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Amazon boots local Alexa processing: All your voice requests shipped to the cloud

Mar 17, 2025 - theregister.com
Starting March 28, 2025, Amazon will discontinue the option for local processing of voice commands on certain Echo devices, pushing all Alexa requests to the cloud for analysis. This change affects users who enabled the "Do Not Send Voice Recordings" feature, which will be automatically disabled. Amazon cites the need for cloud processing to support new generative AI features as the reason for this shift. While Amazon claims that privacy will not be compromised, the move has raised concerns, especially since even with local processing, text transcripts of requests were still sent to the cloud. Users who choose not to save recordings will lose access to personalized features like voice ID.

Amazon's decision aligns with its push for the new Alexa+ service, which offers generative AI capabilities but requires a subscription. Despite privacy concerns, Amazon assures users that privacy tools will remain available, though opting out of saving recordings limits Alexa's functionality. The change has sparked discussions about Amazon's approach to privacy, especially given past controversies over data handling and security with Alexa and other Amazon devices.

Key takeaways:

  • Amazon is discontinuing the local processing option for Alexa voice commands on Echo devices, pushing all requests to the cloud for analysis starting March 28, 2025.
  • Privacy-conscious users who enabled the "Do Not Send Voice Recordings" setting will have it automatically disabled, with voice recordings sent to the cloud and deleted after processing.
  • Amazon claims the change is necessary to support new generative AI features that require cloud processing power, despite privacy concerns.
  • Generative AI features through Alexa+ will only be available to Amazon Prime subscribers or for a monthly fee, with all commands processed remotely.
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