Amazon has announced the discontinuation of its "Do Not Send Voice Recordings" feature, a privacy option that allowed certain Echo device users to prevent their voice commands from being sent to Amazon's cloud. This feature, which processed audio locally on the device, will be phased out as Amazon integrates new generative artificial intelligence capabilities into Alexa that require cloud processing.
The "Do Not Send Voice Recordings" option was available only on the 4th generation Echo Dot, the Echo Show 10, and the Echo Show 15, and was limited to U.S. customers with devices set to English. As of March 28, users who had utilized this feature will be automatically transitioned to the "Don't save recordings" option. According to Amazon, less than 0.03% of customers made use of the "Do Not Send" option.
Amazon's decision to end the feature is part of a broader strategy to enhance user experience with Alexa by focusing on privacy tools and controls that align with generative AI functionalities. These advanced features, which are set to expand Alexa’s capabilities, depend on the processing power of Amazon's secure cloud infrastructure.
The company emphasized its commitment to customer privacy amid these changes.
"The Alexa experience is designed to protect our customers’ privacy and keep their data secure, and that’s not changing."
Source: Amazon (via AP)
The removal of this option reflects Amazon's dedication to improving Alexa’s functionality while still prioritizing privacy. By concentrating on tools that both protect user data and integrate seamlessly with AI technology, Amazon aims to deliver a more powerful and secure voice assistant experience.
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