recordings and that their employees listen to them or lose a set of functions that will become more advanced and central in the next generation of Alexa.
However, Amazon is very committed to Alexa+ to get the voice assistant out of a financial well. The company has publicly committed to maintaining Alexa’s free version, but Alexa+ is seen as Amazon’s last hope to make Alexa profitable. Any measure that motivates users to pay for Alexa seems to have priority over other user demands, including privacy.
Article originally published in Ars Technica. Adapted by Manuel de León.
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